A walk-up window built in the early 1950s still serves soft-serve ice cream at this little roadside spot. Inside, the menu lists cheese fries, chili cheese fries, and fries with gravy for dipping.
That’s the kind of detail that makes me hit the brakes. The building first went up in 1952, and it has passed through several owners since then. One era even had it known as Twin Kiss.
Today the place leans hard into its retro roots. Picture-perfect black and white checkered floors meet red booths and a grill you can watch in action.
I believe great fries tell you everything about a kitchen. This small Pennsylvania drive-in seems to understand that better than most.
1. Those Golden Fries Are The Reason You Will Make The Drive
Crispy outside, fluffy inside.
That simple combo is what Heeter’s Drive-In in Riverside does with its fries, and it’s harder to pull off than it sounds.
Plenty of places serve fries that go limp in five minutes.
Here, the fries come golden and lightly salted, letting the potato flavor do the heavy lifting.
You’ll find them riding alongside most baskets on the menu.
They pair with burgers, fish, popcorn shrimp, and clam strips, so they rarely sit out a meal.
I like that the seasoning stays in the background.
It lifts the potato instead of hiding it under a salty blanket.
Want to go bigger?
The menu offers a full basket of cheese fries and a full basket of chili cheese fries for serious snacking.
There’s also the gravy route, which deserves its own spotlight later.
For now, just know the plain version is the foundation of everything else.
My advice is simple.
Order at least one basket of the classic fries before you start experimenting.
Think of it as a baseline test for the kitchen.
Once you taste it, you’ll understand why this little Pennsylvania drive-in earns a trip on fries alone.
2. Gravy Fries Turn A Side Dish Into The Main Event
Gravy on fries is a Pennsylvania love language.
Heeter’s Drive-In speaks it fluently with gravy fries on the menu.
You can get the gravy poured right over the top for a fork-required situation.
Or you can ask for a cup on the side and dip each fry like a tiny potato boat.
Both methods have loyal fans.
I lean toward the side cup because it keeps the edges crisp a little longer.
The gravy option also works as a swap with some baskets.
A fish basket, for example, can come with gravy fries in place of the regular kind.
That flexibility is a nice touch.
You don’t have to choose between your favorite entree and your favorite side.
If you’re feeling extra bold, compare the gravy version with the cheese fries.
A shared table can turn into a friendly taste test pretty fast.
Just grab extra napkins before you start.
Gravy has a sneaky habit of finding sleeves, shirts, and the occasional car seat on the ride home.
Consider that a badge of honor, though.
Good gravy fries should never be a perfectly tidy experience.
3. Hand-Formed Burgers Give Those Fries Worthy Company
Every great fry needs a sidekick.
At Heeter’s Drive-In, the burgers fill that role with juicy, hand-formed patties.
They cook on a well-seasoned grill that sits in full view.
So you can watch your lunch come together instead of guessing what’s happening behind a wall.
I love an open grill.
It feels honest, and it adds a little dinner theater to an ordinary Tuesday.
Burgers aren’t the only big draw from that flat-top.
The cheesesteak gets plenty of attention too, which makes sense in a state that takes cheesesteaks very seriously.
Hot dogs, fish sandwiches, and wings round out the lunch lineup.
There are also fun extras like mac and cheese bites and mini pierogies, either deep-fried or grilled.
Pierogies on a drive-in menu?
That’s peak Pennsylvania, and I’m fully on board.
Portions here are known for being generous.
Splitting a few items can be a smart move if you want to sample more of the menu.
One tip: pick your main first, then build around the fries.
They’re the co-star, and they deserve a strong partner on the plate.
4. Breakfast Here Comes With A Pretzel Surprise
Fries aren’t only a lunch thing.
Breakfast at Heeter’s Drive-In opens early, and the morning menu gets surprisingly creative.
The star might be the Breakfast Pretzel.
It’s a house original that turns a soft pretzel into a full morning meal.
Then there’s The Mess, another signature plate with a name that promises zero regrets.
Both show the kitchen has a playful streak.
Traditional fans won’t feel left out.
The menu covers fluffy pancakes, golden French toast, stacked breakfast sandwiches, and three-egg omelets.
Sausage gravy also shows up on the breakfast side.
That’s a handy add-on if you like your morning plate rich and hearty.
