Doumar's Cones & Barbecue

Doumar’s in Norfolk is a true local treasure and one of my favorite places to eat in the entire Hampton Roads area. If you’re looking for comforting, old school diner food done right, this is the spot. The BBQ pork sandwich is a must try!!! tender, flavorful, and served with just the right amount of slaw to balance the smoky meat. Their burgers are simple but perfect, griddled to juicy perfection and stacked with classic toppings. The hot dogs have that satisfying snap, and the crinkle cut fries are always hot, crispy, and well seasoned. And the milkshakes? Thick, creamy, and made just how they should be. I highly recommend the chocolate or strawberry, both are rich without being overpowering. Portions are generous, prices are more than fair, and everything comes out fast whether you eat inside or pull up at the drive-in. It’s that kind of food that reminds you why the classics never go out of style. There’s nothing pretentious about Doumar’s, just great food served with care. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for a full meal, this place never disappoints. I’ll keep coming back again and again. Five stars all the way.

Nothing better than Doumar’s. Got a couple of hot dogs with mustard and onions. I love how they chop the onions so fine. It’s not just good food, the service and atmosphere lend to the experience. When I drove by I almost didn’t stop because the place was so busy, the parking lot was almost full. I decided to take a chance, went inside to order takeout. Even though they were full, I only waited a couple of minutes to get my food. It is a madhouse in there with everybody doing their part, making drinks, making dessert, plating the food, and taking the food to the cars. It’s exciting to see old fashion car hops with the trays that hang on the door. Hot dogs are $2.40 each.

My mom and I decided to go to Doumar’s for lunch. We have heard about Doumar’s for years, and today was our first time eating there. The cheeseburgers and fries were very good. The simplicity of the food is what makes it good. I ordered a Cherry Coke, and it was delicious since they make it themselves. The hot fudge cake was delicious as well. We will return to try some more of their eats and treats.

This local spot is great! The folks who greet you and take your order at this old-timey sorta drive-up are super sweet! You can tell that the owners don't hire "just anybody", and they have a quality staff. Food was hot, as ordered, prepared quickly, and delicious! And the price was outstanding! Keep up the good work!

Literally at this point they're just in business because of the nostalgia of a drive-in. The food is soooo bad - bread was so very stale and the strawberry ice-cream couldn't be anymore artificial in flavor. Should have known when I saw the bright pink pepto-bismal coloring. Tasted horrible. Service was A+ and the concept is cool. Outside of that? Keep driving.

An amazing blast from the past that always has good food and cool old cars to enjoy! We had a fantastic carhop and enjoyed eating in our car after a quick morning trip to the Virginia Beach oceanfront for our haircuts! What a fantastic day! The weather was amazing and the company was great! I always love hanging out with friends and family and friends who are like family! Absolutely a fabulous day! Thank you Julie, Dee, and Madison for making my day joyful! Love you all!

Great no frills burger place. Very affordable and menu was easy to navigate. I also loved the history of the place. Norfolk has literally grown up around this business, it’s like peering into the past when you go there.

Absolutely loved it when here with my father he had not been since the late 50s when his mother my grandmother worked here. The burgers were good the fries were good the hot dogs are good and the milkshake was amazing.

Our server was very nice. I wish they had menus already up or even QR codes so you can pull it up, as the first thing asked was if we were ready, but didn't know the menu. Then it took a bit for her to return. There were three of us and we ordered: banana milkshake, butter pecan single dip cone, and a strawberry single dip cone. The banana milkshake tasted a little bit like a fake flavor and only had some banana slices. The butter pecan ice cream was good and the cone was very good. The strawberry ice cream I didn't get to try but looked nice, with fresh strawberry inside. Came here mostly for the nostalgia, but wouldn't return otherwise just because there really aren't enough ice cream flavors and even choosing the one I got was difficult because it's not my usual choice.

So much fun going to get an ice cream cone! Got to watch cones being made on the first ice cream cone machine dating back to 1904. Had the chocolate ice cream and it was soooo good! Very chocolaty and not sickening sweet.

