Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Store
About
Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Store offers a unique educational experience where kids can watch grains being milled into flour through large windows overlooking the production facility. The on-site restaurant serves kid-friendly pancakes, waffles, and baked goods made fresh with their whole grain products, making it easy to combine a hands-on learning experience with a delicious meal that even picky eaters enjoy.
Highlights
- ✓Watching giant millstones grind grains through viewing windows
- ✓Kid-friendly whole grain pancakes and waffles at the on-site restaurant
- ✓Extensive bulk bins where children can see and compare different grains and flours
- ✓Free samples of baked goods and granola available throughout the store
- ✓Educational displays explaining how different grains are grown and processed
Pro Tips
- 1.Visit on weekday mornings when the mill is actively running so kids can see the equipment in operation and hear the fascinating sounds of grain processing
- 2.Let kids pick out a baking mix from the extensive store selection to take home and make together as a follow-up activity
- 3.The restaurant can get busy during weekend brunch hours,arrive before 10am or after 1pm for shorter wait times
- 4.Ask staff about informal milling demonstrations; employees are knowledgeable and love explaining the process to curious children
- 5.Browse the free recipe cards throughout the store for kid-friendly baking ideas using whole grains
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings between 9am-11am are ideal when the mill is actively running and before lunch crowds arrive at the restaurant. The store is less crowded on weekdays, giving kids more space to explore and ask questions.
What to Know
The store and restaurant are free to visit with no admission charge; you only pay for food and any products you purchase. Ample free parking is available on-site, and the facility is wheelchair accessible with stroller-friendly aisles.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round with consistent hours. The restaurant features seasonal menu items like pumpkin pancakes in fall and berry dishes in summer using local Oregon ingredients.
Nearby Eats
McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (5 minutes away) offers a kid-friendly menu, outdoor seating, and a historic farm setting. Insomnia Coffee Company in nearby Hillsboro has light lunch options and treats that appeal to children.
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