03/15/09

rave reviews TWICE in one weekend with two BIG groups!

by jennavv

My boyfriend and I are fans of Bridgeport and have been for some time. This summer we took my father there when he was in town, and he made us promise we'd take him every time he visits. This past weekend there was a convention in town, and I was saddled with the task of finding places to eat every night for random, large, assorted groups of people, with varying tastes, ages, preferences, you name it. The first night we had 11 people, with everyone from a vegan to a picky eater to a meat lover, all beer fiends. We were sat very quickly for what I thought was a busy place, and the good times began. Every plate was cleaned, we had ordered everything from pizzas to vegan dishes to chili, pork sandwiched, different beers, we really must have had one of everything on the menu. (Yes, the menu is limited, however, EVERYTHING on it is delicious!) After hours of sitting around, having fun, enjoying our meals, we left very satisfied with the whole event. I think it's amazing that you could find a place where 11 totally different business people could ALL enjoy a meal. (So much for "can't please all the people"!!!)

Later in the weekend, as the town was mobbed for St. Patty's and we couldn't find a spot anywhere downtown with less than a 2 hour wait for 7 people, someone ventured, "Let's go back to Bridgeport!" No one from the first night out complained, we all hopped in cars, and drove up there. We found seats in the bar, ordered our beer and pretzels, and the amazing waiter grabbed a cookie for the diabetic in our group, and before the pretzels could arrive our table was ready. Seriously. We once again practically tried everything on the menu, and between seeing a grown man with bbq sauce on his ear from the giant ribs, and seeing another man literally eat the mustard sauce from the pretzels with a spoon, I have to say, it went over AGAIN as being an amazing mean. 18 mouths in one weekend, ALL satisfied. Three cheers (and then some) for Bridgeport!

• Pros: the food, the beer, handling our large group
• Cons: a bit noisy, but hey, it's a bar

02/28/09

get over it already

by blozinsky024

The first time I went to bridgeport was in 2003, a few months after I moved to Portland. I loved their beer, and I loved the building. I soon became a regular and was disappointed when they closed for a year to remodel. I was back after the reopening and was somewhat disappointed, but with a brand new staff and new menu, some kinks were to be expected. So I tried again some time later and was pleasantly surprised. It has since continuously gotten better and I have become a regular once again. The beer is still solid, the food has become consistently fantastic, and the staff is friendly and attentive. The building has become modern, but still retains the original charm. I understand that there is a stark contrast between the old and the new. But to everyone who hates the new bridgeport, I say you are very narrow-minded. I think you have to understand that it is a business, and when it opened in the 80s, it was surrounded by warehouses in an industrial part of town. That part of town has since become trendy and upscale. But the pearl district grew around bridgeport, and as a business, all they can do is adapt. It wouldn't be economically viable to have a dingy brewpub remiscent of the 1980s in the most up and coming part of portland. They did what they had to do. Soulless? I don't think so. Go in and eat the food, talk to the staff. Give it half a chance. I think that if you go in with an open mind and an empty stomach you will quickly have a new opinion. Some people are just flat out afraid of change. Bridgeport has done nothing but impress me lately, and it seems like everyone else likes it too, because their business is booming. Go in on a Saturday night and you'll see what I mean. Five stars.

• Pros: Excellent food, awesome service, solid beer
• Cons: if you are afraid of change, keep your comments to yourself

02/08/09

Souless is too kind. Re-Invented foo-foo has atmosphere like doo-doo.

by Bones58

When we return to places we love we want that original experience. We crave it. We bring our friends and brag to them about the great beer, the great pizza, the unique experience and then.... . We walk into a foo-foo place that is boring. That is not what I came for. That is trying to be one shinier buckle on the belt; when it was the back bone of the strip. A place where you got what you came for and never doubted the experience would be worth the trip. A place that you could visit with 21+ 8 year olds and they all would love the pizza and feel invited in to the inner world of classic adult beer appreciation. A place that you could visit with 8 21+ friends and hang. Enjoying fine food and the finest beer - no pretentious foo-foo too hip for you goo-goo. Please bring back the classic experience of Bridgeport. It wouldn't take much and I think that you would be repaid a thousand times over. We have tried to accpet what you have crafted. We don't. Please reach into you past and re-create yourself in your historical image.

Oh and another thing if you average the 56 ratings you get a THREE star rating. Bridgeport Blue Heron ale deserves better - its simple bottle and fantastic taste is elegant enough without the high stools and foo-foo goo-goo.

• Pros: It was once great.
• Cons: It is empty of zest.