Unearth The Voyage
There is a small-town Minnesota ritual that has nothing to do with the calendar and everything to do with a certain red-and-white drive-in finally flipping its sign to open. The moment it happens, people who grew up nearby feel something shift, like the air itself got warmer and the weekend got longer.
This place has been serving up classic burgers, crispy fries, and milkshakes thick enough to slow down your straw for decades, and its loyal fans will tell you no summer is official without at least one visit. What makes it so special?
A retro atmosphere, a menu full of crowd-pleasers, a little park where kids can run wild, and a raspberry shake that people genuinely drive across the county to try. Read on and find out exactly why this drive-in has become the unofficial starting gun for summer in Delano, Minnesota.
The Iconic Drive-In That Defines Summer in Delano
Some places earn their reputation one season at a time, and Peppermint Twist Drive In has been doing exactly that for years in Delano, Minnesota.
The moment this drive-in reopens each spring, locals treat it like a community holiday. Families pile into cars, friends make plans, and kids start asking about milkshakes before the door is even open.
Peppermint Twist Drive In sits at 115 Babcock Blvd, Delano, MN 55328, right in the heart of this charming small town about 35 miles west of Minneapolis. It operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM, keeping things simple and seasonal.
The drive-in format means you can pull into a stall and get your food brought right to your car window, or walk up and grab your order old-school style. Either way, the experience feels like summer in its purest form.
A Retro Atmosphere That Feels Like Stepping Back in Time
There is something genuinely refreshing about a place that has not tried to modernize itself into something unrecognizable. The retro vibe here is not a design choice made by a marketing team; it is just what this place has always been.
Car stalls line up for curbside service, and the walk-up window keeps a steady line of happy customers moving through. Outdoor picnic tables sit under shady trees, which makes eating outside on a hot Minnesota afternoon actually enjoyable rather than sweaty and miserable.
The whole setup feels like something out of a classic road trip movie, except the food is genuinely good and the shake is better than anything you remember from the movies. Families spread out across the grounds, kids chase each other between tables, and everyone seems to slow down for a little while.
That unhurried energy is part of what keeps people coming back every single year.
The Raspberry Shake That People Drive Miles to Try
Ask almost anyone who has been to Peppermint Twist what they ordered and the answer comes back fast: the raspberry shake. It has taken on an almost legendary status among regulars and road-trippers alike.
The shake is thick, creamy, and packed with real raspberry flavor that does not taste artificial or overly sweet. It is the kind of shake where you pause mid-sip just to appreciate what is happening.
People who stop here on long drives often say it was the best shake they have ever had, which is a bold claim, but one that gets repeated often enough to feel credible. The butterscotch malt also earns serious praise from the crowd that prefers something a little richer and more old-fashioned.
Pro tip: if the line looks long, order the shake first and let the anticipation build. It will be worth every minute of the wait.
Burgers Worth Every Bite
The burger menu at Peppermint Twist covers all the classics without overcomplicating things. The double cheeseburger arrives juicy, with a soft bun that holds up to the whole experience without falling apart halfway through.
The Double Bacon Burger is a fan favorite, with a careful balance of seasoning and toppings that makes each bite satisfying rather than overwhelming. The bun gets toasted just right, and the ingredients feel fresh rather than like they have been sitting under a heat lamp.
For something a little different, the Wild Rice sandwich and the Cajun chicken sandwich both deliver genuine flavor that goes beyond the standard drive-in fare. These menu options show that the kitchen is not just coasting on nostalgia; there is real thought behind what gets served.
Whether you go classic or adventurous, the burger menu gives you plenty of good reasons to return and work your way through the whole thing.
Chicken Sandwiches and Tenders That Hold Their Own
Burgers get most of the attention, but the chicken options at Peppermint Twist are genuinely worth ordering on their own merits. The grilled chicken sandwich comes out with fresh, perfectly cooked chicken that does not taste dry or rushed.
The chicken tenders are crispy on the outside and tender inside, the kind that pair well with fries and do not need a lot of extra sauce to be enjoyable. The Cajun chicken sandwich adds a little kick that makes it stand out from the usual drive-in fare.
What is impressive is the consistency. On a busy summer weekend when the line is long and orders are flying out fast, the chicken still comes out hot and cooked properly.
That kind of reliability is harder to pull off than it sounds, especially at a high-volume seasonal spot.
If chicken is your go-to order, this place will not disappoint you.
Fries, Onion Rings, and the Sides That Round Out the Meal
A great burger needs great fries, and Peppermint Twist delivers on that front with sides that complement the main event rather than just filling up space on the tray.
The fries come out hot and cooked to a satisfying crispness that holds up even after a few minutes of conversation. The onion rings are thick-cut and arrive almost as fast as you sit down, which is the kind of efficiency that earns genuine appreciation on a hungry afternoon.
