As we’ve been talking about stores and restaurants of the past in York County, I just keep getting more and more suggestions.
The food ones are the best, because I remember or have heard of fewer of them myself, so it’s totally new info to me!
George Stubbs wrote recently about the Philly Cafe on West Philadelphia Street West. What he remembers? “Great crab cakes!”
Newer commenter Susie recalls L & R Sub Shop in Spring Grove, and the Horn and Horn Smorgasbord, which Karen Mummert also mentioned; that one was in the bottom level of the North Mall.
Bern Bevenour writes about The Broilburger. “In the middle of the South side of the 600 Block West Market Street… It was a small eatery which served such fare as hamburgers and french fries.”
Melvin’s used to be on East Market Street in York; seen in front of the hangout in 1939 are front row, from left, Howard Rohrbaugh, John Brenneman Jr., Al Wildasin and Earl Warner, in a photo originally taken from “York Then and Now.”
And Bridget says, “Does anyone remember Melvin’s? It was located on the Haines Road behind the Village Green Shopping Center in the 1960′s. I especially remember their Frosty Malts — a kind of super-thick milkshake you ate with a spoon. When ice cream cones were typically 10 cents, Frosty Malts were 15 cents, so they were a special treat!” (Bridget – you should definitely check out Jim McClure’s 2007 post about Melvin’s – that’s where I took the photo above from!)
She continues, “I’m also wondering if anyone remembers Quick Cook in the Village Green Shopping Center? They did a broasted chicken that was to die for! My parents often bought Saturday night’s supper there.”
Brother-in-law Mike, one of my best sources of all things York County, was able to help with an answer to a question that arose in the comments on an earlier post. He writes, “After a short discussion with a friend, we came up with the name of the pizza shop on Pine St. We believe it was Pantano’s.” (We later found this to have been, likely, Spataro’s.)
In that same string of downtown memories, Dianne had written, “Remember when ‘Mike’s Nuts’ was located in the basement of the Gates House/Plough Tavern? The aroma of roasted peanuts was wonderful on a cold winter’s day. The smell wafted through the open wooden basement doors where you could buy paper bags of warm, roasted peanuts. Were they 25 cents?”
And commenter Barry Ness, thinking about our ongoing Route 30 puzzle, writes, “Been trying to remember the name of the bar/restaurant on the corner of RT.30 and Sherman St. (southeast corner). Am thinking it was ‘Tropical Bar’? The place was removed when the ‘new’ Rt. 30 roadway was expanded from 2 to 3 lanes.” He continues, “At one time, Rt. 30 from about Toronita to Roosevelt was called the Golden Mile of Restaurants. Had your choice of type of places from fast food to sit down.”
Greg S. remembers more from Route 30 as well. He mentions Bright Star, which he places at the corner of Route 30 and Roosevelt Avenue, and Orange Julius in the North Mall. (Which was one of my favorites, of course for their hot dogs!)
I didn’t know of many of these, except maybe Horn & Horn and Orange Julius, so I was THRILLED with all these suggestions. Keep them coming – please!
My name is Joan and I'm a lifelong Yorker. Throughout high school and college, I swore I was getting out of here as soon as possible. Now, a few years later, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. I love my town. And, as a local editor, I hear every day how much you love your towns, too. So please, connect with me and let's share what makes life in York County great. I'm here to help you enjoy this place as much as I do!
Melvin’s on East Market, what about the White Swan on West Market—-Hickeys from Lancaster on East Market too!
The place on the southeast corner of Route 30 and Sherman Street was, The Florida Room. When we moved to York in December 1968, we rented a home on Tenth Avenue in the Cape Cod development right behind the Florida Room.
The Bright Star resturant was at that location back when Rt30 was still Market Street through York. then the road where the resturant was located was either called Arsenal road or Loucks road ( I can”t remember). I spent a lot of evenings drinking coffee at the Bright Star for a time, due to a certian waitress who worked there. Also, I have asked before it anyone remembers Fishers resturant. the last 10 years or so if its existance it was located on Carlisle ave,just past the fairgrounds, and before that it was located for many years in the city at the corner of Penn and Princess streets. In west york, Mosers resturant on King street was my Mothers favorite. Eat many meals there growing up.
The restaurant at the corner of Whiteford Rd (now RT 30) and Sherman St was the North Pole.
It was my bus stop during my high school years.
The lounge/bar was built later and that was the Florida Room
In the 1950′s the pizza shop on the corner of N pine St and Philadelphia St in York was Spataro’s. Caddy cornered across thye st was the children’s home.
When the first one in our group of friends got her driver’s license, we drove from Manchester to Spataro’s on East Philadelphia Street. That was the place I had my first taste of pizza. It was about the size of a nine inch pie, and had a very THIN crust. Best ever! Some 55 years later, I still cannot find a pizza to compare to that one.