Three stars for the food. There's better micro-brews too. I can't really understand how/why a thriving outfit like McM's doesn't do food/brew better, but it's on the high side of mediocre. They all are, except for the "Black Rabbit" in Edgefield, which is a consistently good meal.
You can expect good service and a friendly place in any McM's, and this one is no exception. It was built in the '70's as a fish & chips joint, and keeps the original Euro style atmosphere. There's a working fireplace in the bar side, and it's in use when the weather stinks, so it gets a workout. Relaxing and comfortable.
I am a big fan of McMennamin's in general. What I like most about them is that they are imaginative, relaxed, and their whole biz plan of recycling older buildings and transforming them into interesting and inviting places is just great.
We've been to several in the PDX area, McMinnville, one in WA, Bend, and of course both of them here (the one on Monroe is in a new building, but it's got the vibe).
Go and stay at one that has an Inn, Edgefield for starters, if you haven't done so. Simply great places, good music venue too.
If they could just bring their food and brewing skills up to the level of their facilities and entertainment, they would be unbeatable. They seem to be thriving, anyway, so I guess it works.
Awesome! The interior is sweet, just like many of the McMenamins Pubs up north. It has a European vibe that makes the experience quite fun and joyful. Â
The food is spectacular and the beer delicious. We stopped in before happy hour and got some of their delicious soup and sweet potato fries. We weren't disappointed. Our server was very friendly and service was fast and efficient. This is one of our go-to places in Corvallis.
If you're familiar with McMenamins, the food at this location lives up to your expectations. The service, however....
The first time I came to this location, my 3 friends and I were not so impressed. Some weird drunk came and randomly sat at our table, which isn't the staff's fault... However, the visible intoxication rule does apply and you shouldn't be serving people until they're THAT drunk.
Also, the restaurant was relatively empty, but it took an hour for us to get our food. I was pretty shocked when the waitress didn't even apologize for the wait. Everything about this place was pretty slow.
The ambiance left much to be desired. It's like it was trying to be a German pub instead of a McMenamins (and an old and dingy one at that).
The second time I went, the service was decent, so maybe they're just not very consistent.
Went here on a Tuesday evening, came in around 5:30 PM to meet a group of people. A friend of mine was already there and two more people showed up later (we were expecting a big group, and were planning to stay for a long part of the evening to watch a major TV event).
It took the server about 15 minutes for us to get her attention, since we wanted to grab some Happy Hour food, and then she took three of our orders but stopped at the fourth person and said, "I can't take any more food orders." My friend eventually just got up and went to the bar to order it since the service was so slow. This isn't really a problem with the server as it seemed that they had maybe three people working the entire place that evening, but it was a little disappointing.
I later ordered a burger, which was very wet and greasy, and unappetizing. I ended up not being able to finish most of it and left it alone. It was one of their specials: stuffed burger with sage and provolone, but I couldn't detect either sage or provolone. Overall it was not good.
Cajun Tots were really good though and the beer was fine.
The actual TV in the place is small and the volume was barely loud enough to hear over the music. I'm guessing that they're going for more a pub feel than a sports bar feel - just something to keep in mind if you're trying to catch a game or something.
I think I could tolerate coming here again for snacks and beer, but I would recommend staying away from the burgers.
Like having your middle age dad pick you up from high school in a minivan blaring Jim Croce...
What a weird vibe this place has. On the outside, weird old school German architecture. On the inside, similar. Decorations? A mix between old brew pub and hippie schlock. Â I have to say, I don't get it. I don't get the theme at all. It seems like it was slapped together by the owner's teenage daughter who was "Like, totally gonna be an interior designer one day." It sits between old world charm and groovy Gen-Xer, achieving neither.
I liked the fact that when I ordered "A Coke or a Pepsi" she asked if "RC is okay?" It;s cool that they broke the mold here.
The waitress was nice and swift, if unremarkable. I didn't think the service was bad, but it wasn't stellar.
