Sometimes I go to a restaurant for the food: it may be new or exotic or just delicious. But other times, I go for the experience. Growing up in the '60's in a small town, I remember going to the local drive in and being able to place a food order without ever leaving my car: Not to get carryout or as a drive through, but to relax and eat while there. Such is the experience that is provided by this seasonal operation. I pulled into the long row of pull-in parking spaces located under the long awnings extending from the central kitchen. In moments, a waitress stopped by and we conversed through the driver's side window. After verifying my order, she took my payment along with my order. Once she returned my card, it was just a couple minutes before I got my food. With Root Beer in the business name, it seemed like an obvious choice as my beverage: Tasty and had a nice mix of soda and ice cream. Since it was a summer day, the ice cream melted into the soda and eventually softened enough that I could get to most of it through my straw. I also had to try the "Spanish Dog" or what I grew up knowing as a chili dog. I didn't get anything additional on the bun, just hot dog and chili topping. The dog had good flavor for what it was. The bun was steamed and almost fluffy. The chili was mild and generally stayed in the bun so that I wasn't wearing it. Overall, the food was okay and since it was quick, I think it was fairly priced. This isn't fine cuisine, but rather food that is fine. Go for the nostalgia and grab a bit to eat while you're here. Review #1164 read more

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Seasonal local treat look forward to a loaded up coney with cheese & onions with a tall cold Rootbeer

Giving Gene's a 4-star because it's in Anderson and if you are from around here, you'll know there is not much going on in this dying town. BUT Gene's is a nice little spot that takes me back to my childhood root beer drive-in days. I feel like I'm going back to the 1950s when I'm here...not that I was around then, but I can imagine. There is no drive-through, it's a drive-in. There are no speakers to order into, a carhop comes to you when you arrive and takes your trash away when you put on your lights to indicate you are ready to roll out of there. They do take debit cards. The root beer floats are great and come in a big ole cup! There food is typical diner food, prices are cheap, and the carhops have good and bad days. You get what you get depending on the day, nothing fancy but nostalgic. read more

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I think their Rootbeer is too sweet and my wife can only vouch for their Rootbeer Floats that she loves, which is the reason we keep coming back. read more

The root beer here is top notch. The Spanish dogs are phenomenal and the carhops are always kind every summer.

We love gene's root beer! My favorite thing to order are chili dogs with mustard, root beer, and chocolate ice cream.

(Resteraunt Review: Genes Root beer ) I've been to this Resteraunt a few times and it's really tasty. You wait in your car to be served your food 1950s style. When it arrives you are treated to a delicious hot dog or a mouth watering cheeseburger and fries. Plus the Root beer is sooo good! The only reason I'm knocking it down a star is because it's very greasy and can cause an upset stomach the next day. So it's a 4 out of 5 stars for me due to that fact. If you are going to eat here expect it to be good but make sure you have Pepto Bismol for the next day. read more

I have not been here since I was a teenager!! It was just as tasty today as it was 30+ years ago! I highly recommend the corn dog with onion rings and a Gene's Root Beer! Not only was the good amazing, the service was spectacular! read more

Gene's Root Beer - Menu - Fast Food Near Me - Anderson, Indiana

I would manly go their for the ice cream (Especially their chocolate) and their drinks but besides that it has nothing really to offer.

Good food fast service and all was get it current with a smile. Easy to get in and out of parking lot

I don't see what all the hubbub is about every time I drive by every lane is full. I've been there three times I've received barely hot Spanish dogs, nothing to write home about french fries and root beer that I can get anywhere. You guys must like eating in your cars. Lol. To each his own. read more

it was late August...twenty seventeen. We pulled in and eased up under Gene's awning. Wheels down. The menu is a fluorescent lit, printed box. The sign said Turn on Flashers for Service. Our cell phones started to ring. It was 1966 calling! The pretty lady delivered four Coney's, 2 with mustard and onions, 2 with cheese and slaw. 2 Fries, 2 Onion Rings. A Tenderloin loaded and four large root beers in frosted mugs. Damn, the window won't go down far enough...Tastes for the ages! We checked the Flux Capacitor...good to go. Wheels up. We'll drop the mugs back next time. Maybe 1972. read more

Gene's Root Beer - Not to worry... - Fast Food Near Me - Anderson, Indiana

We visited Gene's Rootbeer on the THIRD day they were open of the season! Every spot was filled, with a line of cars waiting. This didn't scare us. Bayli was our carhop and she was absolutely amazing! All of our food was hot and fresh, and she was super attentive! Can't wait to eat here all summer! read more

What used to be my favorite summer spot to eat has just gotten ridiculously too high and while the food isn't bad , it's just too high .

My husband and I went here for the first time this evening for supper. What with all the cars filling every spot and more cars just waiting for people to leave so they could park there, we thought the food would be out of this world. We each had root beer which I liked it but it was very, very sweet. I had the hot dog with sauerkraut and bacon and my husband got a corn dog and onion rings. My hot dog was very underwhelming, the bun was smashed.....just not a very good hot dog. My husband thought the frozen corn dogs you buy in the grocery store are better than what he got at Gene's. The onion rings were not good at all. We will not be back. read more

Wonderful food, even more wonderful service. Grandmother dropped the tray, server picked it up. Grandma tried to pay for the extra corn dog she gave me, and the server didn't charge her any extra for it. I already forgot her name sadly, but I'm sure it starts with a J. I want her to have a raise. The food was good like always. Been my childhood rootbeer stand forever, hasn't changed a bit. Great place to pop by for an icecream or a hot dog. read more

Always good food and great service! I love their cheese dogs and their taco salad is great too! My husband loves their tenderloin.