Doumar's has reasonably priced fast food. It's diner style with a drive-in, so you can order from your car and eat outside. The staff was nice and the food came out fast. There's a lunch rush so it's best to go outside of that timeframe. I ordered fries, a bbq sandwich, a cheeseburger, and a vanilla shake. It was less than $20. The burger was ok, I wish it was seasoned, it would have been better. The fries were crispy and hot, but had no salt. They are only about $2.70 so it's not a large order. But still filling. I wasn't a fan of the bbq sandwich. It was just too porky and it didn't have any sauce. Besides the pork taste, it had no flavor. If it had sauce maybe I'd like it more. Also if you're on lunch it's a messy sandwich. It's chopped so it falls out of the bun. In the blink of an eye I lost 1/3 of the sandwich. It was pork and coleslaw all over my shirt and floor. Lol. It was no way around it. I did enjoy the vanilla shake. It was creamy and good!!! Also it was a good size for what I paid. I probably wouldn't go out of the way to eat here often, but if they make a few adjustments it could make the food more enjoyable. Even if it's just salt and pepper it would help the burger. The bbq sandwich should be changed altogether. It wasn't what I expected. I will say their homemade hot sauce is delicious. It had a tangy kick!! It was good to dip my fries in and it helped the bbq sandwich some. All in all I do like to stop here when I'm in the area. The food is cheap and I'm in and out pretty quickly !! Check them out!!!

What a great place! Love the history behind the place and that this current location has been in operation since 1924 and still hand-.rolling the ice cream cones! Food: yummy! We tried the following: Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and mayo-.perfect size and great flavor. Chopped pork with coleslaw on the side. This was also good and tasty. Side of fries-nice and crispy Cherry coke-strong cherry flavor but tasty Limeade with cherry-also strong cherry flavor too! But delicious! Butter pecan. Ice cream cone-great cone and great ice cream Chocolate shake-great flavor and nice and thick Service: First time here and our server was super helpful in letting us know how to order (turn your headlights on) and gave us a menu too! Food came out quickly. We ate in our car and did the whole drive-in thing. They bring all the condiments out and it all just works. We never went inside the little building but glad we did the outside drive-in experience and can't wait to go back to try some of their yummy food!

I decided to try Doumars for lunch today & it was disappointing I ordered a double with cheese and french fries. The burger was dry & the meat looked like it was sitting on the grill for a long time. In addition, the fries were disgusting; cold & not a pinch of salt. Overall lacking flavor I definitely don't recommend b/c you can find better burger spots throughout VA that care about the flavor of the food they provide. The service was mediocre

Historic Norfolk landmark ice cream and bbq establishment. Too cool to be a dive as it maintains that 50's vibe. This Saturday afternoon most customers sat in their cars and ordered. We went inside. It was quiet. We had limeades, fries and a pork bbq for me and a hamburger for my wife. We each had ice creams in their patent waffle Cones. Food was good but not special. Price was very reasonable. Friendly and attentive staff. Parking was easy. Restroom is outside the main building.

Love Doumar's. It's not amazing food by any means, but it is a local staple. I remember coming here as a child and I still continue to come here. They had the first ever waffle cone machine so that's neat. The servers still come out in rollerskates so the vibe is really cool. They're always crazy fast and friendly. It's just a cool experience and a definite must if you're in the area.

Doumars serves up bbq and delicious cones with a splash of nostalgia! I love coming to Doumars whenever I'm in the area because it transports me back to a time when life was simpler. The food is brought to your car by a car hop and is served incredibly quickly. Our car hop was really bubbly and LOVED her job which really enhanced our experience. We ordered a round of burgers and fries. The burgers are simple and melted in your mouth. We finished our meal with cones and a root bear float. The cones are perfectly made and the ice cream complements them well. Overall I always enjoy my visits to Doumars and look forward to many more in the future.

Come here for the experience! The food is just okay, but it is cheap. It's cool cause it's a true drive in experience where the server comes to your window and takes your order then they put something on your window so you can eat right at your car. I didn't go into the building but it looked cute. The ice cream also looked good. Part of history that I hope doesn't go away!

Stopped into Doumars today on my way to the Chrysler Museum. The location is super convenient for any attraction in Norfolk- the zoo, Chrysler museum, mall and shopping are all nearby. Doumars is a local classic and you can't go wrong with any item on the menu. Walking into Doumars is like taking a step back in time- the inside hasn't changed much and has a classic diner feel. It's a small location but there's plenty of seating and the service is always top notch. Today I had a cheeseburger with all the fixings, fries and a classic Coca Cola. The food took less than 5 minutes from order to in front of me - the food is all freshly made in house down to the bun. It is phenomenal food for the old school prices! The entire meal was under $10. I skipped the desserts today (still trying to stick to my New Year's resolutions) but I HIGHLY recommend a freshly made waffle cone with any flavor ice cream or the cheesecake shake. I suggest you stop by and check it out if you haven't before or if it's just been a while. Doumars is a local favorite and sure to have something for everyone.

