The Good Times Saloon
Family reopens historic Mt. Hood restaurant
With the ever-turbulent economic storms of today’s great recession, the Good Times Saloon, a relatively new Mount Hood area drinking and dining establishment in the heart of Rhododendron, is constantly trying new menu items. They have perfected just the right ingredients to keep their customers happy.
Good Times Saloon opened on March 28, 2008, in what was literally a family adventure. Owners Deborah Chestnut and her son Tim, as long-time Mt. Hood residents, had spent three years looking at potential business opportunities. They found it in the old historic log building in Rhododendron that occupied a prominent place adjacent to East U.S. Highway 26.
The historic log structure was built sometime during the 1920s by William John Lenz, an expert at building with logs. Also employed on the project was Henry Steiner, a German immigrant who was another log builder and expert at stone masonry. This early 1920s log building was constructed as it was intended, a restaurant. However, because this was during the time of the Great Depression and there were still a lot of loggers who lived in the logging camps in the Mt. Hood area, the rustic establishment also featured a few “ladies of the evening” that reportedly “helped to make ends means meet,” according to co-owner Deborah Chestnut. The beautiful log building originally housed the Log Lodge Restaurant, open until the 1990s. It then reinvented itself as Don Guidos Restaurant and offered fine Italian dining.
When the Chestnuts discovered that the former Log Lodge Restaurant was up for sale, they finally found just what they had been looking for, a piece of Mt. Hood history that they could transform into what they wanted in a business venture. “It was our mad idea, to jump on the bandwagon and give it (the restaurant dream) a good ol’ Mt. Hood try,” says Chestnut, matter-of-factly.
Chestnut knew that she had one of Mt. Hood¹s historical gems; after driving school bus over Mt. Hood for 33 years, she passed by it for far too many years. One of the things that attracted the Chestnuts to the log building was its Cascadian-style architecture; however, it was not just the logs. Equally as enticing was the large double-faced river-stone fireplace. The fireplaces were literally constructed back-to-back and were built by Steiner. They featured huge capstones reminiscent of the frontier; this unique, interior stone monument now serves as an incredibly warm and historic feature for diners.
The theme for the saloon is remembering an earlier era. The Chestnuts settled on a western theme; their goal was to create an eating and drinking establishment with a very relaxed atmosphere that would welcome everyone. ”We named it Good Times Saloon because everyone remembers a time that was good for them,” explains Chestnut. “We wanted to create a place that would not only reflect this, but wanted something that would also new create fond memories for people.”
Good Times Saloon features home cooking on their menu as much as possible. Most of what they offer, according to Chestnut, are secret family recipes handed down. They make their own sauces and stroganoff and even bread their own chicken-fried steaks. For breakfast, served all day, they feature what is boasted by their customers, the biggest pancakes on Mt. Hood. Their ever-popular huckleberry pancake special includes large pancakes and two eggs, available for only $5.25.
Great music is also featured here. Although this is not a regular occurrence, when it happens, the rafters in this historic building come alive with a whole lot of foot stompin’ that pleasantly seems to even shake-up the ghosts in the old historic log building’s attic.
Just recently, Celtic Pride, who performs either as a duo or trio, took to the stage. The talent of the performers Tom Teven, Marie Kennedy and friends, easily flows from the stage and overwhelms their audiences with Celtic songs and easy listening tunes.
Celtic Pride’s two main personnel are the Scottish-born, singer-songwriter Tevan and Mt. Hood’s own Kennedy. They met in 1984 in Edinburgh while Kennedy was backpacking through the British Isles with her ever-trusty fiddle and guitar in tow. She attended one of Tevan¹s solo performances and took a liking to his songs. They ended up joining musical forces and performed together throughout Europe before coming to the stages in the United States.
Known for their incredible vocals and musical abilities, one would be hard-pressed to find any other performers doing what Celtic Pride can do with a guitar, mandolin and fiddle. The results are musically magical.
As the tough economic times continue to wreak havoc on businesses and families, the Good Times Saloon has managed to continue its mission of offering excellent food, a full-service bar and hospitality. “The economic times were a shocker to us,” says Chestnut. “Times are tough, but we are still here with our dream, the Good Times Saloon.”
Travelers, family groups and Mt. Hood locals are finding their way to the doors of this historic building that houses the Good Times Saloon. It’s located at 73330 E. U.S. Highway 26, Rhododendron. For additional information, see ad this issue or call (503) 622-1696.