06/26/09

Don't visit if you are in a hurry

by PDXBeer

The outdoors area can be a fun area to sit on a warm summer day, and beer is usually good and sometimes fantastic depending upon the batch. However, the service can be insanely slow and the food quality is inconsistent. Sometimes you can get a decent pub burger, other times you get half-cooked fries. It seems they would benefit from better-trained servers and at least a few knowledge chefs amongst their kitchen staff.

The moral of the story: don't visit if you're hungry or in a hurry. If you feel like having a leisurely beer in the sunshine, the roadhouse is a good choice. If you don’t mind playing Russian roulette with your stomach, order the food.

• Pros: beer can be excellent
• Cons: food is mediocre; service is inconsistent

05/24/09

A$$ and Trash start to finish

by Elvis2000

This was hands down the worst dining experience of my life. I truly enjoy visiting brewpubs for the food, beer and atmosphere, and none of that was present tonight. I won't go into a tangent about the beer, because I often criticize many beers. Let’s make this all about the restaurant piece. The service was slow to begin with, ordering drinks took in the vicinity of 10 minutes, and another 10 minutes to receive them. As we placed our order the waitress (if you so choose to call her that) informed us that the food was taking in the upwards of 35-40 minutes and we may want to consider an appetizer. Okay, sure, let’s have a hummus plate. Besides the hummus being the consistency of applesauce, the pita bread was good. About 20-25 minutes later the waitress brings us another plate of “complimentary" hummus saying: "sorry about the wait, the food should be out soon". All the while, another waitress is checking up on us from time to time because the food is taking abnormally long. The food arrives 10-15 minutes later and is abysmal. Cold, half cooked fries and mediocre burgers. By the way our children’s food shows up 5 minutes later, lets keep them waiting because most children have impeccable patience (keep dreaming). When all is said and done with we receive the bill. No sort of discount besides the "complimentary" second plate of hummus. So we (my father and I) go to talk to the on shift manager about our dissatisfaction and we would like it adjusted and the check split. He says "ok" and splits the check. No adjustment or anything. This is the first time I have ever stiffed a waitress, but I had to. I start to walk off, but turn back to talk to the waitress who had been checking up on us because she seemed to be the only competent person on duty tonight. She told me how this always happens in May and the cook staff can't keep up with the outdoor crowd. She also told me how our "complimentary" second plate of hummus was made twice and that was why we received it "complimentary". She said she would have adjusted our check but we had already closed out. I told her if she could do anything, then take care of the waitress for a tip, I didn't care my night was already ruined. If you have the choice between this place and the local jack in the box parking lot with a 12 pack of PBR light, enjoy your mini sirloin burgers.

• Pros: They managed to charge full price.
• Cons: Where do we start?

08/30/08

Stoned Staff, Generic Food, and Great Outdoor Seating

by CountFoodievonDoodie

Checked in with hostess for 3. She told us a 15 minute wait. I looked in and saw 12 open tables. We waited 20 minutes and saw at least six tables open up while waiting. I asked the hostess if we could sit at an empty booth and she said no because they were too busy. McMenamins needs to cease with their mandatory bonghit for staff before starting their shifts.

• Pros: Great Patio and Outside Seating
• Cons: Staff are either stoned or retarded