Wanted to love this place but... A one night stay with one other person cost me seven hundred dollars. That's a room, dinner, dessert, and breakfast.Rooms are tiny and Ill equipped. Mine had stains on the floor and wasn't vacuumed. Also smelled bad. Shower was stained as well, no bath. The food/drinks are sub par and extremely expensive. Food 30 per dish drinks 15/each. Room 330 booked a week in advance. Cool atmosphere but overall underwhelming. I would rather have stayed in a motel. The person at the front desk was the highlight of the stay. Very helpful and thorough. Give that kid a raise!Rooms: Small and poorly laid out
Service: 2
Ralph Guerrero III
Cool place to hang out and enjoy yourself. If your game and had a few drinks, you can totally play hide and seek as there are several floors and hidden rooms. Just don't play on the 6th floor as that's the hotel and would be messed up.Tuck yourself away in the vault and avoid a larger crowd or go ham and mingle with everyone everywhere else!Drinks are always good no matter the bar you go to and be prepared as there's probably something going on at the venue there, so fork over the cover and have a good time!
Service: 5
Matt Alford
Cool building. Inside it has that great McMenamins vibe. Like usual, the food is mediocre and over-priced, while the service is slow, but acceptable. Dessert was good and I liked the atmosphere. This is a consistent McMenamins experience and as long as you know that going in, dinner is fine.
Christopher Putman
Always great. Tough parking in the city!
Service: 5
We've dined in the main pub multiple times in the past. But the quality of the food this time around really missed the mark. Everything, especially my food item was significantly over-salted to the point it was almost inedible. For the prices they charge for food (they USED TO be reasonable), I expect better. The wait staff are always nice and helpful. The venue itself is beautiful.
Adam Woodworth
Stay away from my favorite place... It's mine.This place has a couple huge problems.1. It's expensive.For example: The food here is fantastic, delicious, expertly prepared, just a little quirky, and made with impressive seasonal and locally sourced--including the use of their own gardens. Their servers are energized, friendly, knowledgeable, flexible, clever, and paid a good living wage for their efforts. Their craft beer is made either by their brewery at Anderson School, or on-site. They have a spectacular view, their building is decorated by full-time on-staff artists... So a burger and fries is $21.99 and a beer is $8-$9. For those who want the working class to suffer, this is unacceptable.2. Parking.Try and park here. I dare you. This place became so popular, so quickly, that they inadvertently altered the shape of nearby parking in Tacoma forever. Parking time limits and an overpriced paid parking lot have been installed (McMenamin's has nothing to do with either), and you're looking at a trolly ride if you want to find a free lot.3. It's crowded.If it's Friday or Saturday, go get a beer and pizza somewhere else. The Temple is full. There's probably a concert or some other show happening in their Spanish Ballroom. There are probably several groups of friends doing all kinds of awesome stuff and having an amazing time... Maybe you'd rather go somewhere with a little more elbow room.4. The secret bar is too easy to find.I mean, come on. You call this "hidden"?5. It's clearly haunted.You heard me... Haunted.All that said, there are some truly amazing features about this place. The brothers McMenamin have created a space containing several different kinds of bars in one shoebox of a location. In just one building, they offer (in literal descending order--by elevation):A pubA speakeasyA sports barA tapas barA venue barA bottle shop (where you can order a beer)And a Tiki barAnd hey, if you want to take your Tiki drink to the speakeasy? No problem!So the thing is, this place is also a hotel, and I'm pretty sure that's what I'm supposed to be reviewing here. The rooms are smallish, but if your spending the whole time there, you're doing it wrong. Each room is an artwork of it's own, with a unique art piece, named after a significant local historical figure (living or dead). The room is simple, mght have a balcony with an incredible view, or might have a view of the hallway (you'll know before you book). These rooms aren't super cheap but they're still a great value. The rooms also come with a Mason jar that you can get filled at the bottle shop for around $9. I recommend doing this before you hit up the other rooms. It's just nice to know that you'll have beer waiting for you after you visit the five or six other bars. ?Look. If you haven't picked up on it, the top part of this review is a bit facetious. I loved staying at this place, and it's important to pay our industry people well, and--even though these folks are doing alright--to tip them properly. So yeah, it can be a bit pricy to visit, but the value is there. And hey, if the hamburger is too expensive there are a bunch of great restaurants nearby who wouldn't mind the business.You've read this far, so I'll tell you the secret to finding the speakeasy...Don't. It's mine... Stay out.Just kidding. It's under the sidewalk. The clever among you can figure it out from there.
