Badwater Saloon — Restaurant in Beatty

Unlucky timing - we visited the Badwater Saloon after a morning exploring Death Valley and were excited for pizzas and a cold beer. Unfortunately when we arrived, we were informed there were no draft beers available, and as the kitchen was being renovated, the menu was very limited.

Menu options were basically a hot dog/chips/drink combo or a salad. As a family of seven, six of us ordered the hot dog combo ($11) and one had the salad ($9). Minutes later, we were presented with the most basic microwaved hot dogs, a small bag of chips and a can of soda (no glass). The salad turned up in a takeaway box and was basically a box of lettuce with a handful of cherry tomatoes and some chopped cucumber. As a bag of chips didn't come with the salad, we were told it was an additional $2 for the smallest bag of chips.

Such a disappointment - we should have grabbed some snacks from the general store across the road instead.

I think if they were struggling with the kitchen being closed, they shouldn't have offered any food options at all, or be more sensible with the pricing - paying $11 for a meal that probably cost no more than $2 to put together just felt like we were being ripped off, especially when a crappy bag of chips was charged at $2 on top of the most basic salad I've ever seen.

A real shame because the photos and reviews of this place when it's in full swing looked brilliant. Just seems we visited at...

Stopped by here after a long trip through death valley.

They had a menu that featured a lot of cocktails and a selection of beer along with food. My friends ordered the steak n frites which were decent steak wise that was cooked medium rare. The fries were a tad bit soggy.

I ordered the fish and chips and was told it was a good choice. I unfortunately found it disappointing. the fish wasn't as flaky more tender. The breading was a bit too bready and hard. The fries were also soggy and the tartar sauce could be better. I ordered their versions and old fashion and it tasted just like alcohol with hint of fruit flavor.

There are TV's in the restaurant for sports and the seating is very flexible for where you can seat yourself but it can fill up...

We recently stayed at the Stovepipe Wells hotel in Death Valley and had a beer from the Badwater Saloon one evening after sightseeing around the National Park. Opening hours are 11.30am to 9pm daily.

You can order meals and bar snacks here during the day. They have a fair list of cocktails, wines and beers. I had a couple rounds of Deschtes Black Butte Porter (US$5.50) that tasted just fine. Seating area is nice. Table spacing is good, decor that of a western saloon.

Overall, Badwater Saloon seemed like a good place to unwind after a long and hot day of hiking and sightseeing around Death Valley National Park. I'd happily stop by for a drink during future visits to...