I worked for Denny's for 26 years, great place to work and made good tips. The last 2 years was terrible! New manager had singled me out and thought I wasn't good enough and bumped me from full time to 2 days (12 hrs) a week. I wasn't about to give this man the satisfaction of making me quit, so I got a part time job to make up the difference. After 2 years later he got fired...... Karma😘
We once had Denny's in Baton Rouge, LA, but unfortunately they did it survive. It must have been poor management. The last few years if it's existence the food was terrible! I first encountered Denny's in June 1965 on a family vacation to California. And the food WAS really good and reasonably priced.
@@michaelwascom62 I understand. A lot of times, not always, there are signs a business may be suffering or closing such as rising prices, staffing shortages, food quality, and a vague sense of demoralization from workers. Very sad and unfortunate situation.
I love Dennys. As a teen and young adult we ate there many times late at night after a football game or dance or after partying with friends. My Mom and I ate there often for breakfast or lunch as a teen. The food was always good. We had many great memories at Dennys restaurant.
If I may I suggest that Denny's restaurant will have gluten free menus are gluten free pancakes for breakfast, blackened chicken tenders for lunch, and udi's gluten free burger buns, and dairy free cheese slices for the beef, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, pickles, and bacon with ketchup, and mayo for dinner.
One of the most striking things about these series of videos, to me, is how utterly drab our modern architecture has become. The building designs of the 50's thru 70's were amazing! Today, everything looks as pre-fab as everything else. (Bleh)
@@randallmarsh1187 i see colors just fine. In fact I see through the lies and deceptions of this world. It seems your perception and critical thinking skills are pretty much non existent. Sorry about that. A little too much T.V. and school indoctrination? Yeah
Wow! I enjoyed this. I worked at Denny's in St. Louis from 1978-1980 , started when I was 17 y/o. Worked as a waitress, met many wonderful co-workers and will always remember my time there fondly.
So many good memories at Denny's and the food was actually decent. I was in a band in Seattle in early 1980's. By the time the gig was over and we unpacked all our gear, it was usually around 3am. As we were young and were energized, it was off to Denny's (Lake City) for breakfast as it was open 24/7. I always got the pancakes...with the grand slam.
In the early two thousands, I was ALSO in a band. After each gig, me and the Rythm Guitarist had to take our Drummer home. We ALWAYS STOPPED at Denny's to un - wind and reminisce about the gig and the events during. I am the one that got that Denny's ritual started. Alas --- Our band is no more. Oh well. Denny's will still be there.
My hometown's Denny's (in Santa Rosa Mall in Bayamon, PR since the mid '80s, formerly a Popeye's) is at a so convenient location that people for miles know they can stop late night for something to eat. Earlier on, since the '70s we had in that parking lot a Dunkin' as well. After a baseball game or whatever for about 30 years (like 1985-2015) we got both Denny's and Dunkin' on the same parking lot as our late night food options... The Denny's is still there, while the Dunkin' franchisee "bit the dust", replaced by a Church's Chicken (close like other fast foods).
Denny's still going strong. I havent eaten there since i was stationed Long Beach, CA back in 1988. When the base club would close people would flock to the Denny's downtown.
Thanks for Serving in the Military, I volunteer 15 years on weekends at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda Maryland (previously Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC)
Thank you for your service to our nation. True Dennys is still going strong. At least on the east coast they can be found in many Flying J truck stops as well as stand alone restaurants.
On Long Beach Blvd. I know that location very well as it was my breakfast place for the two years I lived in LBC. It’s probably the biggest Denny’s I’ve ever eaten in. The staff were always super kind and there was always interesting people coming in to eat. Wonderful memories of that place. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for your service!
I met my wife on a blind date at a Denny's on 1/2/2004. We occasionally go back and ask for the same booth! By the way, if you can get a cook to make you a breakfast dagwood I highly recommend it.
If me and my best friend couldn't decide on what kind of food we wanted we would always end up at Denny's on 7th St and Camelback and if that one was to busy we would drive about a mile down to 24th St and Camelback (Phoenix) to the other Denny's, we always had our favorite servers, if they were not that busy they would sit with us for a few seconds and chat! Miss those days!
I worked at the Denny's Restaurant in Longview, Washington for 6 years. I enjoyed my customers, co-workers, and the tips. Max was the main chef, Betty was a co-worker, and Bill Cheung was the owner of our Denny's. Our store scored high on cleanliness. I mainly worked the morning or swing shifts. My husband loved the meatloaf special. Some of my regular customers came to our wedding in 1974. I quit in 1977 to start our family. ❤
My first job starting in 1976 in Colorado Springs. Worked there for 10 years. Lots of great memories and friends came from that time. The company was very well run and organized at that time.
I get so nostalgic watching some of these videos you present. In 1979 while going through my advanced training at the U.S. Navy's Anti-Submarine Warfare Training center in Point Loma CA there was a Denny's located just across the highway from it. That was my first Denny's experience. Years later, in Milwaukee WI where I lived for sixteen years, Denny's was always a regular place to go!
Denny’s on Harlem in Oak Park, IL was a fun hangout in the 80s when I was in school in River Forest. Arliss was the best server I’ve ever had anywhere. We all loved her.
I am proud to say that I worked at Denny's. I was in high school and that was my "mad money". Later I worked there again and put myself through University. I worked from 11pm to 7am and went to University from 830 til 3, went home, slept and did it all over again. Some of my best memories are from there. I met friends that would go on to be life long. From 1974 until 1979 that was the place. The Uniforms were a simple fitted dress that was orange and then they went to orange and brown...... It is a Family favorite. My Son and I go at least once a month for Brunch. It is truly a blast from the past. xo
I have worked for Dennys for 28 yrs and I love it.Its great exercise and the tips are fantastic.You always get different managers with different attitudes and styles.They always come and go.
I love Denny's for the fact that I know I can get breakfast 24 hours a day. Breakfast is my favorite meal but, I seldom get up early enough or allow myself enough time to have it. I'm not a coffee aficionado by any means, never go to Starbucks or any other type of coffee shop. As a matter of fact, I have pretty much stopped drinking coffee, replaced it with tea several years ago to cut down on acid intake. But, I still say that Denny's coffee is one of my favorites! I haven't been to Denny's in years but, now I think it's time to rekindle my love of breakfast, Denny's style.
