We were visiting family in Trout Lake on a Saturday night when the cousins who live up there suggested we come with them to see some live music. Such a fun night! Two good ol' country bands, and two of the best local beers on tap. So many folks were dancing that we had to scoot our tables back from the stage twice to accommodate them. This place is a charming old-school honky tonk in a beautiful setting. The back patio has great views of Mt. Adams and Sleeping Beauty. The service was sweet but sassy, the music was great, and the food looked and smelled delicious, but we were just out for drinks, hope to eat here next time we're up in Trout Lake. Definitely the most "down home" place I've found in the Pacific Northwest.
Review Source:This place is a sweet, sweet respite from the every day.
I have always found the hospitality to be unparalleled. The service being separate from the warmness of the folks working here, is caring, genuine and over all excellent.
The food is exceptional! It's got everything we all claim to want in food quality, local, from scratch and made with care, what more could you want.
When the owner cooks your food, brings it out and checks back with you to make sure your enjoying it, the depth of care is evident.
The restaurant is rustic for sure, the building has a deep history of being a local gathering spot for over a century. That vibe is present today. One morning after having breakfast, I saw about a dozen locals gather to watch a game, catch up, dine and have some beers, it's like the community living room.
I'm old fashioned for sure and I love this place. It is a gem. Everyone should come out here at least once, keep an open mind, be kind to the staff and take the time to savor the food. You will find that what I say is true.
If you've been through Trout Lake, you'll understand why folks go here - it's about the only place for miles to get food. It's an old, historic home/cafe/hangout spot locals love. It's a total homey, old fashioned dive spot where you can get a little of everything - just DON'T be in a hurry. The service is slow and poor, the food decent. All in all, it hits the spot for someone to eat out...and do something...while you're in little Trout Lake. Â It is a cute spot.
Review Source:This place has an odd mixture of glowing reviews and one stars. That's usually a hallmark of a really bad restaurant writing themselves reviews, but I really don't think that's the case here. Trout Lake Country Inn serves perfectly good food. It's not fine dining, but I don't think anyone's asking for that either.
When we were there, I got a nice grilled cheese sandwich on Dave's Killer bread. Very grainy, which was nice, though on the whole, I didn't find it terribly filling. Maybe that's my fault for getting the side of fruit, which I did thoroughly enjoy. It included fresh blackberries, huckleberries and peaches, outstanding! My husband's meal came with a side of very tasty pesto pasta salad, which I intend to replicate soon.
So why three stars and not four? The service. Service was very slow, and it took a long time to be acknowledged. And then there was the bathroom incident... having been in the car for a looong time, going down highways that at times weren't even paved, through a lush old growth forest, I had gotten to the point where I desperately needed a bathroom. Upon arrival, I'd noticed the port-a-potties outside the restaurant. Classy!
Once we'd sat down, I ventured into the main hall to find the bathroom. And oh thank god, there it was, a door to a toilet. I needed to go so badly. As I approached however, I realized there was a brightly colored sign hung on the door. It read "port-a-potties are outside". Geez, I thought, this whole lodge really doesn't have a normal bathroom? Maybe they're renovating it... So outside I went to use the port-a-potties (yuk), which had no way to wash my hands, and I was about toe at a sandwich!
Back inside I went. No faucet at the bar in the front room, and no staff to be seen anywhere; the kitchen was the only place I could go to wash my hands. I peeked into the kitchen, where a woman was cooking. Before I could ask her anything, she asked me in a rather rude tone what I was doing there. I explained that I just needed to wash my hands. She looked very irritated, and like she was uncomfortable with me seeing her kitchen, and practically yelled at me: "Go use the bathroom!" I explained that I had, namely the port-a-potties, and that they had no sink or even anti-bacterial foam. She gave me this "are you a moron" look, and pointed to the door behind me: "The BATHROOM!"
Not wanting to bother her further, I returned to the same door with the big sign on it that said nothing but "port-a-potties are outside", and cautiously turned the door handle. My god! There was a whole bathroom there, shower and all! I was flabbergasted. I didn't dare approach the owner lady again, but to this day I have no idea why on earth there's a big sign pointing people outside, when they have a perfectly functional bathroom that they apparently DO want guests to use. Makes no sense to me whatsoever. The whole kitchen experience was very off-putting though, the woman was rude, and it made me suspicious that she seemed so anxious about me coming near her kitchen, as if she had something to hide.
In short, the food was 4 star worthy, rating it like the diner it is, but the service was off-putting, the kitchen a bit suspicious, and the bathroom a flat out mystery. If they simply improved that, I'd give them four stars.
I have been to the Inn a couple of times whenever I run through Washington. Reading the negative reviews of this place I do not understand what they are on about. I have never had anything but a pleasant experience at the Trout Lake Inn.
For starters every weekend they have a live music show that has never disappointed. Usually leaning on the country/bluegrass end of the music scene it is a very authentic experience coming from the whole 'down home atmosphere' the inn has going for it. This is not the Marriott by any means, make no mistake if you go to the Inn it will be a rustic experience. The rooms are very comfy, they all have little themes. I have only ever stayed in the "postal room" which has its own bathroom ensuite and a very comfy bed. It is right off the main room/dining room which serves very good food. I cannot speak to how their breakfast is as I am a late riser, but I can say that the collard greens and Mac n cheese at this place are to die for.
The staff is very friendly and gets involved when a band is playing. It's nice to see staff enjoying themselves at work. I was looking for something to do during the day and the lady at the bar was really great with suggestions. She pointed me toward hiking trails and directed me on how to get to the lake.
If you go to the Trout Lake Country Inn get ready to be treated as a local. If you are outgoing and like to meet great people from the area you will love it here. Highly recommended for a fun, involved weekend trip.
The low star is NOT for the food, or the waitstaff that cook and serve the food. Those would both be 4 stars... they are amazing for breakfast.
The low star is for the owner (?) manager (?).
My family lives in Trout Lake and we make frequent visits there from Portland for the weekend. I have had very bad experiences with one person there every time I have been. I believe her name is Danica. She is unpleasant at best. Â I don't understand.... Clearly they don't have a lot of business to pull from in the area. Trout Lake is small. Their business would HAVE to rely on A- Tourists B- Bar business C- Locals
All important. Equally. That isn't the feeling that one walks away with. Apparently customers are considered to be disposable by this miserable lady.
Keep in mind, we are extremely laid back people. Low key. Our expectations of having breakfast in an establishment in the area are very low. But even with those low expectations, she manages to make the experience generally crappy.
It is the consensus of everyone at the table... every time we go there that she is rude. It's a joke.
It makes it really hard to give them money. Think twice about going here.
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