One of my favorite places to eat as a kid was drive-in restaurants. I wanted to be a car hop when I grew up, but not the kind who wore roller skates. And with the exception of the little A&W stand in the next town, most such restaurants were not part of a chain.
It’s amazing that in just a few decades, eating out has become a national past time. Sadly, by the time I was old enough to work, there were no more car hops — not even the kind on roller skates.
International foods are now the norm — everything from Thai and Indian food to Italian and Cajun cuisine. Even in smaller communities where palates are generally less sophisticated, it’s not unusual to find Mom and Pop restaurants opening in strip malls, serving up authentic Mexican, Chinese and Indian recipes. And there is nothing to compare with that authenticity.