This segment of Texas Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives is reserved for places that are long gone but far from forgotten in our memory banks. Therefore, I'll begin with the Chuc Wagun, located on 34th St. in Houston, TX, next to Waltrip High School.
Before if was transformed into the Minute Man, I remember the outside structure was actually built to look like a covered wagon. Don't remember if there was an inside area (did that happen when it became Minute Man?), but I do remember walking up to a window, placing the order, well my dad did...it was "bdl" (before driver's license), and walking around the railing to the street side of the building to pick up our order. My dad used to always order hot dogs (hot dogs?) and root beer. Occasionally we'd get chocolate malts. Can't even remember what else was on the menu besides maybe burgers and fries. Any ideas? Do you remember when it became Minute Man? Adl (after driver's license) any errand I offered to run ALWAYS involved driving by the Chuc Wagun, which would have probably been the Minute Man by then, but I still called it the Chuc Wagun.
What is your gone-but-not-forgotten memory of Texas Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives?
Sam's Place
ReplyDeleteThere was a hamburger place on Gessner that I use to eat at called Sam's. I don't know if it is still there or not but I do know that the last time I went there many years ago it had switched owners and wasn't the same. One of the distinguishing characteristics is that they had a hamburger as a sign on pole in the front of the parking lot. Trouble was, the hamburger was upside down.
It was right around the corner from where I worked and it was a regular place to have lunch. It was a converted house and that also had a backyard picnic area. They had the best Hickory sauce and onion hamburgers that I have ever eaten. I have had other Hickory Hamburgers in other places but none matched that place.
Anyone know of a good place to get a Hickory Burger?
Ahh, the Minute Man, and the most gluttonous drink of all time - The Suicide. About 64 oz. of Coke, Dr. Pepper, Cherry, Root Beer, and probably 50 other things. No wonder I have high cholesterol.
ReplyDeleteTerry--You need to contact Lana Wilkins Waden from our Class of '71 site...her father and uncle owned the Chuc Wagons and she has great memories and old photos!
ReplyDeleteAlso, there was a Drive-In on the corner of 34th and Oak Forest back in the late 50's/early 60's, where Monterrey House moved and now is Don Teo's...it was like a Prince's with car hops and car awnings...what was its' name.
Hi Terry. Lana lives in Waco now. She works at Baylor. She is on Facebook, so you should be able to contact her through Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI remember going to the Wagon Wheel with my friends ( Billy may have gone with me, I don't remember that in particular ), but I do remember going with Donnie Featherstone and Tommie ? We used to shoot ice at each other and others through our straws. Those were fun days.
Have you seen the old Wagon Wheel lately? It is a prerry sorry site. I will send you a picture if you want one.
John, have no idea about a drive-in exactly at 34th & Oak Forest. Only thing that comes to mind is the Gizmo on Oak Forest between Judiway & 34th. This was a little white building that had awnings and served great hamburgers, steak sandwiches & onion rings. Just found out this morning Kathy McGee's grandfather owned it. What a hoot.
ReplyDeleteThe Cockrell's started The Gizmo in the 50's. Caught a ride to our
DeleteReagan High with the son Billy many days, and had many a burger and malt at the little joint while listening to their jukebox!
Mark, we probably paid what $.35 for that suicide drink? Don't get me started about cholesterol and old eating habits, it'll make me hungry:) Seems like there was an orange drink also (orange-aide)?
ReplyDeleteYes...my daddy and his brother owned several locations in Houston. The one the Waltrip kids will be most familiar with my daddy's location at Crosstimbers and Yale. Another uncle had been granted ownership of the patent long years before (before I came along)on the unique spelling of the Chuc Wagun name and the Wheel Burger/large burger, Hub Burger/small burger and Spoke/hot dog. I only know the history of the restaurant as my family used to tell me...of course it was based on the Conestoga Wagons thus the design. I vividly remember the procession of ordering...upon hearing the initial order Daddy would take the meat out of the freezer and toss it on the grill. Then after buns were toasted...very rarely done now days...Daddy would put the bottom of the bun on a big butcher board area and he had a speaker button attached to the front side of the board and he could lean against it keeping his hands free to dress the burger as he asked if they wanted it "all the way", "with everything" or if it was a "special" order. First was the mustard (standard on the burger unless mayo was requested)literally brushed on with a brush. Then came onions, lettuce, pickles and lastly tomatoes. Different colored toothpicks were slightly inserted into the side of the bun to represent the special requests...as in "cut the onions"-white toothpick or "cut the tomatoes"-which was a red toothpick. Then the cheese was melted on top of the meat...10 cents a slice if requested and the top of the bun was turned over on the grill and toasted then put on the meat and then scooped up with a big spatula and placed on the bun with the veggies. (That was a cleaver trick to learn...pulling the spatula out quickly without pulling all the veggies out as well.) It was wrapped with white restaurant tissue paper and bagged. There was a little box outside the front window where you dropped your money and a change machine to make change back to you. Of course this was way before "drive thru windows". Daddy is gone and uncles as well. But I can still see Daddy in his apron and hat which resembled that of a soda jerk. I love thinking back on those days of no computer...taking cash and making change...just by memory...no computer to tell you totals or change back. I have some old, old pictures of the Chuc Wagun and hope to have them scanned soon.
