Easy outdoor pickup near the beach with fried fish, fried okra, fried hush puppies, fries and assorted other fried items. The fish is moist, the large milkshakes are huge and refreshing on a beach day. The back area on mulch with tables and umbrellas looked pleasant. read more

OMG. This place was just great! As the name states, it is a drive in. However, the food is restaurant quality. The burgers are fantastic and juicy, the fried shrimp are delicious and crunchy, and the hush puppies... simply amazing! The milkshakes are a great topping the the scrumptious food. This place always seems to be popping off. The parking lot is not huge, but definitely worth waiting for a spot. They do have tables where you can eat or you can take back to your place. This is located in an area where a lot of people rent houses and can be very walkable which my friends and I did. Nice scenery, great food, & great costs. I would definitely recommend everyone to try this place. My friend is a local and told me how great it was after I went there and could not stop talking about it! read more

Wow, this place is phenomenal. Definitely gives ma and pa vibes and they're prices aren't bad at all! The breading here is amazing

Not actually open when yelp says they are open. We went at 11:30 on a Thursday and they were closed.

Wow, great lunch spot! Most people ( patrons) wearing masks, but not all. All workers were. It was crowded so I wanted to mention this, bc if you are on the more cautious side during this pandemic, it was a bit too many for some people I know. Onto the food.. dolphin boat was amazing, good hush puppies and Cajun sauce but the fried mahi was perfect and takes the cake. My favorite of our order. Crab cakes also yummy, as was the Cajun shrimp sandwich. Grilled tuna was nice, healthy alternative, but not my particular favorite. Their milkshakes were so good, they didn't make it back to the rental- we drank them in the car. read more

John's used to be a favorite place of my friends and family. We've been going there for 20+ years. The quality of the dolphin boats and shakes has changed dramatically. From what I understand, John's has new ownership since COVID. If you want a quick stop for average food off the beach, this place will do. If you're looking for the high quality, large pieces of lightly fried fish - try somewhere else. We visited twice this week, just to confirm. read more

We have been coming here since 1981. This year they are celebrating their 40th anniversary. The people are awesome and the food is excellent. My mom only regret is that they are not open 24 hours a day seven days a week 365 days a year. Stopped again this year and as always it was totally awesome. read more

Food was fresh and amazing. I had a cheeseburger which was insane. I really appreciate it when the ratio of toppings to burger is perfect. My son had the fried shrimp bowl and by husband had the dolphin sub - both were devoured. We tried the cajun mayo and the cocktail sauce and they were excellent. They were super friendly and our order was absolutely perfect. This is a must try if you are in the area. We will 100% be back! read more

Please change the dolphin sandwich back to the way it was. Things should get better... in general... not worse. It's just clearly not as good as it was. Thank you. read more

This place is under new ownership. Not the same John's Drive-in everyone talked about. Hard to destroy a legend, but one look at these reviews over the past three years shows the place has gone in the same direction as Snowbird. Poor service, bad attitudes, low quality, and long waits. Run away as quickly as possible. You would think the owner would heed the warnings, but apparently they can ride the coattails of the legend a few more years. Watch the ratings plummet folks. read more

I used to love John's. I went today, $9.75 for a 6 inch tuna salad sub with very little tuna on it. That's OK there's plenty of other great places to eat in the area. read more

The name of the restaurant is actually very accurate because it is small and you actually have to drive in and out. The parking is very limited and it's really just a shack. Don't let that fool you though as the food makes up for the appearance. The service was fast as well! Since we brought our puppy, they offered a "pups cup" just for dogs which is a small bowl of dog ice cream. That was very kind of them as it can get hot here in the outer banks so our four legged family friends can get cool. We ordered the dolphin sub with tartar sauce and a side of okra fries. I'm not exactly sure if it's really dolphin meat or mahi mahi but all I know is it was damn good! The perfectly fried filet was complemented by tartar sauce and tomatoes and it was amazing. The fried okra was pretty good and it is somewhat healthy . The only knock is this place is the parking but it's location right by the beach makes it somewhat impossible to correct. Its a hassle to find parking when it is busy there. It is what it is though. Will definitely come back here when I'm back in the OBX to try the other sandwiches. read more

John's Drive In - Burgers Near Me - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

