Larsen's Frostop (Closed)
St. George, UT Photo courtesy Tony Craig
The towering sign at Larsen's Frostop made it difficult to pass through St. George without thinking about a hamburger. Above the lettering, a little fellow carried a burger that looked almost big enough to carry him. It was exactly the sort of roadside advertising worth pulling over to photograph, even if you had already eaten. Along a street filled with businesses competing for attention, this one certainly knew how to stand out. 10-06
Opened in 1965 at 858 East St. George Boulevard, Larsen’s became a familiar stop for burgers, root beer, and Piccadilly chips. Generations of customers made it part of their routine, whether stopping after school or pulling in during a trip through southern Utah. The restaurant originally belonged to the Frostop chain and advertised with one of its giant revolving root beer mugs. Before the burger fellow arrived, an oversized drink was doing the welcoming.
Larsen's Frostop (Closed)
St. George, UT Photo courtesy Tony Craig
The mug was replaced by the familiar neon sign in the early 1980s, but fortunately it wasn’t scrapped. It spent years in storage and later on a farm before making its way to Henry’s Garage in Billings, Montana. That gives this little Utah drive-in an unexpected connection to another state’s roadside collection. It’s always encouraging to learn that a sign you thought had disappeared was simply waiting somewhere for its next assignment.
UPDATE: Larsen’s closed in 2023, and the property became Sip-N Drinks & Treats. The tall sign survived with new branding, while the burger carried by its mascot was changed to a drink cup. The menu and name have changed, but thankfully the roadside character didn’t have to retire. He’s still helping sell something to passing motorists, just with a different order balanced overhead. 07-26
Highway 30 Drive-in (originally KwikCurb Diner)
Mountain Home,
ID Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
The Highway 30 Drive-in looks ready for a carload of hungry travelers in Mountain Home. Its low roof, broad overhangs, and glass serving area have the unmistakable look of a restaurant built around the automobile. This is the kind of place that makes taking the old highway worthwhile. 10-06
Built in 1955 by local businessman John Bermensolo, it opened as the KwikCurb Diner under John and Helen Wilkins. The name promised exactly what motorists wanted: a quick stop and curbside service. Later names included Marv’s, the Hungry Onion, and the Big Onion before Highway 30 took over the lettering.
UPDATE: The drive-in continues serving customers and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, the original building has outlasted several names and decades of changing traffic. Thankfully, this piece of roadside history still comes with something to eat. 06-26
Johnson's Drive-in
UT Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Johnson's Drive-In looked like a good stop if you were looking for a quick bite to eat right off the roadside. Not sure how the food was, though there always seemed to be someone in line here. That's usually a good sign.
Places like Johnson's were once common sights along Utah's older highways. A small building, a simple menu, and a steady stream of locals and travelers were sometimes all it took to make a roadside stop memorable.
UPDATE: It appears Johnson's Drive-In is now gone. I don't have much information on this one, but the photo captures another small roadside eatery that quietly disappeared from the Utah landscape. 07-26
Annie's Drive-inn (Closed)
Beaver, UT Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Annie's Drive-inn was a good place for a soft-serve treat back in the early 2000s. The small roadside stand had the kind of classic drive-in look that seemed right at home in a town like Beaver. On a warm summer day, it wasn't hard to find a reason to stop.
The location actually dates back to 1955 when it originally opened as a Foster's Freeze. Over the years, the building evolved into Annie's Drive-Inn while continuing to serve locals and travelers passing through southern Utah. It's always nice to find a place that manages to hang onto its mid-century roots.
UPDATE: Annie's Drive-Inn is gone, but the building survives. Today the location operates as Mel's Drive-Inn, continuing a roadside tradition that stretches back nearly seventy years. The name may have changed, but fortunately the old drive-in is still serving customers. 07-26
Hermie's Drive-in
Cedar City, UT
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Hermie’s Drive-in looks like the sort of place where a burger stop could become a regular habit. Located just north of Main Street Park in Cedar City, the little restaurant has the familiar roadside combination of order windows, menu boards, and something tempting coming off the grill.
Hermie’s dates to the early 1970s, with Jack and Kathy Jones taking over in 1974. The family later operated Hermie’s Depot and Hermie’s Too as well. The original became known for its substantial Hermie Burger, shakes, malts, and fry sauce, giving customers plenty of reasons to keep returning.
UPDATE: Hermie’s continues serving customers at 294 North Main Street. The burger stand has outlasted decades of changing restaurant trends while keeping its independent roadside identity. Sometimes a burger, onion rings, and a malt are all the road trip planning you need. 06-26
Highway 30 Drive-in (originally KwikCurb Diner)
Johnson's Drive-in
Annie's Drive-inn (Closed)
Hermie's Drive-in
