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Swensons Drive-In

3.9 (194 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 1:30 AM (Next day)

Order Swensons Drive-In Takeout or Delivery

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Business Info

SWENSONS DRIVE-IN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Swensons Drive-In

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Swen Lake
Fox E.

If it were owned by Ducks and Geese, it'd be Swansons. If it were owned by hopeless romantics, it'd be Swoonsons. And if it were owned by people who cuss a lot, it'd be Swornsons. But it's not, so let's get on with the review. What to get: A Galley Boy! What not to get: Infections or rashes from an Alley Boy. Are you saying you've gotten those: No comment. If it were owned by Nike, it'd be Swooshsons. If it were owned by Michael Phelps, it'd be Swimsons. If it were Swiss and told the time, it'd be Swatchsons. If it were owned by pigs, it'd be Swinesons. OK I'll stop. This Swenson's gets it done, it's delicious, hot, full of flavour, as indeed most of them are. Some of the best burgers you'll ever have if you're looking for fast-food burgers. One of my favourite fast food chains in the world and it's only available in northeastern Ohio - and long may it stay that way - because the fact that it's so limited and specific to the region keeps it absolutely incredible, and it hasn't slipped in quality just yet. And still, the galley boy Remains the best burger in America in a fast food sense. The burgers here are otherworldly. Make sure you get the Galley Boy, and make sure you eat it while it's piping hot. These things are always served up piping hot, burn-your-mouth-hot, so make sure you take advantage of that the way that one ex took advantage of you two summers ago. So what it is? It's basically a melty gooey cheesy saucy burger on what seems to be brioche, with tasty thin-patty meat (double), and something that is sort of like McDonald's Big Mac sauce but much better on it. It comes wrapped in foil with an olive on a toothpick stuck in the top. A delicious green olive, no less. These things are dirt cheap (like, under $3) and hearty. Two of them will fill you up, one is perfect for a snack. And... If it were in a medical testing facility, it'd be Swabsons. If it were owned by muscle dudes and muscle girls, it'd be Swolesons. Or maybe Sweatsons. If it were a mouthwash manufacturer, it'd be Swillsons. If it were a high school where people's heads got stuck in toilet bowls, it'd be Swirliesons. It's a drive-in. Turn your lights on for service. Turn them off when you don't need service. The service at Swenson's is 50's style, with young adults and tweens running from car to car to take and deliver orders, and yelling out what the orders are as per company policy. Tip them - it can't be easy to run around and yell the way they have to. I'm sure it's a confidence-builder though. And if it were a place where you go with your significant other to partner swap and watch freaky people getting it on, it'd be Swingersons. It wouldn't make you nervous, if anything you'd be restless, because you've been around and you've seen it all. Then at home you'd get the munchies, but not for twinkies. Instead, you'd want a Galley Boy. And I don't mean an actual boy. Though if you're anything like me, you want that too. Which is yet another thing common you and I both have in common with Tove Lo.

Hiring!!
Cindi R.

Very Busy. Pleasant friendly staff. Thirty minute wait!! These folks really hustle. Great work out running out to all the cars. I noticed an additional side parking lot for an expanded service area. What a concept. They should be playing some Grease movie music. Food is a tasty greasy burger. Pack it on!!

Our favorite spot to hit when we come to Akron, Ohio!
Gretchen H.

The absolute best!! The food is beyond delicious and no matter what you order you drive away thrilled and full!!

Menu
See M.

Omg!!!! Decided to eat here after our visit to the Lebron James museum because it's his go to spot. We are from California (Land of In N Out burger heaven) and the Galley was sooooo good! The service was A+ too. Those guys hustle and serve with a smile. You have to try it!

Double Cheeseburger French Fries
Andy B.

