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save Dots Cafe

2521 SE Clinton St, Portland, OR | Map it

97202 45.503501 -122.640101

(503) 235-0203 | View Website

4.5

out of 5

4.5 Star Rating: Recommended

43 Reviews

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Neighborhoods:
Hosford - Abernethy, Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program

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natisha04

Member since Dec, 2010 View Profile
1Review
0Photos
natisha04 Joined 1 year ago
2.0
December 31, 2010

Great Service, Awful fries!. A friend recommened Dots for a late night dinner and I was not impressed. The service was great and I really liked the ambiance but the fries were awful and the food was mediocre. Their fries are soft and tasted like card board and my patty melt was soaked in the oil that they used to sautee the mushrooms and onions. Overall great place to get drinks but wouldn't go there again for food!  View Less View More

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Annma12

Member since Jan, 2009 View Profile
1Review
0Photos
Annma12 Joined 3 years ago
5.0
January 18, 2009

Good food, reasonably priced, great ambiance. I am just visiting my boyfriend in Portland, so I had no idea what to choose when he asked me what I wanted to do for dinner. He took me to Dots and we had a great time. There is a great atmosphere; good art, a layed back feel, a pool table.

This is definitely a hipster hangout, and it was dimly lit and rather romatic as well. We shared the chips and salsa, which was fresh, authentic and spicy. He got the Farmer's Chicken Sandwhich, and I got a salad with grilled cheese. The dressings were awesome!

The bartender/server made my drink wonderfully, with just the right proportions.

And I agree with Annonymous - if you can't afford to tip, then you CAN'T afford to go out - Simple as that. Go to your own bank and withdraw cash (to avoid fees) to go to Dots, and you will be happy as a clam when you leave!  View Less
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lesfran

Member since Jan, 2009 View Profile
5Reviews
0Photos
lesfran Joined 3 years ago
5.0
January 18, 2009

Still as good as ever! The best grilled cheese in PDX and they make a mean lime rickey too!. I have been eating and drinking at Dot's since 1992. When I lived out of Portland for 12 years every trip I made back would mean at least one night at Dot's. The deluxe grilled cheese is my pick and don't forget the french fries YUM! You can eat healthy here and they have great vegetarian options. Bring cash or your checkbook they do not accept credit cards. Everyone knows about the crazy wonderful velvet decor, my favorite is the picture of spock!  View Less View More

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anonny61927

Member since Nov, 2008 View Profile
1Review
0Photos
anonny61927 Joined 4 years ago
4.0
November 20, 2008

too cheap to tip?. wow. I can't believe someone would go on one of these things to justify not tipping their waitress because he had to use the atm. That's the biggest bunch of b.s. i've ever heard. They just work there, it's not their fault that they don't take cards and if you know that, why not just bring cash? oh yeah, because you're so spineless you need an excuse not to tip. wow. i bet you get a lot of dates with that kind of class!

anyway, though, I do love dots. It will be interesting to see what's going to happen after the smoking ban. I think it will be a lot more pleasant to be in. I smoke and still get grossed out. I love the vegan platter and gentle ben.  View Less
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cjbuchholz

Member since May, 2007 View Profile
11Reviews
0Photos
cjbuchholz Joined 5 years ago
5.0
September 05, 2008

Great service, good food, quirky atmosphere. I'm surprised about the poor service reviews I've read on this site. I'm usually the first to complain about poor service, but can't find anything wrong with this place. We go a couple times a month when we want a kicked back atmosphere, great drinks and good food. Yes, "good" food, not great. You're paying "good" food prices and you get a consistent product which, in my opinion, is a definite step above the standard pub fare and is anything but, standard. Once again, service has always been top notch. I haven't pulled a late night session at Dot's in many years (we tend to go late afternoon or early evening), so maybe this is when the service declines, if at all?  View Less View More

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multnomahvillage

Member since Feb, 2007 View Profile
22Reviews
0Photos
multnomahvillage Joined 5 years ago
5.0
August 05, 2008

Worth It! - Bring Cash and Deal With Not Using your Debit Card for Once. This bar is cash only. This is an inconvience, but any repeat customer should be able to come prepared. Cheap, good, greasy bar food. Fabulous selection of cheese fries, chili fries, tofu fries, you name it. The drinks are cheap, the staff is attentive. The lights are dimmed, and this is a great place to hang out with friends and get a couple of quick drinks if you are passing by. I will gladly bring cash, and enjoy the velvet wallpaper and the portrait of KFC founder Sanders. PLEASE tip the staff, it is not their fault that this place is cash only.  View Less View More

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xthewillowtreex

Member since Jul, 2008 View Profile
2Reviews
0Photos
xthewillowtreex Joined 4 years ago
3.0
July 14, 2008

Why for no tip?! This is why.. I love the food here, the hummus plate is my favorite. However, with the lack of taking cards, I'm constantly at worry to go there. The ATM charges me a fee and so basically I figure this. If I'm eating at Dots, the ATM fee is your tip. So that's why I'm "too cheap to tip you guys". getting a credit machine can't be that much of a cost to you, you've got the business. MOVE ON!  View Less View More

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havinfuninptown

Member since Feb, 2008 View Profile
14Reviews
0Photos
havinfuninptown Joined 4 years ago
2.0
February 29, 2008

Why is Dots so stubborn?. Do they seriously think that wonky ATM in the back is going to cut it forever? C'mon Dots, step into the 21st century and take debit/credit cards.

It is maddening and I avoid this place because of it. That ATM is sick.  View Less
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PinkHairedGirl

Member since Jan, 2008 View Profile
3Reviews
0Photos
PinkHairedGirl Joined 4 years ago
5.0
January 29, 2008

Yummy to the tummy!. Dots has some of the best food in Portland, and I LOVE the environment! It is such a super fun experiance to eat there! And the Farmer's Chicken sandwich is to die for!!!  View Less View More

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youreallyfreakmeout

Member since Jul, 2007 View Profile
2Reviews
0Photos
youreallyfreakmeout Joined 5 years ago
2.0
July 17, 2007

Don't order TO-GO!. I am only rating Dot's TO-GO service in this review. I am a pretty usual customer of Dot's since a group of us hang out on Clinton Street. Usually, I am more than satisfied with the food. But, I ordered a Jack and Chili quesadilla and some cheezy fries TO-GO around 7pm on a Thursday. The food was ready promptly (about 20 minutes, just as the cashier said). I took it across the street to the bar and when I opened the quesadilla, I was pretty disappointed. The quesadilla was just a tortilla folded in half and stuffed into the TO-GO container, not cut into pieces, and had a glob of guacamole on top with chips scattered all over the container. I didn't get any plastic utensils or napkins to eat with so I had to go back across the street to get some. I finally got to sit down and eat my food after cutting it into smaller pieces so I could eat it. The chicken was shredded, which is nice for a quesadillas, but it tasted like cheap, canned chicken. I am not a fan of super spicy food, so I made sure that the chili's were not too spicy. Unfortunately, I don't think there were any chili's in my food! All I could taste was canned chicken and some cheese. I am sadly disappointed. I really enjoy Dot's and the food usually, but last week's visit was not good.  View Less View More

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