Family Fare: The Powerhouse Grill

By Robin Salts Beckett

The Powerhouse Grill is the kind of joint where you don’t feel self-conscious when you walk in.  It’s casual and comfortable, and that helps a lot when you’re toting a kid who’s definitely going to make your dining experience — and cleaning his T-shirt — a challenge.

I’ve visited the Powerhouse several times, and three things have struck me on virtually every visit:

• First, the service.  This is a no-frills place, but folks are friendly and efficient.  Orders are taken promptly and with a smile, and food is delivered quickly while hot.  You’re not going to be sitting around in your booth tapping your fingers.

• Second, the food’s pretty good! I’ve enjoyed the burgers, salads, melts and various breakfasts. On my most recent visit, when I met a girlfriend there for lunch, I ordered the Powerhouse Melt.  This is one of the better menu items.  The melt hits all the high notes of a stellar comfort food: turkey and ham is topped with crispy, salty bacon, gooey cheese and carmelized onions, then packed between two thick slices of crunchy, buttery grilled bread.  The thick seasoned fries that come on the side are tasty too.  Portions are fairly large too — I could only finish half. Hey — that’s dinner.

• Third, and this is coming from a germaphobe, the Powerhouse is pretty neat and clean.  I noticed this the first time I took my son there, when he was still in a high chair.  Instead of grabbing my packet of antiseptic wipes to wash down the typical worn and wooden high chair, we happily sat him in a clean plastic version complete with plastic-wrapped seat that enclosed new crayons and a disposable placemat.  The tables, chairs and booths are also quite tidy.

My friend noted accurately that the menu has a “really nice variety,” and guests can order anything from breakfast — including crepes — to burgers, melts and sandwiches to larger dinner fare like madeira chicken or prime rib.  Prices start at $5.79 for breakfast and go up to $23.99 for some of the high-end dinner entrees.  Most lunch items are between $6.59-$8.59.

The kids menu is also the most extensive I’ve seen, and includes the usual suspects like pasta, pizza and chicken strips as well as more unusual items (at least for a restaurant) such as fish and chips and mini corn dogs.  There are a lot of side dishes to choose from too: carrots, cottage cheese, soup, French fries — even mashed potatoes. All kids meals include a side dish and milk, juice or pop, and lunches or dinners include a cookie or one scoop of ice cream as well.  Kids breakfasts are $4 and lunches and dinners are $5.

My son, of course, had to have the one item that is not on the kids menu: waffles.  But they were brought out quickly, were pretty cheap, and he loved them, all drenched in what I’m sure is super-healthy syrup.  What more can you ask for?

Powerhouse Grill

3807 River Road • Yakima
509-469-9900