JD's Drive-In was exactly what I was looking for--a good, affordable double cheeseburger. I absolutely loved this place! The burgers were fresh, flavorful, and great quality for the price. Everything is à la carte, so you can customize your burger exactly how you want it. The service was fantastic, and the retro '60s drive-in atmosphere gives the place a really cool, nostalgic feel. It also seems to be a true local favorite, which I can definitely understand. If you're looking for an affordable, no-frills burger in the Appleton area, I'd highly recommend checking this place out. 10/10 -- definitely recommend! read more

JD's Drive-In - Double cheese burgers and mozzarella sticks - Burgers Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

Service was friendly and fast. Food was good and accurate. Building was nostalgic and had lots of historic advertisement and local team pictures. read more

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After driving past JD's Drive-In for years, I finally stopped in for lunch--and I'm glad I did! Even just before the noon rush, the service was fast and friendly. Their sandwiches are made to order, so I couldn't resist trying more than one. I went with the cheeseburger and the perch sandwich, and both were outstanding--fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. The burger especially reminded me of the best Whopper I've ever had from BK, but better. I'll definitely be coming back to explore more of the menu. A hidden gem that's worth the stop! read more

JD's Drive-In - Perch Sandwich - Burgers Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

I've been coming here for years and last night I was very disappointed. My boyfriend and I ordered two medium fries. That's it. When we got home, there was only ONE medium fry and they were all stale and hard. My boyfriend called this morning to speak with a manager. He said it was so loud he couldn't even hear the 'manager' and when he explained our frustrations all he got was a "Sorry, we will keep that in mind." Do better JDs... read more

This small business drive-in is great. The teenagers working the counter are always friendly and eager to provide great service. We really enjoy the burgers and ice cream sundaes. The one item they could improve on is temperature inside the restaurant. If you choose to dine in, bring a sweatshirt! It's very chilly inside. read more

Consistent quality. Top tier customer service. A tested staple of the community and a guilty pleasure of many. Been stopping in for years, will continue for many more to come. Burgers, chicken and curds are all great... the place that always has a few extra fries at the bottom of the bag. read more

So I'm a fat guy who's go to is Burger & Pizza when I'm traveling. I have to say, the burger (Double Burger/Double Cheese) here is in my top 5. I won't go anywhere else for a Burger when I'm in town. I also got the fried cauliflower. They were ok, just missing some seasoning. I bet if I added a little salt it would have been better. Overall experience is a 10/10. Service was awesome also. read more

The food is good and reasonable. The help which is usually young kids (high schoolers) are the most polite employees I've ever encountered at a fast food restaurant. Fantastic training!!!!! read more

Great food and great prices! Definitely worth the stop. It was one of those nights where I got Such a strong craving for a burger my husband raced out of bed and drove us over to JDs. I almost cried I loved the burger so much! read more

JD's Drive-In - Chili cheese fries - Burgers Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

We love their fish sandwiches, burgers, and cauliflower wings! AND their turtle sundae with all the nuts! Yum!

Very good food at a reasonable price. Easy in and easy out. I've only been there once, but I'll be going back many more times.

Quality of the food is good and the price is even better. Great service too! The drive in vibe was awesome. I'll definitely be a returning customer! read more

A lot of bang for your buck. I would much rather have roasted pecans then raw and they serve too many of them. read more

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Food was amazing- Nice greasy burger with a bag of fries . Service was quick and friendly. Don't forget your ice cream yumm . read more

Went to high school here in Appleton and I didn't really try this place until last summer when I was with my boyfriend and my family for a cruise down the Fox river. Love how the food was very inexpensive for a group of 4. read more

JD's is a community gem - a simple, locally-owned burger joint with good old-fashioned quality, prices and service. It's been our choice for fast food for decades and has become so for all my grandkids their friends from surrounding towns too. read more

Customer service was fine. Just moved here from Arizona and this place was largely recommended from word of mouth. Every time I've driven past the drive through and parking lot is full. Inside is definitely old fashioned. The prices are great but you get what you pay for... the burger was extremely poor quality and gray. Fries were meh. I probably wouldn't come here again. Boyfriend and I spent the rest of the evening with stomachaches. Don't really understand the hype of this place. Mcdonald's burgers are better. read more

Old school, in a nostalgic kind of way. My neighborhood burger joint growing up and everytime I come home to visit. Good burgers, good fries, good desserts, CHEESE CURDS. I love it. read more

JD's Drive-In - Double Cheese Double Burger - Burgers Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

Not only are the prices great so is the food. Enjoy the JD deluxe on a good bun. Also popcorn to take home. And Wednesday was 1/2 price ice cream bars read more

I hadn't been here in 20 years. It hasn't changed a bit... and that is a good thing! The prices don't appear to have increased in the past few decades, and the food is as good as ever. You want to eat here. You'll find the portions generous, the food delicious, and the prices somehow where they were in 2001. America needs more places like JD's. Do the patriotic thing and go here for lunch today. read more

Best fast food and friendly service, yes it's packed and the parking lot is difficult to navigate but it's definitely worth it. Besides how can you beat the prices. Also love that they support many of our local teens by giving them their first job and helping them gain experience as well as save for future endeavors. Love JD's and look forward to many more years of dining. Another reason to Love JD's read more

JD's Drive-In - Here for the community - Burgers Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

Food was very good, much better than your typical fast food place. Would recommend to anyone in town to try it if you have never been.

