Hot diggity dog!
The “dog days” of summer are here.This term doesn’t refer to canines slowing down in the heat, but when Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the sun, July 3 to Aug. 11.
My parents would refer to this time as the hottest of the year. We just learned to live with the heat since most houses and places of business were not air conditioned in the 1950s.
But to survive those days, we would often head out in the evenings to take part in a family and community ritual--a trip to the drive-in hot dog stand. We were not a family that would eat out often so this was a real treat and an exception to our normal routine.
We would beg our dad to take us--most of the time he gave in but not without a pretend resistance and the usual “go ask your mother.” But we all knew he loved to go as much as we did, and mom rarely resisted since she wanted to get out of the house too.
The destination was the Stewarts hot dog stand a couple times a week in the hot summer months. The small orange building was like a beacon in the dark. My dad would steer the
The destination was the Stewarts hot dog stand a couple times a week in the hot summer months. The small orange building was like a beacon in the dark. My dad would steer the family sedan to a screeching halt with all our taste buds in full throttle, deliciously anticipating what we were about to consume.
The weird part is we went after dinner--how in the world did we eat hot dogs at that time of night. But we never thought about it. Evidently it didn’t matter what time of day it was--we could always eat a hot dog.
The Queen family ran the business with the head of the family in charge of the operation, especially the making of the chili. She stood as a sentinel making sure all was just right. Nodding and waving to the customers, she made you feel like you were visiting family. It didn't seem right if she was absent, but that rarely happened.
Wrapped carefully in napkins and brought to the car on a tray that hooked to the window, the hot dogs did not disappoint.
Heavy glass mugs of root beer were also positioned on the tray. I had no idea how the car hop managed to get it from the stand to the car without a colossal accident. I was so impressed by her ability to accomplish the delivery.
The six of us would usually order two hot dogs each and a mug of root beer per person. Our condiments of choice were mustard, chili, and onions. Sometimes slaw would find its way on top of these popular treats but not often.
Heavy glass mugs of root beer were also positioned on the tray. I had no idea how the car hop managed to get it from the stand to the car without a colossal accident. I was so impressed by her ability to accomplish the delivery.
The six of us would usually order two hot dogs each and a mug of root beer per person. Our condiments of choice were mustard, chili, and onions. Sometimes slaw would find its way on top of these popular treats but not often.
I don’t know if it was the hot weather, the humidity, or lazy summer nights, but these trips were special not just for the food and drink but for the fun times spent with family. No one got sick or over indulged or even gained weight. We made our hot dog run a couple times a week, and guess what--the place was packed with other families on the same mission.
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