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Dari-Delite (page 1)

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Dari-Delite
Swissvale, PA
2006: 2012:

Dari-Delite [gone]
Lake Isabella, CA
Dari-Delite
Somerset, NJ
Garner Drive-in
Berryville, AR
Dari-Delite
Siloam Springs, AR
Ohio City Ice Cream Co.
Cleveland, OH

Shari's Drive-in
Tucson, AZ
Dari-Delite
Hot Sulphur Springs, CO
Dari-Delite was apparently a nationwide chain with other locations near Pittsburgh (Trafford, Glassport, and Turtle Creek), as well as Clanton, AL), Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, and most likely other states.

These photos of the Dari-Delite in Swissvale were taken in 2012 when the stand was closed for the season. It was closed for many years but reopened in 2021. The sign has been repainted. For more, see this website. [map]

The Lake Isabella and Somerset Dari-Delites are other examples of this chain's signs. The Lake Isabella sign was painted over for another business sometime between 2008 and 2012. The Somerset building have been repainted red and yellow since this 2009 photo. [Somerset map]

The Garner Drive-in and Shari's Drive-in are also former Dari-Delites. The embossed lettering still shows through the repainted signs. The Dari-Delite in Tucson may have been built in 1953. Shari's closed in 2008. These photos are from 2012. The building now houses Smokey Mo BBQ. The pylon sign has been painted white and mostly covered with new panels. The Garner Drive-in opened in 1957. In 2020, the sign was repainted. [Garner map]; [Shari's map]

The former Dari-Delite in Siloam Springs appeared to be vacant when this photo was taken in 2019. It previously housed a bakery. [map]

The Ohio Ice Cream Co. opened in 2011. It was built around 1956 as a Dari-Delite. The Ohio Ice Cream Co. closed in 2013 and Mason's Creamery moved into the space. For more, see this website. [map]

I don't know if this Dari-Delite in Hot Sulphur Springs was ever part of this chain or if it just used the same name. [map]

More Dari-Delites:
Albany, NY [vintage]
Wilmerding, PA

I don't know if the buildings shown below were part of the same chain as the one described above. Probably not. The company, or one of them, was established by 1950, with headquarters in East Moline, IL. This advertisement from 1967 reflects the logo that was associated with this building style. The unique buildings were instantly recognizable with their pink twin-gabled, A-frame roofs. [advertisement scan thanks Robby Delius]

Alabama:
Hartselle

former Dari-Delite
Phoenix, AZ
former Dari-Delite
Phoenix, AZ
The first former Dari-Delite shown above left housed the Great Dane's Doghouse for at least 10 years. The building now houses the Rice Paddy. [map]

The second former Dari-Delite shown above housed Salsita's Mexican Food from at least 2007 until around 2019. It now houses Mrs. Chicken. [map]

former Dari-Delite
Phoenix, AZ
former Dari-Delite
Mesa, AZ
This former Dari-Delite in Phoenix has housed Shoot the Bull since around 2000. [map]

This former Dari-Delite in Mesa now houses Los Picos Parrilla Restaurant. [map]

former Dari-Delite
Napa, CA
This former Dari-Delite is the best-preserved location left. It has the plastic signs of the Dee and Dee-Dee on the building and the pole sign's frames are intact. The building now houses Big D Burgers. [map]

former Dari-Delite
West Sacramento, CA
former Dari-Delite
Fairfield, CA
This former Dari-Delite in West Sacramento now houses California Burrito. It has been here since at least 1966. For more, see this website. [map]

This former Dari-Delite in Fairfield now houses the Latino Beauty Salon. [map]

former Dari-Delite
Covina, CA
former Dari-Delite
Linda, CA
former Dari-Delite
Winnetka, CA
This former Dari-Delite in Covina now advertises for Lisa's Coffee Shop. Either the Dari-Delite building has been demolished or this sign came from somewhere else. [map]

This former Dari-Delite in Linda now houses Izzy's Authentic Mexican Bistro. Until at least 2012, the building still had the Dee and Dee-Dee signs on the building. It was known as Big Lem's Bar-B-Q at that point. Those signs have been painted over. These photos are from 2015. [map]

This former Dari-Delite in Winnetka now houses Mission Burrito. The building has been buried by additions since at least 2007. [map]

former Dari-Delite
Yuba City, CA
This former Dari-Delite now houses the Taqueria La Grande. [map]

former Dari-Delite
Redding, CA
This former Dari-Delite now houses Dude's Drive Inn. It was built in 1965. I have never seen a Dari-Delite with a canopy like this. [map]

Dari-Delite
Taft, CA
This Dari-Delite sign looks close to the original design for this chain. However, the building is entirely different from the others. [map]

Dari-Delite
(page 2)
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