Tastee-Freeze
 

Over the weekend the Mrs and I attended a wedding outside of Charlottesville, Va in the mountains. It was great!

Driving back east Sunday on Rt 29 we decided to take in several of the many 'antique' shops along the way. As we were driving (and well past lunch time) I remembered a joint that might still be there?.............Tastee-Freeze!

So in the middle of no where.....we pull up, it's open and still operating since the late 60's. Menu has changed a little but the burgers still taste the same (good!) to me. While it won't compete with the 'fast-casual' crowd - the buns were fluffy soft - like ridiculously and the mustard is the same - tart yellow. Pretty much their signature burger.

We ordered a side of fries and a Pepsi - because Coke was not available. Guess what? Nothing was pre-prepared - all fixed in front of us in about 5 mins. while we waited, then served smoking hot.

So today - looked in and to my surprise TF has 8 locations in Va - and something like 350 nationwide. Who knew?

In my local small town (then) TF was the only burger joint around - complete with the canopy-covered island where you'd pull up, order your meal through the dimly lit small marquee and someone would bring to you. That place survived until the very early 80's when McD came into town.

Any of them around your locales?

Peppy owns (or owned) one.

Peppy owns one and I have stopped by - he wasn't there, in Crewe, Va.

Nearest to me is 108.9 miles. Next time I go to Charleston, I'll check it out.

I'm aware of TF, but don't remember the last time that I saw one or if I've ever eaten at one.

You can search for locations Here --> https://www.tastee-freez.com/locations/

Apparently, they have "hamburger stands" and "Wienerschnitzel," and Texas has 6 Wienerschnitzel locations with the closest being about 145 miles away.

We used to eat at a Ye old hamburger stand in El Centro that used to be a Wienerschnitzel. Cheap and decent enough food but the poppers we really good. Our lab would come over and look, but not look at me so I would feel bad for her and give her one.

This one was like most - small but also had a walk-up window. Not sure why as the front door was 10 ' away - same person waiting on you.

Everything I know about the place I learned in the little ditty about Jack 'n Diane:

Sucking on a chili dog, Outside the Tastee Freeze

..............also had a huge menu items, fried chicken, etc.

I wouldn’t eat at a restaurant that served smoking hot burgers.

okay.........try piping hot.........my bad

We have a couple around here, the closest one is about 30 minutes away. Nothing wrong with it but I have restaurants with better burgers two minutes away, so that’s a factor.

When I drive to Colorado, about halfway there there’s a small gas stop with a Dairy Queen. I usually stop there to get a soft serve ice cream cone, I don’t know why. I can get those locally, too...

They call that brazier food in "Dairy Queen speak"! :)

No Tastee Freezes around here but we do have a Dairy Queen and they do a great job.

Makes me wonder if "Hasty Freeze" here is a west coast version after the east coast Tastee Freeze chain reduced size? Small cement block building, two windows, parking in back. Used to be one in my town, but it got razed when the corner it sat on was curved & widened for a truck route. Been around forever. At least 50 years. Wish there was a better pic...Pangs of nostalgia, but everything it sells is a no-no now that I'm diabetic.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g29987-d520297-r243636364-Hasty_Freez-Albany_Oregon.html#REVIEWS

You had me thinking that I had eaten at nearly half of them (one is now closed). I pass by two everyday, don't eat there often however. There are 45 in Texas.

https://www.wienerschnitzel.com/location-results/texas/?address=tx

Yes I still own a tastee freez, it is sad there are only 22 free standing stores left in the country. When I was a kid there were hundreds of them. My family will have owned a tf for 50 years come December.
Glad you had a good meal.

Portsmouth, VA
 

There was one in my hometown. Always crowded after a Little League game. They had burgers, but the hot dogs, especially chilli dogs, was what I remember most!:D No inside for patrons, simply go to the window and place your order. Not sure if they are still there as I haven't been back since 98.

Crewe, VA
 

Peppy, My brother lives in Crewe with his family. Nice little town. Will have to look you up (and visit your establishment:D) when I get back down that way again!

Originally a Tastee Freez when it opened in 1952. Many times a place would open under the original franchise agreement and once that expired they'd modify the sign and name to go independent. The sign in Albany still has the original TF ice cream cone on it. ;)

Looks like there are many in 92025 and 93111 zip code. Will have to try one...don't recall eating there before but likely don't remember that far back. Santa Barbara has one of, or the, last Sambos and hamburger joint The Habit started in Goleta. It's still there and separate from the franchise is still great...avoid the franchise. Best burger in SB was Char West on upper State Street. Long gone now but easily best burgers at the time.

That's pretty cool. I'll buy you a cone.

That's what happened to the one in Wickenburg, AZ. But the newest incarnation gets pretty bad reviews and people always comparing it to the TF it used to be under previous mgt.

peppy - the menu looked like they had everything - almost too many selections - but I did not see the 'Hula' burger listed?

Not sure I'm familiar Hula burger, but we do sell fried chicken livers and gizzards.

I ate at that one about a year ago and it was pretty good but I see on Yelp they got new management around the start of 2019 and the reviews went off a cliff. Did they drop the Tastee Freez altogether?

Nerd note - they had the last remaining TF sign featuring Tee & Eff (the Tastee Freez Twins.)

Yes that is the last Sambos. I seem to remember it is also the first one opened. I have a lot of memories of this Sambos (and The Habit) from when I went to UCSB almost forty years ago.



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Back in the day - TF sold Hula- burgers. Basically similar to Big-Mac with thousand island & lettuce

The ones out west here used to offer the Big T Burger.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1570560540.jpg

Yes ^^^ Big T as well in my locale....

Mmmmmm.....fried chicken livers...... a southern delicacy I truly miss😁

I have never been to a TF....or a DQ (still around) in years. Road trip :)!!!

I figured this is a good place to put this, sorry for the highjack.

After 50 year in tastee freez and 45 at the Crewe, VA location we are changing our name. All of the tastee freez in Va. are leaving the brand as of Dec. 20.

There are 4 location in virginia that will be using the same name.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1576427106.jpg

In the 60's, my older sister worked at the local TF
Almost every night she would bring home frozen mistakes. (wrong orders, ingredients,etc)
I hated it when she quit!

Exactly,oh man! Rejoice thy youth. I remember that combo well. Good burger, shakes and those crinkle cut fries.

Fortunate to have two where I grew up. One at the corner of my street located in Van Nuys CA at Victory and Fulton. The second located at Woodman and Saticoy.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1576428846.jpg

Wow. I have stopped at your place...pretty iconic in the town.

What is driving the change?

The national company has been leaving the franchised stores out of new promotions. Only the tastee freez/Wienerschnitzel co-branded stores were getting the new items. Our franchise holder for the state of Va has had enough and decided to retire, and there was an out in our franchise agreements that let us leave with no penalties and voided the non compete. It should be a plus for all involved.

The town east of here has a really old TF. About 5 years ago they built a new one next door with the intention of tearing down the old one. I guess they stay busy because they ended up working the new and the old every day.

Congrats on the new chapter! It's probably a great opportunity to try some things you've wanted to do for years now.

P.S. If you've got any old TF stuff that might get tossed let me know. I actually collect TF items. :)

Never tried TF, but have Dairy Queen locally . Peppy, good luck for your next chapter, may it last past the Grandchildren.