McMenamins Kennedy School

have been here several times, and never had a bad experience. McMenamin's food isn't horrible, but it's not a 5 start restaurant either-nor does it pretend to be. They have good bar food, and a fun atmosphere. My husband and I have been here on a chill date night many times and have experienced both the theater and outdoor seating. It's a fun, relaxing, economical date option.…

The food/service does suck, but I love this place anyways. Believe what you hear about their mediocre food and not so great service....it's generally true. This place, however, still has my heart. I love the idea of taking an old school and making it a hot spot again. It's a beautiful space and a great place to see a cheap movie with your kids or hang out with some friends (either at one of the bars, enjoying the courtyard seating at the restaurant, or by the fire out front when the weather is decent) have some good beer and chill.…

Bad 'Ole McMenamins. My date wanted to come here because she had never been. I was hesitant because I know how they are here and their food is usually horrible, but she wanted to go and I wanted my date to have fun. It started off as typical McMenamins fashion, rude servers or hosts and bar tenders and a creepy somewhat dirty establishment. The employees always have an attitude before one word is even spoken. It doesn't matter which city you visit, with McMenamins it is always the same.

I put in my name in with the host to get a table at their restaurant, Courtyard. He told me 30-45 min. just to get seated and the restaurant was only maybe half full. There were empty tables and no one else in line. Did they have a server on break or what? Geez! So he gave me the pager and I said OK we'll be waiting at the bar. We were sitting there for at least 45 min. and another couple that came in way after us (I know this because they came in the bar looking for a seat and they weren't waiting at the front when I put my name in).

What happens next is why I hate McMenamins and will never go back to this place. The host walks up to the bar tender and starts talking to him maybe 10 feet from us and at the same time the couple who came in after us is getting seated in the booth we should have gotten. Now I was pissed. I held up the pager toward the host and said we are still here. He said oh I guess it didn't go off, we are having trouble with a couple of the pagers what number is it? I wanted to say are you kidding me was it too far to walk to the bar and get us in person?! Jackass! So now we get seated in a huge booth (that by the way was vacant when we got there 45+ mins. before). Now we have to sit so far across the huge booth that we can't even talk to each other. The food was surprisingly decent, it's usually very bland or greasy.

I've heard from people who have worked for the McMenamin brothers that they work you to the bone with minimum pay. I did tip the waitress 20% because she actually did a great job, but for the business establishments and most employees they get a D- on customer service and overall experience.…