Food is excellent! Love the retro vibe too. The place is small but has a warm and friendly atmosphere. The crisp on the fries is top notch.

Bonnie Doon Drive-In is THE quintessential old fashioned drive-in in South Bend, Indiana. Think Sonic but legit. My boyfriend and I were feeling silly in June 2026 and wanted ice cream for brunch so decided to go here after a quick search on Yelp. Inside felt like a mix of Grease, Pleasantville, and the Fallout TV show with tin lunchboxes, pictures of classic cars, and cheeky signs decorating every square inch of the inside. While waiting for our food, we hummed along to the music of the 1950s and 1960s playing on the speakers from the same Sirius XM station my parents listen to. Some artists we heard during our lunch there included The Ronettes, Elvis, The Bobettes, The Crests, and The Temptations! Since we both ordered "baskets," we got our sandwiches with fries and a soda. My boyfriend got the green river phosphate soda and I got a diet root beer. His phosphate was so bright neon green that it definitely stood out! We only waited about 5 minutes for our food but that was still enough time to look around the place and listen to some of the orders being placed by cars over the speakers as well as flip through an early 2000s book on some of the must visit hamburger restaurants in the USA. See attached picture for a screenshot of that list. Now, my grilled pb and banana sandwich was a decent size. Not too big and actually reflecting the portion sized people in the 1950s used to eat! The prices reflected the "small-ish" portions as well as we only paid $7.99 for my basket and his was $10.99. The white toast was heavily buttered and the pb was creamy. I would have preferred crunchy pb for texture reasons. The crinkle fries needed salt but they hit the spot! The food itself wasn't anything special but the vibes were perfect! After eating our real food, we then got our heavily anticipated bowls of sugar upon sugar. My bf's medium tin roof sundae was quite large and indulgent ($4.99). But I definitely went hard in indulging. I treated myself to the classic cars sundae ($5.99) with a scoop of birthday cake and caramel moose tracks with strawberry syrup topping. I laugh cried when it came out, I was so happy! It was sooooo much sugar. The total with cash was about $32 and with credit card, it was $33.34 as there is a 4% fee for using a card. I left 40 bucks in cash for the meal and the tip. Then we left and I immediately died of a sugar rush. The end! read more

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Stopped in for some icecream after dinner! Place hasn't changed since I was little in a good way! We got delicious hot fudge sundae, some mint ice cream, and some Supergirl ice cream! The young girl who took our order was very nice and the ice cream was delicious! The ambiance is still there from being a kid too! read more

I've been there twice in the past couple of weeks. Great service whether inside or out. Food is delish and the ice cream is the best. probably going for dinner again tonight read more

The Bonnie burgers are the best along with their ice cream it is like a 1950 retro diner with all types of records hanging on the wall old style 50s decor read more

Food was slow was constantly messed up wasn't right management over charged us and very rude server was rude nothing was done about it 100.00 bill and couldnt get a side salad right for a kid poor service read more

I remember this place as kid--I will be 90 in July--great nostalgia and food -- highly recommend

Everything was great fast service and my grandbabies loved the experience!! We are waiting the moment they open! Can't wait!

Amazing food. Wonderful atmosphere. Great service and great staff. Always a great choice for any time you are hungry.

I've been here many times as a kid and I love their food. The service is great and ambience is good. I really love the design of the interior, it gives you the 1950's kind of vibe. If you're a nostalgia type person, I would recommend this place. It's great to see what it was like at a diner during the 50's to 80's. I really think they should keep the 50's vibe, but make some changes to seating and speakers. read more

Unchanged in decades but still serving up scoops of love and ice cream. Wonderful flavors, the best chocolate malt I've had in years. They offer food, too, so it is not just a nice cream stand. The drive-in equipment looks a bit rickety but you can dine in and skip the red button and speaker gizmos. A retro delight. read more

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This place will forever be a favorite! Amazing chocolate mint shake, olive burgers, sundaes, fries, and everything! Only thing off sometimes is service. Been going here for 50 years! read more

Good food and good atmosphere fun drive in dinner would recommend this location do not like to do reviews because they make us do them too long read more

Took a long time to get our food and I was not too impressed. Maybe fine for ice cream, but the prices were high and the food was just okay.

