A milkshake should be thick enough to challenge your straw but not so thick that you give up entirely. This Minnesota drive in has perfected that balance and people drive for miles just to get one.
You pull into a parking spot, roll down your window, and order from a speaker that crackles with vintage charm. The milkshake arrives in a tall frosted glass with the extra still in the metal mixing tin because they refuse to shortchange you.
The first sip hits you with real ice cream flavor, not the thin chemical taste from chain restaurants. Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or something seasonal that changes with the months.
You can add malt powder if you want that old school taste or keep it pure and simple. The burgers and fries hold their own too, crispy and hot and exactly what you want on a summer afternoon.
Minnesota has plenty of modern ice cream shops with trendy toppings and high prices, but this drive in focuses on the classics done exceptionally well. You will find yourself thinking about that milkshake days later, sometimes weeks later.
A Drive-In That Feels Like a True Minnesota Tradition
Some places earn their reputation one visit at a time. Peppermint Twist Drive-In in Delano has been doing exactly that for years.
It sits right on Babcock Boulevard, modest and cheerful, like it belongs to the town itself. The setup is classic drive-in style. You can pull into a car stall and have your order brought right to your window.
Or you can walk up to the counter and grab a spot at one of the outdoor tables.
Either way, the experience feels unhurried and genuinely fun. There is no loud music or flashy decor trying too hard.
Just good food, friendly faces, and a relaxed small-town vibe. Peppermint Twist is the kind of place Minnesota summers were made for.
The First Sip of That Legendary Milkshake
Nothing quite prepares you for that first sip. The milkshakes at Peppermint Twist are thick, cold, and packed with real flavor.
They are the kind of shakes that make you slow down and actually pay attention.
The raspberry shake tastes fresh, bright, and just sweet enough without going overboard. The butterscotch version is equally impressive, rich and smooth with a nostalgic warmth to it.
Each shake feels handcrafted rather than rushed. The texture is dense but drinkable, which is exactly where a great milkshake should land.
You get a generous portion too, so there is no feeling shortchanged. Once you try one, the craving does not go away quickly.
People drive from neighboring towns just for these shakes, and honestly, that says everything you need to know.
The Retro Atmosphere That Sets the Whole Mood
Walking up to Peppermint Twist, the first thing you feel is a kind of easy happiness. The layout is open and breezy.
Shaded areas make the outdoor seating comfortable even on hot afternoons.
Car stalls line one side, and families at picnic tables fill the other. Kids run around the small playground nearby while adults settle in and enjoy their food.
It all flows together naturally, like nobody planned it but everything just works.
The vibe is genuinely retro without feeling like a theme park version of the past. There are no gimmicks here.
The atmosphere comes from the people, the food, and the pace of the place itself. Summer evenings here have a particular magic to them.
The golden light, the smell of grilled food, the sound of happy kids, it all adds up to something worth driving out of your way for.
Friendly Service That Actually Makes You Smile
Good service can completely change how food tastes. At Peppermint Twist, the staff greet you when you arrive and thank you when you leave.
That kind of warmth is not something you find everywhere.
Orders come out quickly, even on busy weekend afternoons when the place is buzzing. The team seems genuinely happy to be there.
That energy is contagious in the best way possible.
Multiple visitors mention that staff members know their menu thoroughly. One customer asked about allergens and got a clear, confident answer right away without any hesitation.
That kind of knowledge builds real trust. The service here is not just efficient, it is actually caring.
You leave feeling like you were a guest rather than a transaction. Small details like that are what turn a good meal into a memorable experience worth talking about for a long time.
The Playground and Family-Friendly Setup
Bringing kids to a restaurant can sometimes feel like a logistical challenge. At Peppermint Twist, it feels like the whole place was designed with families in mind.
The playground sits right beside the dining area, so children can burn off energy while parents actually eat.
The shaded seating areas nearby mean adults stay comfortable in the summer heat. It is a surprisingly thoughtful setup for a classic drive-in.
Clean grounds, plenty of space, and a relaxed pace make it easy for everyone to settle in.
The kid meals here are a sweet touch too. They come with a drink and a little ice cream cup topped with sprinkles and animal crackers.
