Dog ‘N Suds Root Beer’s only remaining drive-in location in Ohio is this one in Elyria.

Drive-ins were designed as early as the 1920s, but boomed in the postwar 1940s and ‘50s. Customers could drive up and park their cars, order from a menu at a parking space, and enjoy food in their car or at outside picnic tables. They are known for root beer and soda pop, hot dogs and chili dogs, hamburgers, ice cream and similar fare. Most of these businesses are open from spring through early autumn. Look them up on Facebook for current hours, menus and other information.

What’s the difference between a “drive-in” and a “stand?” Generally, a drive-in offers parking spaces with menus at each space so the meal can be eaten in the car. A stand requires customers to walk up to a window and order.

If you don’t find your favorite place here, it may be under the alphabetical lists of Diners and Unique Restaurants or Ice Cream Shops and Stands.

Ashland-Wooster Drive-In – Ashland-Wooster Drive-In, founded in 1957 as an A&W Root Beer stand, serves root beer, coney dogs, hamburgers, chicken and more with carhop service. 1134 E. Main St., Ashland (419) 281-2658.

Atwood Dari Bar – Located near Atwood Lake Park, find all your drive-in favorites plus some new twists like garden veggie burgers, tater kegs, pepperoni rolls and more. Full menu of soft serve and hand-dipped ice cream. 4033 SR 212, Mineral City (330) 343-4060. Connect on Facebook.

B-K Root Beer Drive-In in Piqua is a popular stop.

B-K Root Beer Drive-In – B-K Root Beer Drive-ins were established in the 1940s in Indiana. All remaining B-K Drive-ins are independently owned and operated. These classic root beer and hot dog drive-ins are at several locations in Ohio. Most locations have Facebook pages.

• 2184 Manchester Road, Akron (330) 753-3674.
• 737 Munroe Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls (330) 922-3355.
• 1407 South St., Piqua (937) 773-0252.
• 301 Riverside Drive, Sidney (937) 492-7886.
• 2780 Stone Circle Drive, Troy (937) 335-8000.
• 835 W. Main St., Van Wert (419) 238-1685.

Checkers Drive-In – “Home of the Best Burger in the World.” 3858 N. Ridge Road, Perry (440) 259-5144. Connect on Facebook.

Dellroy Drive-In – Drive-in restaurant featuring specials like classic burgers, fish, chicken, coconut shrimp and fries and all your soft serve and hand-dipped ice cream favorites. 2 N. Smith St., Dellroy (330) 735-2488. Connect on Facebook.

Dilly’s Drive-In – Established in 1985, Dilly’s Drive-In is well known for the Double Dilly Burger, served with two homemade sauces, pickles and cheese. They also have other burgers and coney dogs (served with their homemade coney sauce), great sandwiches, filling dinners, terrific fried foods and fantastic milkshakes. Locations:

• 1921 Triplett Blvd., Akron (330) 798-0170.
• 4280 State Road, Peninsula (330) 935-4444.

Dog ‘N Suds Root Beer has a single Ohio location in Elyria. There are others in other Midwest states.

Dog ‘N Suds Root Beer – Open for more than 66 years, this location is part of a Midwestern chain of root beer drive-ins. This is the only remaining Dog ‘N Suds Root Beer location in Ohio, serving their famous root beer, coney dogs, burgers and shakes. Outdoor seating. 2050 North Ridge Road, Elyria (440) 324-3636 Connect on Facebook or at Dog ‘N Suds corporate site.

Five Points Drive-In Ice Cream & Dairy Bar – 27 Cleveland St., Butler (419) 883-3323. All your favorites including burgers, “Sloppy Dogs,” Tornadoes and more. Connect on Facebook.

Freezer Fresh Drive-In – Established in 1950, this drive-in offers Yuengling Beer-battered cod and Texas Toast grilled cheese among its menu items, along with Toft’s Ice Cream. 820 W. Main St., Crestline (419) 565-7793. Connect on Facebook.

Huntington’s Frostop Drive-Inn is just one of many hot dog/root beer places in this Ohio River city.

