Our Story

Jack Holder in his white shirt and black bow tie behind the counter of one of his early restaurants, black and white photo

WWII Marine Corps Veteran Jack Holder returned home in 1945 to Tacoma, Washington. His life already encompassed two World Wars and the Great Depression, and he was the single father to a son.


Jack opened his first Dairy Queen in Roseburg, Oregon in 1948, and opened a second location soon after. At this time, he started wearing his signature black bow tie with a crisp white shirt. He fell in love with the restaurant business and served many complimentary soft serve cones, starting his life-long tradition of treating guests and staff like family.

Newspaper ad: Jack's Drive-Up grand opening, Friday July 22nd, Medford. Opening day special, two hamburgers for the price of one. Hamburgers 19 cents, shakes 20 cents, fries 11 cents.
Jack's Drive-Up in Medford at night, 1966, with its French Fries, Hamburgers, Shakes sign lit up
 

In 1954, Jack married the love of his life, Anne Holder.

In 1955, Jack’s Drive-Up opened in Medford, featuring 19 cent hamburgers, 11 cent fries, and 20 cent milkshakes. 

Uncle John's Pancake House on South First Street, San Jose, 1966, black and white photo

In 1957, Jack and Anne Holder moved their growing family to Santa Clara, California, and opened Uncle John’s Pancake House. With Jack and Anne’s famous house-made pancakes and waffles, Uncle John’s became one of the most popular restaurants in the Bay Area.

Holder's Country Inn Restaurant logo, since 1962

In 1967, Jack and his family opened the original Holder’s Country Inn in San Jose, where business flourished for 32 years until the location was redeveloped into Santana Row. Jack loved to sit with his guests and exchange stories over coffee, making them feel at home.

Currently, seven Holder family restaurants are operating the in the Bay area, operated by Jack and Anne’s seven kids: Jacqueline, Frank, John, Danny, Richard, Michael, and Robert.


John and Kristi Holder on their wedding day in 1994, under a flower arch
Westside Grill logo etched in a framed glass window, Gilroy

John Holder was the third of Jack and Anne’s children and grew up surrounded by love for the restaurant business.

In 1994 he married Kristi Holder, and the pair had two daughters, Samantha and Nicole.

The family moved to Gilroy, CA and opened their own restaurant, Westside Grill, in 2006. Like his father, John continues to treat his guests and staff like family. John and Kristi continue to run the restaurant side by side.

The Holder Family’s Brew City Burgers is based on the original 1950’s Jack’s Drive-Up and honors the legacy of Jack and Anne Holder. Our family traditions of friendly and attentive service combined with great food and reasonable prices proudly continue.