Columbia Gorge Hotel

There’s a long-running debate going on in Hood River over what restaurant or bar has the best happy hour. Today is May 11th, 2010, and my current favorite is the Columbia Gorge Hotel’s. First, it runs a full hour extra: 4-7pm. Second, it’s seven days a week. Third, not only is the food cheap and well-portioned (but not absurd), the beer is cheap as well.

The ambiance does not match the concept of happy hour. Happy hour should be fun. The decor is not. It’s decidedly snooty, like something out of a British tea room (if such places exist). The couches, however, are comfortable. The crowd is 50+, but don’t let that stop you if you’re not.

If you’re there for the cheap food, the buffalo burger is the most popular item.

There’s also a restaurant at the hotel, with grownup food at grownup prices. You’ll be able to eat things like rabbit and elk and deer. Poor Bambi. Bambi is yummy. Did I say that?

The Columbia Gorge Hotel is hard to miss. It’s the monstrosity at the west end of town, right on the cliff overlooking the Columbia River. Check it out.