McMenamins Boon's Treasury — Restaurant in Salem

My husband and I came here about a month ago for a late dinner around 9:00 pm after being on the road most of the afternoon. We were worried since there were so many cars parked on the street, but we did manage to find one last space in their tiny 10-space lot. There is usually plenty of street parking on Liberty.

Service was great. We were greeted right away when we entered and when we told the server we were going to sit outside, she came out quickly to bring silverware, napkins, and menus, and to take our order.

We had Scooby Snacks (mini corndogs - appetizer) and each had a burger. The portions were huge - way too much food for the both of us. The Scooby Snacks were fresh out of the fryer, and it seemed like there were about 30 (!) of them in the basket. They were good, but the yellow mustard I had seemed a little watered down.

My regular 6 oz burger was perfectly cooked. I asked for medium well and it was right on point, no pink but still juicy. I love that they add pickles to their regular burger, and the tomato and lettuce were fresh and crisp. Their secret sauce is good - I believe it's a mixture of mayo and dijon mustard. My husband had the Wilbur's Jumbo Deluxe. He said it tasted good, but it was so messy the whole thing pretty much fell apart after a few bites.

I love the Hammerhead, it's a great pale ale, not too hoppy. They also have a full bar with a great selection of their wines, beers, and whiskies. They always have interesting food specials. I wish they would put their onion rings and/or hush puppies on the regular menu. Those were sooooo good.

They have live music Friday's and Saturdays - beware - sometimes it gets a little loud inside. Outside seating is great when it's warmer and there are no bugs, although they do have heaters outside for when it's colder.

This is definitely a regular stop-in for us when...

Up until today I had always had a really pleasant experiences at Boon's. I call in a order to go on almost a weekly bases. Normally when I call the phone is answered quickly, I give my order and am able to pick up within 15-20 minutes. Today it was the exact opposite, I called and the phone rang repeatedly (probably 7 or 8 times) which was highly unusual so I hung up and called right back.

A male answered the phone and immediately told me that he would have to put me on hold and that the wait time for food was going to be at least 30 minutes. I am a very patient person and have a soft spot for people who work in customer/food service that being said my disappointment is a direct result of that gentleman leaving me on hold and forgetting to push the hold/mute button on the phone.

I listened to him vent his frustration about how busy it was and how terribly inconvenient it was for me to call in my order. I extended my lunch and drove to the location (while on hold) and when I walked in, the business phone was sitting on the bar. I eventually hung up (after giving my order in person 15 minutes later).

The girl who took my order was clearly just as frustrated as the gentleman who answered the phone but she didn't take it out on me and that was the reason I left a 35% tip. After I verbally gave my order I left and came back 30 minutes later to pick up my food To-Go and the female server smiled and greeted me by name. She single handedly preserved my future business and turned a sour experience into a tolerable one.

To the server who was clearly overwhelmed- I hope you have a better day-I hope this review helps you better your customer service skills but more then anything I hope you learn how to...

Have been craving a McMenamins ruby for months. Finally had the change to go there for dinner last night and really had the most disappointing experience :( had my ruby, everything else was awful. We found a table outside after walking around inside finding no available tables. Sat there a while, no acknowledged us, so i went inside and asked for menus. I was told we are really busy and "we will meet you outside". Waiting another 10 mins or so... a wait person brought us menus and took our drink order. it was a full 25 mins after arrival before we got our drinks. We were told they were on the house because it took so long, due to being so busy. Then without taking our dinner order the person left again. We were not the only people outside BTW. Then someone went to help a table with new arrivals, taking their food order.. then came to take ours. Mind you we are at about 35 mins now sitting at the table. Our food arrived about 15 mins- 20 mins later AFTER the people's who came in after us. My chicken tenders were so over cooked i could barely chew them. My dinner date's chicken sandwich had a cut in the meat (maybe to see if it was cooked?????). We did get and have a second round of beers. All totaled we were there 1 hour 15 mins- 2 beers each, chicken tenders and a chicken burger. I have been going to McMenamins for years. I've been to so many of them from Vancouver to both in Salem to Troutdale to McMinnville to both in Corvallis. The service is never quick. We now this and enjoy the relaxing environment... but this was so very disappointing. I doubt we will ever go back to...