Lou’s Drive-In

Aside from the flat root beer (which is more for root beer floats) this is a pretty neat seasonal spot.
I ordered a chili cheese tamale (non-​veg) and it was as expected, a punch of sodium induced chili cheese tamale, which was quite good.
The waitresses were all very friendly and happy to answer any questions you may have about the menu or how the food is prepared. The service is generally fast however, if you go with a good sized crowd, be prepared to wind up the wait time. I went with about 10 people and our food came out at random times, some waited 5 minutes while others 20 minutes.
Pro Tip: Bring bug spray if you can or expect the mosquitos to dine on you while you dine on your food.

Great location. Food was hot and fresh. Tenderloin sandwich crispy and tasty. My son loved the root beer from the big barrel. I would recommend this place to everyone — just be aware that the line gets long at lunch.

It was alright food the one time I went there. The problem is, though, that it is now closed and the place is for sale

Lou’s Drive-​In is an old-​fashioned drive-​in. And thankfully, the food is better than ever.
I picked up a pair of chili dogs with fries and a chocolate malt. (Not the healthiest combo, to be sure, but drive-​ins aren’t exactly for the health nuts out there.)
We sat at the counter and had good service, as it was a cooler-​than-​average July day outside (thankfully) and all the windows were open. The food came out in about 10 minutes.
So let me say this first: I prefer my hot dogs grilled/​charred, with a boatload of toppings. These dogs (and their buns) are steamed. If you get the chili dogs, they’re topped with chili and crunchy onions.
And for the first time I understand why a hot dog like this is acceptable. The chili wasn’t stick-​to-​the-​pot thick, but instead a little bit loose, with warm spices (think cumin and paprika instead of chili powder) instead of heat. Combined with a thick, steamed hot dog sausage (but not so far as to lose all the meat flavor), I loved it.
The fries weren’t quite shoestring-​thin, but they were crispy, hot and just right as well. The chocolate malt was creamy and just-​right malty.
I even liked the sip of root beer I had from my wife’s cold mug. I’m pretty sure it’s reconstituted, but the recipe is right: smooth, and just right for root beer floats. I’m sure it would go with the rest of their menu fine.
I’d call Lou’s a genuine slice of Americana, but that’d be selling them short. They’re what drive-​in food is supposed to be.

A 50s-​style drive-​in restaurant featuring root beer from the barrel. The sandwiches and fries are good but the root beer is the real draw here. A perfect place to eat and relax on a summer day. They close for the winter, so enjoy it while you can.

I. Love. Drive-​Ins. I love the throwback feel of drive-​in theaters, diners, and everything else that says, «Hey. Things were a little simpler back when we could motor over in dad’s hotrod Boss Hoss, and have a curbie bring us a coupla malts and some cheese fries, knowwhati’msayin’ Doll?»
Nowadays, the seasonal opening of Lou’s is a light at the end of the winter-​frosted tunnel, a sign that better warmer times are ahead. Honestly, if you’re from the area or have spent a good amount of time there, and you haven’t had a frosted mug of their root beer on a sunny afternoon at the counter– or over at one of the stone picnic tables– your life is lacking just a little bit.
If you just can’t get enough of their homemade sweet elixir, you can take some home at a cut-​rate price. A gallon will run you about $ 6. Worth every penny if you’re having an ice cream social.
«I’m [effin’] Lou. Who the [eff] are you?»

I grabbed lunch at Lou’s with my husband on a beautiful Friday afternoon. Parking is limited, but luckily we found a spot. A cool thing about this place is that they do curb side service after 5pm. For patrons that decide to eat at their cars before 5pm, they can use serving trays that hang quite snugly on their windows/​car doors.
Anyway, I had the 2 chili-​cheese hot dog basket with fries and small drink. I liked the fact it wasn’t messy but there were they put an adequate amount of chili, cheese, and onions per dog. I also «shared» a strawberry milkshake. However, I only had 2 slurps before my husband drank it all. Needless to say, Lou’s makes a good shake. My husband got their double cheese burger. They made a mistake and served him a basket with fries… no charge tho!
Well, if you’re in the area and looking for a classic burger stand with no frills, stop at Lou’s!

Instantly took a liking, when the lady at the register complimented my engagement ring. I don’t wanna brag but it’s freaking BEAUTIFUL!!!
Anyhoot, the Fiancé and I ordered the tenderloin meal, (I just learned about this «Tenderlon’ that Peoria has) and it was delicious! Since I’ve been here I tried numbeous ones from different places but so far this one here is the best! The root beer is also very good.
Glad we came just a day prior to the place closing for the season.

The best!

I used to go to this place with my dad all the time as a kid. Eating a hotdog at a drive-​in is the perfect sort of nostalgia.

A guilty pleasure.

We try to stop here at least once a season, which is April-​August. It’s a fun atmosphere. One can sit at tables out front, at the counter, or get curbside service in your car. I love the onion rings! My husband likes the tenderloin. The root beer is the most stout that I’ve ever tasted – super sweet.
The reason I am only giving this place 3 stars is because the service has been shaky the past few times we’ve dined there. It’s staffed by high school girls, and many of them would rather stand out front and chat with each other than wait on customers. The last time we went, we waited nearly 15 minutes for someone to wait on us. There were 5 – 6 girls just standing at the front, gabbing. I had to go up to the counter myself to ask for menus, and they looked at me like I was imposing. We had already been sitting for about 10 minutes by that point. I then had to go up and ask someone to wait on us. I shouldn’t have to do that at ANY establishment, regardless of the age/​experience of the waitstaff.

Wanna pork tenderloin sandwich on Memorial Day? Well then stop at Lou’s. I was told by friends that I must have a pork tenderloin sandwich while I was visiting central Illinois and Lou’s did not disappoint.
Fried crispy, yet not heavy at all; I coulda had two, but wanted to appear somewhat lady-​like especially after the fries and root beer float. I’m told that they are known for their root beer and I’m not surprised, it was amazing. I am no connoisseur, but I have to say it was the best root beer I’ve ever had.
The fries were perfect, nice and crispy. My companion’s cheeseburger was tasty and not greasy at all. All-​in-​all a great place to stop for a bite. They have tables set up outside, so you can sit and enjoy a nice afternoon as we did. If I lived anywhere near this place, there is no doubt that I would be a regular.

My Mom worked as a curbie at Lou’s when she was a teenager. Her best friend was Lou’s daughter, and they are still friends today. Today, Lou’s is owned by two of his children. Whenever we visit Peoria, we make a stop at Lou’s.
It has changed little since my Mom worked there, and still offers curbie service after 5 on weekdays and all day on weekends. We went to the counter, and I noticed the huge barrel of root beer. If you find yourself at Lou’s, do yourself a favor and get a mug of the best root beer you’ll likely ever have.
The menu has changed a little, adding a Boca burger for the veggies out there. We had the Coney basket, which is two hot dogs and fries. The hot dogs are boiled, not grilled, which is my only minor disappointment.
Prices are reasonable, the staff is teenagers, who they are quite polite and friendly, and Lou’s is a genuine slice of Americana. My English boyfriend loved it!