In 1951, a man named Joe Smiley opened a little drive-inn in Lexington, Kentucky. He featured fried chicken and a hamburger he called a “Poor Boy.” More than 60 years later, Parkette Drive In is still thriving. Check this place out — you’re sure to love it!

When Parkette Drive In first opened, it was located on a dirt road and patrons sometimes got stuck in the mud.
Flylowe/Tripadvisor
Things in Lexington have progressed quite a bit since those days. The road is now paved, and you can swipe your credit card to pay the car hop. But the fried chicken recipe is the same, and the Poor Boy hamburger is still the most popular menu item.

You'll find Parkette Drive In at 1230 E. New Circle Road in Lexington.
You'll fall in love with this 50s-themed place the moment you walk in. The restaurant was completely renovated in 2008.
Megansss9681/Tripadvisor
From the gleaming stainless steel bar with its swivel stools...
J R/Tripadvisor
...to the old-fashioned Wurlitzer bubbler jukebox...
Hendo1cote/Tripadvisor
...to its checkerboard floor, this place harkens back to a time when things were simpler, and the hometown drive in was the town's social center.
bettyboop42413/Tripadvisor
This drive in still has car hop service, too.
DanaLfromKY/Tripadvisor
The Poor Boy burger is still one of the restaurant's most popular menu items. It includes two beef patties, American cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and Parkette sauce.
ACJ70/Tripadvisor
The fried chicken is an original recipe, dating back to 1952.
Courtney Y/Tripadvisor
Finish off your meal with a huge, Colossal Car Crash. It's made with warm brownies, three scoops of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, cherries, and funnel cake fries. You might want to share this beast!
J R/Tripadvisor
The 1,700-square foot retro garage provides another 90 seats for diners.
rogersober/Tripadvisor
This light, bright space also has a retro vibe. In warm weather, they open up the garage doors to get a nice breeze.
Flylowe/Tripadvisor
The iconic Parkette sign was installed in 1953 at a cost of $10,000. The sign is original and costs about $1,000 per year to maintain.
snookman/Tripadvisor
Visit Parkette Drive In Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. It's closed on Sunday.

Have you dined at Parkette Drive In? We’d love to hear what you think about this iconic place.

If you’re feeling nostalgic, take a look at the trains that still go right through these eight Kentucky towns.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Related Articles

Explore Kentucky