Barrell Drive In

Passing through on my way from Minneapolis to Omaha and found this spot. For me it has the atmosphere of some of the places that I frequented growing up. I want good food and atmosphere is a distant second. That is what finding a gem is all about.
The root beer float is delicious. Homemade root beer is what makes it extremely tasty.
The broasted chicken is fantastic. Lightly battered, juicy and golden brown. Very good for the price.
Strongly recommend.
Shakes are also a winner.

Skeptical… that’s my first thought as I scoured the inter-​web for up-​to-​date reviews on the Barrell Drive In. But, having had my share of highly-​recommended-​but-​disappointing meals, we decide to commit.
If you are seeking the experience of old, set that desire aside. The drive-​in order thingamababapers are empty, the order from the table phones are non-​existent and there are no servers on rollerskates or girls in poodle skirts.
What they do have, however, is a pretty decent thing going on with their broasted (fried, for the non-​Midwestern folks) chicken. Served piping hot in a paper-​lined plastic basket with your choice of sides and a roll. We all ordered chicken, but also opted for the salad (in a styro bowl with their house french dressing), broasted potatoes, coleslaw and onion rings. Your dinner ends with a little styro cup of vanilla ice cream.
Fried chicken is definitely the highlight, as is the vanilla ice cream, both made in house. Root beer is sweet, also made in house, and was popular with the only root-​beer-​loving person in my party. Coleslaw was so-​so and the giant wedges of broasted potatoes are made better with a dash of salt and a side of ranch.
Three people, three baskets, a side of onion rings, side of slaw and one order of rootbeer… just under $ 40 (had we wanted to be economical, we could’ve ordered an 8-​piece, but then we’d be fighting over wings and thighs).
If they were in my ‘hood, I’d definitely order chicken and ice-​cream to-​go and whip up my own sides. Nonetheless, it’s worth a stop or two or three to get your fried chicken fix.

The place has been renovated and looks great now! And I over heard that the owner is in the process of getting the drive-​up order speaker boxes working hopefully before summer is in full swing.
Their food is good! Most people talk about the chicken, but I am going to RAVE about their burgers!!! OH MY GEEZ… give one a try today! They are very good quality with a good amount of «toppings» that are fresh.
And the Root Beer is made in house and is AMAZING as well. Stop by and give them a try.

If I had written this review even two years ago I would have given it 4 stars, but the food was just average this visit.
The chicken dinner is very clearly the specialty, but the chicken didn’t have its normal, «WOW» quality. The potato wedges should have been offered with sour cream or at least extra butter.
As a previous review stated, the ceiling tiles are falling down. The restaurant has definitely seen better days.
Remember to bring cash, they don’t accept credit cards. Take a picture with the «Big Chicken» in the parking lot!

This is a hard review to write because my feelings are all over the page on this one, so I am just going to list the good and the bad.
Good: Very old school drive in.
Good homemade root beer
You phone in your order from the booth
Bad: Not really a functional drive in. You can’t order from your car.
The ceiling is literally falling down
The food (especially the chicken) was average at best.
I may stop in again some day to try something besides chicken. After all, it is a bit of a landmark in its own way.

The Barrel Drive-​In has been a Clear Lake favorite. This was the place to go with a hungry crew after a day of fun at the lake. «The Barrel» as it is known to all Clear Lakers began in the late 1950s as a traditional drive-​in and now mainly offers casual sit-​down dining and carry-​out (call ahead to order). Amazing onion rings, delicious chicken, classic burgers, and tasty green salads sometimes topped with a carrot stick. Kids will love placing the order (direct to the kitchen) from the table side telephones (or from your car in one of the remaining drive-​up spaces). Affordable, family friendly, and never disappointing. Any stay at Clear Lake calls for at least one trip to «The Barrel.» I have eaten there since the waitresses were on roller skates. DJs from the area rock and roll radio station (KRIB) used to do their evening shows from the large-​windowed booth that can still be seen «up on the roof.» The restaurant has been remarkably consistent and good all these years. My most recent burger and onion rings lunch was on February 24, 2015. Most excellent!