Produce Row Café

My wife and I visited PRC yesterday for some happy hour beverages and food… we arrived on the back patio to find a really talented jazz trio setting up their gear, which was a nice surprise. Service was very attentive (Allison was our server’s name) and fast! We ordered some happy hour nachos, and they were very tasty.
We noticed a few things besides the good ones above that resulted in the 2 stars given. First, I noticed that they add a 3% «health and wellness charge» to the bill to provide health insurance to their employees. Now, let me first say that I’m not opposed to employers providing health insurance to their staff. That is, and should always be the case (but unfortunately isn’t in most of this country). However, adding a specific fee to how much we buy, and thereby passing off the employer’s expense to it’s customers? That is not okay. If you need to charge a little more to provide this benefit to your employees, fine… and they DO… f#&$ing $ 6 for a pint during happy hour? That’s ridiculous! Also, the happy hour nachos were $ 8.50! How is that a deal? When I go somewhere for happy hour, I’m expecting a slightly discounted product, and probably smaller portions for food, but to charge the same price for drink and only $ 1 off food items is just absurd. It turns out, the hour is not so happy at Produce Row.
I really like the location, and the bar in general. They have a good selection of beer, and their food is good. Passing off the buck to their patrons in order to provide health insurance — that they should be doing so of their own accord anyway? That is a seriously messed up business practice.

Just took 40 minutes to get a drink on the patio. Half the tables are taken. This is the second time in a row (haha) I’ve had that exact experience. Food is good. Drink menu is ample. Prices are fine. Staff is nice. Service is so slooooooooooooow…
I mean get it together. You would have twice the business if you could get a round of drinks out in less then 20 minutes. An achievable goal.

This place is great. 4.5 stars. Great pub food, awesome bar, fun mixology, outdoor seating options and a DJ on Thursday!
This is my first time and recommended by my brother in law. The flat iron steak, pastrami, Ricky’s favorite, nachos and cheesee Mac were all great.
The Unilocal ranking cannot be right. This place deserves better and so do you. Come here and enjoy.
Order with confidence.

We had a wonderful dinner here. Everyone from the host to the bartender to our waiter were incredibly noce and accommodating. Food (we got a smattering of apps: nachos, cauliflower, french oniom soup, salad) was very very good and affordable for the quality. Great atmosphere, and I cant stress how nice the staff were. Only conmplaint that occasionally service took a bit long. Will definitely go back.

While traveling with a small group of Internet friends (from the wikiHow website) that had a meetup in Portland, they reserved this café. I thought it was kind of interesting. Although I was used to similar foods from back home (on the East coast), we tried this place — all 12 of us. I had the grilled chicken sandwich — which doesn’t sound less exciting until you hear what they include on their sandwich. Although it had bacon and melted swiss cheese, it also had little sliced pieces of apples. (I chose to take off the arugula and aged balsamic oil due to dietary restrictions.) This sandwich was very delicious (too delicious to even speak about), that I wish some of the restaurants in my area of the nation would add apples to their chicken sandwiches (but most restaurants would probably turn down my offer when I’d mention from now on.)
I also had a root beer and surprisingly, they brought it in a glass bottle (much like what regular beer would have been brought in, which made me skeptical as to make sure I actually ordered something legal.) That was awkward; I never tend to get that type of root beer served that way in New York (seems to be only here in Portland) at this restaurant.
Yes, although the meal was prepaid by the company, the twelve of us were told just how much they paid for the bill — and if you think an $ 80 meal 5 is a bit steep, try over $ 207! Seems to be expensive, but then again, I don’t traditionally walk in with 12 people into a restaurant back home.
The only real problem I had though, is that the «served with» dish of «house chips» was very spicy. There was red sauce, and it took quite a lot of water. I ended up having to stop eating the chips only after the second chip (that was closer to a house crisp. If I would have known that they were going to be that spicy, I would have chosen to take the alternative cheaper option of a house-​salad. I know they also salted these chips heavily, but in the end, it was well worth it.
I still am unsure how all my other friends at the same set of tables liked their meals, but I think I can sway it, I think they enjoyed it too, being most enjoyed every bit of their meal except for one person who just couldn’t finish their burger (of some sort).
Overall though, I’m very impressed. Although I don’t expect to be back anytime in the near future, I was impressed that I can honestly give you a «thumbs up» and mention this place as a great place for most people to eat in Portland: their foods are served slightly different, but well deserved.

