Rifs Food & Spirits

We were in the mood for burgers, but didn't want to eat inside anywhere. We decided to try Rif's since we hadn't been there since the name/ownership change. We both ordered Bacon Burgers with cheese. First, the woman who took our order  burned the fries. To her credit, she appeared to be the only one working and was trying to deal with quite a lot. Additionally, she offered to replace with tatortots (with a bit of money back) or a second attempt at the fries. We didn't want to wait longer so accepted the tots.

For the cost ($8.50 per burger with cheese), we expected at least decent quality food. The tots were nothing special and the burger was disappointing to say the least. The bun looked/felt/tasted like something you'd get out of a cheap package at the store. It also wasn't toasted or heated at all. There was one strip of bacon ripped in half, a very thin patty that didn't seem handmade as the menu states, and a few other toppings that didn't seem to fresh either.

We'll check it out sometime for the actual bar portion, but as for food, we'll be staying away.

The newest addition to my "Best Burgers" list. A great dive bar!

I hadn't been to this venue for decades when I noticed a name and ownership change recently. I stopped in yesterday and grabbed a to-go menu and chatted briefly with a young lady behind the  bar who assured me their Burgers are fresh ground and hand made and their Fries are hand cut.

Today, with SWMBO in tow, I drove to Stayton to check it out.

Wow! We each had Blue Cheese Burger with real Blue Cheese Crumbles and "the works". The Patties were fresh ground Brisket. A mountain of delicious hand cut Skins-On Russets came with. ($8.50)

Mike our server and his wife run the place and his sister-in-law skilfully presides over the kitchen.

I won't say there aren't better Burgers to be had, but this one will still make my "Best Burgers in the Valley" guide.

If you're out Stayton way and have a hankerin' for a top notch Burger, give Rifs a try. It's a sea change from what I remember the old Bottle Factory to have been. And tell 'em Chuck sent you!

Note: No American Express accepted.