Posted on 05/16/2005 11:06:24 AM PDT by raccoonradio
While I don't remember it as being disastrous I think the saying "Oh No It's HoJos" came about after some travelers ate at that chain a few times...
"Howard Johnson's Got his HoJo Working"--NRBQ
A friend of mine who liked HoJos kind of looks upon the Ground Round chain with disgust, telling me that HJ started that chain up and it replaced more than a few HoJo locations...
But, like everything else ever named "Howard Johnson," they seemed to go down hill with sloppy service and dirty facilities.
I didn't know there was a restaurant, I only associate the name with the hotel chain.
Another piece of nostalgia bites the dust. I remember the family going to Friday night fish fries there. It was one of the few places a family of eight could afford.
Fried clams ?
I do remember with fondness my many childhood meals in the 60's and 70's with the family at the local Howard Johnson's, and the many others on our travels.
I don't even think we had McDonald's back then.
I also remember Woolworth's, with a lunch counter!
Also Stuckey's, which I understand survives in some places still . . .
We used to stop at one on the way to Cape Cod. It was all part of the trip, the image of a vacation and a time to relax. Right now I can smell the fried clams. The world seemed a mite slower then. I guess it wasn't really, but old HoJo's was a nice place, and everyone was polite.
Sadly, whenever I think of HoJo, you come to mind.
Sad to seem them gone.
Aw hell yeah!
I used to love those things at HoJo.
Sure enough, we found a few in the midwest while driving last year; they're more like convenience stores now, though...
Yes, I hear they are out there, in some form. Thanks.
I fondly remember my family's summer vacations at various destinations across the east coast during the early 70's. Howard Johnson's ice cream sundaes were always a great treat.
Holy cow... one of the last 8 is within 5 miles of me (in New Jersey). I had no idea the chain was dying at all.
Qwinn
HoJo's fried clams? That sure brings back memories.
The worst thing about it is that the current generation won't get some of the funniest jokes in "Blazing Saddles".
I liked everything about HoJo's...everything down to the orange roof on Howard Johnson's outhouse.
Yup, I remember Stuckey's with their signs plastered all over the highway for "Pecan Log Rolls."
I called Howard Johnson's "Harold Johnson's" as a preschooler. It was my favorite place on the road because of the certainty of ice cream.
I also remember Burger Chef, because I loved their FunMeals.
I also remember wondering what that strap was hanging down beside the front seat, as well as the metal thing poking me in the leg in the backseat. My brother and I would fight over who got to lay in the floorboard or put our stuff in the rear window ledge of the car.
But I digress.
Well, jump in the car right now, Qwinn, and go get some fried clams to help the economy!
; )
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