The American Drive-in: History and Folklore of the Drive-in Restaurant in American Car Culture

200 Pages·1994·96.914 MB·English

by  Michael Karl Witzel

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$29.95US
THE
©
rive-in restaurants were a vision
of paradise on the American
road. Neon lights, flashy
architecture, the aroma of
hamburgers, the cool lure of a malted
milk, and the playful crowd in cruising
cars all beckoned generations of
Americans to enjoy.
Without giving up the semi­
private world of their automobile,
motorists could summon service
simply by flashing their headlights or
touching the speaker-box switch. In a
flash an eager carhop arrived dressed
in a flamboyant majorette uniform
and sporting roller skates. Gliding
across the asphalt with a tray full of
hamburgers, French fries, and
milkshakes, the curb-girl was an
unforgettable sight.
The imagery of drive-in dining
and all its trappings are flush with
nostalgia and fond memories.
Those were the days of youth and
excitement when owning a jalopy was
a thrill and chomping a burger seated
alongside your favorite person at a
carhop restaurant was a pleasure.
The American Drive-In is a fun
history of the folklore, architecture,
and yes, the cuisine of our favorite
drive-in restaurants from coast to
coast.
Here are more than 200 photo­
graphs chronicling the drive-in's glory
years and recent revival, including
the Texas Pig Stands, A&W, Meis,
McDonald's, The Varsity, Porky's,
Sonic, and many more. Tied in with
the drive-ins is the story of the
creation of those American icons:
the hamburger, French fries, Coca­
Cola, hot dogs, ice cream sodas and
malts, and others.
While numerous classic drive-ins
have disappeared, they will not be
forgotten: many old drive-ins have
been restored and nP.,·,. :-sr:ilicas built.
For all those nostalr/.:-,-:::�,�,:·s with a
yearning for the wa> �:J;:<,-.: ::·.,�,d to
be, here is a ti me mac: ;:,,' � .... ;z. ,·, �:t
the past-a unique oppo;:,::.•�> i-·:
experience the taste, sound, '�-�:_.
atmosphere of the American d ivG-tr..

