There is something about a cold root beer in a heavy frosted mug that instantly takes you back a few decades. Across Virginia, a handful of drive-ins and diners have kept that simple tradition alive, serving burgers, hot dogs, and homemade root beer the same way they did generations ago.
Some let you eat right in your car, while others still hang menus on old speaker posts. If you love classic Americana and food that does not try too hard, these spots are a real treat.
Here are eight Virginia places where the past still tastes pretty good.
1. Frostop Drive-In, Roanoke, Virginia
Look up when you pull in and you will spot the giant rotating root beer mug on the roof, which has become a Roanoke landmark all on its own…