My friends recommended this place and we all came together and it is AWRSOME!!! Beer on spot! Plenty of seating options. AIR CONDITIONING on a HOT DAY. SUPER BEATUIFTIF PATIO. And the paintings are cool! And the music was awesome! Everything is awesome! Bring it! 6 star!!!

They have a great HH that runs until 7 pm with a variety of drink and food specials. The food was good, albeit nothing to die for. The buttermilk fried fennel was good (crispy exterior, with a slightly sweet licorice flavor of fennel) and came with a saffron aoili. Definitely share these — it doesn’t look like a lot, but after 2 pieces I felt like it was too much fried foods. The nachos were very filling, though I would have loved more salsa on the side and a little less black beans — it was very black bean heavy.
The décor and ambience both inside the restaurant and covered patio is really nice. However, The service on the patio was VERY slow. It seemed like there was only one server for all the tables, but I literally had to flag her down twice to ask to even place an order and to get the check.

After an awesome Blazers Playoff game (Blazers won! — #GoBlazers!), my date and I were absolutely famished! We walked quite a few blocks in search of the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and thanks to our handy dandy Unilocal app, we stumbled upon Produce Row Café. What a treat!
I’ve frequented here in years past when they used to host the outside day parties for Adidas «The Do-​Over,» but I had never gone here just to eat. The night of my return we both were certain that our stomachs were going to eat themselves. We were that hungry! It was an hour before closing time and the place was pretty much dead, with the exception of a small group sitting in the very back of the café. It was perfect for us because we wanted to avoid the crowds. We sat at the bar and quickly placed an order from the Menu. The bartender took our order and I kid you not, no more than 15 min went by and out came our food. We couldn’t have been more elated! The food was outstanding (not sure if it was from us being hungry hippos), the drinks were well poured and the vibe from the bartenders and waiting staff was welcoming. I hope to visit again and explore more items on the menu. Produce Row, you get my 5 stars for your friendliness, hipster funk atmosphere, and your quick service. Well done!

This is not the Produce Row I remember. Same building but the whole experience has changed for the worse. Mediocre food and thin service were a shock from what I remembered from one of my ex-​favorite haunts. The drinks were still good– if you go now, the bar is the only redeeming quality. Miss the old produce row. I guess good things don’t last forever.

Really? Good thing I just went here for the first time this past weekend. Food was nothing! Not impressed at all. Not many options and not very tasty. Horrible drink menu and drinks were not even good. Service from women was odd but the guy was great outstanding and super polite. Unfortunately I won’t be back for either food or drinks. This place needs to step it up a bit, heard way better things than what I experienced. The patio area was like a daycare center with all these babies I was over it super fast.

Met up here for happy hour. Which turned in to a couple of happy hours and dinner.
First off: French onion soup gets 6 stars it’s fantastic.
Cauliflower: the menu said fried so I was expecting it to be… well, you know, fried. But it seemed steamed or sautéed in the sauce and my first few bites left me disappointed because… well, you know, it wasn’t fried. But it grew on me and was good. But… Not fried.
Hummus plate was great. Nice mix of stuff in there, I’d order it again.
Whisky pairings were tasty and fun. Lively ambiance helped everything feel ok with the world. I haven’t been here in yearsssss and just love the excuse to hang out in this area… and just slightly on the east side of the trax is awesome when the trains are going by :)

Okay, I went to the old Produce Row so I had really high hopes. The old BLT was the best I’ve had in my life. Current (off-​the-​menu) BLT is boring at best. Other food was just okay. Our server was MIA and we had to flag bussers to get help. I’d suggest a throwback to the old menu and service… It might be the same name but that’s definitely where the similarities end.

Their mac and cheese is really good. Even the happy hour portion is huge. There’s a really good looking male bartender there too; not sure what his name is but he’s tall and has dark hair. And always calls me «Miss». Oh and the ginger Moscow Mule he makes is the best Moscow Mule I’ve ever had.

Menu is rather limited, good food but the music is WAY TOO LOUD. Hard to enjoy when people are shouting the entire time to be heard.

