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Hamburgers at Collinsville Drive-In cost less than $2


This Throwback Thursday is brought to you by Collinsville Drive-In.

The social media hashtag also known as #tbt usually prompts cute pictures of yesteryear. But you don't need a photo to imagine what the drive-in was like 50 years ago. It seems much the same.

It could partially be because the restaurant was opened in 1962 by owner Linda Hake's parents, Joe and Eleanora Dellinger. So it's remained in the family.

Or it could be because it's amid rolling hills of farmland. To the drive-in's front and back, the landscape is picturesque and undeveloped. Several motorcyclists pulled in during the time I was there on a recent Sunday afternoon, and I can see why it would make a beautiful ride.

It could be because of the reasonable prices -- a hamburger will put you back $1.35. If you want that burger "dressed up" with lettuce and tomato, choose the "Hollywood" version for $1.65. And if you want fries with that, be prepared to spend $1.70 for a small, $2 for a large.

The priciest items range from the 16-inch subs -- $11.90 for a Philly cheesesteak – to the buckets of chicken – $33.12 for a 24-piece. (You can opt for 8- and 12-inch subs, and chicken in any multiple of 4 pieces.)

I initially wanted to check out the drive-in because I heard it offered some of the best milkshakes in southern York County. But when I got there, I realized there was so much more than ice cream.

In fact, patrons can sit down, in air-conditioning, on the left of the restaurant.

Outside, choose from a window on the left for ice cream only or a window on the right for food. It is a seasonal operation, Hake said. It will close in December and re-open in February.

I ordered the turkey melt for $4.75. As I waited for its arrival, I was entertained by classic arcade games and children's rides in and near a shed on the right. I might've hummed to the oldies music playing on the speakers, too.

The turkey melt was filling on its own (glad I decided to not order cup of that turtle soup on the menu) – with thick slices of turkey, sliced tomato, shredded lettuce, thick-cut bacon, a slice of cheese and mayo.

By the time I was ready for ice cream, the line had grown, and the dog I had decided to bring with me (without a bone, mind you) was getting antsy.

But I checked the dessert menu for next time -- and Collinsville offers soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream, plus fruit smoothies and 55 flavors of Italian ices. The hot peanut butter sundae sounded intriguing at $3.65 as did the Red Bull milkshake ($3.60) and birch beer float ($3.60).

Or there's always the banana split ($4.60) if you're in a nostalgic mood, which is easy to feel at this Chanceford Township drive-in.

If you go

What: Collinsville Drive-In

Location: 2730 Delta Road (Route 74), Chanceford Township

Cuisine: American

Jess' pick: turkey melt, $4.75

Parking: Lot

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, Sundays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; closed Mondays

Price range: $1.35, hamburger; $33.12, 24-piece tub of chicken

Alcohol: No

Smoking: No

Accepts: Cash and credit

Takeout: Yes

Kid's menu: No

Details: Call 717-927-6410 or follow @CVilleDriveIn on Twitter