ReplyDeleteThe Minute Man next to Waltrip was previously a Chuc Wagun. My cousin bought it and changed the name to the Minute Man. I worked there all through high school. Daddy, Mother and I lived in the white house behind the Minute Man. I have fond memories of my years in the "fast" food business. One Halloween Alice Foley and Janet Roberson dressed up as clowns and I dressed up as a witch and we handed out candy to the cars in the parking lot. I remember the Minute Man had onion rings to die for and at one time had 3 drive thru lanes.
Ironic side note to this story...in 1992 I began a search for my birth mother (Mother/Daddy had adopted me at age 8 months) and I found 2 brothers raised in Fort Worth. As we developed our relationship through the years imagine how shocked I was to learn my brother Terry had worked at a Chuc Wagun (owned by more family) in Fort Worth while in high school.
Lana Wilkins Waden - I grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, where we had four Chuc~Waguns. Same design, food, service, etc. I would greatly appreciate you sharing any photos you may have of the Chuc~Waguns. I am on FB, but my email is earlcooper8@hotmail.com. Thank you.
DeleteI remember the Minute Man next to Waltrip. I went to school and graduated there the 2nd year it was opened. We got burgers there all the time. My husband says they grilled them and then put them in a broth. We tried that recently and they are really good. I heard that a company named Minute Man in Arkansas sued for the name and the Minute Man closed. Is that correct?
DeleteLana, thanks so much for the story. As you were describing how the hamburgers were assembled, I actually remembered the mustard being brushed on. Would I have been able to see this through the window or is it my imagination? My dad always had mustard on his hamburger and I assumed as a kid that's just how hamburgers were made.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea when the Chuc Wagun (notice the correct spelling) was changed to Minute Man that it was actually still in the same family. Don't believe there is a person who went to Waltrip back in those days who doesn't have a memory of the Chuc Wagun/Minute Man.
Yes it was glass windows about 3/4 of the way around. I remember Daddy taping them up when Hurricane Carla was on her way.
ReplyDeleteAh, Hurricane Carla...another story all in itself.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get a chance, send me some photos of the Chuc Wagun and I'll add them to the post.
I'm from Houston, When I was growing up in the mid 1950's, as a treat my family would go to a car hop diner called Hopkins. I am not sure where is was located. Maybe near Downtown, I am not sure. I would always get the "Midnight Special", fish, shrimp and a chicken wing with fries and a rootbeer in a little mug for kids. Anyone else remember this place? Love this blog. kudos Terry.
ReplyDeleteGinger, I'm not familiar with Hopkins, hope someone else can help you out. My little corner of the world was pretty much confined to the area around Oak Forest and the Heights, with occasional trips out S. Main (for special occasions). Didn't you grow up in the Pasadena area? There's a follower from the Milby/Dolby area (I believe). Maybe she'll be able to shed some light on Hopkins. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteTerry. Great blog. Oh, such great memories of the Chuc Wagon and Minute Man. The 10 cent cokes made for very cheap dates...I also remember the one and only trip to the principal's office was when several of us skipped out of something and walked over for a quick burger.
ReplyDeleteAnother place I remember is a little bbq place on 34th down close to the YMCA. They served the bbq in the little containers that are mainly used for Chinese food today. I remember it was good, but not the name.
Great Blog! I like the diners and drive-ins, but the Dives are great too. For Houston, the Cedar Lounge on Airline Dr. would certainly make the list. As for a couple of dives that are still going strong try La Kiva, in Terlinqua or the Hanging Tree, in Bracken, Tx. La Kiva is underground and very dark, but a great place to have a drink after a day of exploring Big Bend Nat'l Park. As for the Hanging Tree Saloon, Joan and I would be glad to be your tour guide. It's one of the oldest continually operating saloons in Texas. On any given weekend night you can find business folks, cowboys, bikers, and more. Gotta love a good Dive
ReplyDeleteOk, I will try this again. Hello fellow Houstonians, I lived in the Oak Forest, Heights & Timbergrove areas and I too remember the Chuc Wagun. I always got the "Hub" and a chocolate malt. This might explain the fact that I was known as a "chubette" until I was about 14! But, everyone enjoys a good burger. Who remembers another burger place on 11th Street called the Someburger? When we were kids we used to walk to the Someburger when we visited our grandmother who lived in the Heights. Those were super good, but everything was better then.
ReplyDeleteNow, who remembers the Pig Stand on Shepherd? If you attended John H. Reagan High School, then you know this was THE place to go after football games and on weekends. Sadly, I don't remember much about the food, but it was our "Arnolds" and those were our Happy Days. I specifically remember the jukeboxes at the booths inside.
