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Sonic drive-in and other top roadside burger joints worth visiting across the country
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Drive-in burger joints like Sonic, Dick's and In-N-Out serve up beef patties, fries and shakes with
a side of nostalgia. Photo: Stephanie Jolly
Nothing says road-trip like a stop at one of the nation's nostalgic American burger joints. While fast-food windows have largely replaced the iconic drive-in diners, here's a few places still flipping burgers and serving up shakes the way they used to across the country, earning them a cult-like following along the way.
SONIC Drive-In - Though it's now a chain of drive-in burger joints across the country, Sonic continues to be one of America's favorite carhops, now with over 3,500 locations in 37 states. Just what is it about this Oklahoma based drive-in that's kept customers coming back for over 50 years? Try an ever growing repetoire of unique drink combinations, made-to-order menu items from the grill or fryer and quick, expedient service from actual carhops on roller-skates delivering meals right to the car window.
Some folks get so excited about the arrival of Sonic drive-in coming to their city it creates a buzz of activity parallel only to that of a Wal-Mart opening up in the rural mid-west. When's the last time you saw anyone get that excited over a McDonald's or Burger King? So the next time you feel the need to slack your thirst with a cherry limeade, pull of the highway and park yourself outside a lot under the sign declaring the location "America's Drive-In"
Dick's Drive-In - Ever since Dick's Drive-In opened in 1954, it's been a Seattle favorite, winning titles such as "Best Cheap Eats", "Best Roadside Diner" and "Best Food to Eat on the Run". Hand-cut french fries, pure never-frozen 100% beef hamburgers and thick hand-whipped shakes are what made drive-in famous and are still the essence of the menu today. You won't find chicken patties or fish, tater tots or hotdogs. The last menu revolution at Dick's occured in the early 70s, when toppings of lettuce and pickles were added to the original offering of a burger either with or without cheese. You still have to order ketchup and diced onions on the side, if you want them, for the price of a nickel.
It's plain and simple, and what's the locals love about it. Dick's celebrated 55 years in Seattle early in 2009 and has five locations in various neighborhoods around the city. Still bedecked in their original structures, the now retro looking establishments are landmarks, remaining popular with both young students and veteran diners as it serves up a cheap meal and a helping of good-time memories, respectively.
In-N-Out Burger - For sixty years, In-N-Out Burger has been dishing out burgers and fries to California drivers at the drive-thru windows and walk-up counters. Still serving the same basic menu that customers have relished since 1948, made-to-order burgers, hand-diced fries made from whole potatoes and real ice-cream milkshakes fly out from the kitchen with speed and accuracy.
Part of the allure of In-N-Out was the rumors of the "secret menu", known only by patrons with insider connections. While the special phrases needed to receive a burger with grilled onions and mustard cooked beef, or a burger with four beef patties and four slices of cheese are not so secret anymore, there's a special thrill associated with walking up to the counter and asking for an item available only with the confidence to ask for something not on the menu.
The Great American Road Trip
Let Examiner.com's nationwide network of Travel Examiners and Transportation Examiners guide you to America's best roadside attractions, highways, dining, and driving tips of the summer.
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