Eight Iconic Spokane Eateries

BY ADRIANA JANOVICH

The city of Spokane is home to more than 500 restaurants, some of which have endured for decades.

Longevity is just one attribute that makes an eatery iconic. Location, architecture, décor, hospitality and signature dishes all play a part in making a café, diner, steakhouse or bar and grill stand out among the masses.

These eight eateries are just a handful of the Spokane restaurants that have stood the test of time, embody a cool concept or enjoy an interesting location — or all three. 

Clinkerdagger

Generations of Spokanites have celebrated birthdays, graduations and anniversaries at Clinkerdagger, a landmark restaurant located in an iconic building on the northern bank of the Spokane River. The old-school steak, fish and chop house celebrates 50 years this year, but the building it anchors dates back even further. Built in 1895, the Spokane Flour Mill operated from 1900 to 1972 until developers decided to repurpose the industrial riverside brick building. The historical mill was converted into a shopping center with restaurants and retail outlets in time for the 1974 World’s Fair. Today, the creamy Broadway Pea Salad — with Bibb lettuce, water chestnuts and bacon — is a classic. Other longtime favorites at this longtime favorite are its rich French onion soup and velvety, vanilla crème brûlée. 

621 W. Mallon St.
www.clinkerdagger.com 

Ferguson’s Café and Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle

Fire nearly destroyed Ferguson’s Café and neighboring Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle in 2011, and, in 2012, actor Matthew Modine helped promote a fundraiser to rebuild both. The charming Garland District staples are favorite filming locations, appearing in 1993’s quirky romantic comedy “Benny & Joon.” It’s at Ferguson’s that Sam, played by Johnny Depp, places two forks in two dinner rolls and dances them around the countertop much like Charlie Chaplin did in 1925’s silent film “The Gold Rush.” It’s also at Ferguson’s that Loudon Swain, played by Modine, goes for burgers with the streetwise Carla, played by Linda Fiorentino, in 1985’s “Vision Quest.” The hard-to-miss Mary Lou’s — shaped like an old-fashioned milk bottle — also appeared in “Benny & Joon.” It was built in the 1930s by Benewah Creamery proprietor Paul Newport as a retail outlet for his dairy products. Today, it vends ice cream shakes, cones, cups and sundaes. Butter Brickle, River City Sludge and Huckleberry Delight are favorite flavors. 

Ferguson’s: 804 W. Garland Ave.
Mary Lou’s: 802 W. Garland Ave.

Frank’s Diner

Breakfast is served all day at Frank’s Diner, located in a restored 1906 train car on the edge of downtown Spokane. Railcar No. 1787 once served as the private car for the president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Frank Knight converted it to a diner in Seattle, and he and his heirs ran it there for some 60 years. Spokane restaurateur Larry Brown bought Frank’s in 1996 and opened a second location in 2005. That one, Railcar No. 4216, dates to 1913. Both locations are known for their Benedicts and burgers, biscuits and gravy, scrambles, omelets and hot and cold sandwiches. 

1516 W. Second Ave., Downtown Spokane
10929 N. Newport Highway, North Spokane
www.franksdiners.com

Park Inn Bar and Grill

Park Inn Bar and Grill, or simply the PI, is the place for pinball, pizza and free popcorn. Once a burger joint with a drive-thru, the tavern connected to the neighboring pizza place in the 1960s, combining the two businesses. In the 1970s, the PI developed a reputation as a rough-and-tumble spot — but today, it’s a comfy old-school watering hole and family-friendly joint with loyal clientele from all walks of life. Along with pizza, it’s known for its broasted chicken, house chili, Reuben burger, Reuben sandwich and Gordy’s Burger, named for a late owner. Fun fact: the PI occupies the same location in which it started in 1932, making it Spokane’s oldest continually operating restaurant. 

103 W. Ninth Ave.
www.parkinnspokane.com

Skyway Café at Felts Field

Model airplanes hang from the ceiling at Skyway Café at Felts Field. Out the windows, diners can watch real helicopters and small airplanes take off and land. Aviation started here in 1913. The municipal airfield was designated in 1920. Six years later, it was federally recognized.  A year after that, the airfield was named for James Buell Felts, a Washington Air National Guard lieutenant who was killed in a plane crash in May 1927. Today, the café at the airfield is known for its sticky buns, which sell out quickly on weekends. Other menu staples include hearty omelets, scrambles, Benedicts, waffles, fish and chips, burgers, hot and cold sandwiches and more. 

6105 E. Rutter Ave. 
www.skywaycafe.com

Steam Plant Restaurant and Brew Pub

The feel is industrial and contemporary. The fare is new American. The beer is brewed on-site. In 2019, Men’s Journal ranked the Steam Plant Restaurant and Brew Pub among “The 10 Coolest Places in America to Drink Craft Beer,” and one glance inside tells you why. That’s because this spot allows patrons to relax under the twin stacks of a renovated 1916 steam plant. The historical complex in the downtown core once helped heat more than 300 businesses. Designed by renowned Spokane architect Kirtland Cutter and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the steam plant operated for 70 years before its last boiler was shut down in 1986. Today, the award-winning property is home to a mix of businesses, including an expansive, two-level restaurant. 

159 S. Lincoln St., Suite 1 
www.steamplantspokane.com

Zip’s Drive-In

Spokane kids grew up with Zip’s. Around the Inland Northwest, Zip’s Drive-In means fast, affordable and filling fare. Founded by Robert “Zip” Zuber in 1953 — two years before McDonald’s — Zip’s serves up a sense of nostalgia along with its beer-battered mushrooms, thick milkshakes and Papa Joes. The burger, which comes with ham and cheese, is probably the most popular on the menu. Zip’s is the place where many people who grew up in Spokane first went out to eat with their families. They worked here when they were teens. They came here after school or practice or games. They went on dates here. They made memories here. Now, they bring their own kids here —  some even bring their grandkids. Today, there are more than 40 Zip’s locations in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. How many have you been to?  

www.zipsdrivein.com

Adriana Janovich is the former food editor at the Spokesman-Review and author of  “Unique Eats and Eateries of Spokane,” which was published in April by Reedy Press. These eight iconic eateries are featured in the book.