Steak ‘n Shake coming to Tiger Town. Jack’s coming back to S. College. Auburn’s classic burger joint revival is nigh…
But Jack’s appeal to once-upon-the-Plains nostalgia might be lost on certain Auburn alumni who may remember the Birmingham-based fast food franchise’s first expansion into Auburn in the fall of 1965 not for the cheap thrill of 15 cent hamburgers, or those adorable, fully transistorized tiger radios — perfect “for the girl friend” — but as a violent threat to their way of life.
For starters, Jack Cadell — THE Jack— was tearing down the “green house” on the corner of Thach and College, a local wood-built landmark built by 88-years earlier by John Hodges Drake, Auburn’s first campus physician 88-years earlier, and a “metal and glass hamburger establishment” was just too close to comfort for one fraternity who feared litter from the place — apparently “Mad Men” got it right — would cramp its style.
For another fraternity, the Phi Delts, the concern wasn’t litter but light pollution from customers’ head lights.
Even Auburn’s drama department was causing drama, contending the hum of the hungry traffic would drown out the plays in the theater across the street.
But worst of all? The thing was going to be red and white. RED AND WHITE. I mean, they were practically begging vandals to wreak $1,000 worth of havoc on its plumbing system and to burn the “Jack’s Hamburgers Coming Soon” sign to the ground. And they did.
Thankfully, Auburn students put down their Molotov cocktails long enough to sign a petition of protest that was presented to Jack, who according to The Plainsman “compromised with the student group by adopting a policy pledging to hire a full-time cleanup man to curtail any mounting litter problem, erect a fence to keep car lights from shining in the Phi Delts’ faces, and “alter” the colors to match those of the University across the street,” as opposed to the university across the state.
¡Viva Auburn Revolución!
Related: Loveliest Fast Food Joints of The Plain: Bill Holbrook vs. McAuburn (1978).
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Best sausage and gravy biscuits.
There was a burger joint called Olly’s Trolly (across from jacks) that was pretty good. Put some sort of dry rub them. Cartoon like train themed burger joint.
I fondly remember the case of food poisoning I got there as a student. Was in the infirmary for 2 days.
This is one of the “events” of my time at Auburn. I proudly signed the petition against all the red and white while inwardly hoping for one perfect sinkhole to appear.
War Eagle!!
What a tragedy that this hard working man has to pander to those idiots. Hey america, someone doing things the way they want to isnt infringing on your quality of life. I would have liked to see him shoot those brats.
What about the re’d and white of the Target in downtown?