Van’s Burger

To be honest, I haven’t had the pleasure of eating at Van’s. We just moved to Olympia and they’ve been closed so far. However I’m sure their food is as amazing as all these reviews say. I’ve even heard their off-​season fish and chips is super yummy! I’ll be sure to update this review when I do get the opportunity. :)
What I have had the pleasure of knowing is their incredibly wonderful staff. Erica, Megan and Melissa are some of the sweetest, most sincere people we’ve met here. I can tell by the way they talk about Van’s that it’s more than just a job for them. They truly love what they are doing and deserve every ounce of praise they can receive (both on Unilocal and in person). I’m sure it’s hot in the burger shack during the summer, so I really appreciate them putting the work in to make everyone’s meals.
Thanks Van’s!

Open during the winter, normal not so normal hours but regular, for Fish and Chips. Outstanding! Bring on Lent! No need to go to Annies or Dukes. This is the real deal! Burger’s, love them but they should sell their fish and chips year round. This will be our Friday night dinner for Lent. Thanks Vans! Outstanding!

Best place… hands down for a fresh delishious burger! They should be at the top of the list of burgers not the middle! Sad that Unilocal let’s businesses Pay to be put on top! Tiss tiss Unilocal

Just tried this place for the first time. I non chain burger joints. The burger was yummy along with the friesm

Whoever says this isn’t the most amazing overall experience can suck it, life isn’t about instant gratification, these people work really hard and truly care about the product they put out and the customers that eat here. They deserve to run their business however they want to and I will always be there when they are. Part of the fun to me is waiting for opening day each year.

This place has some of the best burgers! Would have given it a 5 star but the fries were just a tad overdone. You won’t be disappointed coming here. Staff is super friendly, even gave a treat to my little one. This place is soon to be a regular hangout. Enjoyed the nice eating area. You must try!

Absolutely the best burger you’ll find in Olympia! Nuff said.

Great service! Amazing burgers, to DIE for fried onion rings (frings), breath taking milk shakes made from real fruit and dog friendly! Absolutely best burger place around. I highly recommend.

Absolute best burgers in olympia, has become my boyfriend and I’s go to Thursday lunch date spot. Love the burgers and their shakes.

Van’s probably has the worst, most ridiculously inconvenient schedule of any (restaurant) business I have ever known.
The first time I went here it was fine. Nothing special. Just fine.
The second time, I guess I drove to the wrong little shack. Evidently, you go to one place for burgers and fries and another place for ice cream, milkshakes, and corn dogs? I don’t know. Whatever. It’s just stupid. I bought a milkshake just so I didn’t feel like an idiot and drove away hungry.
Finally, the third time I drove out here it was closed. Why?! It was like 5:30 or 6:00 PM on a Thursday!
Their normal schedule says that they should have been open, but if you go to their website it says that they will be closed until July 9^th. Why?
It doesn’t matter. I am tired of driving out here for an average hamburger.
We should always try to support local businesses, but Van’s is a total pain in the ass.
Go to Eastside Big Tom’s if you want a burger instead of a headache.

Been coming here for about three years now. Vans, Red Mill, and Frugals are my go to burger joints. Vans reminds me of when I was little and used to go bowling on mchord. Love this place. It can get packed but well worth it. Hands down one of the best burger joints around with good people who run it.

For two burgers, fries and large soda cost $ 18. More on the pricy side. Burgers were good but I still prefer Daddy O’s.

Burger was delicious, and their chocolate shake is the best I’ve ever had. Frings (mixture of onion rings and fries) could use a more even distribution — menu says it’s good for sharing, but there were only four onion rings in the bag. I usually don’t like crinkle fries, but these were great! Onion rings were even better — next time I’ll probably just order those (but the frings were definitely worth a try!) I was number 14 in line when I got there at 7, and it took me 40 minutes to get through the line. Make sure you’re there by 7, though — they turned away someone who tried to jump in line at 7:30. Definitely worth a visit on a nice summer day!

Best burgers in town. Worth the wait. Made fresh to order. Very friendly family staff. Family owned and they put their heart into it. Nick named the «place that’s never open» because it’s seasonal. Recommend it to burger lovers across the nation. Ask for your onions grilled!

We were in Lacey the other day shopping at Cabela’s and wanted to get a bite to eat afterwards but undecided as to pizza, a burger, or a sandwich joint.
My wife wanted a burger and Van’s, being a Unilocalie fav, wasn’t too far a drive so we decide to give them a try. We were not disappointed and found the drive well worth the trip. It was so nice getting a freshly made and hot burger, vice the pre-​made junk served at most fast food places. Sure you pay a little more, but you get what you pay for at Van’s.
In fact, I was «informed» that we would certainly go back the next time we’re in the area and looking for a very good hamburger.

Van’s is the BEST! My wife and I have been bringing our kids here since they opened and we still love it! Today was the latest example as to why they are great. Juicy wonderful burgers for my wife and I and a hand dipped corndog for my daughter. We sat at the picnic tables ate, played a couple games of tether ball and had a great time as usual! Love this place!

It tastes a lot like In N Out Burger. And like In N Out, It is really overrated. By no means are their burgers bad. If anything they’re pretty good. I didn’t even mind the half hour wait to try it. Or the fact that the food is overpriced. What really chapped my ass was that the food came with a welcome to the grand reopening letter. And on that letter they basically said anyone who negatively reviews their food should just go up and tell them to their faces. I don’t think they realize that this site is to warn other people about their overrated food. Not the owner. He already knows it’s overrated. All in all, I would go back here again if I drive by and the line isn’t too bad. I would never knock off stars for anything but the food quality so I gave them four. I recommend the place despite being the guy on Unilocal who doesn’t get the hype.
Update ⁵⁄₁₅: Iv’e began receiving hate mail from people who are furious that I didn’t give Van’s 5 stars. They’re also pretty livid that I would dare to put a picture of the grand re-​opening letter on the internet. And I’ve got to say, It’s pretty amazing.

My husband and I love your burgers! The fry sauce is awesome, and I love the fries and onion rings. It’s also Ruger approved!!! He loves the pickles! «Ruger is my golden cocker spaniel.» :)

This place in my opinion is better than In & out burger! The special sauce, the bread, the burger is perfect. I would recommend going there during the weekday because the wait is ridiculous on the weekends. People will wait to get those great burgers. I’m impatient, therefore I go during weekdays.

We had been unfaithful. Van’s made us cheat on our beloved In-​N-​Out, repeatedly.
No shame, though. We’re even kicking ourselves why we waited so long to do it. We tell everyone about it. Our neighbor, who drives his family to Seattle to eat at Red Mill can’t thank us enough.
When we start having a hankering for mouth-​watering burgers, we think of nothing but Van’s Big Pete. Just so delicious and everything is fresh. As in everything, even the meat.
I use their phemonal Strawberry milkshake (made with local strawberries from Spooners) as positive reinforcement for my husband after he has fulfilled his chores. Yes ladies, it works but only during the months of April ’til October, while Van’s is open for business. My husband calls it «heaven in a cup».
Must try their: ENTIRE MENU. Seriously, these ladies will do no wrong. Double pound to the chest at Ms. Erica, Ms. Megan, and the ladies at the Sweet Spot, they are all sweethearts.
My kids will do anything for: the dreamsicles, hand-​dipped corndogs, cheeseburgers and lots and lots of Van’s not greasy fries.
They are seasonal though, and only open Thursdays to Saturdays. Cash and CCs accepted.
TIP: Like them on facebook for updates! The burger stall is sometimes open on Wednesday afternoons and they post about it on their facebook account.