Char Burger Restaurant

My girlfriend and I had just hiked Beacon Rock and we were looking forward to a sub or something. We drove across the Bridge of the Gods and saw Charburger there. We had seen it before and wanted to try it, but never had the time. We finally gave it a go today. What a mistake! Our burgers were almost burnt to the point of being inedible. The bacon on my ""Western Burger"" was the same. My pecan pie tasted like week old store bought pie. The only thing good about the place was leaving it. I am a pretty good cook and maybe I just hold other people who cook to a higher standard, but this food simply sucks. I don't mind paying good money for good food; this time I paid good money for garbage. Also, my girlfriend told me after about 20 minutes that she thought it sucked too, but she didn't want to make me feel bad. Avoid this place like the plague! more

The Sunday Brunch very good, especially the Easter one. Last year we attended the Inn at the Quay in Vancouver at $28. It was terrible. (This year was $33 I'm told). Charburger was $13.95, and the food was fresher & better. more

This stupid form made me put a star rating. if they are to force you to rate it, they should give you a run way fast star. to be upfront i want to point out I do eat at alot of greasy spoon, mom and pop places etc. not just ocean front dining, i used that example to illustrate the cost for a place that you dont get a server. I have wanted to eat here for 20 some years, but haeve never had the time or opportunity. We pulled up last Saturday 4-2-11. We walked in, and it was not clear that we had to go around the corner and be served cafeteria style. The prices looked as if it was a fine ocean front place. The line was confusing, deserts first, warm cans of pop and bottled waters next, You had to look backwards against the line to choose the menu. It did not look like the cleanest kitchen but we gave it a shot. We picked a spot to sit. and waited for our order to be brought to us. As we waited, we looked outside at the view. My husband looked up and to his astonishment, he sees the entire portion of ceiling was small boards holding up insulation. Insulation with no cover or barrier in between you and your food. We moved to another table. We got our food. It was so bad we didn't eat it. We spent 27 dollars for 2 pancakes, 4 hard biscuits and a small dish of slimy gravy, and an omelet with fake canned cheese. WTF!!!! BTW can we say diarrhea for 2 days. I will never go back again, and I am going to tell everyone I know about this experience. This place needs to be shut down, for all our safety. more

The only thing this place has going for it was the view. I know why they call this place CHAR burger, the outside of my burger was burnt, and the inside of it was pink...Can anyone say cooked at too high of heat/too quickly? The bun of my burger was gross and cheap. \r \r My woman got the onion rings and the batter was soggy with oil and they tasted awful. The fries I had with my bacon cheese burger, were the cheap brand out of a bag, just not impressive.\r \r Also, this place is self serve, you stand in line and order like a McDonalds, they bring you the food, and you then go put whatever you want on your burger, get ketchup for your fries etc...For a big place that was kinda odd.\r \r The couple next to us took literally one bite each of their soup and left it on the table. Wouldnt recomend that either based on them. A real friendly couple, they just held hands and walked out the door and didn't complain. \r \r The only way I would tell you to stop there was if someone had a gun to your head and told you that you must eat there food, otherwise drive .2 miles east and go to the pub and grab a burger there...its a little more money but worth it. more

To anyone that feels a grumble in there stomache on their way east or west stop at this joint! great food. huge booths fun atmosphere good history gorgious scenery! The burgers are real! thousand times better than anywhere else in the area! 5 star rating needs to be a ten! Numm more

very sad little charred burger on a sad little stale bun. pretty much a hockey puck. I think I have food poisoning from the salad bar. not that expected much, but I expected a little and it gave me zilch. more

SInce I was a little boy many,, many years ago I have nothing but fond memories of your establishment. I remember spending time with my grandpa there, the atmosphere and view bring me good feelings. \r I honestly think that the people that gave you bad reviews were either in a different restaurant or they just don't like you and are trying to slander your good name.\r Good luck! I have been there countless times over the years with countless people and they all agree, that's why the palce is usually hopping with customers \r \r Keep up the good work. \r \r And for anyone that doesn't know,(as I didn't for years), they have a fabulous Champagne Brunch on Sunday's beleive me you won't be dissapointed.\r \r \r \r \r \r \r \r \r Pros: views worth paying for, fair prices, plenty of seating. Cons: Don't get to go there enough! more

