Dots Cafe — Restaurant in Portland

I went to Dots a few weeks back for happy hour on a Friday afternoon and I thought maybe we lost this beloved Portland institution. Upon entrance we were yelled at about vaccinations before we even got to say hello. It was hard to here over the awful sounds of ealy 2000s forgotten hits that you would find playing at Wal-Mart in customer service blasting indoors. It was just a totally different vibe from old school Dots. It was just a stiff atmosphere and not enjoyable. I was pretty sad. I truly loved Dots and thought I lost Dottie. Just seemed like it turned into another lifeless bar aimed at aging tech boomers that are ruining this city.

Decided to go back in on a Sunday night. I'm an old school bartender and Sunday nights are for us. It was a total different atmosphere. Rock and Roll blaring and bartenders joking with customers, hard drinks and cheap beer with some cheap company. I love it. Laughter all around the room. It was everything I loved about this place. Listen I get that weekends are a different crowd I get it. It was nice to know and be reassured that it wasn't another classic from the past that turned into a corporate ADIDAS minions side fantasy.

We popped back in tonight and got some food and drinks. Food still stands the test of time. They're missing some classics, but I get a menu changing. We live in some crazy times. the food is still some of the best dive food in this city. Makes you wanna shove your plate in a dish and eat it like a trex. I'm absolutely happy to admit that in my slightly buzzed states that Dots has withstood the invasion of Californian rats that infest our city. It warms my old blackened heart. The entire Clinton street block is a slice of heaven. You scared me Dots you really did but I will be coming back more and more.

LONG LIVE DOTS FRED AND TOOTIE NOT...

Wow. What happened to Dots! I always just thought of it as a place that was just there if you needed it. Food was bad, but available. Went in on an insanely busy Friday night expecting the worse and got a chopped cheese. Friends all got a different sandwich. I am from New Jersey and spend a lot of time in NYC. The hoagies and the chopped cheese are legit af. I haven’t been able to find a french dip in this city that didn’t appear to be dog food on a hot dog bun, but I feel like that’s worth noting that my friend got a huge french dip and was waxing the plate with it. Whoever they hired over there to fix that kitchen, double their pay. Bartenders were little sweeties too. Despite looking like they wanted the night to be over with a mob of people trying to get drinks, they hooked it up with a good round to wash down the drinks. Bartender noticed I had a tab later and tagged my drink on as they were doing other things. Something you never see in Portland. I wish I lived closer because I would be here every day. Luckily I am at Clinton Street Theater a lot coming up and will be coming around to this institution that’s got a breath of fresh air. Movie screen is a nice...

Been coming here for over 20 years. Love this place and their dinner menu food...the only thing I will say is.... The first time ever I tried their brunch I was beyond disappointed. The chicken and tempura fried waffle sounded amazing with lemongrass syrup and pomegranate molasses. But it actually was oily and soggy, with no flavor at all of the promised syrups. I expected a crunch and creamy interior and a ZING of fresh flavored syrups. The chicken was also not crispy on the outside, like it had been fried earlier and sitting in a steam bin, and it also had zero spices. It was like The Screen Door's chickens ugly cousin. Lol. My friend had chicken fried steak and on the plate it looked fantastic. But when I tried it, it was chewy and dry, the Gravy was odd...like it needed spices and salt. Some of the hash had potatoes that were hard and undercooked. She barely touched her food.

The coffee was great and the service was awesome. We came right before changeover (like 1:40pm) and I wish we had waited.for their dinner menu. I probably eat there a few times a month and love their food but won't ever ever be...