Local Patriotism - The Polar Freeze

 

 
My Uncle Jack in front of the Polar Freeze

Continuing our recent Distributist theme, this post initiates a series highlighting small, local production of goods - and in this instance the emphasis is definitely on the word "goods" (good = "yummy").

My uncle Jack has owned and operated the Polar Freeze, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, for 51 years. It is an established, nay, a firmly entrenched local landmark, serving Jack's unique, home-smoked pork barbecue. Jack smokes his own meat, chops it and serves it with a vinegary sauce, dressed with cole slaw on a bun. I could eat about six of them. Right. Now. As a kid, I didn't care for the cole slaw on a sandwich, but I love it, now.

The Polar Freeze is more than just a drive-in babrbecue place, though. It's a landmark, meet-up spot and a just source of pride among the local citizenry. It's an institution, and Jack is the kind of business owner the world could use many more of. He is deeply involved in the town and the lives of his patrons and employees. The cliche of a business being "like a family" is actually true in this case. He brags about his employees, knows them personally, and still speaks fondly - glowingly - of many of them who worked for him decades ago. I believe he has helped several through college. They are like his kids.

It's difficult to imagine the Polar Freeze without Jack at the helm (he is there every day), and even harder to imagine Walnut Ridge without the Polar Freeze. It's like the soul of the town (sorry, First Baptist... you're very nice, too). Mostly, it's practically impossible to imagine driving past the place to get a burger from a fast-food chain outpost.

I have been just a likely as anyone to zip into a McDonald's on the road. After all, you know what you're going to get, about how much it will cost, and how long it will take to get it. You also, in so doing, drain half the adventure out of travel. Especially now, with the internet, it's possible to find out what other kinds of food - local, adventurous food - might be available. From now on, when I travel, I'm going to try and take a few minutes on the web to find out what kind of local gems (or dumps - let's face it, there's no adventure without risk) I might pass by if I do the Burger King drive-thru again.

I want to expand this series and keep it as a regular feature, and want all you Beardies to be on the lookout for heartening tales of modern Distributism. Send 'em in! It's easy!

Comments

[Beadgirl]

You should check out the DVDs of Alton Brown's "Feasting on Asphalt" series -- he traveled cross country in search of local, high quality foods, and made me long for the days when I could actually travel.

[John Kasaian]

Moy's is a family run chinese restraunt. My bride has been going there since she was a little girl---the same family stil owns it an works there.

Next door is Naked Fish---with really good Vietnamese food---the owner/chief escaped Viet Nam (he was one of the "boat people" and towards closing time he stopped by our table to tell us some stories.) His son busses the tables.

The Basque Hotel down town by the railroad tracks is a landmark. The Idiart family has run it for maybe 100 years. The hotel is for basque shepherds in between herdng jobs and they ring a bell for them to come down to eat---locals join in the fun at big long tables. Sevice is family style and the wine comes in unmarked bottles (and after the first couple of mouthfulls it is really good)

At the Continental Wrecking Yard, where you can get parts for your '66 VW bus
there is a shack with the name "Abe's Good Dogs" The best thing on the menu though is the french dip. It's only been around for maybe 20 years and difficult to find (it is located in a wrecking yard, after all) The owner tapped his market--mechanics looking for a quick lunch--and last time I was there his lovely daughters were running the joint.

Theres a bunch of places like that in Fresno, CA.

[John Kasaian]

The best recommendations for places to eat while traveling some from locals. Traveling interstates is usually not conductive to finding local gems---the rents are high so only "nationals" can afford to open stores there. The current trend I've seen is an off ramp in the middle of nowhere populated with a dozen or so national chains providing $5 heart attacks and gasoline. Essentially small "towns" where nobody actually lives.

[John]

This past summer I drove from my home, west of Chicago, to my sisters in Springfield. I was determined to avoid the interstate and drive through every town along the way looking for the local eating establishments. Sadly, most of the small towns seemed to have lost the diners either completely or succumbed to drab pre-made food with no taste or character. I eventually had a late lunch at a spot in Pontiac that catered to the locals. I finished up the drive on Rt 66. With the exception of the taverns, doubtless some would have filled the bill but too many to seriously consider, there were few places that looked inviting. I travel a lot and its worth it to find a gem. One prize has been the Rooster Cafe off of Bristol Ave in Costa Mesa. Enjoy.