Going to Minder Binders in the early 1980s, Tempe, Arizona
Let's time-travel back to my days at ASU (Arizona State University) and visit Minder Binders in Tempe, Arizona. I would go there in '81, 82, and for those of you who didn't experience it, it's kinda difficult to explain, but I'll try with the help of a menu that a friend of mine just shared with me that looks to be about that era. And although they have taken some liberties with the setting, yes, the building did look like that, it was in a huge converted old barn. It's been gone for a long time now, but it lives on in fond memories of people like me. Let's take a look at what's on the menu, and even take the time to read some of it.
The first thing that probably catches your eye is the prices, which to our 21st-Century eyes look absolutely ridiculous. A steak, with fries, for $2.41? A bowl of soup for fifty-nine cents? So when I tell you that I very rarely went there, but I just didn't have the money, you may be wondering how poor I was? I did OK, I paid my rent, fed myself, but I really didn't have the discretionary income that some of my friends had, who went to concerts, ate at restaurants, etc., and did it without feeling the financial strain.
When I did go, it was when they had specials on stuff like spaghetti, or during "burger madness". Otherwise I just didn't have the income to spare to spend on this type of luxury. Of course nowadays I give the impression that I did all of the stuff that my wealthier friends did, because this is the era of social media, and I can give that impression. So bear with me here, I'm no expert on Minder Binders, but at least I got to see it in its heyday.
There was always something slightly, uh, suggestive about Minder Binders. Nothing overtly lurid, you could take your maiden aunt there, but it really didn't take much imagination to see the implied sexuality. Here's an example from the menu:
Thunder Humper. And they went to a lot of effort in the descriptions. Here ya go: Our world renowned Burger, Spectacularly improved! We believe that no such gustable has ever been paralleled in perfection. We are careful to flavor this in appropriate strength from recently procured spices and beans. Served to your table in a magnanimous portion designed to stave off intestinal noise for hours if not days. Be sure to give your waist measurements upon order. [note: no calorie count, or even the size of the burger, but it must have been BIG!]
My mind boggles at the kids who could afford a dollar for a single drink, and would stay there long enough to get so drunk that the area became a serious hazard due to the drunk driving. It is possible that I paid seventy-one cents to impress my girlfriend once, although I really don't recall.
I could go on and on, and I probably will, but just not in this blog post. I know when to say when! Thank you for going to Minder Binders with me, and let's do this again sometime!
Thank you for the encouragement! If you want to see daily pics of my adventures on my recumbent trike in suburban Phoenix (just for fun, of course!) you can follow me on Buy me a coffee, and you can buy me a coffee if you'd like to:
Oh yes I remember minder binders! I was in my early thirties at the time. And it was a place my girlfriend and I could meet got. It drink maybe party later with other people. It was a great restaurant and so much fun yeah it felt like we were part of the crowd?! Anyway yeah I remember minder binders it was great! Janie of Chandler Arizona!
ReplyDeleteMoved here in '79 as a 10 year old. Played my very first video game there. Space invaders or Asteroid s, can't remember which. Great memories of that odd place . I remember an upstairs where they dad live music.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh...Minderbinders. My student days at ASU were in the early 70's but I used to go there fairly often with my girlfriend (now my wife of 48 yr...jeez, has it been that long?). The Dash Inn was another great cheap place to go for Mexican food. Back them downtown Tempe had real character...head shops, waterbed stores, biker bars, First National Bank, and the western wear place I don't remember the name of now. Ahh, the good old days...weren't they? ;)
ReplyDeleteWent there in 71. Got a DUI 72 oops. Still not sure why I thought it was so great? Scottsdale airport way more fun! Lot less trouble. Ya buddy!
DeleteIt was awesome!They had all those unique and times treasures everywhere.
DeleteI remember the bar stools too!...lol
I spent more time at Flakey Jake's and The Chuckbox, both were closer to campus, good burgers, and lots of coupons or discount hours.
DeleteDont forget Happy Trails
DeleteI didn't get to go to Minder Binders until about 87-88 because in 82 I was 3 years old. I remember that it scared the shit out of me and I was deeply uncomfortable with the picture of topless woman playing tennis in 19th century regalia in the booth above my mother's head. Miss the fuck out of that place
ReplyDeleteFirst time there I wasn't sure which bathroom to use, they both had some kind of dragon or lizard on them, ha ha
ReplyDeleteMinder Binders is the only place that I ever accidentally walked into the ladies room. The girls just laughed!
DeleteThat's my first memory, too. I thought they were Neanderthal man and woman for the bathrooms. I couldn't figure out which one I should enter.
DeleteI was in school at ASU when Minder Binders was built in the 60's. It was built to look like a barn, but was a restaurant from the beginning. I went there for years even after I graduated and moved all the way to Phoenix. I was sorry when it closed.
ReplyDeleteMy dad use to take me there for lunch specials. Chuck box also and the vine. Does anybody remember dicks it was on like ruarl I belive and maybe university it was kinda like sonics but way better.
ReplyDeleteMinderbinders brings back many memories for me as a youth. My brother Ed and I used to play volleyball in the backyard there on the challenge court. Great memories. I miss those days
ReplyDeleteI remember the bowls of free peanuts they brought to every table. We're were told to just throw the peanut shells on the floor. We did. The floor crunched as we walked
ReplyDeleteI went to a pre-concert party there for
ReplyDeleteRobert Plant, the Tall Cool One tour.
I met Robert's Manager and he gave me some cool Tour goodies. Promo stuff