the wait is real, but i promise you its worth it. this a great stop on 36, outdoor seating, and nice people.

Onion Rings Yummy $5.00 for 5 rings HMmmmm. Overall in Food truck universe 10 out of ten! Freddie Ruth Store Mad River Rd read more

Fantastic service. The whole burger was very good. The worst part was the meat. Frozen patty I think. Cooked just fine. Crisp lettuce, perfect tomato, great pickle, fantastic toasted bun, crisp not greasy tater tots. Nice seating outside, even found a free quarter in the dirt. A true gem hidden in the hills. Just wished yet used local meat and hand formed patties, would have been perfect. read more

My friends and I camp at their land during the summer and absolutely love the burger bar. You would never really know how great the food is by seeing it is in a trailer. Couldn't recommend higher. Besides waiting/eating on the benches outside, they will call down to the bar at the other end of the parking to let you know it is ready and can eat it there as well. Great food and nice people also. read more

Mad River Burger Bar - Food - Burgers Near Me - Mad River, California

The Hamburger that we got was very good. Good meat to bun ratio and fresh veges. I will go back. Comfortable welcoming environment. Old time bar. Joey read more

service sucks . wait time for any food takes way longer than it should. burgers were burnt. fries were cold . waste of money, the zombie looking lady was rude as fuck . read more

We stopped through to visit a friend and met at this Food truck burger bar. The burger and tots were fabulous. Right off the road and convenient meeting spot. Owner was very friendly and helpful. read more

We randomly decided to take highway 36 westbound toward Fortuna instead of taking highway 299. What a fun drive! We started getting pretty hungry and saw this little food trailer in Mad River and stopped. The people were incredibly friendly and patient. For such a small little place, there's a decent selection on the menu. If you love milkshakes, I highly recommend you to stop here. I tried the Pineapple milkshake and it was the best pineapple milkshake that I have ever had! The fries were mediocre, but filling because I was hungry. The veggie sandwich was alright. My boyfriend had the fish burger and he really liked it. Not bad for a little place in the middle of no where. If you need to go to the bathroom, they have some here. Keep in mind that they are little portable bathrooms, so nothing classy here! You dine outside in a picnic like fashion and the garbage is for the Burger Bar trash only. They have signs posted that you'll have to pay a dollar if you throw personal trash away. read more

Mad River Burger Bar - a sign for mad river - Burgers Near Me - Mad River, California

See all

I love this place, we were on a motorcycle ride from Willow Creek to Garberville and found it by accident, we absolutely loved it, not only the girl taking our order was super nice and funny, but the burgers where delicious. We live far away, but every time in the future that we plan a trip, I want this to be a destination stop for sure! read more

Best burgers! Try their new Butterfinger or Oreo shakes! If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there's a $10 charge. I had the Mad River with bacon and cheese! YUM!!!! read more

See all

Great burgers in an unlikely location. Would have blown right past the place if not for Yelp. Outdoor dining only, so when it's hot, it's hot and when it's cold, it's cold. Locals eat there--lots of carry-out--so if you're in a hurry, call ahead. Funky, old-school, and rural, but most of all, not to be missed! read more

Mad River Burger Bar - Street view. Note the picnic tables for dining! - Burgers Near Me - Mad River, California

There aren't a lot of opportunities to find food on Highway 3 south of Weaverville. There are a few little grocery stores here and there, but they are few and far apart. There is a little trailer parked in the trees beside the post office in Mad River, about a mile up the hill from the river. There's a picnic table outside. The burgers are okay, and they have pretty good fries. If you're hungry, it's hot food. The trailer looks pretty junky, but don't let that put you off. I actually like their food better than comparable food available in Hayfork. By the way, their milkshakes are pretty spectacular! I gave it 4 stars because hot food in the middle of nowhere is good (and for the milkshakes). read more

We were starving, so a burger/float kind of lunch would have been ideal. It took almost an hour to get 3 burgers and 3 floats. Not a complicated order. We would have gotten fries but they were unapologetically out of them. There were two tickets ahead of ours. We sat at a picnic table outside of the kitchen, so I witnessed one gal taking about 20 minutes to shred one head of iceberg lettuce. When the food finally did come out, it was just unbelievably bad. The cheese wouldn't melt, so who knows when the patties came off the grill. The buns were smashed down to the point of being glue-like. Next time we are on 36 and starving, we'll just keep on starving. read more

