The staff and service here are top notch. Our family of 6 did a day trip to the Morehead City area for the NC Shell Show and stayed for play time so our kids could play and run around at Shevans Park nearby. We stopped by El's after our kids worked up an appetite. We liked the old school drive-in feel and the kids eating in their car seats strapped in with the DVD player and AC on was a really nice touch after all the running. We got a bunch of things off the menu: grilled cheese and nuggets for my 2 younger boys, hamburger and double cheeseburger for my 2 older boys, onion rings, hush puppies and the ever so famous shrimp burgers for my husband and I (hubby got the super shrimp burger). I wouldn't have considered trying the shrimp burger but after reading about how amazing it is, I knew I had to try it. There were a lot of shrimp in the regular burger, and I'm not a coleslaw girly but the coleslaw really worked in the burger. It really did not disappoint and now I am salivating just thinking about it. read more

El's Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Morehead City, North Carolina

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There's nothing like El's. El's Drive-In in Morehead City has been a beloved tradition in my family for decades. So while visiting family in Jacksonville, NC, I couldn't resist making the drive to Morehead just to savor the iconic Shrimp Burger -- often duplicated, but never, ever matched. Fresh, delicious, and full of memories. Now I'm back in Atlanta, and let's just say... lunch is feeling a little too ordinary today. I'd do just about anything for another El's Shrimp Burger right now! The best part? I brought a new friends along, and guess what? They loved it. Sharing is caring -- and when it comes to good food and great memories, it's the best kind of love. read more

El's Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Morehead City, North Carolina

Simple but amazing! Great choice if you are looking for a cute tiny drive in food stop. Their milkshakes are great (especially their strawberry milkshakes). Great service and yummy food! read more

El's is one of the best original drive ins left in this country. It was super cold and I took the hubby for his first experience after talking to him about it for over a decade. First of all its parking lot is the most appealing spot for a nice fresh off the grill burger. After convincing him that we don't go inside our server came up to the car (in the 30s outside) and greeted us warmly and took our order and offered great recommendations for sides. He loved the cozy feel of an old school diner but with only a parking lot. The food- stellar as always. Big healthy perfectly cooked burgers with fries and mozz bites. We couldn't have been closer to heaven. If you're looking for a great blast from the past of amazing food with over the top service you must go to El's. Be sure to overtip your server, they deserve it. Love some El's!! read more

El's Drive-In - Best burger in eastern NC baby!! - Burgers Near Me - Morehead City, North Carolina

All cash is not accurate. Gals who service cars are the best!! Shrimp sandwich has me dreaming read more

Went to El's for my second time The shrimp burger was so good! Got the regular one and it was a lot of shrimp Fries are yummy! Service is spot on read more

Pull into El's. Drive in and you are immediately greeted by a pleasant wait staff who takes your order and brings it to you. Sandwiches galore, burgers. Shrimp burgers, oysters, hotdogs and a much more. Kind of reminiscent of the old days. Food is fresh and tasty. Try them it's a neat experience. read more

Great food, fast service and super tasty food. The server comes right up to your car whenever you park and easily takes your order. I will definitely be back! read more

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Pulled up on a random Thursday late afternoon and there weren't a lot of people in the parking lot. Was greeted promptly by a very nice waitress, and placed our order. There was limited shade to park in but I managed to find a spot where we could eat in our car. The food came out fast which was great. The shrimp burger was the best I have ever had and wouldn't think twice about ordering it again. The fries were mid, I feel like they didn't salt them at all but instead added salt packets so you could salt them yourself but by that point it's too late. Same with the sweet tea, might be the worst sweet tea in NC however the strawberry milk shake was great! This place has a reputation and for good reason. read more

Great food, great service Outstanding shrimp burger. BBQ was also very good. Park in the shade. read more

great service; old fashioned burgers with steamed buns - not thick dry burgers. fries are cooked right not undercooked and soggy. shrimp are delicious. milkshakes. fountain drinks are mixed properly. read more

The service was phenomenal, as a first timer it was a little confusing that you sat in your car and they came to you (I guess that's what a drive-in is). The food was just okay, I don't know if I ordered the wrong thing, I think I need to go back and give it another chance. read more

My wife and I stopped by for a shrimp burger during Christmas Break Parking lot is total chaos, girls working constantly forgetting food items and food is thrown in a bag with 20 ketchup packets. We won't be back. read more

Great food. Fast service. Great atmosphere. Great drive-in. Will definitely come back!!!!

