Deseret News | Big Half century: Classic Utah drive-in celebrates 50 years

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Big Half century: Classic Utah drive-in celebrates 50 years

Growing up | 3:39 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

160 miles south of SLC the a small community of Richfiled, in my family rarely ventured North of Utah County. On one occasion where we actually made it to SLC I saw a familiar sign, the logo of the Root Beer my mother made every July 4th and I wanted some. It was then that I was introduced to Hires delicious burgers and out of this world root beer floats. I now live even further south, in Las Vegas Nevada. When I get the rare opportunity to Visit Salt Lake, Hires is my preset appointment for Lunch. Best wishes to the Hale Family and employees for another 50 years of success.

Memories | 4:21 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

1967-1972 I lived in SLC and this was the favorite place to go with my friend. No other eating place could compare to it. Everytime I return I am so glad to see Hires Big H and Litza´s Pizza is still there. I hope they continue business for many years to come.

Anonymous | 4:36 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

A Big H combo with fries and root beer added to a University of Utah win...HEAVEN!

Comments continue below

Jakedaute | 5:35 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

I started eating at Hires in 1967 when it was a favorite gathering place for East High students after Basketball games. I thought Hires had been there forever at that time and I am very surprised to learn it was only 8-9 years old.

I continued to frequent Hires Big H while I attended the U. Later, I had an office at 645 East 400 South, a half a block away, and ate lunch at Hires at least once a week. For the past 30 years Hires has been a favorite place to take the kids and now the grandkids for the best burger I have ever had.

Thanks Don and now his family for 42 years of great food and memories. Best wishes for 50 more years!

Good Food | 6:00 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

I love the Big H burger, onion rings, and root beer float. But when will we be able to get a root beer freeze in a frosted mug?

Wanting a Big H in Oregon | 6:10 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

Sure I miss my family back in Utah...but what I really miss is the Big H.

Wendy B. in AZ | 6:51 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

Wow...I lived in southern Utah (Kanab & Cedar City) for many years and haven't even heard about this place until I saw the article on Facebook (I'm a fan of Deseret News). It sounds absolutely wonderful!! I am going to visit their website and make very good and sure that we visit this fantastic place the next time we're in SLC...which I hope is very soon! Love good stories like these...and best wishes to the Hale family. :) :) :)

Dick of the NW | 7:26 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

One of the things we miss not living in SLC is Hires and the Big H. Mary and Nancy, be prepared to make a "bomb"(open face turkey sandwhich covered with chili) every time we can get to SLC. The last two trips, we ate at the Big H and Litza's. There is nothing like the food. The best to some of the best people around. Keep up the great work.

bs in cc | 8:38 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

Congratulations to the Hale family for their 50 years in providing great food and great service. I, too, remember eating at Hire's as a kid when we made it to the "big city." Though I now live in South Texas, my wife and I assure that every trip to SLC includes at least one visit to Hire's. I think we have passed the tradition on to our children as well. Best wishes for another 50 years.
And, Val, thanks for recognizing a Salt Lake landmark and a terrific family and sharing it with the world in an interesting, well-written article. This type of story and great writing are what keeps me checking on DesNews.

pilkette | 10:36 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

My husband and I met at Hires in September 1988. We were married in 1991. We go back to Hires every year on the anniversary of that night, and now include our twins with us. Thanks to Hires for changing our lives forever!

Congrats Hale Family! | 11:04 p.m. Oct. 13, 2009

I worked with Nancy at Zions bank back in 1972; we ate at Hires a lot. Don did his banking with us and he was a very nice man. Our family moved and lived back east for many years; our love affair with Hires and Litza's was rekindled when we moved back to Utah. Great family, great food. Hope both Hires and Litza's are around for many, many years.

Anonymous | 12:11 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

My parents first date almost 50 years ago was to Hire's. It's been a longstanding family tradition to go for dinner when seeing the Christmas lights on temple square. Congratulations to the Hale family; don't change a thing.

Love it | 1:16 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Love the food at ambiance at Hires. Keep it up.

Good Food | 3:28 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Best time to drop in with no rush is 10am and 300pm. I prefer a large sprite with lime and a big H with onion rings and fry sauce.

Good times Big H | 4:26 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Of all the places to get a burger, the Big H is the only one I will eat. They still know how to make a burger the old fashioned way and they are my only choice. There burgers are so big and juicy that it takes 2 hands to eat them, it's almost impossible to drive and eat them.

Big H is the only place I ever buy fried onion rings too, they are made from whole onions and not flavored onion paste. This is the kind of wholesome food america grew up on that the older generations have never forgotten.

The car hops give it a personal touch and are always very nice to deal with and I hope they keep them always.

I only wish I could get there more often but as they are close to downtown, which I avoid like the plague, my visits are minimal.

The fry sauce mentioned was a creation at the old time Don Carlos Arctic Circle that was on 9th S and State. I'm glad Big H got the recipe.

As long as the Big H is around they have my service.

Dave, San Diego | 6:39 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Next time I visit SLC you'll see me at Hires! Looks delicious...

Spider | 7:10 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Go Hires!

Re. Wanting a Big H In Oregon | 9:09 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I'm right there with you. I've been hankering for Hires for 5 years now down in AZ.

Kindra | 9:27 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I used to work at the Hires location on 4700 south. I was the lunch time cashier and remember how many customers were repeats. Some came in so often I could greet them by name. That should tell you how great the food and service are!! It was a great and fun place to work.

Jann | 10:11 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Hires was always my most favorite place to eat in Utah. I havent been back for 10 years due to living out of state. But whenever I get back there, Hires will be my first stop. I have alot of good memories of there. No one in Nebraska can even do a burger close to the big H. Go Hale family for another 50 years and keep it the way it is. Love Litza's pizza to. I am getting hungry just writing this.

Politicians like Burgers, too | 10:15 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Don't forget my man, Mitt!! This is his favorite restaurant in SLC. Once I saw his car pull away, that was cool! Go Hires!! Big-H fo life!

Cheesehead | 11:55 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Litza's Pizza is the best pizza joint in the world, hands down.

Anonymous | 3:14 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Mitt Romney was spotted purchasing something at the Hires? hmmm.. Mitt must have ran out of hair grease!

ER in AF | 3:18 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

We live and move all over the world. Everytime we come home we make sure we go to Hires. 11,000 miles and it still makes my mouth water. Love the shirts too!

Seattle Ute | 3:29 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

While at the UofU and later working in downtown SLC, Hires became a weekly regular. Now living in Seattle, I visit there every time I am back in SLC. For 22 years now, this has been a tradition for us to take our children there for Big-H and RB Freeze when we return each year for a visit. When I am in town alone on business, I am quick to send a text to all my kids to make them a little jealous (and it works)!!! Thanks to the Hales Family. I just wish the Root Beer extract was less than 3.5 oz. I always get it taken from me at the airport.

Don't Forget..... | 4:12 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

I happen to know that local celebrity Gina Barberi also visits Hires quite regularly...

Gina and her family are Salt Lake Counties version of the Osmonds.

She is quite fond of the Big H

Bear Laker | 5:21 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Nothing better that a Big H, onion rings, a Root Beer float and a Uof U loss especially to the Cougars.

Shecky | 10:19 a.m. Oct. 15, 2009

Even us folk up here in Idaho enjoy dropping in at Hires for lunch when we happen to be in town. I've had Mr. Hale greet our family on several occasions, and we'll miss him next time we stop by. Great place!
Great food!

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