Home Run Subs (Gone)
Detroit, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Here's the familiar Tubby's sandwich guy standing outside what had become Home Run Subs in downtown Detroit. Even though the name on the building had changed, it was hard not to recognize the big fiberglass sailor holding his oversized submarine sandwich. 11-09

The location originally operated as a Tubby's Sub Shop, part of the Michigan-based chain that got its start in nearby St. Clair Shores in 1968. After Tubby's moved on, Home Run Subs took over the space, but the famous sandwich guy stuck around to keep greeting customers.

The statue was one of only a handful ever made for Tubby's, making it much rarer than the familiar Big Boy figures found around the Midwest. It was exactly the kind of roadside mascot that made people slow down, smile, and maybe grab a photo before heading inside.

Downtown Detroit has seen plenty of businesses come and go over the years, and this corner was no exception. Home Run Subs eventually closed as well, and other restaurants briefly occupied the space before moving on. Unfortunately, the sandwich guy disappeared along with the business. No one seems to know exactly what became of him, although another Tubby's sailor still survives at a location in Hazel Park.

UPDATE: Both Tubby's and Home Run Subs are gone from this downtown location, and the famous fiberglass sandwich guy has disappeared as well. 07-26

Lee's Chicken
Plymouth, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Plymouth, MI is home to a little chicken joint named Lee's Chicken which had a very jolly Santa with a beak walking back and forth in front of the building (Yes, he would wave his arms and cluck). in this case, this is a very much alive "roadside character". According to the Lee's Chicken website, the Lee's franchise here in Plymouth is one of the oldest franchise locations in existence and is a carry-out only facility. Family-owned for generations, it's been serving fried chicken from the same small building for decades. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 02-10

The building itself is about as old-school as they come. It's a simple carryout stand with no indoor dining room, proving you don't need a fancy restaurant to become a local favorite.

Of course, the Santa-chicken is what most people remember. Instead of relying on a flashy sign, Lee's put a live roadside character out front to catch your attention. It's the kind of promotion that's hard to forget. Roadside characters like this have become pretty rare. That's part of what makes this place so much fun to discover.

UPDATE: Lee's Chicken is still serving customers today from its longtime Plymouth location. It's not clear if the famous Santa-chicken still makes regular appearances. 07-26

A&W Root Beer (Gone)
Union City, OH
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The A&W mascot is at the A&W Drive-In in Union City, OH. It is closed for the season, but also has a for sale by owner sign, so hopefully it reopened this Spring. 06-11

The drive-in first opened in 1957 and became a longtime favorite for burgers, root beer, and its famous "Alley Oop" sandwich. It was the kind of place where you could park, grab a bite, and enjoy a little slice of roadside America.

Inside, the restaurant even featured vintage ordering phones in the booths, another reminder of a time when drive-ins did things a little differently. It's details like that which made places like this so memorable.

The property eventually changed hands and dropped its A&W affiliation, reopening in 2022 as the independently owned Bear's Rootbeer. Thankfully, many of the longtime favorites—including the Alley Oop sandwich and fresh root beer—made the transition.

UPDATE: The old A&W is still serving customers today as Bear's Rootbeer. While the restaurant lives on, the classic A&W branding and Rooty Bear mascot are no longer part of the experience. 07-26

Football Player
Green Bay, WI
Photo courtesy Dave Pophal

Here's a football player who never has to worry about dropping the ball. The Receiver towers above visitors in Green Bay, frozen in midair as he stretches to make a spectacular catch. Standing 22 feet tall atop a giant football, it's the kind of oversized roadside sculpture that's hard to miss.

The statue was created in 1985 for the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, where it greeted football fans for years. Although many people now know it as the Donald Driver statue, it originally represented a generic Packers receiver and was meant to celebrate the team's passing tradition rather than any one player.

Like a veteran free agent, the statue has changed locations a few times over the years. It moved when the Packers Hall of Fame relocated, survived damage during another move in 2005, and was carefully restored before being rededicated to Packers great Donald Driver in 2013. Today it remains a favorite stop for football fans exploring Green Bay.

UPDATE: The statue is still standing in downtown Green Bay, where it continues to welcome Packers fans and visitors alike. Fortunately, after all of its moves over the years, this giant receiver is still making the catch. 07-26