My grandfather's 1952 photo of a drive-in diner proves we had it better than the fancy restaurants today

I found this old photo of him at a local drive in back in '52, and it got me thinking. Everyone raves about the fancy restaurants from back then, but honestly, the simple diner food and carhop service beat those places hands down. My gramps told me you got a burger, fries, and a shake for under a dollar, and the staff knew your name. Today we pay 15 bucks for a tiny plate with weird foam and a flower that does nothing. I'd take a greasy burger from a real carhop over any white tablecloth joint from that era, no question. Anyone else got old photos showing the simple stuff was better?

2 comments

2 Comments

cole_bailey8519d ago

I gotta say, that line about "a tiny plate with weird foam and a flower that does nothing" is honestly the most accurate thing I've read all week. It's funny how we romanticize the old restaurants but your gramps is right - who actually wants to pay that much for food that looks like a science experiment? But I gotta ask you something specific. When you look at that photo, do you feel like you're missing out on a whole vibe or just missing the prices? Because I feel like $15 for a burger today is robbery, but I could handle the foam if it meant getting to know the staff like your gramps did.

fiona_scott4419d ago

Wait, did you catch that article in the Eater newsletter last week about how the old mom-and-pop joints used to have these huge family-style meals where everyone shared? My gramps always talks about places where the owner would just bring out extra sides because he knew you liked them. That personal touch, you know? It wasn't the food or the price, it was being part of something. But you're right @cole_bailey85, I'd still take the old burger joint vibe over modern foam any day.