Roots Brewing Co.

I have lived in Portland for over two years now, and I have never had a bad experience as far as restaurant/bar service until last night (03/20/09) at Roots Organic Brewery. Pros: EPIC ALE is Strong and Smooth. Cons: WORST SERVICE EVER! more

This Place has some damn fine beer! Pros: Half price Tuesday Cons: ? more

Roots brewpub is a great ""Portland beer place."" It isn't glitzy like Deschutes in the Pearl district, the food is reasonably priced, the beer is excellent (although they serve only their own brews, so the range is limited.) One reviewer complained about the ""ambiance"" --- sure, the bar stools are so low for the bar that they had to bring a phone book for my wife to sit on to eat comfortably, but we thought it was funny. Higher bar stools are probably a good idea, though. The two people at the bar were friendly and helpful, no fuss just did the job well. The outside area is just picnic tables on the sidewalk, low key but OK if it isn't too sunny. A lot of us (I think, anyway) want most Portland beer places to be like this --- friendly, good food and beer, smaller, maybe a little grubbier, not all plastic and glitz. In this area are also Lucky Labrador, Produce Row Cafe, some others, but Roots is good. Pros: Friendly and capable workers. Try their ""Younger's Nightmare"" stout!!!! Cons: Not ""glitzy plastic and glass"" --- for that, go to Deschutes in the Pearl. more

We came here after sunset on a nice summer evening and sat at one of the outside tables where we could still hear the live music inside. Even though we were out on the sidewalk, the ambiance was nice and the beer was yummy. I like that this place isn't all dark and smoky inside. It actually feels rather open and light. The live music wasn't so loud inside that you couldn't hear yourself think. All in all, a great place. Pros: Good lighting, good beer more

I went with a group of friends to hang out and have a few beers on a Friday night. I really liked the heather. The picnic table seating was great, it was easy to move around and mix up the group at times. I also enjoyed catching the Blazer game on the very clear flat screen TV. The cover band was excellent. They played all different types of music (reggae, rock, Neil Diamond!). I had a grilled cheese sandwich, very tasty. The service was fine. Nobody smiled and pretended to be my best friend, and that's ok with me. more

I disagree witht he previous reviewer. This place is great for what it is. If they wanted bear skin rugs and fireplaces, they would've went in that direction. The food is great, staff is friendly and the beer is hard to beat. more

The beer is great and can't get any fresher. The problem is the physicalness of the place: it's not warm and inviting. The level of the bar is about six inches higher than it should be; the floor is concrete; the temperature cold; the picnic table seating uncomfortable. They should put a wood floor in (at the same time raising the it so that the wooden bar is normal height) and put in tables and chairs with backs so that one can sit comfortably. OWNERS IF YOU'RE READING THIS: YOU WILL ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS especially since you also have music. MAKE THE PLACE MORE INVITING FOR CRISSAKE--YOU CHARGE ENOUGH FOR THE BEER AND FOOD! NOW THAT YOU'RE ""MAKING IT"", INVEST SOME MONEY IN THE PLACE! Pros: Beer Cons: ambience more