Produce Row Cafe

09/09/09

Use to be a great place, but avoid at all cost now.

by PDXReviwer

I've been going to this place for the twelve years I've lived in Portland. In fact it was one of the first places I ever ate at. It use to have a great neighborhood feel to it and a kind of proletariat attitude where you could sit with many different types of people and enjoy the best draught beer, and some very good pub food. Well, the good vibe, the healthy portions of food, the nice neighborhood people to talk to, all seem to be disappearing at an alarming speed for one of the most consistent and one of the oldest bars in Portland.

I bothered to ask a self proclaimed "regular" of the bar one day recently if they had noticed anything similar and they explained it to me. The old owners of 30years had been bought out last fall by a wealthy kid from Los Angeles who thought it would be "cool" to own the place. It's such a shame because he is running one of the best established beer houses and hangouts into the Los Angeles sewer.

It's tough to make the break, but I can't support a place that doesn't support its community or its employees...and I recommend you don't either. Good thing there are so many other nice places in Portland to get a good pint and a bite to eat. Sad.

• Pros: The beer selection and the patio, the staff is great
• Cons: The place has really gone down hill

09/04/08

Very good beer selection, good food, good service too.

by davewells

My wife and I biked in for lunch, arrived about 2:30 pm, not many customers. The bartender and waitress were friendly and efficient. Beer selection was 21 taps, many good choices including some "old standby"s and some good obscure ones. Soup was very good, "special sandwich of the day" was an excellent wrap --- I though the price was fair, then learned it also came with a choice of soup, salad, onion rings or three other sides. The patio is a great, comfortable place in good weather, inside was fine too. Other reviews criticized the service, but our experience was fine.

• Pros: Good beer selection, good food, service was fine.
• Cons: Didn't have any problems or complaints --- I liked it!

07/29/08

Horrible Customer Service, much better bars in the area!

by corpuscandy

We have been going to this neighborhood spot for years, but here recently, the wait staff seem to think that they own the place, and use what "powers" they think they have to run off guests that require "too much work / effort."

So if you feel that it's your patron right to comment about the bad service, or bad attitude you are receiving in this establishment, don't expect to be invited back with open arms. In fact, you will probably be told that you are not welcome in this bar any longer.

And if you feel that tipping is a representation of the service you receive, and leave a small tip for BAD service (not that the person deserved anything at all, TIPS ARE NOT REQUIREMENTS). Then again, you will probably be asked to NOT return to this establishment.

If you are willing to keep your comments to yourself about bad service, and tip 20 to 25% for rude service, then this is your place! They will welcome you back with open arms! And it's really too bad. Great neighborhood location, good food selection, great happy hour deals, great beer selection, HORRIBLE EMPLOYEES. Let's pray for NEW management to straighten these employees out or it's Doom's Day for Produce Row inevitably.

For those of us in the same boat, head to Eastbank Saloon, The Side Door, or My Father's Place. You get much better appreciation for your continued support of the establishment.

• Pros: Beer selection, happy hour prices, location
• Cons: Employees, Manager lack of professionalism, parking

05/30/07

Fantastic hidden spot

by mickefresh

I love this place. I've been coming since I was a kid and I've always enjoyed it. The atmosphere is very casual and inviting. Great place for a lazy afternoon. GET THE STORMIN NORMIN. It's bomb.

04/24/07

Killer Beer Selection, Great Food, Awesome Patio

by vspoe

With over 20 taps, 200 bottled beers, and a penchant for unusual, hard- to- find beers, I've never been bored with their selection. You won't find Drop Top, Mirror Pond, or Pabst on tap, but their alternatives are far more interesting. The Row bartenders also pour a stiff cocktail if you're looking for liquor. As for food, you won't be disappointed. The grilled chicken sandwich (with lemon- dill aioli-- yum) is always a good bet. Other standbys include the pepperoni sandwich, the BLT, and 2 delicious gyros. The beet salad is the best in town with house- roasted beets (not the gross canned kind), creamy gorgonzola, and a perfectly tangy homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Be sure to check the specials board for the pasta and salad specials, which are consistently excellent. The cooks also make fresh soup daily. On a recent trip, I was very impressed with the shrimp coconut curry soup, but their soups change daily. In the past, service here has been shoddy, but in the past couple years, they've really stepped it up. Servers and bartenders are friendly, without being cheesy, and are usually able to accommodate special requests. Lastly, this is one of the few non- smoking bars that doesn't have a trendy, holier- than- thou vibe in Portland. Great for a non- smoker like me who hates the Pearl district.

Worldly beers and back-porch music tucked into an unexpected part of town.

by Contributor

In Short
This spot is nestled among the warehouses, wholesale outlets and produce markets that make up Portland's near-east side. And not only is it home to one of the city's best outdoor beer gardens, it also serves 27 beers on tap and more than 200 bottled beers from around the world. Burgers and sandwiches are tasty and inexpensive and come in small, medium and large--the latter big enough to stuff two people.

06/16/06

Excellent hang out

by eroz

No napkins? Get over it! A great spot for a quick good beer or for some easy bar food while exploring areas of Portland (no coffee shop destination near by!). Great patio, fun guests, what more can you ask for a casual afternoon out and about? Perfect!

05/20/06

Don't eat here

by okami12

Place was almost empty, but no greeting no seating. Had to go to the bar and get menus myself. Had to ask a bored waitperson to bring us water. The burgers was a dry paper-thin ground beef pattie carbonized at the edges buried between two halves of a french loaf. The Philadelphia cheese steak had the same overcooked cow and lots of bread. The fish and chips? The fish could have come straight from the freezer section at Safeway. We all thought the fries were good. No napkins. Had to grab a stack off the bar. No one who worked there seemed the least bit concerned about this. Conclusion: Go for the beer. If you must eat, order cheap because aside from the fries it'll be crap. And if you have the nerve, don't tip. I left 20%. Be hating myself for days.

• Pros: Fries, Beer, gd if you like bread
• Cons: service, food other than fries, service

04/10/06

Terrible customer service and worse food

by linuxd

I've been here a couple of times and the service just keeps getting worse. I've returned because of the Mon. jazz. However, tonight just made me want to run out of there. The bartender after twenty minutes and several instances of eye contact, told me just a minute. She was busy talking to her friends. The waitress was worse after finally ordering our food (carribean chicken and classic sandwich- absolutely terrible and greasy with no resemblane to jerk spicing as claimed) did not return for thirty minutes to take our drink order after giving us the beer list - which was mostly out of stock. I really wish they would get their act together because this place could be a great hang out - the musicians that are given the opportunity to jam together on Mon. nights are top notch all other aspects - nothing but frustration.

• Pros: good beer on tap, good music, covered outdoor seats
• Cons: rude service, out of stock beers, bad food

10/17/05

The Row ROCKS!!!!!!!!!

by monalot66

I hadn't been in Produce Row in about 5 yrs. It was one of my favorites then, but I always considered it a dive. So imagine my surprise when I walked in on a Friday night and it was a brand new bar. Holy cow! But the surprises didn't end there. I went to the bar and the bartender informs me that they now have table service, and she said it with a smile! Now if you have ever gone into The Row 5yrs ago or so, you understand how this smiling thing is amazing. My waitress must have won the best smile contest in highschool, because she rocked that grin and brought me my grey goose & tonic in 4 minutes. That night was one of the best nights ever and was topped off by one of my favorite Portland bands, Storm & The Balls, who played that night.

• Pros: happy our menu, new menu items, service rocked