Mussell Beach Drive In

We were in the Bay Area for the weekend and after spending the afternoon at the beach we thought the drive inn would be a great casual place to stop with two hungry kids. While the reviews were spot on about the food, and ice cream (we each got shakes), the service was unbelievably slow. We waited 15 minutes for drinks and then another 20 for our food (we ordered our drinks at the same time as our food). When our food arrived we placed the order for our shakes… which took another 20 minutes. Overall from start to paying the bill we were there an hour and twenty minutes, something you wouldn’t expect at a drive in.

Owners and their family are all quite rude. Really takes away from the whole experience. They do serve good food but the rudeness really just takes away from it all!

I love coming to Mussel Beach in the summer! There’s something about soft serve that when done right is totally exciting. If you order at the window outside you have pick of a rather extensive menu of ice cream concoctions. My personal favorites are the chocolate covered strawberry Blizzard-​like things and glaciers (soft serve mixed with a slushie).
I don’t dine in fairly often, but if you’re looking for a typical burger and fries or home style cooking, look no further.

Menu does change and the daily special remains the same for months at a time. Menu selection have too high of fat content for most to be eating.
Service has always been good. Prices are on par with others in the area.

Great little restaurant of the beaten path and across a state park.
Why 4 stars and not 3?
They actually gave us free onion rings since it was our first time. They were amazing. I’m going back tomorrow for more.
Why 4 stars and not 5?
Bathrooms were not very clean. Walls are splattered and need to be scrubbed.
Also bacon and toast were both over cooked. Still edible but not 5 star.
Hamburger was ok. But needs more seasoning.
Homemade fries ok, but not cooked enough for how thick they are.
But I love free and that got them 4 stars! Plus I have never ever like homemade onion rings. These were absolutely tasty.

Have been going here since childhood. Great place for good food and great prices. Definitely try their burgers and shakes!

This place is a local hot spot. It’s generally always got a decent amount of people eating or snacking here. It’s long been a family tradition to stop in when we visit family in Bay City when we come from Denver. If you want some ice cream or some good burgers this place shouldn’t be overlooked. Give em a visit

The only good thing about this place is the ice cream… good selection, fair prices and decent service times.
As far as food, you’d better have 2 hours to kill, because it takes FOREVER to get your order. The specialty is anything greasy, so I guess that is a big draw for many. You can literally smell the grease blocks away form this establishment.
Do yourself a favor, pass… unless you’re looking to kill some time, then this might be for you.

We decided to stop while we were in town for a ghost hunt on the USS Edson, rather than grab fast food. The prices and reviews appeared to be good, figured why not. I ordered the stuffed cheeseburger, fries and a drink. My wife ordered a double cheeseburger, and a sampler basket. WOW! The wait was a bit long, but they had 2 rows of tickets, it was a Saturday night. Worth charging he wait. we didn’t leave hungry, and loved it. The fries are fresh cut, onion rings cut and battered, doesn’t get any better. Worth the wait!

Terrible customer service. They weren’t busy but I walked in with friends, stood at the counter to order only to be told «I can’t take your order, I need to wait tables». There was at least three other employees standing around that could have assisted As well.
We continued to wait at the counter more than five minutes and eventually walked out.
I’m a local and had out of town friends with me — very embarrassing.
I used to be a regular but after this interaction I’d give this place zero stars if it were an option.

Stopped in here on a trip up the Michigan coast and all we wanted was a good soft serve cone. What great ice cream! They even had orange twist!!! Yummy!!! Very large servings! We even had to stop again on the way back through! 5 stars!!!

Only had ice cream here but the shake I had was awesome! Went with a pineapple shake and it was delicious. I also thought the prices were fair. The employees were friendly too. Typically when you go to a place like this you get High schoolers and college kids who are just going through the motions and have no motivation. Can’t say the same about Mussel Beach. Good kids and friendly. Will be back and will try the food! Can only imagine it’s just as good as the ice cream.

It takes a little while to get your food, but it’s definitely worth the wait! The 2 guys that run it are very nice and the service is excellent!

Stopped in here last Thurs. I recently had gastric bypass and was trying to be very careful of what I eat. I ordered the cheese sticks and ordered the ¹⁄₃ 1 burger with fries for my husband. I could eat the cheese sticks because they weren’t covered in coating. my husband’s were actually slices of real potatoes! Food was fresh, hot and service was fantastic! The place was packed, but we got our order quickly! Love this place!!!

Great food!!! Place is small and homelike, the staff will tell you right off the bat, they are NOT fast food, quality food with a nice chance to chat with family and friends. If your in a hurry or like loud overcrowded places, don’t go there. Want Great food and a nice relaxing time… BINGO! Kudos to the owners.

Mussel beach equals childhood for me. I had my first banana split here. I remember the stomach ache that followed. Ahhhh memories! I also remember they had this little boat ride in a well. Lol I went on it all the time but was always secretly terrified of the black inky water.

Great service, good prices… one of the few places you can find soft-​serve twist cones!!!
Its a surprisingly good place to stop and have a fantastic home-​cooked meal, with a home style atmosphere.
Ive been coming here for as long as I can remember, and they never dissapoint.

Mmmmm. They are pretty great. CASH ONLY. The ice-​cream and malts are delicious. I haven’t tried their food yet, but I’m sure it’s just as good. I’ve been going here for years, I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this place. They have a huge selection of ice-​cream. A foodie’s wet dream!

Mussell Beach is iconic — a family-​run, Bay City staple.
My family and I have gone here since I can remember and have enjoyed who knows how many cones, burgers, sandwiches, etc. Food is cooked fresh, to order — and the people that run it are friendly and welcoming. I love supporting places like this.
Recently, my party of three enjoyed one of their stuffed burgers, onion rings, a chicken ranch wrap, and french fries. I had the wrap and fries — and both were awesome. Great fries. Of course, we got some cones for dessert.
During warm months, customers can enjoy their meals or treats out front while seated at the restaurant’s picnic tables, but there’s also tables/​room inside the smaller dining area indoors.
Get a cone and walk across the street to the State Park beach area. Delightful!

How could there be no reviews of this place?!!
We weren’t locals and stumbled onto this place while looking for lunch options around the town public beach. I am SO GLAD that we stopped by! We ordered fried mushrooms, burger, and ruebens, which came highly recommended by the owner/​cook/​waiter. It did not disappoint… the best rueben of my life so far. I couldn’t quite explain it but I suspect they drenched the sauerkraut in french onion soup and then served it like a thick stew inside the sandwich. Whatever it was, it was pure genius! To this day i drool just thinking about it…
The restaurant looked «cute» from the outside (see the giant ice cream cone in my pictures) and clean on the inside. You can get ice cream/​shakes at the outside window. But to order meals, you have to go inside. The place is cash only and service was very slow. But if you are ever in the area and have an hour for lunch, bring $ 10 bucks and get the rueben sandwich. You won’t regret it!