Famous PUDN, Swing Inn Announce Sweet And Savory Partnership In Old Town Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — Old Town Temecula's Swing Inn and Famous PUDN have joined up to pair delicious barbecue with the delicacies of Southwest Riverside County's beloved dessert empire. Located right next door to the Swing Inn Cafe, at 28676 Old Town Front Street, Famous PUDN is open weekly, Thursday through Sunday.

But how did these sweet and savory tastes collide? It was a natural, according to several Instagram reels shared by the business owners.

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Dean Norris, owner of Swing Inn and "Breaking Bad" actor best known for his portrayal of FBI agent "Hank," and longtime Temecula resident, is the owner of The Swing Inn Cafe, a long-standing fixture at the south entrance to Old Town Temecula. Norris recently said he made EJ Smith, owner of Famous PUDN, "an offer he couldn't refuse." To take up shop right next door to this beloved barbecue restaurant.

When Smith closed his Murrieta PUDN location last year, he teased fans to watch social media for their next storefront, tentatively planned for 2026 in a "high-traffic location."

This is about as "high-traffic" as Temecula gets.

In June, they jointly announced the move next door to Swing Inn, and what a sweet collaboration it is.

Famous PUDN is still serving its five-ingredient, gluten-free, kettle-cooked banana pudding in a "build your own" style that you can top however you like. Fans are lining up to buy them out daily. After opening day, Smith had this to say:

"My heart is full. For the first time ever, I was able to have my wife and kids working in the business at the same time."

Famous PUDN owner EJ Smith has long brought his family recipe of gluten-free, kettle-cooked pudding to the masses of Southwest Riverside County. He's been a frequent flyer at area Farmers Markets since the Murrieta Famous PUDN storefront closed in 2025. Getting back to a storefront business has been a goal, he said.

The PUDN itself has earned numerous local awards and accolades. They even served actress Renee Zellweger on Mother's Day in 2023, one of their claims to fame. Still, the plans for the business are ever-evolving, says Smith.

Raised in Gardena, Smith started making homemade PUDN in 2004, based on his mother's family recipe.

His base recipe has only five ingredients, and the delicious baked dessert is Kosher Certified. "We were blessed by a real Rabbi," he said. He set up shop in a former Long Beach deli and word got out quickly.

"I had lines around the street some days," he said. Even the mayor of Long Beach proclaimed that they were "putting smiles on people's faces" with a delicious dessert that everyone can relate to, regardless of family history or background. On track to do big business, appearing on television studio sets, MTV award greenrooms and more, his wife grew ill and needed surgery. Life took them away from California for several years.

It wasn't until 2015 that they moved to Temecula and, during the pandemic, decided that a family business may be just the way to both work with and leave a legacy for his son, EJ Smith IV.

Together, the Smith family came up with the mission statement and plan for the shop.

"My son worked out that PUDN stands for PUDN Unifies Diversity Nationwide," he said. They also still strive to carry on the tradition of putting smiles on people's faces every day, with the traditional banana pudding to the elaborate flavors and toppings each guest can build themselves.

"I coached him in football, and now I'm coaching him in business," he said. "We're working together and it feels good to be closer than ever, working together. Thank all of you for loving us what we stand for, and what we do in our community. We look forward to seeing you and PUDN smiles on your faces."

Related:

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Renée Zellweger Visit Puts Murrieta's Famous PUDN On Hollywood Map

Bryan Cranston, 'Breaking Bad' Co-Star Reunite At Temecula's Swing Inn