A total of $5.5 million in grants to 125 different restaurants across the country have benefited from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express’ “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” program, which began in 2021. Westside Drive In is the first grantee located in Idaho and was chosen out of more than 580 applications in the United States.
In addition to the grant, Resy is offering grant winners complimentary use of Resy OS, its restaurant management software, for one year, to help streamline costs and boost restaurant operations.
Natalie Woodward, associate manager of the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program shared that in the last four years, the organization has been able to help preserve and support historic small restaurants that are deeply woven into the fabric of the communities in which the businesses are located, many of those serving as cultural landmarks or telling the story of the neighborhoods.
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“Westside Drive In in Idaho was awarded a grant due to its rich history and significant cultural impact on the community,” she explained. “The restaurant’s commitment to preserving its original charm, while continuously adapting to serve its community, made it a standout candidate for the grant. This funding will help ensure that Westside Drive In can continue to be a vibrant part of Idaho’s culinary heritage for years to come.”
Chef Lou Aaron, who purchased the restaurant 30 years ago, said that the history of the business dates to the early 1920s when it was at the corner of 21st and State Streets and called Westside Grocery store. In 1957, it was converted to a drive-in and many of the wood panels from the grocery store were used during that conversion. Ten years later, the drive-in moved southeast where it has been ever since, and in 2012 a second Westside Drive In location was opened on Park Center Boulevard.
As for what makes it unique, Aaron said that it’s the only drive-in with a chef. The restaurant specializes in made-from-scratch sauces, stocks, soups, house-roasted meats, homemade lasagna, meatballs and meatloaf. The restaurant is also famous for the Idaho Ice Cream Potato, prime rib, finger steaks and The Monte Cristo. The restaurant has been the recipient of many awards over the years, and its recipes have been featured in two national cookbooks and in 2009, it was featured on the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”
“In January, a customer emailed me about the grant and thought we would be a great candidate,” Aaron said. “It was a long application that I filled out describing every aspect of our business, the history of it and the plans moving forward.”
Westside Drive In was converted to a drive-in restaurant in 1957, around 30 years after it began as a grocery store, and moved locations. (PHOTO: COURTESY OF WESTSIDE DRIVE IN)
When Aaron and the team learned that Westside Drive In was the recipient of the grant, there was a lot of excitement around how they could upgrade, update and grow their physical place of business.
“We want to build an enclosed patio in the front of the drive-in without losing the iconic feel and look of the 1950s,” he said. “Building this enclosure will help increase sales exponentially during the winter months November to March.”
Looking ahead, Aaron plans to retire and turn ownership over to his son and daughter, who are already working in both locations full-time.
“The stories that have emerged from this program stories of resilience, innovation and community connection have been truly inspiring,” Woodward said. “These restaurants have weathered significant challenges, from economic downturns to natural disasters, and the grant has helped them continue their legacy.”
The Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program is set to return in 2025 and more Idaho restaurants are encouraged to apply. Details about how to apply will be available at https://savingplaces.org/historicrestaurant s in March of next year.
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