The owners (husband & wife) are very personable. They are new owners and do it all themselves. It's clean and small with 3 tables and 2 booths. The fries are fresh and very good. The food is hot and you are called to the window to get your order. The burrito was kind of pricey, decent size and just ok. It's served with a few chips. The chili cheese dogs had liquid white cheese, homemade chili with beans. The hot dog was hot inside (normally I've been getting cold inside at other places) however the chili just didn't thrill me. Okkkkkkkk I'm a chili dog snob so it was just my personal preference. Both meals came with a 20 oz pop. The menu is VERY small and limited but if the food is good you don't need a lot of items. Plus the husband & wife are doing everything alone. I really really hope they succeed in this business. I give them so much credit for trying and chasing their dream. We probably will not go back because we weren't thrilled. There have been a lot of positive comments on our local social pages. I've heard their shakes are amazing - give the place a try read more

See all

Wasn't a huge fan of the food provided. The sliders were extremely dry as were the kids chicken tenders. Another issue I had was the entire online ordering service. My wife had ordered the food through the QR code provided on the sign, after placing the order it listed they would bring our food to the car; during the order it even asked for our location? Instead we received zero confirmation that the order was ready, as it sat outside waiting to be picked up. We were expected to rummage through a pile of orders/bags in order to find our name on the ticket; not too practical. Definitely wouldn't waste money here, especially when they market themselves to be something they aren't. read more

Great, simple/nice place to get delicious fries and great portion sliders. Also beef hotdogs were good. I give this place a 4.7 & would have given a full 5 's but the Coke Cola syrup was a bit off, which is fine cause it's a process to get it just right. (Former restaurant class) Friendly service and can't talk enough about how DELICIOUS those thin fries tasted:) read more

New owners- no bueno. Used to love this place. The menu has been markedly reduced and the prices markedly increased. We ordered sliders...they come in an order of 2. 20 oz drink and fries-13.99. Sliders were small. A good amount of toppings -lettuce, tomato, pickle. But very small and just not good. Like others have stated-watered down Coke-yuck Fries....thin with peel on-the limpest, greasiest, soggy mess...almost not edible. Save your money and go somewhere else. If you're the owner reading this, do better. There's just no excuse for food like this. read more

The food was prepared to order, all hot and good. I really liked the housemade fries. Chile cheese fries are good. Wife and kid got a burger combo. They liked them and the burgers smelled good. The hand dipped shakes were very good, the straw should be bigger tho. Over all the bathroom and inside was clean and nice, the outside could use a pressure wash on the walkway and picnic tables. The girls working greeted us with a smile and were very sweet. Overall food and service was great. Only a 4 star due to outside needing cleaned. read more

The 50’s - 50's diner outside with the pups - Burgers Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

I periodically visit South Haven and have enjoyed most of their restaurants. This has always been my favorite. Believe it or not, I just had my sixth consecutive dinner here. There are four ways to order, but they do not come out to your vehicle. You can eat inside, at the picnic tables, or in your vehicle. The menu is limited, but everything I tried was hot, fresh, and delicious. I enjoyed their burrito, Chicago beef roll, sloppy joe roll, cheeseburger sliders, house made chips, fries, and shakes. The employees are exceedingly pleasant. Service is quick. Don't wait elsewhere! read more

The 50’s - Hours on lower right board not correct--they close at 7:00 PM (at least for now). - Burgers Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

great food , great service, great atmosphere. she told me her chili has won 3 awards, i think she should have more. 10/10

Food was great! Fries were fresh and delicious. Went today to try the chili cheese dog and was pleasantly surprised. I will definitely be going back to try more things read more

The 50’s - Chicago Dog and Chili Cheese Dog with fries - Burgers Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

See all

OMG! We love this place! For the food and the people!!!!! We had double patty cheeseburgers with all the fixings and they were crazily delicious and so big we could not finish them! We also had fries and onion rings...the fries were excellent, and the onion rings were out of this world! We also has a blueberry shake that was super fresh and delicious and very very blueberry! To too it all of, we met Jim the new owner who is the nicest most caring human you could ever hope to Meet! Jim and his team put all the love into the food and service and you can taste it in every bite! If you are anywhere near this part of the world...stop in...make a special stop...you won't regret it! read more