If you have reflux, please try taking DGL to protect your stomach and let it heal. I can again drink coffee on an empty stomach. Dr. Ric Saguil has videos explaining how it works.
In 1962, my family was on a trip through the desert of California. Our car broke down near a small desert town and I will never forget the heat. It was as if a blast door on an incinerator had opened up. We staggered from the gas station across the highway to a Denny's restaurant. I will never forget that rush of cool air hitting us as we entered the empty diner. It was an oasis of cold drinks, food and air conditioning, that we were so thankful for, after crossing hundreds of miles of nothing. Thank you, Denny's.
Two years ago, my brother suffered a ruptured aorta and needed emergency surgery. I flew in to Boise and got settled into a hotel. I spoke to the hospital and they said he was doing fine after surgery when, at that moment, I spotted a Denny's across the street from my hotel. I hadn't been to one in years. Exhausted and tired, I walked across the street and sat down for some food. The waitress was so nice and kind and served me a scrumptious double cheeseburger and some onion rings followed by a hot fudge sundae. It was better than I remembered it to be. The kindness of the staff and the great food was a great comfort to me that night and I remember it often. I now go there when I am in Boise because of their kindness that evening and the deliciousness of the food.
Many years ago my mom and I stayed up to watch a lunar eclipse and got the munchies at maybe 1 or 2 a.m. On a lark we decided to go to Denny's because we knew it would be open. It was a wonderful night that I'll never forget. RIP Mom, I miss you so much! 😢💜
They also celebrate vets on Veterans’ Day with a free Grand Slam and they give away birthday breakfasts, too. These are nice gestures and it’s great that they’ve continued these traditions even now.
Get back to me when they start paying their employees a living wage. Most of their servers only make 60% of minimum wage. If a server honestly claims all of their tips they get a negative paycheck. That's not a $zero paycheck but an actual bill. Their wages aren't even enough to cover taxes!
@@roryschweinfurter4111 It's strange that other restaurants give you at least a month to use your birthday coupon. So will Dennys but you have to sign up for the online club.
Living in the UK means I'd never heard of Denny's. But I love this channel, finding out the history behind so many American food chains, and checking out the old menus, it's fascinating.
My mom worked the graveyard shift (overnight) at the Denny's in San Diego. Always a big crowd after the bars closed -- a lot of interesting people and over time some became friends. Haven't been to a Denny's in years as the last couple times We went, both my husband and I were disappointed in the quality of the food. To be honest, have always preferred independent cafes -- Each have their own unique personality and I prefer supporting my local, hometown businesses.
@@dwlopez57 This was about 45 years ago --- It was the one about a mile from the San Diego Sports Arena. There was also a big Golden Arrow dairy plant nearby ---
Man, alive! I used to inhabit both of the Denny's in Oceanside and Carlsbad, outside Camp Pendleton, during the late 80's. Watched the sun come up a lot at both places. I got more reading done at those two locations, than at any other time in my life. The quality went down over time, though, and I found new places to go, but those stores always hold a warm spot in my heart.
Thanks for this video, I worked for Howard Butler Enterprises, Denny's in Indio, CA in 1970. I will never forget that architecture they used back then. Started as a dishwasher and ended up as store management.
I love Denny’s. You can always count on them being there when you’re traveling or need a place to go to at some weird hour. The fact that they’ve been around a long time makes makes a difference.
I can vouch for your statement about them being there when you're traveling and need a place to go at some weird hour. There's one near a motel I usually stop at when I'm on road trips, and I believe they know me at this point.
I tried a local Denny's about 6 years ago on impulse. I wound up really liking it. The Kearny Mesa (San Diego) location is the best Denny's ever, I did many a weekend breakfast there. The staff was awesome, there was very little turnover and I always looked forward to going there. Other Denny's that I have tried are OK, some not OK, but none as good as my regular one. I've left the area and I really miss that one!
I worked at both Mission Valley and Friars Rd. Denny's as Dishwasher Busboy. I started in 78 at Lemon Grove Denny's then the two Denny's in La mesa. One is no longer there and the one off the 8 next to Marie Calender's was the last Denny's I ever worked. That would be 1986.
In Pittsburgh, We have Eat 'N Park (started in the 1940s as a drive-in, but is today pretty much a "diner" format general family restaurant). There are "Denny's" locations here, But I can't remember for the life of me going to one. P.S. For NON Pittsburghers trying to figure out why "Eat 'N Park" seems kind of backwards: It's because other drive-ins used "Park and Eat" as a slogan, so it could not be trademarked, So they "flipped" it! IIRC, Eat 'N Park has the longest running Christmas commercial in the U.S. (Unchanged, and running every year for almost 40 years!).
I lived in North Hills for a few years and ate at Eat N Park on Rte 8 near the turnpike or 19 in Ross after picking up my wife from Duquesne night classes.
@@williamworley6164 Because you have to live in Spartanburg! My parents had a Bed and Breakfast in Landrum and I spent much time in the area. The country is beautiful but the people have got to be some of the most effed up people I've ever had the displeasure to be around!
I broke down in Spartanburg in '91 on my way to Columbia, SC (Fort Jackson) to see my cousin graduate from basic. Only thing on that exit at the time was the gas station the car made it to, a Hardee's and a Days Inn across from Hardee's that we had to stay at until a mom & pop auto repair opened the next day. Spartanburg has built up a bunch since then.
I totally love Denny's. They are my number one diner when I travel. The food is always plentiful and tasty at a reasonable price. And the atmosphere of the old diner still exists in Denny's.
Even though we still have one, I haven't been to Denny's in years. Like most other franchises, the quality had gone way down over the years so, I stopped going there. Our Denny's was originally an L&K with the matching motel behind it. When that franchise went under, the restaurant became a Denny's and the motel became a Travel Lodge. The motel was demolished a few years ago to make room for a new Kroger store.
@@valerief1231 No thanks. I don't need to go to resteraunts, I can make anything at home better than they can. The closest IHOP is 30 miles away so it's been even longer since I've been in one of them.
I miss Denny's. We don't have them any longer in Atlanta. They had the best "breakfast bar buffet"! Awesome after a night of having fun. Loved the picture of the Denny's that had a "cocktail lounge". Great Recollection!
We used to go to the one in Mission Valley after the bar closed when I was in the navy. Young and dumb, but we had fun and still have the good memories.
