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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

The automobile industry boomed in the 1920s. Families were able to afford vehicles because consumers were making more money. As a result, businesses such as drive-ins and restaurants became more popular.

Drive-in restaurants were first introduced in 1921 by the Pig Stand chain of restaurants in Texas. At drive-ins, customers parked their cars, and carhops took their orders and delivered them to the kitchen. The carhop would bring the food back to the car so that the customer could enjoy it in their vehicle after it was ready. The model improved the speed and efficiency of service. By speeding up the delivery of food to customers, restaurants continued to enhance their concept. The trend of roller-skating carhops spread like wildfire across the country.

As these leisure-inspired buildings became more popular, architects sought to improve their form and functionality. Carhops were given circular drive-ins to quickly get from the kitchen to the car windows and canopies to protect them from the sun. Over time, drive-ins declined and were replaced by drive-throughs, which negated the need to hire carhops, saving time and money. Conversely, customers wait in line at a drive-through restaurant and pass through one or more windows to order, pay, and receive their food. California-based In-N-Out Burger was one of the first restaurants to offer drive-through services in 1948, but it wasn’t until McDonald’s opened its first take-out window in Arizona in 1975 that the concept took off. At that time, drive-in restaurants were few and far between.

#1 Carhops at English Drive-in Restaurant

Carhops at English Drive-in Restaurant

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#2 Teenagers at a Drive-in eatery in Kansas, 1967

Teenagers at a Drive-in eatery in Kansas, 1967

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#3 Family Orders Food at Drivein Restaurant.

Family Orders Food at Drivein Restaurant.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#4 Cars parked outside Koch’s Drive-in

Cars parked outside Koch's Drive-in

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#5 Restaurant for motori, Los Angeles, 1965

Restaurant for motori, Los Angeles, 1965

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#6 Erstes Drive in Restaurant Deutschlands in Mannheim.

Erstes Drive in Restaurant Deutschlands in Mannheim.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#7 A waitress serves food to a passenger and driver of a classic car complete with tail fins.

A waitress serves food to a passenger and driver of a classic car complete with tail fins.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#8 Irish, a waitress or ‘carhop’ at The Clock Drive-In restaurant in California, 1955.

Irish, a waitress or 'carhop' at The Clock Drive-In restaurant in California, 1955.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#9 A waitress or carhop at The Clock Drive-In restaurant in California, 1955.

A waitress or carhop at The Clock Drive-In restaurant in California, 1955.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#10 A car entering a Candian shopping mall’s car park for a drive-in church service in Scarborough, 1955

A car entering a Candian shopping mall's car park for a drive-in church service in Scarborough, 1955

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#11 A trio of worshippers sit in their automobile during the Sunday Service at the Drive-In theatre, 1955

A trio of worshippers sit in their automobile during the Sunday Service at the Drive-In theatre, 1955

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#12 A woman listens to a sermon from her car at a drive-in church service, 1955

A woman listens to a sermon from her car at a drive-in church service, 1955

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#13 A woman loads a box, which will deliver food to a waiting car at a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood, 1955

A woman loads a box, which will deliver food to a waiting car at a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood, 1955

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#14 Drive-In Restaurant in California, 1954

Drive-In Restaurant in California, 1954

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#15 A young couple in a convertible order food at Tiny Naylor’s Drive-In Restaurant in Los Angeles, 1951

A young couple in a convertible order food at Tiny Naylor's Drive-In Restaurant in Los Angeles, 1951

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#16 To Go.A waiter serves food to motorists at a drive-in restaurant in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, 1951

To Go.A waiter serves food to motorists at a drive-in restaurant in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, 1951

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#17 Two women sit on a bench outside a Hollywood drive-in restaurant.

Two women sit on a bench outside a Hollywood drive-in restaurant.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#18 A young motorist studies the menu at a Hollywood drive-in restaurant.

A young motorist studies the menu at a Hollywood drive-in restaurant.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#19 A young waitress notes down a motorist’s oder at a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood.

A young waitress notes down a motorist's oder at a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#20 A woman sitting in her convertible removes a lunch tray from the Auto-Motor mart.

A woman sitting in her convertible removes a lunch tray from the Auto-Motor mart.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#21 Cars parked at an automated drive-in diner, where individual conveyor belts transport food directly to the driver, Califonia, 1950.

Cars parked at an automated drive-in diner, where individual conveyor belts transport food directly to the driver, Califonia, 1950.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#22 Cliff’s Drive-In.

Cliff's Drive-In.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#23 Cars park outside Harry Carpenter’s Drive-in Restaurant on the southeast corner of Sunset and Vine in Los Angeles, 1949

Cars park outside Harry Carpenter's Drive-in Restaurant on the southeast corner of Sunset and Vine in Los Angeles, 1949

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#24 Cars at Automated Drive-in Restaurant.

Cars at Automated Drive-in Restaurant.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#25 Frisch’s ‘Big Boy One’ Drive-In, Cincinnati, 1940s

Frisch's 'Big Boy One' Drive-In, Cincinnati, 1940s

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#26 A view of Scrivner’s Restaurant which is a circular building cars parked around it.

A view of Scrivner's Restaurant which is a circular building cars parked around it.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#27 A Hollywood, California sea food restaurant covered in 50,000 abalone shells.

