The summer menu at Saltys is probably the best it's ever been! With so many fresh fish, it's hard to choose just one! The staff is very helpful and attentive! Laura the general manager is just wonderful, and always has a smile! Make sure you sit on the deck! It's the best view in town!
(5)
Lacey B.
This place was AMAZING! Seeing as my fiance were visiting from Denver, we were very excited to have some REAL seafood! And we thought the seafood was FABULOUS! Some people on here complained enough that we were questioning whether we should go or not, but I am so glad we did. Waitstaff was super friendly, and live music was awesome. We told the hostess we wanted to wait for a waterfront view and she chatted me up while we waited, which I appreciated. She told me about the brunch they have Saturdays and Sundays, and I wish we'd had enough time to come back for that! The crab legs were HUGE and the Lobster was delicious too! It's not cheap, but we did have two big entrees, drinks and shared 2 appetizers. Everything was so romantic and perfect! I also want to give a special shoutout to Holly. She was so sweet and kind and after she saw me and my fiance waiting for our cab (over an hour and a half), she offered to give us a ride back to our hotel. Thank you so much Holly - you are a wonderful person, and we truly appreciate the help!
(5)
Benjamin K.
I had the Chilean Sea Bass and a Green Salad it was top notch the fish had plenty of flavor and the right amount of moisture. The salad had a great house made Bleu Cheese and and crumbles of goat cheese. They also make some great non-alcoholic beverages and have sweeping views of the Columbia River.
(4)
Ted R.
Went here for my 65th birthday. Had a window seat on the upper level with a great view. My wife had 1/2 lbs. fresh crab legs and clam chowder and my son had the calamari and clam chowder. I ordered the Cioppino and a bowl of clam chowder. We brought our on CA. wine and had great service. It was a top notch seafood meal.
(5)
Jeannie J.
This is probably my favorite brunch place. It is pricey at $53 for adults with bottomless mimosa's, but for the selection, amount of seafood and champagne you can consume it isn't bad. Of course I can't make it a weekly event. I have celebrated many birthdays here (mine and friends), and they always make sure to recognize the occasion. I had my family down for Thanksgiving, and everyone was really impressed and left fully satisfied. The manager is super friendly and always makes a point to stop by the table and say hello. I don't think they have an actual pastry chef, which is surprising considering how large the restaurant is, and the price point. Sometimes they are pretty good, other times just so-so.
(4)
J Faith J.
We have eaten here several times and loved the service and food; also the view in the summertime outside on the deck is spectacular:) Tonight we went for dinner and the Mel a Brown Trio jazz music. We shared the dinner of the filet mignon and lobster tale. I was Disappointed in the lobster tale size and half of it was tough... $70.00 for this combo was a bit disappointing although the perfectly cooked green slightly made up for it. Luckily we split our meal and ate most of it, so we didn't waste any of what we could eat. We will give it another try soon,
(4)
Christy H.
This is an amazing Portland restaurant that has been around 1978 and is definitely a landmark brunch, lunch, and dinner restaurant. When you first drive up you can the classy service right from the start. Valet parking? yes please! Walk in and you will find an large tank full of live crabs and lobsters and a happy hostess ready to find you a nice spot (go for the window seat!). This place has some of the best views. It is right on the Columbia river. If you are lucky enough to show up on a sunny day I highly recommend eating on the balcony. The drinks here are an attempt at fancy but they just don't seem to hold much booze. I ordered the lemon drop but had to return it because it was too small and way too sweet. Especially for $11. No thanks. The vodka soda was just fine. The seafood here is amazing. I always order the oysters on a half shell to start. The crab cakes are good, as well as the shrimp cocktail. They offer some great tasting options for appetizers if you just can't decide. Main courses such as steelhead, salmon, lobster, steak, and many more! You can get clam chowder in a cup or a bowl. They sometimes have lobster bisque. It is amazing!! Not too rich. Just right. This place has a ton of events throughout the year. They offer fixed priced menus at some of the events. I went to an event here with about 7 different beer tasting stations and all you can eat seafood buffet. This also included a dessert table with a chocolate fountain. It was great. This place is also well known for their amazing brunch! The buffet has every kind of yummy seafood, and breakfast options you can imagine. The fresh crab is amazing. You can get prime rib, omeletes, eggs benedict, oysters, desserts. They have it all! The regular brunch is $44. If you want all you can drink champagne then it is $54. This place is great to bring out of town friends, large groups, and fancy date nights. Love love love Salty's. Will be back soon!
(5)
Terry J.
Came by for brunch on Sunday. 40 minute wait but overall a overall a good time. Our server made the experience pleasant. Nice view and a big variety of foods to choose from. Call ahead and reserve!!
(4)
Matt T.
Had a fantastic meal here last night, the fresh Vancouver, BC oysters were amazing. I would have to say the best I have ever had anywhere. Had the halibut, pan seared and pretty good nothing special, but the view was great. I was here for a business dinner and my clients enjoyed the food and atmosphere.
(4)
Pepper P.
I still love Salty's, but 5 stars is totally not justified in this food-centric town. I've had a number if things here and the only thing that I still love is the seafood chowder. The service is still great and so is the view. I enjoy coming here occasionally and having a quiet drink at the bar.
(3)
Marissa T.
