XXX Root Beer

Luke's Root Beer Reviews

XXX

Root Beer

98 NE Gilman, Issaquah, Washington

425-392-1266

Open 11 am - 9 pm Sunday-Thursday

This wonderful drive-in just east of Seattle is a major hot-rod hang-out, billing itself the "Home of the Saturday Night Cruise-In." It is also the last XXX Root Beer stand in the country. This is the way root beer used to be made, and consumed, all across the country. José Enciso and his family have made this a fun spot for a bite of road food and a terrific iced mug of root beer. I mean, where else can you sip root beer and peruse the Super Chevy, Car Craft and Hot Rod magazines that are at your table? They also have spiffy XXX Root Beer T-shirts. Not to be missed if you are in the Seattle area.

Review

No nose to speak of. This is a full-bodied creamy root beer, classic in its feel. It is super silky smooth and creamy, with a soft, creamy aftertaste. Did I mention its creamy? The sweetness is almost perfect, just slightly cloying it is so sweet. A spectacular root beer, one of the best. Makes you feel like a kid again.

Luke's Numbers (11/6/03)

*Flavor*	*Mouthfeel*
Sweetness 9	Carbonation 8
Rootiness 7	Smoothness 10
Aftertaste 8	Over-all mouthfeel 10
Over-all Flavor 8.5	Over-all Root Beer Experience 9
Over-all average 8.69	Rank: 8 of 143

Ingredients: They're not telling, although it is brewed for them nearby, not right on site. It is caffeine free.

Available/acquired: Only available at the drive-in; its worth a visit from anywhere near Seattle. Although the Issaquah restaurant says its the last XXX drive-in in the country, you can still get XXX at other locations, see the XXX homepage (though whether it is the same fine root beer sold in Issaquah, I don't know).

Links

Luke's Roadside Attractions page on XXX as mimetic signage

Nice photos of the stand and owner José Enciso

Debra Jane Seltzer's great root beer stands page (scroll down for XXX without the trees in front of it)

Roadside Peek's special XXX page. Also check out Roadside Peek's root beer stands page.

A history of XXX root beer

Luke's Root Beer Homepage + Root Beer Rankings

2001 Root Beer Taste-off + 2002 Root Beer Taste-off

Luke Cole's Homepage

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