Swensons Drive-In

This is what the Akron area is known for! I was happy with my order of potato teasers and a cheeseburger but I honestly might prefer to go to Five Guys. I mean, it’s cheaper and I get more food there… this place is definitely more creative though. Ohhh and I ordered a Mint Whip. Never have had something quite like that before. Frothy and carbonated… dare I say milky? It wasn’t a milkshake but it wasn’t a pop. Definitely worth ordering again.
As always the service was good. Don’t forget: lights on for service!!!

tbh i don’t understand why there isn’t a Swensons in Columbus, watching the servers sprint to get your food is hilarious and the food is super cheap too. The galley boy is well worth the $ 3.90 and the milkshake is mediocre but honestly watching the servers run earned the 5 star from me. Will be back whenever I come visit Kent

You can’t go wrong with a trip to Swensons! I love the galley boy, potato teasers, and a chocolate shake. This latest visit the server recommended the seasonal blueberry shake which did not disappoint. Service is fast (they do run to and from the cars, after all) and the prices are reasonable. A NE Ohio gem that I visit whenever I am in town!

The Galleyboy is delicious, but it is the only burger from Swensons that is any good. Also, one is not enough to fill you up.

Who doesn’t love Swensons?! Everything on the menu tastes great. They get your order out to you very quickly and the wait staff are always friendly.

Hi, Swensons, I love you and your double cheeseburger with everything.

Runners waiting as I pull in to order! Always excellent food with amazing service. Get a California and a Galley Boy!

First time to a Swenson’s, I’m from Florida so we don’t have these down there. Service was quick and friendly. The food was delicious, I ordered a bacon cheese burger and it was a lot better than I expected it would be. I also had these tater tot like things with cheese and jalapeños in them, yum! I will definitely be returning when we visit Ohio again.

A California and a galley boy … You simply can’t go wrong with these at this Akron staple. This was one of the first restaurants I would hit up when I was away for college and grad school as soon as I came back into town. Whether you’re looking for a small snack or a meal, Swensons is the place to go, and it will never disappoint.

1^st Swensons visit was ok. It didn’t meet the hype that all of my Akron friends put on it. The galley boy is good and the shakes are also pretty good, but it’s far from the best food in the world. Maybe the hidden secret ingredient for a great Swensons trip is nostalgia, but for an outsider like me, it was just pretty good.

I love the Galley Boy. It’s probably one of my favorite burgers. Also got a mint shake, that was also fantastic. I always tip the runners because they literally run from car to car.
The food is always fresh and made to order. Good cheap eats.

Fast service. Amazing food. Reasonable prices. I will always return when I am home in ohio. I highly recommend the potato teasers.

SWENSONS, AHH. What else is there to say?
If you’re a northeast Ohioan, you already know. If you’re not, you need to be simply just for this reason.
These burgers don’t look like much, but I can assure you, they are everything. Their special sauce, their secret ingredients, their brown sugar, everything is right about these burgers. The Galley Boy is their signature, it’s a big burger, with just about everything you need on a burger. Then buns are toasted, which make them look not-​all-​that-​special to be honest, but that’s the only way they do their buns, toasted. It’s all about their hamburger patties and how they make/​cook them. Their special ingredients in the burger itself-​is what makes Swensons special. Not to mention their fries, all of their fried sides for that matter, are awesome because they’re, well, fried. Fried zucchini bites are my favorite.
You must take a milkshake to-​go on your way out. They have so many flavor options, it’s stupid. But you will find something that you will LOVE, I promise you. They change their flavor options up so much honestly, I think seasonally. There’s no way to not love their milkshakes too. It’s a great Saturday afternoon, stop after shopping and grab something to eat, kind-​of-​place, (also great hangover food).
It’s a MUST-​TRY in the northeast Ohio area for sure. If you find yourself going through Cleveland or Akron/​Canton area, you must give it a go-​just to say you did.

