Frostop in Ashton, ID

​Root Beer Sign

The big mug lured us, while traveling last August.

We were  driving on Highway 20, headed for Montana. I spotted the overflowing mug and the little bear statues beneath. I urged Don to put on the breaks.

A Real Drive-In

It was an old school drive-in, with both dining room and car service! 

We already had lunch packed in the car, but I insisted we pull in.

Since 1965

Ashton's little root beer biz looked a bit different, back when it opened in 1965.

Since opening, I believe there have been about 9 owners. One owner changed the name to Mug Jugs, for a short while. That name and ownership didn't last long.

Frostop Name

I wonder if they changed the name on the mug? Hopefully not, because it was back to Frostop's, when the next owners chose to embrace the franchise. 

The original Frostop opened almost a century ago in Springfield, Ohio. That was 1926 and by 1958, there were 350 locations in the country. There are about a dozen, still in business today.

​Drive-In Parking

Don parked our car on the turtle side of the covered lot.

The colorful animals were a bonus to our quirky lunch stop!

Ordering with Addy

We studied the menu beneath the roof. Pretty soon, Addy came to our window and we placed our order. ​She was pleasant and chatty. 

I didn't ask to take Addy's photo, although I kind of wanted.

A&W in 1977

My brother kind of wanted to, back in the 70s, even though there was no blog excuse. We were traveling with my mom, in the Missouri Ozarks. Chris popped out of the car and took a photo, mostly because that's the sort of silly thing Chris would do. His camera snapping preserved the time and experience quite well! (car, uniform, food tray, coin belt)

A&W photography became a habit, with my goofy siblings. Sometimes a quick stop for root beer, became a paparazzi moment. No cellphones then, but at least 3 of us carried cameras when we traveled. I sure hope we tipped well, especially the time 3 of us hopped out, to photograph a rather confused carhop. (I behave better now)

New Colors

Before the food arrived, I hopped out of the car (with my cell-cam) and headed for the teal and red building. Hopefully the pig and bear at the entrance, weren't embarrassed when I snapped their photo.

I found an old photo on Roadside America, that showed the old brown and tan exterior. I was curious to step inside.

Spiffed Up Interior

Once inside, I chatted with Addy a bit about the bright interior. Evidently the McCausey family did a big makeover, after an ice storm a couple of years ago. 

The ceiling was lifted and lots of new paint and furnishings, made the counter and table dining, much more inviting.

Nostalgia

I loved the hints to the past. Lots of goodies were older than the 60 year old building. 

I wish I could have met Hannah McCausey and her family, when they owned the place for 15 years. Hubby Wayne farmed, while Hannah ran the kitchen. Sometimes along her little daughter playing nearby, with her own small kitchen. They sold the biz a couple about 2  years ago.

Dining Room

The dining room felt homey and clean. I'm guessing the diners were locals, the way many greeted each other.  

There were checkered curtains, with shelves of goodies above. I spotted an old payphone and gum machine that could easily be original from th 1965 opening. One thing wasn't original. A new colorful mural, added during renovation.

Old Mural

(One more tangent here!) I got curious and went to town on the internet. I learned that there was another mural, before the Frostop & Truck mural of today.

Luckily the Mesa Falls mural, was not just painted over. The artwork created by Don Ricks years ago, was removed from the diner and is now displayed in a local museum.  (photo from Museum of Henry's Fork website)

Burger & Tots!

I felt only slightly guilty that we only ordered one meal to split. But we tipped Addy well, for her pleasant service.

There was no one else dining at the picnic tables, so I pulled out our packed salad. We shared it with the decadent bacon-cheeseburger! The tots were especially good with the fry sauce.

We enjoyed our little feast, with our nearby animal friends. The giant mug sign stood tall, nearby! Such a perfect mini dining adventure. Except for one thing.

Oops!

How could I have NOT ordered a root beer? I just totally forgot, the When in Rome rule!

I took one last look at the mug before we pulled away. What a fun little dining oasis, sitting right near an intersection, filled with traffic lights.

After we drove away, I realized I forgot to do one more thing. I didn't pay attention to see if that mug was rotating. I've read recently that it still does, but I honestly did not take note. 

We'll have to go back and check!
​