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.
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 began as a Manitowoc custard stand in 1936, expanding into a drive-in in 1946. Burgers, frozen custard and a memorable penguin sign made it a familiar roadside stop. Early customers even enjoyed free movies behind the stand—quite a bonus with dinner. 02-07
The restaurant rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1961 and added indoor seating in the early 1970s. That allowed year-round service while retaining much of its drive-in character.
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
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
Miller's Drive-in (Gone)
Rushville, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Miller's Drive-in had become Southside Drive-In when photographed, but its familiar marquee still lit South Main Street in Rushville. A different name didn’t immediately mean losing the old roadside character. 07-07
Richard and Lillian Miller established the business, serving local families for decades. After the family opened a sit-down restaurant in 1991, the drive-in continued under the Southside name.
The marquee received updated lettering rather than being discarded. It was a welcome example of an older sign finding another job while burgers and fries continued coming out of the kitchen.
UPDATE: Southside has closed, and the historic sign was removed. The building survives as Gettinger Family Custom Meats, giving the former drive-in another useful role even though its restaurant days have ended. 06-26
Allen's Drive-in (Short's Root Beer Drive-in)
Coldwater, MI Photo 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. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 05-08
Opened as a B&K Root Beer stand in the 1950s, it became Allen’s after the family purchased it in 1980. Burgers, coney dogs, homemade root beer and thick shakes kept customers returning through more than twenty-five years of Allen family ownership.
The Short family took over in 2013, introducing the Short’s Root Beer Drive-In name while retaining carhop service and familiar menu favorites. Fortunately, the change didn’t require giving up the distinctive canopy.
UPDATE: Short’s remains open seasonally under local ownership. The classic building and canopy survive, continuing a roadside dining tradition beneath a newer name. 06-26
Jim’s Drive-In has welcomed Greenville customers since 1954. The vintage sign is worth a look, but a Spanish hot dog and homemade root beer in a frosted mug offer good reasons to stay. That sounds like a pretty complete summer lunch. 09-08
Car-side ordering and outdoor picnic tables preserve the relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy the old drive-in routine without needing much more than a parking space and an appetite. Jim’s operates seasonally, making a visit part of the local warm-weather calendar. Conveniences such as online ordering have arrived, but the familiar food and surroundings remain the attraction.
UPDATE: Jim’s continues serving customers each summer. Its Spanish hot dogs, homemade root beer and surviving roadside sign keep this longtime Greenville tradition welcoming another generation. 06-26
Stewart's Root Beer (Gone)
Stewart's Root Beer (Gone)
Penquin Drive-in (Demolished)
Penquin Drive-in close-up of sign
Jim's Drive-in
