Sno-white Drive-in (Rem.)
McFarland, CA
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

Pulling off Highway 99 in McFarland, check out the old sign for Sno-White Drive-In. The arrow points out a place for a bite to eat, though the marquee itself is enough to bring the camera out. Another good reason to take a break from watching the miles roll by.

There's something familiar about this sign if you've spent time wandering the valley roads. The Sno-White Drive-in located in Riverbank has a very similar look. Seems this McFarland sign has a few brothers and sisters out there, all doing their part to steer hungry motorists toward a burger.

Snow White Drive-in
McFarland, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Sno-White began in Stockton in the 1950s and grew into a chain with locations across California. That explains the family resemblance. Spot one of these old drive-ins and there's a good chance another town has something familiar waiting down the road.

The McFarland stop combines the roadside sign with a classic drive-in setting, making it worth a look beyond the lettering. Get a photo from the road, then head closer to check out the building and patio. Somewhere along the way, a stop for the sign might become a stop for lunch.

Snow White Drive-in
McFarland, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

UPDATE: The Sno-White Drive-in marquee has been removed and replaced by this tall plain sign. It also appears that there was a small change in the spelling of the business name from "Sno-white: to "Snow White". The design of the building and patio area remain the same, even as the old faded out sign in the back slowly fades away to illegibility. 12-08

UPDATE: The vintage McFarland marquee still remains. The restaurant continues operating as Snow White Drive Inn. Still a place to grab a burger off the 99, though the old arrow is no longer there to point the way. 09-26

Three Brothers Drive-in
Pixley, CA
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

Here's Three Brothers Drive-In in the Central Valley town of Pixley. A little searching off Highway 99 brings you to this roadside burger stop on North Park Drive. Check out the script sign before heading over for something to eat.

This one's a bit harder to find than the food stops clustered right at a freeway exit. But that's part of wandering the valley roads. Take a turn, slow down, and see what turns up beyond the passing highway traffic.

The drive-in spent years as a small walk-up stand, keeping the food stop fairly simple. Order at the counter, grab a burger and fries, then figure out how much farther to drive before the next photo break. Sometimes getting fed helps with that decision.

Three Brothers Drive-in
Pixley, CA
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

The menu has grown beyond burgers to include pizza, wings and Mexican food options. Indoor seating has also been added, giving customers somewhere to get out of the valley heat. After a round of roadside photos in summer, that sounds pretty useful.

UPDATE: Three Brothers remains open, now generally listed as 3 Brothers Drive-In. The vintage sign framework survives with refreshed branding, keeping another roadside food stop on the Pixley itinerary. 09-26

Angelo's Drive-in
Fresno, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Check out Angelo's Drive-In while cruising along Olive Avenue in Fresno. The rooftop marquee catches the eye, and the old drive-up parking gives the place that familiar burger-stop look. Pull in for a bite, or at least get a few photos before heading through town. 02-06

Angelo's opened in 1954, back when eating in the car was part of the fun. The neon hamburger helped get the message across, just in case the name hadn't already worked up an appetite. Burgers, crinkle-cut fries and a thick shake sound like a pretty good break from the road.

On April 24, 2014, customers returned for their last orders. The property was needed for a planned overpass across the high-speed rail route and existing freight tracks, and owners Kay Lim and Ken Chea did not plan to reopen elsewhere. By that afternoon, workers were already taking down the signs and red rooftop letters.

Angelo's Drive-in
Fresno, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

One customer went home with an unexpected souvenir: her companion bought the Pepsi clock off the wall while she wasn't looking. A little piece of the old burger stop to take home, along with the final take-out order.

UPDATE: Angelo's Drive-in shut-down after 60 years in business in April 2014. This burger joint was a victim of California's high-speed rail initiative that forced the closure and demolition of property along the old 99 highway in many places.The property was leveled and became a dirt lot. 09-17

UPDATE: Angelo's was demolished after closing in 2014. Its rooftop lettering and neon signs were salvaged, with RoadsideArchitecture documenting them in storage at CNI Signs in Fresno. The drive-in is gone, though the signs escaped the clearing of the site. 09-26