I heard this place was the staple of the community for a good burger and ice cream, but having so much more. So I ordered a two scoop cup of ice cream. I wanted to try two different flavors and they put both in the cup. The cookie dough ice cream was good but it came with chocolate chips which I wasn't aware of but had the surprise of finding out. The other flavor, super girl, wasn't anything special or tasted good. I also ordered a two piece fish, fries and order of onion rings. The fish was not tasty, tasted like it had been cook in old cooking oil, and cook too hard. The fries and onion rings were cook to hard and also tasted like they had been cook in old grease. I'm not sure if I came at a bad time of the day but based on this experience I wouldn't recommend this establishment. Or, maybe I should have just ordered ice cream and left it at that. read more

Bonnie Doon Drive-In - Two piece fish with onion rings - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

Great ice cream. The service was excellent. It was very busy but all workers were hustling and friendly. Love the nostalgic vibe. Burger was ok, nothing special. But the ice cream made up for it. read more

An old-fashioned drive-in in all of the best ways. You don't have to leave your car, but there are tables there if you want to. The car hops were super friendly, on the ice cream came out very quickly. The ice cream itself was absolutely phenomenal. The prices were also extremely reasonable, this would be a great place to bring your kids For a treat anytime. read more

I went here a couple months ago, and let's just say the food was bad, but service even worse. After waiting almost an hour for the food, and reminding the waitress 3 TIMES for a root beer float which never arrived, we complained to the manager and asked for money to be taken off the bill. They did this without even apologizing for the bad time. Finally, as we got up to leave, a random waitress who wasn't even our server came up to the table and started yelling at us and saying we were "extremely rude" for complaining. As we walked out of the restaurant, this same waitress started yelling louder and muttered for us to never come back. This is bad enough, since we did nothing wrong, but the nightmare wasn't over yet. We started pulling out of the parking lot and the waitress STARTED CHASING OUR CAR. We rolled down the window to ask what was wrong and she extremely sarcastically said "Oh, just saying bye!!"...Our family has been coming here for almost 50 years, and thanks to this experience, we will never be coming back. read more

A fun spot for lunch. Was busy inside and out. Servers were cheerful and speedy. The burger could have been a minute less in the grill but was still good. Chocolate shake was great. A great place for an American Graffiti flashback. read more

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The large mint chip shake is amazing. The people are very and our server asked how our day was. Thank you! The place is like a classic 90's style. Clean and comfortable. Recommend for sure. read more

I saw a sign for that s old school drive in at the museum. I had a chocolate shake and my guest had a chocolate sundae. Both were very good. read more

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After a trip to the Potowatami Zoo today I took my two little ones to Bonnie Doon drive-in, which I've been told it is the last one of its kind in the area. Here are the best parts: -The original drive-thru speakers still work! -They serve both food and ice cream treats. -Kids meals are reasonable and milk is a drink option that comes with it. -For $1 extra you can add a scoop of ice cream to a kids meal. -The ice cream is amazing! Go for the lemon custard, my personal favorite. -Ice cream quarts and pints are available for purchase! -Friendly staff, quick service! -If you're ok w/a few extra calories (and clearly you are if you're considering Bonnie Doon) try the grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich. It tastes a little more fried than grilled -- which means it is so good. -Kids meals are served in cardboard classic car boxes. A cute touch! -Restrooms were clean! Give this place a try! Keep reasonable expectations for the food (its a drive-in) and enjoy the experience -- and the amazing ice cream. read more

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I grew up with many memories of Bonnie Doon's when I was a child. Now, we are down to the last location! Still great food and service. They have added items to the menu...I am especially grateful for the Veggie Burger.. delicious! My granddaughter loves when I take her to Bonnie Doon's for lunch! I hope you are open for many years! read more

We were returning from our summer vacation and passing through Indiana on the tollway when we got hungry and got off in Mishawaka to find this "diamond in the rough". I use this phrase as, from the outside, the building looks rough (as does the neighborhood with vacant buildings and lots) but on the inside it was like traveling back to a bygone era. I ordered the grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich and a root beer float, both of which were impressive. They say a picture is worth a thousand words...so I'll let these pictures speak for themselves. read more

Bonnie Doon Drive-In - Root beer float - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

