15 Iowa Drive-In Spots Serving Burgers That Keep Local Traditions Alive
Iowa’s small towns are packed with drive-in spots where burgers are more than just a meal; they’re a tradition.
From hand-pressed patties to classic toppings and friendly service, these local favorites keep the spirit of old-school dining alive.
Each stop offers a taste of community and nostalgia, proving that in Iowa, a burger can connect generations.
Fifteen drive-ins across the state showcase why locals keep coming back for more.
1. Belmond Drive-In – Belmond, Iowa
Right in the heart of Belmond at 215 River Avenue S, this gem has been flipping burgers since the 1950s.
Walking up to the window feels like visiting your grandparents’ favorite hangout spot.
The burgers here are thick, juicy, and come with that char-grilled flavor you can’t fake with a microwave.
Locals swear by the cheeseburger basket, which comes loaded with crinkle-cut fries that stay crispy even after you finish your burger.
The onion rings are hand-battered and fried to golden perfection. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a classic car show happening right in the parking lot.
Belmond is a small town in north-central Iowa, and this drive-in is basically its social hub during summer.
Families, farmers, and teenagers all gather here for good food and even better company.
2. Lake City Drive-In – Lake City, Iowa
Nestled at 808 W Main Street in Lake City, this spot serves up nostalgia with every order.
The building itself looks like it hasn’t changed since Eisenhower was president, and that’s exactly the charm.
People drive from nearby towns just to grab a burger and sit by the lake afterward.
Their signature burger is a double-decker masterpiece with crispy lettuce, tangy pickles, and a secret sauce that nobody can quite replicate.
The shakes are thick enough to require serious sucking power, which is exactly how a milkshake should be. Don’t skip the cheese curds if you’re feeling adventurous.
Lake City sits near Wall Lake, so you can make a whole afternoon out of your visit.
Grab your food, find a spot by the water, and soak in the small-town vibes that make Iowa special.
3. Bob’s Drive Inn – Le Mars, Iowa
Bob’s has been a Le Mars institution since 1952, sitting proudly at 1506 Hawkeye Avenue SW.
Le Mars calls itself the Ice Cream Capital of the World, but Bob’s burgers give those frozen treats some serious competition.
The patties are hand-formed daily, and you can taste the difference in every bite.
Order the Bob Burger if you want the full experience: two beef patties, melted cheese, special sauce, and toppings piled high on a toasted bun.
The tater tots here are criminally addictive, perfectly seasoned and fried until they’re golden brown.
Wash it all down with a root beer float made with Blue Bunny ice cream.
Bob’s has that authentic drive-in vibe where you can eat in your car or grab a picnic table outside.
It’s the kind of place where everyone knows the owner and the burgers never disappoint.
4. Ja-Mar Drive In Restaurant – Fort Dodge, Iowa
Fort Dodge’s hidden treasure sits at 2302 1st Avenue South, serving hungry customers since 1960.
Ja-Mar might have a quirky name, but there’s nothing quirky about their commitment to quality burgers. The beef is locally sourced, and the vegetables are always fresh and crisp.
Try the Ja-Mar Special, which stacks two quarter-pound patties with all the fixings you could want.
The breaded tenderloin here also deserves a mention because it’s the size of a dinner plate and somehow stays juicy inside.
Their homemade pie selection rotates, but the cherry pie is legendary among regulars.
Fort Dodge is in central Iowa, and Ja-Mar has become a gathering spot for families after little league games and high school events.
The parking lot fills up fast on Friday nights, so arrive early or prepare to wait a bit for your order.
5. Barrel Drive In – West Union, Iowa
Tucked away at 204 Highway 150 N in West Union, this place has been serving burgers since 1957.
The name comes from the original barrel-shaped building that once stood here, though the current structure is more traditional. Still, the spirit of old-school drive-in dining lives on strong.
Barrel’s burgers are no-frills perfection: quality beef, fresh toppings, and buns that don’t fall apart halfway through eating.