Service: 5
JanetR
Quality of food was good, ambience is always a uniquely wonderful, colorful place for us to take guests, and specifically, our server Keri, was fabulous and very accommodating. Our party appreciated her cheerful service. Thank you! ps. The only long-term gripe I've had is that breakfast ends at 11am. It would be nice if breakfast options were available until 1pm or 2pm.
RodS
Service was good and food was what we expected. Downfall was that we made the reservation several weeks in advance for my mother-in-law's birthday and had specifically asked for for the tables with a view. We were assured that we would have space in that room but when we were seated it was in and area with no view or windows whatsoever. We had a good time with our family group of seven people but in the end my Mother-in Law asked why we didn't just go to a restaurant in Centralia. Our day with family was good but McMenamins ruined the experience for her.
SB
Epic! So glad this exists.
Kristin
We like the ever-changing craft beverage menu and the variety of food items. I've had the Jamaican Rice Bowl twice recently - once with prawns and once with chicken. It was very flavorful both times. My only complaint and it's tiny, is we ordered coffee at the end of the meal and it was lukewarm at best. On a busy Saturday night, I didn't want to bother the server who I'm sure would have replaced it if I'd asked.
I love going to McMenamins Elks Temple! The experience is always first rate! The food is very good. The service was awesome and I love the eclectic atmosphere! It was quiet! The view out the large windows was great. We had a great time and will be back!
ScarlettR
Only the food was subpar. My steak was very well done when I asked for medium well, and there was a thick tendon through it which could be seen as the steak was on a salad sliced. Everything else was amazing!
pirategurl
We enjoyed everything! Food so delicious...one thing I thinknwas a bit excessivevwas the price of the pretzel and cheese sauce...$17.50 forva few pieces of bread and a little sauce? Almostvthe same as my entire delicious burger meal. Ryan was an awesome server...prompt..courtious..professional. :)
AnneT
Great food, location but service not so good. After taking our order took 20 minutes for them to tell us they were out of an entree. Overall took over an hour to get our food and they never checked on us after they took the order to see if we had what we needed.
susan
Eight of us had lunch last Friday and everyone was extremely happy with our meal. Our waiter, Taylor was wonderful. He was very personable, quick to meet our needs and a real asset to the restaurant.
Wanted to love this place but... A one night stay with one other person cost me seven hundred dollars. That's a room, dinner, dessert, and breakfast.Rooms are tiny and Ill equipped. Mine had stains on the floor and wasn't vacuumed. Also smelled bad. Shower was stained as well, no bath. The food/drinks are sub par and extremely expensive. Food 30 per dish drinks 15/each. Room 330 booked a week in advance. Cool atmosphere but overall underwhelming. I would rather have stayed in a motel. The person at the front desk was the highlight of the stay. Very helpful and thorough. Give that kid a raise!Rooms: Small and poorly laid out
Service: 2
Cool place to hang out and enjoy yourself. If your game and had a few drinks, you can totally play hide and seek as there are several floors and hidden rooms. Just don't play on the 6th floor as that's the hotel and would be messed up.Tuck yourself away in the vault and avoid a larger crowd or go ham and mingle with everyone everywhere else!Drinks are always good no matter the bar you go to and be prepared as there's probably something going on at the venue there, so fork over the cover and have a good time!
Service: 5
Cool building. Inside it has that great McMenamins vibe. Like usual, the food is mediocre and over-priced, while the service is slow, but acceptable. Dessert was good and I liked the atmosphere. This is a consistent McMenamins experience and as long as you know that going in, dinner is fine.
Always great. Tough parking in the city!
Service: 5
We've dined in the main pub multiple times in the past. But the quality of the food this time around really missed the mark. Everything, especially my food item was significantly over-salted to the point it was almost inedible. For the prices they charge for food (they USED TO be reasonable), I expect better. The wait staff are always nice and helpful. The venue itself is beautiful.