Literally, The eggs are good, as is the bacon and sausage for the most part. The pancakes and coke are just pure sugar. People always wonder why there is an obesity problem. There is your answer. Between the pancakes and coke, you have probably consumed 300 - 400 g of carbohydrates.
I still go eat here. I used to enjoy their omelettes a lot until they stopped serving them covered in a cheese sauce. Someone told me that the sauce was just an unconcentrated version of their cheese soup. So I always ordered soup with my eggs. Not quite the same. Then they stopped serving the soup and my meals there have never been the same. I went from going at least twice a week to maybe once a month. But I still go there. I hope they remain in business as too many of my favorites have vanished over the last couple of years.
Oh boy, does this bring back memories....my Dad and I would go to Denny's on a Friday night as my Mom worked late at a bank. I always ordered the hot turkey sandwich with bread, gravy mashed potatoes and veggie. Still a go to for a nice comfort meal.....
My husband and I back in the late 70’s through the 80’s would go see a movie or go to a bar every weekend and always looked forward to a wonderful breakfast between 11:00 and 1:00 o’clock at night! We would sit there for sometimes hours just talking and being together.
There’s used to be Denny’s in Australia during the 1980’s. I liked them. We would always go there for a snack and coffee after night school a group of us. But they ended up pulling out by the 1990’s although I think there might be a few still in New Zealand.
The pandemic was not kind to Denny's, I ate there recently the food was terrible, it was unbelievably overpriced but I have fond memories of Denny's when I was just a kid!
I have always loved Denny’s! My family and I go there on Christmas Eve every year to eat. Our little tradition, and we always tip the waiter very well.
My first job was as a dishwasher at a Denny’s in 1977 for about $2.00 an hour. Accounting for inflation, that was good money. Current non-negotiable wages against cost of living is the new slavery. Thank you, Denny’s for the job.
I ran your numbers through an inflation calculator and they equal $9.78 per hour in 2022 dollars. That's below minimum wage where I live. I worked for $2.15 an hour as a dishwasher in an expensive restaurant when I turned 16 in 1975, which is less than the restaurant pays now in inflation-adjusted dollars. As the old joke goes: Things aren't as good as they used to be, and they never were. 😆
I really enjoy your videos and your nice voice. Your videos are a very relaxing contrast to all of the loud and angry voices. Thank you for giving us a nice way to remember our younger days!
Growing up a Denny's on a road trip on the old '66 highway and we could always count on good food. MY favorite Denny's is in downtown Williams AZ. Still my favorite. When? 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and up until 2015. Seen a lot of changes in the old road, now Highway I 40.
Denny's is where we stopped on road trips when I was a kid. We just had our second Denny's open, and forget trying to eat breakfast on a Sunday morning at either one, they overflow into the parking lot waiting to get in.
We had three Denny's in Northeast Tarrant County, Texas. There was one in Grapevine, North Richland Hills, and Euless. The Euless Denny's is still open. The other two closed.
There were 2 in Ft. Worth - one on Forest Park Blvd. and the other on University Dr. not far from TCU. And that one was originally a Kip's Big Boy until it went out of business and Denny's bought the property. Both locations closed many years ago.
@@mpemberton7760 There at least was one on Camp Bowie I would go to occasionally when visiting friends. And one across from the Hulen Mall. I believe I ate there last 18 months ago.
@@MisterMikeTexas You're right, I totally forgot about those! I've been living in Italy for the last 10 years, and I can't remember the last time I ate at Denny's.
@@mpemberton7760 Speaking of Kip's Big Boy, we had one in North Richland Hills that I would go to occasionally in the late 80s for their breakfast buffet. It was quite good. They also had a night breakfast buffet before close. Unfortunately, it became a casualty of the freeway expansion in the early 90s. I haven't seen any Big Boy restaurant in nearly 30 years.
@@MisterMikeTexas Yeah, their breakfast buffet was really good. I don't know why the BB on University went under, because they seemed to stay pretty busy.
What a great compilation of photos and history timeline. One to add...a free grand slam breakfast on your birthday🥳! My daughter currently works for Dennys and will definitely be sharing this insightful video with her
I remember when the paper placemats that Denny's gave you at the counter had a map on the back that showed you where all the restaurants were. There were a growing number, maybe 30, then 40, then after a bit I think they discontinued that. I remember sitting in the Denny's in Indio Ca. looking at the map, but it didn't show this store yet. I recall the Denny's Combo (hamburger, fries, and salad on one plate) being $1.35, a few years later raised to $1.65.
Denny’s started our in 1953 as Danny’s Donuts in my hometown, Lakewood, California. When I drove from Sacramento to the Bay Area for work I stopped at Denny’s in Emeryville, California to use the men’s restroom. Sometimes it was clean.
Ever since I was five, my family knew I loved Denny’s. It was something I was always excited for, and they knew it. It’s funny how I still get excited for it as an eighteen year old, which is why we still go 🤣
I have ALWAYS loved Denny's Patty Melt and Fries, with ranch dressing on the side! :) Anyone remember the GREAT fried chicken dinner dish in the mid 80's that had country gravy over it? YUM! :)
That location at 2:06 actually was a long time local restaurant, Manning's, in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle until they went under and Denny's picked up the spot.
Danny's was always my favorite go-to place. Unfortunately the Denny's that were close to where I lived have all closed. Oh by the way here is an update on one of your pass videos...BIFf burgers original location on 49th Street in St Petersburg Florida is still open and rocking!
I like watching your videos, awesome to go down memory lane and learn some history. Would love to see you do a video on Saps Donuts which was located in Columbus Indiana.
Growing up back in the 80s, I remember meeting the whole family at Denny’s on weekends. There was a time when they’d guarantee your meal would be delivered in X amount of time, or it was free and they’d even leave a timer at your table. Anybody remember that? I think it was 15 minutes or something. “Hi, welcome to Denny’s! Smoking or Non?”
The Denny's at the first Interstate 5 exit in Portland, O R going south on the Vancouver, W A border still has its' 1970s 'Always Open' sign, lit up and all.
