My wife and I had a great experience while watching the NFL playoffs last weekend at Helvetia Tavern. Never heard of the place before and just happened to drive by and needed a beer or six. We were there for several hours and the burger was really really good for the measly $4.25. I agree the fries were limp and soggy and flavorless but who cares - it's a greasy spoon and just thank god that the planning commission didn't rezone for growth next door or you would be looking into someones rowhouse. The burger was not quite as good as IN-N-Out for $2.50 but darn close - I assume most Oregonians don't know what a good cheap burger is since most of them don't even mow their own lawns around here -or even have one for that matter since there is nothing but row houses and townhouses up here- what's the deal with that, living like hampsters - thank god for automatic garage openers so they don't even have to get out of the car before going inside to boot up the computer. These burger taverns are a dime-a-dozen in other parts of the country - Oregonians need to get out more- and I'm not talking Cannon Beach and Seaside, c'mon, that Lexus will go anywhere you point it. As new transplants from Humboldt County California (not our choice to move here-why would we leave there on purpose), we learned alot about the Techie Lake Oswego types (someone else said that -I don't even know where it is yet) by watching all of the suit-and-ties come in and gripe and complain. They were totally out of their element out in the country with weird looking goats across the street -bet they didn't like those either. Even the best burger with mayo-ketcup mix for 5 bucks would never satisfy people like them. Maybe if Helvetia Tavern added dry cleaning service while Mr. 'Upper Management' waited for his 'Costco burger' would help. The service was good considering there was only one guy that we saw. My wife and I will go back many more times just for people watching, that was entertaining by itself.
Pros: country setting, good burger for less than 5 bucks
Cons: smoke, soggy undercooked fries
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