Unpretentious. Nostalgic. Cozy. That’s the mom and pop restaurant. Washington State is home to an array of these home-style eateries serving up all kinds of comfort food. Whether you’re craving café classics or retro drive-in eats, check out our favorite mom and pop restaurants in Washington State.
Captain Bob’s Chowder, Long Beach, WA
You don’t have to travel to New England to get great clam chowder when you stop at Captain Bob’s in Long Beach. With a love for all things related to the beach and the desire to serve great food, Captain Bob’s opened many years ago and has grown into one of the best places in the area to get chowder. Besides clam, they have salmon, tuna and corn, crab, lobster, scallop mushroom, seafood medley, and a tomato seafood medley available at various times. You can also email or call in your order and have it sent directly to you any day of the week except Wednesday.
Freeland Café, Freeland, WA
Mom-and-pop restaurants aren’t limited to American comfort food. Freeland Café in Freeland is a great example of that. With a blend of Hawaiian and Asian foods, this quaint little eatery has daily lunch and dinner specials, and they can even accommodate most special requests for those with food allergies or sensitivities. In business since 1974, this family-owned diner has breakfast all day, every day, with all your favorites and then some.
Miners, Yakima, WA
It’s not surprising that Miners Drive-In Restaurant has a drive-thru window because they’ve been open since 1948. This nostalgic and retro look and feel of this mom and pop place is like stepping back in time. Offering fresh food cooked while you wait, you can get a burger the way you like it with a side of fries or onion rings, and a shake or soda. Kids have a menu of their own, too. Stop by any day of the week and see what all the fuss is about.
The Cottage Café, Cle Elum, WA
The Cottage Café in Cle Elum is more than just a local diner with good food. It’s a place for hungry travelers to stop, rest, and enjoy some great comfort food served by friendly people. It’s like your home away from home with a kitchen. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner—you name it, they have it. There’s even a bakery where you can order your favorite pie, cinnamon rolls, cobblers, cookies, or crisps to take home in case you don’t have room right then.
Ice-Burg Drive-In, Walla Walla, WA
What could be better than a burger, fries, and your favorite shake? A burger, fries, and shake from Ice Burg Drive-In in Walla Walla! This small drive-in is a vision of the custard, which stands from the 1960s, but it’s earned a place as the area’s go-to place for burgers. Another specialty is frozen lemonade, but if you crave a creamy thick milkshake, you have a nice variety from which to choose. Always active is supporting the community, that’s another reason to stop by Ice Burg Drive-in.
