Lucas Lodge

If you are in southwestern Oregon, you MUST go here.  It is such a cute weird place. If you are into that kind of thing, go here. Our room was accidentally given to somebody else so we were upgraded to a cottage which had lots of character.  With two in our party, we definitely has lots of space. Everything was old but clean-- as can be expected from a place that had been running since 1910. It is in a beautiful area.

Do not miss out on this spot! If you are in or around Gold Beach, OR make the drive to Agness or hop on a jetboat and let someone else do the driving. Either way, get here, because the food is hands down the best! I have had the pleasure of visiting Lucas Lodge about a dozen times over the last 3 years, while guiding tour groups on trips through the Oregon Coast. Not only are the folks at Lucas Lodge easy to work with, they know good food.

This is a family owned lodge that goes back generations in the area. Remember to pay in advance- one flat rate for your entire meal, and prices differ for kids and adults. In general, you will pay about $20-25 per person including tax and tip, but trust me, it is worth it. On a sunny day, you can park it under a grape vine that has to be older than my grandma while you wait for your meal, sun yourself on the meadow, or play a little badminton. There are some fun photo opps like old equipment and a row of overalls hanging on a line, but when the dinner bell rings get your booty in your seat cause it is about to get crazy.

Lucas Lodge has two seating areas. One is a screened porch with 3 large tables and the other is outdoors; I believe it has 3-4 large tables as well. Both are fine, but on a hot day or a rainy day head for the screened area if you can. Cooking is done in the kitchen and dining area of the old house, and the living room is used as a waiting area with a piano, a variety of games, and memorabilia to check out. Bathrooms are outdoors, separate buildings with full plumbing for each gender. There are also two bathrooms inside the lodge if you have mobility problems or the others are full.

For lunch or dinner, you will notice several folks (usually younger folks, but sometimes the owner assists as well) bringing out bowl after bowl of food, in addition to fresh lemonade and iced tea. The strange thing is that the bowls keep coming! They will even ask you if there is a specific dish or piece of chicken that you want and have not had yet. Lucas Lodge serves meals family style, so you will pass the peas and say thank you and please and you will quite possibly meet a few new folks if your party is small enough to fit at one of the large tables with another.

You will see biscuits that are homemade (as everything else is)- make sure to try them with the homemade blackberry jam at your table. You will see a variety of garden fresh veggies, mashed potatoes, and oh my God the chicken! The fried chicken here is amazing. Occasionally they will add a second protein to change it up (I have seen ribs on occasion or salmon), but in general you are going to Lucas Lodge for some awesome, crunchy, diet killing fried chicken. For dessert enjoy vanilla ice cream with fresh blueberry sauce on top. If you have vegetarians or special dietary needs in your party call ahead- they are really accommodating. You can also get coffee for no extra charge if you ask for it- again, the people here are really nice and they will do whatever they can to make you feel welcome. I loved this place and can't wait to return!

All is true that has already been mentioned. My friends and family stopped on a Jet Boat trip about 20 years ago (twice) and I was determined to go back to Lucas Lodge as a guest in one of the cabins.  Needless to say, my husband and I stayed at the "Riverview" cabin last year and loved it so much we are going back this month to stay in "Frankie's Cabin" - the hospitality extends beyond the fried chicken and biscuits and family style dining. As a guest at the lodge (or cabin) you are welcomed as if you are one of the family. You can experience special home-cooked meals, freedom to roam the property or hike the trails, swim in the river, or meet and talk to friendly local folks under the shade tree at the little Agnes store. It is busy when jet boats come in for lunch and dinner, but otherwise peaceful and serene.  The river is a short walk from the lodge/cabin, and we had opportunities to view wildlife daily (including skunk, raccoon, various birds, bear). --And a couple of beautiful labrador retrievers.  The staff were friendly, and the lodging was very affordable and homey.  We are so excited to go back and look forward to seeing our old friends. Be sure to check out Lucas Lodge on Facebook too, for photos and info updates.