Magoo's

Came in with a Deal Chicken for a couple of deli sandwiches, chips and soda's.  My sister and I enjoyed our sandwiches and the server was quite attentive (we were the only ones in the place).  I wouldn't mind trying it again for a burger or something sometime.

Magoo's is my favorite dive bar in Salem, Oregon.  Like any establishment, it has its flaws, but overall the perks far outweigh anything that might hinder your chances of having a good time.  

Pros:

- Young patrons:  Events like College Night assure a large number of young people at the bar on weekends, with an even gender ratio.

- Free popcorn:  Very few places in town have bar mix, let alone fresh popcorn.

- Free Shuffleboard:  This is the only bar in Salem with this game (and it's free).

- Long tables:  If you're going somewhere with a group, this is one of the few places  in town that has seating other than small four-tops.

- Ample TVs:  Many flat panel televisions with decent HD and a variety of sports broadcasts at any given time.

- Smoking patio:  The smoking patio is large, covered, has ample heaters, and flat panel TVs.

- Beers at the door:  You can purchase cheat tall-boys at the door for cash, allowing you to bypass bar lines.

Cons:

- Bathrooms:  Small, 2 toilets.  Awkwardly placed, always a line.

- Bartenders:  Bartenders can take their time when serving non-regulars.  Tall-
boys available at the door alleviate this to a certain extant.  

- Decor: Not exactly stylish, adorned with a variety of signed sports memorabilia and Mr. Magoo paraphernalia.  That said, quaint and homey in its own way.

- Parking:  Very limited day-time parking.  Nearby bank parking lot is often packed on weekend evenings.

My fiance' and I made the mistake of eating here. DISGUSTING. Completely inedible sorry excuse for "food."  Granted we should have been suspicious of eating here in the first place. But in our experience, most dive bars have pretty damn good burgers. Magoos doesn't even come remotely close. Imagine the kind of frozen, substitute meat filler (with soy, wood pulp, other unrecognizable ingredients), microwaved burgers you would get at 7-11. That's what they serve here -- for $6.95! Needless to say, even though we were very hungry, we took one bite and couldn't finish the rest. When the bartender asked if we were through, I politely told him that it tasted like meat substitute (I thought they may have served us soy, veggie burgers by mistake.) He mumbled that it wasn't. No apologies. No "can I get you anything else instead?" Very rude. Having both worked in restaurants and bars for decades, we were taken aback by this complete disregard for customer service/satisfaction. Yes, customers can be a pain in the ass. But when they have a legitimate complaint, as servers, we always look to do something to soften the blow. So against my fiance's wishes (because we work in the industry we very RARELY complain), I decide to talk to the "chef"/owner(?). When I ask her about the kind of ground "meat" they use, she concedes that it is some sort of meat by-product.  But again, she doesn't offer to take them off the bill or comp us drinks or even just a sincere apology. Instead, she snaps "no one has ever complained before." Wow. There is no way that anyone who has ever tasted real/100% ground beef could not notice the difference. Or, all the other rubbery-Magoos-burger-eaters must be wasted.  
In short, she too was rude, unprofessional, and childish for a woman in her 60s or 70s(?). Having thought we left the building (my fiance' was in the bathroom), they proceeded to make fun of us. Laughing that we wanted a free meal. Hardly. We left hungry. And still tipped our bartender over 20%. In return, we received a lack of respect, human decency, and customer service. I would say just go here for drinks. Yet, in this day in age when most of us need to be choosy about where we spend our hard-earned money, I would suggest going to an establishment that still cares about their customers.