Back in the day, I remember Denny's Restaurants. I remember the Denny's on Hoover and 10 Mile Road in Warren, Michigan. The Denny's on Hoover and 10 Mile Road is now called Dan's Diner. And was a Denny's Restaurant located on Gratiot near Masonic Blvd in Roseville, Michigan. The Denny's had closed permanently years ago and had been abandoned. I don't know of any Denny's Restaurants that are left in the Detroit, Michigan area. The last time, that I ate at a Denny's Restaurant was back in the 1970's. P.S., I also remember another Restaurant chain called Clock Fine Food. The Clock Restaurants were located in the Detroit, Michigan area and I remember a Clock Restaurant in the Jackson, Michigan area. The Clock Restaurants ⏰ were open 24 hours 7 days a week. But,the Clock Restaurant Chain went out of business years ago.
I live in Center Line, and was grocery shopping yesterday at Value-Fresh, just south of Dan's Diner. Haven't checked Dan's out yet, but do remember the Denny's chain well. Used to go to one on 14mi Rd just south of the Oakland Mall when I worked in the area. Also remember "The Clock", and "Ram's Horn", many of which are still around.
I went to a Shakeys Pizza in Renton Wa. in July with some friends from central California where I grew up, who were visiting Seattle. Good grub. Mojo's were good too.
In 1978, my father interviewed for a position with Denny's/Winchells but he did not get the job. However, the interest in our family to relocate ended up moving us to the Kansas City area, and the first place we ate breakfast on a Monday morning, May 22nd, 1978, before my dad went off to work to his new job with a consulting firm, was a nearby Denny's restaurant, my first visit of many over the decades.
Half a century goes by fast too I remember in 1971 when a new Denny s Restaurant was built close to home I have n t been to any Denny s Restaurants for a couple of years Great Restaurant !
Worked at Denny’s in St.Joseph, MO in the early 90s; was a cook and later a certified trainer. I can still flip my fried eggs and what I learned about food handling has stayed with me too. Was not to be my career but always fond memories. Have not been to one in a long time but mostly due to having Celiacs.
Smart to start this in Lakewood, Ca, because Douglas Aircraft was nearby and employed probably around 25,000 people. I don't go to Denny's because they moved their headquarters out of California..but thats just me!!
Right? I can just feel that red vinyl/leather and smell the distant smoke from the smoking section. There was a mystique about every day things back then.
growing up in California these were almost on every corner in the SF Bay Area. this was my favorite place to go for coffee and I used to save my pennies and when I had several dollars worth of pennies, I'd take them and sit at the counter and roll my pennies over a cup of coffee or even something to eat using the pennies to pay for the meal. I miss the old days and having dennys on every corner, as they only have 2 in Idaho and they are not easily accessable... one in Meridian and the other being in Boise, close to the freeway. what memories! and how I miss Winchells doughnuts, that was another place I used to love to go to, they had the best apple fritters! what memories!
My boyfriend, a best friend, our elderly neighbor and I go to Denny 's at least once every other week. It's nice for us to get out and not have to cook once in a while. The cheese burger is one of my favorite burgers period, and I love the fries.
i watch everytime you post a video and look forward to your videos,,,thanks for what you do Cheers...my mother worked as a waitress at Denny's in Hollywood in 1965,which one i don't know
I worked for Denny's for 26 years, great place to work and made good tips. The last 2 years was terrible! New manager had singled me out and thought I wasn't good enough and bumped me from full time to 2 days (12 hrs) a week. I wasn't about to give this man the satisfaction of making me quit, so I got a part time job to make up the difference. After 2 years later he got fired...... Karma😘
I hope you got your hours back.
I have an interview tomorrow! 👏🙏
@@Neil-ht8fv I never went back to a Taco Bell after the green meat incident and Taco Bell can kiss ass because I'm never going back.
Well done!
Still their two sides to everything.
I'm glad Denny's has survived. It still has that classic diner feel, like a journey back in time.
We once had Denny's in Baton Rouge, LA, but unfortunately they did it survive. It must have been poor management. The last few years if it's existence the food was terrible!
I first encountered Denny's in June 1965 on a family vacation to California. And the food WAS really good and reasonably priced.
@@michaelwascom62 I understand. A lot of times, not always, there are signs a business may be suffering or closing such as rising prices, staffing shortages, food quality, and a vague sense of demoralization from workers. Very sad and unfortunate situation.
I love Dennys. As a teen and young adult we ate there many times late at night after a football game or dance or after partying with friends. My Mom and I ate there often for breakfast or lunch as a teen. The food was always good. We had many great memories at Dennys restaurant.
If I may I suggest that Denny's restaurant will have gluten free menus are gluten free pancakes for breakfast, blackened chicken tenders for lunch, and udi's gluten free burger buns, and dairy free cheese slices for the beef, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, pickles, and bacon with ketchup, and mayo for dinner.
Me too. One large plate of fries to be shared and coffee at mid night. Good times!
One of the most striking things about these series of videos, to me, is how utterly drab our modern architecture has become. The building designs of the 50's thru 70's were amazing! Today, everything looks as pre-fab as everything else. (Bleh)
Its all be design. Ever notice how everything from apparel to bedding has tons of grey colors.....?
Was thinking the same thing ,lol!
@@rippingmyheartwassoeasy I'm wondering if you're color blind, because I'm seeing the exact opposite!
Mid century modern ! Reminds me of a Rat Pack hang out.
@@randallmarsh1187 i see colors just fine. In fact I see through the lies and deceptions of this world. It seems your perception and critical thinking skills are pretty much non existent. Sorry about that. A little too much T.V. and school indoctrination? Yeah
Wow! I enjoyed this. I worked at Denny's in St. Louis from 1978-1980 , started when I was 17 y/o. Worked as a waitress, met many wonderful co-workers and will always remember my time there fondly.
I'm a South County Louie, here. Lindbergh is the closest to me.
'Ĺadder of success'
So many good memories at Denny's and the food was actually decent. I was in a band in Seattle in early 1980's. By the time the gig was over and we unpacked all our gear, it was usually around 3am. As we were young and were energized, it was off to Denny's (Lake City) for breakfast as it was open 24/7. I always got the pancakes...with the grand slam.
Worked there in federal way same time period
In the early two thousands, I was ALSO in a band.
After each gig, me and the Rythm Guitarist had to
take our Drummer home.
We ALWAYS STOPPED at Denny's to un - wind and
reminisce about the gig and the events during.
I am the one that got that Denny's ritual started.
Alas --- Our band is no more.
