Dining/Restaurants/Drinks
Restaurant/Dining/Drinks
Here are some local favorites!
Best, most authentic street-style tacos in town. 2 or 3 tacos will satisfy all but the heartiest appetite, and at an extremely reasonable price! Family-run, the kids do their homework at the back tables and fetch things from the freezer, mom and dad cook and do (minimal - it's very oriented on the food) table service. Atmospheric and always friendly and will do takeout if you call ahead or want to wait at the counter.
Tacos Cecy
1350 Main StBest, most authentic street-style tacos in town. 2 or 3 tacos will satisfy all but the heartiest appetite, and at an extremely reasonable price! Family-run, the kids do their homework at the back tables and fetch things from the freezer, mom and dad cook and do (minimal - it's very oriented on the food) table service. Atmospheric and always friendly and will do takeout if you call ahead or want to wait at the counter.
Hearty American-style Italian! I like eating here for "things smothered in hot cheese" type pasta, but they also do a really good blackened or cedar-plank salmon. The bar/lounge area is lively, and the bartenders here have a tendency to pour a little strong. TVs tuned to sports throughout the bar, and a "wine-down Wednesday" special that is excellent for a mid-week break.
10 persone del luogo consigliano
Tomato Bros
200 Bridge StHearty American-style Italian! I like eating here for "things smothered in hot cheese" type pasta, but they also do a really good blackened or cedar-plank salmon. The bar/lounge area is lively, and the bartenders here have a tendency to pour a little strong. TVs tuned to sports throughout the bar, and a "wine-down Wednesday" special that is excellent for a mid-week break.
A favorite for a valley classic: bite-size steak. Bojack's is *one* of the (hotly-contested) originators of this locally, but they definitely have one of the better claims and a very good recipe. They do delicious spaghetti and meatballs as well, and extremely generous portion sizes. The restaurant is downstairs under the bar in historic Morgan's Alley on Main St.
7 persone del luogo consigliano
Bojack's Broiler Pit
311 Main StA favorite for a valley classic: bite-size steak. Bojack's is *one* of the (hotly-contested) originators of this locally, but they definitely have one of the better claims and a very good recipe. They do delicious spaghetti and meatballs as well, and extremely generous portion sizes. The restaurant is downstairs under the bar in historic Morgan's Alley on Main St.
A colorful new location for an old local favorite. There are two locations of El Sombrero - the Thain location is better both kitchen and atmosphere-wise. While there is nothing extremely special about El Sombrero, it's dependably good American-style Mexican, and the fresh, warm chips and salsa are pretty great.
10 persone del luogo consigliano
El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant
405 Thain RdA colorful new location for an old local favorite. There are two locations of El Sombrero - the Thain location is better both kitchen and atmosphere-wise. While there is nothing extremely special about El Sombrero, it's dependably good American-style Mexican, and the fresh, warm chips and salsa are pretty great.
If you're not a PNW native, this coffee chain may be unfamiliar to you. But I recommend it far above Starbucks. Little blue and white drive-thru locations, staffed by people who are specifically chosen for their cheer and helpfulness. There are three locations here in the Valley: Main St, and Thain Grade in Lewiston, and Bridge St in Clarkston. The coffee is not nearly as "burnt" tasting - and simply better - than Sbx roasts. The baristas are just as knowledable and the selections for syrups, non-dairy milks, and things like white coffee, etc are equal.
Dutch Bros
1617 Main StIf you're not a PNW native, this coffee chain may be unfamiliar to you. But I recommend it far above Starbucks. Little blue and white drive-thru locations, staffed by people who are specifically chosen for their cheer and helpfulness. There are three locations here in the Valley: Main St, and Thain Grade in Lewiston, and Bridge St in Clarkston. The coffee is not nearly as "burnt" tasting - and simply better - than Sbx roasts. The baristas are just as knowledable and the selections for syrups, non-dairy milks, and things like white coffee, etc are equal.
This small restaurant at the top of the Thain Grd hill gets my recommend for two things and two things only: the burgers themselves and the selection of beer on-tap. Those two things are high quality and entirely worth the drive up the hill by themselves! But the rest of the menu is pretty "eh," fair warning.
8 persone del luogo consigliano
KC's Burgers and Brews
541 Thain RdThis small restaurant at the top of the Thain Grd hill gets my recommend for two things and two things only: the burgers themselves and the selection of beer on-tap. Those two things are high quality and entirely worth the drive up the hill by themselves! But the rest of the menu is pretty "eh," fair warning.
Hogan's is a pretty special spot. It's a dive bar in all the good meanings of the phrase - tiny, friendly, welcoming, a little rough around the edges, live music from around the area on the weekends. The pub recently changed hands - the old owner retiring and selling on to everyone's favorite bartender, Skate. There's been some remodeling of restrooms, etc since which have been nice. But Skate and family have kept the laid-back vibe and good selection of beer/microbrews, and liquors, as well as the better-than-average-bar kitchen menu which include things like bite-size steak, scrumptious battered onion rings, reliably excellent burgers. Check their FB for theme nights and music.
8 persone del luogo consigliano
Hogan's Pub
906 6th StHogan's is a pretty special spot. It's a dive bar in all the good meanings of the phrase - tiny, friendly, welcoming, a little rough around the edges, live music from around the area on the weekends. The pub recently changed hands - the old owner retiring and selling on to everyone's favorite bartender, Skate. There's been some remodeling of restrooms, etc since which have been nice. But Skate and family have kept the laid-back vibe and good selection of beer/microbrews, and liquors, as well as the better-than-average-bar kitchen menu which include things like bite-size steak, scrumptious battered onion rings, reliably excellent burgers. Check their FB for theme nights and music.
