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(25 posts)

Porterhouse

Started 2 years ago by dtown
Latest reply from Admiral935

dtown
Member Profile

I've been there 3 times, and I must say....I'm still disappointed. I thought that things would start working themselves out, but I don't think they have. First thing, if you're going to have an establishment like the Porterhouse, you MUST have a good straight up burger, and you must be able to serve the beers that are on the menu. Fail on both accounts.

Posted 2 years ago #
Smitty
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Wow. Went there for the first time a week ago and loved the burger, the service and the Jack & Coke "hand pour".

My wife thinks the burger rivals JaKs. I thought the cobb was excellent.

To each his own, I guess.

Posted 2 years ago #
villagegreen
Member Profile

Burger, Left Coast Philly, and Buffalo Salmon all kick ass. Been there 5 or 6 times and haven't had any issues with the service (or beer availability) since our first so-so visit. Great reasonably priced kids menu as well.

Posted 2 years ago #
k
Member Profile

it's funny, i was searching for a porterhouse thread in the forums and saw the old one with my positive review written about 2 months ago. we went last night, and will never return. the service was terrible. our server had such a poor attitude and actually was sarcastic and seemed annoyed to have to help us. (this after our first server disappeared without explanation.) there were three of us in our party and we all live here in west seattle. we truly want to support local businesses, but not if this is the caliber of food and service. i ordered the fish and chips (which i had the first time i went) and they were served COLD to me. they were tough, chewy and cold. fries were cold, as well. my friend ordered the steak which was tough and chewy, as well. his mashed potatoes were tasteless and the kale was served barely cooked and under seasoned. my partner had their pasta special which amounted to little more than noodles in garlic milk sauce. i really have nothing to compare this to as this was THE worst meal we have ever had anywhere in west seattle. it's insulting to think that they believe their customers do not know better. over $100 wasted. it's a tough time for people right now and to spend that kind of money on a meal so incredibly poor is truly a shame. NOW i believe all the poor reviews i have read around the internet.

Posted 2 years ago #
wsgolfer
Member Profile

I agree with k and dtown. We've been there three times now, and the service has been very poor each time.

On our most recent visit (likely our last), it took the server 15 minutes to get us menus and ask us what we wanted to drink. And it isn't like the place was busy - there were at least a half dozen empty tables. After she took our order, it took her another 10 minutes to bring us two glasses of water and our beers.

The food is not bad, but isn't anything to write home about. I think it is overpriced for what you get. The side salad with a burger for example was a few sad looking pieces of greens with a half hearted drizzle of vinaigrette.

We were looking for a good pub with good grub to add to the rotation, but Porterhouse isn't it. Elliott Bay will continue to get our pub $$$s as their food & beer is consistently good, prices are more reasonable and service is always exceptional.

Posted 2 years ago #
DaveB
Member Profile

I've found the service to be great (but I've only sat in the bar area). As for the food, I've been underwhelmed. The only thing I've liked is the salad. Tried a couple sandwiches and the fries, no desire to eat them again. It is worth going for the beer selection, and the bartender knows his beer.

Posted 2 years ago #
changingtimes
Member Profile

i agree the service is horrible! but there fries! something about there fries! i luv them! :)))

Posted 2 years ago #
Keith
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There was definitely something about the fries when I ate there for dinner about a month ago: they were ice cold.

Posted 2 years ago #
villagegreen
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This isn't meant to be argumentative, but did any of you that received cold fries mention it to the staff? I've received non-hot fries on occasion, but if I received cold fish and chips I'd definitely speak up. Their beer selection really is awesome (Elliott Bay's beer just doesn't do anything for me), so it would be awesome if Porterhouse succeeded. If cold fries are the only problem it would seem to be an easy fix. They just need to be made aware of the problem, thus the 'speaking up' suggestion. Thanks.

Posted 2 years ago #
twobottles
Member Profile

I go to the Porterhouse at least once a week, sometimes more. I've never had any issues with either the food or the service, never ordered a thing that I would not order again, and would never hesitate to recommend the place to others. I love the wings, the cheese dip, the halibut and fries, the burgers, the house fries with truffle salt... and most everything else they serve. Plus an outstanding beer selection and very knowledgeable bartenders. Apparently I'm not alone, there's typically a wait for tables every Friday and Saturday night

Posted 2 years ago #
k
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villagegreen-there was no point in speaking with the server we had. a letter has been written to the management.

Posted 2 years ago #
Keith
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I would've spoken up about the fries if our server had ever stopped by to see how everything was. But she never asked how anything was - just dropped off our bill. It was busy and they seemed understaffed so I felt sorry for her. I left a note.

Posted 2 years ago #
spana
Member Profile

I actually came here to complain about Porterhouse, so I'll just add it to this already disappointing thread.

We went for brunch on Saturday afternoon and were excited - we live a block away and it sounds like our kind of place.

The service was TERRIBLE. It was about 1pm, and there were maybe four other tables (and a handful at the bar). We got drinks (coffee in an individual french press! <3)and menus right away (from someone who would end up not being our waitress) but then waited 20+ minutes before someone stopped by again. In fact, we were getting ready to just leave when she finally came over.

We ordered - biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon for J, smoked salmon benedict for me. The waitress seemed confused and flustered said she didn't know if I could have the smoked salmon benny (it was on the menu) and turned around and yelled to the kitchen, "Can they have a smoked salmon benedict? Are we out of smoked salmon?" Anyway, they weren't, or whatever, but it was odd.

The food was actually fantastic. I didn't try it but the biscuits and gravy was RAVED about (both the gravy and the biscuits were apparently phenom), and mine benny was fantastic too. Plus I love tater tots. However, the side of bacon never came. Our waitress never returned - eventually I flagged down the other one and mentioned the bacon. It hadn't been ordered in the kitchen, so she ordered it and brought it to us. I wish she had waited on us the whole time.

Eventually, after waiting longer than usual and sitting with empty plates for 20 minutes, we got out waitresses attention and she said, "Oh, do you want me to take those plates too?" I think the "too" was in reference to the fact that she had just taken another table's plates. It was so strange.

I hated it. We'll never go back.

Posted 2 years ago #
villagegreen
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Glad to hear their brunch food is worthy of a rave. Can't wait to check it out this weekend!

Posted 2 years ago #
villagegreen
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k and Keith, writing a letter and leaving a note is perfect. Even though I've never experienced the issues others have, I'm hoping your feedback will help straighten out some of the apparent inconsistencies.

Posted 2 years ago #
rockhills
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I've only been to Porterhouse three times-once to sit in the bar on a quiet evening for a snack, and twice on a Saturday afternoon. None of these were busy times. It is not a place I would go if I were in a hurry, because service is not fast. However, their beer far surpasses the offerings at Elliot Bay. Prost has been my go-to in West Seattle for decent beer, but when I'm in the mood for something other than German beer and I'm hungry, Porterhouse wins hands-down.

I've had their fries, burger, and soup. Fries and burger were fine, vegetable bean soup was so-so (but I wasn't really expecting to be doing backflips over it, since I had ordered on that particular visit for calorie count rather than taste). Service was not fast but it was friendly and responsive.

I hope they can address the issues that have resulted in bad experiences for OP and others, and stick around for a while.

Posted 2 years ago #
24601
Member Profile

villagegreen - why not just admit that you are a manager or owner of this restaurant. it seems fairly obvious, not that it is a bad thing, but it is clear that several opinions about this establishment agree that there is much room for improvement, and some basic steps regarding quality control and service have not been adequately addressed.

Posted 2 years ago #
HelperMonkey
Member Profile

the first time we went there, I didn't know if we'd be back...but a friend and I went for lunch last week and it was great! We ordered lunch and it was great. The wings, people, the wings. Seriously, if you go for nothing else, go for the wings. The beer and wine selection is great also. I can't speak to the service any other time, but rest assured if Jana is working you'll get top-notch service.

BTW, it's ok for someone to have positive opinions of a restaurant w/out working there, 24601.

Posted 2 years ago #
Crowe
Member Profile

I have been twice and had really good food, the beer selection is great!
Never had bad service there.
Sometimes they may forget to tell you their shift is over. But then a new server should step in.
If you have bad servcie anywhere, speak up, or go find someone and you can request that your tip goes to the server who ends up heping you if your first server disappears. Most time being direct but very polite gets you great results.
I will be back to Porterhouse.

Posted 2 years ago #
villagegreen
Member Profile

Sorry Sherlock (24601), your deductive reasoning has failed you. I, unfortunately, have no connection with Porterhouse. I wish I did, as that would give me more access to their awesome beer selections.

Oh, by the way, your movie kinda sucked.

Posted 2 years ago #
ladygray
Member Profile

Wowsies! I loved this food! 5 Stars! My family has been there off and on (they told me service is slow on Sundays) and tonight was my first time. I'll be brief:

-burgers: juicy, new flavors for me. It's a real commitment of calories for me.

-salad: the most amazing combination of textures and tanginess. I've lived and worked with the Organic Salad industry and this is by far the best.

-fries: 2 words: curry ketchup.

-other appetizers: we snarfed those things down.

-service: overall, I thought our server seemed friendly and genuine.

The quality of food was great. This is a place I'd take any exchange student to show them how tasty "American" food can be.

Posted 2 years ago #
voodoo
Member Profile

We just went there tonight for the first time, and we will be back. Nothing was above and beyond great, but everything was good. The service was fine, although it did take a while to get our food and then get our check, but nothing that really annoyed us.

We ordered:
2 burgers (both eaters agreed they are at least 5th on the list of burgers in WS, with Rocksport, Circa, Elliott Bay Brewing, and Zippy's all ahead of them), and not worth having again. The buns were good but the burger itself was too small and dull (it looked like one of the skinny little preformed frozen patties you buy at Costco).
1 order of BBQ ribs - ribs were reportedly good, buttermilk mashers bland.
1 Left Coast Philly - hit the spot, good steak, good peppers and onions, nice and cheesy, a little small for $11, but I'd have it again.

We were disappointed to learn that the beer we had come specifically to try (from Odin Brewing Company) was not there, but we don't fault Porterhouse for that. All in all, a good experience.

Posted 2 years ago #
Carson
Member Profile

We have been there twice. Thats enough for us with all the other options available. As previously mentioned, we ordered a meal with fries and they came out like a pile of wet noodles. My wife wanted to send them back, I told her why bother, someone in the kitchen actually knew what they were serving and didn't care. That was enough for us, and yes, the server was only interested one thing, me ordering more beer.

Posted 2 years ago #
patrickwsu
Member Profile

I go at least once a week. I try to make it mondays (all day happy hour) and on brewers' nights. The food has always been fantastic and the service at the bar is great too. The salmon chowder is seriously good. good enough that I feel the need to mention it before even mentioning their awesome beer selection. They always have a few good IPAs on, and I can always go for a good IPA.

Posted 2 years ago #
Admiral935
Member Profile

Seeya Monday then. I've not placed an order for grub but will try the Salmon chowder. I agree that their beer selection on tap is great! for the neighborhood. Wonderful for a pre-movie spin to the Theater nextdoor. :)

Posted 2 years ago #