Here's an old Frostop drive-in eatery. Check out the giant mug on the roof of this delight.
Here's a must see addition to Roadside Peek: An article on The
Huntington Hot Dog by John Salvatore.
Charcoal Pit
Wilmington, DE Photo courtesy Kevin Powers
This is the Charcoal Pit Restaurant on Concord Pike in Wilmington,
Delaware. Apparently it is a local legend that has been around since
the 1950's.
See this burger joint and others from the East at Roadside Peek'sBurger Joints East.
Nathan's
Coney Island, NY Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
A visit to New York is not complete without a stop at Coney Island. The
original "home" of the hot dog (seemingly debatable to each
and every other city), Nathan's Famous has been in operation since
1916. This is the neon marquee at the original counter, and no visit to
Coney would be complete without "snapping" into the "best
hot dog in the world."
See some of the familiar hot dogs stands from the East at Roadside Peek'sAvenue of the Dogs East.
Bob & Ron's Fish Fry (Demolished)
Albany, NY Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans
In the mood for something besides another roadside hamburger? Check out the crowned fish swimming above Bob & Ron's Fish Fry on Central Avenue in Albany. Better yet, stop in and find out what's the catch of the day.
The place got its start in 1948 as Bob & Art's, opened by brothers Bob and Art DeLeonardis. After Art left the business and Bob's son Ron came aboard, Bob & Art's naturally became Bob & Ron's. The restaurant even made a short trip of its own, with the original building moved across Central Avenue to this location in 1952.
The specialty here was a Capital District favorite, a long piece of fried fish served on a considerably shorter hot dog bun with plenty of tartar sauce. Fresh cusk was the usual catch, with cod filling in when necessary. Add some crinkle-cut fries and you've got lunch.
And they could really move the fish on Good Friday. During one particularly busy day, the kitchen reportedly served some 2,200 fish fry sandwiches. That's a lot of fish passing beneath that smiling crowned mascot.
UPDATE: Bob & Ron's closed its longtime Central Avenue restaurant in November 2015. The building was later demolished, and the familiar crowned fish sign was removed. 08-26
Arby's Roast Beef (Gone)
Talleyville, DE Photo courtesy Bruce R. Cassi / 2005
No, your not seeing double and it's not trick photography. This new Arby's in Talleyville, Delaware sports two neon cowboy hat signs. The building sits on a wedge shaped parcel of land with two major roads running by on each side of the property. Many thanks to Bruce R. Cassi for info. 06-07
Opened in 1967 as Delaware's first Arby's, this location kept plenty of its old roadside flavor while newer stores adopted more modern looks. One cowboy hat stood along Concord Pike while another marked the drive-thru. That's twice the reason to pull over for a photo.
UPDATE: Arby's closed here on June 15, 2025, after 58 years. Both vintage cowboy hat signs were subsequently removed, and the property is planned for redevelopment as a Wendy's. 08-26
Kansas Chicken (Gone)
Coney Island, NY Photo courtesy Rod Holcomb
Just across from all the commotion at Nathan's was Kansas Chicken, once serving up fried chicken beneath this great old lettering on Surf Avenue. 10-10
Despite the name, there wasn't much Kansas about the place. The chain was started by New York entrepreneur Horace Bullard in the late 1960s. Bullard later used his chicken profits to buy considerable property around Coney Island, including the old Steeplechase Park site.
With Nathan's across the street and the subway nearby, this was one busy corner for hungry Coney Island crowds.
UPDATE: Kansas Chicken closed around 2003. The old building and signage are gone, and a Popeyes now occupies the corner. 08-26
Bob & Ron's Fish Fry (Demolished)
Arby's Roast Beef (Gone)
Kansas Chicken (Gone)