Glad I went. For the $$$$, I will definitely not go on a Sunday morning for brunch again. I run by Salty's every Saturday and Sunday with my dogs when we run the Marine Drive Multi Use Path! It always smells so good. We pass it as we're finishing up. We both raise our noses and sniff hungrily at the air as we run by. I did a little research and knew it would be pricey. Saturdays are cheaper than Sundays. Both days have an unlimited Mimosas option! I knew the view would be fabulous since I see it on the runs! I figured, for the price the brunch should be legendary! So not legendary! It's only partially their bad! It is physically impossible for me to eat $44 dollars worth of breakfast buffet food! I'd throw up for lack of space! I hate fish! I'm weird! Who eats fish at 9am??!! There's a huge variety of other food to choose from! All kinds of seafood, a carving station, a crepe station, an omelet station, all kinds of breakfast sides and carbs! A chocolate fondue fountain! I was way exited to see what looked like amazing biscuits with gravy!!! Sadly all of it was BLAH! No flavor no seasoning and all of it needed salt and pepper! Biscuits were still dry and crunchy after sitting in gravy while I drank my first mimosa! Thank goodness for the $10 unlimited mimosas! That made me a little happier! The service was fab! The place was dead when we got there at 9am and was packed and jamming when we left at 11am! I heard the happy hour is good! I'll come back for that! It's really too bad that the buffet is the only option for breakfast!
(4)
James G.
Amazing views, great food and service. I thoroughly enjoyed this place.
(5)
Tiffany T.
Good view, good food. I hear they do a great brunch on the weekends but have not tried it. Expensive but had a nice meal for a special occasion here.
(4)
David G.
This place had very good food and the fish was very fresh. I'm from out of town so I'll definitely come back and visit them again. Good salad and appetizers as well.
(5)
Brian C.
I've only been here a couple times, but I found the atmosphere to be excellent, the location to great, and the food was extremely good as well. Each time the service has been fairly prompt. The real treat here is the location on the river.
(4)
Jordyn B.
Came here for the first time ever with my boyfriend of (almost) 3 years, because he surprised me and took me here for my birthday dinner. Beautiful restaurant and beautiful location right on the Columbia river. Perfect in summertime and you need to get a window seat for the full experience. Definitely upscale, definitely expensive. However, the food was very good. Started with an appetizer of a crab cake. Although it only comes with one, it is large and good for two people and is filled with so much crab meat. The sauce was tangy and delicious. My boyfriend ordered the crab, and I ordered the lobster. Same price to get the entire lobster as it is for just the tail, so I got the whole thing. Comes with really delicious risotto too (cheesy and rich). Both portions were HUGE and they will detail the lobster for you if you wish. Both were cooked to perfection and were worth splurging to get it once and try. They also gave us a free slice of white chocolate mousse cake for my birthday. Waitress was so helpful and even took pictures for us! Only thing is it took quite a while for dinner to come and is out of our normal price range. However, wonderful! Would recommend.
(4)
John B.
The food was good, but the portions small. It's also a bit dated, but I could deal with that as its a well established place that's pretty busy. Service was good, but it was Expensive!!
(3)
Robert C.
What a food factory. Went for a special dinner on a Tuesday night and waited almost an hour for 4 dinners. After the long wait, my ciappino was lukewarm. All for $36! Our complaints about the wait time were met with very insincere apologies. In the ultimate irony, there was a pre-programmed discount printed on our bill for "long wait time". Obviously this "long wait time" must happen frequently if there is a pre-programmed note on the bill. On the plus side is the beautiful setting on the Columbia River .
(2)
Mana L.
Suuuper expensive... but the food is good. I liked the appetizer crackers a lot! a nice change from bread. Service was great, seafood is fresh and I would go back again for a special occasion. They don't give you a whole lot for the price but quality is the most important thing anyway. Would recommend.
(4)
Chelsea S.
The first word that comes to mind is amazing! From beginning to end, the service to the flavor everything was outstanding. My friend and I both got the filet mignon with asparagus with the seafood trio appetizer. We also got the famous white chocolate moose cake which was to die for! This place was hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. So if you haven't gone yet, go!
(5)
Christy C.
The food was absolutely amazing. The chowder really was world famous quality and the calamari was so delicious. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Lisa S.
Great view, wonderful service, and excellent food!
(5)
Sandra C.
Fabulous for a special weekend brunch event location. Nice and quiet in the early morning hours 10am, but picks up a lot more customers toward noon. Come hungry and you will not be disappointed.
(4)
One I.
It has been over 7 years since I've been to saltys brunch our waiter Jonathan was absolutely a tute to our needs down to knowing when to bring out hot wet napkins, the champagne was plentiful, background music brought back memories, the selection of foods were wonderful down to their desserts, you can tell by their attentiveness from the staff to the managers that they hire for quality of service not just experience. I would definitely bring my clients in for a business meeting here again. Cheers!!!
(5)
Qas G.
Amazingly bad experience. We went there in the afternoon for drinks and after asking thrice, i got the damn menu. Server was rude and hygiene of the place was questionable. Never gonna come back!
(1)
Nolee N.
