Gordy's Drive In
- Joseph Perry
- Aug 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 5
The heart of Whitefish used to beat through a drive-in burger joint nestled at the base of the old viaduct. Read the stories of GVA burgers, potato salad, and young love.
Gordy’s Drive-In was more than just a place to grab a burger; it was a cornerstone of Whitefish. For decades, it served as the social hub for Whitefish. Teenagers killed time there after school, families pulled in for a quick dinner, and friends caught up on the latest gossip while they waited for their shakes. Our town’s history is rich with stories about this iconic spot, from its famous menu items to the colorful characters who made it a legend.
Gordy’s was located at the south foot of the viaduct, where Markus Foods sits today. It was the kind of place where you could always find a bite to eat, catch up with a friend, and get into some trouble (if that's what you were looking for!). Henry and Bonnie DeVall took $6,000 and built Gordy's in 1954, naming it after their son, Gordon DeVall. Rumor has it that Gordy was not happy to have the restaurant named after him, although he eventually came around and ran it from 1968 to 1978.
(An earlier version of this blog incorrectly listed the location as where the O'Shaughnessy Center is today. Thanks to everyone who reached out to point out the error. The researcher, who is a young buck and never had the pleasure of visiting Gordy's, read "at the South foot of the viaduct" in an old newspaper ad and misinterpreted it. Thanks for keeping honest and making sure Whitefish history is accurate!)
The Potato Salad Wars
The food at Gordy’s was what kept people coming back. We hear tales of people stealing the coffee cups and silverware, which speaks to a certain kind of appreciation. The menu boasted classic fare, but a few items stood out. The "Zombie Drink" was a local concoction that people still talk about, and the potato salad was famously better than the one from the KFC across town. The potato salad bordered on being a cult favorite. People raved about it and often debated how it compared to the rival potato salad across town at KFC. The recipe was a closely guarded secret!
The rest of the menu was also filled with well-loved classics. You could pull in and fill up on burgers, sandwiches, shrimp burgers, fish burgers, tacos, burrito pizza, and more. The GVA Burger was a tribute to a local, Gary Van Aken, showing how the cafe was intertwined with the lives of its patrons. After dinner, hungry customers could enjoy ice cream, sundaes, and shakes.
Falling in Love While the Jukebox Played in the Background
Beyond the food, the atmosphere of Gordy’s was what truly made it special. There was an awesome jukebox by the door that played hits like "Hotrod Lincoln," and the parking lot was the place to be. It was the unofficial home of "kegger coordination,” where many parties got their start. One former patron even said, “I spent half my teenage life in that parking lot.” For some, it was a social rite of passage, a place for listening to 8-track tapes in your car and hanging out with friends. But it wasn't always peaceful; there were also stories of fights breaking out in the back alley behind the cafe. Gordy also got robbed several times while leaving the store or on his way home.
Classic tunes weren't the only things floating through the air around Gordy's; there was often young love budding in and around that social hotspot. If you look back through the wedding announcements in the Whitefish Pilot, you can see countless marriages that mention Gordy's as the place where the couple met and fell in love. During our research, we came across this especially sweet story like that from Doug Wollan:
"Gordy's was a real fixture. First time I saw my wife Sandie was at Gordy's. In 1968 Jerry Miller and I were sitting there drinking a couple beers when Bill Knapton roared down the viaduct in his red Mustang, shifting down all he way, pulled in beside me, he and the other guy jumped out of the car leaving the doors open, and there sitting on the console was my little angel, the girl of my dreams. I turned to Jerry and said, I'm gonna marry that girl. 46 years later, we're still together."
Community Involvement
Gordy himself, it is said, was a bit embarrassed by the name of the place, but its legacy speaks for itself. It was the kind of place that drew the whole community together. For instance, the cafe provided meals for the Whitefish Lions Club, and it was a frequent sponsor of local events, like a 1980s fundraising dance. Even in the face of adversity, such as when a fire damaged the cafe on October 18, 1978, the community rallied around it.
Business was slow when the weather started to cool down. However, Gordy was a sharp businessman and decided to turn his lot into a Christmas tree farm to help generate income during the winter. You could swing by to browse Alpine, Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, White Fir, and flocked trees while sipping a cup of Tom and Jerry batter. The Tom and Jerry batter was a crowd pleaser!
After Henry DeVall passed away, Gordy took over the day-to-day operations of the popular drive-in. Gordy ran the restaurant from 1968 to 1978. It always faced a problem that many Whitefish businesses struggled with: seasonality. Gordy's was packed in the summers, but slowed down during the cold months. Gordy's Drive-In eventually changed hands to a new owner, Tom Costich, in 1982. Costich was an Eureka native who found career success as a Hollywood Costume designer. He introduced a few changes, including fun costumes for the carhops, 24-hour service, and a focus on offering sit-down meals. Costich had previously owned the Cadillac hotel and restaurant.
Gordy's would slowly fade into the background over the coming years. It eventually shut its doors and turned off the jukebox for the final time. However, it was resurrected in 2000 for the Whitefish High School all-60s reunion. The committee built a replica of Gordy's where attendees could grab a cold beer or soft drink.
Gordy's was more than a restaurant; it was a character in the story of Whitefish. It shaped memories, served as a backdrop for countless stories, and fueled our town, one burger at a time. The stories and anecdotes about Gordy's continue to be a vital part of our local folklore.
To learn more about Whitefish’s storied past, we invite you to visit the Stumptown Historical Society Museum. What stories of Gordy’s do you remember?
Thank you for reading this Stumptown Story about the rollerskates, burgers, and people that made Gordy's a memorable part of Whitefish!
-The team at the Stumptown Historical Society
Gordy's Drive-In was unequivocally NOT where the O'Shaughnessy Center is located! F. Ron Newbury, J.D.