Stewart's Root Beer Drive-In was one of those classic places that seemed frozen in time. Located in Mansfield, it kept the traditional drive-in experience alive for decades with carhop service and frosty mugs of Stewart's famous root beer. Better yet, Mansfield is where the entire Stewart's Root Beer story began back in 1924. 02-07
According to the owners when these photos were taken, this location had already been serving customers for more than 50 years. It was one of several Stewart's stands that operated around Mansfield over the years, carrying on a tradition that started when Frank Stewart first began selling his homemade root beer at a Ringling Brothers circus stop during the summer of 1924.
Like so many classic drive-ins, Stewart's was about more than just the food. Pulling into a parking space, placing your order, and having it delivered to your car by a carhop was all part of the experience. It's easy to see why places like this created so many memories over the years.
Unfortunately, this Mansfield location eventually closed after problems with its aging well system made continued operation impractical. The building found a new use, and another piece of roadside Americana quietly faded away.
UPDATE: 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
UPDATE: This Stewart's Root Beer Drive-In has permanently closed. The historic roadside sign has been removed, and the former restaurant building has been repurposed for commercial storage. 06-26
A must see addition to Roadside Peek: An article on The
Huntington Hot Dog by John Salvatore.
Penquin Drive-in (Demolished)
Manitowoc, WI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Penguin Drive-In was one of Manitowoc's best-known roadside restaurants, getting its start as a small custard stand in 1936 before growing into a full-fledged drive-in a decade later. It was famous for its burgers, frozen custard, and, of course, its eye-catching penguin sign out front. 02-07
The business evolved into a drive-in in 1946, and for years customers could pull in, order from their cars, and enjoy the classic drive-in experience. One of the more unusual features was the free movies that were shown behind the stand during its early years, giving families another reason to spend an evening there.
The Penguin overcame a devastating fire in 1961, rebuilding on the same site and continuing to serve the community for decades. In the early 1970s, the restaurant expanded with indoor seating, allowing it to operate year-round while still holding onto much of its drive-in character.
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 temporaryWhen this photo was taken, there was hope the restaurant's sudden closure would only be temporary. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The building sat vacant for several years before being demolished in 2012.
Thankfully, one important piece of the Penguin survived. The classic roadside sign was saved by a private collector, ensuring at least a little of this Wisconsin drive-in lives on.
UPDATE: The Penguin Drive-In permanently closed after 2006 and the building was demolished in 2012. The restaurant is gone, but its iconic penguin sign was preserved and remains in a private collection. 06-26
UPDATE: 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: 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
Miller's Drive-in (Gone)
Rushville, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
The Miller's Drive-in had already become Southside Drive-In by the time this photo was taken, but one thing hadn't changed—the classic roadside marquee was still standing and lighting up South Main Street. It's always nice to see an old sign get a second life instead of disappearing when a business changes hands. 07-07
Originally opened by Richard and Lillian Miller, the drive-in became a longtime favorite in Rushville, serving local families for nearly five decades. After the Miller family opened a new sit-down restaurant in 1991, the drive-in continued operating as Southside Drive-In, keeping much of the character that made the original so memorable.
For a while, even the old Miller's marquee remained, simply updated with the Southside name. It's a great reminder that roadside history doesn't always disappear overnight. Sometimes it evolves a little at a time.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case forever. The restaurant eventually closed, the sign came down, and the property found a new purpose. At least the building itself survived, even if it no longer serves burgers and fries.
UPDATE: Southside Drive-In has closed, and the historic marquee has been removed. The former drive-in building still stands and has been repurposed as Gettinger Family Custom Meats. 06-26
Allen's Drive-in (Short's Root Beer Drive-in)
Coldwater, MI Photo and info courtesy Richard Weiss
Allen's Drive-in was a favorite stop in Coldwater for burgers, root beer, and the classic drive-in experience. What always caught my eye, though, was the colorful drive-in canopy. It gave the place a fun look that was hard to miss as you drove by. 05-08
The restaurant originally opened as a B&K Root Beer stand during the 1950s before becoming Allen's Drive-In after the Allen family purchased the business in 1980. They kept the carhop tradition alive for more than 25 years, serving burgers, coney dogs, homemade root beer, and plenty of thick milkshakes.
In 2013, the restaurant entered a new chapter when it was purchased by the Short family. While the name changed to Short's Root Beer Drive-In, much of what made the place special stayed the same. The classic canopy, seasonal carhop service, and longtime menu favorites all carried on under the new owners.
It's always nice to see an old drive-in continue serving customers instead of disappearing. Even with a different name on the sign, it still looks like a place that's worth pulling into.
UPDATE: Allen's Drive-In continues operating as Short's Root Beer Drive-In. The classic drive-in building and canopy survive, and the restaurant remains open seasonally under local ownership. 06-26
Jim's Drive-In has been a Greenville favorite since 1954, and it's one of those places that's worth seeking out if you enjoy old-fashioned drive-ins. Jim's still has its vintage roadside sign, and if you're stopping for the first time, be sure to order the Spanish hot dog. It's the local favorite. Wash it down with one of their homemade root beers served in a frosted mug, and you've got the perfect summer meal. 09-08
One of the best things about Jim's is that it hasn't tried to reinvent itself. You can still pull into a parking space, place your order, and enjoy the classic drive-in experience that has been disappearing from America's roads for decades. The outdoor picnic tables are a great place to sit on a warm evening, and it's easy to see why so many people have made this an annual tradition.
Jim's is only open seasonally, typically closing in late August just before the Darke County Fair begins. That just makes it feel even more like a summertime destination. While they've added conveniences like online ordering, the restaurant has held onto the character that made it popular in the first place.
UPDATE: Jim's Drive-In is still serving customers each summer and remains one of Greenville's favorite places for a Spanish hot dog, homemade root beer, and a classic drive-in experience. The vintage roadside sign also survives. 06-26
Stewart's Root Beer (Gone)
Unfortunately, this Mansfield location eventually closed after problems with its aging well system made continued operation impractical. The building found a new use, and another piece of roadside Americana quietly faded away.
Penquin Drive-in (Demolished)
Jim's Drive-in
