In 2024, Eat’n Park celebrated its 75th anniversary in business. The years have been good for this iconic Pittsburgh institution that has withstood the test of time. Started in 1949 as a drive-in restaurant on Saw Mill Run Boulevard, theyāre a few years ahead of McDonaldās, which was founded in 1955. Eat’n Park has evolved from being a drive-in restaurant to a nice sit down family restaurant, serving comfort food that has been a favorite for generations of customers. So, why not write a book talking about the history of this iconic institution? Thatās exactly what one author had in mind.
I went to breakfast one morning in August after getting some bloodwork done. Fasting for 12 hours, I was happy to have somewhere close by so I could eat some breakfast. The place for smiles was right across the road from where I was so I was definitely eating there. I enjoyed my first meal since the night before. As I was waiting to be seating though, up front were some copies of the book covering Eat’n Parkās long history. I thought about purchasing the book myself after I ate. Canāt make financial decisions on an empty stomach, however.
I finished up the Harry Potter series at the end of August. I contemplated staying in the fantasy genre and reading Percy Jackson or Lord of the Rings. Then, Kamala Harris announced she was running for President which inspired me to reread her book I bought in 2020. Also, Iād like to finish that book on Barackās first four years in the White House sometime in my lifetime. Today’s blog, however, is a review about the history of Eatān Park, called “The Story Behind The Smile.”
“The Story Behind The Smile” covers Eat’n Park from its humble beginnings to the present day. There are chapters on their involvement in the community, as well as Smiley and some of their other ventures. Iāll be reading about those this week and taking the book to our family picnic next Sunday to show to everyone.
Eat’n Park had ties to another famous Pittsburgh chain, the one with the chipped chopped ham, skyscraper cones, and Klondikes. They also collaborated with Cincinnati-based Frischās, home of the Big Boy burger. Those ventures Eatān Park was involved with include Parkhurst (which is dining services catered to schools and hospitals) Hello Bistro, and The Porch. I would love to try the other two. In the past, they experimented with a bistro in Pittsburghās Cultural District. Plus, letās not forget the Park Classic Diner, which was a trip back to yesteryear. Some of their best items were their onion rings, meatloaf, and the Park Party Cake, as well as their milkshakes. When I worked there, you could pick any flavor you wanted. Oh, and I loved playing songs from the jukebox up front and gaining an appreciation for the classic songs that my grandparents enjoyed.
The most recent chapter talked about some of those best selling items and the work that goes into creating them. The author of this book also interviewed my cousin, who is senior director of marketing for Eat’n Park. She was in a few commercials for Eatān Park too if I recall, including one promoting the new pickup windows when they became a thing. Fun facts: Eatān Park debuted their Salad Bar in 1975 at their New Castle restaurant and rolled them out a few years later. The pickup window was first introduced at Monroeville in 2008. The headquarters for Eatān Park is now located in the Waterfront but they used to be located in Robinson Township. That move came in 2000. Also, the Soup and Salad Bar and the Superburger are the restaurant chainās two best selling orders. I wonder if the Whale of a Cod sandwich would be number three?
Finally, Eat’n Park was my first job and if I were brave enough to cross US 30, I could have walked to work. It wasnāt much, but it would have to do. I worked at the Park Classic Diner in Jeannette, formerly an Eat’n Park. If I would have embraced the job and not counted down the days until I went back to college, I could have made it more enjoyable. Would it turn into something? Who knows.
But, alas, the days of being young and dumb.
Stylish š 