As we kick off the new year, it may be a bit chilly to think about heading to a snack bar.

But, on the other hand, maybe this photo will warm you up a bit.

Before McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s, fast food was pretty much a home grown in these parts.


According to Dick Shearer of the Lansdale Historical Society, who supplied this photo and information, the prosperity of the 1950s led to a spate of locally owned roadside stops that specialized in hamburgers, hot dogs, milk shakes, ice cream cones and the like.

Some had tables or counter service; others were walk-ups where customers lined up to order their food, which they ate in their cars.

Every town and highway had at least one of these eateries, which were popular with teens who borrowed dad’s car or Little League managers who wanted to treat their players after big games.

Among them were White’s Liner at Valley Forge Road and Sumneytown Pike, Hagey’s in Souderton, the Curly Top at Welsh Road and Route 309 and an occasional Dairy Queen — the first of the national chains to come into the area — and the Big Pixey, with locations in Montgomeryville, Upper Gwynedd and Collegeville.

Another busy spot was the Frosty Cup — which is featured in this photo — on Bethlehem Pike near Route 113 in Hilltown Township.

The Cup is long gone, but memories of its tasty barbecue on a bun last a lifetime.