Growing tired of the road, the Blake's opened their first permanent location in Salina, KS at 1707 Crawford Street and "Hickory Hut" began. The first Hickory Hut was drive thru only and operated out of a small, modified travel trailer.
Also in 1983, the Blake's began a new tradition when they introduced Hickory Hut to Salina's Smoky Hill River Festival. Hickory Hut quickly became a festival favorite serving up its famous BBQ turkey drumsticks and polish sausage sandwiches out of their well known red and white stand. Hickory Hut was a River festival favorite for 25 years. |