Editor's note: Burgermeisters! Here's another excerpt from George Motz's book Hamburger America. George and his publisher were kind enough to allow us to run them here, along with George's beautiful photos. Dick's Drive-In just turned 55 years old, so visit them if you can to celebrate!
Dick’s is a drive-in. There are 5 locations around town and only one has indoor seating. It’s the sort of drive-in where you park your car and walk up to the window to order and pay. General manager Ken Frazier told me, “Dick's has always been a walk up. Originally there were three separate lines, one for shakes and ice cream, one for burgers and soft drinks, and one for fries.” In the 60's Dick’s streamlined the system selling all products at all windows. At the 45th Street location there’s no seating anywhere and Maria, longtime manager, told me, “In the summertime people bring picnic tables and chairs and set up in the parking lot. It’s really cute.”
The efficiency of Dick’s is mind-boggling. Over twenty-four employees, all wearing crisp paper caps and clean aprons, are set to repetitive tasks such as weighing the fresh ice cream that goes into the shakes or prepping the buns with their secret sauce.
The menu is simple—hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, shakes, and soda. The thin patties of fresh steer beef are delivered to all locations in the chain every morning. The burgers, cooked on a flattop griddle, can be ordered plain, or as the preferred Dick’s Deluxe. The Deluxe comes with two quarter pound patties, cheese, lettuce, mayo and their special chopped pickle and mustard sauce. The sauce, a tangy, sweet, and creamy proprietary blend, should not be missed. All burgers are served on the perfect white squishy bun wrapped in wax paper.
The people of Seattle love Dick’s. I was hard pressed to find a carnivore that didn’t frequent the place. Bill Gates visits frequently. Maria told me, “Last week he had a Deluxe, fries, and a shake."
Dick’s Drive-In
111 N.E. 45th Street, Seattle WA 98105 (at 1st Ave NE; map)
206-632-5125
Multiple locations around Seattle ddir.com
Open daily, 10:30 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Hamburger America is available at Amazon and comes with a DVD of George's movie of the same title.
Now the freaks are gettin hungry in Mix A Lot's treatin'
We stopped at Taco Bell for some Mexican eatin'
But Taco Bell was closed the girls was on my tip
They said go back the other way we'll stop and eat at Dick's
Dick's is the place were the cool hang out
The swass like to play and the rich flaunt clout
Posse to he burger stand so big we walk in twos
Were gettin dirty looks from those other sucka crews
Adam- Sir Mix-A-Lot is mentioned in the book but removed from this 'abridged' version, Here's the line from the book:
"Even Sir Mix-A-Lot, Grammy Award winner and Seattle native, immortalized the Broadway location in his first hit song. In the lyrics, his posse skips Taco Bell for Dick's. The truth is, if there were more places like Dick's, serving wholesome fast food, we'd all be skipping Taco Bell."
blt76- I never submitted a photo of the Dick's Double to the publisher because the one I shot wasn't too pretty. After looking at it again (5 mins ago) I'm realizing that it looks better than I remember...
This post just about brought tears to me eyes! I went to college in Seattle and I do believe that we went to Dick's on Broadway during new student orientation! There is nothing like Dick's nor should another burger joint ever be put into the same category. Dick's ='s the best gut-bomb ever.
Finally some recognition here. I am a native of Seattle and ever since I can remember have been going to Dick's. I grew up on Capital Hill so that was my main one. I strill get the cheeseburger, fries and tartar to dip the fries in. When in high school and it was the Senior prom a bunch of us splurged and rented a limo where did that limo go (aside to the dance) yep, you guessed it, Dick's. Then when I was out on the town partying and going to shows I would get some burgers, fries and tartar to go and have the cheeseburgers in the morning cold, loved them cold as well. I still love the place and go there, There is no other taste that comes close to theirs.
Oh and their shakes are wonderful as well. I think I will have to go there really soon.
Oh, sweet Jesus, how I love me some Dick's. Over the years, while standing in line waiting for my very own bag o'Dicks, I have been serenaded by the Seattle Gay Men's Chorus, introduced Louis Malle to the beauty of the Deluxe, and traded make-up tips with some of Seattle's fanciest drag performers. Spectacular theatre, but secondary to leaning in the window, rattling off your order ["one cheese, one deluxe, one fry, please!"] and being handed the little white bags of greasy goodness.
I have had fast food burgers all over the country, and maybe it's because they were the first burger I ever ate, Dick's is still my standard for all others [yes, including In-n-Out - wonderful, but not Dick's].
Oh, and another reason why they're held in high esteem in the area - they start their staff pay at a couple of bucks over minimum, offer full medical [100% paid by Dick's] to anyone working over 24 hours a week and are actively involved in giving back to the community. No, I'm not a shill. It's just that I've been eating there almost as long as they been open, and Dick's plays a central part in some of my happiest memories. Love them!
Totally overrated. Fast? Yes. Cheap? Yes. An institution? Surely. Good? Nope. I might rather go to a Carl's Jr and I'd certainly rather go to In-N-Out if Seattle had one. Fine to soak up alcohol after a night of binge drinking, but a place to search out? Hell no.
There's also a Dick's in Spokane (or Spo-compton as some Washingtonians call it)-I grew up looking forward to getting a bag o' cheeseburgers with my dad whenever we were in town visiting family. Amazing!
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Dick’s is a drive-in. There are 5 locations around town and only one has indoor seating. It’s the sort of drive-in where you park your car and walk up to the window to order and pay. General manager Ken Frazier told me, “Dick's has always been a walk up. Originally there were three separate lines, one for shakes and ice cream, one for burgers and soft drinks, and one for fries.” In the 60's Dick’s streamlined the system selling all products at all windows. At the 45th Street location there’s no seating anywhere and Maria, longtime manager, told me, “In the summertime people bring picnic tables and chairs and set up in the parking lot. It’s really cute.”
