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I feel some interminable regret that i've not reviewed the Pick Quick. Next i'm gonna have to make sure i've reviewed Frisko Freeze at this rate...
The burgers are very good. The burgers at thousands of local places seem to be very good. It's hard to screw up a burger.
The fries are what does it for me at Pick Quick. They're double-fried Belgian-style so you get a very crispy fry without it being mushy inside.
You do have to be firm about order modifications. I find myself repeating NO TOMATO like three times. They're really nice, but they get in a very automated, repetitive flow. Similarly, if you don't like your shake thick, tell them. Plus, they can make my diet coke with cherry syrup (admittedly it makes it two teaspoons of sugar less "diet", but at least it's real sugar) and in season the blackberry shakes are divine.
For the record, I'm convinced this is the place my grandpa talks about from when he lived in Tacoma.
I sat down at one of the many cute little picnic tables while the boy placed our order. Not long after that he came bringing what looked like a delicious platter of food to the table.
First bite of the burger and my taste buds were going "OH WOW THIS IS GOOD!!!!'
All of the sudden, my brain went "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!?!?"
There are many trees surrounding the seating area, and since birds are migrating, these trees make a wonderful place for the birds to rest. And crap on my head.
That said, we retreated back to the car and finished our food. The cheeseburger was tasty, with fresh ingredients on it, and I have to say I really like the fries. They are a bit overcooked but I like my fries on the toasty side. They even have Cherry Sprite with cherry syrup pumped into the cup! Not nearly as greasy as I was expecting which is definitely a good thing. Prices are reasonable and I'm sure I'll be back.
By the way, Ran W., my sister lives in San Diego. It's a great city.
Two days ago, I found myself driving to the airport three hours early and hoping to beat the traffic. Luckily, I missed most of it but, then again, what does one do to pass the time? Eat, of course.
Two weeks prior, I had visited Pick Quick, but unfortunately it was closed. Remembering this disappointment, I quickly planned to stop over in Fife before I had to deliver my mother to the airport.
Don't ask me where this place is, because I have no idea. Generally, I'd place it west (left side) of the freeway (if you're driving north) and south on Old 99. The small Pick Quick burger shack will be a few miles down the road on your left.
We finally arrived at Pick Quick at about 4:30. The line was fairly small and the wait was equally short, considering that they do not prepare your food in a microwave.
I ordered a double cheeseburger, small french fry and a blackberry milkshake. After receiving our food, we found a nice picnic-like table located behind the establishment. The neatly trimmed lawn and flowered landscape makes for a very pleasant eating environment.
First off, after inspecting my cheeseburger, I noticed that they included rather large selections of tomato and onion. I loathe tomatoes and immediately dispatched of mine. But, suffice to say, the rest of the burger was great! Not too big, not too small, and cooked and prepared exceptionally well.
The fries, however, looked like they had been overcooked, but after trying one I couldn't stop eating them. By appearance standards, they look unappetizing. I was completely flumoxed after discovering that these fries were actually very good.
The milkshake, on the other hand, was way too thick for my preference and I was way too full to make an attempt at finishing it.
Nevertheless, this joint is a definite must. The prices are great. The food is great. If you love this type of food, I highly recommend a visit.
The fries were horrible. Burger was unmemorable. Too windy. Wendy's up the street is way better, especially with their upgraded jr bacon cheeseburger - and their fries are WAY MASS BETTER!
Yay Wendy's!
I love serendipity. The only thing better than finding a legendary place is finding it by accident.
This place is so unassuming. Although it is legendary, It isn't really famous and hasn't been "discovered" by the food network. Many western washingtonians I talked to hadn't even heard of it. There aren't any pictures of Guy Fieri on the wall. I kind of hope that doesn't happen because those places seem to change once it does.
I actually showed up about 10 minutes after they closed. I was crestfallen but I told them I lived far away and couldn't come back. Unbelievably they took my order! They had to heat up the fryer again. When I saw the owner out back, I complimented him and he was so appreciative, you'd think that it was the first compliment he'd ever received.
The atmosphere is awesome. Only ladies take your order and cook your food. 7 or 8 of them are crammed into this small shack and they age from about 16-60.. When you get your food (be patient, its worth it!), you sit out back at picnic tables in a garden surrounded by beautiful flowers and huge trees.
