Swensons Drive-In

Swensons makes everything OK. Bad day? Shit hitting the fan? A visit to Swensons makes it all OK. This place is good for the soul. I absolutely love the Galley Boy and even have the Galley Boy t-​shirt. Eat this stuff in moderation though. Health food it is not. That being said, Swensons is delicious. Old time car service is always exceptional. Staff really hustles. Open late too, which is great. Wish I was in Akron right now!

When I return to my childhood hometown, Swensons is always at the top of my list for a visit or two!
I have lived in New York City (Manhattan) since college graduation (30+ years) and there is nothing that compares to the excellence of a Swenson’s cheeseburger, stuffed mushrooms, onion rings and chocolate shake — and the ambiance of eating it all in the car.

Everything has already been said about this Akron classic. Do yourself a favor and stop by.

Swensons is obviously doing things right. The people of Akron have enjoyed this drive in serving burgers, shakes, sides, and classic fountain drinks for over 80 years. The beef with a distinct sweeter flavor is ground daily in their commissary in the Falls. You can have your burger in single, double, triple, quarter pound, or half pound sizes and it will be made to order with the toppings of your preference. For me, a double cheeseburger on the toasted, buttered bun with «everything» (mustard, pickle, and onion) is the burger I enjoy most. The Galley Boy which is a double cheeseburger with barbecue sauce and tartar sauce is probably the most popular sandwich.
The drive in is pretty unique to Akron and many are unfamiliar with procedure. Basically, lights on for service. If you choose to dine in your car, they’ll bring your food out in an indoor or outdoor tray depending on the weather. If paying by credit card, they’ll run your payment through when you receive your food. Turn on your lights when your finished, they’ll take your tray, and you’re sure to leave happy.
There are plenty of fried sides to choose from to go with your burger. The fried zucchini with a side of ranch is one of my favorites. If you don’t want a burger, there are plenty of other sandwiches including a fried bologna, steak sandwich, and a pulled pork sandwich as options. Often overlooked are the house made chili and vegetable soup which are perfect during the cold winters.
The prices are more than fair and the average person can get an entire meal for around $ 10. The curb boys/​girls will always hustle and you will never be waiting on them for service. Just remember, they must be in school to work there and your tip will be appreciated greatly. Swensons is unique experience and I highly recommend if you’re looking for great tasting, yet economical meal.

Can’t beat this place! The blueberry milkshake is amazing. Galley boy is a good go to option. Service is fast.

What can you say about the number 1 burger place. New trendy burger places come and go.
Swenson has stayed the test of time. How many places can say they have served 4 generation. You got your license Swenson was one of the places you headed to.
I recommended everything on the menu.

Meh. It’s local McDonald’s food. Nothing special. It’s cheap and a local business. Nothing else. Those who rave for it only live here in small town mentality-​land, and have not experienced anything else.

Something is addictive about the slight sweetness of their burgers and the gooey velveeta cheese; it’s just amazing! And everything is cooked to order so the food is always fresh, unlike most fast food. And sitting in your car takes me back to being a kid, going to A&W Root beer drive ins.

This is just a great family and friend hang out. The food is amazing and very reasonable. My family and I after a baseball tournament went and we loved the way the staff run to your call every time you want to
Order. The shakes rock and the specialty burger was spot on. My wife loves the fried
Bologna sandwich.

An Akron classic. From here or not, you will most likely love it! You can never go wrong with their award-​winning Galley Boy– I’m usually picky when it comes to burgers but I love this burger! They have an array of different milkshake flavors– all of which are superb as well. Overall, if you’re looking for a classic burger and milkshake meal, I recommend Swenson’s!

I moved from Ohio years ago and this is always my first stop when I come home. I like to think of this as the «In-​n-​Out» of Ohio. The Galleyboy was just as I remembered!

Well, I am in Akron as I type this for business. I live a little ways away (45 to 50 mins away). When I travel out of my immediate area I like to dine on places that are unique to that city, and I came across Swensons last night.
I pulled in with my family, and immediately saw that the experience was going to be different when the waiters were booking it from car to car in their uniforms. One of the waiters came up to me and asked me what I was interested in trying (and since I never been here) I asked for a menu. To signal I was ready I was supposed to turn my car in the opposite direction. I was intrigued at this point to the whole being waited on in your car vibe that seems to be a nostalgia of a different time in America. I was amazed that these guys were running so fast in the heat, and was very impressed at their speed to boot.
Now I ordered the Salad Boy with everything, my fiancé’ ordered a Cheeseburger with everything, and a couple cheese burgers with everything for my daughters. The drinks were 3 lemonades and a pineapple shake. We got our order in a descent amount of time (not McDonald’s fast, but if you want burgers that taste like cardboard then go to McDonald’s then). The burgers my fiancé and daughters ordered were delicious, and my daughter tore it apart in a hurry. My fiancé said that her burger was moist and delicious… BUT when I bit into my Salad Boy I honestly lit up with amazement at the flavors I experienced on this burger. I can’t put my finger on the sauces they use, but I think it could have barbeque and Mayo somewhere in there… When my fiancé tried a bite of mine we were settled that we were going to be getting it again, and we did get it again today; except this time she ordered a Salad Boy as well. We got fries this time, and they were plump and hot off the fryer.
The only bad experience I had was that I can’t eat here regularly, because I live 45 mins away from here. Akron had better be aware of how lucky they are to have this slice of Americana in their back yard.

The only thing good here is the Florida. The cheeseburgers are crap… Wish there was a in-​n-​out over here :(

First impressions: the waiters literally sprinting from car to car was simultaneously hilarious and unsettling. The food is a good deal for the amount you get, but pretty typical tasting for drive-​in food. It was unanimous almost us, though, that the shakes were pretty tasty.
Service: ***** (although it made us nervous)
Food (quality): ***
Food (quantity): ****
Shakes: ****

Great service! Delicious food! This was our first time here passing by and we enjoyed it! Quality food for take out and the steak was delicious! The choice of different flavors for milkshakes is fantastic! Def one of my first choices if heading for some take out food! Great knowing our first time was here at one of the first places this chain opened up at! Here, you pull up in your car, flick your lights on and the waiters come running to your car to take your order and you have the choice between eating in your car with a tray or take away, I was surprised a place like this existed. Great job to the boys who run around serving, for their quick service and never to be seen walking when taking orders! Keep up the great work! :) proud to see young people with this work ethic!

Great, fast, and delicious drive in! The car attendants still run to the cars and extremely attentive!

Galley boy, potatoe teasers w/​ranch, and an extra large Strawberry Mt. Dew or peanut butter shake, you’re welcome.

Great burgers at good prices with exceptional service. What more can you ask for? A northeast Ohio institution, Swenson’s is the epitome of the classic American drive-​in. Pull up, turn on your lights and a car hop will run (yes, run!) to your door within seconds. Try the Gallery Boy (with two different special sauces) and zucchini fries. Doesn’t get any better!

THEY RUN OUT TO YOUR CAR. Not a jog… a SPRINT. Got the olive-​garnished galley boy… squirting full of sauce. Patties are small, bun looks like it got punched in the face and the fries are crisp and greasy. Overall good, although my dining partner insists they’ve lost their magic. For me it was classic america.

This place has been around for 80 years now. Its the best in the city. Drive-​in, car hops (that still run!) And great food. Kevin makes great suggestions but you can’t go wrong with anything you order.
I would suggest a double cheeseburger (MKOLETMAYO) with French fries (crispy) and a milkshake!
Favorite place in the world! YUM!