Do you have an eating place that you like to go to when you visit a certain place?

I have many of these places around the US and the World. That one little place that you don’t want to miss going to when you visit somewhere.

When I go back to Central Missouri it used to be a drive-in that specialized in ice cream and snack items. Unfortunately, it is no longer open.

The place was Zesto Drive-In located in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Today there are Zesto Drive-Ins located in a score of cities spread across the country, but they are all independent and just license the trademark. However some are remnants of when Zesto Drive-In was a franchise operated by Taylor Freeze Corporation.

The Zesto Drive-In pictured here in Jefferson City opened in 1945 and was most likely the first one. It was definitely the one that had been open the longest, until it closed.

Of course, my memories do not reach back that far. They do however reach back to the mid 70’s when we went to Jefferson City for my Uncle’s wedding. I can vividly remember going to the little ice-cream place called Zesto. At that time it was in a much smaller building.

Then through the early 80’s I would look forward to going to camp in Missouri. We would always stop and visit my Uncle and go to Zesto. In the 90’s more of my family moved to the Jefferson City area and there were more reasons to visit. I also discovered that the banana shakes were the best thing to get at Zesto.

I also lived near Jefferson City for a few months in the early 90’s and would always have to make a stop for my banana shake when I was in the city.

The last time that I ate at a Zesto was in Omaha when I was back there for a wedding.

What is your special little food place that you have to visit when you travel someplace?

Steven