Wonderful A & W Restaurant Memories 1964

We Two and A & W

I recently purchased your book “Great American Brand” Ninety years of A & W. Our story has lasted 46 years. It began in the summer of 1964. My cousin Judy, 18, was visiting from Ft. Dodge, IA. I too was 18. I wanted to take her to my high school hang out. It was the A & W on El Camino in Redwood City, California.

She and I enjoyed our burgers and ice cold frosty A & W root beer. The drive-in food tray was on the driver’s side window. I ask my cousin to let me out her door to go to the bathroom. She decided to tease me and yell out, “No, I’m not letting you out to go pee!” All of a sudden my door opened. An adorable fella with beautiful blue eyes, bowed and said, “My mother taught me to be a gentleman.” I wanted to die of embarrassment.

Upon returning I just had to glance at him as I step down off the sidewalk. He smiled at me and winked. An instant rush came over me, “I’m going to marry that guy!” Thanks to that night at A & W, I made the best decision of my life. My sister held our 25th anniversary at the same wonderful place.

A & W is still sharing events in our lives. It is the theme for all of our cars shows with our 1965 Mustangs. We have the food tray on the driver’s side, full of A & W items. On the hood we have a story banner that is titled “We two and A & W” along with the price of life in the 60’s. The passenger side has drive-in theater speakers playing rock n’ roll music. Inside the back seat are many A & W goodies. Our local newspaper even put our story in the paper.

One of our favorite places to share our A & W is the Big Island of Hawaii. We participate in a classic car event, held every three years called, “Cruise Paradise.” The people tell us of their special memories of A & W. We love letting them know that the original A & W is still in Lodi. We’ve enter the end of the year car show there and I bring boxes of my goodies and put them all over the place. We usually win the Best Display.

One of my exciting finds was at a yard sale. As we were leaving I told hubby that that peddle car had Ford on the back. I just had to ask how much. It was mine for only $15. Hubby was swinging it by his side as we approached the car. I yelled out, “Oh my gosh, it says A & W on the door.” He didn’t believe me until he looked closer. I was so excited. The next day I just had to ask how she acquired it. Her daughter won it in a coloring contest given by A & W. She was not interested in the car. I love it and our A & W.

Rosemary J. Sweatt (Contact email: rsweatt05 @ yahoo.com ) Sonora, CA