This Washington Burger Joint Is So Tucked Away, Locals Claim Its Double Cheeseburgers Are The State’s Finest
Hidden along the bustling Pacific Highway in Fife, Washington, sits a burger joint that time forgot—in the best possible way.
Pick-Quick Drive In has been flipping double cheeseburgers since 1949, and locals swear these juicy, perfectly seasoned patties are the finest in the entire state.
If you blink while driving by, you might miss this unassuming treasure, but those in the know make regular pilgrimages for a taste of burger perfection that has remained unchanged for over seven decades.
A Roadside Relic That Refuses To Fade
Cruising down Pacific Highway East, most folks zoom past without a second glance at the modest structure that houses Pick-Quick Drive In.
Yet this weathered gem at 4306 Pacific Hwy E has been serving hungry travelers and devoted locals since Harry Truman was president.
The building itself tells stories through every faded paint chip and worn corner, a testament to resilience in an era when chain restaurants dominate every exit.
Unlike flashy modern burger chains with their gleaming glass facades and corporate uniformity, Pick-Quick embraces its age with pride.
The exterior maintains that classic mid-century drive-in aesthetic that transports visitors straight back to post-war America.
Simple signage announces its presence without shouting, and the compact footprint speaks to a time when restaurants focused on quality over square footage.
Parking spots out front fill quickly during peak hours, a clear indicator that something special happens inside these unassuming walls.
The location along a busy highway might seem random, but in 1949, this stretch represented prime real estate for catching road-trippers and local workers alike.
That strategic positioning continues paying dividends today, though now the clientele includes third and fourth-generation families who grew up on these burgers.
Preservation has become Pick-Quick’s unintentional superpower, maintaining authenticity while others chase trends.
Family Ownership Keeps Tradition Alive
Behind every great burger joint stands a family willing to wake up before dawn and stay until the last customer leaves satisfied.
Pick-Quick Drive In has passed through careful hands over its 75-year history, with each owner respecting the sacred recipes and methods that made this place legendary.
The current stewards understand they are not just running a restaurant but protecting a community institution that holds decades of memories.
Family businesses bring something corporate chains simply cannot replicate: genuine care that extends beyond profit margins.
When the owner knows your usual order before you finish speaking, when they remember your kids’ names and ask about your aging parents, dining becomes relationship rather than transaction.
This personal investment creates accountability that ensures quality never slips, because disappointing customers means disappointing neighbors and friends.
The decision to maintain original recipes despite pressure to modernize or expand demonstrates remarkable commitment to heritage.
Many family-owned restaurants eventually sell to larger operations or dilute their identity chasing growth, but Pick-Quick has resisted those temptations.
The owners recognize that their responsibility extends beyond their own generation—they are custodians of something bigger than themselves, a culinary time capsule that must be preserved for future burger lovers who deserve to taste history.
Step Inside A Time Machine
Pushing through the front door triggers a sensory flashback that makes smartphones and streaming services feel like distant concepts.
The interior of Pick-Quick Drive In has resisted the siren call of renovation, maintaining the honest simplicity that defined mid-century dining establishments.
Worn counter stools that have supported thousands of hungry patrons line up like soldiers, their vinyl surfaces cracked but comfortable, bearing witness to countless conversations and satisfied sighs.
Formica countertops gleam under fluorescent lighting, their retro patterns somehow both dated and timeless.
The color palette embraces earth tones and primary colors that modern designers might call “dated” but nostalgic diners recognize as “authentic.”
No trendy Edison bulbs dangle overhead, no reclaimed barn wood covers the walls, no chalkboard menus announce seasonal specials with elaborate calligraphy.
Instead, simplicity reigns supreme—a refreshing antidote to over-designed contemporary restaurants that try too hard to manufacture atmosphere.
The compact dining area forces strangers to sit closer than modern personal space bubbles typically allow, but this proximity breeds community rather than discomfort.
Conversations flow between neighboring diners who bond over their shared appreciation for these legendary burgers.
The decor makes no apologies for its age, understanding that patina and history create ambiance that money cannot buy.
Where Grease Smoke Means Perfection
The moment you enter Pick-Quick, your nose takes command and your stomach immediately starts demanding attention.
Grease smoke hangs in the air like perfume, carrying the irresistible aroma of beef sizzling on a well-seasoned flat-top grill that has cooked millions of patties to perfection.
This is not the sterile, odorless environment of modern fast-food chains with their computerized cooking systems—this is visceral, primal, honest cooking that engages all your senses.
The open kitchen design allows customers to watch their meals take shape, building anticipation with every flip and sizzle.
Cooks work with practiced efficiency, their movements economical and precise after years of repetition.
Spatulas scrape against metal with rhythmic consistency, creating a soundtrack that burger enthusiasts recognize as the music of excellence.
The atmosphere buzzes with comfortable energy—not frantic or stressful, but purposeful and warm.
Regular customers chat with staff like old friends, while first-timers soak in the authentic vibe with wide-eyed appreciation.
During lunch rushes, every stool fills and people willingly wait because rushing perfection defeats the purpose.
The ambience reminds visitors that eating should be an experience, not just fuel consumption between obligations.
