An onion ring big enough to crown a burger deserves a moment of consideration. Add coleslaw and BBQ sauce, then hand the whole thing through a little walk-up window, and a quick roadside lunch starts looking like a very good idea.
This stand has been feeding passing drivers since the 1950s. There’s something comforting about a place that has spent decades giving people a reason to pull over, especially when you can take your order out back to picnic tables beneath tall trees.
The menu gives you plenty to debate while you wait. Fried mushrooms or garlic cheese curds.
Cowboy fries, if those weren’t enough to complicate matters. And a marshmallow shake that I’d have trouble leaving off the order.
I like a lunch stop where getting out of the car feels like part of the pleasure. Stretch your legs, find a table, and give that burger your full attention.
The onion ring may be what catches your eye first, but the rest of the order board makes a strong case for staying hungry a little longer.
Walk Up To The Window And Let The Old-School Fun Begin
Ordering at The Net Drive In happens the classic way, through a service window. No dining room, no fancy kiosk, just a counter and a menu board.
That simple setup is part of the charm. It feels like a slice of roadside history that never got the memo to modernize.
The stand has been feeding folks since the 1950s. That makes it a true survivor in a world packed with drive-thru chains.
Washington has plenty of burger stops, but few carry this kind of staying power. More than 70 years is a long time to keep the grill hot.
The building got a fresh coat of paint and an outdoor refresh not long ago. So the vintage spirit stays, while the place looks bright and cared for.
Food gets made to order, so it comes out hot. Give fried items a minute to cool before that first eager bite.
Plan ahead on your timing. The stand is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sundays are a day off for the crew. Mark that on your mental map before the cravings kick in.
Order The Burger That Carries The Stand’s Name
Every classic burger joint needs a signature, and here it’s the Net Burger. The name alone tells you it’s the house favorite.
Its special Net sauce is a big part of the appeal. The flavor leans tangy and creamy, in the style of a classic burger spread.
The patties run on the thinner side. That’s why plenty of hungry people go straight for the double Net Burger.
Soft buns hold everything together nicely. A good bun matters more than most folks admit, and this one does its job.
Want to branch out? The menu also lists a jalapeño burger, an Ortega burger, and a mushroom burger.
Plain cheeseburgers are there too for anyone who likes to keep things simple. No judgment here, classics became classics for a reason.
My advice is to pick one burger and one wild card side. That way you get the house signature plus a little adventure.
Grab a few extra napkins on your way back to the car. Sauce-heavy burgers rarely stay neat, and that’s half the fun.
Yes, There’s An Onion Ring Sitting In That BBQ Burger
A whole onion ring in a burger sounds like a dare. At this Mount Vernon stand, it’s simply the BBQ burger.
The build is a fun one. You get a large onion ring, coleslaw, BBQ sauce, tomato, and lettuce stacked together.
That mix brings crunch, tang, and a little sweetness in every bite. It’s messy in the best possible way.
Coleslaw on a burger might surprise some people. Yet it adds a cool, crisp layer that balances the smoky sauce.
This is a two-hand sandwich, so don’t try eating it while merging onto the highway. Park first, then dig in like a pro.
Picnic tables out back give you a solid place to tackle it. Trust me, your car seats will thank you.
Onion ring fans should know the rings also come as a side. They’re one of the most talked-about items on the whole menu.
So you could order the BBQ burger with a side of rings. Is that too many onion rings?
Only you can decide.
Save Room For A Side Menu That Could Steal The Show
Fried mushrooms might be the sneakiest star at The Net Drive In. They come out piping hot, so let them rest a moment.
The side lineup reads like a snack lover’s wish list. Crinkle cut fries, onion rings, garlic cheese curds, and potato puffs all make an appearance.
Cowboy Chips offer another side to try. Pickle fries bring even more fun to the table.
Mozzarella sticks are on the board too, including a spicy version. Corn dogs round things out for anyone craving fair food on a weekday.
Here’s a smart move for groups. Order a few different sides and share them family style at the picnic tables.
Sauces deserve attention as well. Options like spicy ketchup and tartar sauce let you mix and match your dips.
Some folks treat this stand as a snack stop more than a burger stop. Honestly, that strategy makes a lot of sense.
A basket of rings and mushrooms between friends feels like summer in paper-tray form. Who needs a fancy appetizer menu?