We went out for dinner, and ordered appetizers, a bottle of wine, main dishes, and desserts. Hawaiian Yellow Fin Tuna - came with rice that wasn't cooked right (bullet.) It tasted like they just poured some cheap commercial soy sauce and oil over the rice. My rice cooker at home can make it better. They ruined fresh tuna grilling surface just like Japanese chef treats Bonito in that way (with a reason.) Needless to say, Very disappointing flavor... I wouldn't recommend to order this dish. Presentation was very like Japanese style for this particular dish but how can we eat this with knife and fork when the food is high up on the wooden board? Desserts were mediocre. Fillet Mignon was very good. If you ever go there and plan to spend $200+ for two of you, have a steak. It won't go wrong. But I prefer El Gaucho or Ringsteak house for spending the same amount for the steak so why do you go to seafood restaurant for having beef steak? Sorry, but we won't be back for dinner again.
(1)
Restaurant D.
Took my hubby there last night for Happy hour. The service was horrible. It took 20 minutes to get a glass of wine and a well drink. The happy hour menu contained several choices. We chose 3. It took another 30 minutes for our food to arrive. The food was less than mediocre. No flavor. I love their Sunday Brunch but do not recommend happy hour
(2)
J J.
Excellent! Brunch was absolutely amazing! The crab legs were perfect and super sweet. Oysters were delish! Far better than any seafood buffet I have ever had! Its a bit pricey but you definitely leave happy!
(5)
India R.
I dined here last night for my mom's anniversary. I got the beet and kale salad, the rockfish, and a basil grape refresher. I'm no foodie, but trust me when I tell you the food was EXCELLENT. Theodore was our server and he was super friendly and knowledgable. He made good recommendations and was very attentive (but not overly so). He said (very candidly) "the people I work with are closer than family to me" - that's the kind of place you want to eat at! The views were stellar as well. Overall, it's clear that they go above and beyond to make it a special experience for their guests.
(5)
R S.
Great location and views. Try the Kung Pao Fried Calamari for an appetizer. I had a filet mignon on this visit and it was fantastic. Great selection of Wine and Beers. The staff are super friendly!
(4)
Phil L.
Very, very nice. We had the Salmon and asparagus, best ever. A long way from home but hope to get back there again someday.
(5)
Rick C.
Take the "back road" parallel to the PDX runway to find this outstanding restaurant. If we are staying overnight at a PDX Hotel for a morning flight this restaurant will be our "go - to" location for either lunch or dinner (on the previous day). Salty's has a great location near PDX on the Columbia River with beautiful views of the River. The menu is extensive. Wine list is large and varied. They even offer wine flights to accompany your lunch or dinner. Also, I noticed they have rotating promotional wine table tents offering special purchase price on various wines. Excellent wine glassware is used. Kitchen was very efficient preparing delicious appetizers and entrees. I am getting hungry writing this review!
(5)
Michael S.
Well if you come for view, it is five stars. The service is pretty good, the food is very pricey and small portions. My rice was crunchy, the garlic mash has no flavor but the king salmon was spectacular, if it was an appetizer. Now I have to find a place to eat so I don't wake up hungry!
(2)
Jeff D.
The views? Stunning. The service? Excellent. The food? Pedestrian. The mixed drinks? Awful. The prices? Criminal. Shared dinner with visiting parents and family; my father's wife remembered Salty's fondly from years ago. To be fair, I doubt that I'm Salty's target audience--I would suspect the target is well-heeled couples on date nights and anniversaries, plus corporate travelers with expense accounts. If you can accept from the get-go that you are paying top dollar for the view, then go and enjoy raiding your first born's college fund to pay the bill. Otherwise, prepare yourself for remarkably undistinguished (yet frighteningly overpriced) entrees and a completely a la carte menu that would make a highway robber proud. The food's not horrible, though more than once it felt rather like a gourmet Wyatt's cafeteria with table service. At these prices it doesn't seem unfair to insist Salty's provide the Amazing WOW Factor that their after-dinner customer satisfaction survey insists we must have just experienced. To be fair, the service was great--but not great enough to make up for the blah factor of the way-too-expensive food (and the WTF factor of a truly lousy gimlet and an unrecognizable whiskey sour.) Were Salty's to step up their cuisine game, I would be all over it. Failing that, it's an expensive view (but a great one.)
(2)
Wade B.
Salty's is good, but expensive.
(4)
Ineedsun 1.
Our kids gave us a gift card for Salty's and we are so glad. The ambiance is very nice, the river views can't be beat and food was delicious. I had my heart set on scallops. The only menu item with scallops was a seafood combo. I asked the waiter if he would ask the chef to make me a dish of just scallops. He returned and said the chef would be happy to. It was delicious! This place is not cheap but if you want to treat yourself, I highly recommend it.
(4)
Mary Jane C.
Do you love brunch? I love brunch. Especially when it piled high with dungeoness crab legs, shrimp, a towering ripple of chocolate in a fountain and almost any seafood dream I can have all at once. Salty's has increased their Sunday brunch price over time, but they are still worth every penny. I LOVE dungeoness crab, and in Los Angeles I have yet to find a location that serves it up good, and right. They have everything from eggs benedict, to custom made omelets and fresh to order crepes. For starches they have fresh made donuts, muffins, bagels, you name it.. they probably have it! Come hungry.. I made it through (2) entire plates of dungeoness crab before I was so crab-faced I couldn't eat or even look at anymore crab. I then got some prime rib and a pile of shrimp. I have never had anything bad at Salty's. Come hungry, and you will leave over-full. Make sure you make a reservation, I try to come early to beat the rush.. they do get busy :)
(5)
Morris K.