I drove almost 2 hours to come here. It got recommended to me by a CHP officer so I decided to give it a go. The drive was nearly two hours of building up something that is good but not the best I've ever had. I came from eureka. Good thing my GPS worked because I would've driven right past it. A little thrown off by the camper trailer converted into an eating establishment. Dirty, grungy, and somewhat confusing at first glance. The menu is pretty confusing. At first it was just me with a few random cars parked nearby. I ordered my burger and my sons and a large fry. It took about twenty-thirty minutes. I sat there while other people got their order before me( possibly call a heads). Burgers came and they were ok. The meat was a bit dry for the price and the kids burger is just a frozen Costco patty. A good helping of lettuce,bacon, pickles, mustard, mayo, cheese etc. Fries were good. Overcooked but really crunchy. They have a few dips including FRY SAUCE! Overall I wouldn't go back unless I was driving by. Not worth an out of the way trip for this. If you are in the area by all means stop! Don't expect speedy service. And the burgers are a bit on the pricey side. read more

See all

Quaint. I heard about this place through a local paper in Eureka as I was going to ride Highway 36. It's one of the couple/few food stops on the route. I stopped for one of those burgers they are apparently famous for, and was not disappointed. Moderately priced, considering they are one of the only options for hours in either direction, so not attempting to capitalize at all. The sweet lady kept my coffee refilled at no additional charge while I waited, the locals who stopped by were all ready to chat, making the wait more enjoyable. I received a succulent cheeseburger exactly how I wanted it, and it was filling and full of flavour. Made me glad I stopped for an early lunch. A converted trailer, with some cute signs posted. Well worth the wait for your food (maybe 12 min for the burger) and personable people all around. If I were to ever be back in the area, I would make it a point to stop. Excellent! read more

Very poor service. Was standing at the window for more than 5 min before taking our order. Platform was very unstable and wiggled. While waiting to order my dad asked where the restroom was and the girl stated that the restrooms were for patrons only in a very rude manner:( Two hamburgers only, two other customers, food took 30+min. Flys everywhere. WARNING-Do Not Eat Here. read more

The most grosses food ever extremely high priced gave everyone a stomach ache it took one hour and 15 minutes the fries where too hard to eat the hamburger was smashed together the lady is super rude and the place is filthy I will never be returning I wish they would at least try to turn it around and make it a better place read more

I've driven by this place many times and never even thought to stop. Recently, a friend told me it was really good, so today was the day I decided to try it. The Cowboy burger was delicious! The hamburger patty was probably the thickest I've ever had on a burger. I waited a solid 40 minutes, but I wasn't in a rush, so I didn't mind. The two ladies working there had a bit of a bad attitude, like they didn't want anyone to stop there to eat, but maybe they were having a bad day being cooped up in a trailer! I'll give 4 stars still...just rating the burger and not the service!=) read more

Mad River Burger Bar - Cowboy burger w/bacon & cheese! - Burgers Near Me - Mad River, California

Crap service. Was highly disappointed. Didn't even put my order in because the woman inside the trailer was rude to me before I even ordered. read more

I have never had to wait SO long for such MEDIOCRE food before in my life. Give me my hour back and I'd forage for berries before eating here again. read more

This place is dirty and the workers have a horrible attitude but it's a good greasy spoon between Redbluff and Fortuna if you like it's typical American diet this place is for you I wish more stuff with hand made. Tip from a local call in your order because they're going to kill a baby cow it take so long sometimes read more

What they call the cowboy burger is great and considering there's nothing else to eat within miles the fact that it's so good makes it that much better. Does that make sense? Plus there's a post office next door. And good sun tea. read more

Yes it looks like a place your mother warned you about as a child. First impressions would lead you to think it may have road kill on the menu and you may not survive this culinary experience. BUT that could not be further from the truth. If you Enjoy old school burgers wrapped in paper and a brown paper bag full of salty greasy fries then this place should not disappoint you. read more

Food was very good and priced decently. Nice little spot to eat at and conveniently located next to a enjoyable watering hole. My only issue was that fact it took a hour to get the food. Other than that. Would definitely recommend read more

The Double Daddy is a double Sirloin burger. Very filling and great all around taste. In pretty much the middle of nowhere, you will find the Mad River Burger Bar. Outside seating, with porta-potties for restrooms. A Godsend for the motorist! read more