For families managing food allergies, the staff are knowledgeable and upfront about ingredients. Peppermint Twist earns genuine loyalty from families who return summer after summer, and the playground is a big part of why.
What Makes the Burgers Worth Ordering
The milkshakes get most of the attention, but the burgers hold their own. The double cheeseburger is juicy with a soft, well-toasted bun that keeps everything together.
Each bite has a satisfying weight to it.
The Double Bacon Burger earns its own fans with a combination of seasoned meat and crispy bacon. Freshness is clearly a priority here.
The ingredients taste like they were chosen with care rather than convenience.
Specialty options like the Wild Rice sandwich add a Minnesota twist that feels unique and genuinely local. The Cajun chicken sandwich brings a bit of heat and a lot of flavor.
Portions are on the generous side, so you will not leave hungry. The burgers are not trying to be trendy or gourmet.
They are just really good, honest food made with attention to detail, and that is exactly what a drive-in burger should be.
The Menu Highlights Beyond the Basics
Peppermint Twist offers a menu that goes well beyond burgers and shakes. Chicken tenders come out hot and crispy.
Onion rings arrive almost as fast as you sit down, golden and satisfying.
The sriracha ranch fries are worth a special mention. They are loaded with flavor and ideal for sharing.
The grilled chicken sandwich uses fresh chicken cooked just right, with a bun that holds everything neatly.
Shrimp patties make a fun and unexpected appearance on the menu too. The variety here means repeat visits never feel repetitive.
Baskets of sides work perfectly for family-style eating, where everyone picks and shares. The food consistently arrives hot and fresh, which matters more than most people realize.
A large menu done well is rare, and Peppermint Twist manages it without cutting corners. Every item feels like it belongs, not like filler added just to pad the options.
Cash Only and the Retro Payment Experience
One thing to know before you visit: Peppermint Twist is cash or check only. No credit cards, no tap-to-pay.
It catches some people off guard, especially first-timers.
There is an ATM nearby, so it is not a dealbreaker. Many regulars say it fits perfectly with the retro spirit of the place.
Paying cash at a classic drive-in somehow feels right, like part of the whole experience.
Prices fall into the moderate range for the quality and portion sizes you receive. Most visitors agree the food is worth every dollar.
Planning ahead and bringing cash means the visit goes smoothly from start to finish. Think of it as part of the adventure.
The slightly old-fashioned payment method matches the old-fashioned charm of everything else here. Once you know to expect it, it stops feeling like an inconvenience and starts feeling like just another layer of Peppermint Twist character.
Hours, Location, and Planning Your Visit
Peppermint Twist is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM. Monday and Tuesday are closed, so planning around the schedule matters.
Arriving earlier in the day can mean shorter waits on busy summer weekends.
The drive to Delano is easy and scenic, especially coming from the Twin Cities area. The town itself has a quiet, welcoming feel that makes the trip worthwhile on its own.
Peppermint Twist sits right on Babcock Boulevard and is easy to spot from the road.
Peak summer weekends get busy, and the line moves quickly thanks to the efficient staff. Bringing the family on a Sunday afternoon has become a tradition for many regulars in the area.
The combination of great food, a fun atmosphere, and a beautiful Minnesota summer day makes every visit feel like a small celebration worth repeating every single season.
Why People Keep Coming Back Season After Season
Some restaurants earn loyalty through convenience. Peppermint Twist earns it through something harder to manufacture: genuine quality and a spirit that feels real.
People drive from Hutchinson, the Twin Cities, and beyond just to stop here.
The combination of great milkshakes, solid food, cheerful service, and a fun outdoor setting creates something that sticks with you. It tastes like summer.
It feels like a tradition worth protecting.
Regulars come back every year and bring new people along each time. First-timers leave already planning their return visit.
That cycle of loyalty is the truest measure of a place worth knowing about. Peppermint Twist is not trying to be the trendiest spot in Minnesota.
It is simply one of the best. And that raspberry shake will absolutely follow you home in the best possible way.
Address: Peppermint Twist Drive In, 115 Babcock Blvd, Delano, MN 55328
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