If this was 1966, here are some of the choices that were available to you back on June 10th of that year as seen on the Journal's entertainment page. Of course, I have to feature this ad for Sandy's, featuring my favorite lassie, Miss Sandy. Sandy's Hamburgers still symbolizes the Lorain of my youth, although hardly anyone remembers the small national burger chain any more.
Other 'fast food' choices included Chicken Delight (remember, no Kentucky Fried Chicken in Lorain yet at that time) and local favorite Mister S. I guess everyone was thinking of chicken back then.Friday, June 12, 2026
Lorain Entertainment Page Ads – June 10, 1966
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Journal Business and Industrial Review Page – March 16, 1970
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| Detail from a Squires Construction Co. ad |
The particular page below ran in the Journal on March 16, 1970.
It's interesting to me for several reasons. Being a big fan of Sandy's Hamburgers, it's nice to see the big, gaudy sign with Miss Sandy on it. There's an ad for Chuck's Rock & Pet Shop (where my parents bought me my pet hamster) which was located in the Beulah Beach community. And there's an ad for Burge Building & Roofing, who did some fire damage repair work in my house on Nebraska Avenue in the 1990s.Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Sandy's Grand Opening – June 18, 1965
Sixty years ago today, Sandy's Hamburgers celebrated the Grand Opening of the Meister Road restaurant that was part of the Lorain Plaza shopping center. Above is the large ad that ran in the Journal on June 17, 1965.
Friday, March 29, 2024
Battle of the Good Friday Fish Sandwiches – March 30, 1972
As noted on Christianity.com, "Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the Christian day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary.
"On Good Friday, we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins."
As it is a Friday (Good or otherwise), that means no meat for Catholics. And back on Good Friday in March 1972, that provided an opportunity for two of the lesser fast food giants in Lorain to promote their own fish sandwich special and hopefully reel in some customers.
First up is my sentimental favorite: Sandy's. Sandy's offered its fish sandwich for a thrifty 25 cents each or 4 for a dollar. Here's the Journal ad that ran on March 30, 1972.
In case Sandy's didn't hook enough customers with its fish sandwich special, the restaurant chain reminded kids to stop in on Saturday for a free Easter egg give away.
Right next to the Sandy's ad in the same edition of the Journal was this ad for Burger Chef.
Burger Chef (seen in one episode of Mad Men) aimed a little higher creatively – naming its sandwich "Skipper's Treat™" and utilizing some maritime graphics. Unfortunately, its sandwiches were 3 for a dollar – possibly scuttling its hopes of torpedoing Sandy's promotion.Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Sandy's Becomes Hardees – May 1973
But all good things come to an end. Seemingly after only a few years in Lorain, Sandy's was taken over by Hardee's – and it just wasn't the same.
Maybe it was the loss of Sandy's cute Scottish lassie with the tam o'shanter, which lent a friendly face to the proceedings. Or perhaps it was the name change. "Sandy's" sounds much more friendly and personal than the nondescript "Hardee's."
Nevertheless, the change happened – and here's how the company notified the customers in the Lorain area. The ad below appeared in the Journal on May 3, 1973.
It's a clever ad. But charco-broiled or not, the burgers didn't taste the same – or as good, at least to me.Friday, January 21, 2022
Sandy’s Ad – Jan. 17, 1972
Above is one of those ads masquerading as an article that appeared in the Journal’s business section. It appeared in the paper back on January 17, 1972. It features a nice photograph of Sandy’s manager Larry Rounds and veteran counter waitress Opal Roark. They both worked at the restaurant on Meister Road.
Strangely, the article makes no mention of the fact that Hardees had bought all of Sandy’s stock in late November 1971. I guess that’s because the original intention was that the two hamburger chains would maintain their own brands. But as we know, that wasn’t the case, and the Sandy’s name would soon disappear – and be largely forgotten fifty years later.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Sandy’s Souvenir Glass – Nov. 1971
Above is the ad that ran in the Journal on Nov. 17, 1971.
It’s appropriate that the glass is referred to as a souvenir, because the Sandy’s era of the hamburger chain was winding down and soon the Hardee’s name would replace it.
