Ramsey County Historical Society issued the following announcement.
Porky's, a drive-in restaurant at 1890 University Avenue with signature red and white checkered walls and a large neon sign of a smiling pig in a top hat, served its last burger and root beer float
on April 3, 2011. It was quite the scene that Sunday as people stood in line to get one last taste of the offerings that had been sold at 1890 University Avenue since 1953. Porky’s, the first fast food spot on the avenue, was started by Ray Truelson. Nora Truelson began working as a waitress in the restaurant in 1957, became Ray’s girlfriend, and later his wife and business partner.
Porky’s kept going while many other drive-ins shuttered their windows. When Ray died in 1994 Nora and her son carried on. A two-year long construction project made it hard for customers to get there and while profits dropped, the restaurant was still viable. The abutting senior housing program wanted to expand and offered the Truelsons a good offer for the land. Loyal customers and historical groups hoped to save the iconic structure. The building itself has been moved to an outdoor museum, but the family kept the neon sign, hinting that it could reappear in the future.
Thank you to Steve Trimble and Lost Twin Cities, YouTube, for this historical post.
Original source can be found here.
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