I hate giving bad reviews & do look for positives when I can in the food, service, something. The only positive is that I did not know they were cash or debit only ($1 Fee for Debit) and I only had $5. It was like the Food Gods were looking out for us and I Thank them. The other positive I guess would be the free entertainment provided by the guy taking orders & screwing them up, and customers attempting to get what they ordered, sad but kind of humorous at the same time. One lady went through it twice & still not right. I had high hopes because I love local stops like this, it just looked like it had to be good for cheap eats. First, the guy taking orders (above should explain that) and the ordering process, you pay when u come back up to window to get food. Just seemed to slow the process down, and no numbers - the guy just pointed out the window at you when ready. Now the food, I was hoping it was worth it as the place was crowded so it had to be right? Wrong, our fries were just one giant clump of grease & fries, which would be okay except half of them were not cooked. We went with Spicy not mild Chili as my wife likes it that way & this was going to be a trial run as we had so little cash. Spicy was tasteless, for me that is saying something as I am a mild guy. It really was tasteless, the bun was soggy and we did not finish it. I usually can grunt my way through a Chili Dog, but not this time.. It seriously was a stroke of luck that we had no real cash. The best thing I can say is that there were no issues later in the evening due to the little that we ingested. Not sure where "Pat" is, but needs to come back soon as I cannot see how even an iconic place like this surviving with this type of service & food delivery. read more

Pat's Drive In - One clump of undercooked potatoes, not quite Fries, but still better than the Chilidog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

A nice little area favorite! An old fashioned little mom and pop place for wonderful burgers and dogs! Try the chili dogs and choose from regular, mild or spicy, and you can order a 6-pack! Enjoy! You won't be sorry read more

Pats is a classic hot dog place in Tucson. I enjoy the chili hotdogs and crave them at least once a week.

Definitely a little hole in the wall tucson staple. I remember coming here as a kid. The chili dogs are delicious I love to get one mild one hot for a little kick. The fry's come in a huge bag and are a bit soggy but there also the perfect combo with the chili dogs. The service is always extremely friends and fast. I'm sad they no longer have the dining room but also sitting outside in the dove up area makes for a great throwback experience read more

Ahhh Pats. Best french fries in the Verse. Hottest chili dogs in the Verse as well! I'm from Tucson originally and so glad with all these "changes" in the barrio that this place is staying unchanged and true to its own history and food! One of the best things in Tucson! read more

Had some chili dogs and a chicken sandwich and honestly, I could get better chili at the store and the chicken sandwich tasted like it was from McDonalds. The fries are the only thing I think was good. Really had high hopes for this place and can't say I'll be back. read more

Awesome food, great atmosphere Guys behind the grill friendly and courteous.. I'll be back read more

Pat's is a part of growing up in Tucson. It's been here forever, it's always the same - consistently delicious drive-in food. I get a few chili dogs and a bag of fries, and my son loves their burgers. My daughter gets the grilled cheese. When everyone's happy... I'm happy! The place is cash-only but this is a local Tucson institution so if you don't know that, you should and now you do! They always give me a couple of hotdogs for my dog too which he loves along with the fries I share with him. If you haven't been, you should go. If you don't like Pat's, you're wrong! read more

Starving, I needed something to tide me over. Ah, a hotdog should do the job, a chili cheese hotdog even better. So, I stopped at this throwback shack. All right, it's bigger than a shack--now, but obviously its roots are in shackdom, and good roots they are, pure Americana. The dog was nothing outstanding, the chili was fine with a nice hint of sweetness and onion to enliven the beans, and the cheese was--what can I say--American. Sitting in the "dining room" furnished with small metal picnic tables and benches, I could imagine folks in boots and cowboy hats bellying up to the order window. Wait, that wasn't my imagination. Lots of the patrons--and there were lots of patrons--looked like they'd come straight from central casting. If I were more into fast-food, I'd probably go back to try the burgers, fries, and onion rings. Certainly, based on my snack, I would expect to enjoy them. A special shoutout to the serving staff. No numbers, no names, just remembering which customer had ordered what. Given the flow of business, I have to say I was impressed. read more

For a Drive inn I really enjoy this place, just good ole Chilli dogs and burgers, it's must try and must visit at least once a month.

