10 Restaurants Every ’60s Florida Kid Ate At

Back in the 1960s, grabbing a bite to eat wasn’t just about filling your belly—it was an experience. Families loaded into station wagons, kids piled into the backseat without seat belts, and the smell of vinyl seats mixed with excitement.

Whether it was a sizzling burger at a diner, a soft-serve cone at a roadside stand, or a pancake breakfast after church, these spots left a lasting impression.

Long before smartphones and apps, these were the places where memories were made in Florida and during road trips across the U.S.—one milkshake and french fry at a time.

Sambo’s

Sambo’s was a big name in the ‘60s, with hundreds of locations across the U.S. It was a sit-down restaurant where families could grab pancakes in the morning or burgers in the afternoon.

The food was affordable and the vibe was casual, making it ideal for families with squirmy kids.

Sambo’s was especially famous for its breakfast. Big stacks of pancakes, sausage links, and scrambled eggs covered in butter—it was the kind of meal that kept you full all day.

The best part for kids? They had coloring books and fun menus to keep them entertained while the food was cooking.

While Sambo’s name and theme didn’t age well, at the time, most families didn’t think twice about stopping in. You didn’t have to dress up, the food came quickly, and there was always syrup on the table.

What more could a kid want?

Woolworth’s Lunch Counter

Woolworth’s was more than just a store. It was one of the first places where you could shop for socks and shampoo—and also grab a grilled cheese and a milkshake all in the same building.

For kids in the ‘60s, that lunch counter was a magical place where a few coins could buy a full belly.

Woolworth’s lunch counters were long and shiny, with red stools that spun around while you waited for your food. You’d usually order a burger, a soda, or maybe a slice of pie.

The food came fast, and the servers knew how to handle kids who couldn’t sit still for long. It was cozy and simple, but it felt special.

What made it even more fun was that you were eating in the middle of a store. You could finish your sandwich, then beg your parents for a toy or a comic book from the shelves nearby.

Woolworth’s wasn’t fancy, but it was fun, affordable, and felt like part of everyday life.

Howard Johnson’s

If you were a kid in the 1960s, there’s a good chance you stopped at a Howard Johnson’s on a road trip with your family. These orange-roofed restaurants were everywhere back then, sitting right off the highway like a bright beacon for tired travelers.

You’d pull in, stretch your legs, and head inside for a hot meal and maybe a scoop (or two) of ice cream.

Howard Johnson’s was famous for its fried clams, hot dogs, and 28 flavors of ice cream. For a lot of kids, this was the first place they ever tasted pistachio or peppermint stick.

The food wasn’t fancy, but it was comforting and familiar—just the kind of stuff picky eaters loved.

And the best part?

You always knew what you were going to get, no matter which location you stopped at.

It wasn’t just about the food—it was the feeling. You sat in a booth with your family, maybe played with a paper placemat puzzle, and listened to grown-ups talk about gas prices and where to stay the night.

The last Howard Johnson’s closed in 2022, but for a generation of kids, it was the ultimate diner stop.

A&W Drive-In

Before fast food came in paper bags through a window, there was A&W.

In the 1960s, many A&W restaurants were drive-ins. You parked your car, a server on roller skates came over, and next thing you knew, root beer in a frosty mug was sitting on your window tray.

For kids, it felt like dinner and a show.

A&W was known for its root beer, of course, but the food was just as good. They had burgers, fries, and hot dogs that made your mouth water. Some locations even had “Papa Burgers,” “Mama Burgers,” and “Baby Burgers,” so you could pick the one that fit your appetite—and your nickname in the family.

The best part was staying in the car. You could eat with your shoes off, sneak your dog a French fry, and listen to the radio while you munched.

It was laid-back and cool, just like the ‘60s. And that icy cold root beer?

Nothing hit the spot better on a hot summer night.

McDonald’s

It’s hard to believe now, but in the 1960s, McDonald’s was still kind of new. The Golden Arches were popping up across the country, and families were curious to see what all the fuss was about.

For kids, it quickly became a favorite. Everything was simple, fast, and made just for them.

Back then, McDonald’s menu was short and sweet—hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes. That was about it.

But the food tasted great, and the prices were ideal for families on a budget. A cheeseburger cost just 19 cents in the early ‘60s, and fries were only a dime. You could feed the whole family for just a couple of bucks.