Oh well.
Denny's will still be there.
No one ever plans to go out to a Denny’s. They just end up at one.
Those nights usually make the best stories and worst hangovers!
There is wisdom in what you say
My hometown's Denny's (in Santa Rosa Mall in Bayamon, PR since the mid '80s, formerly a Popeye's) is at a so convenient location that people for miles know they can stop late night for something to eat. Earlier on, since the '70s we had in that parking lot a Dunkin' as well.
After a baseball game or whatever for about 30 years (like 1985-2015) we got both Denny's and Dunkin' on the same parking lot as our late night food options... The Denny's is still there, while the Dunkin' franchisee "bit the dust", replaced by a Church's Chicken (close like other fast foods).
@@madamesalamander16 LMAO
You mean Waffle House, I've planned numerous times to go to Denny's. Never have I planned on the Waffle House, just end up there.
We used to stop at Dennys on the way home from partying and have a GrandSlam and lots of coffee at 3:30 in the morning.
Denny's still going strong. I havent eaten there since i was stationed Long Beach, CA back in 1988. When the base club would close people would flock to the Denny's downtown.
Thanks for Serving in the Military, I volunteer 15 years on weekends at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda Maryland (previously Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC)
Thank you for your service to our nation.
True Dennys is still going strong. At least on the east coast they can be found in many Flying J truck stops as well as stand alone restaurants.
On Long Beach Blvd. I know that location very well as it was my breakfast place for the two years I lived in LBC. It’s probably the biggest Denny’s I’ve ever eaten in. The staff were always super kind and there was always interesting people coming in to eat. Wonderful memories of that place. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for your service!
I met my wife on a blind date at a Denny's on 1/2/2004. We occasionally go back and ask for the same booth! By the way, if you can get a cook to make you a breakfast dagwood I highly recommend it.
If me and my best friend couldn't decide on what kind of food we wanted we would always end up at Denny's on 7th St and Camelback and if that one was to busy we would drive about a mile down to 24th St and Camelback (Phoenix) to the other Denny's, we always had our favorite servers, if they were not that busy they would sit with us for a few seconds and chat! Miss those days!
My son and I just had b fast this am at 7th st lol
I worked right around the corner in the early 90's. Remember the Mr. Submarine? It closed and became a Maytag store.
I worked at the Denny's Restaurant in Longview, Washington for 6 years. I enjoyed my customers, co-workers, and the tips. Max was the main chef, Betty was a co-worker, and Bill Cheung was the owner of our Denny's. Our store scored high on cleanliness. I mainly worked the morning or swing shifts. My husband loved the meatloaf special. Some of my regular customers came to our wedding in 1974. I quit in 1977 to start our family. ❤
I could not read camelback at first but I knew 7th and C could only be that. Spent a lot of time there.
My first job starting in 1976 in Colorado Springs. Worked there for 10 years. Lots of great memories and friends came from that time. The company was very well run and organized at that time.
I get so nostalgic watching some of these videos you present. In 1979 while going through my advanced training at the U.S. Navy's Anti-Submarine Warfare Training center in Point Loma CA there was a Denny's located just across the highway from it. That was my first Denny's experience. Years later, in Milwaukee WI where I lived for sixteen years, Denny's was always a regular place to go!
I ate at that same Denny's across from the ASW base MANY times from that same time period!
Denny’s on Harlem in Oak Park, IL was a fun hangout in the 80s when I was in school in River Forest. Arliss was the best server I’ve ever had anywhere. We all loved her.
I am proud to say that I worked at Denny's. I was in high school and that was my "mad money". Later I worked there again and put myself through University. I worked from 11pm to 7am and went to University from 830 til 3, went home, slept and did it all over again. Some of my best memories are from there. I met friends that would go on to be life long. From 1974 until 1979 that was the place. The Uniforms were a simple fitted dress that was orange and then they went to orange and brown...... It is a Family favorite. My Son and I go at least once a month for Brunch. It is truly a blast from the past. xo
I have worked for Dennys for 28 yrs and I love it.Its great exercise and the tips are fantastic.You always get different managers with different attitudes and styles.They always come and go.
I love Denny's for the fact that I know I can get breakfast 24 hours a day. Breakfast is my favorite meal but, I seldom get up early enough or allow myself enough time to have it. I'm not a coffee aficionado by any means, never go to Starbucks or any other type of coffee shop. As a matter of fact, I have pretty much stopped drinking coffee, replaced it with tea several years ago to cut down on acid intake. But, I still say that Denny's coffee is one of my favorites! I haven't been to Denny's in years but, now I think it's time to rekindle my love of breakfast, Denny's style.
If you have reflux, please try taking DGL to protect your stomach and let it heal. I can again drink coffee on an empty stomach. Dr. Ric Saguil has videos explaining how it works.
You're not missing anything by not going to Starbucks. I've only been there once and the coffee was nothing special. The price on the other hand...
I don't believe it's coffee aficionados keeping Starbucks busy. Without all the froofroo their coffee is horrible.
@@regsun7947 I agree. I can and do get better coffee at any convenience store!
@@regsun7947 If the coffee were special, adding junk would waste it.
In 1962, my family was on a trip through the desert of California. Our car broke down near a small desert town and I will never forget the heat. It was as if a blast door on an incinerator had opened up. We staggered from the gas station across the highway to a Denny's restaurant. I will never forget that rush of cool air hitting us as we entered the empty diner. It was an oasis of cold drinks, food and air conditioning, that we were so thankful for, after crossing hundreds of miles of nothing. Thank you, Denny's.
Two years ago, my brother suffered a ruptured aorta and needed emergency surgery. I flew in to Boise and got settled into a hotel. I spoke to the hospital and they said he was doing fine after surgery when, at that moment, I spotted a Denny's across the street from my hotel. I hadn't been to one in years. Exhausted and tired, I walked across the street and sat down for some food. The waitress was so nice and kind and served me a scrumptious double cheeseburger and some onion rings followed by a hot fudge sundae. It was better than I remembered it to be. The kindness of the staff and the great food was a great comfort to me that night and I remember it often. I now go there when I am in Boise because of their kindness that evening and the deliciousness of the food.
