I've been eying this place for a while since it's on the way to Mt Rainier and I finally got to try it. We came here on 5th July and the restaurant was almost packed. We did take some time to wait before seated, to get our food and to get our bill, I guess it was understandable since it was a holiday weekend, and the staff were friendly and helpful. I had the train wreck burger, at least I could say it's worth the wait. It was loaded with meat. The pulled pork was really flavorful with tangy BBQ sauce. Highly recommend to meat lovers. I also love my ginger ale, it was definitely the most spicy ginger ale (in a good way) I've had. The only thing I want to complain is the tip option actually starts from 20%, in this economy? Restaurant owners, stop being pity and pay your staff a decent basic salary. read more

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No, no, no..... just look at it from the outside and then go on by. We ran into some locals at another spot the next day and told them we came here and their response was "you didn't eat there did you?" Food was so greasy and bad, no flavor in the pulled pork, and putting lettuce and tomato on a pulled pork sandwich just shows you don't understand the concept. The fries were cold and limp, completely inedible. And they are WAY understaffed, which means you wait a really long time for the terrible food. And then they are running a bar and a pizza place, along with rooms for rent. Maybe pick one thing and do it better? I get that you're a family business with a legacy, and I hate to knock you, but you gotta make some adjustments. read more

$26 for chicken fried steak. Thin steak think breaded. Menu said Yukon gold mashed potatoes- it was red potatoes. The gravy was sausage but kinda weird tasting couldn't figure it out. They were out of bbq chicken & bbq ribs & fried chicken at 12:30 on a Friday? Seriously. Fried zucchini was good. Waitress was nice. General pet peeve that the credit card machines auto ask 20% on up for tip on total bill (including the taxes) and min wage is $17. Sorry no. Go back to tip on food only start tip suggestion at 15%. We won't come back. read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - Fried zucchini - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

Mount Rainier Railroad Restaurant was a nice stop for a casual meal. I had the bacon cheeseburger with the home-cut fries. The food was decent, the burger was satisfying, and the fries were a nice touch. Service was good and the staff were friendly and attentive. Overall, a solid place to grab a bite while enjoying the railroad atmosphere. read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - Inside dining area - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

We hiked all morning and were starving. We arrived at 5 pm. We were seated immediately but not greeted or given water for at least 10 minutes. The server was definitely overwhelmed and could have used some extra hands. Unfortunately the kitchen skipped our ticket and a table that was seated after us had already received food, eaten, cashed out, and left before we even got our food despite us being there before them. When our food arrived my husbands burger was burnt (literally black) and my salmon Alfredo was unseasoned and the salmon was overcooked. The server kindly offered to remove the burger from our bill and offered to remake it but we were so hungry we just ate it and left. The mashed potatoes and gravy were actually amazing and well seasoned and definitely the star of our entire meal. Our server was very kind and apologetic. read more

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I would give this restaurant a 0 star if I could, worst place to eat. Prices are high, little portions. I order a chicken fettuccine and I got dry chicken, tase like rubber, my cheese was really hard like chewing on a piece my plastic, I also found an egg shell in my fettuccine! No flavor, and instead of using fettuccine pasta they use spaghetti pasta. Worst place !! Never eat here. read more

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Uniquely positioned historical train carts used for dining, the restaurant has a lot of history. We got some apps and drinks and it was all wonderful. The service was fast and reliable. read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - Outside - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

