Pappas Drive-In & Family Restaurant — Restaurant in New Smyrna Beach

I went there last night before heading out to the ocean with my sisters. We pulled up and ordered, while waiting in our car we all decided we'd rather go inside to eat because it was a little too hot. As my sisters walking inside, I went to go tell the outside waitress we were going to head inside. She oddly told me that it was alright and I asked if she'd bring the food inside to us, and she told me just to wait outside to bring it in myself, because it was almost done anyway..all this said when she was texting on her phone. So maybe 10 minutes later they handed me the food, the waitress then told me to get my receipt and pay her when we walked back to the car, then I brought it all inside to my sisters myself. As I brought it in I was right then told rudely that I cannot bring that food inside, so I explained that I bought this here outside and wanting to eat inside, the waitress then just turned her back and walked away. We all sat together and ate the food, which was pretty good! We all got a double cheeseburger and fries. After we finished we looked at the menu and all picked a small desert pie to order! We sat there for at least 20 minutes while waitress after waitress just walked past us. I walked up to one of the waitress' then and asked if we could order dessert, she didn't say anything but walked back into the kitchen and didn't come back out. So after waiting another 15 or so minutes we just decided to leave. As we were about to walk out the door, being told we had to pay the waitress outside, the inside waitress shouted from way in the kitchen that we were trying to leave without paying! We were all completely humiliated as everyone in the place looked at us! the cook then a few seconds later inside screamed back that we were fine to go outside and pay the waitress out there. The inside waitress just looked at us (didn't say sorry) but then again just walked away. We paid the waitress outside and did not leave a tip. As she was taking our money and getting us change she was still texting on her phone. VERY BAD SERVICE, food is good but service ruins the whole place. Will...

This is one of the first restaurants we have went to since our visit in Florida from New York. Right off the bat, considering Florida's restrictions for COVID-19 have been lifted and have become optional, I will not include this in my review. It is solely up to the customer to visit this place, as nobody has to wear face or hand coverings.

The inside of the place looks a bit unsanitary, considering the restaurant's old age. It would be nice if the place got a touch-up on how it looks, both on the inside and outside.

The waitresses are friendly. Fast-working, good conversations, and such. Sometimes they will disappear for a little bit, or give you your bill right away before asking if anybody would like dessert.

The food itself is decent. Not the greatest dishes I've had, but they were alright. It's good for a quick bite to eat. I have had the eggs with Canadian bacon and hash browns, along with the roast pork on Sundays, and their blueberry pancakes. I like my eggs over-easy, and sometimes they will be cooked to perfection, and other times they will be a bit raw/under -cooked, which is NOT a good thing. The Canadian bacon is typical. For the roast pork, I will say I do enjoy the gravy and the stuffing, most definitely. Without the gravy/stuffing, the roast pork will be left flavorless; it's bland. Tender, but bland. The mashed potatoes taste like the smell of a ranch, and are too perfectly spherical, so I presume they are not freshly made. And the pancakes, again, are typical, and of course the blueberries complimented the pancakes. The roast pork and Belgian waffle (which is sugary, by the way) I do enjoy to have as a quick bite. JUST for this, I am giving it 4 stars instead of 3.

Would I recommend this place? YES. Overall, it's not a bad place to get a quick bite if you need something to eat. It has potential, it really does. And, for the record, it seems like it's one of the only good, eye-catching restaurants around the New Smyrna Beach area. No other restaurant looks or...

Bottom line: this restaurant is very effective at what it does by feeding people decent food and staying busy. The restaurant serves dine in guests and service is also through a drive in style as well.

The food is decent but not overwhelmingly great. I’d suggest sticking to the basics like the hamburger or the fried chicken. Offerings on the menu are not designed to be healthy. You’ll find no organic items, no vegetarian focused dishes, and no items marketed as gluten free. The menu itself is far too large and could easily be reduced for better focus.

Maybe they should narrow the menu offerings by half then work to improve better sourcing on produce, seasoning, meats, and recipes to elevate the remaining items. Doing more actual from scratch cooking might be good too like perhaps add a meatloaf with a house ground beef. Oddly the menu has a Taste of Italy section; it’s out of place seeming like a afterthought with the meatballs being not “made in-house” but simply sourced as frozen.

Seating is very close together diner style with tables right next to one another to maximize the number of people served. It feels crowded and loud with guests eating in close quarters among bustling servers. The servers work hard and the kitchen is busy too.

Guest come here for the early bird specials which are...