Folks went hog wild when the first Pig Stand opened in Dallas in 1921. Agile "car hops" leaped onto running boards of Model-Ts to deliver "curb service" to a generation on the go. It was the age of the automobile, and Pig Stands multiplied across America faster than you can say "soooo-eeee." It took the Great Depression of the '30s to slow "The Pig" down. Pig Stands, pioneers in franchising, pared down to concentrate on company-owned Texas stands, which continued to lead the way in dining innovations. Besides offering the world the first drive-in dining and drive-through window, Pig Stands introduced the taste buds of the world to onion rings in the '20s, "Texas Toast" and the chicken-fried steak sandwich in the '40s. Of course, their best-known offering is their original, trademarked "Pig Sandwich," featuring tender, sliced barbecue pork with relish and sauce on a bun.

San Antonio's "three little pigs" (1508 Broadway, 801 S. Presa and 3054 Rigsby) continue the proud Pig Stand tradition of serving tasty American staples, such as hamburgers, chicken-fried steak, fried shrimp, chopped steak, club sandwiches, fried chicken, malts, shakes and banana splits (all of those tasty favorites you grew up with) in settings that make you feel you've stepped back in time. Slide into a booth and flip through the song selections for the jukebox. Doesn't that bring back memories?! Nostalgic black-and-white photos of Pig Stands past line the walls (with carhops in full regalia and vintage cars lined up for "America's Motor Lunch"), and "pigobilia" is everywhere. Pigs of all shapes, sizes and composition pack display cases and smile at you from multitudinous perches.

The South Presa Pig Stand boasts the biggest porker of all, with a pig statue/building (with door and windows), which is thought to have served as a carhop shelter in days gone by. "The Big Pig" evidently escaped his pen and was discovered in the early '90s, sitting forlornly on a vacant lot near the Missions, where he had been serving as living quarters. He was moved, spiffed up and now dons seasonal decor next to the South Presa location. The Broadway Pig Stand (built in 1921) is one of the city's oldest eateries and was refurbished in the late '60s with all of the sleek lines and mod colors of that era. On Friday nights, cars that might have pulled up at the eatery in years gone by return for "Cruise Nights" from 6 to 11 p.m., featuring nostalgic curb service, music from the '50s and '60s, and mascot Charlotte the Dancing Pig. Sometimes classic movies, presented drive-in style, are added to the mix. The Rigsby Pig Stand on the south side is popular for its porcine population as well as good eats, and the newest endeavor, Hailey's Family Restaurant at 4411 E. I-10, near the Coliseum, is a favorite hangout for rodeo attendees during that season. All four dining spots are open 24 hours daily.

Richard Hailey, Pig Stands president, is as famous as his porcine sandwiches. His popular country swing band, Richard Hailey & the Neon Stars, plays dance halls statewide, including Sunset Station downtown, and hit No. 2 in the Netherlands with its catchy single, "Call 911 Margarita," (which Hailey co-wrote) from the album, Everything from Texas. He is not the only famous Hailey though, as dad Royce (who started as a Pig Stand carhop in 1930 and went on to run the company) invented the chicken-fried steak sandwich and helped create "Texas Toast."

Any way you slice it, Pig Stands and their family fare are as American as, well, a Pig Sandwich. Rev up your jalopy and cruise on over.

1508 Broadstreet, 225.1321
801 S. Persa, 227-1691
3054 Rigsby, 333-8321

Hailey's Familt Restaurant
4411 E. IH-10, 333.2051
Open 24 hrs.