I ordered a burger and tots. My food was brought quickly. I noticed right away a large pool of juice under the burger. Indeed, when the picked up the burger the bottom of the bun was completely soggy. I like a moist burger, but this was a little crazy. There's no other way to explain this other than to say my burger leaked. I made the decision to not put it down, ever, until I was done. I kept to that promise and only cleaned off my dripping hands when the whole thing was gone. It was, without question, the one defining characteristic of the sandwich. Flavor-wise, it was above average but not fantastic. The tots were delivered extra-crispy, which I dig.
I can't say I'd recommend the place. I've heard good things about the beer, so maybe that's worth the effort. But Oregon has more than enough great micro-brews, I don't need to venture here to get one.
Corvallis has a lot of better places to eat in the area. If McMenamins was in Lebanon, it'd be the best restaurant in town. In Corvallis? It's somewhere among the bottom.
My GF and I often end up at this restaurant after receiving "It will be 45 minutes until we can get you a table." at other Corvallis establishments (even on week night). But after taking our seats at this restaurant we always comment "Why didn't we just come here first?" Â
The place is warm, comfy and has a relaxing European pub feel. The staff has always been attentive (but not over bearing) and the food above average and reasonably priced. I often greatly enjoy the new monthly specials and make it point to come back, before the end of the month, for more.
No, this place isn't  as hip and trendy as other Corvallis establishments, but pretension has never really been my thing. Nor will you find it filled with hordes of organic yuppies with their iPhones, whinny kids and dogs in tow. And I hope it stays that way.
While I wasn't really impressed with what I ordered, the food here is always great! I usually order the Blacksmith's Steak Sandwich; and I'm always pleased! I decided to order the Portland Dip, looking for something a little on the lighter side. While it was good, I found the flavor a little bland compared to the blacksmith's, and the turkey was quite dry, and that took a lot away from the dish. It may have been missing their "secret sauce".
My boyfriend ordered a beer and the Newton's Third Law, and some wings. He seemed to really enjoy the sandwich, but the wings were phenomenal. Will definitely return, Â with friends, and order the wings! The IPA here is a wonderful beer!
Their nemo burger is pretty good. I just know what makes this place pop out, what is it that makes me want to come back? Â It's not the flair of the place, although nice, the food menu lacks with the charm of the restaurant. Â The limited menu that has food similar to others isn't going to do it.
Review Source:I had to laugh when I read Mandy L.'s review, which in its entirety states "This one has better service than Monroe." Yup, that about covers it. The atmosphere here is cozy and not as visually entertaining as the Monroe location. I've had very good experiences with waitstaff, and other times less so. Food, beer and drinks have never disappointed me.
Review Source:I give McMenamins a 3.5 (I rounded up for the cozy atmosphere). Â A 3 for the food and a 4 for the beer.
I ordered the Blacksmith Steak Sandwich. the flavors were excellent, but the "steak" was more like ground beef or maybe cube steak and the fries, although tasting good, were on the greasy side. Â Again, flavors were very nice, but quality of product/cooking were just decent.
The beer was better than I expected. Not being a hop head, I stuck to the stouts and porters. Â The 2 stouts I tried had really good flavor, though a little light bodied. Â The porter was excellent!
Overall, a good experience. Nice atmosphere and good, friendly service. I would have liked the music to be a bit more Irish/Celtic inspired based on the name, but it wasn't bad either...
I agree that this is just another McMenamins. However, this one has better service than the one on Monroe (faster). Plus, it has outdoor seating and if you have never experienced a pint of Ruby Ale in the sunshine I feel bad for you. They recently raised their food prices, putting most burgers at about $9, some sandwiches up to the $11-13 range which I get, but I'm still not too happy about. Basically when Block 15 is too busy, which happens a lot, I go here.
Review Source:These guys used to be the place we went when we wanted good food, late at night. Â Now they've cut down their late night menu, and jacked up the prices. Â It's still a nice atmosphere, but the food and prices have gone down hill. Â
We loved you for so long, I guess it wasn't meant to last.
P.S. Stay away from their fries. Â They are limp and greasy, not worth their price. Â Much better fries around town.
Atmosphere and beer are this restaurant's strengths. Â The previous reviewers are absolutely correct in that the service is very, very spotty. Not rude, but preoccupied.
