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New York Drive-ins

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former Mandy's Drive-in (now Dollar Tree)
Syracuse, NY
This building originally housed Mandy's Drive-in. It was built in 1964. The restaurant specialized in roast beef sandwiches. It was a walk-up stand with no car hops or indoor dining. The sign which is gone now, the roof, and the ball on top of the building were all turquoise at that time. The building was designed by Toby Nadel and Edward Fisher. Mandy's closed in 1969 and briefly became "Archie's Drive-in".

The box-like building was added later when the place was turned into "Kid's Town", a toy store. In 2003, the building houses "Record Theatre Audio & Video". It is now occupied by a "Dollar Tree" discount store. Dollar Tree removed the circular counter which I believe was original but left the wood ceiling. The ball on the roof is still illuminated at night. [info thanks Frank Hammon] [map]

Heid's
Liverpool, NY
Heid's was founded in 1883 by Valentine Heid as a restaurant and grocery store. In 1913, the building was destroyed by fire. In 1917, Heid's rebuilt and started serving their famous hot dogs. Heid's was rebuilt again in 1939 after another serious fire. This Art Deco styling remains today. In the photos above, the tower was being restored.

A photo from 1954 shows the same overall design with the tower, glass block entrance and the round window. However, the oval windows were square and the building's sides were either partially open or panels could be lifted out for warm weather like those at Mac's Drive-in.

Franchising in the 1990s didn’t go well and Heid's is back to this single location. They also sell homemade ice cream in an adjacent building named "Heid's Sweet Treats". For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Jumpin' Jack's Drive-in
Scotia, NY
Jumpin' Jack's Drive-in opened in 1952 as an ice cream stand known as the Twin Freeze. In 1957, the "Charcoal Pit" restaurant was added. A larger building was constructed in 1964. I believe that's when the name was changed to Jumpin' Jack's. For more, see this website. [map]

Schaller's Drive-in
Rochester, NY
I believe Schaller's Drive-in has been here since the mid-1950s. [map]

Red Rooster
Brewster, NY
The Red Rooster Drive-in opened in 1964. It has hard and soft-serve ice cream, burgers, picnic tables and some indoor seating, as well as a mini golf next door. The ice cream cone on the roof is the same style as those at this page. In 2019, a large addition was made to the side of the building. [map]

former L-Ken's Drive-in [gone]
Colonie, NY
L-Ken's Drive-in opened in the early 1960s. It was walk-up stand. I don't believe there were carhops. The sign featured animated neon and a revolving hot dog. These photos are from 2010. The restaurant closed in 2007 and remained vacant until it was demolished in 2016. The sign was removed. For more, see this website.

Annie's Restaurant [gone]
Stony Point, NY
Annie's Restaurant opened in 1956 as a hot dog stand. This local hangout featured a walk-up window and picnic tables, as well as indoor dining. Annie's closed in 2007 and the building was demolished by 2008. For more, see this website.

More New York:
J.J.'s Snack Bar (Ballston Spa)
Country Drive-In (Clifton Park)
Drift-in (DeRuyter)
Fiddle's Dari-King (Parksville) [map]
Mac's Drive-in (Watervliet)

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