The Red Rabbit Drive-In | Nostalgic Eats Along Route 322

A collage of four images showcasing the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, capturing its nostalgic 1950s-style charm and signature menu items. The top-left image features the restaurant’s curved overhang with the slogan “Make the Red Rabbit a Habit,” large front windows with menu signage, and a red pickup truck parked in front. The top-right image highlights a classic carhop tray meal, including a Bunny Burger with melted cheese and crispy bacon, golden French fries, a soft drink in a retro-style cup, and a ketchup packet, all served on a tray attached to a car window. The bottom-left image provides a close-up of a bottle of Bunny Dust seasoning alongside a tray of crispy fries, showcasing the restaurant’s signature seasoning blend. The bottom-right image focuses on the front window signage, emphasizing the drive-in’s long history as a three-generation family business since 1964, and its unique carhop ordering system where customers turn on their hazard lights for service.

Eating at The Red Rabbit Drive-In along Route 322 in Duncannon (Perry County) is like stepping back in time to a classic 1950s roadside experience.

A wide-angle view of the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, capturing its nostalgic 1950s-style design. The curved overhang displays the slogan "Make the Red Rabbit a Habit," while large front windows showcase menu items like the famous Bunny Burger and house-made chili. A red pickup truck is parked in front, adding to the classic roadside diner atmosphere. To the left, a covered carhop service area with picnic tables invites outdoor dining, while a "Pizza" sign marks another section of the restaurant. The bright blue sky and rural Pennsylvania backdrop emphasize the charm of this beloved family-owned drive-in eatery.

Founded in 1964 and run by the same family for three generations, this beloved eatery has been serving up made-to-order meals for decades.

A roadside sign for the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, standing tall against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The sign features the restaurant’s iconic red bunny mascot wearing a checkered hat, along with bold red lettering spelling out “Red Rabbit.” Below, a blue panel highlights one of the restaurant’s specialties, “BAR-B-QUES.” The sign is mounted on a weathered utility pole, with power lines stretching overhead. In the background, Route 322 runs past the restaurant, with a few businesses and gas stations visible in the distance, emphasizing the nostalgic roadside charm of this classic 1950s-style drive-in eatery.

Directions | Hours | Menu

The Red Rabbit is located at 60 Benvenue Road, Duncannon, PA 17020.


The Red Rabbit is open Friday-Sunday from 11 am – 9 pm (closed Monday – Thursday and closed December-January.)

A close-up of the front window at the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, displaying colorful signage promoting the restaurant’s signature offerings. The signs advertise "Our Own Chili," the famous "Bunny Burger" available as a single or double, and "Bunny Dust" seasoning available in an 8-ounce shaker to take home. Another sign indicates the restaurant's hours, stating it is open only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 AM to 9 PM and closed Monday through Thursday. A bold "Caution Door" warning with yellow arrows is also visible. Reflections of cars passing by on the road can be seen in the glass, adding to the nostalgic roadside charm of this classic 1950s-style drive-in.

The menu is classic American drive-in food, and they take cash or check only (no credit cards.)

A menu from the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, showcasing its selection of classic drive-in fare. The menu highlights the famous Bunny Burger and Double Bunny Burger, featuring a quarter-pound beef patty, smoked bacon, melted cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and house sauce on a sesame seed bun. Other offerings include sandwiches like ham and pork Bar-B-Ques, grilled cheese, fishwich, and crab cake sandwiches. The special dinner section features seafood and chicken options served with fries, coleslaw, and a dinner roll. Side orders include French fries with Bunny Dust, cheddar cheese sauce, coleslaw, and chicken nuggets. The fountain section features soft-serve ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, banana boats, and ice cream sodas. Beverage choices range from sodas and iced tea to coffee and hot cocoa. The bottom of the menu details ordering options, payment methods, and a reminder to turn on four-way hazard lights for carhop service, reinforcing the nostalgic charm of this classic 1950s-style drive-in eatery.
Image credit: The Red Rabbit/Facebook

What It’s Like to Eat at the Red Rabbit

I stopped in recently on a chilly February Friday morning, where I happened to meet Sam Berger, the current owner.

A man in a navy blue sweatshirt and gray beanie stands in front of the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, smiling at the camera. Behind him, the restaurant’s curved overhang and red-and-white exterior showcase its classic 1950s-style architecture. The large front windows display signage advertising the restaurant’s signature Bunny Burger, house-made chili, and Bunny Dust seasoning. A sign highlights the establishment’s history as a three-generation family business since 1964, and another instructs customers to turn on their four-way hazard lights for carhop service. The outdoor seating area with picnic tables and a covered drive-in service section is visible in the background, adding to the nostalgic charm of this beloved Pennsylvania roadside eatery.

I ordered what the Red Rabbit is best known for – the Bunny Burger, a mouthwatering sandwich featuring a quarter-pound beef patty, smoked bacon, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, and their signature sauce on a sesame seed bun.

A close-up of a freshly made Bunny Burger from the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, held on a white paper plate with the restaurant’s exterior visible in the background. The burger features two juicy beef patties topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, a thick slice of tomato, and a dollop of special sauce, all sandwiched between a toasted sesame seed bun. The vibrant colors and textures of the ingredients highlight the classic, made-to-order quality of this signature menu item at the nostalgic 1950s-style drive-in restaurant.

I paired it with a side of crispy Bunny Dusted Fries (their own in-house concoction) for the full experience.

