Poor Richard's
3907 NE Broadway StPortland, OR 97232
288/ 528.5
Located in: Northeast Portland - Visit Website
BarFly's Review of Poor Richard's
Inspired by the once-adjacent Ben Franklin Savings and Loan, Poor Richards embodies two of the old Patriot’s staunch beliefs - financial solvency and unrepentant drunkenness. Their Twofer specials’ ridiculously-cheap steakhouse entrees are beloved by all demographics though a particular niche should be suggested by the complimentary peppermint soft-serve. Best avoid the assisted-living set in the Almanac Room lounge where couples may dine midst a 70’s rendition of Early American hotel-disco decor. The cocktails are stiff, the celebrants span decades and the lighting eternally reminds of tomorrow’s early morning. ‘The productive drunkard is the bane of all moralists’, mind.
Happy Hours
Yes it is an old haunt...with stiff drinks (I don't mind the warm martinis), great potato skins and t-fers, great spinach salad and waiters and waitresses who have been there since our parents frequented the place. The restaurant has the best kids menu in town - steak tips, fish & chips, grilled cheese...all for less than $5. Sure, it can be smokey on the bar side but the friendly regulars make it worth it. Waiters like Zee and Rory, and the blonde bartender make you come back again and again even if we are under 40. Word on the street, however, is that the new owners might make changes. Let's hope not. We come for the wait staff so if they start making changes now...like firing any of them...the regulars will stop coming and new folks who can't stand smoke won't step foot in the place except on St. Patrick's Day.
The only thing stiff here are the drinks. Anyone who hales from NE Portland knows this place is a Hollywood District icon, as well as an excellent place to get a stiff drink and a great meal. Here is a hint: all of the old people you see there have been going there since they where your age because it's such a good place! I'm sure the older crowd and the staff would love to see a changing of the guard, so please support this local gem.
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Was really disappointed with the music at Poor Richards two times in a row. Angsty, poorly played and bad sound system. I think that even a place that does not charge a cover should INSIST on having some sort of quality control with the music, or just play recorded stuff, satellite radio etc. The food was so-so, but I did get pretty good service from a nice person.
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Old diners perhaps, ancient waitstaff, maybe. But the food is CLEAN, GOOD, and there is LOTS of it. Oh, yeah it's cheap too. Find me a place where I can get my steak, taters, veggies, sides of shrooms, onion rings, green beans plus a rockin ass salad all for under $20. Oh yeah, did I mention that the resteraunt is clean, which is a hell of a lot better than some of the more up and coming establishments. I don't mind trendy, but damn I hate pit hair in my food.
Peace out barfly-
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