A visit to The Family Drive-In is a reminder that sometimes the best meals come from places that focus on doing the basics right. This classic, no-frills spot carries a nostalgic charm, with a casual, welcoming atmosphere that makes it feel like a staple of the community. It's the kind of place where the focus isn't on trends or presentation, but on delivering satisfying, flavorful food that keeps people coming back. The Hamburger perfectly captures that philosophy. It's simple--nothing overly dressed up or complicated--but that's exactly what makes it shine. The patty is cooked well, with a satisfying sear that brings out the natural flavor of the beef, while the bun and toppings complement rather than overwhelm. Every bite feels balanced, familiar, and genuinely delicious, like a reminder of how good a straightforward burger can be when it's done right. The California Burger steps things up with a more layered flavor profile. The meat is cooked just right--juicy, tender, and full of flavor--and paired with fresh toppings that add both texture and brightness. There's a satisfying richness to it, but it never feels too heavy. Each component works together seamlessly, creating a burger that feels indulgent without losing that classic drive-in appeal. Another standout is the Onion Burger, which might be the most memorable of the bunch. The patty is cooked to a juicy perfection, locking in flavor with every bite. What truly elevates it, though, are the caramelized onions. They're soft, slightly sweet, and deeply savory, blending into the burger in a way that feels effortless. The combination of the rich beef and the perfectly cooked onions creates a harmony that's hard to beat. Not everything hits the same high note, however. The Calamari Rings were a bit of a letdown. There was a slightly off-putting seafood smell that took away from the experience, and the breading felt excessive--so much so that it would fall off easily. On top of that, they leaned a bit too greasy, making them heavier than expected and lacking the crisp, clean bite that good calamari should have. Despite that one misstep, The Family Drive-In excels where it matters most. It delivers consistently great burgers that highlight quality, simplicity, and flavor. For anyone craving a classic drive-in experience with satisfying, well-executed burgers, this spot is an easy recommendation and well worth the visit. read more

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Honestly I wasn't expecting to be as pleased as I was The double burger I got was absolutely delicious! The fries definitely aren't my favorite though. Good fry sauce. Wanted to try a milkshake despite being lactose intolerant but I still had to work for 3 hours so that would been dangerous Great burger place. Might try the fish and chips next time. read more

Family Drive-In - 1/2 lb burger bounty box. - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

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"Single" halibut and chips, and a banana shake. Fries and good. Crinkle cut and not greasy, but potato meaty. Didn't try the orange(ketchup & mayo?) fry sauce, included for dipping. (Maybe I'll update later?) Halibut is well fried. Flakey, moist, tender, and hot. Goes quite well with their included tarter sauce. Banana shake was pre-prepared, so not makde fresh, but still delicious (and fast, since pre-prepped). Definitely worth a visit! Keep small non-chain mom & pop joints alive! read more

I used to live pretty close to this place and drove by here every day without a second thought. I finally heard from a couple of people that it was worth stopping for so I decided to do so. Got the halibut and chips basket and my son had the cheeseburger And fries. The halibut was Panko breaded and perfectly done. Chips were good. My son said that the cheeseburger was incredible. Fries were meh. That's OK though. The staff was friendly and we didn't wait too long for our order. Can't wait to go back next time and try a mushroom burger. Highly recommend. read more

The drive in is a bit old but has a lot of heart. A bit expensive but definitely good. The milkshakes were super tasty I had blackberry and my boyfriend had vanilla, I will say they are very thick. The cashiers were quick and friendly. Burgers were very juicy/wet read more

I love their fried mushrooms. I was eyeing it debating whether to try until the cashier suggested they were delicious so I gave it a shot. Oh man, was she right. Quarted mushrooms freshly fried in what I believe is a cornmeal batter and given a generous amount of ranch for dipping. I also got the mushroom burger, lol I know, and that was also so good! The party is flavorful with a smoky grill taste. It all went well with the mushrooms and fresh veggies in each bite. They have an extensive menu so I will def come back. Service was fast and the ladies were such sweethearts making us feel so welcomed. read more

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Today's burger lost so much flavor than the past . I wonder if they changed owners. Cause the flavor isn't there anymore.

