Scotia, N.Y. — A restaurant that serves up waterside summer shows with its burgers, ice cream and fries in Upstate New York has been dubbed one of the best old-school eateries in the nation.
Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In, a 72-year-old eatery on the shore of the Mohawk River in Scotia, has been named among the 20 best drive-ins in the United States by Taste of Home.
The landmark Capital Region restaurant made the list of drive-ins “straight out of ‘American Graffiti’” alongside Jerry’s Curb Service in Beaver, Pennsylvania and Ardy & Ed’s in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The only remaining Vermont location of A&W, the drive-in chain that still has seven restaurants in Upstate New York, also earned a spot on the ranking.
“Jumpin’ Jack’s is famous for its cheap eats and classic fare, like burgers, dogs and fried dough,” Taste of Home wrote.
The eatery on Schonowee Avenue dates back to 1952 when founder Jack Brenan decided to open a Florida-inspired drive-in ice cream stand in Scotia, according to Jumpin’ Jack’s website. Ballooned by success, the business expanded to add the Charcoal Pit and serve burgers alongside its classic cones.
Jumpin’ Jack’s made itself a destination for more than food when Brenan added water ski shows on the nearby Mohawk River around 1967, according to the eatery. The shows are now a staple of life at the drive-in, which is currently the home base of the U.S. Water Ski Show Team.
The waterside restaurant has even survived hard times, including the wrath of Hurricane Irene in August 2011. The damage eventually led Jumpin’ Jack’s to expand Twin Freeze.
Jumpin’ Jack’s, which is currently closed for the winter, tends to open in the spring. Along with burgers, hot dogs and fries, the drive-in serves milkshakes, cones and slushies.
Fans of Jumpin’ Jack’s love to catch fireworks, concerts and ski shows — featuring talented skiers cruising the river in astonishing pyramid formation — at the iconic eatery. The drive-in is…
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