It’s a scene that could be the opening sequence in an epic romance movie depicting a decades-long true love – an elderly couple gently enter a diner where everyone knows their names, and a daily routine for everyone continues.

Amidst the bustle of a myriad of less frequent customers, the daily visit from Herb and Georgia Grisham carries with it comfort and reassurance for both the staff and this cheerful couple, who venture from their West Seattle home to Burien’s Huckleberry Square as regularly as the tides. It is as fitting as any screenwriter could imagine – after all, the story all started in a tiny diner in 1964.

There are many folks who frequent the “Square” quite often, but few do so daily, and none can claim to be the first waitress when the original owner Don Spadoni launched the iconic diner back in 1979.  Though, that is how Georgia has reportedly been described by Spadoni. Georgia was a natural choice to help Don, his sister Betty, and his brother Dick welcome their customers, since she had worked with them at Whizburger from 1966-1968. What developed at Whizburger continued through Huckleberry Square to become a lifelong friendship. As Herb says “…they became like a second family.”

Georgia’s kind bright eyes and soft semi-smile hint at the spritely spirit which surely has carried her through the decades, despite her more recent times coping with memory loss, depriving us of her version of things. Herb speaks for the two, and she listens attentively, ever watchful and observing as he recounts the screen-worthy story of their years-long association with our small city and one of its enduring institutions.

Herb grew up in the Gregory Heights neighborhood of Burien and fondly recalls attending Gregory Heights Elementary, in particular the influence of 6th grade teacher Mr. Norman Kunkel, whom Herb shares was an outstanding model of persistence, determination and kindness. Herb attended the University of Washington and served in the Air National Guard where he became a pilot, continuing forward with that profession, flying for Alaska airlines until his retirement at age 60. It was during the summer between his junior and senior year as a Husky that Herb and a buddy found themselves up north with a little time on their hands. They decided to finally adventure through Whidbey Island to visit his uncle’s diminutive diner in Langley called the Snack Shack. 

“It was very small,” recalls Herb, “only three stools and three tables… something like that. I’d never been there yet, so he showed me around and then he said, heading to the kitchen, ‘wait here, I have someone I’d like you to meet.’”

In another picture perfect, cinematic moment, young Georgia and Herb met. The French call it a “coup de foudre” or literally “bolt of lightening,” while Herb simply said, “we met in August 1964 and were married in December of 1965.” We will leave it to you, dear reader, to imagine if the term applies.

The newlyweds found a place at the Alpha apartments in Burien, very close to the old Whizburger. They started to think about a family and in the meantime, Georgia, with her past experience at the Snack Shack was a perfect fit for the busy burger joint. She worked there from 1966 until 1968. Don used to walk her home at night after work when Herb was flying, keeping his key waitress safe and sound. Subsequently, the couple welcomed two daughters Dena (Geiger), in 1971 and Donna in 1974.

In 1979 she rejoined Spadoni, now in the fledgling Huckleberry Square. He says “they were just plain damned good people in Burien, and Georgia was an excellent waitress, both gracious and smart. And Georgia brought in the first crew with her, 5 other waitresses.” Georgia was a steady employee there from 1979 -1991 and welcomed their son Dan in 1980. 

“You know, I thought about it and she worked there and was pregnant with him…” Herb said with obvious admiration, “and the other thing, with each of the kids, during their 6th grade year, she was the president of the PTA, all three of them,” even as she worked at another local place, The Daily Perk from 1991-1998.

All along they remained close friends with the Spadoni family, with Don hiring both the Grisham daughters to waitress when they were in high school.  From 2000-2004, Georgia found a new role at the diner as “the plant lady.” She’d come and separate the plants out and get them ready to be placed at each of the tables.

Time passed and the couple became snowbirds for a time, dividing the years between winters in Arizona and returns to Washington for the Spring and Summer. Eventually, they found that being here with more family support became a new chapter of the story. It is no longer practical for them to cook at home, so daily visits to their familiar restaurant is a comfortable solution. 

“We never get tired of it,” Herb said, “the food is like eating at home.”

Some of their menu favorites include “The California Benedict” on Sundays. A turn on the classic that melds avocado, spinach and grilled tomato along with traditional eggs and hollandaise.

The “Meatloaf Sandwich,” which has been updated, and despite always enjoying previous versions, Herb, who helped taste test the evolution, says “it really is good.”

The couple tend toward the soup and sandwich combinations, and list the BLT with avocado and the “Sir Tom” turkey sandwich as oft-chosen selections. With a special nod to the “Vegetarian Rueben,” a decidedly modern version that has “lots of flavorful vegetables” as Herb says, and retains the classic Thousand Island dressing and sauerkraut of carnivore versions. Along with these, the couple enjoy the continually rotating soups that change daily, with stock favorites like the Clam Chowder on Fridays and the French Onion soup and Broccoli Cheddar as standouts.

Although most folks will be resistant to change, Herb and Georgia have embraced the new ownership and menu updates saying “They’ve done a great job.”

As the film spools out on this enduring love story into the next scenes, what’s clear is, if you visit Huckleberry Square sometime, you might just catch a glimpse of the inspiring leading lady and her best supporting actor, until the final credits roll on their legendary story.

Location:

Huckleberry Square Restaurant
14423 Ambaum Blvd SW
Burien, WA, 98166

Hours:

  • 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Daily

Menu:

Contact:

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