Good diner food! My daughter and I went for a quick late dinner and we liked it. I was a little surprised when I ordered a tuna melt and it didn't come with chips or fries or anything, but the menu didn't state that it should have, so that was my fault for assuming. I loved the chocolate malt I ordered and staff was friendly! read more

Best shakes in town. Hands down. Went this summer with my 7 yr old cousin and she even commented on how slow the service was inside. I wish the waitress we had was a little bit mire chipper and timely, they weren't busy at all and I felt like we were bothering her by being there. I have a problem when people don't identify that the place they work at is extremely nostalgic to many if it's customers and when you have a sour attitude it ruins it for them. Other than that we had a good time, the food was as expected. **I should mention this was an exception because when we went there last spring as a treat for the girls behaving while shopping we pulled into the drive thru and though it was closed the gentleman brought our shakes to the car knowing that was 1/2 the fun for us. I really appreciated that (not to mention the raspberry shake was to die for)! :) read more

Trash! Heard great things. First time in TC and just waited 45 minutes outside in parking lot for an order that was apparently "lost in the cash register"...wtf?! It took me asking the employees what was going to get an answer that it would be an additional 20 minutes to get our food. I asked for a manager. This highly empowered manager said he could "knock off a couple of bucks" on a $53 order. This place may be some local legendary establishment, but you may want to improve your customer service to stay viable. Still shaking my head at wasting an hour of my life that I will never get back. read more

Very poor quality food and wildly overpriced. Dry, unseasoned burgers. Huge thick fries straight from the GFS bag that get soggy, not crisp. Slow, indifferent service. The malts and shakes were fine, but a round of cheeseburgers and fries for four was $74! Absolutely unacceptable for food of this quality. Traverse City is a tourist town but January is not tourist season and I very much resent being taken advantage of. There are lots of restaurants in town, almost all of which have better food and more reasonable prices. My husband grew up nearby and we came here out of his sense of nostalgia. We won't be back. read more

Really Good Burger and Load of Fries! I really like burgers and this is a nice burger! I love to make the trip over to Don's when I'm in town during the summer! It is a fun casual greasy spoon with good burgers in a good ol' fashion diner atmosphere! read more

Quick service. Amazing real fruit cherry shake. Simple tasty eats. Would I return? Yes:-)

Just had lunch here today. Liz was our server and she was great. Nice sense of humor. Burgers were okay. Loved the char on mine. Buns need a little work as they fell apart and left you with a mess. Fries were blah. Onion rings are good. Good service was a plus. Interior needs a little updating and cleaning. Stop in when in TC. read more

A Traverse Native now living in Texas ..In town from Texas visiting family took my girls and my husband here for the first time and of course they did not disappoint from my memories of excellent burgers, fries and shakes!! For being 60 yrs old and a tourist attraction all these years, they are still definitely a place you must try! Service was great too!! Be prepared because they are always busy especially in the summer!! read more

Superb food and people... The food is delicious and the atmosphere is excellent.. as it overlooks the sea and the surroundings. The people in the restaurant are brilliant and helpful. Would go again. read more

At first I thought this was an actual drive-in where you eat in your car and I was excited - I love that so I was a little bummed when I realized it wasn't. Very friendly staff, food is served up very quickly and it pretty good too. I have had better burgers but the atmosphere made it fun. The kids meals appeared to be served in an old fashioned cardboard car which was awesome. Loved the fried spear pickles. . I meant to get a shake to go and forgot because we were in a bit of a hurry to get somewhere but next time I am in TC I will have to stop in and at least get one to go! Love shakes but they are so filling they are often hard to eat with a meal! read more

Sorry to my dear boyfriend who wanted to share a piece of his childhood with me, but Don's failed to impress. I ordered a chocolate milk shake, cheeseburger with fries, and we got some mushrooms to start. The food wasn't necessarily bad, but it was definitely not great. I can do greasy burgers, so long as they have a kick of flavor. The burgers at Don's are greasy with a side of grease. No real seasoning, no memorable beef experience. read more

Don's Drive In - American Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Bad service. Super unseasoned and not the best diner food I've ever gotten. It seemed like our being there was a hassle for the staff and get rushed to get out! read more

Service was incredibly slow with frequent mistakes. The staff seemed very overwhelmed. The old drive in style was really neat for us to show the kids. The food was good but overall rating a 3 as there was was more to be desired. read more