Simply good food, good view, friendly and professional services. Have been there many times and never was disappointed.
(4)
Cheryl M.
Our first visit to Salty's On The Columbia River for Sunday Brunch, and we couldn't be more pleased! The buffet itself is spectacular, between the two of us we "might" have tasted 25% of the offerings. Nearly everything we tried was excellent, and those which were not were still "good" if not "great". But of course some of this may be attributed to personal taste, certainly not for lack of attention or effort on the part of Salty's. What stood out to me today was the Superior Service we received! My husband had reservations as we are celebrating our wedding anniversary. We arrived early and were cheerfully greeted, and congratulated on our anniversary at the reservation desk. We expected to wait until our reservation time, but were seated in less than 2 minutes. What really set Salty's apart is that within 5 minutes of arriving, three individuals we interacted with all acknowledged our special event... The Greeter, the Seater, and our Server. Nice touch! Throughout the dining experience our Server, Jonathan, was very attentive and proactive, keeping beverages full, clearing plates, bringing new place settings, condiments, whatever we needed, most without our asking. He obviously enjoys his profession and is an asset to the team. Great meal, dining experience and celebration! Salty's has lots of press, history, great location and reputation. They could certainly fall into "resting on their laurels". We are pleased and impressed that they still rise to the occasion!
(5)
E M.
The brunch is amazing. Dungeness crab, snow crab, oysters on the shell, prime rib, and a chocolate fountain oh my. Of course, the view is excellent and I can't wait to go back to try the Bloody Mary. Cost about $45 for the regular brunch and $55 with champagne. There's a discount for kids and yes it's all you can yet. Go hungry and make reservations if you're bringing a large party.
(5)
Paul S.
Took my Ex wife to Sunday brunch for her birthday. What can I say? she loved it, I loved it. Every thing was over the top All the food was fresh the staff was super. it just dose not get any better. If you don't try this place then you have not lived. and the price was more then fair.
(4)
Liz S.
My son was leaving for the Air Force and he wanted to try Salty's on the Columbia for his last night in Oregon. BIG MISTAKE. I requested seating on the deck, so we could watch the sunset. They didn't have it on our reservation and sat us upstairs on plastic tables that wobbled. My old fashioned (very simple drink) was the worst I ever had and was watery. Our dinners were cold when they were delivered - we ate them anyway. Finally - ordered crème brulee for dessert and it was cold - like right from the refrigerator. Simply HORRIBLE service and food. Save your $200 and go to a downtown restaurant. Salty's needs new management and staff!!
(1)
Ed B.
This place is a first class fish, seafood and steak restaurant with a awesome view. You will not be disappointed if your looking for a romanic night or dining with friends. They seem to have a number of tables for 6 and can seat larger party's. The staff and kitchen were professional and concerned with my happiness. The clam chowder is very good. The fried calamari is excellent and the oysters fresh. If you like sweet chicken wings these rock. They also have a seafood tray that is over the top. I didn't personally try it but it looks to die for. It is a little pricy though but worth it. One day I'm going to have to try it. We did have the coconut shrimp, fish and chips and salmon and they were excellent. Don't tell anyone but the happy hour is a great deal and you get the best stuff for a reasonable price. We will be back often.
(5)
Sean S.
The brunch buffet is awesome here! I came here a couple of times for special occasions and never left hungry at all. The service is outstanding, the views are epic, and the food is really really good! The most disappointing part of the brunch was the crab legs were just not that great. For the price you are paying for the buffet, you would think the crab legs would be more meaty than what you are given. Having said that, it is a great brunch buffet and I would highly recommend taking advantage of it!
(4)
Ben J.
Ambiance and customer service is 5 star. I was not oh so impressed with the clam chowder. Really creamy and not a lot of clams. I even tried it the sherry on top. Not a lot of flavor in the Rockfish & Prawn Picatta... The GL Van Ruiten Cabernet was smooth!!! My wife enjoyed her Kale Salad, Filet and birthday case (on the house).
(3)
erok m.
I went to Saltys for brunch. If you like buffets with food that's been sitting out for ever and prepared for a ton of people then go ahead and go to the brunch. Everything pre made looked gross! I tried some eggs and some potatoes and both tasted like they were microwaved. I went ahead and had the chef make me a crepe. Finally something that tasted good! The shrimp was good and crabs legs were just ok. The best part of my meal was the orange juice, that should tell you how good the food was. The freshly made pastries were ehhhh. 40$ brunch and I feel like I should of paid 10$ like I was at sizzler. Not worth it!
(1)
Meagan H.
Sunday brunch one of the best in town! Also have a great happy hour upstairs, but it can get very crowded, so be aware, it's a happening spot!
(5)
Lesa D.
