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    The Big Bopper Drive-In

    3.5 (200 reviews)
    InexpensiveBurgers, Mexican
    Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    The Big Bopper Drive-In Photos

    THE BIG BOPPER DRIVE-IN ATMOSPHERE

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

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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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    4 years ago

    One cashier and one cook the day after Christmas at the Christmas capital of California....interesting plan.

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    2 years ago

    Food was a little pricey I ordered a pastrami sandwich very little pastrami and worker had an attitude.

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    Page 2 of 5

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    Don Nacho's Cafe

    Don Nacho's Cafe

    4.5
    (198 reviews)
    0.4 mi
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    Was in Solvang and walked by Don Nachos and decided to try it. I'm happy we did because it was very…read moregood with good customer service! I tried the enchiladas with steak and it was delicious. It comes with three but it's not much. The beans and rice was 5/5 as well. They don't give you a big portion, which is good but just enough food. The salsa and chips are good as well. It's very quaint Inside but cute and cozy. I will try here again in Solvang. They have good prices here with good quality food. -Marshay D.

    I honestly didn't know this Mexican restaurant existed until my cousin brought me here. It's tucked…read moreaway and kind of hidden amongst all the bakeries, but just look up for the hanging sign next to Mad Hatter. It's easy to get distracted walking in a touristy area, so you'll miss it if not paying attention! The restaurant itself is small, but there's indoor seating and a few tables outside. Luckily on our visit the restaurant wasn't too busy. I decided to order chicken enchiladas. The prices here are very reasonable for what you get. The enchiladas were delicious! My son ordered the cheese pupusas, which I was able to try and they were perfect. I would definitely order those myself. My cousins enjoyed their meals as well. Our food was prepared and served in a timely manner. I was surprised how fast we were served, yet the food was satisfactory. Overall, a great little spot to satisfy your Mexican food needs. Especially if you're wanting a comfort meal after all the pastries you've eaten ha!

    Photos
    Outside dining area
    Outside dining area
    Rice, beans, chips and salsa
    Rice, beans, chips and salsa
    Don Nacho's Cafe

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    Dos Carlitos

    Dos Carlitos

    4.1
    (695 reviews)
    3.8 mi
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    The food was excellent. Especially the black bean and corn dip! It's to die for! We bought a quart…read moreto bring home. The Chicken taco was the best I've ever had! The shell of the taco was so crisp yet light. Good Magaritas too! My husband's Carnitas burrito was so flavorful. The servers were very nice and very attentive. The inside of the restaurant had tasteful decor. Leather and bent wood chairs, lofty ceiling with open beams. Attractive paintings and porcelain pieces hung on the walls. Very Mediterranean ambiance. There is outside seating but it was too hot for that, inside was pleasantly cool.

    As vegetarians, my family usually struggles to find decent offerings at Mexican restaurants,…read moreusually settling for bland bean-and-rice burritos, cheese enchiladas that clearly were made haphazardly (if not out-right cooked from the freezer), or calorie-bombed nachos. This is not the case at Dos Carlitos in Santa Ines! Yes, my kids split the order of nachos, but the ratio of black beans, tomatoes, and guacamole to cheese made this mother happy. The vegetable tostada was loaded with grilled vegetables and the freshly-made tortillas were incredible! Finally, the cheese enchiladas (we're creatures of habit) were freshly cooked, with more of those in-house tortillas, and they were, according to my husband, some of the most delicious that he's had in a long time. Service was courteous and prompt, and we were greeted by the host in a very pleasant manner. I have to give a shout-out to our busboy, who was fantastic, ready with water or chip refills before we even thought to ask (whatever his name was, he was working Thursday, July 23 at noon). In short, Dos Carlitos is a first-rate Mexican restaurant! We love how it is not loud or overfilled with patrons. One might balk at some of the high prices, but in general I have to say it was overall worth it!

    Photos
    Relaxed vibe
    Relaxed vibe
    Beef tostada
    Beef tostada
    Dos Carlitos

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    Toscana

    Toscana

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    (653 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Before attending a PCPA Theaterfest play last night on a very warm evening in Solvang, we enjoyed…read moredinner outdoors in Toscana Italian Restaurant's courtyard patio away from the hustle & bustle of Solvang's summer foot & vehicle traffic (it is tucked away from traffic noise & surrounded by other shops in two story buildings.) We were greeted warmly & seated by our waitress. After being served water, we ordered the green salad with watermelon, burrata cheese, dressing & balsamic glaze to share. It was a generous serving and tasted so light & fresh. I enjoyed the delicious lasagna while my friend raved about her short rib ravioli. When we arrived, several tables were occupied but when we left at 7:15 pm, the patio was full. Although our waitress was the only one serving due to a staff shortage, she remained friendly yet efficient while providing us with a relaxing dining experience. I look forward to returning with my husband & enjoying another delicious meal on Toscana's patio.

    We had the lasagna, Quattro Stagioni pizza, and short rib ravioli--easily some of the best Italian…read morefood I've ever had... and I've been to Italy twice! The owner, Michele, is incredibly humble and talented. He has a way of making every guest feel genuinely welcomed, like part of the family. The ambiance is lively and fun, with a great mix of both younger and older crowds. An unforgettable dining experience from start to finish. P.S. Order the tiramisu, no matter how full you are!!

    Photos
    Wild flowers on outdoor patio
    Wild flowers on outdoor patio
    Pesto pasta
    Pesto pasta
    Outside the restaurant in the courtyard area

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    Outside the restaurant in the courtyard area
    Craft House At Corque

    Craft House At Corque

    4.2
    (497 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.

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

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    Our table.
    Whiskey 'N Rye Smokehouse

    Whiskey 'N Rye Smokehouse

    4.5
    (992 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Gluten-free friendly

    Had the most amazing meal at Whiskey & Rye! Received such friendly service and great…read morerecommendations from Mandy. Overall, just a great dining experience!

    TLDR: Order the corn bread and brisket, skip the sampler, service was nothing special. We've been…read morehere twice in one week. Corn bread made me experience heaven. Crust was done beautifully, spice was apparent, but played a small role in comparison to the butter and perfect sweetness of the cornbread. I've had cornbread from the South; I think this is the best cornbread I've ever had. Whoever makes the cornbread should be praised heavily and possibly have a statue built for them. Meat was cooked very well. Brisket and Chicken were exceptionally good and should be the main priority due to their tenderness and flavor. However, the ribs were okay at best, a little chewy not really what you would expect from a place like this. Pulled pork was automatically covered in Carolina Gold which was a little questionable, but the texture and the quality of the meat were very good. Sides were exceptionally good as well. The mac and cheese, fries, potatoes, and slaw were pretty freakin sweet I'd say. They compliment the entrées pretty well. Please provide more options of sauce OR do not put the carolina gold on the pulled pork. Service was alright at most, nothing really special. The busser's checked up on us more than the actual servers. If you need accommodations they're happy to provide and do so in an efficient manner. It seemed like the service was mainly reactive rather than proactive. Cornbread alone gives this place five sha-bangs outta five. we are coming back to grab cornbread, if you're trying anything in Solvang surprisingly this would be a good place to go.

    Photos
    Brisket Dirty Fries
    Brisket Dirty Fries
    Cast Iron Cornbread
    Cast Iron Cornbread
    Grilled Watermelon Salad with arugula, feta and aged balsamic

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    Grilled Watermelon Salad with arugula, feta and aged balsamic

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

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