This Iowa Drive-In Keeps Its Burger Tradition Alive After More Than Half A Century
In Nevada, Iowa, Starbuck’s Drive-In at its iconic location has been serving up burgers for over fifty years, and locals can’t get enough.
Every visit is a taste of tradition, with juicy patties, perfectly toasted buns, and a friendly atmosphere that makes you feel at home.
This Iowa classic proves that time-tested recipes and genuine care never go out of style, keeping burger lovers coming back meal after meal.
The Jumbo Beefburger Is the Real MVP
Forget fancy artisan buns and truffle aioli. The jumbo beefburger at Starbuck’s is pure, unapologetic beef heaven.
One loyal customer has been ordering the same burger since 1977, which tells you everything you need to know about consistency.
This isn’t some trendy gourmet creation; it’s a straightforward, satisfying burger that delivers every single time.
The patty is thick, juicy, and cooked to perfection. They pile on the toppings with generous hands, giving you that classic burger experience your grandparents remember.
No pretension, no Instagram-worthy plating, just honest-to-goodness deliciousness between two buns.
Sure, some reviews mention the occasional dry patty, but when you’ve been slinging burgers for 67 years, you’re allowed an off day. The overwhelming consensus? This burger rocks.
Operating Since 1957, Long Before the Coffee Chain
Starbuck’s Drive-In opened its doors in 1957, claiming the name decades before a certain Seattle coffee company became a household word.
The family-owned joint has serious bragging rights when it comes to the Starbucks name game.
Walking through those doors feels like stepping into a time machine, complete with vintage vibes and that authentic 50s drive-in aesthetic.
The original owners had no clue their simple burger joint would one day share a name with a global coffee empire.
But here’s the kicker: they got there first, and they’re not changing anything. Locals love the confusion it causes when out-of-towners expect espresso and get epic beef burgers instead.
That longevity speaks volumes about quality and community loyalty in small-town Io
Iowa’s Best Tenderloin Sandwich Lives Here
Iowa takes its pork tenderloin sandwiches seriously, and multiple reviewers have crowned Starbuck’s version as the absolute best in the state.
That’s not a claim you make lightly in Iowa, where tenderloin debates can get heated.
The breaded cutlet is massive, crispy, and hanging over the edges of the bun like it’s trying to escape.
One happy customer called it a classic Iowa tenderloin that hits all the right notes.
The breading is crunchy without being greasy, and the pork inside stays tender and flavorful.
It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you understand why Iowans are so passionate about their state’s signature dish.
There was one hiccup a couple years back with a recipe change that made things tougher, but the kitchen seems to have bounced back strong.
Soft Serve Ice Cream That Steals the Show
Many visitors actually come for the ice cream and stay for everything else. The soft serve at Starbuck’s is legendary in Story County, with huge portions that won’t break your wallet.
One reviewer thought they were getting coffee-shop ice cream and was blown away by the quality and quantity of what they actually received.
The cyclones (basically their version of Blizzards) made with different kinds of pie are customer favorites. Imagine creamy soft serve blended with chunks of apple pie or cherry pie.
The shakes and malts are equally impressive, with reviewers raving about the cherry malt and peanut butter shake specifically.
Prices remain surprisingly low despite inflation hitting everywhere else. You can treat the whole family without needing a second mortgage, which is refreshingly rare these days.
Lightning-Fast Service That Surprises Everyone
Speed isn’t usually what you expect from a vintage drive-in, but Starbuck’s consistently surprises customers with how quickly food hits the table.
One reviewer called it the fastest service they’d received in many years of dining out.
Another mentioned being served so quickly it became their favorite part of the entire experience.
The mostly young staff hustles to keep things moving, even during busy rushes.
Sure, there’s the occasional horror story about hour-long waits for pickup orders, but those seem to be outliers rather than the norm.
Most days, you’re in and out with hot food faster than you’d get through a typical fast-food drive-thru.
For a place run largely by high schoolers and college kids, the efficiency is genuinely impressive and keeps locals coming back regularly.
Classic Loose Meat Sandwiches Done Right
Loose meat sandwiches are an Iowa specialty that confuses outsiders but delights locals. Basically seasoned ground beef piled on a bun without being formed into a patty, it’s comfort food at its finest.
Starbuck’s does them justice, keeping the meat flavorful and moist without being greasy or falling apart before you can eat it.
One customer specifically mentioned ordering the loose meat sandwich alongside a tenderloin, calling both classic Iowa fare done exceptionally well.
It’s not fancy, but it doesn’t need to be. The simplicity is the whole point, letting quality beef and proper seasoning do all the talking.
If you’ve never tried a loose meat sandwich, Starbuck’s is the perfect place to pop that cherry. Just bring extra napkins because things can get a little messy in the best possible way.
Unchanged Menu Keeps Generations Coming Back
In a world where restaurants constantly reinvent themselves chasing trends, Starbuck’s stubbornly refuses to mess with what works.
One grateful customer specifically thanked them for serving the same great food they’ve always served.
That consistency builds the kind of loyalty money can’t buy, with multiple generations of families making Starbuck’s part of their traditions.
The menu features classic American drive-in fare: burgers, tenderloins, chicken strips, fried mushrooms, cheese balls, and ice cream treats.
Nothing trendy, nothing fusion, nothing trying too hard. Just straightforward comfort food made the way it’s been made for decades.
When you’ve been eating the same jumbo beefburger since 1977 and still look forward to it, the restaurant is clearly doing something very right by not changing a thing.