Worked there many years. One of the best, most fun jobs I've ever had. always laughing 😆 🤣 😂
Many years ago my mom and I stayed up to watch a lunar eclipse and got the munchies at maybe 1 or 2 a.m. On a lark we decided to go to Denny's because we knew it would be open. It was a wonderful night that I'll never forget. RIP Mom, I miss you so much! 😢💜
It's been awhile since I ate at a Dennys.
It's great that they give charity and doing the humane treatment of animals.
They also celebrate vets on Veterans’ Day with a free Grand Slam and they give away birthday breakfasts, too. These are nice gestures and it’s great that they’ve continued these traditions even now.
Get back to me when they start paying their employees a living wage. Most of their servers only make 60% of minimum wage. If a server honestly claims all of their tips they get a negative paycheck. That's not a $zero paycheck but an actual bill. Their wages aren't even enough to cover taxes!
@@noble604 They don't give a damn about Vets or if it's your birthday. It's all a marketing ploy.
I still go to Denny's, especially on my Birthday!
Me too. But it's to bad that you can only get a free breakfast for your birthday now. That means next week for me
@@roryschweinfurter4111 It's strange that other restaurants give you at least a month to use your birthday coupon. So will Dennys but you have to sign up for the online club.
@@davidthomas283
I didn't know about that
The main Denny's I remember fondly was in Miami Beach, just off Collins Ave.
Famous. Wonderful. Busy mostly night and day.
Every time we are traveling we always look for DENNYS. We have always enjoyed their food.
I LOVE your videos and the history and stories.
THANK YOU for this channel. Memories!
Living in the UK means I'd never heard of Denny's. But I love this channel, finding out the history behind so many American food chains, and checking out the old menus, it's fascinating.
My mom worked the graveyard shift (overnight) at the Denny's in San Diego. Always a big crowd after the bars closed -- a lot of interesting people and over time some became friends.
Haven't been to a Denny's in years as the last couple times We went, both my husband and I were disappointed in the quality of the food.
To be honest, have always preferred independent cafes -- Each have their own unique personality and I prefer supporting my local, hometown businesses.
Which one on San Diego ?
@@dwlopez57 This was about 45 years ago --- It was the one about a mile from the San Diego Sports Arena. There was also a big Golden Arrow dairy plant nearby ---
@@gulfgypsy thanks. I think I know the one. I've eaten there but it was later, around 30 years ago was the first time.🙂
Man, alive! I used to inhabit both of the Denny's in Oceanside and Carlsbad, outside Camp Pendleton, during the late 80's. Watched the sun come up a lot at both places. I got more reading done at those two locations, than at any other time in my life. The quality went down over time, though, and I found new places to go, but those stores always hold a warm spot in my heart.
Thanks for this video, I worked for Howard Butler Enterprises, Denny's in Indio, CA in 1970. I will never forget that architecture they used back then. Started as a dishwasher and ended up as store management.
We live in Lakewood,Ca and went to Denny’s today. Great food, great service. The moons over my hammy sandwich is timeless. So good.
I love Denny’s. You can always count on them being there when you’re traveling or need a place to go to at some weird hour. The fact that they’ve been around a long time makes makes a difference.
I can vouch for your statement about them being there when you're traveling and need a place to go at some weird hour. There's one near a motel I usually stop at when I'm on road trips, and I believe they know me at this point.
I tried a local Denny's about 6 years ago on impulse. I wound up really liking it. The Kearny Mesa (San Diego) location is the best Denny's ever, I did many a weekend breakfast there. The staff was awesome, there was very little turnover and I always looked forward to going there. Other Denny's that I have tried are OK, some not OK, but none as good as my regular one. I've left the area and I really miss that one!
I lived across the street from the El Cajon Denny's. It was to convenient to pass up
I worked at both Mission Valley and Friars Rd. Denny's as Dishwasher Busboy.
I started in 78 at Lemon Grove Denny's then the two Denny's in La mesa.
One is no longer there and the one off the 8 next to Marie Calender's was
the last Denny's I ever worked.
That would be 1986.
@@rayjingloryproductions3770
It's still one of my favorite restaurants even though the prices are out of control
In Pittsburgh, We have Eat 'N Park (started in the 1940s as a drive-in, but is today pretty much a "diner" format general family restaurant). There are "Denny's" locations here, But I can't remember for the life of me going to one. P.S. For NON Pittsburghers trying to figure out why "Eat 'N Park" seems kind of backwards: It's because other drive-ins used "Park and Eat" as a slogan, so it could not be trademarked, So they "flipped" it! IIRC, Eat 'N Park has the longest running Christmas commercial in the U.S. (Unchanged, and running every year for almost 40 years!).
I lived in North Hills for a few years and ate at Eat N Park on Rte 8 near the turnpike or 19 in Ross after picking up my wife from Duquesne night classes.
I live in Spartanburg SC. My mother's and my favorite restaurants is Denny's! A shout out to Gabby, Aaron and Hannah our favorite Waitresses!
When the waitstaff gets a shout out, you know they've got it together!
I'm so sorry!
@@randallmarsh1187 for what?
@@williamworley6164 Because you have to live in Spartanburg! My parents had a Bed and Breakfast in Landrum and I spent much time in the area. The country is beautiful but the people have got to be some of the most effed up people I've ever had the displeasure to be around!
I broke down in Spartanburg in '91 on my way to Columbia, SC (Fort Jackson) to see my cousin graduate from basic. Only thing on that exit at the time was the gas station the car made it to, a Hardee's and a Days Inn across from Hardee's that we had to stay at until a mom & pop auto repair opened the next day. Spartanburg has built up a bunch since then.
i always go to a dennys when i am near one. love the shows, and the back ground music is perfect
I totally love Denny's. They are my number one diner when I travel. The food is always plentiful and tasty at a reasonable price. And the atmosphere of the old diner still exists in Denny's.
that was my fist job in 1971...1.35 per hour as a busboy
Must have been nice as a boomer to get more than double what the minimum wage was for when i got my first job in 1992!
Even though we still have one, I haven't been to Denny's in years. Like most other franchises, the quality had gone way down over the years so, I stopped going there. Our Denny's was originally an L&K with the matching motel behind it. When that franchise went under, the restaurant became a Denny's and the motel became a Travel Lodge. The motel was demolished a few years ago to make room for a new Kroger store.
You should try them again. They stomp IHOP into the mud!