Talk about a blast from the past! The dining area looks like it's 1982, and they are still making burgers and fries the classic way. Fresh toppings, savory patties, melty cheese. Can't wait to go back and try the ice cream sundae. A generous helping of fries came with my combo, for about the same price as the big chain burger places. Highly recommend stopping in for lunch or dinner. read more

We came from out of town looking for fish and chips and we found it Great fish and chips! Frat fast, friendly service!

The heart of JD's is great food and superb customer service. As far as the food goes, you will find the same menu items that are ubiquitous in the world of fast food (burgers, fries, etc.). But, at JD's you will be reminded of how those things SHOULD taste. Sure, it's cheap food, but it sure doesn't taste cheap. Regarding customer service: when I walk in, I am greeted and addressed as "Sir". When you leave, chances are someone behind the counter will wave and say "Goodbye! Thanks!". I've known several JD's employees over the years, and they all say that JD is fanatical about treating customers right and instills these values in his staff. It shows. A special shout out to the fried cheese curds: they are pure Wisconsin. Cheese curds weren't unhealthy enough on their own. No, we had to take it to the next level by deep frying them. A heavenly way to spend your last moments before that triple bypass. You're staying for dessert, right? JD's scrumptious soft-serve will make a certain chain's ice cream seem awfully bland. Get the cherry dip on your cone and marvel at the space-age liquid, obviously developed in a lab somewhere, that hardens into a flavor-tastic solid shell within moments of being immersed. All in all, JD's does it right. read more

JD's Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

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When I was in high school, so many years ago, JD's was the place to be. Good, cheap food, excellent service, and JD himself would remember everyone's name. I haven't been there in ages, and I got nostalgic to try it again. The service remains top-notch. The young staff is friendly and helpful. The fries are amazing. Crispy like I like them, not too greasy. I ordered a "small" fries and it was about the size of a McDonalds "large." I wanted to try their veggie burger. The take so much pride in their food that I was hoping for a tasty black bean burger or maybe one of those new Impossible patties that are getting so much good press. Maybe even a humble Boca Burger maybe. Nope. The patty was one of those nasty supermarket frozen burgers. Morningstar Farm, maybe? Tasteless, long-frozen, and no fun to eat. Blech. But the very worst part was getting into the building. I was in a wheelchair, and the ramp is inconveniently located in the midst of the fast drive-through traffic, with no caution signs or lot striping to help enter safely. The doors into the building, and the "airlock" space, was NOT designed with wheelchairs in mind. I almost gave up a couple of times trying to get it. So, although there's a lot positive going on at JD's, I don't think I'll be going back. read more

Listen, this place is a local icon. I hope they never remodel the inside, I love the vintageness of it! Their food is so good, but waaay more importantly-their turtle sundaes. Next. Level. Service team is always nice and this place just brings such warm memories everytime you look at the retro baseball team pictures on the walls read more

Absolutely disgraceful service. For example, I paid extra for tomatoes and lettuce. Upon not receiving these, I asked the cashier what he could do about that, and his response was to pull a tomato out of his pocket and hand it to me. I have also been preemptively scolded when I ask for a water cup and reminded that taking soda is stealing. I've been multiple times, only to be disappointed more and more each time. read more

Great prices Great burgers Great chicken strips Great cheese curds Great staff Fast turn over Need to eat here more often read more

The burgers were good and had a lot of flavor. The bun was a bit dry. The fries were absolutely great! We went through the drive thru and the server was extremely nice!! I would go back. read more

Old school hamburger place that does not change with time. Good quality and pricing. Fair deal

I LOVE this place!! Food is great, especially for the very reasonable prices. The huge menu means you will definitely find something you like. Great tasting soft-serve ice-cream treats, too! As I write this, inside dining is still not an option but the line of cars wrapped around the building is a good indication that JD's is a local favorite. (don't worry...the line moves very quickly.) The other great thing about this place is the fantastic crew! Very, very friendly and super efficient. This family-owned business should get an award for the great training they give the young people who work there. And the business is very supportive of local sports teams and other youth/student activities. A real Fox Valley gem and and always a pleasure when one visits! read more

A 1968-era spot; no longer a drive-in but an eat-in. Good food, cheap. Loved the double burger with cheese and onion rings. Fries ok, fried cauliflower lacked seasoning. Tables and benches needed to be wiped off more frequently. Would return. Kids meals are $4.15 and include entree, fries, cookie and drink (soda or milk). read more