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As mentioned, this place is small with a lot to fit 5-6 cars max. Not much nearby for parking options either with limited research. I was lucky to find a spot 6 minutes after they opened this past Saturday (11:06am). There will be a line and if you don't call ahead, expect a typical wait time from arrival to food in hand to be approx. 30 minutes. Since this was my first time, I went with the "Dolphin" which is a 6" roll with fried mahi-mahi, lettuce, tomato and I went with the cajun mayo. It was spread on light, so you really get a taste of this fresh fish. I suggest eating it right away, as the breading can get a bit chewy (as I found out once we got home), but still very good and the fish was amazing. Fritters were the bomb, but come plain so have something to dip into, or not if that's your thing. I went with maple syrup and they were fantastic. My wife had the crab cake sandwich and it was OK, but not the star of the show. A must try when in the area, just go early b/c they run out of items before dinner rush most days. read more

John's Drive In - When you're fortunate to land a parking spot. Witness! - Burgers Near Me - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Quality has really gone down with the new owners. $40 for a dolphin boat with soggy fries and two small shakes? Such a shame it used to be my favorite spot read more

I really, really wanted to like this place. I've been coming to the Outer Banks for 23 years and had just learned about John's in 2020 after we had left from our vacation and had learned that it was under new ownership. I was worried that we might have missed out on the authentic taste but the reviews assured me that it was the same under the new ownership. So when went on vacation in July 2021 I was determined to give this place I try. After a loooong 7 hours on the road for a normal 4 hours drive my husband, son and I made the stop to John's at around 2 pm on a Saturday. At first stop there was no parking so we made another loop around and lucky found 2 spots for both of our cars. First off, I'm a big stickler for service and I will tip you accordingly. It was lacking. The girl at the counter had no personality and acted like we were bothering her. We were first timers so we were trying to read the menu and she didn't bother giving us any suggestions or help. My husband got the dolphin boat with hushpuppies and fries and all three sauces, and a peanut butter and chocolate shake, I got the crab cake and fries and a sweet tea, and my son got the cheeseburger, fries and a coke. We went out back and sat at a table to wait for our food and once we got it we only got our food, we then had to wait another 15 minutes for our drinks. I can understand the shake but the sweet tea and the coke? It was really hot out that day so we had gone back to our car to get drinks we had with us. I have to say I don't know what all the fuss is about because the food is really not that great, there was nothing special about it. My son didn't finish the cheeseburger and the fries were normal crinkles fries you could get anywhere. The hushpuppies were hard as rocks. The crab cake was so so, I have had way better. The fish in my husband's dolphin boat was the only thing I would eat again along with the cajun mayo, that was interesting and pretty good. The "sweet tea" was not tea. I don't know what it was but it was some watered down something gross. My husband enjoyed the shake and said that's the only thing he would probably come back for. When we checked in to our house I told the rest of our group that we finally went to John's and they all excitedly asked how it was and if they should go I told them not to waste their time or money. I guess it it's something people who grew up on it enjoy. read more

John's Drive In - Dolphin Platter with Fries and Hushpuppies and Crabcake - Burgers Near Me - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Dolphin basket was delicious! Fish was juicy with a nice crisp batter. Good milkshakes. Friendly staff.

Our last lunch on the OBX, this trip was at John's. We made sure we got there early to have a place to park. The weather was rough and we ate in the car. I had my usual chili dog and a burger fix, topped with mustard, chili and slaw. My impression of John's is although it is a fun old style walk-up/drive-in, the food is pretty commercial. This included the dog itself, but also the chili and the burger patty. The chili, I'm sure, is out of a can. The burger patty was perfectly round, and compacted very tight. The meat was chewy. You will go here more for the classic old place, not for knockout great food. The same things are better at Captain Franks and Dune Burger. read more

Went here for takeout while on vacation in kitty hawk. I had been here before, about 9 years earlier and had fond memories. We had a $35 gift certificate from our home owners we rented from, and we used this towards carry out lunch for a party of 6. The milkshakes are terrific, we had chocolate, mint, and vanilla in our group. The unusually large straws were of interest. The large burger, 10.6 oz is huge. Stick to the smaller one. Fries were pretty pedestrian. They were starting to run out of stuff for the season, like the chicken sandwich. read more

