9 metro Detroit drive-in restaurants for your summer cruise cravings

Daly Drive-In
31500 Plymouth Rd., Livonia; 734-427-4474
Don’t be fooled by the nondescript building out front — the Daly Drive-In is a classic drive-in restaurant with a ‘50’s modern, wavy white roof out back, and speakers for taking orders. The first Daly location opened in 1948 and grew to nearly 20 locations at its peak, but the Plymouth Road hot dog, burger, and fry spot is the last drive-in of the Daly family left standing. Among the favorites is the footlong DalyDog and the coney, which Daly’s owners say is superior to the standard coney island fare.
Photo by Chelsea Overton

Daly Drive-In
31500 Plymouth Rd., Livonia; 734-427-4474
Don’t be fooled by the nondescript building out front — the Daly Drive In is a classic drive-in restaurant with a ‘50’s modern, wavy white roof out back, and speakers for taking orders. The first Daly’s location opened in 1948 and grew to nearly 20 locations at its peak, but the Plymouth Road hot dog, burger, and fry spot is the last drive-in of the Daly family left standing. Among the favorites is the footlong DalyDog and the coney, which Daly’s owners say is superior to the standard coney island fare.
Photo by Chelsea Overton

Monroe’s Original Hot Dog Drive-In
1111 W. Front St., Monroe; 734-241-1612
This spot has some history — it first started as an A&W restaurant more than 75 years ago, but broke from A&W when the company asked its franchises to start serving burgers. Monroe is a hot dog stand, not a burger stand, so it’s owner struck out on his own. To this day Monroe’s Original Hot Dog Drive-in remains a hot dog shop — no beef patties here. The menu offers a range of regular and foot-long dogs, chips, and beverages, and ownership reportedly intends to keep it that way.
Courtesy photo

Monroe’s Original Hot Dog Drive-In
1111 W. Front St., Monroe; 734-241-1612
This spot has some history — it first started as an A&W restaurant more than 75 years ago, but broke from A&W when the company asked its franchises to start serving burgers. Monroe is a hot dog stand, not a burger stand, so it’s owner struck out on his own. To this day Monroe’s Original Hot Dog Drive-in remains a hot dog shop — no beef patties here. The menu offers a range of regular and foot-long dogs, chips, and beverages, and ownership reportedly intends to keep it that way.
Courtesy photo

Monroe’s Original Hot Dog Drive-In
1111 W. Front St., Monroe; 734-241-1612
This spot has some history — it first started as an A&W restaurant more than 75 years ago, but broke from A&W when the company asked its franchises to start serving burgers. Monroe is a hot dog stand, not a burger stand, so it’s owner struck out on his own. To this day Monroe’s Original Hot Dog Drive-in remains a hot dog shop — no beef patties here. The menu offers a range of regular and foot-long dogs, chips, and beverages, and ownership reportedly intends to keep it that way.
Courtesy photo

Eddie’s Drive-In
36111 Jefferson Ave., Harrison Twp.; 586-469-2345
Eddie’s is the quintessential Drive-In that remains a well-loved fixture in Harrison Charter Township where carhops sometimes still balance trays while on roller skates. It’s menu holds all the Michigan drive-in restaurant standards like foot-long hot dogs, coney dogs, burgers, fries, and deep-fried everything, but it also has items that are unusual for a drive in menu like a salmon sandwich and olive burger. Don’t miss the shakes, which come in flavors ranging from chocolate to creamsicle.
Photo via Facebook

Eddie’s Drive-In
36111 Jefferson Ave., Harrison Twp.; 586-469-2345
Eddie’s is the quintessential Drive-In that remains a well-loved fixture in Harrison Charter Township where carhops sometimes still balance trays while on roller skates. It’s menu holds all the Michigan drive-in restaurant standards like foot-long hot dogs, coney dogs, burgers, fries, and deep-fried everything, but it also has items that are unusual for a drive in menu like a salmon sandwich and olive burger. Don’t miss the shakes, which come in flavors ranging from chocolate to creamsicle.
Photo via Facebook

Kluck’s Drive-In
401 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-485-0994
The Ypsilanti coney dog and root beer parlor sends carhops to take your order for hot dogs, coney dogs, grilled cheeses, burgers, fries, and all the other drive-in diner fare for which Kluck’s — and Ypsilanti — are known. Owners Joanna and Chae Chang bought Kluck’s 15 years ago and have kept it running through thick and thin. The couple also operates another well-loved Ypsi curbside service restaurant, Roy’s Squeeze Inn.
Photo by Kate de Fuccio

