9 Amazing Drive-in Restaurants in Maine You Must Visit
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Looking for a taste of nostalgia? Don’t miss out on visiting these drive-in restaurants in Maine!
If you’re looking for an all-American meal served by friendly car-hops that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your vehicle, you’re in the right place! These Maine drive-ins are sure to bring back memories from a bygone era when servers on skates were all the rage.
Let’s take a dive down memory lane and enjoy some good eats on the way! Here are our favorite drive-in restaurants in Maine…
Belanger’s Drive-In & Dairy Bar
Fairfield, ME
Belanger’s Drive-In is a traditional drive-in restaurant in Fairfield Maine. It has been a staple of the local community since 1974. The restaurant is located at 84 Main St, and is known for its delicious baskets, pies, and famous ice cream.
The menu has grown significantly over time. Customers love the unique breading on all of the fried foods, raving about the exceptional flavor that you can’t get anywhere else.
The menu includes freshly fried foods, a large variety of burgers made from beef that is freshly ground in-house, lobster rolls, wraps, and salads. The full dairy bar includes 18 hard-serve flavors, 18+ milkshake flavors, slushies, brownie treats, cyclones, dairy-free Dole Whip, and of course, soft-serve ice cream.
Also, the restaurant smokes its own brisket, turkey, and pulled pork, and making homemade meat pies like tourtiere, turkey, and salmon is a long-standing tradition.
Serving over 250,000 people every season, a crew of up to 20 employees provides excellent service as they bring smiles to every face.
Note: Belanger’s currently offers dine-in, outdoor seating, and curbside pickup. The restaurant is open year-round.
Crosby’s Drive-In
Bucksport, ME
Crosby’s Drive-In is a family-owned and operated American drive-in restaurant in Bucksport Maine. It has been a local favorite since it first opened in 1955. The restaurant is located at 30 State Route 46.
Customers love the Golden Buck Burger, the famous Pig’s Dinner, fried seafood baskets, and hand-dipped milkshakes. Crosby’s also has delicious sandwiches, hot dogs, steak subs, grinders, salads, and more on the menu.
Each summer, the restaurant co-hosts the annual Bucksport Bay Festival Car Show, which brings more than 3,000 visitors to the area.
The nostalgia-inducing restaurant is a great place to enjoy a meal with family and friends. The staff is friendly and attentive, providing excellent service to customers. Be sure to watch the Facebook page for weekly specials.
Note: Crosby’s is open seasonally (April to mid-September) and offers outdoor seating and curbside pickup.
Val’s Drive-In
Lewiston, ME
Those who have been to Val’s know that it’s a satisfying experience. Those who haven’t are in for a treat.
Since 1959 when it began as an A&W Drive-In, Val’s has been slinging out all the favorites that customers love — crispy chicken tenders, juicy burgers, lobster rolls, and onion rings, along with a few unique offerings like fried shrimp and poutine.
Customers will want to leave room for dessert because Val’s offers ice cream, hand-spun frappes, and fried Oreos. Their goodies are served car-hop style, but the experience doesn’t stop there! Customers can enjoy their meals at picnic tables outside or take some swings in Val’s batting cages.
Note: Val’s is open seasonally from early spring to mid-fall, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for opening and closing dates.
Fat Boy Drive-In
Brunswick, ME
Fat Boy Drive-In was first established in 1955 as a ’50s-style diner and was owned by the same family for more than 50 years.
Fat Boy has undergone a few modern upgrades, but the commitment to quality food, excellent service, and providing a comfortable family atmosphere remains the same. That means the same tasty comfort foods have been enjoyed by generations of families in Brunswick Maine!
The menu includes drive-in staples like grilled hot dogs, juicy burgers, lobster rolls, crab meat rolls, and grilled cheese. There are also specialties like quarter-pound specialty burgers and steak sandwiches.
Note: Fat Boy is open seasonally from late spring to mid-September.