Every town has a classic family run custom burger place that serves you a bigger burger than any of the chains along side of every kind of fried food imaginable. This is it. Not only are they timely but they do make one heck of a set of milkshakes and malts to go with their big burgers. Gotta love it. read more

Really loved the burger. They were not shy with the jalapenos. Burger was messy so I'm glad we ate at home. They give plentiful fries but I thought they were just meh. They are crinkle cut and a little too soft. The Peanut butter and banana shake was on point. The small burger and fries was very filling! read more

Bacon Cheese Burger was decent + Fries were piping hot and seasoned well, but were way undercooked. I ended up eating two fries and took the rest home. Ate them after putting them in air fryer and cooking for another twenty minutes. A little more attention to detail would've made this $25.00 lunch a little more edible. I would say 3.5 stars read more

Great little burger place. A cheeseburger and an order of fried mushrooms is my usual go-to here and they're both very satisfying. Like a lot of small indie restaurants they don't have a lot of staff and are therefore not going to be as fast as a big chain, but I'm not taking any points off for that. It's just part of the nature of the place, and their food is well worth the wait. read more

Picked up a 1/2lb Bounty Basket Combo with bacon for lunch today. It came with crinkle fries and fry sauce. Burger was delicious and very filling. read more

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Good value if you don't use any of the online apps to order. The bounty basket is an all time classic.

This is my go to burger spot! Even though the exterior does not look that inviting. But the cashier is always nice, so makes it more welcoming! But the burgers are good! My husband gets the cheeseburger bounty basket and I really like eating the quarter pound onion burger! Can't ever have enough onions. So, I have to order the onion rings too!!! Please try the family drive in!!! read more

I looked up a burger place because I was craving a charbroiled cheeseburger. Found this place and went. It was empty with the exception of 2 men eating outside. I placed my order and was given a pager. I waited outside. My order was ready pretty quick. The food was ok. The burger was kinda small compared to the size of burgers in CA. To me it was pretty pricey for what I got. It may be that im used to getting a cheeseburger special almost anywhere im CA for abt $10 and it comes with burger, fries and a small drink lol Overall it was good. If ur in the area, try it out! read more

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The food was delicious, and the portions were very generous. I had a halibut sandwich and onion rings. Both were larger than expected. Very good quality food. It was a short wait, and the customer service was outstanding. read more

HARD PASS!!! I wish I could leave 0 stars, but I guess 1 star will do. 1 star is still too much for this company. I am in Washington visiting & I like trying burger places. When I first saw this place on my maps, I noticed it was ranked at 3.5 stars, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt. I couldn't even order my food because the customer service was so horrible. The Asian lady at the counter was so rude I couldn't even stand to continue ordering my food here. She had her face turned upside down the entire time, when I asked her simple questions like, "This is my first time here. What is your most popular burger?" She said, "Well, everything. Just order something." She was so nasty with me for no good reason. The reviews say this place is always busy, but I was literally the only person in the restaurant when I was attempting to order my food. I don't think it is a good idea for ANYONE to order food from a place where it seems like you aren't wanted. Rank 0 out of 5. Worse customer service I've had in the last 10 years. HARD PASS!!!! read more

Pretty good burger place. You can get a quarter pound cheeseburger and fries for $9.99. family run by very nice people. It has that old drive-in feel to it. The burger was good and the fries were crinkle cut and hot. Pretty good for the price. read more

Family Drive-In - a broken gas pump on the side of the road - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

My wife and I ate at this restaurant last Saturday night after she had complete dialysis. We went home, I ate my burger and fries, she had ordered a Philly steak and once she had opened her sandwich and very loud smell came out, like sour. And I was like, is that your sandwich . She said yes, I was like, don't eat that. I eat my burger, because nothing looked or smelled off. But about 3 hours later while a sleep. I got woken up by feeling nausea. I got sick, before i could even get to the bathroom for an hour. Called the restaurant that Monday, spoke to a manager, and explained what happened, and they gave us our money back. We didnt want to sue, even though I am an attorney. I told her, I am never going to eat there again. read more

