John's Drive In

Awesome nostalgic beachy spot with great prices and one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Similar to In-N-Out if I had to compare it to another burger, and honestly maybe better which is saying something. Nice staff, I hope I get to go back at some point.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

An OBX classic, my family has been coming here for their legendary crab cake for generations. This spot has such a laid back atmosphere to it. You can feel the salty spirit of the OBX back in the day before it got so crowded. The picnic/eating area makes for a really campy setting, great for editorial images.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

John's is always an annual stop on my beach vacay! I happened to go after Labor Day, so parking wasn't an issue, but in the height of the season, be prepared to walk-up, as it was originally intended, I think. I always get the dolphin sandwich, french fries (it was plenty for two meals) and chocolate/banana/bluberry shake. Sometimes the fruit can get stuck in the straw, but I will take the sacrifice for its deliciousness !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The burgers were good, but they were out of several things (tuna sandwiches in all forms, whipped cream for the ice cream). I got a Reese's shake and it wasn't blended properly. All of the candy was at the bottom because it was too big to fit in the straw. The most disappointing stop on the trip.

Food: 3

Service: 3

This is a drive-up, order at the window, wait around, get your name called, grab your food and go kinda beach place. Just perfect for the area. I drove up and parked right in front and ordered at the window. I was told the dolphin bite basket was probably their most popular thing (and the folks in front of me ordered it) so I got it, too. It comes with a side + hushpuppies; I got coleslaw. You can also get fries or fried okra (normally I'm a fried okra fan, but I had seen from other google posts that they looked like your typical, frozen fried okra and I've had that too many times. My apologies to John's if they batter and fry their okra there). I also ordered a large, chocolate shake. I then stood by my car (they have few benches to wait on, most people wait in their car with the window down to hear their names called). The ordering process is simple enough, order off the large chalkboard. This place, by the way, has so many things other than burgers. Anyway, the reason I took a star away from the service is that they do that thing where they rotate the screen so you can add a tip. I'm so over that and don't usually patronize businesses that still do that. My name was called and I sat in my car to eat. BTW, there is a nice picnic table seating area around back, too far to hear your name called, but perfect to go and sit and eat. First, the shake wasn't great. It seems to be handmade but it is from soft-serve, so it has that soft-serve artificial, McDonald's taste about it. Not my favorite. When it was done, however, there was clearly chocolate syrup in it so it is hand-spun, not just a shake machine thing. The food was great. I got four pieces of dolphin hand battered and fried in an almost funnel cake-like batter. The flavor of the fish came through and the frying was top-notch. The hushpuppies were a delight: sweet cornbread with a thin fry crust reminiscent of a corn-dog. Yummy. The coleslaw was not the star of the show. Good, but I think it needed to be wetter with more slaw dressing. I would definitely go back. I think the okra deserves a try at least, and I want to know how their burgers compare to that place down south near pea island.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Dolphin Boat with Fries, Hush Puppies

Food is always great. Parking is tight. And sometimes hard to back out onto the highway.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Excellent food, service and large portions.😁

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Please update your hours. Our family of 14 was very disappointed when we arrived at 6pm on a Friday for dinner only to find you closed.

I’ve been going to John‘s drive-in for decades since I was a little kid the new owners I thought I was cool with today. I ordered my food and Jason Jorden freaked out on me and scolded me in and told me I had to wear a shirt when I come on the premises to order now remind you they are on the beach and everybody’s walking around half naked for some reason I was nice to his daughter And just made a comment about her tattoo because I’m a tattoo artist well that freaked her out and I I’m just this horrible person to the point where her dad had to scold me in the parking lot I tried to talk to him. I tried to stare in this man’s eyes, and he would not look at me. He would not accept my apology and he would not talk to me like a man he would not look me in the eye because he knew what he was doing was wrong if I did anything to disrespect his daughter, he would’ve put his hands on me instead of giving me some weird lecture. I will never go back to this property. They made me feel very unwelcome. You lost my business forever there Jason Jorden.

The best food and milkshakes we've had in a while. The Cajun shrimp sub and bbq sandwich were so good. So glad we stopped here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Hands down the best milkshakes and mahi boats at the beach. I woudk place a bet they have the best shakes in the world !!! They are the perfect thickness and freshest tasting. The dolphin boats with the Cajun remalade sauce is amazing. Can’t beat the price of this meal either, pup cups are a plus and the staff always is giving water to the dogs outside . And cant beat the address. The ocean is right across the dune . My fav place to go at the beach !!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I come here all the time and first time ever some guy around 40s-60s working the window denied me service today because I was on the phone. No rules ever stated you can’t have a phone on your one ear to order food. Weirdo guy in the window working, what’s that about?

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Lots of people told us to try Johns Drive In during our OBX vacation and to try the dolphin sub. It didn’t disappoint! Food was great in a very casual outdoor atmosphere

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely love Johns. The food is always on point and the ice cream always hits the spot. Chili dog is amazing. Burgers. Fantastic! Fries always crisp. It could benefit from some better shade on the eating area. My kids always ask to go for icecream at John’s.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Parking was definitely an issue, even close to 1:30. Waited long time for food. But love their dolphin fish sub!!! Overall an hour from when i first drove by full lot til we left.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 3