Thunder Island Brewing Co — Attraction in Cascade Locks

Food was fine. Poor customer service: unwelcoming, unprofessional, and disappointing.

It took the server 10 minutes after we were seated before coming by to introduce themselves and take our drink order. We ordered drinks and had already decided on food by that point, but the server started walking away before we finished ordering. when I asked her to take our food order as well, she seemed put out and rushed off after I told her the food we would like to order.

Someone else brought the drinks. We then waited for over 40 minutes for our food and was ignored by staff the whole time, let alone our server. We were splitting a single sandwich, which shouldn't take that long. No communication from the server about the delay--she ran around to tables and intentionally kept her head down to avoid eye contact with other customers. The restaurant was not understaffed and 4-5 servers could be seen talking together or milling around, unrushed, inside at any given time ignoring the patio customers. After we received our food it was another 20 minutes before the server stopped by again. By this time our food and drinks were gone so I requested the check. 5 minutes later she dropped a check on our table and I had to call out to tell her it was not our check as she was already rushing away. Another 5 minutes to get our correct check--I had card in hand ready to just have her process so we could leave already, but she rushed away after dropping the check. At this point, so much time had gone by for simple sandwich and drinks that we were ready to pay and leave! The server, no joke, ignored us for 15 more minutes of us actively trying to get ANY staff's attention to take our money so we could leave! I had to go inside and stand in front of the payment processing computer desperately trying to waive down anyone to finally get someone to take our money! No, of course it was not our server who finally helped.

Overall, we were so disappointed in the service that we will not be returning and can't recommend anyone else go either. The server ignored us, acted like she didn't have time to even glance our way to see if we needed anything. 10 minutes for a drink order. 40 minutes to make a sandwich with no communication. 20 minutes before a follow up. 10 minutes just to get the right check. And 15 more to get it processed! And that only because I imposed myself on them. The restaurant was not understaffed, just couldn't be bothered with those pesky customers--apparently had better things to do/talk about together? Unwelcoming, unprofessional, and...

Pros: the Sweet Chili Cauliflower appetizer and their Sweet Potato Waffle Fries are incredible.

Cons: just about everything else. Service was interesting. Everyone was nice, but only if they graced you with their time and attention. Because once seated, you have to flag them down every time for everything, like refills of water. Regarding the food....as others have mentioned, they seem to be trying to be all trendy with their slightly gluten-oppressed and vegan-adjacent menu, or in plain terms, they're trying too hard. The burger with supposed bacon onion jam had a weird, too-sweet after-taste that overpowered all other flavors (yet this alleged "jam" was nothing but bacon bits and sauteed onions). The blackened chicken sandwich was tasteless and dry. The chicken bowl was plain rice, plain shredded cabbage, and a plain, unseasoned flattened chicken breast with those fake grill lines on it from the food service company, and all with zero flavor. The chicken curry had nearly no actual chicken and was, very strangely, served with plain, un-buttered, un-toasted French bread. Like, why and wtf and who thought up that combo?? The few strands of wilted, limp microgreens dropped on top of the chicken bowl is their idea of supporting local farmers, i guess. But their chicken isn't locally raised? And as a brewery, they don't make their own root beer? Feels like some good "we support locals" lip service with no substance. Most breweries generally all have some tried and true dishes that go excellent with beer, such as nachos or pizza or sliders, but that have their own personal flair added to their menu to make the dishes their own. Thunder Island just has thin, little egg rolls and taste-free tofu bowls and vegetable appetizers; surely, super enticing dishes for beer drinkers (he said sarcastically). Plus, it pisses me off that a place with so little flavor thinks they deserve charging $20 for these dishes. Blasphemy! The space itself is rather odd and bland. Glaring white walls with glaringly bright lights with no artwork or atmosphere. For a place with the word "Thunder" is their name, the space feels awfully timid and meek. Not really impressed, overall, but I guess I'd eat there again if nothing else was open and there were no...

Cool scene, good hours, and food seems solid, but my experience was mixed at best; 2 of 4 employees I interacted with were rather rude, and my meal was not as expected.

I stopped by on way home from White Salmon, and asked Hostess if they do carryout. She said yes, and directed me to a menu at the bar and said to order there. The woman behind the bar seemingly couldn't be bothered to end her (very clearly non-work related) conversation with her coworker. Once she finally did, she tried to tell me they don't do carryout, only to be corrected by her coworker, and then continue with a somewhat snarky attitude, clearly annoyed to have to be, you know, doing her job. She took my name, and I went outside to stay with our truck with it's bed full of expensive gear.

I stopped back in to use the restroom, and the Hostess was kind enough to suggest adding me to her list as though I was waiting for a table, that way she could text me once my order was ready. When I got the text I came inside, and was told by someone (a manager?) that they had sent someone out with my food, but to the beer garden, which isn't where I was. He was very nice, and walked me out to find the employee with my food, explaining that the were trying to save me some steps. When we got outside, the young woman with my food approached, and he told her it was mine. She gave a heavy eye roll, and while handing me my food complained that they had her "running all over looking for me." Very unfriendly and inappropriate, and also 100% not the fault of the customer, so don't put it on them that you had to do a few extra stairs during the course of your shift.

The final issue was with my food. I ordered the Bacon Jam Burger, only to realize that the Bacon Jam was a mix of bacon and onions. I have an onion sensitivity, so I had to scrape it all off, leaving me with an $18 cheeseburger that wasn't even very good. I should've asked about the ingredients, but the menu said nothing about onions, and for a dish that clearly has a LOT of onions, it would be nice to have it mentioned in writing, even just for those who like or...