Dick's Drive-In Food Truck in Bellingham, WA on May 23, 2026. By Fernando Gonzalez
BELLINGHAM, WA — The iconic Seattle-area burger chain Dick’s Drive-In made another return to Bellingham on Saturday, May 23, drawing large crowds once again as the company hosted a pop-up food truck event in collaboration with Kulshan Brewing Company.
Saturday’s event took place at the Kulshan Sunnyland taproom on James Street near Trader Joe’s, in the same area as the Greektown food truck location. Even with relatively little promotion ahead of time, word spread quickly throughout the community, with long lines forming well before the scheduled closing time.
Bellingham Metro News attended the event and arrived roughly 45 minutes before the listed 3 p.m. closing time. At that point, there were already around 100 people waiting in line ahead of us, with another large group continuing to build behind us as the afternoon went on.
The atmosphere throughout the event remained good, just like the vibes. Families, groups of friends, and longtime Dick’s fans filled the outdoor seating area surrounding the Sunnyland taproom, enjoying food and drinks near the fire pits while music and conversation carried through the crowd.
One of the more entertaining parts of the afternoon was watching reactions from passing drivers as they noticed the massive line and the large Dick’s Drive-In truck parked along the street. Some drivers laughed, some looked genuinely surprised, others slowed down for a second look, some immediately parked and got out, while a few seemed completely unfazed by the scene unfolding outside the brewery.
As the clock approached 3 p.m., there was concern among many customers still waiting in line that the truck would shut down before everyone was able to order. Around 2:55 p.m., there were still roughly a dozen groups ahead of us. Shortly after 3 p.m., a Dick’s employee stepped out from the back of the truck and announced to the crowd that although the event was technically closed, they would continue serving every single customer who was already in line.
That announcement was immediately followed by cheers and applause from the crowd, especially from people who had reportedly been waiting for well over an hour.
This was not the first time the Dick’s Drive-In food truck has visited Bellingham. The company first brought the truck to the city in January 2021 after Bellingham won a public vote held in 2020 to help determine where the inaugural food truck tour would stop. At the time, Bellingham Metro News was the first news outlet to break the story locally, with other regional outlets later following coverage of the event.
The original 2021 appearance became one of the biggest food truck events Bellingham had seen in years. Thousands of people gathered at Kulshan Trackside on the downtown waterfront, creating an enormous line that stretched from the pump track area up Laurel Street toward South Cornwall Avenue and near Glass Beach.
That first event ultimately sold out of burgers before the line had fully cleared due to the overwhelming turnout.
Following the success of that visit, Dick’s Drive-In returned to the region multiple times over the following years, including appearances at several Kulshan Brewing locations, Yeagers on Northwest near Mi Rancho Meat Market, Lummi Bay Market in Lummi, and Thirsty Badger in Lynden.
Because the operation is run from a food truck rather than a full restaurant kitchen, the menu remained limited compared to the permanent brick-and-mortar locations. Customers were offered classics including the Dick’s Deluxe, Special, Cheeseburger, Hamburger, potato chips, soft drinks, and vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate milkshakes.
Parking around Saturday’s event appeared manageable despite the crowds. Many attendees parked along nearby public streets or in surrounding commercial areas near Trader Joe’s and neighboring businesses.
Even with minimal advertising ahead of time, Saturday’s turnout once again showed the strong following Dick’s Drive-In continues to have across Washington state. For many longtime fans, the brand represents more than just burgers and milkshakes. The company has built a reputation over the decades for supporting local communities, sourcing ingredients from Washington farmers, and maintaining a customer-first approach that continues to resonate with people throughout the region.
Bellingham Metro News
Bellingham Metro News is an independent digital news outlet covering breaking news, business development, public safety, community events, and major stories across Whatcom County and the Pacific Northwest.
Reporting and photography by Fernando Gonzalez Jr.
Editor-in-Chief | Bellingham Metro News
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