Big Elby's

Yes, children there was a Big Boy's. No Rax, Wendy's, Burger King and worst of all NO McDonalds. I remember well when Elby's Big Boy opened where Perkins is now probably about 1958 or 59. My grandfather LOVED it and would call up and order DOZENS of Big Boy burgers, then get on the phone, call the Quinnery and say "I've got Big Elby's over here"! He only lived two houses away so we were off and running.

At first they had speakers like the drive in where you could order from your car and then a girl would bring your order to the car, hook a tray to your open window and leave your food. That was pretty cool. By the time I was in high school, Elby's became THE place to see and be seen. You had to hang out there in a car and see who was with whom and what they were driving. Many a drag race was arranged there. After every football game everyone gathered inside and table hopped. Each table had a jukebox selection machine and I can remember sitting there late at night playing Johnny Mathis songs and waiting for a ride to Morgantown to visit university guys (they knew how to party better than high school guys).

The best sandwich on the menu was the Slim Jim...ham and pickles and whatnot... DELICIOUS and the strawberry pie was to die for.