In the movies, carhops wore skimpy little outfits and all of the cars in the parking lot were hot rods. This was not reality but the carhop was very real. During my teen years and before, there was hardly a restaurant in South Georgia without a carhop.
Last week, a friend was remembering a lady who had passed away. “Remember she was a carhop when we were teenagers,” she said. I had not heard or thought of the description ‘carhop’ in years. In reading up about American carhops, I learned the profession started in the ’30s when restaurants desired to give better service to the growing mobile society. A carhop is a waiter or waitress who goes to the car to serve the customer. Today in Valdosta, the only restaurant with carhops is Sonic. Several restaurants use the wait staff to bring carryout orders to the car but that is not technically a carhop.
The name carhop comes from the waiter or waitress jumping on the running board of the car to make sure everyone knew it was their customer. The only drive-in restaurant I have ever seen this happen (and it still does) is the Varsity in Atlanta, across from Georgia Tech.
On my second date with my wife, we went to Shoney’s on Ashley— not inside but to the drive-in. One of her favorite desserts, I learned, was Shoney’s “Hot Fudge Sundae.” Trying to be the perfect date, I ordered her one and the carhop was quick to bring it out. As she started to enjoy the dessert and I was taking in all of the points I was making out of this very nice gesture on my part, she dropped half of it on the cloth front seat of my brand new Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Even today she reminds me how nice I was to her when I am not so nice to our grandchildren for their accidental spills in the car.
Valdosta had one of the area’s most popular places for teens with a driver’s license and access to a car — The Hitching Post — and the carhops were the best. You could get a cheeseburger, (real) onion rings and a Coke delivered right to your car window. The Post later closed and reopened as Willy’s. The carhops and outside service were gone but the restaurant has become a Valdosta landmark. A few years earlier in the area where North Ashley and Bemiss Road now intersect, there was the S&K; Restaurant. Some said the S&K; stood for “Sit and Kiss” but I could not confirm it but there were carhops so I know you could sit. The other part, I am sure, just naturally followed.
There was also carhop service at drive-in theatres. You only needed to blink your car’s lights for a carhop to quickly appear at your window offering hot dogs, popcorn and drinks.
As all of us grow older, we naturally long for the “good old days.” The reality is everything was usually not as good as our memories. Not true of the carhops. To all of the carhops of my past, thanks … you were the best … you are missed.
Carhops were all about service. What can possibly be wrong with that?
Sandy Sanders
The days of the carhops were the best
- Sandy Sanders
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Think before you answer
I got an email this week where a writer of an online column tells the story of a young child in Sunday School. The writer says the little boy’s teacher asked his class ‘What’s the animal with a long, bushy tail that lives in trees?’ One child quickly answers while probably thinking about the usual answer to questions in his church Sunday School, ‘Jesus. Though it sure sounds like a squirrel to me.’
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Forgiveness, redemption go together
The news story on Friday read: “WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Thursday to censure once-powerful New York Rep. Charles Rangel for multiple ethical misdeeds — the first time in nearly three decades that House members have publicly rebuked a colleague.
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South Georgia roots run deep for these execs
David Ratcliffe and Mike Garrett, two highly respected executives with Valdosta and South Georgia ties, will be stepping down as leaders of two of the largest power companies in the nation by yearend.
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VDT ready with all-new digital edition
You can now go to the home page of our website (www.valdostadailytimes.com) and click on the link for our digital e-edition. You can sign up for a seven-day trial or, if you currently subscribe to the print edition, we will be glad to add the e-edition just by calling our office for details.
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We are losing our children and we are blaming ‘others’
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Blazer Zone moving into Drexel Park
Next Saturday, Blazer fan families will have a great opportunity for some pre-game tailgating fun. The university is turning Drexel Park into a mini carnival so families can spread out to enjoy an afternoon under the trees, as they get ready for the Blazers’ season opener.
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Maggots with your steak
Today, with online journalism on newspaper websites, readers are able to go online, read the story, post a comment and, within minutes, their comment (thread) is answered by another reader. The bantering can follow a positive line or it can quickly move to having all the attributes of a barroom brawl.
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Why do some children live in abusive houses?
As I have written many times in this column, I grew up in a small town. My father worked at Moody Air Force Base for 30 years and as he would recollect while laughing, “I ate a fried egg sandwich for lunch every day of those 30 years.”
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Turning 18 before the election board
When I turned 18 my father took me down to the courthouse one evening to go before the Board of Registrars so I could be qualified to vote. I was called into the room before three men. I remember being nervous. They asked me questions about residency and being an American before I was given their stamp of approval.
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Think before you answer
