Neil’s A & W Drive In

What!!! You mean this isn’t the only A&W in the world? Or at least the first one to exist? It’s true — as a child I believed whole-​heartedly that Neal’s A&W in my hometown was the original A&W. I’m pretty certain I sprinkled this false information around with visiting friends and family as well. What can I say? I am proud of my hometown and was looking for bonus bragging rights.
Although Neal’s location isn’t the first, it is one of my favorites due to its vintage booths with phones to order your meal, drive-​in style booths outside and all of your gluttonous A&W favorites like onion rings, coney dogs and root beer floats. They sell the root beer by the gallon too — — - probably because this is where the recipe was invented ;) (only kidding).
Neal’s closes up in the winter and is bustling in the summer with dine-​in, drive thru and drive-​in customers. They have a sign out front that always notes the desserts of the day. Service is no-​frills from hardworking high school kids bustling to make some money over summer break. Original or not, Neal’s A&W still holds a special place in my heart.