Dick's Drive-In

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Dick's on Broadway

Dick's in Wallingford on a summer night

Dick's Drive-In is a fast-food restaurant chain in Seattle, Washington, USA. Most Seattleites refer to the restaurants, singularly and collectively, as "Dick's". Dick's has attained status as a Seattle icon.

Founders Dick Spady, H. Warren Ghormley, and Dr. B. O. A. Thomas opened the first Dick's in 1954 in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood, on N.E. 45th Street. It has since expanded to a total of five locations throughout Seattle. Four of them are drive-in restaurants without customer seating, while the Lower Queen Anne location has indoor tables and no drive-in.

The simple menu has changed little over time. It features fast-food staples such as hamburgers, french fries, and milkshakes. Dick's is particularly well known for the "Dick's Special," which includes lettuce, mayonnaise, and chopped pickles; and the "Dick's Deluxe," a quarter-pound version of the Special, with cheese. These burgers were added in 1971. Cashiers generally do not accept variations on the burger's preparation, or omissions such as asking for the burger without lettuce.

Dick's is involved with Seattle-area homeless charities, and maintains a scholarship program for student employees. At the counter, what would be tip jars are instead donation boxes to Dick's' sponsored charities. Dick's only accepts cash as payment.

Seattle hip-hop icon Sir Mix-a-Lot created the most memorable tribute to Dick's. In his classic song, "Posse on Broadway," Dick's is the center of the action. Mix-a-Lot notes that Dick's is "the place where the cool hang out/the swass like to play and the rich flaunt clout."

[edit] Locations

[edit] Other Dick's Drive-Ins

There is also a Dick's Drive-In located in Spokane, Washington. Although it has a similar look and menu, it is owned by a different group. Like the well-known Dick's Drive-In in Seattle, the Spokane Dick's Drive-In is also a local icon.