Local Restaurants and The Development of Apache Boulevard
The Development of Apache Boulevard and The Local Restaurants It Affected.
With its expansion, Arizona State University has gradually changed the surrounding community in Tempe, impacting local restaurants and businesses.
Apache Boulevard served as not only the main highway between Tempe and Mesa but as a major tourist route and spot for both locals and tourists to get a bite to eat. Following World War II, road side fruit stands, such as the Alma and Tempe, made local produce available to Tempe’s growing population. Restaurants, such as Chico’s and The Dash Inn, flourished serving tourists, locals, and Arizona State University students alike. In the 1980s, Pete’s Fish and Chips came to Apache and quickly became a local favorite. With the continued growth of Arizona State University, these local eats prospered, however, the University expanded its increasingly powerful influence over Apache Boulevard. This would eventually lead to the University taking over these popular restaurants to further increase Arizona State and its Tempe campus.
The Dash Inn popped up in the 1970s. Adjacent from an ever expanding Arizona State University, it had a laid back casual feel that went along with the 1970s culture, and this quickly made it a favorite with locals and ASU students. This generated lifelong memories for people who stopped in whether it was for a beer or for a meal. It also left its mark on the individuals who worked there. Fans of The Dash Inn created a Facebook page to recall these memories. Wes Gasele recalls, "I worked there in 1971. I was new in town, playing cards with some new friends across the street in the "Wigwam" motel, one of them said, "I thought you were going to look for a job . . ." So I went across the street where Hash was painting the Dash Inn with some workers and I said "I need a job." He said, "Can you start tomorrow?" I said, "Sure." So a total of 5 minutes had elapsed and I rejoined my card game and the girl says, "No luck, huh?" I said, "Yes, I start tomorrow.” He also stated how much the job meant to him, “I was sleeping in my car at the time, and the next day I was making $1.16 per hour washing dishes, and getting free food. I worked there from August 1971 to February 1974. My best job ever!” Although The Dash Inn and other local restaurants got taken over by an ever expanding Arizona State University, their memories and stories live on.
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