Baby’s Burgers & Shakes is a 1950s themed diner in State College, PA. It’s a pleasant little diner, well worth checking out for the Americana decor, Wurlitzer Juke Box, and wait staff with change dispensers. And yes, the word Daddy-O appears in the menu.
On the back of that menu is a small graphic. It’s a self-deprecating, humorous map of all the Baby’s Burgers & Shakes locations in the US (there is only one). “Visit all of our locations throughout the U.S.A.” the menu states. The graphic has always interested me, for the star locating the one Baby’s location does not seem to be placed correctly on the map.
The graphic in question.
Some people could wonder about this, then eat their meal and forget about it. Not me. Where is that star located?
This week I picked up a Baby’s menu, scanned the graphic, and superimposed it on a map.
The superimposition in progress.
Then I zeroed in on the location of the star.
I followed the star to . . .
I then synced landmarks on a map with a higher resolution (and names of small towns) to pinpoint the middle of the star. And lo, the star resided over Barnesville, OH (or at least really, really close to Barnesville). That’s a drive of 225 miles from State College. So the verdict is in, Baby’s menu has a misplaced star.
Is analyzing a menu graphic for entertainment on a Friday night a cry for help? Don’t pity me, it was quite gratifying.
