HOWARD JOHNSON'S RESTAURANT
LAKE GEORGE, NY
NOW OPEN FOR THE 2008 SEASON !!!!
The dish that made HO JO's famous. Tendersweet Fried Clams still on the menu at the Lake George Howard Johnsons Restaurant. The HJ opened for the season on May 17th. Above photos taken on May 24, 2008.
Located at 2143 Route 9 in Lake George, this Howard Johnsons restaurant is probably the very last to have a good portion of original Howard Johnsons "artifacts". From its orange roof, SS & P weathervane, to some of the table settings, this Howard Johnsons is a classic piece of the by-gone days of America, before "fast food" destroyed our eating pleasure.
At one time, Howard Johnson's Restaurants numbered over 1000 in the United States, and by 1965, HJ had sales that were more than McDonalds, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken; COMBINED!
That once proud chain now consists of only three restaurants in the world. Lake Placid NY, Lake George NY, and Bangor ME, are the only HJ Restaurants left.
Below, you will find some photos of the Lake George Howard Johnson's restaurant. It is run by William A. DeSantis. The DeSantis family at one time, operated several Howard Johnson's restaurants in New York State, including South Glens Falls, Glens Falls, Clifton Park, Herkimer, and Oswego.
The Lake George Howard Johnson's restaurant, the oldest operating HJ restaurant anywhere, opened in 1952, and is open only during the tourist season, usually from the end of May through October. The schedule varies slightly from year to year.
This HJ, does not have its own web site, so as a fan of HJ, and a frequent visitor to this HJ, I am sharing these photos that I have taken.
When in the area, please stop in and visit this this HJ. The food is great, the staff very friendly, and it is a piece of Americana that is worth the trip. It is located on Rt 9 in Lake George.
Steven LJ Russo, owner of this web site; http://www.look-to-the-skies.com
Located at 2143 Rt. 9 in Lake George. Exit 21 off of I 87. The orange roof is still partially intact, complete with weathervane. Photos June 2006.
Photos taken on May 24, 2008.
Photos Taken on May 24, 2008.
A "mural" in the dining room of the Lake George area shows the location of the Howard Johnson's Restaurant. Photos June 2006.
Another room has a metal SS & P attached to the wall. In another dining area, a SS & P logo etched in glass. Photos June 2006.
Photos taken on May 24, 2008.
For more about the HJ in Lake George, go to: http://www.highwayhost.org/New%20York/Restaurants/LakeGeorge/lakegeorge1.html
For an in depth look at all the HJ's that were once in the United States, go to: America's Landmark under the Orange Roof.
For more HJ information, and breaking news about the Howard Johnson's Restaurant chain, go to: http://hojoland.homestead.com/index.html