King Louie's Drive-In is a good old fashioned Root Beer Stand. What? Give me a break, I am old and that is what we use to call them when I was a little person. It's a restaurant that makes its own Root Beer and serves burgers. The King is not in my immediate area and it's not even in one of my regular driving routes. So I don't think of him that often. I need to change that, because the short out of the way drive is so worth it. I haven't used the car-hop service, but there are always lots of cars with the cute little tray attached to their drivers side window. So, I have it on my bucket list to try on a future visit. Perhaps, I'll bring my fur child to enjoy a plain burger. Since I don't use the car-hop, I go inside to order and eat in the small dining room. Yesterday, it was full of workers from the refinery and other local businesses. Lucky for me after ordering at the counter, I was able to snag a two top table to enjoy my meal. I normally get the Lion Tamer which has jalapeños on it, but today I went with a King Louie. It's a single smash burger and I added cheese. My topping were only pickles, lettuce, onion and a smear of mayo. I had them hold the tomato. I'm not a fan of mayo, but for some reason I like it on my burgers here at King Louie. The edges of my burger were crisp, it had an odd shape so you know it was hand pressed. It explodes with flavor, just like an old time 50's drive-in. The fries are equally impressive. They are super crispy and done to order, no fries sitting under a hot light waiting to be served. What impresses me is they are fries that still have their skins on. For me, that just adds flavor. Of course, the main attraction next to their amazing burgers is the refreshing homemade, Root Beer. It is always the perfect accompaniment to a burger and fries. Next visit, I having a Root Beer Float and really have a flashback to my childhood. read more

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I just went there for my first time today. Kind of unsure what to order, I went with the old school steakburger as it comes. It was pretty much perfect. Fries are crisp and delicious too! Service took a bit, but that's because it was decently busy when we arrived. I honestly didn't expect the flavor I got with the price I paid. Some say it's overpriced, but this is a local mom and pop place, so you know what kind of quality you're going to get. I definitely recommend this place! Loved it and I will go back. read more

Stopped in from a couple towns over to pick up wife's new glasses. It was a bit after 1300 so we decided to get lunch first. Perhaps it is a simple matter of an "airplane" tends to look like an "airplane", there is a familiarity to this place although we have never been here. It is just weathered enough to have character without being quite run-down. It is clean, and the dining inside space is sort of timeless. The service counter on the dine-in side has a big busy menu above the window, but there is also a smaller version (tiny print) that you can hold close and make a choice. We both opted for the signature King Louie (single patty, hand formed, smashed), and fries. We also tried the onion rings as an appetizer someone else mentioned in a review. They were the frozen ones and had a real onion under the batter. My one complaint (a me problem) was the fries. They use the fresh potato with skin style. They almost never quite get to that level of crisp that I prefer. In this case they seemed to have pulled them even earlier (perhaps feeling rushed). The burgers were good, not fancy, but clearly made to order (this is not fast food). It's not a long wait, but I expect like many small businesses they run a skeleton crew as often as they can. We only saw the counter lady and the younger woman order runner for the drive ups. We would certainly stop by again if in the area. read more

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Greasy, onion rings were cold. I imagine it's payday. It was great and it's still just OK. read more

Stopped in after a round of golf. The young lady at the counter was super nice. The food has always was amazing and arrived quickly.nice comfortable seating area. read more

King Louie's Drive-In - Double king louie, onion rings and root beer by the gallon - Burgers Near Me - Wood River, Illinois

Great place, the double king louie with the works, onion rings and a large strawberry shake with real strawberry's.

Cute petite little mommy and poppy restaurant! Me and a local came expecting something special. And to keep it short...It was!!!I got onions rings and a burger. Great place. Highly recommended read more

Happened to stop here to find a cache while geocaching. It was lunchtime and the restaurant was busy, so we decided to try it. The lion tamer single was very good. Food was fresh and hot. Will try again if I'm in the area. read more

King Louie's Drive-In - Lion Tamer and Fries - Burgers Near Me - Wood River, Illinois

Oh yeah, this place goes hard! Get the Lion Tamer! Just a Mom & Pop churning out quality food fast! Make the drive, get a carryout and stuff your face as a cruise! read more

