This Unassuming Michigan Drive-In Restaurant Has A Pizza Burger Known Across The State
I’ve spent half my life chasing down hidden gems on the backroads of Michigan, and my latest discovery tucked off 7th Street in Evart feels like hitting the nostalgic jackpot.
At first glance, the canopy looks humble, almost like a secret only the locals are supposed to keep, but the air around this place tells a different story, one of seasoned griddles and cold root soda.
There’s a specific, old-school rhythm to the carside service that makes you want to roll down the windows and just listen to the gravel crunch. While the menu is famously broad, everyone whispers about the pizza burger with a kind of cult-like reverence.
It’s the sort of unpretentious landmark where the prices are friendly and the flurries are thick enough to defy gravity.
The classic Michigan roadside stand is a must-visit for its legendary pizza burgers, homemade root soda, and authentic retro dining experience.
Claim A Canopy Picnic Table First
Shade is real currency on warm days, and Mishler’s canopy makes everything taste better. Grab a picnic table before ordering, so food arrives to a landing pad and not your lap. You will also catch the flow of carhops, which helps you gauge wait times when the line swells.
The vibe is old-school drive-in with friendly rhythms, plus the comfort of knowing prices will not sting. Locals drift in from the bike trail and nearby neighborhoods, keeping things lively but grounded. Aim for late afternoon on weekends, when the sun softens and families trade bites across baskets.
If it is windy, sit closer to the window side to shield your napkins and fries. Practical, unfussy, perfect.
Start With The Famous Pizza Burger
There is a reason people talk about the pizza burger across Michigan at Mishler’s Drive-In, 728 W 7th St, Evart, MI 49631. Expect a beef patty swaddled in zesty red sauce, mozzarella-like melt, and savory seasoning that leans nostalgic pizzeria.
The bun is soft but sturdy enough to corral drips, so you get flavor without a disaster. Local lore traces its popularity through decades of roadside stops and summer nights. It is the signature you tell friends about later, because it is simple and specific.
Ask for extra napkins if you plan to linger and chat. Pair with curly fries for better texture contrast than the straight-cut version. Classic, comforting, unmistakable.
Order Curly Fries For The Win
Curly fries arrive golden and spiraled, carrying more crunch and seasoning than the regular cut. Reviews praise them for delivering when the straight fries can run soft. Dip in ranch or the house sauce for a salty, peppery pop that plays well with everything.
History here favors the sides, because a good drive-in knows the basket matters as much as the burger. Curly fries have become a safe bet order after a few patrons called them out specifically. You will not feel like you settled.
Ask for them fresh from the fryer during busy windows. The extra minute pays off with hotter, crisper edges that do not sag. Keep a napkin beneath the basket to catch seasoned crumbs.
Root Beer Or Rock And Rye Cooler
Cold sweetness hits different under that canopy. The root beer here gets called a must by regulars, and for good reason: the foam crowns the cup nicely, and the sip is clean, not syrupy. The Rock and rye cooler is the quirky cousin, nostalgic and creamy with soda-shop charm.
Old-school drink culture suits Mishler’s carhop routine and unfussy pricing. These are the flavors people remember from childhood summers. The cooler bridges shake and float, fun without being cloying.
Order drinks first if you are parched, then add food so the timing overlaps. If you like lighter sweetness, ask for extra ice and sip slow. Sunny days make both taste brighter, especially alongside salty fries.
Mushroom Swiss Loyalists Know
When a burger inspires repeat orders, it earns attention. The Mushroom Swiss at Mishler’s gets praise for abundant mushrooms and a molten blanket of cheese, turning a modest patty into a savory, earthy stack. The bun stays cooperative, not squishing into paste midway through.
There is a quiet lineage of fans who call this their default, often ordering two. That kind of devotion signals trust in consistency. I like how the mushrooms add moisture without drowning the beef.
Ask for onions if you want sharper edges against the buttery notes. Curly fries balance the richness and keep each bite lively. If you are splitting, cut it in halves to preserve heat and prevent topping slides between passes.
Wing Dings When You Crave Crunch
Sound carries under the canopy, and a good crunch gets applause. Wing dings at Mishler’s fry up hot, with a light, salty coat that snaps and steams. They land quick, making them an ideal add-on for groups who graze while debating sundaes.
