Located smack dab between Pikes (Germantown and Ridge) in Collegeville PA, Speck’s Drive In has been serving up tasty food since 1964. There are signs on either Pike to guide you into their parking lot, and interestingly no signage on the building itself, which is reminiscent of a small Howard Johnsons, but with a red and white color scheme. The signs are beauties though, and would make any Retro Roadmap fan detour immediately to investigate.
If the sign didn’t clue you in the menu sure will- Speck’s is all about the Broasted chicken (did you know that Broasted is actually a trademarked term meaning to cook using pressure and frying? Well now you know!)
There are other things on the menu, but you’d be foolish not to go for the chicken, at least on your first visit. If you feel the need later to branch out there are sandwiches and hoagies as well. Belly up to the counter, place your order and wait for your tray.
And oh, that chicken! Sold by the piece (individually or in buckets, up to 100 pieces or more) it is crispy on the outside, moist on the inside- what more could you ask for? I recommend ordering a dinner as I’m a sucker for the not often seen crinkle cut fries, and theirs are excellent and fried up nice, not mealy or flabby like some fries.
And do you see what else is cool about Speck’s? Well take a look at that Nelson-esque starburst pattern on that table, it’s just the start! There was a fire in Specks around 1973 and they remodeled the place then, giving it a colorful orange and yellow palette. Have a look-see:
This triple threat of signage, food and decor put Specks at the top of my list, and it’s open year ’round so you can get your fix any time.
Up Germantown Pike just feet away from Speck’s awaits a great photo op at the Pit Stop go cart/mini-golf. Howzabout that big honkin Twisty Treat cone –you don’t see them every day!
It is one of only 2 that I have seen in PA- my parents took photos of a bunch of them for me when they were in Florida years ago, so it’s always surprising when I see them elsewhere.
Here’s some interesting info about Twistee Treat from Roadside Architecture goddess Debra Jane Seltzer, she’s just swell!
If you’re lucky enough to be there on a Wednesday evening you may run into a friendly bunch of self-proclaimed “misfits” sitting in their lawn chairs and showing off their classic and custom cars. Stop to admire the chrome and craftmanship on these old gems, a perfect way to enjoy a warm evening.
Speck’s Drive In
3969 Ridge Pike,
Collegeville, PA 19426
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before specks it was known as the big pixie.Girls came out on roller skates to drive – up speaker phones just like the ones at the drive-in movies.
It’s nice to still have a place where I can go and sit down on the same seat and eat at the same counter that I did 30 years ago.
Indeed it is, James! Hope it’s there for another 30 years so I can say the same thing!
Speck’s Chicken is fantastic and great place to eat with the family! I also would recommend right up the street…”The Cone” for dessert afterwards. The place looks like a Cone (for real). They have both Soft and Hard Ice cream. I think they had over 14 different flavors, Pretzels, Funnel Cake and many other snacks.
Harry- thanks for swinging by the Retro Roadmap! I haven’t been to The Cone recently – I’ll have to check on it again (excuse to eat fried chicken and ice cream!)
Don’t forget the orange drink. For some reason you can help yourself to fountain soda, but you can’t with the orange drink. It is sacred I guess. Another interesting thing about Specks, their hamburger/cheeseburgers come on a dinner roll. My 8 year old loves them and I have to admit, they are quite tasty.
I was just at Speck’s last week (waistline be damned) and got my usual chicken n diet coke. Now I’ll have to check out a hamburger/cheeseburger and orange drink – thanks for the tip Lyn!
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