Giant Drive In
15840 Boones Ferry Rd, Lake Oswego, OR, 97035
Giant Drive In Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Lake Oswego for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lake Oswego for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lake Oswego for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
15840 Boones Ferry Rd
Lake Oswego, OR, 97035 - Phone (503) 636-0255
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Hunter S.
Really delicious food.
(5)Hunter S.
Really delicious food.
(5)John L.
This was a random pick, especially in light of all the great burger places we have around us. But, the stories I heard, and the fact this place has been around a bit, made me interested in checking it out. I was not disappointed. My wife and I both had burgers. The service was efficient and we got our food in a timely manner. I went big, ordering The Filler. Burger, toppings, bacon, cheese, egg. An awesome, excellent combination. And the crazy thing? The burger, as loaded as it was, was so well put together, I had absolutely no mess left behind. When was the last time you could keep all your toppings inside a big stuffed burger? That's what I thought. The wife had a basic cheeseburger. We opted out of fries and drinks, since we ordered to go. Again,the service was good, the food was great, and I will return. As for those reviewers who gave a lesser score, I can only say this....you went to a burger place for dog sake!! Why would you do such, if you are such picky eaters? Grow up and stick with what you know. Just because you were not served what you thought you were entitled to, at a burger place, does not make it their issue. It is entirely yours.
(4)Brikky K.
Friendly staff with a nostalgic atmosphere. For the fastest burgers in LO it's the place to go.
(3)Jeremy T.
Used to go here all the time when I was a kid/high school and LOVED it. Don't live in town anymore though and have always wanted to go there again whenever I was passing through but never had the chance. FINALLY did (over 20 years since I've been there) and absolutely nothing has changed and it's as good now as it ever was. Will be making it a point to be coming back again and again!
(5)AJ F.
I was very disappointed in this place. It looks like it would be one of those hole-in-the-wall places that has surprisingly good food and service, but it was far less than average. When ordering, I asked the older gentleman who took my order if the fries were hand-cut, to which he replied, "NO, I don't know of any place that does that." "I do," I said. Then he proceeds to tell my why they don't and how the potatoes would go bad (which is true if you don't know what you're doing, but keeping them in the freezer will prevent this). When the burger came, (fast service, I'll give them that) the meat was undercooked and cool in the center. The bun was really thick and not toasted very well, and the only ketchup they offer is in old, puffed up (leading me to believe they've expired) packets on the table. The fries were definitely packaged and tasted exactly like you'd expect. Since they are cash only, you'd think they could take the money they save on credit card processing fees and invest in a decent bottle of ketchup. There's a McDonald's down the street. At least they take credit cards.
(1)Jason T.
Giant's drive in...AWESOME!!!! I had the filler with large fries and a strawberry shake. Toasted sesame bun (not an ordinary sesame bun, one of the best I've ever had), two pieces of bacon (not too crispy), cheddar cheese slice, one all beef patty, slice of ham, another all beef patty, one large grade A egg over medium, kosher dill pickle, onion slices, fresh tomato slices and fresh lettuce. AMAZING!!!! And the fries are seasoned just enough, no need for ketchup! The shake, was fresh and ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!! I will be returning for years to come!!!! Thank you Giant Drive In!!!
(5)Elizabeth G.
If you like old fashioned real hamburger joints this is it! The parking lot is packed at lunch. If you like big hand made slurpy burgers and fries try the authentic Cajun fries or the Curly Cheese fries. The buns are toasted to perfection. Try the natural root beer made in an Oregon City Micro brew. It's made with honey instead of sugar. It's smooth and naturally carbonated so the bubbles are micro bubbles.
(5)Justin H.
This one got me through high school and made coming home from college a thing of joy. It seriously looks like any other drive-in you've seen, maybe even a little smaller and dingier. You might be greeted / served by the owner and you might not be treated in the friendliest manner. You might even try to modify toppings on your burger, or something to that effect, and be told "NO!" It doesn't matter. Give this place A TRY! I seriously just go for the giant burger with cheese, or maybe the double giant. It's a pretty standard burger: seeded bun, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a patty. It's always perfect for me! Something about the combination and type of ingredients... I don't know, but I never feel the need to put on ketchup or mustard or make any modifications. Of course, they offer whacky burgers (the filler is huge, also things with bbq sauce or pinneaple / teryaki), but I've never tried them other than the guacamole bacon (just what it sounds like, great bacon, bad drive-in guac). It all satisfies. I should mention that the fries are legi and cajun fries are a must-try (if you dig spicy foods). Their milkshakes are also insanely good. In short: love the food, put up with the service and ambiance. It is a drive-in, after all...
(4)Libby C.
Oh my goodness. What a museum piece. My father and I went out to lunch on a Friday afternoon. The lady in front of us asked for a cheeseburger with sautéed onions. The man taking her order (who I assume is the owner) refused to put onions on a cheeseburger. He said something along the lines of "after all these years, I've learned not to put just anything on any burger," which seemed super rude. She ended up ordering the onion burger (which had cheese). Kind of off-putting. Really off-putting, actually. Once we got to the front of the line, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger, no mayo. Dad ordered a garlic burger. We sat down and admired the decor. It was atrocious. Truly awful. There were hologram pictures on the walls, all for sale (because when I go out to lunch at a total dive, I definitely want to invest in "art"). Food arrived pretty quickly, which I was surprised about. I looked at my dad's burger. My first thought was "oh, there's white cheddar on his burger." NOPE. Not white cheddar. Mayonnaise. So much mayonnaise. He said it tasted okay. Nothing special. My bacon cheeseburger, on a sesame seed bun, really lacked sesame seeds. The fries, however, were delicious. Well. Delicious comparatively, which is really not saying much. They raised this place from a. 1.5 to a solid 2 stars. Overall, food and service were very 'meh.' I wouldn't come back. This place is cash only.
(2)Katie Y.
I'm a burger kind of gal, so I like to try all sorts of burgers. The boyfriend raves about this place so we decided to go (since I live out of area). I ordered the bacon cheeseburger , he ordered the western and we shared a large Cajun fry. My burger was perfect. Just the right crispness to the bacon, meat was okay, nothing spectacular. The Cajun fries are too die for. They weren't spicy at all though. The staff was very friendly and very patient with me, since it was my first time. Will definitely go again!
(5)Juliann R.
BIll & Gail are the absolute BEST! Sweetest couple in the world! I went here as a kid and nothing has changed, and I love it! The Hawaiian is one of the best burgers that you will ever have! Me and my co-workers go here weekly and enjoy it every time. Lots of reviews on here bash Giant Burger because you can't change your order a lot - it is what it is! Seriously, get over it. Don't take it personally, and go head to burger king to "have it your way". Giant has 30+ different burgers and I feel sorry for you if you can't find one that you like. It's inexpensive too :) Where else can you feed 4 people a delicious meal for under $25? If you are looking for a simple & delicious dining experience - then Giant burger is the place to be! CA$H ONLY :)
(5)Mike W.
Anyone looking to go here for a burger needs to know a few things. 1) The burgers are frozen, preformed patties. I witnessed the guy carry a stack of frozen patties to the flat top. 2) The meat itself has zero flavor to it because again, they are frozen patties out of a cardboard box. 3) The fries are frozen french fries out of a bag that also came in a cardboard box. 4) Do not ask to change the burgers, the do not allow you to change their odd combinations regardless of any reason you give them. 5) This place is cash only. The reality of this place is that it isn't very good. I ate half of my burger and the ten fries they gave me and left with a stomach ache. People seem to like the mom and pop feel of it but you are better off going just about anywhere else if you want a burger and fries.
(2)Jordan M.
Great burgers with old LO traditions. Giant burger is as LO as it comes. Owners Bill and Gail pride themselves on their high quality ingredients. Cash only! But worth every dime.
(5)Chris S.
Don't even want to give one star. I've been coming here off & on for the past 10 years, but no longer will I endure being shit upon by the crotchety asshole owner. No changes, no nothing. Allergic to gluten? Too damn bad, they'll put the bun on anyways just to spite you for having the gall to make such an outlandish request! But not until the silver haired burger jockey has a chance to insult your having a "fake" auto immune disease. Get that old C@€K sucker off the front counter!!! He's lucky he didn't get punched in the throat for insulting my nephew.
(1)Jason C.
I'd heard of this place for years, and finally tried it today for the first time. I am really surprised at all of the negative reviews here - my experience couldn't have been more different. Granted, I had cash on me and planned to pay with cash anyway, and went after the lunch rush. The owner and his wife were really nice, like a grandpa and grandma. I also dig the old school "diner" feel they have going. An ATM would probably be a nice addition for them though. All in all, I've got to say it lived up to all the hype I'd ever heard. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, fast, quality food.. you name it. I think it's great to find a true "mom and pop" burger joint like this without any fluff. They do one thing and they do it well - a great burger. Well, 26 of them apparently. I had the bacon cheeseburger and it was excellent. Next I've got to try the milkshakes. I heard those were good too.
(5)Mel M.
I ordered the Garlic Burger with fries and a Vanilla malt shake. The shake was delicious, the fries were good but nothing special. They were very similar to Burger King fries in terms of lack of seasoning and thickness. Going to a drive in I expected battered fries or shoestring. For the burger, it was basically a regular cheese burger that was slathered with minced garlic on one side of the bun. It was almost inedible from how much garlic was just slapped on there and it was not fresh garlic or a garlic aioli, it was like the pre-minced jarred garlic from winco. I got half way through and just could not finish it. Besides the shake it was a waste of money!
(2)Donald D.
Wonderful burgers, homemade milkshakes (try the pineapple!), great onion rings, and EVERYTHING is cooked fresh after you order -- no heat lamps in sight. Cash only not a problem as prices are reasonable! No substitutes is only on their specials -- they have changed many things for me on their regular orders! And the staff is "small-town friendly! I have seen every kind of vehicle in their parking lot from plumbing trucks to Rolls Royce. We eat at Giant several times a month!
(5)Rachel B.
I've recently rediscovered this place. I used to go as a kid and it hasn't disappointed me. I've gotten a couple diff burgers (both bacon of course) and have tried bites of my companions, always good. It would be 5 stars if their patties were a little thicker. The fries are also super delicious! My sister got a perfect shake. She said it was the best she'd ever had!
(4)Sierra M.
This hamburgers were good but the fries were a little on the dry side. Service was great and it was super quick. A limited number of seats but a great family owned place. With a great price and quick service I will definitely go there again.
(4)Holly K.
Yelp had such mixed reviews I wasn't sure I wanted to venture in here, after my son invited me. He had been driving by it for some time and wanted to try it and knowing I am sucker for the burger dives, it was on. First off, whoever said they don't post prices, is not reviewing this place, the pricing board looks like it has been here since the dinosaurs were ordering cave burgers. If you miss that lit up board, they have a printed pricing menu hanging up with a description of each burger. We got there at 11am. First ones through the door and the owners were both there. He took the order, was very friendly to us, his wife was cooking and was very nice, as well. Wasn't sure what to expect after some reviewers said they got yelled at. I got the $6 garlic burger special, fry and drink. My son got whatever the biggest stack burger is that has ham, bacon, egg and two patties. He said it was really good. My burger was really good. I would give the food a 3 and the total experience a 4. She brought us the tray out as soon as it was done, which was pretty fast. The bun was a little over toasted on top but not a deal breaker. I think the haters are in love with the chain places and can't see that there is a difference when your patty doesn't come from a corporate logo grill. Just sayin'. I think the people who said they are reheating old fries might be overlooking the fact it looks like it might be the grease isn't hot enough. There were only a few fries that looked a little sad, but otherwise, all was good. Now, at 11am, we owned this place by 12:05 the line was out the door and standing room only, no tables left. We vacated quickly to free a table up, since we had just been talking and realized that the crowd shows up FAST and all at once. The parking lot was now packed as well. They could stand to add an ATM because we saw two people come in right after us and leave because they had no cash. They also know a lot of these customers by name, so it can't be that bad. I would say, go try them and see if you like it, but if you want the glitz and corporate feel then you won't enjoy this place, it is a classic old burger place.
(4)Eric G.
I've lived in the Lake Grove neighborhood since 1987 and never ventured here until recently. Sadly I can say I wasn't missing anything. First off the facility was hot inside and there were flys buzzing around. Also the menu is expensive so I thought wow it must be good. The kids behind the counter were less than enthusiastic though. Everything about the the bacon cheeseburger was bland and tasteless except the onion which was old and bitter which left a terrible taste in my mouth and gave me stomach trouble for hours afterword. The Fries were some obviously budget frozen food service brand and the whole meal reminded me of school cafeteria food.
(1)Leah T.
For a minute I thought I was torn on this one... On the one hand...the food tastes ok (not TERRIBLE burgers)...and I would eat it again (In a pinch)...oh, and so far it hasn't killed me....all definitely star worthy. One exception to this was the twice fried french fries...seriously, if they think for one second people aren't going to notice that they used the lunch rush fries and threw them back in the oil....GAG! Anyway...I digress....The interior is a bit grubby looking...I know it's an old place and all but a little updating would do it good. What really pushed me over the edge and took away all of their viable stars (seriously...I am only giving them the one star because I have to and because I am not currently vomiting or dead)...but the customer service is absolute crap. I've been twice and received the same service both times from different people (one of which I would've pinned for an owner)...must be in the training manual. Here's the skinny on our service issues: 1) They only take cash and are not terribly keen on having to tell people where the nearest ATM is. (Um...Hello...McFly...I. Want. To. Spend. Money. At. Your. Establishment!) 2) The menu has a lot of options, so if you've never been it might take some time to decide what you want. This evidently annoys whoever is behind the counter as much as or more so than having to tell you where an ATM is. 3) This annoyance to the staff is compounded if you happen to decide to change your order slightly in the middle of ordering (like "Oww...bacon would be nice, can I add bacon?"). Evidently they are then forced to tear the order slip off the pad, crumple it angrily and throw it in the trash and start over. But this is only if you are actually allowed to make that particular change...which evidently is at the discretion of the person taking the order and is usually a "No." 4) You will continue to make their lives a living hell not only by continuing to exist but then again when you then point out that they've made your order wrong. (ie: I didn't ask for cheese.) Their reply to this will be to rip the burger apart throwing the pieces back on the grill to evidently cook the cheese off of it? Once completing your order they will then put it all back together with a finishing smack of the bun back on top to ensure you are clear about how annoying you really are. 5) Do NOT ask for mustard...I am fairly certain the kid wanted to simply throw that at us. In other words...I can get a better burger down the road at Fuddruckers and it comes with friendly service...oh, and I probably am less likely to go into anaphylaxis from them either not listening to my order or being too annoyed by people in general to take the time to fix it correctly. PS: The bathrooms are outside and around the back of the building...DUH! Gah...could you be ANY more annoying!? Noooo...the OTHER side of the building. My god you must be a complete idiot. PSS: In case anyone there is paying attention to their reviews on Yelp...here is why you should take your food service and people's special requests more seriously: gma.yahoo.com/allergic-t…
(1)Pete H.
Continues to impress. I took a first timer here today. I know they now want to go back ASAP. Not terribly hungry today. It was only a one Giant Filler day. Delicious. Remember kids....CASH ONLY
(5)Dick C.
Great couple that have owned Giant for years. Old school burger drive in without the drive through. Shakes are terrific. Clean and friendly. Hope it never closes because this is no chain burger joint.
(5)Rick N.
A group of six of us (four adults, and two children, ages 4 and 2) attempted to go to this restaurant. When we came in, we saw the sign that they accept cash only. We thought that was weird, but we all checked we had money and then looked at the menu. My four-year-old son is a very picky eater. He will not eat meat and has pretty much refused it since he began eating solids. I don't press the issue with him because he eats healthy otherwise. After looking at the menu, I saw that there were no meatless entree options. I have been in this situation countless times with my son, so usually I just get a plain bun with cheese and he is happy with that. So, here is what happened at Giant's today: Me, walking up to counter: Do you have cheese sandwiches? Guy behind counter, already hostile at my innocent question: No! I don't have any way to make a cheese sandwich! I am not set up for that. I can't do it! Me, confused: I can't just buy a bun with cheese? Crazy guy: No!! I've been making hamburgers for 26 years! I grind the meat myself! For you to come in here and ask for something without meat is a SLAP IN THE FACE!!! (pounding fist on the counter for emphasis). Me, incredulous: It's for a four-year-old! Guy: I don't care!! So, we left. He obviously didn't want our money as our son had so clearly and deliberately mocked and insulted his very way of life by not eating hamburgers. I would have been happy to pay full price for a cheeseburger and just leave the patty off. I really don't think I was asking for that outrageous of a modification. But, there it is... my review of Giant's. It you want a nutjob to scream at you, that is the place to be. Oh, I have eaten there once before a few years ago and I found the food to be pretty greasy and overrated. Just my opinion, of course.
