Jimmy John’s Pipin’ Hot Sandwiches

|Chadds Ford History| Jimmy John’s

PIPIN’ HOT SANDWICHES

Chris Sanderson at Jimmy John’s Pipin’ Hot in 1948, courtesy Sanderson Museum.

By Gene Pisasale Contributing Writer

Restaurants have typically been challenging establishments to run because of staffing difficulties, changing consumer tastes and fluctuating profit margins. Often factors like limited parking and traffic problems determine the success or failure of a venue. Longtime residents of Chadds Ford are familiar with Hank’s and the Chadds Ford Tavern, but one establishment which pre-dates those places sometimes gets overlooked. Jimmy John’s Pipin’ Hot Sandwiches has been serving customers for over 80 years—and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, business disruptions, and other issues, it is still going strong.

A roadside attraction for over 80 years— and still thriving

Owner Roger Steward has been a part of Jimmy John’s since 1974.

According to local author Phyllis Recca, the story of Jimmy John’s goes back to the time when travel through this area was not quite as free flowing as it is today. In “Chadds Ford Then and Now II,” she notes that Jimmy John started several businesses during the Great Depression years of the 1930s, including “a hot dog operation from the back of his car at Route 100 and Brinton’s Bridge Road.”

Jimmy John’s Pipin’ Hot display of Chris Sanderson in 1941, courtesy of Jimmy John’s

Wall of Nostalgia featuring past nearby businesses like Christy’s, Betty’s Ice Cream and Farmer in the Dell. ‘Chadds Ford Then and Now II’ front cover.

When Route 202 was constructed as a two-lane road, cutting through William Heyburn’s farm and leaving a small strip of land on the east side, Heyburn suggested that Jimmy set up his hot dog stand there. In May 1940, Jimmy John’s came to life.

Jimmy John’s was always considered a “local” business, familiar to residents of the area who appreciated the down-home atmosphere and reasonable prices. One photograph from 1941 shows Jimmy standing out in front of his place with a sign stating “Giant milkshakes—15 cents” in the background. Chadds Ford “village historian” Chris Sanderson dined there, depicted in a photograph from that time. One image from the era shows several guests out front on their motorcycles, a scene reminiscent of Marlon Brando in the film The Wild One. Big changes came in 1960, when Route 202 was widened to a four-lane road. The building was razed and rebuilt slightly to the east of the former structure. Family-friendly interior décor was added when an adjacent business named “202 Choo-Choo” featuring trains

Continued on Page 24

prompted that owner to suggest a railroad motif for Jimmy John’s. A four-foot-byfour-foot train display was set up inside Jimmy John’s to help the adjacent business and it became quite popular.

Over the years, Jimmy John did subtle, yet clever marketing. He often took two photographs of his customers—one which he sent to them, the other for display inside his restaurant, prompting the customer to return and dine there again. Train displays became more elaborate and extended around the venue, with locomotives running on a track while guests dined. Jimmy John’s became a thriving local institution, well known to travelers up and down Route 202. Their hot dogs are atypical—they are “cased,” a bit different from the standard item served at ballparks and barbecues, but the unique character of Jimmy John’s is what endears it to customers. Jimmy

The train display is a popular feature of Jimmy John’s.

passed away in 2002, after having served his loyal customers for more than 60 years. The community was saddened to lose a faithful, longtime friend who gave people good food at reasonable prices. Some wondered if their beloved restaurant would soon depart as well.

Continued on Page 26

Roger Steward has worked at Jimmy John’s since 1974 and is its longest-serving employee. He picked up the reigns of the restaurant since John’s death and purchased the establishment in 2005. Steward understands the business inside-out and is well known to the community. He has participated in various local events over the years, including Chadds Ford Days, where his breakfast sandwiches were a big success. Yet, more challenges lay ahead. A devastating fire hit the place in 2010, just as he was preparing to celebrate the restaurant’s 70th anniversary. The fire destroyed the wall of customer photographs and the train display, but Steward knew the family-friendly décor was part of the charm which customers loved. It took seven months of rebuilding and repairs, but Jimmy John’s was rejuvenated, coming back to life with an invigorated spirit. Steward wisely kept the negatives of customer photographs in storage for reprinting and posting on the wall; he also set up a brand-new train display. Steward also spruced up the restaurant with lovely paintings of nearby old-time

Continued on Page 28 Through its various incarnations, Jimmy John’s has remained a local tradition since 1940.

establishments like Christy’s, the Birmingham Grill, the Farmer in the Dell, Betty’s Ice Cream, Bartram’s Corner and the original Jimmy John’s from days gone by.

If you’re driving north on Route 202 through Chadds Ford, look to your right. You’ll see a “Famous for Frankfurters” logo on the roof of a thriving establishment which has survived the onslaught of challenges and maintained its popularity. If you want to experience a bit of what America was like back in the 1940s through the 1960s and enjoy a good meal, stop in at Jimmy John’s. You’ll like the casual atmosphere—and a trip back in time to when the pace of life was just a bit more manageable.

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square. His work focuses on the history of the Chester County and the mid-Atlantic region. He has written ten books and conducts an historical lecture series throughout the tristate area. Gene’s latest book is Forgotten Founding Fathers: Pennsylvania and Delaware in the American Revolution. His books are available on his website at www.GenePisasale. com and on www.Amazon.com. Gene can be reached via e-mail at Gene@GenePisasale.com.

Jimmy John in front of his restaurant in 1941.

Photo courtesy of Jimmy John’s