When I was in high school, a friend’s mom used to pick us up burgers, chicken fingers and crinkle fries from Triangle Drive-In near Roeding Park on Belmont and 99. I always looked forward to seeing the bags come in the door, and when I was able to drive there myself, I definitely did. As I got older and graduated from Central High School (go Grizzlies!), heading over to Triangle became less convenient, and sadly, I’ll admit years had gone by since I’d been.
One of the original Fresno drive ins, Triangle has been making delicious seasoned burgers and crinkle fries out of its original Belmont location since 1963. However, much to my delight, they opened a second location on Barstow and First just a few years ago. When it first opened, I went several times and enjoyed those delicious chicken strips I remembered from my high school days.
This past weekend, CREAM Ice Cream was having their grand opening just a block away from Triangle’s Barstow location, and my family, along with our close friends and their kids had set out to enjoy some free, grand opening ice cream sandwiches. Unfortunately, even though we tried going at a time we thought would be an odd time for ice cream (6pm – most people are eating sensible dinners, right? wrong!) it was SO packed we ended up letting the free ice cream dream go. With the disappointment setting in, I was feeling dismayed until my friend reminded me of one amazing thing – “There’s Triangle Drive In a block away, want to go there?” Big YES!
I’ve been eating pretty healthy for quite some time now, so burgers, fries, milk shakes and chicken strips have kind of slipped from my mind – but since I’d already decided I was going to blow some calories on ice cream, Triangle seemed totally justifiable, and the thought made me downright giddy.
Triangle’s food is SO classic and perfectly delicious. If you are looking for a great place to eat, in an environment that takes you back to more carefree, simple days (or allows your kids to see what those days looked like, pre-tablet zombie era) you really should take your family for dinner or milkshakes this weekend. Records adorn the ceiling and red-and-white Coca Cola memorabilia add cheer to the walls. Real ice cream, hand stirred milkshakes, whipped cream piled sundaes, frosty floats, seasoned burgers stacked with fresh toppings and onion rings that are perfectly crisp but not greasy await you.
While you wait for your food to be ready (which doesn’t take long at all, thanks to the fast, friendly staff) you can even play the Soprano’s pinball machine. That’s right – an actual pinball machine. (My son had NO clue what that was. So sad, right?!) Yet another perk of this Fresno institution is their ice. Yes, that’s right – their ice. You know the kind – they have PEBBLE ice! I know I can’t be the only one obsessed with the glorious, munchable, super-fast chilling pebble ice machines. I rarely drink soda, but this past weekend, with that glorious pebble ice I enjoyed the most amazingly cold glass of root beer ever and it was heaven.
If you haven’t been to Triangle Drive In at either location, please – remedy that as soon as possible. Their delicious classic American menu never disappoints and their prices have yet to fully catch up with the modern era. In fact, you can even score an extra awesome deal through Amazon Local right now here. You, your family and your happy taste buds can thank me later for this post. 😉
Photos used with permission and property of Triangle Drive In
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