This Hidden Oregon Drive-In Is Serving Towering Ice Cream Dreams

Tucked along the Columbia River Gorge, the Eastwind Drive-In in Cascade Locks instantly feels like a step back in time.

Since 1939, this retro roadside gem has been serving towering soft-serve cones and classic American comfort food that make any road trip unforgettable.

That iconic penguin sign catches your eye, but the real magic hits when a full-foot-tall cone arrives in your hand – creamy, perfectly swirled, and somehow even better than it looks. On sunny days, lines wrap around the building, yet the wait feels like part of the experience.

Families laugh as kids stare wide-eyed at ice cream taller than themselves, and everyone leaves with sticky fingers and big smiles.

Driving past without stopping here is practically a crime against your taste buds – Eastwind is pure Oregon nostalgia in every bite.

Those Absolutely Ridiculous Towering Ice Cream Cones

My jaw literally dropped when I saw my first Eastwind cone. Standing at roughly 12 inches tall, these soft-serve masterpieces aren’t just ice cream, they’re architectural wonders.

The swirl starts at the bottom of a cake cone and spirals upward like a delicious tornado that defies gravity.

What blows my mind is how fast they make them. The staff has this down to a science, cranking out these towering treats in about 10 seconds flat.

I watched the machine work its magic, and honestly, it’s mesmerizing. The consistency is perfect every single time.

Here’s the kicker: these giants are only available in one size, and that size is massive. I’ve seen grown adults struggle to finish them, and kids stare at them like they’ve just won the lottery.

The vanilla is classic and creamy, exactly what soft-serve should taste like.

Pro tip from someone who learned the hard way: start eating immediately. The Columbia River Gorge sun is no joke, and these cones melt faster than you’d think.

Grab extra napkins at the window, sit on the grassy area next to the building, and prepare yourself for pure frozen bliss. This isn’t just ice cream.

It’s a summer tradition that’s been going strong for decades, and after tasting it, I completely understand why families return year after year.

Classic American Diner Food Done Right

People come for the ice cream and stay for the burgers. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting much from drive-in food, but Eastwind completely changed my mind.

Their bacon cheeseburger is loaded with a thick beef patty, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and fresh vegetables on a soft bun that holds everything together perfectly.

The portions are generous without being wasteful. My burger was substantial enough to satisfy my post-hike hunger, and the meat actually tasted like beef, not like those thin, flavorless patties you get at chain restaurants.

Everything felt freshly prepared, which makes a massive difference in quality.

I also tried their curly fries, and they arrived hot and perfectly seasoned. Golden, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, these fries are what fast food dreams are made of.

They’re worlds better than anything corporate chains could produce.

The salmon burger caught my attention too, since we’re in the Pacific Northwest and all. Several reviews mentioned it specifically, and after trying it on my second visit, I understood why.

Flaky, flavorful, and served with all the fixings, it’s a solid choice for anyone wanting something different from the usual burger lineup. The menu hits that sweet spot between simple and satisfying, offering exactly what you want after exploring waterfalls all morning.

The Blackberry Shake That Steals Hearts

Local seasonal blackberries blended into creamy soft-serve create something magical. When the employee recommended this shake to me, she mentioned the berries come from the area, and that detail made all the difference.

You can actually taste the freshness in every sip.

The color alone is stunning. Deep purple swirls mix with creamy white, creating this gorgeous marbled effect that looks almost too pretty to drink.

Almost. I definitely drank it, and it was absolutely worth the hype that multiple reviewers had built up.

Texture-wise, it’s thick enough to need a spoon for the first few bites but not so thick that you’re struggling to get anything through the straw. The balance between fruit and cream is perfect.

You get that tart berry punch followed by smooth, sweet vanilla that rounds everything out beautifully.

I’ve had fruit shakes at fancy restaurants that cost three times as much and didn’t come close to this level of quality. The blackberry flavor is intense without being artificial, which tells me they’re using real fruit instead of some chemical syrup.

During blackberry season in Oregon, this shake becomes even more incredible. It’s the kind of treat that makes you understand why people drive out of their way just to stop here.

A Nostalgic Journey Back to 1939

Walking up to Eastwind feels like stepping into a time machine. The vintage neon sign with that adorable penguin holding an ice cream cone immediately transports you back to an era when drive-ins dotted every American highway.

This place has been serving the Cascade Locks community since 1939, and somehow, it hasn’t lost an ounce of its original charm.

The architecture screams classic Americana. Small, compact, efficient, with that unmistakable mid-century design that makes you want to pull out your phone and take a thousand photos.

Everything about it feels authentic because it is authentic, not some modern recreation trying to capitalize on nostalgia.

Several reviewers mentioned bringing their own children to the same spot their grandparents brought them decades ago. That kind of generational loyalty doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens when a place consistently delivers quality and maintains its character despite changing times and trends.

I love that Eastwind hasn’t tried to modernize or expand beyond what works. They’ve kept the same formula that made them successful in the first place: great food, enormous ice cream, friendly service, and reasonable prices.