Kluck’s Drive-In
401 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-485-0994
The Ypsilanti coney dog and root beer parlor sends carhops to take your order for hot dogs, coney dogs, grilled cheeses, burgers, fries, and all the other drive-in diner fare for which Kluck’s — and Ypsilanti — are known. Owners Joanna and Chae Chang bought Kluck’s 15 years ago and have kept it running through thick and thin. The couple also operates another well-loved Ypsi curbside service restaurant, Roy’s Squeeze Inn.
Yelp user Lindsay P

Chick Inn Drive-In
501 Holmes Rd., Ypsilanti; 734-483-3639
The 1950s-era Ypsilanti drive-in chicken shack is a pink neon-clad icon that greets those entering Ypsilanti along Prospect road with a squawking chicken head. The menu isn’t totally chicken-centric as one would expect, as it offers a wide selection of traditional and not-so-traditional drive-in fare like foot-longs, coney dogs, patty melts, sweet potato fries, seafood, and plenty of fried finger foods. The price is right, as most sandwiches are around $5.
Photo by Kate de Fuccio

Chick Inn Drive-In
501 Holmes Rd., Ypsilanti; 734-483-3639
The 1950s-era Ypsilanti drive-in chicken shack is a pink neon-clad icon that greets those entering Ypsilanti along Prospect road with a squawking chicken head. The menu isn’t totally chicken-centric as one would expect, as it offers a wide selection of traditional and not-so-traditional drive-in fare like foot-longs, coney dogs, patty melts, sweet potato fries, seafood, and plenty of fried finger foods. The price is right, as most sandwiches are around $5.
Photo via Yelp, Dave T.

Chick Inn Drive-In
501 Holmes Rd., Ypsilanti; 734-483-3639
The 1950s-era Ypsilanti drive-in chicken shack is a pink neon-clad icon that greets those entering Ypsilanti along Prospect road with a squawking chicken head. The menu isn’t totally chicken-centric as one would expect, as it offers a wide selection of traditional and not-so-traditional drive-in fare like foot-longs, coney dogs, patty melts, sweet potato fries, seafood, and plenty of fried finger foods. The price is right, as most sandwiches are around $5.
und $5.
Photo via Facebook

A&W
4100 Twelve Mile Rd, Berkley; 248-547-7126
It opened in 1956 and still mixes the famous root beer in house, blending A&W concentrate with water and real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. YOu’ll also find all the foot-longs and hot dogs for which the drive-in is known.
Photo via Yelp, Paige L.

A&W
4100 Twelve Mile Rd, Berkley; 248-547-7126
It opened in 1956 and still mixes the famous root beer in house, blending A&W concentrate with water and real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. YOu’ll also find all the foot-longs and hot dogs for which the drive-in is known.
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Photo via Yelp, Jeff H..

Hi Lite Drive-In
1005 E Michigan Ave, Marshall; 269-781-8848
The super long burger and hot dog menus, the sloppy joe’s, and the chicken dinner all look nice, but how about that dessert menu? You couldn’t be blamed for skipping straight to the classic '50’s-era diner’s malt and homemade root beer float offerings.
Photo via Facebook

Hi Lite Drive-In
1005 E Michigan Ave, Marshall; 269-781-8848
The super long burger and hot dog menus, the sloppy joe’s, and the chicken dinner all look nice, but how about that dessert menu? You couldn’t be blamed for skipping straight to the classic '50’s-era diner’s malt and homemade root beer float offerings.
you couldn’t be blamed for skipping straight to the classic 50’s era diner’s malt and homemade root beer float offerings.
Photo via Trip Advisor

Lutz’s
28102 M-152, Dowagiac; 269-782-5676
Owner Scott Scherer’s mother was one of the restaurant’s original employees when it opened 50 years, so he decided to step in and save it when it went up for sale. Aside from the usual drive-in fare it’s one of the few in the state where you can get pizza.
Courtesy photo

Lutz’s
28102 M-152, Dowagiac; 269-782-5676
Owner Scott Scherer’s mother was one of the restaurant’s original employees when it opened 50 years, so he decided to step in and save it when it went up for sale. Aside from the usual drive-in fare it’s one of the few in the state where you can get pizza.
Photo via Facebook

Rudy’s Drive-In
4061 Page Ave Michigan Center; 517-764-7839
The small drive-in just outside Jackson opened in 1967 and still makes its own unique coney sauce and root beer in house.
Photo via Facebook

Rudy’s Drive-In
4061 Page Ave Michigan Center; 517-764-7839
The small drive-in just outside Jackson opened in 1967 and still makes its own unique coney sauce and root beer in house.
Photo via Trip Advisor