Stopped in on a whim looking for some post hike eats after finding our way to Lake Serene. Â We ended up sitting outside on the back patio. Â They apparently had just opened it up for use. Â There were fresh flowers growing in a pot and a very homey patio feel. Â Two of us ordered beers. Â They had a small selection of both local and the usual and we both found local brews we were happy with.
We all ordered varying burgers and fries. Â I went with the plain with cheese and bacon. ... Â hand made patty, bacon cooked perfectly and a good ole American cheese slice.
I DEMOLISHED that thing. Â Like, literally inhaled it. Â I know I was starving, but it was so juicy and so flavorful and cooked just perfectly! Â Its days later and I'm still thinking about that burger!
Most places have either good fries or a good burger. Â This place nails it on both. Â the fries are beer battered and cooked to a perfect crisp. Â No limp fries here. Â The sweet lady who took our order apparently also makes her own tarter sauce that she let us try,. Â It was a nice dill sauce that was really good. Â I'm a fan of plain mayo for fries, but this would have been killer on some fish and chips. Â Between the four of us, the special dip went pretty fast, so I would say we all loved it.
We were definitely taking a risk walking in to a dive bar that had only two local patrons sitting at the bar, but this was a total score. Â The service was very friendly, the food was great, and the beer was cold. Â Cant ask for more!
On New Year's Day, my boyfriend and I made the trek from Seattle through Stevens Pass to visit his family. Â Naturally, we had been up late the evening before, ringing in the new year and celebrating with friends. Â By the time we reached Gold Bar, both of us were hungry to the point of distraction and, as if in a dream, Prospector's Steak and Ale appeared on the side of the road.
The atmosphere inside Prospector's was warm, inviting, and endearingly divey; that day, the clientele were mostly regulars who had chosen to spend the holiday watching football at the bar. Â Signage posted in the restaurant boasted a weekly karaoke night, although the equipment lay unused in the corner.
We ordered a remarkably satisfying pair of post-party burgers with a side of fries, which we both inhaled. Â For the price, the burgers really delivered: hand-formed patties, layered with the standard garnishes and toasted buns. Â The accompanying fries were fresh and crispy.
We both look forward to stopping at Prospector's (and possibly breaking out that karaoke equipment) on our next trek to Stevens Pass.
My friends and I stopped here after we participated in the TUBBS Romp to Stomp snowshoe 5k at Stevens Pass, and, man, were we happy with our decision! Stellar jukebox selection, amazingly kind and friendly staff and patrons, and SOLID burgers. We will definitely be coming back here the next time we find ourselves on Highway 2.
Review Source:Seattle dive bars are kind of like Ambercombie jeans; they're expensive and made to look a little run down until you get the bill. Â Prospector's is the real jean.
This place is awesome. Â Plain and simple. Â A hodge-podge of tables, chairs, some TVs and a karaoke machine all watched over by a brave felt painting of a horse, Prospectors has some really friendly locals, a nice waitstaff, and some of the best steak sandwiches I've ever had. Â Beer selection is a shade above the average, with your Buds and Mac & Jacks along with some Sierras. Â Come on Sunday night and enjoy the crooning patrons and staff at the karaoke machine, or just shoot some pool. Â Genuine points--they earn 'em. Â Way better than some prefab bar.
First pub on your way back from Stevens and it's AWESOME.
Chef bakes all the bread/buns herself. Had the 1/2lb burger. ADD Bacon! Big thick hunk! Â Buddies had the cheese steak. Said it was amazing. I don't know how they make their fries, but they are incredible.
Keep on the lookout or you'll drive right by. It's where the locals hang so it's gotta be good.