Ya'll Yelp friends, I have to share with you on this very unique business, you can dine on a real original vintage railroad, pretty cool ya?! Mount Rainier Railroad Dining, the railroad is built in 1922, purchased in Portland Oregon, by founder Robert Thurston. I got to meet and chat with the grandson, he was the only wait staff I saw that day that ran the front. It seems they are short staff, maybe that is the reason for the low ratings. We enjoyed ourselves before getting a table, looking around the railroad, checking out the front of shop, reading about all the history and checking out the gift shop. Pretty nostalgic, love the decor and it was a learning experience! The menu features a variety of American classics, such as steaks, seafood, pasta, and check out the daily specials! Try their specialties, the world famous Hobo Stew, consist of smoked beef, potatoes carrots, and cabbage in a sourdough bread loaf. We enjoyed our visit to Mount Rainier Railroad Dining and can't wait to visit again our our next adventures/visit to PNW. Check it out after you do the railroad train tour, or just come visit this part of town and make time for this. I know pricey but let's support local out here at Elbe! read more

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Unique, family owned dining experience. Some pricey options but plenty of reasonable ones as well -- all three lunch options ordered today were 14.99 each Service was good. Food was okay, desserts good, coffee weak. Worth a visit. read more

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What a unique dining experience on the way to the park! Enjoyed my lunch in a dining car built in 1922. A local family built and still runs this along with a Hobo Hotel from train cars. Well on your way to comp I thoroughly enjoyed my calamari with fresh aïoli and my husband enjoyed a chicken fried steak burger with fries. Don't leave without trying dessert. Sorry we didn't include a picture of that fabulous coconut cream pie, but it was all gone by the time I remembered. Prices are a bit high but that is to expected trying to get supplies this far out. Your servers will most likely be family members who can give you the history of the area. read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

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Pretty cool place to dine but food was just ok. I had a chicken & Swiss burger that smelled & tasted only of fish, kinda sucks they use the same oil for frying both which makes the food less enjoyable. For $90 it definitely was not worth it and wouldn't come back but was a good experience seeing the history. read more

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Came on a Saturday. Place was busy but were promptly seated Ordered an ice tea and it quickly came to our table. Ordered the basic bacon cheeseburger with fries. Tasty burger and the hand cut fries were delicious. Server was excellent and attentive. All in all a great meal. read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - Bacon Cheeseburger - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

It's a unique and historic dining experience. I had biscuits and gravy for breakfast while attending a large event with 20+ people. They did an awesome job with just 1 server and 1 cook on staff. This is a small local diner so keep in mind their food costs are high to obtain product in a remote location and they are providing jobs to local residents. If you think the menu prices are high it's likely because Food Delivery Services overcharge this location to bring in the product you're eating; have a heart and a humble soul and tip your servers!! read more

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It was ok. Fun atmosphere because of the trains. Server took order, delivered drinks and salad. Then we never saw her again. Someone else delivered food and then asked if we wanted our check because he "had time". My daughter enjoyed her soup and burger. I wasn't a fan of the fish n' chips even though it was a fan favorite. The breading was good but the fish had a weird texture. The garlic bread was great though!! It was a bit pricey, but probably because it's a tourist trap!! read more

The prices are very high for the quality of food. We received multiple menus and had to ask to be seated. The waitresses don't seem to know what's going on. We ordered the kids grilled cheese and a chicken bacon burger and the fries looked and tasted terrible! It's like the oil hasn't been changed in years! And the bacon was way overcooked. I would suggest eating g before coming out here or going to the pizza place read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - The fries - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

Dinner in a railroad car, that doesn't require tickets or reservations? Sign me up! Who cares if it's not chugging along on the tracks? Sure, a meal-on-the-go is certainly something to experience, but the Mount Rainier Railroad Dining is *so* much more accessible. Serving up large portions at slightly inflated prices, by slightly-aloof servers, this long, narrow diner is precisely 50% of the reason anyone would ever come to visit the tiny town of Elbe (the other half being the Hobo Inn, a hotel that is an extension of the restaurant). Avoid the Bloody Mary, as it is watery and unimpressive. Similarly, if the soup du jour is chicken egg-drop, give it a pass as well. Conversely, the Bacon Bleu Cheeseburger and the Fish and Chips are both fantastic, so the pub grub here comes highly recommended. So don't jump the tracks and try something unusual, and you're sure to have a thoroughly enjoyable meal! And remember, this is a train, so don't forget to CHEW CHEW! read more

