While I was pregnant, I tried my best to eat healthy but they say to give the baby what they want and sometimes, the baby wanted a cheeseburger. When the pangs of hunger struck and I was too tired to make something for myself, the drive-thru became my best friend. (Shoutout to Kristin at In-N-Out on Airport). Little did I know, that hunger and exhaustion combo wouldn’t stop once the baby was born.

I remember those early days of being a mom, I would see her little face in the rearview mirror sleeping soundly as my stomach grumbled. It had been hours since I’d eaten because who has time to eat when you’re a milk factory? If you go home and turn off the car, she may wake up but if you drive around, she may stay asleep. Whether you are trying to keep your baby sleeping or avoiding restaurants because of germs prior to two-month vaccinations, the drive-thru can be your savior during those early months of motherhood.

Here is a round up of the best drive-thrus in Austin:

Whataburger

The classic Texas drive-thru that had to be on the list. Sometimes you just need a good burger and fries…and onion rings…and a shake…and warm cookie.

Location: Everywhere

Must Order: Whataburger meal that comes with a burger on a toasted buttery Texas toast bun, fries, and a drink.

Juiceland

A healthy and delicious option for smoothies and juices. This is perfect for a midday energy boost and if your baby wakes up and you decide to enjoy your smoothie inside, they have a great kids play area.

Location: 9901 Brodie Ln, Austin, TX 78748 and 6705 Highway 290 Austin, TX 78735

Must Order: Paradise Found! This blend of pineapple juice, banana, mango, guayusa, kelp, ginger, and lime is a sweet treat that will be refreshing during the hot Texas summer and give you the energy you need to get through another day of momming.

Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon

This sweet Mexican-style restaurant located downtown on North Lamar provides healthy and delicious options. Whether you’re craving a kale salad or a slow-cooked brisket taco, this is a go-to to treat yourself to a nice meal in the car while the little one snoozes.

Location: 915 North Lamar Austin, TX 78703

Must Order: El Super Bol. Chicken, kale, black beans, avocado, rice and more make up Fresa’s signature taco bowl. Rather than munching on a burger and fries that could bring your energy down, the Super Bol provides some super foods to build your energy up. If that’s not enough of a boost, Fresa’s also has Stumptown coffee on brew.

Hat Creek Burger Company

This is NOT your typical drive-thru burger joint. Austin’s Hat Creek opens at 7 AM if you’re needing an early morning healthy breakfast after a long night of zero sleep. Their Instagram-worthy breakfast platters and cuvee coffee will give you the sustenance you need if you’re sleep deprived without having to leave your vehicle. If you can drive up without ordering one of their mouth watering burgers and a milkshake, their salads are amazing too! They’ve even got a cute kids menu for the big kids; their “tiny hat” includes little sliders. If you can stay a while and aren’t just driving thru, they have a great play area for the littles.

Locations: 5400 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756, 5902 Bee Cave Road (Entrance on 360 access ramp) Austin, Texas 78746, 3700 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665, 201 San Gabriel Village Blvd, Georgetown, TX 78626,

Must Order: If you’re there for breakfast, try Platter #2 complete with 2 eggs, sauerkraut, avocado, and bacon or sausage… don’t forget the coffee! For lunch try their berry salad that includes grilled chicken, spinach, strawberries, almonds, and feta cheese.

Inka Chicken

This Peruvian rotisserie chicken restaurant is not only great for a personal meal on the go, if you have littles that are older you can pick up dinner in the drive-thru or grab the Inka Family dinner for a little in-home date night that you don’t feel like cooking yourself.

Location: 1707 Wells Branch Parkway Austin, Texas 78728

What to Order: Inka Chicken Family Dinner 1 is plenty for you and your partner or your kids. It comes with a whole chicken and two sides, roasted to perfection.

Sorrento’s Coffee

Sure Starbucks has plenty of drive-thru’s around town but here in Austin we love local. Sorrento’s is an excellent local option for drive-thru coffee. Housed in a cute little cottage, you can still feel like you’re part of the local Austin experience even if you’ve been trapped in your house feeding a tiny human.

Location: 3021 West Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757

What to Order: Anything with caffeine!

P. Terry’s

Another Austin staple that can’t not be mentioned on a drive-thru list. Their meat is all natural, their potatoes are all natural, their eggs are cage free, and their food is not soaked in oil. They boast high quality food that tastes better than your typical fast food joint–and it sure does. If you’re not a beef eater, their chicken burgers are excellent and if you’re not a meat eater they make a BOMB veggie burger made with mushrooms, brown rice, black beans and other fresh ingredients. For some, their mouth begins to water when they see a golden arch over the highway, for me it’s all about the turquoise mid-century sign with red lettering.

Location: 3303 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX, 404 S. Lamar blvd Austin, TX, and more!

What to Order: #2 Cheeseburger combo with fries and a shake, classic, delicious, you can’t go wrong.

El Tacorrido

This cute Mexican spot is pretty central if you’re driving around downtown. You can’t go wrong with $2 tacos and great vegetarian options. For those early mornings when you’re starving but too tired to make anything for yourself, you can stop by for some breakfast tacos to give you your necessary fuel for the day.

Location: 2316 South 1st st. Austin, TX 78704

What to Order: Make your own breakfast tacos with options such as spicy sausage and cactus.

In-N-Out

As a former California girl, it wouldn’t be right not to mention my go to fast food joint. This place got me through my pregnancy — so much so, that they know me by name. This West Coast staple is the source of excellent comfort food. What once got me through hangovers became my savior during pregnancy sickness and is now my midday car-nap revival.

Location: 3701 S. Lamar Blvd Austin, TX and 4515 Airport Blvd Austin, TX.

What to Order: A double-double burger with In-n-out’s special sauce and fries, animal style.

Torchy’s Tacos

Thank you taco gods for making a Torchy’s drive-thru! Tacos and queso and guac, oh my! Though Torchy’s has locations all over the city, including a food truck, their Spicewood Springs road location is the only one with a drive-thru. From their trailer park taco with delicious fried chicken to their brushfire taco with jamaican jerk chicken, this place is an essential for Austinites.

Location: 4211 Spicewood Springs Rd. Austin TX

What to Order: Fried Avocado Tacos, this vegetarian taco comes complete with refried beans, pico, lettuce, and cheese.  Their guacamole is also an essential menu item, it’s the right amount of spicy and creamy.

What is your favorite Austin drive-thru?