See all

We used to love this place, but the new management is a disaster. Though we were the only ones in the dining area, the tables had not been cleaned (we wiped them ourselves), and the staff got our order wrong. The sliders were awful: burnt to a crisp. $40 for four burgers that combined were smaller than a Burger King Whopper, fries (the only good part of the meal), and a couple of mediocre shakes. A place best avoided. read more

Don't waste your money or your time. This was a huge disappointment. The staff very rude and unprofessional and the food unforgettable. This is far from a diner or any representation of the 50's. I would be very surprised if they would pass a food inspection. read more

Decided to grab a quick bite at the 50's Drive-In while in South Haven. I liked that you could either order straight from your car or sit at a picnic table. We ended up getting a double bacon cheese burger, a small fry and 2 Chicago style dogs minutes tomato (sorry to the Chicago style lovers, I know I'm a disappointment lol). I did enjoy my food but I will admit it was a touch longer of a wait than I expected. The food was great, even an hour later when we got the chance to get home and eat. The building definitely doesn't scream "we have the best food" but they do have some great food. I'll definitely be asking to come back in the future. read more

See all

This restaurant is seasonal but has been open since this past spring. Great food and service. They serve the best cheeseburger in town and fresh thick-cut onion rings are made to order and come out hot. Well-seasoned. Very friendly and efficient server. Eat in your vehicle or enjoy their picnic tables. Great fun for the kids and adults who remember the "good old days". read more

I came to this location for a drive in experience and I did not receive it. When I placed my order online, it stated that our food would be delivered to our window (like any drive in location). Instead, our food was placed outside without any confirmation our food was ready. We had no idea until we had to get out of the car and go to the window. The food was subpar. We got the chicken tenders. $10. Meh. The soda was watered down. Not filled up whatsoever, 90% ice. Mcdonalds does better. The staff didn't acknowledge us but that was fine I guess. I wouldn't have been treated like this in the 50's. Honestly, don't come here. read more

Had their chicken burrito and beef burrito HUGE IS an understatement!! Very delicious well seasoned food! Would definitely recommend!!

We were traveling and went in for ice cream. My husband got a chocolate share and I got a hot fudge sundae. It was terrible. It tasted like freezer burn and we threw it in the trash. no idea why that is but I would never stop here again for it. read more

I was shocked to see that my last update was more than 3 years ago. But I suppose with three hospitalizations and my mother getting sick and then dying and then having to prepare her house to be sold, there were reasons why trips to South Haven have been fewer in number recently. So we were pleasantly surprised that the owner of the 50's Drive In had painted the exterior of the building (from pink to blue), had resecured the plywood sheets underneath the canopy and repainted them, and had bought new picnic tables (for those of us that don't eat in our cars). The physical structure just looks better. And that has been counterbalanced by food that has tasted worse. The burgers have been overcooked, there is no longer that delicious seasoning that made the proteins so yummy, and the fries and onion rings look tired and tasteless. And presumably for reasons associated with COVID-19, the dining room and the bathroom are closed. Not liking this restaurant recently. read more

The 50’s - If he looked distracted, it was because Tristan said he was feeling nostalgic for the past when he had better food here. - Burgers Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

Blast from the past at this local drive in! Love he oldies music playing throughout the speakers to really trick you into thinking it's the 50's. Yelp said they were closed on Saturday but they were open and busy! They had 3 servers running around and they were doing a nice job keeping up with the traffic. Since this was our first time, I went with their original cheeseburger and it was very good. My wife had the chicken sandwich and we shared the giant onion rings. Yes, you only get 3 onion rings but they are massive and delicious. My wife enjoyed her chicken sandwich and we both loved the buns. The price was extremely reasonable but I do laugh at the 50 cent charge for a refill. Overall, great little hidden gem away from downtown South Haven that brings you back in time. Friendly staff and quality fast food that's better than the major chains. read more

The 50’s - Cheeseburger and onion rings - Burgers Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

See all

Nice dog friendly drive in. The burgers are jucy and delicious. They even brought my puppy a bowl of water. The cheese fries were so good!