(1)Suzy C.
If there was such a thing as a zero, I would have selected it. The owner could not be ruder. No wonder the joint is empty at high noon.
(1)John E.
It's not often you find yourself within lunchtime driving distance of one of the top 100 burger joints as ordained by the book Hamburger America which was written by someone with way too much time of their hands. But you cannot ignore Best Burger write ups in the Oregonian and other local bird cage liners. I didn't know all this until I walked into Giant and noticed the man behind the counter was used to getting his order from people quicker than I was offering, but I was studying the menu. So, when I said I was new to his establishment he hard sold me on his street cred, and won me over with his "old guys in the balcony on the Muppet Show" charm. The menu really isn't as limited as I was lead to believe, there are many variations of burger up there, not to mention hot dogs, corn dogs and variations of french fries. I decided on the Terikyaki Burger and a small order of Cajun Fries, and a diet Pepsi so as to stick to my diet. :-) Good thing I had cash being a Giant Rookie because this place doesn't take checks or cards at all. I cannot help but wonder how much business that costs him? I sat down in the booth and took stock that this place was really small. Maybe 8 booths and a couple of chairs and tables from a 50's Malt Shop (previous owner?) strewn about. But the place was hopping. I looked around and saw that this was listed as the official lunch stop for UPS Drivers, and sure enough, there was a UPS driver eating across from me. The thought that came to me is with all the room in his lot why doesn't he invest in some outdoor seating area? Well, I guess you could sit in the car and open the windows. It didn't take long for my food to arrive. Paper lined plastic baskets held my burger and another my fries. The burger was sitting in teriyaki juice and my first thought was, "This is going to be messy" Damned if I wasn't right! The fries were cooked to near perfection, they were your typical large cut fries but they were cooked right, not a limp one in the basket. The seasoning was a nice touch, not too spicy but you knew it was there. I ate the burger as daintily as I could, sauce dripping everywhere, single layer napkins tearing at the slightest touch and not a Wet-Nap in sight. However, it was a good burger. I have to say that in my years I could write a book of the thousands of burger joints I have eaten at across this country of ours. Between towing race cars, driving 18 wheelers and just adventuring from coast to coast I can think of a handful of places better than Giant. But at the same time I can think of many many sub-standard places. I think I would rate him in my top 100 as well, maybe the top 50. It's no Slow Bar Burger and it doesn't pretend to be, it is what it is, a really good drive in joint located 1.9 miles from I-5 and a world away from the designer foods of Bridgeport.
(3)Jimmy G.
Nothing special at ALL. Really... just a greasy burger with stuff on it. If it was char-broiled, it might improve the flavor (Or WAS it?!? that's how much I was unimpressed). Totally forgettable. Might as well go to Fudruckers... no fooling!
(2)Erik S.
It's possible that the specialty burgers are better, but I won't be back to try them. I ordered a double cheeseburger, and it was bad. Bad, as in even the worst burger I've had from McDonalds was incredibly flavorful in comparison to this. Bad, as in I can't remember the last time I had to smother a burger in ketchup just to make it palatable. The fries were merely "meh."
(1)Allison K.
I moved up to Portland about 8 months ago. Ever since my boyfriend and I have woken up close to every Sunday morning craving giant burger! He fondly remembers going there since he was a kid after soccer games with his dad. Minding now they are both two huge men now, 6'6 and 6'7 with healthy appetites. Giant burger really is for giants ;). We always manage to get the same thing- Avocado burger with cheddar instead of Swiss and we share the Cajun cheddar fries. (we even ask for extra Cajun spices) Amazing. My boyfriend and I have a running inside joke about the way the older lady and Mexican lady say everyones names. One time one had pronounced his name Patrick, as "Potted". I called him Potted for a couple months. The burgers there always taste fresh, juicy and mouthwatering. Now that I've moved back to San Jose, CA I can safely say I will definitely miss their burgers!
(4)Jen K.
Every time I've been to Giant, the place is near capacity. A fact which I find a bit puzzling. This little burger joint in Lake Grove enjoys a loyal following of burger fans of all ages - teens to baby boomers. It is also one of my friend's favorite places to eat, but I just don't quite get it. On the plus side, the burgers are good, but they don't quite rock my world. The menu is limited, but the prices are reasonable. For me, they fall somewhere in between Mickey D's fast food and a gourmet burger experience. The owner has quite the rep as a curmudgeon (ala Seinfeld's Soup Nazi) and has been known to tangle with the city which wants him to replace the sign out front with something smaller and more dignified. This is Lake O after all, and a certain appearance is expected. I've got to give them props for keeping the place very clean, but it is also very basic. Be prepared to pay with cash only. Ketchup packets instead of squirt bottles. No mustard in sight. No jug of water and paper cups for the kids. Speaking of the kiddos... the kid's burger is a joke, consisting of a tiny bread roll for a bun which is about half the diameter of the patty and it comes with raw onions. What kid likes onions? For the money, just order the regular cheeseburger, plain, if they don't want the fixings. The decor is interesting. A complete throw back to the 60s and 70s, when yellow and orange were the height of cool. You follow the yellow footprints to the bathroom around back, which is like the kind behind the gas station we all dread. So it is fine for the occasional visit, but I don't think I'll ever be one of their devotees.
(3)J. H.
I am not a big fan of hamburgers, however I have enjoyed their teriyaki burger and jalapeno burger every once in a while. I have not tried their other hamburgers yet. I have no complaints for 4 out of my 5 visits here. Only 1 time the bun was a little soggy and I was dissapointed. Night crew is better than the daytime crew. Since I have not found any other hamburger place nearby that satisfies my taste, I decided to give this place 4 stars.
(4)Mike K.
The food was about a 2.5, which I rounded up to a 3 because I'm biased towards small local businesses. Pros: - burger was OK and satisfied my hunger for such - dining room was cleaner and bigger than Humdinger - prices are quite reasonable - we got served FAST...they literally put our order together as we were ordering - groovy 70's theme and décor Cons: - CASH ONLY. Seriously dude? You're going to pull that on us out in the burbs? You do realize most of us car-driving suburbanites don't carry much cash, right? - dining room still pretty tired even though clean - "outback" restrooms - fries were subpar...I would take Dairy Queen fries over these in a heartbeat (not badmouthing or praising DQ, just saying) - dude really is a grumpy old cuss, which can be quite entertaining unless you're the grumpee to which the grumpor is speaking. I ordered a meal that came with small fries, and then when my wife ordered she asked, "How are those small fries? Can we share them?" Knowing darn good and well she was inquiring how many came in a Small, he growled back "Well I don't know...that would be up to HIM!" Again, entertaining except when you're the one trying to order. If through some weird Fringe event the calendar turns back to 1976, there are no ATMS or point-of-sale card systems, and standards for burger joints are nice and low again, I may very well get into my jacked up Nova in my Foghat t-shirt and cutoffs and come back here looking for a burger...if not, I'll likely leave this place alone.
(3)Jesse D.
Everyone at my company actually had a bad story about this place. Typically monsterous customer service, things that should of kept me away. I am a vegetarian to begin with but I felt like I wanted meat and felt like cheating. Got a burger to go. Its a burger with stuff on it. Nothing monster about it. I can see the bad customer service. They do what they want and you deal with it. Its at the staff's leisure for anything. I ended up not even eating it they annoyed me so much (and also vegetarian pains kept me).
(2)Tommy W.
I wasn't expecting much out of this place after reading some of the reviews, but I had to give it a chance. I have to say I was actually impressed. The bleu cheese burger was awesome. It was a lot bigger than I expected, and came with lots of bleu cheese crumbles and dressing, plus perfectly crisp bacon strips. The quality of the burger is definately enough to bring me back. With that said, the crinkle-cut fries reminded me of elementary school cafeteria trash, and the chocolate malt was nothing spesh. The cash only policy is kind of annoying as well. What's up with that?
(4)Andy L.
Tried the Giant Drive In for the first time today. I had the 1/4 pounder and my wife had the blue cheese burger. We were both impressed.
(5)Amber V.
A co worker told me about this place! It was simple but the onion rings were very delish
(3)Cliff T.
Have to chime in here. I quit going to this place 20 plus years ago. I tried to order something else than a burger, the owner who was very annoyed with me, why? Not sure! But he stated "if you order anything but a burger here, you will not have a good meal. I gave in an ordered a burger without onion He said he would not do that and my burger came with onions. It was also raw when it came out after 20 minutes. Have not been back since and make it a point to tell anyone about this cruddy place.
(1)hannah k.
Two words: Filler burger! This thing is massive: two patties, ham, egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion for like $7. SEVEN DOLLARS. It is a handful, mouthful and messy but worth it! Definitely try this place out!
(4)Giggly C.
Great cheese fries. Love the crispy fries with soft inside. Cheese is that stuff that so bad but so so good. I love it. Great burgers. Made to order. They offered to cut it in half for us. So much better than fast food. My new fav burger place in Lake O
(4)D. E.
I agree with the others who said it's overpriced for what you get. Basically just a standard everyday overcooked thin hamburger patty with lots of topping choices. No free refills on the soda pop is just cheapness on the owners part. They wanted 85 cents when we were last there. What does it cost him, maybe 10-20 cents on a 16 oz. refill? Especially after ordering a 10 dollar burger basket? I had read about this place in The Oregonian's A & E section years ago for best PDX burger. I hope the writer at least got a free lunch out of their recommendation.
(2)Connie C.
I'll admit it now! I have a soft spot for this little joint. When A & I are having a stressful day, there's nothing that can bring a twinkle to our eyes the way that suggesting Giant for dinner can. This is a little mom & pop spot with kids taking orders. I was reading in the Hamburger America that he was an engineer turned burger maker & I'm all for that because that might be me someday! This is definitely not a gourmet fancy burger nor is it the best burger you've ever had, but it's a solid burger done right. They grind their own meat, use Tillamook cheese, and fresh baked buns to make a burger you would get if you went to your friend's summer BBQ. I love trying a different burger every time. From the western to nacho to french dip to hawaiian to the filler (which we've yet to have). It's all really good! It's that drippy saucy burger that carls jr. ads used to have. Add a large order of cajun fries & a blackberry milkshake & I'm golden. Mmmm..today might just be a Giant for dinner kind of day!
(5)Amy Y.
While headed over to Lake Oswego, my husband had pondered a good burger for lunch. Not sure where we were going to satisfy that call of nature, we drove past The Giant. It was so funky looking we had to stop and give it a try. With decor that might have been fresh in the 70's, the joint is small but clean, and a very clear menu board with prices rises behind the front counter. Prices were moderate, and we tried a mushroom burger and a jalapeno burger, shared a basket of cajun fries, and two sodas. $18 was the total, so it isn't a cheap lunch. The burgers were QUICK, fresh, and pretty good. The meat is not the main event, though; while it is said to be ground sirloin, the patties are so thin there's no way to cook it medium as a really good burger should be. The flavor was pretty bland, too; I don't think they are seasoned at all. And compared to the toppings... the meat is but a small element in the overall sandwich. But the toppings were fresh, plentiful, and the buns were so damn good I'll actually forgive them, and if I go back I'll get a double. The owner is at the counter, and talks easily of his long track record and write ups in various outlets. Interesting, engaging guy. The fries are light and crisp... but a double order of cajun fries were overpriced -- the "cajun" is just a dash of a cajun flavored season salt. And I could have bought a whole bag of Oreida fries for what they cost. They also have shakes, if we go back I'll give those a try, too. My favorite element are the buns. They are soft, light, and loaded with sesame seeds. YUM. They are made by a small mom and pop local bakery for them, says the owner. Wish I could get some of those!
(3)Mary G.
My husband and I were itching for a good mom and pop burger place. We were disappointed by the unwillingness to make a simple change to a burger... A different bun! My husband does not like onions and the guacamole burger he wanted came with an onion bun. He requested to have a normal sesame bun instead but they refused to switch the burger buns. So he tried to order a regular burger that had a sesame bun with guacamole but was told he couldn't add guacamole. In the end he ordered the Jalapeno burger, because several other burgers such as the mushroom burger also came with only the onion bun. The Jalapeno burger was not up to par; the salsa used tasted like the Pace Salsa you get from Costco and the cheese wasn't melted on the patty it was put on-top the salsa and lettuce. Seems like a simple request but i guess they don't believe in customer service. So very disappointing, the owner needs to take into consideration his community if he plans on getting repeat customers.
(1)Robbie F.
Lake Oswego is a pretty frustrating place for me, but this place is alright in my book. $3.80 for the eponymous 'Giant Burger' and it was more than worth it (big as advertised, good fixins, solid onion bun.) I can't comment on anything else on the menu, but for straight up burger joint standards, this was 4-stars.
(4)Seth F.
BEST BURGERS IN OREGON! they got so many different type of burgers you can pick from and my favorite is the filler. there fries are sooo good and the people that work there are very very nice. onetime i got my food to go and they forgot one of my fies and the lady came running out and gave it to me. most places just let you leave and say oh well. if you want to have the best burger than come here.
(5)Dale H.
My wife passed this place a week ago while out running errands. She saw it and automatically thought that we (me and the boys) would like it. Bless her heart! We went there yesterday. I wasn't impressed. Just to start, my wife asked if they serve chicken sammiches. Instead of apologizing, he said..."nope, been doing this for 40 years. we don't serve chicken sammiches, only burgers". He could have just apologized and said they don't have them available. Not give us HIS qualifications in superiority as to why he doesn't serve them. The food sounded good on the menu above. But there were no prices. Nothing like a little surprise when ordering, I guess! We ordered a few burgers and a few cola's...and a few fries. $25. Decent price for three (she didn't eat...no chicken sammich). When the food arrived, I was let down. The fries were the first thing I tried. We ordered two cajun, and one regular order. You could barely taste any difference at all, but were charged more for the cajun fries. If you want to know how to make cajun fries, go to 5 Guys Burgers and Fries (see earlier review). They know how to make cajun fries. These were frozen fries, with barely any flavor on them at all. The burger is served on a nice sized bun, but tasted a bit like Wonder Bread. The burger patties were of decent size (mine was two 1/4 pound burgers). But you could tell that they were frozen burgers, not fresh. There simply was no flavor in them, at least to my liking. They tasted like frozen burgers. They did serve them with a decent amount of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions, which is very appreciated. I don't think I'll be back here any time soon. That's not to say I'll never be back. You never know when you may need to stop for a burger somewhere...but this will not be my destination point when deciding which burger place to go to.They have been in business for a long time now, and to be honest, I hope they stay around for a long time coming. It's an institution in this area. And not all places are for everybody. This place has a great following, I'm sure. It's just not for me. One last note, another thing that I have a hard time with is no refills on the soda. That's just my own personal pet peeve, and I understand why some places don't offer refills. It's just something that grabs my attention in a negative way. Thank you very much!
(2)Molly C.
The burgers are good. You can tell they use quality beef. They should bring back the crinkle French fires. Much better than what they've replaced them with.
(3)Miranda H.
Bleu cheese burger. Get it.
(5)Joe W.
If you want nostalgia Giant is the place in Lake O! Great old building and old style service. I had the avocado burger and fries and both were pretty good. Not great but better than just OK. The menu had a wide variety of burgers to choose from, perhaps there's one in there that will knock my socks off and I will definitely be going back to try. Looks like an extra mile on the treadmill this weekend.... (sigh)
(3)Austin S.
