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There are elements of the Erie Drive-In restaurant that look the same, or close, to when the Stratford summer staple opened 55 years ago.
Published May 22, 2026 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 3 minute read
Mike and Cathy Bayer have owned Erie Drive-In restaurant for the last 11 years. The Stratford staple is celebrating its 55th year in 2026. (Cory Smith/Beacon Herald)Article content
There are elements of the Erie Drive-In restaurant that look the same, or close, to when the Stratford summer staple opened 55 years ago.
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The floors haven’t changed, though they’re expected to be replaced this year. The countertop just inside of the ordering windows is the same shade of orange as it was more than five decades ago, and the iconic neon sign that towers over picnic tables still glows at night, though it’s getting harder to fix given the scarcity of workers who can handle that type of bulb.
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“We’ve had people make comments, ‘You should do something about your sign,’ but we don’t want to update it,” said Mike Bayer, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Cathy. “We don’t want to modernize it. We love the patina on it. That’s just what Erie is. It’s been around for a long time.”
The couple grew up with the restaurant, whether it was picnics in the bed of a truck in the parking lot or stopping for a burger or ice cream in high school. It’s part of why they made an offer to become the restaurant’s fourth owners 11 years ago.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to actually come back and own it and be a part of Stratford,” Cathy said.
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“That’s the amazing part,” Mike added. “It’s always been something we’ve been attracted to and close to, and now we own it.”
Some changes were necessary, like updating cooling equipment, adding a debit machine, and extending the season. The restaurant now opens every year before March break – the unofficial start of spring in Stratford – and closes on Thanksgiving weekend instead of when the fall fair comes to town in September.
“We try to keep everything as original as possible,” Mike said.
That extends to many of the customers who have supported the restaurant for decades. It’s become a meeting spot for first dates, post-game celebrations, and hungry residents excited to stand in line with a ticket in hand after a long winter. One local couple showed up this month to celebrate their wedding anniversary, a tradition that started 50 years ago.
“I love hearing that,” Cathy said. “It’s exciting and always an adventure hearing the stories. We’re special to them, and they’re special to us.”
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The former owners of Duke’s Grill and Ice Cream Shack in Upper Queen’s Park have tried to foster a family atmosphere and have a little fun.
“All of the staff keep coming back, and I always check in on them,” Cathy said. “I love seeing them from Grade 9 and going through college and university and coming here every summer, getting their hours and making some money so they don’t have to work through the winter. Seeing the growth from when they first started to when they finish high school or college, it’s just amazing.”
Even the menu has remained largely the same. The footlong hotdog special is always written on the small white board, while other favourites, like the lumberjack burger, Big Eric, french fries and zebra cone, tap into a side of nostalgia that comes with visiting the city landmark.
“It’s always been a staple,” Mike said, “and we feel the responsibility to make sure it stays that way and continue it on.”
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