After four months of the pandemic keeping us at home, we finally ventured out on a camping trip.  One of our favorite parts of our monthly adventure is exploring restaurants along the way.  While the government has seen fit to reopen restaurants at 50% capacity, we are not yet comfortable with the thought of eating out, so when we ventured back to Natural Tunnel and Devil’s Bathtub, Hob-Nob Drive-In, which had been on our radar if we ever got back to the area, seemed like the perfect place for lunch after our hike.

We pulled in to the busy place (there were no parking spots left in front of the building) and found a place to park on the side of the building, away from the other cars.  As we looked over the menu online, a carhop approached our vehicle, mask on, to take our order.  We let her know that we weren’t ready to order just yet, but that we would call with our order when we were.

The first job I ever had (other than babysitting for family friends) was at Bower’s Drive-In, first as the ice cream girl, then as a carhop, and eventually as a cook.  While not precisely the same menu, it definitely brought me back to my days working at the drive-in.  I was excited to see they offer a cherry milkshake.  The cherry milkshake we had at Bower’s Drive-In was my favorite, and I have yet to find anywhere that recreates the yummy concoction.  I decided to order one to see if it would stack up.  The flavor of the milkshake was spot on, exactly what I remembered from my young adulthood.  Hob-Nob added chopped cherries to their version, which I enjoyed.  There were so many cherries in the milkshake that I was not able to finish them.

Chili slaw dog with cherry milkshake Hob-Nob Drive-In Gate City Virginia

Chris ordered the Cheeseburger Steak Burger.  It was piled high with condiments and cheese, very reminiscent of what I served once upon a time.  The cheese tots, smothered in ooey-gooey melted cheese, were delicious.

I ordered chili, slaw dogs, again the flavors taking me back in time.  While the food was delicious and filling, with good service, the best part of the experience was the jog down memory lane.  The drive-in style of the restaurant was perfect, allowing us to eat out, while still able to do so at our comfort level.

Cost for one burger, two hotdogs, an order of tots, a soda, and a milkshake $18.90.