Fast Eddie’s Drive-In
Winthrop, ME
Situated in the Kennebec & Moose River Valley region of Maine less than 20 minutes from Augusta, Fast Eddie’s could be considered a hidden gem on the classic Maine drive-in scene.
One of the best things about drive-ins is their simplicity, and Fast Eddie’s serves simple comfort food covered with heaping helpings of nostalgia.
The menu features plenty of drive-in staples, including burgers, chicken sandwiches, lobster rolls, mozzarella sticks, clam cakes, and more. Fast Eddie’s also serves daily specials, so check their Facebook page when they’re open for the season.
A trip to Fast Eddie’s may be a little off the beaten path for some folks, but trust us — It’s worth it!
Note: Fast Eddie’s is open seasonally from April through September.
Cameron’s Lobster House
Brunswick, ME
Cameron’s Lobster House in Brunswick isn’t a traditional drive-in, per se, but it does invite customers to enjoy their meals inside, outside, car-hop style, or even through takeout.
As you might have guessed from the name, lobster is the specialty here with a menu featuring lobster rolls, lobster BLTs (served hot or cold), lobster dinners, steamed lobster, and more. Don’t forget other diner favorites like burgers, chicken tenders, shakes, and wraps.
There’s something on the menu here for everyone, and if you’re craving fresh Maine lobster, the only thing you’ll have trouble with is deciding which dish (or dishes) to order.
Note: Cameron’s Lobster House is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Waterhouse Talk of the Town
Norway, ME
Sweet treats like ice cream and frappes are a big draw here, but Waterhouse also serves savory offerings like juicy burgers. In past seasons, it has served comfort foods, such as chili cheese dogs, poutine, and of course, burgers.
Leave room for dessert, though, because Waterhouse serves at least a dozen flavors of hard ice cream, as well as soft-serve ice cream and Dole Whip. Don’t forget to add the toppings, which include duck sauce (a fruit topping with no actual duck), blueberry compote, and various candies.
Note: Waterhouse is open seasonally from mid-May to early September.
Ken’s Place
Scarborough, ME
Maine is famous for its wide array of fresh, delicious seafood, but Ken’s Place in Scarborough takes seafood to another level.
While Ken’s may look like a simple drive-in on the outside, one look at the menu will tell you otherwise. It has been open since 1927, and customers can find the kind of seafood offerings they might expect to find at a sit-down restaurant.
Hungry customers can find everything and anything seafood-related, including lobster and crabmeat rolls, grilled clamcake burgers, haddock, fried clam, or scallop dinners, as well as combo dinners and even whole lobsters.
Note: Ken’s Place is open seasonally from the third week in March until the third week in October.
River’s Edge Drive-In
Machias, ME
Nestled far into Downeast Maine, River’s Edge Drive-In in Machias is about an hour and a half east of Acadia National Park and a drive-in worth making the drive for. Why? Because River’s Edge features one heck of an eclectic, tasty menu, and they’re never afraid to get creative.
Customers ready to nosh on drive-in favorites can choose from staples like chicken tenders, red snappers (hot dogs), and lobster rolls. Or, they can try a homemade creation like the log drive — tater tots, crispy chicken, cheddar cheese, and the customer’s choice of sauce.
The sweet options are equally as impressive with an ever-evolving list of hard and soft-serve ice cream, refreshing frozen coffees, and ice cream cookie sandwiches.
Note: River’s Edge is open seasonally from mid-April to October and plans to have a new location for the 2024 season.
Stop By a Drive-In Restaurant in Maine Today
A meal at a Maine drive-in can put a smile on any customer’s face, and you’re in for a treat if you make the trip to enjoy a meal at one of them.
Whether you’re eager to nosh on the freshest of lobster rolls, sink your teeth into the juiciest of grilled hamburgers, or try a specialty of the house, you’ll find plenty to satisfy every palate.
So, hop in the car and make your way to one of these drive-in restaurants in Maine today. Trust us, the delicious food will draw you in right away, but the fond memories you’ll make once you get there will make your road trip totally worth it.