Multnomah Falls Lodge — Restaurant in Washougal

HAD TO USE PORTA POTTIES IN THE DARK AND IN THE RAIN... I wish you could rate the service of the server separate from the person who seatss you. The server was fine. But the person who seated us just seemed snooty. First of all, we went there as a group. We were going to eat at 3:00, so some of us skipped lunch. When we got there they said we needed a reservation and that they could get us in at 4:30. Okay that's fine. Most of our group went on the hike while us older ones waited in the car. Once we got in there, we were more than ready to eat. We got to our table and were told after asking where the restroom was, that the restrooms were closed for the evening because another group of guests were having a Christmas party and that room was closed to other guests. We would have to go outside across the parking lot, to the porta potties. REALLY? It was getting dark, and raining! And the other set of restrooms at the outside entrance of the restaurant at the bottom of the stairs were out of order. We had already been waiting to use the bathroom since the porta potties were the only option outside but it was getting dark and raining so we figured we'd wait till we got into the restaurant, but no that was not an option. So we went out across the parking lot and got wet to use the bathroom . A little while later my daughter had to go. So I took her out .This last time I went, it was now DARK outside, POURING rain, and the Porta potties were wet, muddy, and all of them had pee all over the seats which I had noticed last time but I figured it was probably only just the one I used.. no, after inspecting them, they were all that way. There were three of us that went out, one of us would hold the door open and block the view from others, and shine the phone flashlight in for the other one to use the bathroom so that they didn't get mud and pee all over them from the other people. Then you had to stand out in the rain and wash your hands at a portable sink. And this is after you walked clear across the parking lot to get to the bathrooms. ALL OF THIS WAS SO ANOTHER GROUP COULD HAVE A CHRISTMAS PARTY AND HAVE THE RESTROOMS TO THEIRSELVES!!!! . WE COULD NOT WALK THROUGH THEIR PARTY TO USE THE RESTROOMS!! US PEASANTS HAD TO TRECK ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND DEAL WITH ALL THAT! AND WE GOT TO SIT THERE AT OUR TABLE AND WATCH THEM THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL. But you better believe they still charged us full price for our food. Our bill for our whole group was almost $500. $500, and not a decent restroom to use! Why did we not just leave? Because it was too far to go somewhere else, and on a Saturday night we definitely would have been waiting. Also, we were 2 hours from home. One of the times I went out, when I got by the door I was complaining to my friend about how ridiculous it was and I happened to turn around and look at the lady that seated us. She was there talking to a guy and she looked at me and gave me a snarky look obviously hearing me complain. I would think that after closing the restrooms to other guests, you would be completely sympathetic and apologetic. Maybe act like you actually care that it's an inconvenience! I know we still would have had to deal with the same situation but when somebody seems compassionate about something like that, it does change the whole atmosphere and how you feel. But in this situation, and with her attitude, WHO WOULDN'T COMPLAIN?!?! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A CLASSY PLACE!!!! I could understand if maybe it was McDonald's or something. I do not have a problem using Porta potties. But these were wet, dark and gross! Then we had to go in and eat! I'm sorry but it was just completely UNACCEPTABLE! I am not some entitled Karen just complaining. We normally do not eat at expensive places. This was a special occasion. And I'm not too upper class to use a porta potty. This was...

Eating at the lodge was supposed to be a highlight of our trip. It fell short in so many ways. Service was very slow and they weren't very busy. I asked which was better, the calamari or clam chowder. The server recommended the calamari. When it came out, the calamari was ice cold. After 15 minutes of waiting for the server to check on us (even after trying to wave her over several times), my husband had to go hunt her down to let her know the calamari was cold and she still hadn't brought my kiddo's apple juice. She wasn't apologetic at all and wasn't sure if they'd remake the calamari as "the kitchen is shutting down." We did get new calamari (overdone and chewy this time, but whatever, it was hot, I'll take it). We still don't have kiddo's apple juice. Two of the orders sitting near us were messed up and had to be remade. Both of those couples had that dish comped and a heartfelt apology from their server (different from ours). When it's time for the bill, our server offers us a free dessert (I don't really like desserts, so that's not a benefit to me). I tell her this and that I'd rather have the equivalent amount removed from our bill. She leaves and is gone for another several minutes. She comes back and only took $3.25 off, after offering a $10 dessert. She finally comes back to take payment and I explain how this solution is not adequate and ask if we can fix it. She leaves, several minutes go by, she comes back and has comped the calamari. Great! But instead of taking my payment, she disappears for another 5 minutes. I finally get fed up and go looking for her to take my payment. Just ridiculous. No apology about the situation.

So long story short: cold calamari, watching other patrons be treated differently for the mistake the kitchen made on their food versus mine, a slow server who never checked back on us and we had to hunt down to try and correct mistakes and obtain part of our order, and zero empathy or apology meant that what was supposed to be my favorite meal of the trip was a...

The lodge used to be a wonderful place to visit, with an awesome great room, fireplaces, and a glass sunroom with a lovely view of the falls. Whether with family, friends, or a romantic partner it was an amazing spot. Prices and food were great - salmon hash, a hazelnut roll, and great coffee for very fair prices. The lodge itself is an architectural wonder and the falls a brilliant backdrop.

Yet somehow they’ve let it go.

Those days are gone and so is the magic. I have held off on posting a review in recent visits because enough of the old beauty was still there. Now it feels lackluster despite some old menu items, the view, kids placemats and menus, and reasonable service. It’s still better than a Denny’s but it is quickly approaching the same experience.

On our most recent visit, it felt like they’ve crosed some threshold in terms of decline. The little touches are gone. They used to have these brilliant paper placemats with facts about the falls. They were an awesome touch. There was a nice drawing of the falls and a blurb with some facts that was really pleasant to read while you waited for your food. Now? Not only have they raised the prices and dropped the quality, they got rid of the placemats! When I asked about it no one could give a reasonable explanation and said they missed them, too. How much could they have cost? The table we sat it was so incredibly sticky none of us wanted to touch it - at least having a placemat would’ve made that better. Coffee is still great. The hazelnut roll is half the size and twice the cost. The food is a 6/10, and used to be better, though we appreciated that the menu hasn’t changed a lot.

My family has come here for two decades. It was the right kind of pacific northwest everyman upscale and a brilliant touch of class - a real jewel in Oregon’s crown and a wonderful example of how the forest service can provide Americans with an experience to make us even more proud of iur country. Its decline...