What do you call a happy picketer? Is there a title for the exact opposite for protestor? A contestor, maybe? Whatever his job description, this guy refused to be ignored as he took the concept of a sandwich board to new heights. It was a good thing that we were already on the side of this proud ensign bearer; in fact, the very first thing we did when we pulled into the city limits, was visit one of Phoenix's most-beloved watering holes (and the reason for his masterfully hand-painted sign), MacAlpine's Restaurant & Soda Fountain.
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| A tad premature (and immature), Mr. Tiny arrived before the neon "Open" sign was illuminated. PHOTO OP! |
Opened in 1929, MacAlpine's isn't just a static relic of its more-than-eighty-year history. Instead of being a period-perfect museum, it is the genuine article - a living document of depressions, recessions, wars, and advancements of society and technology. The restaurant is filled with memorabilia reflecting every one of the ten decades through which it has operated. Heck, they even have a Facebook page!
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| Pardon me, do you have Prince Albert in a can?* |
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| It was still early in the day, but after having driven for five hours, we were ready to get our grub on. |
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| It being a soda fountain, we opted for counter service right where the mix magic happens. |
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| But the booth seating offered some pretty stiff competition. Beautiful!!! |
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| The mirrored bar back was the resting place for the myriad flavors of MacAlpine's famous fountain specialties, not the least of which is the old-fashioned ice cream soda. |
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Not content with the extensive menu, Mary invented
a new one - pistachio ice cream and rum-flavored soda.
She said that it was delicious...
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| The cheeseburger and homemade coleslaw. The secret to MacAlpine's signature slaw is pineapple! |
As seasoned road trippers and inveterate junk-food junkies, we can say that we have definitely enjoyed a tastier burger (it looked much better than it tasted). However, we've never done so with such superior service in a facility that has been operating since the dawn of the Great Depression that also happens to be a VINTAGE STORE!!!
That's right, combining two of my most abiding passions, MacAlpine's is both a hash house and a rich repository of vintage clothing, accessories, housewares, and furniture. A combination of road trip weariness and an overexcitement at the prospect of stuffing my face AND shopping for used goods all under the same roof left me too frazzled to take many pictures!
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| I wish I could've afforded to bring this guy and his sister lamp home! |
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| I am always swept away by the romance of vintage kitchen tools but can never get past the idea that they're old and rusty and probably not particularly sanitary...or maybe I'm just Howard Hughes-ing. |
If you're ever in Phoenix, then hop in the old jalop' and head to the malted shop! Make sure that you stop at MacAlpine's to get yourself a treat - of the frosty or fabric variety - or both!
"All the Cats Join In" - Benny Goodman
MacAlpine's Restaurant & Soda Fountain
2303 N 7th St
Phoenix, AZ
(602)262-5545
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
*Then you'd better let him out. I couldn't let the joke go unfinished.
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