05/12/09

Delicious Steak Sandwich

by foodymom

I just went to Jamie's for the first time. The lunch menu was smaller than I expected, given what I read on Jamie's web site, but that's OK because the Garlic Steak Sandwich (which is what I really wanted to try) was great. I ate every bite even though I was already full after the first sandwich. (The full order comes with two medium size sandwiches.) I wounldn't stand in line to eat there, but will definitely go again if I can get there in time for the first lunch seating like I did today.

• Pros: Great meat, bread & fries
• Cons: limited menu; long lines if you go late

04/23/09

Mediocre at best

by pxlfreq1107

I'll try to keep this simple for all you out there who are reading all these 'amazing' reviews and oh yea, who saw the Food Network episode. Just because something's on TV and some overrated guy on some overrated show says something is awesome, doesn't magically make it so.

Coming from someone who lived in Portland, OR for a good portion of their life, and knows what REAL dive bar, hometown cooking is, this place is a downright joke.

The food is nothing special by any stretch. It's bland, mediocre, poorly presented, and definitely isn't worth waiting for. You'd get a better cheeseburger at Willie's or a hundred other places that serve burgers.

The service...umm complacent. Hey, if you're gonna somehow get featured on a TV show, take some pride in your job and try a bit. Maybe it was an off night or something, but my God, I felt 'in the way'.

Ok - folks, anywhere...I mean ANYWHERE that either intentionally or unintentionally bills itself as a 'dive bar with great food' had BETTER have more than ONE BEER ON TAP!! What in God's name is this about?!? ONE BEER...ONE!!! I have no words to explain how totally blown away I was to discover this...what kind of bar is this?! And they serve steak, burgers, (err BURGER...just one), and a few other comfort food items...with ONE BEER on tap...priceless.

The menu in general...one page...all extremely plain looking items. If the cheeseburger (which I ordered cause it was at the TOP of the menu...as if that's the best thing on the menu) is any indication of anything else served there, please....don't waste your money or time.

Ambience - hahaha!!! no wait...HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Is this supposed to be kitschy? Is it supposed to look 'divey'? hahaha!!! It's the most 'try-hard' and thrown together looking place. What are we going for here? Retro beer advertisement mirrors...check. Head of dead animal on wall...check. Where should we hang all this stuff? I dunno...just throw it up anywhere, it'll look dive-bar'ish. HAHAHA! Sorry...it's funny stuff...really. Not comfy, not cool, not old looking, just stupid and annoying.

In summary...don't believe the hype! Hey, in this economy, we gotta support our local businesses...I get that and am all for it...really. But local businesses, you gotta get creative man. You gotta try...earn my business! C'mon - you think a quick 15 min of fame spot on the Food Network somehow excuses the crappy food and dull service? You gotta try HARDER now. The bar's been raised (no pun intended).

I give it 1 star - the fries were good...really...they were - best fries I've had in a long time.

• Pros: the fries were good....that's about it
• Cons: service, food, presentation, beer, etc...

04/12/09

Smoked Prime Rib

by MrMan

I saw Jamies on Guy's show and after living here for 60 years I figured I should try the place. The Prime Rib on the show looked good, so that was the main course. Ordered rare, although somewhat red, it was dry and not a lot of flavor. The only place on the cut with the smoke flavor or any flavor was the outside. I was concerned when I watched the show if it would be juicy and flavorful. It looked good going to other tables and I very sorry to say I was disappointed. Just not any flavor and if there wasn't horseradish and au jus it would not have been eaten. I never leave any meat behind, especially Prime Rib, but I left a lot on the plate, just dry and tasteless. I think it is cooked to long by smoking. I do prime rib on the grill and still find it is the best. For $27.95 I should have been overwhelmed instead underwhelmed. The service is a 10, they have been overwhelmed since the place was on Guy's show, the ladies working their butts off. They have clam chowder on Friday's and it was full of clams and a unique great taste, wish I got a bowl instead of a cup. I choice the green salad and blue cheese dressing. It came served in a very small bowl with a little dressing on top. Impossible to toss in the bowl so I turned onto a small plate and ordered extra dressing. Dressing was very salty. Good Bloody Mary's. It is a hole in the wall, just the number out front, a lot of people there from seeing the show. Just can't give the Prime Rib much more than a 4. Prime Rib should be juicy and flavorful, sorry it was not.

• Pros: Great service and nice place
• Cons: N/A