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Terrible experience. Placed order via speaker for two milkshakes and a hot fudge sundae. They were somewhat busy so after 45 minutes and seeing others that arrived after us getting both food and ice cream I flagged down an employee asking about our order. He said he would check on it. The next two times he walked by he seemed to purposely walk on the other side of the island. After another 15 minutes I ask another employee who comes back a few minutes later to say they appear to have lost our order. They offer to make order for free but it will be another 10 minutes. My child is in tears and doesn't want to wait any longer. Extremely disappointed (especially the employee that ignored following up the first time). Would not recommend. read more

Bonnie's new Mac and cheese is outstanding, it tastes like my homemade (almost, lol). There was so much cheese it was dripping off the fork from between the tines. The place was remodeled and clean, the food so inexpensive and yet absolutely delicious. They are very generous with the fries and the food is very fresh. I love me some Valpo Velvet ice cream! Try the coffee Oreo fudge read more

I'm in my 50s, so I have a warm spot for drive-ins. I like the food and ice cream at Bonnie Doon Drive-In, but I've just about had it with their "service"! This review is going to be a conglomeration of all my recent visits so far this season. The first and second parking spots, closest to the door, don't have speakers. So, you can wait for one of the car hops to notice you or you can call the phone number hand written on a piece of paper stuck to the menu board to try and place your order. I say TRY intentionally! Two different times I called this number after being COMPLETELY IGNORED by several carhops for 10-15 minutes. Once the call went to voice mail, which of course, is worthless. The second time the system hung-up on me. One visit I honked my horn a short honk to get a car hops attention (which back in the day was the customary thing to do) and after she left my window she was grumbling out loud enough for me to hear her saying "Don't honk your horn!!!" And then she expected a tip, LOL,LOL,LOL! A couple weeks ago I bought a Hambuger Basket with a Root Beer Float upgrade and an extra hamburger. One of the burgers was dried-out to the point that the bun was actually crusty/crunchy/crumbly. The burger patty was also dry and chewy. Tonight I ordered a Tuna SALAD sandwich, and I specifically repeated to the speaker-voice "Tuna SALAD". The voice said, "Yeh, I got it". I wanted the sandwich for a few hours later at home. The bill for this and a Root Beer Float came to $7.04. The car hop who brought me the food asked me if I wanted my change back from a $10.00 bill! She actually expected a $3.00 tip for carrying a tuna MELT and Root Beer Float 20 feet out to my car, AND had the audacity to ASK FOR A TIP!!! Three hours later, I took the sandwich out of my fridge, opened it up and it was a TUNA MELT. A VERY COLD TUNA MELT!, ON TOAST! Blechh! Most of the car hops are incredibly good at ignoring the cars/customers all around them, staring dead ahead as they head out or back inside the restaurant. Even though they SHOULD KNOW spots 1 and 2 don't have speakers. It seems with several of these girls that milking the customers for a big tip is the primary goal, while customer service is secondary, if any consideration at all. Like I said the food is usually good, but the "service" kills the whole dining experience. ************************UPDATE***************************** 7/27/2020 About a week ago the owner comped me another tuna salad sammich to make up for the mistake I experienced. Service seems to have improved a bit. I really LIKE Bonnie Doon's, I WANT it to be a good restaurant. read more

Good food, great ice cream & the car hop service is fun. Be patient as this is not fast food. Staff is great & work very hard. A unique experience in Michiana. read more

Love Love Love this place. Yes it is old, not hipster, ok? It is charming, like stepping back into the 1960's. They still have individual menus at eat parking spot with a speaker where you push the button when ready to order. They bring the food to your car. You may also go Inside and eat, or sit at one of the many outdoor tables. You do what you want to do, the dining choices are endless. The food is just as you would expect from a drive-in. Fantastic, greasy and delicious. The people working there are super nice, fast and attentive. The ice cream is what made Bonnie Doon famous, and it does not disappoint. Go back in time, enjoy some top notch eats, and soak up the nostalgia of this Michiana Landmark. read more

Bonnie Doon Drive-In - Yum! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

I came to visit from out of town. Grew up on Bonnie. I was highly disappointed, you could tell they changed to a frozen patty. It was not good at all. So sad, seems like an era is gone. I don't know if the pandemic caused changes, but please go back to the way it used to be! read more