2.75 Monday when I was in Portland, I went with my brother to run a few errands. It was around lunch time and after spending half the morning trying to pass this one really tricky part on Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, we were getting hungry. He told me about this place down the street which so happened to be on the way to Fry's and Costco and he said their burgers were pretty good, so I figure, hey, I've already had 2 burgers on this Sac/Portland trip, what's wrong with a third? This looks like your average burger stand, like Lucky Boy or TK Burgers down in Costa Mesa. They had quite a yellow theme going on, from the walls being yellow, some of the ceiling tiles being yellow, the floor tiles being yellow, yellow seating, yellow counter tops, and even the employees wearing yellow t-shirts. Did a couple barrels of mustard explode in here? My brother said the regular burgers weren't that good but their specialty burgers were better, which worked out because for whatever reason, I was in the mood for and avocado burger of some type. It was almost like this place read my mind because low and behold, under the "specialty" burgers, there it was "avocado". I forgot how much it was. We shared an order of fries. The fries came out ridiculously fast, almost TOO fast. Eh, I was hungry and I wasn't going to bitch and moan about it. There it was, my burger with avocado on it. Though, it was mashed and was more like guacamole, but hey, avocado is avocado. I could eat it in a smoothie form. Wait... maybe. I definitely am not gonna ever make or try an avocado mousse that Radhika made on Top Chef *shudder* I grab a couple of fries and they were good. They were fat steak fries, but had a little bit of a crinkle cut on them. I would say they were having a little bit of an identity crisis if you ask me. But they were crispy and were seasoned well. I made for my burger and what do I see? Bacon? At no extra cost? SCORE!!!! The burger overall was just above average, but I've had better. I do have to say that it had mayo in it, and don't get me wrong, I like mayo, but not on my burger. Had I known there was mayo, I would've asked to omit it. The lady at the register (the owner? Owner's wife? Manager?) was very nice and sweet, and the other employees were pleasant. The rest of menu seemed pretty simple and decent. There was plenty of parking.
(3)Well-Traveled I.
Gaming one night with some buddies (Team Fortress 2, to be exact) when it was that time - the time to grab dinner. It had been years since I came here, but figured their good burgers were worth the wait. Maybe something has changed, but the burgers are not as good as they used to be. Flavor was lacking, although portions were still huge. Strawberry shake was sweet and smooth. It's not like I probably won't go here again, but it won't be at the top of my list.
(2)Keanan L.
The rating reflects a sort of nostalgia that exists. Either you've never been to Giant Burger and it reminds you of an ol' timey drive-in burger joint, or -- like me -- you've been going there so long and the place is just the way you remembered going the first time. Great, fresh burgers with decent milkshakes. The fries are a bit suspect, but get the cajun seasoning and that quickly makes up for it. Little on the high side for prices, and cash only, but well worth for what you're getting for in return. Amongst a bevy of shwanky places in Lake Oswego, Giant Burger is a beacon of classic Americana.
(5)Eric L.
An observation I made since moving here is that Oregonians obviously do not know what a good burger is supposed to taste like. The Giant is a landmark little shack in Lake Oswego which is a stand-alone building. The place is either super packed or super empty. There is no happy median here. Anywho, I had to check what all the buzz was about. When we drove up, I couldn't help but imagine I was at some old beat up diner in the middle of nowhere in a horror flick. I was waiting for Freddy or Jason to jump out of the bushes and chase me down the street. After I got over this fear, I headed into the restaurant. I opted for a simple double cheeseburger and fries because that's why I was at a burger joint. Well my friends, sorry to disappoint, but the burger was a huge disappointment. It was flavorless! The patties were small and the only thing I could taste was the cheese and veggies. The meat has no beef flavor whatsoever! WHERE'S THE BEEF?! As I was nearing the final third of the burger, I noticed the meat was gone and I was left with bread! The patties were way too small for the enormous bun so you'll be left with bread. I truly cannot fathom how people actually gave this place 5 stars! Quite frankly, even something like Carl's Jr. tastes better in my opinion. McD's is a block away and I'd rather eat a quarter-pounder from there than to eat another Giant again!
(2)David H.
Bad service and bad food are a bad combination. We won't be back.
(1)Roy C.
I eat here about once a year, mainly to see if has gotten any better. If you look at these reviews, you would think this place is outstanding, and if you do, go ahead and give a shot. I was excited to try Giant when we first moved here but I was disappointed. The burgers don't have much flavor, which is surprising, given that there are a ton of topping options (any place that lets you pile on a fried egg and ham should be good, right?). I love burgers and this place has potential but I am bummed out every time I give it another shot. It's not horrible, but it is also no "Nation's" (a Bay Area chain). It's been about a year, so maybe I'll try again. And, a burger place like this should really also offer a grilled cheese sandwich, but Giant doesn't.
(2)Brady C.
As a local from Lake Oswego, this is one of the places you grow up loving. You can't beat their burgers and especially not their milkshakes. With burgers for all types of people, there is something for everyone (except those who don't like hamburgers). Despite the fact that this place is so good, what makes it even more fun is that after your order you get to tell them your name to call out when your order is ready. Growing up, I never realized how much fun this could be, but now whenever my friends and I go back when we are in town, this always tends to be the best part of the meal. This place is definitely worth a stop for both the great food and some good laughs.
(4)Katherine E.
Giant Drive In is a perfect no-frills meal. It's a small mom & pop restaurant that accepts cash only, and the food (no substitutions!) is delicious. I've tried several burgers from the menu, but the avocado burger is by far the best. The onion rings and fries are also amazing. The service has always been friendly while still giving customers space while they eat. This is one of my favorite spots to grab a burger in Lake Oswego!
(5)Amy S.
Classic! I ordered the "Giant" burger, a 1/4-lb. burger with all the fixings and it delicious. A perfectly burger seasoned on, what tasted like a home-made bun. And for $3.80 you can't beat it. The place itself looks like it hasn't been updated in over 50 years... and that's a good thing. They've clearly focused on keeping the food tasting great instead of re-decorating.
(5)Michael B.
Yummy, but a little greasy
(2)Jennifer H.
Awesome Burgers, amazing price for the bucks. I like their old 1960s style frame too. Feel like I am stepping back in time. I like to support personally owned businesses so I especially like knowing I am helping local people. Really good burgers and sauces. I will be back.
(5)George D.
I was hung over and required grease. A bacon cheeseburger from the Giant seemed like a natural choice to make me feel better. Au contraire. The burger I got left me feeling infinitely crappier than I felt to begin with, which is saying a lot. The buns straight up tasted like sweet cakes or something, a la McDonald's McGriddle cakes. The patties were meager and flavorless, and the bacon... well... at least it was bacon. I really don't see the appeal of this place. I mean I understand that Lake Oswego is a fairly small town and all and its probably slim pickins, but c'mon. The proprietor is somewhat douchey unless you're a regular, and I sure as hell wouldn't wanna be a regular after observing their unfortunate looking clientele.
(2)Brooke S.
The first time I visited The Giant was several years ago with my husband, when we lived in Portland. He grew up in the Tualatin area and throughout high school and and his buddies would frequent The Giant. I still hear the stories about the old man that used to work there that would argue when anyone who wasn't under 10 years old would try to order a hot dog - and the old lady with the smokers voice that used to call out the orders. We moved to LA about 5 years ago and still, every time we are in the area for a visit, we always go to The Giant for a lunch. He and I both have never found a better burger. The crappy decor, cash only payment, and lackluster service is part of the nostalgia - it wouldn't be the same any other way. It's an old fashioned burger joint with awesome food - wouldn't change it a bit.
(5)Tom S.
Might be a classic LO hang out, but if you want a good burger you'll find these mediocre, and if you want good service, you'll find the head staff arrogant. You might like it if you're charmed by places that don't accept credit cards. Much better choices around.
(2)Bryan S.
The fries are the ONLY thing keeping this from being a 5 star must visit ASAP in PDX. The burger patties are made special for big burger by S&P meats. The burgers are cooked on the flat top and not grilled... to me this is the best way to cook a burger. The fat from the beef cookes out and 'confits' the burger when the burgers are finished with a lid it creates a steamed burger that blows away any grilled burger. This burger is everything 5 Guys Burger and Fries wants to be.... If Giant would put a little pride into the fries this would be top notch burger joint, if you are in the area and appreciate a quality piece of beef check it out...
(4)Vincent M.
Tasty old school burger joint. Was proud to see the young guy at the counter actually hold the door and carry out the food for a really old lady customer.
(4)Doug M.
This isn't worth a detour anymore. The Portland area has many places with far better burgers, despite the longstanding reputation Giant has enjoyed. The sesame seed buns are too thick and dry - almost stale. The burgers are cooked to dryness as well. There just isn't anything special to recommend this place anymore. Don't go out of your way.
(1)Nicole S.
Easily one of the best burgers I've ever had. The staff is always friendly and the owner is incredible jolly and always remembers me. The ambiance is just what you want a burger joint to be. Going here with friends in high school for a burger will forever be in my memory.
(5)Dave W.
This is a great hamburger place. The burgers are big and can be messy. Not a bad thing. You should also try the milkshakes and onion rings.
(4)Delila O.
My son requested a trip to Giant Burger for his 16th birthday dinner because he had fond memories of our eating there when he was younger. Boy were we disappointed. The burgers were average at best, the fries were over-cooked, and the staff was not friendly as we had remembered. The one high point was my friend's blackberry milkshake, which wasn't quite like she remembered when her kids were little, but still pretty tasty. Seems like Giant Burger has some work to do it they are to retain their "Lake Oswego Landmark" status. They may be a local landmark, but the food is no longer memorable.
(2)ToniAnn M.
The Hubs & I trekked on over to Giant to get our burger on. this is the tale of how it all went down. Arrived at Giant Burger, ordered burgers, received burgers in a very timely manner, ate burgers, discussed burgers, swapped burgers, ate some more, forced down some fries, came home. It's all over but the Yelping. I ordered the Avocado Burger. 1/4lb burger with the usual lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, cheese........ add bacon & guacamole. The guacamole was a bit on the sour side & there was A LOT of it. Basically the only things I tasted were bun, guacamole, & onion. The burger was completely lost. As was the cheddar cheese (that I had requested in place of the Swiss) The hubs, a straight shooter when it comes to his burgers, played it smart. He went with the Double Cheeseburger. Again, all the fixins as above, only he ordered minus onion. OK, so much better. I was actually able to taste the burger........ & it wasn't bad. Cooked on the flat top to order, so it gets to you hot & juicy. The fixins are fresh & plentiful...... in the case of my burger, too plentiful..... but hey, some of you might like it like that. Now, onto the disappointment that was the french fries. All I have to say to the people of this burger joint is this: "Leave the damn fries in the fryer until they are cooked!". The fries were soggy & criminally undercooked. Something I can overlook if the Hubs should take me back to this place, as he really enjoyed it. That's understandable, his burger was way better than mine. I'm willing to do this because there are two possible fixes to the fry issue.... 1) ask the cooks to make them extra crispy, or 2) be content with the burger that's the size of my head, & save some room for ice cream by skipping the french fries all together.
(2)Sashy M.
I heard a lot of things about Giant Burger, so I decided to try it. I got a bleu burger which has bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, bleu cheese dressing with lettuce, tomatoes. It was awful, it was on a cheap bun, and had no flavor. The bacon was chewy. I also got cajanized French fries which had some sort of sweet not even spicy powder on them. Also awful. I thought maybe there shakes might be good. I got a vanilla, nope I was wrong it tastes like a fake vanilla syrup. I don't even want to give this place 1 star. Also there service is down right rude. If you ask for a hot dog the guy at the counter goes off on you and talks you into something else. The total of my bill was 9.75, it was such a waste of money!! This place is on the map! How can it be?! I would rather go to McDonalds right down the street they have better burgers then this place!
(1)Kristie C.
Three letters sums up my feeling for Giant -- YUM! It is the quintessential burger joint. I noticed the place as I drove by one day around noonish. There were several cars parked outside. So, when I got the craving for a burger I decided to try it out. The joint is not impressive, low on the frills -- which is fine by me -- the selection of burgers is extensive and they are yummy. The fry's are good too!
(5)Chris S.
Don't even want to give one star. I've been coming here off & on for the past 10 years, but no longer will I endure being shit upon by the crotchety asshole owner. No changes, no nothing. Allergic to gluten? Too damn bad, they'll put the bun on anyways just to spite you for having the gall to make such an outlandish request! But not until the silver haired burger jockey has a chance to insult your having a "fake" auto immune disease. Get that old C@€K sucker off the front counter!!! He's lucky he didn't get punched in the throat for insulting my nephew.
(1)Justin H.
This one got me through high school and made coming home from college a thing of joy. It seriously looks like any other drive-in you've seen, maybe even a little smaller and dingier. You might be greeted / served by the owner and you might not be treated in the friendliest manner. You might even try to modify toppings on your burger, or something to that effect, and be told "NO!" It doesn't matter. Give this place A TRY! I seriously just go for the giant burger with cheese, or maybe the double giant. It's a pretty standard burger: seeded bun, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a patty. It's always perfect for me! Something about the combination and type of ingredients... I don't know, but I never feel the need to put on ketchup or mustard or make any modifications. Of course, they offer whacky burgers (the filler is huge, also things with bbq sauce or pinneaple / teryaki), but I've never tried them other than the guacamole bacon (just what it sounds like, great bacon, bad drive-in guac). It all satisfies. I should mention that the fries are legi and cajun fries are a must-try (if you dig spicy foods). Their milkshakes are also insanely good. In short: love the food, put up with the service and ambiance. It is a drive-in, after all...
(4)Libby C.
Oh my goodness. What a museum piece. My father and I went out to lunch on a Friday afternoon. The lady in front of us asked for a cheeseburger with sautéed onions. The man taking her order (who I assume is the owner) refused to put onions on a cheeseburger. He said something along the lines of "after all these years, I've learned not to put just anything on any burger," which seemed super rude. She ended up ordering the onion burger (which had cheese). Kind of off-putting. Really off-putting, actually. Once we got to the front of the line, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger, no mayo. Dad ordered a garlic burger. We sat down and admired the decor. It was atrocious. Truly awful. There were hologram pictures on the walls, all for sale (because when I go out to lunch at a total dive, I definitely want to invest in "art"). Food arrived pretty quickly, which I was surprised about. I looked at my dad's burger. My first thought was "oh, there's white cheddar on his burger." NOPE. Not white cheddar. Mayonnaise. So much mayonnaise. He said it tasted okay. Nothing special. My bacon cheeseburger, on a sesame seed bun, really lacked sesame seeds. The fries, however, were delicious. Well. Delicious comparatively, which is really not saying much. They raised this place from a. 1.5 to a solid 2 stars. Overall, food and service were very 'meh.' I wouldn't come back. This place is cash only.
(2)Katie Y.
I'm a burger kind of gal, so I like to try all sorts of burgers. The boyfriend raves about this place so we decided to go (since I live out of area). I ordered the bacon cheeseburger , he ordered the western and we shared a large Cajun fry. My burger was perfect. Just the right crispness to the bacon, meat was okay, nothing spectacular. The Cajun fries are too die for. They weren't spicy at all though. The staff was very friendly and very patient with me, since it was my first time. Will definitely go again!
(5)Brikky K.
Friendly staff with a nostalgic atmosphere. For the fastest burgers in LO it's the place to go.
(3)Jeremy T.
Used to go here all the time when I was a kid/high school and LOVED it. Don't live in town anymore though and have always wanted to go there again whenever I was passing through but never had the chance. FINALLY did (over 20 years since I've been there) and absolutely nothing has changed and it's as good now as it ever was. Will be making it a point to be coming back again and again!
(5)Juliann R.
BIll & Gail are the absolute BEST! Sweetest couple in the world! I went here as a kid and nothing has changed, and I love it! The Hawaiian is one of the best burgers that you will ever have! Me and my co-workers go here weekly and enjoy it every time. Lots of reviews on here bash Giant Burger because you can't change your order a lot - it is what it is! Seriously, get over it. Don't take it personally, and go head to burger king to "have it your way". Giant has 30+ different burgers and I feel sorry for you if you can't find one that you like. It's inexpensive too :) Where else can you feed 4 people a delicious meal for under $25? If you are looking for a simple & delicious dining experience - then Giant burger is the place to be! CA$H ONLY :)
(5)Mike W.
Anyone looking to go here for a burger needs to know a few things. 1) The burgers are frozen, preformed patties. I witnessed the guy carry a stack of frozen patties to the flat top. 2) The meat itself has zero flavor to it because again, they are frozen patties out of a cardboard box. 3) The fries are frozen french fries out of a bag that also came in a cardboard box. 4) Do not ask to change the burgers, the do not allow you to change their odd combinations regardless of any reason you give them. 5) This place is cash only. The reality of this place is that it isn't very good. I ate half of my burger and the ten fries they gave me and left with a stomach ache. People seem to like the mom and pop feel of it but you are better off going just about anywhere else if you want a burger and fries.
(2)Tommy W.
I wasn't expecting much out of this place after reading some of the reviews, but I had to give it a chance. I have to say I was actually impressed. The bleu cheese burger was awesome. It was a lot bigger than I expected, and came with lots of bleu cheese crumbles and dressing, plus perfectly crisp bacon strips. The quality of the burger is definately enough to bring me back. With that said, the crinkle-cut fries reminded me of elementary school cafeteria trash, and the chocolate malt was nothing spesh. The cash only policy is kind of annoying as well. What's up with that?
