Swensons - Akron, OH

Posted By Michael Stern on August 28, 2009 8:51 PM

There are a bunch of Swensons around Akron. The original one (since 1934) was razed not too long ago. A modern, retro-designed place was erected in its place. Akron burger connoisseurs told us they miss the well-aged charm of the old place; but there is no denying that the hamburgers served here are something special. And service is a blast from the past.

Pull into a space and flash your lights. Out sprints a curb boy to take your order. Apparently, most customers know the kitchen's repertoire so well that menus are superfluous – we didn't get one until we requested it. And besides, the vast majority of customers get what Swenson's is famous for: hamburgers.

And oh, what a selection of burgers, on nice butter-toasted buns, with or without cheese: doubles, triples, quarter-pounders, half-pounders and the house specialty, a Galley Boy, which is a double cheeseburger dressed with two sauces, one mayonnaise-style with bits of onion added, the other zesty barbecue. Beyond these fundamentals the menu lists a quarter-pound all beef bologna sandwich, salads, soups, fried chicken and shrimp. Among the beverages are milk shakes and malts, something called a California (reminded us of Kool-Ade), and half-and-half (tea and lemonade). French fries, which we didn't try, are listed as "Only Idaho's," the dubious apostrophe apparently having migrated from the restaurant name, Swensons, which doesn't contain one on the outdoor sign or menu.

There are no indoor seats, but meals to be eaten here are presented on sturdy trays that clip onto the inside of car windows in such a way that it's possible to dine in comfort even when it's raining. These good burgers in this classic setting are a Roadfood paradigm.

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Posted By Bernard Etzinger on November 11, 2010 7:00 PM

Boy oh boy, am I ever glad we stopped here for lunch as a break on a long family trip from Buffalo to Indianapolis. We tried the Galley Boy, onion rings, the California, a cheeseburger and the chili. Faaantastic. Tray brought right to the car by carhops who care, and all for a very decent price. Definitely worth the detour.

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Posted By Pennie Stringer on November 24, 2007 11:58 AM

The burgers are the main claim to fame at Swensons. The warm, slightly sweet bun holds a thin but flavorful burger. I like mine as a cheeseburger, with pickle, onion and ketchup. If you order the Galley Boy, you get two patties, two sauces, and cheese, with a pimento-stuffed olive skewered on top. You can even order a side order of olives (three come in a little waxed paper bag, 25 cents I think).

The fries are good; crisp on the outside and soft and hot inside. Their milkshakes are homemade and good, but my favorite beverages are the Florida and the California. The Florida is made with orange soda mixed with seltzer and a lemon slice. The California (my favorite) is made with grape soda, seltzer, and lemon slice. These are less sweet than your typical soft drink, and the lemon slice adds a bit of tartness.

They have other items, ranging from salads to shrimp dinners to hot chipped ham sandwiches, but the hamburgers are just so good!

Dinner is served in your car. A speedy carhop (recruited from local high school sports teams) comes to your window to take your order as soon as you pull in. Service is fast, and they can arrange your tray on the inside of your window if the weather is less than ideal.

Swenson's, like its local competitor, Skyway, is the real thing, in business since at least the 60's; not a faux retro drive-in. The quality food and good service keep Akronites coming back again and again.

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