This place was recommended to me by an associate. He's never been to Philly. They have two Cheese-steaks items on the menu: one plain and one with peppers and mushrooms. I asked for xtra xtra onions and got it in spades! Very generous. But it was not at all chopped and mixed together and to add 'insult' they melted the cheese on top of all those onions and what not. So I took a fork and flipped it on the roll to get the cheese next to the roll. Better. The roll was toasted UGH! But not as bad as Shut Up and Eat. I also suspect that they are using roast beef but can't prove it. It didn't look like it started raw and touched any nice olive oil or some other grease in cooking. I belatedly asked for marinara sauce and was handed a very good sauce packed in those little containers for condiments. Asked a second time and was obliged again. Nice people. This place IS in Columbia and NOT Lombard. If you Google Maps it the ICON shows Columbia but the address lists as Lombard. Same for YP.com. read more

Need to get the times right! Oh yelp says they are open till 7 on Saturdays when really they are open till 6. Very unhappy and will spend my money at the other Roakes off McLoughlin read more

Love the burgers and fries, can't wait till I can try their shakes, friendly and fast, cash only

The burger was dry and the fries were grease-soaked and too small. The interior could use a makeover as the seating was cramped and uncomfortable. The gals were friendly, though. I left a tip! Next time I will try a dog and skip the fries, and get it to go. read more

Made a trip over to Roakes for dinner tonight, on a recomendation from a fellow yelper (my thanks to Holy Foo). This is by no means "fine dining" but for the type and style of food it is...im giving it 5 stars. Everything my family and I ordered was great! We ordered a ton of food to share family style because none of us had been there before. *hubby has been there but he was a teenager then so the better part or more than 25 years now* We ordered a long coney, deluxe cheeseburger, philly cheesesteak, kids cheeseburger, 2 corn dogs, deepfried mushrooms a basket of fries and 4 drinks. The Coney-the hot dog had a good snap and the coney sauce was really good. Cheeseburger deluxe- cooked to med. Temp and had an awesome sauce with all the fixings. The philly- good quality beef, cheese, sauteed onions,peppers and mushrooms. Cheeseburger- standard burger only smaller Corn dogs- again standard and had good flavor. French fries- made in house with skin on. Good Deep fried shrooms- great flavor served with marinara sauce. My hubby got some deep fried cheese sticks which he said were very good. Oh he also got a coney to-go. I am happy we went overall and had a quality and above average meal here. I look forward to going back for some way better than fast food fare! Apparently this place has been around Portland metro forever and I can see why! read more

My friend swears by this place. I have been listening to him yammer on and on about how great the burgers at Roake's are for about 3 plus years. The other day it was time for me to take the plunge. Here is my synopsis. This place is throwback to a time when burger stands had character. Although Roake's particular character hasn't changed since the 1950's, it is currently faded and oddly still fashionable. They seem to want you to get their chili (on hot dogs, or whatever) but my friend steered me clear quoting some unholy alliance and days confined to the bathroom. He ordered first and got a burger with egg and ham and a bunch of other stuff. I saw a special that was called the Farmer John and was curious, the friendly lady at the counter said it was the same thing my friend got only much bigger. A little less than ten dollars later and I am sitting in a booth nervously awaiting whatever monstrosity is soon to arrive. A sidenote here....normally I get french fries, in fact I am pretty forgiving when it comes to french fry quality, but one look at the comically sad looking fries in the basket in the kitchen made me pass on them. When my burger arrived it was massive. The patty was actually fairly small, but the bun was definitely about twice the normal size, and when you add the at least two eggs, bacon, sliced deli ham and veggies this thing was actually hard to lift up. It was delicious. It was good in the way that health food can never under any circumstances be. It is messy and greasy and the oversized bun can't contain the glory that is this burger and it will ooze a slurry of various animal greases down your arm and you will have realize you have no shame and proceed to lick it off your arm and maybe even the table. This is what a burger is supposed to be. It really is that good, at least until you have to actually start to digest it. I will spare you the details, but the battle was intense and lasted well over the course of two days. However in the final analysis, I regret nothing! In the end Roake's is a relic, a place that doesn't really exist anymore, and seems lost amidst the rapidly developing Portland foodie culture. I will probably return rarely, but every now and then I know I will want a place that doesn't give a damn about how "culinary chic" portland is, and just wants to unload a huge calorie riddled coronary burger at me and watch me both squeal in delight and terror. read more

Hands down, best Coney dog in the whole world over! My grandparents went on their first date here and my family has been hooked ever since. We've been trying to recreate their coney sauce for generations, with no luck. Even though my family knew the original owner (he had a vacation home behind ours in Waldport), we were never able to learn the real recipe. He wasn't able to disclose the information. So, we head back to Roakes for family gatherings and such, whenever the craving calls (all the time, in other words). And when I go to Connecticut to visit my mom, I'm required to pack along at least ten containers of Coney Sauce (yes, it's that good folks). :) read more