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A late review but did want to give them kudos for a great dinner near the holidays. We arrived with just a bit of time to spare before our Holiday Train was due to depart. The waiter understood our situation and said he would do the best he could to get us our meal. He did exactly that. We were a party of 4 very hungry adults. We were able to get a substantial amount of food before we left. He packaged up the rest for us. I was so impressed with this restaurant being able to serve so many so quickly. The food was tasty and the train setting was so nice. Very clean bathrooms was an added plus!! I highly recommend the Mount Rainier Railroad Diner as a spot to eat and enjoy the very unique dining experience. read more

We actually stopped twice on the same day. Once for lunch heading to the park and again for dessert on the way out of the park. The place is neat and tidy. Lots to read and see on the walls. Sitting on the windows gives you a nice view outside. Our servers were friendly, and tho drinks seem to take some time and service can get slower it is not a big deal really. Enjoy the theme and unique experience of the railroad car. Burger and fries - grill cheese for the kids and tomato soup for lunch. Pumpkin pie and apple pie for dessert. We also had hot chocolates- which clearly is made after orders. Was very nice experience for us, and the kids. We will return. Past reviews about slow may be technically accurate - but they make the food when it is ordered - making it fresh. Any place in PNW is wet and mold is common - a train car is a great place to eat ! Even if drafty ! Enjoy the location and your time away from home !!! read more

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I am aghast at the other reviews of this excellent restaurant. Our party of four could not have been more impressed especially since we ordered a variety of menu items. They all arrived at the same time, all cooked to perfection, and all as tasty as we had hoped. A cute little railroad themed dining car (think diner) with a fairly extensive menu. The servers were great although they were obviously short staffed on the day we were there. The only negative of note has nothing to do with the actual restaurant. Right across the street in full view of the diners is a run down, fading metal box with the word TRUMP painted on it. It was distracting and annoying. read more

Save your time and money and go somewhere else. Very overran and 30 seconds after getting sat we really wanted to just leave. We had placed drink orders and I had intended on just leaving but our server took forever to come back. We decided to order some fries just to go this whole visit over with. The fries weren't fully cooked and not very edible. My wife is allergic to mold and her face was broken out in hives within minutes of being there. So much for having the whole railroad boxcar experience. read more

Worst food I have ever been forced to pay for. Stinky salmon fish with clumped up noodles, a mushroom Swiss burger with no Swiss, four pieces of mushroom, and everything you could imagine piled onto it, lettuce, tomato's, fresh onions, sautéd onions, pickles and some kind of gloppy sauce with a tiny overcooked piece of burger buried beneath it all In a bun that is so fragile it disintegrated in my hands immediately along with soggy French fries was our dinner. Our aged guest had fish and chips which she said was ok. We got all of this for just 108.00! Go to any gas station for better food. read more

Overpriced, poor service, food not very good. Save money and frustration by avoiding this place.

Excellent food. High auto gratuity (tip) 25% could be because it's a party of 5. Cool decor takes a while might be why the place had low rating. But it's good & worth it. read more

When you walk into this place, it is out of Level by so much it is dizzying. The door will not shut behind you without effort because it is so out of level that it will not close properly. Normally, a restaurant door would be on a self closing device. Not this place, oh no. The sign in the window for their lounge says open, but it is definitely not open. I'm not sure that it has been open in years? read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - This lounge says that it is clearly open, it is not open. - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

My mom and I ordered our own personal pizzas. My veggie pizza was fresh and the perfect size. Outdoor seating only. Weather was perfect though. read more

The service was awful, you practically have to chase down a server, then wait forever for drinks. Not because they're busy, it's a ghost town. Tried to give them the benefit of the doubt until I attempted to eat a simple ceaser salad. Which was leaps and bounds the worst salad with a sour vinaigrette I've ever had. Why not use ceaser dressing? And the pressed cubed chicken (?) chunks made it so much worse. Absolutely going to trap and forage if I'm ever hungry in the area again. read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - Ceaser salad - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

Trains were cool. But the food was horrible. Meat was dry and over salted and the fries were burnt.

