Yaw’s Top Notch

I commend their effort in trying to reprise the past memories of this restaurant but it doesn’t live up to our generations of gourmet fast food burgers. With all of these burger joints opening up; killer burgers, little big burger, five guys and more this place doesn’t really live up to what we are now call a delicious burger. Maybe I would have appreciated this burger more if I was around during the highlight of this restaurant.

now closed!

Drove over 30 miles to go to yaws. Got there and the sign on the door said closed for repairs. Looked like closed for good! Drove down the street to burgerville and paid $ 42.50 for burgers for a family of 4. Sorry you weren’t open wont make that mistake again cause I’m not co Inge back, ever.

I went the other night with my parents and boy did this cater to the older crowd. I couldnt tell if the service just didnt enjoy being there or just didnt understand their roles. The way the other staff interacted with each other was just… odd. Also the kitchen staff should not bring their screaming child into the kitchen area. Rather distracting.
We had a nice gal who took or order promptly and our food was made in a good amount of time but just sat there under the heat lamps. I timed the food since I had a clear line of site to the kitchen. The kitchen staff had to constantly remind the wait staff that orders were up. Again where do the wait staff go? I did notice that the soda fountain bar was under stocked and they constantly had to go grab items from the back.
The food was good. I had a blue cheese burger and it was cooked very well and very juicy. The fries were not my favorite (or my parents for that matter). They were like the old Roake’s fries only not as hot or greasy. Were they baked? Otherwise the food was a step up from Burgerville and you got more of it.
So the desert took FOREVER to get to us. I ordered pie and my dad ordered ice cream and I have no idea where the waitress went for it. Its not like the place was busy. The lemon meringue pie was good but it felt old. The meringue was more like an old marshmallow consistency and the lemon filling was starting to separate. Not sure if made in house but Sherri’s does better.
The place was clean however and the décor was throwback. It seems the management of the place needs to run a better ship or learn how to run a restaurant. This seems like it would be perfect for Gateway if some changes to the food were made (FRIES) and serving staff who were more organized (which falls directly on management).

Nope never again. I have tried Yaw’s twice and only went the second time to see if it had improved. It has not. The food is mediocre at best. I had the tomato cheese soup and a salad. The soup was Campbell’s tomato soup with some kind of cheese in it that didn’t even melt. Too much cream was added to the soup. The salad was crisp and the bleu cheese dressing was very good!
My partner ordered an Adkins Hamburger. BTW, you have to ask for tomatoes to be added, as well as onion. Why? The hamburger was nothing special. Nothing unusual and the fries were the worst ever — cold even. When are restaurant owners going to learn you have to fry a french fry twice to make it taste good?
Nope — won’t be going back. Chili fries looked intriguing though — but, I don’t eat them.

Attempt to create a 50’s atmosphere. Burgers were OK, but nothing special. Peas in the coleslaw? Can’t taste them. Just weird.
And soggy fries? FAIL
Our first attempt at getting regular Cokes was a slow delivery of diet. FAIL
Just not impressed.

Tasty burgers, but if you are expecting innovation and «the best burger in town» this isn’t the place for you. GREEN RIVER SODA, which rocks. I wish the fries were better. Expansive menu with a lot of burger and sandwich selections, many of which are nostalgic and you are unlikely to find on any other menu. The complete soda fountain and dessert menu is pretty unique too.
The servers are friendly and enthusiastic, but I feel they are mismanaged. They try hard, but service is confused and slow, and errors are made. Maybe one server short? It really was not that busy when I was there, many empty tables, but staff made it seem that they were packed, and had too much to do. I also overheard servers complaining to one another. This is unprofessional, as I do not want to be made to feel like a burden. Complain to one another in private. Hopefully they figure that out, because I want to come back. Prices very reasonable, and I liked my veggie burger, and LOVED the Green River.

