10 Can't-Miss Drive-Ins From 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'

With the widespread use of automobiles came drive-in restaurants, and America has been DTF (down to feast!) in their vehicles ever since. Kirby’s Pig Stand, which opened in Dallas in 1921, is credited as America’s first drive-in restaurant, and it set off a uniquely American style of dining. While the final Pig Stand closed in 1985, the drive-in concept is still thriving today.

As Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives host Guy Fieri traveled the country, he encountered drive-ins that served up a little of everything, including Doumar's in Virginia, whose claim to fame includes creating the waffle cone.

Just north of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, Doumar's got its start when Abe Doumar, a Syrian immigrant, realized an ice cream vendor at the 1904 World's Fair had to close up shop when they ran out of paper cups. He also noticed a waffle salesman nearby. The light bulb went off, and Abe suggested using rolled-up waffles to hold the ice cream. Just like that, Abe became the world's first purveyor of waffle cones.

Today, Doumar's Cones & Barbecue serves the ice cream cones that made it famous, as well as BBQ sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, ham-on-toast, BLTs, fries and a variety of other diner food. Guy stopped by on Triple D Nation on Season 1, Episode 2. He really loved the Strawberry Willy Sundae and Doumar's signature limeade.

As seen on Season 5 of Triple-D Nation, Evelyn's Drive-In has offered up not only traditional Rhode Island fare like clam cakes, lobster rolls, shrimp and fried clams, but also a variety of sandwiches and burgers, plus salad, crab cakes and Evelyn's special twist on chowder. The restaurant serves it Rhode Island style — the cream isn't added until the chowder is served. If you're planning a visit, keep in mind that the restaurant does close during the winter, so check the hours before you go.

BoBo's Drive In on 10th Avenue in Topeka has been thriving in the same location since 1948. The classic menu includes cheeseburgers, steakburgers, fish sandwiches, a hot dog sandwich, plus french fries, onion rings and chili. Don't miss their claim-to-fame dessert: apple pie made from scratch.

Westside is a drive-in, but make it gourmet. On Season 6, Episode 6, of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy found that patrons can order from a car-side speaker box and receive prime rib right to their car. The restaurant also offers dozens of burgers and sandwiches, including their triple-decker Monte Cristo. The most unique menu items include Finger Steaks, which are strips of steak that have been breaded and deep-fried, plus the Ice Cream Potato, which is an ice cream sundae that just looks like a loaded baked potato.

South 21 Drive In has spent the last 70 years serving up burgers, shakes, chili and other classic drive-in food in Charlotte. Guy was blown away by the Super Boy, a double burger topped with housemade chili and cole slaw. Check the menu for the full offering of classic American drive-in dishes.

Spartanburg's Beacon Drive-In has been an upstate South Carolina staple since 1946, with an expansive menu that really qualifies the place as a drive-in and a diner, with the homey atmosphere to also include it on a list of dives. All that said, don't miss their Cheeseburger A-Plenty, which is a burger covered in fries and onion rings. Beacon Drive-In also has the honor of appearing on the very first episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Guy loved the fried chicken at Lexington's Parkette Drive-In, but all that remains now is the historic Parkette Drive-In sign to remind the locals of the beloved chicken, shrimp and fish boxes. Parkette was also famous for its Kentucky-style "Poor Boy" sandwich, which was a Kentucky take on a New Orleans classic.

Say "aloha" to the Hawaiian-inspired dishes at Rainbow Drive-In, which has been part of the local fare for more than 60 years. Their signature plate lunches come with two scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad. The Loco Moco plate offers two hamburger patties topped with special gravy and two eggs made to order. Find out what lunch Guy chose in Season 9 Episode 8 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Tennessee's Pizza Palace had the honor of appearing on the second episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — the episode called "That's Italian." Pizza Palace is the brainchild of three brothers (Al, Gus and Arthur Peroulas) who immigrated from Greece in the 1950s and settled in Knoxville, Tennessee. After several years of working for other restaurateurs, the brothers struck out on their own to offer pizza, onion rings and a secret-recipe spaghetti sauce. Today, the restaurant is operated by Arthur's son, Charlie, pictured with Guy and Guy's son, Hunter, outside the restaurant.