Top 5 retro burger joints in Reno-Sparks
Take a step back in time with the finest burger joints in Reno-Sparks
Sarah Cook, reno.com and Amelia Calvert, reno.com
We decided to treat visitors and locals to a round-up of area burger joints that pack nostalgia into every greasy bite. The one thing these places have in common – retro style doesn’t mean old-fashioned pricing. Prepare for a little sticker shock. Long gone are the days of the 59-cent burger, but you can still enjoy the tastes, smells, sights and sounds of the golden age of rock’n’roll.
• Juicy’s Giant Hamburgers
301 S. Wells Ave., Reno
(775) 322-2600
Corner of Wells Avenue and Ryland
• 104 E. Glendale Ave., Sparks
(775) 358-7300
Corner of Glendale Avenue and McCarran Boulevard
Sarah Cook, Reno.com
The menu is virtually identical between both locations; pricing is the same, too. I went with the hot pastrami sandwich and got solid results. The bread wasn't over-toasted, the pastrami was reasonably moist, and the dill pickle slices were a nice touch. The fries were what you'd expect from Juicy's; they're not as good as In 'N Out, but they're better than what you'll find at most fast-food places. The service was pretty quick during the lunch rush - it took under 10 minutes to place and receive my order. The Juicy’s on Wells may take a little longer. No onion rings – just fries, but delicious food. A cheeseburger, fries and drink run about $8; The Wells Avenue store also delivers, but where’s the fun in that?
• Joe’s Diner
6350 S. Virginia St., Reno
(775) 853-3777
Retro-style includes pictures of classic actors on the walls, counter-style dining, and table-side jukeboxes, albeit out of order. Great décor, with silvery and red-glitter vinyl booths and Formica tables; breakfast available until noon weekdays; 2 p.m. weekends. Ice cream treats, Cherry Cokes, tasty homemade potato chips – but a little pricy. A Joe’s Burger and chips with a Cherry Coke runs about $12. Great service, friendly staff. Buy-one, get-one burgers from 3 – 5 p.m. weekdays.
• Mel’s Drive In
345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno
(775) 337-6357
Corner of Fourth and Arlington
If you’re a fan of the movie ‘American Graffiti’ you must stop here. The place is littered with memorabilia from the movie and the stars – check it out. It’s a virtual museum. I can almost hear the lyrics to “Teen Angel” whispered in my ear. The banana splits are dreamy; breakfast is available anytime. A cheeseburger, fry and a Coke will cost $10.93. Don’t miss the jukebox tunes and sharp-looking souvenirs. Open 24 hours, every day.
• Johnny Rockets
Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
2500 E. Second St., Reno
(775) 333-5200
(775)789-2555
Johnny Rockets is always bright, clean and you can watch the busy servers or see the action on the casino floor from the booths. My favorite menu item is the half-rings, half-fries basket. I love O-rings, and the husband loves fries, so everybody’s happy. The menu offers something for everyone – incorporating kids’ favorites, salads and chicken dishes, but with so many choices for burger toppings, why stray from the beef patties? Cheesburger, fries and a Coke will cost about $11.
• Sonic Drive-In
1220 McCarran Blvd., Reno
(775) 786-3962
• 4995 Galleria Parkway, Sparks
(775) 354-1155
Like Johnny Rockets, Sonic is a chain, but you can still get car-side service, and sometimes even on skates. I love the Banana Cream Pie Shake and the Cherry Limeade. The fried goodness (tots and O-rings) have a slightly sweet taste in the batter, and the menu offers ice cream treats, Toaster sandwiches, Coney’s, salads and kids items. A cheeseburger, medium fries and a medium Coke costs only $5.12.