I went on a weekend trip to Norfolk and was tempted to try Doumar's due to the inexpensive prices. As soon as I pulled up, I was transported to a different time. Similar to Sonic but better, the carhop service adds to the nostalgic charm of the establishment. The burgers, hot dogs, and fries are truly delicious. The pulled pork is a must-try!!!

A well known staple in Norfolk community is Doumar's Barbeque on Monticello Ave. Old school drive up carhop.style dining. Good friends in town so I decided to take them to Doumars. We dined in instead of the car hop service. Greeted immediately. We all got cheeseburgers and fries. Asked for ranch dressing, no dressing. Only ketcup and mustard. Asked for barbecue sauce, no barbecue sauce as a condiment, although they SELL barbecue. It's ok to stick with some of the old school traditions but you should think about adding some new staples too. I have never been to anyone's barbecue place and they don't have barbecue sauce blended into their food or as a condiment. Also, they don't sell bottle water.

Absolutely delicious and the best bang for your buck. Its over 100 years old and still in business for a reason. The cherry coke was made the old fashioned way and so good. Cannot speaker for the shakes but I assume the same for their quality. Burger and hot dog fresh and hit the spot. The service was great. And the 1900s feel of the dinner makes it such a unique place to eat. Fun atmosphere.

If you want to be a local you must adore Doumars. This is an essential stop for true Norfolk natives. The more limeade you drink the more local you become! So personal favorites for sandwiches- the Taylor pork roll and BBQ with slaw and lots of, what they call, hot sauce. My kids are fans of the grilled cheese and my wife tends to eat the cheeseburger. Limeades are the drink of choice in my family. We prefer them with plain water but they are good either way. If nothing else go for an ice cream cone made on the same machine that the ice cream cone was INVENTED on. They still make them the same way and they are yummy. I personally go for the strawberry willy or the chocolate ringo. Both have cone chips and are delicious. Remember you don't even have to get out of your car as they do curbside service. The service is always good and the place has such a wonderful and fun vibe. Try it ... and if you like we might let you audition to be a true local....

This is a local, legendary, nostalgic establishment. Unfortunately, for me, that's all that this drive-in restaurant offered. A bit of nostalgia. I didn't enjoy the food at all, but it was fun to drive-in, socialize a bit, and order from the car hop. I had a pork sandwich and fries. Perhaps I should've ordered something else. Or perhaps my expectations regarding the food were unrealistic. But Doumars is definitely a fun place to hang out with friends and family.

A local establishment that did not disappoint for a late night ice cream craving. The wife and I went on a quick late night date and enjoyed Doumar's famous cones - which - really were superior to the typical cone we have had before. It hit the spot. Service was fast, friendly, and attentive (we dined in). I would offer my one critique would be to do a deep clean, the place feels like it needs one despite the charming old school feel of it.

Nothing fancy, nothing flashy, just all of the classics & all of the nostalgia at this awesome drive-in. Almost as soon as we parked the car, we were greeted by a friendly waitress with the menu. The menu consists of burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, various sandwiches, and literally everything in between. Got a sweet tooth? They've got ice cream & milkshakes too! And big bonus: the prices are super reasonable. My boyfriend and I tried an assortment of hot dogs and burgers and we each enjoyed a milkshake. Everything came quickly and we were very satisfied with our order. So much so that we ordered twice! I can't wait to go back!

Best double cheeseburger for the price and the tuna is amazing don't miss it staff is like family

Food is always delicious. I got the cheeseburger. The presentation was subpar- expected for a diner but really fit the theme they were going for!! You can tell they use high quality seran-wrap at least. You can drive up or eat inside. The food was great but the company was even better!!

