The Ranger Tavern

The Ranger Tavern is the Cheers of dive bars. Don’t understand that reference? Brush up on your 80s tv. In a nutshell, it’s a place where everyone knows your name. Their motto even speaks to this ethos: “Never a stranger at The Ranger Tavern”!

Comfortable and welcoming, despite all evidence to the contrary judging by the somewhat scary exterior. Walk inside though and you find a homey space, plenty dark with laminate wood paneling on the walls and a variety of cushy spots to sit.

Angie, the waitress extraordinaire was working the dayshift when we visited and she is a total gem. Employed at The Ranger Tavern for the past 21 years, she knows what’s up. She even has a menu item named after her. Drinks are strong, 12 taps, 2 crap and the rest a mix of craft and craft-wannabes. Tony in the kitchen is as earnest as they come and the food he dishes out is solid. We sampled the homemade chili and the chicken fried steak breakfast on our visit and the hash browns in particular deserve a special shout out for being some of the prettiest we’ve ever seen.

There are a couple of pool tables and the obligatory video poker machines plus a myriad of tv screens everywhere since this place seems to think it is a sports bar. Big parking lot out back is a nice bonus.

Address: 9520 N Lombard St, Portland OR – [Google Map]

Quadrant: North Portland

Happy Hours: 3-5:30 daily

Full Kitchen: Yes

Jalapeno Poppers: Yes

Breakfast: Yes, all day!

Outdoor Seating: A bench beside a bucket for butts and a bus stop

Distinguishing Features: A dive bar masquerading as a sports bar

Words by KC Shomler Author of Falling Out of Love With My Career

Photos by Steven Shomler