When growing up we had very little “fast” food. Eating mom’s home cooked meal was the normal. Sitting at the kitchen table was mandatory, and everyone was home for supper. We discussed the day’s events, which usually at our house involved my brother eating as fast as he could, and excusing himself as soon as possible, leaving my dad and I not quite having a fireside chat.
There were very few meals where I wasn’t in trouble for something. The only thing I hated was having supper with friends. I always felt like a dork. Found out not everyone picks up their chicken with their fingers. Or, does obnoxious things at the table. In our house you didn’t say throw me a potato, unless you were prepared to catch it.
The few fast food places we did have were awesome. Rex’s Hamburger Shop (5 cents a burger, buck a bag), Zesto, A & W Root Beer, (I couldn’t wait to be big enough to get the Teen Burger), Dairy Isle on 10th and Daisy Queen on 3rd.
I must also include lunch counters that were mostly used by business people. Elsie’s Lunch Counter, Hested’s Lunch Counter and Theile’s Orange Tea Room, where the Cherry Coke and Green River were well known.
Next came Tastee Freeze, Arctic Circle with the Acey Burger and best broasted chicken anywhere, and Dairy Queen with their wonderful ice cream treats.
In high school our favorite place to go was Daffy Dills at 10th and Laramie, close to school, yummy food, great juke box, black light posters, wrought iron tables and chairs, pinball machines, and just the best place to go for a young person. I doubt there are many junior and senior high kids at that time who didn’t just think this was the best in the world to spend the ‘70s.
Going out to eat with the family had fewer choices. Don’s Cafe was awesome and The Elm Grill was such a treat. I miss having a yummy relish tray with my salad. It was the first place I had a steak away from home. I was hooked from the first bite.
Skip’s Steak and Eggs, Grampy’s Pancake House, Rancho Cafe, The Elk’s supper club, the Country Club and the American Legion Supper Club sat on East Third before it burned down, was my favorite. I loved the little birthday cakes you got. It made it so special. Going to Melbeta to the Flame was fantastic.
Now there are so many options: it started with Hardee’s, KFC, Taco John’s and McDonald’s, followed by Subway, Arby’s, Pizza Hut, Mi Ranchito, La Villa and many places who came and went silently along the way. One of the most missed I believe is Martin’s, great food, from a great family.
As our lives get busier, and technology makes things more available and easier. It makes me wonder what sort of places there will be in the future of our town. Maybe the Jetsons weren’t too far off? I just hope no one forgets the family meals, whether at home or out.