Wanted a burger and found this location by chance. Boy was that a wrong turn. Yes the staff is friendly and helpful. That's were it ends. Got two of the big cheese burgers with fries and drinks. Ok that bill was pretty high as you can guess. But the bigger let down was the burgers. Has this place ever herd the phrase "WHERE's THE BEEF?" If not they better get used to it because it was not there as I would expect to see in a big cheese burger. I would not be able to recommend this place on this fact Ali e and the prices are ridiculous. Sorry, call it like I see it. read more

My husband & I have been coming to this drive in for 30 years! Even with the management change it is thee best local business! Best burgers & really good fries & onion rings! Halibut & chips is so good! I'm so happy this place is still open! read more

The bounty burger and fries were wonderful. I did order for delivery but I had to go and pick it up.

They have a lot of options coming out of that kitchen. One of the better tasting no frills burgers that I have received coming out of a drive in restaurant. The crinkle cut fries were delicious. Only thing was the value was not quite there 2 burgers and fries $33. Not what you would expect from a drive in restaurant. read more

Absolutely the best Fish'n'Chips I've ever eaten. Seriously! A generous amount of well salted fries come with it. The fish is moist... don't need vinegar, the tarter sauce is superb... ask for 2 cups of tarter. 3-pc oder is $9.99 Just do this !!! read more

Family Drive-In - Front counter...plenty of other foof options! - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

Top notch milkshakes for the money! I got the Raspberry and he got the Chocolate with oreo cookie bits. Seriously the best shakes I have tried in all of Kent. Go for dessert and you won't be sorry. read more

Your nostalgia awaits to be awaken at this old-school type drive-up diner. From the set-up to the menu, you'll be taken back to your high school days of Friday night hanging out with friends grabbing a bite at your favorite burger place. Don't be mistaken, nothing old about this place. From fried mushrooms to onion rings or fries. Burgers and chicken, you'll find something you enjoy with a new and refreshed twist. The only tidbit I'll add, which they can't control completely, is the surrounding people and foot traffic that often linger around making it sometimes uncomfortable to feel completely safe. read more

Yes, yes, and yes. I needed an old school burger in my belly and Family Drive-In hit the spot. We ordered inside and got our buzzer. After a short wait, our food was ready. We took advantage of the picnic tables out front so we could dig in immediately. The burgers were juicy and topped well. Honestly the burger was so good I forgot I ordered the fries in my bag. Luckily they were still warm when I remembered. The krinkle cut fries were salted well and filled what little space was left in my stomach. The banana shake was the perfect dessert to wrap this meal up. I can't wait to get back to try another burger! read more

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California burger is the best! This place is the best especially for the price. Support this gem!

CHICKEN WINGS ARE DELICIOUS - tiny but delicious. Cheeseburger was okay (I liked a little more than I should bc the sesame bun with thick tomato and a hefty slathering of mayo-mustard reminded me of the burgers my mom used to sell at her gas station.) Nostalgia aside, I wouldn't go out of my way for the burgers, but the wings are a different story. read more

Family Drive-In - Chicken Wings (5 piece) - tiny but delicious (a tad salty) - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

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It has been good until recently. Their shrimp basket should be taken off the menu it's so bad. Their regular cook retired so that may have something to do with it. Completely overcooked. The French fries were overcooked also. Not going back again. read more

A cute and small family run burger shack in Kent! While tiny, their menu has a healthy blend of American classics like burgers, hot dogs, and philly cheese steak but also some Asian influence with their bulgogi burgers, sides, and sandwhiches. The store itself is incredibly clean, and the shake menu is amazing with huge diversity. But the burger was chefs kiss. American food at its peak. Just clean, simple, straight forward with quality ingredients. read more

