Yes :-) Jennifer's review (Apr 30th 2006)

I’ve driven by Burger Royal more times than I can count! Each time as Trent Avenue curves to reveal the packed 60s style drive in, I shake my head and wonder aloud why I haven’t stopped in yet. Finally, after living in the area for more than seven years, Remi and I hit the valley burger shack. Last Wednesday Remi took off work a bit early, he was eager to go to traffic school, and we swung into Burger Royal on route to the police station for an early dinner.

Or maybe it was a late lunch. Either way there were only a few other diners sitting at the worn picnic tables fighting the 95 degree heat. We surveyed the vast menu board and debated the merits of the various burgers. Burger Royal has everything from corn dogs to chicken strips to hot roast beef sandwiches. They even have breaded gizzards—- your choice of chicken or turkey! Bogged down by the heat, I wasn’t feeling too adventurous. I stuck with a small fish and chip basket while Remi opted for the stromboli.

Rumor has it that the stromboli sandwich was invented in Spokane in the 1950s while Burger Royal was still in it’s original location near Gonzaga University. Students flocked to the restaurant for the cheap and filling sandwich. Unfortunately, the good little Catholic boys and girls gave the sandwich a very unflattering name. Owner Mike Aquino renamed his sandwich after the Ingrid Bergman film Stromboli, which was playing at the time. The rest is history.Remi wasn’t as impressed with the stromboli as the students, but he still thought it was pretty good. I on the other hand loved the fish and chips. There are so many things that can go wrong when ordering fish and chips. Some places use frozen breaded fish sticks, some places use old oil, some places use sub par seafood, while still some places fry their fish at too cool a temperature. Burger Royal gets it right. The thick pieces of firm cod were freshly battered and properly fried. The golden pieces were delicious. The fries weren’t bad either. Next time though, I might just have to try the Triple Whammy with cheese and a chocolate shake. It seemed to be a popular choice!

No :-( Remi's review (May 4th 2006)

Did you know the stromboli was invented in Spokane? I didn’t either, but Burger Royal has some fairly convincing proof to back it up. Apparently the owner of the place put the sandwich together in the 1950s, and named it after the Ingrid Bergman movie. Who would have thunk it?

Regardless of its origins, Burger Royal’s stromboli is kind of, well, bad. Too much sauce, slightly stale bread and some sad meatballs makes for a bad meal. But hey, at least it’s the original.

Yes :-) Gregg's review (Oct 28th 2006)

I love their burgers.

GREAT FOOD!

Yes :-) Kristee H's review (Feb 6th 2007)

Most awesome shakes in town!!!! Great Food:)

Yes :-) Jerry's review (Jun 28th 2008)

I was born in Spokane (1951). I worked for BNRR based at Yardley from 1981-1987. I ate plenty at Burger Royal on Trent. I love the Stromboli best. I only get to Spokane about once a year now to visit near Shadle Park H.S. I go out of my way to get a Stromboli fix when in town. Fish & chips are good too!

No :-( barman's review (Jul 24th 2008)

This place has been trading on a pretty outrageous rep for some time. Yeah, it’s a burger joint. Yeah, ya gotta stand outside or sit in line forever. Stromboli? C’mon, if it’s your signature, somebody oughta be able to read it.

It’s like they aren’t even trying. They’re local, so that’s good. A better local burger for the price? Darn near anywhere. No better stromboli? Go get a calzone. Second only to Dicks as the most overrated local burger joint, on a par with Rons, less than DLish.