If you're looking for flavortown, this ain't the place! I love local businesses but I just can't recommend this place. I had the chili dog spicy Bland bland bland read more

Pat's is definitely an icon in the Tucson area, with it's real drive-in feel. The food is just what you'd expect with hot dogs, burgers, fries, and drinks and, amazingly, the prices don't seem to have been impacted much by inflation. They aren't incredibly speedy here, but the quality of the food is up there. They also have a fantastic neon sign, so consider going in the evening to see it and enjoy your meal at the picnic tables! read more

Pat's Drive In - Signage - Hot Dogs Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Having been here several times I'm surprised I haven't written a review yet. One of the staples here in Tucson which has been around forever and never fails!! I've come on different days at different times & I've always gotten the best & most flavorful hotdogs & fresh & hot crispy French fries. I'd suggest going with the hot chili dogs with grilled onions they are packed with flavor & just the right amount of kick to massage your taste buds in all the right places. If not in the mood for a hot dog they also serve delicious hamburgers fish & chips and fried shrimp. The prices are extender reasonable the portion size is excellent to fill up a grown man. Pats a place I'm always sure to bring out of state guests. read more

I have been eating at pats dents 72' And have watched it standards go down. They don't seem to care but today 7/21' when three times I specified cheese on my dogs an when receiving my order there was no cheese when asked for ranch for my rings was told they didn't have any.the price I paid was more then the board quoted. I felt treated like crap and cheated. I didn't want to stand in line another 15 minutes to be disrespected a second time. I WILL Never GO THERE AGAIN!!! of course the food has become Substandard and if the money is so important that they don't care.they can keep it the sad thing is they are living of there past. BEWARE THEY HAVE Changed!! feels like a big HUSTLE! read more

They don't open on time Had a line waiting Was to open at 11.00 am Had to go get something else read more

I've heard people rave about this place. I stopped by after going up Tumamoc one night and the parking is okay. The wait wasn't too bad as most people were stopping to get dinner for their families after work. I ordered chili dogs as well as some fries. The fries even with the 30 minutes drive home were REALLY good. The chili dogs on the other hand were not the best. I got both the hot and non-hot to try them out. The hot were very hot, but I'm a wimp with anything a tad spicy so don't take my word for it and if you choose to visit this location maybe get one for trial. The chili flavor just wasn't a good hit for me. It was almost watery and odd flavored. I wouldn't be against trying it again as so many people rave about this food but where I stand now is I will not go out of my way to eat at Pat's unless I crave their fries. read more

Pat's Drive In - Chili Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

We were on our way to Saguaro National Park and this was on our way so we decided to stop here to support a local business. This is a drive in but they don't have car service. You order at the window and wait for your food. They also have a small eat-in dining room. I had the root beer and a chili dog. The chili comes either mild or spicy. I had the spicy and this was the first chili dog that I've ever had that actually made me sweat a little. Chili dogs are their specialty so they are probably a good bet to order. My husband had the fish and chips. The fish was crispy and had a nice flavor, but the chips were the soggiest batch of fries ever. Skip the fries here. read more

We've lived in Tucson for close to 15 years and we had yet to visit this iconic food establishment, until today. The guy that took our order explained exactly how they typically serve their dogs and the order came out very quickly. We got the family meal which included 4 chili dogs and a ton of fries for $20, after tax, and honestly I'd say it's a fair price to pay for a family of four. The pile of fries was more than we could all eat at one time, they are really greasy but pretty tasty. We chose spicy dogs with mustard and onions and they were decent but I really can't say that I would go back again. I think our expectations may have been a bit high after people telling us to try them for so many years but overall it was a fun outing with the family after a day at the car show! read more

Old school staple in the west side of Tucson, drive your car within feet of the ordering window and hop out to get your order. I bring my parents here any time we're close because they've been coming since their teen years. There is always a line but it goes rather quick and the food is being made fresh. Of course it's not a 5 star steakhouse but if you're looking for 5 star comfort food you came to the right place- Try it out! It's an experience. read more

Too bad that this place doesn't follow Health Dept Protocol. Employees prepping food for us consumers to eat are using gloves great BUT YOU NEED TO CHANGE GLOVES AFTER HANDLING MONEY!! I called spoke to manager he said "that's how we do it" ummm no you have one person handling food and other money. If not change gloves everytime. Staff "ummm well we are short staffed" no excuses Health department would shut you down or give bad ratings. Do you think owners Charlie Hernandez or his daughter Gina approve??? I won't be going back. So very sad. Just gross!! read more

This place is a great place to get chili dogs and burgers. It has been there a long time and never disappoints. Food is good .

