Gordon’s Stop Light
Drive In

by Marian Rein

Gordon’s Stop Light Drive In

500 Bailey Road

Crystal City, MO  

In a world that’s changing so fast it’s stressful just thinking about it, there’s more than comfort food to be found in a place reminiscent of a slower, simpler time—at Gordon’s Stop Light Drive In in Crystal City, that’s exactly what you’ll find.

An open grill, stainless steel counter, clean white-tile floor and a simple and delicious fare, cooked to order—it gave me the feeling I had as a young girl, sitting on a swivel stool at the counter of my grandfather’s diner in Jennings—a friendly and welcoming neighborhood experience.

The highlights at Gordon’s are the burgers, fries, chili dogs and shakes. My son, Sam, and I shared a Famous Jumbo—a grilled burger topped with onion, cole slaw and barbecue sauce. It was so good that we ordered another. I would recommend ordering your own, and make it a double.

We also shared an order of fries. At Gordon’s, the fries are my favorite type—skinny and crisp, and I love to smother them with ketchup!

Who could resist a hand-dipped shake? Not me! We had a strawberry shake, and it was more than enough for the two of us.

Perhaps it has something to do with spending so much of my childhood in a family diner, but the experience of sitting at the counter at Gordon’s Stop Light Drive In, swiveling on the stools, conversing with the cook and eating delicious, simple food—well, even my 14-year-old son, Sam, loved the experience. We’ll be going back, soon!