Slim’s Restaurant & Lounge – 2023 Update
Slim’s Restaurant & Lounge was one of our very first dive bar articles from the pre-pandemic days (read our original review from 2019 here – https://www.portlanddivebars.com/slims-restaurant-and-lounge/)
Reportedly first established in 1911, it felt right to revisit this iconic spot for an update and we were not disappointed. Amy and Sarah took good care of us as we settled into the submarine-esque red lighted interior.
The space is dominated by a long bar studded with barstools, also booths and a few tables and chairs. There is a pool table room with a couple of arcade games including an uber-cool James Bond pinball machine!
Dusty old beer tchotchkes augment the décor and there is a huge menu pumping out great food from the tiny galley kitchen visible behind the bar.
The stand-out on our visit was hands down the Reuben prepared by John – perfect ratios of all the elements. We would trek far and wide for another bite of that sandwich.
10 taps, 2 crap and 1 cider. These bartendresses are such pros they didn’t even blink an eye when one of our party ordered an old fashioned! That’s the kind of request that will get you drummed out of other dive bar establishments (perhaps rightfully so).
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/slims.pdx/
Address: 8635 N Lombard St, Portland – [Google Maps]
Quadrant: North Portland
Happy Hours: Daily food and drink specials
Full kitchen: Yes
Jalapeno Poppers: Yes
Breakfast: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes, picnic tables out front
Distinguishing features: Historic dive bar with great food
Co-Conspirator’s Note (Arthur): Yeah, I’m guilty of ordering old fashioneds at dive bars — but it shows me who the bartender really is: friendly, surly, seasoned pro or rank amateur. At Slim’s Restaurant & Lounge, it’s a solid, quickly built cocktail, served with a smile, that’ll land you on your ass.
Words by KC Shomler Author of Falling Out of Love With My Career
Photos by Steven Shomler
Website Wizardry by Arthur Breur
Slim’s Restaurant & Lounge Photos
