Davidson is Home to More Than Education-The Soda Shop is your First Stop!
You don’t have to be a professor.
The locals around these parts know where to go if you’re looking for a sweet treat, have a craving for your favorite flavored soda pop or just want to grab a great lunch. The place to go is The Soda Shop right on Main Street across from Davidson College. I worked up quite an appetite from my shopping adventures along Main. I like to visit Davidson to explore the many unique shops as well as visit the library. The small town has a cool vibe and college students are generally buzzing all around, so it feels busy but at the same time it’s laid back.
For some folks it’s a step back in time.
I could visualize girls in poodle skirts and boys with slicked back hair laughing and sipping tall malts at the counter while Wolfman Jack could be heard by passing Ford Thunderbirds outside. At least this is how I always see this sort of place on TV and in the fifties’ movies.
“The Soda Shoppe” opened in 1951. It has been a favorite for locals, students, and visitors alike ever since. With its nostalgic checkered floor, round counter stools at the bar and its soda fountain with endless flavor selections, it’s truly a fun place to share good times and good food.
So many Flavors …
I think I said it out loud, yes, so many flavors to choose from and so many types of flavored treats to pick from. I finally decided on a peach malt and a chili cheese dog with potato salad! After all, you almost must have grilled something in a place like this right?
I even got the nod of approval from a friendly chap a few bar stools next to me, when he said his grandson loves the French fries. I’ll go for the fries next time I said as I was completely enjoying the homemade potato salad and trying to eat this hot messy dripping chili cheese dog in the most lady like way possible. That takes not just practice, but lots of napkins.
Grandpas like it here too!
I learned as I struck up a friendly chat with my new friend, Mr. Clark, that he and his grandson come here quite often. Tim Clark shared that he comes here frequently and loves having fun and hanging out here with his grandson especially since they both have favorites on the menu. It’s one of his cherished routines and his grandson is always excited when he knows they are coming here. How sweet! Mr. Clark and I swapped a few foodie stories and talked about how great being a grandparent was. It was like we were old friends. I heard that loud hollow straw slurp noise indicating my peach malt was gone. It was my cue to get back to my workday and say goodbyes to my new friends. Wow, it already felt nostalgic, and it was only my first visit! I guess it’s just that kind of place; you can never get tired of shakes, French fries and making friends!
Review, video and photos by Debbie Amyotte
Debbie Amyotte is a self-proclaimed “Giant FOODIE”. She loves everything about food from fine dining to hidden gems that only the locals know about. Traveling is a big passion and she has visited about 30% of the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. Grami to two awesome grandkids she visits them as much as she can. Sundays at her house, are meant for two things: church and football!
She is active in the community as a Rotary member, the organizer for Ladies Luv Adventures in Lake Norman, and she hosts a monthly mystery book club called A Good Night for Murder.
Her professional life includes being a travel agent for Travel Bee Adventures, and a local, independent, contracted pet sitter — caring and understanding special pet needs. Contact Debbie by email, [email protected].
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