What ever happened to Mabel's in Ellensburg?

[scirocco22]

Never did get any responses when I asked the question over there on C-D so if anybody joining this discussion in the future knows the answers to what I'm asking, please comment.

During the 1970s when I was going to school in Ellensburg Washington, we used to take "study breaks" in the evening. There were a variety of places we used to eat at but one of them that sticks in my mind was Mabel's (Cafe<?>). They used to make this concoction call a "Mabel's burger" which at the time we thought was delicious. Looking at it in hindsight, I'm sure it would be extremely unhealthy and would be a flop for a diner to serve it in this day and age.

From what I can remember, it consisted of an open faced hamburger (on a bun) with onions and hash browns covered in brown gravy. No, not a healthy thought but, man, to us at the time, it sure was "good eatin'!"

Does anybody remember this place? Who was Mabel? What happened to her? Is she still around?

--'rocco

[MyAzi]

Sorry Rocco...before my WA time. Never heard of it.

[the dufferz]

Dude! You are old!!!!!

just kidding.

My family would drive through there on the way to spokane, but we never stopped. My "time" in the town was in the late 80's to early 90's. I don't remember this place. There was a burger place to the east of the university, godfathers pizza to the west. I think I remember a perkins, or another denny's like restaurant at the main intersection.

I remember your question over "there" it was in the "best hole in the wall restaurants" thread, and I so wished I could answer that for you.

Let's see, who was it that started that thread. Oh, that was that dufferz guy.

[scirocco22]

Well yeeeeah! to coin a phrase: I'm ridiculously old --too! Older than dirt, as many say.

Yup, it was your old thread over there, duff. At least you still have a good memory. When ya get as old as I am, it starts to go pretty fast!

I'm just trying to diligently do as suggested and see if we can conjure up some interest and get some tags for search engines to direct folks over here.

But yeah, Mabel's was on the old highway coming into town from the west so you'd pass right by it coming from Seattle. Man, I think this might have been even before the freeway was built. No, i think I do remember the freeway being there ...it seems, anyway. Ack, no memory again!

--'rocco

[the dufferz]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

Well yeeeeah! to coin a phrase: I'm ridiculously old --too! Older than dirt, as many say.

Yup, it was your old thread over there, duff. At least you still have a good memory. When ya get as old as I am, it starts to go pretty fast!

I'm just trying to diligently do as suggested and see if we can conjure up some interest and get some tags for search engines to direct folks over here.

But yeah, Mabel's was on the old highway coming into town from the west so you'd pass right by it coming from Seattle. Man, I think this might have been even before the freeway was built. No, i think I do remember the freeway being there ...it seems, anyway. Ack, no memory again!

--'rocco

Was it close to the thunderbird motel? as you come into town, was it on the right side of the road?

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by the dufferz

Was it close to the thunderbird motel? as you come into town, was it on the right side of the road?

From what I can remember, it was about a block or two west of the Thunderbird and on the same side of the street.

--'rocco

[jabm67]

Sorry, can't help with this one. Ellensburg tends to be a place I drive past, not into.

Barely relevant to this thread, though, is to note that the Blue Grouse closed, about a year ago. It was a decent sit-down restaurant on the western of the two Ellensburg exchanges on I-90. It was also the place where I saw my father alive for the last time, though neither of us knew it at the time.

[MyAzi]

We always stop and get coffee at that little coffee house that I can't remember that name of. Stop at Perkins to eat every now and then and there is a little store there I like to go in. But other than that I haven't really explored Ellensburg yet.

[the dufferz]

Originally Posted by jabm67

Sorry, can't help with this one. Ellensburg tends to be a place I drive past, not into.

Barely relevant to this thread, though, is to note that the Blue Grouse closed, about a year ago. It was a decent sit-down restaurant on the western of the two Ellensburg exchanges on I-90. It was also the place where I saw my father alive for the last time, though neither of us knew it at the time.

Can you believe that? That was my favorite place to eat, good salad bar, decent food, prices good. Did not know it was closed and drove from Cle-Elum to E-B just to eat there. I was sad about that, but then we found the Ellensburg Pasta Company. Yum!

[the dufferz]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

From what I can remember, it was about a block or two west of the Thunderbird and on the same side of the street.

--'rocco

rocco, next time I jump over "the hump' I will look to see if there are any signs of the restaurant. Most places west of the Thunderbird are history, including many of he buildings. But you never know, maybe a sign or somethings still around...

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by the dufferz

rocco, next time I jump over "the hump' I will look to see if there are any signs of the restaurant. Most places west of the Thunderbird are history, including many of he buildings. But you never know, maybe a sign or somethings still around...

hey, thanx duff. That'll be great. I appreciate that.

--'rocco