The atmosphere is truly European pub, with low, low ceilings and a fireplace you could roast a whole hog in. Very snug seating and dim lighting, it reminds me of the Three Broomsticks or something.
The food is worth writing about. Fancy pub food, with Grass-fed beef for meateaters, artisan-style buns, Tillamook cheese, etc. Everything is a bit better than usual. Â The hummus plate is one of my favorite things at this spot.
They serve RC cola which is a treat. You can also get it as a Roy Rogers which is even better, with free refills.
I was with Matt for our fiasco here. With the other McMenamins on Monroe just a few minutes away, I can't recommend this destination at all...except as a thrifty alternative to paying a professional dominatrix to mistreat you.
Reasons for my 1 star rating:
* Unreasonably long wait to be noticed and seated
* No verbal acknowledgment or greeting
* Slow food delivery time on 2 burger orders
* Consistent impression of staff apathy over several visits
#corvsmb
McMenamins aren't known for their consistency, so I don't expect it. My experience here though was a disappointment.
First, I waited for 10 minutes at the "Wait to be Seated" sign without a glance from the server. He then smugly walked up and turned the sign around to the "Please seat yourself" side without apology.
The order was taken quickly, but the food took a near HOUR to come. By then, I had to eat so quickly to make my next appointment that I don't remember the food at all.
I'd give zero stars (if that were possible) except for the history I have had with the chain. I know the food and beer to be good and the service to be better.
#corvsmb
McMenamins is one of my favorite places to "just hang out". The atmosphere is warm and inviting, especially if you grab one of the tables by the roaring fire. My husband and I typically go to McMenamins after 3 pm for the Happy Hour specials. Nothing beats a $4.00 cheese burger, $1.00 basket of fries, and a $3.00 Terminator!! For those looking for a more healthy option, I suggest the $3.00 Garden burger or the $2.00 hummus...yum!
Review Source:Average pub food but at an above-average price. Â I hardly ever go here as I prefer greasier pub food (a la Squirrels and the RIP Fox and Firkin). Â I do prefer the 3rd St location for the atmosphere as opposed to the Monroe location. Â If I were more of a beer drinker I'd probably go to McMenamins more.
Review Source:Good burgers at a fair price. Beer is good but a little pricey. Two locations in Corvallis with very different ambiance in each. I like the decor in the Monroe (college) location but the service seems inconsistent. Outdoor seating is available at the 3rd street (downtown) location, but street noise makes it a pain. On rainy days the fireplace in the 3rd street location makes for a warm and intimate environment. Most people rave about the homemade fries, but I think they are always too greasy and limp. Sometimes their soups are awesome, sometimes just ok. If you want a better-than-average burger with a beer this is the place to go in Corvallis.
Review Source:I would agree with the rest of the reviews. Pretty standard McMenamin's stuff. Funky atmosphere, friendly people, decent food, good beer. The lousy rating was for the service that was really lacking on the one day I went to the Monroe location. It was a beautiful Friday and perhaps most of the staff called in sick but the service was totally lame.
Review Source:I love the atmosphere of this place! Â It's dark, warm, and rarely too busy. Â The left side of the restaurant has a full bar and fireplace, the right side has booths for diners and there's outdoor seating when the weather permits. Â The building used to house a fish and chips place so the architecture is that of an old British pub.
The beer is the standard McMenamins fare, and so are the prices. Â Happy Hour is from 10-midnight Sunday through Thursday. Â The drink prices aren't that great of a deal, but the food is. Â Four bucks for a burger and fries is pretty hard to beat! Â Their salads are good, the cajunized tater tots are awesome, you probably couldn't go wrong with anything off their menu. Â Add a terminator stout on nitro and you'll be good to go!
McMenamins Covallis - Good Grub, Good Pub
Great place for friends and family to get together. Â Nice combination of large and small tables. Â
Typical pub food with lots of beer choices. Â This is a NorthWest chain of restaurants, pubs and hotels that saves old historic buildings with character and brings them back to life as a great place to party.
I had the Stormin Norman grilled canadian bacon sandwich that was surprisingly good. Â The Wheat Ale was also very tastey!
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