Dine at This NorCal Burger Spot and Step Inside a Giant Hollowed-Out Redwood

Imagine this: You're seated under a towering canopy of ancient redwoods, the scent of pine and the mouth-watering aroma of freshly grilled burgers in the air. As you wait for your burger to cook, you walk inside a 78-foot-tall, hollowed-out redwood tree. This is not a scene from a fairy tale; it's a reality at the Chimney Tree Grill, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of redwood country. This NorCal burger spot is in a prime location to enjoy a meal and explore the majestic redwoods!

Step Inside the Hollowed-Out Living Chimney Tree

Grabbing a bite at the Chimney Tree Grill is more than just eating; it's a redwood forest dining experience you'll never forget! The Northern California restaurant is situated next to hollowed-out redwood, called the Living Chimney Tree, which is a natural wonder that has captivated visitors for more than a century.

The 78-foot-tall redwood was hollowed out by a fire in 1914. This created a magical space where visitors could actually step inside its vast, natural interior and gaze up through the chimney-like opening to the sky above.

To get inside, visitors walk through a door installed into the side of the tree. The "room" inside the tree is pretty spacious! At 12.5 feet wide, an entire family can explore the inside of this enormous tree. While you're exploring the tree, be sure to take a deep breath and lift your eyes all the way up the tree to really appreciate just how tall these redwoods get.

Admission into the Living Chimney Tree is free.

This unique backdrop sets the stage for an easy but extraordinary dining experience, one that combines the best of nature with fresh, local cuisine. 

What to Order at Chimney Tree Grill

One of many unique dining experiences and rural NorCal restaurants, the Chimney Tree Grill opened back in 1978 and has seen several owners over the decades.

Today, Chimney Tree Grill is committed to serving fresh, local ingredients, including their grass-fed 100% beef burgers that come with a wide variety of toppings. Their burgers are cooked-to-order and can be ordered a la carte or with some of your favorite sides. The restaurant also has vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-sensitive menu options available. 

Try the mushroom Swiss burger with a side of French fries. Larger appetites might enjoy the 1-pound aptly named Bigfoot Burger. Order a selection of fried appetizers (zucchini sticks, bacon-wrapped jalapeños, deep fried macaroni bites, etc). And be sure to order one of their delicious milkshakes — with fun flavors like blackberry, cheesecake, and toasted marshmallow — that pair well with the burgers.

What sets the Chimney Tree Grill apart is not just the food, but the atmosphere. The restaurant offers indoor seating that looks out to the forest, as well as outdoor seating, allowing guests to dine at picnic tables amidst the towering redwoods. 

The serene, natural setting provides a perfect backdrop for enjoying a casual meal, whether you're relaxing after a hike or simply soaking in the beauty of the grove. 

What to Know Before Visiting 

Location: 
1111 Ave of the Giants 
Phillipsville, CA 95559

Hours:
Open daily for lunch & dinner - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (subject to off-season changes)

Take-out orders: 
Yes, you can get your order to go! 

Reservations: 
The Chimney Tree Grill doesn't take reservations, so you may need to wait, but this gives you plenty of time to explore the nearby hollowed-out Living Chimney Tree.

Parking:
Yes, there’s a parking lot and ample room for parking RVs, too.

Reviews:
Check their active Yelp page for the most recent reviews. 

Make This Redwood Restaurant Part of a Northern California Road Trip

There is no absence of things to do in the Northern California redwoods. If you take a trip to the Chimney Tree Grill, you’re already on the Avenue of the Giants — the famous 31-mile scenic highway that winds through towering, ancient coast redwoods.

While you’re there, check these nearby roadside attractions off your Northern California bucket list, too: the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree, the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree, and Confusion Hill. Birdwatchers won’t want to miss Russ Park, Ferndale's bird sanctuary, and you can access the South Fork of the Eel River for a day of swimming, kayaking, or fishing. 

For road trippers, adventurers taking a Northern California redwood hike, and campers headed north for a redwood forest getaway alike, the Chimney Tree Grill is the perfect lunch stop on your tour of the redwoods.