Memories Just Keep Flowing for the Late Dutch Maid Drive-In
My two previous Dutch Maid columns evoked additional responses from readers. The first came from Mike Burgner, nephew of the late Otto (nicknamed Ott): “Your article brought back many memories for me as I used to work for Uncle Ott. I wish that he could have read your article. I miss him and the Dutch Maid.”
Rex Burgner next responded with his own reminiscences: “Your article circled through our family, those of us who are left. It brought back fond memories of a good time in Johnson City when we were not trying to compete with every other city in Tennessee. If anyone can remember the kids that ran around the restaurant, well, that was us.
“As I read the article, I can still see (my great) Uncle Ott in the back of the restaurant cooking chicken and potato wedges in the pressure cooker. Yep, that was the secret; cook potatoes and chicken together in a pressure cooker and make sure to serve them with a biscuit and a pack of honey to put on the potato wedge.
“’Frog,” the cook, had a secret technique that he used for cooking the best liver in Johnson City. He always covered the meat with a plate when he cooked it on the griddle because he couldn’t stand the sight or smell of liver, ha ha.”
Rex went on to say that his grandfather, Rev. Roy G. Burgner, preached at several Baptist churches in East Tennessee: “When my grandfather died some years ago in Walhalla, SC, I was shocked to see all the people who came to his funeral from Johnson City. The talk that day centered about “The Preacher,” as he was known, and the Dutch-Maid Drive-In.”
I mentioned Jerry Honeycutt’s impressive painting of the restaurant in my previous column. He sent me the attached photo that epitomizes the frenzied activity level surrounding the popular business at night with hordes of people arriving by car, truck and motorcycle. Some cruised the restaurant repeatedly; others stood outside talking with one another; and a number of patrons enjoyed curb service dining in their now antique vehicles.
Jerry remarked that he had a creamer with the Dutch Maid stopper still in it. He also commented on the large sign above the famous eatery, indicating that he worked several years for the sign maker, the late James Hensley, who was one of the “Erwin Nine POWs.” Jerry eventually created the drawing for the prisoner of war monument at VA’s emergency room entrance.
The artist related that he possessed three books that once belonged to Burgner. John Alan Maxwell, who was one of his art instructors, provided the art for their jackets. They were valuable to him because of who had owned them and who had illustrated them.
According to Jerry: “My family had a lot of get-togethers when my aunts and uncles came to town for our annual family reunion. I guess that is how I got into the Dutch Maid reunion and the annual Racer's Reunion that I produced for 11 years. I knew a lot of people who went to the Dutch Maid.”
Let me close with some fitting words from Rex Burgner: “It would be nice to be able to have a place like the Dutch Maid again, wouldn't it? Nobody has time anymore to relax and enjoy life. I can still remember taking the food out to the cars and hoping for a tip. Does ‘curb-hopping’ even exist anymore? I hope so.”
I will feature a fourth Dutch-Maid column soon that captures Lynn Williams’ treasured and humorous remembrances of the time he worked for WBEJ in Elizabethton as one of the deejays who broadcast nightly and took record requests from atop the Dixie/Dutch-Maid Drive-In.
Click on photo to view story
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Dutch Maid Drive-in
Tara (not verified) — Thu, 2012-06-21 15:14I have two prints of paintings Jerry Honeycutt did of both the Dutch Maid and The Skyline. They are absolutely amazing in the detail capturing the true feeling of the time.
Painting
bobcox — Thu, 2012-06-21 18:51Tara: Jerry presented me with a copy of his Dutch Maid painting when I did a history talk at Central Baptist Church in Johnson City a couple years ago. It is hanging on the wall above my desk and I am looking at it right now. What memories. Jerry has amazing talent.
Our Friday night route
George Monroe (not verified) — Wed, 2011-07-13 23:57Enjoyed the articles about the Dutch Maid and the Dixie, but back in the early sixties we young guys added a third leg to the delicious triangle. We would hop in our old cars and spend the evening cruising a route that began at the Dutch Maid and went down to the Spot Drive In next to the Dixie on Main. Then it was way out on N. Roan to where the highway splits to Kingsport and Bristol where we cruised through the Texas Steer before heading back to the Dutch Maid and another lap around the course. On a good night we would do this routine six or seven times. But back then gas was only 28 cents a gallon!
Another Drive-In
bobcox — Thu, 2011-07-14 07:19George: I too remember the Dutch Maid, Spot/Dixie and Texas Steer. Do you recall the Burger King that was located on the Kingsport Highway just before you get to the intersection at North Johnson City? It was another great place to eat. They also had car hops. What fun and food we had in those days of yesteryear.
Hamburgers
George Monroe (not verified) — Fri, 2011-07-15 18:28Yep, still remember the old Burger King. Funny how the taste buds are the last thing to go. Even today, some 50 years later, you could give me a blind taste test and I could tell the difference between a Gurney, a Dixie, and a Biff Burger. (Remember that one on W. Market street?)
Bar B-Q-King / Biff-Burger
bobcox — Fri, 2011-07-15 20:19George: I said Burger King when I meant Bar B-Q-King on the Kingsport/Bristol Highway across from where the Mall is now located. The Biff-Burger was one of my favorites. Check out my column on it if you haven't already read it. I loved those seeds on the buns and the special sause they used. I lived near the McCroskey family who owned it. Great memories and great food!
burgers
George Monroe (not verified) — Fri, 2011-07-22 18:28I actually worked at the Bar B-Q King one summer!
Bar B-Q Restaurant
bobcox — Sat, 2011-07-23 15:03I loved that place. I seem to recall they were one of the first ones to put a table model juke box at at each table as opposed to the big one in the restaurant. We were blessed with a variety of good eateries all over town.