Johnnie's Drive-In
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Johnnie's Drive-In was known as one of Elvis Presley's favorite hangouts during his childhood. Originally opened in 1945 by Johnnie Chism, Johnnie's Drive-In is Tupelo's oldest restaurant. Chism started the restaurant after he was discharged from the armed forces, and the site remains popular today. The restaurant is still serving the same great food that was served when Elvis dined there, allowing visitors to experience the Drive-In the way Elvis did during his younger years. Featured on the Elvis Presley Driving Trail, the restaurant is known as one of twelve important sites form the time of Elvis' youth.
Images
The outside of Johnnie's Drive-In
The doughburger served at Johnnie's Drive-In
The Elvis Booth at the drive-in, which has a photo of Elvis sitting in the same booth
The photo of Elvis sitting in the famous Elvis Booth, taken by Paul Cramer in 1956
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Johnnie's Drive-In is a historic restaurant located in Tupelo, Mississippi. The drive-in first opened in 1945, making it the oldest restaurant in Tupelo today. It was started by Johnnie Chism, who had been discharged from serving in the armed forces. It is said the Johnnie built the restaurant on the same street where his parents once owned a grocery store. The restaurant is known today as a place where Elvis Presley enjoyed spending time during his youth. It is said that Elvis would come to the drive-in with his friends often, enjoying the food and the atmosphere. The drive-in is such a notable Elvis location that it is featured on the Elvis Presley Driving Trail. This makes Johnnie's Drive-In a must see for any Elvis fans or tourists looking for a view of historic Tupelo.
The drive-in serves several different meals, all of which are considered Tupelo heritage dishes today. The restaurant is known to serve the same dishes that were popular when it first opened, giving visitors a taste of dining during the 1940s and 50s. Some of the dishes include barbecue, country fried steak, toasted cheese, and pimento cheese. One of the most famous dishes is known as the doughburger, a meal that dates back to the times when the restaurant opened. Rationing was still in effect when Johnnie's Drive-In opened, making food harder to come by. Beef was especially costly, having to be purchased with both money and ration coupons. In order to make beef last longer, it was mixed with flour before being cooked into burgers. This unique take on hamburgers is still being served at Johnnie's today, keeping a special piece of history alive for future generations to enjoy.
Alongside its historic significance as Tupelo's oldest restaurant, Johnnie's Drive-In is well known as an Elvis hangout. The restaurant even features a booth known as the Elvis Booth. On the wall next to the booth is a photo of Elvis sitting in the same booth in 1956. The photo was taken by Paul Cramer, a traveling jewelry salesman who happened to be next door to Johnnie's and hear that Elvis was eating there at the time. Cramer got Elvis' permission to take the photo, keeping it in his belongings until 1997, when he donated a copy to Johnnie's. Today, the photo hangs with an assortment of other photos and historic memorabilia, giving visitors a glimpse into the history of Tupelo and the Drive-In itself.
The drive-in serves several different meals, all of which are considered Tupelo heritage dishes today. The restaurant is known to serve the same dishes that were popular when it first opened, giving visitors a taste of dining during the 1940s and 50s. Some of the dishes include barbecue, country fried steak, toasted cheese, and pimento cheese. One of the most famous dishes is known as the doughburger, a meal that dates back to the times when the restaurant opened. Rationing was still in effect when Johnnie's Drive-In opened, making food harder to come by. Beef was especially costly, having to be purchased with both money and ration coupons. In order to make beef last longer, it was mixed with flour before being cooked into burgers. This unique take on hamburgers is still being served at Johnnie's today, keeping a special piece of history alive for future generations to enjoy.
Alongside its historic significance as Tupelo's oldest restaurant, Johnnie's Drive-In is well known as an Elvis hangout. The restaurant even features a booth known as the Elvis Booth. On the wall next to the booth is a photo of Elvis sitting in the same booth in 1956. The photo was taken by Paul Cramer, a traveling jewelry salesman who happened to be next door to Johnnie's and hear that Elvis was eating there at the time. Cramer got Elvis' permission to take the photo, keeping it in his belongings until 1997, when he donated a copy to Johnnie's. Today, the photo hangs with an assortment of other photos and historic memorabilia, giving visitors a glimpse into the history of Tupelo and the Drive-In itself.
Sources
1. Campbell, Jennifer. Johnnie's Drive-In: Tupelo, Mississippi's Oldest Restaurant. Just Chasing Rabbits. July 08, 2015. Accessed June 23, 2019. https://www.justchasingrabbits.com/2015/07/johnnies-drive-in-tupelo-mississippis.html.
2. Johnnie's Drive-In. Tupelo. Accessed June 23, 2019. https://www.tupelo.net/vendor/johnnies-drive-in/.
3. Robinson, Kat. Road Eats Johnnie's Drive In, Tupelo, MS-Where Elvis Ate. Tie Dye Travels. March 19, 2015. Accessed June 24, 2019. http://www.tiedyetravels.com/2015/03/johnnies-drive-in.html.
2. Johnnie's Drive-In. Tupelo. Accessed June 23, 2019. https://www.tupelo.net/vendor/johnnies-drive-in/.
3. Robinson, Kat. Road Eats Johnnie's Drive In, Tupelo, MS-Where Elvis Ate. Tie Dye Travels. March 19, 2015. Accessed June 24, 2019. http://www.tiedyetravels.com/2015/03/johnnies-drive-in.html.