By KRISTI MAYFIELD

With Graffiti Summers and classic cars cruising the highways you can’t help but think about the days of drive-ins and grabbing a burger and a malt. For me, the first one that really stuck out was getting a cheeseburger, fries and chocolate malt from Gillman’s on West F Street in Oakdale. It was a special treat when mom would take me to Gillman’s and I loved every minute of it. I would usually see Mr. Gillman working the grill while his wife and son tended to the customers and they greeted us with smiles and yummy food every time.

Now we can order with the touch of a few buttons, without ever leaving the comfort of home and get some delicious food delivered, but there is something special about pulling up to Sno-White in Riverbank in the summer and seeing those classic cars lined up with the music playing and folks hanging out and enjoying some chocolate dipped cones. Drive-ins will always have a special place in my heart because I wouldn’t be here without them.

It was at Sno-White in Riverbank where my mama, Sherri Ann Price, met my dad, Roger Wesley Mayfield, many moons ago and fell head over heels in love. Though they attended rival high schools, Escalon and Riverbank, respectively, there was magic in those milkshakes and before long they were inseparable. While mom worked the fryer, dad cracked jokes and revved his motorcycle, even going so far as to drive it through the back door once, much to the dismay of my mom’s boss! Sno-White brought Sherri and Wes together and without them, I wouldn’t be here so I’ll be forever grateful to Sno-White for that and for the delicious malts and fries.

There is also a Sno-White in Oakdale which I have visited and yes, they have some awesome burgers and shakes. Plus, the dining room is decorated with all sorts of photos of starlets and race cars and the tables are lined with chrome, so it feels like you’re taking a step back in time when cruising was the thing to do and malt shops were the best place in town. For some of us, they still are. Whether it’s Gillman’s, Sno-White or the home of the “Best Burgers in the Valley” at Hula’s in Escalon, the atmosphere and food at these local gems never disappoint.

My point, and yes, I do have one – as Ellen so eloquently put it some years ago – is that part of growing up in the Central Valley is the pride that comes with celebrating these drive-ins and cruising down the highways in souped up cars while turning up the tunes as you munch on some delicious delights from one of these mom and pop burger shops. And, just like our love of rock and roll, I think these traditions are here to stay.

Kristi Mayfield is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News. She may be reached at kmayfield@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.