The bar area here is very much the best thing! As a steak place they are only just ...fine. Good, but not anything special. But the bar area is really a delight. All heavy wood and a big riverstone fireplace - very grownup cowboy style indoors. And in summer they are far enough up the hill that their patio offers a very, very good view over the whole confluence. No better place for a sunset. An excellent place for a classy date, or a work meeting, or just a relaxing drink.
8 persone del luogo consigliano
Ernie's Steakhouse
2305 Nez Perce DrThe bar area here is very much the best thing! As a steak place they are only just ...fine. Good, but not anything special. But the bar area is really a delight. All heavy wood and a big riverstone fireplace - very grownup cowboy style indoors. And in summer they are far enough up the hill that their patio offers a very, very good view over the whole confluence. No better place for a sunset. An excellent place for a classy date, or a work meeting, or just a relaxing drink.
Thai Taste is just delicious. There is no atmosphere - it's extremely generic Asian restaurant - but it doesn't matter a bit, bc the food is really that good. Aut is the owner/chef, and she goes home to Thailand for a month every year to see her family and refresh her spices -usually in early spring, February or March - so check their web presence or call. Take out available
Thai Taste Restaurant
1410 21st StThai Taste is just delicious. There is no atmosphere - it's extremely generic Asian restaurant - but it doesn't matter a bit, bc the food is really that good. Aut is the owner/chef, and she goes home to Thailand for a month every year to see her family and refresh her spices -usually in early spring, February or March - so check their web presence or call. Take out available
A very popular local microbrewery. Simple location - sort of an industrial/warehouse feel. No food, but you are welcome to carry in anything or have it delivered. In summer they open the garage doors onto the patio, and while it's still an industrial vibe, it's also a nice place to sit and drink your tasty beer. There is an available room you can reserve for groups, and a vicious Tuesday Trivia night.
6 persone del luogo consigliano
Riverport Brewing Co
150 9th StA very popular local microbrewery. Simple location - sort of an industrial/warehouse feel. No food, but you are welcome to carry in anything or have it delivered. In summer they open the garage doors onto the patio, and while it's still an industrial vibe, it's also a nice place to sit and drink your tasty beer. There is an available room you can reserve for groups, and a vicious Tuesday Trivia night.
A family-owned pizza place that deservedly showed up on the Buzzfeed "top-18" national pizza place lists. Service is order and counter pickup, and family-style dining (big long tables, groups may overlap a bit if it gets crowded.) They've got a big window for watching the pizza dough being thrown etc, and sell their soda and a couple beer selections in pitchers. The pizza choices include all the familiar, well-loved standards, but also some that are extremely unique to Fazzari's and extremely popular. The Shotsy for example is: Mustard Sauce, Swiss Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Smoked Polish, Sausage, Onions, Sauerkraut, which is unusual but well-loved locally.
14 persone del luogo consigliano
Fazzari's
1281 Bridge StA family-owned pizza place that deservedly showed up on the Buzzfeed "top-18" national pizza place lists. Service is order and counter pickup, and family-style dining (big long tables, groups may overlap a bit if it gets crowded.) They've got a big window for watching the pizza dough being thrown etc, and sell their soda and a couple beer selections in pitchers. The pizza choices include all the familiar, well-loved standards, but also some that are extremely unique to Fazzari's and extremely popular. The Shotsy for example is: Mustard Sauce, Swiss Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Smoked Polish, Sausage, Onions, Sauerkraut, which is unusual but well-loved locally.
Sincerely, the best diner breakfast I've ever had. Just do yourself a favor and go eat here. Their waffles are fluffy, and creatively topped, their omlettes are overstuffed, the potatoes are just right, the biscuits and gravy are to die for... even the dang coffee is good for a diner. The waitstaff is friendly, even though they're busy because the restaurant is basically always full. You may have a short wait, but it will be worth it.
9 persone del luogo consigliano
Waffles n More
1421 Main StSincerely, the best diner breakfast I've ever had. Just do yourself a favor and go eat here. Their waffles are fluffy, and creatively topped, their omlettes are overstuffed, the potatoes are just right, the biscuits and gravy are to die for... even the dang coffee is good for a diner. The waitstaff is friendly, even though they're busy because the restaurant is basically always full. You may have a short wait, but it will be worth it.
Effie's is awesome. They are the most no-frills, here's-your-food-in-a-plastic-basket, you-get-one-beer-choice, cracked-plastic-seat-covers, little hole in the wall you will ever eat at. They make this burger that is a whole POUND of hamburger and is as big as your head. You can get it with add-ons like extra cheese, bacon, and ham. And their curly fries are quite good. It's a bit of a gut-bomb, but you share it with your friend, cut into pie-slices, and leave happy. (Sidenote: Effie's is very popular with the teams passing through town for NAIA. You know it's good if the baseball teams go there for fuel.)
9 persone del luogo consigliano
Effie Tavern
1120 Main StEffie's is awesome. They are the most no-frills, here's-your-food-in-a-plastic-basket, you-get-one-beer-choice, cracked-plastic-seat-covers, little hole in the wall you will ever eat at. They make this burger that is a whole POUND of hamburger and is as big as your head. You can get it with add-ons like extra cheese, bacon, and ham. And their curly fries are quite good. It's a bit of a gut-bomb, but you share it with your friend, cut into pie-slices, and leave happy. (Sidenote: Effie's is very popular with the teams passing through town for NAIA. You know it's good if the baseball teams go there for fuel.)