This place is so awesome!!! The food is great, the prices are amazing, and the chocolate peanut butter milkshakes are the best ever! We went for lunch two days in a row. We had the crabcake sandwich, scallop sandwich, dolphin (mahi mahi) sticks, French fries, cheese fries, unsweetened iced tea, and of course, the chocolate peanut butter milkshake. The crabcake had delicious seasoning and at $4.50, the cheapest I've ever had. It was loosely packed but still good. The scallop sandwich was like a crabcake but with scallops and it tasted even better! It was on a hoagie roll and tasted so fresh. However, the best meal was the dolphin sticks!!! These are the best fish sticks ever. The batter is like the batter used for British fish 'n' chips. The mahi mahi was flaky but substantial, not fish that just falls apart. I was amazed. The fries are crinkle cut and perfectly crispy. The cheese sauce is nacho cheese. Finally, in case you couldn't tell, I LOVED the chocolate PB milkshake which is why I came here in the first place. My friend, who is a local, had said it was the best and it was! Thick, but not too much so. Deep chocolate and delicious salty peanut better. Best part, it wasn't overly sweet. I hate super sweet shakes. The only reason I can't give it a five star is because they lost my first order. They were very apologetic. They said it blew away. That's fine, I still went back the next day wearing the my John's shirt. read more

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FYI this place isn't very gluten-free friendly at all. However, the girl in the window had to call over a manager (?) to help me put together a Carol M. friendly meal. I ended up just getting a cheeseburger sans bun, with a side of coleslaw and a Diet Dr. Pepper float. The burger meat was actually pretty good and didn't taste frozen, but all the above cost about $10 and I just felt underwhelmed. I guess I expected fries or something to come with the burger. The lines weren't too long, maybe 5-6 people deep, but it still took about a half hour just to get to the window. That's really my main gripe. There's not too many options to order from so I really don't know why it took that long to order, and even longer to get our food. I'd try another option next time, especially if you have food allergies. read more

John's Drive In - Cheese burger sans bun was basically the only gluten-free option besides pulled BBQ pork. Not so satisfying for $9.50 total. - Burgers Near Me - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Ownership chaned last year. First time since Chelsea and Jason. Terrible experience new owners. Thought you should know. Got a boat but we opened it up : no bread / lettuce : just chunks of burnt fish so not even close to a boat. Also, double cheesburger was only a single burger so wrong again. Also, waited 40 mins for a shake, wanted chocolate, got Vanilla. $30 bill ...... we look forward to this every year. Very disappointing that every single thing wrong. Dr. DeRosa 240-388-7272 read more

Great little shack , just off the beach, with a walk up window, and some outside seating. They serve a decent chili dog & burger (Dune Burger's is better), the fries are the nasty crinkled kind - but their fried fish (Mahi Mahi) in a "boat" or a sandwich, with a milk shake are the best on the OBX, and among the best anywhere. We go to the Outer Banks at least once a year, and usually stay around the Salvo area - but there are three sandwich places up north that we visit, at least once, on each trip, and John's is one of them. Just go one time and try the fish, you will became a creature of habit, too. Also try Dune Burger & Capt'n Franks. read more

John's is our go to for shakes on the beach. Today was the first time we ate there as well. It's a tiny, hole in the wall shack, seating is outdoor only and parking is often impossible. It also takes 15 minutes for the food, as it is cooked to order. But the wait was worth it.. the burgers were comparable to Five Guys! The onion rings were only ok.. crispy and large.. but tasted sort of fishy (I suspect they fry everything in the same oil). I had a chocolate banana milkshake which was great, as always. IMHO, stop by for a milkshake and maybe a quick bite when you're in the area. read more

Unbelievably fresh dolphin fish sub! Came back here for a second time on our way out of town. My fav place to eat in OBX!

Love coming to John's everytime we visit OBX. We stop by once during the lunch week and one last time before we head back home. I usually order their dolphin sandwich with fries. Also gotta get their milkshakes; love it! We're never dissatisfied with our order. They are respecting the whole COVID-19 situation, So please practice safe social distancing and do wear your masks too. :-) Come by whenever you get a chance! Worth the stop! read more

Been coming here for 25+ years. I can't continue going back when they constantly f up my orders anymore. Cocktail sauce with all 3 orders+ several extra pieces of fish with cocktail But none was in the bag. Ketchup asked for. 2 packets. Now you May Day I should check. Well, I opened the bag and said where's the cocktails. She said at the bottom. I don't need to check. Where's is the ketchup we asked for extra of. It's in the bottom. So rather than digging through 4 bags of I took her word for it. If you are gonna Obtusely stop me from going through my order to make sure it's right it, then it better damn well be right. And it never is. Losers. read more

Fried fish? Vanilla milkshakes in the middle the day? This can't be good. Except, it's great! Eat outside, eat what's on the menu -- the fish is local. The batter is tremendous. The prices are pretty great. Best drive-up, surf side picnic table lunch you may ever have. Tom sakell, harborsights.com read more

John's Drive In - Get in line - Burgers Near Me - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

