Seventy years of satisfying fare
Posted Mar 10, 2010 05:52:13 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The oldest drive-in diner in Canada, and a Bedford institution, is celebrating a big anniversary today.
It was 70 years ago today the Innes family opened the doors of the drive-up canteen known today as the Chickenburger. Over the years, it’s flourished thanks to consistently delicious fast-food fare.
Local businessman Mickey MacDonald took ownership of the restaurant three years ago. He says it was too good an opportunity to pass up.
“I’d always admired the Chickenburger, like everybody else, you love the place,” he said.
MacDonald is such a fan, he says he’s working on plans for a new Chickenburger in downtown Halifax.
“I’m going to try and do the same feel, same kind of atmosphere in the place, same quality food,” he said. “I don’t know if it can be duplicated, but if it can we’ll give it a try.”
On any given day, the jukebox will be blasting in the Bedford location as young and old customers alike enjoy the drive-up service. Anne, who’s worked there for 25 years, says it’s nearly a second home.
“We have a lot of friendly customers that come in on a daily basis that make it very enjoyable,” she said.
Jack is one of those regulars who’s been coming for more than 50 years and says he enjoys taking a walk back in time.
“The environment sort of goes back to the fifties and sixties, the décor and so on,” he said. “They’ve been very smart, they didn’t change what didn’t have to be changed.”
Alisha speaks for the younger generation.
“I like how old it is,” she said. “I like the jukebox.”
A book called “The Life and Times of the Chickenburger” is being launched today for the anniversary.