Salty's has a touristy feel to it; and as everyone has said, they have the best location possible. It was the perfect summer evening on the deck overlooking the river. And did I really see the waitstaff bringing blankets to those who were under-dressed after the sun set? Awesome! The serve was great. The food - so-so and expensive. There are other seafood restaurants with better and cheaper food, but without the view. A rundown on the meal... Fried calamari and fried artichokes. Both so overcooked and crispy, that if you ate them blind folded, you wouldn't know which was which. We ordered two entrees - tuna and mixed grill. Both okay, but forgettable. Finally, dessert - both the highlight and the low point of the evening. Starting with the worst, just so I can end on a high note... Salty's has the WORST Key Lime Pie I've EVER had in my 5 decades of life. And, as a South Floridian, I've eaten a LOT of Key Lime Pie. There were so many elements they screwed up on that it's hard to know where to start - the radioactive, glowing bright green sauce (and yes, it does have dye in it; I had to ask)? The bland, tasteless apple pie flour crust (a Key Lime Pie original sin)? The gelatinously hard filling? The overbearing green whipped cream? The only thing different about it, that wasn't scary, was that they sprinkled coconut on it. I never got that far in tasting it, but it was an interesting concept. To whom ever thought up their Key Lime mess of a pie, I offer my services. I am happy to give lessons. Just remember, simpler is better, and key limes are not green. But, while their pastry chef most certainly isn't from Florida, I will give him tons of credit for producing an awesome chocolate mousse torte. Light, airy, chocolatey and not overwhelmingly sweet. It was the best part of the evening (along with the weather and deck). Next time I'm in the neighborhood, I want an outside table, a glass of red wine, and your chocolate mousse torte. THAT'S heaven!
(3)
Aaron J.
I went here expecting more...but was let down with their taste of portland dining month specials. Very nice view, but not at all appealing in terms of what they had to offer. I wish I had gotten a better first impression. To put things into perspective, I've paid less elsewhere and been fed better seafood, at both a large chain and a smaller chain. Both times blew this place out of the water and it was nothing special - So Yes, 1 star for Salty's
(1)
Jacob S.
Great place, always excellent food. Best experience when you're lucky to have an upfront window seat, but always a great itme. Spendy!
(4)
Linda M.
I've been to Salty's many times over the years and never leave disappointed. This time we had company from Italy whose birthday was on the 4th, so I called over a month ahead to secure a reservation on the patio so we could watch the fireworks. When we arrived there was no way we were going to be able to sit on the patio. That was the first disappointment, but they managed to get us a really nice seat next to a window where we could still see the fireworks, so that was great. The wait staff was friendly and efficient. Our steamer clams and oysters were excellent. My main meal was the cioppino and that was a huge disappointment. All I could taste was pepper and green pepper. I couldn't finish it because it was so overpowering with the peppers. The cost is always high here but I expect that and am used to it, although I don't know if $19 for a burger is justified no matter what the view is. We will be back, but most likely for brunch or happy hour, not necessarily for supper.
(3)
Stella S.
Mmmmm I love this place! I've only been to their brunch buffet so in anything else... But why I'd come here for any other reason is beyond me. And I say that in the best way possible. The view is incredible (we got to sit outside!) the buffet is always being replenished, and the seafood they serve is actually really fantastic. Plus bottomless mimosas!!! That's all I really need to say. It's a bit pricey so it's usually something we only do when guests are in town, but it wows them every time. My biggest tip for this place is to make sure you make a reservation beforehand. If you don't, you're gonna be looking at an hour or more wait time in an area where it's super crowded and there's really no where else to walk around.
(4)
Shawna A.
Oh Salty's. Where do I start? You are so different than the Alki location. Made a reservation for 6:15. Not seated until almost 6:40. Lame. Ordered an appetizer. The bruschetta sampler. Too much pickled red onion on the plate. Nasty. Ordered the crab cake for my entree. Hubs had fish and chips. Dinner came while we were still having our appetizer....which really always pisses me off. My crab cake was cold in the middle so I sent it back. Hubs' fish and chips were tasteless greasiness. By the time I finally got my crab cake, hubs had finished his dinner because I didn't want it to get cold. Crab cake tasted like tuna salad. Gross. Ate two bites. The only saving grace was our yummy cocktails, but for $100 dinner bill, downtown Portland restaurants would have been a much better choice. We'll never come again.
(1)
Tami D.
Great service! The food was fantastic as well! But you definitely pay for the fantastic food! I will definitely be back again.
(4)
Joan B.
First time to Salty's. We dropped in on a busy Saturday night, assuming we would eat at the bar or wait... The hostess was excellent. She was able to squeeze us in after a huge number of people already ahead of us with reservations were seated. She put us right on the window. I had the Salmon, with heritage tomatoes, and husband had the chowder with a shrimp appetizer. Everything was excellent. Our waiter was Garick (sp), was flawless. We will definitely return.
(5)
John K.
Salty's has been around Portland Oregon for a very long time. I have to say there food is still great. I had there thick clam chowder and 14oz lobster tail was cooked perfect.
(4)
Hannah B.
Everyone was friendly and view was great but we waiting so long for our food and once we got it the halibut wasn't very good and half of our meals were cold. Most likely not going to go back
(2)
Lacey E.
Great staff, have been both for lunch and for dinner with a large party. The food is cooked perfectly, desert is amazing. Drinks are varied and delicious. Lunchtime Bloody Mary bar was spot on with a large variety of garnishes and treats. We will be back!
(5)
Fatima B.
Great place! Had a fantastic time with amazing views, delicious food and impeccable service. I would highly recommend trying this place if you haven't already.
(5)
MR M.
Friends have been coming here for several years and wanted to bring us here. Sadly everyone was disappointed. View is great, food was fine but expecting more given the price. The service was awful. Awful. I guess the sign out front that said "hiring all positions" should be a clue. Until they get their staffing in order I'd would avoid this place. We got our food 110 minutes after sitting down- order appetizers that took over an hour (waiter told us he forgot to get the order in), it was a fail.
