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The Big Bopper Drive-In

3.5 (199 reviews)
InexpensiveBurgers, Mexican
Closed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

The Big Bopper Drive-In Photos

THE BIG BOPPER DRIVE-IN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - The Big Bopper Drive-In

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Yummm fried Zucchini! It's healthy cause it's a vegetable!
Brett S.

Surprisingly delicious! Every other solvang place had a massive line--so worth the walk! We got the basics, burgers, fríes, fríed zucchini! It did not disapoint! Next time in Solvang, if you tire of ableskevers, check out the big bopper!

The Solvang Burger with everything one it and fries.
Claudia M.

Solvang burger with fries. Sevice was fast and burger was DELICIOUS. Tasted homemade. Fries had a really good seasoning on them. Will definitely come back again

Fries are good.
PatrickJ T.

The Big Bopper Drive-In was not on our agenda for Christmas day. The nieces really wanted to go to another restaurant. Unfortunately that other restaurant was closed as were the majority of businesses in Solvang that Christmas day. Since Big Bopper was one of the few places in town that was open for business for Christmas, they were packed with customers. Order at the window and find a spot to sit at their outdoor dining area. No indoor seating available. It was about a 30 minute wait for our food to be ready. Well worth that wait!! Usually my wife and I would order differently so we could share. This time, though, we each chose to try the Western Viking Burger. We both agreed that it their Western Viking burger is a pretty damn good one. I can honestly tell you that it is the best burger that I've ever eaten in Solvang. Fries were tasty also. Thank you to the kind staff at Big Bopper Drive-In for working on Christmas Day! Highly recommend folks to stop by the Big Bopper Drive-In when you are in town.

Double Solvang Burger
Jessica H.

My husband and I came here during Christmas 2023 - and frankly, it was one of the few places open for food without a long wait! That being said, the service was very fast, the food was solid (burger was a 3 out of 5; salad a 3 out of 5), and the ambiance was good as a place you can sit down outside!

Menu
Eric H.

Drive-in burger joint. In a town with mostly $20 burgers, theirs are about $12. Big Bopper has a massive bun with a 1/2 lb patty. The bun still swallows up the patty. The Viking is a bacon cheeseburgers. Both burgers are good, not exceptional. Probably the best value in town. Outdoor seating only. Fries are crispy and the beer is cold. No table service.

Tri-Tip Taquitos -lots of garnish, including sour cream (but no guacamole)
Pawnee Rick T.

This fast food drive-in is right off Mission Drive as you enter the western side of Solvang, and it's worth a visit. The menu is diverse with selections including burgers, sandwiches, burritos, and all the accompanying sides you'd expect. Additionally, they offer shakes and dessert items. We tried their signature tri tip sandwich, which was fantastic! The sandwich roll was fresh (maybe from one of the many local bakeries?) and the meat portion and toppings were generous without any single ingredient overpowering the overall taste. Please note there is also a "California" version of the sandwich for a slightly higher price which includes a few more ingredients and must be equally tasty. We also brought some tri tip taquitos back to our room, but we didn't realize guacamole wasn't included (or the server neglected to pack it) though it was on the menu as a side. They were also good but could have been a real home run with the guac. For those seeking a bit of nostalgia, the physical structure put me in mind of an old A&W drive-up (sans carhops). There is outside shaded seating or the option to eat in your auto if not taking your food "to go." This is a perfect spot to grab a bite if staying in one of the nearby motels and looking for a snack later in the afternoon or evening as Big Bopper's closes later than many of the other restaurants in the area (open until about 8 p.m.). Also, this spot is good if feeding young ones who may not be fans of the local Danish cuisine. Overall, Big Bopper's is another noteworthy dining option when visiting Solvang - especially if staying in one of the nearby motels. When in town consider checking it out.

8 piece chicken strips & fries - $16.99 as of 6/17/24
M K.

The food at the Big Bopper Drive-in is very good! They have a large selection of deep fried, sandwiches, and burgers!

Chili Cheese Fries
Chris N.

