McMenamin’s Tavern and Pool

The Reviews:

Cristi:  I ordered the Boca Burger, “meatless, low-fat, alternaburger.” The presentation was clean and the burger itself was tastefully well-cooked.

As a whole, it was pretty standard, with a big white bun and minimal toppings. I chose the delicious side salad: a healthier option than the fries, tots and soup. It might not have been as succulent as a juicy flab o’meat, but if you’re looking for some protein without the moo’, it’s an appetizing alternative… and hey, the price is right at less than $7! 
3.5 out of 5

 

Jason:  I ordered the Captain Neon Burger, which is essentially their standard burger with the addition of blue cheese and bacon. I wouldn’t say the burger blew me out of the water.  I wish it would have though, I mean with a name like Captain Neon it should be a SUPER burger. It didn’t disappoint though, I guess that’s why people like McMenamins – the predictability of the food. You know what you’re going to get, so you’re always satisfied.

It was cooked nicely, tasted great – they do use good local beef – and came on a fresh bun. I had the Cajun tater tots, which I could probably make meal of every time I visit.  Truly one of the best items on their menu.   A side of tangy ranch dressing for dipping and the meal is complete.

If you happen to be one of the few residents that have not been to a McMenamins, climb out from under your rock and go. The atmosphere is fun – if not eclectic – and the food is predictably good.

Also predictably good was having lunch with Cristi. 

3.5 out of 5 tomatoes.

 

  Jeremy: McMenamins, what can I say about this tavern, other than it never disappoints, but never wows.  I have eaten there many times over the years, and have had a similar experience each time.  The price of the food is typical of a brewery, pub or tavern.  The food has its elements of greatness like the Cajun tater-tots.. mmmmmm.. so good.  Other elements, like the salads, … not so good.

So, this trip to McMenamins, I ordered the basic cheeseburger, with of course Cajun tots.  The burger is good, but not amazing.  The portions are filling in size and pretty good for the money.  This trip we had the pleasure of enjoying the company of Cristi.  It was nice to be able to sit at a booth inside, but this tavern has plenty of seating both inside and out.  I must say I don’t know what distracted me more Cristi, or her choice of veggie burger with little to nothing extra. All I have to say is if I have to choose between being healthy like her or eating my Cajun tots . . . seconds please!!!

I would give this burger 3.5 out of 5

Please leave your comments and let us know if you feel the same, or if you feel we’re WAY off base, either way let’s hear it.  You can also post on our Facebook wall at http://facebook.dudesweet.com.  To read more about our guest reviewer Cristi visit our PDX Icons page at http://www.dudesweet.com/special-guest-reviewers.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Joe’s Cellar

Joe’s Cellar, located at 1332 NW 21st Ave in Portland, is one of those places off the beaten path.  A dive in the truest sense, we decided to hit this local spot that we’d driven by so many times on our way to other fine establishments in the NW area.

Joe’s Cellar Restaurant
1332 NW 21st Ave
Portland, OR  97209
(map)
(503) 223-2851

The Reviews:

I was pretty excited to go on a food review with the guys here at DudeSweet.com.  I’d never been to Joe’s Cellar. The place was definitely a dive but I know that dive’s often have the best food.  Don’t judge a book by it’s cover right?  Well, after waiting what seemed like forever we ordered our food and waited some more.

The burger looked pretty good upon arrival.  Nice looking veggies and the typical burger bun you’d expect at a home barbecue.  I would think that something that took so long to cook would be very good.  I was wrong.  Not that it tasted terrible but the burger was dry, and over cooked.  I wouldn’t give the burger any higher than a 2.5 out of 5.  I’m hoping next time I get to sit in on a review we hit the jackpot instead of busting.

On the positive side it was great to hang out with Jeremy and Jason and talk about Lacrosse, Hockey, and Food.  (Check out more info about Dallas Eliuk, the greatest professional Lacrosse goalie of all time, and watch an awesome video here:  http://www.dudesweet.com/special-guest-reviewers.)
2.5 out of 5 So  I ordered the Jumbo Burger, cuz I’ve always heard “go jumbo or go home”, or something like that.  I’d have to say that this time wasn’t the time to do that.  It was a half pound hockey puck that I should have shoved in my pocket and taken home to the kids to play with.

I had pretty high hopes in finding a gem in this dive but it didn’t happen.  My drink was good though, thanks Coke or Pepsi (can’t remember), although it wasn’t refilled but maybe once in the hour, yes hour, we were there.  And on top of that a huge hairy fly flew into my drink.  I say hairy because the thing was so big it could have been classified as a mammal.

Meeting and eating with Dallas was definitely the highlight.  An “A” class guy with lots of great stories about hockey and lacrosse to keep us entertained the entire time.  Thanks Dallas!

