Crossroads Drive-in Restaurant

Sno White Drive-in
Riverbank, CA
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Traveling along Highway 108 through Riverbank, check out the tall marquee for the Sno-White Drive-In. The old-fashioned burger stand was built in the early 1960s during the expansion of the Sno-White chain, which began in Stockton and once had locations scattered throughout California. This sign looks like another Sno-White Drive-in located in Central California. 01-07

The Riverbank sign looks a lot like the one that once stood at the Sno-White Drive-In in McFarland. That matching marquee was replaced with a modern sign in 2008, making this old roadside survivor even more fun to find. Sno-White has also been a longtime gathering place for local cruisers, with classic car nights adding a little extra nostalgia to the scene.

UPDATE: The Riverbank Sno-White remains open, serving made-to-order burgers, milkshakes, and soft-serve beneath its familiar roadside marquee. 09-26

Scenic Drive-in
Modesto, CA
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Cruising along Scenic Drive in Modesto, check out the old neon sign for the Scenic Drive-In. And to settle a longtime roadside mystery, that little character on the sign is a bunny rabbit wearing a paper carhop hat. 01-07

Jim and Juanita Fee opened the Scenic in July 1956, right in the middle of Modesto’s classic cruising era. George Lucas reportedly stopped here during his teenage years, long before turning the local car culture into American Graffiti. The drive-in is also known for its Knock Out Burger, piled with avocado, bacon, cheese, and plenty of chopped jalapeños.

UPDATE: After surviving a major fire in 2015, the Scenic reopened in March 2016. It remains open beside the Modesto Citizens Cemetery, with its familiar bunny sign still standing along the road. 09-26

Sno Flake Drive-in
Lake Tahoe, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Looking for a quick bite while cruising around Lake Tahoe? Pull over at the Sno-Flake Drive in and check out the old-school walk-up stand, complete with its wonderfully slanted roadside sign. Despite the drive-in name, there are no carhops here. Just park, walk up to the window, and decide which burger and frosty delight sounds best.

Sno-Flake opened on July 19, 1961, and has been serving South Lake Tahoe residents and visitors ever since. The longtime favorite is the Tahoe Burger, topped with sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions, and Monterey Jack cheese. Milkshakes, soft-serve cones, hot dogs, and fries round out the sort of menu that belongs at a roadside stand like this.

New owners Salvador Davalos and Edith Lizaola took over in April 2024 with plans to bring back some of Sno-Flake’s original character. They refreshed the outdoor seating, worked on the soft-serve recipes, and added a fire pit for those Tahoe days when eating ice cream outdoors might otherwise seem a little ambitious.

UPDATE: They are still there and the burgers are great! I lived within walking distance from them for many years. They would be open in the worst of snow storms, and we would ski there for some great chow in white out conditions. It was like a winter pilgrimage for us. Many thanks to John from Carson City for update. 04-05

UPDATE: Sno-Flake remains open. The classic building and familiar roadside sign survive, while burgers, shakes, and soft-serve continue coming through the walk-up window. 09-26

Campus Drive-in (Gone)
Greenfield, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Campus Drive-in is home to a large rootbeer mug. This little eatery is located in Greenfield, CA, right on the main street. The giant mug on the roof was recently repainted, as well as the building. Before they were repainted, both the mug and the building were looking pretty shabby. Prior to the repainting, the mug was red, and said "Coca Cola". It now says "Pepsi". Regardless of the fact that their only competition is the local Burger King, they make excellent burgers and also have a rather exotic selection of milk shakes. Many thanks to Mike Wilkerson for info.

Pulling through Greenfield, check out the old Campus Drive-In along El Camino Real. Despite the name, this was a roadside burger stand, complete with walk-up windows, a drive-thru, and a giant three-dimensional Pepsi mug perched on the roof. The Campus was part of a small local group of drive-ins with locations in Gonzales and Salinas. Its colorful roadside sign and unusual rooftop mug made this little burger stop hard to miss.

UPDATE: The vintage sign and rooftop Pepsi mug are gone, but the original building survives as a Prime Time Nutrition grocery store. 09-26

Hazels Drive-in
Antioch, CA
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Check out the rooftop EAT sign at Hazel’s Drive-In in Antioch. The neon sign sits above the restaurant’s unusual hexagonal building, making this little roadside burger stand hard to miss.

Hazel’s opened in 1947 and is considered Antioch’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. Along with the vintage atmosphere, it is known for the Willy Burger, a hefty one-pound hamburger named after founder Hazel Francis’ grandson.

UPDATE: Hazel’s remains open, and its classic rooftop neon sign continues to light up West 10th Street. 09-26

21st Street Drive-in (Gone)
Paso Robles, CA
Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo

The 21st Street Drive-In was the last of the original A & W Root Beer Drive-Ins. They only recently changed names but their menu is the same. Car hops will still serve you a frosty mug of root beer in your car. Many thanks to Adriene Biondo for info.

Pulling into Paso Robles, check out the 21st Street Drive-In at the corner of Spring and 21st streets. It opened as an A&W Root Beer Drive-In in 1959 and later became an independent eatery, complete with carhop service. Locals still remember the crispy fries and famous French Burger.

UPDATE: The drive-in, canopy, and vintage roadside sign have all been removed. A new building opened on the property as SloDoCo Donuts and Coffee in August 2025. 09-26