Sam's Hollywood Billiards
1845 NE 41st AvePortland, OR 97212
503/ 282.8266
Located in: Northeast Portland
BarFly's Review of Sam's Hollywood Billiards
Dating back before pool tournaments were televised and every co-ed shot nine ball, Sam's Billiards has hosted the legends of the sport - and, weirdly, Pink Floyd a few times. Serious practitioners still rent tables for far less than halls across the river, and the chummy bartenders and a perhaps-too-ambitious menu enliven the sepia-tinged Hustler-era charms with an eternally young crowd.
Happy Hours
Reader Reviews of Sam's Hollywood Billiards
Hootie Hoo!
This place is great! The bartenders pour a mean drink, and they ain't too bad to look at neither! Love it, and will keep coming back every weekend!
This place is great! The bartenders pour a mean drink, and they ain't too bad to look at neither! Love it, and will keep coming back every weekend!
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by AliciaSneeze on February 12, 2008, 9:03 am
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Awesome place but don't eat when that one guy cooks
Sams is a totally chill environment. The bartenders are hella cool. The people are hella cool and the food is awesome...........but only when the dude with the skirt isn't cooking. This guy has an inflated ego. He thinks he is some master chef but his food tastes like crap!!!!!!!! The food had no flavor and tasted like it was microwaved. Dude I am a cook in a bar and my deep fried happy hour finger foods tasted better. But don't let this review discourage you from checking the place out. The food is really really good just don't go when the guy with the skirt is cooking. Cheers!
Sams is a totally chill environment. The bartenders are hella cool. The people are hella cool and the food is awesome...........but only when the dude with the skirt isn't cooking. This guy has an inflated ego. He thinks he is some master chef but his food tastes like crap!!!!!!!! The food had no flavor and tasted like it was microwaved. Dude I am a cook in a bar and my deep fried happy hour finger foods tasted better. But don't let this review discourage you from checking the place out. The food is really really good just don't go when the guy with the skirt is cooking. Cheers!
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Sarah and Chaz on December 8, 2007, 5:15 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Food and Drink
Wi-fi. A bar menu that isn't par for bar menus. Pool tables all over the place. Jukebox goes: Billy Idol, Marvin Gaye, hardcore metal, Prince. The Agave, Chili, Cilantro Burger was not as spicy as the menu made it sound. I drowned it in Cholula, and my fries in Salt and Pepper. 8.25 for the plate, which was both satisfying (well plated, thick and crispy fries, fresh and tasty garnish/greens) and a little underwhelming (the burger was obviously of a low quality and was pretty gristly after they char grilled it.) The server was a little inattentive (and said "don't worry, I'm not busy at all,") but the place has a cozy, clean feel that a lot of bars are missing and I enjoyed my meal. Maybe a pricier entree would have made up my mind, but I enjoy the menu. The drinks, however, were overpriced (a cheap whiskey = 3.25 for Old Crow. Budweiser is the cheap draft.) and the open-grill atmosphere brings all the "bitching about customers" right out in the open, which anywhere else is a back-of-house practice. If you want to be pampered this isn't the place, and the food isn't cheap but it's definitely better than your average bar fare. If you're used to paying for good beer and liquor then this could be your bar.
Wi-fi. A bar menu that isn't par for bar menus. Pool tables all over the place. Jukebox goes: Billy Idol, Marvin Gaye, hardcore metal, Prince. The Agave, Chili, Cilantro Burger was not as spicy as the menu made it sound. I drowned it in Cholula, and my fries in Salt and Pepper. 8.25 for the plate, which was both satisfying (well plated, thick and crispy fries, fresh and tasty garnish/greens) and a little underwhelming (the burger was obviously of a low quality and was pretty gristly after they char grilled it.) The server was a little inattentive (and said "don't worry, I'm not busy at all,") but the place has a cozy, clean feel that a lot of bars are missing and I enjoyed my meal. Maybe a pricier entree would have made up my mind, but I enjoy the menu. The drinks, however, were overpriced (a cheap whiskey = 3.25 for Old Crow. Budweiser is the cheap draft.) and the open-grill atmosphere brings all the "bitching about customers" right out in the open, which anywhere else is a back-of-house practice. If you want to be pampered this isn't the place, and the food isn't cheap but it's definitely better than your average bar fare. If you're used to paying for good beer and liquor then this could be your bar.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Mister Lies on November 7, 2007, 11:54 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Sam's Billiards
Who says the food at Sam's is decent fare? Not bad if your Mom couldn't cook... or if you are homeless.... ask for skinny fries and you get steak fries. You have to get your own coffee or do without.
The owner needs to send in some spies at night - just to see what happens at the grill and behind the bar while she's away...
Who says the food at Sam's is decent fare? Not bad if your Mom couldn't cook... or if you are homeless.... ask for skinny fries and you get steak fries. You have to get your own coffee or do without.
The owner needs to send in some spies at night - just to see what happens at the grill and behind the bar while she's away...