But this is also not an "atmosphere only" kind of place. The burgers are truly excellent. They use the perfect mix of condiments and toppings along with really good meat. Most burgers have no flavor, lets face it. These do. Also, you can get grilled onions. They are old fashioned, thin patties and a triple is more than enough.
And the fries!!! They remind me of the beach fries of the east but much thinner. They are fresh cut and brown. They would seem to go perfect with some vinegar but all you need is a little salt and just maybe a dip of ketchup every now and again.
They even have "real" cherry coke and cherry sprite with the syrup. I had the chocolate fudge shake which was great. And to prove how old fashioned this place is, a cup of coffee costs .85 cents! (Not that I would order coffeee at a place like this.)
If you are on your way to the Seattle Airport, leave early and go a few extra exits into Fife. This kind of place is few and far in between. I guarantee that wherever you are from, you won't even mind if you miss your flight.
Great burgers, fries and shakes. If you like Dick's, Frisko Freeze or In n Out you will like this place.
Here's a trick for you. I keep their phone number in my cell phone. I call 10 minutes before I get there and walk right to the front of the line when I get there. Otherwise the wait can be very long....but still worth it.
Closest thing to In-n-Out you can get in this part of the country.
The food is consistently good and affordable. Eating outside is nice in summer. This place is an institution. Eat there and you'll know why.
Oh, and don't miss the chili cheese fries. Share them with someone, otherwise you won't be hungry for your double cheeseburger and shake!
Oh Pick Quick.. I wish I could just put you in my pocket, and take you back to Houston with me. This place is EVERYTHING a burger stand should be. Honestly, even though I give more than a few 5 star reviews, this place truly deserves 10. It is uncommon to find a place that does every single thing right, the first time. This place is a gem.
First off, it's a burger stand. Not a restaurant, not a drive through, a stand. It envokes a kind of nostalgia that you just dont find anymore. It also makes you start up conversations with people in line, and people waiting for their order. A lil face to face time with the neighbors is always good. When I placed my order, the attendant wrote it down on a note pad (Old school) and repeated it back to me before charging me for it. Nice touch.
The wait wasn't long and the burger was absolutely perfect and delicious. Flame broiled, juicy, and the veggies were crisp. I will be back again before I go home...With a trailer... To tow the place back to Houston lol.. If you love burgers, eat here.
Fast, friendly, super cute place. Simple menu with everything you could possibly need at a small burger joint like this. I love all the picnic tables set up outside on the grass.
My only complaint about the cheeseburger was that it had too much mustard and relish, and it was tangy enough to ruin my tastebuds for the rest of the meal. The first few bites though were divine :)
Let me first admit my bias: I am still looking for a fast-food burger to rival the Dick's deluxe. The deluxe is, for me, the Platonic ideal of fast-food burgers. Though the Pick Quick's double cheeseburger did not surpass the Dick's deluxe for me (for any burger to do this might require me to totally re-evaluate my life), it was pretty dang good.
I always feel a little intimidated when ordering for the first time at a window or a counter. But the staff here was very friendly and guided me through the order. I was going to just get a single-patty cheeseburger but they suggested a double patty, since the patties aren't very big. The GF ordered a veggie burger, and to round it out we also got an order of fries and a chocolate-peanut butter shake.
My double cheeseburger was a little messy, so it was nice that it came in a little paper pocket designed to catch overflowing toppings and condiments. The soft, lightly toasted bun was smeared with the perfect amount of mayo and mustard (BTW, I love mayo). The lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle were crisp and fresh--and the onion was quite mild, so even though it was a big chunk of it, it didn't overpower. The meat patties were of the thinner variety, tasty and not at all tough.
The GF was also impressed by her veggie burger. She said that a lot of the time veggie burgers seem to be treated as an afterthought, but the quality of Pick Quick's made it clear that it was crafted with care (and the fresh and tasty veggie toppings were a big plus).
The fries were awesome--crunchy and apparently hand-cut. They also came with ketchup without having to ask for it or pay extra. But they were so flavorful that ketchup was actually unnecessary. The shake was delicious and so thick we needed to eat it with a spoon. It was made with real peanut butter so sucking through a straw was out of the question.
Will I be back? Most definitely. I can't believe it took me four years to finally get to this place!
Best burgers in Fife, hands down. Phew! I don't have to pick between Pick Quick and anywhere else really...
My kids say they like Pick Quick even more than Little Holland - with its ambiance, it's definitely a kid/family place!
