Swensons Drive-In — Restaurant in University Heights

A bit like Sonic - but much, much better!

I had never heard of Swenson's before recently moving to the area - I've been to this location three times now and each time was a great experience (shout out to Connor - I think that's his name... I'm guessing from the receipt - who's given exceptional service to my wife and me on two of our visits, including the one this evening). Swenson's can count on my wife and me being regular customers from now on, and spreading the word to any friends who don't already know about them.

Everything about this place is awesome. Of course, the food is excellent (the Galley Boy is my go-to, and the tater tots (aka potato puffs) are amazing - the shakes are also top notch) and the service is great. But it goes beyond what you'd expect - there are a ton of little things the servers/carhops do that go over and above. A few examples: -- the servers are always running (I mean that literally - they have to be the hardest working guys in all of Cleveland!) - the instant you pull up or turn on your car lights (the signal that you'd like them to come to your car), someone's on their way over - even when it's pretty busy and they have a lot of customers to take care of, they're on top of things (which is also a testament to good managers who staff appropriately and keep people motivated!); -- they read your order back to you (to make sure it's right) and they read the order again when they bring the food (presumably to double-check you got everything you wanted); -- despite constantly running, they always give great customer service with an excited/upbeat demeanor - you can't help but be happy at this place and you can tell that the customer comes first here.

Also, the prices are downright cheap - about $10+tip (you better tip these guys who are running around in 20 degree weather!) will get you a burger, a side, and a small shake.

If you haven't tried this place, go here on your...

I have mixed feelings. I really like the food, especially the potato teasers and the TASTE of the Galley Boy. I say the taste because the burger to bun ratio is way skewed toward bun. If you get a double patty or quarter pound or half pound they only cook them medium-well or well so they are really dry. They also don't do combos or have multiple sizes for drinks and sides. My final complaint is in the entire drive up format with no drive through. They come out and put a card on your window and ask you to turn off your lights, then they take your order, but they won't take your card. (I've asked.) Then they run back in and place your order and you wait until they run back out with your food. And they do run. Everywhere. I think it's their thing. Only then do they take your card, but rather than having a portable card reader they have to tun back in to swipe it. But they don't wait around to finish the transaction and tun it back out to you. They have some kind of round robin system so one person might take your order, another run out your food when it's up another take your card, someone else run it, and yet another bring it back to you. Which means if you got your food to go you are sitting there while it gets cold waiting for someone to bring your card back.... Why they can't just take your card when they take your order and bring it back with your food I don't know. Even if you are eating there in your car it would be more efficient for them and you would be bothered fewer times by someone running up to your window. Anyway, the food is good, especially if you eat it there as it comes out piping hot. The price is ok. A little bit high, but not bad. The size of the sides is too small. Basically the size of a small fry. The experience is novel and fun the first time, but after a couple trips it just seems not...

This location is not good. They were okay (not as good as any of the Summit locations) when they first opened but the quality of the food and service has gradually gone down over the years. I usually order to avoid waiting, but you should plan to sit for an additional 10-25 mins past the ETA given on your receipt. Tonight my ETA was 12:46. I arrived at about 12:47/48 and gave the name on my order to a server within a minute or so of parking. There were at least 5 or 6 people inside and it didn't look particularly busy, at least from the side I was on. The server walked back to the building after taking my name but turned around and took several more orders before she went back in (fine, I understand). She then went back in, stood in front of the window looking down and smiling periodcially which makes me assume she was on her phone. When she finally did come back outside with food, she took care of some other people including a car that she had taken orders from a few minutes after I arrived. When she walked back she stopped and asked me my name again. My order wasn't handed to me until about 1:08. The time stamp on the receipt on package was 12:41 which I assume is the time the order was actually completed. As expected, my hot food was cold and chewy and my shake was watery. The coleslaw was partially open, overturned and leaking onto the chicken strips (I realized 4 pieces with one about half the size if the others, not 5 as advertised, once I got home). I asked for a refund and they gave it to me without...