Doors open at 7:30 AM most days and 8:00 AM on Sundays.
That makes it an easy stop before a day of exploring central Pennsylvania.
I can’t imagine a better way to start a road trip than a pretzel built for breakfast.
It’s fun, filling, and a little unexpected.
Here’s a sneaky plan.
Come for breakfast, leave happy, and return later for a basket of fries.
Nobody says you have to choose just one visit.
5. Checkered Floors And Red Booths Set A Very Retro Mood
Step back about seventy years without a time machine.
The interior here leans into a 1950s look with total commitment.
Black and white checkered floors stretch under red chairs and booths.
The color scheme sticks to red, white, and black, giving the room a classic jukebox feel.
Vintage signs and old photos add to the charm.
Counter stools also nod to the soda fountain days.
I like that the decor doesn’t feel like a theme park.
It suits a building that actually dates back to 1952.
The open grill keeps the room lively too.
Sizzling sounds and quick hands give the space real energy.
Kids tend to enjoy the bright colors and old-school details.
Grown-ups get a dose of nostalgia, even if they weren’t around in the fifties.
Prefer fresh air?
There’s an outdoor seating area for warmer days in Pennsylvania.
Either way, the setting makes the food taste a little more fun.
Fries just hit differently when you’re sitting in a red booth under a vintage sign.
Snap a photo of that floor before you leave.
It’s basically required.
6. Save Room Because The Shakes Need Serious Straw Power
Dipping fries in a milkshake is a debate that splits families.
Heeter’s Drive-In gives you the tools to settle it yourself.
The shakes are made with real ice cream.
They’re thick enough to test your straw, but not so thick that you give up and grab a spoon.
Classic flavors lead the way, including chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Simple choices, done right, never really go out of style.
Soft-serve cones and sundaes also come from the ice cream side of the business.
That walk-up window adds a fun summer-stand vibe to the whole place.
So which team are you on?
Salty fry dunked in a cold shake, or keep them politely separate?
I’m firmly on team dunk.
The sweet and salty mix feels like a reward for finishing your meal.
A practical tip: order the shake with your food rather than after.
That way you can run your own taste experiment while the fries are still hot.
And if you’re too full?
A shake travels surprisingly well for the ride home.
Just keep it upright and away from the gravy napkins.
7. Seven Decades Of Owners Kept This Grill Going
Back in 1952, the original building went up along this stretch of road.
The Dowling family owned it first, kicking off a long chain of keepers.
Stuart L. and Barbara Hartman bought it in 1963.
Then in 1968, Gene and Marian Rothermel took over a business known at the time as Twin Kiss.
Lou Pippon stepped in as owner in 1988.
The current owners picked up the reins in 2003.
Their goal was to honor the past while shaping a modern diner experience.
Judging by the checkered floors and the busy grill, that balance seems to be working.
I find that history kind of comforting.
Plenty of roadside stands vanished, but this one kept changing hands and kept cooking.
It’s now family-owned and community-centered.
That local feel shows up in the way the place gives back.
Community Give Back Days donate a portion of sales to nonprofits and organizations.
Groups in Danville and nearby towns benefit from those efforts.
So ordering fries can quietly help a local cause.
That’s a pretty great excuse for a second basket, if you ever needed one.
8. Finding Your Way There Is Easier Than Choosing Your Order
Heeter’s Drive-In is located in Riverside, just across the river from Danville, and uses a Danville mailing address.
It sits at 36 Elysburg Road, Danville, PA 17821.
Don’t let that postal detail confuse your GPS.
The drive-in lives in Riverside, just across the river from Danville.
It’s open year-round, which is great news for fry cravings in January.
Winter hours run 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday.
Sundays start a bit later at 8:00 AM.
Closing time stays at 7:00 PM, so plan dinner on the earlier side.
You can dine in, use the walk-up window, or get delivery after 11:00 AM.
That’s a lot of ways to get your hands on a basket of fries.
The spot makes an easy stop for anyone traveling through central Pennsylvania.
It’s a great break from long stretches of highway snacks.
I’d suggest arriving hungry and leaving with leftovers.
The generous portions practically guarantee a tasty second round later.
One last thought: order the fries, even if you swear you’re only getting ice cream.
Future you will be grateful, and slightly salty.
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