Van's Burger

I wanted to try the food but it's a Sunday in early September and it's 530 and they're closed, I…read moredon't understand, I wish they had better hours advertising when and when not they will be open...

Great food truck serving fusion indian food. I finally got to try Akashic after so many trips in…read moreOlympia. We ordered the indian burger - vada pav (highly recommend & delicious), chicken rice bowl (tasty), chicken bombay roll (indian burrito with chicken - nice flavors and huge) along with their gun powder fries (amazing). While I liked all their dishes their chicken bombay roll had way too much rice but had good flavors. It was tasty just a little too much of rice imo. I reduced a star for 2 reasons - 1. This place isnt cheap 2. They change their food truck location which is okay but their online order via Uber Eats does not work. Atleast when I was trying for 2 days it said the food truck is not available while they actually were in operation. They would not answer their phone call and we had to locate their food truck to place our bulk order for a large group. Hence reduced the star. All in all I would order back from here but hope they figure out why Uber Eats or Postmates or delivery.com were unable to process any online order even when they were around changing locations in Olympia. Dont have the bandwidth to chase them on the streets of Olympia tbh.

Cilantro Garlic Fries

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Akashic Burger and Gun Powder Fries

Olympia Seafood Company

4.6(107 reviews)

7.6 mi

We were on the hunt for some local smoked salmon to take home with us to Arizona. This was our…read morespot! We were able to get just the amount we wanted and packed along with a bag of ice for the road. Very local, friendly vibes. My mom lives in the area and has purchased their crab cakes before for us, soooo good! They had a small pantry of dried/canned goods for sale in addition to the fresh seafood case. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area. Great souvenirs!

Everything! Couldn't be better. Yummy , good people. Try it for sure…read more Crab sandwich wow, so tasty.

Store

There getting more fish ready

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Cup of chowder on the dock

Delmonico's Heritage Butcher

4.6(47 reviews)

7.0 mi

Mortadella sandwich was just PERFECT The owner is so nice,…read moreservice was fast, friendly environment, parking infront of the place. Perfect overall experience

Phenomenal. Tried a couple of sandwiches- the Euro, the BLT, and the Italian. All were freshly made…read moreon their in-house sourdough. Love the flavor profiles of the arugula, aioli, w/ the layers of protein & veg. Best quality sandwich in town, hands down. Took away some homemade soups and sausage for dinner, and everything was outstanding, Rich hearty soups- the split pea and also the lentil had great flavor. I grilled up some peppers and onions to go with the sweet Italian sausage, and that was really good as well. I will be getting my Thanksgiving bird from them. The owner Brian, was super friendly, knowledgeable, and even gave me some local recs. They have a good selection of cheeses and also some high quality dry goods as well. I came to get sandwiches, but I'll be back to stock up on much more. Super stoked I found this place.

Perfect ham baguette

Fried motz and smoked pork

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Local pork. Lewis county

The Wayside Cafe

4.5(244 reviews)

7.4 mi

I have been going here for years. FIVE full stars because: -…read moreFood is amazing. The entrees (my fave is the mac & cheese with yummy tempeh bacon) and absolutely the desserts, too! - Customer service, also amazing - They have a pay-it-forward program that helps those in need get meals for free Do yourself and Olympia a service and go check this place out!

I have been wanting to try Wayside forever but am absolutely never in the Olympia area. Because we…read morefinally were this weekend, I definitely wanted to take the opportunity to come here. It did not disappoint! I tried the Norma sandwich which was delicious. The tofu skin patty was unlike any other faux chicken I've had and so good! And because I'm always on the search for great vegan mac and cheese I had that as my side. Absolutely delicious! Very creamy. Portions are large here so I brought some of the mac home and am looking forward to having it for lunch tomorrow. My husband tried the dip sandwich with a side of the mashed potatoes and gravy and ate every last bit. He loved it. It's a very cute cafe on the corner with friendly staff. I witnessed a man in need come in and take advantage of the program they have where you can buy a meal for a hungry person to come in in the future and have a free meal. That's a lovely service to the community. So glad I was able to finally patronize this great vegan business! I'll try to come back soon!

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Olympita

4.4(31 reviews)

4.0 mi

Food We pretty good the falafel tasted like chicken peas,…read morethey look like little musmushrooms. We beef and lamb wraps. We took to go and didn't take pictures. The food are made from scratch. Service The staff was professional and friendly. A service with a smile. Ambiance Food truck the area around it was clean. They have a table on the left side of the truck with 3 chairs. I recommend anyone that have a craving for something different to try it.

