Top Burger satisfies the old-fashioned way

Why: Top Burger, at the top of the hill in Camas, is celebrating 65 years in business. The little fast-serve restaurant continues its tradition of serving burgers and fries the old-fashioned way, seven days a week.

Atmosphere: The blue-and-white checkered floor with red upholstered booths and aluminum-trimmed tables harken back to an earlier, perhaps simpler, era. Drive-through is available, but if you opt to dine in, the order counter is just inside the entry, where you receive a number and food is delivered to your table. The modestly sized dining area is wrapped in blue wainscoting topped with a white chair rail and walls are decorated with a few old-time prints. Large windows allow natural light into the space. The blue-and white-checkered theme carries over to the pendant fixtures above tables as well as the paper-lined red baskets food comes in.

What I tried: I had the Supreme Burger, and my dining companion had the Papa Burger. We also tried the french fries with fry sauce.

The fries are slender-cut and deep-fried to a golden crisp. They are seasoned with a tasty, salty seasoning that is unique to the location, and I found them very appetizing. The fry sauce is one of a few dipping options. We found it was the same as the Thousand Island (special sauce) on the burgers.

The Supreme Burger is a quarter-pound burger topped with ham and cheese, special sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. The Papa Burger is considered a full-size hamburger, made with two quarter-pound patties, special sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. My dining companion opted to add bacon, which was prepared slightly chewy. Both burgers are contained in large sesame seed buns. The ham consists of a slice of fried deli-style meat and the lettuce is shredded. Overall, both burgers’ toppings slightly overwhelmed the meat, but they were consistent with other fast-service restaurant offerings — satisfying for a lighter appetite.

Menu highlights beyond what I tried: Burgers include a jalapeño burger, a burger melt, a vegetarian garden burger and every size from a junior to a super giant burger. Sandwiches include a fish sandwich, a crispy or grilled chicken sandwich, a BLT and a ham and cheese. Fries, tater tots and onion rings are available, as are fish, shrimp and clams with fries. Chicken nuggets, strips and fried chicken are available in number of pieces or combos. A green salad, a corn dog and long dog are on the menu as well. Ice cream options include shakes, soft serve, hard ice cream, sundaes and a banana split. Beverage options are covered by Pepsi products, coffee, hot tea, hot spiced cider, Italian sodas and floats.

Other observations: Service is fast and friendly. Food prices are in line with the quality. The atmosphere is nostalgic. The restroom is located on the outside of the restaurant.

Cost: Burgers, sandwiches, and combos range from $2.49 to $14.99. Ice cream treats start at $1.99 and top out at $6.89. Salads are $2.99 and $3.99. Kids meals are $4.49 to $4.79. Fries, tots, and onion rings are $1.99 to $4.99. Beverages $1.49 to $3.79.