Oh, Don. How I miss our love affair. But I have vowed to eat healthier to try to extend and enhance my years on this planet. For those of you still in the throes of diner bliss, you must try Don's. He'll rock your world. Don't make the same rookie mistake I did and veer off from the traditional burger and fries. Don't try to be different for the sake of being different. Just get the dang burger and fries and chocolate malt (my personal fave) and let the greasy goodness take you to your happy place. Say hello for me... (Don, I may have to get just one more taste when I'm feeling naughty!) read more

Wife and I stopped here this past weekend. Each order a burger and Med Shake. We shared the fried mushrooms and onion rings. Bill with tip came to about $30. Kinda pricey for lunch at a drive-in. Everything was ok, just not seasoned well. Burgers were juicy, just not much taste. read more

Ok, the food was good, but their practices in up-charging were tacky. First they charged my wife $1 extra for her raspberry shake, even though the menu clearly showed $4.99 for real fruit shakes. Then they up-charged $0.99 for substituting cottage cheese for coleslaw! I'm allergic to raw carrots. And they did the same for my wife and son! Worst of all, the waitress never told us anything would be an up-charge! Maybe most visitors don't look at their bill. We did and what a shock! $3.97 more in up-charges? I don't think we'll be back. It's too bad. Their food is really tasty and their shakes full of fruit. read more

Great drive in, good service! The real fruit shakes (no just syrup) are sooo tasty! When in TC, you have to have cherry.

Don's is such a staple in Traverse City. There are few places as unique and authentic as the Drive In. The food is simple, but of highest quality. My waitress was Shelby, and she might literally be the nicest and most sincere server I've ever had. You definitely need to ask is she's working if you pay Don's a visit!! read more

Don's Drive In - American Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

The service took almost an hour for four people, and we had trouble finding a spot to park. Staff was overwhelmed for such a small joint. Food was unseasoned. I later learned the food was bad, and my family had a rough time on the toilet. It honestly is really bad. Go to McDonald's if you want better fries and a burger. This comment is for the sake of my bowels... read more

Just had the most amazing Burger and Shake. They were so nice. Called ahead they could not have been kinder when I picked it up!! Worth every calorie!!! read more

I'm a TC native (was born here) and this place was around when my parents were young, many years ago. I want to give a hand of support to my local business but also to say, honestly, that I love their place. The 50s decor is nice and makes you feel like you're back in the good ol' days. My favorites are their wonderful thick & creamy malts (vanilla and cherry being my favorite) and their footlong hotdog. The servers have always been friendly and the food served pretty fast. Sure, there are a lot of 50s style diners around the country, but this is northern Michigan and Don's is OURS. We love Don's and are glad they are here. read more

I love going to this restaurant because of the atmosphere.....looking at the pictures and other items, makes you feel like you are back in the 50s. And to add to the atmosphere, their food is delicious! read more

Yum!!! Good old fashioned burgers with a unique experience at the drive in. How fun to pull up to an old timey drive up with a classic menu and great service. My husband and I had the 1/4 burger and it was absolutely delicious! I had mine with fried mushrooms which were also really good. They also have shakes and malts that sounded amazing but we were in a bit of a hurry and honestly pretty stuffed after our burgers, which totally hit the spot! read more

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We grabbed a burger from here the last time we were in TC and I remembered that it was awesome so we got one again this visit. My memory served me well because the burger was just as amazing as I remembered!! My husband and I each got the 1/4 lb with cheese and the works. We also ordered fried pickle spears which were also good. The burger is messy but so worth it. My husband got us a vanilla shake to share this time too and it used real vanilla ice cream and was wonderful! Totally recommend them as one of the best burgers! read more

4 stars and this is why, the food was okay not excellent but not bad either. It's a good quality burger the fries were fresh and crisp but the onion rings were better than good. The wait staff was fast and attentive and most of all polite. The building shows its age both on the outside and inside but I wouldn't let that stop me from going again. It's not a chain restaurant so I have to say kudos to the owners for being able to hold their own. I'll support a mom and pop shop over a chain anytime read more

Burger was average, nothing to stop for. Fries were good. Atmosphere was fun, waiter was very nice. Possibly other items on menu were better. read more

We had never been here and didn't know protocol during Covid so we got out of the car and started walking towards the door. As I was reaching for it, my husband noticed the sign that said employees only and told me, so we started to turn away and Don shows up. We were yelled at and embarrassed by the old owner Don who apparently volunteers here. I tried to laugh it off and say "oh we have never been here and didn't know how it worked" he could have easily said " oh go sit down out front and I will take your order" but no he was rude and condescending! As we were leaving to get in our car and find a more welcoming place to have lunch another customer yelled at him out her car window and told him that he was being rude! read more

