(Originally written January 6, 2021 - The Big Chief will turn 63 years old in 2026!)

Since starting this blog portion of my website I’ve been trying to think of content to write and post about that is relevant to the site’s theme.  It dawned on me that maybe I should also write about the OTHER kind of drive-in - the ones that serve food!  So I think restaurants that are older (or at least “vintage inspired”) need to be represented here, as well as tourist attractions and other retro points of interest are going to be fair game.  I have been fortunate enough to travel often for both work and pleasure so finding these interesting places has always been on the top of my mind while on the road.  So for my first installment in this series, let’s talk about Big Chief!

A great drive-in restaurant is just as much of an American institution as the drive-in theater and I can’t think of a better representation of this as the Big Chief Drive-In located in the small town of Glencoe, Alabama just ten minutes outside of Gadsden.  Located just off of US-431 in the middle of town, this drive-in has been serving amazing burgers and shakes since 1963.  About 15 years ago I discovered this gem while traveling to a client’s location nearby and could not miss seeing their GIANT ARROWS on the side of the road.  When I see any sort of MCM sign it has my attention!  And just a few yards behind those massive arrows is a tiny red roofed-A frame building that was calling my name. 

Usually, when I go to a place like this I try and keep it simple – like a burger or hot dog.  At Big Chief I typically go with their signature “Chuck Burger” – lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, sauce, but hold the mayo.  And it is a GREAT burger!  Add some onion rings and wash that down with a Butterscotch milk shake and you are good to go.  And apparently I’m not the only one that is good to go, because every time I’ve been there has been a crowd.  It is good food, mom and pop owned, local kids employed, and it just looks so damned cool!

Luckily, I’ve been able to detour on my way too and from Atlanta many times over the years.  I’m going to keep stopping and eating and hope they will be around for another 58 years to come!

Visit Big Chief’s Facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/bigchiefdrivein

Questions or comments? Email me at [email protected]