I just ordered the Beef Shwaarma Wrap from your booth at the Fireworks festival tonight. After the…read morefirst bite I was immediately overrun by the taste of chemicals.( You are supposed to use food handler's gloves, NOT medical gloves as they are nitrile and neoprene and that seeps into the food.) I returned to the booth and handed the food back to the woman at the register and informed her of the issue. As I asked for a refund she promptly rolled her eyes, turned around and ignored me. I received no refund. I am on disability and this was to be the ONE time I could enjoy a bit of a splurge for food as it was to be a summer holiday treat. Worst $20 I have ever spent.

Food truck frontal view

We put together own own pita and it was so good!

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Wild Man Brewing Gastropub

4.5(27 reviews)

7.3 mi

Really wanted to love this place. But the inattentive and semi-passive FOH staff made it difficult…read more They're still a newer storefront in Oly, in time they may grow and reflect better customer service. Pros: Chill lounge/sitting area at the front corner with sofas, a low bar (accessibility friendly) and board games. Big tables to accommodate groups and various bar seating. Large brewery menu screens with large range and the food looked good. Tbh we came for brews so can't comment on food. The Wildman Beer brand was so-so. Some better than others! Cons: FOH staff interaction. Why we love pubs/breweries is because of the chill, friendly, conversational flow of FOH; their knowledge of the beers and/or cocktails, their passion for sharing it with new customers so they come back again and again ... this vibe fell short at Wildman. TL;DR Good for a basic group of people looking for a brewery experience in town with room for large groups. Not for those who are expecting an awesome brewery experience -- a la PDX, DEN, PHX, ATX or SEA.

I was at the Wild Man Brewery in Raymond a few summers ago. At the time I liked the beer well…read moreenough. But when I saw that they opened up a location in Olympia and Steve and I were going to Olympia for a show it made perfect sense to go to this new location. Downtown where our show was is super walkable and this brewery is right there. When we went in what escaped my attention at the Raymond location was that I was particularly impressed with their own mead selection. And the mead did not disappoint in the slightest. The first mead I had was their Oak Aged Classic Mead. Such fantastic balance in body and the oak flavor was truly impressive! I got another mead from the list, the Sneaky Bastard Meer. It's called meer I believe due to the five different kinds of hops they put into it. Great floral and honey flavored highlights! Our experience here was excellent! Steve enjoyed his drink selections as well! Definitely returning for more mead enjoyment!

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French dip

Uptown Grill

4.5(527 reviews)

7.4 mi

We had such an incredible meal at Uptown Grill! Everything we ordered was fresh, delicious, and…read morefull of flavor, and the service was exceptional. The beet salad with chicken was amazing. It had a beautiful mix of greens, beets, citrus, and nuts, with plenty of chicken. I loved the combination of flavors and textures... every bite had something delicious in it. This was definitely a salad worth getting excited about! We also had a rice bowl loaded with fresh vegetables, feta, and a creamy sauce. The cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions added so much freshness, and everything came together beautifully. Both dishes looked fantastic when they arrived and tasted every bit as good as they looked. We enjoyed beer and wine with our meal, which made for such a nice afternoon together. The exceptional service added to an already wonderful experience, and we left so happy with our visit. If you're looking for delicious food and great service, Uptown Grill is absolutely worth a visit. We'll definitely be back!

We dined here the other day for brunch. No wait time, and we got greeted immediately. My aunty…read moreordered a coffee, but we noticed there was a lipstick stain on it. The server apologized and quickly got us a new coffee! Accidents happen so we were just happy with the quick response to the issue. We ordered the chicken and waffles, Dungeness crab Benedict, and their classic sausage and eggs plate. Chicken and waffles were super good! Crispy chicken, and the waffle was nicely cooked. It also came with a piece of bacon which brought a good saltiness to the syrup. The Dungeness crab Benedict was also amazing! Instead of a crab cake patty, it was just Dungeness crab on top! Definitely prefer it this way because other restaurants tend to skimp on the crab when they do a patty version. The hollandaise sauce on top was nice and creamy and the eggs cooked perfectly. At the end of our meal, we did get the pie of the day. It's a rotating pie everyday. That day, the pie was a blackberry and peach pie. When the pie came out, it was well plated and the crust was flaky and hot. However, the blackberries were still a little frozen on the inside, so I don't think they allowed the pies to thaw out thoroughly before baking. In general, I would give this place a 4 out 5 stars just because service was good and the rest of the food was delicious. The restaurant itself is huge with lots of space for customers. They have a somewhat open kitchen concept, if you walk towards the bathroom you can see the cooks working hard in there. Cool environment and if you're looking for a place to have brunch and drinks I would recommend visiting.

