Hilbert & Margaret Stankiewicz, proprietors · Route 19, Wexford, Pennsylvania

★ THE STARLITE ★

Drive-In Theatre — Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday Evenings, Weather Permitting
First Feature
Strategic Air Command
begins 8:47 PM at full dusk
Second Feature
The Cobweb
begins approx. 10:54 PM
tonight, Saturday July 16, 1955 · lot clock 8:32 PM
The Starlite Drive-In concession menu on a dashboard, Saturday evening, July 16, 1955

Good evening, folks. The ice chest got filled at four o'clock and the orange Nehis are properly cold. Hilbert has the first reel of Strategic Air Command threaded and ready. The girls are at the counter folding bags. We're glad you came out tonight — the moon's a sliver and the air smells like cut hay from the Bachowski farm across the road, which is about as fine as a Saturday in July gets out here. — Margaret S., concession

Sandwiches & Hot Eats

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Hamburger on a Bun25¢
Heimerl's beef ground this morning, lettuce, my pickle relish.
The pickle relish is my mother's recipe — I make a gallon every Tuesday morning. The secret is the celery seed and a half-cup of cider vinegar from Peronak's. Don't tell anyone.
Cheeseburger on a Bun30¢
Same as above with a slice of Land O Lakes American.
Hilbert is bringing twelve more patties down from the walk-in around 9:30 — we always run lower than we plan to on a Saturday.
Footlong Hot Dog20¢
Steamed all evening, Heimerl's natural casing, mustard or relish.
Carolyn restocked the steamer at eight — she's getting the tongs down without dropping them. She did beautiful tonight.
Sloppy Joe25¢
Saturday only, simmered on the back burner since six.
My mother called this a Made-Right. I've called it a Sloppy since the kids started ordering it that way and it stuck.
Ham & Cheese on Rye30¢
Pisko's rye baked Thursday, mustard on request.
Pisko delivers Thursday and Saturday — the rye is best on the Saturday loaves, two days settled.
Bratwurst on a Bun25¢
Heimerl's own, sauerkraut from the crock at no charge.
Hilbert's people are from Munich — he insists on the kraut being free, says it's a moral issue.
Fried Lake Perch Sandwich35¢
From Conneaut, breaded and fried to order, tartar on the side.
Twelve filets came in this morning on ice — when they're gone, they're gone. Eleanor will tell you if we're out.
American Cheese Sandwich15¢
For the small ones, on white, cut on the diagonal.
The Markovich boy will only eat his on the diagonal — I have learned this the hard way.
Barbecue Beef on a Bun30¢
Tonight only — Hilbert smoked a chuck Wednesday in the back lot.
He used hickory from the dead tree behind the projection booth that he took down in March. Tastes like he was trying to prove a point.
Cup of Chili20¢
Beans & beef, oyster crackers on the lid.
The crackers are from a sleeve I keep behind the napkin holder. Doris Jean knows where.
French Fries — Small Tray15¢
Cut this afternoon, ramekin of Heinz on the side.
Doris Jean cut twenty pounds at three o'clock today. Her hands smell like potato starch — she doesn't mind, she likes the work.

Popcorn, Cold Drinks & Treats

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Buttered Popcorn — Cone10¢
Popped fresh every twenty minutes.
The popper takes a full half-cup of coconut oil per batch — the bag turns warm at the bottom on a clear July night, and the lot outside smells like popcorn and cut grass all the way to the road.
Buttered Popcorn — Large Bucket20¢
Family-share size, butter ladled over.
The Bachowski family in the green Buick always splits two of these and four Orange Nehis. Same order since 1953.
Caramel Corn — Box15¢
Cooked Friday afternoon, with peanuts.
I keep these in a tin behind the register so they stay crisp — Doris Jean will hand you one with the lid still warm if you're lucky.
Orange Nehi — Bottle10¢
Glass bottle, deposit 2¢ refunded to your carhop.
Iced down at four — these should sweat in your hand by the time Beverly gets to your window.
Grape Crush — Bottle10¢
Glass bottle, deposit 2¢ refunded to your carhop.
Beverly is going to be sad to see the last of these — they're her favorite and the distributor is discontinuing them in October. We'll switch to Welch's, which is fine, but it isn't the same.
Coca-Cola — 6oz10¢
Glass bottle from the chest cooler.
The opener is fastened to the side of the cooler with a leather thong — Hilbert tied it on three years ago and it has never come off once.
Hires Root Beer — Bottle10¢
Cold, in glass.
My father drank a Hires every Saturday of his life. I keep these in stock partly for him.
Hot Coffee — Cup10¢
Maxwell House, cream and sugar on request.
For the second feature, when the dew comes down on the windshield and a hot cup helps.
Milkshake — Vanilla or Chocolate20¢
Hand-spun on the Hamilton Beach.
Strawberry tonight too — I cut a flat of berries from the Wilcox stand at noon.
Ice Cream Cone — One Scoop10¢
Vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry, on a cake cone.
The Reinhart dairy truck came at noon — the chocolate is the new batch and a touch darker than usual. Worth ordering tonight.
Hot Fudge Sundae20¢
In a paper boat, walnut on top.
I keep the fudge warm in a double-boiler on the side burner. It ladles best after the popper runs.
Twin-Stick Popsicle5¢
Cherry, orange, banana. Snap and share.
For when the smallest one falls asleep on the back seat halfway through the second feature — a nickel each, and you can split one between two without anybody crying.