The loose meat sandwich is another crowd favorite, giving the famous Maid-Rite a run for its money.
Their malts are hand-spun and come in flavors ranging from classic vanilla to seasonal specials.
West Union is a small northeast Iowa town, and Barrel Drive In is where locals catch up on gossip and tourists discover authentic Iowa hospitality.
Summer evenings here feel like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life.
6. Dysart Drive In – Dysart, Iowa
Located at 1406 Wilson Street in tiny Dysart, this drive-in proves that good things come in small packages.
The population of Dysart barely cracks 1,300, but this restaurant feeds what feels like half the county on busy weekends.
They’ve been doing it since 1956, so they’ve clearly figured out the formula.
The burgers here are straightforward but delicious, with perfectly seasoned patties and fresh vegetables.
What really sets this place apart is the homemade breaded mushrooms, which are crispy on the outside and tender inside.
The soft-serve ice cream cones are enormous and cost less than a fancy coffee elsewhere.
Dysart sits between Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, making this drive-in a perfect pit stop for travelers.
Locals treat it like their community living room, gathering here to celebrate victories and comfort each other during tough times.
7. Stan’s Drive-In – Osage, Iowa
Stan’s has been flipping burgers at 1004 Main Street in Osage since 1953, making it one of Iowa’s oldest continuously operating drive-ins.
The building still has its original neon sign, which lights up the street on summer nights like a beacon calling hungry travelers.
Stan himself may be long gone, but his commitment to quality remains.
Order the Stan Burger for a classic experience: a juicy patty with melted American cheese, crispy lettuce, and their signature sauce.
The homemade onion rings are thick-cut and fried in a light batter that doesn’t overpower the sweet onion flavor.
Their chocolate malts are legendary, made with real ice cream and plenty of malt powder.
Osage is in northern Iowa, and Stan’s serves as the town’s unofficial gathering spot. High schoolers come here after football games, and families make it a weekly tradition.
8. Cheri Top Drive-In – Muscatine, Iowa
Sitting at 2002 Cedar Street in Muscatine since 1960, Cheri Top has weathered every food trend and stayed true to its drive-in roots.
The name supposedly came from combining the original owners’ daughters’ names, though nobody can confirm that anymore.
What everyone can confirm is that the burgers here are worth the drive.
The Cheri Burger stacks two patties with bacon, cheese, and all the toppings you crave after a long day. Their breaded pork tenderloin is pounded thin and fried until it hangs over the bun edges.
The curly fries come seasoned just right, not too salty but packed with flavor.
Muscatine sits along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa, giving this drive-in a scenic backdrop.
Locals love grabbing food here and eating by the riverfront while watching the barges float past.
9. Route 10 Drive-In – Hawarden, Iowa
Positioned at 1004 Central Avenue in Hawarden, Route 10 Drive-In has served travelers along Highway 10 since 1958.
The location in far northwest Iowa means they see customers from South Dakota and Nebraska too, all craving that authentic drive-in experience.
The building’s retro architecture makes you want to pull over even if you weren’t hungry.
Their signature burger features a thick, hand-formed patty that’s grilled to order with a perfect crust on the outside.
The loose meat sandwiches here rival any you’ll find in Iowa, seasoned simply but perfectly.
Don’t leave without trying their homemade pie, especially if they have coconut cream that day.
Hawarden is a small town of about 2,500 people, so Route 10 serves as a major social hub. Farmers stop by for coffee and gossip in the morning, and families fill the booths at dinner time.
10. Tiger Drive-In – Greenfield, Iowa
Another mascot-themed gem, Tiger Drive-In at 200 NE Court Street in Greenfield has represented local pride since 1962.
The tiger paw prints painted on the parking lot lead customers straight to the ordering window, where the smell of grilling burgers makes your decision easy.
This place knows its audience and delivers exactly what they want.
The Tiger Burger is a simple but satisfying creation: quality beef, melted cheese, and fresh vegetables on a toasted bun.
