Dick's Drive-In
Fast food restaurant · Capitol Hill ·
Iconic Seattle burgers, hand-cut fries, and thick shakes
Iconic Seattle burgers, hand-cut fries, and thick shakes
"A Seattle icon since 1954 with 10 Puget Sound locations, this no-frills drive-in sticks to burgers, fries, shakes, and ice cream—and that unchanging simplicity is a big part of the appeal. There’s no real choice: either you get a cheeseburger (boring but a bargain at $3.25), a Special (pickle-y relish and lettuce), or a Deluxe (a Special with cheese and an extra patty, an affordable full meal at $5.75)—though the true must-order is the thin, hand-cut fries, freshly fried in sunflower oil (gluten-free, vegan, and safe for those with peanut allergies). Milkshakes aren’t flashy and only come in vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate; they’re satisfyingly cold and thick, made with real ice cream, and taste like something real without unwelcome synthetic sweetness. There’s almost always a line, especially at lunch and late night, but it moves quickly, and everyone in Seattle eats here. Insider tip: you’ll pay for sauces (even ketchup; mustard is free), so skip the ketchup and get the tangy, slightly mustard-y tartar sauce—the tiny menu’s sleeper hit. Locals sometimes debate whether it’s better than In-N-Out, but it’s inarguable the fries are way better." - Harry Cheadle
"Dick’s is the defining fast food chain of Western Washington the way In-N-Out defines Southern California. It’s been a local favorite for 70 years because the food has stayed simple, affordable, satisfying, and fast — order a Deluxe at the window (two patties with a pickle-y special sauce) and it’s foil-wrapped in your hands seconds later. The secret here is that the workers are incredibly efficient; they get pay and benefits that busts all those underpaid fry jockey stereotypes — the starting hourly rate is $22, and employees can get access to things like money toward tuition and childcare assistance." - Harry Cheadle
"In 1954, three friends set out to simply "serve fresh, high quality food at low prices with instant service." Bank executives warned they'd never turn a profit selling 100percent beef burgers for 19 cents, but the drive-through was a runaway hit. Among its many honors, this Seattle institution wasvoted America's Most Life-Changing Burger by Esquire readers. Swing by one of its six locations—marked by iconic orange signs harking back to the atomic age—for a meaty epiphany, alongwith hand-cut fries and freshly whipped shakes. Best of all: Dick's offers worker scholarships and even insures part-time employees. So you can feel good about the indulgence!"
"I read that Dick's Drive-In's Capitol Hill location will close on December 13 for renovations to the 67-year-old building to install new plumbing and electrical infrastructure and new equipment; the location is planning to reopen in Spring 2022, and Dick's food truck will visit the site during the closure." - Eater
"I noted the Broadway location of Dick's Drive-in closed as operators sheltered staff from the heat and smoke; the chain is described as Seattle’s iconic burger place, serving tasty burgers, hand-cut fries, and hand-dipped shakes for over 57 years." - Gabe Guarente