The service employees were very nice there. My problem was that they had too many menus online I ordered off the first one that I got a hold of which I did not know it was an old one and when I got there to pay for my food, it was three times harder than it should've been so I did not notice till I was driving away after I noticed it I went back and said something to and they said they have this problem every day they get complaints like this so I called the owner. She was very rude and acted like it was my fault and then blamed it on her employee Said they should've dealt with it and I said they didn't know how to deal with it. read more

Love it, love it, love it! My fiancée works near this local institution and she couldn't stop talking about it! So naturally I had to check them out. Simply perfect! Cheerful hometown service Fast as lightning And the best burger you'll have. I found my new lunch spot! Although not guaranteed, I've found that spots that have had the same folks working for them for years really beats the new teen crowd who are just in it for a Summer job. My only suggestion is to get the double. The beef Pattie's are on the thin side. This with two you'll get the perfect burger. read more

King Louie's Drive-In - the front entrance - Burgers Near Me - Wood River, Illinois

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Awesome double steak burger with cheese. The best homemade root beer. Corn dog tasted microwaved and was disappointing. Service very friendly. read more

I was in town for a meeting with a lot of people. The park ranger t Mel price lock and dam suggested we go to King Louie. Had bean and ham soup and a grilled cheese sandwich on a nice cold day and it was delicious. read more

Was craving the King's root beer and a steak burger. The root beer here is so good, and just a good old fashioned thin burger. Yum read more

King Louie's Drive-In - open sign - Burgers Near Me - Wood River, Illinois

Amazing food absolutely delicious 10/10 some of the best food I've ever had . The staff is kind and amazing they are quick and friendly. The inside is clean and funny 10/10 highly recommend. read more

It might be the nostalgia, but I love this place. A no frills drive-in experience. It was always a treat to go here as a kid, and it still feels that way today. I've never had anything here I didn't enjoy. Plus you can get a "real" cherry Pepsi (aka with cherry syrup). It's a great place to roll your windows down, enjoy the music (when I was there last it was 80s & 90s hits), and relax while you wait for your food to arrive. My Order: Chicken Tenders, Onion Rings, & a Cherry Pepsi A recommendation from my friend: "The BBQ Pork nachos are my new favorite!" read more

Best burger I've had in a long time. Amazing root beer also... I'm coming back with friends !!! read more

Great burgers king louie burger os the way to order My coworker had steakburger said it was good also cheap prices also Didn't take long to get food Waitress was nice read more

Really wanted to try/like this place! Finally a nice Spring day/evening, Finally able to get out! So we find King Louie's on Yelp, hey lets go try it we said, but wait its 6:25pn we better call to confirm they're indeed open... King Louie's staff answers and advise that they are open until 8pm and on occasion stop taking orders at 7:45pm. (35min drive)They also advised that we should order upon arrival and they will bring it out to our car (given all the current virus precautions) Sure thing! So we hit the road driving from Swansea IL to WoodRiver IL. (28mi I had to get directions via Google Maps so knew how long and Google Maps took us dorectly to King Louie's lot) We pull in 7:10pm and as directed call the store 618-254-1114... No Answer, I try again No answer. Clearly they're open as there are 5+ other occupied/ customer cars in the lot actively receiving orders. I call the alternate number 618-254-2710, Again No answer I dial again only have a female answer the call abruptly saying just as its spelled here "KING LOUIE's WUR NOT TAKIN NO MORE ORDERS!" Click Now if we had failed to call to confirm, that would be one thing, but the fact that we indeed called, and they advise on certain occasions they MAY Close as early as 7:45pm (yet mind you it was 7:10pm) and they clearly had customers, That clearly at a time when numerous restaurants are claiming they have to close for good because of lack of business Its quite clear King Louie's isn't interested in our business and closing nearly an hour early on a nice spring evening, with customers (some of which drove a long distance) waiting to pay in their lot. You'd think if anything they would want to stay open a little later to make up for any lost revenues! What is wrong with this picture? read more

Good food love this place .wonderful nice staff love this place and I'll make sure I'll bring friends and family

