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Columbia Inn Restaurant
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
698 NE Frontage RdKalama, WA 98625
(360) 673-7600
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
7 reviews for Columbia Inn Restaurant
7 reviews in English
-
Review from J.D. M.
Tumwater, WA
10/11/2011
OK as a stop in a unfamiliar town.We wouldn't seek it out as a destination for dinner. Clean. The men's room toilet wasn't anchored properly. I had fish and chips that were. adequate. My wife's burger was a bit dry and would have benefited from a lightly grilled bun. We would stop again. Nice friendly service.9
-
Review from Kyoko T.
Livermore, CA
10/4/2011
Food was OK, but nothing special.
-
Review from Riss J.
12/9/2008
A view of the restaurant through the decades:
The 1940's: When most of the patrons of the restaurant were graduating high school
The 1960's: Proudly proclaimed on the sign on the front of the building, and in the multiple dishes named for each, both Elvis and Jack Benny visited this tiny little town restaurant
The 1980's: The last time any of the colors or fixtures in this place were updated. Turquoise vinyl and brass FTW!
The 1990's: The years in which most of the waitresses were born.
The year, 2008. The setting: Road trip return from Portland
The Cast: Two ridiculous yelping fools, Don and Riss
(interior, both reading menus)
Riss: Oh look, they named dishes after Jack Benny
Don: and Elvis too
Riss: More than one I see
Riss: Ha, "for our honored guests over 55"
Don: Of which there must be a lot of, look how long that is..
As we perused the menu, there it stood. Not the Jack Benny burger, not the Elvis burger...but the big time, the mac daddy, THE TOWER. 1 and 1/3 pounds of beef. No doubt raised within a few miles of the place.
Meat, cheese, meat, cheese, meat, cheese, meat, cheese, meat, cheese, meat, cheese, meat, cheese, meat......pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun! That's 8 patties..8!?!?!
Of course, I did what any good loving, caring friend would do. I triple dog dared Don to order it, which he rightly did! I opted for the simple full breakfast platter.
Don's "TOWER" burger had to be served with a bamboo stick through it to hold it together. He contemplated how to eat it for a good 30 seconds before opting for knife and fork. The big man asian made it through 5 burgers before he called it done. Kobayashi's titles are safe for one more year.
Everything, from ambiance to service to food, was on par with what you'd expect from the outdated little diner of a small freeway town.
Edible, but far from exciting.
But, to show they are moving into the 21st century, they have free wi-fi! and not one, but TWO magicians who perform every Friday night!
(It's really more of a 2.5 star place)Listed in: Beat ya to it!, Welcome to BFE!
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Review from Brian M.
Beaverton, OR
4/3/2008
The decor of this restaurant was definitely sterile. Too bad as from the outside it seems like it has potential.
Kalama MUST be an interesting place as there seemed to be some interesting characters.
The lot kid was cleaning up butts while himself was smoking. Dropped a butt then picked it up.
The guy eating in the booth next to us walked out....came back 5 minutes later....then on the way out announced that he might've forgotten something...as if we didn't figure that one out already.
The food was OK. The bacon cheeseburger I had was satisfying if nothing spectacular. -
Review from Jenny C.
7/13/2008
The majority of the Saturday mornings of my 16th year on this planet were spent with my father in our Chevy Malibu driving up and down the Southwest Washington stretch of I-5 and I-205. As we're both morning people we'd hit the road by 6.00am, me behind the wheel learning how to navigate the freeway and how to pass truckers, usually the only other drivers out at that hour.
Our end point was always Kalama. No reason really, just that there was a restaurant there that, as far as Dad knew, had -always- been there, and our curiosity and rumbling stomachs got the best of us by that mile marker.
While it's not much to look at, Columbia Inn is an anchor in Kalama. By the time we rolled in at 7.15, the restaurant would be full of the regulars happily chatting with the waitress who could recite what each wanted while bringing the coffee to the table.
We plunked down into a booth, coffee in front of us, and decided upon traditional eggs and bacon or ham with hash browns and toast. Good and just greasy enough that you can't finish everything. It's how travel food should be. Every time we showed up, we always ordered the same thing... eventually the waitress knew us too.
As the year progressed, things like "Slow doowwwn child" and "Drive straight you're making me queasy" made way for conversations about the landscape, the nearby defunct nuclear reactor, and the drama surrounding my first Prom, breakfast was always there.
Sentiment aside, I secretly always looked forward to really crispy bacon and to die for sourdough toast. Just thinking about our adventures makes me miss it...
...I think I just made my plans for next weekend. -
Review from Ed P.
8/5/2008
Timing is everything. While southbound on I-5 toward Washington County, Oregon, I glanced at the fuel gauge and realized the big "E" doesn't mean "E-nough"; it was time to stop for fuel, so I eased into the Chevron station in Kalama. A quick poll and I learned the family had gone long enough and far enough without eating. A stone's throw from the gas station was the Columbia Inn. We'd passed this place many times but had not eaten there before, so it was an easy choice to make.
We were greeted and seated promptly. Service was cheerful. Temperature in the dining area was cool and comfortable. I didn't even notice the decor, so I can't comment about it. There was nothing offensive or bizarre that left a negative impression.
Our order was relatively uncomplicated (chicken sandwich, cheeseburger & fries, burger & onion rings, iced tea, soda, etc.), and it was available after a reasonable preparation time. We ordered without presupposition and we enjoyed everything we tasted. Soon after, we pressed south toward home. I have no horror stories or searing criticisms to share with you.
Kalama is located about 30 miles north of Portland. Though slightly overpriced, I'd recommend the Columbia Inn over dozens of fast-food restaurants you'll pass on Interstate 5. -
Review from Bill K.
Woodinville, WA
5/4/2010
A very enjoyable restaurant, with excellent service. Our group had a variety of food items, all excellent and, I thought, reasonably priced. I had a straight forward burger and fries - both delicious. From the number of dinners it is obvious that this is a local favorite restaurant, a sure sign of good if not fine dining. I would certainly eat there the next time we are in Kalama.