Warm Northwest Blackberry Pie

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Red blend

Kozys Southbay In and Out

4.3(86 reviews)

7.5 mi

This place is a hidden gem, for sure. The service and attentiveness were so appreciated. The food…read morewas delicious. This is not a sit-down restaurant, but for a busy person like me, it was just what I needed. The food came out piping hot and in a jiffy. I got the garlic jalapeño dipping sauce instead of plain old tartar, which the kind gentleman behind the counter recommended, and now I 10/10 it too. I am on crutches right now, and since I had a short wait for the food, they kindly suggested that I wait in the car comfortably and brought my food and drink that I ordered right out to me. What awesome, top-tier service!

This place was awesome when it opened!!!…read more What happened!!!!!? Was so nice to have a local burger joint, but wow! First Southbay Pub, and now Kozy's.... Wish we could get a local place that was good and would stay. It would actually go against the Geneva Convention rules regarding cruelty to recommend this place now to anyone.

Garlic fries

Fish and chip and a side of garlic fries.

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Fish and chips

Rush In Dumplings

4.4(339 reviews)

7.3 mi

"Rush In" is an excellent name for this little restaurant. Why? The food is so good that you…read moreliterally want to "Rush In" and get some good vittles!!!! First of all the place is vertical and not horizontal. Meaning, most of the seating is upstairs. There are some seating downstairs but very limited. So, if you are ADA you might have a problem. The staff here were nice and friendly. They were very helpful in helping us select items from the menu. Food was prompt and hot. The dumplings were delicious! However, my wife liked mine better and I liked hers better. So we kinda traded. I am looking forward on coming back soon!

Relaxed ambience , instantly comfortable. Nice service that…read morewas kind in explaining the menu. It is not as obvious but in a good way. Lots of filling and topping options. Also seems to be very supportive of all sorts of lifestyles. Thus the comfy feel. Will return.

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Menu, front area

Piroshki, chicken

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28 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

John W.

9 years ago

The food is expensive for what you get comparatively to what is around town the service is slow and rarely with a smile even though I go there so often they know me quite well, but worst of all they like to berate their customers, they sent out a newsletter a little bit back degrading someone who left a poor review on yelp in their nasty news letters they pass out, their latest nasty gram is complaining that the Girl Scout sales weren't good enough among other terrible Views of what they think of their customers and on a regular basis, this is not a company that cares about the loyal customers who keep them in business. Since being the only restaurant around for miles they apparently feel entitled to treat their customers however they want, not put too much effort into service, and charge higher rates because they can. As a local business owner I am ashamed of what this establishment says about our community. read more

Stephanie C.

Elite 24

201

2 years ago

Oh my goodness, if you haven't indulged in Van's Burgers yet, you are truly missing a culinary gem! For those who crave perfectly thin, grilled beef patties paired with the most delightful malts and shakes you'll ever experience, this place is an absolute must-visit. Each bite is a flavor explosion that makes every moment of waiting in the drive-through line totally worth it. While I wish they were open year-round instead of just for certain seasons, every visit feels like a special treat. Though it's a bit of a trek for me, the mouthwatering goodness I savor when I'm there makes it all worthwhile. Don't let another day go by without treating yourself to this amazing burger paradise! read more

Debbie O.

17 years ago

We sure need a Van's in Phoenix. Like they say, the greatest burger ever, from a place that is hardly ever open. Piping hot and made to order, you can't beat Van's! It used to break my heart when they closed for the season. It's not the fastest place, but I can only say it's well worth the wait. If you happen to be on Yelm Highway when Van's is open you need to immediately hit the brakes, pull in and get ready to enjoy one of the best burgers you'll ever find! read more

Jacque W.

12 years ago

We love Van's! Our dogs look forward to getting a long ride out to them and the wonderful smell of burgers has them drooling and waiting impatiently for their Puppy Patties. We love love love Van's burgers and frings and look forward with anticipation every year for the Grand Opening. Just came back from there and are well satisfied once again. Thank You Van's, we are forever grateful for your business. read more

Lorna T.

