Scotty’s Drive-In: A Nebraskan Community Staple
Through 40 years of ups and downs, this family-owned burger joint has stayed dedicated to the Scottsbluff, Nebraska community.
One “Bluff Burger,” an order of shoestring fries, and a chocolate malt is a classic order at Scotty’s Drive-In. The small, family-owned burger joint and its iconic saucers have stood the test of time for 59 years in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, located in the panhandle of the state. The long building stands tall on E. 27th Street, just a block away from City Hall. A true blast from the past, the large “Hamburgers” sign gleams in vibrant red above the small, cream-paneled building housing the signature restaurant.
In 1979, current owner Allen Haun, his father, and his brother-in-law bought the establishment, which was originally part of a franchise. Scotty’s had locations scattered throughout Nebraska, Idaho, Utah, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Today, the Scotty’s in Scottsbluff, along with locations in Idaho and North Dakota, are the only ones remaining.
The Scottsbluff location has remained in the Haun family, turning the chain restaurant into the family’s pride and livelihood. Allen and his father worked together for 36 years to build the family business.
“Even though my dad didn’t have anything more than a high school degree and his brain, he could imagine things,” Allen says.
Working alongside his father was Allen’s favorite part of owning Scotty’s Drive-In. When his father, Ray Haun, passed away in 2013, Allen was left to carry on the restaurant’s legacy.
Since the Haun family took ownership, Scotty’s Drive-In menu has grown from eight items to 65. The restaurant now serves pizza burgers, bacon cheeseburgers, and “Big Red Burgers”—a double cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and Scotty’s secret dressing.
Scotty’s is dedicated to serving the community, celebrating everything from hometown wins to birthdays. In fact, Scotty’s makes sloppy joe-like sandwiches, called “Tasty Taverns,” in twenty-pound bulks just for local folks who want to cater.
While 90 percent of the restaurant’s business is local, loyal customers travel from all over the country to visit. Allen’s son, Nic Haun, has fond memories of chatting with Scotty’s regulars.
“I always enjoy talking to someone who tells me they were back in Scottsbluff to visit, and they had to stop by Scotty’s,” Nic says.
Recently, the burger joint has had to cut its hours due to difficulties finding workers. Because of their shrinking staff, the food joint had to choose between servicing their dining room or the drive-through. Allen made the tough decision to prioritize the drive-through. “I don’t want the place to die,” Allen says.
According to Nation’s Restaurant News, the COVID-19 pandemic forced 10 percent of restaurants in the United States to permanently close. Coupled with the fact that only 12 percent of family businesses are successfully passed down to a third generation, the pandemic has impacted the future of many restaurants.
“It’s not easy right now, just due to the pandemic and our income, but we’re gonna hang in there,” Allen says.
Regardless, the drive-in has persevered. But before Allen can retire from Scotty’s, he must make plans for the future of the business.
“There’s always a possibility that I could become involved at some point so that it remains in the family,” Nic says. “If that doesn’t pan out, I just hope that it’s sold to someone who will attempt to keep it going and retain some of the charm that made it the staple of the community that it is today.”
While the fate of Scotty’s remains unclear, what we do know is that through 40 years of ups and downs, this beloved piece of the community has stood the test of time.