I have been going to El's for as long as I can remember. It is truly a one of a kind experience on the coast. It is also an essential part of my family's trip when coming to Morehead City. My uncles and aunts all had first dates here when it first opened for business. We always order the shrimp burgers. I also order the mozzarella sticks and cheese fries (absolutely amazing). Service is always great!! My favorite place to park is under a big tree. It is easy to miss because of how small the building is. How I always remember it is it being right next to the hospital. read more

First of all, the satellite El's is in Smyrna, NC. While El's is under renovation, you can still get an El's Burger All The Way, a Shrimp Burger, killer Fries, and Onion Rings. Go. You won't be disappointed and it's worth the trip. My mom passed away in August. My brother Bob & I vowed to eat Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner everyday while we were in Morehead city for the funeral. Sadly, El's is closed, but, thankfully the owners opened El's East in Smyrna, NC. It's a trailer and a parking lot with a few picnic tables. I've been making my family go to El's as a religious event whenever we are in town. El's East is a walk up counter in a black trailer. Don't care. It is wonderful and if you are in the area it's a must. We had perfect weather which made the journey to Davis, my mom's home town, a treat. The burger all the way was deliciously heavy and rich. The Shrimp burger, fresh & tender shrimp, lightly breaded. Onion Rings will probably kill me but I do not care. I must. I must. And I have devoured them. My apologies for no pics. The food didn't last. Yelp couldn't find the Smyrna address so the El's address in Morehead shows up. Google El's East in Smyrna, Down East, NC. I'm thankful the owners cared about their devote followers enough to open El's East in 2024. Now, what are you waiting for? Go! read more

Ells is a legend; a must try if u r in the area!! The "all the way" dogs r great! The fried oysters..... well it is fast food. It could have been an off night or it took too long to return to the hotel, but the hotdogs are still bomb!!! Go, enjoy the legend in Morehead City!!! read more

When we visit in Morehead, El's drive - in is always a stop on our list. Very simple drive in, they come up to your car. Take your order. Bring it back to your car and you eat it in the car. The walking waitresses are always very nice and helpful. Food is great. read more

Everybody loves their shrimp burgers. I'm not a seafood fan, but just putting this in for those who are. Here's an updated menu picture. Their prices have gone up read more

El's Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Morehead City, North Carolina

The food was good and the service was good. You need to use cash only because their credit card machine charged me 2 times for the same order. When I saw what happened I called the restaurant hoping they could just issue a refund, but they said I have to call my bank. I live so far away I just can't stop back by there and get straightned out. And they didn't give me a receipt and that's what the bank said I needed for them to give me a refund. I just think they could have done better than just telling me to call my bank. that was my first time going to EL's Drive In and it will probaly be my last. read more

The food is alright but not worth the 50-minute wait, We saw other cars being served before us with not even an apology from the server

1 fish sandwich took over an hour. No apologies from the staff for the massive wait. BUT delicious fish sandwich. Get it with all the fixings read more

Have known this place for many years One of my favorite restaurants for hot dogs and hamburgers and the staff is always very friendly also I Tell newcomers about it when visiting the area. read more

Nostalgic, simple, delicious! Cash only drive in with a very friendly waitstaff. Menu was expansive and affordable-- the shrimp burger & milkshakes HIT. 10/10 would go back!!!! read more

Went there just before the renovation. I wanted to like this place and had my expectations high. But was just disappointed. The service was great, the car hops were quick, friendly, and helpful. However the food was just OK. I got a shrimp burger, oyster burger, onion rings, cherry shake. Nothing really impressed me, it was all just OK. Plus I really thought the value for we quality was lacking. I think the biggest warning is they put ketchup (or similar) on the burgers. Yuck. I'm not 3 years old. The ketchup really hides and overpowers the seafood flavor. Never going there again, especially with so many other options around the area. read more

Food was hot and fresh! Big burgers, hot fries, and amazing onion rings. Birds in the lot were entertaining. Will be back.

I was really surprised this place let us down! I've heard some wonderful things. We arrived around 11am after a trip from the beach. This was our first time. There were four women running around the car but no one stopped. I noticed that no one was assigned to a section, it was just a free for all! Because of this unorganized chaos we were not helped because everyone else thought that we were helped by someone else. I had to wave one of them down. (You'll notice there are no prices on the board) Once we ordered it was surprising that it took 1 HOUR and 30 MIN.. (we were thinking about leaving... to be honest we should have) The food was subpar .... Once again they must be very very badly organized. (El's need to take notes from Chick-fil-A) Everyone's food was bland tasting and the hamburgers had very small patty!! The total for our very late and terrible lunch was $65.00 Cash. (they only accept cash which they don't mention in the beginning) After reopening I expected a lot more then just a nice store front. This is our first and last time! read more

It is a cash-only business that has been around since the 1940's. A great stop after a day at the beach. This is a cash-only drive inn, just remember that. The local favorite is the shrimp burger. read more

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Shrimp burger!!! I LOVE THIS PLACE! Every time I'm visiting, I have to stop here, it's a must!!