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Dedication
For Dad, my original roadfood mentor, who transported me in the "green
slime" to the Wanaque Drive-In for hot dogs, the Milk Barn for chocolate
almond ice cream, the Chuck Hut for Bacon-Lettuce-and-Tomato sandwiches,
and down Route 23 to Lami's for sausage and pepper sandwiches. Those were
some of the tastiest road trips I remember ... and will never forget.
First published in 1994 by Motorbooks International Publishers & Wholesalers, PO Box 2,
729 Prospect Avenue, Osceola, WI 54020 USA
© Michael Karl Witzel, 1994
All rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the purpose of review no
part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Publisher
Motorbooks International is a certified trademark, registered with the United States Patent Office
The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All
recommendations are made without any guarantee on the part of the author or Publisher, who
also disclaim any liability incurred in connection with the use of this data or specific details
We recognize that some words, mpdel names and designations, for example, mentioned herein
are the property of the trademark holder. We use them for identification purposes only. This is
not an official publication
"Coca-Cola" and the Dynamic Ribbon device are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola
Company.
Motorbooks International books are also available at discounts in bulk quantity for industrial or
sales-promotional use. For details write to Special Sales Manager at the Publisher's address
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Available ISBN 0-87938-919-2
On the front cover: The famous Meis Drive-In chain once lit up the California night with its
neon. Today, a drive-in revival is bringing back former drive-ins and building new ones.
Delighting visitors with their fantastic attractions, the Universal Studios theme parks in
Holl ood, California, and Orlando, Florida, pay homage to the drive-in legacy begun by
yw
restauranteur Mel Weiss. Both locations feature an idealized re-creation of the now legendary
Meis Drive-In. ©1992 Universal Studios Florida
On the frontispiece: The famous Porky's Drive-In in St. Paul, Minnesota. Michael Dregni.
The well-stacked hamburger meal served with a plate of French fries and extra large Coca-Cola.
Michael Karl Witzel. Pig Stand carhop Ruth Forke. Dal/as Public Library
On the title page: Katson's Drive-In circa 1940, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Courtesy Chuck Sturm
On the verso and contents pages: Walt's Bar Restaurant Grill on US Highway 46 in Essex
County, New Jersey, in July 1947. Is there any doubt that this stand was built by an ex-wartime
aviator? Standard Oil (New Jersey) Co. Collection, Photographic Archives, University of Louisville
On the back cover: Carhop at a Keemah, Texas, drive-in in September 1945. Standard Oil (New
Jersey) Co. Collection, Photographic Archives, University of Louisville. Hamburger meal. Michael
Karl Witzel. The Chicken in the Rough drive-in. Courtesy Chuck Sturm. Curb service logo.
Courtesy Metro /mageBase
On the end pape, s: Stan's Drive-In, 1950s. Courtesy Martin Cable, Edwin Schober photographer
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CONTENTS
6
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
8
FOREWORD
9
INTRODUCTION
Chapter One
AMERICA'S NEW MOTOR LUNCH 12
Chapter Two
THE CIRCULAR MECCA OF NEON 46
Chapter Three
NEWER VISIONS FOR ROADFOOD 108
Chapter Four
DRIVE.;.IN DEMISE AND RE-RISE 148
BIBLIOGRAPHY 188
INDEX 192
·:, �- 4
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A triple decker thanks to the individuals Atlanta Historical Society, Inc., Arizona Histori­
who donated time, knowledge, re­ cal Society, Kent Bash, The Texas Collection at
membrances, photographs, advertise­ Baylor University, Annabelle Breakey, Burbank
ments, contacts, and suggestions. Most no­ Historical Society, the Cambridge Historical
tably, Will Anderson, Nancy Baker, Joan Bax­ Commission, Chicago Historical Society, Cul­
ter, Joseph R. Blackstock, Brian Butko, Martin ver Pictures, Inc., Craig Curtin, the Dallas His­
Cable, Pat Chappell, David Clements, Dan torical Society, Georgia Historical Society,
Daniels, Mike Dapper, Michael Dregni, Albert Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, His­
Doumar, Tom Duffey, Bill Dushatko, Amy Eliez­ torical Society of Seattle and King County,
er, Wanda Faist, Ruth Forke, Ralph Grossman, Kansas State Historical Society, Karl Korze­
John Hanks, Frank Haywood, Edith Hoover, niewski, Steven Lewis, The Museum of Mod­
Charles K. Hyde, Harvey Kaplan, Jerry Keyser, ern Art, National Archives, the National Muse­
Eric H. Killorin, Bruce Kraig, Arthur Krim, Mil­ um of American History, The New York Histori­
dred "Skeeter" Kobzeff, Pat Krohlow, Philip cal Society, Oregon Historical Society, Los An­
Langdon, Teresa Linscott, Robert Linscott, Ra­ geles Public Library Photo Collection, Louis
mona Longpre, Richard Longstreth, Lorraine Persat, Personality Photos, Inc., Photosource
Magowan, Wayne McAllister, Richard McDon­ International, Preziosi Postcards, Quincy His­
ald, Richard Mclay, Boe Messett, Tom Morri­ torical Society, Renton Historical Society, the
son, Biff Naylor, Greg Naylor, Victor Newlove, Sacramento Archives & Museum Collection
Chris Nichols, Clare Patterson, Jr., Dale Poore, Center, Saline County Historical Society, Secu­
Bill Roberts, Kyle Roberts, Ted Roen, Keith A. rity Pacific Historical Photograph Collection,
Sculle, Louise Sivils, Troy N. Smith, Melba Sta­ Andy Southard, Jr., Standard Oil of New Jer­
pleton, Ronald N. Schneider, Chuck Sturm, sey Collection, Unicorn Stock Photos, Randy
Jeffrey Tennyson, Buna "Johnnie" Van Welborn, and of course, Gabriele Witzel.
Hekken, Buzz Waldmire, Marc Wanamaker, J. An extra-large order of fries should go to
Frank Webster, and June Wian. the libraries, librarians, and researchers who
A generous slice of appreciation is re­ assisted, namely Kim M. Miller and the An­
served for the stock photo agencies, historical tique Automobile Club of America Library and
archives, photographers, and artists that sup­ Research Center, Joan Johnson of Circa Re­
plied images, including Warren Anderson, the search and Reference, Detroit Public Library,
6 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS