Sweet Home Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Portland

The low-slung and unassuming Sweet Home Bar & Grill is a neighborhood gem! As a professional chef and food writer, I endeavored to spend (the Mercury's annual) Nacho Week chowing down on as many crunchy, crispy variations on the Nacho theme as I could. I was genuinely disappointed by the 3 out of 5 I tried; lackluster efforts would be an understatement. However, when I went to Sweet Home Bar & Grill, my faith in the tradition of Nacho Week was restored tenfold. First of all, this place is CLEAN - it's naturally dive bar dim inside, but your feet don't stick to the floor as you sidle up to the bar to meet - clearly, the fastest moving, most friendly bartender you'll ever meet, Crystal. Once I placed my order I took ownership of a table facing the door, yet strategically located for full reconnaissance once my eyes adjusted. The pool table, dining tables, barstools, video machines (and un-ripped-up chairs) were all in un-sticky, un-torn and clean! The music was 80's and 90's rock triggered my awkward college years, like a psychic, Crystal caught me staring off into the 'what if' abyss and brought me another Deschutes Pale Ale. My Nacho Quest was delivered to me in a large plastic tray under checkered paper: Bulgogi Beef Nachos. Tender, umami-rich rib-eye strips were layered on sturdy, freshly deep-fried tortilla chips and served with queso, garlic sour cream and (thankfully) the kimchi on the side. Trust me when I say, after disappointing nachos elsewhere, these were superb! Bulgogi Beef Nachos showed up like a 'just the facts, ma'am' and ended with a tip of the hat to my palate. High praise to Chef Steve Federlin for restoring my faith in Nacho Week. FUN FACT: I've been back a few times and I can personally recommend the Double Smashed Burger (phat and juicy) and the Steak & Fries (cooked to expectation with crispy, fluffy beer-battered fries). Now, if I could just get them to stop playing...

Great ribs, I arrived on New Year's with my lady and we've met at the door almost 7 seconds after the stroke of midnight and As we greeted each other I'm happy New Year is we went to open the door and a bartender Who was coming outside Said he wasn't gonna let us in because he didn't want to handle any More drunk people. We both said that we just got off of work and Have not been drinking. We just were about to open the Door but the bartender said no he already told us no more drunk people, which we were clearly not. We had been waiting and planning on meeting here and were Saddened and frustrated by the poor decision making of the bartender. He could see that had we reached the handle 10 seconds earlier we'd be inside. There were actual intoxicated people coming out but he firmly stated we weren't allowed in. There wasn't a sign up. The guy was just being a jerk and had a bad attitude with no care or empathy in his heart. I guess those are traits I like in my service person. As a guess service employee I was taken back and I don't like to go there nearly as much despite my need for the delicious ribs mmmmm good. Without them ribs, I'd never go there because of the terrible service and Heartlessness of...

Been coming here a few years now & always good service. The staff is super chill & friendly. Food is always good and a lot made from scratch. You can get soda, energy drinks, and coffee if you dont want booze. They do decent breakfast, lunch, and dinner; big sandwiches [even french dip], huge juicy burgers, and frequently have dinner specials like steaks or holiday stuff like cornedbeef [St Patty's day]. There's an out door patio with tables for socializing & smokers, and 2 bathrooms. Indoors: pool table, e-jukebox, video poker, etc. Karaoke every Friday with awesome Steven & Saturday with fantastic Craig. Sports & news on multiple tvs too. Right by Plaid Pantry if you need...