Howard Johnson's memories

Now Dunkin' Donuts which J_B just mentioned (not necessarily the same outlet, just the chain)...now that one I could tell you hundreds of stories about.

An old flame of mine and I decided one evening long ago we just HAD to go over to HoJo's for a strawberry shortcake sundae (there was one a block and a half from our apt).

Neither one of us had cash, so we went through the sofa cushions, kitchen drawers etc and came up with a handful of change.

We felt like 2 little kids going to the candy store, prepared to share if we had to.

Oh JOY! We had enough for two!!!!

It was the best sundae and one of the most romantic evenings we ever had.

Cliff Hanger--

I grew up during the '40's and '50's and remember family excursions. People talk about the heartless uniformity of national motel chains, but before Eisenhower built the Interstate Highway system ("to get the farmers out of the mud" and to move troops quickly should this become a military necessity) overnight accommodations varied greatly in quality.

My parents adored the squeaky-clean respectability of Howard Johnson's Motor Lodges.

We frequently drove the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Johnstown and Pittsburgh to visit family. Howard Johnson's had the franchise for all the turnpike stops. If we were Very Good we stopped for ice cream--28 flavors, mine was peppermint. Children had double scoops and the family dog always had a single scoop of vanilla.

I have lots of HOJO memories. Ice cream sundaes as a kid, a trusted stop along the highway for lunch or dinner, good hotdogs (not really, but I thought they were good as a kid), and getting something to eat from the 24-hour breakfast menu after closing down the bars in college.

My sister worked at one. Her aqua checked uniform and my pink one from Dunkin' Donuts perked up laundry day.

ahhh, a nice trip down memory lane. Thanks!

Years back we were in a car driving somewhere and were in New Jersey (and well away from the Esso gas tank) not sure just where but I was with Uncle Bert and Aunt Inez and I think Frankie was there as well, he was a trouble maker back then being the little brat that he was. May have been that educational trip to Philadelphia or some other place. I had never been inside a Howard Johnson's at that point in my life but I had heard about them and as strange as it may sound I was envious of those people who got to go to them. We tended to be the bring your own sandwich sort of family. Uncle Bert drove the Buick off the road (highway or whatever it was) and we pulled up close I just sat there in shock my eyes ready to pop out of their sockets. I still get misty eyed thinking back on it. We all went inside and I think I went into some sort of orange roofed coma after that...Don't have any idea what I ordered but I know there was a general thrill to it and after that we got back in the car and headed off to the next destination. It was a while before I got to go to another one of those Howard Johnson's.

The last time I was in a Howard Johnson's was in New York City on or near Broadway (around Times Square) back in the early 1980s. I seem to vaguely recall my mother being there and a Broadway show before or after, which would have been 42nd Street which I took her to for Mother's Day that year. Keep in mind the alcoholism was starting to really get bad for me about then so most things (added to the long time ago factor) make it hard to remember. I have no idea what I had that time either. I also seem to recall that I actually went there after having dental work and seeing Star Trek II-Wrath of Khan...that seems to make more sense to me since I recall a different restaurant for Mother.

There were a few other trips to Howard Johnson at other times during the years which I would tell about if I could...honestly it never again generated as much excitement for me after that first trip. Now Dunkin' Donuts which J_B just mentioned (not necessarily the same outlet, just the chain)...now that one I could tell you hundreds of stories about.

J_B...


What years? This could prove to be interesting...


I haven't been to Burlington now for almost 10 years. I did go there fairly often from around 88-92 when my cousin was there and may have even made it to the Dunkin' Donuts there...If it was there at the time it's just about a guarantee since I love those places...although there aren't enough of the butternut donuts...guess I'll just have one of those chocolate ones...no, the one with the glaze on it...better make it two.

My early memories of staying at places along the Penn Turnpike were "So and So's Cabins" - I am still nostalgic for those, at least in concept. First time I was in a HoJo, also off of the Penn Turnpike, I think, I was stunned by 28 flavors of ice cream. 28!!!!!!

I also liked and kept trying, at HoJo's after HoJo's, the fried clams, always in an attempt to replay some fried clams I got to have from some stand, in an ice cream carton, in Essex, Massachusetts, upon some visit to family on a wedding occasion.

HoJo's never measured up to that Essex stand, but I still liked the place.

Years later my ex hub and I stayed several days in Washington. DC, at a rather rundown but kind of neat anyway HoJo's. I remember it as a study in browns and beiges. Still, they had a coffee shop, good for showing up at after a late evening walk through the Mall.