A solid, fresh, classic hamburger. I had the Solvang burger, which is the smallest and cheapest in price that they offer. I enjoyed it, could it be bigger? Probably, but the quality is there. I also had the chili cheese fries. Fresh, hot fries, piping hot chili and cheese. What else can you ask for? I came here for a straight forward, classic American hamburger meal. Came, conquered, and left happy. If you want a classic, American burger meal. This is the spot.

the inside of a restaurant

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Photo of Crystal R.
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27 days ago

tastes like dirty grill... we also ordered fries separately and it was forgotten. Service was whatever.

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7 months ago

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8 months ago

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4 months ago

Don't bother ... pastrami sandwich with more pickles than meat. Also had better tri tip sandwich at Arby's!

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8 months ago

Great burgers. Wife had BLT and was very impressed with the sandwich. Highly recommend for lunch.

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9 months ago

The Hamburger was great people was nice to it was a nice place to have lunch in Solvang California

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5 months ago

Great place. Great location. Not a 5 but def a great burger place. The patties were a lil thing but the buns were amazing

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Great burger and fried zucchini! This place was a great place to take our dog. It has a patio with shade. Very convenient!

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2 years ago

Great little mom and Pop joint. Tasty burgers, fries and onion rings. Loved that we could sit outside and enjoy the nice weather.

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peasants FEAST

peasants FEAST

4.5
(911 reviews)
0.2 mi
$$

You know the food is fantastic when it's great straight out of the fridge the next day…read more We didn't have reservations here but we were able to walk up and get a seat at the counter even though it was packed that day! Inside of this restaurant is pretty cute but can get a bit noisy since there are so many people inside. We ordered the Copenhagen caesar, Solvang hot chicken sandwich with crispy potatoes, and the mac & cheese with caramelized onions to share. I love a hot chicken sandwich and theirs is absolutely fantastic. The herbs, shredded cabbage, and pickled onions were a great addition to the spicy fried chicken. The crispy potatoes were so good, they held up well the next day as well! I highly recommend getting the caramelized onions added to the mac and cheese. The portion was quite big so we had to take it to go but it was also great to eat cold straight from the fridge. We are definitely coming back again if we are in the area but will try and make a reservation so we can sit outside next time!

Great service! I'd like to come back here and try other things, noteably the chicken sandwich which…read moreseems like the thing to get! Opted for a burger, and though it was good - it just felt lackluster. My beau called his salad "boring" which is a first (as he is the healthiest eater I know). They gave us a great seat with little room to spare for closing so that was very nice of them. Love the atmosphere. Felt very homey and comfortable.

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Table decor
Table decor
Brussel salad
Brussel salad
Fish tacos

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Fish tacos
Craft House At Corque

Craft House At Corque

4.2
(495 reviews)
0.4 mi
$$$

Celebrating our nation's 250th birthday in beautiful Solvang!…read more We ate at Craft House four times during our visit--and for good reason! It is, in our opinion, the best restaurant in Solvang. Every meal was exceptional, and the service was consistently outstanding. From the moment we walked in, Daniel welcomed us with a warm smile that made us feel right at home. At our first breakfast, Taylor provided friendly, attentive service that set the tone for the rest of our visits. That evening, we enjoyed the cauliflower appetizer, beet & burrata salad, short rib grilled cheese and black tie burger. Every dish was absolutely delicious. On our second breakfast visit, Sandra took wonderful care of us. She is such an asset to Craft House--knowledgeable, personable, and genuinely welcoming. Sophia, who brought out our food several times, always greeted us with the biggest smile. You can tell she truly loves what she does. Lorenzo and Nora were also fantastic servers who helped make every visit memorable. Over four visits, we sampled several different entrées and breakfasts. The avocado toast and chorizo quesadilla were definite standouts, and every meal exceeded our expectations. A heartfelt thank you to the entire Craft House team for your incredible hospitality, exceptional service, and outstanding food. We can't wait to return!

Our favorite spot in Solvang. We come 3 times a year and this is always our dinner spot ( sometimes…read morewe'll come twice if we're there longer). Everything we have ordered has been amazing. Some favorites are the short rib grilled cheese, Korean filet salad, pizza, pasta, Brussel sprouts,, cocktails, I mean everything is so good! Live music outside on weekends is a vibe. Service is always great! Whenever we bring family or friends here they all have loved it! I usually make a reservation for a Saturday night but there's always some open tables available.

