Let's Eat! - Sunset Drive-In

As a drive-in person, I often forget that many drive-ins are also legitimate restaurants. We have many drive-in theaters in our immediate area, and many of them are also very good restaurants. With drive-in season just around the corner, it is a good time to check out the food offered at the Sunset restaurant and maybe throw a little light on the ice cream stand that has been running at the Sunset for years.

This Week's Eatery: The Sunset Drive-In
Address: 9950 Telegraph Road, Middleport, NY
Website: http://www.sunsetdrive-in.com/
Phone: Movie times: 716-735-7372 Restaurant: 716-735-3099

I have been going to the Sunset since I was a little guy who loved drive-in movies. My mom would take my brother and I to all of the area drive-ins in a sort of rotation. We spent most of our time at the Transit Drive-in, but we always made it out to the Sunset once or twice a year. Lately, the wife and I have been going to the Sunset and Transit drive-ins in equal amounts, and we are never disappointed at either place.

What people seem to forget about the Sunset is that it is also a restaurant that opens at 4:00 p.m. to serve early dinners and the restaurant stays open on into movie time. Mario and Denise and their staff do their best to keep up with the orders, but things can get a little backed up when the theaters are busy. Patience is a virtue, and it is also the best way to get good service. It breaks my heart when Mario and Denise tell me stories about how rude people can be. It is a family place and a drive-in, folks. No need to be nasty.

As for the food, the menu consists of all of the comfort foods you would expect from a family restaurant that focuses on sub sandwiches. There is pizza, subs, burgers, fries, and pretty much anything the family would like. There is a kid's menu, and plenty of interesting things such as tiny tacos.

The atmosphere at the Sunset is laid back, like a drive-in should be. The food is excellent (probably one of the best turkey clubs I have ever had), and the pricing is reasonable. When you go there, don't forget to check out the Twisters Ice Cream Stand at the front of the property. It offers some of the best custard in the area, and they always have interesting choices for flavors. The dogs are not there as often as they used to be, so don't be shy about stopping out there.

Rating: 4 out of 5

George N Root III loves to eat and it shows. Follow him on Twitter @georgenroot3, or send him a message at georgenroot3@gmail.com.