The service is pretty bad, The girl with 1/3 of her head shaved (thanks Skrillex) got her hair in my food and I'm like HOW??? The food is... greasy, the fries are grease flavored, and the coney sauce is, deplorable. The workers Don't just treat you like crap, they treat each other like crap, loudly. On top of that (for the ladies) if you're out there in your finest... though I'm not sure how many occasions start with Roake's... ANYWAYS there's a bikini coffee drive through pretty much in their parking lot. AND OMG do those perverts linger. SO if you want some greasy meat with brown sauce, then more "meat" offered in the parking lot. Go to Roake's D: read more

Best greasy burger and coney dog in town! I love their coney sauce. Their fries are thin cut, greasy and delicious. If you are looking for a good, gut bomb, meal this is the place. read more

Decent burgers and fries. Cash only here. The place is dingy, I wish they would clean up this place. Otherwise it's a good place to get your grease on. read more

Definitely hidden and I've been in Portland for 2 years now and drive right by it almost everyday and never noticed it. Great burger shack with a cool vibe to it! The burgers are in the same category with a Whataburger!! read more

I love this place, and now that Frank left Nick's where else are you going to get an amazing Coney? Great fries!!!

Good food at a good price. They got lots of different Food vary big portions And videoPoker .very nice people. A very nice place to go to around A must go to love the French Fries read more

The food was good, the employees are friendly, service was fast. Nice place for a quick burger or hot dog.

Had the worst restaurant experience however 50 years. Food was OK but...... I was so my food I said down to eat my meal and just after we started a girl informed us we have five minutes to closing. OK we say speeded up eating butter absolute surprise with about maybe two minutes to finish our mail the girl says you have to leave we are closed. I said, I just have a few bites yet I'll be leaving soon and she said that I had to leave right now and when I didn't get up immediately she started stomping around with a broom and I and mumbling to the cook behind the counter. Immediately the cook comes out telling me we have to leave now or I'm gonna call the police you were in violation of the law. Are you kidding me? I left but can't help wonder how in the world this filthy looking place to be in business with such poorly trained , Rude help. If there was a rating of zero they would have earned it. read more

The wimpy burger met all my burger fantasy expectations. No frills and grilled to perfection. This is old portland at its finest. Naysayers should find a trendy brunch place, wait in line for an hour like its cool and then go home to Beaver-tron. read more

Could feel burger was tough to digest, even sister told me she felt sick after it, I ended up throwing up later on that night.

I have been eating here for over forty years and I just can't say enough about the hot dogs!!! They are delicious every time!

Most burgers under five bucks with a good appetizer happy hour ($3 fried mushrooms, jalapeno poppers, mozz sticks) from 4-close. Awesomely friendly staff. read more

Great eats straight out of the sixties. Buns toasted to perfection. Foot long super sausage done right with Roake sauce onions and mustard. Perfection on a roll. Bring cash they don't take plastic. read more

Roakes makes a damn fine burger, and I like burgers. The place is kinda dive-ish but that's part of its charm. They make a great burger, worth every penny. The fries are great too. Several of my co-workers seem to really like their coney dogs and onion rings but I have not had them myself. When ever I am in the area, that's where I eat. read more

Best Coney, ever!!!! The fries are excellent and plentiful. Not a place to impress a first date! read more

This is one of the best places I've ever eaten. The price is amazing, especially compared to other restaurants. The staff is also so kind and friendly. LOVE IT HERE read more

Bring Cash! the foods deliciously greasy and if you're looking for healthy stay away!

I eat here when ever I am in the neighborhood. I just wish I lived closer. It is so difficult to find a good traditional hamburger place, but this one has stayed true to its roots. It is a blast from the past, and just wonderful. read more

I was driving around in portland trying to find a place to eat. This place really caught my eye, I loved the old style dinner. I had the coney hotdog, which was really good. My sister had a chilly dog, she was surprised she liked it because she hardly ever eats hotdogs. Overall this place is great! read more

Classic dinner and burger joint feel. Nothing crazy good going on here, yet My blackberry shake was tasty. If I ever drive thru again I'll stop by for sure! read more

Definitely not a good day for calorie counting. Burgers are wonderful! We got the Rich John burgers which were so yummy. My caveat though is that you have to bite the french roll it's on pretty hard and that forces all the goodies out the side. Next time I'll get a regular bun. The biggest reason I'm giving 5 stars is that their onion rings are the kind you can usually only find at the fairgrounds. They were battered, huge, and sooooo yummy! The price is pretty good as well, not any more than Wendys. I haven't tried the fries, that's next! read more

I grew up with Roake's coney dogs and they still rock. Get a foot long with onions...actually get two.