There were no playgrounds yet, and no drive-thru either. You ordered at the counter and ate at a red-and-white tiled table.

But even without all the bells and whistles, McDonald’s felt exciting. It was new, it was fast, and it was just the right size for little hands and big appetites.

Shakey’s Pizza Parlor

Before there was Domino’s or Little Caesars, there was Shakey’s Pizza Parlor. If you were a kid in the ‘60s, going to Shakey’s felt like a real event.

The music was loud, the pizza was hot, and there was always something goofy going on. It was part restaurant, part party.

Shakey’s served up big, thin-crust pizzas that were great for sharing. They also had fried chicken and mojos—those crispy potato wedges everyone loved.

While you waited for your food, there might be a silent comedy playing on a projector screen or a guy playing the banjo. It was like dinner and a movie all rolled into one.

Kids loved Shakey’s because it was noisy and fun. You didn’t have to sit still or be quiet. You could laugh, spill your soda, and no one cared.

Plus, the long tables meant you could bring the whole gang. Birthday parties, after-game celebrations, or just a Friday night—Shakey’s was the place to be.

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen in the 1960s wasn’t a full-blown restaurant yet, but it was still a must-stop for families, especially in the summer. You didn’t go there for dinner—you went for dessert.

And boy, was it worth it. The moment you saw that red-and-white sign, your mouth started watering.

The star of the show was the soft-serve cone. The way they curled that top into a perfect swirl was like magic. And if you were lucky, you got it dipped in chocolate, which hardened into a sweet shell.

There were banana splits, sundaes, and Dilly Bars too—so many choices, you could never pick just one—unless your parents made you, of course.

Going to Dairy Queen was like a reward. Maybe you cleaned your room, maybe you got good grades, or maybe it was just hot outside. Whatever the reason, standing in line and watching your treat being made felt like the best part of the day.

It was sweet, simple joy in a cone.

Burger Chef

Burger Chef was a fast-food chain that gave McDonald’s a run for its money in the 1960s. With over 1,000 locations at one point, it was the go-to burger place for many families.

If you grew up during the ’60s, you probably remember those paper crowns and fun kids’ meals before Happy Meals were even a thing.

The food was classic—burgers, fries, shakes—but what made Burger Chef stand out was the way they marketed to kids. They had a “Funmeal,” complete with toys, puzzles, and kid-sized food portions.

The restaurants had a cozy, low-budget charm. No one went there for fine dining—you went there to chow down on a juicy burger, drink a chocolate shake, and feel like the star of the show.

It might be gone now, but Burger Chef still holds a place in the memories of many ‘60s kids.

White Castle

White Castle was already around before the 1960s, and there are still hundreds of locations in the United States today. But during the ’60s, it really started to grow.

Those tiny square burgers, known as “sliders,” were cheap, hot, and super easy to eat. If you were a kid with a big appetite, it was the perfect place to get your burger fix without spending too much.

Most locations were small and simple, but the food came fast. You’d order a sack of burgers, maybe some crinkle-cut fries, and share them with your siblings.

The burgers were steamed on a bed of onions and had holes in them so they cooked faster—a trick that gave them their one-of-a-kind flavor.

White Castle was a little different than the other burger joints. It felt a bit older, a bit grittier, but still fun. For kids, there was something kind of cool about getting a bunch of mini burgers instead of just one. It felt like more food, even if it wasn’t—and that made it awesome.

Big Boy

Whether it was Bob’s Big Boy, Frisch’s Big Boy, or Elias Brothers, this restaurant chain was a staple of ‘60s childhoods. That chubby little mascot holding a double-decker burger?

Iconic. You couldn’t drive past one without begging your parents to pull in.

The Big Boy Burger was the restaurant’s claim to fame—two patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, and a toasted bun. But the menu had everything: hot roast beef sandwiches, milkshakes, pancakes, you name it.

They even had little jukeboxes at the booths, so you could pick your own songs while waiting for your food.

Big Boy was also where a lot of families went after church or before heading to the movies. It felt a little fancier than fast food but still totally kid-friendly.

Whether you were there for breakfast or dinner, it was the kind of place where memories got made—especially when you got to keep the little Big Boy figure as a souvenir.

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