Now my husband says Princes Drive-Ins had the best burgers in Houston. Are they still around?
Dear Anonymous, Thanks for the post. And just an fyi, was in the Heights week before last and the Someburger is STILL THERE...and in the same place. Same little green portable building and there's always a line.
ReplyDeleteI also heard this week that the Pig Stand is still around, although not a drive-in. Must be more like a diner now. It's on my "soon to check out list" so I can report back. Princes are still around but don't think they're drive-ins any more either. The inside is nostalgic though.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRetraction...
ReplyDeletePig Stand is no longer around. It was closed in 2006. In it's place (at Washington & Sawyer) is a diner/sports bar called Sawyer's Place. The Pig Stand can officially be classified under Gone But Not Forgotten.
did anyone ever eat at De Pauls Italian Restaurant on shepherd dr. & 16st. debbie & I spent every weekend eating there at least one night for years (69-?). great italian food and pizzas. family owned by the De Paul family. they had alot of family photos on the walls. mr. De Paul was a very tall/robust man, mrs. De Paul was a short/little lady who gave him plenty of hell. they were very miss-matched in size. the family lived in the large house behind the restaurant. these folks were really great cooks. sometimes there kids would be there working. their lasagna was the best i have ever eaten. debbie loved their manicotti. we even got my parents eating there daddy loved their spaghetti & meatballs. the De Pauls & Grizzaffi's became very good friends for years even after they closed the business. the building is no longer, now it is a used car lot, what a shame.
ReplyDeleteHey there Frankie! Yes, my friend, your comment has found it's way onto my blog. As I mentioned earlier, it is with deep regret I have no recollection of DePaul's. How could that be? My dad grew up in the Heights (12th St.), went to Reagan High School, and I am a native Oak Forester (Forestian didn't sound right). The "family" restaurants I remember are Bill Williams Chicken Restaurant, Christi's Seafood, Felix Mexican, Youngblood's (which I believe was also known for their fried chicken), but nothing Italian. How very sad, since Italian is absolutely one of my favorite foods.
ReplyDeleteThe Friday of our 40th high school reunion (July 23rd), Terry Evans Gilmour and I made a lunch trip over to the Barbeque Inn on Crosstimbers & Yale. I got a copy of their current menu but their original menu is posted in the lobby. Price differential is unbelievable.
Thanks for the post Frankie. Hopefully, someone will also remember the Italian restaurant I never went to. How sad for me...
I went to Hamilton with Ross DePaul whose parents owned DePaul's.
DeleteAnyone remember Valiant's (sp?) Restaurant?
ReplyDeletegizmo had great onion rings which came out of a jar, were hand dipped in batter and fried, as while you watched. simply great
ReplyDeleteTerry, in your Aug 2009 blog, you talked about the Chuc Wagun rest. You mentioned pictures of the rest. might follow. Did you ever receive any or post any????? I would love to see them! Thank you
ReplyDeleteno photos of gizmo necessary I remember it like yesterday
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous-
ReplyDeleteGood---because Gizmo photo is still MIA. Glad to hear the memories are in tact.
Anyone remember The Millers Drive-Inn on 43rd St? We used to make the rounds on the week-ends Chuck Wagun, Millers, Pig Stand then The Princess. The guys would drive around the lots real slow to show off their cars. Someone mentioned De Pauls, we ate there and at Doyles on 34th St. Doyles is still there. What about the original James Coney Island in downtown Houston? We always went there after watching "The Houston Fat Stock Show and Rodeo" parade. A few blast from the past.
ReplyDeleteYes! It became Mytiburger later and is still there. Used to eat at James Coney Island downtown when I worked near there at Southern National Bank. Best chili dogs ever.
DeleteSandra - help me remember Millers. I'm well aware of Chuc Wagon (Minute Man in later years) and the others, but can't seem to recall Millers. I ate at Doyles a couple of months ago. But don't know about the original James Coney Island.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother used to take us to the L&C Cafeteria down on Main St. each year after the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
One of the DePaul family members contacted me about putting together a cookbook from the family recipes, which I think would be great. However, have not heard back from him.
Still trying to remember the name of the small BBQ place on 34th down toward the YMCA, I believe. Used to service their chopped brisket in little cardboard containers with wire handles.
Miller's was on W.43rd just east of the intersection with T.C. Jester. It was next door to the fire station. It still exists as Mytiburger today.
DeleteThe bbq place across from the YMCA on 34th is another place we used to go to. They had the best chopped beef sandwich. Loved that place but don't know the name. Very close to the intersection with Golf Drive.
Put your thinking cap on. My brother and I have been trying for years to remember the name of the BBQ place across from the YMCA!!! Help!!!:)
DeleteHere's a photo I found online of a Chuc Wagun...not sure what location. I am almost 59 and we lived in Post Oak Manor in Houston and used to go to one often.
ReplyDeletehttp://whs60.org/pictures/past/chuc-wagun.jpg
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