Riverside

Good food. Best veggie burger I have ever had and amazing tasty fettuccine (which they add hearth veggies to). Desserts are amazing as well and the staff is a family that runs and owns the place. It is a very Christian atmosphere( music/ pamphlets/ bibles everywhere). Also they serve no alcohol, a deal breaker for many. We will be back as there is basically no good food restaurants in ferry county and this place never disappoints!

When Ken Helmick ran the Riverside it was definitely not a Christian cafe. What happened??  I liked the quiet Riverside on any weekday evening years ago.
Many years ago.

I grew up in the Ferry County area, going to the Riverside occasionally following theater performances, sports games, and ceremonious events. It is widely considered by many in our community as one of the finest dining establishments in our tiny, lightly populated area. However, I will never be going back.

This "public" establishment is an unabashedly, unapologetic Evangelical Christian-themed restaurant. My partner and I were considering dining there over New Years as I wanted to show him one of the more upscale experiences in my hometown. Upon calling to get their scheduled hours, I was greeted with an answering machine message telling me about how "Jesus loves me," and "God Bless." I'm not one who is against another's first amendment rights to express their beliefs, but they should know that if they are openly trying to appeal to Christian America, those are the only clients they will get. I likewise choose to maintain my right to boycott this establishment for making me feel unwelcome as a gay, secular-minded citizen of the community.

I believe despite the yummy food, staying at home and popping a DiGiorno in the oven would be a more pleasant dining experience. We speculated over whether or not they would even serve us? If you are Christian, as most locals in the area are, this is the place for you. Are you an out-of-townie, tourist, or just passing through and know better? Stay away from the Riverside. If you're looking for a nice place to eat in Curlew, check out Tugboat's Cafe and Grill just down the street - with a friendly, all-inclusive staff, great burgers and fries, and a relaxed, chill atmosphere. Eating here is less of a pain in your wallet anyway, and much less of a pain on your rationale.

I believe the growing, secular populous of our society have a responsibility to avoid giving our business (and great tips - we're waiters!) to this kind of business - until they realize EVERYONE should feel welcome.