Fast-food tradition not sliding away: Start of spring means it's time for customers to line up at venerable Jack's Drive In.

Apr. 17--WYNANTSKILL -- Hamburgers at Jack's Drive In are called "sliders." Piled with cooked onions and ketchup, the burgers go down, well, easy.

Each spring, as with other Capital Region mainstays, Rensselaer County residents keep an eye on the tiny hut at 24 Main Ave. waiting for the "open" sign. The late Jack Horne started the restaurant, which featured carhops, in 1938, near the end of the Great Depression, according to Joe Deeb Jr. whose father and uncle, Joe Deeb Sr. and S.K. Deeb, now own the business. The eatery employs about 20 people.

Besides the burgers, cheese fries, hot dogs and shakes like strawberry banana can be quick ordered from …