Definitely worth a visit as it is the home of the world's first ice cream cone machine and a very cool drive-in diner. I had a grilled cheese and fries with the classic vanilla ice cream cone, all of which was very tasty! My husband had the hot dog and pork sandwich, which he liked but said are not as good as the burger and he was sad that the hot dog is no longer bright pink like it used to be. But still he enjoyed everything! Everything is small, so you can get multiple items without being too full. Our waitress was very nice and fast with everything and we had a great experience :)

I loveeeee coming here! It makes me feel like I've transported back in time and it's just the prefect amount of nostalgia! They have the best strawberry shortcake (get it with the fries- you'll thank me later). Everyone is super friendly there as well. My only kinda critic is I wished they served bbq sauce with their pork sandwiches- they do have hot sauce which is pretty delicious but I'd love an option of bbq sauce. Otherwise 10/10

Nostalgic environment with really great prices, considering the economy and in comparison to other nearby places, love ice cream and shakes.

The Best Food, Customer service and Pricing experience in Norfolk and probably VA. Tried several sandwiches, several drinks and fries. Everything was Amazing, taste, sauces offered were all the best. Thank you for making our visit a memorably tasty one!!! Will Be Back anytime we are in Virginia.

Great barbeque, great service and great ice cream! The atmosphere was like stepping back in time to an old diner.

Quick stop to grab a scoop of ice cream! Pleasant customer service as always and having Apple Pay available is perfect!

This establishment is known for being the inventor of the waffle cone and having the world's first cone machine. If you visit, make sure to grab some BBQ and eat it in your car at the old fashioned drive thru.

Doumar's is a something cool to try in the area, but also isn't the end of the world if you miss it. We come here every few months for a cheap bite to eat. This time we had milkshakes and ice cream. I like the cones, but I love them so much more when they're a little thicker and have more of a vanilla flavor. The strawberry ice cream has nice chunks of strawberries, but it's not the creamiest. Just ok!

More like 3.5, round up because is the food amazing on its own? No. Is it supposed to be? Not really This place is a historical icon, being the birthplace of the world's first ice cream cone machine that you can see right on the outside and is a time machine both in the way they operate and the food. It's a cool visit to this really retro time where everything was super cheap, and you can drive up to the parking lot and just have someone come up to your car and take your order. Each thing here is a few dollars which is amazing. Things come wrapped in clear plastic wrap sometimes (which I find odd), but for a few bucks - whatever! The burger is actually surprisingly good for something that costs just a few bucks. The fries tend to be kind of soggy and not particularly crunchy; they're also short. Hot dogs are served in burger buns. Ice cream is just okay. But again, you go to appreciate the time period of food it represents and have a cheap bite to eat. Know what you're signing up for! And you'll have a good time.

Pretty neat old fashioned drive in I had one back in KY but it got shutdown due to not enough business. I think the only thing to note is they should consider installing an outdoor projector to host movies on the weekends that would seriously bring in more paying customers haha! I wasn't too hungry when we went so I just got a cheeseburger and I split the strawberry shortcake with my friend it definitely hits the spot if you're craving good affordable food. Service is very attentive they approached our car immediately after driving up to a spot no waiting and the food was cooked fast! Note to self you can wait to order dessert after finishing your meal since you pay once you're completely done. A solid choice I'll be back for a milkshake and the banana split soon

Our happy, clueless faces BEFORE eating inside. We love diners - old fashioned, Route 66 style, Woolworths counter type, classic pharmacy soda-fountain ones. The vibe can't be beat, especially if sitting on the stools watching all the action happen. We wait to see the decor in each one and enjoy a well done, tried and true "greasy spoon" experience. This is now a fourth-generation enterprise and have good reviews - you'd think they'd know what customer service is all about, but no - we feel they're resting on past laurels We drive up *kitschy style sign - check! *car-hop waitresses where you can eat in your car after they wait on you (even though this time we want to eat inside) - bonus! *But then, upon entering, it all starts and continues to spiral constantly downward... *The top manager (possibly even one of the owners?) was at the counter cash register and didn't smile or acknowledge us, let alone welcome us - ding! *When our food is delivered, it is wrapped in plastic and just plopped on the table - NO PLATE, no utensils (for our inedible coleslaw!!), just basically eating off the table!! - double ding!! * Our water was served in Styrofoam (first of all - wasteful!!) AND we could see the reusable plastic glasses on the counter - ding! *Then their ice cream sundaes were served in thinner plastic than the tall ice cream glass glasses that we could see behind the counter - ding! If we wanted to eat off plastic wrap with no utensils (ice cream did have spoons) - we would've eaten in our car - BUT WE CAME INSIDE FOR THE DINER SERVICE. Last I knew, real diners used plates and glasses. If they can't afford to wash plates for their customers who come inside to eat for a sit-down restaurant experience, then they need to seriously rethink their business model. Soooo disappointed - we bypassed the cute eateries we could have walked to around our hotel to drive to Doumar's just for another historic diner meal to add to the others we have enjoyed immensely. They should not call themselves a "landmark diner" on their website - it insults true, traditional diners. Sad.

