Tried out Mugs Up in Independence, Missouri, and absolutely loved the old-school drive-in atmosphere. The carhops came right up to our window to take our order and were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The menu is surprisingly large for such a small place. We ordered the Wiz Burger, chicken nuggets, tots, onion rings, fries, and Brown Cow root beer floats. Prices were very reasonable, which was a nice bonus. One thing I really loved was the option to order their homemade root beer in an ice-cold glass mug (which you return when you're done). It definitely adds to the nostalgic experience. Our favorite items were the crispy tater tots, the chicken nuggets (which were more like mini chicken strips), and the root beer floats. The Wiz Burger was definitely unique, but it wasn't a crowd-pleaser in our car. It's made with loose meat mixed with onions, pickles, and cheese, which may appeal to some but wasn't our favorite. I'd definitely go back to try the chicken sandwich, pork tenderloin, or spicy buffalo dog. The food itself might be closer to 3 stars, but the unique throwback nostalgia of the carhop era bumps the overall experience into 4-star territory. It's a must-try-at-least-once kind of place. read more

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On the quest to find the best burger in Kansas City, I tested Mugs-Up Rood Beer, and it honestly did quite well. Mugs-Up is a small burger spot with no seating inside and NO DRIVE THRU, which I find charming. It harkens back to the 50s when it was first opened and even has a neon sign that looks great at night. But the whole visit here was about the burger, and while they don't have bacon here, the burger was unique in that it wasn't a patty. They continued that uniqueness by using Velveeta instead of American cheese. Strangely enough though, it only added to this old burger joint's charm. This ground meat and Velveeta burger knows what it is and is happy with that. And while I didn't love their own in-house root beer, the fries were decent crinkle cut and the rest of the experience was good enough that I definitely see myself coming back again. You can see more of our experience on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/PQLoDu8-DYs read more

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Been waiting awhile to check out this burger joint we are new to the area and miss our old mom/pop burger spot back home. Mugs Up was a huge disappointment our burgers were NOT hot what made it worse was the thick unmelted cheese slices that made the burger cold, the seasoning was ok, fry's were crinkle cut they were hot (thankfully as I could not eat a cold cheeseburger and was starving) & the fried mushroom were average the portion size was small they give you one small pack of ranch dip, homemade root beer's had an after taste. Sloppy joe style burgers are not ideal...needless to say this was our first & last visit! read more

This place is older than me. But I've been coming here since I was kid. It's has that trapped in time feel and look about it. You pull up and park then someone comes out to take your order and bring your food. My go to order to the Zip burger & root beer. Zip burger is a loose meat sandwich which onions and mustard. It's a simple sandwich but hits the spot every time. They also make their own root beer in the basement. You can even get it in an ice cold mug. read more

Mugs Up Drive In - Zip Burger - Fast Food Near Me - Independence, Missouri

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Fast fun friendly the orange ice cream float was a favorite with our granddaughter and of course the ROOTBEER

I love this institution! Stop by and get some great food and a frosty Root Beer in a large glass mug!! BAM!

Great place I've been going here for years. Every time I go, I always get some whiz burgers and their fried burritos. They're not open on Sundays so I would stop in Saturday and stock up for Chiefs games on Sunday. It's hard to drive home and not start munching on something. read more

Fantastic food, fast service and friendly staff. What more can you ask for for? I drive out of my way to get those Wiz burgers and root beer. Makes my day. read more

Food was old and tasted horrible. The root beer float shouldn't even be considered that. Old and dingy that also don't speak for cleanliness. Definitely wish we hadn't wasted time or money here. We ended up throwing the food away and going down the road to McDonalds to find some edible food. read more

My frito chili pie was good, but if you don't like loose meat burgers, I wouldn't recommend.

A classic and simple old school drive in. There's no outdoor seating and a carhop walks up to your window to take your order. The menu consists of mainly fried food (that isn't healthy), but has such a nostalgic taste! The food is inexpensive and delivered hot and very quickly. Try the cheese whiz burger (I know, I know. It probably doesn't sound good, but it actually is!) Make sure you try the homemade root beer severed in a frosted mug! (You can even purchase a gallon to take home!) read more

Mugs Up Drive In - Cheese Whiz burger - Fast Food Near Me - Independence, Missouri

this place not only has great food, but today, when we got home with our food, someone not only labeled the items, but also added a smiley face! Loved that!! It was a nice little something that brightened our day! read more

Mugs Up Drive In - it's children y - Fast Food Near Me - Independence, Missouri

The food and service here are the absolute best in the area! Delicious burgers with service that goes above and beyond the standard carhop experience! read more