(4)D. E.
I agree with the others who said it's overpriced for what you get. Basically just a standard everyday overcooked thin hamburger patty with lots of topping choices. No free refills on the soda pop is just cheapness on the owners part. They wanted 85 cents when we were last there. What does it cost him, maybe 10-20 cents on a 16 oz. refill? Especially after ordering a 10 dollar burger basket? I had read about this place in The Oregonian's A & E section years ago for best PDX burger. I hope the writer at least got a free lunch out of their recommendation.
(2)Jordan M.
Great burgers with old LO traditions. Giant burger is as LO as it comes. Owners Bill and Gail pride themselves on their high quality ingredients. Cash only! But worth every dime.
(5)Seth F.
BEST BURGERS IN OREGON! they got so many different type of burgers you can pick from and my favorite is the filler. there fries are sooo good and the people that work there are very very nice. onetime i got my food to go and they forgot one of my fies and the lady came running out and gave it to me. most places just let you leave and say oh well. if you want to have the best burger than come here.
(5)Erik S.
It's possible that the specialty burgers are better, but I won't be back to try them. I ordered a double cheeseburger, and it was bad. Bad, as in even the worst burger I've had from McDonalds was incredibly flavorful in comparison to this. Bad, as in I can't remember the last time I had to smother a burger in ketchup just to make it palatable. The fries were merely "meh."
(1)Allison K.
I moved up to Portland about 8 months ago. Ever since my boyfriend and I have woken up close to every Sunday morning craving giant burger! He fondly remembers going there since he was a kid after soccer games with his dad. Minding now they are both two huge men now, 6'6 and 6'7 with healthy appetites. Giant burger really is for giants ;). We always manage to get the same thing- Avocado burger with cheddar instead of Swiss and we share the Cajun cheddar fries. (we even ask for extra Cajun spices) Amazing. My boyfriend and I have a running inside joke about the way the older lady and Mexican lady say everyones names. One time one had pronounced his name Patrick, as "Potted". I called him Potted for a couple months. The burgers there always taste fresh, juicy and mouthwatering. Now that I've moved back to San Jose, CA I can safely say I will definitely miss their burgers!
(4)Jen K.
Every time I've been to Giant, the place is near capacity. A fact which I find a bit puzzling. This little burger joint in Lake Grove enjoys a loyal following of burger fans of all ages - teens to baby boomers. It is also one of my friend's favorite places to eat, but I just don't quite get it. On the plus side, the burgers are good, but they don't quite rock my world. The menu is limited, but the prices are reasonable. For me, they fall somewhere in between Mickey D's fast food and a gourmet burger experience. The owner has quite the rep as a curmudgeon (ala Seinfeld's Soup Nazi) and has been known to tangle with the city which wants him to replace the sign out front with something smaller and more dignified. This is Lake O after all, and a certain appearance is expected. I've got to give them props for keeping the place very clean, but it is also very basic. Be prepared to pay with cash only. Ketchup packets instead of squirt bottles. No mustard in sight. No jug of water and paper cups for the kids. Speaking of the kiddos... the kid's burger is a joke, consisting of a tiny bread roll for a bun which is about half the diameter of the patty and it comes with raw onions. What kid likes onions? For the money, just order the regular cheeseburger, plain, if they don't want the fixings. The decor is interesting. A complete throw back to the 60s and 70s, when yellow and orange were the height of cool. You follow the yellow footprints to the bathroom around back, which is like the kind behind the gas station we all dread. So it is fine for the occasional visit, but I don't think I'll ever be one of their devotees.
(3)J. H.
I am not a big fan of hamburgers, however I have enjoyed their teriyaki burger and jalapeno burger every once in a while. I have not tried their other hamburgers yet. I have no complaints for 4 out of my 5 visits here. Only 1 time the bun was a little soggy and I was dissapointed. Night crew is better than the daytime crew. Since I have not found any other hamburger place nearby that satisfies my taste, I decided to give this place 4 stars.
(4)Rachel B.
I've recently rediscovered this place. I used to go as a kid and it hasn't disappointed me. I've gotten a couple diff burgers (both bacon of course) and have tried bites of my companions, always good. It would be 5 stars if their patties were a little thicker. The fries are also super delicious! My sister got a perfect shake. She said it was the best she'd ever had!
(4)Amber V.
A co worker told me about this place! It was simple but the onion rings were very delish
(3)Holly K.
Yelp had such mixed reviews I wasn't sure I wanted to venture in here, after my son invited me. He had been driving by it for some time and wanted to try it and knowing I am sucker for the burger dives, it was on. First off, whoever said they don't post prices, is not reviewing this place, the pricing board looks like it has been here since the dinosaurs were ordering cave burgers. If you miss that lit up board, they have a printed pricing menu hanging up with a description of each burger. We got there at 11am. First ones through the door and the owners were both there. He took the order, was very friendly to us, his wife was cooking and was very nice, as well. Wasn't sure what to expect after some reviewers said they got yelled at. I got the $6 garlic burger special, fry and drink. My son got whatever the biggest stack burger is that has ham, bacon, egg and two patties. He said it was really good. My burger was really good. I would give the food a 3 and the total experience a 4. She brought us the tray out as soon as it was done, which was pretty fast. The bun was a little over toasted on top but not a deal breaker. I think the haters are in love with the chain places and can't see that there is a difference when your patty doesn't come from a corporate logo grill. Just sayin'. I think the people who said they are reheating old fries might be overlooking the fact it looks like it might be the grease isn't hot enough. There were only a few fries that looked a little sad, but otherwise, all was good. Now, at 11am, we owned this place by 12:05 the line was out the door and standing room only, no tables left. We vacated quickly to free a table up, since we had just been talking and realized that the crowd shows up FAST and all at once. The parking lot was now packed as well. They could stand to add an ATM because we saw two people come in right after us and leave because they had no cash. They also know a lot of these customers by name, so it can't be that bad. I would say, go try them and see if you like it, but if you want the glitz and corporate feel then you won't enjoy this place, it is a classic old burger place.
(4)Donald D.
Wonderful burgers, homemade milkshakes (try the pineapple!), great onion rings, and EVERYTHING is cooked fresh after you order -- no heat lamps in sight. Cash only not a problem as prices are reasonable! No substitutes is only on their specials -- they have changed many things for me on their regular orders! And the staff is "small-town friendly! I have seen every kind of vehicle in their parking lot from plumbing trucks to Rolls Royce. We eat at Giant several times a month!
(5)Hunter S.
Really delicious food.
(5)Jason C.
I'd heard of this place for years, and finally tried it today for the first time. I am really surprised at all of the negative reviews here - my experience couldn't have been more different. Granted, I had cash on me and planned to pay with cash anyway, and went after the lunch rush. The owner and his wife were really nice, like a grandpa and grandma. I also dig the old school "diner" feel they have going. An ATM would probably be a nice addition for them though. All in all, I've got to say it lived up to all the hype I'd ever heard. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, fast, quality food.. you name it. I think it's great to find a true "mom and pop" burger joint like this without any fluff. They do one thing and they do it well - a great burger. Well, 26 of them apparently. I had the bacon cheeseburger and it was excellent. Next I've got to try the milkshakes. I heard those were good too.
(5)Mel M.
I ordered the Garlic Burger with fries and a Vanilla malt shake. The shake was delicious, the fries were good but nothing special. They were very similar to Burger King fries in terms of lack of seasoning and thickness. Going to a drive in I expected battered fries or shoestring. For the burger, it was basically a regular cheese burger that was slathered with minced garlic on one side of the bun. It was almost inedible from how much garlic was just slapped on there and it was not fresh garlic or a garlic aioli, it was like the pre-minced jarred garlic from winco. I got half way through and just could not finish it. Besides the shake it was a waste of money!
(2)Cliff T.
Have to chime in here. I quit going to this place 20 plus years ago. I tried to order something else than a burger, the owner who was very annoyed with me, why? Not sure! But he stated "if you order anything but a burger here, you will not have a good meal. I gave in an ordered a burger without onion He said he would not do that and my burger came with onions. It was also raw when it came out after 20 minutes. Have not been back since and make it a point to tell anyone about this cruddy place.
(1)hannah k.
Two words: Filler burger! This thing is massive: two patties, ham, egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion for like $7. SEVEN DOLLARS. It is a handful, mouthful and messy but worth it! Definitely try this place out!
(4)Giggly C.
Great cheese fries. Love the crispy fries with soft inside. Cheese is that stuff that so bad but so so good. I love it. Great burgers. Made to order. They offered to cut it in half for us. So much better than fast food. My new fav burger place in Lake O
(4)Sierra M.
This hamburgers were good but the fries were a little on the dry side. Service was great and it was super quick. A limited number of seats but a great family owned place. With a great price and quick service I will definitely go there again.
(4)Eric G.
I've lived in the Lake Grove neighborhood since 1987 and never ventured here until recently. Sadly I can say I wasn't missing anything. First off the facility was hot inside and there were flys buzzing around. Also the menu is expensive so I thought wow it must be good. The kids behind the counter were less than enthusiastic though. Everything about the the bacon cheeseburger was bland and tasteless except the onion which was old and bitter which left a terrible taste in my mouth and gave me stomach trouble for hours afterword. The Fries were some obviously budget frozen food service brand and the whole meal reminded me of school cafeteria food.
(1)Connie C.
I'll admit it now! I have a soft spot for this little joint. When A & I are having a stressful day, there's nothing that can bring a twinkle to our eyes the way that suggesting Giant for dinner can. This is a little mom & pop spot with kids taking orders. I was reading in the Hamburger America that he was an engineer turned burger maker & I'm all for that because that might be me someday! This is definitely not a gourmet fancy burger nor is it the best burger you've ever had, but it's a solid burger done right. They grind their own meat, use Tillamook cheese, and fresh baked buns to make a burger you would get if you went to your friend's summer BBQ. I love trying a different burger every time. From the western to nacho to french dip to hawaiian to the filler (which we've yet to have). It's all really good! It's that drippy saucy burger that carls jr. ads used to have. Add a large order of cajun fries & a blackberry milkshake & I'm golden. Mmmm..today might just be a Giant for dinner kind of day!
(5)Leah T.
For a minute I thought I was torn on this one... On the one hand...the food tastes ok (not TERRIBLE burgers)...and I would eat it again (In a pinch)...oh, and so far it hasn't killed me....all definitely star worthy. One exception to this was the twice fried french fries...seriously, if they think for one second people aren't going to notice that they used the lunch rush fries and threw them back in the oil....GAG! Anyway...I digress....The interior is a bit grubby looking...I know it's an old place and all but a little updating would do it good. What really pushed me over the edge and took away all of their viable stars (seriously...I am only giving them the one star because I have to and because I am not currently vomiting or dead)...but the customer service is absolute crap. I've been twice and received the same service both times from different people (one of which I would've pinned for an owner)...must be in the training manual. Here's the skinny on our service issues: 1) They only take cash and are not terribly keen on having to tell people where the nearest ATM is. (Um...Hello...McFly...I. Want. To. Spend. Money. At. Your. Establishment!) 2) The menu has a lot of options, so if you've never been it might take some time to decide what you want. This evidently annoys whoever is behind the counter as much as or more so than having to tell you where an ATM is. 3) This annoyance to the staff is compounded if you happen to decide to change your order slightly in the middle of ordering (like "Oww...bacon would be nice, can I add bacon?"). Evidently they are then forced to tear the order slip off the pad, crumple it angrily and throw it in the trash and start over. But this is only if you are actually allowed to make that particular change...which evidently is at the discretion of the person taking the order and is usually a "No." 4) You will continue to make their lives a living hell not only by continuing to exist but then again when you then point out that they've made your order wrong. (ie: I didn't ask for cheese.) Their reply to this will be to rip the burger apart throwing the pieces back on the grill to evidently cook the cheese off of it? Once completing your order they will then put it all back together with a finishing smack of the bun back on top to ensure you are clear about how annoying you really are. 5) Do NOT ask for mustard...I am fairly certain the kid wanted to simply throw that at us. In other words...I can get a better burger down the road at Fuddruckers and it comes with friendly service...oh, and I probably am less likely to go into anaphylaxis from them either not listening to my order or being too annoyed by people in general to take the time to fix it correctly. PS: The bathrooms are outside and around the back of the building...DUH! Gah...could you be ANY more annoying!? Noooo...the OTHER side of the building. My god you must be a complete idiot. PSS: In case anyone there is paying attention to their reviews on Yelp...here is why you should take your food service and people's special requests more seriously: gma.yahoo.com/allergic-t…
(1)Pete H.
Continues to impress. I took a first timer here today. I know they now want to go back ASAP. Not terribly hungry today. It was only a one Giant Filler day. Delicious. Remember kids....CASH ONLY
(5)Amy Y.
While headed over to Lake Oswego, my husband had pondered a good burger for lunch. Not sure where we were going to satisfy that call of nature, we drove past The Giant. It was so funky looking we had to stop and give it a try. With decor that might have been fresh in the 70's, the joint is small but clean, and a very clear menu board with prices rises behind the front counter. Prices were moderate, and we tried a mushroom burger and a jalapeno burger, shared a basket of cajun fries, and two sodas. $18 was the total, so it isn't a cheap lunch. The burgers were QUICK, fresh, and pretty good. The meat is not the main event, though; while it is said to be ground sirloin, the patties are so thin there's no way to cook it medium as a really good burger should be. The flavor was pretty bland, too; I don't think they are seasoned at all. And compared to the toppings... the meat is but a small element in the overall sandwich. But the toppings were fresh, plentiful, and the buns were so damn good I'll actually forgive them, and if I go back I'll get a double. The owner is at the counter, and talks easily of his long track record and write ups in various outlets. Interesting, engaging guy. The fries are light and crisp... but a double order of cajun fries were overpriced -- the "cajun" is just a dash of a cajun flavored season salt. And I could have bought a whole bag of Oreida fries for what they cost. They also have shakes, if we go back I'll give those a try, too. My favorite element are the buns. They are soft, light, and loaded with sesame seeds. YUM. They are made by a small mom and pop local bakery for them, says the owner. Wish I could get some of those!
(3)Dick C.
Great couple that have owned Giant for years. Old school burger drive in without the drive through. Shakes are terrific. Clean and friendly. Hope it never closes because this is no chain burger joint.
(5)Mary G.
My husband and I were itching for a good mom and pop burger place. We were disappointed by the unwillingness to make a simple change to a burger... A different bun! My husband does not like onions and the guacamole burger he wanted came with an onion bun. He requested to have a normal sesame bun instead but they refused to switch the burger buns. So he tried to order a regular burger that had a sesame bun with guacamole but was told he couldn't add guacamole. In the end he ordered the Jalapeno burger, because several other burgers such as the mushroom burger also came with only the onion bun. The Jalapeno burger was not up to par; the salsa used tasted like the Pace Salsa you get from Costco and the cheese wasn't melted on the patty it was put on-top the salsa and lettuce. Seems like a simple request but i guess they don't believe in customer service. So very disappointing, the owner needs to take into consideration his community if he plans on getting repeat customers.
(1)Robbie F.
Lake Oswego is a pretty frustrating place for me, but this place is alright in my book. $3.80 for the eponymous 'Giant Burger' and it was more than worth it (big as advertised, good fixins, solid onion bun.) I can't comment on anything else on the menu, but for straight up burger joint standards, this was 4-stars.
(4)Rick N.
A group of six of us (four adults, and two children, ages 4 and 2) attempted to go to this restaurant. When we came in, we saw the sign that they accept cash only. We thought that was weird, but we all checked we had money and then looked at the menu. My four-year-old son is a very picky eater. He will not eat meat and has pretty much refused it since he began eating solids. I don't press the issue with him because he eats healthy otherwise. After looking at the menu, I saw that there were no meatless entree options. I have been in this situation countless times with my son, so usually I just get a plain bun with cheese and he is happy with that. So, here is what happened at Giant's today: Me, walking up to counter: Do you have cheese sandwiches? Guy behind counter, already hostile at my innocent question: No! I don't have any way to make a cheese sandwich! I am not set up for that. I can't do it! Me, confused: I can't just buy a bun with cheese? Crazy guy: No!! I've been making hamburgers for 26 years! I grind the meat myself! For you to come in here and ask for something without meat is a SLAP IN THE FACE!!! (pounding fist on the counter for emphasis). Me, incredulous: It's for a four-year-old! Guy: I don't care!! So, we left. He obviously didn't want our money as our son had so clearly and deliberately mocked and insulted his very way of life by not eating hamburgers. I would have been happy to pay full price for a cheeseburger and just leave the patty off. I really don't think I was asking for that outrageous of a modification. But, there it is... my review of Giant's. It you want a nutjob to scream at you, that is the place to be. Oh, I have eaten there once before a few years ago and I found the food to be pretty greasy and overrated. Just my opinion, of course.
