Road Trip. Day 5. Thursday. Jay Bee's In Statesville, NC.

On Monday, Day 2 of our Road Trip, May 3, we passed this little gem in Statesville, NC. We were at a stop light and I looked to the left and saw this. It's Jay Bee's Diner. 320 Mocksville Hwy. Statesville, NC 28625 704-872-8o33

It's difficult to see on the roof, but it reads: Gourmet Magazine called this "One Of America's Top Ten Drive-Ins." Hot Dang. I'm on 'at lak a munky on a kupkake.

It's Jay Bee's World Famous Hot Dogs in Statesville, NC.

And Jay Bee's got the car to prove it.

That Monday, Day 2, May 3, we decided right there and then that we'd stop here on our way back.

And we did. On Day 5.

When I am intrigued, I check it out. It's both drive thru and sit down.

I was eyeing the T shirts when we walked in. I especially liked the one on the right. After eating, I left first to shoot pics outside, leaving Mr. H. to cough up the $ to pay for lunch. As always, Mr. Hawthorne struck up a conversation with yet another total stranger, in this case, JB himself. He actually got the poor man's email address so I could send him this post which Mr. Hawthorne knew I would be writing. Apparently, JB was amenable to this. Mr. Hawthorne finally came out with two identical orange T shirts. He didn't get the one that said "Our footlongs are more than a mouthful," which was the one I wanted. He said it was because it was 2X. Sheesh. I guess we're supposed to wear the 2 orange ones together. Where's my stupid sign? Mr. H. wants me to make up business cards so he can give them out at restaurants, random places, and to possibly interested, uninterested, or disinterested parties. Perhaps I shall pursue this.

Check out the menu. This is fun. Takes me back.

I'm thinkin' that's JB (John Baker) in the back with the ear disorder. Not the one with the red bucket belly. You give your order at the front counter, you get a number, you sit, and 1-2 minutes later your number is called out. On a microphone. It arrives exactly as ordered. I loved it. I always like going into a place and having the COMFORT of knowing what I'll be getting.

Here's our order. #364. Mr. Hawthorne got the foot-longer with The Works. I got a Cheeseburger, hold the mayo, and gimme some lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, cheese. And fries. We talk about Comfort Food. This is Memory Food. Nostalgia Food. Memory Food is a part of Comfort Food. Perhaps the most important part. Nostalgia just kicks it up. This is from an era lost. And I found it in Statesville, NC.

Mr. Hawthorne's Foot Long. Heh. 12.

My burger.

My half eaten burger.

Retro Chic.

As Mr. Hawthorne said, "This place has Americana written all over it. The only thing missing was a '57 Chevy."

Rosie is 100% satisfied.

If you're in Statesville, NC, check out Jay Bee's. You'll be glad you did.