I love drive-ins. These simple eateries are not just roadside relics of a times gone by; they’re community hubs. A place where people gather for good food at good prices.
Berks County has its fair share of retro fast food spots. Those include Herman’s Drive-In, the Topton restaurant in the northeast corner of the county.
Herman’s began life in the early 60s, becoming Herman’s shortly thereafter. The current owners purchased the stand more than 30 years ago and have kept the retro feel inside and out.
The square, white building is found along Weis Street on the southern end of town. A large porcelain sign on the roof proclaims “Homemade Bar-B-Ques” along with “Ice Cream,” “French Fries,” and “Hot Dogs.”
Walking in is a nostalgia trip. There’s a lamp hanging near the food counter that at first glance looks like it was plucked from Pizza Hut in the 90s, but on closer inspection you can see the pattern of pretzels and ice cream cones in the glass.
Yes, from the purple cushioned booths on the tile floors to the wood paneled walls to the thin wooden slats that make up the ceiling, you quickly realize they don’t make places like this anymore.
On my first visit, I got the full Berks County drive-in experience with a hamburger BBQ and fries.
Hamburger BBQ is a staple around here, the Berks County take on a sloppy Joe, and Herman’s has a good one. The roll was filled with ground beef in light sauce, exactly how it should be.
The fries were typical fast food fries, thick cut, a ready vessel for salt and pepper that were easy to eat.
I took my meal outside to enjoy under their covered patio which doubles the seating that’s available inside, a great asset for busy days and nights.
When I returned, I decided to try the pork BBQ. It was good, too. Nothing special, just a solid meal that came out quick and hit the spot.
I also splurged this time on a vanilla shake. While I appreciate a well-made milkshake made with hard ice cream, there’s just something about a soft-serve shake that feels right when you go to a place like Herman’s. It’s a little thick, but so refreshing.
It’s definitely a worthwhile splurge, especially with how reasonably priced the meals are. A hamburger BBQ and fries cost less than $10. Add on another $6 for a milkshake, and it’s still a great deal for lunch or dinner.
The price combined with the nostalgic feel and fast service are what make retro drive-ins like Herman’s so popular, and why I’ll keep coming back.
BCE Rating
Food: Good
Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Good
Price: $
Herman’s Drive-In
50 W. Weis Street
Topton, PA 19562
