These Virginia Drive-In Burger Places Serve Double Cheeseburgers Just Like Back In The Day
Nothing quite matches the feeling of pulling into a classic drive-in, rolling down the window, and letting the smell of grilled beef, toasted buns, and salty fries take over my better judgment.
Virginia still holds onto these roadside burger spots with impressive loyalty, and every time I find one, I remember why double cheeseburgers never needed improvement.
Over time, I have chased these places across backroads and highways, usually telling myself it is about research while knowing it is really about melted cheese.
What keeps pulling me back is how these drive-ins build burgers the old way, stacking patties high, keeping the toppings familiar, and refusing to overthink anything.
Each stop on this list delivers a double cheeseburger that tastes like memory, patience, and a griddle that has seen decades of steady work.
If you have been craving a burger that feels rooted in simpler routines and unapologetic portions, these 13 Virginia drive-ins still serve the hits exactly as promised.
1. Doumar’s Cones & Barbecue, Norfolk, Virginia
On hot Norfolk afternoons, I steer my car straight toward Doumar’s Cones & Barbecue at 1919 Monticello Ave, Norfolk, VA 23517 when a serious burger mood sneaks up on me.
I ease into one of the curbside spots, tap my headlights on, and wait for a carhop to wander over with that worn, glorious menu.
The move here is a cheeseburger built as a double, with two thin patties stacked under plenty of cheese and tucked into a simple toasted bun.
Each bite tastes deeply beefy with a flat-top sear and absolutely no interest in keeping up with modern trends.
I chase it with fries and keep an eye on the waffle cone machine that still cranks out fresh cones for everyone who saved room.
When I finally roll out, I feel like I have checked in with a very tasty piece of Norfolk history that happens to serve a mean double cheeseburger.
2. Dude’s Drive-In, Christiansburg, Virginia
There is a stretch of Roanoke Street where my willpower gives up, and Dude’s Drive-In at 1505 Roanoke St, Christiansburg, VA 24073 takes over.
I pull into a slanted parking space, windows down, and let the neon glow and carhop service do their quiet work on my hunger.
The Double Cheese Burger is my default order: two patties with melted cheese, crisp lettuce, tomato, and a swipe of mayo that drips just enough.
The burger tastes straightforward and satisfying, the kind of thing that reminds me why simple combinations last for decades.
I add crinkle-cut fries and maybe a soft-serve cone, then watch other cars pull in one after another like a quiet little parade.
By the time I pull back onto the road, my car smells like grilled beef and salt, and Friday night suddenly feels correctly calibrated.
3. Hank’s Drive-In, Fairlawn, Virginia
Somewhere along Lee Highway, I always seem to find an excuse to swing into Hank’s Drive-In at 7431 Lee Hwy, Fairlawn, VA 24141.
I roll into a spot, scan the compact building, and already know I am committing to something involving a lot of beef.
The Double Big Burger with cheese is where that plan usually lands, with two hefty half-pound patties, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and a bun that works hard for a living.
The flavor hits all the greasy-spoon notes in the best way, with plenty of juice and enough richness to make conversation pause for a second.
I grab fries or onion rings and watch locals treat the place as a regular stop rather than a novelty, which is always a good sign.
When I leave, I feel pleasantly overfed and a little smug about having found one of the most unapologetically big double burgers in southwest Virginia.
4. DJ’s Drive In, Floyd, Virginia
In Floyd, I know I am getting close to something good when I see the little building for DJ’s Drive In at 701 E Main St, Floyd, VA 24091.
I pull off the road, park under the faded sign, and open the window to the smell of burgers, hot dogs, and fries on the grill.
The cheeseburgers already have a reputation, but I usually ask them to double it, stacking two patties with gooey American cheese, crunchy lettuce, and pickles.
The first bite brings a gentle char, soft bun, and just enough salt to make me reach for another fry without thinking.
Outside, people drift between cars and picnic tables, trading small-town news while orders fly out the window in white paper bags.
Driving away, I always feel like I have picked up both a great double cheeseburger and a brief dose of Floyd hillside calm.
5. Tom’s Drive-In, Pulaski, Virginia
On the south side of Pulaski, I find myself slowing down in front of Tom’s Drive-In at 620 S Washington Ave, Pulaski, VA 24301 whenever I see those old signs.
I nose into a parking space, glance at the modest building, and already know I am about to order something with extra cheese.
The burgers here have that thin, griddled style that doubles beautifully, so I ask for a double cheeseburger with all the usual toppings and maybe some extra pickles.
The patties come out sizzling and slightly crisp at the edges, pressed into a soft bun that soaks up every bit of flavor.
I usually throw in tater tots or fries and watch regulars walk directly to the window without even glancing at the menu.
By the time I finish, I feel like I have checked another dependable small-town burger stop off my lifelong roadside quest list.
6. B & P Drive In, Hillsville, Virginia
On drives across the Blue Ridge, I look for the B & P Drive In sign at 905 Floyd Pike, Hillsville, VA 24343, the way some people look for scenic overlooks.
I swing into the gravel lot, listen to the low hum of traffic, and walk up to the window with my order already rehearsed.
The cheeseburgers here are thick enough that I usually ask them to double the patties, add cheese, and keep the toppings classic with lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo.
The result is a juicy, messy double that feels wonderfully old school, especially with a side of fries or onion rings.
Locals drift in for breakfast biscuits, hot dogs, and soft-serve cones, but I stay fiercely loyal to that double cheeseburger and a pile of fries.
Leaving the lot, I always feel like I am carrying a little bit of Hillsville comfort with me in the car.