Great food and atmosphere! We were craving a good hot dog in town and we found it. Very friendly service and great food.

The waitress was an absolute bitch. As we were waiting for our food, we could hear her putting down and name calling my brother. I don't remember her name but she had a brown ponytail, tattoos and a Pink Floyd shirt on, unacceptable behavior. read more

Stopped for a bite not expecting anything fantastic, but was pleasantly surprised- very good drive-in/diner fare (try the onion rings & shakes, you won't be sorry!) and pleasant service. The restaurant looked to have indoor seating, but we stayed in the drive-in area. Definitely a fun experience, but truly a great stop for some humble-but-delicious hotdogs, burgers, fries, shakes, etc. read more

We ate inside instead of potentially dropping food in hubby's truck. LOL The guy working inside was hilarious and he and my seven-year-old enjoyed joking around. The food was good, but seemed a little pricey for what it was? But hey, this is a tourist town, so of course they can charge what the market supports, and the crowds seem to love this place :) read more

Excellent food for a fair price. I had a triple cheese burger and it was perfect. They played 50's music which is not something I'd seek out on my own but it added to the experience. All in all I'm really glad I gave it a shot. read more

I'm sorry for the new owner but whatever they have done to the food is a downer. The tacos I had this week were bland. The beef taste like blah no seasoning and upset my tummy for a couple of days. Sorry but not sorry I'll be heading on down the road. I've heard of artificial meat but whatever it was it wasn't right read more

Visiting this 1950s style drive-in restaurant offers a unique and enjoyable experience, meriting a five-star review for its good food and engaging setup. The menu delivers with tasty classics, and the atmosphere, complete with vintage touches and cheerful servers, adds a special flair. It's a comfortable spot that blends great dining with a touch of nostalgia. read more

Not gonna lie, this place is a bit of a hole in the wall. I go for two main things, the olive burgers and Boston Coolers (Vernors Ice Cream Float). Food is always good and made fresh. Also gives me nostalgia for going to the old Root Beer Stand as a kid. Keep your expectations in check and you'll be happy. read more

Do you know why no one has reviewed Back to the 50's Drive-In since 2011? Because it's where the locals eat (and I think they want to keep it as their little secret). We were directed here by some local residents when we pressed them for 'where do the locals go to get away from the summer crowds'? Anyway, we loved it. It's perfectly campy, the menu is extensive, the prices are cheap, the food was VERY good, and the service was friendly (but a little on the slow side). That's ok, it was a beautiful summer day and we chose to eat at one of the picnic tables instead of in our car. Even then, you grab a menu and wait for your waitress - you don't order yourself at the walk-up window. Faux pas! The onion rings (pictured) and the best in town (sorry Clementine's). The shrimp basket was a delight. Seven butterflied shrimp, lots of fries, and home made cole slaw...all for $8.95! My wife and oldest son had burgers and they raved. My youngest son had chicken tenders which, likewise, he really liked. The drinks were good and the shake my wife ordered was nice, too. Back to the 50's Drive-In did not disappoint. The perfect place for a family to get a really good lunch at reasonable prices in a unique setting. We'll probably stop one more time before heading back to Chicago later this week. read more

The 50’s - The best, hugest onion rings in South Haven (sorry, Clementine's). - Burgers Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

This is a real throwback kind of dive. You can eat in your car, at picnic tables under an awning, or inside. The staff is incredibly welcoming and friendly. I had a 1/4 lb burger with everything and a side of onion rings. There are only 3 rings in the order, but they're HUGE! A woman saw me eating them and came up to ask what they were; she thought it was chicken or something. When I told her that they were the rings, she got all excited & said she had to order them. The burger was very good -- perhaps a little overcooked, but I actually liked it that way. It was very flavorful. And the onion rings were really good, too. They come with an optional side of ranch, but I prefer ketchup. They also came with a knife, but I just picked them up. There are actually several whole rings of onions in each battered piece, so you're really getting more than it appears. read more

