Peters' Drive-In - Debit accepted soon

[T@T]

I'm still trying (over 20 years now) to get these guys to sell me a franchise. Awesome chicken and better name.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Ducay

As a born/raised Calgarian, I still do not get the appeal of this place. Obviously it nostalgia and mostly Hype, but god, its terrible.

Sure they're milkshakes are okay, but nothing special (who wants drinkable consistency anyways). Burgers are downright cafeteria like (yes I want a patty and a half), fries are standard (yes I want a metric tonne of fries), and everything else is pretty average for bottom end fast food. Add in crazy lines and horrid street access, and you've got yourself a cultural icon!

I agree. If you want Nostalgia, go to Boogies Burgers

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by KTrain

If they treat it like Ikea (one location per city) they could build a very healthy and easily managed business. If they try multiple locations per city the charm runs off more quickly.

See: Five Guys

[btimbit]

I've never had any of the food there. Just the milkshakes. They decent and have lots of flavors, which is neat, other than that meh.

[nik-]

Peter's does, in fact, suck. Everytime I hear someone tell an out of town visitor "oh you gotta have Peter's Drive-In" I just cringe.

[craigwd]

I love Peter's and judging by the sometimes 60 minute wait, so do many others.
No, they don't have the best hamburgers of all time like some people like to exaggerate, but they are damn good for fast food.

[Barnet Flame]

It just reminds me of when I was a kid. After hockey and soccer games, it was a treat for a good game or practice. This was back in the 70s. I guess there were less options then, but it was part of my happiest memories.

When I go back to Calgary I always call in there or at least think of doing so. Not because the food is cordon bleu, but because it brings back happy memories and I'm glad that places like Peter's still exist.

[Maccalus]

I do believe that the quality of the burgers have gone downhill since the original Peter sold it. I don't know how much of it is childhood nostalgia, but I swear the burgers have gotten smaller, thinner and overall cheaper since the sale.

[Table 5]

Kind of like McDonalds fries, I know they aren't technically the best, but there's something about Peter's Burgers that hits the spot for me (I think its mostly the sauce). The experience of it all, with having some lunch on some old-school picnic tables, definitely remind me of "old Calgary".

Quality wise, a place like Clive, Rockys Burger Bus, 320 or even Five Guys, definitely makes a better burger....but there's just something about going to Peter's once or twice a year that hits home.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by KTrain

If they treat it like Ikea (one location per city) they could build a very healthy and easily managed business. If they try multiple locations per city the charm runs off more quickly.

Blanketing a city would be bad. But a second location in the south would be good!

[Madman]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Blanketing a city would be bad. But a second location in the south would be good!

No thanks, the North can gladly keep their gem all to themselves.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by nik-

Peter's does, in fact, suck. Everytime I hear someone tell an out of town visitor "oh you gotta have Peter's Drive-In" I just cringe.

The out of towners love it though. Calgarians complain about locals recommending it but people coming from outside the city flock to it consistently.

[nik-]

I guess people just love when they eat burgers that make their asses turn inside out. Peter's seems to me like what would happen if you put ground beef into a blender, then poured it into pattie shaped mounds, froze them, and then cooked them after dipping them in laxative.

I just don't get it.

[Table 5]

One thing to remember though is that Peter's prices are relatively cheap to a lot of the other burger-speciality places. A double cheese burger is $5.00 at Peters...its $10 at Clive, $10 at 320, $9.50 at Rockys, $7.50 at Five Guys.

Peter's is not on the same level because you're not really paying fancy-burger prices. Their prices are much more in par with a regular fast-food chain.

[ken0042]

^^ Fair point, but I have to disagree with using the Rocky's double pricing. I'd say there's waaaay more beef on a Rocky's single than a Peter's Double.

But yes, it is a little better price.

[tvp2003]

The milkshakes are still good. I think the burgers are adequate, although I could see why others don't like them. Fries and Rings (quantity and quality) are both reasonably good IMO.

Do I eat there more than 2-3 times a year? No. If I was driving through gasoline alley and wanted to stop for some grub, would I pick Peters over McD's and Tim's? Probably.

Interestingly, the "new" owners are both former lawyers; the husband still works in finance/banking and probably makes some pretty good coin: http://www.unlimitedmagazine.com/200...-acquisitions/

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by ken0042

^^ Fair point, but I have to disagree with using the Rocky's double pricing. I'd say there's waaaay more beef on a Rocky's single than a Peter's Double.

Rocky's definitely gives you more meat per patty. Although I think the point still stands with them too, considering the triple burger at Peter's is the same price as a single at Rockys. $6.

Speaking of which, Rocky's has been a little hit and miss for me lately. Not sure why...it used to be my favorite place in town.

[troutman]

“There’s no equity in a law firm,” he says.

I hope he is wrong.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Kind of like McDonalds fries, I know they aren't technically the best, but there's something about Peter's Burgers that hits the spot for me (I think its mostly the sauce). The experience of it all, with having some lunch on some old-school picnic tables, definitely remind me of "old Calgary".

Quality wise, a place like Clive, Rockys Burger Bus, 320 or even Five Guys, definitely makes a better burger....but there's just something about going to Peter's once or twice a year that hits home.

That is also the perfect amount of times to visit there because it allows you to remember how bad it is once a year. By the time you visit again you kind of forget that. Its beyond pathetic food, just terrible.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Speaking of which, Rocky's has been a little hit and miss for me lately. Not sure why...it used to be my favorite place in town.

I think that's in part to them now being open 7 days per week. Now that you have rotating staff there is a greater margin for differences.