A close-up photograph of a bottle of Bunny Dust seasoning in the foreground at the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA. The seasoning bottle has a red cap and a label featuring the restaurant’s signature bunny mascot, with bold red lettering. In the background, a serving of crispy golden French fries, generously coated with Bunny Dust, sits in a red-and-white checkered paper tray. The blurred background captures the bustling energy of the restaurant, hinting at the classic 1950s-style drive-in atmosphere that Red Rabbit is known for.

To wash it all down, I opted for a chocolate milkshake, but they also serve PA favorites like old-fashioned birch beer or a classic ice cream floats.

A classic carhop tray meal at the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, featuring a Bunny Burger, a side of crispy French fries, and a chocolate milkshake. The Bunny Burger, served on a sesame seed bun, is topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and special sauce. The golden fries are presented in a red-and-white checkered paper tray, accompanied by a packet of Red Gold ketchup. The meal is set on a nostalgic drive-in tray attached to a car window, with the restaurant’s outdoor seating area and rural Pennsylvania landscape visible in the background, capturing the timeless charm of this 1950s-style roadside eatery.

Other menu favorites include roast beef sandwiches, chili, and gravy fries.

A tray of food from the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, featuring a hearty meal with classic diner-style comfort foods. The main plate includes an open-faced roast beef sandwich on white bread, generously smothered in rich brown gravy, accompanied by a side of crispy French fries also topped with gravy and a cup of fresh coleslaw. Additional items on the tray include two cups of thick, meaty chili with kidney beans, a serving of golden fries with a cup of creamy nacho cheese sauce, and individually wrapped saltine crackers. Several packets of Red Gold ketchup and plastic utensils are also provided. In the background, another tray of food with more French fries is visible, adding to the nostalgic and welcoming feel of this 1950s-style drive-in restaurant.

The Red Rabbit’s carhop service adds to its nostalgic charm, allowing you to enjoy your meal in your car, at an outdoor picnic table, or take it to go.

A side view of the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, highlighting the classic carhop service area. The covered drive-in section features bold red lettering instructing customers to "Turn on 4-way hazard lights for service," a signature feature of the restaurant's retro dining experience. Several red picnic tables are set up for outdoor seating, while a red pickup truck is parked nearby. The Red Rabbit’s roadside sign is visible in the background along with Route 322, emphasizing the nostalgic charm of this beloved 1950s-style eatery. The bright blue sky and scattered clouds add to the inviting atmosphere of this Pennsylvania roadside landmark.

Unlike fast food, every item here is made when ordered, ensuring it’s fresh, hot, and delicious.

The exterior of the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, showcasing its classic 1950s-style design with a curved overhang, red and white color scheme, and large front windows filled with menu signs and promotional posters. The restaurant's iconic bunny mascot is displayed on the signage above the entrance. A covered carhop service area is visible to the left, with picnic tables available for outdoor dining. A few vehicles are parked nearby, highlighting the retro drive-in experience. The bright blue sky and open fields in the background emphasize the nostalgic roadside charm of this beloved Pennsylvania eatery.

If you’re craving something sweet to end your meal, you can choose from soft serve ice cream, a hot fudge sundae, or a decadent Banana Boat.

A close-up of a front window at the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, displaying signage for soft-serve ice cream, banana boats, milkshakes, sundaes, floats, and cones. The sign instructs customers to turn on their four-way hazard lights for service, a signature feature of the drive-in’s carhop experience. Additional notices list the restaurant's hours, which are Friday through Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and indicate that ice cream orders must be placed separately from food orders. Below the main sign, images of Red Rabbit-themed merchandise, including tote bags and t-shirts, are visible. The reflection of the surrounding area in the glass enhances the nostalgic roadside charm of this classic 1950s-style drive-in.

Final Thoughts

The throwback vibe and friendly service make the Red Rabbit a must-visit for travelers and locals alike.

A close-up view of the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, highlighting its retro 1950s-style architecture with a curved overhang displaying the slogan "Make the Red Rabbit a Habit." The restaurant's front windows showcase signage advertising carhop service, the famous Bunny Burger, and the establishment's history as a three-generation family business since 1964. A covered outdoor seating area with picnic tables is visible in the background, along with a red pickup truck parked nearby. The bright blue sky and surrounding wooded landscape add to the nostalgic roadside charm of this classic Pennsylvania eatery.

With over 60 years of tradition, this classic Pennsylvania drive-in restaurant continues to serve up delicious food and nostalgia in equal measure!

The front view of the Red Rabbit Drive-In Restaurant in Duncannon, PA, showcasing its retro 1950s-style architecture with a curved overhang displaying the slogan "Make the Red Rabbit a Habit." The exterior features red and white paneling with large windows covered in menu signs, highlighting signature items such as the Bunny Burger, Bunny Dust, and homemade chili. A red pickup truck is parked in front, while the carhop service area and outdoor picnic tables are visible in the background. The clear blue sky and rural setting add to the nostalgic charm of this classic Pennsylvania roadside eatery.

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A collage of four photographs showcasing unique roadside attractions in Pennsylvania. The top left image features The Coffee Pot in Bedford, a massive coffee pot-shaped structure with a gray exterior, red handle, and a black base. The top right image displays the Haines Shoe House in York, a whimsical cream-colored house shaped like a giant shoe, with small glowing windows and a welcoming entrance. The bottom left image highlights the Kecksburg UFO replica in Kecksburg, a large, acorn-shaped structure with mysterious markings, mounted on a platform with a sign referencing the alleged UFO incident from December 9, 1965. The bottom right image presents a towering retro-style ice cream man statue outside The Inside Scoop in Coopersburg wearing red pants and holding an oversized ice cream cone and scoop, standing beside a neon sign advertising homemade ice cream and coffee.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.