Ok Prospector's, you're my first yelp! A great stop on a Rt 2 road trip..... one early evening we stopped in and it was kids karaoke - really probably the cutest/ most entertaining karaoke you could happen in on. I wouldn't say dive bar  - just comfortable bar/ family/ come as you are atmosphere. And proof that a burger made with love really does taste different than one just slapped on a grill. This afternoon I had the cheese steak sandwich and the meat in that thing was perfect! As well as the cheese to mushroom to pepper ratio. And to the proprietress - you are always a joy! Great food, great sevice and always a fun/entertaining atmosphere......I think that warrants a 5 star rating!
Review Source:I stopped in here with my friends on the way to a camping trip at Lake Wenatchee for some dinner. We were pretty much the only ones in there. This place could benefit from a few more beers on tap, more than just those plain old Bud taps, but I'll forgive them.
Our meals were quite delicious and I recommend getting the Philly cheese steak, which was filled with real melted cheese and peppers and onions. Our server split up our orders among couples, which was very much appreciated and we were on our way for just under $25 per couple, what a deal.
The traffic on highway 2 was slogging for miles and miles. We thought 'Lets pull off and get some dinner and let the traffic get sorted'.
"What have we walked into?" I thought stepping through the door of the Prospector, loud karaoke filling the air. Oh the Prospector was good and divey, just the way I like my roadhouses. A cage-fighter looking dude was flogging Sublime's 'Santeria' much like the way he would pummel a 90lb weakling, and I sure wasn't going to tell him he was off-key.
We sat down and decided on some hot wings for appetizers and burgers for the main course. What pulled up to our table were wings done in a style I've never seen before; they were sizzling on a platter and steam and smoke was pouring off of them. The wings were AMAZING!!!
There was so much spice in the steam- I actually inhaled some and started coughing and making the locals laugh, causing them to inhale the spicy steam and cough, continuing the cycle.
I won't give the cool secret ingredients to the wings away on Yelp, you'll just have to stop in and try them, but it really kicks ass. Some of the best and most unique wings I've had, and that is saying something.
The burgers are handmade with natural beef, much of it raised by  owner/rancher/butcher/storyteller and Kansas native Steve. The Prospector also makes their own breads and buns. The flavor of the burger is proof of its quality. I was quite impressed, not just with the taste, but also how much burger they put on your plate. I could only put half of it down, and in a lumberjack restaurant, that might make you a sissy.
We finished our reprieve from Highway 2 with pints of Mac and Jacks while listening to a 14 yo girl sing 'The Bad Touch' by Bloodhound Gang to her family without a twinge of irony, and for that Prospector- I thank you.
We stopped in for lunch on our way back from Stevens Pass on a Friday. Â Their were seven people in the restaurant when we got there and they were obviously all regulars and locals. Â The bartender/chef was very friendly and recommended the deluxe cheese burger. Â He also offered to grill the onions, which was a great addition.
The deluxe cheese burgers were excellent and the French fries were great. Â They were half way between steak fries and regular fires and they appeared to be breaded as well. Â The burger and fries made a great combo.
I will make a point to stop here next time I am in the area.
I have one word for this place - YUMMY!
It was hotter than blazes outside - the tar on the street was coming up and people were crawling back home on Sunday when my friend and I decided to stop here. "They have good burgers here." he told me. Well he was right - I just had a deluxe burger with fries and it was really good - free refills on the pop. While they lack air conditioning - they had fans going and tried their best to keep the place comfortable for their patrons. We were the only patrons for awhile until a couple of locals came in. The only thing that  concerned me was when I used the ladies room and there was a soft spot in the floor. Yikes - anyway, I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking for a place to go - children are allowed in during the day even though it's a bar.
Four hours of Nordic skiing and we were ready to kick up our heels and get some fuel!
Driving through Gold Bar and one roadside spot stood out as, 'our kinda place'. Chris, the chef and bartender made friends with us fast - welcoming, cheerful and convincing. He said he was famous for his patty melt, so we didn't argue.
No lying - it was delicious. Cheese, onions and beef on toasted bread with a salad and light beer. Seriously, it just might be the best one on the planet - even though I can count on one hand the number I've tried.
Overall, a great place to stop in apres ski on Highway 2.