According to this Wiki page, “On November 30, 1971, a Hardee’s purchase of all of Sandy’s stock was announced, and Sandy’s plaid berets were soon to be seen no more.” As originally planned, the Sandy’s restaurants were supposed to retain their own identity, but they eventually were all converted to the Hardee’s brand.
I never felt the same way about Hardee’s as I did about Sandy’s. Chalk it up to the Scottish lassie, I guess.
By the time Hardee’s took over a year or so later, McDonald’s and Burger King already had a strong presence in Lorain County. Their national advertising campaigns helped them to completely overshadow the smaller burger chain.
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Unlike the small glasses with the original blonde Sandy’s lassie, the souvenir plastic cups with the brunette version mentioned are much harder to find. But a few exist today and found their way online. There are a couple on eBay right now.
Friday, June 25, 2021
Sandy’s on E. 42nd St. Grand Opening – June 27, 1968
Sandy’s has been a favorite topic on this blog since the beginning, although it seems that there are very few people who remember the long-gone hamburger chain that had outlets in Lorain and Elyria during the 1960s and early 70s.
It really wasn’t around that long before it was gobbled up by Hardee’s in 1973.
But there was something about Sandy’s that made it special. Was it Miss Sandy, the winsome Scottish lassie mascot, who often appeared in person at the store openings? Was it the Scottish theme, which gave the restaurant a unique ethnic heritage? Or perhaps it was the name ‘Sandy’s’ itself, which gives one the impression of a single owner and personalized service?
Or was it the food? I remember it tasting pretty much like McDonalds, which makes sense since the chain was started by ex-McDonald executives.
Anyway, I covered the Grand Openings of the Elyria Cleveland Street location (1962) here, and the Lorain Meister Road location (1965) here. So in the interest of being complete, here’s the Grand Opening ad for the South Lorain location. It ran in the Lorain Journal back on June 27, 1968.
As you can see, back then a key ingredient in the fast food business was the emphasis on fun. There were eight Sony transistor radios given away, balloons and even free Miss Sandy glasses. There are a few of these glasses on eBay right now; here’s one of them.
Speaking of Miss Sandy, she made a personal appearance at the Grand Opening festivities of the E. 42nd Street location on all three days. The ad even revealed who she was – sort of. Under the words ‘MISS SANDY” are the tiny words: FORMERLY MISS SANDUSKY.Friday, August 14, 2020
Sandy’s Fish Sandwich Ad – August 1966
I believe the American Slovak Club is still holding its well-known fish fry dinners, with an expanded carry-out menu available. Here are the links to its website and Facebook page.
For those of you that haven’t lived in Lorain for a long time, you might be surprised that the city still has a Long John Silver’s on Cooper Foster Park Road. It’s a real survivor, having been there since at least the late 1970s. I’ve carried out dinner from there a few times in the last couple of months, and the food (including the hush puppies) is as good as ever. I’m also happy to note that the previously crater-filled parking lot was recently repaved.
Anyway, back in August 1966, a fish sandwich advertised as ’the hottest and largest’ in town was available at Sandy’s in Lorain and Elyria. The ad above appeared in the Lorain Journal on August 5, 1966.
It always amuses me to see cartoon ad mascots promoting the consumption of their own kind. I guess this one was only following orders, seeing as he's dressed as a Sandy’s employee.
I guess the ad was a mild dig at arch-rival McDonald’s and its Filet O’ Fish Sandwich.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Sandy’s E. 42nd St. Article – March 16, 1970
Regular reader and commenter Todd, who worked at the Journal, pointed out that the section was called the “Business & Industry” pages. As Todd noted in his comment, "The advertiser would sign a separate advertising contract that was for 20 weeks that included a business card size ad every week and 4-5 stories/photos over the contract period. If I remember correctly, these pages ran on Mondays.
"We had a fellow on our ad staff that would go out and interview the store owners and take the photos.
"This section was very popular while I was employed there in the 80s and 90s; however, I'm not sure when it officially began or ended.”
Anyway, the stories were very well-written and provide a nice snapshot of various local businesses during that time period.
And here’s another one from that same March 1970 time frame. It’s about Sandy’s and its chicken. This time, however, it’s the outlet out in South Lorain on E. 42nd Street off State Route 57. (Got to give it equal time, you know.)