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JD's how l love you! I would go here at least once every week in the summer when I was a kid, either for a cheap burger an ice cream cone. I have probably tried almost every menu item over the years. I still get hankerings for JD's here in Kentucky so obviously on my recent trip to Appleton, this is the first place I stopped. This is a hometown diner. The walls are plastered with pictures of the local soccer team JD's sponsors. JD himself is there quite often and is quick with a smile and a hello. If you are or become a regular, he will most likely remember you. Now JD's is nothing fancy, it's fast food burgers and ice cream. Personally it is leaps and bounds better than any Mcdonalds or Burger King, and similarly priced. My go to item is a double bacon cheeseburger with cheese curds. Their burgers are greasy and messy, and every time I have eaten there over the years, fresh. You know how you can get large fries at other places, here you can get a box a fries. Their cheese curd have changed over the years, I like the old ones better but the current incarnation of the are still good. But my favorite reason to go here is for their soft serve. They have shakes and malts, root beer floats, dipped cones, but I will either get a Storm or Turtle Sunday. A Storm is like a DQ Blizzard, but with SO MUCH MORE of your desired topping. Their Turtle Sundaes are huge, even the smalls. The swirl of ice cream above the dish is taller so the toppings tend to fall to the side so you have to scoop the caramel and hot fudge from the dish and the pecans are plentiful. read more

JD's has sentimental value for me. I grew up two blocks away and spent much of my childhood rollerblading through the drive thru for cheese curds or a box of fries. (we're obviously healthy in Wisconsin!) Seriously though - this is the best example of a locally run business done right. JD knows kids are going to frequent his place and accepts anyone and everyone that's at the door. We use to rollerblade inside, buy one large coke and a box of fries and spend hours giggling in the corner. If you didn't know better... you'd think you had been transplanted in the 1950's when you step inside. The food is diner food... don't expect fine cuisine but it's great value for what you're paying. I miss living in Appleton for many reasons and my memories of JD's is one of them! read more

This is a popular hangout place for teens who go to school in the area, especially for the upperclassmen who are allowed to have off campus lunch. I was never a teen while living in Appleton, but I did come here a few times for a dipped soft serve cone. For super cheap, you can get a big cone of ice cream dipped in a bunch of different flavors. I have gotten both the chocolate and the cherry, both of which were pretty decent. The soft serve ice cream really isn't anything special, but I like the satisfying crunch of the hardened dipped chocolate or cherry flavoring. That puts JD's a step up above the soft serve cones you might get at McDonald's. I'm not a cheese curds fan, so I've never ordered those (or any form of fried cheese) from JD's, but I know people who go nuts for that stuff. Overall, this place is nothing special. Just your typical run-of-the-mill drive through type of place that sells fried, greasy American food for cheap. I'm sure it has some nostalgic or sentimental value to many, but for me, it was just average. Fun fact: Once I was lost biking somewhere, so I walked into JD's with my helmet in hand and asked the person at the counter for directions. An elderly gentleman working there was very friendly and actually took a minute to walk outside to better explain which direction I should go. Talk about Appleton hospitality! read more

My boyfriend grew up going here in high school for burgers and cheese curds and the what not. So after flying in here after our red eye flight, this was our first stop after the airport so that he could introduce me to the state of Wisconsin's unofficial food: fried cheese curds. It's exactly what the name says it is. To me, it's the equivalent to a mini fried mozzarella stick but with a different kind of cheese. And it was great! I already love mozzarella sticks, so these, were also quite tasty to for my palette. The cheeseburger was okay for me it was actually really dry, but then again, I am spoiled when it comes to burgers..... but the main attraction to this place for me were the cheese curds. They also serve hot dogs, shakes, smoothies and some other items. If we have time in the next week while we are visiting, I may have to come back and check out some other stuff. Staff was helpful and the restaurant though in original old decor was amazingly clean. The kids working were always helping people, or cleaning the already clean windows and tables. read more

Size isn't what was expected. Prices are legit. Burger King alternative. Tastes pretty good. Smells yummy from the outside. We are from out of town so it's nice to go somewhere different than McDonalds and Burger King. read more

Great food but what makes this place five stars is the service/employees. After the Appleton Christmas parade there is always free hot chocolate and a chance for kids to meet Santa. After this weekend's tornado and power outage, JD offered his business for people that needed a place to go. Whether they didn't have power or just couldn't get home. They opened their doors (no purchases necessary). This place is deserving of stars and patronage just for the community aspect alone. JD's is a staple in the community and they will always have my business. read more

This place is one of the best places to eat in Appleton if you are in a hurry, short on money, or just want some simple food. The hamburgers are great, especially the double cheese double burger. The deep fried cauliflower buds are like crack to me. The place is very efficiently run, has a very charming 1980s vibe, and has cheap food. The portion sizes of the french fries are no joke! The first time my husband and I went there we each ordered a meal complete with soda, plus 2 ice cream cones. I think our grand total was something like $9.80. The drive-through is quick, but if you do order something that takes a little bit longer like cauliflower or cheese curds, they will park you around back and then bring your food to you. The one time that I had something wrong in my order, I was already home. I called the store and told them what happened. JD himself told me if I were willing to come on back that he would take care of it. He was not kidding. I drove back and didn't even have to get out of my car. He brought me my food, gave me my $7 back, and told me that I could keep the wrong order if I wanted. (I politely declined. I hope he gave it to the kids working or something.) Such a nice guy. Do you want to know the only reason why I didn't give it five stars? JDs serves Pepsi products, not Coke. Yuck. read more