I found this spot on Yelp I drove 20 minutes to the restaurant just to find out the food was extremely overpriced I paid $17.04 for a double steak burger with bacon and cheese with fries and a drink. On top of that I asked for a refill and they tried charging me for a refill(root beer) You're better off going to Freddy's and feed 2 people for 17$. I definitely Wouldn't recommend this place considering how overpriced it is. It was a one and done for me. NEVER AGAIN. read more

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Great place for old fashioned burgers and the root beer is great and so is the service

Wonderful food and service. Like the old fashioned drive in restaurants. Wish they were open during the winter. read more

Lovely drive in with indoor seating available. The homemade root beer is fantastic. The menu is varied and everything I've tried has been very good. read more

I have been going here for years and just went recently and now you're going to charge me seven dollars for a burger $1.50 per cheese $1.50 for a tomato $1.25 for lettuce and $1.50 for a soufflé cup of ranch and an order of fries that were cooked in oil that should've been changed out two days ago I am all about supporting local business but come on man read more

King Louie's lived up to the hype and then some! I absolutely love these old school drive in places; they make me feel like I was born in the wrong generation! The service was great and we enjoyed eating off a tray hung on our window. I'd never experienced that before, so that was really cool. (And no, Sonic doesn't count, haha!) the King Louie burger was fantastic- big, juicy, full of flavor, basically everything you'd want in a burger. The vanilla shake had excellent consistency and taste as well, and my son loved his burger. All this for $15? You bet! The food is right, the price is right...we have a winner! Go here! read more

King Louie's Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Wood River, Illinois

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Great drive in with great food ,that has been around forever..king loui burger and breaded mushroom...can't go wrong here

Ordered the pulled pork nachos and a root beer float... loved it! Perfect little drive-in for lunch or ice cream.

I never knew this place existed! Went here on a gorgeous day and drank their homemade root beer! It was a little too sweet actually but still yummy. I ordered their 21 piece shrimp and onion rings. The rings were a little dry and the shrimp still had their tails on them. Ick. I dont think they know you're not supposed to eat those. However i did enjoy how fast the service was. Unlike charlie's root beer stand in which you have to order ahead of time if you want to avoid a 30+ min wait. read more

King Louie's Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Wood River, Illinois

First place I came to do a root beer run while in town on a business trip. The root beer here was very sweet and creamy, with hints of vanilla. I paid $1.30+tax for 16 oz cup. read more

King Louie's Drive-In - 16 oz root beer to go - Burgers Near Me - Wood River, Illinois

We were told it would be about a half hour wait which we were ok with. When we finally got our food to go...burgers were cold and missing condiments asked for. We did not have time to have them remade. Our sides were slightly warm. Very disappointed with what we got!! read more

Seen nothing but good things about this place on yelp. They definitely let me down. The food was alright. Very overpriced for the portions they give you. Spent almost $25 for one person. yikes. Do better King Louie's. read more

Took 45 minutes to get my food, charged me more than what it costs on the menu, and to top it off cold. First time trying king louies will also be my last! Could've gotten my food elsewhere cheaper gotten home eaten it by the time I got my food read more

Best pork tenderloin sandwich I have ever eaten! Served in a tiny diner that is reminiscent of the old Dad's Root beer stands, King Louie is a favorite in the Wood River area. their fries are crispy, and their onion rings are very tasty. read more

If you want a very good old-fashioned cheeseburger I would highly recommend King Louie's we love them and if you like root beer they've got the best read more

Long long wait times and the food was pretty bad when i had it. Heard so many good things about the place waited long time just to get order taken then a long time to get the food. read more

No other place like it. Great food and service! Eat in your car or inside. Old time car hops!

Stopped by glad we did! Had great burgers, potato planks, and great homemade root beer! Good service too! Will definitely come back!

Great place. Generally quick service, but at busy times of the day you may have to wait a bit. Just a simple, nostalgic burger joint with great tasting root beer. read more

We were at Lewis and Clark filming Elle Mercurio-Cherrier movie CLAIMED. Finished for the day and were looking for food. OMG! King Louie's Drive-In was better than the hype! We had burgers, shakes, and shrimp. We even bought a gallon of home made root beer to take home. Stop in King Louie's, you won't be disappointed with the most excellent food and the happy staff. It is good enough, that we will drive over there again, just to eat there. read more