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Introduction
Did I say we love burgers? Saturday was a beautiful sunny day. So what better was there to do than go for a drive and have some drive thru burgers. We decided to venture up to a satellite community north of Toronto named Stouffville. There is a newer A & W there that we really like.
History
Despite this being a newer location, A & W has a long history. In June of 1919, in California, Roy Allen mixed his first batch of root beer and sold it for 5 cents a glass. He eventually expanded and took on a business partner, Frank Wright, who was an employee at his first location. The name became A & W. Fast forward a little to 1956 and the first Canadian location opened in Winnipeg. Fast forward once more to 1972 and the Canadian locations were sold to Canadian ownership. A & W Canada no longer has any corporate connection to A & W operations outside Canada
The Facts
Here’s a few more fun facts. Most Canadians will recognize the actor that appears in Canadian A & W commercials. His name is Allen Lulu. No, A & W was not named after him. Most Canadians think he is Canadian. He is actually American. He was born and grew up in New Jersey and did acting training in New York before relocating to Los Angeles. That being said, I think Canada has adopted him as the face and the voice of A & W.
OK, so back to our drive to Stouffville. First off are the all important facts and then we’ll get to some of the fun and delicious stuff. You can find this location at 1078 Hoover Park Drive, It is located in the Smart Centre and easy to find. From lining up to driving away we were 17 minutes and the other all important information, they definitely got our order right.
The Fun
So onto the good stuff. I am always a fan of the Teen Burger and Mozza Burger. Ruth likes the Uncle Burger and Lee is a fan of the Bacon Cheddar Papa Burger. All are highly recommended and A & W is happy to customize too. In fact I made a special request with my Teen Burger this visit and they happily complied. If you have had them you already know that nobody makes onion rings quite like A & W. It is seasoned and breaded coating that no one else duplicates. We of course had to have an order as well as the sweet potato fries, one of Ruth’s favorites.
So why else do you go to A & W? The root beer of course. No other root beer is quite like it. It is a must have. This location has lots of parking and so we found a quiet spot by the grass and trees and thoroughly enjoyed our tailgate lunch!
It is again a sign of the current times but when you get your food at the drive thru window it is extended out to you in a tray. You take your drinks and the bag with your food and away you go. This tray can’t help but bring back memories of the day when A & W was a drive-in and food and drink was brought on an orange tray that attached to your window. Those were the days and there was even a time when they delivered on roller skates. That is nostalgia.
A & W still exists in the US with approximately 600 locations . Canadian locations have a “retro” feel and vibe and the menu is different from US locations. Canadian locations through photos and decor celebrate the earlier days.
In addition to the food and drink it is that “retro” feel that keeps us coming back. I guess I am old fashioned or maybe just old!
What Next
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It’s fun to hear the history of a restaurant!
Many don’t realize it is a 101 year history from it’s very beginnings.
I chuckled the whole time I read through this. It instantly took me back several years. The burgers and the beer sound amazing. I didn’t realize the history – but how fun. thanks for the post. Very enjoyable to read. Now I am hungry.
Glad you enjoyed reading. Yes there is a lot of interesting history to it.
I totally agree about the root beer! I love burgers as well. I can’t remember the last time I ate at an A&W. I remember them having awesome fries as well. I’ll have to add this to my list of things to do this summer. Great read!
We definitely choose their root beer because of the taste. Yes the fries are awesome as are the onion rings too.
The last A&W near us just closed. We were sad to see it go. Thank for sharing this!!!
That must be sad. They do make amazing root beer.
Love your burger photo! We have an A&W in our small town in northern MN. It was my absolute favorite place to eat as a kid! Thanks for the history lesson. Enjoyed it! 😊
Glad you enjoyed. It was one my favorites as a kid too. I always enjoy researching the history of each place we go. There always seems to be interesting pieces information that I come across.
We love burgers too but my family likes mine more than anywhere. But my husband will go for a burger every.single.time!
Home made is always awesome. A&W does have amazing root beer which is worth the visit alone.
I love A&W.. and that frosty mug of root beer! Ours closed last year and I miss it! At least we still can get a bottle of root beer!
