36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY august 17-23, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com The drive-thru window caters to American culture’s most fundamental trait. The desire for convenience gave shape to the nation’s roadsides as more people began to hit the highway in the 1920s. At the time, there were some 8 million vehicles puttering about. By 1930, that number had grown to 23 million. Along with the cars came convenience. In 1921, a Texas franchise called Pig Stand—how inviting—opened a drivein. Its owner, J.G. Kirby, reasoned that “people with cars are so lazy they don’t want to get out of them to eat.” There are several claims to the first drive-thru window, including a Los Angeles outpost of Pig Stand, which started takeout in 1931. But many food historians credit In-N-Out in Baldwin Park, California for developing the concept to its full potential in 1948. The timing was perfect. New cars were arriving in showrooms after a manufacturing break for World War II. Youth culture was beginning to flex its financial muscle. Americans were about to really go mobile. What can be found at Monterey County’s drive-thrus in 2023? A brief sampling follows. And it’s not all big chains. -DF Foster’s Freeze 815 S. Main St., Salinas 758-6950, fostersfreeze.com Pulling up to Foster’s Freeze is a little exciting as I whip off of Main Street in Salinas. The weekday makes for a bit of traffic, but there’s only a short line ahead of me at the drive-thru. I’m deciding between the DoubleDecker and the Big Boss—I go for the latter because I love onion rings, hold the tomatoes please. I also substituted my fries for onion rings, happy I have the option to do so. I’m given a hot bag of food and drive away. My first bite of the burger is juicy and savory, and immediately calls for a sip of cola. Next up to try is the onion rings. But as I reach into my bag, I realize I forgot to ask for sauce. Already on the road, there’s no going back. -KH 3 Mundos Sandwich Shop 2233 N. Fremont St., Monterey 324-0369, 3mundossandwichshop. godaddysites.com There’s a famous California burger drive-thru in Seaside where one can drive in and out with a box full of burgers and fries—as a pescatarian I opt for the “grilled cheese” off the chain’s famous secret menu—but just a mile away over the border in Monterey you can skip that long line for 3 Mundos Sandwich Shop, a locally owned store with a drive-thru option featuring an expansive menu that includes classic half-pound burgers. True to 3 Mundos’ name there are over 40 different sandwiches, as well as breakfast burritos and quesadillas. There’s lots of meat on 3 Mundos’ menu, ranging from simple turkey sandwiches to ambitious creations including several versions of pulled pork sandwiches. Thankfully, there are also numerous vegetarian and vegan options. During my last visit I ordered the shop’s falafel burger stacked with housemade falafels, lettuce, tomato, cucumbers and tzatziki sauce on a soft yet sturdy bun. The drive-thru might not catch your eye right away: It’s on the side of the building, a former small house, with no obvious signage. Look for the small window with a menu tacked below. -PM Tacos El Jalisciense 1390 Fremont Blvd., Seaside 920-2172 There are hazards to ordering quesabirria tacos from a drive-thru that go beyond spilling consommé on the car seats—one might, for example, miss a green light while gazing at one’s tacos in the passenger seat, only to be chastised by a symphony of honks. A chipper voice greets me immediately as I pull up to the intercom. I stall while considering the big, colorful billboard of a menu, before deciding that a handwritten note taped to the intercom itself, advertising the day’s special, is really what is calling my name—quesabirria. “It’ll be a few minutes,” the window attendant informs me. Less than three minutes later she’s back, handing over the goods—a most expedient dining experience. After the green light incident I opt not to eat in my car and instead drive back to the Weekly office to tuck in. Quesabirria is admittedly not the ideal food for takeout—the tortillas lose their griddled crunch quickly—but after a few bites of cheesy beef it hardly matters. I could be anywhere. -TCL First course Seaside is home to at least nine drive-thrus, most of which are located at chain fast food restaurants. Locally owned (and rightfully popular) Tacos El Jalisciense is an exception. Munchies And Motors…If you are looking to enjoy some food while learning about and looking at cars, head to the Monterey Fairgrounds on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 11am to 10pm. The inaugural Monterey Motorsports Festival will have a plethora of food vendors to keep your engine running. Enjoy bites from Old Tyme Kettle Korn, El Puerto, La Papas Potatoes, Casa De Humo BBQ, Sierra Korn Enterprise and El Trompo Locos Tacos. VIPs will also get to enjoy food catered by Coastal Roots Hospitality. 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. montereymotorsportsfestival.com. eat fresh…CalFresh users get a complimentary $30 to use toward fresh produce at Everyone’s Harvest farmers markets thanks to the nonprofit’s Market Match program. When participants use their CalFresh EBT card to transfer $30 into tokens, they get an additional $30 in tokens (while supplies last) that can then be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. This offer can be redeemed at any of Everyone’s Harvest’s markets in Seaside, Marina, Pacific Grove and Salinas. 384-6961, everyonesharvest.org. Salad Special…Senior patrons enjoy discounts on Saturdays at The Salad Shoppe in Salinas. Anyone over 55 gets 10 percent off their meal and receives a free fountain drink or iced tea. Stop by between 10am and 4pm to take advantage of this great deal, and the fresh salad bar. 1138 S. Main St., Salinas. 422-9600, saladshoppe.com. Meal Deal Mondays…There’s more than burgers and beers to Duffy’s Tavern, which serves up all-you-can-eat spaghetti on Mondays for $9.95. So mangia to your heart’s content without breaking the bank. You can also enjoy a 14-ounce ribeye steak with veggies and scalloped potatoes for $34.95 on Wednesdays, and pitchers of beer for $15 on Sundays. The tavern is open Mondays 11am-7pm, Tuesday-Friday 11am-8pm, and Sat-Sun 12pm-8pm. 282 High St., Monterey. 644-9811. Pizza Party…Head to Hacienda in Carmel Valley on Sunday, Aug. 20 to join a make-your-own pizza party, featuring produce you get to pick yourself from the farm. (It’s tomato season, so the pickings are oh-so good.) Tickets ($40 for one; $75 for two) get you pizza, an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink of your choice and a sweet treat to end the meal. 7180 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. 293-8133, haciendacv.store. By Jacqueline Weixel morsels Send a bite to eatanddrink@mcweekly.com “People with cars don’t want to get out of them to eat.” Eat + DrinK Daniel Dreifuss Just Drive Drive-thru dining caters to the American desire for convenience. By Weekly staff
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