I have come to King's Row Drive In recently, once on Friday the 26th of June 2020 and once on Monday the 29th of June 2020. For my first visit I decided to come as part of a driving adventure to the Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve. Typically I pack lunches for driving adventures, but this time I decided to try something different and come here. I looked at the menu in advance of coming and decided on what I wanted to order before arriving.
I arrived at about 12:20 p.m. on Friday and there were about 5 vehicles in one drive-thru lane and 6 vehicles in the second drive-thru lane. The parking lot was full and there were people waiting by the walk-up window. I chose to go through the second drive-thru lane (the one further from the main building). The day was hot, in the 90s, but also windy so I rolled my windows down and turned my engine off while I waited to help keep the car cool. The waiter was soon to take my order and I ordered the King's Row Special Burger with cheese, fries, and a Diet Pepsi. Gradually the people ahead of me got their orders and would drive away, then I would move forward until I got my order. I waited around 40 minutes for my food from arrival to getting the order. Then I drove to the Selah Aquatic Center and took a picture of the meal bag before driving on to the Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve (about a 12-15 minute drive) to eat my meal. It hit the spot in flavor, textures, and quantity, though I wanted a second burger... So tasty, the perfect small drive in burger with a still fluffy/warm bun even after the drive to the Preserve. The fries were great on their own. The dipping sauce was delicious and I dipped both the burger and fries in it and it melded well with both!
I loved the food so much I couldn't stay away. Three days later I was delivering masks my mom had hand-made to my aunt and uncle who live in Cashmere and decided to take an adventure drive from South to North through Yakima River Canyon. I was on my period and had been having severe cramps in the morning, lucky for me periods only bring physical pain not emotional changes and by the time I was getting near Selah the cramps had not come back. Since the start of that drive is near Selah I was like heck yes, I'll come here again. This time I'll get the two burgers! It was in the 80s and not nearly as busy the second time. I arrived around 2:40 p.m. on Monday and there was just one line of cars through the first drive-thru lane nearest the building. I ordered the Garbage Burger, onion rings, King's Row Special Burger with cheese, fries, and a Diet Pepsi all for me. Total wait time was around 10 minutes. I drove to the nearby Selah Aquatic Center (which was closed) parking lot to open the meal and eat, feel free to judge me all you want.
The Garbage Burger is a masterpiece and I love the selection of meat cuts included. It comes in a special bag to help keep it warm and is quite a bit bigger than the King's Row Special Burger. The onion rings were also delicious, both with and without the dipping sauce. I was starting to get full after eating these so I started off to the Yakima River Canyon, snacking on the remaining onion rings and fries on the drive. I devoured the King's Row Special Burger I ordered at the Roza Recreation Site. It held up well during the drive and was just as tasty after about an hour and a half of sitting in my car. The fries held up well too and I snacked on them all the way through my drive through the Canyon (just under three hours). The food is all around excellent and a perfect choice when adventuring. I also had no cramp flare-ups after eating the food while on my period which is a truly miraculous occurrence.
On both my visits the employees were warm and friendly. They were quick and efficient and did an excellent job asking clarifying questions about my order where need be. Masks (COVID-19 related) were not an issue. The food was delicious and very well worth the 6-9 hours of driving it took to get here and back home (Shoreline, Washington State) in addition to the wait time at the drive in.
A note about the wait and waiting in general. Meat centric cuisines are steeped in culture. All continents I have lived on and have visited with meat centric cuisines, waiting is typical. When I lived in South Africa braais could be an all day event. Perhaps waiting comes as a culture shock to those not used to waiting. Waiting may be a foreign concept to the culturally illiterate.
Perhaps people need to be reminded this is a dining out (or takeout) experience and NOT a fast food chain restaurant. Those hell bent on instant gratification may want to go somewhere else, or at least think about when to go in advance (like not during peak hours). It is important to have an open mind when encountering cultures different than yours. Enjoying waiting is an essential life skill for living an enjoyable life without making oneself miserable. So sit back and enjoy the wait no matter how long or short. read more