Here's one of the vintage Arby's signs that hasn't yet converted over to the newer styles. The giant cowboy hat marquee was once a familiar sight at Arby's locations across the country and became one of the chain's most recognizable roadside features.
Introduced during the company's early years, these oversized hat signs helped Arby's stand out from other fast-food restaurants and became a landmark for travelers looking for a quick meal along the road.
UPDATE: While Arby's remains in business, many of the classic hat signs have disappeared over the years as locations were remodeled and updated with modern branding. Surviving examples like this one have become increasingly uncommon and serve as reminders of an earlier era of roadside architecture and advertising. 06-26
Polar King
Vernal, UT Photo courtesy Shawn Church
An excellent place for food in Vernal is the Polar King. This old-fashioned fast food joint is a good place to go when you're both hungry for food and signage. And how can you resist the crowned polar bear character gracing the sign?
The Polar King has the look of a classic independent burger stand, the kind of place that still feels right at home along a main road. The sign alone is worth a stop, especially with that happy little mascot keeping watch over the parking lot.
UPDATE: The Polar King is still going strong in Vernal. While many old roadside fast food spots have disappeared or updated away their character, this one continues to serve customers beneath its memorable sign. Some mascots deserve to stick around. 06-06
Arctic Circle
Twin Falls, ID Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Here's a nice shot of the Arctic Circle in Twin Falls, Idaho. The chain traces its roots back to 1924, though the Arctic Circle name wasn't adopted until 1950.
One interesting bit of roadside food history is that founder Don Carlos Edwards is often credited with creating fry sauce, the popular mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise that became a staple throughout Utah and much of the Intermountain West.
Today, Arctic Circle restaurants can still be found across several western states. While many locations have been remodeled over the years, older signs and buildings like this one help preserve a connection to the chain's early roadside heritage.
Griff's Burger (Gone)
Denver, CO Photo courtesy Jason Carlton
Here are a couple of shots of a classic hamburger stand, Griff's Hamburgers in Denver, Colorado. The building is interesting in that the front portion is a traditional rectangular addition that sits in front of what appears to be the original A-frame structure. Even with the later modifications, the distinctive shape of the original building is still easy to spot. Griff's Hamburgers was part of a regional chain that began in 1960 and became known for its distinctive A-frame restaurants found throughout the West and Midwest.
UPDATE: The South Broadway Griff's closed in 2015 and the building was demolished in 2017. While the restaurant is gone, photos like these preserve one of the more recognizable fast-food building designs from the roadside era. 06-26
Beefburgers
Livingston, MT Photo courtesy Don Gardner
Mark's In & Out Beefburgers was found in Livingston, Montana. This classic roadside burger stand is the kind of place that catches your eye as you pass through town.
The business dates back to 1954 and has become a familiar sight for both local residents and travelers heading through the area. The simple walk-up design and vintage appearance are reminders of a time when independent burger stands were a common part of the roadside landscape.
UPDATE: Mark's In & Out Beefburgers is still in business and continues to operate from its longtime location in Livingston. While many similar roadside stands have disappeared over the years, Mark's remains one of the area's surviving examples of classic drive-in era architecture. 06-06
Polar King
Arctic Circle
Beefburgers