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Used to be favorite place to get a Burger. Since new ownership, the quality of their food has dropped dramatically. I wish they would have raised prices & kept the same quality ingredients as prior. IMHO went from 5 Stars to just 2 Stars - nothing special drive-in read more

I've wanted to try this place for years & finally did. We ordered through a delivery service. I was a bit disappointed in the deep fried mushrooms, they were a bit dry & chewy. I didn't expect that. My son said the mozzarella sticks were pretty good, guessing they must have been with as fast as he ate them. He ordered a double order of the deep fried salmon expecting pieces that weren't all that big. The pieces were huge!! At least 6 inches long and super thick pieces. Double order was 6 pieces all about the same size. I took a picture of the pieces he had to wrap up & save for tomorrow. These are sitting on a 10" paper plate. It was cooked perfect too. Very light breading & not at all greasy. The salmon itself was moist and had great flavor. Normally I wouldn't save something deep fried but like I said very light breading and not greasy. So not your typical deep fried fish. If you like salmon try it!! We'll definitely be ordering again but maybe drive down there next time. read more

Family Drive-In - Deep fried mushrooms...little to dry & chewy for me. - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

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BF and I wanted a burger so we decided to give this place a try. We got the burger special which was a decent deal. For 9.99 you got a 1/4 burger with fries. The staff was friendly and the service was good. The food was quite good. The fries were crispy. There are a few tables outside to sit or you can sit in your car. If you're in the area then give this place a try. read more

I love how patient they are with taking food orders, and how the food is cook to order and always delish read more

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Been about 20 years since I've been here. A lot more variety. Very good meal. A little of everything on 6he menu. read more

Family Drive-In - Sweet potato fries - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

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Nice family restaurant with tons of selections, especially the seafood basket. Love the fried mushrooms most :) and the blackberry shake.

Decades ago. This was one of the two Arctic Circle drive ins frequented by folks preferring the AC brand of burgers and fries over those clown-burgers. Jab was at McDs, though I recalled jack in the box, and wanted to clarify. JITB, a lifelong fave, Ronald's place, not so much. Last night I happened upon the semi recently new Kent (hwy 99) location of a Dicks. As I was eating it, the image of Arctic Circle formulated, I believe, because the sauce struck a memory nerve. Instantly I contrived what may have been the answer to a question probably no one else ever gave much thought to. What happened to the cowboy rooster dude? aka a cock. A giant orange dick's sign was right there in front of me. Seemed highly possible, certainly tangible and absolutely tasted correct. Further investigation revealed I was wrong. Seems Arctic Circles were born of a guy in Utah. They actually still exist. None in the Seattle area. But this place is the same package and product. Just a new owner and not a very imaginative rebranding campaign. The burgers here are hood when you're nostalgic and want something far better than the golden sho- I mean arches. Fries aside, McDs doesn't stand up to the rest yet they continue to thrive. Never underestimate the efforts many will go to in trying to avoid evolving. I thinks it's high time I make a run into the valley and revisit this place and scope the green river. read more

Family Drive-In - Image of the previous tenant. - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

Food was great but I never got to eat it. I got two bites into the burger and it dissolves into a soggy mess. The paper holding the burger just disintegrated. Greasy liquid all over my steering wheel, my pants, the drivers seat and the floor. They didn't dry the lettuce and way too much of it. The tomato was wet also. The mushrooms were canned and not drained. The combination just destroyed the sandwich. The fries were fantastic and my daughter loved her burger which was a pretty pain cheeseburger. I will probably go back but this trip was a DISASTER!!!! read more

I went to Family Drive-In for dinner the other day and ordered the seafood combo (fish and oysters) and a side of calamari. It was a mistake. I asked about the food and who I assume to be the owner told me it's all "homemade". All of the food came out of the freezer. The fish was dry and old, the oysters weren't recognizable and the calamari was chewy. I spent over $30 because my previous experience with them was great. I want my money back I would give them zero stars if I could. read more