@@valerief1231 No thanks. I don't need to go to resteraunts, I can make anything at home better than they can. The closest IHOP is 30 miles away so it's been even longer since I've been in one of them.
I loved and was assistant manager at L&K.
@@hallertau Chili burgers! I don't know if all of the resteraunts in the chain had them but our local L&K did and they were awesome!
where is this at? used to work at L&K thats why i am asking.
I miss Denny's. We don't have them any longer in Atlanta. They had the best "breakfast bar buffet"! Awesome after a night of having fun. Loved the picture of the Denny's that had a "cocktail lounge". Great Recollection!
Best. Coffee. Ever.
Didn’t even have locks on the doors! Always open! Del Mar Ca.
We used to go to the one in Mission Valley after the bar closed when I was in the navy. Young and dumb, but we had fun and still have the good memories.
2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 sausage, 2 pieces of Bacon and a coke to drink. Now that is living large.
Literally, The eggs are good, as is the bacon and sausage for the most part. The pancakes and coke are just pure sugar. People always wonder why there is an obesity problem. There is your answer. Between the pancakes and coke, you have probably consumed 300 - 400 g of carbohydrates.
No, that is GETTING large!!
This video was a GRAND SLAM!
I still go eat here. I used to enjoy their omelettes a lot until they stopped serving them covered in a cheese sauce. Someone told me that the sauce was just an unconcentrated version of their cheese soup. So I always ordered soup with my eggs. Not quite the same. Then they stopped serving the soup and my meals there have never been the same. I went from going at least twice a week to maybe once a month. But I still go there. I hope they remain in business as too many of my favorites have vanished over the last couple of years.
Oh boy, does this bring back memories....my Dad and I would go to Denny's on a Friday night as my Mom worked late at a bank. I always ordered the hot turkey sandwich with bread, gravy mashed potatoes and veggie. Still a go to for a nice comfort meal.....
My husband and I back in the late 70’s through the 80’s would go see a movie or go to a bar every weekend and always looked forward to a wonderful breakfast between 11:00 and 1:00 o’clock at night! We would sit there for sometimes hours just talking and being together.
There’s used to be Denny’s in Australia during the 1980’s. I liked them. We would always go there for a snack and coffee after night school a group of us. But they ended up pulling out by the 1990’s although I think there might be a few still in New Zealand.
There was 1 in Caringbah; Sydney
@@stephennewcombe452 I visited the one in Dandenong in Melbourne. I liked their food tbh.
I'm from the states and I live in NZ. There is one in Porirua...and it's just as awful as the ones in the states.
@@volvoguy804 I think you may be right. I went to a NZ one and they were not how I remembered the ones in Australia before they closed.
After watching this I’m hungry.
I remember Denny’s well, I mainly went their for breakfast, loved their Southern Slam! Also, made nice hot fudge sundaes!
The pandemic was not kind to Denny's, I ate there recently the food was terrible, it was unbelievably overpriced but I have fond memories of Denny's when I was just a kid!
Went to Perkins it had that feeling also.
This episode was extremely good for sleeping thank you.
I have always loved Denny’s! My family and I go there on Christmas Eve every year to eat. Our little tradition, and we always tip the waiter very well.
As a young boy I remember Denny's but now there are none in my town. Outstanding video , sir.
I've been driving by the Denny's here in Miami Florida since the 1980s and never once stopped to eat there. 🍽
You are smart.
My first job was as a dishwasher at a Denny’s in 1977 for about $2.00 an hour. Accounting for inflation, that was good money. Current non-negotiable wages against cost of living is the new slavery. Thank you, Denny’s for the job.
I ran your numbers through an inflation calculator and they equal $9.78 per hour in 2022 dollars. That's below minimum wage where I live. I worked for $2.15 an hour as a dishwasher in an expensive restaurant when I turned 16 in 1975, which is less than the restaurant pays now in inflation-adjusted dollars. As the old joke goes: Things aren't as good as they used to be, and they never were. 😆
I was making $2.10 for a short time in 1978, in California.
Always loved Denny's. Foods great. Think I'll go there tonight. Great video!
I really enjoy your videos and your nice voice. Your videos are a very relaxing contrast to all of the loud and angry voices. Thank you for giving us a nice way to remember our younger days!
Was very good and high quality way back as a kid. Last time was in the 90's and was still great quality.
Growing up a Denny's on a road trip on the old '66 highway and we could always count on good food. MY favorite Denny's is in downtown Williams AZ. Still my favorite. When? 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and up until 2015. Seen a lot of changes in the old road, now Highway I 40.
We still eat at Dennys,wherever we are,you can count on quality,service and consistency..The senior meals are great
I love to go to Denny’s to eat.they have good food.
Great pancakes and sausage, The menu is huge and a great place for road trips to stop and eat.
Denny's is where we stopped on road trips when I was a kid. We just had our second Denny's open, and forget trying to eat breakfast on a Sunday morning at either one, they overflow into the parking lot waiting to get in.
We had three Denny's in Northeast Tarrant County, Texas. There was one in Grapevine, North Richland Hills, and Euless. The Euless Denny's is still open. The other two closed.
There were 2 in Ft. Worth - one on Forest Park Blvd. and the other on University Dr. not far from TCU. And that one was originally a Kip's Big Boy until it went out of business and Denny's bought the property. Both locations closed many years ago.
@@mpemberton7760 There at least was one on Camp Bowie I would go to occasionally when visiting friends. And one across from the Hulen Mall. I believe I ate there last 18 months ago.
@@MisterMikeTexas You're right, I totally forgot about those! I've been living in Italy for the last 10 years, and I can't remember the last time I ate at Denny's.
@@mpemberton7760 Speaking of Kip's Big Boy, we had one in North Richland Hills that I would go to occasionally in the late 80s for their breakfast buffet. It was quite good. They also had a night breakfast buffet before close. Unfortunately, it became a casualty of the freeway expansion in the early 90s. I haven't seen any Big Boy restaurant in nearly 30 years.
@@MisterMikeTexas Yeah, their breakfast buffet was really good. I don't know why the BB on University went under, because they seemed to stay pretty busy.
Don't ask for butter, they don't have it!
What a great compilation of photos and history timeline. One to add...a free grand slam breakfast on your birthday🥳! My daughter currently works for Dennys and will definitely be sharing this insightful video with her
I really enjoy this channel.
