You'll Love Visiting Vista Drive In, A Kansas Restaurant Loaded With Local History
By Emily Tieman|Published November 10, 2022
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Emily Tieman
Author
Emily Tieman is a lifelong Michigander and has a love for locally owned small businesses. She is a freelance writer for Only In Your State and has her own vintage content creator business.
There’s nothing quite like finding a classic, historic local restaurant while you travel. You’ll take a step back in time when you visit this charming burger joint in Manhattan, Kansas. If you’re on a road trip through the Sunflower State, you’ll want to stop at this local favorite that’s bursting with history.
Follow the soft glow of the vintage neon sign to Vista Drive-In. The restaurant opened in 1964 and has been flipping burgers and serving freshly squeezed limeades ever since.
When Charles and Martha Streeter first opened the restaurant, it became a very popular spot with the locals. It's still in the family and was acquired by the couple's son and daughter-in-law in the 1970s.
Since its inception, a drive-up window has been serving customers malts and other nostalgic desserts. The interior looks frozen in time with the retro orange banquettes and chairs. You can even see a framed 1960s waitress uniform hanging in the dining room!
You can order classic American fare like chicken tenders, Philly cheesesteak fries, and corndogs. But don't leave without trying the signature Vistaburger and fry basket.
Speaking of classic cuisine, Vista has delicious old-fashioned chili. The chili was first made during Charles and Martha's honeymoon in 1941 and is still cooked the same way to this day.
Vista may be known for its burgers, but you can also come here for a delicious and filling breakfast! You can try the Vista Breakfast which includes hashbrowns, two eggs, breakfast meat, and your choice of toast or fresh biscuits.
Grab a cyclone, hot fudge brownie, or sundae for dessert. Vista has some unique flavors for malts and milkshakes including butterscotch, caramel, and pineapple.
You can read the full history and menu on Vista Drive-In’s website. You can also follow along on Vista’s Facebook to see special events and seasonal dessert flavors. Have you visited this vintage Kansas eatery? Let us know your thoughts!