Server was nice. Place was packed out but got food fairly quick. Was afraid they'd only take cash but they took debit/credit. Food was pretty solid and better than other run of the mill fast food joints. Liked the nostalgia aspect read more

During the Covid 19 crisis it is a fine line of staying responsible for your own safety and that of the community and also trying to support the independent merchants. Like most, I have reduced my gathering of food to only drive-thru's, delivery or curbside. Mug's Up has been the grandfather of curbside social distancing for decades. After pulling in the lot and reviewing one of the multiple menu boards, you wait or honk and a server will come and take your order. A perfect option for these times. The Wiz burger is a local institution consisting of loose seasoned ground beef, onions, mustard, pickles and cheese whiz. Old school guilty pleasure deliciousness. The tots are hot and crispy and the Black Cows made with home made root beer are worth the trip in itself. The Root Beer was flat on my visit today so I tried the Orangaroo - Orange soda and vanilla ice cream. I wish I lived closer. read more

Mugs Up Drive In - a sign for a coffee shop - Fast Food Near Me - Independence, Missouri

The servers were decent and the feel of the old time drive in was nice but a bit run down. Prices look cheap at first but once you get enough food to make a meal it's about the same as anywhere else, not that it really mattered since the food was UNEATABLE I've never had a burger this bad. I tried 3 different ones and the meat filling was nasty(dry, lack of flavor to the point it was dull) burger were so bad even if everything else was perfect I can't give more than a one star. sides were okay and the root beer was better than most can/bottled one's but I would prefer A&W root beer over this personally. I don't like writing bad reviews right away but this experience stick with me for the last 3 months so I finally decided to write one and that this place definitely isn't 4.3 starts worthy maybe 2.5 if I got unlucky happened to come on a bad day but I'm not trying again to find out. read more

Good food! Great price! Fantastic service! I always get the chili cheese burrito recommended by Robin. It's the bomb! Thanks Robin!

I love their whiz burgers! And the root beer is fantastic. Last time I went, I felt like the food was sub par but maybe they were just having an off day. I still love it, and I'll be back to give it another chance. read more

I have tried to eat here on multiple occasions and it's always closed for various reasons. I quit, not trying anymore.

Quick service, always very tasty, hot, and fresh! The staff are friendly and always make sure your order is right, or gets fixed promptly on the very rare occasion they get it wrong! Great prices and very filling! read more

This place has THE BEST root beer and root beer floats (Black Cows). I've been going here for my occasional junk food fix for fifty-odd years, and my ex- hubby used to work here as a teen. They also have lovely crinkle-cut fries that pair nicely with their Zip Burgers, a sort of a sloppy joe made of ground beef cooked in a big pot with herbs and spices & scooped onto a bun. They also have other food items, but I always end up getting the Zip Burger, fries, and a root beer. It's sort of a ritual for me. This is a tiny little Sonic-type drive-in on 23rd Street just east of Noland Road in Independence. The kind where you pull up under the sun shade, squint up at the menu posted above, and someone (usually a Polite high school kid - how rare is that?) comes to your car to take your order and returns a short while later with your food. There's no place inside to sit down - you eat in your car. But let me tell you, those root beer floats taste wonderfully good on a hot day! They also have a Whiz Burger (a Zip Burger with melty cheese on it - probably Cheez Whiz). It's pretty darn good, too. This place used to be Bill & Ann's Mugs Up, but I heard that Bill & Ann retired some time ago. However, their memory is preserved in every yummy bite of Zip Burger, every salty crinkle-cut fry, and every refreshing sip of cold root beer. This is not a place to go if you're trying to be health-conscious and watch your waistline. You won't find gluten-free buns or kombucha on the menu. You will leave happily satisfied but not overly stuffed (unless you lose all control and order two Black Cows, that is.) I will keep going back here whenever I need my junk food/root beer fix. read more

I am actually reviewing their other location in old downtown Independence just a few miles away on E. Winner Rd. This location serves the same delicious loose meat burgers only in a indoor setting. A cute counter top diner with about 5 additional tables you can sit and enjoy your burger. I highly recommend this location and their loose meat burgers! read more

Mugs Up Drive In - Diner front entrance - Fast Food Near Me - Independence, Missouri

Great little drive in spot to grab a bite to eat. Pull up & park, within minutes Someone will come up to your car window to take your order. Always very friendly and considerate. Absolutely love the Wiz burger, prices are definitely affordable. Whenever I'm hungry and I happen to be in Independence this is my go to spot. Place has been here forever. Love their crumbly burgers, & There rootbeer is definitely a treat. The atmosphere is a different experience, nothing like going to a regular drive-through like McDonald's. read more

