SLIDING INTO SPRING
Jack’s Drive In celebrates its 81st annual opening day
WYNANTSKILL, N.Y. » From regulars to first-time patrons, folks were sliding into the spring swing with the 81st annual opening day of Jack’s Drive In in Wynantskill.
People came f rom nearby Troy and as far away as Norwich and Utica to check out the lunch menu encompassing such favorites as sliders with fried onions and ketchup, hot dogs, burgers, fries, and thick shakes.
Like Bill Raftery on a March Madness basketball call, Tim from Troy was all about the onions!
“It’s awesome, you can’t beat a slider! I got two sliders and fries,” Tim said of his food selection of choice.
“I come out here a few times a year. It’s like opening day of baseball you know? It’s a sure sign of spring when Jack’s is open,” Tim added on the significance of the opening day.
Also taking in the sights and smells of opening day at Jack’s were friends Chris Fisher, of Troy and Cory Felice, all the way from Norwich, N.Y.
“I come here every year for the first day I’ll probably be here three more times this week. Two cheeseburgers and mini dogs and cheese fries,” Fisher noted of the annual tradition.
“I live over two hours away; I’m from Norwich, N.Y., I just found the place last year and I was telling him this year I want to go back at some point when they open. Today we just dropped what we were do-
ing, and we’re like we’re going! Very good place,” Felice said of the decision to roll out for lunch.
“I went ‘ light,’” Felice said with a laugh. “I got four cheeseburgers, a hot dog and some cheese fries today,” Felice noted of his order.
Another traveler check- ing out the roadside haunt for the first time was Kenny Morrison of Utica.
“I found it online and gave it a whirl and it’s a new stop to add to the spot of little roadside places to go. I’m a foodie, so I said yes. Usually, it’s hot dog joints, but this is something different a mix of burgers and dogs so I’m excited!” Morrison said of his decision to check out Jack’s.
“[ I] saw it online that they were opening today, never been in 81 years, so giving it a whirl and it’s awesome! No lines, no rush, everything was good. There are lots of stands that [ have] stuff, but everybody talks about the onions, I’m here for the onions and the cheeseburger to go with it and give it the smell. I was curious to see online what the hype was all about and it’s lived up to it so far,” Morrison added of his pleasurable first experience.