A Marshmallow Shake Is Calling Your Name
Marshmallow milkshake. Read that again and try not to want one.
Shakes are a big deal at this little stand. The flavor list includes marshmallow, butterscotch, strawberry, and Oreo.
Root beer floats also earn a spot on the menu. They’re a fizzy, creamy throwback that fits the old-school mood perfectly.
Thick shakes need serious straws. Happily, the stand uses wide ones that make sipping a lot less of a workout.
A shake can work as dessert, but it also makes a fine solo treat. Stopping by just for one after a long drive sounds like a solid plan.
Butterscotch feels like the underdog flavor worth trying. It’s not something every burger joint offers, and that alone makes it tempting.
Kids will probably head straight for strawberry or Oreo. Adults with a sweet tooth may find themselves doing the same.
Washington summers can get warm, and a cold shake helps. Then again, a good shake tastes great in any season, rain included.
Not A Beef Fan? The Menu Still Has Your Back
Burger stands sometimes leave non-beef eaters with a sad side salad. That’s not the story at The Net Drive In.
A halibut sandwich swims onto the menu for seafood lovers. Pair it with tartar sauce for a Northwest-style treat.
Crispy chicken sandwiches are available too. They make a nice pick for anyone wanting crunch without beef.
Plant-based options include a garden burger and a black bean burger. The crew has been known to be thoughtful with dietary questions.
Grilled cheese is another easy choice. It’s comfort food that works for picky kids and grown-ups alike.
Ask questions at the window if you’re unsure about something. The staff is often described as patient and friendly with first-timers.
Mixed groups benefit the most here. One person grabs a double burger, another takes halibut, and everyone leaves happy.
That variety helps explain why this stand works for road trips. Nobody has to compromise, and nobody has to pout in the back seat.
Grab A Picnic Table Under The Trees Out Back
Eating outdoors is the whole deal here. The stand is take-out only, with picnic tables waiting behind the building.
Those tables sit under tall, leafy trees. It’s a calm spot that feels a world away from noisy fast-food dining rooms.
Road noise stays pretty low out back. That surprises people, given how close the highway runs.
Spring can bring a colorful bonus. Tulips and daisies have been planted around the grounds in early April.
That timing lines up nicely with tulip season in the Skagit Valley. A burger break between flower fields sounds like a great day.
Seating is limited, though, with only a few tables. If they’re full, your car makes a perfectly respectable dining room.
Rainy days happen in Washington, of course. Keep a blanket or towel in the trunk for drying off a damp bench.
Good weather turns this patch of shade into a mini picnic park. Bring the family, spread out the fries, and enjoy the slow pace.
Beat The Lunch Rush With A Little Smart Timing
Lines at a beloved burger window are basically a badge of honor. Still, nobody enjoys waiting while their stomach growls.
Everything is cooked fresh, which takes a little time. During busy stretches, expect some wait before your order comes up.
The easiest trick is arriving right at opening. Doors, or rather the window, open at 10:30 a.m.
Later afternoon works well too, after the lunch crowd fades. An early dinner before the 7 p.m. close is another good bet.
Ordering for a big group? Call ahead or plan extra time so the kitchen can keep up.
Double-check your order at the window before walking away. It’s a small step that keeps every side dish where it belongs.
Patience pays off with hot food straight from the fryer. That’s a fair trade for a few extra minutes.
Use the wait to study the menu board. By the time you reach the window, you’ll know exactly which shake you want.
Find It On The Road Between Town And The Water
Finding the stand is easy once you know the road. The Net Drive In sits at 18037 WA-536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
That puts it west of downtown Mount Vernon, across the Skagit River. The highway heads out through farmland toward the coast.
The stand sits right off the road. Hungry drivers can pull in without a big detour.
Commuters heading home make it a handy dinner stop. When nobody wants to cook, a sack of burgers solves everything.
Road-trippers exploring the Skagit Valley can work it into their route. It pairs nicely with a spring drive past colorful farm fields.
Washington has fancier places to eat, sure. Few of them come with this much small-town history and a walk-up window.
Choosing a local stand also supports a small business. That feels good when every bite is fried fresh by a hardworking crew.
So next time you’re cruising WA-536, watch for that little burger window. Pulling over might become your new favorite habit.
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