(1)Suzy C.
If there was such a thing as a zero, I would have selected it. The owner could not be ruder. No wonder the joint is empty at high noon.
(1)Jesse D.
Everyone at my company actually had a bad story about this place. Typically monsterous customer service, things that should of kept me away. I am a vegetarian to begin with but I felt like I wanted meat and felt like cheating. Got a burger to go. Its a burger with stuff on it. Nothing monster about it. I can see the bad customer service. They do what they want and you deal with it. Its at the staff's leisure for anything. I ended up not even eating it they annoyed me so much (and also vegetarian pains kept me).
(2)John E.
It's not often you find yourself within lunchtime driving distance of one of the top 100 burger joints as ordained by the book Hamburger America which was written by someone with way too much time of their hands. But you cannot ignore Best Burger write ups in the Oregonian and other local bird cage liners. I didn't know all this until I walked into Giant and noticed the man behind the counter was used to getting his order from people quicker than I was offering, but I was studying the menu. So, when I said I was new to his establishment he hard sold me on his street cred, and won me over with his "old guys in the balcony on the Muppet Show" charm. The menu really isn't as limited as I was lead to believe, there are many variations of burger up there, not to mention hot dogs, corn dogs and variations of french fries. I decided on the Terikyaki Burger and a small order of Cajun Fries, and a diet Pepsi so as to stick to my diet. :-) Good thing I had cash being a Giant Rookie because this place doesn't take checks or cards at all. I cannot help but wonder how much business that costs him? I sat down in the booth and took stock that this place was really small. Maybe 8 booths and a couple of chairs and tables from a 50's Malt Shop (previous owner?) strewn about. But the place was hopping. I looked around and saw that this was listed as the official lunch stop for UPS Drivers, and sure enough, there was a UPS driver eating across from me. The thought that came to me is with all the room in his lot why doesn't he invest in some outdoor seating area? Well, I guess you could sit in the car and open the windows. It didn't take long for my food to arrive. Paper lined plastic baskets held my burger and another my fries. The burger was sitting in teriyaki juice and my first thought was, "This is going to be messy" Damned if I wasn't right! The fries were cooked to near perfection, they were your typical large cut fries but they were cooked right, not a limp one in the basket. The seasoning was a nice touch, not too spicy but you knew it was there. I ate the burger as daintily as I could, sauce dripping everywhere, single layer napkins tearing at the slightest touch and not a Wet-Nap in sight. However, it was a good burger. I have to say that in my years I could write a book of the thousands of burger joints I have eaten at across this country of ours. Between towing race cars, driving 18 wheelers and just adventuring from coast to coast I can think of a handful of places better than Giant. But at the same time I can think of many many sub-standard places. I think I would rate him in my top 100 as well, maybe the top 50. It's no Slow Bar Burger and it doesn't pretend to be, it is what it is, a really good drive in joint located 1.9 miles from I-5 and a world away from the designer foods of Bridgeport.
(3)Well-Traveled I.
Gaming one night with some buddies (Team Fortress 2, to be exact) when it was that time - the time to grab dinner. It had been years since I came here, but figured their good burgers were worth the wait. Maybe something has changed, but the burgers are not as good as they used to be. Flavor was lacking, although portions were still huge. Strawberry shake was sweet and smooth. It's not like I probably won't go here again, but it won't be at the top of my list.
(2)Keanan L.
The rating reflects a sort of nostalgia that exists. Either you've never been to Giant Burger and it reminds you of an ol' timey drive-in burger joint, or -- like me -- you've been going there so long and the place is just the way you remembered going the first time. Great, fresh burgers with decent milkshakes. The fries are a bit suspect, but get the cajun seasoning and that quickly makes up for it. Little on the high side for prices, and cash only, but well worth for what you're getting for in return. Amongst a bevy of shwanky places in Lake Oswego, Giant Burger is a beacon of classic Americana.
(5)Eric L.
An observation I made since moving here is that Oregonians obviously do not know what a good burger is supposed to taste like. The Giant is a landmark little shack in Lake Oswego which is a stand-alone building. The place is either super packed or super empty. There is no happy median here. Anywho, I had to check what all the buzz was about. When we drove up, I couldn't help but imagine I was at some old beat up diner in the middle of nowhere in a horror flick. I was waiting for Freddy or Jason to jump out of the bushes and chase me down the street. After I got over this fear, I headed into the restaurant. I opted for a simple double cheeseburger and fries because that's why I was at a burger joint. Well my friends, sorry to disappoint, but the burger was a huge disappointment. It was flavorless! The patties were small and the only thing I could taste was the cheese and veggies. The meat has no beef flavor whatsoever! WHERE'S THE BEEF?! As I was nearing the final third of the burger, I noticed the meat was gone and I was left with bread! The patties were way too small for the enormous bun so you'll be left with bread. I truly cannot fathom how people actually gave this place 5 stars! Quite frankly, even something like Carl's Jr. tastes better in my opinion. McD's is a block away and I'd rather eat a quarter-pounder from there than to eat another Giant again!
(2)David H.
Bad service and bad food are a bad combination. We won't be back.
(1)Roy C.
I eat here about once a year, mainly to see if has gotten any better. If you look at these reviews, you would think this place is outstanding, and if you do, go ahead and give a shot. I was excited to try Giant when we first moved here but I was disappointed. The burgers don't have much flavor, which is surprising, given that there are a ton of topping options (any place that lets you pile on a fried egg and ham should be good, right?). I love burgers and this place has potential but I am bummed out every time I give it another shot. It's not horrible, but it is also no "Nation's" (a Bay Area chain). It's been about a year, so maybe I'll try again. And, a burger place like this should really also offer a grilled cheese sandwich, but Giant doesn't.
(2)Austin S.
2.75 Monday when I was in Portland, I went with my brother to run a few errands. It was around lunch time and after spending half the morning trying to pass this one really tricky part on Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, we were getting hungry. He told me about this place down the street which so happened to be on the way to Fry's and Costco and he said their burgers were pretty good, so I figure, hey, I've already had 2 burgers on this Sac/Portland trip, what's wrong with a third? This looks like your average burger stand, like Lucky Boy or TK Burgers down in Costa Mesa. They had quite a yellow theme going on, from the walls being yellow, some of the ceiling tiles being yellow, the floor tiles being yellow, yellow seating, yellow counter tops, and even the employees wearing yellow t-shirts. Did a couple barrels of mustard explode in here? My brother said the regular burgers weren't that good but their specialty burgers were better, which worked out because for whatever reason, I was in the mood for and avocado burger of some type. It was almost like this place read my mind because low and behold, under the "specialty" burgers, there it was "avocado". I forgot how much it was. We shared an order of fries. The fries came out ridiculously fast, almost TOO fast. Eh, I was hungry and I wasn't going to bitch and moan about it. There it was, my burger with avocado on it. Though, it was mashed and was more like guacamole, but hey, avocado is avocado. I could eat it in a smoothie form. Wait... maybe. I definitely am not gonna ever make or try an avocado mousse that Radhika made on Top Chef *shudder* I grab a couple of fries and they were good. They were fat steak fries, but had a little bit of a crinkle cut on them. I would say they were having a little bit of an identity crisis if you ask me. But they were crispy and were seasoned well. I made for my burger and what do I see? Bacon? At no extra cost? SCORE!!!! The burger overall was just above average, but I've had better. I do have to say that it had mayo in it, and don't get me wrong, I like mayo, but not on my burger. Had I known there was mayo, I would've asked to omit it. The lady at the register (the owner? Owner's wife? Manager?) was very nice and sweet, and the other employees were pleasant. The rest of menu seemed pretty simple and decent. There was plenty of parking.
(3)Brady C.
As a local from Lake Oswego, this is one of the places you grow up loving. You can't beat their burgers and especially not their milkshakes. With burgers for all types of people, there is something for everyone (except those who don't like hamburgers). Despite the fact that this place is so good, what makes it even more fun is that after your order you get to tell them your name to call out when your order is ready. Growing up, I never realized how much fun this could be, but now whenever my friends and I go back when we are in town, this always tends to be the best part of the meal. This place is definitely worth a stop for both the great food and some good laughs.
(4)Katherine E.
Giant Drive In is a perfect no-frills meal. It's a small mom & pop restaurant that accepts cash only, and the food (no substitutions!) is delicious. I've tried several burgers from the menu, but the avocado burger is by far the best. The onion rings and fries are also amazing. The service has always been friendly while still giving customers space while they eat. This is one of my favorite spots to grab a burger in Lake Oswego!
(5)Jennifer H.
Awesome Burgers, amazing price for the bucks. I like their old 1960s style frame too. Feel like I am stepping back in time. I like to support personally owned businesses so I especially like knowing I am helping local people. Really good burgers and sauces. I will be back.
(5)George D.
I was hung over and required grease. A bacon cheeseburger from the Giant seemed like a natural choice to make me feel better. Au contraire. The burger I got left me feeling infinitely crappier than I felt to begin with, which is saying a lot. The buns straight up tasted like sweet cakes or something, a la McDonald's McGriddle cakes. The patties were meager and flavorless, and the bacon... well... at least it was bacon. I really don't see the appeal of this place. I mean I understand that Lake Oswego is a fairly small town and all and its probably slim pickins, but c'mon. The proprietor is somewhat douchey unless you're a regular, and I sure as hell wouldn't wanna be a regular after observing their unfortunate looking clientele.
(2)Brooke S.
The first time I visited The Giant was several years ago with my husband, when we lived in Portland. He grew up in the Tualatin area and throughout high school and and his buddies would frequent The Giant. I still hear the stories about the old man that used to work there that would argue when anyone who wasn't under 10 years old would try to order a hot dog - and the old lady with the smokers voice that used to call out the orders. We moved to LA about 5 years ago and still, every time we are in the area for a visit, we always go to The Giant for a lunch. He and I both have never found a better burger. The crappy decor, cash only payment, and lackluster service is part of the nostalgia - it wouldn't be the same any other way. It's an old fashioned burger joint with awesome food - wouldn't change it a bit.
(5)Tom S.
Might be a classic LO hang out, but if you want a good burger you'll find these mediocre, and if you want good service, you'll find the head staff arrogant. You might like it if you're charmed by places that don't accept credit cards. Much better choices around.
(2)Bryan S.
The fries are the ONLY thing keeping this from being a 5 star must visit ASAP in PDX. The burger patties are made special for big burger by S&P meats. The burgers are cooked on the flat top and not grilled... to me this is the best way to cook a burger. The fat from the beef cookes out and 'confits' the burger when the burgers are finished with a lid it creates a steamed burger that blows away any grilled burger. This burger is everything 5 Guys Burger and Fries wants to be.... If Giant would put a little pride into the fries this would be top notch burger joint, if you are in the area and appreciate a quality piece of beef check it out...
(4)Vincent M.
Tasty old school burger joint. Was proud to see the young guy at the counter actually hold the door and carry out the food for a really old lady customer.
(4)Amy S.
Classic! I ordered the "Giant" burger, a 1/4-lb. burger with all the fixings and it delicious. A perfectly burger seasoned on, what tasted like a home-made bun. And for $3.80 you can't beat it. The place itself looks like it hasn't been updated in over 50 years... and that's a good thing. They've clearly focused on keeping the food tasting great instead of re-decorating.
(5)Michael B.
Yummy, but a little greasy
(2)Doug M.
This isn't worth a detour anymore. The Portland area has many places with far better burgers, despite the longstanding reputation Giant has enjoyed. The sesame seed buns are too thick and dry - almost stale. The burgers are cooked to dryness as well. There just isn't anything special to recommend this place anymore. Don't go out of your way.
(1)Nicole S.
Easily one of the best burgers I've ever had. The staff is always friendly and the owner is incredible jolly and always remembers me. The ambiance is just what you want a burger joint to be. Going here with friends in high school for a burger will forever be in my memory.
(5)Dave W.
This is a great hamburger place. The burgers are big and can be messy. Not a bad thing. You should also try the milkshakes and onion rings.
(4)Delila O.
My son requested a trip to Giant Burger for his 16th birthday dinner because he had fond memories of our eating there when he was younger. Boy were we disappointed. The burgers were average at best, the fries were over-cooked, and the staff was not friendly as we had remembered. The one high point was my friend's blackberry milkshake, which wasn't quite like she remembered when her kids were little, but still pretty tasty. Seems like Giant Burger has some work to do it they are to retain their "Lake Oswego Landmark" status. They may be a local landmark, but the food is no longer memorable.
(2)ToniAnn M.
The Hubs & I trekked on over to Giant to get our burger on. this is the tale of how it all went down. Arrived at Giant Burger, ordered burgers, received burgers in a very timely manner, ate burgers, discussed burgers, swapped burgers, ate some more, forced down some fries, came home. It's all over but the Yelping. I ordered the Avocado Burger. 1/4lb burger with the usual lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, cheese........ add bacon & guacamole. The guacamole was a bit on the sour side & there was A LOT of it. Basically the only things I tasted were bun, guacamole, & onion. The burger was completely lost. As was the cheddar cheese (that I had requested in place of the Swiss) The hubs, a straight shooter when it comes to his burgers, played it smart. He went with the Double Cheeseburger. Again, all the fixins as above, only he ordered minus onion. OK, so much better. I was actually able to taste the burger........ & it wasn't bad. Cooked on the flat top to order, so it gets to you hot & juicy. The fixins are fresh & plentiful...... in the case of my burger, too plentiful..... but hey, some of you might like it like that. Now, onto the disappointment that was the french fries. All I have to say to the people of this burger joint is this: "Leave the damn fries in the fryer until they are cooked!". The fries were soggy & criminally undercooked. Something I can overlook if the Hubs should take me back to this place, as he really enjoyed it. That's understandable, his burger was way better than mine. I'm willing to do this because there are two possible fixes to the fry issue.... 1) ask the cooks to make them extra crispy, or 2) be content with the burger that's the size of my head, & save some room for ice cream by skipping the french fries all together.
(2)Sashy M.
I heard a lot of things about Giant Burger, so I decided to try it. I got a bleu burger which has bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, bleu cheese dressing with lettuce, tomatoes. It was awful, it was on a cheap bun, and had no flavor. The bacon was chewy. I also got cajanized French fries which had some sort of sweet not even spicy powder on them. Also awful. I thought maybe there shakes might be good. I got a vanilla, nope I was wrong it tastes like a fake vanilla syrup. I don't even want to give this place 1 star. Also there service is down right rude. If you ask for a hot dog the guy at the counter goes off on you and talks you into something else. The total of my bill was 9.75, it was such a waste of money!! This place is on the map! How can it be?! I would rather go to McDonalds right down the street they have better burgers then this place!
(1)Kristie C.
Three letters sums up my feeling for Giant -- YUM! It is the quintessential burger joint. I noticed the place as I drove by one day around noonish. There were several cars parked outside. So, when I got the craving for a burger I decided to try it out. The joint is not impressive, low on the frills -- which is fine by me -- the selection of burgers is extensive and they are yummy. The fry's are good too!
(5)John L.
This was a random pick, especially in light of all the great burger places we have around us. But, the stories I heard, and the fact this place has been around a bit, made me interested in checking it out. I was not disappointed. My wife and I both had burgers. The service was efficient and we got our food in a timely manner. I went big, ordering The Filler. Burger, toppings, bacon, cheese, egg. An awesome, excellent combination. And the crazy thing? The burger, as loaded as it was, was so well put together, I had absolutely no mess left behind. When was the last time you could keep all your toppings inside a big stuffed burger? That's what I thought. The wife had a basic cheeseburger. We opted out of fries and drinks, since we ordered to go. Again,the service was good, the food was great, and I will return. As for those reviewers who gave a lesser score, I can only say this....you went to a burger place for dog sake!! Why would you do such, if you are such picky eaters? Grow up and stick with what you know. Just because you were not served what you thought you were entitled to, at a burger place, does not make it their issue. It is entirely yours.
(4)AJ F.
