Cruzroom
2338 NE Alberta St Portland, OR 97211Phone: (503) 208.3483
Located in: Northeast Portland & near North Portland - Visit Website
BarFly's Review of Cruzroom
The Nest, The Know, The Alleyway, Cruzroom: one of these things is not like the others. Not that there's anything wrong with the slurry of comfortably pre-worn proto-dives that have set up shop on Alberta, but Cruzroom is a different animal, entirely.
Now, before you go getting your beard all bunched up, hear this - it's not a dive, but it's not a high-falutin', gentrifyin', capitalist-pig sty, either. Going with a mod-diner aesthetic, in looks and foodstuffs, it's appropriate for both first-date dining, and drunken, late-night face-stuffing (point of evidence - the house tots are to die for).
Lunch counter-style bar affords view of semi-open kitchen. Small tables throughout. Spacious, smoker-friendly patio, adjoins. Local art featured on monthly rotation.
Locaholics will find Portland's micro-distilleries well-represented (and the $10 4-tasting flights are a great way to acquaint yourself with the local moonshine). The cocktail menu is replete with artful mixology, heavy on the house-made infusions, but refreshingly light on the pretension - the menu itself is laugh-out-loud funny, and the drinks are just plain yummy (no palate-challenging, medicinal concoctions, here).
Service is friendly and spot on, with several longtime BarFly favorites among the barkeeps (and one who could pass for a poor-man's Sam Adams!).
A rotating crew of deejays spin vinyl from a 'booth' set up on the end of the counter.
Mondays: Knit Night! Bring your knitting (or, other crafty-ness) and enjoy drink specials all night.
Tuesdays: Shanrock's Triviology
Second and fourth Saturdays: Vinylogy djs spin mix of old-school, downtempo, and electronica.
Open 4:30pm-12am Monday-Thursday, 4pm-2:30am Friday & Saturday, 9:30am-2:30pm and4:30pm-12am Sunday (brunch served 9:30am-2:30pm Sunday).
$2.25 tacos, $2 drafts, $3.50 well, $4 wine, and $6 signature cocktails, 4pm-6:30pm every day.
SIN: $2.25 tacos, $2 draft, $3.50 well, $4.50 wine, and $6.50 signature cocktails, 10pm-close every day, with OLCC card.
| Cruzroom's Happy Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday | $2 tacos, $2 Rainier, $3 Drafts, $4 House Infusions Open-6:30pm |
| Tuesday | $2 tacos, $2 Rainier, $3 Drafts, $4 House Infusions Open-6:30pm |
| Wednesday | $2 tacos, $2 Rainier, $3 Drafts, $4 House Infusions Open-6:30pm |
| Thursday | $2 tacos, $2 Rainier, $3 Drafts, $4 House Infusions Open-6:30pm |
| Friday | $2 tacos, $2 Rainier, $3 Drafts, $4 House Infusions Open-6:30pm |
| Saturday | $2 tacos, $2 Rainier, $3 Drafts, $4 House Infusions Open-6:30pm |
| Sunday | $2 tacos, $2 Rainier, $3 Drafts, $4 House Infusions 4pm-6:30pm $2 tacos, $2 Rainier, $3 Drafts, $4 House Infusions Open-6:30pm |
*after placing our dinner order*
waitstaff: would you like the “titos” to come out first?
me: no, at the same is good.
waitstaff: well, they’re gonna come out first. (walks away)
*dinner is done, drinks are empty*
different waitstaff: would you like another round of drinks?
me: no, we’re ok right now.
waitstaff: would you like your check?
me: (didn’t get a chance to answer)
waitstaff: yes, i’ll bring you a check.
*check sitting there with a card and a twenty dollar bill*
a third waitstaff: how would you like to me split this?
me: what i had… (interrupted)
waitstaff: $20 in cash and the rest on the card, ok.
me: NO! i want to pay for mine and my friend is paying for theirs.
waitstaff: (silently walks away)
when did customer service entail asking a question then doing whatever you want anyway? the food and libations there are delish but the service leaves something to be desired. i've been there once before and had great service. if they were having an "off" night i think it would only be one bad waitstaff... not three.
Went over to Alberta tonight for a stroll-and-dine and stumbled upon cruzroom! AMAZING! best drinks and best tiny tacos ANYWHERE! super nice wait staff, great pours from the bartender and the chef whips up some seriously good tacos!
love the atmosphere. good tunes. great experience, and we will definitely be back!
Cool mellow place with an amazing bar. Drinks were inventive and we had the OG taco which was pretty awesome. Great place to go on Alberta and will be going again soon.
