I didn't grow up in the 70's, heck, I wasn't even born in the 70's, but Dazed and Confused was a movie staple in my youth. And it continues to be a go-to for reminiscence. I grew up in a small Texas town in the Rio Grande Valley. Luckily I grew up in an age before social media, cell phones, and anything that forced you stay indoors. Small town living gave precedence to a set of wheels, beer wherever you can find it, and bitchin tunes cranked up high on the radio. The style and mentality of the film was not any different from what I remember growing up in the eighties and nighties. Not much changes in small towns.
Being a Texas based film, actually filmed in Texas, I decided to make a stop by one of the icons of the movie. Now I didn't delve deep into the movie searching neighborhoods, shops, and liquor stores. If you live in the Austin area, you can really take the day hunting down all the areas. Here is a great resource to the filming locations. I went with the one thing left unchanged from that 1993 film. Top Notch Burgers. I tell you it was a time warp pulling into that parking lot. All the ordering boxes, and even when you walk into the place, you can tell they haven't altered anything from the 70's. Wood paneling, orange and brown decor and they even kept the same style of soda cups from the movie!
It seems as busy as the movie, with a dining room full and plenty of people walking in through the door. Once a year the burger joint hosts a movie night showcasing the movie that made the place famous to those outside of Austin. Def worth the stop. This place sure is alright alright alright.