The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
It's #NationalBurgerDay — and nothing makes a burger taste better than pairing it with a great hike!
It's #NationalBurgerDay — and nothing makes a burger taste better than pairing it with a great hike!
Enjoying a post-hiker burger at The Commonwealth off of Snoqualmie Pass. Photo by trip reporter SuperRandy.
No matter where in the state you choose to recreate, Washington's trail towns are home to an abundance of local businesses serving up tasty treats for hikers near and far.
Not only is a post-hike meal the perfect opportunity to try out a new spot, but it's a way to support Washington's bustling recreation economy and strengthen local communities. (Did you ever think eating fries and a shake could help build the economic case for properly funding and maintaining public lands? Eating is a form of advocacy we can easily get behind!)
We reached out to Washington hikers to help us compile a list of the best post-hike fueling stations. And, while burgers may be the theme of the day, we also received plenty of recommendations for pizza, BBQ, tacos, sweets and more to satisfy any kind of craving.
Take a peek at our map below and consider stopping somewhere new this weekend! And, if you do, give it a shout-out in your trip report.
Did we forget anywhere? Leave a comment below with your favorite post-hike eatery!
Comments
Wilderness Photographer on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
These are some great ones! A few more that have provided me with fond memories pre- and post-hike are: Rusty's Drive In in Cashmere, Twin Pines Drive In along 970 outside Cle Elum, The Maltby Café in Maltby, Twede's Café in North Bend (the famous "Twin Peaks Café"), Mt. Rainier Railroad Dining Company in Elbe, and Calico Cupboard Café & Bakery in Mount Vernon (also with locations in La Conner and Anacortes).
Posted by:
Wilderness Photographer on May 30, 2019 08:14 PM
ejain on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
Some of our favorite pre- and post-hike stops include: Pioneer Coffee and Lums Coffee (espresso milkshakes!) in Cle Elum, Saboteur Bakery in Bremerton, Moka Joe near Anacortes, Oak Table in Sequim, 59er Diner near Leavenworth, 5b's Bakery in Concrete, Rocking Horse Bakery in Winthrop, Owens Meats in Cle Elum, and Snow Goose Produce and Skagit's Own Fish Market near Mt Vernon.
Posted by:
ejain on Jun 03, 2019 11:35 PM
Daktari on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
Fat Smitty’s on 101 outside port Townsend with it thousands of dollar bills on the ceiling
Posted by:
Daktari on Jun 12, 2019 06:51 PM
Old Crust on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
The Gearhead Deli in Quilcene is fabulous. The elk burger is my favorite.
Posted by:
Old Crust on Jun 12, 2019 10:01 PM
Pat Campbell on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
If you want to be alive to hike and collect Social Security, eating burgers shouldn’t be on your menu. 👀
Posted by:
pat777campbell@msn.com on Jun 12, 2019 10:11 PM
Puyallup Pilgrim on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
Scaleburgers in Elbe is awesome, also with great shakes.
Posted by:
Puyallup Pilgrim on Jun 12, 2019 10:23 PM
Sunrise Creek on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
All my recommendations are dog-friendly: Backwoods Brewing in Carson has great pizza, too. Walking Man in Stevenson has award-winning brews and a limited but yummy menu. I really like the wraps at River Tap in The Dalles. We love the Country Girl Cherry Pizza at Solstice Wood Fire Pizza in Hood River but this place on the Waterfront has become so popular that we don't even consider going there on weekends in the summer due to the long wait for a table, opting instead to go to Hood River Taqueria in the Heights for burritos and enchiladas. Closer to Vancouver, 54-40 Taproom and Pub in Washougal is a good stop after hiking Cape Horn.
Posted by:
Sunrise Creek on Jun 12, 2019 11:03 PM
2Scarabs on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
Beef is the number one most planet damaging food a person can choose to eat. The environmental impacts of eating cows is well documented. WTA please stop promoting the stereotype of the burger and beer hiker, some of us are environmentalists.
Posted by:
2Scarabs on Jun 13, 2019 04:03 AM
nesmila on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
Kelsey’s all natural just north of Potlatch SP. excellent Cubano which is not actually a burger and still amazing post trail.
Posted by:
nesmila on Jun 13, 2019 06:38 AM
raindodger on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
Chimicum cafe, burgers made the way they should be! (Coming or going on the Kitsap peninsula, outside of Port Townsend.)
BTW, that's a buzz kill, Pat! (I'm 70 and still trudging along.)
Raindodger
Posted by:
raindodger on Jun 13, 2019 08:41 AM
Talis on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
For Snoqualmie Pass on a sunny day, nothing beats an outdoor post-hike meal at Dru-Bru. Grab you burger next door at Commonwealth, or check out the Dru-Bru food truck options.
Five Guys is perhaps a predictable but nonetheless convenient and tasty stop when heading east on I-90 out of Issaquah. Shakes now!
Posted by:
Talis on Jun 13, 2019 10:02 AM
seabeav on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
After hikes out Highway 2, I like to stop at the Timber Monster Brewpub in Sultan...good food and beer. Returning from hikes out around the Mountain Loop Highway, I like Sound to Summit Brewing in Snohomish...good burgers, sandwiches and other stuff along with good beer. (Dogs allowed on patio)
Posted by:
seabeav on Jun 13, 2019 12:23 PM
SeabeeGene on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
Quite a few favorite but in order Fat Moose Bar & Grill @1382 Lewis River Road Woodland 98674
Model T Pub and Eatery HWY 101 in Hoodsport 98548 for some amazing broasted chicken!!
Copper Creek In & Restaurant 35707 WA 706 Ashford 98304 good food ...better black berry pie and pancakes.
Blakeslees Bar & Grill 1222 S Forks AVE FORKS 98331 AMAZING BURGERS
Aand if you want to kick off a hike... Halfway House @ 41 Brinnon Lane Brinnon 98548 Great Breakfast
Posted by:
SeabeeGene on Jun 13, 2019 01:21 PM
chiramblr on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
Hey there! There are so many great places to eat pre and post hike. All the suggestions listed here enumerate your favorites. While definitely not having been to all of them I know of quite a few.
Note to Pat Campbell: Tell all of us 70 plus hikers what all the burgers we've consumed have done to slow us down. :)
Posted by:
chiramblr on Jun 14, 2019 10:52 AM
Shawn Aebi on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
The Burger Shack in Sultan is a drive-through and makes an incredibly tasty burger. My "must stop" place on the way back from Stevens Pass.
Posted by:
Shawn Aebi on Jun 14, 2019 12:45 PM
kiddo 47 on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
Nachez Tavern in Greenwater is great for burgers (including a delicious veggie burger), brews and other awesome pub food. It has a fun and funky, albeit grungy but hiker and skier friendly atmosphere.
Posted by:
kiddo 47 on Jul 10, 2019 10:33 AM
Ups n Downs on The Best Post-Hike Burgers in Washington
The post hike burger was a tradition my late hiking partner and good friend Dave and I started in the 80's by having a burger at Bobo's Bonanza after a hike in the Sierra's. I've had them all over Washington but I still think the best was the La Boomba at Riverside Tavern in Fall City.
Posted by:
Ups n Downs on May 28, 2022 01:10 PM