KN Root Beer Drive-In - “The Special”
Growing up in Amarillo, my dad and I had “Our Places” to eat. On any given Saturday, after we would do yard work, run to the antique store, or run errands, we would end up at “K&N.” I have no idea how many times I have been here in my life, but it has to be counted in dozens, if not hundreds. Dad and I would always order the same thing; “The Special”, Fries and a medium Root Beer. In all my years of patronage, I have never had anything other than “The Special.” The sides would occasionally change (the fries, tater tots and onion rings are not particularly good, but you have to have something with a burger, right?), and I might overshoot my headlights and order the large Root Beer, but “The Special” has been the constant. Dad and I would always joke that every time we went, there was a fresh coat of white paint over the old price of “The Special” and a newer, slightly higher price had been painted in its place. We had to make a jab at the “Buy One Cheese Dog, Get One Free Today Only” sign that has been there since day one; FOMO since 1968. I think the Cheese Dog BOGO is a special for people bad at math (see Menu). The one thing that wasn’t constant was the carhops. We would always observe that they changed every time we would visit. I don’t know if we didn’t visit enough, or their tenure was really that short, but they changed so frequently, that it became a study. “Do you think that same carhop will be there?” She never was.
As I have grown older, my trips to KN (I still call it K&N, even though I know the correct name) have become less frequent, but the tradition still holds. As my daughter was growing up, it became one of “Our Places.” My wife was never a big fan, but my daughter got the same thrill as I did of having the tray latched on to the car window and the joy of drinking Root Beer from the frosted mugs. Now that I have a granddaughter, I look forward to Poppy taking her to get her first Special and tiny frosted mug.
Over the years, I have discovered different (not better) types of burgers. The KN burgers most closely resemble a Whataburger burger. I can’t tell you if one is better than the other, but Whataburger damn sure doesn’t bring it to your car with a frosty Root Beer and pick up the tray after a polite honk of your horn. I’ll take KN any day over Whataburger (except for a Green Chile Double, but that’s another story).
THE JOINT EXPERIENCE
The place looks the same as I always remembered it. A beacon of the late '60s architecture. Still the same orange metal cover. Still the same trays. Something has changed though. "The Special" sign doesn't have the price anymore. I guess they got tired of painting over it every two weeks. I had forgotten about the odd hours of operation. I guess someone has to be somewhere by 8 pm four nights a week.
Today's meal was just like every one before it. It's like a edible Groundhog Day. "The Special" with mayo, no pickles or lettuce (name me one dish improved by warm lettuce, I dare you) , fries and a medium Root Beer. The carhop (different since the last time I was there for those keeping score), politely asked if I would like my Root Beer in a mug or a foam cup. If I ever see anyone order a KN Root Beer in a cup, I will hunt you down and junk punch you.
The burger is all of its salty, melty, white bread goodness is as good now as it ever has been. The patties are thin and crispy and just perfect. This is as good as a flat-top burger gets. I seldom meet a burger I don’t like, but this one ranks right up there.
The fries are better than I remember, but the bar was pretty low. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. Still not anything above average, but passable. You have to have a side with a burger and the fries fill that gap.
The Root Beer, OH GOD THE ROOT BEER. This is what separates KN from anywhere else. The frosted mug with its slush of frozen root beer inside are perfection in a glass. I cannot imagine “The Special” without the Root Beer and vice-versa. I don’t know how they make this, but I picture a cauldron surrounded by witches.
It is not the cheapest meal in town, but if you have never had the KN Experience or just need a nostalgic, salty, cheesy, frosty reminder of childhood, give them a visit. Just get there before 7:50.
3900 Olsen Blvd
Amarillo, TX 79109
806-355-4391
Recommended Dishes
The Special
Root Beer
