09/15/2026
In Glencoe, Alabama you can stop by the Big Chief Drive-In for some of the tastiest old-fashioned burgers and drive-in food around. This little roadside favorite has been serving the area since 1963 and still keeps the simple, small-town feel that has made it a local favorite for generations. The tiny A-frame building sits just off U.S. Highway 431, with limited seating inside and outdoor tables where you can enjoy your meal. Burgers, fries, milkshakes, flurries, and banana splits are longtime favorites, and you can also find bacon cheeseburgers, fried oysters, onion rings, and house-made ranch. Food is cooked after you order, the portions are generous, and the prices help keep it feeling like a true neighborhood stop instead of a chain. Big Chief was actually one of three similarly designed burger stands opened in the Gadsden area by Tim and Jack Alford; the other two, Pik-A-Burger and Jack’s Kwikee, are now gone. That makes Big Chief a rare survivor from Alabama’s old roadside burger days and a fun place to stop for a classic meal.