(1)
Kaleigh D.
I love Salty's! I've been here twice, once to celebrate getting a new job and the second to celebrate my anniversary. The seafood tastes really fresh and is well-prepared. They have an excellent wine list. The view is fantastic. You can sit near the window or on the balcony and look out over the Columbia river. We got great service both times. The servers were not only prompt and attentive, but also had excellent food and wine recommendations. It's pricey, but worth the money in my opinion.
(5)
Tamara C.
CRAB LEGS - FRESH! PRAWNS - FRESH! OYSTERS - FRESH! MIMOSAS - BOTTOMLESS! BACON! BACON! BACON! CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN! What you may be asking is what don't they have? Well, I did not see any pizza...I forgive this small oversight, due to all of the above mentioned items and then some. There is so much wonderful, fresh, and made to order food available at this all-you-can-eat buffet that frankly it can be a little overwhelming. The service was impeccable, our merry table of six was taken care of very well. My mimosa was always full, plates always cleared when appropriate. Some may think that the price for brunch may be a little spendy. But consider the quality, the service and the ambiance; it is worth it. In Brunchlandia, Salty's is as good as it gets.
(5)
D M.
Another five star review for salty's! Food was fresh, service friendly and prompt. We ended with out favorite server Steven again! Always kept our drinks full, and even noticed my nephew getting cereal and bringing us more milk! Our empty plates were always cleared before we came back with more food. The Santa Claus walking around was a nice touch too for the holidays and a great distraction for the kids while the adults ate. Definitely need to keep remembering to come back more often!
(5)
Areena M.
A lot of people have already said it...the food here is top notch. Who knew that a touch of sherry elevated seafood chowder to a whole new level? I have never seen that anywhere! The price is high and the portions could be bigger, but overall this was a very good experience. I forgot our server's name, but he was very attentive and took great care of us. I highly recommend the seafood chowder with crab. The rockfish entree was delicious (well, the rockfish was special; the shrimp just average)...could really use something to round out the dish, though. Fried calamari was cooked perfectly and very flavorful. I'm really sad we didn't get to try brunch. Hopefully we get a chance to come back for that. The reason I'm not giving a 5 star rating is that the restaurant needs a face lift/thorough cleaning. The carpet is old/dingy and there is a strong stale urine smell by the bathrooms. The view of the river is fantastic, but it doesn't make up for weird smells hitting your nose.
(4)
Joy C.
We had New Years brunch here and it was excellent. It's off the beaten path of marine drive but the views of the Columbia river were great. They have free valet where the valet guy was busting his butt and getting the cars delivered and parked quickly. We had a party of 6 and were seated in 10-15 minutes since we got there a little earlier than our reservation. Brunch is pricy at $44 but you have to love seafood to make it worth it. The Dungeness crab legs and oysters alone cost about that much if you buy it on your own so you have to love seafood if you go. It's unlimited non alcoholic beverages which is a plus. Even though the place was closed to any further seatings they still refilled the oysters and crab legs. Everything was fresh and excellent. I definitely want to come back and try their dinner menu sometime.
(5)
Jay W.
Food was delicious. Complimentary birthday dessert - not so much. You will be comfortable in your blazer or sweater. Otherwise you will 'freeze' on the second floor indoors. They have tried a homemade diversion for their air vents, but that hasn't quite done the trick. Our server was kind enough, but a little scattered - all while the dining room was only half full?!? Patrons lincluded business groups and a few 2-3 people birthday celebrations. As others have noted - don't go here if you need a lot of food for your dollar. It's just not that kind of place.
(3)
Debbie B.
We have been to Salty's off and on for years. Last night the wait staff was amazing. However, the food was overpriced and not well prepared. The shrimp was overcooked. The razor clams were chewing and the breading was over done. I love tamales but the one that came with my dinner was awful...thin and tasteless. The view is wonderful...5 stars for service and the view. Food...not so much.
(3)
Joe T.
The setting is incredible. I sat on the balcony overviewing the river. The wine was excellent and well paired with the food. I had the seadoo stew served on a bed of rice. Overall it was an outstanding experience. The price is very fair considering the setting. I would definitely comeback.
(4)
Katherine K.
Took a friend to brunch today and we both throughly enjoyed Salty's. Id been previously but my guest had not. She was unsure if there would be something she would enjoy since she's not always a big seafood fan. Had to laugh when she saw the aray of offerings. As always Salty's out did themselves. Everything from yummy baked cinnamon rolls to amazingly fresh seafood to traditional brunch dishes to scrumptious desserts. Felt like we ate it all, but we barely tasted 1/4 of the massive number of dishes. While the food was excellent as always, it was the service that really stood out. Our server Erika was terrific. She almost anticipated our every wish. Dishes were removed promptly but without intrusion. Glasses never allowed to go dry. Warm wet cloths were brought out just when needed. Erika made the experience first rate. She even pointed out the bald eagle that frequents the area. This woman is a gem. As a side bar; my guest accidentally left her sweater behind when we left. We were barely out of the parking lot when I received a call from the hostess letting us know they had our sweater. In this day and age we just dont usually see such care and concern. Salty's is defiantly worth the price. Well managed, nice people, excellent food. It checks all the boxes.
(5)
S B.