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Fresh fish done right. Mahi-Mahi boat is plenty for lunch but why not add a 10 piece mahi-mahi to share (or not). Light Fresh batter that adds to the fish and doesn't hide it. Amazing milk shakes too. Go early don't panic when you see the line. It moves fast. Today I also tried the YellowFin Tuna grilled Sandwich - Amazing! We make certain we stop here each and every time in OBX. Today was amazing as it has been for years. read more

Worth a visit when in OBX. We might have had a bad week -- no bananas in any of our chocolate banana milkshakes -- but it's still a damn good chocolate milkshake. Food was sizable, filling, fried without being greasy, and lovely. Try the mahi-mahi sandwich. As for the shakes, you can't go wrong, there are no bad orders. Just check and drink your milkshakes before you walk away; a few of our larger orders were messed up. read more

Great beach fare! My family and I visited for the first time today and it was pretty good! I had a fantastic tuna salad sandwich and my wife really enjoyed her crab cake sandwich. Our boys had hot dogs and ate them up. Fried okra was decent, and about as good as it can get. Great fries! Only hang up was it took 20 minutes from order to food delivery, and, parking is a beast; parking is limited and u are backing out blind onto the beach road. But, that is also a good thing, it means they are busy, well enjoyed, and are providing a fantastic product. Empty restaurants scare me, this one is not. I really enjoyed this place and would recommend it to anyone nearby. It's not a "destination/go out of your way spot," but it's a wonderful quick food grab when you want to spend time at the beach. Kudos to them, I will definitely be back. read more

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John's missed the mark this time. Ordered Dolphin Bites basket and received popcorn shrimp. Took like an hour to receive milkshakes we also ordered. read more

This place represents all that is special in the obx. Mahi mahi sandwich with a chocolate ice cream cone. Are you salivating yet? I hope this place never changes. read more

A group of friends and I went to John's Drive In at 2 pm on a Friday afternoon. The food was extremely quick for a group of 12 people and we did not even wait 5 minutes. The food was so good and they serve the best milkshakes in the Outer Banks. We recommend this place completely and definitely order the dolphin boat or dolphin sandwich. read more

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Stopped for some quick lunch for first time at John's Drive in. Wow very pleasantly surprised has to be one of the best burgers I've had on the beach in a long time. Service was fast, prices was reasonable and quality of the food was outstanding. Looking forward to trying one of their dolphin baskets next time or some of the other great items on their menu. Definitely a outer banks treasure John's Drive in is. read more

We come to the OBX every year but somehow had never been to this place! I can promise you we will absolutely be back! My husband and I both got the Dolphin Boat and it was incredible! The fries were nice and crispy, the hush puppies were amazing, and it was definitely some of the best fried fish I've ever had! My husband is not a big "fish & chips" guy but this was one of his favorite meals during our trip!! We also both got the Cajun sauce - HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! You will have to wait a bit for your food - don't get "drive in" confused with fast food. You also aren't looking at fast food prices. But it was worth every penny and every second of the wait! read more

I loved this place so much I wish I could come here every day. I am not typically someone to branch out with seafood but I had the dolphin sandwich here (mahi mahi, not actually dolphin) and it was outstanding. Warm and made to order it was incredible. Their sauce was amazing and the perfect addition to this sandwich. read more

John's Drive In - Burgers Near Me - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

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We got a little bit of everything and it was all great, I don't enjoy hush puppies and even those were good, truly a hidden gem if you've never been before read more

I usually love to stop by johns on my way home from the beach. Today I had a terrible experience. I drove by and got to John's around 4:15. I stood in line for 15 minutes as the family in front of me took 15 minutes to order. As soon as I got up to the window the salesperson said "is it ok we are no longer serving food, we stop at 4:30" I replied "no" as I looked at my watch that read 4:31. She then proceeded to say "what" and "that's what the owner told me" as she walks away from the window. Since I was already in line before 4:30 I should have been served food. I turned around and hopped in my car and drove home. I won't be returning. read more

I come to John's drive in every time I go to kill devil hills because it's that good. Today I got my normal dolphin sub w lettuce Mayo and cheese. It was the BEST one I have ever had. The fries were crispy and well seasoned. And the best part during these crazy Corona times is that they sanitize your card and the pen to sign your receipt. 10/10 recommend John's drive in. It's one of a kind. read more

John's Drive In - Dolphin sub with lettuce mayo and cheeeese - Burgers Near Me - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Favorite place to stop in OBX! Their dolphin sandwich is amazing. And their crinkle fries are a must have!