See all

I have lived here for three years and never tried this until the end of last season! What a surprise! Large menu and great variety ! Eat in or out! Prices A little steep but the food is fresh and good! Staff could be more friendly but they are busy managing inside and out! Suggest you try it! read more

What a nice surprise! We stopped here while just passing through, as my husband thought (correctly) it looked like a likely spot for a hand dipped corn dog. He got his corn dog (loved it) and the teenagers had nachos, fries and chili cheese dogs (don't judge, we eat whatever we like on vacation). They had rave reviews. I had a root beer float and a taco, both top notch. All the food was surprisingly fresh, very well prepared and served by a cheerful masked lady. And the onion rings! Trust me, just order the onion rings. We'll be back! read more

This place is delicious! Onion rings that are the size of your head and hand dipped in front of you. Perfectly crisp. The burgers are like a burger you make at home with real beef seasoned just right. The owner is super friendly and there making your meal. We'll be back this summer after the beach! read more

The 50’s - Don't miss this little jewel! - Burgers Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

See all

yummy! That is all you need to really know. Burgers are delicious. I also enjoyed the fries. But my fav part was how quickly the servers take your order and not having any cleanup. Score. read more

Came for dinner on a Saturday night around 6pm. Restaurant was pretty packed and there was only one waitress taking orders. She seemed flustered. We ordered from our car and asked if the cheeseburger could be cut in half she said she doesn't think so because they were busy. How hard is it to cut a burger in half? We asked if we could sub the regular fries for chili cheese fries she said probably just with cheese. Ok...all you have to do is charge me for the additional chili and cheese. So far not a good experience. It took over 30mins for the food to arrive, definitely don't come if you're in a rush. Good thing we were trying to waste some time. Onion rings: comes with three huge onion rings, pretty good but really greasy Chili cheese fries: eh, nothing to write home about. Fries were a bit soggy, they are the thin kind by the way and they skimp on the chili and cheese Cheeseburger: I really like the burger especially since they serve with shredded lettuce and tomatoes. Shrimp basket: shrimp was delicious, nicely battered and fried. Came with soggy fries Would I be back? Eh maybe, but there's other restaurants I would wanna try before coming back here. Parking is limited, but you can park in front of the tables and they will serve you from the car. I suggest hiring another waitress or two for the nice sunny days so they're not overwhelmed. read more

See all

I think this place has existed literally from the 50s. A little shack kinda place with a tiny covered parking lot where the wait staff come and serve you. The only thing they were missing were roller skates. Do not judge this place by its exterior- the burger is AMAZING. Juicy meat with generous filings. Just the basic hamburger but such great taste. The chili cheese fries were over the top as well. Kids meals are expensive for the amount of food you get but it's the same in any mom and pop store. Also, with all the fancy eateries in south haven, I think this is a refreshing meal- back to the basics that won't burn your wallet. read more

Great old time burgers with lots of toppings to add. The burritos are amazing too. They have a good selection of shakes also. If you can't find something you love on the menu you don't love good food. What a great place to eat!!! read more

Instead of going to McDonald's , try eating a great local burger joint. Great spot to grab a burger and fries right next to the soccer field with outdoor seating. read more

The 50’s - Classic Hamburger - Burgers Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

During our road trip camping we wanted something quick but fun. We got just that with this little gem! Ordered 2 burgers, veggie taco and chips and cheese. Homemade chips were so good! Burgers were made exactly how we asked and delicious. We had an especially picky eater in our car who asked for fries and tomatoes and they accommodated just ordering tomatoes in a cup. Then she asked for a strawberry raspberry shake. Which they do not have but the waitress played along with repeating it back to our 4yr old who got the "best shake ever" as she put it. Which was their strawberry shake. If we get a chance to stop another time definitely will!! read more

Literally so cute all the girls are so nice. Our food came out very quick and it was sooooo good!!!! read more

The 50’s - mot sticks fries & burgers - Burgers Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

Driving off the highway looking for a quick lunch we stumbled across this quaint restaurant. The food was great. The service was quick and friendly! The 50s music playing made us very nostalgic. Would recommend and will come again! read more