Very wonderful experience. The train wreck burger and the bison burger were fantastic. The homemade fries were perfect. Definitely will be going back to try some of the other really good looking things I saw on the menu read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - a view of the dining area - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

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My boyfriend and I were grabbing an appetizer on our way back from Mt. Ranier and these BBQ pork fries hit the spot. Although a bit spendy in my opnion, you are paying for the ambiance - dinning in an old train car. Keep in mind that aisles are narrow but ramp to entrance for wheelchair accessibility. They did have a back room that looked like it accommodated bigger parties (more than 4 people). Service polite and efficent. Little gift shop at the entrance. Free parking. EV charging stations available. read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - BBQ Pork Fries - $14 - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

Great mom and pop place! Love places like this. I had the rock fish and chips. Nice buttery fish and the batter was perfect. Can't get rock fish in Buffalo kids! We're big on our Friday fish fry's there :) read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - Rock fish fry and chicken fried steak w a Rogue hazy IPA! Yum!! - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

We left the national park and wanted to try this cool railroad dining; never seen one before. Everyone was really nice and we were served pretty quickly. I went with the BBQ pork sliders. They were ok, not crazy about it. For some reason the bottom halfs of the bread were soggy and I couldn't properly hold the sliders. I just ate most of the meat with the top half. Good service here, maybe another meal would've been more satisfying. Still glad we had this experience. read more

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Waited over 30 minutes for them to open in the morning. When I called girl on the phone said 5 more minutes, well 15 more minutes later and still not open. If someone's late or a no show someone should at least tell all the people waiting outside you're opening late. read more

This was an enjoyable, homemade meal served in a charming, vintage train dining car. The staff's warmth and hospitality really stood out - they were knowledgeable and welcoming. The food had a homemade touch and was both delicious and satisfying, especially after a day of hiking in Mount Rainier National Park. read more

I don't know what these negative reviews are about, but this place was good. Some people must have too high of expectations. For the location, don't expect gourmet food, and don't expect cheap. Dude working was really nice and was working hard. Plus the train vibe was cool. read more

Cannot comment on the food, since we couldn't eat. Got to the door and was told they are only taking reservations. No sign until you get to the door and we had to turn around and leave. Second and last time we will attempt to eat there. read more

The food was very cheep feeling, and very expensive at 24$ for most of the dinner options. The chicken friend steak looked like it was from a frozen dinner. 11$ for a vodka redbull. read more

Had nothing but spectacular service with the kids and grandma for Father's Day. Ordered a very broad range from the menu along with their specialty dessert. Also enjoyed the special of the day which was a wonderful prime rib. Really liked the decor of the train and would love to try the bar section during our next visit. Looks like it would be a ton of fun. read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - Prime rib - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

We've live here for a year and I've always wanted to stop in to see what it was like. I found the prices to be very high for what we ordered. I ordered the chicken fried steak. It was a frozen not very good tasting meal. The gravy was way too salty. The mashed potatoes were OK. The vegetables were not good I could tell were frozen carrots had no taste of them, I think my biggest thing is the prices were really high. It was myself and my husband with no alcohol and it was $78. We did get dessert which was eight dollars for a small cup of bread pudding to me is not worth the price. read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

This restaurant hits the spot after any Rainier hike. We tend to hit this place regularly. The service is good. The food is over abundance. The beer is ice cold. You can't get much better than that. I've had the burgers, pasta, sweet potato fries, regular fries - everything has been great. You also can't beat eating in a train - so cool. read more

Mount Rainier Railroad Dining - Parmesan Pasta - American Near Me - Elbe, Washington

Fun trip on an old steam train, kids and adults have a great time. Themed rides coming soon.