Nick's Famous Coney Island
3746 SE Hawthorne BlvdPortland, OR 97214
503/ 235.4024
Located in: Southeast Portland
BarFly's Review of Nick's Famous Coney Island
Nick's Coney Island has re-opened with a modern feel complete with 2 HD screens, new counters and new booths. Former patron now owner, Tyler, kept the old memorabilia and vibe. He's frequently seen chatting up the patrons with the most sincerity. The young staff is quick and lively, which is nothing to complain about. Liquor and Happy Hour coming very soon.
Former review:
Likely the only sports bar to divide passions equally between the Trailblazers and Yankees - and that's ignoring the Neil Diamond shrine - Nick's Coney Island may best be understood as a mysteriously-subsidized living history, something like a storefront VA Williamsburg hidden within NY Williamsburg, where kids would learn Americans once cared about baseball.
Whether an eccentric industrialist's private joke or a secretly-funded Chamber Of Commerce project, the marvelous anachronism makes most sense as a museum; that'd explain the lighting and hours, anyway. It's too expensive to be an old man's bar, fits Hawthorne as well as a queer boutique midst downtown Gresham and the restrained food options ... well, you'd be best in the mood to pay top dollar for super-sized Coney Island Dogs. Which has to happen, right? Right?
I know there will be a backlash from the older regulars but the place is so much better now. Frank should have left a long time ago. He probably never spent a dime on paint in all the time he owned it and his surly attitude was not much fun to be around. Service is way better, much cleaner, expanded menu, and actual plates instead of the damn wax paper that would tear when you tried to cut your coney.
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We (husband, me, two boys 12 and 10) went in to Nick's so excited they re-opened. What a disappointment. Maybe they don't like kids, maybe they don't like Keens, but we were totally shunned. The hulk at the bar actually hid in the kitchen and stirred stuff until we left - followed by a hostile glare. How sad for a place in the 'hood.
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I went one last time before he closed and was sadly disappointed. Frank was a JERK ( it was time for him to go) I always wished he would dry wiener off before placing on bun, it made the bun soggy. Also the wax paper would tear and you ended up with a mess unless you ordered it on a plate. Good Coney Sauce though.
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Grew up going to Nick's with my family. Loved the Coney Islands and burgers! But what's going on with this place? I'm finally 21 and every time I'm on Hawthorne and walk by, it's closed!!! :(
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I grew up in Portland and always go back to Nick's for his Coney Island hot dogs but the last two or three years whenever I go there the place ce is never open. It says open Tuesday thru Saturday but most of the time it is hit or miss if he is open. I want a Nick's Coney Island! yea!!!
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I am all girl, all the time, there was no baseball game on and Nick so happened to be very nice to me. We had a Heidelberg chat and then one about how the area has grown and he was not mean or rude in the least. Everytime I venture over to the "Hawthorne" area I am sure to hit his place up for at least one beer!
Surly owner doesn't particularly want you here if you happen to be female or you're not in for a baseball game. Lovely original and historic bar, however, and Heidelberg on tap is always delicious.
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the owner used to drop by some of my other barsand drink a heidelberg beer. he seemed cool.
the one time i dropped by his bar a sox-yankee series
was on. i'm from boston so of course i was rooting for the red sox.
a couple guys asked me if i knew where i was (nicely).
if you are a yankee fan, probably a very good place to watch a game.
Looks as if nothing has changed in this place in 50 years! Kind of like a Back to the future type of 50's cafe. But well worth going in for a brew. I didn't eat so I have no idea about the food. But the bartender was very nice and the place just felt old/cool/retro and chill. A place made before times got so crazy. Blast from a past most of us never knew. It made me want to jump in my Deloreon (sp) and drive back to 1985 :)
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