Many of the reviews are pretty close to the mark. The food is great. I had a bucket of steamer clams and a cup of clam chowder. The steamer clams are awesome. But, if you want the clam nectar, you must ask for it. The clam chowder is some of the best I've had: thick and full of clams. Service is spotty. My (female) waitress was a bit of a grump. However, another (male) waiter serving other tables seemed much more helpful. Also, there is no happy hour at anytime!

Okay you guys-- you don't go to Pal's Shanty for the friendly, fast service. You go there because it's a Portland classic, because you've been going there since you were a kid (in the days when kids were allowed in), they have done an awesome job to improve the atmosphere, and the food ROCKS. A tad bit over priced, but hell, whatever it takes to stay in business as a restaurant these days--more power to them.

Go there. They won't disappoint. Just don't be in a hurry.

its closed on sundays

I went to Pal's Shanty on Saturday Feb 6th 2010 at about 3:30 pm to meet my son an a few of his friends to celebrate the soon to be birth of another grandchild. I've been going into Pal's since the mid 70's off and on. I have been a bar owner in Portland for sometime. I have owned two and my farther owned 3 bars in Portland. I entered the bar and sat at the table with my son and the bar maid approached me and asked what she could get me I treplied that I'd like to check out the beers. At that point I thought she'd recite the selection for me but she merely walked away with no comment so I figured she was going to bring me a beer menu but she just went off and started cleaning up behind the bar. I waited a few minutes and when she didn't return and went up to the bar to check out the beers myself. I discovered that they really only 6 or 7 beers on tap. Really 6 or 7 beers in Portland the beer capital of the world? I wondered then why she couldn't just tell me what 6 beers they offer. So I decided then that maybe their forte was bottled beer so I cast my eye's towards a frosted up reach in cooler door. I could barely see the labels so I asked a short, chubby blonde who was also behind the bar standing directly in front of me if she had a beer list she didn't bother to even look at me and just replied that they don't have a beer list. I figured I'd ask what kind of bottled beers they had and she screamed at me "I told you we don't have a beer list" Not what I asked classy lady. Nasty attitude and hard of hearing. At that point the 4 of us left. We pleasantly spent our money up the street at the Venture Inn. Seems all that Pal's has are the Budweiser types of beers but really all I was looking for was Corona or Fosters something not too exotic but not ancient domestic. I gotta tell ya that the bar business is a hospitality business and there's a bar on every corner in Portland so why should I spend my hard earned money in this recession at your bar when I can be just as easily disrespected at several other places in Portland. In my bar I trained my staff in how to how to make our customers feel welcome. Furthermore, if I invite you to my house when you arrive I'll offer you something to drink whatever your choices beer or cocktails....at that point I'd gladly let you know what beers I have in my fridge and what hard liq I have in the cabinet. Hard hard can it be for a small bar like Pal's to train their employees to do that and in a friendly manner?

I really want to love this place -- it's only a short walk from my house and the food is excellent. Love the seafood chowder! We also, however, had shockingly hostile service tonight. What's up with the cranky servers, or is it just one?? When we tried to clear room for the server to deliver plates on our table (to help her) she was visibly irritated and barked, "Don't move anything -- seriously!" Yikes. Had good service sitting at the bar on a weeknight once when I was with one person rather than a group of five . . . I also couldn't help but notice that our server was very friendly to a couple who sat next to us that she "hadn't seen in a long time . . . " I guess you have to be in the club here. It would also be great if they stayed open past 9:00 p.m. Hopefully they'll come around!

If you are expecting a 5 star meal, with the 5 star service...look elsewhere. This place is A BAR. A bar that happens to have some of the best seafood in town. No the service is not "kiss-your-ass" good, but that is not why I go to Pal's. If you didn't enjoy it, don't go back...more for me.

usually poor service but the food always saved them-not anymore

The best turkey sandwich anywhere. I love to stop by when I am in town. Y'all need to open up on Sunday's though! Service can be uneven, and I've gotten outright hostile servers before so they should definitely work on that aspect.

I too was very disappointed with Pal's Shanty. On a Friday night, after waiting 20 minutes for a table (OK they were busy) we waited another 20 minutes for a very unhappy waitress to take our food and drink order. We waited another 45 minutes for a Bud Light to arrive, and then another 20 minutes for the food to arrive. Instead of the salmon dinner I ordered, I got a shrimp dinner (close enough, I was hungry). They got my girl friend's dinner right, but for over $50, we won't be back. What a horrible experience! Maybe its a place for locals only?

the food is good, but our service was terrible! my friend wont even set foot in there again...they seem not to care about the customer service quality as they cater to locals i guess...

I love Pals!! They have the best clam chowder (and Primo Chowder on Fridays) but here's the rub... Try the Southwestern Burger!! I just had one yesterday and it was probably the best burger I have EVER had (and I've had many). Better than Hollywood Burger Bar and much better than Stanichs! Try one - you'll go back for another within the week!!

I always make it a point to hit Pal's Shanty when I'm in Portland. A bowl of clam chowder, a large bucket of steamed clams, and a Portland Ale is the best ever. The only disappointment was the time I had my son with me. I'd told him how great the steamers were and he was really looking forward to it. I'd forgotten that it was an Oregon tavern and no one under 21 was allowed. Big disappointment. We had to go to Sayler's for steaks ... that's another great place so I redeemed myself!

It was the worst thing I've ever seen, I call it a joke!!!! I'm sure they wouldn't DARE to serve you this at the restaurant but I quess for people who have it delivered and PRE PAY they don't give a squat. The only thing that stood uo to quality was the New England Clam Chowder, well you can't mess this one up it comes from a pot. My Razor Clam platter had a piece of a broken up clam (could it be scraps somedody didn't finish????) and a teaspoon of hash browns, the crab/shrimp sandwiches... oh we saw the bread and cheese but had a hard time seeing the seafood. My husband called the delivery service and the restaurant, this is Dec 22nd, 2006, time 6:45 - 7:00 pm, who ever the manager on duty was ignorant, rude and didn't care. Her line was that once in a while you CAN GET BAD FOOD!!!! No apology, no nothing...My, oh my, doesn't that just want me to come back!!!!

I think the shrimp cocktail and crab Louie is best in town.

Where else does the menu offer "clam nectar upon request"? This place is awesome.

I can't find one website that tells me this restaurants hours of operation. The damn restaurant doesn't have a friggin $10 answering machine with a recording either. I just want to take my poor little 90 year old grand mama for lunch! Oh, but the food is AWESOME! The service, so-so...it's a "tavern."

I've been going there regularly for about two years now. The food has always been great. The service has always been great. Their steamer clams are the best in town.

Highly recommend!