The food and orange Cow drinks are amazing and the same that they've been selling for decades. My favorite is the root beer. It's the best I've ever had. Staff is very friendly and always a pleasure to talk to. It's a favorite of mine and one you should definitely try if you haven't. read more

Gosh, where do I even begin?! Let's just say there is a reason this little drive up has been around for so long. Not only is there food wonderful, but my grandparents actually met there when they were kids! Finding love while eating a burger, now who wouldn't want that? (Just kidding...kind of) I have always ordered their whiz burger (cheeseburger) with fries and a root beer. What could be better than that?! The burger is slightly different than your average patty offering a slightly crumbly texture. If you haven't been yet, you won't be disappointed! read more

Good food at a real decent price. Took me 30 yrs to finally stop here. Wish I would have sooner. Great People!

I don't know but I had an interview because I live up the street and the lady was being so rude

I came here right before closing on a weeknight and it was fairly busy....I was surprised. I tried a small root beer, like I do at other similar drive in's across the country....especially since it was right before dinner and didn't want to get too full from carbonation. They offered it to me in a frosted mug, and I took them up on the offer since I hadn't picked a dinner spot yet. After drinking about half of it, the ice began to form on the inside of the mug, awesome. The root beer is not overly sweet like many homemade root beers, and has a wintergreen predominance of flavors. It's a fairly flat taste though. Not the best root beer, but the service was excellent and reminded me a lot of a root beer drive in in Indianapolis I tried last year. read more

Mugs Up Drive In - Small root beer $0.90 - Fast Food Near Me - Independence, Missouri

Best loose meat burgers around, and great homemade root beer too! That's really all you need to know here but they have good sides and floats. Nothing fancy but just great food and friendly staff. Just honk your horn if you need some help! read more

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It's like mush burger for seniors ... not what I expected, onion rings were alright ....I've never had anything like this before

Always great service and fairly quick! The zip burgers, tots, and Black cows are my favorite combo. Highly recommend this place!

If you don't love mugs up you probably should see a doctor, just saying Best root beer floats ever read more

Can't go wrong here. Came back tonight after 20 years after moving back to town....and still great! The whiz burger was excellent...mmm...cheese mustard onion and pickles. The crinkle cut fries are nice but I'd recommend O rings. Oh ya...don't forget to get some root beer! Ms. Katt rocked the carhop service tonight...make sure you tip!!! Can't wait to get back. (I'll post more pics during a daytime visit.) read more

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Great place for corn dogs, Root beer, tenderloins, and onion rings. The car hops are friendly.

Amazing food, great service, felt very retro. Overall, best lunch I've had. The burger was very cheesy and tasted AMAZING, and the root beer was the best I've had. read more

Mugs Up gives you a different view of the hamburger, one I didn't even know existed, the "loose" burger. While most burger meat is tightly packed before grilling, the loose burger is not. You couldn't grill this or the meat pieces would fall through the cracks. Therefore it needs to be cooked McD's style, on a griddle. The difference being that the meat fat has a chance to cook off with a grill, but cooks in its own grease on a griddle. Burger King is an example of grill cooking at the "fast food" level. I prefer my burger being grilled and solid. I tried a loose burger, but it was, literally, all over the place. read more

I love this place I really love the BBQ sandwich I always ask for extra pickles and if you go away hungry well that's your fault. The BBQ beef sandwich well there's more BBQ beef is over the bottom bun and soooo good the fries and onion rings are delicious. We go there at least twice a week. read more

Been eating at Mugs Up since I was a kid and whiz burgers and crinkle fries never get old!! Rinse it all down with a root beer and your golden!! ;) The food is always fresh, and the carhops are prompt in taking your order and delivering your food! read more

Mugs Up Drive In - Fast Food Near Me - Independence, Missouri

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Great root-beer and atmosphere. Food is ok. Kind of like ballpark food. Independence staple. Try the wiz burger you will like it!

The burgers are crumbly deconstructed beef and they are good. The mustard is really strong, so if you aren't a mustard fan this won't be for you. The onion rings were cold today which made them difficult to eat, but when they are hot they're much better. We had rootbeer floats today in the frosty mug. These were good, about like what we'd make at home, but here I was expecting a stronger, bolder rootbeer flavor. While a fun place to stop occasionally, it's not something I'd typically choose. After leaving here we went directly to QT for some roller grill items and drinks which we liked better. read more