The Drift Inn- Budget Friendly Burgers

Living on the west side affords me plenty of new experiences even with my health difficulties, and among these new experiences was the chance to visit the Drift Inn on Ashland. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the unassuming little building not far from the De Pere roundabout. Their burgers are considered some of the best in the Green Bay area. We have no shortage of delicious burgers, so I had to find out for myself.

Upon arrival, you know you’re going to get something good due to the number of cars in the parking lot. I arrived not thirty minutes after opening on Saturday afternoon for lunch to every spot in the paved parking lot in the front of the building filled. There was no Packers or Bucks game that day. This crowd was here for the food and the food only. My expectations rose immediately.

I sat myself at a small two top table in the corner when I arrived to get a good look at things. Tables are first come, first serve. I imagine that on a Friday night, it can be difficult for a group to find a spot. Only two tables were left after I sat down at noon on a Saturday. This could be a problem anywhere else, but I watched skilled waitstaff turn tables within twenty minutes start to finish.

The kitchen moves quickly here, especially if you come in for the chili advertised on their signage outside. A group beside me ordered chili and had it within minutes.  Clean bowls and empty glasses, and they were gone just as my own burger arrived. That’s a feat no matter what kind of restaurant you are. Pulling that off in a pure sit down environment is an achievement.

Unrelated– but how did spaghetti with chili make it to Green Bay? I thought that was a Cincinnati thing. Someone owes me an explanation as a born and raised FIB.

I ordered a single patty cheeseburger with everything on it– and everything on it here is considered pickles, mustard, ketchup, and onion. Fries are a separate purchase, but the low prices at the drift can make this meal come in cheaper than any at a fast food burger joint. Less than ten dollars for a burger and fries is a steal in this day and age.

The burgers here are precisely what you ought to expect at a lower price point- simple, but tasty. They fill a need efficiently even if they aren’t particularly special compared to burgers like the Bay Area Burger Co. Smashburgers or the Frybread burgers out of Taco Tones. It is a cheap way to satisfy a craving, and you can do it in a Green Bay Institution.

Now, there are ways to doctor up these simple burgers to make them special. My waitress during this most recent trip suggested I smash their fried mac and cheese bites onto the burger. Mac and Cheese on a burger is something I’ve seen at many midwestern bars, and doing this with their fried mac and cheese bites added an extra layer of crunch inside the burger. 

The Drift’s central location close to my new home makes it an easy choice when I need to get out and visit a restaurant but still make my budget. It feels classically midwestern, locked in a simpler time. If you need a quick meal with courteous staff in a cozy setting– The Drift Inn is for you. Check out their hours on their website and plan your visit today.