If you grew up in Southern California in the 1950s and 60s you would remember Oscar’s Drive-In, famous for its massive malts and doubledeck hamburgers. At one time there were about 15 outlets and servers on rollerskates would bring food to your car. This marvelous menu cover is from the Oscar’s in San Diego which had two outlets at El Cajon Blvd and 10^th Avenue in Coronado.

There are some great black and white photographs on the internet showing Oscar’s Drive-ins and the one at El Cajon Blvd had candy striped awnings and - we’ve no idea why - a parade of elephants embossed on the entrance wall. Apparently, locals nicknamed it the ‘circus’ due to the animal posters inside and out.

Oscar Soledad, a former chief of police of the town of Santa Cruz, was the founder of Oscar’s along with his partner Stephen Ashley.

Soledad went on to establish the Jack in the Box chain of burger joints. 

We believe this menu is from the 1940s when an Oscar’s doubledeck hamburger cost 25c or 30s with cheese. And the malts and milk shakes, described as 'a new taste thrill so thick you eat it with a spoon,' was 25c.