Been there twice in the last three months. Burgers are tasty - if more than a bit greasy. My vanilla malts have been the best I've ever had (and I've had a LOT of malts in 60 years). The period decor - 50s - is pretty tired. Service was quick, capable and attentive. Prices are OK ... not especially a great deal but I felt I received good value for what I spent given the experience. I'll be back. read more

Fun decor and a great little historical spot...there is even a mural of what Traverse City looked like at that same spot, back in the 60s! (Sometimes it is hidden up by chairs, just ask the waitstaff if you want to see it. ) Service is very relaxed, you might have to get up and ask for something you need on a slow day, but all in all, great food for a fair price. Do not come unless you are ready to be a little piggy, though! :) read more

Andrea was our server and she was great. Great burger with bacon and jalapeños with a side of onion rings/slaw. I didnt have room for a shake but wish i did. read more

Don's Drive In - 1/4 with bacon and jalapeños with an order of onion rings/slaw - American Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Dirty looking inside. Needs a deep clean. Flies and a full layer of grime on the floor. Expected it to be better than that. Food was decent. Messed up my order but it was just a topping missing on my burger. Cheap prices. Vintage pinball and fortune teller in the entrance were cool. Everyone seemed to like it but since I work in a restaurant I'm especially picky about cleanliness. read more

No complaints!! Service was fast and friendly on a Sunday at lunchtime. Food was reasonably priced and really good! Try the seasoned sweet potato fries.... amazing! read more

Great burgers, sandwiches and amazing shakes! It's a great time to be able to go to an old style restaurant!

Great Greasy Spoon. Good Reuben & burgers. GREAT fries & shakes. Owner was working the floor. Very friendly.

Amazing food and incredible milkshakes- I love the vibe of the inside. Fast, Hot, and yummy fries :)

I wanted to love this place, but it was just an average lunch. My order was incorrect but so didn't feel like waiting to have it fixed, it was acceptable. The waitress was adequate, not friendly but not rude. Burger was tasty, just didn't have the right combo of stuff I asked for. Onion rings were done well, just not my preference. It was a solid place to have lunch and really cute inside. I'd give it another shot, but I'm not dying to go back. read more

DANG, this place is good! We tried on our first day in TC. As we were driving around, my girlfriend said that we HAD to go there, and I scoffed, laughed at her, and told her that I didn't want to get food poisoning for the rest of the trip. Yes, I had my judgey hat on and got snooty about the decor, which I will now not-so-secretly admit is campy and fun rather than tacky. Best burgers ever, best shakes ever, and outdoor seating by the water! I can see why this place does well. I will be back next time we visit TC! read more

Went tonight with my daughter, had the quarter pound mushroom and Swiss and we shared a chocolate cherry shake. She got the slider kids meal. I would have given it more stars if the meet had any kind of flavor or seasoning to it. I had to salt and pepper it to give it flavor as I don't like mustard,ketchup or mayo. My daughter's slider was so small I had to share part of my burger with her. Not a fan of the fries, they're Huge beef steak fries that don't get crispy enough. I could also taste freezer burn. I lived here for years, and have gone once... And now that my daughter has experienced it, I don't see a need to go back. $22 seems like a lot for an adult and kids meal. read more

Better burger than at a fast food place for sure. But let's be real people it's dons. It's a greasy spoon. The booths are uncomfortable but the servers are friendly. Great place to go it u wanna relive the old days. Just don't go too often or u wont have many more days to relive. Because u will die read more

The saying is true...if you haven't been to Don's, you haven't been to Traverse City. When I think of Traverse City, I think of burgers, beaches, shopping and sunsets. For some reason we love eating burgers when we visit. Seeing that Don's was near our hotel, we decided to stop in after a long day on Mackinac Island. Luckily for us, Don's was open late so we were able to grab a bite to eat before we crashed back at the hotel. The inside of Don's is very retro with diner-esque qualities. Just sitting and looking around made me wish I lived during the 50's. Again, it was a long day so I don't remember too many details but I do remember being able to watch the beautiful sunset through the windows....and the red booths. My bf ordered a chicken sandwich and I ordered 2 sliders with mushrooms on the side. We split a side of fries. I also ordered a small root beer but was told (or warned) that it was only 8 oz. It definitely was miniature but no one should be drinking more pop than that anyways. My burgers were great, exactly what I expected. They didn't have all the fixings of a traditional burger but you could always get that on the side if you want. The fries were really fresh too...wish we ordered more. Food is cooked fresh when ordered and the turn around time was super quick. If we are ever in the area, we will definitely stop by Don's again! read more