Dog 'n Suds

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A friend of mine at work mentioned Dog 'n Suds today, and it brought back a bunch of memories...


When I turned 16, I got my driver's license, and, using money I'd earned doing regular yard work for several people on my block, as well as money earned working part-time at a golf course, I bought a used, 1960 Nash Rambler for cash on the barrelhead.

This was not a "hot" car, by any means, but it was good, basic transportation, and the one feature that it did have was that both front seats reclined all the way back, in effect making a bed, of sorts, inside the car.

If you were adept at operating the reclining seat, in a dating situation, you could gradually ease it back, so as not to provide too abrupt a transition from sitting to lying down.

Of course, it was impossible to work the controls for both seats at once, so you and your date needed to already be in a fairly chummy position, eg: sharing one seat, in order to work your "magic."

For steady dates, the girl flattened her side, I flattened mine, and we enjoyed another evening admiring the moon, out on lover's lane, about a mile west of our high school.


But, let's get on to the Dog 'n Suds part of the story...


Dog 'n Suds was where we went on "guy nights," that is, nights when we didn't have dates with girls.

The Dog 'n Suds was in the bigger, edgier Bloomington, Illinois, which was a twin city to cozy little Normal, Illinois, where my friends and I lived, and where we went to high school.

So we'd all pile into somebody's car, and head over to Bloomington, home of the Dog 'n Suds.


It was not only home to the Dog 'n Suds, it was also home to Steak and Shake.


In fact, my hometown of Normal, Illinois is the birthplace of Steak and Shake, so we had our own Steak and Shake restaurant.


But, we didn't have a Steak and Shake AND a Dog 'n Suds, right down the street from each other!


That was a horse of another color!


See, the idea back then was to cruise through the Dog 'n Suds parking lot, back out onto the street, down the block, through the Steak and Shake parking lot, back out onto the street, back down to the Dog 'n Suds, ad infinitum, until we determined where the cutest carful of girls was parked, and then pull in right next to them, and try to get a conversation going.


Barring a cute carful of girls at either establishment, we'd pick one place, order up some food, and wait for the girls to find us!


It was just like cruising the downtown area in lots of small towns in that era, very similar to what was going on in the 1973 coming of age movie "American Graffiti."


The traffic on that small stretch of road between Dog 'n Suds and Steak and Shake was incredible most nights of the week, and even heavier on weekends!


Steak and Shake was actually founded in my hometown of Normal, Illinois, in 1934, and now has restaurants in the Midwest, South, Mid-Atlantic, and Western United States, as well as in Europe and the Middle East.


Dog 'n Suds was founded in nearby Champaign, Illinois, in 1952.


By the mid-1970's, the Dog 'n Suds chain had grown to 600 restaurants, in 38 states and Canada, and was one of the most successful fast-food restaurants in the country.

It was famous for Coney Island hot dogs, and "The World's Creamiest Root Beer," served in frosted mugs, and I can tell you, that was no hype!


But my favorite, besides the "dog," and the "suds," was the Midwest-style pork tenderloin sandwich, served with mustard and pickles, and hanging generously beyond the confines of the bun.

I must have eaten my weight in those sandwiches, back in the day!


As of March 2015, there are still 14 Dog 'n Suds restaurants in the United States.


I still have half a dozen Dog 'n Suds, thick glass mugs from back then, when drive-in food and drinks were served on a metal tray attached to your car window, and mugs were notoriously easy to "borrow."

(I see where these mugs are selling for $32.00 apiece on the internet, but I wouldn't part with mine. They are part of my personal history!)


Signs of a misspent youth.


How I'd love to go back and drive that "strip" just one more time!


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Recent Comments

39

Great memories, Rick. My good friend had a Nash Rambler convertible and we did similar cruising around San Jose in Northern California. Great memories. Thanks for sharing.

Wayne

Thanks, Wayne. My pleasure.

The good old days......seems like yesterday.

It sure does, Debbie! :)

Rick,
My first car was a 63 Rambler also. Those seats were great at the drive in. I still have a few A & W glasses.
John

Good drive-in movie car, for sure, Chris. Those mugs are great collector's items!

Another great one for your book!

There was nothing quite like "shooting the drag".

What do kids do these days I wonder????

I think it's video games, texts...more electronic stuff, Susan.

I like the idea of keeping things. Is your 1960 car existent with your glass?

The car is long gone, Jimmy.

I thought it's still existing.

Those were the days Rick. Cruisin with the babes!

Yeah, man!

Whats stopping you from going back? I used to cruise Main st here back in the late 70s and early 80s. Now days the city put a stop to that and I cant understand why.

Some time I'll go back and visit, Lori.

A wonderful story and a beautiful car. I think we think alike, I just added a blog about my Model T (Sally). Keep'em coming, I so enjoy the stories.

Thanks, Lori. :)

Hello

And have a nice day !

my.wealthyaffiliate.com/etzel/blog/secrets-of-climbing

Attila

Hi Attila. You have a good day, too.

Thanks for another yet piece of your life, Rick. Personal stories are really interesting.They add savor to the spirit of the community..:))

Thanks so much, Vera! I'm glad you liked it! :))

Yes, when you read your story, you as if get into a movie.Always fascinating...:))

have a nice day !

my.wealthyaffiliate.com/etzel/blog/secrets-of-climbing

Attila

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