Great Burger Joint ! The onion rings are insane for sure. Just good food ......... puts a smile on your face.

Disappointed. Arrived a few minutes before 6pm on Saturday night at the Columbia location and they were closed. Their posted hours on the door, their website, and google all said they close at 7pm. We drove 30 miles for Roake's Coney dogs. They lost two long time customers tonight after the employees wouldn't even acknowledge that their posted hours are 7pm read more

A bit hole in the wall, but the service was fast and the food was good and cheap! I had the deluxe burger(1/3 lb beef) with cheese, my husband had the whimpy burger(1/2 lb beef) with cheese and we shared a platter of fries. The whimpy burger doesn't look whimpy at all! The size of it was much bigger compared to the deluxe one I had. The platter of fries was huge, probably big enough to be shared between 3-4 people. Im looking forward to trying one of their milkshakes next time. I took off a star because I was really craving for an old fashion burger with American cheese and a buttered crispy bun. No buttered crispy bun :( read more

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The food I had was tastey, well priced, well portioned, hot when delivered. That should be enough for a good review .. but This place has fallen into a terrible state of disrepair, dirt and grime. The entry carpets are worn, tattered and dirty. Anyplace a hand has touched is caked in grease and grime, seriously, the front door needs a good round of Simple Green and a heavy duty cloth. There is tile (that isn't missing in big strips) everywhere that is in serious need of a deep cleaning. The walls, the floors ... everywhere. You could see tracks where they mopped around the fixtures behind the counters. I'm afraid of what lurks under those things. The restroom could have used a hosing down ... Cobwebs in corners, the tables all had lottery literature on them that looked like they were placed there when the lotto started years ago and just left. I shutter to think what the kitchen area looked like, if they let the public areas look this way. There was a none-too-friendly employee wiping at the counter, but doing nothing near what the place really needs, it was like watching a child dusting furniture. This is close to home and an easy stop, but seriously doubt I need to go back again. read more

I have been coming to Roakes since I was in middle school (so about 15 years now) and I absolutely love it! If you're looking for fancy dining - ROAKES IS NOT FOR YOU! If you are afraid to get grease on your hands/clothes - ROAKES IS NOT FOR YOU! If you like a great american greasy food - ROAKES IS FOR YOU! It is cash only and they have an ATM for all of those times that I forget. My usual consists of a pepper jack bacon burger - oh so juicy meat slathered in melted pepper jack cheese and a heaping serving of thick yummy pepper bacon. The coney fries are also a must - fries, coney sauce, tomatoes, and cheese! Yum! Onion rings are great as well as any of their hot dogs, the deli dog being my favorite. Sure the place isn't all that pretty but i'll take great food over a pretty location anyday. read more

I would give five stars if it wasn't so awkward when the kitchen crew broke out into legit scream-off. And the guy handling the cash register could've been less of a douche. But the food was hands-down amazing. With big portions for small prices, fresh-cut fries and delicious onion rings, this is a must try if you're in the NE portland. Try the BBQ bacon burger it's huge and the bacon is crisp to perfection. read more

Disappointed to say the least. Food quality has gone down hill over the last few years. I had the cheese steak and my wife had the coney dog. Both were hot and came out quick, but the quality was lacking. Staff were friendly enough. The also don't have their onion rings any longer! I wish they would step it up read more

I went to Roakes to get my son his Birthday Lunch at his request, a coworker of his recommended it. I have seen Roakes many times as I drove down Lombard and never had the desire to stop due to the dilapidated condition of their building. So we went there yesterday, the place is VERY busy with many local blue collar workers enjoying classic burger joint fare. We placed our orders and took a seat (the only one left was near the bathroom) The dining area is one of the...no, scratch that, It is THE FILTHIEST place I have ever seen in a place that serves food. It is not just a little dirty, it is the kind of grime and grunge that has accumulated over YEARS! There is gunk on the floor walls ceiling and booths. How this place is allowed to operate in such dirt and decay is a mystery. I will say the food is VERY GOOD with generous portions at a very reasonable price. I would recommend getting food here, TO GO! Avoid the dining area unless you are up to date on your vaccines. If this place just spent some time on cleaning and a little fresh paint, it would be a 5 star review. read more

Great hot dogs. Fries were limp, greasy and cold. Hopefully not typical. I'll give it another try some other time, since hotdog was nearly perfect. read more

Definitely a dive like setting...the food here is good. I used to eat the loaded coney's 25 years ago as a kid...and still think they are amazing. Definitely an amazing spot to eat!! read more

After 28 years of not eating at Roakes and living in the neighborhood, I have been wanting to get in there, I just didn't want to go alone. Finally get the nerve to go in... I walk in through one door, a man the other. The woman helps him and tells me they are closed. Discriminating against women, nice! Too bad they couldn't care less. I read the food is crap anyway. read more