My week-long quest to find the best hamburger in Akron is in full swing. Today I made my way into Swensons, it was obvious from the beginning they would be on the list. I am a returning customer and a fan but have never graded their burger in a competitive situation. Does it stack up? Yes...it most certainly does. It's easy to see why this turned into a little local franchise because it is that good. The fact that the servers still need to run to your car is a little strange and out dated but that does not affect the review. Bottom line, great taste in the meat and it is a juicy flavorful burger. The fries are also a cut above average. There is some stiff competition but things are starting to get interesting!!!

a neon sign for a gallery boy
Susan P.

A local chain, Swenson's hands down wins the battle of the burger in Ohio. And fully aware I shall be called a heretic but preferable to the Whataburger. Juicy and available custom built these are the real deal. Mine was dressed in sweet pickle, grilled onion and a touch of ketchup. Nirvana!

Don't advertise a caramel apple milkshake if you don't have it.

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3 months ago

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1 year ago

Really good. Pretty quick service compared to other swensons, very nice workers who are very helpful

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2 years ago

Colin was quick and very helpful. We placed a big order, including shakes and the food was hot and tasty.

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2 years ago

The burgers taste great but I spent 20 minutes waiting for a simple double hamburger, fries, and a milkshake.

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Page 1 of 5

Ask the Community - Swensons Drive-In

Review Highlights - Swensons Drive-In

“I have never had anything on the menu that I didn't love but my go to is Galley Boy, California and fries!”

Mentioned in 49 reviews

Read more highlights

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Lived in the area for a while and have heard all of the great things about Bob's Hamburger…read more Finally had the opportunity to stop in for a Double Mushroom Swiss burger, fries, homemade pickle and vinegar based coleslaw - it was out of this world! The best we've had! Then topped it off with a perfect chocolate shake. Our hostess/waitress was phenomenal, brought our pickle out sliced into 4's so we could share it without needing to ask. This 95 year old business brings you back to a time when food was great and made 4 feet in front of you while still affordable. You won't need a jacket for this place, just enjoy the history of this throwback 'lil diner, their food and we'll see you there!

Burger was very good. One of the better ones I've had in the area and I've been trying a lot of…read morethem. They make their own ketchup but I did not like it, apparently it's a new recipe. Fries were good and I ate them with malt vinegar. It's an old diner style, very cute and historic. They have amazing bottled soda. We tried the black cherry, root beer and cream soda. I don't like cream soda but my friend who does said it was really good. Both root beer and black cherry were great. The lady working was sweet and told us about some of the history of the place. She was fun to talk to and nice. Only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is I left hungry and spent $16 on a burger, fries and a bottle of soda.

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Cult kitchen is one of my favorite restaurants in the portage lakes area. It is a little pricey,…read morebut I have never left here thinking the food was not worth it. Great burgers and some of my favorite fries ever. We have been there several times for there specials, from the crunchwraps to their Cuban sandwiches. Everything here is amazing.

Stopped by for lunch on a Saturday. Partner ordered wings…read moreand I opted for the chicken sandwich. Both were very tasty. The huge portion of fries was too much (but delicious nonetheless!) It's worth noting that they share a space with Magic City Brewing and when walking in, it wasn't immediately clear what we were supposed to do. The only bartender on staff wasn't particularly talkative/welcoming in the sense of explaining what was going on or how things worked ...and the Cult Kitchen staff are behind a window past the bar. (I dont necessarily blame CK for the MCB bartender, but they're choosing to share that space and it's part of the experience so it seems like it's relevant.) We sat down at a booth and realized was a small table sign with a QR code for the food and drink menu. Below the codes is a small line of text that explains to go to the Cult Kitchen window for food and go to the bar for drinks. This isn't necessarily a bad setup, just had to adjust our mindset as it's more casual and in line with a food truck experience. ...like going up to the window more ketchup (it's in little lidded containers) for all those fries ...and cleaning up after yourself, as there is no one busing tables. Again, the food was very good but the overall experience was just lacking. It seems like it could be something really special if the hospitality and service was there!

