K&M Drive-In keeps diners satisfied

Why: K&M Drive-In will soon be celebrating its sixth anniversary. Owners Kevin and Melinda Bruzzone have many years experience in the restaurant industry. The success of K&M Drive-In is a testimony to their expertise in providing food and an experience that keeps diners coming back. Their mission is all about providing fast food using fresh, local ingredients.

Atmosphere: Surrounded by chain restaurants, K&M Drive-In has a humble presence. The design is simple and boxy, with a few tables for sitting outside, weather permitting. Indoor diners can sit at contemporary tables and chairs. Tan floor tiles extend up the walls to create a wainscot. The walls are painted a cheery yellow. Drinks and condiments are help-yourself. The easy-to-read menu board is posted behind the counter. After you order, food and shakes are delivered to your table.

What I tried: My dining companion and I shared the chili cheese fries to start. I settled on the Bacon and Bleu Cheeseburger topped with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, grilled onion, honey mustard, bacon and bleu cheese. My dining companion had the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger topped with mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato, cheese, bacon and breaded onion rings. Burgers are made with pure, local, fresh-ground quarter-pound beef patties and fresh kaiser rolls. For burgers that include bacon, diners may opt for “chewy, crunchy, or somewhere in between.” We chose crunchy.

The fries at K&M Drive-In are hand cut and deep fried to a golden crisp. The chili is house-made with a long-cooked, rich chili flavor and consists of a simple bean and ground-meat combination. Together, and topped with shredded cheddar cheese (and chopped onion, if you like), the chili cheese fries are a satisfying menu item.

Both burgers were very appetizing. Crunchy iceberg lettuce, garden-fresh tomato and melted, gooey cheese topped a hot, charbroiled burger patty.

Both burgers represented their respective names to a T. I especially liked how the grilled onions on mine brought a caramelized flavor to the burger. My dining companion said he wished the meat patty was thicker. This is easily remedied by making it a double, which is an option with all the burgers. We also tried a milkshake made with bits of York Peppermint Pattie. Milkshakes are made with hand-scooped ice cream and topped with fresh whipped cream. The milkshake was almost too thick for a straw, especially with the candy pieces in it. The flavor was delicious!

Menu highlights beyond what I tried: Burgers include a “King of Pain” made with haba?ero relish; a guacamole bacon cheeseburger; and a grilled mushroom-and-onion bacon cheeseburger. There is a charbroiled chicken club and chicken strips, as well as a Chicago dog and chili cheese dog. Sides include breaded zucchini sticks, tater tots and garlic fries. Jones Soda and RC Cola products are available. In addition to the classics, milkshakes include a Milky Way, s’mores, mixed berry, banana and more.

Other observations: Service is fast, polite and friendly. Dining in is old-time cozy. The food is satisfying. You might take note that during the dinner hour, the drive-thru is stacked up with customers.

Cost: Chicken sandwiches are $5.49 to $6.99. Hot dogs cost $4.29 and $4.99. Burgers range from $5.69 to $6.99. Sides are $2.69 for small sizes and $4.29 for large sizes. Soft drinks come in regular and large sizes for $1.99 and $2.49. Coffee is 99 cents and milkshakes are $4.40 for a small and $4.99 for a large. You may add malt for 50 cents. Kids meals are $4.29 and $5.49, and come with fries and a drink.