Stewart's Root Beer
Mansfield, OH
Photos courtesy Chuck & Wanda Phelps

Here's a classic Stewart's Root Beer drive-in stand, located in Mansfield, OH. According to the owners, this location has been in business for over 50 years and still features car hop service. According to the Stewart's Beverages website, the original Stewart's stand opened in 1924 in Mansfield, OH. Many thanks to Chuck and Wanda Phelps, owners of the Stewart's Root Beer in Mansfield, OH, for update. 02-07

UPDATE 12/12 : Just got word from Chuck and Wanda Phelps that they have closed their Mansfield, OH drive-in business due to retirement and current economic times. Best wishes to both on their retirement and their root beer stand will be missed. Many thanks to Chuck and Wanda Phelps for update. 12-12

A must see addition to Roadside Peek: An article on The Huntington Hot Dog by John Salvatore.

Penquin Drive-in
Manitowoc, WI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Penquin Drive-in eatery in Manitowoc, WI started up as a drive-in in 1946 after evolving from a 10 year old custard stand. At one point, free drive-in movies were shown behind the stand.

According to this site, the Penguin closed in late 2006 as a result of a health inspection by the city. Hopefully this closure was just temporary. 02-07

UPDATE 07/07 : The Penquin Drive-In is located on US Hwy 151 in Manitowoc, WI. It was closed when we were there with a for sale sign in front, however if it is out of business, it's not been that way for long. It looked in pretty good shape. Many thanks to Alan Culley for update. 07-07

Penquin Drive-in close-up of sign
Manitowoc, WI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

UPDATE 02/09 : The Penquin Drive-in is open for business. With a lot of hard work and cleaning, the Penquin opened on January 3, 2008. It is now under new owners and has had a lot of changes. We are proud to say that we are trying to bring it back to it’s former glory and we are getting there. We still have Cruiser Night on Thursdays throughout the summer. Many thanks to Trish Wingrove, owner of the Penquin Drive-in, Manitowoc WI for update. 02-09