"If it's not your mother, it must be Howard Johnson's"

[AlexisAlways1]

I am watching a comedy special on HBO and Rita Rudner used this slogan it her bit. She said she wasn't kidding about their slogan, but I had to check it out. Never stayed at a Howard Johnson's Hotel/Motel. Stange slogan

[TammiWayKewl]

The kiddie menus often had puzzles, games, and fairy and folk tales. I can remember the kids' menu items like Plymouth Rocky, Spreadie Freddie, Twisty, Big Chief Beef, Lunar Patti, Fearless Fido, and my all-time favorite, Super Sailor. They'd also bring out ice cream and cake for those having birthdays, and in the lobby, they sold candy bars, and cute stuffed animals. I visited the original orange roof ones, the house design ones, and brick ones that didn't have the orange roofs.

[Drivermatic]

Pretty sure that the anouncer at the end of the ad is the voice of Ken Nordines

[ridrid96]

I miss Howard Johnsons too ! There was one in Exton PA not far from where I lived.The hot dogs I remember.

[RichHartley1970]

On the "Next stop" ads, they called it a "...grilled and buttered frankfurt on a toasted roll." I had never heard of hot dogs called frankfurts. Did they say that when you were brought up in Exton? Because I'm wondering whether it is a regional reference or not. I had parents brought up in the midwest who always referred to them as "hot dogs." I suppose as well they could be called "weiner wursts" but that I've heard not so frequently.

[ridrid96]

I can't quite remember as I was 6 or 7 years old at the time. I always called them hotdogs. I have seen the same ad as well and I know in NYC there called "frankfurters" and some places there called "franks" for short but the Howard Johnson ad is the only place I have every heard them called "frankfurts". They came in their own little box and they were tasty!

AAWW memories!

[Drivermatic]

It;s a New England reference. Remember Howard Johnson's started in Massachusetts. Frankforts are also served on special New England style roll that allow for grilling the hot dog while its in the roll

[peterproscia]

Perfect! I miss Hojo's, especially the All You Can Eat Clam night! Sadly, Marriot bought them and then destroyed this piece of Americana. Sad.

[rockhopper10r]

That's Florence Stanley, a wonderful character actress best known for her sitcom work (_Fish_, _My Two Dads_), playing the mother.

[lonestarrooster]

Excellent! I distinctly remember the ending tagline, "...it must be Howard Johnson's," from when I was 6 or 7 years old.