Frostop Drive-Inn – The first Frostop location opened in Springfield, Ohio, in 1926. The chain reached a peak of 350 locations in the 1960s. Their location in Huntington, W.Va., is closest to Ohio, serving their famed root beer, hot dogs and other drive-in food. 1449 Hal Greer Blvd., Huntington, W.Va. (304) 523-6851. Connect on Facebook or at Frostop Root Beer’s corporate site.

Guerne Heights Drive-In – Guerne Heights Drive-In serves deep fried “Chicago Hot Dog,” as well as burgers, soft-serve ice cream, root beer floats and more since 1956. Covered outdoor seating, open all year. 3004 Dover Road, Wooster (330) 262-1422.

Hot Dog Shoppe – Since 1946, Hot Dog Shoppe is a rite of passage in Northeast Ohio. Chili dogs, burgers, sodas, fries, shakes and more. Locations:

• Jib Jab Hot Dog Shoppe, 313 S. State St., Girard (330) 545-1149.
• Hot Dog Shoppe, 740 W. Market St., Warren (330) 395-7057.
• Hot Dog Shoppe & Beanery, 320 Market St., East Liverpool (330) 386-6688.
• Hot Dog Shoppe, 154 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman (234) 287-6084.

J&E Rootbeer Stand – Double cheeseburgers, footlong hotdogs, fries and other tasty treats are on the menu here. 6301 Germantown Road, Middletown (513) 422-8149. Connect on Facebook.

Jigg’s Root Beer Stand Drive-In – Try the Bulldog, a quarter-pound hotdog, with or without chili. Many other drive-in favorites as well. 111 Holgate Ave., Defiance (419) 782-7765. Connect on Facebook.

Jim’s Drive-In Restaurant – Enjoy Spanish hot dogs, root beer and other drive-in favorites served by carhops. 100 Martz Street, Greenville (937) 548-5078.

Jolly’s Drive-In — 1950s-style carhop drive-ins serve chili dogs and root beer to your car window. Connect with East and West locations at Jolly’s Drive-In.

• East – 210 N. Erie Blvd. Hwy, Hamilton (513) 894-7541.
• West – 165 Brookwood Ave., Hamilton (513) 863-4191.
• Tiffin – 66 E. Market St., Tiffin (419) 447-4998 (no website).

King Tut Drive-In – King Tut Drive-In restaurant serves burgers, fries, milkshakes and pie since the 1940s. It’s been run by the same family since 1955. 301 Eisenhower Drive, Beckley, W.Va. King Tut Drive-In closed in late 2023.

Mel’s Drive-In – Hand-dipped and soft serve ice cream, cheeseburgers, taco salads and drinks in a fun atmosphere. 110 Caldwell St., Pleasant City (740) 685-6357. Connect on Facebook.

Orr’s Drive-In – Hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream treats and more at this hometown favorite. 60200 Southgate Road, Byesville (740) 685-3662. Connect on Facebook.

Panther Drive-In – Order a Big Bob (chopped steak) sandwich or Debbie’s favorite Pizza Steak sandwich on their extensive hot food menu, plus soft serve and Velvet Ice Cream favorites. 600 S. Main St., New Lexington (740) 342-3314. Connect on Facebook.

Paul’s Drive-In – Paul’s Drive-In is more than a hot dog and ice cream stand, you can get yellow perch, shrimp, clam or fish dinners at Paul’s and eat inside. They also have dozens of burgers and sandwiches to choose from and ice cream treats. Daily specials. 17 Church St., Shelby (419) 342-3201.

Pied Piper Drive-In – A family-run drive-in and ice cream shop established in 1952 with stand-up ordering and outdoor seating. Wide variety of hot sandwiches, burgers, brats, chicken and wide variety of soft serve ice cream, dole and yogurt treats. 502 Huron St., Huron (419) 433-2601. Connect on Facebook.

Porky’s Drive-In – Since 1949 people have been coming to Porky’s for burgers, fresh-cut fries and Porky’s own root beer. 811 Ashland Road, Mansfield (419) 589-9933. Connect on Facebook.

