Clayton J.
Yelp
I've been here a few times over the years, shocked I never reviewed it. This was the first location I ate at about 20 years ago. They had a billboard that read, "If you want an ass as big as a ferry, eat our burgers". They earned style points for that one. My initial burger years ago, was smoky and tasty and reminded me of a couple burger favorites that don't exist anymore. The place is out of the way, so I've only been back a few times in the past 20 years and half of those times there were closed because I can never remember they aren't open on Mondays.
Never made it to Totem House. Pandemic hit, they closed and when they never fully re-opened, I knew that was a done deal. I've eaten at Interbay as well, but it's a different experience, I prefer the intimacy of this location however, there is a good chance you won't get a park or a table when you come here.
This trip I got lucky, there was a single parking spot available, and I claimed it. Inside the places was almost empty. All the counter seating was available and 4 out of the 8 estimated tables were available.
Placed my order and when I went to grab a table, they were all dirty, I mean filthy. I went back to the counter to ask for someone to wipe a table and the snotty girl looked at me like I asked her for her kidney. After about an awkward 15 second stare down. She called someone to clean tables. That girl was extremely friendly, even apologized, but truth be told, my mood already shifted. It's someone job to keep the place clean, especially when it's slow and giving attitude when someone asks for help makes me question if these women get training, or if management is managing anything!
It was a long wait for the meal. When it came, everything was hot and fresh, however, the burger was salty and lacked the juice and smoke that I remember. For the record, I love salt, so if they burger was salty, someone seasoned the flunk out of it. I also paid $.50 for Mill Sauce; it was terrible. It boasted in its explanation as a smokey mayonnaise, but it was bland and flavorless. I mixed in some ketchup and added salt and pepper, but I recommend you skip it all together, it was trash. They also would benefit from a Frings option. Add 1.50 and get a couple onion rings on top of your fries, or something to that effect.
No question this place has potential and previous trips have proved that to me, but this is a prime example of how you can be a highly rated national eatery, but snotty service and poor preparation can ruin your brand. Had this been my first trip, it would have been my last. It still may be. I'd probably go back to Interbay before I came back here, the attitude of that cashier was so sh*tty, I honestly should have just requested my money back and walked out, but I suspect, they wouldn't have refunded me after placing my order.
That said. Single star, that's who you are!