7. The Dairy Bar, Galax, Virginia
In Galax, the glowing Dairy Bar sign at 609 S Main St, Galax, VA 24333 has a way of catching my attention faster than any road sign.
I pull into the lot, study the retro façade, and instantly start weighing how much space to save for ice cream after my burger.
The griddled cheeseburgers already draw a loyal crowd, so I turn mine into a double, ask for cheese on both patties, and keep the toppings simple.
The burger tastes buttery and beefy with every bite, and the toasted bun holds together far better than I do while waiting in line for dessert.
I follow it with a milkshake or banana split and listen to conversations drift across the parking lot from people leaning on their cars.
When I finally drive off, I feel convinced that a Dairy Bar double cheeseburger and shake should count as a proper Galax sightseeing stop.
8. Hob-Nob Drive-In, Gate City, Virginia
In Gate City, I know I am about to eat very well when I spot Hob-Nob Drive-In sitting at 2256 Daniel Boone Rd, Gate City, VA 24251 with cars lined out front.
I park under the sign, step up to the counter, and start eyeing the burger section where the Double Cheeseburger calls my name in all caps.
Two patties, melty cheese, crisp lettuce, and a soft bun come together in a way that feels straightforward and very hard to argue with.
I usually add fries and maybe a slaw dog on the side, knowing full well that I am about to overcommit and not regretting it.
Around me, locals chat across pickup trucks while paper trays move from the window to tailgates and front seats.
Rolling back onto Daniel Boone Road, I always feel like Hob-Nob just gave me the version of a double cheeseburger that small towns guard carefully.
9. Dip Dog Stand, Marion, Virginia
On long drives near Marion, I plan my route so it conveniently passes Dip Dog Stand at 2035 Lee Hwy, Marion, VA 24354 far more often than coincidence would allow.
I roll into the lot, stare at the old-school sign, and briefly wonder if I should behave before ordering both a famous dip dog and a double cheeseburger.
The burger side of the menu includes double and bacon double cheeseburgers, and I usually choose the classic double with American cheese and a tangle of toppings.
The patties are juicy, the bun stays soft, and the whole thing disappears disturbingly fast between bites of fries.
I take a few extra minutes to sit at a picnic table, watch the traffic on Lee Highway, and decide whether a milkshake would be ambitious or sensible.
Eventually, I head out feeling very sure that a detour for Dip Dog’s double cheeseburger counts as excellent road-trip planning.
10. Roy’s Big Burger, Henrico (Richmond), Virginia
In the Lakeside neighborhood outside Richmond, I make a beeline for Roy’s Big Burger at 5200 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, VA 23228 whenever I want a burger stand that keeps things honest.
I walk up to the window, eye the old signboard, and start plotting the most satisfying combination of patties and fries.
The Double Meat Burger is the sweet spot, two beef patties with classic toppings, and I always ask for cheese, so it becomes the double cheeseburger of my weekend dreams.
Each bite tastes straightforward and beef-forward, with a soft bun that soaks up the juices and a pile of fries that disappear without much effort.
The picnic tables out front fill with regulars who clearly know this routine, and I quietly appreciate the way the line never really slows.
When I finally toss the empty wrapper, I feel like I have checked in with one of Richmond’s purest tributes to the old-fashioned double cheeseburger.
11. Kenney’s, Lexington, Virginia
On the edge of Lexington, I turn into the parking lot at Kenney’s at 635 Waddell St, Lexington, VA 24450 whenever I start thinking about their famous sauce burger.
I step up to the counter and order a burger with that sweet, tangy sauce, then ask them to double the patties and add cheese, so it becomes a proper double cheeseburger.
The flavor has a bit of nostalgia baked in, a blend of char, soft bun, and signature sauce that clings to everything.
Locals pair their burgers with fried chicken and deep-fried biscuits, but I stay firmly on the burger track with fries riding shotgun.
Inside, the space feels more diner than flashy restaurant, and the pace of service matches that quiet, small-town rhythm.
Walking back to my car, I always feel like the Kenney’s double cheeseburger with sauce just justified every mile of the drive.
12. Fenderz Drive In, Collinsville, Virginia
Near Martinsville, I know I am in for a good time when I spot Fenderz Drive In at 3627 Virginia Ave, Collinsville, VA 24078, with its retro touches and steady stream of cars.
I park, walk up to the window, and scan a menu full of burgers, hot dogs, and sundaes that read like a greatest-hits list of comfort food.
The double cheeseburger is my priority, with two patties, melted cheese, crisp vegetables, and a bun that does not collapse under the weight.
Hand-cut fries or tots round out the tray, and the whole meal arrives in a paper basket that makes the experience feel nicely low-key.
Around me, families lean against cars, kids focus on milkshakes, and the soundtrack is pure small-town chatter.
When I pull away from Fenderz, I always feel like I just visited a little time capsule where double cheeseburgers still get star billing.
13. Robo’s Drive-In, Pound, Virginia
Tucked along Orby Cantrell Highway, Robo’s Drive-In at 9233 Orby Cantrell Hwy, Pound, VA 24279 has become one of those places I plan whole drives around.
I pull into the lot, glance at the picnic tables, and already know that a burger and maybe some custard are about to ruin any hope of a light meal.
Their cheeseburgers start with fresh, never-frozen patties, and I usually ask for a double with cheese so the stack feels worthy of the drive.
The burger lands hot, with a soft bun, crisp toppings, and enough juice to make me grateful for the pile of napkins.
I add fries or their popular sides and watch other travelers discover the place with the same pleasantly surprised expression I had on my first visit.
Leaving Robo’s, I always feel like I just checked off another essential Virginia double cheeseburger stop that keeps the drive-in spirit fully alive.