Hought's Ice Cream & Burgers

50’s diner! Voted the best homemade burgers AND Dessert, In Union Co. Great ice cream, homemade hot fudge, fresh cut curly fries & friendly service!

Clair and Helen Hought owned Houghts from 1951-1985. It was closed from 1985-2005. In Sept 2004 Carla Sorweide bought Houghts, after her husband, Chuck Sorweide, passed away in November 19, 2003. Houghts reopened on February 14th, 2005. Houghts is a step back in time, back to the 1950’s, with the homemade burgers, fries, malts and shakes to make you feel the warmth and love we put into this place. We hope you enjoy your stop along the way. When you are here, you are like family!

Good ice cream; Danger of death

The ice cream is fine. One of 2 employees behind the counter when we entered was not masked. Two un-masked customers entered while we were there. Not surprising -- there was a sign on the door saying (as required by Oregon law) "Masks Required" under which was handwritten "We are not allowed to confront you about it. It's your choice." Well, it's not the customer's LEGAL choice, any more than it is the customer's LEGAL choice to endanger their neighbors by driving drunk! We didn't enjoy our visit - we felt threatened. Masking is not just the law, not just the scientifically proven best way (aside from vaccination) to reduce the spread of a deadly disease - it is also basic human decency. It says to our fellow human beings, we care about you, and we will inconvenience ourselves a little to make you safer. By blowing off the obligation to enforce a clear mask mandate, as this business and many businesses we've seen are doing, says screw you. We don't care about you. We lack the courage to do our part to help end this terrible pandemic. Well, you won't get our business any more.

Good food with an at home feel

Wonderful little place. Super friendly and good food. Really like the feel of the restaurant and how they make you feel at home no matter where your from. You get to see them make everything for you. If your in the area just driving through it staying stop in and have a wonderful meal. Don't forget the ice cream.

BEST burger EVER!!!!

My FAVORITE food is a yummy hamburger - and I have eaten a lot of them. NONE compares to the Hought burger! We were on our way from CA to WA, and stopped in La Grande for lunch. We came upon Hought's and since my husband is a real ice cream LOVER, we HAD to stop.... OMGoodness, we are SO happy we did! Easy selection of the burgers - it HAD to be the Hought, with their special sauce and some minor changes.... I am not a cheeseburger addict - just burgers!) But let me say, it starts with the most wonderful, tender, moist, but full burger bun! Then inside (but really going to all of the edges!) is this delectable patty that explodes with flavor in your mouth! The beef is BEEFY and it is complimented with the most wonderful sauce. It is Hought's sauce, and it is really the BEST! Add in my usuals - lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and there is the creation of heaven on earth... a Hought burger! Oh, and the size is good - a real meal! My husband almost always orders something different - so we can taste different things. But why, since that burger IS the best!!! Wowsers, did he ever enjoy that burger!!! But he also ordered sweet potato tater tots. Omgoodness again - they were sweet potato sweet, flavorful, tender and perfectly cooked with a nice, crispy crust. We could eat this all day long!!! To satisfy the ice cream craving, the owner created a fabulous ice cream concoction. She asked him exactly what he wanted to taste and she came up with the ingredients! They made up a cherry soda with a chocolate ice cream float creation. Like chocolate covered cherries, this was the BEST tasting float ever! The day we were driving through La Grande, it was pouring down rain. Okay, I grew up in WA State - rain is fabulous! :) And it was... as we got the opportunity to wait out the downpour in the historical and fun restaurant, have the MOST fabulous burgers and lunch, plus chat with the nicest people on the face of the earth! You GOTTA try it out! The burgers cannot be beat, there are so many "sides" combinations to try, and the ice cream creations are limitless.... AND the staff cannot ever be beat! Superiorly nice folks who love their jobs, their guests, and life! It doesn't get better than this!!!

Very good food and clean

The hamburgers were excellent and like one would make at home. The meat was flavorful. I have never had so many options for types of french fries. The ones made from fresh potatoes that were sliced and then deep fried were just like my mother used to make...thoroughly cooked but limp. I was asked if I wanted them double fried, so they would be crispy, but I said that, as long as the fries were cooked through, I wanted them only fried once. They were perfect! This is the first restaurant I have ever been in where they had hand sanitizer on each table. What a great idea! I do clinical microbiology, so I am always on the look out for cleanliness issues, in restaurant, and this place met the mark! The owner, who was cooking our burgers and fries washed her hands 4 times, at the designated handwashing sink during the time we were there. Also, she was very concerned about us having our food prepared just to our liking. Very personal attention to detail! The shakes were handmade from real ice cream, and there were almost too many flavors to choose from. Also, this is the first place we have been to a place where they serve real percolated coffee made in a stand alone stainless steel plug-in electric coffee pot! The only thing we did not like was how the delivery of our credit card receipt was handled. We could not get a paper one, at the restaurant, as we were told it would be sent to our email. When we got the email, it seemed that we would have to sign into some sort of service for providing us a copy. I did not like that and chose to forego the email copy. From now on, we will just pay cash, but that is a bit of an inconvenience for us. We are going through La Grande, soon, and I will ask the owner about this issue.

Hought’s Ice Cream & Burgers

Good ice cream; Danger of death

Good food with an at home feel

Best!!

BEST burger EVER!!!!

Very good food and clean