MU| A r c h i v e s
Presidential favorites
Mr. Dave’s menu lures Manchester chief executives
F
amily-operated Mr. Dave’s
restaurant has served
Manchester University
students, faculty and staff for
53 years, and former owner
David Clapp recalls some
presidential favorites during that time.
A. Blair Helman’s favorite sandwich was
the Pork Grilled Tenderloin with lettuce
and pickle, which he would grab on the
run through the pick-up window.
Bill Robinson enjoyed the Sausage Patty
Melt, often combining it with sauerkraut
and Swiss cheese.
Parker Marden
generally ate with
friends. He loved to
eat Mr. Dave’s double
hamburgers with
cheese in the middle,
topped with tomato,
lettuce, and pickle.
Jo Young ’69 Switzer
often lunched with
her husband, Dave
Switzer, an MU
professor. “This
president enjoyed a
good hamburger,”
says Clapp. “I called
it the Educated
Hamburger – no
cheese, with
tomato, lettuce and
pickle.”
President Dave McFadden ’82 not only
shares a name with the restaurateur, but
delights in hearing stories from the past. In
1992 the Clapps were at home ready to eat
Thanksgiving dinner when a panicked call
came from Coach Steve Alford. Alford and
his ravenous Spartan basketball team had just
discovered that campus food service and all
town restaurants were closed for the holiday.
The Clapps left their table, opened the door
to Mr. Dave’s, and served hot broasted
chicken to all!
Clapp reports that Manchester’s 15th
president has narrowed his favorite entrée
to two: the Broasted Chicken Snack Pack
served with broasted potatoes and slaw, and
Mr. Dave’s famous Grilled Tenderloin, with
lettuce and tomato.
By Jeanine Wine ’76
MU archivist
Manchester President Dave McFadden ’82 (right)
visits with David Clapp, former owner of Mr.
Dave’s restaurant in North Manchester. Clapp can
remember all of the MU presidents he served
at the popular eatery as well as their favorite
menu items. McFadden has two: The Broasted
Chicken Snack Pack and Mr. Dave’s famous Grilled
Tenderloin.
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