All American Hamburger Drive In — Restaurant in Town of Oyster Bay

Let's be real for just a moment. There are two aspects to consider when talking about All American. The first is the nostalgia aspect; the second is the actual food. Let's discuss each separately.

I grew up in Massapequa in the late 50s and 60s, but no longer live anywhere near there. But when I come for visits, I always try to hit up AA. It's a time warp. If you remember Jolly Roger amusement park on the corner of Hicksville Rd. and Hempstead Turnpike, or Wetson's (a prototype McDonald's), or when Zorns had live chickens and turkeys at their Rt. 24 location, then All American is one of the last living remnant of those days (Krisch's is still there. Zorns also, but the farm is gone). Nothing about AA has changed in the 60+ years I've known the place. The building, the menu is exactly the same, and the food is exactly the same. That's the nostalgia aspect of the place, and there's no harm whatsoever in going back and being able to have a taste of the past and think about your life's trajectory post-All American. You were younger once here, full of possibility and promise, and the burgers were cheap and good enough.

You get older, you become a bit more experienced, you eat a few more upscale burgers every so often, and one day you realize the burgers at AA are - ordinary. Greasy meat, a flat bun, fries a tad soggy, onion rings - well, they're still pretty good. Objectively speaking the food is mediocre at best. The place survives only on the power of nostalgia.

Nostalgia is nothing to sneeze at. It's a powerful force in human life, one which lets us see how the arc of our lives has progressed and grown. When I get my AA double-double, fries, and strawberry shake, I am not getting just food. I am reclaiming a piece of my past, and in some way that helps to shape once again my present existence and also my take on my future. Don't eat at AA and expect good food. Eat at AA because it's maybe the last part of your past you have left that you can touch, feel, and especially, taste. Two stars for the food, two stars for the nostalgia factor, four stars for the synergy.

A note on the photo - this place is such a time capsule that they have never even changed the phone number from "PY" to "79" on their drink cups. You get super-bonus points if you remember what "PY"...

I could not be more proud; or more homesick, looking at these pictures. In 1970; my parents made the wise decision many others did by joining the great migration to the suburbs. They were determined to find a nice, safe place to settle and raise a family and this place in particular, was also home to one of the most highly-rated school districts in the United States. I have never stopped thanking them for that decision because; in addition to great schools, Massapequa was simply a safe and wonderful place to grow up. Although none of us had any idea what an "All American" even was at the time; they actually found our perfect home on a block that was in walking distance to both my elementary school AND to All American!! I don't know if it was fate or just plain luck; but believe me, once we discovered why All Americn was kind of a legend in the area, we walked there almost as often as we did to school!! There may have been a McDonald's or BK somewhere in Massapequa, but I have absolutely no memory of that! Sorry MickyD's, this is just something that doesn't translate to mass franchising, not that you're too worried, I'm sure. I'm an old lady now and I am so pleased to see that little has changed at All American because...it was already perfect. I have tears in my eyes looking at the photos and remembering the countless times we'd scrounge for change in the couch cushions, Mom's purse, anywhere-- and it was always enough to get a hot delicious burger, fries, drink and even a grilled cheese sandwich or a knish. On many warm summer nights; my friends and I sat along the benches that were on the sides of the restaurant then; happily stuffing our faces, completely unaware of just how lucky we were, or that this cherished icon would still stand half a century later; looking much as it did then-- even though we certainly don't! I know this treasure has received some well-deserved love from the show: Diner's, Drive-in's and Dives and that guy obviously has good taste! The name could not have been more appropriate: It's an ALL-AMERICAN place in one of the greatest All-American hometowns,...

South shore Long Island classic. It has always been a treasure to locals and filled with people from opening to closing. It's been featured on television as a landmark/must go. The owners are also great. It is a family owned business that has amazing prices to this day from a decade ago and a decade before that. They have a simple system of a number given for your order and called out when the food is ready. The beef used is so good, the onions are diced, pickles, American cheese and good bread. The shakes are also amazing. I mention the burger beef and shakes first because as a preferred non meat eater especially with burgers you're actually getting quality. The burger isn't covered up by condiments or layers of the additions to it, you taste every part quite subtly. The shakes are smooth and you don't have to wait for them to unfreeze or anything inconvenient. The fries are also super good. They pass the "fry" test by being soft and not overcooked. I'm not overselling this place either by the way. If anything they are consistently overselling because it's simply that good. Out of all the great places in Massapequa to have a bite, I went here. They're not a "fast food" place they just make food quickly and efficiently. This is emphasied. You will feel full and you will always feel comfortable. You'll also always see representation of the community nearby the front counter where you order through flyers awards or events. Whether it's sports the schools organizations or a fundraiser. In that same sense of down to earth vibes they also hire students a local or even a friend of a friend. Those employees work hard but enjoy a future of being hyper alert to busy things and people. It's a nice place. Knishes are also very good as well as are the hotdogs and you'll never read me type that about hotdogs in any review ever again. If you come to the South Shore of Long Island they are for sure worth checking out. If it happens to be summer you can become a official long islander by throwing a fry to a seagull. Well, that may be unoffical but in all seriousness they are a ...