Service painfully slow. Waiter pleasant but 15 minutes to get water. wow. Horrible for kids. Online reservations via OPen Table allow for requests like window seating...not accommodated and management doesn't want kids around the lobsters. apparently they are there just the grown ups to stare at in the tank...bbq salmon was good but never going back. rather unpleasant experience all around. would have been 1 star except for nostalgia...
(2)
Dylan P.
The food was really good, but not mind blowing. The staff was great! The view is spectacular! I wish I tried the dessert!
(4)
Daniel R.
Great restaurant. Fantastic food. A little pricey but will return.
(4)
Aline M.
My second time visiting Salty's, but this time it was for the brunch buffet. You better bring your 'fat pants' because you'll want to try everything here. Being a small/light eater it was a bit much for me - more of an excuse to go back again though. We had a bigger group - 8 people total. The table we were sat at was a bit on the small side for 8 adults, to say we were rubbing elbows would be a literal statement. However our server, Kade, was awesome. Great at getting in with drink refills and even ran downstairs to check when we commented that a food item was out. My favorite item was the salt-crusted steelhead. I also enjoyed the fresh fruit, pastries, and even the chocolate fountain for desert. If you like seafood, you've got to check out this brunch buffet.
(4)
Jen E.
My first time here was for the Easter brunch on Saturday...... I was expecting it to be pretty good but what I got was excellence. First the wait staff went above and beyond especially when it came to my disabled grandma. The waitress we had was a total doll and took excellent care of us. The food.... oh gods where do I begin..... the sheer amount of fresh seafood was astounding and very yummy. We had our choices of fresh oysters, crab legs, salmon, shrimp salsa (oh my gods that one was great) blackened steel head..... there was not enough room in my stomach for the amount of seafood they had available. The hot foods were as excellent as the fresh seafood. The Shrimp and Grits were excellent and there were lots to choose from including the seafood chowder, make your own omelets, waffles, crepes and prime rib. We talked with our waitress and it turns out they are going to expand their weekend brunches to include Saturdays for the summer to see how it goes. We are already plotting our next adventure here.
(5)
Bria R.
Good food but it's expensive and to me it's not worth the money... City grill is better and it's the same price.
(3)
Heather O.
Amazing bunch!!! And amazing view! Come super hungry & get bottomless mimosas for $10. Brunch is $44 per person or around $18 for kids and under 3 I believe is free. Brought family and my 90 year old grandma said she will always remember it and thought it was the best buffet she has ever been to. Her fave part was the crab and the chocolate fondue. My favorite part was the flavorful prime rib with the horseradish cream sauce and the oysters on the half shell. Oh my word. can't say enough good things. Definitely recommend it! And our server Will was THEE BEST! He kept my mimosas coming and gave us fresh silverware half way through. Such a sweet guy!
(5)
Kate G.
Go for the view, not the food or service, which is vastly over-rated. $22 lunch fish and chips included soggy-fried fish and terrible fries. I have better almost everywhere else in Portland. I understand they have a good crab louis salad. My husband liked his razor clams.
(2)
A P.
Saltys used to be low on our list of places to go for quality food. We tried them again a couple months ago and were pleasantly surprised. Under new management, the food is awesome! Get the calamari! Delicious! Drinks are good, food is great and the atmosphere is so pretty. Definitely recommend coming here!
(5)
Rich Z.
Great view of the river and PDX airport. Good, was solid but not amazing. Certainly worth visiting a time or two.
(3)
Roberta O.
Great dinner... crab cake little under cooked. But love the atmosphere, service and food.
(4)
Scott W.
While the service was good, the food here is mediocre at best and incredibly overpriced for what you get. The seafood and steaks were both bland. The french fries were soggy. I won't go back.
(2)
Brian N.
Ate in the bar (on the top floor). Nice 3 piece jazz band & good view of the river. Food was top notch. Would eat here again.
(4)
Ove A.
We had our anniversary dinner here. The lobster tail and the crab leg were delicious! The service was outstanding, we had a great night here. Wonderful view of the Columbia river. Perfect place for a special dinner!
Tried the happy hour last night. Fish and chips were delicious but a bit expensive at $9 for happy hour ( I only got one piece), the salad was one of the best I've ever had, so will definitely come back. I used to order the blackened salmon Caesar but $13 is too much for happy hour. Friends had the fish tacos and loved them. Bartender service is great.
(4)
John V.
After reading reviews here we had high expectations, we were never more disappointed. The restaurant described here was not the one we experienced. The food we received was not worth the money we paid. The menu described a mouth watering dish, what I received was anything but delicious. Don't order the mixed grill it's not worth the price. However the clams and mussels were great. My biggest disappoint was the service. Our server was polite but very non-attentive. He was difficult to find and gain his attention. I was able to refill my ice tea by the manager, but not the server. After dinner was served we saw him only twice. Once to see how dinner was and later to deliver our bill. I had an empty ice tea glass set on the edge of the table as a signal. He arrived to deliver our bill but departed before I could ask for a refill. I completed a comment card and gave it to the manager. To her credit, she did try to make things right for us, we told her the staff needs to be attentive to everyone, not just the regulars. We paid our bill and told them we did not want anything from them, but make them aware of our experience. We were tired and wanted to go back to our hotel to sleep. Salty ' s has an excellent reputation for their food and service, its too bad we did not get to sample it.
(1)
Noah U.