We finally made it to Doumar's Cones and Barbecue (DCAB) over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. After a trip to the zoo, my youngest had requested a hot dog for lunch so we decided to hit up DCAB. It's been a long time since I've been to an old school diner like DCAB. This diner is one-of-a-kind with indoor seating in the main building or you can park in one of the designated spaces for drive-in and sit in your car (like modern day Sonic). My car is pretty new and so are my kids (well new-ish) LOL, so we opted for the sit-in option haha. A few notes about the indoor seating, it's pretty cramped. There is an L-shaped countertop seating with a handful of seats on each side. There is a nook in the back, but tables are pretty close together. Some booth seating to the side. The menu is simple. There are burgers, hot dogs, sammies, barbecue and ice cream, ice cream sundaes and shakes. Things are pretty reasonably priced (burgers are less than $5, but presentation reflects that. Things are wrapped in plastic and pinned closed with a toothpick. As a fam, we ordered: - cheeseburgers: straight forward, meat patty, mayo, lettuce, tomato, (I added onions which are minced). The burger was fine. - french fries: for $2 an order, they were a bit too overcooked for me - hot dog: they split the dog and put it in a burger bun (probably for cost and efficiency). My kid was satisfied (and it had better, because it was her idea LOL) - milkshakes: We got a variety of flavors: vanilla, eggnog (seasonal), banana and chocolate. Great consistency and delicious. Things to note: + nothing fancy here but a fun peek into the past + Abe Doumar, the founder, invented the world's first ice cream cone making machine. The machine sits in the front, by the entrance, clearly marked with a sign and they still use it to this day. Fun piece of history in this corner of Norfolk. + they seemed to have received a James Beard award in 1999, but unclear as to what the accolade was for. The certificate that hangs on the wall pairs their name with Bertolli olive oil. Curious to know what this was... + if you are a Guy Fieri fan, he was here with his show. + service was fine. Our server was polite and helped us when needed, but all of the staff just seemed super tired. It probably didn't help that it was a holiday weekend and they all seemed exhausted. The place was rolling and didn't stop the entire time we were there. + prices can't be beat in terms of burgers/sammies. You can easily eat here for less than $10. If you're feeling for a little blast from the past, stop in and take a peek! It's a fun piece of history and the cheap eats and shakes will keep us going back. I'll have to try the ice cream and cone next time, along with the BBQ sammy! Stay safe, Friends!

Any trip to Norfolk isn't complete without a trip to Doumars! Great food, great service, great price! We always get a BBQ or tuna salad sandwich with a shake or limeade. Can't beat it! Local and home-y inside or enjoy from your car.

I've enjoyed coming to Doumars since I was a kid. My favorites are the minced pork bbq sandwich w/ extra hot sauce, the tuna salad sandwich, and the Egg-o-Doumar. And always gotta have a limeade float or a banana split to go with it!

First off and foremost, the nostalgic drive up was a great experience, the vibe was perfect for a Friday night dinner. the service was of a 5 star restaurant, the waitress should be a historian of your establishment and was very helpful on recommendation and prompt with our order.we ordered the cheese burger, bbq sandwich, floats and waffle cone ice cream. Thank you...you have made a loyal customer.

My boyfriend was craving an ice cream cone from here as their claim to fame are those fresh waffle cones they make every day. He loved it! I also tasted it.. and I can see what another reviewer meant about the quality of the ice cream. The strawberry was a bit icier and less creamy than the chocolate. If I'm getting regular ice cream next time, I'd personally skip the strawberry. I went for a tuna sandwich this time. The server was kind enough to put some slaw on the side per my request. The tuna was pretty good. I think there is sweet relish mixed in. Again, can't beat these prices these days. Will be back again for more!

