Big River Grill

Best service and best food in Stevenson!! So glad that Big River Grill is only 4 short blocks away. Breakfast is amazing and the dinner selections have something for everyone.
Whether we take out or dine in, we are constantly impressed with the level of quality of our food.
The staff is also very friendly and quick to refill your beverage and make sure you have everything you need.
When in town; this place is a must for anyone!

I know you're not supposed to eat much sturgeon (bottom feeders and whatnot) but hot damn their pate is so good. Like crack, so addictive. If I glow in the dark, it's because of this place and their sturgeon pate.

I think I have loved every single menu item I've had here (except the Guinness float - blech). The one thing I remember - years later - is their housemade tomato basil vinaigrette. It was the first time I'd had something like that (this was probably 15 years ago) and I fell in love.

They always have fantastic beer selections. And Joe, the owner/bartender (at least he was back in the day), is fantastic.

It's interesting to me when Yelp reviewers will give a mediocre place an extra star just for being in a small town with few other options. Often it's the kind of place that would fail quickly if it existed in a bigger market with true competition. But somehow since they don't have to compete they can slide by on their mediocrity, and for this they get an extra star--as if the reviewer is simply grateful that there is Mexican food, or pizza, or whatever, in the tiny town they happen across. I don't get it. But I will say that I disagree with this practice, which is why this is a two star review rather than a three star.  

This is where I go after a hike in the Gorge that finishes before Walking Man Brewery is open (before 4:00 PM). I've been here many times. I can say that if you want food at a place that has beer, this is probably your best option in Stevenson (until Walking Man opens).

The virtue of this place is that it's got some decent taps. They also have a full bar, although I ordered a martini here once (it was listed as a specialty on their cocktails menu) that was pretty awful. I asked for it with a twist and got olives with a micro-sliver of lemon rind as well. And it was warm.

The menu is pretty limited. They have burgers, a regular black bean chili offering, some salads, and some other sandwiches. The burgers are a pretty good choice. They're respectable. I've had the salmon burger and found it really dry. Today I had a chipotle chicken sandwich, which had absolutely no chipotle on it whatsoever. Even with pepper jack and jalapenos it was pretty uninspired. The black bean chili is okay, but also a bit boring.

Service is kind of hit or miss.

The space itself is really nice. There's a giant sturgeon painting on the back wall, and license plates from various places across the country. It's warm and cozy on a cold rainy day.  But all-in-all, in a town with more offerings, I don't think I'd ever come here. The food is just not that good.