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What Drive-In Restaurants Used To Look Like In Their Heyday

Would you like fries with this throwback?

Headshot of Janaya WeckerBy Janaya Wecker
family orders food at drivein restaurant
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Before you were handed your meal through a tiny drive-thru window, there was the drive-in. Food at these genius establishments was delivered by wait staff—excuse me, by carhops—on roller skates or via conveyor belt. Honestly, how fun? It's no surprise drive-ins were all the rage in the golden age of fast food. A.k.a when your choices of where to grab a burger went well beyond McDonald's (no offense, Ronald McDonald!). These retro photos will give an inside look at what drive-ins were really like and all of the rich Americana history behind them.

1

1921: Where It All Began

pig stands inc
Jim Heimann Collection//Getty Images

America's very first drive-in, Pig Stand, opened in 1921 and was located on the highway connecting Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. This is the menu from 1938, after the brand took off and was franchised across the country.

2

Circa 1930: Car Innovations

drivein sandwich shop
University of Southern California//Getty Images

The 1930s were a time of luxury transportation. With new innovations, like built-in heaters and radios, the idea of eating in your vehicle began to appeal to car owners more and more.

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3

1932: Dinner Made Easy

drive in food service
University of Southern California//Getty Images

People loved getting food delivered right to their windows. It was a brand-new concept in an age where quicker was better and convenience was key.

4

1932: Affordable Eats

drive in food service
University of Southern California//Getty Images

Back in the '30s, you could buy dinner with a few coins. At a California restaurant called Carpenter's, nothing was more than a dime and a nickel.

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5

1933: Come One, Come All

monte blue in drive in restaurant
Bettmann//Getty Images

You'd be served no matter what you pulled up in. Here, Old Hollywood actor Monte Blue is handed his food while driving a mini race car.

6

1935: Embracing Themes

restaurant building covered in abalone shells
Hulton Deutsch//Getty Images

Themed drive-ins were a big hit with consumers. Fun fact: This seafood restaurant was covered in 50,000 abalone shells. Genius!

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7

1939: A Festive Coffee Shop

usa california a coffeepot shaped drive in restaurant or snack bar near los angeles 1939 photographer ewing galloway
ullstein bild Dtl.//Getty Images

At this joint, drivers could stop by for a quick cup of joe and a bite at a coffee pot-shaped drive-in near Los Angeles.

8

1939: Even More Themes

usa california  the twin barrels drivein restaurant near los angeles 1939 photographer ewing galloway  vintage property of ullstein bild
ullstein bild Dtl.//Getty Images

If you needed more proof themed drive-ins were the hottest thing of the '30s, here's The Twin Barrels in Los Angeles. The spot was known for (what else?) root beer.

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9

1939: And One More For Fun

drive in restaurant
ullstein bild Dtl.//Getty Images

While this restaurant, dubbed The Toed Inn, didn't sell anything frog-related, we bet many visited it just to see the, ehem, unique exterior.

10

1939: Star-Studded Parking Lots

drive in restaurant
CBS Photo Archive//Getty Images

CBS Radio stars Frances Langford and Kenny Baker take a snack break at a drive-in café near The Texaco Star Theater in California.

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11

Circa 1940: Raise Your Glass

drive in restaurant
ullstein bild Dtl.//Getty Images

After prohibition ended in 1933, people found just about any and every reason to toast. Some drive-ins served alcohol—but hopefully not to the driver!

12

Circa 1940s: Skate Right Up

take away drinks
ClassicStock//Getty Images

Wait staff—often on roller skates—were dubbed carhops. Waiters and waitresses first started going by this name in 1921, when automobiles were becoming more common.

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13

1945: A Restaurant Revival

drive in restaurant
University of Southern California//Getty Images

After WWII ended in 1945, the American hospitality business boomed. With rationing no longer needed, people were willing to spend more and try new foods.

14

1948: Architectural Trends

kober's dairy bar
Wisconsin Historical Society//Getty Images

Circular drive-ins allowed staff to get from the kitchen to the cars easier, and therefore became very popular.

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15

1948: Space Smarts

kober's dairy bar interior
Wisconsin Historical Society//Getty Images

A major perk of opening a drive-in? No capacity limits. This allowed for more customers, and, as a result, a bigger profit.

16

1948: Air Conditioning Incentives

frisch's 'big boy one' drive in
Cincinnati Museum Center//Getty Images

Frisch's Big Boy drive-in in Ohio clearly appreciated the appeal of A/C. Drivers could eat either in the cool restaurant or their cars.

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17

1949: Drive-In Groceries

drive in grocery
PhotoQuest//Getty Images

In the '40s, there were drive-in churches, movies, and even grocery stores. Because who needs a shopping cart when you've got your trunk?

18

1950: Keepin' Busy

cars parked at an automated drive in diner, where individual conveyor belts transport food directly to the driver, califonia, circa 1950 photo by fpghulton archivegetty images
FPG//Getty Images

To keep up with demand of drive-ins during the '50s, some locations developed a new system: Sending meals—and bills—to cars by conveyor belt.

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19

Circa 1950: Behind The Scenes

drive in restaurant
Hulton Archive//Getty Images

Here's what the other side of the system looked like. An employee loads the conveyor belts with meals for hungry customers. Pretty cool!

20

Circa 1950: Fountain Drinks Over Water

cliff's drive in
Minnesota Historical Society//Getty Images

If the water at restaurants tasted a bit off in the '50s, that's because it probably was. The Clean Water Act wasn't passed until 1972, and the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974. Many customers ordered Coca-Cola or a milkshake instead.

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