Basic burgers done right - and dang cheap! $2.35 for a regular burger...and the most expensive burger is the triple cheeseburger for $4.60. A large shake is only $3.00, they have 15 flavors and they are very good.
What can I add that I haven't seen covered yet? Chili Fritos! Only 3 bucks - if you like this sort of thing (which I very much do) you will not be disappointed. Also - they have Green River - WOOO! Let's hear it for Pick Quick - still giving us a NW classic!
Don't go here looking for gourmet burgers - that's not the vibe here. It's just solid, inexpensive drive-in food that evokes another time. We love it!
If the sun is out and you're in a hurry don't go here OK
so its like 80 out and I am hungry and I am on my way to work, and I am throwing around food Ideas in my head, then I remember its summer time Quick Pick is open for business
now there are people all around waiting for there food just order your damn food and get out of the way people, you don't need to ask them what # they are on do you ? Hell NO !! because you are gonna order anyways even if they are on # 5 and you get # 50 you are not walking away with out a burger and a Shake and some of them fresh cut fries, or some damn tasty Potato Salad like I had, along with my Double Cheese Burger
and what other joint has not only Chili Fries, but they also make Chili Frito's you try to get you some Chili Frito's any were else in this town I dare ya
so get your booty on down to Fife and get you some Quick Pick your tummy will thank you
The fries were good. Unfortunately, that is not what I REALLY wanted. I wanted a good shake. It was not good at all.
Everything a drive-in should be. They write everything down on an old tablet, pay cash, and sit at picnic table until your number is called. Hot fresh burgers, crispy crinkle fries, foot long hot dogs, shakes, etc.
Hot, juicy burgers with all the fixins. I've been going there since I was knee high to a hole in the ground though so I might be a little impartial. It used to be ven better when I was a kid because it sat in front of a drive-in movie theater. Talk about the right atmoshere!
I update this review because it's almost opening season again at the Pick Quick. I know you've thought about going in past years, but never gone. This is the year. Why?
Where else can you get an old-timey hamburger and milkshake that instills the illusion that the 1950s were actually a remotely livable time period?
Where else can you do it amidst a mix of antique cars, vacationing families, motorcyclists, soccer kids and well-fed locals?
Did you know that there is actual, enjoyable green space in Fife? Seriously. The grass is worth the trip alone.
Also important: How many opportunities do you get to go to a place that was name-dropped on the Colbert Report?
Now, imagine that the food is actually good -- nay, delicious -- and reasonably-priced.
This, my friend, is your year to go.
Oh, yes.
Pick Quick Drive-In is a little oasis in Fife. Literally, in fact. It's a greenbelt (with…
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If you like old school burgers, fries and shakes, Pick Quick is the place!
Some people think their burgers are small, well that's how they made them back in the day (everything is oversized these days.) Fries are old-school greasy and shakes are thick (malt shake rocks.)
It's easy to see why this place has been around for 60 years!
Decided to go on the hottest day of the year! Tons of people there - everywhere else on Pac Hwy empty (what does that say.............) Got fries (good but should have eaten there and they would have been excellent), cheeseburger (hadlots of onion - which we all love) and shakes (got chocolate and chocolate malt). The critis loved it (Serena's BFF always wants to try "one of those Yelp places") Will definitely be back to try chili fritos, potatoe salad and a pineapple shake (what a combo...............). Feed the 4 of us for $19.97!
Yup. That was a pretty good burger; good fries; great malt.
Chalk another one up for listening to where Yelp tells me to go...
The building in itself is worth the rating! I just happened to be driving by, never heard of it before, but saw a line and a great OLD neon sign attached, I love those classic old signs! So, I stopped and stepped into line... cheeseburger and hand cut fries! both delicious, but take some gum because they do not skimp on the onion on the burger. My one small gripe was the wait... it took awhile. They may very well have outgrown the space, which I guess is a good problem to have, right?
So one day my friend and I took to discussing our love of precious, all-american drive in joints.
Anyways, living down the street from Frisko Freeze and as a vegetarian I came to this place with high expectations for my staples - milkshakes, french fries, and grilled cheese!
I had a peach shake and it was amazing. One of those where your eyes kind of bug out because you suck so hard trying to get at that peachy goodness.
