porky’s
Porkys Drive-In, located at 1890, University Ave. W., St. Paul, MN has been a St. Paul institution since 1953. Possibly the last true drive-in resturant in St. Paul. It amazes me how some businesses live on, and become a kind of tradition. If you have never been to Porkys at least stop by and get some onion rings, even the smell of them cooking is worth the visit. Porkys is very crowded in the evening during the summer months. The night I took this picture the lot was full and every table in the outside seating area was taken.
I am happy that I took pictures. Porky’s closed last weekend. The building is being dismantled and hauled away. It will be sold along with the sign which is already gone. Light Rail construction has started on that part of University Avenue and the owners decided now would be a good time to pack it in.
Being an Eastsider, I never was a regular patron of Porky’s. MY drive-in was the Dari-ette on Minnehaha a couple of blocks East of Johnson Parkway. They were featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives a couple years ago. As far as I know, they are still going strong. I plan to visit them regularly throughout the summer to help keep it that way.
I am from the East side and I when I was a teenage Dariette was my drive-in too. The last time I was there was a couple of years ago. The food is great. I need to go back. 😉
How sad. It sounds like they had a long run and probably came away with some amazing stories though.