History

In 1954, Seattle needed fast, affordable food for a city on the move. Burgers, fries, and shakes were already menu classics, but sitting down to eat took too long. Dick Spady and his partners had a simple idea: fresh, tasty food you could grab quickly without breaking the bank.

FIRST GRAND OPENING
On January 28, 1954, the first Dick’s Drive-In opened in Wallingford. Even a major blizzard in the first month couldn’t stop Seattleites from returning for more. From day one, Dick’s was about fresh ingredients, speedy service, and prices everyone could enjoy.

JUST THE ESSENTIALS
While other fast-food restaurants piled on fish sandwiches, tacos, and chicken to their menus, Dick’s stuck to the essentials: burgers, fries, and shakes. In 1971, the Dick’s Special and Dick’s Deluxe joined the lineup, and Diet Coke replaced orange soda. That’s been about it—simple, consistent, and delicious.

ALWAYS IMPROVING
As Seattle grew, dining at Dick’s became even easier. Separate lines for burgers, fries, and ice cream were replaced with a single, streamlined system: order anything at any window. Happy customers kept returning day after day, year after year.

A SEATTLE INSTITUTION
Over 70 years later, Dick’s Drive-In remains a Seattle and Puget Sound tradition. Fresh, fast, and affordable—then, now, and for decades to come, Dick’s still serves the burgers, fries, and shakes that originally made it a Seattle institution.