With all the growth that’s occurred in Bend in recent years, Dandy’s Drive-In is a reminder of days gone by. It’s a throwback to a time when residents seemed to know everybody else in town, and all the high school kids drove their cars to hang out at the drive-in on Saturday night. A time when roller skating waitresses brought burgers and shakes out to your car.

Owner Bill DeGree and his family have done their best to preserve the Bend of bygone years at their drive-in restaurant on Third Street.

”The only thing we’ve changed is we’ve painted it a couple of times,” says Sarah Richardson, DeGree’s daughter and a manager at Dandy’s. ”We like to keep it old-fashioned.”

Dandy’s is a novelty for those just passing through. It’s safe to say newcomers are the only people who haven’t heard about it. Some people head inside because they don’t realize they should wait in their cars for service. Others are surprised when a wheeled waitress comes out to get their order.

”We get a lot of people from out of town come in and take pictures,” she says. ”’I can’t believe you still do this.’”

Many waitresses have learned on the job, and that has created some interesting meal deliveries. There have been spills and thrills, and for a few unlucky souls over the years, some flying burgers and fries.

DeGree bought Dandy’s in 1981, while he was working at his father’s construction business. But Dandy’s is now his sole occupation. And he has the whole family helping him.

”We have a really close-knit group,” Richardson says. ”Almost all of us went to school together or are related in some way. You have a lot of other family members working here.”

The restaurant is as busy as ever. The decision by the Pilot Butte Drive-In to close at 3 p.m daily has left Dandy’s to pick up the slack in satisfying Bend’s evening burger cravings. During the day, the phone rings off the hook, Richardson says.

At peak times, there’s often not enough room for all the cars of waiting customers.

And there’s not much on the menu for the health nut. Burgers are the mainstay, especially with fries or onion rings. They also have hot dogs, chicken fingers, BLTs and grilled cheese sandwiches.

They offer milkshakes and old-fashioned ice cream sodas. And if you’re not too worried about the interior of your car, a decadent hot fudge sundae for dessert.

– Markian Hawryluk

Dandy’s Drive-In

Location: 1334 N.E. Third St., Bend

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Price Range: $4 to $5 for burgers and sandwiches

Alcoholic Beverages: No

Kids’ Menu: Yes

Reservations: No

Credit Cards: Not accepted

Contact: 382-6141