Howiee's On Front

Definitely my favorite place! The bartenders are great and the food is amazing (try the onion rings...no, really, try them). The environment is really mellow and just kind of laid back; it's not terribly dark inside like some of the other bars in town.

If you plan on a night on the town, definitely give Howiee's a shot! They've also opened up their extension and they've got live music and dance club nights.

I have had two totally different experiences at Howiee's. Unfortunately, the first was far superior to the second.

Our first trip was on a weeknight...not busy. The bar staff was prompt and friendly. We got our drinks right away and were able to place our food order in a timely fashion. We didn't have long to wait for food, (burgers) and it was good and hot. Waitresses paid attention, brought second rounds of drinks, checked on us...all good. We were excited to go back and try some of the house special menu items.

Second visit, Saturday evening, maybe 7ish? The place was busier, but NOT busy. We sat down and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, .... ..... .....

Meanwhile, a guy at the bar that looked like he could be an owner ?? was BS'ing with some other guy and ignoring the rest of the goings on in the restaurant. Another patron went to the bar and waited and waited and waited and waited for about 15 minutes to get a drink. Remember: NOT that busy!

We started looking around...lots of tables with people and no drinks, or looking around for a waiter or for their food...

Eventually a waiter/bartender came to our table and asked "is there something I can get you guys...you wanna order something?" Uh...YEAH. That's what we are sitting here for! I immediately told him we would want to order dinner and needed menu's. He brought my drink but forgot my husbands order. Had to go back and make that. Never brought menus. Never came back to check on us.

Meanwhile the owner looking guy is still chatting away. Another table has been seated and they too are looking around wondering when they will get drinks...

We drank our beverages and then I went up to the bar and got the attention of the waiter, paid my tab and left. The guys that had been waiting for drinks for a while had come up behind me to get an order placed.

As I left...I wished them luck.

Does Howiee's have good food? Well the burger was good...but I never got to try their specialties. Clearly there is some issue with the management/waitstaff because it is not acceptable to ignore your clientele like that. I honestly don't know if we will go back to Howiee's but if we do...it won't be on a weekend night.

Cool place and good pool tables and decent food as well. Anytime im in town i always hit it up for some Oregonian beers and friends