There is nothing fancy about it at all. Great root beer, obviously (better be since it's in the name!), and good side options. Prices are good. There aren't too many drive-in restaurants these days, so it's kind of nice just for the change of pace. read more

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It's about an 80 mile ride from my house to Gene's Root Beer and back and that is a reasonable day in the saddle. A root beer stand worth an 80 mile ride? You betcha. There are days I make Gene's Root Beer my destination. A Spanish dog with onions, fry, large root beer -- the flagship meal here -- is $7.00. Large water to refill the bottle? Free. How do you beat that?! Some day when I visit this place *without* riding a bike here I may get a little more adventurous and try something bigger than a single coney dog and fries. But by car, by bike, or by boat: however you get here, get here. read more

Hot dog was good they will put a lot of ketchup and mustard so if you don't like that ask for easy. Strawberry sundae was too filled up with strawberries I know nobody ever says that but it was spilling on me like strawberry overload. However the root beer float was amazing onion rings amazing fries were a little greasy but what can you expect it's a drive-in. And for a drive-in it was pretty damn good! read more

Classic drive in hotdog joint. Genes scratches an itch for us locals. The slaw dogs are my go to there. The slaw has a horseradish kick to it that is just great. I like to get mine with cheese and coney sauce and it becomes a party. Throw in a side of onion rings and you have a happy belly. Not a five star joint, just a good drive in with a decent hot dog. Enjoy read more

Amazing hotdog joint in Anderson. Had a couple of Spanish-Slaw dogs and they were delicious--like best hotdog I've ever had delicious. The root beer is fresh, rich, and worth the trip all by itself. 100% will eat here again (and whenever through A-town). read more

I was born in Anderson! I love a few restaurants in Anderson! I like Big Boy! I really The Lemon Drop! I like Gene's Hot Dogs! Gene's has a great "Spanish Dogs" I like Fried Mushrooms! Afterward I have a cold mug of Root Beer! read more

This is a great place to go. Waiters are always very friendly and prompt! The experience is better than the actual food.

Man this was good root beer. I was excited to try an authentic drive in, as I had only ever been to sonic. Waitress was fast and friendly no complaints there. Had a Spanish dog (chili without beans) and a bacon and sauerkraut dog. Both were good for the price. My girlfriend had the corn dogs, in all honesty we recommend skipping them, as they aren't anything special. And we had to get the rootbeer it was delicious. I will come again just to get more of that tasty drink. read more

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These hotdogs have great sauce on them and the root beer is tasty. The ice cream cones a really big. Try the Spanish nachos.

We always love to hit some of our favorite spots since moving away and of course Gene's has always been on that list. When visiting similar places near us, we use Gene's as the gold standard. Unfortunately, given our last visit none of this will be the case. Our Spanish dogs were a disappointment and the French fries have changed this year to potato wedges that are under done, limp, soggy, and simply disgusting. My wife wasn't even able to finish her Spanish dog due to something hard in it. Sadly, we will just be driving by Gene's in the future rather than stopping in. See the photos to check out our nearly sauceless, smashed hot dogs and soggy, oily fries/wedges. read more

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Never disappoints. Super delicious. This place is always packed and it's nice to still have some traditional drive in restaurants in town

Stopped in for lunch at one of Anderson's iconic places to eat. Always been curb service and today was no different. Ordered two chili cheese dogs with onions and a order of fried mushrooms. Everything tasted Great! Root beer was cold and tasty. Waitress was quick and friendly. Price was typical . Overall...good experience. Definitely will return! read more

Omg!! The food here is amazing. Cant go wrong with a spanish dog with onions.Awesome service. Definitely coming back soon.

My only regret about this place is that it is seasonal. The food is always elite quality, amazing homemade rootbeer, an atmosphere similar to an old drive-in, and the owner is a fantastic person! Definitely one of the staple establishments of Anderson! read more

I hope that every time I come back home to Anderson to visit it's during the summer so I can grab a few Spanish hot dogs, root beer float, fries, and a corn dog. I pig out when I come here. It's a staple in this town and I love the fact that it's a mom and pop shop that's still running in Anderson. read more

Gene's Root Beer - Root beer float - Fast Food Near Me - Anderson, Indiana

I like the fact that the orders are done directly to your vehicle. At other drive-in restaurants, you use an intercom and you take an order. read more

By far the best root beer around. We drive 30 min to get a case to take home and then share it reluctantly with the kids like war time rations. The food is good, and the pork tenderloin shines. But, the root beer... My son said it best it tastes like a root beer float without needing the ice cream. read more

Poor quality cheap hot dogs. Think of the cheapest hot dogs you can buy & that's what these tasted like

One of the essential food stops in Anderson. Classic drive-in dining. Root beer served in a cold mug and delicious hot dogs.

They've got excellent food way too high priced for hotdogs they don't even reach the end of the bun you're paying more for a bun than Hot dog. read more

There prices go up almost every year. We take our 2 grandchildren there (teenagers) and it is around $40. For hotdogs!!! He is going to run himself out of business by pure greed. Won't eat there. Oh and our French fries were as limp as noodles read more

What a cute place! I had a chance to come here with my friend and we loved the drive-in experience. The food is delicious and an incredibly low price point, and the root beer float was delicious! I ordered the Polish Sausage with all the toppings- Yum! Julie was our waitress and she was super kind as well. read more

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This is an old time business amd the locals live it, although I am a local I think the dogs suck but the root beer is good!