The Seattle Traveler

Sometimes I really have a craving for a burger. Not a gourmet burger, all dressed up with highbrow condiments and accompaniments. Just a good old greasy cheese burger, an order of fries along side, some tartar sauce to go with the fries, and a rich, thick milk shake. Sure, it may be a heart attack waiting to happen — but when I have that craving, nothing satisfies quite like a trip to Dick’s.

Dick’s drive-in has been a Seattle institution since the early 1950s. Born out of the idea that Americans were on the move, Dick Spady and his partners opened the first Dick’s drive-in in the Wallingford District, on January 28, 1954. The goal was to offer the classic meal of a burger, fries and a shake quickly and cheaply, while still providing a fresh and tasty product.

Unlike many of its fast food competitors, Dick’s had no interest in turning itself into a national franchise. The founders were family men, and wanted to spend time at home rather than traveling the country setting up a business. They focusrd their growth on expansion in the greater Seattle area. Four more locations cropped up: Capitol Hill (on Broadway), Ballard (on Holman Road), on Lake City Way, and on lower Queen Anne. Five locations in all, and all five still in business today serving burgers, fries and shakes — fast food, using fresh ingredients, at a fair price.

What makes Dick’s consistently rank in the top Seattle locations for a burger? They use 100% beef, always fresh, never frozen, delivered daily. The buns are also fresh and never frozen. The fries come from real potatoes; you won’t see any of those frozen, preformed fries at at Dick’s. They are then deep fried in 100% vegetable oil, and served with just the right amount of greasiness. The shakes are hand dipped and individually whipped, reminiscent of an old time ice cream shop.

The menu hasn’t changed much over the 50 plus years that Dick’s has been in business. A couple of new burgers were added, as was Diet Coke. That’s about it! When you do what you do well, you just don’t need to tinker with it.

Besides serving quality fast food, Dick’s has also been an upstanding member of the Seattle community. In a business that has a high level of turnover, it’s significant that most Dick’s employees have worked in the company in excess of two years. Their labor practices rival the top in the industry, and they are known for paying wages well above industry standard, providing 100% employer paid health insurance, and providing subsidized dental insurance and childcare assistance. Dick’s helps to fund a number of charitable causes, and encourages its employees with financial incentives to donate their time to community service as well.

In a business that largely employs students, one of the huge benefits that Dick’s offers is its educational scholarships. These scholarships, valid at any college or university, vocational program or self improvement program, gives annual grants up to a combined total of $15,000 per individual. Working at Dick’s has become a great way to put yourself through college.

Locations: Dick’s has five locations.

Wallingford (the original), 111 NE 45th Street

Capitol Hill, 115 Broadway Avenue

Ballard, 9208 Holman Road NW

Lake City, 12325 30th Avenue NE

Queen Anne, 500 Queen Anne Avenue No.

Hours: Seven days a week, 10:30 am – to 2:00 am

I last went to Dick’s after my visit to Woodland Park Zoo. I had what I always have: a Dick’s deluxe, an order of fries with tartar sauce, and a chocolate shake. Yummmmmmmmmm!

Photo credit: flickr

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