I was very disappointed in this place. It looks like it would be one of those hole-in-the-wall places that has surprisingly good food and service, but it was far less than average. When ordering, I asked the older gentleman who took my order if the fries were hand-cut, to which he replied, "NO, I don't know of any place that does that." "I do," I said. Then he proceeds to tell my why they don't and how the potatoes would go bad (which is true if you don't know what you're doing, but keeping them in the freezer will prevent this). When the burger came, (fast service, I'll give them that) the meat was undercooked and cool in the center. The bun was really thick and not toasted very well, and the only ketchup they offer is in old, puffed up (leading me to believe they've expired) packets on the table. The fries were definitely packaged and tasted exactly like you'd expect. Since they are cash only, you'd think they could take the money they save on credit card processing fees and invest in a decent bottle of ketchup. There's a McDonald's down the street. At least they take credit cards.
(1)Jason T.
Giant's drive in...AWESOME!!!! I had the filler with large fries and a strawberry shake. Toasted sesame bun (not an ordinary sesame bun, one of the best I've ever had), two pieces of bacon (not too crispy), cheddar cheese slice, one all beef patty, slice of ham, another all beef patty, one large grade A egg over medium, kosher dill pickle, onion slices, fresh tomato slices and fresh lettuce. AMAZING!!!! And the fries are seasoned just enough, no need for ketchup! The shake, was fresh and ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!! I will be returning for years to come!!!! Thank you Giant Drive In!!!
(5)Elizabeth G.
If you like old fashioned real hamburger joints this is it! The parking lot is packed at lunch. If you like big hand made slurpy burgers and fries try the authentic Cajun fries or the Curly Cheese fries. The buns are toasted to perfection. Try the natural root beer made in an Oregon City Micro brew. It's made with honey instead of sugar. It's smooth and naturally carbonated so the bubbles are micro bubbles.
(5)Andy L.
Tried the Giant Drive In for the first time today. I had the 1/4 pounder and my wife had the blue cheese burger. We were both impressed.
(5)Mike K.
The food was about a 2.5, which I rounded up to a 3 because I'm biased towards small local businesses. Pros: - burger was OK and satisfied my hunger for such - dining room was cleaner and bigger than Humdinger - prices are quite reasonable - we got served FAST...they literally put our order together as we were ordering - groovy 70's theme and décor Cons: - CASH ONLY. Seriously dude? You're going to pull that on us out in the burbs? You do realize most of us car-driving suburbanites don't carry much cash, right? - dining room still pretty tired even though clean - "outback" restrooms - fries were subpar...I would take Dairy Queen fries over these in a heartbeat (not badmouthing or praising DQ, just saying) - dude really is a grumpy old cuss, which can be quite entertaining unless you're the grumpee to which the grumpor is speaking. I ordered a meal that came with small fries, and then when my wife ordered she asked, "How are those small fries? Can we share them?" Knowing darn good and well she was inquiring how many came in a Small, he growled back "Well I don't know...that would be up to HIM!" Again, entertaining except when you're the one trying to order. If through some weird Fringe event the calendar turns back to 1976, there are no ATMS or point-of-sale card systems, and standards for burger joints are nice and low again, I may very well get into my jacked up Nova in my Foghat t-shirt and cutoffs and come back here looking for a burger...if not, I'll likely leave this place alone.
(3)Molly C.
The burgers are good. You can tell they use quality beef. They should bring back the crinkle French fires. Much better than what they've replaced them with.
(3)Miranda H.
Bleu cheese burger. Get it.
(5)Joe W.
If you want nostalgia Giant is the place in Lake O! Great old building and old style service. I had the avocado burger and fries and both were pretty good. Not great but better than just OK. The menu had a wide variety of burgers to choose from, perhaps there's one in there that will knock my socks off and I will definitely be going back to try. Looks like an extra mile on the treadmill this weekend.... (sigh)
(3)Jimmy G.
Nothing special at ALL. Really... just a greasy burger with stuff on it. If it was char-broiled, it might improve the flavor (Or WAS it?!? that's how much I was unimpressed). Totally forgettable. Might as well go to Fudruckers... no fooling!
(2)Dale H.
My wife passed this place a week ago while out running errands. She saw it and automatically thought that we (me and the boys) would like it. Bless her heart! We went there yesterday. I wasn't impressed. Just to start, my wife asked if they serve chicken sammiches. Instead of apologizing, he said..."nope, been doing this for 40 years. we don't serve chicken sammiches, only burgers". He could have just apologized and said they don't have them available. Not give us HIS qualifications in superiority as to why he doesn't serve them. The food sounded good on the menu above. But there were no prices. Nothing like a little surprise when ordering, I guess! We ordered a few burgers and a few cola's...and a few fries. $25. Decent price for three (she didn't eat...no chicken sammich). When the food arrived, I was let down. The fries were the first thing I tried. We ordered two cajun, and one regular order. You could barely taste any difference at all, but were charged more for the cajun fries. If you want to know how to make cajun fries, go to 5 Guys Burgers and Fries (see earlier review). They know how to make cajun fries. These were frozen fries, with barely any flavor on them at all. The burger is served on a nice sized bun, but tasted a bit like Wonder Bread. The burger patties were of decent size (mine was two 1/4 pound burgers). But you could tell that they were frozen burgers, not fresh. There simply was no flavor in them, at least to my liking. They tasted like frozen burgers. They did serve them with a decent amount of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions, which is very appreciated. I don't think I'll be back here any time soon. That's not to say I'll never be back. You never know when you may need to stop for a burger somewhere...but this will not be my destination point when deciding which burger place to go to.They have been in business for a long time now, and to be honest, I hope they stay around for a long time coming. It's an institution in this area. And not all places are for everybody. This place has a great following, I'm sure. It's just not for me. One last note, another thing that I have a hard time with is no refills on the soda. That's just my own personal pet peeve, and I understand why some places don't offer refills. It's just something that grabs my attention in a negative way. Thank you very much!
(2)John L.
This was a random pick, especially in light of all the great burger places we have around us. But, the stories I heard, and the fact this place has been around a bit, made me interested in checking it out. I was not disappointed. My wife and I both had burgers. The service was efficient and we got our food in a timely manner. I went big, ordering The Filler. Burger, toppings, bacon, cheese, egg. An awesome, excellent combination. And the crazy thing? The burger, as loaded as it was, was so well put together, I had absolutely no mess left behind. When was the last time you could keep all your toppings inside a big stuffed burger? That's what I thought. The wife had a basic cheeseburger. We opted out of fries and drinks, since we ordered to go. Again,the service was good, the food was great, and I will return. As for those reviewers who gave a lesser score, I can only say this....you went to a burger place for dog sake!! Why would you do such, if you are such picky eaters? Grow up and stick with what you know. Just because you were not served what you thought you were entitled to, at a burger place, does not make it their issue. It is entirely yours.
(4)AJ F.
I was very disappointed in this place. It looks like it would be one of those hole-in-the-wall places that has surprisingly good food and service, but it was far less than average. When ordering, I asked the older gentleman who took my order if the fries were hand-cut, to which he replied, "NO, I don't know of any place that does that." "I do," I said. Then he proceeds to tell my why they don't and how the potatoes would go bad (which is true if you don't know what you're doing, but keeping them in the freezer will prevent this). When the burger came, (fast service, I'll give them that) the meat was undercooked and cool in the center. The bun was really thick and not toasted very well, and the only ketchup they offer is in old, puffed up (leading me to believe they've expired) packets on the table. The fries were definitely packaged and tasted exactly like you'd expect. Since they are cash only, you'd think they could take the money they save on credit card processing fees and invest in a decent bottle of ketchup. There's a McDonald's down the street. At least they take credit cards.
(1)Jason T.
Giant's drive in...AWESOME!!!! I had the filler with large fries and a strawberry shake. Toasted sesame bun (not an ordinary sesame bun, one of the best I've ever had), two pieces of bacon (not too crispy), cheddar cheese slice, one all beef patty, slice of ham, another all beef patty, one large grade A egg over medium, kosher dill pickle, onion slices, fresh tomato slices and fresh lettuce. AMAZING!!!! And the fries are seasoned just enough, no need for ketchup! The shake, was fresh and ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!! I will be returning for years to come!!!! Thank you Giant Drive In!!!
(5)Elizabeth G.
If you like old fashioned real hamburger joints this is it! The parking lot is packed at lunch. If you like big hand made slurpy burgers and fries try the authentic Cajun fries or the Curly Cheese fries. The buns are toasted to perfection. Try the natural root beer made in an Oregon City Micro brew. It's made with honey instead of sugar. It's smooth and naturally carbonated so the bubbles are micro bubbles.
(5)Jeremy T.
Used to go here all the time when I was a kid/high school and LOVED it. Don't live in town anymore though and have always wanted to go there again whenever I was passing through but never had the chance. FINALLY did (over 20 years since I've been there) and absolutely nothing has changed and it's as good now as it ever was. Will be making it a point to be coming back again and again!
(5)Rachel B.
I've recently rediscovered this place. I used to go as a kid and it hasn't disappointed me. I've gotten a couple diff burgers (both bacon of course) and have tried bites of my companions, always good. It would be 5 stars if their patties were a little thicker. The fries are also super delicious! My sister got a perfect shake. She said it was the best she'd ever had!
(4)Amber V.
A co worker told me about this place! It was simple but the onion rings were very delish
(3)Jason C.
I'd heard of this place for years, and finally tried it today for the first time. I am really surprised at all of the negative reviews here - my experience couldn't have been more different. Granted, I had cash on me and planned to pay with cash anyway, and went after the lunch rush. The owner and his wife were really nice, like a grandpa and grandma. I also dig the old school "diner" feel they have going. An ATM would probably be a nice addition for them though. All in all, I've got to say it lived up to all the hype I'd ever heard. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, fast, quality food.. you name it. I think it's great to find a true "mom and pop" burger joint like this without any fluff. They do one thing and they do it well - a great burger. Well, 26 of them apparently. I had the bacon cheeseburger and it was excellent. Next I've got to try the milkshakes. I heard those were good too.
(5)Mel M.
I ordered the Garlic Burger with fries and a Vanilla malt shake. The shake was delicious, the fries were good but nothing special. They were very similar to Burger King fries in terms of lack of seasoning and thickness. Going to a drive in I expected battered fries or shoestring. For the burger, it was basically a regular cheese burger that was slathered with minced garlic on one side of the bun. It was almost inedible from how much garlic was just slapped on there and it was not fresh garlic or a garlic aioli, it was like the pre-minced jarred garlic from winco. I got half way through and just could not finish it. Besides the shake it was a waste of money!
(2)Cliff T.
Have to chime in here. I quit going to this place 20 plus years ago. I tried to order something else than a burger, the owner who was very annoyed with me, why? Not sure! But he stated "if you order anything but a burger here, you will not have a good meal. I gave in an ordered a burger without onion He said he would not do that and my burger came with onions. It was also raw when it came out after 20 minutes. Have not been back since and make it a point to tell anyone about this cruddy place.
(1)hannah k.
Two words: Filler burger! This thing is massive: two patties, ham, egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion for like $7. SEVEN DOLLARS. It is a handful, mouthful and messy but worth it! Definitely try this place out!
(4)Justin H.
This one got me through high school and made coming home from college a thing of joy. It seriously looks like any other drive-in you've seen, maybe even a little smaller and dingier. You might be greeted / served by the owner and you might not be treated in the friendliest manner. You might even try to modify toppings on your burger, or something to that effect, and be told "NO!" It doesn't matter. Give this place A TRY! I seriously just go for the giant burger with cheese, or maybe the double giant. It's a pretty standard burger: seeded bun, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a patty. It's always perfect for me! Something about the combination and type of ingredients... I don't know, but I never feel the need to put on ketchup or mustard or make any modifications. Of course, they offer whacky burgers (the filler is huge, also things with bbq sauce or pinneaple / teryaki), but I've never tried them other than the guacamole bacon (just what it sounds like, great bacon, bad drive-in guac). It all satisfies. I should mention that the fries are legi and cajun fries are a must-try (if you dig spicy foods). Their milkshakes are also insanely good. In short: love the food, put up with the service and ambiance. It is a drive-in, after all...
(4)D. E.
I agree with the others who said it's overpriced for what you get. Basically just a standard everyday overcooked thin hamburger patty with lots of topping choices. No free refills on the soda pop is just cheapness on the owners part. They wanted 85 cents when we were last there. What does it cost him, maybe 10-20 cents on a 16 oz. refill? Especially after ordering a 10 dollar burger basket? I had read about this place in The Oregonian's A & E section years ago for best PDX burger. I hope the writer at least got a free lunch out of their recommendation.
(2)Libby C.
Oh my goodness. What a museum piece. My father and I went out to lunch on a Friday afternoon. The lady in front of us asked for a cheeseburger with sautéed onions. The man taking her order (who I assume is the owner) refused to put onions on a cheeseburger. He said something along the lines of "after all these years, I've learned not to put just anything on any burger," which seemed super rude. She ended up ordering the onion burger (which had cheese). Kind of off-putting. Really off-putting, actually. Once we got to the front of the line, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger, no mayo. Dad ordered a garlic burger. We sat down and admired the decor. It was atrocious. Truly awful. There were hologram pictures on the walls, all for sale (because when I go out to lunch at a total dive, I definitely want to invest in "art"). Food arrived pretty quickly, which I was surprised about. I looked at my dad's burger. My first thought was "oh, there's white cheddar on his burger." NOPE. Not white cheddar. Mayonnaise. So much mayonnaise. He said it tasted okay. Nothing special. My bacon cheeseburger, on a sesame seed bun, really lacked sesame seeds. The fries, however, were delicious. Well. Delicious comparatively, which is really not saying much. They raised this place from a. 1.5 to a solid 2 stars. Overall, food and service were very 'meh.' I wouldn't come back. This place is cash only.
(2)Katie Y.
I'm a burger kind of gal, so I like to try all sorts of burgers. The boyfriend raves about this place so we decided to go (since I live out of area). I ordered the bacon cheeseburger , he ordered the western and we shared a large Cajun fry. My burger was perfect. Just the right crispness to the bacon, meat was okay, nothing spectacular. The Cajun fries are too die for. They weren't spicy at all though. The staff was very friendly and very patient with me, since it was my first time. Will definitely go again!
(5)Brikky K.
Friendly staff with a nostalgic atmosphere. For the fastest burgers in LO it's the place to go.
(3)Juliann R.
BIll & Gail are the absolute BEST! Sweetest couple in the world! I went here as a kid and nothing has changed, and I love it! The Hawaiian is one of the best burgers that you will ever have! Me and my co-workers go here weekly and enjoy it every time. Lots of reviews on here bash Giant Burger because you can't change your order a lot - it is what it is! Seriously, get over it. Don't take it personally, and go head to burger king to "have it your way". Giant has 30+ different burgers and I feel sorry for you if you can't find one that you like. It's inexpensive too :) Where else can you feed 4 people a delicious meal for under $25? If you are looking for a simple & delicious dining experience - then Giant burger is the place to be! CA$H ONLY :)
(5)Mike W.
Anyone looking to go here for a burger needs to know a few things. 1) The burgers are frozen, preformed patties. I witnessed the guy carry a stack of frozen patties to the flat top. 2) The meat itself has zero flavor to it because again, they are frozen patties out of a cardboard box. 3) The fries are frozen french fries out of a bag that also came in a cardboard box. 4) Do not ask to change the burgers, the do not allow you to change their odd combinations regardless of any reason you give them. 5) This place is cash only. The reality of this place is that it isn't very good. I ate half of my burger and the ten fries they gave me and left with a stomach ache. People seem to like the mom and pop feel of it but you are better off going just about anywhere else if you want a burger and fries.
(2)Jordan M.
Great burgers with old LO traditions. Giant burger is as LO as it comes. Owners Bill and Gail pride themselves on their high quality ingredients. Cash only! But worth every dime.
(5)Sierra M.
This hamburgers were good but the fries were a little on the dry side. Service was great and it was super quick. A limited number of seats but a great family owned place. With a great price and quick service I will definitely go there again.
(4)Giggly C.
Great cheese fries. Love the crispy fries with soft inside. Cheese is that stuff that so bad but so so good. I love it. Great burgers. Made to order. They offered to cut it in half for us. So much better than fast food. My new fav burger place in Lake O
(4)Connie C.
