The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Drive-In Diner Destinations

When the wife and I are planning a afternoon or week-end drive we're always looking for the chance to include any old time drive-in diners in the adventure. Most in my part of the world are long gone. But thankfully not all since we still have 4 with-in a 50 mile radius.

If others have any old school drive-ins that still serve up burgers and shakes from the past it'd be nice to see pictures and locations.

If ever in the area, my green truck will most likely drop by. The Yellow Jacket is pictured below in Sheridan Arkansas. I've been going there since the '60s. It's changed hands a couple times and until about 5 years ago was known as the Daisy Queen. The original owners wife, Mrs. Gladys, would have my streak sandwich and cherry Dr. Pepper ready and waiting when I got my lunch break at a local factory back in 1969. It was that kind of place.

RonR

This thread while it has little to do with the care, maintenance, etc of our Chevy/GMC Trucks, it does provide destinations to drive our trucks to. For those considering posting their favorite spot, the only way it will get to stay is mention of or photos of your truck at said place just as RonR did in his post. Thank you

Thanks Martin. Knew I was on thin ice with the post here, but it's always a hot topic of conversation when Mrs. Kathy and I discuss a possible drive and I suspect others have similar treasures to share. More important to me than SWMBO.

Hopefully this thread grows legs. After all, everyone enjoys showing their ride and good food is always worth a post.

RonR

Keller's on Northwest Highway in Dallas has been called the best drive-in hamburger joint in the USA by many. Maybe that's true and maybe not. I can't say because I've not been to all of them, but it is unique, you will not be disappointed and it enjoys scads of very loyal patrons. It hasn't changed in the 50 years we've been going there, and fortunately we've always lived within a stone's throw of the place. Two people can get a hamburger each, a generous order of fries each and a cup of H20 each for $9.60...and what I do is hand over $15 and say "keep the change, love" because these ladies work hard. Here are about 500 photos. There will be an old Vette in there, a 56 Bel-Air, a couple of old pickups, hot rods, T-Birds, etc. And the hamburgers really do look like this...

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kellers-drive-in-dallas?start=120

And another opinion: https://www.thrillist.com/eat/dallas/kellers-drive-in-review-drive-in-restaurants

and another: https://cravedfw.com/2021/03/04/kellers-drive-in-still-hopping-after-67-years/

Most of these writers are going to tell you to get the number 5 special, but I always just get the regular hamburger with everything on it.

Well Jon, I did my due diligence on your post. No old truck photos, lots of new trucks. I probably should delete but the place has such a storied past I can’t bring myself to hit the delete button. Gather some of the Dallas area Bolters and go take some appropriate photos and edit your post. Now I’m hungry for a burger.

moparguy We have one called Moonshine, often drive my 51 6400 there at 5:30 A.M. to swig coffee. About 6 regulers. Then at noon it blows-up, burgers,chips drinks car clubs,cycle groups, jeep people,you name it!! Theree record is over 3000 sandwiches served from a 1912 grocerry store in the middle of nowhere ! Its listed just punch in moonshine Illinois

Featured on Diners Drive-in’s and Dives. World famous Sid’s Diner, El Reno, Oklahoma.

This is a true dive, Roberts Grill. No tables, counter seating only. Onion Fried Burgers and Slaw Dogs are the fare of the day. The establishment has been a staple since the 40s. They hold the record in El Reno, Ok for being closed down by the Health Department for code violations the most times. They fire the grill up about 6:30am every day but Sunday and serve breakfast to the regulars.

The final destination in El Reno, Ok is Johnnies. The name is one of the oldest in official Onion Fried Burger history. The original building caught fire in the ‘80s and during the rebuild the joint temporarily relocated to a building next door. Only one wall was left standing of the original building and it collapsed several months after the fire due to high winds. Everything was leveled and a new building took the old ones place. The owners bought the building they were temporarily in and knocked down the connecting wall to expand the business. They have a fairly extensive menu and have a drive up window.

Finely had an excuse to drive the '51 to a Mel's Dairy Bar, about 50 miles away on the outskirts of Malvern Arkansas today. Had a jumbo cheese burger that's right up there with the best I've had. Bun had just the right amount of grease and was browned on the grill as required for a good diner burger. Finished up with a chocolate cone. Kathy and I have a long gone old friend who'd say at meals like we had today "wonder what the poor folks are eating".

RonR

This drive-in is in Union City, Oklahoma. Been around since the ‘50s serving the usual diner fare. They have a small inside seating area and of course the walk up window. They close after the breakfast crowd and open back up for lunch then close until dinner time.

I took a road trip into Kansas, visited a couple places worth mentioning. The Vista drive in has been there since the early 60's when I lived there. They have both drive through and a nice seating area, and still serve up the best burgers. The Friendly Cooker in Wamego is a small local diner with a store front. They really are friendly and also with great burgers, either to go or dine in.

Mark

I can't believe that the talk of Kellers in July that all you beverage connoisseurs haven't mentioned the horse troughs with the ice/water and beverage cans floating randomly in it. The COLDEST in Dallas, yum.

Note to ALL, please read the second post in this thread BEFORE you make a post in this thread. Thank you.

Do not blame the Moderators if your post is deleted. I even deleted a couple of mine.

Dana and I took the '56 to met her parents for lunch at the Frying Pan in Lusby, Maryland. It was hot and humid and we were glad to have the A/C on in the truck!

When we were almost done a man came into the restaurant looking for the owner of the truck parked out front...he wanted to see if it was for sale...Dana thanked him for his interest in her truck and said it was not for sale!

Mike B

Mike B, she’s a looker for sure. I’d keep her too!

Martin; Saw your addition to my post about Moonshine Store. I am doing my best on pictures,just not a computer specialist !! I'm on my 3rd camera but coupled with the fsct my posts often go hide in the clouds and don't have anyone to help it's hard to get pictures on stovebolt. Will try some more !!

I transfer my pictures onto my "desktop" and then shrink the Stovebolt Attachment Manager screen so I can see both at the same time. Then I drag the picture I want off the desktop and right onto the Stovebolt page...easy for me!

Mike B