The sriracha ranch fries are a standout option for anyone who wants to upgrade their side order. The combination of heat and creaminess makes them hard to stop eating, and sharing a basket with someone is a good strategy for pacing yourself.
The various basket options make the whole meal feel family-style, which suits the laid-back outdoor atmosphere perfectly. Order a couple of different sides and let everyone grab what they want.
A Kid-Friendly Setup That Parents Actually Appreciate
Keeping kids entertained while waiting for food is one of the quiet challenges of any family outing, and Peppermint Twist has solved this problem in the most straightforward way possible: a playground right on the property.
Kids have enough space to run around, climb, and burn off energy while parents sit in the shade and actually enjoy a conversation. The shaded seating areas make the wait comfortable rather than something to endure.
The kids’ dinner is a thoughtful touch, coming with a beverage and a small ice cream cone or cup topped with sprinkles and animal crackers. For families managing food allergies, it is worth knowing that the menu is peanut-free, with the only exception being the cones, which are processed with peanuts.
That kind of clear, upfront allergen information matters enormously to families who deal with nut allergies, and it is handled with real knowledge and care here.
The Peanut-Free Menu and Why It Matters
Food allergies can turn a casual outing into a stressful exercise in careful questioning, which is why the peanut-free kitchen at Peppermint Twist stands out as something genuinely valuable for a large portion of its customers.
Almost everything on the menu is peanut-free. The one exception is the cones, which are processed with peanuts, and that detail is communicated clearly and immediately without hesitation when asked.
For families with children who have nut allergies, this kind of confidence and clarity from the people taking orders makes a real difference. It removes the anxiety from the experience and lets everyone focus on enjoying the meal instead of worrying about ingredients.
The kids’ ice cream cups offer a safe alternative to the cones, complete with sprinkles and animal crackers on top, which makes the treat feel just as special. It is a small detail that clearly means a lot to the families who need it most.
Cash Only: The Retro Payment Policy Explained
Here is the one piece of practical information that catches first-time visitors off guard: Peppermint Twist is cash and check only. No credit cards, no tap-to-pay, no digital wallets.
There is an ATM nearby if you arrive unprepared, which plenty of people have done. The trip to the ATM is a minor inconvenience, but it is one worth planning around if you can.
The cash-only policy fits the overall character of the place in a way that actually makes sense once you are there. Everything about Peppermint Twist leans into the classic, old-school drive-in experience, and the payment method is just another layer of that same philosophy.
Bring enough for your full order, because once you see the menu, you will want more than you originally planned. A burger, a side, and a shake adds up quickly, so come prepared and avoid the ATM detour entirely.
The Menu Variety That Keeps Things Interesting
Beyond the classic burgers and shakes, the menu at Peppermint Twist has enough variety to reward repeat visits without ever feeling like it is trying too hard to be everything to everyone.
The shrimp patty is an unexpected option that surprises people who expect nothing beyond standard drive-in fare. The Wild Rice sandwich is a nod to Minnesota’s food culture and stands out as something genuinely regional on a menu that could have played it completely safe.
Ice cream treats round out the menu with enough variety to make the dessert decision its own small adventure. The malts, in particular, are rich and satisfying in a way that feels distinct from the shakes, and both are worth trying on separate visits.
The menu is large enough that you could visit multiple times in a single summer and still have something new to try, which is exactly the kind of return-visit motivation that keeps regulars coming back faithfully.
Hours, Seasons, and the Best Time to Visit
Peppermint Twist operates on a seasonal schedule, which is part of what gives it that special, can’t-take-it-for-granted quality. The drive-in is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Summer weekends are the busiest times, and the line can get long on a warm Saturday afternoon. The wait is generally worth it, but arriving earlier in the day or on a weekday gives you a more relaxed experience with shorter waits.
Weekday visits have their own charm. The grounds are quieter, the ordering process moves faster, and you get to enjoy the shaded picnic area without competing for a table.
Bringing a book or just sitting back and watching the cars come and go makes for a genuinely pleasant slow afternoon.
Whatever day you choose, the 8 PM closing time means you have the whole afternoon and early evening to plan around comfortably.
Why This Drive-In Has Earned Its Place in Minnesota Summer Tradition
Some restaurants are good. Some are memorable.
A rare few become part of the rhythm of a place, woven into the way a community marks its seasons and celebrates ordinary days. Peppermint Twist Drive In has reached that third category in Delano.
The combination of great food, a genuinely fun atmosphere, and a setting that rewards slowing down has built something that goes beyond a simple meal out. Generations of families have made it part of their summer routine, and new visitors quickly understand why.
The drive-in format, the shaded park, the playground, the thick shakes, and the classic burgers all add up to an experience that feels both familiar and worth savoring. There is no complicated reservation system, no dress code, and no pretension; just good food served fast in a setting that makes people genuinely happy.
That is a harder combination to pull off than it looks, and Peppermint Twist has been doing it right for a long time.