• #1 – Scoopers
1356 Prater Way, Sparks
(775) 331-6221
and
2090 Mill St, Reno
(775) 337-6221
Scoopers is the real deal. Order off the menu board, eat picnic-style at the outdoor tables or dine in the car for a real drive-in experience. The food is good, offering a variety of menu items and lots of delicious milkshakes and malts. I recommend the butterscotch or the blueberry - great summer favorites. Open until 10:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Tuesdays. A regular cheeseburger, fries and a regular Coke will run around $5.36.
• Juicy’s Giant Hamburgers
301 S. Wells Ave., Reno
(775) 322-2600
Corner of Wells Avenue and Ryland
• 104 E. Glendale Ave., Sparks
(775) 358-7300
Corner of Glendale Avenue and McCarran Boulevard
Sarah Cook, Reno.com
The menu is virtually identical between both locations; pricing is the same, too. I went with the hot pastrami sandwich and got solid results. The bread wasn't over-toasted, the pastrami was reasonably moist, and the dill pickle slices were a nice touch. The fries were what you'd expect from Juicy's; they're not as good as In 'N Out, but they're better than what you'll find at most fast-food places. The service was pretty quick during the lunch rush - it took under 10 minutes to place and receive my order. The Juicy’s on Wells may take a little longer. No onion rings – just fries, but delicious food. A cheeseburger, fries and drink run about $8; The Wells Avenue store also delivers, but where’s the fun in that?
• Joe’s Diner
6350 S. Virginia St., Reno
(775) 853-3777
Retro-style includes pictures of classic actors on the walls, counter-style dining, and table-side jukeboxes, albeit out of order. Great décor, with silvery and red-glitter vinyl booths and Formica tables; breakfast available until noon weekdays; 2 p.m. weekends. Ice cream treats, Cherry Cokes, tasty homemade potato chips – but a little pricy. A Joe’s Burger and chips with a Cherry Coke runs about $12. Great service, friendly staff. Buy-one, get-one burgers from 3 – 5 p.m. weekdays.
• Mel’s Drive In
345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno
(775) 337-6357
Corner of Fourth and Arlington
If you’re a fan of the movie ‘American Graffiti’ you must stop here. The place is littered with memorabilia from the movie and the stars – check it out. It’s a virtual museum. I can almost hear the lyrics to “Teen Angel” whispered in my ear. The banana splits are dreamy; breakfast is available anytime. A cheeseburger, fry and a Coke will cost $10.93. Don’t miss the jukebox tunes and sharp-looking souvenirs. Open 24 hours, every day.
• Johnny Rockets
Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
2500 E. Second St., Reno
(775) 333-5200
(775)789-2555
Johnny Rockets is always bright, clean and you can watch the busy servers or see the action on the casino floor from the booths. My favorite menu item is the half-rings, half-fries basket. I love O-rings, and the husband loves fries, so everybody’s happy. The menu offers something for everyone – incorporating kids’ favorites, salads and chicken dishes, but with so many choices for burger toppings, why stray from the beef patties? Cheesburger, fries and a Coke will cost about $11.
• Sonic Drive-In
1220 McCarran Blvd., Reno
(775) 786-3962
• 4995 Galleria Parkway, Sparks
(775) 354-1155
Like Johnny Rockets, Sonic is a chain, but you can still get car-side service, and sometimes even on skates. I love the Banana Cream Pie Shake and the Cherry Limeade. The fried goodness (tots and O-rings) have a slightly sweet taste in the batter, and the menu offers ice cream treats, Toaster sandwiches, Coney’s, salads and kids items. A cheeseburger, medium fries and a medium Coke costs only $5.12.
• #1 – Scoopers
1356 Prater Way, Sparks
(775) 331-6221
and
2090 Mill St, Reno
(775) 337-6221
Scoopers is the real deal. Order off the menu board, eat picnic-style at the outdoor tables or dine in the car for a real drive-in experience. The food is good, offering a variety of menu items and lots of delicious milkshakes and malts. I recommend the butterscotch or the blueberry - great summer favorites. Open until 10:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Tuesdays. A regular cheeseburger, fries and a regular Coke will run around $5.36.
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