I went in to grab a bite while my daughter was next door at a class. It was Happy Hour, but it wasn’t overly crowded for a Friday night. It took nearly 5 minutes for anyone to even notice I was there. When I flagged down a waitress to order, she told me she wasn’t my server, but would give my order to the guy.
Someone (not my server and not the girl I gave my order to), came over with my drink. Food came in under 10 minutes, but halfway through eating the nachos I ordered, I wanted a refill on my drink. I flagged down a waitress and she said she’d get me a refill. Ten minutes later and still no drink. I finally asked a second person for a refill and five minutes later my drink arrived. Too late to enjoy — food was cold by now.
I wondered if it would take another 15 for my bill. There were plenty of servers compared to the number of patrons. I still can’t figure out why it took them so long to do anything. Food was decent — and cheap– but if you’re looking for service, go somewhere else.

I’m a huge fan of this place… never really that busy, extended HH (4 – 7 and all night on Monday!), good food and excellent drinks. The last few times I’ve been there the service has been great… friendly and attentive. I’ll definitely be back, and will continue to suggest it to others as well. Yum all around!

Ordered antique old fashioned. It was a smooth cocktail made of rotten house rye.
Nice ambience, great place to have a drink with your friend or meet interesting people

I’ve been in many times and love the rainy day happy hour. Amazing mac n cheese complemented by large tap selection and great bartenders.

A big fan of this place. I live on the Westside but repeatedly head to the East on off days looking for a place to relax, eat god food and drink whiskey. I have had a couple of Birthdays here. Expect to chill and hang with your friends without being hassled too much. The staff is verry attentive though.

Good. Cool patio. Fish and chips lacked some flavor. Steak salad was pretty good. Curried cauliflower was pretty delish cause of the sauce.

Great drinks, never over done. Taste of every drink made has been great, but not a fan of the slushie type drink. That didn’t sit so well. The food is good but nothing that had a real wow factor to it. Great place to meet a group, especially in the summer when the back patio is at its best.

It’s a beautiful Sunday in Portland and we celebrated the onset of autumn with a stroll across the Willamette River on the Tillikum Crossing bridge, followed soon after by lunch at the Produce Row Café. We were promptly seated and appreciated the atmosphere. We enjoyed the Row burgers and the meat loaf sandwich, the tots and the chips. Of the long, interesting beer list, I can recommend the smooth flavor and pleasant aftertaste of the Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA (I never heard of it before, but it was great!). With thanks to Alyssa for attentive service and good humor. Yes, we’ve got to go back!

I was really excited to come here based on most of the reviews I read but sadly felt underwhelmed. The patio was nice and our server gave us plenty of time. we were having trouble deciding what to eat because nothing felt very inspired. Some of the entrees sounded good but it was hot out and warm food wasn’t too appealing. I guess I’ve been to better places to get a sandwich, for less $ and more food.

Great food and beer selections. The staff was courteous and attentive even though it was BUSY!
Beet salad is flavorful and a good recommended dish.
Hamburger was a little closer to raw than med — but very tasty.
The hand made tots are a MUST for your dining experience!

There are so few of these elusive establishments, the everyday-​worthy ones that time and time again just hit the spot with reliable food and atmosphere. I suppose you could find that at a super $$$ place with staff wearing coattails if you’re the 1%, but this is real life, and I don’t know how to use silverware properly.
Produce Row is one of my special oases of goodness in a world full of soggy fries and loud bars with sports on TV. I had only been to the Row about 3 times in the year before it was shut down so abruptly, to my dismay. So imagine my delight when a slow morning on twitter in May I saw an unexpected announcement from eaterpdx that Produce Row was to reopen. How nice!
The menu doesn’t even feature any of my top 3 comestibles: (sushi, nachos, veggie reubens). But it’s very solid American fare, with fresh ingredients, good portion sizes, presented well. The fries are battered/​double-​fried, so there’s none of that limpy lackluster fry experience that plagues ¹⁄₃ of your plate at most other establishments. Super consistent quality everything.
Strong mixed drinks, good tap list. As the Don already mentioned, there’s also a fancy whiskey + beer pairing menu. Need anyone say more?
Gastropub atmosphere in the main dining room, with a very friendly, vibrant feeling. Staff are always pleasant and efficient. The back patio area is a real winner: nice, quiet, secluded with a retractible top. Very hot in the summer, but there’s shade to be found.
Overall such a solid spot for dinner and drinks. Hope they stay around!