12 years ago

Vans is definitely the best burger in Olympia! If you find the line of cars do not be put off, it is worth every minute of the wait! Great burgers, accompanied by a side of frings, and washed down with a milkshake! You have to try it! Erica and staff are so friendly and take time out of their busy day to greet you personally, I am a customer for life! read more

Natalia M.

6 years ago

This is literally the best burger place my dad knows the owner and whenever we go they are so nice the shakes are delicious I recommend the black Barry one it's so good and the corn dogs are the best I've had and there burgers don't even get me started they can not get better they have also the best onion rings as well as the fries there really good read more

Glo J.

9 years ago

Best burgers and service in town! The quality of the product is exceptional! Everything is fresh made when you order, so it really is custom. The service from the staff shows that the really care about the food they're serving. It's my one go-to place when I'm in the area! Keep up the great food and service!! read more

Thomas K.

12 years ago

Best burger joint in town. Fantastic and better than any other drive up old fashioned burger place. you wont regret making the trip i promise. Make sure you check on the hours though because they are not open every day. read more

Chen L.

3 years ago

It's so good that I can see the whole picture and see it all in person but it's so much more beautiful and beautiful and beautiful and beautiful I can't even see it because it's like the only one I have ever had in read more

Chris R.

1 year ago

My wife & I have been here quite a few times! And it's been always been INCREDIBLE!!! I strongly recommend this place!!! You will not be disappointed!!! I'm drooling just talking about this place! read more

David S.

6 years ago

Van's is the best burger I've ever had, anywhere. Fresh, real and delicious. The people are lovely, as is the setting, old school drive up burgers. Highly recommend, truly as good as it gets. read more

Morgan G.

11 years ago

Great service! Amazing burgers, to DIE for fried onion rings (frings), breath taking milk shakes made from real fruit and dog friendly! Absolutely best burger place around. I highly recommend. read more

Aaron C.

6 years ago

By far the best hamburger spot in Olympia. Very simple little drive through burger stand.Sometimes there could be a long line but they move very quickly and efficiently. read more

Jane D.

6 years ago

I don't understand why people are so kooky about this place, they are way too expensive and bobs has waaay better burgers

Ry T.

196

5 years ago

Love this place so much !!!! Definitely wish they were open all year around ! The burgers and shakes are amazing !!

Makaila P.

3 years ago

Always friendly! Always yummy! Great family spot! The lines may be a little long but it is for sure worth the wait!

Jon E.

13 years ago

Great food! The burger was awesome! The fries were good, not great. That's the only reason I didn't give 5 stars.

Ryne K.

103

4 years ago

I get the hype. Not a place to come when you're in a hurry, but definitely a place to make time for.

Kimberly O.

3 years ago

Food service is great! They are professional and fast with service. I would recommend this company

Chris T.

11 years ago

The best place to eat a burger and a milk shake!! Very nice people. Husband and I go here often

Van's Burger - burgers - Updated October 2026

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I have heard about this place for years, finally stopped by for some burgers…read more We caught them just before a rush, so ordering was easy and we got our food fairly quickly. I was impressed by the size of our burgers, and the portion of the fries. My burger was very good. And the fries were really good. Seating area was small, but even with a line out the door all of a sudden, we didn't feel cramped with the addition of more people in the room. I'll go back again.

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My wife and I got a couple of burgers and a root beer to drink. The burgers were delicious with…read morevery fresh vegetables and perfectly cooked burger patty. Wait time was short and everything was freshly cooked. Would highly recommend trying their burgers. Excited to come back and try some of their other menu items.

Don't be a fool like me and not check your takeout contents before leaving, even if the employees…read moresay everything is in there. I came in the afternoon. Around the area looking for a bite. Not very busy. Observed two other people dining in and one other person ordering take out. I order the monster burger meal, mushroom burger meal, and the deluxe fish and chips for to go. The main disappointment: I got the fish and chips, but where's the fish? I got the clam strips, oysters, shrimp, and calamari rings, but where's the fish? The calamari rings remind me of skinny spongy onion rings with a slight fish taste to it. Nothing to really rave about. Everything else on the seafood platter was alright. Not overly salty, I can't say much about the fish because I didn't get it. The tartar sauce was good. The burgers and everything else are filling. Too much french fries. Odd complaint, but it seems wasteful to throw them out if you can't have leftovers. I don't mind the friendly banter and employees having fun behind the kitchen. However, I was really looking forward to the fish. I wish the crew can do better. The establishment was neat and had a clean restroom. Despite leaving a 20+% cash tip, it's going to be a while for me to come back to Red Wagon if I'm ever down in Tumwater again. Please don't forget the fish.

