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Some road trips are planned around towering trees, and some are quietly planned around a milkshake. On the southern end of a famous redwood drive in Northern California, a small burger stop has earned a loyal following of travelers who pull off the highway on purpose.
The menu talk centers on burgers made with local grass fed beef, fries, and shakes that keep coming up in conversation. Next door stands a living redwood with a little red door you can walk right into for free.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what the menu offers, who will love it, and when to go.
A Burger Stop at the Edge of the Giants
Road trippers heading north on Highway 101 find a reason to slow down just a couple of miles off the freeway. The reward is Chimney Tree Grill, a hamburger restaurant at 1111 Avenue of the Giants, Phillipsville, CA 95559, in the United States.
The grill sits at the southernmost point of the Avenue of the Giants. That makes it a handy first stop before the redwood drive, or a well-earned break at the end of it.
The setup is simple. Food comes out fast, prices stay friendly, and the outdoor space gives everyone room to stretch.
Travelers often describe the place as higher class fast food with genuinely good cooking. It is the kind of spot that turns a quick pit stop into one of the trip’s favorite memories.
Phillipsville itself is a small community along the Eel River corridor in Humboldt County. Garberville and Redway are only a short drive away, so guests staying in either town can reach the grill without much effort.
Before the menu comes into the story, there is one neighbor worth meeting first.
The Tree With a Red Door
Right next to the restaurant stands the famous Chimney Tree, a living redwood whose center was hollowed out by fire long ago. The grill borrows its name from this landmark.
A little red door marks the entrance into the trunk. Guests can walk inside for free, which makes it a favorite quick detour before or after lunch.
Inside, the space is dark. The open chimney at the top serves as the only light source, so the effect is more quiet curiosity than flashy attraction.
Kids love ducking through the doorway. Adults tend to enjoy it just as much, mostly because it is rare to stand inside a tree that is still growing.
The pairing works well. Lunch and a landmark share the same parking area, and nobody has to choose between a snack and sightseeing.
Families often treat the tree as the appetizer of the visit. Once everyone has had a turn inside the trunk, appetites usually point straight toward the counter.
Milkshakes Worth the Mountain Miles
Out of all the menu items people mention, milkshakes come up more than anything else. Over fifty mentions point to the shakes as a main reason to stop.
The toasted marshmallow shake has become the headline act for many travelers. It fits the campfire spirit of a redwood road trip without anyone needing to build a fire.
Other flavors draw attention too, including strawberry. Families often order a round for the table and pass cups around the picnic benches.
Guests call the shakes flavorful, tasty, and simply great. That consistency is a big part of why the grill keeps landing on road trip plans year after year.
A shake also makes a smart travel companion. It pairs well with a burger, but it works just as well as a solo treat after a walk under the big trees.
Some regulars build their entire stop around dessert first. Nobody at the picnic tables seems to judge them for it.
Burgers Built on Local Beef
Shakes might grab the headlines, but burgers pay the bills here. The kitchen uses local grass fed beef, and that detail matters to plenty of returning guests.
The lineup has some fun names and combinations. The Bigfoot Burger is large enough for two people to split, which feels fitting in redwood country.
Other favorites include the teriyaki burger with grilled mushrooms and red onion, the mushroom swiss, the chile burger, and the Ortega burger. Bacon cheeseburgers and kids burgers round out the options for families.
The patties are pressed rather than smashed. They arrive on fresh buns, and gluten-free buns are available for guests who need them.
A produce area on the counter lets diners add their own fresh toppings. It is a small touch that lets everyone build a burger exactly the way they like it.
Steak sandwiches also have loyal fans. Some families return every summer just to order the same one again.
Sides That Steal the Spotlight
Fries here earn real praise. The small-cut style gets cooked just right, and a bottle of malt vinegar waits at the condiment stand for anyone who wants it.
Sweet potato fries offer a popular alternative. Onion rings also have devoted fans, with some guests calling them the best they have ever had.
Fried zucchini shows up often in orders alongside burgers and steak sandwiches. It gives the table a little variety without slowing the meal down.
The bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers deserve a special mention. They skip the breading, and the bacon creates the crispy outside instead.
Potato salad and mac salad are frequent picks too. Both suit a picnic table lunch under tall trees quite nicely.
Not every item wins every heart. Wings, fish and chips, and the side salad get more mixed feelings, so the burgers and fried sides remain the safest bets.
Fair warning: a full spread of sides can quietly shrink the room left for a shake.
Picnic Tables, a Playground, and a Polite Cat
Indoor seating is limited to a cute round lunch counter. Most of the action happens outside, where sturdy old picnic tables spread across a spacious area.
The outdoor setup is a big draw. It stays clean and comfortable, and it is a pleasant place to sit when the weather cooperates.
Families appreciate the small playground. Kids can burn off road trip energy while the grown-ups finish their fries in peace.
Clean restrooms add to the appeal for long drives. Ample parking means nobody has to circle for a spot.
Dog owners find the space useful as well. The roomy grounds give pets a chance to rest before the next stretch of mountain road.
Then there is the local welcoming committee, a friendly cat that greets diners. It is known for good manners and does not try to sneak food off plates.
Friendly staff round out the relaxed mood. The overall vibe is easygoing, casual, and built for travelers of every age.
Hours, Costs, and the Scenic Route
Planning a stop is easy. The grill is open every day of the week from 11 am to 8 pm.
Most meals fall in the $10 to $20 range per person. A few guests feel it runs a bit high, while many others call the value good for the portions.
The location sits just a couple of miles from Highway 101. Travelers are strongly encouraged to skip the freeway for a while and drive the original route along the Avenue of the Giants.
Timing works either way. Eating before the redwood drive fuels the journey, and eating afterward feels like a reward.
Updates and announcements appear on the grill’s Facebook page. It is worth a quick check before heading out, especially during busy summer weeks.
The food comes out about as fast as fresh cooking allows. That keeps the stop efficient for anyone with many miles still ahead.
Why the Detour Pays Off
A 4.5-star average across more than 570 opinions says a lot about a small roadside grill. Consistency is the quiet secret behind that number.
The appeal is easy to explain. Fresh burgers on local beef, well-made fries, and shakes worth bragging about all share one address.
Add a walk-in redwood next door, and the stop becomes more than a meal. It turns into a small adventure that kids remember long after the trip ends.
The grill suits families, couples, dog owners, and solo drivers alike. Anyone exploring the Avenue of the Giants will find it a natural place to pause.
Not every dish is a home run, and indoor space is tight. Still, the friendly crew and roomy picnic grounds make those small trade-offs easy to accept.
So the next time the redwoods are on the itinerary, leave room in the schedule and in the stomach. That toasted marshmallow shake is waiting at the southern gate of the giants.
