Nite Owl Drive-In Ice Cream Parlor & Sandwich Shoppe

This quaint little gem has been around forever. They serve a few handmade/homemade specialties, and that's it! Hamburger ($7), cheese burger, mushroom and Swiss($10), chicken sandwich, fish sandwich, fries ($4), rings ($5), shakes/malts, assorted ice cream. They are CASH ONLY, and I waited outside with numerous people for about 20 min, and it was completely worth it! Everyone from all walks of life are here waiting for their handmade burgers, and once they are out of meat, they close for the day. Avoid all the fast food on Layton Ave. and stop in here for delicious food.

Dude holding down the fort by himself is poetry in motion. Taking orders, while manning the grill and making change out loud. The best roadside burger I've ever had. Seriously.

They were very busy but friendly and got the food out as soon as possible. They were sold out of burgers by 1pm. Burger was delicious and so we're the onion rings. So if you want to try them go early, they make all their burgers in the am and went they're gone they close.

We can finally cross off Nite Owl Drive In from our must-try food list!

We grabbed a double cheeseburger and a double bacon cheeseburger with fries and onion rings on the side.

We finished the meal off with a Dusty Road Sundae (2 scoops of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream with hot fudge and malt powder, covered in whipped cream, chopped nuts, and a cherry on top!).

*Come early, and it’s cash only!

Love this place. Burgers are delicious, malts were good too. Great nostalgia on the walls.
Update July 27, 2021 - Dining room is closed, but burgers and chocolate malts are still yummy!
Visited 8/11/2022 - sorry to say, it's just not the same...that delish burger from a few years ago, it now pretty average. Fries are just OK. And even the malt, (without the whipped cream)- nope, not as good these days. The dining room is permanently closed now - so no dining inside. I'd give it 3 stars in 2022- just very average now, when it used to be the best around!

Once you get over the fact that it's called Nite Owl but closes in the mid-afternoon, the fact that they're only open seasonally, the fact that they are cash-only, the fact that the cute retro dining room is usually closed, and the fact that the fries are some kind of terrible Ore-Ida-adjacent crinkles, you free your mind up for what is still the absolute best burger in all of Milwaukee. I don't know what they do to make the beef. I don't know where they get it or how they chop it or season it, but whatever they do, it is mind-bendingly good. Add grilled onions for good measure. I have made an annual pilgrimage with a friend to this place and we are never disappointed by the burgers. I recommend driving across the street to eat in you car from the airport observation lot, where you can watch planes take off and land.

Best season of the year is Nite Owl season! Best burgers in the city. BONUS...if you can make it back to your destination without eating them in transit...Your car will smell amazing :)

A Milwaukee legend across from the airport on Layton. Only open in summer. They close for the day when they run out of food so go earlier than later. Cash only. You will not be disappointed.

Nite Owl is a burger everyone needs to experience once. It's a Milwaukee legendary burger. Cash only and get there early. Customer's actually tail gate in the lot! Well, the burgers are best when you get them, so why not make the best.

Night Owl Drive In: This local gem has been family owned and operated since 1948. Early in its existence it was indeed a drive in and it was open late into the night (hence the name). Today it’s no longer a true drive in and the hours are approximately 11:00am-3:00pm (they close when they sell out of burgers). For those of you not from the MKE area it is conveniently located within eye-site of our airport. Less convenient is that it is only open from March-November (but what kind of a nut vacations in WI in the winter?!). Although I grew up in the area this was my first visit and I have to say I was impressed. The first thing I noticed was how heavy my cheeseburger was, definitely a hefty sandwich (it took up my whole medium sized plate). I ordered mine with pickles, onions, and cheese (at home I added ketchup, mayo, and lettuce because I’m picky about my condiments). Night Owl did not skimp on the pickles, onions, or cheese (looked like two slices). I was also given plenty of napkins. It was obvious the beef was fresh and it was also flavorful and juicy. The bun was lightly toasted & buttered and also soft and chewy. Speaking of bun, the bun to meat ratio was also fantastic, no “Big Mac syndrome” here (too much bun and not enough beef). This was a great tasting burger and you can’t beat the price of just $5. Doughboy approved
*Pro tip, avoid the wait by calling in your order. Also be aware that it is cash only.
My Top MKE Burgers:
1. Oak Barrel Public House: Wiscoburger
2. AJ Bombers: The Big Boy Tribute
3. Night Owl tied with Kopp’s (I think I would have to have them side by side to declare a winner, both very good and affordable)
Doughboy_Food_Reviews

THE best mushroom and swiss on the planet, and I've tried them all. I've been coming here almost 10 years, and I look forward to every single visit. The owner is incredible. P.s., grilled onions take a phenomenal mushroom and swiss to a whole new level.

Solid burger. I have criss crossed the country eating burgers out of Hamburger America. This one was solid and would get again. I got the bacon cheeseburger with everything. I would recommend getting it without mustard so you can taste the meet. Fries are crinkle cut and you get a lot for $3. Strawberry shake tastes like strawberries which is a positive in my book.

Classic burger and shake joint. The guy at the window was super nice, and both the food and service will have me coming back. Make sure to bring cash, they don't accept card

Thr burgers are huge. The fries is for 2 people as it is very filling. The food is so good. Remember to bring cash

The best burger in Milwaukee. Cash only. They close when they're out of burgers. Get here early. It's worth it.

Best hamburger in town, get there early before they run out of meat, once their out they close 🍔

The mushroom and Swiss burger is mouth watering, could use a touch of salt and pepper. People complain about the hours. 🙄 They are closed for the winter and open back up around late spring. There is always gonna be a line for lunch. You may end up waiting 30 to 45 minutes. Everything is made fresh. Once they run out of hamburger meat, they are closed for they day. That's how it has always been. The fries and onions used to be good but this season was below par. They have been in business for over 75 years. Parking is small. It's also cash only.

Been coming here since I was a kid. Terrific food at a fair price. Onion rings are out of this world good. Nite Owl is a place to come alone or bring the whole family. One of the best places to get a burger and ice cream.

love this place so much! cheeseburger, onion rings, and chocolate shake are all so delicious. the chocolate shake is something serious!

Juicy cheeseburger. Huge burgers for price. Order at window. No inside dining as of this date. Had cheese, fried onions and ketchup on burger. Good tasting beef. Boyfriend tried a hot dog and he said it was very good. Size was good. Hope they keep selling them. Cash only. They close early too. Malts good too!