Scenic Drive In — Restaurant in Modesto

This place used to be a favorite place to earth years ago when I lived in Modesto and my kids were young. They had great burgers and giant old fashioned corn dogs that rivaled the best hand dipped dogs you can find at a fair. We were passing through Modesto today and thought we'd stop by for a little local nostalgia, a bit of tasty cholesterol in the form of a big corn dog and some deep fried zucchini. Well the building is still there with many reminders of what used to be. So far, so good. Then while waiting we notice that there are several older guys sitting at various tables. Nothing weird in that except they are all sitting alone and they are all silent. Just strange in that it just all feels sort of depressed, tense. Most seem like they are possibly homeless or if not, then not far off. Who knows? There are county type services across the street. The saddest thing though is the food was not good. The corn dog breading was hot, a bit overdone but the frank itself was very undercooked and cold. Overall it was like a store bought chicken or turkey frank version found at home after being opened a few months prior and the rest left in the beat up box in the back of your freezer. The zucchini was cooked decently but flavorless. Very disappointing. Then we recalled we had already had this same exact experience, same place, same food, same results. It was only about 8...

I'm really torn here... I want to love this place but I got disappointed one too many times...

I live in L.A. and was in town to visit family who raved about this place with amazing burgers and shakes.

We rushed to make it on time it was 5:15 and they were already closed because something broke down and we couldn't get a shake because the ice cream machine was broken too. We were parked in front to find our way around town and the owner asked us if we wanted burgers but they couldn't make us shakes. So we had burgers, I feel that they were obviously rushed for doing us the favor but they were a great size for the price but nothing special.

Came back the Monday morning before taking off back home thought I'd give it another try wanted to order a strawberry shake, or banana shake but we couldn't because they were out of vanilla and only had chocolate so I settled for a chocolate banana and it was amazing! I wish I could have tried the vanilla strawberry my sister has been telling me alot of good things just really disappointed at the lack of food items available both times visited this place. Bummed I haven't been able to get the burger & fries w/ shake.

Not sure if this is the "fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me" situation or the "3rd...

Had the Texas knockout burger. Patty was good, nice heat from jalapeño, but bbq sauce too sweet. Should of had a regular knockout. Next time would get a double and split with a family member. Daughter didn't care for cheese burger- said too much mustard and cheese tasted like McDonald's.

Garlic fries not really, and not worth $5. They use some kind of garlic sauce/oil. Proper garlic fries are fried crisp and have fresh minced garlic sautéed in a little oil with shredded parmesan (w/sometimes a little parsley or chive) sprinked on top, these are nothing like that. Stick with regular fries.

Fried mushrooms ok, nothing special. Beer battered onion rings and strawberry shake were good. Pumpkin shake a bit heavy on the nutmeg. Large shake is very big, guessing...