It's aight. It is more of a nostalgia thing than anything else, I reckon. We saw it on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and we were going to be passing through Norfolk, so we decided to hit it up. I'll say I don't regret it. I'll also say our server was amazing. Super friendly and patient. I'll also say it was neat. Not too many original drive-in type places like this anymore. I'll also say the food was good to OK. What I won't say is that the food was great. I also won't say that I've never been anywhere like this before. I also won't say it isn't worth going out of the way to visit. I also won't say that I was super impressed with the ice cream cone, which they claim to have invented. I also won't say that the bathroom situation was anything but repugnant. But I will say it is fine. If you're in the area, and you enjoy mediocre greasy drive-in type food that is pretty cheap, then sure. Head on over to Doumars. Expect a wait, however.

Cheapest food I've ever laid eyes on. Very good for the price. The ice cream was very good in particular. The only downside was the server. My friend asked for ketchup and mustard on her hotdog and he said rudely it was on the table. And when she asked for a medium drink he said they only had large or small. It was more the tone that she wasn't paying attention which was true but I'd still expect more tact from customer service.

It's a staple what can you say. Been in norfolk almost 100 years. However for me if it didn't face historical value there would be no reason for me too go. The food has very little flavor but it seems great for the demographic it was made for. All in all the restaurant is mid with historical value so mid plus ig. If you want a burger and want an actually good burger go to JACK BROWNS. Significantly better. However it isn't really a kid friendly environment more of an adult restaurant. Service was decent as well our server left half way through our meal to sit down and eat so we had to ask someone else to ring up our shakes. (Which was also mid).

I like Doumars , I stop by and grab a meal every time I come to Norfolk. The waitresses are great cheerful and friendly. I like the old fashioned ambiance of the drive in dinner. Normally I get a grilled cheese with bacon and a strawberry shake ..some times I'll grab a cheeseburger or their bbq sandwich. Today I had a craving for ice cream ..and I made the mistake of getting their version of a banana split ..plenty of banana plenty of whip cream very little ice cream ..it came in a styrofoam container used for hotdogs. Lots of liquid dripped out... If you enjoy a good banana split you may not want to waste your money on theirs. I ended up tossing mine ..waste of 8 bucks .. The rest of the food I've had here Has been pretty good. Stay away from the spilts. Mine sucked.

So fun to step back in time! LoL My waitress was wonderful, my food was tasty, and one of the few places that don't give you way too much food and too big of a bill at the end! My cheeseburger was fresh and the perfect size and the fries, although I can eat a ton of those, was just the right amount. And all for only six dollars and some change! I've been there in the past and have always enjoyed their meals and their waffle cones! Check it out!

Do you want a cheap meal? Do you want to sit in your car and eat? Perhaps you want a quick to-go order? Then come on over to Doumar's. After a long night out, I threw on a baseball cap and my biggest pair of sunglasses and rolled into one of the drive-thru spots. It was my first time here. A server attended to my car pretty quickly and handed me a menu. I ordered a cheeseburger, hamburger, fries, and a coke. While waiting on my food (not a long wait at all), I saw one of the servers attach a tray with food on it to the car next to me to allow the passengers in the vehicle to eat. I thought that was convenient to keep food off your lap. It was my first visit to a drive-in diner before, so I didn't know if that was the norm or not. After receiving my food and paying, I drove home and revealed the goods. The burgers were wrapped in plastic wrap and a toothpick to hold it together. There were plenty of ketchup, mustard, and salt & pepper packets in my bag. I got my cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and mayo and my hamburger with relish and onion. The burger patties are thin. The fries reminded me of boardwalk style fries. The relish is on the sweeter side of the spectrum. I scarfed everything down. Doumar's is known for their ice cream, but I somehow didn't even order a cone or milkshake. I'll have to grab one next time. These cheap prices are going to have me returning for more.

Great food and history! A true 1950s drive- experience and a Norfolk treasure. The Taylor Pork Roll sandwich and Jumbo Limeade are my go to favorites...

Best BBQ around. Whenever I am in Norfolk have to stop at Doumar's. The service is great, friendly, and fast. The ambiance is friendly, lively. You have to try ice cream cones, which are the best.