Great food great prices, worth every penny, must go if in the area! Always great service, get the chili cheese fries!

You stay in your car. They bring the menu and food out to you. Go hungry. Huge portions. The servers come straight out to your car. Pretty traditional hamburger and hot dog fare, plus seafood options because its on the coast. On the one hand my throwing-out-food guilt makes me hate this place, but on the other hand, they fill you up. Burgers and fries are really good and you may take a bunch home with you. On the downside, for me, lots of fried, fried, fried, so food can be heavy. You're in your car, so based on your vehicle choices, you choose your ambiance depending on what part of the drive-in you park. Really excellent grill/fried food, but heavy, so go hungry. read more

Always great. Servers do an incredible job with keeping up with the cars even though you can literally park anywhere. Wish I lived down there so I could visit more often. read more

Legendary food! It's a must stop in when visiting the Crystal Coast! Drive up, order, and enjoy a little piece of heaven!! read more

Got to love this place -it's a classic drive up with burgers shakes and fries -cash only but they have an ATM -waitresses bring it to your car no dine in option read more

Best hot dog I have had in a long time ... only down side is that it's a cash only establishment

I love This place the hotdogs are the best. I've never been disappointed one time. I have been eating here for a many of years.

Full disclosure - I would definitely give this place another try because I think it could be better than my first go-around. I love a good roadside stop, especially one that that looks like it's been here for decades, which after looking them up, they have! (1959!). I tried the supercheeseburger 'all the way', fries, onion rings, and hushpuppies. After calling in the order, it was ready to pickup within 10 minutes and your food is brought out to your car. The cheeseburger was pretty big - hence the name lol. It was pretty thick and also large in diameter on a bigger than standard sized bun. Other than coleslaw and cheese, I'm not really sure what else was actually on this burger. The flavors were pretty muddled and I ended up adding ketchup. I don't *think* mine (or my husband who ordered the same thing) had neither chili or mustard that was supposed to be included as well. My husband really liked the hushpuppies - only $1 for 6. The onion rings were not something I would get again - these are not ones that have an actual onion ring inside the batter and instead have more of an onion mash. Basically what I would get buying a bag at a grocery store :-( The fries were okay, but not salted or seasoned. While they gave s&p on the side, salt doesn't stick unless they are immediately seasoned after being fried, so they were really bland fries even after shaking on salt. All in all, I would try something different next time and ask for the fries to be seasoned if I ordered again. read more

El's Drive-In - Super cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, and hushpuppies - Burgers Near Me - Morehead City, North Carolina

This is the kind of place that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time. You pull off the highway into the parking lot and without much rhyme or reason just put your car in park. There aren't lines on the pavement and at any given time you're likely to see a big RV or boat on a trailer pulling through. But just pick a spot and park nearby, the servers are very skilled at keeping track of cars and orders and newcomers! The menu is displayed on a large board across the top of the building. They have dinner plates (seafood, bbq, hamburger steak, fried chicken, etc) and sandwiches (po boys, burgers, etc) and quite a variety of offerings. A server promptly walks up to your car window with pen and paper in hand and you simply tell her everything you'd like to order! A couple minutes later they'll return with a paper bag full of food and whatever you ordered to drink. The "drive-in" concept may not be quite as quick as a fast food drive through but stopping by for lunch at El's is a must if you're in the area! read more

El's Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Morehead City, North Carolina

If you're new here, know that El's is part dining, part nostalgic experience for anyone who grew up in the area, part vital lunch service to busy hospital & college employees nearby. It's fast, usually friendly, and extremely affordable. And for the price, the food is really good! It's also a true drive-in, so know that it's not going to have some of the standard services and amenities that a full service restaurant does. El's is such an establishment that most people are fiercely protective of it staying exactly the way it is: a tiny midcentury brick kitchen with walk-up, from which process an endless stream of servers toting neon paper menus and white bags. You eat in your car here. You want tables, fancy restrooms, and more ambiance than 25 vehicles and huge live oak trees? Look elsewhere. But don't miss some of the favorites here. El's legends are Super Burger and Shrimp Burger, among others. Burgers will have mustard and chili as NC mandates, and the soft bun filled with tiny shrimp that comprises the Shrimp Burger should be ordered super sized and includes NC sweet coleslaw. Milkshakes are old fashioned and a great accompaniment. Oh, and fries are crinkle cut and really, really good when they're hot. If none of that is your thing, it could be argued that coastal NC might not be for you, but El's does have a lengthy menu of sandwiches. read more

El's Drive-In - February 2020 Menu - Burgers Near Me - Morehead City, North Carolina

Stopped by on our way out of town- great portions and great prices! The oyster plate was delicious! read more

El's Drive-In - Large Oyster plate - so good! - Burgers Near Me - Morehead City, North Carolina