Chili dripped off the end of a foot-long and landed right on my sneaker, and I was too happy to care. That happened at a faded roadside stand I almost drove past on a back road in Florida, and it turned into the best lunch of my whole trip.
Old drive-ins like that are getting harder to find, which makes every one still flipping burgers and spinning shakes worth a detour. Grab some napkins, because these eight spots are serving loaded chili dogs and shakes so thick the straw stands up on its own.
1. Dino’s Drive-In, Winter Haven, FL
Long before it wore the Dino’s name in 1968, the building on Havendale Boulevard started life as a Dog ‘n Suds. That root beer stand heritage still hangs in the air here, and pulling in feels a lot like rolling back to the 1950s or 60s.
The star for chili dog fans is the foot-long topped with chili and cheese, a big, messy, old-school creation that needs both hands. Flame-broiled burgers with all the fixings and seasoned fries round out the classics, while onion rings, hush puppies, fried shrimp, and a Philly cheesesteak keep the menu surprisingly wide…