Public Coast Brewing Co — Restaurant in Cannon Beach

My friend and I had decided to drive out to the coast from Portland after picking up my oldest from my moms, before heading back to Washington. The town was busy and we figured this was our best bet for getting food. The only positive to our experience was the young lady taking orders and the coastal IPA. There’s one big thing that needs to change - the manager (possibly owner?), aka “the guy at the front” according to other reviews. Our first encounter with him was while he was running food out and we were standing in line at the tape mark on the floor, respecting the space in front of us. While holding food in both of his hands, he lectured the two groups in front of us, saying things like “come on guys, you know what 6 feet looks like” then worked his way back to us. While being within 6 feet of all of us, and while holding other people’s food in his hands. Kind of miffed but hungry we proceeded to order two beers, two burgers, and fish and chips. I asked how long the food would take because we were getting it to go so we could catch the sunset. She told us as long as it would take to cook it, that they’re generally pretty quick with food. We find a seat outside to drink our beers. The table said it had been sanitized but there were drink rings and crumbs on the table. We cleaned it ourselves as the cleaning cart was right there and sit to wait for our food. After about ten minutes the little buzzer started flashing and my teenager points it out. So we wait a bit, then the manager - who appears to be the only one running food even though there are plenty of people working there - brings out food for the 8 person party of people that were behind us in line. Confused, my friend goes inside to see if maybe our food is sitting there and we’re supposed to grab it ourselves. She saw boxes in the window but didn’t have an opportunity to ask anyone as they were busy. Manager guy comes out again and we wait for him to stop chatting with people to ask him about our food. He proceeds to tell us that to go orders take longer than in house??? Then he says he’ll check and “have a talk with them about that.” We watch as he proceeds to bring two more orders of food out. Then the girl from the front that was taking orders, brings our food to us - about ten minutes after my friend saw the boxes in the window. Immediately we check it and as we expected, it’s all cold. They also messed up our burgers - my friends was pink in the middle but had no cheese or mayo on it and mine had all the fixings but was well done. The fish and chips were soggy and the fries were stiff. Being in the service industry, I rarely ever complain about food. But there was no way that we were paying $50 and missing the sunset for cold food. So I take my food and I go stand by the counter. The lady asks if the order was wrong and I said no, but it’s cold. She said ok I’ll have you talk to the manager who’s running food. I stand there for a good 5 or so minutes, while I watch as another order is just sitting in the window, waiting for him to be done talking to whatever table he took food to. Seriously, this guy talks too much. I gave up and went back to our table to try to eat the food and see if I can catch the manager when he comes by. Sure enough, he comes out and slaps a receipt on the table and says “lunch is on us” and runs off. Didn’t say sorry, didn’t ask how he could fix it, just gave us a refund for the food (drinks were paid separately). I didn’t want a refund.. I wanted hot food. Thankfully the lady taking orders got some sort of tip (I did tip $10 for our beers) but it’s not fair to her to have that kind of manager. It’s not fair to customers. And it’s definitely not fair to the owners of the establishment. Any good restaurant manager would have tried to make it right by talking to the customer. This was such a waste of time and we missed the sunset for it. The only reason I would go back is...

I really, really hate complaining, but this was genuinely the most disappointing dining experience I've ever had. We went after the beach on a Wednesday and heard really good things about the gluten free food. We have worked in food service and we're completely understanding/patient customers. The restaurant wasn't busy either. We were all really displeased with the staff, lack of service, pricing, and food. The staff were completely robotic (no facial emotions), non-existent, and didn't acknowledge us at all. The staff tablet to order was flipped towards us and everyone in line was ordering through the tablet. We were all really confused because this is a higher end ($20+ at least per item which also isn't labeled on the menu) and not a fast food place. We wanted to add beers so I look up at Maya to ask for help and she said, "oh we do that." Why would the rest of the staff just be standing there while letting customers order through the staff tablet??? Really, really confusing. We all got our food at different times and it was fine definitely not worth the price. The clam chowder was a bit watered down and luke warm. The fish and chips were fine (definitely not $21 amazing.) Someone in our group only ordered a clam chowder, and he didn't get his food until one of us went up to ask about it and for some boxes after 20 minutes. My glass also had a crack which I don't feel like isn't very up-to-health-code. Maybe we just had a totally unique, awful experience but I don't think I'm recommending this place to anyone...

Update: I was in town again on January 19, 2025 and thought I would give this place another try. I figured, surely they must have figured out how to clean their tap lines in the last 6 years. But apparently, cleanliness is a systemic issue at this place. I never even made it to the ordering counter.

1st off, the free-for-all seating was a total cluster. People were wondering around with food in hand trying to find a place to sit. So, although we can gone wanting to eat there, we decided to do take out instead.

While we were waiting in line, we observed a Man who we assumed was a manager (because he was floating around doing different tasks) do questionable things that made us decide to leave and honestly, never return again.

First, he cleaned off a table, including wiping it down, and then went directly to handling plates of food (grabbing plates and taking them out to tables) without having washed his hands.

Second, during one of these plates of food handle-ings, he stopped walking, turned his head, and had a coughing fit without covering his mouth. Just coughed into the air with peoples food right there in his hands. Didn't even try to cough into his arm or shoulder.

So we left, and will never return. If I could give this place negative stars, I would.

I think they need to clean out their tap lines. And hire...