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Bars where Pete has had a Drink (5,608 bars; 1,754 bars in Seattle) - Click titles below for Lists:


Bars where Pete has had a drink

Saturday, March 17, 2018

#2637 - Big Rock Roadhouse, Mount Vernon, WA - 10/19/2014

Big Rock Roadhouse/Tavern/Grocery/Cafe
Mount Vernon, WA
This gas station, grocery store, diner, tavern, and music venue has been in business in one form or another here, just outside the city limits of Mount Vernon Washington and just south of Nookachamps Creek, for over 100 years. It was called the "Big Rock Tavern" from the years of prohibition to the 1980s; a photo on the wall from '28 shows then owner Clarence Barney with his jazz band performing there. Some locals recall subsequent owner Floyd Schopf roasting beavers for the patrons. It's run under any number of variations on "Big Rock"/"BigRock" names over the years (the titular volcanic mound rises just across the highway).

Big Rock Roadhouse, Mount Vernon, WA
It closed again a year or two after this 2014 visit -- someone told us the roundabout on the corner of Highway 9 out front had hurt business -- but reopened December 10, 2017. The menu contains much of the modernized pub food you'd expect from a community gathering place presenting lots of different products to folks young and old. There's the obligatory Taco Tuesday, clam chower on Fridays, and specials like Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wrap and Chicken and Waffles with Sriracha maple syrup. There's a good selection of beers and a patio for warmer days.


The previous owners had hosted musical groups from Knut Bell to zydeco, and the current owners appear to be keeping the long-running musical tradition alive. Like a lot of places we visit along our roadtrips, I'd love to come back to see what must be a very different personality on a Friday or Saturday night.

I wouldn't let a roundabout disuade you from stopping in.



14779 Washington 9, Mt Vernon, WA 98273 - (360) 424-7872
Web site: facebook 
Articles ranked: goskagit - yelp - locality - tripadvisor - untappd  

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