Fried chicken at drive-ins has a long Midwestern thread, anchoring menus that balance burgers and baskets. Here, wings are a reliable alternate path when beef fatigue sets in. You will still want napkins, but not a fork.
Request an extra sauce if you like a sweet contrast against the salty crust. Eat promptly for peak texture before condensation softens edges. Two baskets plus a shareable fry order keep everyone busy between car-side arrivals.
Carolina Fries, If You Know You Know
Loaded fries can be a mess, but Carolina Fries at Mishler’s win on balance. Expect tangy-salty toppings that cling rather than swamp, with enough bite to cut through richness. The portion hits that shareable sweet spot without becoming a dare.
Regional mash-ups are part of drive-in genealogy, borrowing flavors from roadside traditions and adding small-town practicality. This basket reads like a local secret that gradually graduated to loud recommendation. Someone always says they are a must-try.
Ask for extra napkins and a fork, then chase with a cold root beer to reset your palate. If you are pairing, skip heavy mains and choose a straightforward burger. You will finish without regretting the last few bites.
Sweet Potato Fries With Honey Dip
Color gives these fries away before aroma does. Sweet potato sticks arrive bronzed, with edges that caramelize into gentle crunch. A honey-leaning dip echoes a note some reviewers noticed pairing nicely, especially when the fries are fresh and hot.
Drive-ins thrive on small details that feel generous, and this basket reads thoughtful. It nods to variety without abandoning the comfort lane. You get sweetness, salt, and a little perfume of spice from the fryer.
Order them when you want a side that does not fight your main. They pair with spicy chicken or the pizza burger surprisingly well. If you eat slowly, flip the top layer to keep heat moving and avoid soggy bottoms.
Ice Cream Strategy: Flurry Or Hand-Dipped
Decision time arrives after the baskets clear. Hand-dipped cones here have a reputation for crisp waffle and generous scoops, with raspberry-on-vanilla earning shoutouts. Flurries bring candy mix-ins, but ask for extra if you prefer bolder add-ins.
There is a tradition to ending a drive-in meal with something cold, a punctuation mark for summer errands and bike trail detours. Mishler’s keeps the ritual intact at wallet-friendly prices. Cone lovers praise the chocolate-lined waffle that stays crisp.
If the line grows, consider ordering your cone last so it does not melt while you wait on food. For flurries, request a thorough mix and check the add-ins before you leave. Sunshine accelerates melting, so eat outside the car.
Timing Your Visit To Avoid Rushes
Hours matter at Mishler’s. They are closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, then open Thursday through Sunday with evening stretches. Arrive right at 11 AM on Thursdays for quick turns, or slide between standard meal rushes for calmer service.
Long lines happen because locals know the drill and visiting families stack in on sunny weekends. The value pricing draws steady crowds. Patience pays, but planning is better.
Call ahead only if you are clear and concise about your order, then confirm details at pickup. If you are biking the nearby trail, swing in midafternoon for faster seating. Keep cash or card handy, and watch the canopy lanes so carhops can spot you quickly.
Budget-Friendly Combos That Fill You Up
Value is part of the Mishler’s identity, and reviewers keep calling it out. Think cheeseburger-and-fries under six bucks on good days, or a tray mixing chicken strips, mushrooms, and a soda without breaking twenty. The food comes quick, hot, and straightforward.
Affordability at a legacy drive-in builds loyalty that spans generations. You see grandparents introducing kids to a place they remember fondly. There is respect in keeping prices humane.
To maximize value, split a large side and add two mains, then reward yourselves with one shared dessert. It feels generous without waste. If you are in a motorhome or big vehicle, parking works fine under the canopy, but choose an end spot for easier exit.
Gentle Expectations, Best Results
Drive-ins promise comfort, not perfection. Mishler’s nails the spirit most days with warm carside service, speedy turns, and the kind of food that tastes like summer. Occasional misses happen, like soft straight fries or a busy-night mix-up, but staff generally keeps it friendly and moving.
Longevity in Evart means this spot is woven into community routines, from quick lunches to post-trail cones. That history deserves patient reading. It is amazing how often a second visit clarifies a place.
Tip well when someone hustles trays through wind and heat to your car. Check your order right away, then settle in under the canopy buzz. With the right mindset, Mishler’s gives you exactly the drive-in evening you wanted.