Time slows down inside these walls, allowing diners to actually taste their food and enjoy human connection.
The Double Cheeseburger That Launched A Thousand Cravings
Some burgers merely satisfy hunger, but Pick-Quick’s legendary double cheeseburger creates obsession that borders on religious devotion.
Two hand-formed beef patties hit the grill with a satisfying sizzle, their edges crisping to create textural contrast against the juicy interior.
The beef quality speaks for itself—no fancy Wagyu or grass-fed marketing claims, just honest, flavorful ground beef seasoned with the perfect salt-and-pepper ratio that enhances rather than masks the meat.
American cheese melts over the patties during the final cooking moments, creating that classic gooey layer that defines traditional cheeseburger perfection.
Fresh vegetables add crunch and brightness—crisp lettuce, ripe tomato slices, and raw onions for those who appreciate a little bite.
Pickles provide tangy contrast, while a proprietary sauce (the recipe remains a closely guarded secret) ties everything together with creamy, slightly sweet complexity.
The sesame seed bun gets a quick toast on the grill, absorbing just enough beef fat to achieve structural integrity without sogginess.
When assembled and wrapped in paper, this burger achieves architectural balance that allows for actual biting rather than requiring jaw dislocation.
The first bite delivers everything simultaneously—meat juice, melted cheese, cool vegetables, and that mysterious sauce creating flavor harmony that explains why customers drive from Seattle, Tacoma, and beyond for this specific burger.
Beyond Burgers: A Menu That Knows Its Lane
While the double cheeseburger rightfully claims the spotlight, Pick-Quick’s supporting cast deserves recognition for playing their roles to perfection.
The menu reads like a greatest hits collection from American diner history—no fusion experiments or trendy additions, just time-tested favorites executed with care.
Crispy french fries emerge from the fryer golden and properly salted, maintaining that crucial balance between exterior crunch and fluffy interior.
Milkshakes arrive thick enough to require legitimate effort through a straw, made with real ice cream rather than soft-serve shortcuts.
Classic flavors dominate—chocolate, vanilla, strawberry—because Pick-Quick understands that innovation for its own sake often dilutes excellence.
Hot dogs snap when you bite them, chicken strips satisfy without pretension, and grilled cheese sandwiches deliver nostalgic comfort.
The menu size remains manageable, a strategic decision that ensures consistent quality across all offerings.
Restaurants that attempt to be everything to everyone typically excel at nothing, but Pick-Quick’s focused approach allows them to perfect a limited selection—a true Washington classic.
Prices reflect old-school value, with complete meals available for amounts that would barely cover a coffee at trendy establishments.
This affordability combined with quality creates accessibility that welcomes everyone from construction workers grabbing lunch to families celebrating Friday night traditions that span generations.
Service That Remembers Your Name
Modern fast-food training emphasizes speed and efficiency, often at the expense of genuine human connection that transforms transactions into relationships.
Pick-Quick operates on a different philosophy, where service means more than quickly handing over a bag and moving to the next customer.
Staff members greet regulars by name, remember dietary preferences, and inquire about life events with authentic interest rather than scripted pleasantries.
New visitors receive patient guidance through the ordering process, with recommendations delivered like trusted advice from a knowledgeable friend.
The counter-service model keeps things casual and accessible, eliminating the pressure of tipping calculations while maintaining personal interaction.
Customers place orders directly with the person who will prepare their food, creating accountability and connection that drive-through speakers cannot replicate.
Wait times vary depending on crowd size, but patience comes easily when you can watch your meal being crafted with care.
Staff members work with admirable hustle during rush periods, yet never seem frazzled or short-tempered.
Their pride in the product shows through their willingness to ensure every order meets standards before it reaches customers.
This attention to detail extends to special requests, which receive accommodation whenever possible rather than the exasperated sighs common at corporate chains where deviation from protocol causes system crashes.
Planning Your Pilgrimage To Burger Paradise
Finding Pick-Quick Drive In requires no treasure map, though its unassuming presence might make first-timers question their GPS accuracy.
Located at 4306 Pacific Hwy E in Fife, the restaurant sits along a busy commercial corridor between Tacoma and Federal Way.
The accessibility makes it perfect for locals grabbing a quick lunch and travelers seeking authentic regional dining rather than highway chain monotony.
Parking availability fluctuates with crowd size, but spots typically open up quickly as the efficient service keeps lines moving.
Operating hours cater to traditional meal times rather than late-night cravings, so planning your visit during standard lunch or dinner windows ensures success.
Cash remains king here, though modern payment options have gradually been adopted to accommodate changing customer preferences.
Prices remain remarkably reasonable, with double cheeseburgers costing less than fancy coffee drinks at trendy cafes.
Expect a wait during peak hours, particularly weekday lunches when local workers flood in and weekend afternoons when families make their traditional pilgrimages.
The crowd size serves as validation rather than deterrent—empty restaurants rarely earn legendary status.
Bring patience, appetite, and appreciation for Washington establishments that refuse to compromise their identity for fleeting trends.
Your reward will be a burger that justifies its reputation and a dining experience that reminds you why some places become institutions.