School’s out! Summer is here!
Back in the day, most teenagers had summer jobs — including (like me) at Chubby Lane’s, the Compo Beach concession stand that sat where the volleyball courts are now.
It was a great experience (despite the knee-length socks we had to wear). We were at the beach. We made money. We got free food.
And our friends were right there, hanging out for hours nearby.
Chubby’s, back in the day. (Photo copyright Studio Astute/courtesy of Jack Whittle)
Things have changed. The concession stand — formerly Joey’s, recently Hook’d, now Bluestone — is in a bigger, less welcoming space.
The menu is bigger too (and pricier).
And teenagers spend their days at college ID clinics for sports. They go to college application essay writing boot camps. They work at internships in law offices, real estate offices, financial planning offices.
Their time for just hanging out is limited.
Saddest of all, they will never know the joy of biting into a juicy Chubby’s cheeseburger, cooked by a friend.
And slipped to them through the ice cream window, for free.
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Another view of Chubby’s. There was curbside parking — no need for a beach sticker to enjoy a burger. (Photo courtesy of Liz Doyle Boyd)
Oh lord those were the days. A Chubby’s burger covered in mayo and their stewed onions…….Im salivating like a Pavlovian dog. Oh and a side of onion rings.
Chubby’s was a part of summer that we all loved and enjoyed…
Wonderful memories! Loved those burgers 🍔
Chubby’s ruined me for cheeseburgers anywhere else. Literally: no cheeseburger ever again tasted anywhere near as delicious. If I close my eyes and lift my head to the sky I swear I can still smell them on the grill.
Chubby’s was the best!
As lifeguards we got a little special treatment! Loved Chubby’s and the staff! I just remember the Sweat pouring off the cooks midsummer!
Dan, you just made me very hungry.
Oh how I miss chubby lanes! I would give my eye teeth for a cheese burger and a brown cow right now!
Re: “They go to college application essay writing boot camps.” Is that for real? If so, holy cow!
PS: if there are any photos of you in those Chubby’s shorts and knee-sox, those pics would be worthy of their own Friday Flashback.
Fred: Sadly, “yes” to your first question.
Happily, “no” to the second.
I loved working at Chubby’s at Compo ( white polo shirts and cut off bluejeans)and up at the original restaurant ( blue oxford, navy bermudas, blue kneesocks and penny loafers!) Chubby was great to work for and hired alot of us Staples girls athletes!
Did a real estate deal with Chubby. I thought it was impolite to call someone you didn’t know “Chubby” so I said “Hi John” He immediately corrected me “Call me Chubby.” Good guy and a very honest broker. 🇺🇸
Then again, his real name was Mark.
Worked for Chubby in HS while my sister Darcy Jo Miller was a lifeguard. Holly M Miller Watts Staples 62