Burgers · $$
1 Riverside Grill & Catering
305 Strand Street, St. Helens
- Take-Out
“For Father's Day, I made a 6:00 p.m. reservation for my partner and me. We were excited to try this newer St. Helens restaurant because the whiskey flights, ribeye steak, and beef Wellington sounded fantastic, and the reviews we had read were very positive. When we arrived a few minutes before 6:00, all of the tables were occupied, and our reserved table wasn't ready yet. The staff needed to clear and clean a table for us before we could be seated. We chose to sit outside on a beautiful evening, though I sometimes worry that outdoor seating can be overlooked when staffing is limited. Unfortunately, our experience started off on the wrong foot. Our server handed us menus from a nearby table that she was still clearing, commenting that it was easier than taking them inside to clean them. The menus were damp and not particularly appealing, but we let it go. We immediately ordered drinks—a whiskey flight and a glass of wine—and were ready to order dinner as well. We ordered a ribeye steak with potatoes and the house salad to share. About 20 minutes later, we received water and a pitcher for the table. The salad arrived shortly after, but our drinks still hadn't appeared. By 6:45, after waiting roughly 45 minutes and still not receiving our drinks, I went inside to cancel our dinner order. The salad was underwhelming, and we needed to get home to care for our dog and administer medications. At that point, the experience took a dramatic turn for the better. The owner Meagan stepped in, asked what had happened, and immediately took responsibility for making things right. She personally brought our drinks, checked on the status of our order, and offered to package everything to go since we were running short on time. She listened attentively to our concerns, treated us with genuine kindness, and even included dessert with our takeout order. At this point we had been talking to the table beside us, and they were in the same boat, had salads, but no drinks and no food, the Owner Meagan addressed their table as well! While the service from our server left a lot to be desired, the owner's professionalism, generosity, and commitment to customer satisfaction completely changed the outcome of the evening. Mistakes happen in restaurants, especially newer ones, but how management responds makes all the difference. The evening didn't go as planned, but thanks to the owner, we left feeling heard and appreciated rather than frustrated. I sincerely hope the service issues are addressed because the owner clearly cares about her customers and the success of her restaurant. I'd be willing to give them another try in the future.”
