East Wind Drive-in
Cascade Locks, OR
Photo courtesy Bob Jagendorf

The giant penguin at East Wind Drive-In has been making travelers smile for generations. Holding an oversized ice cream cone high above the roadside, it's exactly the kind of sign that makes you think about pulling over on a hot summer day.

Opened in 1939, the East Wind has long been a favorite stop in Cascade Locks for burgers, fries, and towering soft-serve ice cream cones. Whether you're driving through the Columbia River Gorge or exploring the nearby waterfalls, it's the kind of place that feels like a reward after a day on the road.

The cheerful penguin and glowing neon have become just as famous as the food itself. It's one of those classic drive-in signs that reminds you when a simple roadside stop could become one of the highlights of the trip.

UPDATE: The East Wind Drive-In remains open, and its iconic penguin sign continues to welcome travelers to Cascade Locks. 07-26

Jim Dandy Drive-in
Portland, OR
Photo courtesy Jeff Raber

For generations, Jim Dandy Drive-In has been serving hungry motorists along Sandy Boulevard. With its vintage roadside sign proudly announcing "Since 1937," it's the kind of place that reminds you when drive-ins were part of everyday life.

The carhops may be gone, but the old-fashioned burgers and hand-dipped milkshakes are still drawing customers through the door. Inside, the walls are covered with historic photos and memorabilia celebrating both Portland's past and the restaurant's long history. It's also become a favorite gathering place for classic car enthusiasts, fitting for a stretch of road once known for its hot rod culture.

Some restaurants survive because they reinvent themselves. Jim Dandy has lasted by staying true to what made it special in the first place.

UPDATE: Jim Dandy Drive-In remains open and continues serving customers from its longtime home on Sandy Boulevard. The vintage roadside sign still stands out to passing motorists. 07-26

Muchas Gracias
Hazel Dell, WA
Photo courtesy Jeff Raber

At first glance, Muchas Gracias looks like another neighborhood fast-food stop. Look a little closer, though, and you'll spot the unmistakable bones of a classic drive-in that has managed to survive decades of change.

Long before burritos and tacos were on the menu, this building served hungry motorists as an A&W Root Beer Drive-In. Much of the original mid-century design is still there, from the distinctive roofline to the familiar drive-up layout that once welcomed carhops and curbside service.

It's always fun to find an old drive-in that's still doing what it was built to do. The menu may have changed, but the building continues serving travelers along Highway 99 just as it has for generations.

UPDATE: The former A&W Drive-In is now home to Muchas Gracias. While the signs have changed, the vintage drive-in building remains a recognizable piece of roadside history. 07-26

Stop N Go Family Drive-in (Closed)
Spokane, WA
Photo courtesy Josh Hudgens / 2007

The bright red sign at Stop N Go Family Drive-in was hard to miss along North Wall Street. It had all the makings of a classic neighborhood burger stand, inviting motorists to pull in for a quick meal before heading on their way. 07-07

Known locally as Stop N Go Family Drive-In, the little restaurant had been serving Spokane for years with simple comfort food in a classic drive-in setting. It was the kind of place that became part of the neighborhood, where generations of customers stopped for a quick meal and familiar faces.

The drive-in closed in 2015, ending its run as one of Spokane's longtime roadside burger stands. Soon afterward, the building found a new life as Lost Boys' Garage Bar & Grill, and while the familiar roadside sign disappeared, the old drive-in structure continued serving customers. Today, the building is home to Hangry's, proving that nearly 70 years after it was built, it's still doing what it was designed to do—feeding hungry people.

UPDATE: The original Family Drive-In closed in 2015. The vintage sign is gone, but the building survives and now operates as Hangry's North Spokane. 07-26

Lew's Drive-in (Gone)
Oak Grove, OR
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

For years, Lew's Drive-In was a favorite stop along McLoughlin Boulevard. Between the classic roadside sign, burgers, shakes, and famous Coney dogs, it became one of those places that drew both hungry families and weekend cruisers. 09-08

Opened by Lew and Betty Johnson in the 1950s, the drive-in earned a loyal following with its secret-recipe Coney sauce and became a gathering place for the local hot rod crowd. Cruise-ins were a regular sight, making Lew's as much a car destination as a place to grab a bite.

When the original location closed in 2013, the story didn't end. The business moved to downtown Estacada, taking its longtime recipes, and drive-in tradition along for the ride.

UPDATE: The original Oak Grove location has closed, but Lew's Drive-In continues to operate in Estacada. The familiar roadside sign was removed from this location when the business became Mod Pizza and appears to be gone. 07-26