Milt’s Coffee Shop is now officially an Old River Grill, some recipes to stay; Milt’s neon sign headed to Kern County Museum

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Times change and so – sometimes  – do neon signs.

Old River Grill purchased Milt’s Coffee Shop one year ago, and this week the new owner took care of one final, symbolic detail. With the addition of Old River Grill signage, the restaurant’s name has officially changed.

Roger Coughenour, whose local chain now includes four Old River Grills, purchased Milt’s in October 2022 from Mark Huggs, son of founders Milt and Doris Huggs. 

Milt Huggs, who first opened his restaurant on Knudsen Drive on Veterans Day 1964, died in 2018.

Coughenour, who will donate the old Milt’s neon sign to the Kern County Museum for its Neon Plaza, said some classic Milt’s recipes will remain on the menu. Those include the biscuits and gravy, Milt’s Texas Chili and the Pumpkin Pancakes with Pecan Butter, which will be on special in all Old River Grill locations in December.

Museum director Mike McCoy said he expects to take delivery on the neon sign sometime next week.