Saying goodbye to Fosters Freeze

CVN THROWBACK THURSDAY

From ‘40s drive-in to today’s fast food joint Fosters Freeze says farewell

BY JIM CAMPOS

Originally the Coast Drive In (aka the 101 Drive In) at the southeast corner of Carpinteria and Walnut avenues from the 1940s until about 1955, this hangout spot for teens morphed into the Snack Shack in 1957 for a few years, then settled in for the long haul as Fosters Freeze in 1961. Serving hamburgers, fries and shakes for nearly 80 years at the same location would seem to warrant status as an institution, but at the end of this week, Carpinteria’s Fosters Freeze will see its doors close for the last time.

Since its fi rst days , when the bell rang and the school day ended, teens would fl ock across the street from Carpinteria High School (CHS) at Palm Avenue for an afterschool snack. George Coshow, Class of ’56, remembered, “Because the 101 Café was across the street from the high school, it saw a lot of me” (Carpinteria Valley Historical Society’s “The Grapevine” May/June 2018). And Jon Washington, Class of ‘59 added, “We wanted to eat in the car because of the car hops, but our parents took us inside. I remember the machine for playing records—10 cents per, or three for a quarter.” Indeed, the Coast Drive-In resembled a scene out of the classic 1973 fi lm “American Graffi ti.”

The teenage hangout stayed hot in the ‘60s for get-togethers after school and sporting events, and continued as a popular hangout even after Carpinteria High moved to Foothill Road during the 1967/68 school year. After school, kids sought dairy food and Fosters Freeze was best known for its cones, dipped chocolate cones (wow!), half and half cones, malts, banana splits with whipped cream and nuts sprinkled on top.

1970/71, I would see my students each morning in class, and could meet them again after school at Fosters. The extra distance to drive, or walk, to Fosters Freeze was no deterrent.

David Pettit managed the Carpinteria branch of the national chain starting in 1964. He purchased the franchise 11 years later in 1975. It was a family run

As a student-teacher at Carp High in business with his four sons and daughters all working there at one time or another, but Pettit also hired many part-time high school students over the years to assist. He trained many cooks in the culinary art of fi xing a good burger. It was good for business as his younger staff drew in their friends. Occasionally, he trusted them to run the restaurant on their own. This sometimes led to the usual hijinx that younger people will engage in.

Bud Bridgers, CHS Class of ’66, recalled going to Fosters with his buddy, Gary Sanders, Class of ’67. Gary ordered a burger. Jack Moyer, another buddy of theirs, also Class of ’67, was working the kitchen that evening and decided to pull a prank. He placed a plastic cup top inside the burger and served it. Gary took a bite with a crunch. He then calmly wrapped his burger back up, took a quick wind-up and fi red a strike into Jack’s face with it. Someone got the last laugh and it wasn’t the mischievous Jack.

Almost 60 years have passed since Fosters Freeze brought the national chain to Carpinteria. This week—in its fi nal days—Fosters Freeze is still playing the tunes of the car hop days, the oldies but goodies of the ‘50s and ‘60s, with the ‘70s added in. Pettit installed a sound system when he arrived in ‘64 to crank out the hits, perhaps as homage to the theme of the location’s original soda fountain and burger joint, the Coast Drive In. But, the tradition will fi nally see its last day. The restaurant is scheduled to close Sunday, Aug. 23. Perhaps there is still time to stop in, have a hot fudge sundae with a cherry on top, and listen to Del Shannon’s “Runaway,” The Chordette’s “Mr. Sandman,” or Gene Chandler’s “Duke of Earl.”

If you have a story or photo that tells a unique part of Carpinteria’s history, please contact Jim at drsjcampos@gmail.com. To learn more about Carpinteria’s unique and interesting past, visit the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at 956 Maple Ave.

The “cool kids” of Carp High hang out at Fosters Freeze in 1967. Gail Granaroli and Cory Deaderick are ready for an afterschool snack and Paul Summers stands at the back of the table in dark glasses.

CHISMAHOO, 1967

Fosters is closing on Aug. 23

In the Fosters Freeze heyday of the 1960s and 70s, there were seven burger, fries and shakes restaurants for families to pop into for a quick meal in the area between Carpinteria and Goleta. The Carpinteria store opened in 1961, and this weekend, the last of the South Coast seven will close its doors on Aug. 23.

The restaurant is currently owned by the Pettit family, the children of the late Dave Pettit, who was involved in the operation of the Carpinteria restaurant KARLSSON from 1964 until his death From left, Isla Gonzalez, Othello Gonzalez in 2012, purchasing the and Rylan Boyle celebrate the mighty franchise in 1975. “It’s all I’ve ever done,” Pettit told Fosters soft-serve milkshake. CVN in 2011.

For decades, the fast food restaurant with signature soft cone ice cream cones, treated Carpinteria High School and Cate School “Athletes of the Week” to a burger on the house, a weekly ritual that satisfi ed the appetites of athletes since before Carpinteria High School moved from Carpinteria Avenue to Foothill Road in 1968.

When an establishment has been in operation for 50 years, the kids who used to go there eventually bring in their own kids too. “I still get people from town, who moved away,” Pettit said. “They bring their kids back here when they visit.”

Fosters Freeze on Carpinteria Avenue will close permanently on Sunday, Aug. 23. Locals will surely miss the beloved diner.

Fosters Freeze

CARPINTERIA VALLEY MUSEUM OF HISTORY Carpinteria circa 1965.