That is too bad it closed. Like you said there is still the bottled version of the root beer.
We love root beer AND history. We always read the history on a restaurant while there if there’s a story available. It makes a visit even more interesting.
I always enjoy the research of the places we visit and trying to uncover interesting facts about places.
A&W is one of my faves! I’m totally going to have to check out the Stouffville one next time I’m out that way!
Hope you enjoy!
Interesting! We had an A&W nearby when I was growing up. This made me hungry!
There was one near where I grew up too. Always a fond memory.
I love diet A&W. It is my favorite drink. That is funny about the American actor!
I was surprised too to learn he was not Canadian as he is so identified with the Canadian A&W’s.
Great post! I think they had an a&w in NJ where I grew up. I have to say that burger in the photo looks so good I’m getting hungry just looking at it!
Thank you. The thought of their root beer always makes me thirsty.
I love an A&W Root Beer Float!
Our son loves the root beer floats too.
We have never been to an A&W, but think there may be one in my state. It sounds delicious!
The food is good and the root beer is an experience all on its own.
Thanks for sharing your journey! I definitely am a burger girl 🙂
You are very welcome.
Mmmm… this is making me crave the delicious A&W onion rings (at least they are awesome at the Canadian chain!). Their vegetarian burgers are also really good.
I love their onion rings too.
I love root beer. It’s the only soft drink that I will occasionally drink.
I really enjoy A&W’s root beer. It has a great taste to it.
I love A&W! When I was a 13 year-old I got my first job at a seasonal restaurant that sold homemade root beer. It’s been a favorite since then!
It is a favorite of mine too.
We LOVE A&W!! Their root beer is definitely the best! I had no idea the guy in the commercial was American! Lol [Edited]
We love the root beer too. I was so surprised too when I discovered the actor in the commercials was not Canadian.
A&W Rootbeer fresh from the tap is MY FAVORITE! Glad to see that some stores still serve it!
It is our favorite too.
I still have a mini A&W mug from when we used to go when I was a kid. Best root beer ever!
We do love the root beer for sure.
I remember A&W’s here in NE when I was a kid. Unfortunately they are no longer available here. Something to look forward to should I be in your neck of the woods!
I hope you will get the opportunity.
I love to learn something new and also have my mouth water over a burger and onion rings! Yum-o Your pieces are so fun!
I am glad you enjoyed the post.
I love a good burger, and this sounds like a good place to try!
It definitely is and the root beer is a must too.
Glad to see NJ represented! Wish we had an A&W around here. I love a good root beer and burger.
I wish you had one nearby because the root beer and the burgers are great.
Wow! I loved hearing the history behind A&W. I love their root beer on tap. I remember getting it in big gallon jugs on rare occasions as a kid. Mmmm!
I remember the big frosted mugs as a kid too. Fond memories.
We love the A&W commercial with Allen. I had no idea that he wasn’t Canadian!
I like his commercials too and was so surprised when I learned he wasn’t Canadian.
Unfortunately our local A&W also closed. It was a really fun place to go! The food photos make my tummy growl!
I am sorry to hear it closed. It is always an enjoyable experience to go there.
This brings back memories of the frosty glass mugs, delicious burgers and yummy fries. It was a treat to go to the A&W! We still have some in Wisconsin but not nearly as many nor are they close by my northwoods town.
I always loved the frosted glass mugs too.
This burger looks so good! I could eat a burger at any time and be perfectly satisfied. It’s not one of those foods I have to be in the mood for.
I am always good with burgers too.
Absolutely LOVE A&W root beer – it’s what I think of whenever I order! [Edited]
We definitely love A&W root beer too.
I didn’t realize A&W began in Canada! I grew up loving this fast food restaurant. I think all of them have closed in my area, sadly.
That’s sad that they closed in your area.Sorry if there is any confusion. A&W did start in California. After expanding into Canada the Canadian locations eventually became a separate entity under Canadian ownership.
Love the historical components of your post!! Sounds like another yummy trip!!!
I really enjoy researching and uncovering interesting historical facts about places.