I'll admit it now! I have a soft spot for this little joint. When A & I are having a stressful day, there's nothing that can bring a twinkle to our eyes the way that suggesting Giant for dinner can. This is a little mom & pop spot with kids taking orders. I was reading in the Hamburger America that he was an engineer turned burger maker & I'm all for that because that might be me someday! This is definitely not a gourmet fancy burger nor is it the best burger you've ever had, but it's a solid burger done right. They grind their own meat, use Tillamook cheese, and fresh baked buns to make a burger you would get if you went to your friend's summer BBQ. I love trying a different burger every time. From the western to nacho to french dip to hawaiian to the filler (which we've yet to have). It's all really good! It's that drippy saucy burger that carls jr. ads used to have. Add a large order of cajun fries & a blackberry milkshake & I'm golden. Mmmm..today might just be a Giant for dinner kind of day!
(5)Mike K.
The food was about a 2.5, which I rounded up to a 3 because I'm biased towards small local businesses. Pros: - burger was OK and satisfied my hunger for such - dining room was cleaner and bigger than Humdinger - prices are quite reasonable - we got served FAST...they literally put our order together as we were ordering - groovy 70's theme and décor Cons: - CASH ONLY. Seriously dude? You're going to pull that on us out in the burbs? You do realize most of us car-driving suburbanites don't carry much cash, right? - dining room still pretty tired even though clean - "outback" restrooms - fries were subpar...I would take Dairy Queen fries over these in a heartbeat (not badmouthing or praising DQ, just saying) - dude really is a grumpy old cuss, which can be quite entertaining unless you're the grumpee to which the grumpor is speaking. I ordered a meal that came with small fries, and then when my wife ordered she asked, "How are those small fries? Can we share them?" Knowing darn good and well she was inquiring how many came in a Small, he growled back "Well I don't know...that would be up to HIM!" Again, entertaining except when you're the one trying to order. If through some weird Fringe event the calendar turns back to 1976, there are no ATMS or point-of-sale card systems, and standards for burger joints are nice and low again, I may very well get into my jacked up Nova in my Foghat t-shirt and cutoffs and come back here looking for a burger...if not, I'll likely leave this place alone.
(3)Eric G.
I've lived in the Lake Grove neighborhood since 1987 and never ventured here until recently. Sadly I can say I wasn't missing anything. First off the facility was hot inside and there were flys buzzing around. Also the menu is expensive so I thought wow it must be good. The kids behind the counter were less than enthusiastic though. Everything about the the bacon cheeseburger was bland and tasteless except the onion which was old and bitter which left a terrible taste in my mouth and gave me stomach trouble for hours afterword. The Fries were some obviously budget frozen food service brand and the whole meal reminded me of school cafeteria food.
(1)Jennifer H.
Awesome Burgers, amazing price for the bucks. I like their old 1960s style frame too. Feel like I am stepping back in time. I like to support personally owned businesses so I especially like knowing I am helping local people. Really good burgers and sauces. I will be back.
(5)George D.
I was hung over and required grease. A bacon cheeseburger from the Giant seemed like a natural choice to make me feel better. Au contraire. The burger I got left me feeling infinitely crappier than I felt to begin with, which is saying a lot. The buns straight up tasted like sweet cakes or something, a la McDonald's McGriddle cakes. The patties were meager and flavorless, and the bacon... well... at least it was bacon. I really don't see the appeal of this place. I mean I understand that Lake Oswego is a fairly small town and all and its probably slim pickins, but c'mon. The proprietor is somewhat douchey unless you're a regular, and I sure as hell wouldn't wanna be a regular after observing their unfortunate looking clientele.
(2)Brooke S.
The first time I visited The Giant was several years ago with my husband, when we lived in Portland. He grew up in the Tualatin area and throughout high school and and his buddies would frequent The Giant. I still hear the stories about the old man that used to work there that would argue when anyone who wasn't under 10 years old would try to order a hot dog - and the old lady with the smokers voice that used to call out the orders. We moved to LA about 5 years ago and still, every time we are in the area for a visit, we always go to The Giant for a lunch. He and I both have never found a better burger. The crappy decor, cash only payment, and lackluster service is part of the nostalgia - it wouldn't be the same any other way. It's an old fashioned burger joint with awesome food - wouldn't change it a bit.
(5)Tom S.
Might be a classic LO hang out, but if you want a good burger you'll find these mediocre, and if you want good service, you'll find the head staff arrogant. You might like it if you're charmed by places that don't accept credit cards. Much better choices around.
(2)Bryan S.
The fries are the ONLY thing keeping this from being a 5 star must visit ASAP in PDX. The burger patties are made special for big burger by S&P meats. The burgers are cooked on the flat top and not grilled... to me this is the best way to cook a burger. The fat from the beef cookes out and 'confits' the burger when the burgers are finished with a lid it creates a steamed burger that blows away any grilled burger. This burger is everything 5 Guys Burger and Fries wants to be.... If Giant would put a little pride into the fries this would be top notch burger joint, if you are in the area and appreciate a quality piece of beef check it out...
(4)Vincent M.
Tasty old school burger joint. Was proud to see the young guy at the counter actually hold the door and carry out the food for a really old lady customer.
(4)Chris S.
Don't even want to give one star. I've been coming here off & on for the past 10 years, but no longer will I endure being shit upon by the crotchety asshole owner. No changes, no nothing. Allergic to gluten? Too damn bad, they'll put the bun on anyways just to spite you for having the gall to make such an outlandish request! But not until the silver haired burger jockey has a chance to insult your having a "fake" auto immune disease. Get that old C@€K sucker off the front counter!!! He's lucky he didn't get punched in the throat for insulting my nephew.
(1)Holly K.
Yelp had such mixed reviews I wasn't sure I wanted to venture in here, after my son invited me. He had been driving by it for some time and wanted to try it and knowing I am sucker for the burger dives, it was on. First off, whoever said they don't post prices, is not reviewing this place, the pricing board looks like it has been here since the dinosaurs were ordering cave burgers. If you miss that lit up board, they have a printed pricing menu hanging up with a description of each burger. We got there at 11am. First ones through the door and the owners were both there. He took the order, was very friendly to us, his wife was cooking and was very nice, as well. Wasn't sure what to expect after some reviewers said they got yelled at. I got the $6 garlic burger special, fry and drink. My son got whatever the biggest stack burger is that has ham, bacon, egg and two patties. He said it was really good. My burger was really good. I would give the food a 3 and the total experience a 4. She brought us the tray out as soon as it was done, which was pretty fast. The bun was a little over toasted on top but not a deal breaker. I think the haters are in love with the chain places and can't see that there is a difference when your patty doesn't come from a corporate logo grill. Just sayin'. I think the people who said they are reheating old fries might be overlooking the fact it looks like it might be the grease isn't hot enough. There were only a few fries that looked a little sad, but otherwise, all was good. Now, at 11am, we owned this place by 12:05 the line was out the door and standing room only, no tables left. We vacated quickly to free a table up, since we had just been talking and realized that the crowd shows up FAST and all at once. The parking lot was now packed as well. They could stand to add an ATM because we saw two people come in right after us and leave because they had no cash. They also know a lot of these customers by name, so it can't be that bad. I would say, go try them and see if you like it, but if you want the glitz and corporate feel then you won't enjoy this place, it is a classic old burger place.
(4)Donald D.
Wonderful burgers, homemade milkshakes (try the pineapple!), great onion rings, and EVERYTHING is cooked fresh after you order -- no heat lamps in sight. Cash only not a problem as prices are reasonable! No substitutes is only on their specials -- they have changed many things for me on their regular orders! And the staff is "small-town friendly! I have seen every kind of vehicle in their parking lot from plumbing trucks to Rolls Royce. We eat at Giant several times a month!
(5)Tommy W.
I wasn't expecting much out of this place after reading some of the reviews, but I had to give it a chance. I have to say I was actually impressed. The bleu cheese burger was awesome. It was a lot bigger than I expected, and came with lots of bleu cheese crumbles and dressing, plus perfectly crisp bacon strips. The quality of the burger is definately enough to bring me back. With that said, the crinkle-cut fries reminded me of elementary school cafeteria trash, and the chocolate malt was nothing spesh. The cash only policy is kind of annoying as well. What's up with that?
(4)Andy L.
Tried the Giant Drive In for the first time today. I had the 1/4 pounder and my wife had the blue cheese burger. We were both impressed.
(5)Leah T.
For a minute I thought I was torn on this one... On the one hand...the food tastes ok (not TERRIBLE burgers)...and I would eat it again (In a pinch)...oh, and so far it hasn't killed me....all definitely star worthy. One exception to this was the twice fried french fries...seriously, if they think for one second people aren't going to notice that they used the lunch rush fries and threw them back in the oil....GAG! Anyway...I digress....The interior is a bit grubby looking...I know it's an old place and all but a little updating would do it good. What really pushed me over the edge and took away all of their viable stars (seriously...I am only giving them the one star because I have to and because I am not currently vomiting or dead)...but the customer service is absolute crap. I've been twice and received the same service both times from different people (one of which I would've pinned for an owner)...must be in the training manual. Here's the skinny on our service issues: 1) They only take cash and are not terribly keen on having to tell people where the nearest ATM is. (Um...Hello...McFly...I. Want. To. Spend. Money. At. Your. Establishment!) 2) The menu has a lot of options, so if you've never been it might take some time to decide what you want. This evidently annoys whoever is behind the counter as much as or more so than having to tell you where an ATM is. 3) This annoyance to the staff is compounded if you happen to decide to change your order slightly in the middle of ordering (like "Oww...bacon would be nice, can I add bacon?"). Evidently they are then forced to tear the order slip off the pad, crumple it angrily and throw it in the trash and start over. But this is only if you are actually allowed to make that particular change...which evidently is at the discretion of the person taking the order and is usually a "No." 4) You will continue to make their lives a living hell not only by continuing to exist but then again when you then point out that they've made your order wrong. (ie: I didn't ask for cheese.) Their reply to this will be to rip the burger apart throwing the pieces back on the grill to evidently cook the cheese off of it? Once completing your order they will then put it all back together with a finishing smack of the bun back on top to ensure you are clear about how annoying you really are. 5) Do NOT ask for mustard...I am fairly certain the kid wanted to simply throw that at us. In other words...I can get a better burger down the road at Fuddruckers and it comes with friendly service...oh, and I probably am less likely to go into anaphylaxis from them either not listening to my order or being too annoyed by people in general to take the time to fix it correctly. PS: The bathrooms are outside and around the back of the building...DUH! Gah...could you be ANY more annoying!? Noooo...the OTHER side of the building. My god you must be a complete idiot. PSS: In case anyone there is paying attention to their reviews on Yelp...here is why you should take your food service and people's special requests more seriously: gma.yahoo.com/allergic-t…
(1)Pete H.
Continues to impress. I took a first timer here today. I know they now want to go back ASAP. Not terribly hungry today. It was only a one Giant Filler day. Delicious. Remember kids....CASH ONLY
(5)Dick C.
Great couple that have owned Giant for years. Old school burger drive in without the drive through. Shakes are terrific. Clean and friendly. Hope it never closes because this is no chain burger joint.
(5)Amy Y.
While headed over to Lake Oswego, my husband had pondered a good burger for lunch. Not sure where we were going to satisfy that call of nature, we drove past The Giant. It was so funky looking we had to stop and give it a try. With decor that might have been fresh in the 70's, the joint is small but clean, and a very clear menu board with prices rises behind the front counter. Prices were moderate, and we tried a mushroom burger and a jalapeno burger, shared a basket of cajun fries, and two sodas. $18 was the total, so it isn't a cheap lunch. The burgers were QUICK, fresh, and pretty good. The meat is not the main event, though; while it is said to be ground sirloin, the patties are so thin there's no way to cook it medium as a really good burger should be. The flavor was pretty bland, too; I don't think they are seasoned at all. And compared to the toppings... the meat is but a small element in the overall sandwich. But the toppings were fresh, plentiful, and the buns were so damn good I'll actually forgive them, and if I go back I'll get a double. The owner is at the counter, and talks easily of his long track record and write ups in various outlets. Interesting, engaging guy. The fries are light and crisp... but a double order of cajun fries were overpriced -- the "cajun" is just a dash of a cajun flavored season salt. And I could have bought a whole bag of Oreida fries for what they cost. They also have shakes, if we go back I'll give those a try, too. My favorite element are the buns. They are soft, light, and loaded with sesame seeds. YUM. They are made by a small mom and pop local bakery for them, says the owner. Wish I could get some of those!
(3)Mary G.
My husband and I were itching for a good mom and pop burger place. We were disappointed by the unwillingness to make a simple change to a burger... A different bun! My husband does not like onions and the guacamole burger he wanted came with an onion bun. He requested to have a normal sesame bun instead but they refused to switch the burger buns. So he tried to order a regular burger that had a sesame bun with guacamole but was told he couldn't add guacamole. In the end he ordered the Jalapeno burger, because several other burgers such as the mushroom burger also came with only the onion bun. The Jalapeno burger was not up to par; the salsa used tasted like the Pace Salsa you get from Costco and the cheese wasn't melted on the patty it was put on-top the salsa and lettuce. Seems like a simple request but i guess they don't believe in customer service. So very disappointing, the owner needs to take into consideration his community if he plans on getting repeat customers.
(1)Robbie F.
Lake Oswego is a pretty frustrating place for me, but this place is alright in my book. $3.80 for the eponymous 'Giant Burger' and it was more than worth it (big as advertised, good fixins, solid onion bun.) I can't comment on anything else on the menu, but for straight up burger joint standards, this was 4-stars.
(4)Rick N.
A group of six of us (four adults, and two children, ages 4 and 2) attempted to go to this restaurant. When we came in, we saw the sign that they accept cash only. We thought that was weird, but we all checked we had money and then looked at the menu. My four-year-old son is a very picky eater. He will not eat meat and has pretty much refused it since he began eating solids. I don't press the issue with him because he eats healthy otherwise. After looking at the menu, I saw that there were no meatless entree options. I have been in this situation countless times with my son, so usually I just get a plain bun with cheese and he is happy with that. So, here is what happened at Giant's today: Me, walking up to counter: Do you have cheese sandwiches? Guy behind counter, already hostile at my innocent question: No! I don't have any way to make a cheese sandwich! I am not set up for that. I can't do it! Me, confused: I can't just buy a bun with cheese? Crazy guy: No!! I've been making hamburgers for 26 years! I grind the meat myself! For you to come in here and ask for something without meat is a SLAP IN THE FACE!!! (pounding fist on the counter for emphasis). Me, incredulous: It's for a four-year-old! Guy: I don't care!! So, we left. He obviously didn't want our money as our son had so clearly and deliberately mocked and insulted his very way of life by not eating hamburgers. I would have been happy to pay full price for a cheeseburger and just leave the patty off. I really don't think I was asking for that outrageous of a modification. But, there it is... my review of Giant's. It you want a nutjob to scream at you, that is the place to be. Oh, I have eaten there once before a few years ago and I found the food to be pretty greasy and overrated. Just my opinion, of course.
(1)Suzy C.
If there was such a thing as a zero, I would have selected it. The owner could not be ruder. No wonder the joint is empty at high noon.
(1)Seth F.
BEST BURGERS IN OREGON! they got so many different type of burgers you can pick from and my favorite is the filler. there fries are sooo good and the people that work there are very very nice. onetime i got my food to go and they forgot one of my fies and the lady came running out and gave it to me. most places just let you leave and say oh well. if you want to have the best burger than come here.
(5)Jesse D.
Everyone at my company actually had a bad story about this place. Typically monsterous customer service, things that should of kept me away. I am a vegetarian to begin with but I felt like I wanted meat and felt like cheating. Got a burger to go. Its a burger with stuff on it. Nothing monster about it. I can see the bad customer service. They do what they want and you deal with it. Its at the staff's leisure for anything. I ended up not even eating it they annoyed me so much (and also vegetarian pains kept me).
(2)John E.
