Interesting. The idea couldn't have lasted. I'm abaout as old as this commercial and I've never heard of Howard Johnson's frozen foods. In fact I didn't even know they were known in the restaurant business either.
I'm sorry but, along the Mass Pike, Burger King or Sbarro will never even come close to a visit to HoJo's. As far as I know it was the only chain to offer Indian Pudding (in the '50s and '60s), a New England dessert. And the clam chowder was almost as good as home-made.
HOJOS!!! HOJOS!!! Back in the '70s all the rest stops on the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) were Hojos, then almost all of them became Burger Kings (those that didn't became Sbarro). As kids, my sister and I used to go to Nantasket Beach in Hull MA, and near the end of the Nantasket strip there used to be a Hojos. We used to get ice cream there every time we went to the beach. Their ice cream ruled!
Cool. Only 2 or 3 original HOJO restaurants left. Loved their coconut ice cream. They tore down an original HOJO where I live (Florence, SC) last year..was a Chinese restaurant. I got an orange shingle (painted over with red) and the banner sign that had the town's name on it from the crew that was demolishing it.
In Bethesda MD we could drive up and order from the car. My favorite was the steak and cheese sandwich and chocolate milk shake. Oh! how I miss those days.
I worked the Howard Johnsons on the PA Turnpike Oakmont PA in the 70's- best job ever. When the Oil was fresh in the fryer, you couldn't beat those steamed clams!!!!
I just bought Howard Johnson's Marcaroni and Cheeze at the local IGA food store. First I tried the Micro wave directions and it really was awful. Then I made it the second time using the oven directions. It was just like I remembered it as a kid. I really was so happy to find it in the store. :O)
Thomas Toast-R-Cakes are not HoJo's. Fairfield Farm Kitchens facility in Brockton, Mass. (site of HoJo's original food processing plant) which produced both Corn and Blueberry Toastees as well as several other signature HoJo's frozen foods was closed the first week of December 2006. No word yet if another food maker will be licensed to make the Toastees, etc.
Interesting. The idea couldn't have lasted. I'm abaout as old as this commercial and I've never heard of Howard Johnson's frozen foods. In fact I didn't even know they were known in the restaurant business either.
Tiqerboy 1 month ago
I'm sorry but, along the Mass Pike, Burger King or Sbarro will never even come close to a visit to HoJo's. As far as I know it was the only chain to offer Indian Pudding (in the '50s and '60s), a New England dessert. And the clam chowder was almost as good as home-made.
7927jackpark 5 months ago
@7927jackpark you are so right!!!!!
cossack207 1 month ago
I remember this commercial, and I loved HOJO.
awaseniu 1 year ago
0:18 - Ron Howard?
MrLogoman007 1 year ago
HOJOS!!! HOJOS!!! Back in the '70s all the rest stops on the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) were Hojos, then almost all of them became Burger Kings (those that didn't became Sbarro). As kids, my sister and I used to go to Nantasket Beach in Hull MA, and near the end of the Nantasket strip there used to be a Hojos. We used to get ice cream there every time we went to the beach. Their ice cream ruled!
elc1960 1 year ago
Cool. Only 2 or 3 original HOJO restaurants left. Loved their coconut ice cream. They tore down an original HOJO where I live (Florence, SC) last year..was a Chinese restaurant. I got an orange shingle (painted over with red) and the banner sign that had the town's name on it from the crew that was demolishing it.
peterwulfy 2 years ago
In Bethesda MD we could drive up and order from the car. My favorite was the steak and cheese sandwich and chocolate milk shake. Oh! how I miss those days.
9aspengold5 2 years ago
I worked the Howard Johnsons on the PA Turnpike Oakmont PA in the 70's- best job ever. When the Oil was fresh in the fryer, you couldn't beat those steamed clams!!!!
Learned how to flip eggs right in the pan there!
theqman1956 2 years ago
At this time Jaques Pepin was designing the menu for HoJo
metrodash 3 years ago
Those shrimp croquettes with (I'm guessing) cream Sherry sauce look yummy, even on this film. It's too bad they had to stop a good thing.
1959AverellHarriman 3 years ago
Nothing tasted quite like the HoJo Mac & Cheese at the restaurant.
noahf67 3 years ago
You've got that right, I've never had Mac & Cheese that could match it.
mikestatic1 3 years ago
Thank you for posting. Howard Johnsons brings back memories.
roslundb 3 years ago
I just bought Howard Johnson's Marcaroni and Cheeze at the local IGA food store. First I tried the Micro wave directions and it really was awful. Then I made it the second time using the oven directions. It was just like I remembered it as a kid. I really was so happy to find it in the store. :O)
OsbornTramain 4 years ago
I miss Howard Johnson's frozen catfish dinner! Thanks for posting this!
AuntBarbara 4 years ago
Thomas Toast-R-Cakes are not HoJo's. Fairfield Farm Kitchens facility in Brockton, Mass. (site of HoJo's original food processing plant) which produced both Corn and Blueberry Toastees as well as several other signature HoJo's frozen foods was closed the first week of December 2006. No word yet if another food maker will be licensed to make the Toastees, etc.
28flavors 5 years ago
Are Howard Johnson's Toastee's still made under the Thomas Toast-R-Cakes brand?
heine71 5 years ago