There's no missing Dick's Hamburgers once the neon comes into view. The bright backlit signs have been drawing hungry customers for generations, letting everyone know they've found one of Seattle's classic roadside stops. 04-06
The first Dick's opened in 1954 and quickly became a local favorite thanks to its simple menu of burgers, fries, and shakes served with "instant service." While more locations have opened over the years, the formula has changed very little. Part of the fun is the atmosphere. People gather outside with their food, leaning against their cars or visiting with friends beneath the glowing signs. It still feels like the kind of roadside hamburger stand that has almost disappeared.
UPDATE: Dick Spady, the co-founder and namesake of the Dick's chain died in 2016 at the age of 92. Spady was known for offering the highest pay in the industry as well as 100% health coverage to employee. For more information, see the Seattle Times. 04-17
UPDATE: Dick's Drive-In continues serving burgers from several Seattle-area locations, with its classic neon and walk-up service still going strong. 07-26
Steakburger (Gone)
Hazel Dell, WA Photo courtesy Jeff Raber
A giant red boomerang soaring above the Steakburger sign was enough to catch the attention of just about anyone driving through Hazel Dell. It was one of those roadside landmarks that practically insisted you pull in, and if you still had room afterward, there was even a miniature golf course waiting next door. 01-04
The family-owned Steakburger was a longtime favorite, serving up burgers for generations while Golf-O-Rama gave visitors another reason to stop. It was the kind of place that made an ordinary hamburger stand feel like a roadside attraction.
UPDATE: Steakburger and Golf-O-Rama closed in 2014, and both the restaurant and its unforgettable boomerang sign have since been demolished. The site has been redeveloped. 07-26
BurgerVille USA (Rem.)
Vancouver, WA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
As you pass through Vancouver, WA, stop by BurgerVille USA for a quick bite to eat. How can a hungry traveler resist a burger joint with a name and a marquee like this? 12-06
One look at the Burgerville USA marquee and it's easy to understand why so many travelers pulled off the road. With its bold lettering and unmistakable roadside presence, the sign practically guarantees you'll be thinking about hamburgers before you even find a parking spot.
Burgerville got its start in Vancouver in 1961 and has since become a Northwest favorite. While the menu has grown over the years with seasonal specialties featuring local ingredients, it's still the classic burgers, fries, and shakes that bring people back.
BurgerVille USA (Rem.)
Vancouver, WA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The old "Burgerville USA" signs were every bit as memorable as the food itself. Brightly lit and impossible to miss, they became familiar landmarks for generations of drivers traveling through southwest Washington. Sometimes a great roadside sign is all the encouragement a hungry traveler needs.
UPDATE: Burgerville continues operating throughout Oregon and southwest Washington, although the classic "Burgerville USA" roadside signs have largely given way to the company's modern branding. 07-26
Dick's Hamburgers
Spokane, WA
Photo courtesy Josh Hudgens / 2007
The colorful sign at Dick's Hamburgers is enough to make you hit the brakes. Each letter sits in its own brightly colored panel, while a neon rooster and a cheerful panda give this Spokane landmark a personality all its own. 07-07
Dick's has been a Spokane favorite since the 1950s, serving burgers from its classic walk-up stand. The food is good, but it's the unforgettable sign that keeps catching the eye of anyone passing by.
One quick note for travelers—this Dick's isn't the same as the Seattle chain. It's a Spokane original, and thankfully the vintage sign still welcomes hungry customers today.
UPDATE: Dick's Hamburgers remains a Spokane favorite, with its colorful roadside sign continuing to brighten the corner. 07-26
Steakburger (Gone)