In a world where everything constantly changes, finding a place that proudly stays the same feels like discovering treasure. It’s a living piece of Oregon history that you can actually taste.

Perfect Pit Stop for Gorge Adventurers

After hiking to Multnomah Falls, my legs were screaming and my stomach was growling. Eastwind Drive-In sits perfectly positioned in Cascade Locks, making it an ideal refueling station for anyone exploring the Columbia River Gorge.

The location at 395 Wa Na Pa St, Cascade Locks, OR 97014 puts you right in the heart of waterfall country.

I’ve done this route multiple times now, and I always plan my adventures around stopping here. Hike in the morning, grab lunch and ice cream at Eastwind, then either head home satisfied or continue exploring with renewed energy.

It’s become my personal tradition, and I’m definitely not alone in this strategy.

The outdoor seating area with its grassy patch is perfect for tired hikers who need to sit and decompress. I’ve watched countless people arrive dusty and exhausted, then leave with huge smiles and ice cream mustaches.

There’s something about rewarding yourself after physical exertion that makes food taste even better.

The drive-in also serves as a great meeting point if you’re coordinating with friends or family exploring different trails. Easy to find, plenty of parking (though it can get tight during peak times), and a menu that satisfies everyone from picky kids to hungry adults.

It’s the kind of convenient, quality stop that transforms a good day trip into a great one.

Unbeatable Prices That Shock Everyone

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the prices. A kids cone for three dollars.

Three dollars! In 2026, when everything costs a small fortune, Eastwind is still charging reasonable prices that won’t destroy your budget.

My massive adult cone cost less than a fancy coffee from those trendy shops.

The value proposition here is absolutely insane. You’re getting real food made with fresh ingredients, enormous portions, and quality that rivals places charging double or triple the price.

My bacon cheeseburger, fries, and shake combo cost about what I’d pay for a sad fast-food meal, except this actually tasted good and filled me up properly.

Several reviews specifically mentioned being shocked by how affordable everything was. In tourist-heavy areas like the Columbia River Gorge, you typically expect inflated prices, but Eastwind hasn’t fallen into that trap.

They’re clearly more interested in serving their community and creating loyal customers than maximizing profit on every transaction.

This pricing strategy is probably why the lines are always long. When word spreads about a place offering this kind of quality at these prices, people come from all over.

I’ve chatted with folks who drove an hour just to eat here, and honestly, I get it. Finding genuine value in today’s economy feels like winning the lottery, and Eastwind delivers that feeling every single time.

The Legendary Penguin Sign You Can’t Miss

That penguin became my landmark. “Meet me at the penguin,” I told my friends, and everyone knew exactly what I meant. The mascot holding a giant ice cream cone stands proudly outside, serving as both advertisement and beloved local icon.

It’s quirky, memorable, and perfectly captures the playful spirit of this place.

The sign has that weathered, authentic vintage quality that you can’t fake. It’s been standing there for decades, greeting travelers and locals alike, becoming part of the community’s identity.

Kids point at it excitedly from car windows, and adults smile with recognition when they spot it from the highway.

I’ve noticed the penguin appears in countless photos on social media. It’s become one of those unofficial photo ops that everyone wants to capture, right up there with the actual ice cream cones themselves.

The combination of nostalgia and cuteness makes it irresistible to photographers and casual visitors alike.

Finding Eastwind can be tricky if you’re not paying attention, especially since Cascade Locks is a small town without tons of signage. But once you spot that penguin, you know you’ve arrived at the right place.

It’s a beacon of deliciousness, a promise of good times ahead, and a reminder that sometimes the best experiences come in the most charmingly unexpected packages. Keep your eyes peeled while driving through town, because missing this spot would be a tragedy.

Outdoor Seating With Columbia River Views

The grassy area next to the drive-in became my favorite spot to enjoy my food. It’s simple, unpretentious, and offers exactly what you need: a place to sit, relax, and savor your meal while taking in views of the surrounding area.

On clear days, you can see the Columbia River and feel that gorgeous Gorge breeze.

There are four outdoor tables, which can fill up quickly during peak lunch hours, but the grass provides plenty of overflow space for families who don’t mind picnic-style dining. I’ve seen people spread out blankets, let their kids run around between bites, and generally just enjoy the casual, stress-free atmosphere.

One of my favorite memories was sitting there watching a train rumble past while working on my burger. It added this perfect soundtrack to the experience, that classic American sound that fits the vintage vibe of the place.

Everything about Eastwind feels connected to a simpler time when road trips meant discovery and adventure.

The outdoor setup works particularly well if you’ve got dogs with you. Several reviewers mentioned their pets, and the staff even unwrapped a cone and provided a cup for someone’s pup.

That kind of thoughtfulness creates loyal customers. Just be prepared for limited seating during busy times, and don’t be shy about claiming your spot on the grass if the tables are full.

It’s all part of the charm.