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Inside front.
Inside front.
The BEST Black Tie Burger
The BEST Black Tie Burger
Our table.

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Our table.
Fitzpatrick's Tavern

Fitzpatrick's Tavern

3.9
(1.1k reviews)
0.3 mi
$$

This is my second visit here, and I am remiss in not having reviewed my first visit - but, ""s for…read moreeach visit! This place is non-descript yet just off the main park downtown, and an easy walk from most of the major hotels in town, or the central parking lot - plus lots of street parking as well. It seems rather small, with one area for bar seating and small tables, plus a larger dining area "next door" to the bar, but I like the bar ambiance, so it may be challenging on busy tourist days. Luckily, I travel on non-busy days and have always had a good seat. The ambiance is great, with a typical, colorfully decorated pub feel with TVs offering an invitation to relax and have a pint - or two! The menu is varied, and I had planned for what I wanted, but when the server/bartender/boss offered the daily special as an option, I quickly jumped at the chance. The special was a queso dip with house-made chips, and I had to try it! Sadly, I also ordered my usual, the Cobb salad. Sadly, because after the "appetizer" arrived, I quickly realized the full consequences of the saying "your eyes are bigger than your stomach!" The dip and chips were plentiful in both, and for me would have made a great meal on their own. But I was committed and managed to finish the salad. On my previous visit, I had the mac 'n cheese and the Cobb salad, along with a Guinness dark! That was sooo tasty as well! The food at this visit was great, and the service was as well. Sam, who is the owner, bartender, server, and jack-of-all-trades, is always friendly, professional, and efficient, no matter how busy it is, and this visit was the only one outside the kitchen. If you're in the area, give them a try! And leave room for dessert - I have yet to do that, but you can learn from my mistakes!

Fitzpatrick's Tavern absolutely delivered…read more We went all in on the food, and everything came out spot on. The spicy wings had great flavor--more on the spicy side than "hot," which honestly made them even better and more enjoyable. The Reuben with onion rings was done right--classic, satisfying, and the onion rings were perfectly cooked with a great crisp. The bread on the sandwich had the perfect crisp as well, which really brought it all together. And the standout was the spicy melt burger. My friend ordered it medium rare, and it came out perfectly medium rare--juicy, flavorful, and cooked exactly as requested (which doesn't always happen, so that's worth noting). Everything was executed really well, and you can tell they take pride in the kitchen. Easy 5 stars. Would definitely come back.

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Fitzpatrick's Tavern
Fitzpatrick's Tavern
Fitzpatrick's Tavern

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Mad & Vin

Mad & Vin

4.2
(739 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$$
Takes reservations
Happy hour specials

The only time I seem to go for Happy Hour these days is when I am out of town. Actually, staying in…read moreSolvang this time around meant no driving required, so first stop, HH at Mad and Vin inside the Landsby Hotel Every item we ordered was on point. Between the olive and fig bruschetta and Santa Ynez sliders with duck fries so good, I should've ordered a full order of those fries, to go with that Chata-tini of rum, horchata, cream, cinnamon, my only regret is not returning the next day for dinner.

Our dining experience at this restaurant on Sunday, July 12th…read more Overall, we had a wonderful time, largely thanks to our server, George. He was excellent--he walked us through the specials, took our orders accurately, and provided fantastic service throughout the evening. The food was outstanding. We started with the Pomegranate Spritz, which was excellent. The bread and butter service with the baguette, chimichurri glaze, and pickled onions was delicious, and we noticed almost every table was ordering it. The New England Clam Chowder soup special was creamy, delicious, and generously portioned, as was the perfectly fried calamari. For our main course, we both had the short ribs, which were fork-tender and paired perfectly with the creamy mashed potatoes. The only disappointment of the evening was that we had noted in our online reservation that we were celebrating our anniversary, but this was never acknowledged during our visit. Despite this minor oversight, we had a great experience and will definitely return the next time we are in Solvang. Please pass along our compliments to George and the kitchen staff.

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Mad & Vin
Mad & Vin
Mad & Vin

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The Big Bopper Drive-In - burgers - Updated July 2026

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