Wayback Burgers — Restaurant in Castlegar

I was waiting for months for this chain to open (its Castlegar we don't get new things often) I went the day of opening around 4pm And while the restaurant was busy, it took nearly an hour to order my food and get it. I can excuse it as it was there first day. The food was okay, but not for the price 12 dollars for a bacon burger and 7 dollars for half a milkshake? While the milkshake is good, it is extremely overpriced for how little you receive, and the consistency is all over the place. I saw some people receiving 3/4th a cup, while others got full cups. I understand its new, but they had been opening for months, plenty of time to train and hire staff.

we returned the next day, hoping the service got a little bit better, spoiler alert, It didn't, The restaurant had maybe 2 tables with guests and one person ahead of me, still took 45 minutes for 3 burgers and some fries, while they might fashion themselves as a 'diner' but they are truly a fast food joint, it should only take like 5 minutes to cook the burger patty size they serve, and 10 minutes if they are cooking from par-cooked frozen fries. Somehow they manage to under cook anything that comes out of the deep fryer, which is a shame, the poutine for 9 dollars was small, fries under cooked, and barely any gravy (which tasted like package gravy from the grocery store) the tater tots, are always under cooked and soggy even fresh.

My hopes were sorely dashed, while on the first day the burgers were okay, the second day they were some of the worst burgers i've ever eaten. I know some people like their burgers soggy and sloppy with sauce, but not everyone, the burgers my family received on our second outing were covered in half a kilo of mustard and ketchup (probably to cover up the lack of taste the actual burgers have)

While i was extremely excited, and wanted to love this place and support it, I cannot in any good faith recommend this restaurant to anyone, even my worst enemy. If you wanna spend more than A&W (which is far better quality) and receive less than Mcdonald's quality food, go for it, But i think my hard earned dollars will be going to the many other restaurants of this style in the tri-city area.

The service is friendly enough, but seem either disinterested in the job or not properly trained in food service.

The atmosphere is good i would say, brings back those 50-60s styled vibes but with a modern twist.

But even with those positives, I don't see this place being open very long as sad as i am to say, cause we don't get new things often here.

Wished for more, got served a cold plate of reality. I will try it again in a few months and possibly post updates if it has...

If you're in the mood for a classic American burger experience, Wayback Burgers is definitely worth a visit. Located conveniently in Castlegar, this charming eatery offers a nostalgic vibe that transports you back to the golden age of burger joints.

Ambiance: The decor is a delightful mix of retro and modern, with vintage photos and memorabilia adorning the walls. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, making it a great spot for families, friends, or even a quick solo meal.

Menu: Wayback Burgers boasts an impressive menu that goes beyond just burgers. Their selection includes a variety of beef, turkey, and veggie burgers, along with hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and salads. The standout for me was the "Wayback Classic" burger, cooked to perfection and topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, and their special sauce. The option to customize your burger with a range of toppings is a definite plus!

Quality: The ingredients are fresh, and you can taste the quality in every bite. The patties are juicy and flavorful, and the buns are soft yet sturdy enough to hold everything together. I also tried their hand-cut fries, which were crispy and seasoned just right.

Service: The staff at Wayback Burgers were friendly and attentive, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. My order was taken promptly, and the food arrived in a reasonable amount of time, despite the restaurant being busy during lunch hour.

Value: Prices are reasonable for the quality and portion sizes offered. You definitely get your money’s worth, especially with the generous servings of fries.

Overall: Wayback Burgers is a fantastic spot for anyone craving a delicious burger in a laid-back setting. Whether you're a burger aficionado or just looking for a satisfying meal, this place has something for everyone. I’ll definitely be returning to try more of...

Tried to order one combo meal and one burger. $40 later we waited for 30 min and they brought out the wrong food then the manager tried to tell us we made a mistake ordering when the person who took our order confirmed she punched it in wrong. No one wanted to take ownership and only once when the owner came out did anyone even apologize. Even then, it wasn’t very sincere and most people seemed to want to avoid the issue and didn’t seem in a rush to fix it - seriously SO SLOW service. 10 min later (40 min at this point) they brought us another bag insisting it was ours - it wasn’t had a bunch of hot dogs and fries. I gave it back to the waitress and she pushed it closer to me telling me it was mine. Finally resolution was the food finally delivered (no apology just ‘here you go’) and they only brought out one burger. At this point I’m almost crying with how bad it is and YET, we still got the wrong food!!! No bacon was on the burger despite ordering (and it being on the receipt) that we ordered bacon cheese burgers. We ended up getting a refund and literally everyone was hiding in the back - no apology. I get it’s early opening and mistakes can easily be made but it’s HOW you deal with them that matters. Customer service was less than zero and the way they were gaslighting and unapologetic makes me firm that I will never be back and also highly do not recommend. Food quality is bland at best could use some...