8 Retro Michigan Drive-Ins Serving Up Milkshakes That’ll Transport You Back In Time

Love a dose of nostalgia with your dessert?

These 8 retro drive-ins in Michigan serve up milkshakes that are pure vintage bliss!

1. Don’s Drive-In (Traverse City)

Step into a time warp at Don's! The milkshakes here are so thick, you might need a DeLorean to get back to the future. — Step into a time warp at Don’s! The milkshakes here are so thick, you might need a DeLorean to get back to the future. Photo Credit: RuthAnn Brunsting

Holy moly, would you look at that pink paradise!

Don’s Drive-In in Traverse City is like a Barbie Dream House for burger lovers.

This retro gem, with its bubblegum-colored exterior and classic car sign, is screaming “Instagram me!” louder than your aunt at a family reunion.

But let’s not judge this book by its cover (no matter how fabulous that cover may be).

Don’s has been serving up delicious shakes and burgers since the days when “streaming” meant something you did in a creek.

Don's Drive-In: A pink paradise that's more inviting than grandma's kitchen! This retro gem serves up nostalgia with a side of neon-lit charm. — Don’s Drive-In: A pink paradise that’s more inviting than grandma’s kitchen! This retro gem serves up nostalgia with a side of neon-lit charm. Photo Credit: Sarah Nichols

Their milkshakes are so thick, you might need to borrow a little muscle from the Mackinac Bridge to suck them through the straw.

And here’s a pro tip: order your shake with a side of their famous onion rings.

It’s a combination so perfect it’ll make you wonder why you ever bothered with those fancy-schmancy food pairings at upscale restaurants.

Who needs wine and cheese when you can have a chocolate shake and onion rings?

2. West Pier Drive-In (Sault Ste. Marie)

West Pier Drive-In: Where simplicity meets flavor! This unassuming spot dishes out shakes that could make a Great Lakes freighter change course. Photo credit: David Fewless

Next up, we’re heading to the tippy-top of the mitten (or the very bottom of the UP, depending on your perspective) to visit West Pier Drive-In in Sault Ste. Marie.

This place is so old-school, I half expected to see the Fonz leaning against the building, giving me a thumbs up.

West Pier’s exterior might be plain Jane compared to Don’s pink palace, but don’t let that fool you.

This no-frills joint is serving up shakes so good, they could make a Yooper say “you betcha” with a southern drawl.

No frills, all thrills at West Pier! The menu on the wall is like a roadmap to deliciousness – no GPS required. Photo credit: Christine Nothstine

The best part?

You can enjoy your shake while watching freighters pass through the Soo Locks.

It’s like dinner and a show, except the dinner is dessert and the show is very, very slow-moving boats.

But hey, in a world of high-speed everything, isn’t it nice to slow down and watch a ship take its sweet time?

3. Daly Drive-In (Livonia)

Daly Drive-In: A slice of Americana that's been serving up happiness since 1947. It's like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting – with better milkshakes! — Daly Drive-In: A slice of Americana that’s been serving up happiness since 1947. It’s like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting – with better milkshakes! Photo credit: MaryLou D.

Moving on down to Livonia, we find Daly Drive-In, a place that’s been around longer than most of our New Year’s resolutions last.

This family-owned spot has been serving up shakes and smiles since the 1950s, which means they’ve survived disco, the invention of the internet, and countless Michigan winters.

Now that’s what I call staying power!

Daly's shakes are so good, they should come with a warning label: "May cause spontaneous sock-hopping and jukebox serenades." — Daly’s shakes are so good, they should come with a warning label: “May cause spontaneous sock-hopping and jukebox serenades.” Photo credit: Water Winter Wonderland

Daly’s shakes come in all the classic flavors, but let me tell you, their vanilla shake is anything but… well, vanilla.

It’s so good, it might just make you rethink your stance on “plain” flavors.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, try their Boston Cooler – a Detroit-area specialty that’s basically a Vernors ginger ale float.

It’s like Michigan in a glass, minus the construction zones.

4. Dog n Suds Drive-In (Montague)

Dog n Suds Drive-In: Where root beer dreams come true! This A-frame wonder is serving up shakes that'll make your taste buds do the twist. — Dog n Suds Drive-In: Where root beer dreams come true! This A-frame wonder is serving up shakes that’ll make your taste buds do the twist. Photo credit: Dog n Suds of Montague, MI

Now, let’s take a little detour to Montague to visit Dog n Suds Drive-In.

With a name like that, you know you’re in for a treat (or should I say, a treat and a drink?).

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This place looks like it was plucked straight out of a 1960s sitcom, complete with carhops and a menu that hasn’t changed much since Eisenhower was in office.

Their root beer floats are the stuff of legend – so frothy and creamy, you might forget you’re drinking soda and not some fancy artisanal beverage.