Don't let the sun-faded antique sign fool you, Bonnie Doon is open for business! It may look old and worn on the outside, but step inside and you'll be transported back in time to a classic, old-fashioned, family friendly diner. The menu is basic with cheap burgers, dogs and fries, which tbh aren't anything spectacular. However, you don't go here for the food, it's all about the ICE CREAM! Mint chocolate chip, chocolate, and cookie dough are my favorites (yes, very classic), and the smoothies and sundaes are a wonderful summer treat. Be sure to get a waffle cone, I don't know if they're made fresh, but they pair perfectly with their generous scoops of creamy ice cream and sorbet! Oh, and the staff are friendly, albeit quite busy most of the time. Plan on stopping by for a tasty treat sometime soon! read more

Truly vintage carhop/drive-in - the last of a long-lived empire. I'm glad to see that Bonnie Doon still exists, at least in some form. The good: Straight out of the 50s. You can pull up to a drive in spot out back and your order will be brought to your car. Love it. Interior is just as preserved. The prices. We just had ice cream. We had three cones, 2 one-scoops and 1 two-scoops and paid less than $7. That's way better portion sizes and way better pricing than your frozen-monolith places offer, plus you're supporting a local business (or two). The staff. Super friendly and chatty. We were offered menus twice even though we were just getting ice cream and our scooper made pleasant small talk with us as we waited for our treats. The okay: If you park and walk in through the back door, you walk right through the kitchen and register area which is a little odd. I hesitated but was reassured by the staff to come on through. The Blue Moon. Bonnie Doon's no longer makes ice cream. It's now from Valpo Velvet, though they have a lot of flavors that look an awful lot like the old BD stuff. Didn't notice any Crummy Cookie or Pecan Praline (mostly because I had zeroed in on what I came for) but was glad to see Peppermint Stick (in July - woo hoo!) and mint AND mint chip so choco-mint sodas can be made properly. Anyhow, I had a spoonful of Blue Moon to taste, and was pleased with the flavor. But it was a bit subtle. Blue Moon is already subtle and ethereal and hard to place, but after a few licks, it wasn't as distinguishable as the old Bonnie Doon's formula. No sugar cones? At least we weren't offered a choice. Again, I'm really glad this outpost of an old favorite still exists, even if it's not quite the same. For someone who lives 4000 miles away, it's close enough! read more

Service here was amazing! And the food was delicious. Our waiter Jess was just phenomenal! She was so nice, very well mannered, and hard working read more

Love their banana boats. Their Bonnie burgers ate good to. Been a long time since I have been here. Won't wait this king again read more

Bonnie Doon Drive-In - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

Ordered the tenderloin sandwich...fries..and the grilled chicken salad. Service was slow...but pleasant. However..the salad came without dressing...we asked for dressing..had to wait a while...and when it finally arrived...the dressing was rancid. They did replace the salad...but It will be a long time before I go back read more

Bonnie Doon's is an icon. Having been around since 1941, they are doing something very right. This place is nostalgia in restaurant form. They even still rock the car-hop service and of course the music is straight out of the 1960's. Their ice cream is top-notch. Their food is very good. I like the thin patty double-cheeseburger, but they have plenty of strong choices. And who doesn't like perfectly crispy crinkle-cut fries? Add in a chocolate malt and you've got yourself one great experience. My teenage son and I split the large fries for under $2.50 and didn't finish them. So, yeah the prices are good too. Several generations of South Benders have loved this place. I highly recommend it. read more

Very nostalgic place.. service was friendly the crinkle cut fries were nice a crispy.. burger was decent much better than the arches ..

Haven't been to one of these in a while. Had to have something sweet, Soooo bananna boat it is! Taste great less filling. read more

Bonnie Doon Drive-In - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

Bonnie Doon was overall a really great place!! A nice old atmosphere with very friendly workers and even great ice cream! Something different since it was opened in the 1960's I believe. read more

The best ice cream on either side of the Mississippi. As a traveling musician I see a lot of burger joints and drive-ins but this one tops them all. Make sure to get a hot dog with bacon and an ice cream soda. Not only will you enjoy the food and ice cream but there's a ton of history at this place. read more

Bonnie Doon Drive-In - In the dining room. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana