Spelunker's

Good food and good service. The steak sub was really good. The onion rings were the best I’ve ever had! The custard was a diabetic’s nightmare but was very tasty! Nathan one of the managers was very nice and accommodating! Tray one of the employees was really chill and very pleasure to talk to. We will visit again for the burgers and stop and see the Beer museum.

I had a review left from Memorial Weekend. I haven't had time, but I'll look for it. *Spelunker's*** 116 South St, Front Royal, VA 22630 Date: May 25, 2025 Time: 1:30 pm This review reflects a personal experience as a consumer and chef. **Overall Impression:** I was coming off a nice weekend, filled with lots of things to do. And all of a sudden, we decided to stop in Front Royal to try this place that had been recommended to me a long time ago. **Highlights:** **service and speed 10/10 ** steak and cheese 10/10 (I ordered it with jalapenos) **fresh fries 10/10 (I highly recommend them) **cheeseburger 10/10 **Atmosphere & Service:** I went on a Sunday and of course they were too crowded. You can sit in the lounge area inside or there's a nice terrace outside, but everything was packed. **Final Thoughts:** If you're passing through the area, it's definitely worth a stop, a chance, and a try.

I got the cavern burger with fries and a chocolate milk shake. It was all delicious and you can tell the ingredient to include the meat are fresh and I love that they toast their buns. The milkshake was thick and smooth and so yummy! The customer service was great, friendly and kind! We were seen right away even though it was lunch rush and got our food within 10 mins of ordering. Would definitely recommend this cozy fast food diner!

Great spot for a fast burger. Nice size burger Handcut fries Very busy and loud Order at the counter and they bring your food to the table. Indoor/outdoor seating Very loud inside

We went with my wife to try the burgers since we’ve heard their are great. And yes they are ! One of the best burgers I’ve ever had. The food took a while but totally worth the wait

Local and independent burger place, very close to the South entrance of Shenandoah National Park. The burger was amazing and we also had the flavour of the day frozen custard. Really recommend both and the service was quick. It’s a fast-food restaurant but has a lot of booth-style seating and they serve you at the table and also have a drive thru.

We were traveling after a day of hiking & came across this wonderful place in Front Royal! We had the delicious double cheeseburger with a buttery taste and the homemade creme brulee carmel custard in a homemade waffle cone. The custard was so creamy all the flavors were so yummy! Nathan the manager & his staff gave us a great experience! Thank you again, Spelunkers! @DIESELANDMO

I’d heard a lot about this place on a social media foodie blog and I was in the area so I stopped by to check it out. It definitely lives up to the hype. Burger was perfectly cooked, bun was grilled perfectly as well. The house sauce was amazing on the onion rings. Staff were super friendly and polite. Highly recommend 🤘🏼

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!! This is, by far, the BEST, place to eat in Front Royal!!!!!! Bacon Cheeseburger is the best burger I have EVER eaten in my entire life!!!!' First time being in Front Royal. I came with my hubby for his birthday for the weekend. This will be a weekly/monthly visit. Thank you!!

5/5 Best burgers. Absolutely delicious! The patties were so juicy that each bite melted. The price for these burgers were very fair and reasonable. I added cheese and jalapeños to mine! The custard was very good too. No notes for this place! Customer service was on point too. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Only disappointed that it's not right in our home neighborhood but now we have an excuse to make a trip back out here!

We were pleasantly surprised by this place! It is super cute and a fast food restaurant that has insane burgers. If I lived closer, I swear this would be my go to fast food place. The burger was so juicy! Literally dripping. Plus the fries were perfectly cooked. I didn't get to try the custard sadly, but if I'm ever back towards Shenandoah National Park I will give it a go! The food came out quick, we ate at a cute booth (it was also nice because the staff were cleaning the tables as people got up and it generally seemed well taken care of). It was really nice! Much better than the McDonald's down the street and perfect for after a day of sight seeing and hiking at SNP.

I've driven past Spelunker's for over 20 years on my way to Shenandoah National Park - I finally stopped in for lunch. Pretty busy on a Thursday afternoon. I ordered a Cavern Burger with bacon and cheese added, plus an order of onion rings, and a vanilla milk shake. You pay at the register of course, unfortunately they do not accept any forms of digital payment (Apple Pay, etc.). Pretty surprised about that. You are handed a tabletop number to place on your table - and they bring your food out to your table. The burger was tasty - but somewhat on the greasy side. The onion rings were very good - as was the milk shake. They have some interesting flavor options for their milkshakes - enough so that I've been thinking about the fact that there was an option for a banana milkshake. Spelunker's also has a Drive Thru lane - which was pretty busy while I was there. #SpelunkersBurgersAndFrozenCustard

Went on a Sunday afternoon and it was packed! The dining room is pretty small, the service was good, but the food was mediocre. The burger was nothing specialand the fries tasted like potatoes... there was no salt or any seasoning on them. The chocolate custard reminded me of Wendy's frosty. Overall average experience not worth the hype or price.

Dropped by this place on our way out of the Shenandoah national park. I'd never had frozen custard and my friend strongly encouraged me to try. I got the smallest size and it was huge. It tasted the same as soft serve ice cream to me. The boy worked at drive through was very friendly and patient.

Famous local burger joint here in Front Royal. You have to stop by to try a burger, they were delicious! The Philly cheese steak looks delicious as well. If I come back this area again I will definitely stop by and try it. The place was packed on a Monday night, veterans day. Drive thru was packed. The place reminds me of an fast food joint. It's the same concept as one. The prices can be just as expensive as any old burger joint. They are also famous for their shakes but I didn't try any ice cream.

We came from DC over the 4th of July weekend and stopped in kinda late on our way in and this place didn't disappoint . Gives def small town local feel, teen hang out at night in a good way, but service was friendly and the food was ooohhh so tasty. I had a coworker randomly making a trip to the area a couple weeks later and was like " go here!". It's the kinda place you will drive 2 hours on a weekend you have nothing to do to get a burger. Yes, they are that good.

Such good comfort food classics! The sandwiches were truly delicious, and the spicy chicken sandwich has spice levels to choose from. We went with the second spiciest level and it was truly spicy with good flavor too. I loved the burger as well and the fries tasted fresh. The frozen custard was definitely the highlight. I got vanilla with Reese's cups mixed in and it was so thick and creamy. Employees were so friendly and our food came out quick.

This is such a fun place to visit! We always stop by whenever we are driving in the area. The cavern burgers are divine. I'll get a burger with some fries. It has always been delicious. Every visit has been good. The ambiance is a decent, typical burger joint vibe. It is a fun, relaxed place to eat. The service is always polite. It is always pleasant, whether we drive thru or stay to eat in. I can't say there are many places on my list that are burger joints. This is one of my favs. Definitely, give them a try!

Where do I begin, hmmmm do I start with dessert or the main meal? Let me just say that both were soooooooo good and my tastebuds are each fighting for a chance at this review. I'll instead start with hospitality. The cashier assisting us was simply pleasant and some of the staff were courteous-I truly appreciated that. I also love that this restaurant has a diner feel with plenty of windows to welcome the sun on a beautiful day. Food: I ordered the Carven burger with cheese and a side of fries and a delish Mello Yello soda. This burger tasted like the ones grandma made in the skillet and the kids all hustled to get seconds because the burger meat was nicely seasoned and juicy...If you can reflect on the ones I'm talking about then I just described the goodness of this burger. SO juicy, well seasoned, perfectly prepared: medium/well, and complimented with a toasted fresh bun, mayo, ketchup, mustard, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and a few pickles. My stomach thanked me! Fries, golden brown, fresh cut fries prepared just right! Topped with some ketchup but honestly it didn't need anything because the fries held the crown on its own. Both were SCRUMPTIOUS! 10, 10, 10 all across the board! After washing everything down with a Mello Yello drink, I had to order custard to go because Yelpers spoke well about it. Listen, no really, lean in closer....this custard was AMAZING! SPLENDID! the PERFECT treat for a hot summer day or budding spring afternoon. My boyfriend and I indulged on our ride back and spoke highly about how amazing it was. Would I visit again? ABSOLUTELY! I'd actually like to do another day trip and experience this place in the summer so that I can add a milkshake to my meal lol But, I highly recommend this restaurant after a beautiful day at the Shenandoah National Park...you'll be glad that you stopped by.

I don't normally post reviews, but the food here is so good I had to redownload Yelp to write a review. Our server was very professional and delivered our meal in a timely manner. The food here is some of the best I've tasted in Virginia. I will definitely be returning and recommending this restaurant to my friends and family!

Super nice local place that puts most chain joints to shame. I had the Cavern Burger - Topped with lettuce, pickle, onion, ketchup, mustard, and mayo. It was amazing! I did have a taste of the Chili Dog someone else had at the table, and it was great too. Even though I am almost always disappointed I usually need to try the onion rings. Unfortunately, for here the result wasn't a home run, but I am not going to ding them for that. Service is great. They push a lot of business through the place and orders do come out quickly. I was surprised to see a human order taker at the drive-through. Was something broken or is that the way they do it? I don't know, but I thought it was awesome. Does it still feel like a fast food place? Yes, I think it does, but it also has a local vibe and the food is fresh enough where if you close your eyes you might find yourself at your backyard BBQ.

This place rocks. I wanted to stop by a local place after leaving a girls weekend in Shenandoah and this was a good halfway point on the way home to NOVA. I got the combo with a single burger, fries, and a fountain soda then for dessert, I got a chocolate vanilla swirl custard in a waffle cone. Everything was delicious. They also have bottles of malt vinegar out for the fries which made me especially happy. It was incredibly packed on a Saturday afternoon which is a testament to how good this place is.

Came to this small restaurant just outside of Shenandoah Skyline and I had no idea what to expect. It was a self-sitting kinda restaurant, but despite that everyone was very kind and had a smile. They handed us a number and delivered the food very quickly to the table. I ordered the Double Cavern Burger with American Cheese, Regular Fry, and a Fountain Drink. The burger was extremely juicy and flavorful. It was just the basics, but that was all that was needed, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single bite. No gimmicks nor extra gimmicky toppings, which made it so much better. The fries were similar to boardwalk fries, where they were seasoned really well and perfect. Definitely coming back here again!

Spelunkers was SO delicious! The burgers are ground fresh and handmade daily from 100% ground beef. They're super juicy and flavorful. The generously poured fresh cut fries and the frozen cookies & cream cookie dough custard went well with the meal. I was surprised to see how loaded the ingredients were in the custard. This was 100% a satisfying meal after a long day of hiking. Energy and tummy was refreshed! I'd definitely be back next time I visit Shenandoah National Park. They're located right near the North exit in Front Royal.

Holy moly! The best burger I ever had! Their buns are so delicious and it is pretty evident how fresh their patties are! Their fries and onion rings were amazing too! It is very telling that they use the freshest ingredients and don't mess with weird chemicals to enhance the flavor. Service is very friendly and quick! I would drive an hour just to eat here.

Some of the best burgers you'll find, why you ask? Because they grind the meat themselves so it is freshly cooked & made to order! I know you have to wait a few minutes to get it but to me it's worth the wait! Fries are hot & they give you plenty. We enjoy the icecream & especially the "flavor of the day" options. The staff are friendly & courteous!

First time visiting & based off the line going outside the doors of both sides to the building, I could tell the food was going to be amazing. Very small but cozy dining room with a beach vibe to it. Friendly atmosphere. Customer service at the counter was very helpful. Food came out hot & fresh. Very tasty & filling. I cannot wait to come back with the entire family next time. This is the type of establishment that needs more love & attention!!! A+ restaurant 10/10 rating 5

Everything is delicious. Now that I'm on the carnivore diet, they accommodated me with the double burger with bacon and no bread. Before this current diet, the Chicken Philly was my favorite! My step-daughter got one with a lettuce wrap bun because she is gluten sensitive, and they handled it with no problem! They just updated the parking lot and drive through to accommodate more vehicles because it's always PACKED! Enjoy yourself!

Spelunker's was one of those rare road-trip finds you just happen to run across by chance but are so glad when you do. I always look for a local place when I am out on my motorcycle that is not a chain. Sometimes it's a winner, more often than not it's just average. Spelunker's just knocked it out of the park! They had the best Cheesesteak sandwich I have had in years, hands down. The meat was so tender and flavorful, with a generous amount of cheese and onions on a super soft roll. The size of it was pretty hefty as well, while the price wasn't bad. I initially had doubts about the fries because they just didn't look super appealing but after trying them I found myself snarfing them like a teenager. They must season them with something bad because anything that tastes this good has to have some evil dark arts at work. Somehow I managed to save room for desert. The caramel Sunday I had was ginormous, and I was unable to finish it, but man was it good. So yup, this place was great. Too bad for me that I am about to head back home to Arizona, so I won't be able to frequent this place. If you're a local or in the neighborhood though and can swing by than you are a lucky camper.

I stopped by after hiking in the Shenandoah National Park and it really hit the spot! Service was friendly and the burgers are delicious! It's very similar to Five Guys in a sense, but more affordable and less greasy. The custard was the perfect sweet treat to end the meal! Definitely a must as a post-hike meal in the Shenandoah National Park!!

I went to Spelunkers at the suggestion of someone who worked at a nearby winery and I was glad he made the suggestion. It was great and rather tasty. My friend and I got two double cheeseburgers and a side of onion rings to share and everything with great and made to perfection. It was all extremely hot with lots of flavor and honestly one of the best burgers I have ever had. Definitely suggest!

Spelunker's is a MUST try. We were visiting Shenandoah and needed a quick bite before getting back onto the road. This spot absolutely delivered. Juicy, flavorful burger cooked to perfection. The patties also had a slight crisp to them which made them all the more enjoyable to eat. Fries were salted just right and had that freshly sliced potato taste, which is hard to find nowadays. Service was fast and friendly too. The restaurant was packed when we went, but we were able to grab a table not too long after we placed our order. If it looks busy, take note they have an extra parking lot next door--they're prepared for the crowd! The vibe very much so gave me Chick-fil-A if their specialty were burgers. I'll be dreaming about this place for a good while.

Best burger in the USA. This place is always busy. Definitely worth the trip and time. Also, try the cheesesteak! It ain't Philly but it is good!!

Been a while's since being here, and they did NOT disappoint! Brought some of my Church Family here, and they are looking very satisfied! Until next time, keep up the great work Spelunker's !!

Probably the best chicken tenders I've ever had in my life. I wish there was a place like this closer to my home. Great and friendly service, too.

A really nice local burger spot! We came here after a cabin getaway weekend in Shenandoah but this is our go-to spot. There's also a dunkin' donuts next door so coffee and donuts after some burgers is always a nice treat!

Best French fries we ever had. Best silky smooth custard are out of this world. Smiling servers. Clean!

Stopped in after driving up skyline drive. I got the bacon cavern burger and it was delicious. The bacon on it was so crispy and the burger was tender. Fried were good but a little disappointing because they were very small pieces. I also got a Carmel custard shake but only tasted vanilla. Burgers 5 stars, fries, caramel shake and look on the outside 3.5 stars...so I settled on 4 stars.

Having seen the long line outside of Spelunker's Burgers & Frozen Custard on numerous occasions, I was intrigued and decided to give it a try. However, I regret to say that I won't be returning. I ordered a peanut butter and chocolate milkshake, a bacon burger, fries, and a cheesesteak. The burger was extremely greasy, the fries were decent, the milkshake was okay and the cheesesteak was good. Unfortunately, during my visit, I witnessed a staff member handling food and ice cream, then subsequently putting his entire hand into the trash can without washing his hands before serving customers. This happened right in the front of the store where you order, visible to customers, which made me feel quite uncomfortable about consuming anything, but unfortunately we had already placed our order and started eating.

Glad we selected Spelunkers for dinner after a long day of hiking Shenandoah National Park. Dinner at 6pm on Friday was hopping! Busy but tables seemed to clear as new customers arrived... like a perfectly balanced cycle. The burger was juicy. The fried chicken sandwich was amazingly crisp; we ordered spicy (this was no joke spicy; can't imagine the heat in helltown and hotter than hell). Onion rings were one of the best that I've had. The frozen custard was so creamy and delicious in the delicate crisp of the freshly made waffle cone. We tried the waffle cone custard flavor and chocolate. So yummy! On top of this, the service was amazing! Such hard working and polite teenagers.

Spelunker's Amazing hamburger, hotdog, and fry place! The place lives up to it's hype and raving reviews. Busy place so we avoided it on a Saturday evening but sure glad made it there on a Sunday before leaving town. Recommend the any cheeseburger and hotdog (add chili as it was a delight). The fries are with the combo and better than any other fry in the area. (Sorry no photos this time, but many photos from other reviews so not necessary) One suggestion for management is to make attempt or additional attempts to rid flies from inside dining. It was kind of a distraction covering food and swatting. Tables were kind of cramped.

Burger, chicken, fries, and custard are all ridiculously good. Service is nothing special, but nothing worse than standard fast food places.

I asked a lot of people where they recommend in Front Royal and EVERY person said Spelunkers, which blew my mind. The food was your standard burger, shake, and fry joint, but they did it perfectly. Will go there every time I end up in Shenandoah.

I heard a lot about this place so finally was around the area to stop. When we got there the place was packed. The staff was friendly and I got the cavern meal with also a scoop of chocolate custard. The burger and fries were not bad. The custard was really good and is a must to get here. Definitely a solid place so if you are around there, it is not a bad idea to stop.

Stopped in here for lunch while on a road trip. I had the jr. cheeseburger which was the perfect size. It tasted very fresh and the price was right. I only wish I was hungrier to try some ice cream. Next time I'm driving though Front Royal I'll have to stop in again. The restaurant was packed but the line inside was moving fast and the tables turn over quickly. It was pretty loud inside but to be expected with a full restaurant. The staff kept it clean and seemed to be busy running things smoothly. The drive through line was non stop and they even opened up a second lane at one point to make it move faster.

We have been driving home for an hour and I just keep saying wow! That was one of the best burgers of my life. We stopped here on the way back from Luray caverns and I am so glad we did. Outside it doesn't look too impressive(like an older fast food restaurant) and inside it feels similar though the tables did have some fresh cut flowers on them. The staff was all friendly and helpful (I have a 7 and 8 year old and they had a several additional request and the staff was patient with them). Though it was packed when we came in, they got our food out relatively quickly. I got a double cavern burger with bacon and cheese. It was incredible. Greasy in a good way with a buttered crispy bun. This was more than enough food (I would probably only get a single cavern next time). The fries were perfectly salted and crispy, just delicious. My son got onion rings and they were also good(not as good as the fries in my option but still good). We also got a side of chicken tenders for my youngest and he liked them a lot. As we were leaving, we were so impressed with the food that we got two shakes to go. These were also very good and a great sweet touch to end an incredible meal. All in all I want to get home to go in hibernation like the local black bear population.

Wow, just wow. We walked into Spelunkers after hearing great reviews from many of our friends on their way to the local campgrounds. I had the Cavern Burger with bacon and cheese and was just amazed. The burger just melts in your mouth. I was disappointed that I had to pay for each additional topping, but maybe that is just their way of pushing us towards eating it as the chef originally intended. Next time I'm in the area, I will have to try the cheesesteak and award winning ice cream. It was impressive to see cars filling the drive thru and still receive great service inside and get great seating.

Stopped in while nearby, worth a stop for sure. Solid burgers. Got a few doubles with cheese and bacon and overall very good, thought the burger meat could be more seasoned but it didn't matter. It was big and messy. Fries were ok, not my favorite style (reminds me of five guys), seasoned thicker cut and a little flimsy. The chicken sandwich was fine but wouldn't go that route again. The star of the show was the custard - ordered quarts of both vanilla and chocolate and they were awesome. Amazing texture and flavor for both. The flavors of the day weren't appealing the days we were around but check their fb for those.

This place is very cute. It is kind of set up like a DQ with food and ice cream. I can't speak for the food because we just stopped for ice cream or custard rather. It was very good and the cashier was so sweet with my six year old asking him about our vacation and being patient when he ordered. They have inside seating and a drive thru but it was very busy for a Thursday night. There is also some parking across the street if the lot is too full.

Always a favorite stop for our family. Just as good, if not better than Five Guys and a fair margin cheaper We never stop at Five Guys after the enormous sticker shock that we got every time we ate there. You won't be disappointed with this place

Food: Juicy and perfectly seasoned burgers, chicken, fries, and onion rings. Cooked to perfection. Service: Excellent Ambiance: Clean, comfortable, friendly, and family oriented.

We were passing through Front Royal and searching for a place to stop and have lunch. After reading through reviews again, I decided to give Spelunker's another try, but this time for food. We ordered a Bacon Cavern Burger, kids burger, kids hot dog and kids grilled cheese. The kids meals were a great deal because they also included a Frozen Custard. I updated the rating to good because I agree with others that the burgers were juicy. Wasn't a fan of this type of fries, but they weren't bad.

Friendly staff that gives honest recommendations. Had an absolutely delicious pumpkin milkshake. I don't think I've had a better tasting, creamier milkshake. Pumpkin ice cream is now ruined for me - can't get it anywhere but here. (Had a taste of my friends flag of the day- chocolate butterfinger ice cream which was also super creamy and smooth. Great flavor). Added to my favorite day trip locations. (Oh and they have a bumping drive thru too)

This place is incredible- five guys style but local and FRESH! Beware- the line can be pretttty long. The online menu only displays the burgers but if you pull in there are also chicken nuggets and hot dogs on the menu! OH and amazing milkshakes- they do seasonal flavors :) worth the quick stop on the way to Skyline drive! Family owned and operated, fresh ground beef. These burgers do NOT last long in my presence The fries are crunchy and always served warm. I've never been inside the establishment, but I do see outdoor tables if you choose to sit down and take a breather if traffic is in the way. Otherwise, the drive through is pretty quick!

There's always a wait here, even off-season and before the dinner rush should start, but man, that was a delicious burger, great fries, and the frozen custard was amazing, too! I didn't get pics because I ate them so fast! I didn't go inside, it looked packed in there, but the drive-thru was much faster than it appeared, and I was so pleased with my food, any minor annoyance was easily forgiven! Front Royal classic for a reason!!

This place is always crowded yet it has the best cheeseburgers and French fries. The prices are great. We skipped dinner there due to the crowds yet we decided to eat lunch there late in the afternoon the next day due to the glowing personal experiences we heard from the locals. The place was still crowded at 2 pm-ish but we were able to get a booth and enjoy their cheeseburgers. So delicious. Definitely a good place to revisit again.

Freshly made burgers, delicious home-made custard, the fattest and juiciest vegetarian "cheesesteak" I've ever tried, and great fries! We stop here anytime we're traveling through the area and have frequently taken detours just to come here when we travel from NC to PA to visit family.