Mass rush to new strawberry drive-in: Like fast food chains

Bottrop – It’s a drive-in like the well-known fast food giants. But instead of burgers and fries, fresh strawberries, strawberry milkshakes and strawberry slushis are served in the car window. There was an immediate rush to the new strawberry drive-in.

Even from afar, the bright pink sales building with its strawberry motifs catches the eye. It is on the Schmücker Hof in Bottrop-Kirchhellen (NRW) and has only been open since Thursday.

This is how the new drive-in works

Customers drive through an archway into the order lane, select their products on the touchscreen and pay by card. A few meters away, employees pass the sweet treats through the side window. Those arriving on foot can use the separate “walk-in” area. There is everything that makes strawberry fans happy: including strawberries with cream, waffles with strawberries, soft ice cream with fruit sauce and chocolate-covered ones Strawberries. Many offerings are also available with blueberries.

How the strawberry boss came up with the idea

Farmer Eberhard Schmücker told BILD: “I wanted to pay even more attention to our strawberries. After all, they are the queen of berries.” The inspiration for the drive-in for his Pursue He got it from a Dutch strawberry colleague who runs a similar concept. Schmücker is particularly proud of the short distances between cultivation and enjoyment. “All the berries come directly from our farm. There are no transport routes,” he says.

Mass rush despite the heat

However, the premiere didn’t go entirely smoothly. The midsummer temperatures caused problems for the new order terminals. If there was too much sun, the devices would overheat. In the meantime they are in the shade under parasols and are working. However, the large crowds didn’t deter anyone from joining the queue. At temperatures around 30 degrees, cars from all over the region rolled onto the site at the weekend.

This is what people in line say

“I waited two hours, but it wasn’t bad. The employees worked quickly, but it was very busy. The great shakes made the wait worth it,” says Thomas Herget (50) from Kirchhellen to BILD. Paula (18) even took a longer journey: “I came especially from Kevelaer. I’m visiting a friend and now I have a great souvenir,” she says.

How long does the strawberry drive-in (Auf dem Schimmel, Bottrop-Kirchhellen, Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) remain open? Schmücker to BILD: “As long as there are strawberries.”