Zesto Forest Drive in Columbia — Classic Burgers and Shakes Since 1967

What Zesto Forest Drive Offers

Zesto Forest Drive is a standalone burger stand in Columbia that has operated continuously since 1967, serving made-to-order burgers, hot dogs, and hand-dipped ice cream shakes from a small walk-up window. The menu is straightforward: beef burgers built to your specifications, crispy fries, and thick shakes in flavors that rotate seasonally. The space itself is minimal—there is no indoor seating, only a small counter area outside—which keeps the focus on the food and the speed of service.

The burger is the draw here. You order at the window, watch your burger cook on the flat-top grill, and receive it hot within minutes. Toppings are standard but customizable: mustard, ketchup, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. The patties are thin and cooked through, which is the style that defined burger stands across the South in the 1960s and 1970s. Zesto has not chased trends or expanded the menu; it has stayed the same, which is exactly why people return.

Key Takeaways

• Zesto Forest Drive is a walk-up burger stand with no indoor seating, located on Forest Drive in Columbia and open since 1967.
• Burgers are made to order on a flat-top grill and arrive hot within a few minutes of ordering.
• Hand-dipped ice cream shakes are made fresh and available in rotating seasonal flavors alongside the standard menu.
• Cash and card payments are both accepted, and the stand operates during standard daytime and early evening hours.

The Burger and How It Is Made

The burger at Zesto is thin, crispy-edged, and cooked all the way through—a style that reflects the original burger-stand tradition rather than the thicker, juicier burgers that became popular later. The patty is placed on a flat-top grill, where it develops a brown crust while the interior cooks evenly. You can order it plain or loaded with any combination of the toppings available that day.

Most regulars order their burger the same way every time, which is how burger stands work: you find what you like and stick with it. A single burger costs less than most fast-food chains charge, and the quality is noticeably higher because it is cooked in front of you rather than assembled from a heat lamp. If you are hungry, you can order a double, which comes with two patties stacked on a single bun.

Fries and Sides

Fries come hot and salted, cut to a medium thickness that crisps on the outside while staying soft inside. They are fried fresh for each order, not held under heat. A small order is enough to accompany a burger; a large order works as a side for two people or as a snack on its own.

Hot dogs are also available and prepared the same way as the burgers—cooked to order on the flat-top and dressed however you want them. They are a lighter option if you are not in the mood for a full burger, and they cost less.

Hand-Dipped Ice Cream Shakes

The shakes at Zesto are made by hand, using a mixer and real ice cream scooped fresh into the blender. The texture is thick enough that you need to work the straw, which is the mark of a proper shake. Flavors rotate through the year—vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry are constants, but seasonal flavors like peach, banana, and cherry appear and disappear depending on what the stand decides to feature.

A shake is sweet and cold and arrives in a tall cup. It is meant to be eaten with a spoon as much as drunk through a straw, especially on a hot Columbia afternoon. The shake costs a few dollars and is large enough to share or to finish on your own.

Location and Hours

Zesto Forest Drive sits on Forest Drive in the Eau Claire neighborhood of Columbia, a location it has occupied since opening. The stand is easy to spot because of its small size and the window-service setup. There is a small parking area, though during lunch hours it can fill up quickly.

Hours are typically late morning through early evening, though you should confirm current hours before making a trip, as burger stands sometimes adjust seasonally or for staffing. The stand is closed on Sundays and major holidays. Payment is accepted in both cash and card.

Why Zesto Matters in Columbia

Zesto Forest Drive is one of the few remaining burger stands in Columbia that has operated continuously since the 1960s. It represents a style of eating and a way of running a restaurant that has largely disappeared—no fryer, no drive-through, no app, no expansion. The stand has survived because the food is good and consistent, and because people in the neighborhood have kept coming back.

The burger stand is also a piece of Columbia's food history. The city had dozens of these small operations in the 1960s and 1970s, many run by families who cooked the same menu for decades. Most are gone. Zesto remains, which makes it worth visiting not just for the burger but for the experience of eating at a place that has not changed.

What to Expect When You Visit

Expect to order at a window and wait a few minutes for your food. There is no table service, no indoor seating, and no frills. You will receive your burger hot, your fries fresh, and your shake thick. The staff moves quickly and knows the regular customers by name and order.

Bring cash or a card, arrive during off-peak hours if you want to avoid a line, and do not expect a menu board with photographs or detailed descriptions. The menu is simple, the prices are low, and the food speaks for itself. If you are looking for a modern burger experience with craft toppings and artisanal buns, this is not the place. If you want a real burger made the way they have been made in the South for sixty years, Zesto is exactly what you are looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Zesto have indoor seating?

No. Zesto is a walk-up window stand with a small counter area outside. You order at the window, receive your food, and eat in your car or take it with you. There are no tables or chairs.

Can I customize my burger?

Yes. You can order your burger with any combination of the available toppings: mustard, ketchup, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Tell the person at the window what you want, and they will build it to your order.

What payment methods does Zesto accept?

Zesto accepts both cash and card. There is no app or online ordering; you pay at the window when you order.

Are the shakes made fresh?

Yes. Shakes are hand-dipped and made to order using real ice cream and a mixer. They are thick and arrive fresh in a tall cup.

Is Zesto open on Sundays?

No. Zesto is closed on Sundays and major holidays. Hours are typically late morning through early evening on weekdays and Saturdays, though you should confirm current hours before visiting.