I'll try to keep this simple for all you out there who are reading all these 'amazing' reviews and oh yea, who saw the Food Network episode. Just because something's on TV and some overrated guy on some overrated show says something is awesome, doesn't magically make it so.
Coming from someone who lived in Portland, OR for a good portion of their life, and knows what REAL dive bar, hometown cooking is, this place is a downright joke.
The food is nothing special by any stretch. It's bland, mediocre, poorly presented, and definitely isn't worth waiting for. You'd get a better cheeseburger at Willie's or a hundred other places that serve burgers.
The service...umm complacent. Hey, if you're gonna somehow get featured on a TV show, take some pride in your job and try a bit. Maybe it was an off night or something, but my God, I felt 'in the way'.
Ok - folks, anywhere...I mean ANYWHERE that either intentionally or unintentionally bills itself as a 'dive bar with great food' had BETTER have more than ONE BEER ON TAP!! What in God's name is this about?!? ONE BEER...ONE!!! I have no words to explain how totally blown away I was to discover this...what kind of bar is this?! And they serve steak, burgers, (err BURGER...just one), and a few other comfort food items...with ONE BEER on tap...priceless.
The menu in general...one page...all extremely plain looking items. If the cheeseburger (which I ordered cause it was at the TOP of the menu...as if that's the best thing on the menu) is any indication of anything else served there, please....don't waste your money or time.
Ambience - hahaha!!! no wait...HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Is this supposed to be kitschy? Is it supposed to look 'divey'? hahaha!!! It's the most 'try-hard' and thrown together looking place. What are we going for here? Retro beer advertisement mirrors...check. Head of dead animal on wall...check. Where should we hang all this stuff? I dunno...just throw it up anywhere, it'll look dive-bar'ish. HAHAHA! Sorry...it's funny stuff...really. Not comfy, not cool, not old looking, just stupid and annoying.
In summary...don't believe the hype! Hey, in this economy, we gotta support our local businesses...I get that and am all for it...really. But local businesses, you gotta get creative man. You gotta try...earn my business! C'mon - you think a quick 15 min of fame spot on the Food Network somehow excuses the crappy food and dull service? You gotta try HARDER now. The bar's been raised (no pun intended).
I give it 1 star - the fries were good...really...they were - best fries I've had in a long time.
Pros: the fries were good....that's about it
Cons: service, food, presentation, beer, etc...
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