Many people miss the good old days of cheap, fast, tasty hamburgers with hot French fries. Some nostalgic drive-ins have come and gone while others have stood the test of time. Fast food is the term given to many items that can be prepared and served quickly, and was recognized in a dictionary by Merriam-Webster in 1951. In the United States, a typical fast food meal is a hamburger, fries, and a drink. In the early 1950s, travel by automobile was commonplace, and people wanted places that they could order a quick, inexpensive meal on the go. Several drive-ins fulfilled this need. Setting the standard for the finest fast food in Seattle was exactly the objective of the three associates who started Dick’s Drive-In. “Our goal,” said Dick Spady, who is the only one of the three original partners who still works in the business, “was simply to serve fresh, high quality food at low prices with instant service.”
Dick’s Drive-In originally opened in 1954 and grew to five different locations. Its staples were hamburgers for 19¢; fresh, hand-cut potato fries for 11¢; and a hand-dipped milk shake for 21¢. Popular menu items included the “Dick’s Deluxe,” a hamburger with lettuce, mayonnaise, and chopped pickles; and the “Dick’s Special,” a hamburger with cheese that debuted in 1971. Dick’s Drive-In has tip jars for local charities and offers scholarships for its student employees. The Wallingford location opened in 1954, the Capital Hill location in 1955, the Crown Hill location in 1960, the Lake City location in 1963, and the Queen Anne location in 1974. Dick’s Drive-Ins are still open and are still offering scholarships.
Dag’s Drive-In also served its well-known hamburgers, such as the “Dagilac” and the “Beefy Boy.” The chain was open from 1955 to 1993 by founders Ed and Boe Messett. Eight other Dag’s Drive-Ins opened through the years.
Drive up, drive in, and visit one today.
FOURTH AVENUE DRIVE-IN. This 1940 photograph shows the Fourth Avenue Drive-In. One of the early pioneers, the restaurant switched its appliances from gas to all electric. (Courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives, No. 18872.)
COLONEL SANDERS AT GIL’S DRIVE-IN. On June 30, 1959, this photograph was taken of Nick Eronemo, Gil Centiolli, and Harland Sanders, also known as Colonel Sanders, at Gil’s Drive-In, which was located at 1001 Pine Street. Centioli and Eronemo were partners in bringing Kentucky Fried Chicken to the Puget Sound region. (Courtesy of the Robert H. Miller Collection, MOHAI, No. 2864.)
COLONEL SANDERS AT GIL’S DRIVE-IN. Colonel Sanders is shown eating fried chicken at Gil’s Drive-In in Seattle on June 30, 1959. During the 1950s, Gil Centiolli owned three fast food drive-ins known as Gil’s Hamburgers. (Courtesy of the Robert H. Miller Collection, MOHAI, No. 2002.46.18.)
DAG’S DRIVE-IN. The world headquarters of Dag’s Drive-In was located on Aurora Avenue. The founders, Ed and Boe Messett, named the drive-in after their father. Bob Ward, their press agent, came up with the slogans, including “This is Dag’s . . . Canlis is ten bucks north,” “Home of the Dagilac,” and “This is Dag’s.” Dag’s is now a parking lot on Aurora Avenue. (Courtesy of MOHAI, No. 2004.57.)
DICK’S DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS. The first Dick’s Drive-In opened in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood on Northeast Forty-fifth Street in 1954. The founders were Dr. B. O. A. Thomas, H. Warren Ghormley, and Dick Spady. This 1993 photograph shows the Almost Live performers and writers posing for a promotional shot at Dick’s Drive-In. Pictured from left to right are Bill Stainton, Tracy Conway, Steve Wilson, Nancy Guppy, Bob Nelson, John Keister, and Ed Wyatt. (Courtesy of Dick’s Drive-In.)
ROOT BEER DRIVE-IN. A photograph of the XXX Root Beer Drive-In was taken in 1940. It was converted to be an all-electric restaurant. Currently, there is still a Triple X drive-in in Issaquah, Washington. (Courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives, No. 18871.)