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Wendy on October 20, 2007, 7:49 am
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Service
Good grief!! What happened to the service at Sam's Billiards?? The morning waitress/bar tender went on vacation, and her replacements are lacking in every way possible! They are truly people who should NOT work in the service industry. Thank goodness vacations end and the temps go back to their holes. The fat, bald cook at night should find a job somewhere on west Burnside - he would fit in better there. UG!!
Good grief!! What happened to the service at Sam's Billiards?? The morning waitress/bar tender went on vacation, and her replacements are lacking in every way possible! They are truly people who should NOT work in the service industry. Thank goodness vacations end and the temps go back to their holes. The fat, bald cook at night should find a job somewhere on west Burnside - he would fit in better there. UG!!
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by R'el on September 28, 2007, 7:32 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by MD on January 15, 2007, 12:22 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
EXCELLENT FOOD!!!
So - hands down some of the best food you'll get in PDX. Sure, it is a pool hall - but TRY their food. It is amazing.
So - hands down some of the best food you'll get in PDX. Sure, it is a pool hall - but TRY their food. It is amazing.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by m@ on January 14, 2007, 10:56 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by rtripper on January 14, 2007, 7:56 am
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Geri and Mike on December 6, 2006, 7:39 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Droopy Dog
Hey Droopy Dogg..... I think your name must describe you and your personality to a T. You need to stay at the dog pound where they'll put you to sleep soon....
Hey Droopy Dogg..... I think your name must describe you and your personality to a T. You need to stay at the dog pound where they'll put you to sleep soon....
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Merak on September 28, 2006, 9:04 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Great hangout
I've been to Sam's a few times, and always enjoyed myself. It's very laid back and low-key. If you're looking for high energy and loud music, keep on looking. Drinks are good and priced fairly. Wait staff is courteous and willing to chit-chat. Food seems a bit pricey, but well worth it. I highly recomend the Jalapeno poppers with the raspberry vinegrette sauce (I was skeptical at first too, but trust me, it works!)
I've been to Sam's a few times, and always enjoyed myself. It's very laid back and low-key. If you're looking for high energy and loud music, keep on looking. Drinks are good and priced fairly. Wait staff is courteous and willing to chit-chat. Food seems a bit pricey, but well worth it. I highly recomend the Jalapeno poppers with the raspberry vinegrette sauce (I was skeptical at first too, but trust me, it works!)
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by LourdeK on February 3, 2006, 9:53 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Decent Breakfast with no lines
I don't know about this nighttime action everyone is going on about. What I do know is that Sam's serves breakfast, it's pretty decent fare, and there is never a waiting list for a seat. They make their own jams and jellies too. Great post-hangover place to get grease and eggs in the belly, washed down with a stiff bloody mary.
I don't know about this nighttime action everyone is going on about. What I do know is that Sam's serves breakfast, it's pretty decent fare, and there is never a waiting list for a seat. They make their own jams and jellies too. Great post-hangover place to get grease and eggs in the belly, washed down with a stiff bloody mary.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Spanky on October 29, 2005, 7:45 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Al Coholic on September 22, 2005, 9:28 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Droopy Dog sucks farts out of dogs asses
Nice place, a little slow on the food service. But nice tables, and atmosphere.
Nice place, a little slow on the food service. But nice tables, and atmosphere.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Cheese Monkey on September 7, 2005, 11:06 am
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Sam's -is- Hollywood.
A great place to shoot pool, slam some drinks, and hang out. The wait staff is excellent, friendly, and standup. It can get a little smoky in there later in the evening, but other than that, a solid house.
A great place to shoot pool, slam some drinks, and hang out. The wait staff is excellent, friendly, and standup. It can get a little smoky in there later in the evening, but other than that, a solid house.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Don Pedro on August 28, 2005, 8:46 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Droopy Dogg Sucks Balls
Sam's was great! Usually when i go to bars the bartenders treat you like shit and get dirty looks from regulars. Not at Sam's! The bartenders are super nice and the regulars welcomed us with open arms. I Love Sam's!
Sam's was great! Usually when i go to bars the bartenders treat you like shit and get dirty looks from regulars. Not at Sam's! The bartenders are super nice and the regulars welcomed us with open arms. I Love Sam's!
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Rabbit on July 21, 2005, 3:38 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by dja on June 25, 2005, 9:04 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Sam's is no Cheers
The place was full of shady and depressing characters. What a crappy location too...near the library and the Radio Shack.
The place was full of shady and depressing characters. What a crappy location too...near the library and the Radio Shack.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Droopy Dogg on January 2, 2005, 1:12 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »
Sam's is no Cheers
The place was full of shady and depressing characters. What a crappy location too...near the library and the Radio Shack.
The place was full of shady and depressing characters. What a crappy location too...near the library and the Radio Shack.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Droopy Dogg on January 2, 2005, 1:11 pm
Write Your Own Review »
Write Your Own Review »