Their tenderloins are hand-breaded and fried until golden, served with pickles and onions on the side.
The soft-serve ice cream comes in more flavors than you’d expect from such a small operation.
Greenfield sits in southwest Iowa along Highway 92, making Tiger Drive-In a popular stop for road trippers.
The locals treat it like their second dining room, especially during summer when eating outside feels mandatory.
11. Triple View Drive-In – Little Rock, Iowa
Perched at 201 Main Street in Little Rock, Triple View has served hungry customers since 1959.
The name supposedly refers to the three scenic views visible from the original location, though exactly which three views remains a local debate.
What’s not debatable is that this place makes some seriously good burgers.
Order the Triple View Special for a burger that combines three different cheeses with bacon and grilled onions.
The homemade potato salad here is creamy and tangy, perfect alongside any sandwich.
Their pies are baked fresh daily, with fruit fillings that change based on what’s in season locally.
Little Rock is a tiny northwest Iowa town, so Triple View serves a much wider area than just the immediate population.
People drive from surrounding counties specifically for these burgers, and the parking lot proves it on weekends when cars line up down the street.
12. Starbuck’s Drive-In – Nevada, Iowa
No relation to the coffee giant, Starbuck’s Drive-In at 124 6th Street in Nevada has been around since 1956, decades before anyone was ordering pumpkin spice anything.
The original Starbuck family started this place, and though ownership has changed, the name and commitment to quality remain.
The irony of the name makes for great conversation starters.
Their burgers are thick, juicy, and cooked to order on a flat-top grill that’s probably older than most customers.
The breaded mushrooms are hand-cut and fried until crispy, served with ranch dressing for dipping.
Their malts are made with real ice cream and come in a metal cup that’s nearly impossible to finish.
Nevada sits in central Iowa between Ames and Marshalltown, making Starbuck’s a convenient stop for Iowa State students and travelers alike.
The place fills up during lunch hours with construction workers and office staff looking for real food.
13. A&W Drive-In – Indianola, Iowa
While A&W is technically a chain, the Indianola location at 1502 W 2nd Avenue has operated since 1961 with such local charm that it deserves mention.
They still serve root beer in frosty mugs brought to your car window, which is becoming increasingly rare even among A&W locations.
The building’s orange and brown color scheme screams vintage Americana.
The Papa Burger here is a classic: two beef patties with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and their signature sauce.
The cheese curds are hand-breaded and fried to gooey perfection inside a crispy coating.
Obviously, you need to order a root beer float, preferably in a frosted mug that makes your hand cold within seconds.
Indianola sits just south of Des Moines, home to the National Balloon Classic each summer.
During balloon festival weekends, this A&W becomes command central for hungry visitors who need fuel between balloon launches and evening glows.
14. Spillway Drive-In – Orleans / Spirit Lake, Iowa
Nestled near the serene Spirit Lake, Spillway Drive-In offers more than just burgers; it serves a slice of small-town magic.
With its retro signage and a menu that hasn’t changed much over the decades, this drive-in is a beloved local spot.
Families and travelers alike gather to enjoy the classic taste of Americana.
A favorite among locals is their signature double cheeseburger, which is always cooked to perfection.
The nostalgic ambiance, coupled with friendly service, makes each visit memorable.
Did you know? Spillway Drive-In has been a staple in the community since the 1950s, continually drawing crowds with its timeless appeal.
15. Dairy Dandy Drive-In – Sheldon, Iowa
A relic from the golden age of drive-ins, Dairy Dandy in Sheldon serves nostalgia on a plate.
Known for its juicy burgers and creamy milkshakes, this spot is a community favorite.
Families and friends gather here, drawn by the old-fashioned charm and the friendly service.
The warm summer evenings hum with the sounds of laughter and satisfied sighs.
Did you know? Dairy Dandy has been a local staple since the 1950s, embodying a cherished tradition of good food and good times.
It’s more than a meal; it’s a return to simpler pleasures.