Portage Loses Last Link to Beloved Drive-In After Destructive Storm

The southwest Michigan city of Portage can't catch a break. Just over a year-to-the-day anniversary of a series of destructive tornadoes struck, a round of severe weather caused more damage in the city.

In addition to numerous downed trees and power outages, the most striking bit of damage done during the May 15, 2025 late night storm was to demolish what remained of the once popular West Lake Drive-In.

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The former car-hop serviced restaurant had been closed for a few years, and its main building torn down. The city took over ownership of the lot and used the remaining awning that once covered diners in their cars as a parking lot and look-out spot on scenic West Lake.

That awning, and the last remaining vestige of the West Lake Drive-In was blown away during the storm.

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Residents who live along Portage Road where the drive-in was located woke up to find the awning in crumpled metal pieces and littering the lot across the 4-lane thoroughfare.

West Lake Drive-In Awning Before the Storm

Here's what the awning looked like prior to the storm with a car parked and people enjoying the view.

West Lake Drive-In Awning After the Storm

This is the view of the wreckage of the awning wind blown into the lot across the street.

Crews from the city were cleaning up the damage as early as 8AM following the storm and removing, likely for good, the last traces of the West Lake Drive-In.

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Commenters on the popular Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook group where quick to share memories:

Best olive burgers in town. So sad that it is now totally gone.

Sad sight to see. That place was a staple with a long history.

The isthmus of Portage will never be the same again to those of us who grew up in Southeast Portage. We all have fond memories of this drive-in.