Dick’s Drive-In (Wallingford)

Dick's Drive-In is a Seattle institution, and the Wallingford branch on NE 45th Street is where it began in 1954. The small chain has since grown to around ten drive-ins in the Seattle area, but the original is still the one many locals think of first. The building has been updated over the years with an extra grill, a new fryer and new restrooms, yet it still looks much as it did when it opened, including the steer portrait associated with the brand.

The menu is short and the format is simple: you walk up to the window, order, and take your food away or eat it nearby. The best-known item is the Dick's Deluxe, a quarter-pound burger, and the company says its beef is fresh and never frozen. Hand-cut fries and milkshakes complete the classic order. This is not a sit-down restaurant, so do not expect tables and waiter service.

The Wallingford Dick's is open every day from 10:30am to 2am, which makes it a favourite late-night stop. It sits between Lincoln and Roosevelt high schools and close to the University of Washington, and it has long been a gathering place for students and teenagers. Queues can form at lunchtime and late in the evening, especially at weekends, but they usually move quickly.

Dick's is ideal for budget travellers, families and anyone who wants a quick taste of local food culture. It is also a good choice if you are out late and most kitchens have closed. Allow 20 to 30 minutes, including queuing. Have a look at the payments section of the company's website before you go if you are unsure which payment methods are accepted.

Prices at Dick's have always been low, and when the Wallingford branch opened, burgers cost 19 cents, milkshakes 21 cents and fries 11 cents, which were ordered at their own window.

Wallingford is a neighbourhood north of Lake Union. Gas Works Park, with its views of the downtown skyline, is a short drive south, and Fremont is to the west, so a stop here fits well with an afternoon exploring the north side of the city. A taxi or bus from downtown is the easiest way to get there.