20 Comments:
What? No Sir Mix-a-Lot mention? Mix digs Dick's:
Now the freaks are gettin hungry in Mix A Lot's treatin'
We stopped at Taco Bell for some Mexican eatin'
But Taco Bell was closed the girls was on my tip
They said go back the other way we'll stop and eat at Dick's
Dick's is the place were the cool hang out
The swass like to play and the rich flaunt clout
Posse to he burger stand so big we walk in twos
Were gettin dirty looks from those other sucka crews
Adam Kuban at 4:12PM on 01/30/09
What, no pics or autopsies? I need me some burger porn.
blt76 at 5:02PM on 01/30/09
I went to Dick's the first time I ever got drunk [oh, to be young again] - now there's a burger memory!
sakuraa at 5:14PM on 01/30/09
Adam- Sir Mix-A-Lot is mentioned in the book but removed from this 'abridged' version, Here's the line from the book:
"Even Sir Mix-A-Lot, Grammy Award winner and Seattle native, immortalized the Broadway location in his first hit song. In the lyrics, his posse skips Taco Bell for Dick's. The truth is, if there were more places like Dick's, serving wholesome fast food, we'd all be skipping Taco Bell."
Hamburger America at 5:25PM on 01/30/09
The Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Dicks. Now there's your perfect Seattle tourist weekend!
hmcnally at 5:29PM on 01/30/09
blt76- I never submitted a photo of the Dick's Double to the publisher because the one I shot wasn't too pretty. After looking at it again (5 mins ago) I'm realizing that it looks better than I remember...
Hamburger America at 5:39PM on 01/30/09
Yup, Dick's Drive-In is awesome. I remember when I used to have a burger hangover/grease bomb after going. But it was so worth it.
I'm glad my body has adapted where this doesn't happen anymore.
proncis at 5:47PM on 01/30/09
Dicks is the spot. We try to hit one whenever we go downtown. Their shakes are the bomb, too.
Carnal at 5:57PM on 01/30/09
@George: It looks byootiful!
Robyn Lee at 6:01PM on 01/30/09
This post just about brought tears to me eyes! I went to college in Seattle and I do believe that we went to Dick's on Broadway during new student orientation! There is nothing like Dick's nor should another burger joint ever be put into the same category. Dick's ='s the best gut-bomb ever.
Top Sheff at 6:13PM on 01/30/09
After a night out at the bars there is nothing better than standing in line with 20 other gays and hipsters for the deliciousness of Dick's.
blahthequah at 6:39PM on 01/30/09
'preciate it HA. Looks delicious.
blt76 at 6:40PM on 01/30/09
Ahh, Dick's (on Broadway of course!). Cheap and cheerful and damn good. What's not to love?
Pointy at 8:23PM on 01/30/09
Finally some recognition here. I am a native of Seattle and ever since I can remember have been going to Dick's. I grew up on Capital Hill so that was my main one. I strill get the cheeseburger, fries and tartar to dip the fries in. When in high school and it was the Senior prom a bunch of us splurged and rented a limo where did that limo go (aside to the dance) yep, you guessed it, Dick's. Then when I was out on the town partying and going to shows I would get some burgers, fries and tartar to go and have the cheeseburgers in the morning cold, loved them cold as well. I still love the place and go there, There is no other taste that comes close to theirs.
Oh and their shakes are wonderful as well. I think I will have to go there really soon.
pjracz10 at 3:08PM on 01/31/09
@-Hamburger America- Wow, that is so fine looking, I would love to put that into a frame and hang it up in my kitchen.
pjracz10 at 3:10PM on 01/31/09
Oh, sweet Jesus, how I love me some Dick's. Over the years, while standing in line waiting for my very own bag o'Dicks, I have been serenaded by the Seattle Gay Men's Chorus, introduced Louis Malle to the beauty of the Deluxe, and traded make-up tips with some of Seattle's fanciest drag performers. Spectacular theatre, but secondary to leaning in the window, rattling off your order ["one cheese, one deluxe, one fry, please!"] and being handed the little white bags of greasy goodness.
I have had fast food burgers all over the country, and maybe it's because they were the first burger I ever ate, Dick's is still my standard for all others [yes, including In-n-Out - wonderful, but not Dick's].
Oh, and another reason why they're held in high esteem in the area - they start their staff pay at a couple of bucks over minimum, offer full medical [100% paid by Dick's] to anyone working over 24 hours a week and are actively involved in giving back to the community. No, I'm not a shill. It's just that I've been eating there almost as long as they been open, and Dick's plays a central part in some of my happiest memories. Love them!
sallyforth at 8:50PM on 01/31/09
Totally overrated. Fast? Yes. Cheap? Yes. An institution? Surely. Good? Nope. I might rather go to a Carl's Jr and I'd certainly rather go to In-N-Out if Seattle had one. Fine to soak up alcohol after a night of binge drinking, but a place to search out? Hell no.
extramsg at 5:09AM on 02/02/09
There's also a Dick's in Spokane (or Spo-compton as some Washingtonians call it)-I grew up looking forward to getting a bag o' cheeseburgers with my dad whenever we were in town visiting family. Amazing!
ashleyd at 1:06PM on 02/03/09
@sallyforth:
I bet the Seattle Gay Men's Chorus love thems some bag o' Dick's as well.
(sorry, I couln't help it)
SpandTex Pants at 5:20PM on 02/03/09
@SpandTex Pants : That's perfectly alright. We locals make just as many innuendos about the name. Especially while intoxicated. =-)
Carnal at 6:32PM on 02/03/09