Forget the fountain of youth – Dog n Suds has the fountain of flavor! Their root beer shake is like summer in a glass. Photo credit: John Adams

And if you’re feeling particularly indulgent, pair it with their famous Coney dog.

It’s a combination so classic, it makes peanut butter and jelly look like culinary upstarts.

5. Eddie’s Drive In (Harrison Township)

Eddie's Drive In: A color explosion that's easier on the eyes than your grandkid's latest hair dye job! The shakes here are as vibrant as the decor. — Eddie’s Drive In: A color explosion that’s easier on the eyes than your grandkid’s latest hair dye job! The shakes here are as vibrant as the decor. Photo credit: Josh Pickard

Cruising over to Harrison Township, we find Eddie’s Drive In, a place that’s been serving up shakes and burgers since 1987.

Now, in the grand scheme of drive-ins, that might make Eddie’s the new kid on the block.

But in the world of restaurants, where eateries can come and go faster than Michigan weather changes, Eddie’s is practically a senior citizen.

At Eddie's, the carhops still come to you! It's like time travel, but with better ice cream and fewer paradoxes. — At Eddie’s, the carhops still come to you! It’s like time travel, but with better ice cream and fewer paradoxes. Photo credit: Michael Hickey

Their shakes are so thick and creamy, you might need to do a few arm curls before attempting to drink one.

But trust me, it’s worth the workout.

And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out their car hop service.

It’s like time travel, but without the pesky paradoxes or the risk of accidentally becoming your own grandfather.

6. Short’s Root Beer Drive-In (Coldwater)

Short's Root Beer Drive-In: Sunshine yellow on the outside, creamy paradise on the inside! This place has been perfecting shakes since before WWII. — Short’s Root Beer Drive-In: Sunshine yellow on the outside, creamy paradise on the inside! This place has been perfecting shakes since before WWII. Photo credit: Derek Ketchum

Next stop: Coldwater, home of Short’s Root Beer Drive-In.

This place is about as Michigan as it gets, short of having a map of the Great Lakes tattooed on its roof.

Their root beer is homemade, which means it’s fresher than your grandpa’s jokes at Thanksgiving dinner.

Short's root beer float: It's like a milkshake's cooler, slightly fizzy cousin decided to crash the party – and we're all invited! — Short’s root beer float: It’s like a milkshake’s cooler, slightly fizzy cousin decided to crash the party – and we’re all invited! Photo credit: Jane Bredeweg

But we’re here for the shakes, and boy, do they deliver.

These frosty delights are so good, they might just make you forget about Michigan’s infamously fickle weather.

Who cares about snow in May when you’ve got a shake this delicious?

7. Corky’s Drive-In (Kalamazoo)

Corky's Drive-In: Red, white, and ooh! This classic drive-in is serving up shakes so thick, they could double as a meal replacement. — Corky’s Drive-In: Red, white, and ooh! This classic drive-in is serving up shakes so thick, they could double as a meal replacement. Photo credit: Allen Ouzts

Zooming over to Kalamazoo (try saying that five times fast), we find Corky’s Drive-In.

This place has been around since 1960, which means it’s old enough to collect Social Security, but still young enough at heart to serve up some of the best shakes in the state.

Corky’s is the kind of place where the staff probably knows half the customers by name, and the other half by their regular order.

Corky's isn't just playing the oldies – they're making new classics! Their shake flavors are like a mixtape for your taste buds. — Corky’s isn’t just playing the oldies – they’re making new classics! Their shake flavors are like a mixtape for your taste buds. Photo credit: Mark Rivers

Their shakes are so good, they could probably solve world peace if we just sat all the world leaders down with a round of chocolate malts.

Hey, it’s worth a shot, right?

8. Clyde’s Drive-In (Saint Ignace)

Clyde's Drive-In: Lake views and creamy brews! This blue beauty serves up shakes that are smoother than a Motown hit. — Clyde’s Drive-In: Lake views and creamy brews! This blue beauty serves up shakes that are smoother than a Motown hit. Photo credit: Nathan Gray

Last but not least, we’re heading back up to the UP to visit Clyde’s Drive-In in Saint Ignace.

This place has a view of the Mackinac Bridge that’s so good, it almost outshines their shakes.

Almost.

Clyde’s has been around since 1956, which means they’ve been perfecting their shake recipe longer than some of us have been alive.

At Clyde's, every shake comes with a side of Great Lakes magic. It's like a postcard you can drink! — At Clyde’s, every shake comes with a side of Great Lakes magic. It’s like a postcard you can drink! Photo credit: Levi Stewart

Their shakes are so thick, you might need to borrow a straw from the Mighty Mac to get through them.

But trust me, it’s worth the effort.

So there you have it, folks – a milkshake tour of Michigan that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and your nostalgia cravings.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go buy some bigger pants.

These drive-ins aren’t going to visit themselves!

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