Johnny's Drive In & Diner — Restaurant in Winston

Johnny’s Drive Inn & Diner parking lot was hopping at noon Monday (late March) and the clientele arrived with license plates from three states other than Oregon. Johnny’s rose from the figurative ashes of a former A&W restaurant. The A&W signage is still visible on the drive in menu boards, which are covered with inexpensive paper menus (I posted a couple photos of the menu board). The glass-enclosed counter is covered with hand-written signs, listing shake flavors and daily specials.

We rolled into a space and parked. We waited five minutes for the friendly carhop to take our order. That’s an observation, not a complaint. She was busy and moving fast.

It is important to remember the maxim: Come for good food, not fast food.

We ordered two Cadillac burgers, the bacon-lover’s favorite. The burger comes with two quarter-pound beef patties topped with bacon strips, two slices of American cheese, chopped, crisp lettuce, tomato, tart dill pickle, onion and Johnny’s special sauce for $8.95.

The restaurant offers crinkle cut fries and seasoned curly fries but we chose tater tots. We ordered a large chocolate malt ($4.70) to share. The carhop asked if we’d like it topped with whipped cream. We agreed.

Our waitress returned 10 minutes later (patience pays off) with our lunch. She asked us to roll down our window and leave three inches up, where she attached the tray.

Our baskets arrived loaded with crispy, golden nuggets and fry sauce in plastic cups. The Cadillac burgers qualified as guilty pleasures, a satisfying balance of texture, flavor and juiciness. The sesame seed buns are no better than those found on a grocery store shelf but there’s no arguing performance; the buns absorbed the juices and kept the toppings together to the last bite.

I posted pictures of the burger, the tots, the menu board and the main sign at Johnny’s Drive...

The food here is wonderful but last night they were off their game. We ordered a Hot Rod and a Pontiac, Seasoned Curly fries, onion rings and a banana shake. When we got our order I noticed that the fries were crinkle fries and mentioned that and she apologized but never offered to get the correct ones. Then we continued on our trip back home (we live out of town) I fixed my husbands paper around the burger as always and then got the fries and onion rings in one bag together then my burger prepared to eat as well. My husband was done by this time, he never noticed that his was incorrect as it tasted wonderful as always. Then I took a bite into mine and there were green and red peppers and jack cheese. Mine was labeled Pontiac and his HR. I was unable to eat my burger as I can not eat hot stuff and peppers cause me bad heartburn. So basically I was unable to eat my meal and only had a onion ring and a few fries. Not a filling meal at all. The shake was wonderful and the onion rings. Just was a big mess us and we were too far and it was too late to go back and have them get it right. So check your food completely before eating or leaving. Not just what is written on the outside. Oh yea and there was no receipt or...

Horrible dinner service. I ordered in advance knowing that it was going to be atleast 20 minutes before the food was done. Not my first time eating here. Pulled into stall and waited as the employees kept walking by and not acknowledging me. I finally had to say something for one of them to stop so I could check on my order. She walked away with a scowl on her face and then someone else brought the food out and collected the money and she was just as unpleasant. I got all the way home and we were missing food out of the order. I called and the excuse I received is that they are new and are being trained. Not an excuse to not...