2 out of 5 Well… what can I say here… we waited 15 minutes for anyone to notice that we were there. Then I ordered my usual cheeseburger with fries. Then we waited, and waited, and waited. Did I mention we waited? I thought this place was supposed to be one of those in-and-out kind of joints that turned over tables faster than the fly buzzing around Jason’s drink?

My hockey puck arrived 45 minutes after we arrived and it didn’t disappoint. I did have fun talking lacrosse with hall-of-famer Dallas Eliuk, so the waiting wasn’t terrible. Tasted just like a hockey puck, so I’ve heard from talking to Dallas! I’m going to be generous here and give it 2 tomatoes out of 5. The only reason that it got 2 tomatoes is the price. Hard to beat $4! But then that old adage rings true…  you get what you pay for.

2 out of 5.

Please leave your comments and let other’s know if you had a better or similar experience at Joe’s Cellar Restaurant.  You can also post comments on our Facebook page at http://facebook.dudesweet.com.

Popularity: 19% [?]

Henry’s Tavern

Henry’s Tavern, located at NW 10th and Burnside, is not typically the type of place that we’d review, but this review was somewhat last minute so we figured what the heck. Best known perhaps for their bar and happy hour – they have over 100 beers on tap and monster TV playing sports – we’ve heard good things about their burger. http://henrystavern.com 

 

The Reviews:

I  had the regular grilled cheddar cheeseburger, which came with crispy onions, Tillamook cheddar and the normal fixings. I ordered it medium well and it came pretty darn dead, which made for a dry burger. The presentation was nice, with a rather large steak knife having stabbed it down the middle. The burger came on a cheddar onion bun which was toasted nicely and the crispy onions were a nice touch. The burger didn’t score a hatrick with me, however. I’d give it 2.9 out of a possible 5.. It’s Ryan Powell, who is going to argue? Check out Ryan Powell’s Dude Sweet Icon Page.

2.9 out of 5
I had the Maytag blue cheese pepper bacon burger, medium rare. I’m not a purveyor of fine cheeses, but I’ll assume that Maytag is some fancy brand. It wasn’t crumbled blue cheese, but rather a cheesy sauce. Nice! Loved the crispy onions that they put on their burgers and the presentation set my expectations high (see pic). All that said this burger just didn’t do it for me. The fancy name, the special Creekstone Farm’s Angus ground beef, the nice cheddar onion bun – which was the highlight of the burger – and the $12 price tag just set the bar really high. For this price you might actually get a real Maytag on Craigslist.

I’d give this burger a 3 out of 5 on the value scale, but the fries were good, so it’s going to get a 3.5. The onion ring “stack” appetizer that we ordered was terrific though and meal unto itself. Try that next time you’re in and skip the burger. Maybe try a sandwich.
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3 out of 5.
The Henry’s Black Butte Porter BBQ Burger sounds awesome, I’ll have that.”  Any burger with BBQ sauce and deep fried onion straws has to be good.  Right?  And it was.  The burger patty was a little over cooked as I ordered it “medium” and it came more “well done” but with juicy BBQ sauce, mayo and mustard, and all the veggies it was very good.  It was munched between a very flavorful onion roll and sided with some deep fried potato goodness.  Was it worth the $11 dollars I paid for it?  I’m not sure it was,  I think if the patty would have been cooked to perfection I would say yes, but it wasn’t.   The overall plate presentation was great, and the onion ring tower appetizer was insanely good.

The atmosphere in Henry’s was great, nice and loud, making it fun and lively.  We had our guest reviewer Ryan Powell (Portland Lumberjax professional lacrosse team) with us to give us his opinion on Henry’s burgers as well adding to the fun.  Ryan told us his story of starting Lacrosse as a 3rd grader and growing into one of the most famous Lacrosse players of all time.  Think of a player in another sport that you say is the best player of all time, Ryan Powell is that guy to many people in Lacrosse.

Overall the Henry’s hamburger was not as good as some of the other burgers we’ve reviewed but it was a solid burger.  I think it lacked value but Henry’s overall is not built for value, it’s a great dining experience.  It’s Henry’s.  3.5 out of 5 Tomatoes.  

3.5 out of 5
We mixed it up today by starting with an order of onion rings. Too bad the burger wasn’t half as good as the onion rings! I ordered a cheeseburger with everything. I learned a valuable lesson with this one: when asked how I wanted the burger cooked, I responded my typical “dead”. Well I did get it dead; so dead I would say it was closer to a burnt offering than a well-done hamburger.

At first I didn’t really notice, mostly because of the honor it was to sit and talk to one of my favorite lacrosse legends, Ryan Powell. I invited Ryan to join us to be a  guest reviewer for two reasons: one, who wouldn’t want to eat with a professional athlete and two, because one thing you must know about lacrosse players is that we love food. I had nearly finished eating the entire burger when I realized how over-cooked it was. With that being said, I would have to rate the burger as a 2.5 out of 5.
  
2.5 out of 5.

Popularity: 7% [?]