Remembering when A&W Root Beer and its car hops ruled El Camino Real in Menlo Park
The great article on A&W Root Beer turning 100 years old in Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle brought back good memories of not only visiting the Lodi landmark restaurant over the years, but also the time in the ’60s and ’70s when A&W was one of two “go-to” places (the other being Foster’s Freeze) for local teens as well as families.
Our good friend Alice was an A&W car hop there and whether that ever afforded us special deals is a lost memory.
Menlo’s A&W was located where the now-shuttered Jason’s Cafe is. Before Jason’s it was Brix Barbecue — and maybe other restaurants were sandwiched in the years between the root beer restaurant and successive establishments. Does anyone know?
The Menlo Park A&W was owned and opened by Raymond Bartels and Lyle Blaine, who had 22 other A&Ws. Were you a Papa, Momma or Baby Burger fan? And has any soft drink tasted better than A&W in those frosty mugs?
Top photo from the collection of Menlo Park Planning; historical photo shows original Lodi location opened in 1919 and commemorative mug, bother courtesy of A&W.
Bob The Burger Lover June 03, 2019 at 9:20 pm
Before Brix BBQ I am pretty sure it was a Clarke’s Burger in Menlo Park.
http://www.clarkes.com/
Jeff Lee June 04, 2019 at 8:23 am
I used to work there when I was going to CSM. Flipping burgers at A&W was my first real job. Used to swap paper hats with friends at other burger joints and wear them to work. My boss threatened to replace me with a human. Fun times.
Jo D'Anna June 04, 2019 at 10:30 pm
A&W Menlo Park was my very first job in high school – 1967-8 . My best friend worked there, too. I wasn’t a car hop, but I was a counter girl
Joann Benson July 29, 2019 at 7:24 am
That was such a fun job. I’ve wondered if any of us remember one another? Just noticed one person who commented this year. What was your maiden name?
Suzanne Klika Ury June 16, 2019 at 6:49 pm
I worked at A&W around 1965/66 when the Menlo franchise was owned by Bartels and Blaine. Good part-time job while in high school. Started as a counter girl and then worked as a carhop. Black stretch pants, A&W shirt and an A&W head band! Good burgers and great root beer floats. Wish the real chain still existed.