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Porky's Closing: Serving Until There's No More Food

By Reg Chapman, WCCO-TV

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- On Sunday night, Porky's drive-in, a local icon on University Avenue where you can find a kitchen full of food and a parking lot full of classic cars, served its last burger.

All the things that made Porky's a tradition since 1953 -- the burgers, the fries, the onion rings -- will soon be history.

"I guess it really hasn't sunk in a lot," said Tryg Truelson.

Truelson is one of five sons from the family that were the original owners of this St. Paul landmark.

He said selling the place was one of the hardest things he had to do but he feels it was the best thing for business.

"We had seen a decline in business in the last few years to a point where it's not a viable business really financially," said Truelson.

He said light rail construction added to his woes. He sold Porky's to his neighbors, the Episcopal Homes.

It was a trip down memory lane for the hundreds who gathered on this last day to say goodbye.

"I got some of my finest memories with my dad coming to Porky's as a kid, bringing us in his old cars," said Harlan Borman.

No tears for those waiting 40 minutes to get their last taste of a Porky's hamburger. Just smiles and thoughts of all the good times had on University Avenue.

Car enthusiasts will miss Porky's the most.

"This is my '59 Cadillac Coup de Ville, my dream car. Never thought I'd get it and I finally got it and when I do, Porky's closes," said Borman.

He has no idea where he will take his godson to see classic cars.

"I think it would have been cool to bring my kids down here sometimes in the future," said his godson Adam.

Adam will never know what it like is to drive his uncle's hot rod through the parking lot.

The push to save Porky's by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota may be too late. But it's never too late to say thanks to a family for giving so much to so many for so long.

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