I remember when the paper placemats that Denny's gave you at the counter had a map on the back that showed you where all the restaurants were. There were a growing number, maybe 30, then 40, then after a bit I think they discontinued that. I remember sitting in the Denny's in Indio Ca. looking at the map, but it didn't show this store yet. I recall the Denny's Combo (hamburger, fries, and salad on one plate) being $1.35, a few years later raised to $1.65.
I remember eating at Denny's several years ago. And I enjoy the meals too.
I grew up going to Dennys in the 70’s and 80’s. Good times.
Denny’s started our in 1953 as Danny’s Donuts in my hometown, Lakewood, California. When I drove from Sacramento to the Bay Area for work I stopped at Denny’s in Emeryville, California to use the men’s restroom. Sometimes it was clean.
Ever since I was five, my family knew I loved Denny’s. It was something I was always excited for, and they knew it. It’s funny how I still get excited for it as an eighteen year old, which is why we still go 🤣
I have ALWAYS loved Denny's Patty Melt and Fries, with ranch dressing on the side! :)
Anyone remember the GREAT fried chicken dinner dish in the mid 80's that had country gravy over it? YUM! :)
Can't wait to go to Denny's again great food.
That location at 2:06 actually was a long time local restaurant, Manning's, in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle until they went under and Denny's picked up the spot.
I miss Denny's. All the Denny's in my city closed in the last 5 years. We had like 5. Grew up going there.
Danny's was always my favorite go-to place. Unfortunately the Denny's that were close to where I lived have all closed. Oh by the way here is an update on one of your pass videos...BIFf burgers original location on 49th Street in St Petersburg Florida is still open and rocking!
Who the heck would downvote this beautiful video?!....I often wonder the same about my videos. 😅
Always a great meal at Denny’s here in my town.
I like watching your videos, awesome to go down memory lane and learn some history. Would love to see you do a video on Saps Donuts which was located in Columbus Indiana.
Growing up back in the 80s, I remember meeting the whole family at Denny’s on weekends. There was a time when they’d guarantee your meal would be delivered in X amount of time, or it was free and they’d even leave a timer at your table. Anybody remember that? I think it was 15 minutes or something. “Hi, welcome to Denny’s! Smoking or Non?”
So interesting to learn the histories of these popular places!
The Denny's at the first Interstate 5 exit in Portland, O R going south on the Vancouver, W A border still has its' 1970s 'Always Open' sign, lit up and all.
Back in the day, I remember Denny's Restaurants. I remember the Denny's on Hoover and 10 Mile Road in Warren, Michigan. The Denny's on Hoover and 10 Mile Road is now called Dan's Diner. And was a Denny's Restaurant located on Gratiot near Masonic Blvd in Roseville, Michigan. The Denny's had closed permanently years ago and had been abandoned.
I don't know of any Denny's Restaurants that are left in the Detroit, Michigan area.
The last time, that I ate at a Denny's Restaurant was back in the 1970's.
P.S.,
I also remember another Restaurant chain called Clock Fine Food. The Clock Restaurants were located in the Detroit, Michigan area and I remember a Clock Restaurant in the Jackson, Michigan area. The Clock Restaurants ⏰ were open 24 hours 7 days a week.
But,the Clock Restaurant Chain went out of business years ago.
I live in Center Line, and was grocery shopping yesterday at Value-Fresh, just south of Dan's Diner. Haven't checked Dan's out yet, but do remember the Denny's chain well. Used to go to one on 14mi Rd just south of the Oakland Mall when I worked in the area.
Also remember "The Clock", and "Ram's Horn", many of which are still around.
I remember Value Fresh, being Farmer Jack back in the day.
I went to a Shakeys Pizza in Renton Wa. in July with some friends from central California where I grew up, who were visiting Seattle. Good grub. Mojo's were good too.
Great video! Denny's has great food!!
In 1978, my father interviewed for a position with Denny's/Winchells but he did not get the job. However, the interest in our family to relocate ended up moving us to the Kansas City area, and the first place we ate breakfast on a Monday morning, May 22nd, 1978, before my dad went off to work to his new job with a consulting firm, was a nearby Denny's restaurant, my first visit of many over the decades.
I still love this place !!
Really enjoyed!!!! 👍👍👍
Half a century goes by fast too I remember in 1971 when a new Denny s Restaurant was built close to home I have n t been to any Denny s Restaurants for a couple of years Great Restaurant !
Worked at Denny’s in St.Joseph, MO in the early 90s; was a cook and later a certified trainer.
I can still flip my fried eggs and what I learned about food handling has stayed with me too. Was not to be my career but always fond memories.
Have not been to one in a long time but mostly due to having Celiacs.
We lost the 2 Dennys in my area. The other 2 are in another city close by. One by the Interstate while the other sits in a seedy part of town.
In the old days La Quinta meant "Denny's next door".
I get the joke cause it was true then...gotta feed the girl before the hotel room lolol
Smart to start this in Lakewood, Ca, because Douglas Aircraft was nearby and employed probably around 25,000 people. I don't go to Denny's because they moved their headquarters out of California..but thats just me!!
THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO
Man. The decor of the 70s Denny's was some of the best. Miss that era of the restaurant.
Right? I can just feel that red vinyl/leather and smell the distant smoke from the smoking section. There was a mystique about every day things back then.
yuck. Living in the 70s sucked.
@@justayoutuber1906 Granted, I was a kid in the 70s (I was born in '73), but I don't remember much about that decade sucking.
growing up in California these were almost on every corner in the SF Bay Area. this was my favorite place to go for coffee and I used to save my pennies and when I had several dollars worth of pennies, I'd take them and sit at the counter and roll my pennies over a cup of coffee or even something to eat using the pennies to pay for the meal. I miss the old days and having dennys on every corner, as they only have 2 in Idaho and they are not easily accessable... one in Meridian and the other being in Boise, close to the freeway. what memories! and how I miss Winchells doughnuts, that was another place I used to love to go to, they had the best apple fritters! what memories!
My boyfriend, a best friend, our elderly neighbor and I go to Denny 's at least once every other week. It's nice for us to get out and not have to cook once in a while. The cheese burger is one of my favorite burgers period, and I love the fries.
i watch everytime you post a video and look forward to your videos,,,thanks for what you do Cheers...my mother worked as a waitress at Denny's in Hollywood in 1965,which one i don't know