A Hollywood, California sea food restaurant covered in 50,000 abalone shells.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#28 Monte Blue in Drive-in Restaurant, 1933

Monte Blue in Drive-in Restaurant, 1933

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#29 Staff at Carpenter’s food stand and service station, West Sunset Boulevard & Vine Street, Los Angeles.

Staff at Carpenter's food stand and service station, West Sunset Boulevard & Vine Street, Los Angeles.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#30 A busy parking lot around Carpenter’s Sandwiches drive in restaurant.

A busy parking lot around Carpenter's Sandwiches drive in restaurant.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#31 Three cars parked at a Los Angeles drive-in cafe, with a waitress serving at one car

Three cars parked at a Los Angeles drive-in cafe, with a waitress serving at one car

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#32 Carhop Waitress on roller skates serving couple, 1955

Carhop Waitress on roller skates serving couple, 1955

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#33 A waitress in shorts takes an order from a customer at a Roberts Brothers drive-in restaurant, 1958.

A waitress in shorts takes an order from a customer at a Roberts Brothers drive-in restaurant, 1958.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#34 A waiter serves food to motorists at a drive-in restaurant in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, 1951

A waiter serves food to motorists at a drive-in restaurant in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, 1951

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#35 Cars parked at an automated drive-in diner, where individual conveyor belts transport food directly to the driver, Califonia, 1950.

Cars parked at an automated drive-in diner, where individual conveyor belts transport food directly to the driver, Califonia, 1950.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#36 A Drive-in Restaurant in Hollywood, 1950s

A Drive-in Restaurant in Hollywood, 1950s

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#37 Sunset Boulevard Drive-in, 1950s

Sunset Boulevard Drive-in, 1950s

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#38 A family at a drive-in restaurant has cool air piped into their car. 1957.

A family at a drive-in restaurant has cool air piped into their car. 1957.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#39 A carhop pouring milk from a bottle into a glass, at McDonnell’s Drive-In. 1930s.

A carhop pouring milk from a bottle into a glass, at McDonnell’s Drive-In. 1930s.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#40 McDonnell’s Drive-In at night. 1930s.

McDonnell’s Drive-In at night. 1930s.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#41 The Montlake Drive-In Market, opened in 1931, Seattle, Washington, 1937.

The Montlake Drive-In Market, opened in 1931, Seattle, Washington, 1937.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#42 Kau Kau Korner Drive-In, Hawaii, 1940s.

Kau Kau Korner Drive-In, Hawaii, 1940s.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#43 A late night at the drive-in, a couple and their young son watch a film while they sit in their ’41 Buick coupe, with almost an equally large canister of popcorn.

A late night at the drive-in, a couple and their young son watch a film while they sit in their ’41 Buick coupe, with almost an equally large canister of popcorn.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#44 Andy’s Drive-In with carhops pose in front with cars they’re serving, 1941.

Andy’s Drive-In with carhops pose in front with cars they’re serving, 1941.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#45 A neon sign at a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood, California, 1942.

A neon sign at a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood, California, 1942.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#46 A carhop holds two trays as she poses for a shot in front of a small diner, Houston, Texas, 1945.

A carhop holds two trays as she poses for a shot in front of a small diner, Houston, Texas, 1945.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#47 A friendly carhop converses with two guys in a ’46-7 Mercury convertible, at Simon’s Drive-In, 1948.

A friendly carhop converses with two guys in a ’46-7 Mercury convertible, at Simon’s Drive-In, 1948.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#48 The McDonald’s Drive-In, 1950s.

The McDonald’s Drive-In, 1950s.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#49 Bob’s Big Boy carhop waitress at drive-in, Southern California, 1952.

Bob’s Big Boy carhop waitress at drive-in, Southern California, 1952.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#50 The carhop on the wall at a White Castle in Wentzville, Missouri, 1960s.

The carhop on the wall at a White Castle in Wentzville, Missouri, 1960s.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#51 The Red Steer Drive-In, Boise, Idaho, 1960s.

The Red Steer Drive-In, Boise, Idaho, 1960s.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#52 Carpenter’s Sandwich Stand at 6285 West Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles, 1930s.

Carpenter’s Sandwich Stand at 6285 West Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles, 1930s.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#53

Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#54

Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#55

Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#56 The Twin Barrels in Los Angeles. 1939.

The Twin Barrels in Los Angeles. 1939.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#57 After prohibition ended in 1933, people found just about any and every reason to toast. Some drive-ins served alcohol. 1940s.

After prohibition ended in 1933, people found just about any and every reason to toast. Some drive-ins served alcohol. 1940s.

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#58 An employee loads the conveyor belts with meals for hungry customers.

An employee loads the conveyor belts with meals for hungry customers.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#59 Drive-ins didn’t only serve burgers and fries. Depending on where you went, you could get a full dinner or just a steaming coffee in a mug. 1950s.

Drive-ins didn’t only serve burgers and fries. Depending on where you went, you could get a full dinner or just a steaming coffee in a mug. 1950s.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#60 From having a full meal to just an ice cream treat after a night out, these establishments offered it all. 1950s.

From having a full meal to just an ice cream treat after a night out, these establishments offered it all. 1950s.

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Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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#61

Eating in a Car: The Drive-in Restaurants from the Past

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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