Maybe one of my favorite bars in Portland. Great relaxing outdoor patio space. Just head to the back and sit down! Both the tator tots and french fries are delicious. The serving staff is super friendly, knowledgeable, and un-​assuming. I love taking friends here to have a few drinks and catch up. It’s never very busy during happy hour, and I’m OK with that. Always space to find a good seat.

Food was good. Would recommend changing some of the pickles in the produce row board because it was a little sour. But honestly there food is good I give food 4 stars
This comment is more for management less for customers. Your bus boy does a better job then your staff.
Full tables and bus boy was on the ball and wait staff were off in the clouds.
One waitress was rolling silverware. Bus boy took my order twice.
Just saying management should consider putting people who are more attentive /​fast and aware of their surroundings as wait staff.
Would totally go again.

Went in today (Saturday) around 2pm. Appetizers were good, we got the Board and Fries. Nice tap list with like 21 options including 3 on nitro and 2 ciders. New ownership (per our server, it’s the same as North 45, Circa 33, etc.). Head chef is apparently into pickling, so almost all dishes come with their house pickled veggies (which were delicious on the Board). Sat on the patio which thankfully was half shaded since it was hot today. Service was attentive, almost too attentive (and chatty). Overall, a great spot. I hadn’t been to the original Produce Row, but had heard good things.

Why is everyone hating? Went to lunch today and had sandwich (like a grinder) that came on garlic bagette with home made pickles. Opted to have the beet salad, but I was disappointed to see that it came with blue cheese and they didn’t have any goat cheese to sub out. Thankfully, the blue cheese wasn’t intense and actually tasted good. All day I have been thinking of the sandwhich — best I have had in a long time… I wish I could remember the name!
I ordered the PRC Rita and enjoyed the sweet and spicy margaritas.
PRC completely changed the menu and I think they found the secret sauce to be successful. Food good, service was good and that sandwhich was amazing. I hated on PRC in the past, but as long as they keep it up I’ll become a regular.

I have not been to Produce Row in years — probably at least 10. It was a dive bar then. I heard it closed and was a bit sad, but no loss because I had not been.
When I heard it reopened, I wanted to give it a go. The outside space is awesome and ample. We sat at the bar and were provided fantastic service by the manager.
They have a dozen or so beers on tap, three or four nitro taps, ciders and all the liquor you could desire.
The menu looked good, we had eaten already so only got an app — the homemade tater tots — seemed to be deep fried smashed potatoes and they were REALLY good. They had a bit of a zing and came with a horseradishy mustard sauce.
I would say this place will be a great place to hook up with the gang and hang on warm summer nights.

Oh, sorry. I came here to check out a bar’s patio, but I see this is a daycare center.
This IS the bar? Ah. Well, that sucks.
The interior’s very McCormick & Scmicks. The patios is, pretty much like every other bar patio out there. Wood, picnic tables, too crowded. Whatevs.
The service was okay, felt understaffed.
Happy hour has good portions of cava for $ 6 and they’ve got some amazing french fries. I didn’t try anything else, and I probably won’t be back to, either. I don’t drink in kindergartens, I don’t want brats running around in my bars.

I’m really surprised to see the mediocre reviews for this place. I was sad when it closed, as it was a regular spot for work happy hours. Now that it’s opened again, my boyfriend and I have been making a point to visit regularly. We have always had excellent service, and I’m a big fan of their whiskey and beer pairings. The tater tots are special, too. It’s a vast understatement to call these things tater tots because they are truly memorable. The mustard sauce is seriously fab.
We’ve also gotten the chicken sandwich, steak frites, and two different salads, which we were both pleased with. The best part about this place is likely the outdoor patio, though it does get busy. I’m a huge fan and supporter of Produce Row.

Best wings I’ve ever had and The Happy Pair was an awesome pairing of whisky and a light Pilsner. If you want to take a long nap after your happy hour, be sure to order the Carmel ice cream peanut butter waffle.