The prescriptions are long gone, but the milkshake machines are still busy.

Dearman's Diner at 7633 Jefferson Hwy. first opened in the 1950s as a pharmacy with a lunch counter. The aisles no longer hold magazines and medicine, but the counter is still serving burgers and shakes to Baton Rouge families.

Start with the burger

The menu doesn't try to reinvent anything, which is the point. A hamburger is $8.60 and a cheeseburger is $9.05. Hungrier diners can go double for $11.35 with cheese, and there's a veggie burger for $8.95.

The sandwich board covers the lunch counter classics, too, including a BLT and chicken salad or tuna salad sandwiches at $8.45 each. For a sit-down supper, the Hamburger Steak Plate ($17.50) comes smothered in gravy with fries, a side salad and toast.

Save room for the fountain

Dearman's dessert list is where the soda-fountain heritage shows. Shakes and malts are $6.25 and come in chocolate, vanilla, hot fudge, cherry, strawberry, banana, dreamsicle and a South Louisiana favorite, nectar. Malts and phosphates are on the menu, too, if you want the full old-school experience. There are floats and sundaes at $6.25, plus ice cream by the scoop starting at $3.25.

Sodas run $2.99, with Coke, Dr. Pepper, root beer, pink lemonade and Orange Fanta among the choices.

Bring the kids

The kids menu is built for small appetites and small budgets: a kid's hamburger is $5.65, chicken strips are $5.95 and a kid's milkshake is $3.75. A PB&J is on the menu for picky eaters.

It's an easy stop after school pickup or a Saturday of errands along Jefferson Highway. Call 225-924-1391 for to-go orders or questions. The milkshake machine will be running.

Photo courtesy of Dearman's Diner.