From the Griddle — Late Bites

· · ·
Grilled Cheese on Rye20¢
Pisko's rye, butter on both sides, a little salt on the top crust. Made the way my mother showed me, on a properly hot griddle, after the countdown reels start. Worth waiting for. — M.S.
Order this one after intermission — the griddle needs the full heat, and the rye toasts better at the end of the night than the start. I'll know it's you.
Patty Melt on Rye25¢
After-intermission special, onions cooked down.
The onions are the same Vidalias I caramelize for the sloppies — the back burner does the work, I just watch.
Cinnamon French Toast — 2 slices20¢
For the second feature, dusted in powdered sugar.
A favorite of the late-night teenage crowd, who somehow have room for breakfast at 11pm.
Onion Rings — Half Order15¢
Battered to order, fried in fresh oil.
I change the fry oil every Wednesday and again Saturday at five — your rings tonight are coming out of clean oil.
Slice of Apple Pie15¢
Pisko's, warmed on the griddle if you ask.
Pisko sends three pies on Saturdays. When they're gone they're gone — Ellie will know.
Apple Pie à la Mode20¢
With a scoop of Reinhart vanilla.
My mother would have said the pie is improved by the cold. I think she was right.
Slice of Peach Pie15¢
Tonight only — peaches from Wilcox.
The peaches came in Friday and they're a little soft, which is how I like them in a pie.
Walnut Brownie — Square10¢
Cut from the pan, wrapped in waxed paper.
Doris Jean baked the pan Friday after school — she got the corners exactly right this time.
Soft Pretzel10¢
Pisko's, warm, salt and mustard.

✦ ✦ ✦

What's selling fast tonight

Popcorn is leading the way — we just put up a second batch in coconut oil and the lot smells like a county fair.

Concession-Stand Window

  • Elliereturning from row B
  • Doris Jeanat the counter, restocking popcorn
  • Beverlydelivering to E-7
  • Carolynwalking to D-11

Order from your carhop

Tap an item above to add it to your tray. Your carhop will bring it to your window when you're ready.
Your space:

Tonight's Countdown

  1. 8:00 PM — gates open, lot fills
  2. 8:35 PM — Movietone newsreel
  3. 8:42 PM — coming attractions
  4. 8:47 PM — Strategic Air Command begins
  5. 10:38 PM — intermission countdown reels begin
  6. 10:48 PM — concession-stand surge
  7. 10:54 PM — The Cobweb begins
  8. 12:24 AM — show concludes, please drive slow on the gravel

Tonight's Carhops

  • Eleanor "Ellie" Pacholskisecond season, rows A & B
  • Doris Jean Stankiewiczsecond season, rows C & D
  • Beverly Wojciksecond-to-last shift before nursing school, rows E & F
  • Carolyn Markowiczstarted Wednesday, floating & restock
Projectionist tonight: Hilbert J. Stankiewicz, booth above the concession.

Birthday Coke Coupon

Bring this menu back to the concession booth on your birthday and receive a complimentary 6oz Coca-Cola, on the house from our family to yours.

Your Tab at the Starlite Tonight

No orders placed yet. The night is young — the first reel hasn't even gone up.

✦

Printed Thursday morning at Kowalski Printing, Sewickley, PA · 400 copies · folded by hand at the concession counter, Friday afternoon · other things tucked into the dashboard