Friday, February 21, 2020
Feb. 1970 – Sandy Goes Back to Blonde
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| Sandy circa 1965 |
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| Sandy circa 1968 |
Anyway, when the Sandy's chain started out in the 1960s, Sandy was a winsome blonde. But at some point, the decision was made to make her a brunette. Maybe it was in the interest of realism.
That's the new Sandy at right. Why does she remind me of Elizabeth Montgomery – another blonde?
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Sandy's Gets a Chicken Sandwich – January 1970
Popeyes rolled out their chicken sandwich in August, only to run out of chicken a few weeks later and remove the item from its menu. When the chain returned the popular sandwich to its menu in October, it did it on a Sunday, needling Chick-fil-A (whose restaurants are closed on the Sabbath). And McDonald's is reportedly working on a new crispy chicken sandwich.
Anyway, it seems like a lot of clucking over a fast food item that's been around for a long time.
Sandy's, the Scottish-themed fast food restaurant chain, launched its own chicken sandwich locally back in January 1970, as noted in the advertisement below. It appeared in the Journal back on January 5, 1970.
Anyway, I personally think the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich is superior to the others. Why? It usually arrives hot and juicy in its little foil wrapper; the pickles are a nice touch and the sandwich is priced just right. Plus you get the famous Chick-fil-A courteous service (as opposed to the disinterested service you get at many other fast food joints with the exception of Taco Bell).
But I’ve also eaten and enjoyed the Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich for years too. To each his own, I guess.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Christmas Ads – 1968
I'll start off with – what else? – two Christmas Club ads, this time for the City Bank Company. Like the ads I posted for Central Bank and Elyria Savings & Trust, these feature jolly old St. Nick as well. Here's the one that ran on December 8, 1968.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
New Sandy’s sign – June 17, 1968
Regular blog reader Lisa left a comment on that post, recalling that the restaurant sign with the likeness of “Sandy” used to slowly twirl around, simulating a Scottish dance.
Well, Lisa has a good memory.
Above is a photo of the sign in front of the Lorain Meister Road outlet that accompanied a promotional article in the business pages of the June 17, 1968 Lorain Journal. The article noted, “Ray Voit, manager, is particularly proud of the new Sandy’s sign in front of the restaurant which is decorated with American flags, American beauty roses and evergreen shrubbery."
It’s kind of cool seeing that Sandy's sign again, and the Pure gas station next door. It’s such a familiar site if you grew up in that part of Lorain, like I did.
Here’s a 1955 view of that same Pure gas station, when it was all alone on Oberlin Avenue.
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Elyria Sandy’s Opens – May 1962
Anyway, the article below from the same edition of the Chronicle-Telegram of May 18, 1962 tells the story of the Elyria store.
The new Thrift and Swift Drive-In restaurant will have its official grand opening Sunday.
The new business, located at 443 Cleveland, is operated by the Thrift and Swift chain, which has 47 other drive-ins in the country.
“Miss Sandy,” a beauty queen, will be in charge of the affair which will feature the Oberlin College Scotch Bagpipers.
“Miss Sandy” is the chain Trademark. The company’s headquarters are in Kewanee, Ill.
The modernistic building is constructed on a lot just east of Olive St. on the south side of Cleveland St. with a frontage of 165 feet. Maximum depth of the lot is 250 feet.
The restaurant’s chief attraction will be its 15-cent hamburger, manager Phil Lunt says. There are three self-serving windows and the drive-in will be open from 11 a. m. to midnight weekdays and until 1 a. m. Fridays and Saturdays.
There is room for 60 cars on the large, asphalt parking lot. The restaurant will employ between 20 and 25 persons.
Ceramic tiling decorates the exterior with Douglas fir pylons supporting the roof. Cooking equipment is all modern.
Andrew Allan, Jr., 807 Washington Ave., was the general contractor for the building.
The chain is operated by the Northeast Ohio Co. of which Robert Meeder, Mansfield, is president. Richard Fowler is secretary-treasurer. Lou Wenger, Mansfield; Henry Huber, Mansfield; Dr. John Dawe, Wooster; Dr.Charles McAlister, Wooster, and Robert Weaver, Mansfield, are board members.