So, I guess this place is a Tucson legend. Been here 20+ years and this was our first visit. This place is great! First come first served. We ordered the chili dogs, fries and a large drink. Dogs are great! Simple yet very tasty. Fries were also great, thin and fried just right. Their price are very reasonable as our order was just $10. They have several specials on their menu that I can't wait to try. Service is what you would expect for this type of place. So, this one is on my list of go to places. We will be going back and soon. read more

It's ok.Taste more like marinera sauce than chili to me. $3.58 for a hot dog is a little too much.

A Tucson institution! Has always and continues to deliver excellent dogs. Served hot and fresh. Make sure to eat them over your fries, that way you get chili on them! Get the family pack, don't kid yourself or waste your time having to get more. read more

I have known about Pat's for probably a decade. Had never been. If I am going for a hot dog, I am more interested in the Sonoran hot dog, or in making them at home. Preferably with hotlinks instead of hotdogs. Yeah. Eating hot dogs out just isn't a part of my repertoire. But this seems like one of those Tucson institutions that requires your presence at least once. Pat's is steeped in that old school vibe. It's a cheeseburger and hotdog stand that draws people in droves primarily for it's chili and its massive bags of french fries. Seriously, you can almost imagine people in the 1960s inviting each other out on late night dates, then sitting on the curb eating their chili hot dogs and drinking sodas. I went for a plain hot dog and fries. The hotdog was fairly uninteresting. Moderately interesting, really. I've had better plain hotdogs at Wienerschnitzel. The french fries are pretty good. Humongous bag! I couldn't finish them off. Decent amount for two people, for sure. There isn't sitting inside, but there are several metal benches on the front patio. And keep an eye on your food - there are bound to be interactions with the urban wildlife. Mostly sparrows and doves. ... Though I did also hear a rooster. read more

Pat's Drive In - Plain dog with fries - Hot Dogs Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The burgers at pats are great and the fries were even better. The fries were so crispy and perfectly salted. The guy at the front got my order wrong but was nice. The outside of the restaurant is dirty. The floors are so sticky it almost took my shoe. Most tables outside were clean but had engravings on them. read more

A friend recommended Pat's, so I stopped by as I was on my way to Phoenix. I got a regular chili dog, a hot chili dog, and french fries. The regular chili dog was good but a bit boring. Not much flavor aside from a plain bean taste with some tomato-based sauce. The spicy version was... spicier, so a bit more interesting. The fries were greasy and under-salted. Service was good, though, on the weekday afternoon that I was there. read more

Pat's Drive In - Chili dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Friendly staff at this walk up restaurant with a. 50s diner feel. I've tried the chili burger and Par's Burger. Both, were delicious. I love their chili cheese fries! I share them with my son and we still can't finish the large portion. I'd like to try the chicken and hot dogs. Everything is well with rices and served quickly. read more

When I think of Pat's, I am instantly reminded of one of my favorite childhood memories...chili dogs and fries with my dad. Love that it's still continues to serve the same recipes as they did when I was a kid. I love the old-school vibe drive-in and that you can get your food quickly. My favorite is the chili dog. Their chili is perfect. Simple but delicious and the fries are some of my favorite in town. I love Pat's and always will. read more

I'd sooner eat a steaming handful of my own sh*t than gag down one of their tasteless 'chili' dogs again. Absolutely disgusting. The service was pretty bad, too. No bathrooms. Just a gross, nasty, overpriced-for-what-it-is relic of a bygone era that needs to close down before there's a food contamination outbreak. read more

We ordered the Family Special which comes with 4 chili dogs and a large order of fries. We got 2 mild and 2 hot chili dogs. The chili on the dogs was nothing special. It had little to no spice to it, very bland. The best part about the meal was the French fries. They are the homemade style. read more