Rasor’s Drive-In – Rasor’s Drive-In has an extensive food and ice cream menu with burgers, fries, chicken, salads, tacos, pizza, hot dogs, subs, sundaes and even fresh fruit milkshakes. 267 Main St., Byesville (740) 685-5006.

The Root Beer Stand – The Root Beer Stand, a Cincinnati area drive-in, has served frosty mugs of root beer and chili-topped, foot-long hot dogs since 1957. 11566 Reading Road, Sharonville (513) 769-4349.

A brand-new Root Beer Stand is located in the popular Indian Lake area.

The Root Beer Stand at Indian Lake – New (opened in 2023) location serving footlong hot dogs, root beer, pizza burgers, chili, onion rings, both soft serve ice cream and Tofts Ice Cream and much more. They serve Frostop, A&W and Stewarts root beer and many varieties of soda pop. An adjacent miniature golf course and batting cages are in development. 8080 SR 366, Russell’s Point. Connect on Facebook.

The Root Beer Stande – At The Root Beer Stande get your fill of footlong hotdogs, crinkle-cut French fries and frosty mugs of root beer, plus many other menu items. 1727 Woodman Ave., Dayton (937) 640-1114.

Scooter’s World Famous Dawg House – Choose from among 26 different hot dogs and 23 burgers and sandwiches on their menu, along with soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream and treats. 9600 Blackbrook Road, Mentor (440) 354-8480. Connect on Facebook.

This Stewart’s location opened in 1932 in Huntington, W.Va. — and yes, it’s the original building.

Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs – Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs is a chain dating back to 1924 that began in Mansfield, Ohio. The drive-in serves classic American fast food, hot dogs, root beer floats and more. There are about 30 locations remaining nationwide, including:

• 1036 N. Main St., Marion (740) 382-6807 (go to Stewart’s Root Beer Marion or connect on Facebook).
• 2445 Fifth Ave., Huntington, W.Va. (304) 529-3647.
• 1025 Oak Street, Kenova, W.Va. (304) 453-3647.

Tony’s Drive-In – Tony’s is a great local stop for the best burgers and frozen treats in Ottawa, Ohio. Soft serve ice cream treats and favorites from the grill and fryer. 1702 E. Main St., Ottawa (419) 523-5262. Connect on Facebook.

White Turkey Drive-In – Established in 1952, White Turkey Drive-In is an authentic Richardson Root Beer stand serving hot dogs, coney dogs, burgers and its signature hot shredded turkey sandwich, as well as ice cream cones, sundaes and shakes. The family-owned stand is open seasonally. 388 E. Main Road (US 20), Conneaut (440) 593-2209.

Wink’s Drive-In – This classic ’50s-style drive-in with both car park and dining room service includes build-your-own burgers, three kinds of double cheeseburgers, crispy chicken and spicy chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, sides and salads, 21 varieties of handspun “winkshakes,” ice cream and more. 75 Fifth St. SE, Barberton (234) 334-7761. Connect on Facebook.

Woody’s Root Beer Stand – Woody’s is an old-fashioned drive-in restaurant featuring root beer by the mug or gallon, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and burgers. 2303 Fulton Road NW, Canton (330) 455-2900. Open April to September, connect on Facebook.

Woody’s Drive-In – Old-fashioned root beer stand offering hot dogs, burgers, ice cream treats, root beer floats and more. 1630 E. State St., Fremont (419) 332-9790. Connect on Facebook.

Wot A Dog Drive-In – At Wot A Dog Drive-In, you’ll enjoy hot dogs, coneys, burgers, homemade root beer, hand-dipped ice cream, floats, shakes, malts and more. Covered patio, carhop service or carry out. 603 S. Main St., New Carlisle (937) 845-3663.

Young’s Drive-In – Longtime hamburger, hot dog and ice cream stand in Mount Vernon. 206 Wooster Road, Mt. Vernon (740) 392-3238. Connect on Facebook.

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