Camp 18 — Restaurant in Seaside

Forget your average roadside diner! Camp 18 in Seaside, Oregon, is a trip back in time to a cozy mining lodge, and the grub? Well, it's like Grandma got lost in a gold mine and discovered a treasure trove of comfort food recipes.

From the moment you step inside, the rustic log cabin theme hits you like a warm hug. Antler chandeliers cast shadows on rough-hewn tables, and a crackling fireplace whispers promises of hot cocoa and good company. But the real magic happens on your plate.

The portions are generous enough to fuel a prospector for a week. I dug into their famous miners' stew, a hearty masterpiece simmered with tender beef, veggies, and enough spice to chase away any chills. My partner tackled the pan-fried chicken, a golden-brown dream with a batter that's light as a feather yet clings to the juicy meat like a loyal mule. And every bite was accompanied by fluffy, homemade biscuits – the kind that soak up gravy like a sponge soaking up gold.

Speaking of gold, let's talk dessert. We shared a slice of their apple pie, the crust flaky and buttery, the apples tart and sweet, laced with cinnamon and warming spices. Every bite was a nostalgic explosion, sending me back to childhood Sundays and family dinners.

Now, Camp 18 might not be fancy-pants fine dining, but it's something far better: honest, heartwarming food that satisfies your soul long after your stomach is full. It's like a hug from Aunt Marge after a long day, or a good cup of coffee on a rainy morning. It's the kind of place you walk out of feeling not just fed, but content, with a smile on your face and a story to tell about the time you struck gold in a rustic log cabin by the Oregon coast.

Pros:

Delicious home-style comfort food with generous portions

Rustic log cabin atmosphere with a cozy mining theme

Friendly service and a genuine "family" vibe

Perfect for escaping the ordinary and having a heart-warming dining experience

Cons:

Can get crowded during peak season

Not the place for fancy tablecloths and white-glove service

Overall:

Camp 18 is a must-visit for anyone who loves good food, rustic charm, and a taste of down-home goodness. It's a hidden gem in Seaside, Oregon, and a guaranteed gold mine of memories for any traveler. Just be sure to bring your appetite – and maybe a pickaxe for all the good food you'll find!

Rating: 5 out...

We reserved a table for Thanksgiving here this year. Their set-up to check in is chaotic and crowded and took about 20 minutes (and we had a reservation made far in advance.) When we finally were able to check in, the hostess told us to go downstairs to sit (we had someone elderly with us who has oxygen and it's hard for him to go up and down stairs so we wanted to sit upstairs. Downstairs is pretty dingy and cold- even with the fireplace going and you have to go up and down the stairs to the buffet. When we got down there we told the server we saw that we were sent down by the hostess and she rolled her eyes and said "that's not how it works"....ooooook, but that's literally what the hostess told us, so talk to her instead of being rude to us. She then spent the next 10 slow minutes clearing off a table for us and wouldn't allow us to sit by the window for some reason, even when my husband asked. She also was emphatic that we could not ask to sit upstairs (even though we requested that on our reservation.) She was really rude and snappy and it was not a great way to start our Thanksgiving. I went back upstairs to ask the hostess if we could switch upstairs like we made a reservation for, but I ended up waiting in line for 15 minutes, again, and still wasn't at the hostess stand so I just gave up. Food was just mediocre. Not a lot of variety at all and the most bland mashed potatoes I've ever had. The beef was super tough, chewy and overcooked. The berry cobbler was the only really great thing we had to eat for the whole meal. I won't even comment on the way the buffet was set up and how many food handling violations they would get if an inspector came through. The only saving grace was the server we ended up getting (different than the one who sat us) was fabulous. We were ready to walk out if we had gotten the original person who sat us. We spent $200 for 2 adults, 3 kids and 1 senior, including tip. The inside UPSTAIRS area is beautiful, they have a very friendly cat that roams the property and it's decorated so pretty on the outside, too. I really love that it's a family owned business that is a destination for many Oregon and Washington families, but we probably won't be back based on our disappointing experience. My husband grew up going here with his family every year but he was...

A Beautiful Restaurant with Room for Service Improvement

This restaurant is absolutely stunning—you can tell that an incredible amount of thought, care, and love went into creating the space. The atmosphere alone sets high expectations for a great dining experience. While the food was largely excellent, the service unfortunately did not live up to the same standard.

Starting with the food—most of it was truly enjoyable. The cinnamon rolls were a standout: warm, soft, and perfectly spiced. I would recommend serving the butter on the side to allow guests to add it to their taste. The biscuits, on the other hand, were a bit too dry. While I personally enjoy a drier biscuit when paired with gravy, others in our group found them hard to swallow.

A small detail, but one that stood out to me—the burgers. Either the patties need to be larger or the buns smaller. It’s a pet peeve of mine when a burger doesn’t fit its bun. Flavor-wise, the burger was fine, but it arrived without any condiments, and our server didn’t offer any. By the time we got his attention, I had already finished eating.

As for the breakfast sausage, it didn’t quite match the quality of the bacon. It was on the dry side and lacked the same rich, savory flavor.

Now to the part of the experience that was most disappointing: the service. Our server, Roger H., started off seeming a bit disengaged, which I initially chalked up to a rough day. However, as the meal went on, it became clear that something was off. He was attentive to other tables, even charming—so much so that a guest at a neighboring table, who noticed the difference in how we were treated, gave us a sympathetic shrug. It was disheartening, to say the least.

For those who follow my reviews, you know that I am a generous tipper—$25 on a $115 bill is standard for me, even if the food doesn’t completely wow me. But in this case, I felt compelled to leave nothing. I honestly can’t recall the last time I walked away without tipping, but the level of service we received simply didn’t warrant it.

Had the service been even average, I would have rated this place four stars without hesitation. That said, I still recommend giving this restaurant a try if you’re in the area—the food and ambiance are worth it. Hopefully, your experience with the staff will be...