I like the Charburger, although I'm a strict vegetarian. I used to take my son there when we hiked the Gorge. I met the owner and he's really nice. The son makes a great barbecue sauce - try it! I also enjoy browsing through the gift shop. I have never had a bad experience at the Charburger! Pros: Great View, gift shop, fun, good bread Cons: Food - could be improved more

As a former worker of the charburger I know how disgusting it really is behind closed doors. I advise NO ONE TO EAT THE FOOD SURVED UPSTAIRS. The lower level used for specail occasions and brunches is much cleaner and the food is handled with more care. AS for the giftshop the candy and esspressos are safe. I wouldnt advise eating the cookies although they taste great the cookie dough is made in the upper kitchen and left sitting on the shelves un refregerated. Pros: Good coffee and a great view Cons: FOOD POISIONING more

So, I have been coming to Char Burger ever since I was a kid wtih my Grandma. It was THE place to stop on the way through the gorge and I continue to go out of my way to go here for breakfast. The view of the gorge is really the only place to really sit inside any day of the year and enjoy what the gorge has to offer. Cold and rainy or bright and sunny - it's a 'gorgeous' view. If you sit in just the right place, the food won't matter.\r Regards to food, I have never in 25 years had a bad food experience. There's lots of it and it's good, old-fashioned diner fare. You will get a surly, burly person at the counter usually. Get over it. It's part of the charm to get a real, true person who has a life and isn't afraid to live it right there in front of you without a corporate smile rule or 'professional' service worker training. Enjoy humanity while it lasts :)\r The fresh made biscuits are large, incredible fluffs of beauty. The hashbrowns are sublime. \r Eat up!\r Joseph Lyons Pros: The view, humanity. more

The view is absolutely the best in the gorge. The food is great...sometimes. Ok...sometimes...and really bad on a few occasions. Its just unreliable. You might get a really friendly counter person, a great big juicy burger with lots of crispy fries, or you might get a scary looking unfriendly server, a little grey greasy patty and a couple of cold fries. Sometimes the salad bar is really nice, other times everything looks several days old. Its just not reliable. \r As for the espresso- I've only had one drink there- that was more than enough. The cookies are great though. Pros: Can be all around fantastic. Always a great setting. Cons: Can be...not good. more

I love the relaxed cabin interior. We have been here a few times and have always had a great burger and awesome service. A burger so juicy that you have to eat it over a basket- be sure to grab lots of napkins. I would recommend the burger with the pinapple and ham- delicious. I wouldn't order onions rings as well unless you have a big appetite or a group. They also have a bakery, that serves coffee drinks. They have wonderful pastries to take home as well as giant cookies. Be sure to make this trip- go up to the falls for the day and make sure you make a stop here before you return to portland. Pros: all great food & view next to windows Cons: potent air sanitizers in the bathroom, ala carte desserts more

The Hamburgers are great, we like the idea of fixing our own burger. We love the view, it is great even if you don't get a window seat. The service is great, they always check with you to make sure every thing is ok, more than once. The prices are no higher than any other place you would eat, and it is clean. Pros: great food, good service, large eating area Cons: short on parking more

This should be one of the last places to make the Great Hamburger list. This place is outrageously expensive. Most everything is ala carte and self service. The food is not necessarily bad, it's just average. The prices are more reflective of a mid to higher end restaurant that has food service people (waiters & waitresses) that serve you at your table. I guess that you have to pay the price in order to sit at the window and take in all of the scenic beauty of the River! It's just too bad that the owners don't change the situation around and improve upon the food offering, quality and service. The place has wonderful potential and has an awesome view! Pros: Scenic Setting, Parking, Gift Shop Cons: Expensive, Average Fast Food, Value more

I have been visiting this food stop for over 45 years! It has grown from a little drive-up with a window to a very large dining in area. What makes it the perfect place for a great hamburger is that you get a basket with a bun, meat patty, and fries---and you go to the chuckwagon and add the extras! Soooo, you make it perfect! It is a bit of a drive from Portland, but if you are going to be traveling I84---stop in and try it! more

I don't know when the last time anyone ate here but I just did a couple of nights ago and it was absolutely the WORST dining experience I have had in a very long time!! The hamburger and bun was COLD!! ALONG WITH THE FRIES. THEY VERY RUDELY POINT YOU TO A TABLE THAT HAS THE ""FIXINGS"" and you prepare it yourself. Nothing at all on the plate. The salad (green) was at least 3 days old, wilted veggies. It was very very bad. NOT AT ALL RECOMMENDED!!! Pros: NONE, NONE, VIEW more