Although I consider myself a “foodie,” (a term that I find cringe-worthy, by the way), that doesn’t mean that I want every meal I eat to be avant-garde, nuanced and featuring ingredients I’ve never heard of. To me, being a foodie means that you love food, from formal and fancy to classic and comforting, and that you have equal affection for both. There are foods to suit every mood, and while sometimes I want a five-star dining experience, that doesn’t mean that I want that experience every day; sometimes I want something simple, tasty, un-fussy and convenient. And what embodies that idea better than a drive-in?

The Corral Drive-In in Long Beach, Washington, is a well-known local favorite — and for good reason. Similar to Dairy Maid in Warrenton, it is a sort of 1950s throwback, the sort of place where you might expect a waitress on roller skates to bring your order to your car window while Elvis croons on the radio. It is a piece of a forgotten era, a simpler time, and a wonderful place when you’re in the mood for good ol’ American-style comfort food.

At a place like this, I would expect the burgers to be the most commonly ordered item, and therefore, top notch. I was not disappointed. The burgers at the Corral can be ordered with a variety of accoutrements, including bacon, eggs, mushrooms and jalapeños. But I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to burgers: Cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup and mustard are as far as I normally like to go when it comes to toppings. While I like a thick burger patty with a variety of savory flavors, somehow the rather flat patty served at the Corral didn’t bother me. Maybe it was the other toppings, including the Tillamook cheese, that charmed me, or perhaps it was that cute little accordion-folded paper sleeve that lets you hold the burger without getting your hands dirty. I don’t know. Regardless, I believe in this case that the burger’s sum was greater than its individual parts, and overall the taste was savory and satisfying. I chose onion rings as a side, and they were crisp and flavorful, aided by a side of “secret sauce” (the secret, I believe, starts with a combination of ketchup and mayonnaise, but don’t quote me on that, of course).

The most outstanding and surprising dish of the day was an order of halibut fish and chips. The wording on the menu sign doesn’t expand on the description of “fish and chips,” so I was expecting cod (which, by the way, shouldn’t ever be frowned upon, as it’s an excellent fish for the deep-fried fish and chips preparation), but I must admit to being pleasantly surprised when the server behind the counter offered me a choice of either cod or halibut. I selected the halibut and was extremely pleased. The breading on the fish had that pleasant crunch that I’m always after, but it did not detract from the flavorful, tender fish on the inside. I do wish that the breading had a bit more flavor, such as the flavor that is often contributed from a beer batter, but overall the flavor and texture were pleasing. Paired with delicious, house-made crinkle-cut fries, and considering that the overall price tag is $9.99, this is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner anytime, whenever halibut fish and chips piques your culinary mood.

Kids will enjoy the chicken nuggets meal, which is served in a cute, cardboard convertible. The chicken nuggets, unlike those offered at other establishments, don’t seem to come from the “nugget” cut of the chicken (which doesn’t exist, of course). Instead, the nuggets are large, breaded bites of real chicken and are wholesome and tasty. While it’s designed as a kid’s meal, the large serving of nuggets and French fries were much more than my son could eat in a sitting, and this boy loves chicken nuggets. At a shockingly low price tag of $4.75, I don’t believe there’s a better or tastier deal to be had on the Oregon Coast or in southwest Washington.

A creamy milkshake, prepared in the old-fashioned metal tin, was the perfect dessert to top off the meal. Tillamook ice cream and fresh strawberries made the strawberry milkshake swoon-worthy. I ask you, when it comes to food, does it really get better sometimes than a tasty burger, crispy French fries, and sweet, creamy milkshake to wash it all down? I love haute cuisine, but this kind of food has its place, and that place resides firmly in my heart.

A simple, old-fashioned business, and tasty comfort food with prices from yesteryear — groovy!