A Throwback To The '50s: Car Hops Serve You At Big Star Drive-In in Kenosha

Kenosha, WI (April 13, 2010) - It’s the first sign of spring every year, and also means summer’s not far behind, according to Mary LaFerney. It’s a big tasty bite of nostalgia. “It” is the annual opening of Big Star Drive-In, which has been owned by the same family at the same location in Kenosha, Wisconsin, since 1954. LaFerney’s parents opened the drive-in, and now her son Chuck owns it.

Located midway between Chicago and Milwaukee, the Kenosha Area is home to many local, family-owned restaurants. One of the most unique ones is Big Star. “You just don’t find drive-ins anymore,” LaFerney says. Car hops can wait on up to thirty cars in the parking lot at one time. Additional cars literally circle the parking lot or wait in the alley for an opening. Bicyclists, walkers, and motorcyclists step up and order at a counter.

Big Star is especially known for its double cheeseburgers and ice cold root beer served in frosted mugs. Root beer and orange soda are also available by the quart or gallon to take home. Among the menu options, its Fish Fry is a popular Friday tradition. Breaded mushrooms, cheese sticks, popcorn chicken, and jalapeno peppers can be ordered on the side. Everything is served fresh, made the way customers want it.

Big Star opened on February 26th this year, a few days before its usual March opening. As always, it will close on August 31st as kids head back to school. 3,000 burgers a day were served at this season’s beginning. Regular customers keep coming back, year after year, as do the employees. Prices are very reasonable; a hamburger costs just 95 cents.

LaFerney recalls her fourth grade end-of-the-year picnic, when students ate hamburgers from her parents’ business across the street at Washington Park. To this day, nearby schools come to Big Star for their picnics. Washington Park is home to the oldest operating velodrome in the United States. Back in its heyday, when the bicycle races drew massive crowds, spectators would pop over to Big Star for root beer, popcorn, and burgers. Bicycle races continue today in the summer months, and bicycle enthusiasts as well as visitors to the pool and skate park at Washington Park, and the community at large, continue to frequent Big Star.

Located at 1500 Washington Road, in Kenosha, Big Star Drive-In is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Call (262) 658-1572 for more information.

For more information about the Kenosha Area, including event information and a Kenosha Area Visitors Guide, log on to www.kenoshacvb.com or call the Kenosha Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (262) 654-7307 or (800) 654-7309. The Visitors Guide is also available by visiting a Kenosha Area Visitor Information Center. The I-94 location is at I-94 & Hwy. 165 East Exit 347, while the Downtown Kenosha location is at 812 - 56th St.

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