This Little Drive-In Restaurant Used To Be A 1920s Gas Station And You Won't Believe The Food It Serves
By Catherine Armstrong|Published March 07, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
When you think of drive-in restaurants, you probably picture classic hamburger joints with good, but greasy fare. We definitely love a juicy burger and a pile of fries, but there’s a little place in Troutdale that has a fresh, gourmet spin on the traditional drive-in, and we’ve fallen in love with it. If you haven’t already visited Sugarpine Drive In, you’ll want to stop by soon.
Constructed in the 1920s, the building that now houses Sugarpine Drive In was once a thriving gas station.
Cars still line up here, but nowadays their drivers are here for tasty food - not oil changes. This adorable little drive-in is located in Troutdale, surrounded by huge Douglas firs at the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge.
Owners Ryan Domingo and Emily Cafazzo both have extensive restaurant experience, and they've brought their talents to the kitchen here. You won't find typical fast-food fare going through this drive-in. Instead, you can expect fresh, creative dishes full of flavor.
Sugarpine doesn't have a freezer full of bagged French fries, and they don't microwave frozen meat patties. Instead, they offer top-quality ingredients that are locally-sourced whenever possible.
One of the most popular items on the menu is the pulled pork sandwich. The pork shoulder is slowly smoked for six hours in one of the Traeger grills on the patio. It's served on a brioche bun, and it's hands-down better than any burger you've ever sunk your teeth into.
Watch for seasonal items, like the meatloaf sandwich. The beef and bacon meatloaf is perfectly prepared, then thick-sliced and served up on Texas toast with iceberg lettuce and tomato jam.
If you want to try a classic with a fun twist, order the waffle grilled cheese. This grown-up version includes fontina, black pepper cheddar, and Muenster cheeses, and the bread is toasted in a waffle iron for a totally unexpected texture.
