One of Venice’s oldest restaurants will depart from the Boardwalk next week, when Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom closes on December 16. The original storefront for the family-owned restaurant will have clocked in at an impressive 40 years in the center of Venice’s beachside strip.
The company has not publicly shared details about the Venice shutter, and it appears that the company will focus on its sausage wholesaler business for now.
It’s likely that, over the years, many have encountered a Jody’s sausage counter at places like Dodger Stadium, LAX, or Universal Citywalk; all of which have since closed. This month’s Venice exit puts Southern California’s only remaining location at the Desert Hills Premium Outlet way out in Cabazon.
After selling sausages from an improvised food cart, owner Jordan Monkarsh opened Venice’s Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom in 1979, eventually growing to outlets throughout Los Angeles, Phoenix, St. Louis, and Las Vegas. In 1988, the family opened a plant to meet the increased demand as a sausage wholesaler.
Monkarsh — whose family lived above the Venice restaurant for years — tells Eater that the family witnessed the changes happening throughout Venice over time, and knew Jody’s departure was imminent. His parents were an active part of Venice the Venice community, and even now during Jody’s final days, the Monkarsh family hopes that the next tenant will help to keep things local. The family provided the following statement, and will have a farewell party this Sunday from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.:
“We end this chapter with nothing but gratitude for our family, our greater Venice community, and whatever the future has in store. We are lucky to have been able to have our story woven into the fabric of this metropolis – here at the edge where dreamers thrive. In our name, we ask that you hire local, feed locals, be locals.”
Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom. 2011 Ocean Front Walk, Venice CA