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Finally managed to swing by when it was open and I was not let down. Great prices and everything…read morewas fresh! Would highly recommend.

Perhaps I had unrealistic expectations after reading so much about how this is "the best" burgers…read morein Oly. After driving by dozens of times, we finally stopped. Food: The burger was good, but not great. The bun did its job well and didn't fall apart. The burger was thicker than a smash burger, but less than a quarter pounder. The beef was simply bland. It had either too little or no discernible seasoning to bring out the flavor of the meat. The cheese was nice and melty. The burger sauce was good. Honestly, we both decided we preferred a Sonic cheeseburger. (Sorry). The fries were simple, crinkle cut frozen potatoes. They also lacked flavor. We ate a few each and the rest went in the bin. Service: There was no line, so our order was promptly taken and the food came out quickly. Friendly service at the window. Ambience: it's a food truck. They have a pop-up canopy and a picnic table which we shared with other customers. Nice conversation, friendly people. Although I mentioned Sonic, it's clearly not the "best" burger in Olympia, but it is consistent. I like smash burgers and we have good options, but I'm still looking for a place that makes a thick, juicy, flavorful burger in Oly. So far, the best burger I've had is in Tacoma at Burger Seoul. The beef mixture includes brisket and is always full of flavor.

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Arrived in Olympia and stopped in to Eastside Big Tom's for lunch. I had to order the signature…read moreBig Tom burger. It came with two patties and on soft bun. It also had cheese, tomato, onion and the world famous goop sauce. Also got a an order of fries that we split among three of us. The burger was delicious and flavorful. It was like a melody to my tastebuds. The decor was unique and cool. It had a prehistoric theme with dinosaurs around the outside. It had a cool vibe. The service was great and the food was served in a timely fashion. Definitely treat yourself and stop in for great food.

It just isn't very good anymore…read more I just paid $23 for an extremely greasy and peppery burger that I had to throw away because it made me nauseous. I thought my side of onion rings would be good, but nope. They were either fried to a crisp or soft and squishy. Sadly, I won't be back.

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I didn't realize they had indoor seating which was a nice surprise. It did seem very expensive for…read morewhat you get. The burger was good which delicious thick cut bacon, fries were standard, onion rings meh, and the hot fudge shake was yummy. Our food took awhile during a relatively slow lunch rush. I feel like the food was good, but these prices seem more like a sit down restaurant.

Delicious and customizable. One of the few places I can get take out and know I'll be safe with my…read morecomplex food access needs.

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My family was visiting from California and went here with my husband and son while I unfortunately…read morehad to work. Apparently their first visit was so good that my husband kept insisting we needed to come back together because he was convinced I would love it. He was right lol. We came on a Friday morning around 11am and this place was PACKED. The parking lot was full and there were so many people inside that I was expecting us to have to wait awhile, especially since we were a party of 7. Thankfully, they actually had a table available and seated us pretty quickly in a corner. My only complaint is that it does feel pretty cramped inside. There are a lot of back-to-back booths and tables close together, and some of the walkways are really narrow. I'm personally not a huge fan of the space, but everything else about our experience made up for it. Our server was really friendly and attentive, especially considering how busy they were. All of our orders and requests came out correct, and she still stopped by to check on us in a timely manner. We never felt forgotten even though she was clearly busy. We ordered a basket of fries for everyone to share while waiting for our food and OMG THE RANCH. We don't know what they do to their ranch here but it was SO GOOD. You have to try it!! Everyone at the table agreed that their food was delicious. Ironically, I didn't even order breakfast lol. I got the fish & chips and they were spectacular! The batter was nice and crispy while the fish inside was perfectly flaky. The tartar sauce was really good with it too. And the portions are HUGE. I couldn't even finish mine and ended up taking the rest home to eat for dinner later, so I basically got two meals out of it. It was super filling and satisfying and still tasted amazing later after throwing in the air fryer. The prices seemed pretty fair too, especially considering how much food you get. I definitely don't mind paying when I'm getting a portion big enough to become another meal later. So yeah... my husband was right and I'm glad he made me come here! Good food, huge portions, friendly service even when they're slammed, fair prices, and ranch that I would genuinely come back for. I think Martin Way Diner is officially our new go-to breakfast place now. Next time I'll actually order breakfast haha.

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