My grilled cheese, however, left something to be desired :[
Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't expecting them to whip out some fancy bread and cheese - but come on, $2 for a hamburger bun and a couple slices of rubbery american cheese? We all know that's ridiculous.
My biggest beef (or lack there-of) is the fact that the grilled cheese was barely even warmed. Thanks guys.
Despite this, the shake and fries were amazing. I can't say I would ever drive from Tacoma when I have Frisko Freeze a mile away, but if for some freak reason I ever end up in Fife I'll be sure to go again!
Really good burgers. Much better then Fat burger. The fries taste super fresh, makes you feel better about eating it lol. Rather then eatting the fries at Mcyd's. The condiments are fresh as well. Like as if they just got done cutting them. The ice cream is SO goood. It's very creamy. This place just screams, HOMEMADE. I love it.
They are very consistant. Evertime I try something new, I love this place even more!
While the burgers and fries are just ... meh ... average, I'm giving the Pick Quick four stars for its longevity, it's totally cool retro building and signage, and its inviting outdoor space with grass and picnic tables. BTW, I didn't find the prices to be cheap; I paid around $7 for a single patty burger, fries, and soda.
The lines were long at noon on a weekday, when all the business folk stop by for a bite. You can tell they are true Pick Quick loyalists. It can take a while to get your burger during that rush, because they are making them hot and fresh as you order. That being said, the buns are not grilled to full warmth, and the patty itself is rather tasteless.
The best part of the Pick Quick is the eating area. You would never know you were sitting yards away from one of the busiest roads in Fife with the trees, grass, and picnic tables, and great hand-painted signs high in the trees announcing the seating area is for Pick Quick customers only.
The Pick Quick reminds me of the great old burger shacks so commonly found in Southern California. For that reason alone it is a true landmark, in Fife of all places!
YAY, I was finally able to come here today.
I thought the burger was wayyy above average than other places. With smaller patties, the condiments made up for them. I love the fact that the stuff they serve is fresh especially the fries.
I can't wait to try to shakes/malts.
Anyone have a suggestion?
P.S I had a deluxe burger while my dad had a triple burger with fries and a medium coke.
The Pick Quick is one of those Americana Gems that is so hard to find these days....
The Milkshakes are cold and the Girls behind the counter are Hot ;)P
Now that its summer, the fresh Strawberry and Blackberry milkshakes pair well with traditional burgers and ChilliFries, what more could you ask for while sitting at a well kept picnic table in the sun !!
Since it is a mile from the Port of Tacoma the guys from the construction site and I frequent this place weekly for an enjoyable lunch.
This place is pretty awesome. We took the cars down here after the hot rod a rama. The food is really good, but what tops it off is the atmosphere. Nothing says "quality neighborhood" like a random drunk guy trying to talk to you about your car as he stumbles out into the street and narrowly misses being hit by a bus! NICE!!! I'll be back again for sure!
What a slice of Americana! This is a great old school joint!
The burgers are solid and cheap! This is stripped down good burg nakedness at it finest! The fries are hand cut and very tasty! That said this place has the best MFN milkshakes ever!!!
Get your ass out of the city and check this little gem out. It closes in the winter as it is a true old school roadside burger stand open since the '40's before I-5!!! Awesome!!
Best burgers I've ever had! I've been coming here since I was a small kid, never have had a bad meal there. Sometimes it is busy, and take a bit to get your food but its worth the wait! The coffee Mocha shakes are the best!
What a great burger! Unfortunately, they close for part of the winter. Can't wait for them to reopen, so I can get a burger and fries, old school style. They are very accommodating and the shakes are incredible! Once you eat here, you will never want to go to one of the chain burger places again.
Going to keep this one short and sweet... Chili fries, Milkshakes (peanut butter + hot fudge is the bestest) and single, double or triple all beef burgers!
Great place to grab a greasy burger n fries. It seams to be rare that you find burger stands anymore, this one is worth the trip!
Since 1949 Pick-Quick has been serving up a great burger, fries, and shakes. I've been stopping here whenever possible for decades and I always receive a fresh juicy burger, great hand-cut fries, and a super duper fine shake (try the banana). In the summer they have a pleasant little orchard-like setting with picnick tables.
Tacoma, WA
Category: Vietnamese
Tacoma, WA
Category: Burgers
Tacoma, WA
Category: Restaurants
Ruston, WA
Category: Vegetarian
Tacoma, WA
Category: Pizza
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