Stay away from my favorite place... It's mine.This place has a couple huge problems.1. It's expensive.For example: The food here is fantastic, delicious, expertly prepared, just a little quirky, and made with impressive seasonal and locally sourced--including the use of their own gardens. Their servers are energized, friendly, knowledgeable, flexible, clever, and paid a good living wage for their efforts. Their craft beer is made either by their brewery at Anderson School, or on-site. They have a spectacular view, their building is decorated by full-time on-staff artists... So a burger and fries is $21.99 and a beer is $8-$9. For those who want the working class to suffer, this is unacceptable.2. Parking.Try and park here. I dare you. This place became so popular, so quickly, that they inadvertently altered the shape of nearby parking in Tacoma forever. Parking time limits and an overpriced paid parking lot have been installed (McMenamin's has nothing to do with either), and you're looking at a trolly ride if you want to find a free lot.3. It's crowded.If it's Friday or Saturday, go get a beer and pizza somewhere else. The Temple is full. There's probably a concert or some other show happening in their Spanish Ballroom. There are probably several groups of friends doing all kinds of awesome stuff and having an amazing time... Maybe you'd rather go somewhere with a little more elbow room.4. The secret bar is too easy to find.I mean, come on. You call this "hidden"?5. It's clearly haunted.You heard me... Haunted.All that said, there are some truly amazing features about this place. The brothers McMenamin have created a space containing several different kinds of bars in one shoebox of a location. In just one building, they offer (in literal descending order--by elevation):A pubA speakeasyA sports barA tapas barA venue barA bottle shop (where you can order a beer)And a Tiki barAnd hey, if you want to take your Tiki drink to the speakeasy? No problem!So the thing is, this place is also a hotel, and I'm pretty sure that's what I'm supposed to be reviewing here. The rooms are smallish, but if your spending the whole time there, you're doing it wrong. Each room is an artwork of it's own, with a unique art piece, named after a significant local historical figure (living or dead). The room is simple, mght have a balcony with an incredible view, or might have a view of the hallway (you'll know before you book). These rooms aren't super cheap but they're still a great value. The rooms also come with a Mason jar that you can get filled at the bottle shop for around $9. I recommend doing this before you hit up the other rooms. It's just nice to know that you'll have beer waiting for you after you visit the five or six other bars. ?Look. If you haven't picked up on it, the top part of this review is a bit facetious. I loved staying at this place, and it's important to pay our industry people well, and--even though these folks are doing alright--to tip them properly. So yeah, it can be a bit pricy to visit, but the value is there. And hey, if the hamburger is too expensive there are a bunch of great restaurants nearby who wouldn't mind the business.You've read this far, so I'll tell you the secret to finding the speakeasy...Don't. It's mine... Stay out.Just kidding. It's under the sidewalk. The clever among you can figure it out from there.
Service: 5
Quality of food was good, ambience is always a uniquely wonderful, colorful place for us to take guests, and specifically, our server Keri, was fabulous and very accommodating. Our party appreciated her cheerful service. Thank you! ps. The only long-term gripe I've had is that breakfast ends at 11am. It would be nice if breakfast options were available until 1pm or 2pm.
Service was good and food was what we expected. Downfall was that we made the reservation several weeks in advance for my mother-in-law's birthday and had specifically asked for for the tables with a view. We were assured that we would have space in that room but when we were seated it was in and area with no view or windows whatsoever. We had a good time with our family group of seven people but in the end my Mother-in Law asked why we didn't just go to a restaurant in Centralia. Our day with family was good but McMenamins ruined the experience for her.
Epic! So glad this exists.
We like the ever-changing craft beverage menu and the variety of food items. I've had the Jamaican Rice Bowl twice recently - once with prawns and once with chicken. It was very flavorful both times. My only complaint and it's tiny, is we ordered coffee at the end of the meal and it was lukewarm at best. On a busy Saturday night, I didn't want to bother the server who I'm sure would have replaced it if I'd asked.
Restaurantji Recommends
I love going to McMenamins Elks Temple! The experience is always first rate! The food is very good. The service was awesome and I love the eclectic atmosphere! It was quiet! The view out the large windows was great. We had a great time and will be back!
Only the food was subpar. My steak was very well done when I asked for medium well, and there was a thick tendon through it which could be seen as the steak was on a salad sliced. Everything else was amazing!
We enjoyed everything! Food so delicious...one thing I thinknwas a bit excessivevwas the price of the pretzel and cheese sauce...$17.50 forva few pieces of bread and a little sauce? Almostvthe same as my entire delicious burger meal. Ryan was an awesome server...prompt..courtious..professional. :)
Great food, location but service not so good. After taking our order took 20 minutes for them to tell us they were out of an entree. Overall took over an hour to get our food and they never checked on us after they took the order to see if we had what we needed.
Eight of us had lunch last Friday and everyone was extremely happy with our meal. Our waiter, Taylor was wonderful. He was very personable, quick to meet our needs and a real asset to the restaurant.