Hall’s Original Drive-In does Comfort Food right!

Blue Collar Miami Spice

Hall’s Original Drive-In was not part of my original itinerary. Before I left Miami on my 3-week book signing road trip, there were about 20 planned stops to eat at. There were no layovers in Indiana at all. Marcela and I had never been to Indiana before or even driven through it on a previous drive.

I changed our stay in Louisville, Kentucky, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, after realizing it was Kentucky Derby weekend. That is the kind of weekend that can severely impact your vacation with lots of traffic.

I reached out to @VisitIndiana on Instagram, who connected me with Jessa from @VisitFortWayne. It was Jessa who told me about Don Hall’s Family Restaurants. She also contacted Tim Hall, who I spoke with, about possibly doing a book signing there (we both decided against it, too little time to set it up).

Drive-in Life

Tim and I met at Hall’s Original Drive-In, where we had lunch with his dad Bud and cousin Max.

I was lucky enough to sit down and hear stories of Hall’s founding in 1946. Bud is a national burger treasure, and Hall’s and their story should be put in writing for posterity’s sake. Tim and Max would interject comments and add tales throughout his narrative. It was nice to see that generational family dynamic. It’s the type of thing that makes Hall’s restaurants extra special.

Even though Hall’s Original didn’t end up hosting an All About The Burger book signing there, we had a great time, plus I did leave them a copy of the book to enjoy.

Hall’s Food Talk

The onion rings are hand-breaded and perfect with that zesty sauce. The chicken tenders with their flaky, seasoned breading were excellent, and the Tots Poutine is an ingenious tasty idea. The Big Buster has skyrocketed to one of my all-time favorite burgers. Damn, it was good.

One last food shout-out goes to their marvelous Frosty Malt. Just plain incredible. I hope you can find your way to Hall’s Original and have the excellent food experience we enjoyed.

P.S.: There is an actual drive-in service with carhops, so if you’re old school, you can go that route instead of eating inside.

Thank you to our new friends Bud, Tim, and Max Hall, for the Hall family hospitality.

Hall’s Original Drive-in Menu

Hall's Restaurants Menu Cover
Menu Cover
Hall's Original Drive-In Menu
Hall’s Original Drive-In Menu

Hall’s Original Drive-in Food Pictures

Onion Rings
Onion Ring Dipping Sauce aka Zesty Sauce
Tots Poutine
Coleslaw
The Uncle Sam Burger
Hall's Original Drive-In Big Buster
Big Buster
Chicken Tenders
Frosty Malt

Hall’s Restaurant History & Decor

Vintage Location Pictures
Don Hall, founder of Hall's Original Drive-In
Founder Don Hall
Counter Seating
Words of Wisdom & Dessert
Vintage Aerial Restaurant Picture
Vintage Employee Paycheck
Hall's Original Drive-In Carhop Numbered Card
Carhop Numbered Card
Tim, Bud & Max Hall with Burger Beast

Hall’s Original (since 1946)
1502 Bluffton Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46809
260-747-7509

and

Don Hall’s Hollywood Drive-In
4416 Lima Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808
260-482-1113


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