This place has been killing it forever, my 82 year old grandmother has stories about this place. You cant do it that long if your not doing it right. Bring cash, leave the diet at home for the day and enjoy. read more

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Pat's Drive In is exactly what the reviews state. I saw this place passing by on my way to Tuscon on one of the side streets where I was staying. The little outdoor walk in restaurant has plenty of table seating outside with a lack of any indoor dining, due to the heat the joint produces as well as the availability to serve a mass crowd with a full kitchen (Think, the first McDonald's). The food is very decently priced for what you're getting, the fish items being a slight more expensive and any food where you want a sizable amount of items. I would classify Pat's as a place for something when you want a lot grease and chili (which they have the option to put on mostly everything). Be prepared however, you may have to take a lot of what they have done with a fork and knife. Otherwise, the food was to be expected, hit the spot when you are intoxicated or under the influence. The area itself is a steady, easy walk or (if sober) a solid drive with plenty of parking! Would love to try again if I'm in the area. read more

A Tucson classic! We can't ever seem to avoid Pats whenever we're in the west side of town. Cheap and tasty food that is always consistent definitely makes this one of our comfort food spots. read more

First off, this place is cash only. That should be in bright letters everywhere, but I only saw one small sign in the window. You CAN use a debit card, but they will charge you a fee for that. My hubby and I wanted hotdogs, and I had seen this place online before and wanted to try it. Ten or so people were out front when we arrived around 7:30 on a Saturday, but most had already ordered and were waiting on their food. Seems like the chili dogs are the #1 item, so we got three plus a drink (Pepsi products and some Mexican drinks like horchata and jamaica available) and an order of onion rings (about $15-16). Chili dogs come with cheese and onions beneath the chili. That wasn't explained to us, so FYI if you don't want either of those toppings. My husband wanted a plain hotdog without chili, but we didn't see that option on the menu, so we inquired. It actually cost more to get a plain hotdog than a chili dog here, which doesn't make much sense. We didn't wait long, but I thought it was odd they didn't take a name or give us a number for the order, so we had to hang out close by and listen for them to call out what we ordered. That also makes for confusion when customers come up to place orders. There were a couple tables out front, and I saw a sign pointing to a dining room that looked to be closed. It was really muggy and hot outside so we took our food home. Onion rings were crispy and good but a bit heavy on the batter. My chili dog tasted decent, but after I was a few bites in, I noticed a tiny black bug in the wrapper, alive. I hoped that was a one-off because there are so many bugs around due to monsoon and those guys aren't crawling around their kitchen. But I am pretty sure the bug did not come from my house! Pat's offers decently tasting, hot food, but doesn't seem the cleanest and is out of my way, so I probably wouldn't return. read more

This is my definition if the best chili dog and fries. I've eaten here for over 30 years and yet I still crave it daily.

I suppose if you're on this side of town, it doesn't hurt to stop by such a legendary restaurant. I had the hot chili burger which was good but bread fell apart, their french fries are not crispy at all so if you enjoy getting lots of fries which are on the soggy side you'll love them here. I'm sure their Hot Dogs are delicious since that's what everyone was eating and it's what they are Famous for. read more

I have yet to be disappointed. I get the hot chili cheese dogs mmmm, mouth waters just thinking of it.

Got my order wrong- hot instead of mild chili, 5 people after me got their food sooner than I did and all I ordered was 2 chili dogs a burger and a fry. By the time I got my order everything was cold and disgusting. Not sure why people hype this place. Wasted $10 will never go again! Yech!!!! I'd put no stars if I could! read more

Pat's chilli dogs has been a Tucson favorite and staple for years but I'm sadden to report how they have went downhill. They slop the chilli on so buy the time you get it the bun I'd soaked by the chili so when you pick it up it falls apart this is what happened to me on a recent visit so I took my chilli dogs back to the counter and showed her the hotdogs and ask for 2 more done the way I first ordered them asking for just a little chili she said she told the lady who was preparing them I said light chilli so they made them again I walked back to the window to get them before she handed them to me she said she was charging me for them I couldn't believe it that's not good customer service why do I have to pay again for my food they messed up. I will never ever eat there again. read more