As Americans, we love mobility.

For a lot of people, our cars are our identity and cultural currency. Since we love our cars so much, it’s only natural, then, that we also love to eat in them. And the drive-in restaurant was born.

These restaurants’ heyday may have been the ’50s and ’60s, but Colorado Springs contains three drive-ins that are still alive and kicking and fueling nostalgia. The drive-in concept is a narrow one, so these establishments share many traits, including blended ice-cream named after natural disasters, like Icebergs (BJ’s Velvet Freez), Cyclones (Cy’s Drive-In) and Flurries (The Drive In).

In a cross-city trek to drive in to all three, though, I found that all our area drive ins have something different to bring to the table. Or your car.

BJ’s Velvet Freez1511 N. Union Blvd.633-6365, bjsvelvetfreez.com

Perhaps when BJ’s originally opened back in 1954, Union Boulevard and Palmer Park was dead center Colorado Springs. As the city has moved east, it still remains conveniently located therefore very popular, according to the semi-permanent lines at the walk-up or drive-thru windows.

Their menu certainly has gems that earn that popularity. Top of the list is the much-touted Pork Tenderloin Sandwich ($4.89). Pounded thin and breaded, the pork is a massive filet fried to golden brown, studded with pickles and crowned with a sesame-seed bun. Those pickles really pop, so don’t go without. Plus, a humble side of fries ($2.42 large) are thick-cut and skin-on vehicles for ketchup.

Soft-serve ice cream is the foundation of the sweet side of the menu, and a creamy cone will live up to childhood memories. However, items like the Boston, a cream pie-inspired shake ($3.35) and the turtle blended Iceberg ($3.35 medium) offer great signs of creativity. And options like Frozen Banana ($1.96) and Strawberry Shortcake ($3.96) would be hard to find at any modern drive-through.

While impressive, the downside of BJ’s longevity is that Union Boulevard has changed. It’s noisier and more exhaust choked than 50 years ago, so the scant outdoor seating can be less than pleasant.

Cy’s Drive-In1833 W. Uintah St.630-7008

Watch out, multi-national burger chains: Cy’s got you beat – by about 14 years. When the restaurant opened for business in 1953, the menu boasted the Alaskan Burger: two patties (totaling 1/2 pound in the regular, $6.35, and 1/4 pound in the Junior, $3.73) sandwiched between three buns with a spread of Thousand Island and toppings. The Big Mac wasn’t introduced until 1967, though many claim the two sandwiches are the same.

I’m not one of them. While very similar, I proclaim this version better, mostly because of the grass-fed Callicrate beef from which Cy’s shapes all its tasty burger patties. Quality and nostalgia meld in the Patty Melt ($4.40) with its hot, oozing grilled onions and cheese. Not all is vintage, though, such as the trendy and tasty choice of thick, crisp sweet potato fries.

Cy’s is the only local drive-in with a significant indoor eating area, but it’s also the only establishment that still offers true curbside service. Service in general shined. Fast food isn’t known for multi-course meals, but Cy’s will hold your ice cream until you finish your burger to stop cone meltage or whipped cream drips from your Banana Split ($4.50).

Don’t worry about melting shakes ($2.05-$5.45), though, as they need to warm up a bit before the thick, cheek-sucking ice cream can be pulled through a straw. Just as it should be.

The Drive In Tastee Freez2309 N. Weber St.633-0618

The young-un of the bunch (by a whole year), the Drive In was founded in 1954, although an even newer owner took over this spring. The freshness sparkles on the red, white and blue exterior, where blooming flowers hang from the wrought-iron pillars of the covered patio. Tables and chairs under cover are crisply new, and behind, several picnic tables are leaf-shaded and quiet.

Even though the hospital and Bon Shopping Center are a stone’s throw away, this outdoor experience is the most relaxing and serene, a neighborhood gathering place to chat as the sun sets. Solely a walk-up establishment, the friendliness extends to service style. Expect your name personalized onto your meal’s bag, perhaps with a heart or two like mine was.

In exchange, The Drive In also features a shorter menu. Available as Jr. ($1.65), Mama Single ($2.35) or Papa Double ($3.35), their burgers meet expectations, although the “veggies” (as the onion, lettuce and tomato were described to me) are sparse. The house Thousand Island dressing does keep the sandwich tasty, although the patties are preformed and formerly frozen.  

Frozen treats, made with Tastee Freez, draw families and crowds of laughing kids nightly, and their quality is up to snuff. I loved watching as the warming soft serve tried to squeeze past the crisp crust of butterscotch on my Dipped Cone ($2.25 medium, also available with chocolate and cherry). The menu also includes 13 flavors of malts, shakes and floats ($2.23-$3.31).

The Drive In’s patio is a cool escape from the bustle of the Penrose Hospital neighborhood. Photo by Kate Jonuska

BJ’s Velvet Freeze off Union Boulevard offers walk-up or drive-thru service. Photo by Kate Jonuska

Thin and fried golden, the Pork Tenderloin sandwich is one of BJ’s Velvet Freeze’s specialties. Photo by Kate Jonuska