I may have been born in the 80s, but Dick’s Drive-In is how I like to imagine the 1950’s were. Opened in 1954, Dick’s is a local institution, and everyone has at least one special memory here (there are 5 Seattle locations). I still remember coming here after my high school graduation, to get a free cheeseburger and congratulatory remarks from employees. (Every year, Dick’s gives free cheeseburgers to new graduates who come in their cap and gown.) On a more recent occasion, I remember walking to my neighborhood Dick’s and eating my dinner standing up, in front of an annual summer parade.

After being cash-only for years, they have updated and now accept credit cards. The menu isn’t too big or complicated- take my advice and order a Dick’s Deluxe and yummy fries. (Even my cat had been known to steal a fry from me- talk about a seal of approval.) Dick’s burgers aren’t fancy or ground-breakingly gourmet, but they’re made with love and hit the spot. They also have shakes and root beer floats for dessert. I love that they stay open until 02:00 every night, since Seattle doesn’t have too many late-night dining options.

As it’s called Dick’s Drive-In, most locations don’t have interior seating so we often eat our burgers in the parking lot (inside the car if it’s winter, or outside on the hood of the trunk in the summer). There’s something about this style of eating that makes me feel like I’ve gone back in time.