Dick’s Drive-in burger joint. An establishment with a colorful and respected history. An article about this place appeared in the Seattle Times and a couple of items caught my eye. ” Founders Dick Spady, H. Warren Ghormley, and Dr. B. O. A. Thomas opened the first Dick's on January 28, 1954, in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood, on N.E. 45th Street. A grand opening was held on February 20, 1954. In 1955, a second Dick's was opened in Seattle's Capitol Hill district. This was followed by a third in 1960 in the Crown Hill neighborhood, a 4th in 1963 in Lake City, a fifth in Queen Anne in 1974. All but the Queen Anne location are without customer seating. The Queen Anne location has indoor tables and no drive-in.”
”The simple menu has changed little over time. It features fast-food staples such as hamburgers, hand-cut french fries, and individually made milkshakes. Dick's is particularly well known for the "Dick's Deluxe," which includes lettuce, mayonnaise, and chopped pickles. No substitutions are allowed and all burgers are cooked to well done. For most of Dick's history, the only available omissions were the Deluxe without cheese or fries without salt. More recent menu changes, however, allow ordering plain versions of the hamburger and cheeseburger.”
The Capitol Hill location in 1955
”For several years Dick's has offered employee benefits such as a 50% matched 401
, 100% employer-paid medical insurance, and a college tuition scholarship (currently at $28,000) accessible after six months of employment. In 2013, Dick's Drive-In was voted "the most life-changing burger joint in America" in an Esquire.com poll.”
In the article, it mentioned, legend has it, once Bill Gates and his then partner, Paul Allen tried to pay for a Cheeseburger with a $1,000 bill. Also, ”Ten years ago, late one weekday evening, Gates and I [the reporter] approached separate windows at the Wallingfor Dick’s and, coincidentally called out the same order: A Deluxe, fries and a Coke. He was alone and unassuming, wearing the same sweater he’d worn on “The Daily Show” the night before.”
[en.wikipedia.org]
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Grew up in Seattle and lived my early adult years there, but only had a Dick's burger once in my life. There wasn't one in my neighborhood of West Seattle, so didn't try one until my early adulthood on a date. I remember thinking it was a bit greasy, but I know that's what people liked about them. It's an iconic restaurant, and I'll likely try another Dick's burger at some point during one of my visits.
Julie808
Level 8
Feb 25, 2023
2
I'm like you, one time (this was before my then partner and I decided to become vegetarian). Where did you live i W. Seattle? I was near the corner of Kenyon and 35th Ave SW (20) years
@jackjr The corner of 35th Ave SW and Willow St, next to the big water towers! We were up the hill from Gils Hamburgers also 19 cents at one time, so we didn't need a Dicks. Also loved Spuds, etc., along Alki. I was vegetarian for about 12 years, but now am an omnivore, a little of everything in moderation.
@Julie808 So we were neighbors. I had a couple of friends in that area. That water tower was the highest place in Seattle (even higher than Queen Anne. I volunteered for Camp Long for 8 years and lived in that house from 5/91 to 5/2011. I'm sure you know most of the water was not in the tower but underground.
@jackjr Yes, highest point in all of Seattle. My mom always complained about our low water pressure because we were so close to the reservoir. We had a great view of Lake Union, Space Needle, Mount Baker, etc.
I attended some events at Camp Long, as a youngster. Beautiful place. I moved out of West Seattle long before you arrived. You had a great location, not far from Lincoln Park and shopping. I likely walked by your (future) home on my way to Denny Jr. High and Chief Sealth High School in from 1968-1974
@Julie808 Do you know which one it was? Right next to the TV repair shop (now a CBD supplier). A ton of work went into that house. My daughter had gone to Camp Long so it was fun for her to hear I volunteered there (8 years). It too has changed a lot. Around 2005 it won $1M in the pro-parks levy and did a major overhaul. Another small world.
I loved to eat at Richard's on Broadway (Capitol Hill and the locals dressed it up with a French pronunciation of Richard)!!!!!
The BEST fries ever!!!
silverotter11
Level 9
Feb 25, 2023
2
I've seen it many times and probably even tried it once (in the bad ole days lol).
Was that the name it was once called? I think to a simple, down home place a more colloquial name would be more inviting. In my neck of the sea there is a point which is in Canada but is a part of Washington. Outsiders call it Point Roberts but the local simply say point Bob. Maybe that's why we're Lopez as it's a lot easier to pronounce than the native name Sx’wálech.
@jackjr Of course most people know the place as Dick's, I sure liked living on Capitol. It was easy to get downtown to the P-I building or to the downtown YMCA.
@silverotter11 I know Capital Hill well. Spent a lot of time there. I was once part of the Mountaineers and a singles group I was with often went to restaurants and plays there. Volunteer Park is a treasure.
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