Sonny
While sitting down for one of the best burgers in the state of Alaska, my mother and I figured out that Sonny and his wife Nancy have owned the Glacier Drive-In on the end of the Homer Spit for over 35 years. My mother remembers them buying it when it was just a small trailer and my oldest brothers were very young. Then they built a boardwalk and a building around it, which is how I have always remembered it.
Growing up, the Glacier Drive-In was a regular stop for the family after church on our way out to the boat for another week of fishing. Melissa only ordered one of two things: cheese sticks or a hot dog and she would eat around the meat.
In High school I would drive out the Spit on lunch breaks for a Glacier Burger, no pickles, and a chocolate peanut butter shake. One of the best meals around, and a meal that I still crave once summer approaches.
Sonny takes your order, he always has. I have never seen anyone else at the window taking orders, and he knows the correct amount of tax for your order off the top of his head. He's become hard of hearing, but he still recognizes me despite my walking in there only once or twice a year. It probably helps that I look just like a McLay.
My mother and I ordered Glacier Burgers, I a shake and she a soda. It was late for lunch and a windy, cold day on the Spit; the Drive-In was mostly empty. While waiting for our food I asked Sonny for a photo. I told him to smile, to scoot over into the middle of the window. He complied, laughing at my barking directions.
Sonny and Nancy have sold the Glacier Drive-In this year, and next year the new owners will take over. It won't be the same with Sonny and Nancy gone.
2 Comments
Stop it, you're making me hungry :)
They sold it? That makes me sad and also very hungry. I always loved going in their and Sonny calling me trouble and making fun of me that I'd order a Glacier D without onions but then order onion rings. Great memories.