Wandering Fork

July 19th, 2010

Dinner @ Fidalgo Drive-In

If you are on your way to the San Juan Islands and are leaving out of the Anacortes, WA Ferry, you may want to stop in at what must have been an old A&W Rootbeer park-and-eat and what is currently the Fidalgo Drive-In.

The menu is classic Americana: burgers and hot dogs with choices of fries (regular, curly, or waffle-cut), sweet potato fries, onion rings, tater tots, fried mushrooms, and cheddar cheese curds. It also boasts a Northwest flavor with halibut, prawns, oysters, and clam strips and both crab bisque and smoked salmon chowder.

Burgers come dressed and the Meal entitles you to your choice of fries, onion rings, or tater tots as well as a medium soda or rootbeer float. I selected with the Cheeseburger Meal with onion rings and Mister chose the Crab Sandwich Meal with tater tots.

Cheeseburger and Onion Rings

The sandwiches were good sized and the sides were plentiful. My hamburger was average, cooked well done with mayo, lettuce, tomato, and pickle. I wouldn’t drive out of my way for it, but the sides hit all of the right fatty-fried notes of junk food that my taste buds were craving. Both the tater tots and onion rings were hot, crispy and definitely winners. Also in the plus column were the rootbeer floats presented in old, glass mugs and foaming over with frosty goodness. The “medium” is huge, and the “large” is gargantuan. (I would suggest sharing or ordering a small.)

Rootbeer Float (Medium…I kid you not!)

While I stuck with a classic hamburger, there are also specialty burger options including mushroom and Swiss cheese, bacon and cheddar cheese, bleu cheese, Gardenburgers, turkey chipotle burgers, and chicken sandwiches. The pricing is very reasonable, especially if you are out with the family. Adult meals range from $6.69 - $9.79. Kid’s meals include a side and a drink and are priced between $5.69 - $5.99.

Fidalgo Drive-In

2908 Commercial Ave.

Anacortes, WA 98221

360.293.3442

no website

June 25, 2010

Cheeseburger Meal $ 6.89

Crab Sandwich Meal $ 9.79

Total $16.68

No Comments | In: Dessert, Dinner, Washington | tags: Anacortes, Fries, Hamburger, Ice Cream, Sandwich, Washington. | #

February 15th, 2009

Dinner @ In-N-Out Burger

Mister and I have a love affair with In-N-Out Burger, the type which manifests itself in a similar way to seasonal candy or Girl Scout Cookies. Because we do not have any outlets in Oregon, whenever we are in California, Arizona, or Nevada, we try to go at least once. Mister even has the 800 number to In-N-Out Burger programmed into his cell phone so we can call, tell them where we are, and ask for directions to the closest location. There is nothing better after a long day at the beach.

In-N-Out Burger was founded in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder and was California’s first drive-thru hamburger stand. It remains privately owned, and the Snyder family has no plans to franchise or take the company public. Today, most outlets have inside seating in addition to the drive through, but traditionally we drive through and eat in the car. I also have a habit of singing the jingle as I wait in line.

Driving north on US-101 from the San Jose, CA airport, I spotted the ubiquitous sign and quickly made a detour. The prices are cheap and the food fresher than most other fast food establishments you may encounter along the highway. I ordered a cheeseburger without onions and a vanilla shake. They always ask if you will be eating in the car (which means you get the food ready to eat in a cardboard box with a placemat) or to go (which means you get the food in a bag). While waiting for your order you can watch the employees slice the potatoes for French fries, which means everything is made fresh as opposed to “fresh frozen” and shipped across the US. And, yes, there is a “secret” menu which includes 3×3 (three beef patties and three slices of cheese), 4×4 (four beef patties and four slices of cheese), and Animal Style (beef is cooked with mustard, pickle, and grilled onions).

The burger was delicious and included tomato, lettuce, and a thousand-island type spread. The shake is so thick they should have a warning that customers may strain their cheek and jaw muscles using the straw.