HALF MOON DRIVE-IN
Neighbourhood: Lockport, MB
Address: 6860 Henderson Hwy
Phone: 204-757-2517
Entrees: $6 – $10
The culinary obsession with nostalgia means the menu of rib-sticking throwbacks on offer at Half Moon Drive In is surprisingly of the moment. Stacked burgers, hot dogs filled with two footlong wieners and a dizzying number of French-fried sides are the sort of dishes turning regular folks into ravenous wolverines here. This American diner inspired attraction is whistling a culinary melody that is still pitch perfect pushing ninety.
When it opened in 1938, the classic Drive In became a draw for families loading up in the car, for a drive along the Red River to get hot dogs. Today, under its third owner, the marquee destination draws families to a meticulously designed restaurant, decked in boomerang formica, 50s movie nostalgia and car memorabilia of the same era, its tables art-directed to look like a booth straight out of Happy Days.
Vintage signage and neon lights build anticipation of fun even before entering. High quality ingredients and incorporating favourite local brands such as Bothwell cheese and Winnipeg Old Country Sausage, ensures tastes match the flavour of the joint.
Fifteen choice hot dogs and burgers, including vegetarian, turkey and chicken options, along with fries loaded with garnishes means ordering can take a minute. Choose your perfect combination of accoutrements from chili, raw or fried onions, bacon, plus, plus.
The menu pays homage to the local chili dressed burger known as the Fat Boy, and this rendition is stand out. Tangy chili peps up several menu items, with its lingering warm spice.
Inside or outside a bun, the kitchen masters fried chicken. A spicy chicken burger, nicknamed B.O.B (for bird on a bun), made with a juicy fried chicken breast, topped with lettuce and mayo is one of the best in class, hitting low on the Scoville scale.
As for a sweet ending, loosen the belt, and go for it. A scoop of dole pineapple sorbet cajoles with a low-calorie footnote, and bursts with vibrant flavour. Half Moon Drive In is surfing through the decades getting it right with food that is simply flat out good.