Summary: Confused service; cold food
The retro décor, poodle skirts, and soda jerks makes for quaint ambiance.
But, one can’t eat the ambiance.
IAnd perhaps, 30 years ago, their «top notch» system of food service operations produced food better than what could be found at other fast food restaurants of the day.
Wanting to experience the restaurant with this storied moniker, I waited several months to let them «settle in». So, when I took Sweetie to Yaw’s Top Notch this evening, we expected «top notch» food and service.
We were sorely disappointed.
As it sat down to write this review, I thought perhaps I was perhaps imaging the bad service and food — and took a look to see what other Unilocalers had to say. What many wrote is consistent with our experience:
STAFFING — From the man who appeared to be the manager, to the 50s-​costumed hostesses, to the wait staff, there were many employees on duty. They all scurried about, taking care of all kinds of «things». Sadly, they were so busy doing «things», they didn’t have time to take care of customers!
SERVICE — Our smiling, chirpy waitress seemed distracted. She struggled to get our order correctly recorded. We went over it with her to make sure our order was correctly placed.
— The Onion Rings appetizer never arrived. When she delivered our burgers, she whirled off — never to be seen again until we called her over when we were ready to leave.
— The restaurant’s tables were about 65% filled — so they certainly weren’t «slammed» with customers. A relatively large party (maybe 20 adults and kids) had already dined when we were seated — NOT taxing the kitchen or wait staff.
FOOD — Maybe the food was «top notch» three decades ago, but what we were served was less than ordinary”
— French Fries were plate-​cold upon arrival;
— Both burgers were tepid on arrival; cold by the second half.
— My Med-​Well burger was bloodier than Sweetie’s Med-​Rare;
— The slice of onion on my burger was thicker than the «large» meat patty;
— Their undersized «special buns» were forgettable.
+ Sweetie said her Butterfinger Milk Shake was delicious!
SYSTEMS — Dave Thomas wasn’t a «Top Chef» — but he was said to be a master at creating and enforcing Wendy’s Hamburgers «operating systems». Thus, their chain remains a solid competitor. Yaw’s Top Notch either has poor operating systems established — or the systems are not enforced.
— The «Manager» was too busy doing «things» to check in with customers;
— The waitress never checked back to see if our food was OK;
— The kitchen staff can’t/won’t follow written tickets.
PRICE/​VALUE — Yaw’s pricing is consistent with Red Robin; yet Yaw’s Top Notch pales in comparison in terms of service and food quality and quantity. We go out for burgers, premium or otherwise, about twice a year and were hoping to be able to support this returning Portland icon — but Yaw’s fails to meet even modest expectations.
When we called over the waitress and complained about the cold fries, cold burgers and food quality — she offered to bring a free piece of pie.
We declined. We were done. More bad food doesn’t make up for a bad meal.
Feel free to «flame» this review — but when you read other Unilocal — you’ll see I’m not the only one to have received cold food and poor service. We came in with high expectations — and left, sadly, with a bad taste in our mouths.

They spent a load of dough putting this place together and it isn’t your parents’ hamburger joint, unless you’re over 50. It is essentially an attempt to recreate the feel of a post-​World War II era drive-​in, without carhops. Nostalgia is a big part of the mission here.
The physical space works. There are booths all over the place and an island counter that houses the fountain area. The colors say «old school.» Sure it’s noisy, but that’s par for the course.
The menu is what you would expect… burgers, fries, shakes, floats and other stuff you probably found in a 50’s era drive-​in or lunch joint. The fries are good. My burger, which wasn’t what I ordered because they screwed up and gave my cheeseburger to another customer, was decent enough, but nothing special.
The problem for Yaws is simple: they sell $ 8 hamburgers to an aging crowd of folks who no longer go out that much. There were a few younger folks in the place when I stopped in for lunch, but most of the patrons were older. I don’t see how that’s a workable business model going forward. Nostalgia won’t carry the place forever.
There’s no alcohol of any kind here, just like the drive-​ins of yesteryear. I think that’s a mistake. If they were to create a sports bar scenario somewhere here, it would appeal to the younger crowd they need to attract. Of course, the sports bar concept isn’t exactly from the 50’s so it would break the rules and run against the grain of nostalgia. It isn’t what this place is supposed to be about. I get it.
I think Yaws will have a tough time once the newness wears off. But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe nostalgia can be a long-​term magnet. We’ll see.

DISGUSTING. My great aunt worked at Yaws back in the day, so my mom and i were eager to try it. The décor is cheap, old dirty carpet, worn tables and booths, painted styrofoam ceiling. The menu contained many items they didn’t have, but said they ‘printed’ the menu’s before all these ‘details had been worked out’ on what they were going to actually serve.
The menu has many burgers, but is scattered and disorganized. (tons of waffles but they don’t serve waffles, no chicken strips, the kids menu has a hot dog but they don’t know how it is cooked and you can’t order one if you aren’t a kid.)
Burger was a soggy dripping mushy mess. Dinner salad was a pile of bitter iceberg lettuce with ONE unripe tomato slice, and ONE thin cucumber slice… nothing else. Fries were old, cold, rubbery and limp, and way overly salty– like they had been sitting under a heat lamp all day getting re-​salted over and over. Mashed potatoes had a hair in them and had to be sent back. I was very astonished at the low quality of the food, (like how can you make food this bad) disorganized menu, and uninformed staff.
For the price, definitely NOT a good deal. A better meal can be had at IHOP or Denny’s. If you want 50’s décor, go to Billy Heartbeats in Lloyd Center. A sad disappointment.

