When 19 cents used to buy a meal

Napa High students and other locals used to eat at Chic’s Burgers, then located across the street from the high school. Today, it’s the home of a bicycle store.

(Napa Register 1969. article written by 1970 classmate Sherry Slimp)

Burgers Popular

"Hamburgers are a national institution, and across the street from the Napa Senior High School green can be purchased the finest served in northern California, according to our usually ravenous Injun-eer staff.

Any student knows that we are talking about 'Chic's', but how many know the owner of 'Chic's' James H Jordan?  James Jordan arrived in Napa in the fall of 1954 and opened 'Chic's" on Sept. 26 of that year. Prior to his arrival in Napa, he lived in San Francisco and worked as a salesman for a restaurant and fountain supply house for eight years. James Jordan was in parntership for his first six months in Napa with a man nick-named Chic - thus the present title of the Napa High's favorite hamburger hang-out.

Most foods that are in demand, he commented, are hamburgers, fries, and drinks (mostly coke) which account for 80 per cent of his business. The other 20 per cent is derived from sales of tuna burgers, chicken, hot dogs, etc.

Jordan has a minimum of 10 to 12 people working for him. Three of those are high school or junior college students. James Jordan hires people 18 years old and over.

During the school term, students account for 30-40 per cent of Chic's' business, although Saturday has always been the biggest day.

In answer to a query about student conduct, Jordan said, 'We find in our judgment that 95 out of 100 students are good and conduct themselves well.'

'Chic's has sponsored such things as the Boy's Club, Pretender's Playhouse, school swimming teams, 4-H clubs, and anthing tha is worthwhile' he concludes."