A Dick's, in Bellevue?

Today the local drive-in master is Seattle-centric with locations in Ballard, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Lake City, and of course, Capitol Hill. But there was a time when you could get a Dick's Deluxe and a kick-ass chocolate shake on the Eastside.

Dick and I chatted recently about his quest to get citizens more involved in local government. But I couldn't help but get in a couple questions about the history of my favorite burger joint. He told me that he opened a shop in downtown Bellevue in the mid 1960s, but shuttered it in the early 1970s-- chased out by a city rule that you had to have inside seating to operate. He took the money from the sale, and ironically, opened his only restaurant with inside seats at the foot of Queen Anne Hill. (A location he says that's always netted less than the rest.) Dick says he decided long ago, no more inside seating. He resolved to go for what they do best: the walk-up burger.

And it's served them well. Too bad Bellevue.  

Read more about Dick's citizen councilor initiative here. Sign up at fastforum@mac.com.