New kid in town! Well, they USED to be on Sandy Blvd, but I’ve not once errrrrrr old enough to eat out anywhere, even though we’ve always lived just a mile or two from them.
This time, we have a chance to go, with my family of 3. When they post photos of their menus online, the first thoughts that come to mind: cholesterol! But I couldn’t believe that the ones I ordered last night was just THAT! Roost Beef with mash potatoes & dripping everywhere with gravy on white bread. I’m usually a fruit & veggie girl, hardly no protein, no gravy or cream. . stuff like that, but here I am staring @ me, those things I try not to eat. Earlier, I already had coney island @ my event, huge one too. But I couldn’t eat them all, I’d rather have the Onion & Mushroom burger my son ordered. He gave me ¼th of his, some fries and I gave ½ of mine, and ¼th to hubby. But I was full!
Everyone agreed, the fries cut excellent, just a tad salty. Gravy rich & good & potaoes (lumpy) — don’t know if that’s their style. Like I said, I’ve never eaten there before, but nobody wants lumpy potatoes. Left cell @ home, sorry no photos! Hubby tried out their strawberry milkshake, and he was almost done before our meals arrived. EVEN though we were shivering when we got there…long story. Their water glass? SMALL. I should give them 2 stars, but Chuck Wagon had been gone, and we need a new restaurant in the neighborhood, so I won’t.
Positive note, and still smiling from ear to ear. .. . the brick I purchased to honor my mom — front entrance door when you walk in. They also have benches, so you can wait for your friends. Now that I LIKE!
Negative bonus: There’s a puddle (no it’s not raining out) left @ the parking lot, and my shoes splashed on it, I’m talking about my velvet shoes. Tested good for no leaks, but what will happen if there’s more rain or ice? Someone could slipped!
UPDATE: Our group went there today for lunch, and this time I ordered a bowl of Hearty Steak & Vegetable. (See photo). My neighbor & I both agreed — too salty. The problem is she added the saltine crackers on top and I didn’t, I thought I’d taste the soup first before adding more salty products on top, and she add some water to make the soup less salty. Also, by looking @ the photo — where’s the steak? It’s mostly BROTH. Many of the people there, LIKED the salty French Fries, and they also ordered milkshakes, even though it is 33degrees out! Chocolate milkshake was yummy!
With all these negatives, I am not going to change my stars, but I also need to mention. .. . there were 18 – 20 of us, and putting us in the back seated so tightly 2 ½’ for each square tables in a captain’s style chair IS NOT POSSIBLE. The people were in their 80’s and it’s hard to back up to get out if you’re shoulder to shoulder with wooden captain’s style chairs! Luckily, 3 people didn’t show up, so we ended up spreading around so the 2^nd square table people aren’t eating in the middle of one table lower than the other!
There were two (count them) 2 puddles there! Watch out for them!

Good luck to yaws i feel sorry for the employees, hope they all get paid correctly soon. sooo wrong what is going on.

Ok lets start with what Yaws is about. The Burger was very close to what they use to have. But the First thing the waitress said was sorry no pies we pulled them because the quality is not what we want when we get them right we will have them. So I ask how is the ice cream soda? She looks at me and said I don’t know. Makes me wonder but what the heck I will try a chocolate ice cream soda. Big mistake they came out with chocolate in soda water. I explain to her there is not ice cream in it it has to have ice cream to be a ice cream soda, the waitress said hmm I guess the soda jerks don’t know how to make one. What kind of jerks are these? Never mind they are just kids and most likely never heard of a ice cream soda.
Wife had a Bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich or should I say a mayonnaise sandwich with some bacon lettuce and tomato on it. Someone back in the kitchen must love Mayo.
Her chocolate shake with banana was out of this world.
So what to do… I will give them some time and we will try again.
Kind of strange the owner is just standing around watching. You think he would be walking around seeing what customers think. I know I had a few things I could have told him.

