Only in York County

Today’s post is just a quick dive into my inbox to share some miscellaneous memories of yummy foods and restaurants of the past. Where I can, I’ve linked to previous times we’ve talked about these particular eateries, so dig in!

Moser’s

April 17, 2013: An Ask Joan question from Jackie Sprout seeks Moser’s memories
Feb. 28, 2012: eBay becomes a source for memories of Moser’s, other local businesses

Meg Zarfos wrote, “Moser’s served great food back in the ’60s. Every Thursday we would travel there to order giant shrimp cocktails and T-bone steaks that really hit the spot.”

Karen Boyle said, “I remember eating at Moser’s Restaurant in West York all the time in the late ’50s through the late ’60s. My grandmother lived in the 1200 block of West King Street and we would go to Moser’s when visiting with her. One of the first discount stores in York (Franklin Discount) was next door for a period of time. Moser’s always did a terrific business. There was a nice dining room and they served very good food. The waitresses were all there a very long time – very outgoing, friendly. Mr. Moser usually was seen in the restaurant. There were unique pictures all through the dining room that were lit from behind. There was a banquet room in the back with a sign that the West York Rotary Club met there. Next door was an area with a counter and stools that was more casual. They served food from the same menu – always had delicious deserts, especially great pies. I particularly remember an attractive waitress – I think her name was Betty – she was always so friendly with the customers (most were “regulars”) – seemed like more fun to sit on that side of the restaurant, especially when Betty was working!”

And regarding the dates Moser’s was in business, my friend Ann at the Martin Library research desk shared that there were iterations of a restaurant mentioned in the Polk city directories as early as, possibly, 1933 at 1210 W. King St., with a more official restaurant listing under that name at 1251 W. King St. showing up in 1943, and then various addresses between 1251 and 1257 W. King St. continuing to appear through 1998!

Dixie Cream

April 5, 2013: Reader Linda E. Roelke seeks the name of a doughnut shop on West Market Street
Feb. 25, 2013: Reader Steve Eaton shares doughnut memories, among others, in an Ask Joan reply

James Herman noted that a doughnut shop we’d mentioned previously as being on West Market Street was Dixie Cream, owned by Jack Lutz. “I worked for Wolcott catering and we bought all our donuts here,” he wrote.

And Bev Hildebrand said, “It was Dixie Cream (or Creme) Donuts and was one building east of the current Junior League. Whenever we shopped downtown, my dad would take all four of us to Dixie Cream. First we would watch the donut man work his magic. He would roll out a huge slab of dough. Then came the fun. In one motion, he used the cutter with his right hand, collecting the dough rings on his left thumb. When his thumb was full, he would transfer the rings gently but quickly into the hot oil. Then he repeated the work. There are no adequate words to fully express the speed of this process. I doubt any machine could have worked with greater speed. And oh those warm donuts! Dad always said they were the best donuts in York County. I only know they were delicious. Those warm treats accompanied with the free ‘show’, were one of the highlights of childhood.”

Pizza Villa

March 1, 2013: Tom Gracey remembers a neighborhood pizza shop in an Ask Joan column

I heard about this from Deborah (Barnhart) Nelson who wrote after reading this previous column with a question from Tom Gracey, “My mom was the owner of the pizza shop that was mentioned and her mom also worked there. It was the Pizza Villa on Parkway Blvd. My sister, Doris, worked there before our mom bought the business, owned by ‘Jeep’ Myers. At that time, pizza was sold only by the whole pie – I think he was the first to sell by the slice in York and he was also the inventor of the ‘Flying Saucer’ sandwich. It was a kind of take off on the submarine (long roll) and the flying saucer was served on a round roll. People still talk about that sandwich to this day! The pizza was made on a huge tray that yielded 24 slices of pizza. There was one piece of pepperoni in the center of each slice used as a garnish. (Mom did away with this some time later). One more thing before I end this story – I met my great husband, Terry Nelson, of 45 years there, and after we got married, we bought his parents’ house which was next door to Tom Gracey. So Tom, thanks for taking us down memory lane!”

Thanks to everyone who shared memories here for taking me down memory lane… a yummy one!