Do you think your grandma’s meatloaf recipe is timeless? Well, the Tri-Cities’ oldest restaurants have been turning humble ingredients into legendary classics for decades, and they might have you second-guessing that secret family recipe. From faded menus that recall the charm of old-world diners and signature dishes to that unmistakable aroma of nostalgia, these beloved establishments have been turning dishes into timeless classics right here in Tri-Cities!
Zip’s Drive-In
400 E Columbia Drive, Kennewick
509.586.7591
When the Hanford Site began transforming the Tri-Cities into a dusty boomtown exploding with nuclear ambition, Robert “Zip” Zuber found himself firing up his own grill of opportunity with the opening of the first Zip’s Drive-In in 1953. Known locally as the Zip’s By the Cable Bridge, Zuber understood the freshly constructed Hanford Site’s scientists and construction crews needed fuel, and his new drive-in was set to deliver. Functioning under the motto of “Thrift and Swift,” workers came in droves to enjoy fresh-off-the-grill burgers, hand-cut halibut with made-from scratch tartar sauce, and crinkle-cut fries made fresh, with these quick and easy meals all priced to match a blue-collar paycheck.
In the 1960s, Zip’s Drive-In captured the essence of an American Graffiti-era drive-in as rows of cars lined the parking lot beneath colorful awnings, complete with phones for calling in your order from your car or table and carhops and waitresses at the ready to bring your meal right to you. As enchanting as this nostalgic scene remains, its leisurely nature couldn’t keep pace with the accelerating demands of modern America, and by the early ’70s, drive-ins began disappearing nationwide. By this point, Zip’s had already expanded to several locations, and fortunately for patrons, its astute owners acted on these emerging trends, and went on to build some of the first drive-through lanes in the Northwest, securing Zip’s Drive-In’s position as a long-standing local favorite over 70 years later.
Ray’s Golden Lion Restaurant
1353 George Washington Way, Richland
509.371.9500
Ray’s Golden Lion has long been the beating heart of Richland’s nightlife—a legendary bar, restaurant, and live music venue that’s been rocking the Tri?Cities for over 50 years. Opening in 1963 as Eastern Washington’s first Mongolian and Chinese restaurant, it quickly evolved from serving distinctive Asian fare by day to transforming into a vibrant bar and nightclub by night. Over the decades, its stage has welcomed an impressive roster of performers—from the soulful croons of Frank Sinatra Jr. and the powerhouse energy of Tina Turner to rock icons like Meatloaf and even heavy metal acts during the later years.
Though the venue nearly fell silent after owner Wai?Mon “Raymond” Chin was forced to close its doors in 2015—and tragically passed away a year later—the spirit of Ray’s was reborn in 2023 when former band contemporaries Talon Yager and Andrew McVay acquired the establishment. Housed in a building with roots dating back to the 1940s in the Uptown Shopping Center, Ray’s Golden Lion remains a testament to resilience; its eclectic menu—from fish and chips to pork belly tacos—and its live music continue to draw in crowds, proving that its here to forever rock’n roar!
Spudnut Shop
228 Williams Boulevard #3410, Richland
509.943.3000
When Salt Lake City brothers Al and Bob Pelton swapped everyday flour for their very own dry, potato flour mix concoction in 1940, they weren’t just experimenting with a recipe—they were creating a tasty legacy. Fluffier, tastier, and ingenuously irresistible, the Spudnut Shop became a landmark of the era’s food scene as they franchised the concept, coining the word “spudnut,” and officially establishing a nationwide chain of Spudnut Shops in 1946.
In Richland, brothers Barlow Ghirardo and Jerry Bell seized an opportunity with the budding franchise, opening their very own Spudnut Shop right here in the Tri-Cities in 1948. The price for a start-up? Only $50, approximately $674 today, plus the cost of 100 sacks of spudnut flour. Initially, the shop was located in the Richland Wye before it eventually moved to its now seven decades home within the Uptown Shopping Center; the building itself is one of the center’s oldest buildings, having been built in 1951.
Eventually, the shop changed ownership in 2023, when it was sold to longtime friends Mike Bishop and Ryan Pierson, both of whom have had a deep appreciation and fond memories of the Spudnut Shop since childhood. Under their stewardship, the Spudnut Shop has since expanded to two new locations in Pasco and Kennewick, offering the same incredible, doughy deliciousness from a secret recipe that’s been winning hearts and stomachs over for decades.
Lee’s Tahitian
1342 Jadwin Avenue, Richland
509.946.1068
Opposite the Spudnut Shop in the Uptown Shopping Center, Lee’s Tahitian’s iconic neon sign stands as both a silent sentinel and a glowing invitation to those who have frequented its doors for generations. What began as The Mixer in 1950, a simple Richland diner, transformed into Vina’s Tahitian by 1952, teasing Tri-City residents with Pacific Island vibes. But it wasn’t until 1956, when partners Chin and Lee rebranded it C&L Tahitian, that the restaurant fully embraced its tiki-inspired destiny. Bamboo booths, neon palm trees, and Cantonese-Polynesian fusion dishes like sweet-and-sour pork turned it into a kitschy Cold War escape for Hanford workers craving tropical vibes.
Ultimately, Lee took sole ownership of the establishment in 1976, renaming it Lee’s Tahitian. In 1997, Lee sold the restaurant to Ming and Fen Li, who preserved its iconic name and retro charm while simultaneously cranking up the volume with the introduction of karaoke, transforming the dining room into a stage for crooning locals. Under their stewardship, Lee’s Tahitian has evolved into a multifaceted establishment, offering a consistent menu of classic Chinese American dishes alongside a vibrant bar scene that has become a popular draw for locals and visitors alike, and has even expanded to include a Pasco location.
Hill’s Restaurant & Lounge
24 Vista Way, Kennewick
509.783.6713
Since 1970, Hill’s Restaurant & Lounge has been Kennewick’s go-to spot for hearty comfort food in a classic hometown diner. Originally opening as “Hills on the Mall” in 1972 at what is now the Columbia Center, founders Ronna and Tom Hill built a reputation on quality meals and warm hospitality. The establishment was eventually relocated to its Vista Way location in the early 1990s, which was formerly Max’s Broiler, where it continues to serve up time-honored favorites.
Whether diners crave a loaded omelet to start their day off right, a juicy burger for lunch, or a classic pork chop dinner, Hill’s caters to all foodies. Though Tom passed in 1994 and Ronna in 2020, the heart of the restaurant beats on under the stewardship of Nancy Galstad, who first started as a waitress in 1983 before taking the reins more than 20 years ago. Today, Hill’s remains an anchor of Kennewick’s dining scene, offering familiarity and tradition with every meal.
The Tri-Cities’ oldest restaurants have survived the test of time not just because of their great food, but because of the stories they carry. They are more than eateries—they are landmarks, gathering places, and keepers of tradition. Whether it’s the crisp crinkle-cut fries from Zip’s, the roar of live music at Ray’s Golden Lion, the warm, fluffy bite of a Spudnut, the neon glow of Lee’s Tahitian, or a hearty, home-cooked meal at Hill’s, these establishments remain rooted in the heart of the community. In an ever-changing world, they remind us that some flavors, some experiences, and some traditions never fade.