We finally made it to the new Yaw’s. I’m old enough to have spent some of my teen years at the original Yaw’s, so I can compare and I think they got it 100% right.
They have a terrific burger menu as well as a lot of other items that were popular on the old Yaw’s menu. They also have a great fountain with real milkshakes, malts, floats, and ice cream dishes that were popular back in the day. Their french fries deserve special mention. They are fresh cut just like they were so long ago. My wife rarely ever touches french fries, but I was surprised to see how fast she plowed through Yaw’s fries. We thought the prices were very good for what we got.
Our food was excellent and served promptly by a very attentive waitress. It was all hot and fresh. I can’t ask for better service. We we also surprised that there is so much room in the place. From the front it doesn’t look like they could have so many tables and booths, but they do and there is plenty of room, so you don’t feel crowded by other diners.
If you are one of those tightly wrapped, new-​age, vegan tofu munchers, this is not the place for you. If you like great regular American diner fare, then you can’t miss with Yaw’s. We will definitely be going back. There is a lot of menu I still have to work my way through.

I had high hopes for this place after hearing about how it used to be a Portland icon. We’ve gone twice, once during the soft opening and once after the grand opening, and were somewhat disappointed both times. The burgers just aren’t anything special and aren’t worth the price. The one redeeming quality is they have Green River on tap.

Mr. Kupcakes and I live just down the street and have been in twice, already. The first time was perfect. The second time we didn’t get exactly what we ordered, but we were fine with it. Our server and the manager however, were not and made sure to take care of us. Even if we didn’t get exactly what we ordered, the food was still tasty and the service was great. Thanks to our server, Alicia, for that. We will be back and look forward to it!

So much hype I had to try it out. The fly in my salad dressing was a rough start. The P.B. shake was yummy. The bacon on my burger was barely cooked. The interior of the restaurant is not yet complete, but they are open. Sloughing off mediocre burgers at $ 10.00 a pop. Nostalgic maybe. But I see no reason to rush back any time soon. They should have taken the time to get it right. Everyone had waited any how.

I’ve been twice now and it’s very good, not great yet but it’s getting there. The green rivers are just right… not too sweet. The burgers are INCREDIBLE! Everything is fresh and tastes delicious. My fave so far is the fries and gravy! I could eat them all day they are so good. Service is a little spotty but improving. Both times I saw Steve Yaw, the owner, overseeing everything to make sure things are, well, Top Notch as they should be. If you love comfort food, burgers, fries and shakes, Yaw’s is definitely worth the trip!

This is the second rebirth of a Portland Icon after the Yaws Family/​Mark Lindsay (Of Paul Revere and the Raiders fame) partnership failed a few years ago. I have visited twice now, both times for lunch and have found the two main staples I went to Yaws for, the burger and the roast beef sandwich (With red relish) to be as I remembered and very tasty.
This is your parents burger, maybe your grandparents, back when nobody worried about whether your bun was organically grown, gluten free and made by some hippy chick with braided armpit hair and multiple piercings. The beef isn’t naturally raised, grass fed, non-​GMO, never seen a feedlot and slaughtered by a Sikh after he blessed it and begged for forgiveness from his ancestors. No, this a hunk of ground beef (From wherever) on a soft toasted bun, mayo, tomato, relish and sliced kosher dills, that’s the way I like it. The Roast beef is quite tasty, sliced thin and piled high on bread of your choice with the choice red relish or barbecue sauce, again, perfectly done and just the way I like it. The fries are meh… but they were meh back in the day so there ya go! Of course you could pile on some of the gravy they have (which tasted like canned gravy) and you have meh with gravy.
As some of the other reviews indicate, the staff here for the most part have that «deer in headlights» look and seem to be running over each other, they are however all pleasant and trying to please the customers, so I give everybody an A for effort and I’m quite sure as they gain experience things will get better.
The ’50’s outfits, soda jerk hats, poodle skirts, wall decorations and general ambiance adds to the retro atmosphere. Old farts like me can come here and remember what it was like to take a date to Yaws for burgers and shakes (Eating in the car of course) then off for an evening of cruising Broadway and maybe ending up at Council Crest for some heavy necking. I look for several local rest homes to have «Yaws nights» where they load up all the geezers in their vans and busses and bring ‘em down for the «Boomer Plate» Special.
So I’ll be back, (not on a bus, at least not for now) several times I’m sure. If things change maybe I’ll update my review.

My husband and I went last week… it was OK. Our order was wrong. My husband ordered the steak burger and got a regular cheese burger. I ordered the regular cheeseburger with onion and tomato — it was missing the onion and tomato. It sounded like the theme of the night was incorrect orders. I think I heard the waitress say «this one’s missing tomato» about 15 times! Our fries were also cold… cold fries SUCK!
I hope that with time Yaw’s gets better. The potential for a great burger joint is there… they just need to either train the cooks better or hire better quality cooks. Two of the cooks got off as we were leaving and they were in the parking lot — acting pretty unprofessional. I don’t want that type of person cooking my food…
For now — Killer Burger is my burger joint of choice!