McMenamins on Monroe — Restaurant in Corvallis

Just to preface this review, I love the entire McMenamins’ concept. I have eaten at numerous locations and stayed at several of them (many times) over the past few decades. What I am about to write is specific to this location, as it is the one I visit most often. That said, it could be applied more generally to the rest of their restaurants.

The atmosphere is, like most of them, quirky and inviting. Even when understaffed—which is more and more of a problem in recent years—the staff tries their level-best to provide quality service, often times going above and beyond with their hospitality.

The problem was, and is, the food. In the past, it was serviceable fare at a generally fair price point. Nothing to write home about. But also nothing to complain about. More recently, however, the portions and options have shifted while the prices have gone up. Two different sizes of tater tots as an appetizer have become one portion of tots that costs more than the previous smaller portion even as the amount is closer to that size than the bigger options they sold. Two different portion options for the fish and chips have become one option, which is again priced towards the higher end. Most burgers now run close to $20, even though they remain small. A side Caesar salad is barely that and a dinner sized Caesar salad is costly for what is offered. When dinner for two, with one app and two non-alcoholic drinks, runs close to $70 (with tip), something is amiss.

And I get some of the positive reviews. It can be easy for some to overlook costly food when the staff try so hard and the decor is so interesting. I also get that holding on to staff has become harder and costs have gone up. I can live with the former and accept the latter . . . . when the price to quality remains constant and in line with comparable restaurants. Thing is, that is not the case with McMenamins. As a result, you are turning away long-time customers who are being honest about the basic reason you go to a place like this: to eat (and perhaps grab a drink or two).

I hesitated to write this because, again, I like McMenamins. But I am also finding myself hesitating more and more when it comes time to go to this, or...

Don't know how the stars are so high on this location. I work across the street and don't like coming here much. I've got a passport, I've been to all but 2 locations in the McMenamins empire. I'm sitting at the Monroe location right now once again wondering where my server is. Just like the last 10 times I've come here. Which is why I come here only once every couple months, just enough time to forget the subpar service until I'm sitting back at one of these booths looking around for a server. Also, McMenamin's admin should know the bar tenders are the exact opposite of customer service....they act like they're star bartenders in some metropolitan downtown city, like they're too good to bother with checking on folks sitting at the bar. I've bartended, if you've been gone from the bar for 5 minutes and come back the first thing you do is glance at your customers and they're drinks/food to see if they need anything. You literally have to flag staff down here. McMenamins, what is that you have your staff doing on the side that they are so hard-pressed to divide attention between customers paying a premium on dishes for the...

My boyfriend, his sister, his nephew, my son, and I all stopped here after a fun day at the Oregon Aquarium. It took a few minutes for us to get seated. Once we were seated, we had one of the sweetest waitresses around. She was so friendly and fun to talk to. We spilled a few things a couple times and she was quick to help us clean up.

The atmosphere was great, with all the sinks and knickknacks everywhere. In the afternoon, it was very family friendly and relaxing.

The bar is situated downstairs, in the heart of the restaurant. There is an upstairs with pool tables (ball rental at the bar). The bathrooms are clean and well lit. The food was delicious! It did take a little while for the food to come out but it gave us time to enjoy the atmosphere and have a fun conversation.

They only lost one star due to wait time for the table and for food. Otherwise, it was a...