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Diverse Dining List

Mark Twain Dinette in Hannibal

10/14/2018

2 Comments

 

​Hannibal, Missouri
​

When Don and I visited Mark Twain's hometown 4 years ago, I nagged that we must have dinner at Mark Twain Dinette.



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But, by the time we got ourselves to the little restaurant, just steps from Mark Twain's childhood house, the lights had gone out.

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Back to Hannibal
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When we stayed in Hannibal this past September, I reminded Don about where we needed to eat. I didn't have much of a reason.
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"I think I remember eating there when I was a kid. I don't know, I just like any diner named for Mark Twain. Besides, it's a dinette! When did we last eat at a dinette? And they have that cool root beer sign! Remember?"

Revolving Root Beer Mug!
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When we pulled into town, I made Don drive by the riverfront and Mark Twain's old house and the Dinette. Something was missing! Where's the giant revolving root beer mug? (Luckily I took a pic, 4 years ago)
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I made Don pull over so I could run in and ask. They told me the mug, (that's been towering over the restaurant since 1963)  was away for a while, getting a new paint job. Whew! I told them we'd be back later for dinner.

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​Lights Still On!
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Don was not crazy about my dining choice. But there weren't many options at 8:30 on a Wednesday.
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The sign was still glowing, but as we approached the restaurant. it looked empty inside.  

Inside Dining
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We stepped inside, where a few, young employees with brooms greeted us.. They insisted they were indeed open, so we headed towards a booth.
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I did have to stop and show Don the very fine riverboat models I had spotted when I came in earlier. He did not seem that impressed.

Old Menu
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We slid into a booth with lots of framed goodies on the wall.
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I tried to excite Don by pointing out the old menu, with some very good prices.

​Since 1942
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I pointed out an old image of the original, enamel steel, Mark Twain Dinette.
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 "It only had a counter and 13 stools, then!" I announced, with much enthusiasm.

What to Eat?
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I asked our waitress if there was a specialty of the house. "Haven't you ever had a Maid-rite?" She asked, with a bit of surprise.
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She described the old favorite, as a loose meat sandwich.  "Kind of sloppy joe, with no tomato sauce."


Don's Fried Pork Sandwich
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Even though the young crew was sweeping right up to our feet as we ate, Don totally cheered up when his food arrived.
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How could he not laugh, when he picked up that bun with a footlong piece of meat sticking out. It was actually pretty good.

My Feast
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I ordered a salad along with my not so healthy, Maid-Rite & mug of root beer.
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The steaming sandwich came wrapped in Maid-Rite paper, which absorbed some of the grease. The meat and onion sandwich reminded me of a few late night White Castle Burgers, that I once enjoyed in St. Louis.

​Peek at the Drive In
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We finished up and headed to the door before they had a chance to sweep us out. I made Don drive us through the parking lot where I could peek at the the drive in, which was added in 1960.
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It looked pretty old, in the yellow light. But, back in the day the curb service was top notch, with switchboard operated service. 

Good Bye Mark Twain

It was sort of a silly dining experience, but totally worth a stop. I got to step back in time and I got to sample a local favorite.
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Next time, I hope to see the big mug twirling up on its pole.
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2 Comments
Kenna Bogue link
8/19/2019 02:57:08 pm

I found this review as I was strolling through the internet! Weird that our lights went out - maybe it was storming? Anyways, you'll be glad to hear that the mug is now spinning again!

Reply
Beth
8/19/2019 03:34:11 pm

Thanks so much for sharing, Kenna! I'm so glad to know the mug is back and spinning! Did you have the Maid-Rite? That's sounding sort of good to me right now!
:) Beth

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  • Homepage
  • Little Bear's Adventures
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  • 60 Celebrations
  • 57 Celebrations of the Fifties!