Santa Queen Drive Inn — Restaurant in Santaquin

First of all, the staff have been very kind thus far both in the building and in the drive through. I was pleasantly surprised, especially for it being mostly teenagers and young adults. Second, the drive thru can feel sketchy because the first window only accommodates two cars if one is blocking the sidewalk and mooning Main Street, but it’s not the end of the world. The inside was clean enough, but the sitting spaces were small, but were also on the bigger sides so it’s partially our own fault. Third, having lived in Utah for a several months now, ice cream out here just stinks unless it’s from a chain. It’s like eating wet, slimy play-dough. But it’s like that most places we’ve tried out here, so I won’t fault this place for having sub par ice cream like their competitors. It’s still ice cream. Next, they have a solid sleazy burger. Because Santaquin and the surrounding cities are mostly chain fast food, we’ve been struggling to find a good sleazy burger, and Santa Queen has a good amount of sleaze to their cow patty sandwiches with crisp veggies. The buns were slightly dry and the fries were a bit over seasoned, but good overall. Cheese curds are hard to mess up as long as they’re hot, so get those. They’re pretty delightful. Now. Y’all, I will continue to come back for most of these items and happily try new ones. BUT! The prized food item of The Santa Queen, what I will be occasionally coming back for without buying anything else, what will light up my life on the dark days, are the funnel cake fries. These were transcendent. They accidentally gave us ranch instead of dipping stuff, and they were perfect without anything on them. These small artery-clogging, “birthday cake fries,” as my young child lovingly called them, are crispy (not crunchy, there’s a difference) on the outside, and warm and fluffy on the inside. Lightly dusted with Tinkerbell’s white powder of choice, powdered sugar, they’re not too sweet but clearly a dessert. These immediately became a notable part of my personality. When people ask what my favorite treats are, Santa Queen Funnel Cake Fries are near the top of that list. I cannot recommend them...

Update April 2024: Major disappointment. They got my order wrong. I ordered a simple burger with lettuce only and it seemed that was too complicated for the kids there today.

The front counter girls were stand-offish and not very kind or helpful.

I ordered a large tot and they gave me a small. They didn't even give me. The right drink. It's not hard.

But I get that good help is hard to find, but dang. This was an experience in mediocrity.

I came down with a group of friends because we've been to all the burger joints in Payson and wanted something fresh and new. They didn't disappoint.

OUR ORDER I ordered a crispy bacon combo which is a crispy chicken patty and had them add a burger patty to it. It was absolutely delicious!

My friend got a western burger and thoroughly enjoyed it.

We got their regular fries, curly fries, tots, English chips, and sweet potato fries. My favorite of those were the tots followed closely by the English chips. My friends favorite was the sweet potato fries followed closely by the English chips.

PRICE The price for the meals were under ten dollars. All their burgers come with fries included in the burger price which is very reasonable. I think fish and chips was the most expensive item at $13. So if you buy a combo and a shake, you'll be looking at $12-ish.

SERVICE The service was great. The front counter girls were friendly and helpful. They got our orders correctly. They were super nice to everyone.

FOOD QUALITY The burger was cooked yet still juicy. I hate it when places overcook them. These guys didn't do that. Our various fry options were all made to order and piping hot.

OVERALL I'd recommend going here for a taste of local flavor... Not just in regards to the food but the service as well. These guys aren't a chain and it shows in all...

A divine revelation at Santa Queen Drive-in.

I never thought a humble roadside diner could bring a man to tears, but Santaqueen Drive-In did just that. I walked in expecting a simple burger — a decent one, maybe even a nostalgic throwback to the golden days. What I received was nothing short of a spiritual awakening. The first bite hit me like thunder from the heavens. Juicy, perfectly charred, kissed by smoke and nostalgia, that burger unlocked memories I hadn’t felt in decades. Suddenly, I was 30 years younger, roaring down Route 66 with the windows down and my beloved cat-wife, Mabel (may her whiskers rest in peace), purring in the passenger seat. The fries? Golden miracles. The milkshake? A frothy hymn to dairy perfection. Each flavor whispered stories of youth, laughter, and simpler times. For a brief, glorious moment, I swear I could hear Mabel’s soft meow of approval from beyond the veil. By the time I wiped the last drop of ketchup from my trembling chin, I felt reborn — restored by the grace of the Burger God and his earthly temple, Santaqueen. I stood from that booth not as an old man, but as a warrior renewed. Next week, I’m signing up for the international arm wrestling circuit, powered by pure beef and divine purpose. To the team at Santaqueen Drive-In: you didn’t just serve me a meal — you...