Redwood Road’s Beloved Drive-In: The Legacy of Joey Petersen
Joey Petersen — From Oakley Farm Boy to Beloved Restaurateur on Redwood Road
Joseph “Joey” F. Petersen (1924–2015) belonged to what has often been called The Greatest Generation — a generation shaped by the Great Depression, tested by war, and defined by hard work, faith, and perseverance.
Born in Oakley, Utah, Joey was the only child. His father passed away Joey was just seven years old, leaving his mother to raise him alone during the hardest of times. Rosella supported their small family by wrapping butter at the local creamery for a penny per pound. Watching her labor day after day left a lasting impression on Joey, teaching him the dignity of work and the strength of resilience.
The 1956 Dairy Officials with the Dairy Queen and her attendants Joey Peterson is on the far right
When Rosella later moved to Salt Lake City to find better employment, young Joey lived with his grandparents, on their Oakley farm. There he learned the rhythms of farm life — early mornings, long days, and a strong sense of family and community that would guide him throughout his life.
After graduating from South Summit High School, Joey enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age seventeen to serve in World War II. He trained in Morse code and flag semaphore at the Navy’s Signal School in Farragut, Idaho, before being assigned to the battleship USS New Jersey, the flagship of the 3rd Fleet in the South Pacific. As a Seaman First Class and Naval Navigator, Joey’s duties included plotting the fleet’s position and course — a task that required precision and courage. The New Jersey participated in the major campaigns at Okinawa and Iwo Jima, often under heavy fire from enemy ships and kamikaze aircraft. Like many veterans, Joey seldom spoke of his wartime experiences, though in his later years he shared glimpses of the hardships, fear, and pride that came with serving aboard one of the most storied ships in the Navy.
Following his service, Joey returned home and married Thirza Bevan in 1946. Together they raised four sons and later welcomed many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joey’s outgoing nature and gift for connecting with people led him into a successful career as a Sales Manager for Hi-Land Dairy and later for the Carnation Company. Those years in sales proved the perfect training ground for what would become one of his life’s most memorable chapters.
In the late 1950s, Joey and Thirza opened Pete’s Frostop Drive-In at 4124 South Redwood Road in what was then Granger, Utah. Joey named his drive-in Pete’s Frostop, a friendly play on his own last name, Petersen, and a perfect fit for the cool, refreshing treats he served there. The restaurant quickly became a local landmark — famous for its mouthwatering burgers, hot dogs, golden fries and tater tots, creamy ice cream treats, and homemade root beer served in frosted mugs. Pete’s Frostop wasn’t just a drive-in; it was a community gathering place where families met after ballgames, teenagers cruised in on summer nights, and Joey greeted everyone with a warm smile and a joke. He knew his customers by name, and they knew they’d always be treated like friends.
After more than two decades of success at Pete’s Frostop, Joey and Thirza transformed the property, building and managing a new venture — The Concord House Soup & Sandwich Shop. The Concord House became equally well-loved, known for its hearty homemade soups, fresh sandwiches, and welcoming atmosphere. Both restaurants reflected Joey’s personality: cheerful, reliable, and centered around good food and good company.
After retiring from the restaurant business in 1979, Joey continued to serve others through his work with the LDS Church Building Maintenance Department and as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple. He was also an avid gardener, genealogist, and loyal BYU Cougar fan.
Through every chapter of his life — from his humble beginnings in Oakley, to the battlefields of the Pacific, to the busy lunch hours on Redwood Road — Joey Petersen lived with gratitude, integrity, and faith. His life mirrored the very qualities that built the communities of Granger and West Valley City: hard work, family devotion, and a genuine love for people. His legacy endures in the memories of those who shared a meal at his counter and in the generations that carry forward his spirit of service and kindness.