Doumars was doing "curbside" service long before the pandemic made crubside a popular practice. This drive-in always looks packed when I drive by so even though I've been living in Coastal VA for 8 years, this weekend was the first time that I "braved the car crowd" to check it out. I felt like when I entered the lot I stepped back in time. The car hops' uniforms are still the traditional ones from back in the day. I was a little overwhelmed before I found a space to pull into. Then I got nervous that no one would notice that we had arrived since things were a little wild (Saturday afternoon during lunchtime). My worries disappear quickly as a carhop approached. There isn't a menu so I suggest pulling it up on your phone. My friend is a true local and has been visiting Doumars for over 30 years. He told me that I needed to get the BBQ, but if I was really hungry I might should order two. So I got the BBQ and a grilled cheese sandwich while he got two BBQ sandwiches and a hot dog. The prices are so affordable, it was easy to feel guilt-free ordering extra food "just in case." I really wanted to try their cones since this is where history was made with the first waffle cone maker, but I opted for a milkshake instead. My strawberry shake was probably the best milkshake I've had in the area, but my friend's orange freeze shake has me wanting to return just a few days later to get one of my own. If you've been to Atlanta- it was very similar to The Varsity's Frosted O. I was taken back to my childhood. I really might make the drive sometime in the next week so I can have a whole one all to myself. Our food came out pretty quickly, especially considering how packed the parking lot was. Most people seemed to be staying in their cars, but you can order for pick up through two or three of the popular apps and they will bring it out to you if you stand in line in front of the building. Staff were wearing masks and they seemed to be limiting how many people were inside. Oh yeah... back to the food. The grilled cheese was tasty. I enjoyed the BBQ, but would have liked more slaw. The shakes are what will keep me coming back and eventually I'll just enjoy an ice cream cone and their limeades. I grew up with The Varsity in Atlanta so I'm apparently a little bit of a snob when it comes to drive-ins and this didn't quite meet the high bar set by that brand, but you can't beat quick and cheap. This will be one of my go to spots for a sweet treat when I'm driving around Norfolk. Fun fact about our visit: Our car hop told us that decades ago when she was a teenager she remembers her mom going to work at Doumar's. Legacy! I'm sure there are countless other stories like this one since Doumar's has so much history.

Beyond mid. I guess it's nostalgic because you can drive in so if you want the experience go, but if you go for the food you'll be disappointed.

Disappointed in my float today. It taste a bit like the root beer was going flat & there's no carbonation. I only ate 3 scoops & tossed the remainder. This is only place I buy my floats from so I'm aware of how they normally taste. However, the service was speedy.

This isn't just a place to go grab something to eat. It is an experience. My wife and I are new to the area and we just happen to come upon this establishment. The history and staff are amazing. The food is simple but just so good! And the place itself should be a national monument. The history and story here should be experienced. Our server I can't quite remember his name but I will never forget his demeanor and genuine happiness to serve us. Also his mustache was amazing!!!! Shawn I believe was his name.

Always a treat when I come here. I've been coming for at least 7 years and the service and food is always consistent. The drive up service is nice but I prefer going in and having a bite with a friend to enjoy the ambiance. I like to get a cheeseburger with my fave fixings, a freshly made limeade that I can watch them make and of course the icecream which is a MUST. The fudge cake sundae is my fave.

So we came here, hearing all kinds of good things. Very disappointed. First our waitress (Lori K, which is the name on the receipt) did not want to be here. She would huff every time someone new walked in the door. She was way too busy trying to play on her phone to text someone, as well as playing with her hair, and face. All the while not washing her hands. She would touch so much stuff and never wash her hands, I witnessed it because we sat at the bar. She would touch the trash in the sink, dirty tray and then go to her phone and then start touching the food that was made and deliver it, especially the fries that were not wrapped like the burgers or hotdog. The food was subpar. Burgers had no flavor, hotdogs were ehh, and the bbq sandwich was disgusting. The fries were bland. My kids milkshakes were in to go cups, and thick as all get out. It was like they just put ice cream in there and never actually mixed it. The banana split was just sad. For $7.00 you'd think it would be better than a DQ banana split. The feel and look of the place is ok. It's typical old school restaurant, but it needs a facelift. You can tell it's stuck in the past. Overall would definitely not come back especially if this waitress is working again. I'm sure the owner is probably cringing in his grave with the crappy staff this establishment has. Oh and by the time I was done writing this post my stomach started to hurt. So there's that.