My family and I used to stop by here several times a year and the burgers were fantastic. But as of late things have changed. The hamburgers have been very small with little to no condiments and poor quality beef. Not to mention how slow they are at serving! Three hamburgers took an hour for them to cook, and if you wanted fries forget about it. Then there is the price for just 3 burgers it was outrageously expensive for what you get read more

Wow! This place is shit. I have eaten here a few times driving across the 36, Food is at best edible. Price is ridiculously high, but I let it go because I understand there is nothing around. Today I just wanted a coffee that took 10 mins to order and there was no one inline in front of me and 10 mins to get my coffee that was watered down and of course over priced. Eat in the valley or eat on the coast, pray you avoid this place. read more

So sad! Used to be a great place to stop with amazing burgers. We thought it was a fluke 3 times ago when we were barely acknowledged and the food was horrible. Last time, the woman wouldn't even come to the window soooo I guess Platina Store is our new stopping place. read more

Absolutely amazing! Every time I come here, the service is fantastic and the burgers are even better!!! If I could, I'd come here every night for dinner. As long as Mad River Burger Bar is up and running, I'll be a customer. read more

WOW - Literally a camping trailer converted into a drive up restaurant. Fantastic food & the shakes are even better. We NEVER would have stopped at this place because it looks like it might not be licensed - but because of Yelp we did, and so happy that we found this place. A HUGE menu. Very friendly staff. You order at the window, they call you when your food is ready and you eat at the picnic tables. read more

When you're driving between Fortuna and Red Bluff, you have hours of virtually nothing. Then you run across the Mad River Burger Bar. What a great experience! My burger was thick and lean. Lettuce was fresh and crisp. Cheese was melted and gooey. Yes, the place is a converted trailer; yes you get to sit under the trees on picnic tables; yes you swat flies with one hand. But you get to eat a great burger at very reasonable prices. It is easy to miss as you drive by. Look for the Stars and Stripes proudly displayed out front. You won't be sorry you stopped! read more

The customer service use to be great but has gone down hill when the owner isn't there. The girl there name Mekayia is pure rude and when you ask her to fix your burger this way or that way then she makes you wait to get your food and gives the other people their food first. Rude attitude and food made sloppy when she is acting this way. read more

On our way back to Sacramento from a little jot to Eureka we stopped here. Oh my gosh it was some of the best burgers we've ever had. We had there special creole sauce on our burger and it made them even better. If you get a chance stop here it's a must. Even the fries was great we had Cajun seasoning added to them usually I don't like crinkle fries but there's was great cause the were fried to perfection. I will definitely stop again when I come back through. read more

Great burgers, fries, milkshakes. Big portions, big selection. I head for the motorcycyle Mecca that is Highway 36 at least once a year and make sure to hit the Mad River Burger Bar everytime and I've never been disappointed. Yep its Burgers out of a trailer and you eat on picnic tables. Not fancy ... but oh the burgers are fantastic! read more

Fantastic food! A hole in the wall, but the best burgers, shakes and french fries this side of the Mississippi! They are not only a great restaurant, with great outdoor dining and a Redwood country atmosphere to die for, they are friendly, helpful and purely kind folk. I get the Mad river burger every time and then go wild with a new milkshake on every trip. Thanks, Burger Barn, and special thanks to Mariah for exceptional customer service! read more

I have been going to this spot for several years now. I make a point to stop and eat here almost every time I drive out HWY 36 to go hunting or to Ruth Lake. I know it doesnt look like much but they make a hell of a good burger. Their fry portions are insanely big. Always feels good to eat here after a day of fishing or hunting. I strongly urge anyone driving by to stop and give it a try. read more

Though decent sized portions, the quality of food, speed of service, and attitude of the employees made this dining experience completely atrocious. Coupled with the high prices, the blandness of the burgers and fries leaves customers walking away thoroughly dissatisfied. I would recommend driving past this dirty dive no matter how hungry or simply buying a microwavable burrito from the store next door to present a more edible option. read more

Four of us on a motorcycle adventure stopped here for a well needed lunch break on our way from Susanville to Bear River Casino in Lolita. Turned out to be a BIG mistake! We placed/paid for our orders and after waiting an hour and fifteen minutes of swatting away flies we came to the realization there where people here before us that were still waiting! We started to look more closely and saw a filthy fly infested 60's vintage camping trailer converted to a low budget roach coach (without wheels) in the middle of nowhere apparently far from the prying eyes of any semblance of a health inspector. We decided to cut our losses and left with empty stomachs and lighter wallets but we'll probably live longer because of that decision..... read more