California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 23038

“Bona fide public eating place” means a place which is regularly and in a bona fide manner used and kept open for the serving of meals to guests for compensation and which has suitable kitchen facilities connected therewith, containing conveniences for cooking an assortment of foods which may be required for ordinary meals, the kitchen of which must be kept in a sanitary condition with the proper amount of refrigeration for keeping of food on said premises and must comply with all the regulations of the local department of health.  “Meals” means the usual assortment of foods commonly ordered at various hours of the day;  the service of such food and victuals only as sandwiches or salads shall not be deemed a compliance with this requirement.  “Guests” shall mean persons who, during the hours when meals are regularly served therein, come to a bona fide public eating place for the purpose of obtaining, and actually order and obtain at such time, in good faith, a meal therein.  Nothing in this section, however, shall be construed to require that any food be sold or purchased with any beverage.