Cornerstone Cafe — Restaurant in Rainier

Update 10/25/22 Bummer, it's just not the same since Covid. It's still decent food, it just no longer has those things that made it a stand out. i.e. No more homemade anything, all those touches are now gone. Burgers are just bit the same, meat patties are never hot and seem pre-made and then barely heated and slapped on the bun. Chicken beast feel pre-cooked and added to burger from a pile sitting off to the side, bacon is no longer that yummy, thick bacon that came sizzling hot and oddly enough, our sausage was DEEP FRIED! We asked if this was normal and server said yep, that's how we do it now... YUCK! 🤮 SADLY, like many restaurants since Covid, they are taking shortcuts and buying pre-cooked food and serving it up at their restaurants. Sadly prices sky rocketed and food quality took a dive. We used to cine in weekly, once, twice (not saying more) but now we don't even stop by once a month. It's just not the same anymore, nor a version that is better than the last or anything more than a place that throws pre-cooked ingredients on a plate, there is no real cooking involved, just reheating... 😒

Great, solid American diner fare with a homemade quality and an eye for detail. Each menu item as good as the next. Been 5 times and if it wasn't a 20 mins drive for us we would go more often. These types of homegrown restaurants are becoming a thing of the past so let's cherish the ones we have and visit often (and cross our fingers they don't turn to pre-made, frozen food so many diners/cafes try to pass off as home style). Update - sadly we tried the fish, and captains platter. I mean we are RIGHT next to the river which is the main drag to the ocean, so we thought, fresh, fresh, fresh. We were mistaken :( it was all frozen. So besides the fish entrees, everything else is great!! Will update as we try more items.

Update 1/2019: I am scared to share because this place doesn't need to get any busier, but Breakfast is where it is at! Only served until 2 pm and all-day on Sundays (wish they could at least have a few breakfast all-day menu items. Meat and eggs, that sort of thing). But they are solid, simple breakfasts made with care. No frills needed here because the bacon is thick, the sausages huge and they let quality ingredients cooked well speak for themselves.

Update 2/2019: Their is one server in particular that makes us come back over and over, she is super friendly and takes care with not only us but everyone we see her interact with; Whitney you are superior! Also, we have had good service all around, some much more engaging than others, but regardless, it's the place to go when you want something solid and tasty. We recently discovered their milkshakes, Oh My Goddess! They are worth every penny and you can order them to your liking, thick, chocolately, whatever and you won't be disappointed. Add one of their yummy burgers with the fries of your choice, we like the steak fries, and Bam, no need to drive to Hillsboro for Red Robin, in fact, this beats RR hands...

We had a great experience at cornerstone cafe. It was our 1st visit.

Hubby had the Noah-Nator Burger. It was huge & delicious! He got a ton of nice, crispy fries. And Mmmm was it good. The Burger arrived piping hot and it was so big, he could hardly hold it in his hands. The Bacon was super thick, and the meat had great flavor.

I had the Chicken Fried Steak w/Sausage gravy, & Eggs, and it was the BEST I've had in the Longview area. The gravy was amazing, and the CFS was cooked just right. We'll definitely be going back, for sure!

Our server, Jamie, was amazing, and even though they were quite busy, she was still, as attentive & friendly as can be. Thanks, Jamie for your hard work & cheerfulness. It made our experience all the better.

We also got the Buttermilk pancakes, and they were perfect! 🥞 Our high compliments to the Chef(s).

The facility had a lot of seating, and was very clean. Good job, gang.

We would highly recommend Cornerstone Cafe to anyone wanting a satisfying & filling meal.

If going, you probably want to call ahead to verify their hours, due to Covid, and being short staffed.

We especially liked it, because it was a small, independently owned restaurant, where they appreciate their customers, and not some large chain, where customers are just seat fillers; if you know what I mean.

Personally, I want to say, DON'T go in with an attitude, or unreasonable expectations. If they are busy...be patient!! If you're in a hurry...go to McDonald's. Don't stay and write a bad review because the world didn't stop when you walked in!!! Because honestly, the customer ISN'T always right! 🙄

PS: We have no affiliation or vested interest in this establishment. We're just ex-restaurant owners, who know how quickly people are to make mountains out of Mole hills.

Thanks Cornerstone Cafe....you all did a...

Ok, I'm retired CS trainer so if I say service was good, I hope you can trust me, and I have worked customer service all my life. We were acknowledged as soon as we walked thru the door. We're taken to a clean table and given menus (also in great condition, they aren't always), immediately brought water and a coffee for my son. Just water for me. Once we were ready, is the point that might be considered a falling short. Our waitress helped a man walking up to her, pay for meal and purchase lottery tickets taking 5 minutes (1 billion $$ is a lot!). In a perfect world, which we do not have, she would have quickly taken our order and got it started, then helped him or one if the other3 ppl waiting tables could have helped him. When she was able, she came to our booth with sincere apologies and took our order. The food came so quick and was great. In a national chain I would have had twice as much hashbrowns. My portion was perfect, my eggs were perfect. The bacon... 4 thick cut slices, 7" long and cooked perfect. Again, a national chain, anyone of them, I would have received half the bacon (thin, maybe cooked right and 4" long) and twice the hashbrowns ( probably a bit undercooked in the middle). As I listened around me, fun and happy waitresses were taking care of all the customers around me. We were brought our check, paid, and 3 ppl acknowledged us, thanked us, told us to have an amazing day as we left. I would have had anyone of them on my team . What a fantastic way to start our fun day of hitting the thrift shops in the area. Thank you Cornerstone Cafe and you have a fun...