A staple of my childhood/​high school memories, Swensons goes down as one of my favorite spots back home. Whether it was late night after a football game or just a lovely Saturday afternoon, this spot was a perfect hangout with a group of friends and your classic greasy deliciousness. Also, their milkshakes in the summer always hit the spot.
IF YOU’VE NEVER BEEN HERE: the Galley Boy is a must. Special sauces that great this sweetness on a burger is just cosmic. All the fried sides are a perfect company with it as well.
My typical order: jalapeño poppers with ranch, large California, and a Galley Boy

Best burgers in the world. A wink to simpler times – drive in stops with delicious food. Pair a burger with potato teasers and a California and you won’t be disappointed. No matter where I travelled I the world, my first stop back at home was curbside at Swensons!

What the heck can you say about a Galley Boy! The crackly crumbly perfection of a bakery roll that is browned and ready for patties! Two delicious patties, American cheese, Swiss cheese, tartar style sauce with pickle relish and BBQ sauce — grab a chocolate shake and a side of tater teasers (holy crap!) — you will LOVE this meal and want it over and over and over…
The service is exceptional — the runners to and from your car — still with a smile and wanting to make sure you enjoy your Swensons experience. Really wish there was one closer to Mentor area…

Look, I’m gonna say it: I don’t love Swenson’s as much as a native Northeast Ohioan is probably supposed to. I have great memories of going to it as a kid with my dad — hot dog & a hot fudge sundae, every Wednesday after dances classes — & I definitely love the experience & nostalgia of grabbing a meal here every once in awhile. But the food? Doesn’t bowl me over.
I didn’t eat my first hamburger until I was 26, just because I always thought they were going to be gross (did I just blow my reviewing credibility?), so when I finally decided it was time, I knew my first had to come from Swenson’s. It was the right choice for a cheeseburger newbie because the meat is so sweet & pounded thin — definitely an uncommon burger taste. That first time, I liked it but didn’t LOVE it, & now that I’m a cheeseburger regular, it turns out that I still feel the same. Something about Swenson’s burgers just doesn’t wow me like they do everyone else.
I love the potato teezers, & I’m a big fan of their malts, but if I want a good burger, I’m headed to BurgerFi in the Falls. Sorry, Swenson’s. Can I keep my Akronite card after writing this review?

This place truly rocks my socks! Their food is always fresh and made to order. Their Galley Boy is so flipping good and juicy that it feels like a Sun eating it! This is your typical drive in restaurant. Basically you drive in, park, and they run up to your car quickly. I swear this job will make anyone lose weight or stay fit.
These people have the best service. When they see your headlights on they rush to your vehicle to make sure you’re being accommodated. Their fries don’t look homemade but they are thick cut which is definitely delicious. Their onion rings are fairly big as well and seems like it is more batter than onion ring. The potato teezers are so delicious and each order comes with 5 of them so sharing is caring or get another order. But after eating the burger, I truly get full which makes it hard to eat the sides. Some people can do it but it was definitely hard for me but the burger as a leftover is still just as good when you first got it.
Love their food! Highly recommend their burgers to anyone!

I don’t dislike Swensons. The servers tearing at full speed to the cars is entertaining, the prices are reasonable and the food is OK. I don’t quite get the passion that others have for the place, though. Guess you had to grow up there.
If, like me, you didn’t, it’s still worth a visit. Local places like this with quirky offerings should be encouraged.

We love Swenson’s! Unfortunately the sizes (and the legendary sweetness) of the burgers have diminished. We still go for the double cheeseburgers and fried mushrooms! Our last trip was amazing! We asked for «extra crunchy» fries — our runner asked the cook to «dump ‘em twice». They were sizzling and crunchy! Delish!
Sadly, they only have limited caffeine-​free drinks on the menu (only their lemonade has no caffeine). This means that cherry and orange soda, and gingerale all have caffeine. Seriously? C’mon, what about those of us that want our kids to sleep at night? We order take away and pour our healthy drinks at home.