Channel Inn — Restaurant in Fairmont

We went on a Sunday for dinner (around 5:30). It is a relatively small place, with lovely wooden walls and ceilings. Lovely to look at, but unfortunate for everyone else if there are some loud patrons in the bar area. We were that lucky. The sound traveled straight to us. But aside from that, although I give this 3 stars, there are some definite up-sides to this place. Cons : fairly expensive -- nearly everything on the menu is $10.50 (and 50 cents more if you sub onion rings for fries). Sounds travels really well in this small-ish rectangle. Women's (single-user) restroom, although fully functional, was very tiny (not for the claustrophobic). Menu is all burgers and sandwiches or chicken strips, from what I can remember, and not a lot of variety at that. My husband had what sounded like a great burger, except that on arrival, he determined that it was just a thin frozen store-bought patty. Hmmm. I noticed another reviewer mentioned the lack of anything that wasn't fried on the menu. I thought maybe they were exaggerating. Not much.

Pros: Phenomenal views of the lake from nearly every seat in the place. Quite a few TVs to watch the games. I ordered a grilled chicken breast sandwich (the one thing that wasn't fried) -- it was done perfectly. Very tasty and tender, not dry at all. Onion rings were good and VERY plentiful. Drink refills. This one is always my husband's pet peeve. We got our original drinks as usual. By the time we were ready for refills, our waitress came back with small pitchers of everything we were drinking (just soda, lemonade, and water). So we never ran out of drinks. Way to go -- other restaurants should follow suit!

It's probably really a nice view in the summer, but food...

This place is popular among the community and had a very loyal customer base, but it is for those reasons I hold this place to such a high standard.

This place does not take any card and they charge you to use the ATM. This is absurd for the modern world as cards are more common than cash or checks it most places.

The prices are not fantastic either. You will easily spend $15 or more per person for a hamburger and a drink.

Lastly the service is passable at best. Maybe my group has somehow ended up with someone in training the last 4 times we've been there but you will wait almost half an hour to get your order placed. Another hour to get your food, and then half an hour to get your check after you've asked for it. This is only made worse when they're busy.

This is unfortunately, a place I can't recommend, your money is best...

Amazing view, fantastic food, a hometown hot spot and family favorite since I was a small girl or for over 30 yrs). Hard place to find a table on Fri and Sat nights, the food is that good. Drinks served in thick handled mugs and the wait staff always smile and oblige a young one (or old!) plenty of cherries inside an ordered Shirley Temple. It's the kind of place that has the GREATEST pickle chips and you always wish there were more. If the place has a single downfall, it is the fact that they don't accept credit or debit. Not a big deal, as they did get an atm inside to solve the issue. Highly...