Great Diner, Forgotten Wine List
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 12, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Frank's Diner Downtown’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You walk into a gorgeous vintage railroad dining car, order your eggs Benedict, and then glance at the wine list — four options, all of them the kind of thing you'd find on a gas station shelf. This is a diner first, last, and always, and the wine program reflects exactly that level of priority.
Four wines. That's the whole list. White Zin, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Merlot — all California, all anonymous, all clearly chosen to check a box rather than actually serve wine drinkers. There's no producer information, no vintage, no sense that anyone spent more than ten minutes curating this. If you care even a little about what's in your glass, the wine list at Frank's will feel like an afterthought, because it absolutely is one.
All four wines are available by the glass at $8 flat, which is at least honest pricing for what you're getting. There's no rotation, no seasonal swap, no sense that this list has changed since the dining car was last refurbished. Four pours, take it or leave it.
Chardonnay — $8
At $8 a glass with no producer markup games to navigate, the Chardonnay is the most inoffensive option here — it's cold, it's white, and it won't embarrass you next to your pancakes.
Merlot
Nobody's ordering Merlot at a diner in 2024, which means it probably gets rotated through faster than you'd expect — fresher bottle, slightly less oxidized. It's the dark horse of a very short race.
White Zin
White Zinfandel on a wine list in the present decade is a sign. Not a good one. Skip it and order a coffee — you're in a diner, and the coffee is almost certainly better.
Chardonnay + Eggs Benedict
The hollandaise needs something with enough body to cut through it, and a California Chardonnay — even a generic one — brings just enough weight and mild acidity to hold up against that richness. It's not a revelation, but it works.
The Bottom Line
Frank's Diner is a Spokane classic worth visiting for the atmosphere and the corned beef hash — just don't come here for the wine. Order a Bloody Mary and call it a morning.
Kendall Yards · Spokane · Winery and craft distillery tasting room with small bites
Browne Family's Spokane room is a confident single-producer tasting experience done right — fair prices, knowledgeable pours, and a genuine case for why Washington State deserves your attention. Send a friend here if they think Washington wine is just an also-ran.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West Downtown / Riverside · Spokane · Barbecue / American Tavern
The Blackbird is a genuinely good barbecue tavern that simply doesn't care about wine, and the steep markups on uninspired bottles make that indifference expensive. Come for the smoked meats and a cold beer — if you insist on wine, grab the Milbrandt and move on.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Fondue / Upscale Casual
The Melting Pot Spokane isn't a wine destination, and it's not trying to be — but the Washington State anchors on this list are genuinely good, and if you stick to those, you'll drink well enough for the occasion. Come for the fondue experience, order the Ste. Michelle, and save the serious wine night for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Hotel cocktail bar and lounge with small plates
1919 won't blow any minds, but for a hotel bar in downtown Spokane it earns genuine respect for keeping Washington State producers front and center. Come for the room, stay for the Beresan — just don't expect any surprises in the pricing.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Hotel Rooftop/Terrace Bar
The Grand Terrace Bar is a great place to drink wine in Spokane — just not necessarily great wine. Come for the skyline, order the Riesling, and save the serious bottle hunting for elsewhere.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Wine Bar
Barrister is a genuine Wild Card: a serious urban winery tucked into Spokane's rail district that most wine travelers blow past on their way to Walla Walla. If you're in eastern Washington and you haven't stopped here, you owe yourself a visit.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Baltimore · American
Give the international and local sections a look before defaulting to Burgundy. Sula at $70 and Old Westminster at $90 offer different budget options. These are posted bottle prices, not guaranteed stock; confirm availability. This menu guide doesn't rate service or cellar conditions.
· Key West · American
Caroline's Café is not a wine destination, and it's not trying to be — the identical pricing across all five house labels makes that abundantly clear. If you're in Key West looking for something interesting in your glass, keep walking; if you just need a cold pour of Chardonnay with your lunch and aren't asking questions, $8 gets you there without drama.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kerns · Portland · American
Noble Rot is the rare restaurant wine program that would hold up as a standalone wine bar — deep list, sharp staff, fair prices, and a view that makes the whole experience feel earned. Send your friends here. Send yourself here.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
