The Beautiful Tiger Mountain In Washington Has A Mouthwatering Drive-In Right By The Trails
By Jessica Wick|Published April 19, 2022
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
Issaquah, Snoqualmie, and North Bend are more than just charming mountain towns. They also happen to be home bases to some of Washington’s best hiking trails. And whether you’re a novice hiker or an experienced outdoor enthusiast, one thing is for certain: a good, vigorous hike really works up an appetite.
You won’t find fresh green salads or grilled chicken at the Triple XXX Root Beer Drive-In, which is located in Issaquah mere minutes from the beloved Tiger Mountain and Cougar Mountain trails. But what you will find—classic comfort food and a nostalgic 1950s vibe—is the perfect post-hike experience.
Tiger Mountain sits at the center of the Issaquah Alps, a small range in the Eastside region of King County.
The point is a popular launching point for paragliding and hang gliding. But its unique name comes not from para gliders launching themselves from the mountains, but from the area's logging history. Loggers used whistles to communicate from the logging tower operator to the workers down the hill. Those whistles made a "poo poo" sound, which is how this point got it name.
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The Triple XXX Root Beer Drive-In is located about 15 minutes from the entrance to Tiger Mountain, and it's about 20 minutes from the nearby Cougar Mountain.
It's impossible to miss the enormous barrel sign, the largest one of its kind in the west, as you drive down Gilman Boulevard. It stands out like a barrel-shaped oasis in the desert.
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The restaurant is open all year long, but it's busiest during hiking season.
This is one of only two locations left of this drive-in, which dates all the way back to the 1940s. The chain used to be nationwide, but these days, it's a local gem.
As the name implies, this place is famous for its root beer. And even if you're not much of a root beer drinker, you might want to order one here. The root beer floats are also heavenly.
The food menu includes a pretty extensive burger list, which is what most patrons choose to order.