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Butcher & Sprout

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Came in on a Sunday around 5 and there was plenty of seating. Staff as super friendly, nice open…read morespace, very clean and modern farmhouse vibe. Had the white sangria and PBJ old fashioned. The bbq tatos were so yummy! Then we had the BLT and Blue cheese burger. Everything was perfect and super fresh. Loved that they had board games for people to play. Fun times!

Had high hopes for this place but have to be honest...both BF and I agreed that it's like a 3.5…read more Portions are rather small, prices are high and the wait is long. The menu is very limited and there are so many upcharges. I do appreciate the happy hour pricing on weekends too though. Presentation is nice though. I ordered the confit wings $20 and they were really dry and so very un-confit like. I wanted to try 2 different sauces so the server said I can only do that if I get them on the side. But I know other places have much crunchier, juicier wings even plain. The sauces were just okay. No side of ranch and wish there were some carrots thrown in. Bonus points for having some fun board and card games stocked that you can borrow from the front! That was neat! BF is friends with a worker here and he was great! He was effusive, warm, solicitous and really helpful. If we go back here, it'll be for the brunch since that menu looked more interesting. I've been here in 2024 for The Watson speakeasy as well so very familiar with the area.

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Hamburger Station - This is suppose to be mozzarella sticks. Never again

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3.5(57 reviews)
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After the location in the Falls closed, which I used to pick up a few times a year, I haven't been…read moreable to get my Hamburger Station fix. It's not something I want all the time, but when I'm in the mood for it, nothing else will do. The craving hit me, and I decided to go to this location. The first thing that really struck me was how affordable it can be. We ordered a 6 pack of burgers with 2 fries, upgraded the burgers to include cheese, got two soft drinks and added a chicken sandwich, and it was less than $23, which I don't think very many places could compete with now. Second, despite ordering in the drive through and there being 4 cars ahead of us, it was super fast! From the time we ordered until we had our food, I bet we waited less than five minutes total. And though I didn't go in, from what I could see of the kitchen, it looked super clean and organized. The person that took our order was very pleasant and cheerful too, which also played a part in my ranking. But that's not why you are here, you want to know about the food, right? Hamburger Station plays a bit on nostalgia for me, so the way you ate them as a kid is probably how you still want them. Growing up, we got them with "everything", which is mustard, pickle and raw onion. Oh so much onion. Not as much as I remember, but still, an impressive amount of onion. The buns are big and fluffy, the meat seasoned with salt and pepper and quickly griddled, the cheese placed underneath the patty and not quite melted. I like to add a swipe of ketchup to mine (the restaurant will give you packets of ketchup, but won't put in on the food). The onion, not very sharp at all, adds a nice sweetness and crunch to every bite. I am not a fan of fresh cut fries usually, but the fries were a bit crunchier than I've come to expect from a fresh cut, and they were nicely seasoned, so I would say I enjoyed them more than I thought I would. I'll definitely swing out this way again the next time I have a craving!

I will say this. If you don't like onions, you will hate this place. I like onions, a lot. Their…read morefries are also among my favorites, add in some malt vinegar and yum. Pretty good value for the price as well considering what you get from other places nowadays. I enjoy their lemonade as well. Just understand you're getting small sliders with a mound of onion and mustard. Great stuff, for an acquired taste. That being said, the interior is in dire need of a refresh. It feels and looks like how I remember it being 20 years ago. While nothing stood out it felt dirty as well. Whether it's from the decor or it just being dirty, I couldn't tell you as I was grabbing a quick lunch. The staff was friendly and patient during lunch which is always appreciated

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Hamburger Station - Dirty mustard bottle.

Dirty mustard bottle.

Hamburger Station - This my receipt showing I paid for CHEESEburgers & the remains hamburgers that were a part of the whole wrong order.

This my receipt showing I paid for CHEESEburgers & the remains hamburgers that were a part of the whole wrong order.

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Charged for 12 CHEESEburgers, but only received 12 hamburgers

Swensons Drive-In - sandwiches - Updated October 2026

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