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| (Courtesy Google Maps) |
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Clash of the Burger Titans
Since Sandy’s was so close to where we lived, it was the hamburger chain that my family patronized –although it was a rare treat. The nearest McDonald’s was down on West Erie Avenue, and consequently we only caught a glimpse of it on the way to Lakeview Park. (We never passed it when we went to Vermilion, as we always took the short cut via W. 21st Street.)
Since the McDonald’s on West Erie Avenue had opened in June 1960, however, it had a five year head start in Lorain on Sandy’s, which had some catching up to do.
Thus it’s not too surprising to see the section of the restaurants page of the June 24, 1965 Lorain Journal above. Note the ads of the two strange burger bedfellows, right next to each other: recently-opened Sandy’s (with its large ad featuring the winsome Miss Sandy) and McDonald’s (with the now forgotten, bizarre Archy McDonald in a puny ad).
Despite the sex appeal of Miss Sandy, however, McDonald’s eventually won the battle – conquering Hardee’s (the successor of Sandy’s) and even taking over the chain’s location on Meister Road. Today, only a few grizzled local Baby Boomers (like me) even remember that Sandy’s was ever there.
But hold on to your french fries – there’s a rematch of sorts about to happen.
A Hardee’s is planned for Avon as part of a proposed Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores truck stop complex on Chester Road. Its neighbor? None other than McDonald’s.
Finally, be sure to visit the RoadsideArchitecture.com website, which includes a page devoted entirely to former Sandy's restaurants!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sandy Claus - 1969
The gone but not fogotten Sandy's hamburger chain (which I first profiled back here in a multi-part series) did a nice marketing campaign during Christmas 1969. The ad above ran in the Journal on December 4, 1969 and introduced the promotion: 3 sleds that were going to be given away at both the west side (Oberlin Avenue and Meister) and the south side (E. 42nd Street) locations.
The cartoon carolers in the ad are a bit unusual: all male, and the one in the middle looks strangely like a Russian czar.
As you can see, by this time Sandy's had replaced the original full-body dancing blonde lassie logo with the brunette 'head only' version. I never understood why they did that, especially since the blonde was on the twirling signs.
Anyway, this ad was followed by another ad on Thursday, December 11, with a nice touch: a Scottish 'Sandy Claus'.
An article in the business section on Monday, December 15 (below) gave some more information on the promotion and listed the first winner.
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Sandy's Has Santa, Sleds and Sandwiches
Lyle Olson, manager of Sandy's Restaurant on E. 42nd Street across from Southview High School, and all his fine staff of lads and lassies wish one and all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.
To help keep the holiday spirit in the minds of customers this Christmas season, Olson has been giving away sleds to the luckiest of his sandwich munchers. The first of Olson's hamburger and milk shake fans to win a sled was Robert Gou, of 4225 Camden Ave., Lorain. To be a lucky winner no purchase is necessary – just stop in at Sandy's and register. Another sled will be given away next Saturday, Olson said, adding that Santa Claus made his stop at Sandy's recently with candy for the kids.
But there's another reason to make Sandy's your stop during the holiday season and that's for a rest and refreshment break during those long shopping trips. Wash down a tasty hamburger, cheeseburger or even a Great Scot with a thick fresh milkshake or other beverage and you'll be ready to hit the trail again with renewed zip.
Sandy's has a secret about the way they prepare their foods for the best in freshness and taste. But the raw materials – the ingredients – are so important to good flavor that they don't keep it secret about where they buy their stuff. "It's high quality ingredients," Olson said, "that give us the best possible start on flavor. We buy Oberlin Farms Shake Mix and milk products and get quality ground beef and pork from C. H. Gundlach & Sons Packing Co., Sandusky. They are also the suppliers for the Meister Road restaurant.
Olson and his Sandy's Southview staff keep the restaurant dining area and kitchen spotless so you can eat the best food in a bright, clean place. Eat either at a table in the restaurant or carry out an order for eating in your car or at home. And keep watching for Sandy's chicken. As soon as equipment is delivered and installed, it will be here, Olson said.

















































