Swenson's Drive-In--the place that serves food with big promise and... well, let's just say a lot of questionable execution. You've probably heard of it or driven by it and thought, "Hey, let's check this place out," and maybe you should. Maybe.
Let's dive into the Sloppy Joe first. Now, I don't know what happened here, but I'm pretty sure they just threw a can of chili into a bun and called it a day. It was a pile of mush--like, I was just waiting for a spoon to eat it with. It was like someone took all the joy of a Sloppy Joe and replaced it with... well, mush. There was no structure, no flavor, just a sad, squishy experience. You ever eat something and wonder, "What did I just put in my mouth?" That's how I felt after a bite of this "Sloppy Joe."
But wait--there's hope. The fried bologna, though? Now that's the real deal. This crispy, salty, indulgent slice of heaven is the only thing that's really worth your time. Honestly, it could've been the most magical fried bologna in the history of fried bologna, and I'm pretty sure I'd eat it every day if I didn't think I'd be dead by 40. It's greasy in the best way, crispy where it should be, and just downright satisfying. If you go to Swenson's and don't try the fried bologna, well, you're doing it wrong.
Now, let's talk about the fries. Oh boy. They were... okay, I guess? But seriously, they were just lackluster. I was expecting crispy, golden perfection, but what I got was a sad pile of potatoes that seemed like they just wanted to leave the party. Some were too soggy, others too dry. It was like a french fry existential crisis. Where are you supposed to dip them? What is their purpose? What have they become? (Okay, maybe I'm overthinking it, but you get the point.)
Fried zucchini? Uh, yeah, I think they fried it a little too much. Imagine the zucchini went in fresh, but came out with an existential crisis of its own. It was like they just dipped it in batter, threw it in the fryer, and said, "Go forth, crispy little zucchinis, and become something else entirely." They were way too fried--like, I was chewing through a fried shell instead of enjoying the zucchini inside. If I wanted to eat something that looked like it had been deep-fried in regret, I'd just go for some of those fries.
The real MVP of this place? The crushed ice. I'm serious, you guys. It's like hospital ice. You know the ice that's perfectly soft and chewable? It's the kind of ice you want to eat when you're too lazy to get actual food. This ice is so good it might just be the best thing at Swenson's, and I'm not even mad about it. If they offered a cup of just crushed ice with a side of fried bologna, I'd be in heaven.
So, yeah, Swenson's Drive-In--hit or miss. If you're craving fried bologna or a cup of crushed ice, you're golden. If you're after a well-executed Sloppy Joe or some truly stellar fries, maybe keep your expectations in check. It's like they went for the "quirky dive" vibe but ended up with a slightly underwhelming drive-in experience. Still, if you're in the area and want something to laugh about (and maybe just nibble on a fried bologna sandwich), give it a try.
Just... maybe skip the Sloppy Joe. read more