It's not often you find yourself within lunchtime driving distance of one of the top 100 burger joints as ordained by the book Hamburger America which was written by someone with way too much time of their hands. But you cannot ignore Best Burger write ups in the Oregonian and other local bird cage liners. I didn't know all this until I walked into Giant and noticed the man behind the counter was used to getting his order from people quicker than I was offering, but I was studying the menu. So, when I said I was new to his establishment he hard sold me on his street cred, and won me over with his "old guys in the balcony on the Muppet Show" charm. The menu really isn't as limited as I was lead to believe, there are many variations of burger up there, not to mention hot dogs, corn dogs and variations of french fries. I decided on the Terikyaki Burger and a small order of Cajun Fries, and a diet Pepsi so as to stick to my diet. :-) Good thing I had cash being a Giant Rookie because this place doesn't take checks or cards at all. I cannot help but wonder how much business that costs him? I sat down in the booth and took stock that this place was really small. Maybe 8 booths and a couple of chairs and tables from a 50's Malt Shop (previous owner?) strewn about. But the place was hopping. I looked around and saw that this was listed as the official lunch stop for UPS Drivers, and sure enough, there was a UPS driver eating across from me. The thought that came to me is with all the room in his lot why doesn't he invest in some outdoor seating area? Well, I guess you could sit in the car and open the windows. It didn't take long for my food to arrive. Paper lined plastic baskets held my burger and another my fries. The burger was sitting in teriyaki juice and my first thought was, "This is going to be messy" Damned if I wasn't right! The fries were cooked to near perfection, they were your typical large cut fries but they were cooked right, not a limp one in the basket. The seasoning was a nice touch, not too spicy but you knew it was there. I ate the burger as daintily as I could, sauce dripping everywhere, single layer napkins tearing at the slightest touch and not a Wet-Nap in sight. However, it was a good burger. I have to say that in my years I could write a book of the thousands of burger joints I have eaten at across this country of ours. Between towing race cars, driving 18 wheelers and just adventuring from coast to coast I can think of a handful of places better than Giant. But at the same time I can think of many many sub-standard places. I think I would rate him in my top 100 as well, maybe the top 50. It's no Slow Bar Burger and it doesn't pretend to be, it is what it is, a really good drive in joint located 1.9 miles from I-5 and a world away from the designer foods of Bridgeport.
(3)Jimmy G.
Nothing special at ALL. Really... just a greasy burger with stuff on it. If it was char-broiled, it might improve the flavor (Or WAS it?!? that's how much I was unimpressed). Totally forgettable. Might as well go to Fudruckers... no fooling!
(2)Dale H.
My wife passed this place a week ago while out running errands. She saw it and automatically thought that we (me and the boys) would like it. Bless her heart! We went there yesterday. I wasn't impressed. Just to start, my wife asked if they serve chicken sammiches. Instead of apologizing, he said..."nope, been doing this for 40 years. we don't serve chicken sammiches, only burgers". He could have just apologized and said they don't have them available. Not give us HIS qualifications in superiority as to why he doesn't serve them. The food sounded good on the menu above. But there were no prices. Nothing like a little surprise when ordering, I guess! We ordered a few burgers and a few cola's...and a few fries. $25. Decent price for three (she didn't eat...no chicken sammich). When the food arrived, I was let down. The fries were the first thing I tried. We ordered two cajun, and one regular order. You could barely taste any difference at all, but were charged more for the cajun fries. If you want to know how to make cajun fries, go to 5 Guys Burgers and Fries (see earlier review). They know how to make cajun fries. These were frozen fries, with barely any flavor on them at all. The burger is served on a nice sized bun, but tasted a bit like Wonder Bread. The burger patties were of decent size (mine was two 1/4 pound burgers). But you could tell that they were frozen burgers, not fresh. There simply was no flavor in them, at least to my liking. They tasted like frozen burgers. They did serve them with a decent amount of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions, which is very appreciated. I don't think I'll be back here any time soon. That's not to say I'll never be back. You never know when you may need to stop for a burger somewhere...but this will not be my destination point when deciding which burger place to go to.They have been in business for a long time now, and to be honest, I hope they stay around for a long time coming. It's an institution in this area. And not all places are for everybody. This place has a great following, I'm sure. It's just not for me. One last note, another thing that I have a hard time with is no refills on the soda. That's just my own personal pet peeve, and I understand why some places don't offer refills. It's just something that grabs my attention in a negative way. Thank you very much!
(2)Molly C.
The burgers are good. You can tell they use quality beef. They should bring back the crinkle French fires. Much better than what they've replaced them with.
(3)Miranda H.
Bleu cheese burger. Get it.
(5)Joe W.
If you want nostalgia Giant is the place in Lake O! Great old building and old style service. I had the avocado burger and fries and both were pretty good. Not great but better than just OK. The menu had a wide variety of burgers to choose from, perhaps there's one in there that will knock my socks off and I will definitely be going back to try. Looks like an extra mile on the treadmill this weekend.... (sigh)
(3)Erik S.
It's possible that the specialty burgers are better, but I won't be back to try them. I ordered a double cheeseburger, and it was bad. Bad, as in even the worst burger I've had from McDonalds was incredibly flavorful in comparison to this. Bad, as in I can't remember the last time I had to smother a burger in ketchup just to make it palatable. The fries were merely "meh."
(1)Allison K.
I moved up to Portland about 8 months ago. Ever since my boyfriend and I have woken up close to every Sunday morning craving giant burger! He fondly remembers going there since he was a kid after soccer games with his dad. Minding now they are both two huge men now, 6'6 and 6'7 with healthy appetites. Giant burger really is for giants ;). We always manage to get the same thing- Avocado burger with cheddar instead of Swiss and we share the Cajun cheddar fries. (we even ask for extra Cajun spices) Amazing. My boyfriend and I have a running inside joke about the way the older lady and Mexican lady say everyones names. One time one had pronounced his name Patrick, as "Potted". I called him Potted for a couple months. The burgers there always taste fresh, juicy and mouthwatering. Now that I've moved back to San Jose, CA I can safely say I will definitely miss their burgers!
(4)Jen K.
Every time I've been to Giant, the place is near capacity. A fact which I find a bit puzzling. This little burger joint in Lake Grove enjoys a loyal following of burger fans of all ages - teens to baby boomers. It is also one of my friend's favorite places to eat, but I just don't quite get it. On the plus side, the burgers are good, but they don't quite rock my world. The menu is limited, but the prices are reasonable. For me, they fall somewhere in between Mickey D's fast food and a gourmet burger experience. The owner has quite the rep as a curmudgeon (ala Seinfeld's Soup Nazi) and has been known to tangle with the city which wants him to replace the sign out front with something smaller and more dignified. This is Lake O after all, and a certain appearance is expected. I've got to give them props for keeping the place very clean, but it is also very basic. Be prepared to pay with cash only. Ketchup packets instead of squirt bottles. No mustard in sight. No jug of water and paper cups for the kids. Speaking of the kiddos... the kid's burger is a joke, consisting of a tiny bread roll for a bun which is about half the diameter of the patty and it comes with raw onions. What kid likes onions? For the money, just order the regular cheeseburger, plain, if they don't want the fixings. The decor is interesting. A complete throw back to the 60s and 70s, when yellow and orange were the height of cool. You follow the yellow footprints to the bathroom around back, which is like the kind behind the gas station we all dread. So it is fine for the occasional visit, but I don't think I'll ever be one of their devotees.
(3)J. H.
I am not a big fan of hamburgers, however I have enjoyed their teriyaki burger and jalapeno burger every once in a while. I have not tried their other hamburgers yet. I have no complaints for 4 out of my 5 visits here. Only 1 time the bun was a little soggy and I was dissapointed. Night crew is better than the daytime crew. Since I have not found any other hamburger place nearby that satisfies my taste, I decided to give this place 4 stars.
(4)Austin S.
2.75 Monday when I was in Portland, I went with my brother to run a few errands. It was around lunch time and after spending half the morning trying to pass this one really tricky part on Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, we were getting hungry. He told me about this place down the street which so happened to be on the way to Fry's and Costco and he said their burgers were pretty good, so I figure, hey, I've already had 2 burgers on this Sac/Portland trip, what's wrong with a third? This looks like your average burger stand, like Lucky Boy or TK Burgers down in Costa Mesa. They had quite a yellow theme going on, from the walls being yellow, some of the ceiling tiles being yellow, the floor tiles being yellow, yellow seating, yellow counter tops, and even the employees wearing yellow t-shirts. Did a couple barrels of mustard explode in here? My brother said the regular burgers weren't that good but their specialty burgers were better, which worked out because for whatever reason, I was in the mood for and avocado burger of some type. It was almost like this place read my mind because low and behold, under the "specialty" burgers, there it was "avocado". I forgot how much it was. We shared an order of fries. The fries came out ridiculously fast, almost TOO fast. Eh, I was hungry and I wasn't going to bitch and moan about it. There it was, my burger with avocado on it. Though, it was mashed and was more like guacamole, but hey, avocado is avocado. I could eat it in a smoothie form. Wait... maybe. I definitely am not gonna ever make or try an avocado mousse that Radhika made on Top Chef *shudder* I grab a couple of fries and they were good. They were fat steak fries, but had a little bit of a crinkle cut on them. I would say they were having a little bit of an identity crisis if you ask me. But they were crispy and were seasoned well. I made for my burger and what do I see? Bacon? At no extra cost? SCORE!!!! The burger overall was just above average, but I've had better. I do have to say that it had mayo in it, and don't get me wrong, I like mayo, but not on my burger. Had I known there was mayo, I would've asked to omit it. The lady at the register (the owner? Owner's wife? Manager?) was very nice and sweet, and the other employees were pleasant. The rest of menu seemed pretty simple and decent. There was plenty of parking.
(3)Well-Traveled I.
Gaming one night with some buddies (Team Fortress 2, to be exact) when it was that time - the time to grab dinner. It had been years since I came here, but figured their good burgers were worth the wait. Maybe something has changed, but the burgers are not as good as they used to be. Flavor was lacking, although portions were still huge. Strawberry shake was sweet and smooth. It's not like I probably won't go here again, but it won't be at the top of my list.
(2)Keanan L.
The rating reflects a sort of nostalgia that exists. Either you've never been to Giant Burger and it reminds you of an ol' timey drive-in burger joint, or -- like me -- you've been going there so long and the place is just the way you remembered going the first time. Great, fresh burgers with decent milkshakes. The fries are a bit suspect, but get the cajun seasoning and that quickly makes up for it. Little on the high side for prices, and cash only, but well worth for what you're getting for in return. Amongst a bevy of shwanky places in Lake Oswego, Giant Burger is a beacon of classic Americana.
(5)Eric L.
An observation I made since moving here is that Oregonians obviously do not know what a good burger is supposed to taste like. The Giant is a landmark little shack in Lake Oswego which is a stand-alone building. The place is either super packed or super empty. There is no happy median here. Anywho, I had to check what all the buzz was about. When we drove up, I couldn't help but imagine I was at some old beat up diner in the middle of nowhere in a horror flick. I was waiting for Freddy or Jason to jump out of the bushes and chase me down the street. After I got over this fear, I headed into the restaurant. I opted for a simple double cheeseburger and fries because that's why I was at a burger joint. Well my friends, sorry to disappoint, but the burger was a huge disappointment. It was flavorless! The patties were small and the only thing I could taste was the cheese and veggies. The meat has no beef flavor whatsoever! WHERE'S THE BEEF?! As I was nearing the final third of the burger, I noticed the meat was gone and I was left with bread! The patties were way too small for the enormous bun so you'll be left with bread. I truly cannot fathom how people actually gave this place 5 stars! Quite frankly, even something like Carl's Jr. tastes better in my opinion. McD's is a block away and I'd rather eat a quarter-pounder from there than to eat another Giant again!
(2)David H.
Bad service and bad food are a bad combination. We won't be back.
(1)Roy C.
I eat here about once a year, mainly to see if has gotten any better. If you look at these reviews, you would think this place is outstanding, and if you do, go ahead and give a shot. I was excited to try Giant when we first moved here but I was disappointed. The burgers don't have much flavor, which is surprising, given that there are a ton of topping options (any place that lets you pile on a fried egg and ham should be good, right?). I love burgers and this place has potential but I am bummed out every time I give it another shot. It's not horrible, but it is also no "Nation's" (a Bay Area chain). It's been about a year, so maybe I'll try again. And, a burger place like this should really also offer a grilled cheese sandwich, but Giant doesn't.
(2)Brady C.
As a local from Lake Oswego, this is one of the places you grow up loving. You can't beat their burgers and especially not their milkshakes. With burgers for all types of people, there is something for everyone (except those who don't like hamburgers). Despite the fact that this place is so good, what makes it even more fun is that after your order you get to tell them your name to call out when your order is ready. Growing up, I never realized how much fun this could be, but now whenever my friends and I go back when we are in town, this always tends to be the best part of the meal. This place is definitely worth a stop for both the great food and some good laughs.
(4)Katherine E.
Giant Drive In is a perfect no-frills meal. It's a small mom & pop restaurant that accepts cash only, and the food (no substitutions!) is delicious. I've tried several burgers from the menu, but the avocado burger is by far the best. The onion rings and fries are also amazing. The service has always been friendly while still giving customers space while they eat. This is one of my favorite spots to grab a burger in Lake Oswego!
(5)Amy S.
Classic! I ordered the "Giant" burger, a 1/4-lb. burger with all the fixings and it delicious. A perfectly burger seasoned on, what tasted like a home-made bun. And for $3.80 you can't beat it. The place itself looks like it hasn't been updated in over 50 years... and that's a good thing. They've clearly focused on keeping the food tasting great instead of re-decorating.
(5)Michael B.
Yummy, but a little greasy
(2)Doug M.
This isn't worth a detour anymore. The Portland area has many places with far better burgers, despite the longstanding reputation Giant has enjoyed. The sesame seed buns are too thick and dry - almost stale. The burgers are cooked to dryness as well. There just isn't anything special to recommend this place anymore. Don't go out of your way.
(1)Nicole S.
Easily one of the best burgers I've ever had. The staff is always friendly and the owner is incredible jolly and always remembers me. The ambiance is just what you want a burger joint to be. Going here with friends in high school for a burger will forever be in my memory.
(5)Dave W.
This is a great hamburger place. The burgers are big and can be messy. Not a bad thing. You should also try the milkshakes and onion rings.
(4)Delila O.
My son requested a trip to Giant Burger for his 16th birthday dinner because he had fond memories of our eating there when he was younger. Boy were we disappointed. The burgers were average at best, the fries were over-cooked, and the staff was not friendly as we had remembered. The one high point was my friend's blackberry milkshake, which wasn't quite like she remembered when her kids were little, but still pretty tasty. Seems like Giant Burger has some work to do it they are to retain their "Lake Oswego Landmark" status. They may be a local landmark, but the food is no longer memorable.
(2)ToniAnn M.
The Hubs & I trekked on over to Giant to get our burger on. this is the tale of how it all went down. Arrived at Giant Burger, ordered burgers, received burgers in a very timely manner, ate burgers, discussed burgers, swapped burgers, ate some more, forced down some fries, came home. It's all over but the Yelping. I ordered the Avocado Burger. 1/4lb burger with the usual lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, cheese........ add bacon & guacamole. The guacamole was a bit on the sour side & there was A LOT of it. Basically the only things I tasted were bun, guacamole, & onion. The burger was completely lost. As was the cheddar cheese (that I had requested in place of the Swiss) The hubs, a straight shooter when it comes to his burgers, played it smart. He went with the Double Cheeseburger. Again, all the fixins as above, only he ordered minus onion. OK, so much better. I was actually able to taste the burger........ & it wasn't bad. Cooked on the flat top to order, so it gets to you hot & juicy. The fixins are fresh & plentiful...... in the case of my burger, too plentiful..... but hey, some of you might like it like that. Now, onto the disappointment that was the french fries. All I have to say to the people of this burger joint is this: "Leave the damn fries in the fryer until they are cooked!". The fries were soggy & criminally undercooked. Something I can overlook if the Hubs should take me back to this place, as he really enjoyed it. That's understandable, his burger was way better than mine. I'm willing to do this because there are two possible fixes to the fry issue.... 1) ask the cooks to make them extra crispy, or 2) be content with the burger that's the size of my head, & save some room for ice cream by skipping the french fries all together.
(2)Sashy M.
I heard a lot of things about Giant Burger, so I decided to try it. I got a bleu burger which has bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, bleu cheese dressing with lettuce, tomatoes. It was awful, it was on a cheap bun, and had no flavor. The bacon was chewy. I also got cajanized French fries which had some sort of sweet not even spicy powder on them. Also awful. I thought maybe there shakes might be good. I got a vanilla, nope I was wrong it tastes like a fake vanilla syrup. I don't even want to give this place 1 star. Also there service is down right rude. If you ask for a hot dog the guy at the counter goes off on you and talks you into something else. The total of my bill was 9.75, it was such a waste of money!! This place is on the map! How can it be?! I would rather go to McDonalds right down the street they have better burgers then this place!
(1)Kristie C.
Three letters sums up my feeling for Giant -- YUM! It is the quintessential burger joint. I noticed the place as I drove by one day around noonish. There were several cars parked outside. So, when I got the craving for a burger I decided to try it out. The joint is not impressive, low on the frills -- which is fine by me -- the selection of burgers is extensive and they are yummy. The fry's are good too!
(5)