I am only doing a Thanksgiving review. Salty's had a wide buffet and great big American portions of traditional American food. I ate more prime rib than turkey, and their macaroni and cheese was next to godly. There were kids running around, but I enjoyed seeing the Columbia, and it will be worth going back for subsequent Thanksgivings. The price was high, but it was a good expeirence. Salty's is quite suitable for the special occassions.
(4)
Kristen M.
AMAZING VIEWS AND GREAT SEAFOOD!!!! Salty's is a Pacific Northwest chain known for their great views and fresh seafood! If that doesn't spark your attention, then you need to re-read my previous sentence again (and again!) =P [decor] Old-school, casual, nautical themed. It's a bit dim towards the back of the restaurant on the second floor. Outdoor patio, two-story restaurant. The clientele caters mostly to your mom and dad. But that shouldn't deter you from coming here. The amazing views of the Columbia River are quite breathtaking! You can see the coast of Washington wherever you are seated. I dined at Salty's one evening with a few relatives who were visiting me. They were in the mood for seafood and a place with a "view." Salty's seemed to fit the bill. [devour] *CALAMARI ($13; **4 STARS**) - the calamari pieces were fried to golden perfection. Paired with a chipotle-mayo-like sauce, it was a great way to start off our meal. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) *SALTY'S FAMOUS SEAFOOD CHOWDER ($7 cup, $9 bowl; **5 STARS**) - I can tell why it is their "famous" item on their soup menu! Made with chunks of clams, shrimp and bay scallops, this chowder was amazing! It was a nice surprise to find bits of bacon and some diced potatoes as well. I wouldn't mind ordering this rich soup again! I don't want to know how much cream went into making this addicting chowder! YOU MUST GET THIS! ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) *WILD SALMON (seasonal market price; **3.5 STARS**) - since wild Salmon was in season (it's in season from May-September), I decided to order the fish. My fish was slightly overcooked, but it had a nice sear and was encrusted with ground pepper and seasonings. Upon a bed of mash potatoes and grilled asparagus, it wasn't too shabby. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) [dessert] *LEMON BERRY CHEESECAKE (**3 STARS**) - was something different and it seemed that everyone and their momma was ordering this dessert around us, that we just had to as well. I wasn't too fond of the texture of the cheesecake, it was a bit different. But the flavor profiles of the lemon, berry and it's sauce had a tangy-rich in-your-face flavor that was delightful. But I wasn't too thrilled of the item overall. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) *STRAWBERRY NY CHEESECAKE (**3 STARS**) - was our typical run-of-the-mill NY style cheesecake. I felt like it was presented to me from a grocery store. Compared to the lemon dish we ordered, that plate presentation was enticing. The texture of the cheesecake was decent, but I probably would pass this item up if I were to dine here again. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) [drank] *SO FRESH & SO CLEAN ($10; **3.5 STARS**) - was a bubbly concoction made up of vodka, lime juice, muddled mint and simple syrup. It definitely was a girly drink, but wasn't sure if it should be worth ten buckaroos (seemed more like a $7 drink to me). But if you're sippin' on this cocktail and you're looking at the views, I guess it'll be worthwhile. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) FYI = -HH 4-6 PM Mondays-Fridays -Sunday Buffet Brunch $39.99 adults or $49.99 adult champagne brunch -They've got their own parking lot -Weekend valet available -Reservations recommended (although they do not accept any for holidays) -Two other locations are in Seattle, Washington -Great for a date, celebration, or birthday -Stellar service! (**5 STARS**) There's no doubt you'll have a great dining experience at Salty's! With the fresh seafood, the amazing views and wonderful service, you will feel like a king or queen after dining here! One things for sure, I will be back for their brunch! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR SATISFYING YOUR SEAFOOD FEASTS Yelp 2013 100+ Reviews Challenge (going for 200!) - Review #137
(4)
Tasha M.
Sigh, the sound of disappointment. Like some of the other yelpers, I really really wanted to love this place. After dining here last night, however, I can't really even say that I like it. For starters, on Valentine's Day they offer a "special" menu with a small list of items that you MUST select from. I understand how this can be a convenience for the kitchen staff, but I was not expecting it to be so limiting, and I most certainly was not paying for restaurant convenience. What I wanted from the original menu was not included, but the most expensive entrees obviously were. I said to hell with it and ordered the New York Strip and Lobster Medallion ($59) hoping for a delightful blend of surf and turf. What I got was a pretty huge steak with a smidgen of tail lopped on top. Medallion? I guess I should have known better. That was tragic advertisement and a very uneven blend of food. The steak was good, but definitely not the best I've ever had, and the veggies tasted like a warmed up bag of frozen carrots and asparagus. I've eaten similar dishes that were much more appetizing and far more filling for half the price. My girlfriend ordered the Filet Mignon and Scallops, which she said was good but not flavorful. She also said that she "was not impressed," which saddened me because this my special date for her. When we got home she was still hungry. The hostess was very nice and our server was great, but the food was overpriced, small in proportion, and mediocre at best. They say you get what you pay for - well, I guess I'll be waiting for that $137 to kick in somewhere down the line.
(2)
Kenneth R.
Update: Gross!! Newyork steak was inedible. Going to find some desert to wash my mouth out. =^) It was gray on the inside.
(1)
Hali S.
Amazing brunch! Will be coming back for the unlimited $10 bloody Mary's! Free valet was nice
(4)
Eric C.
excellent as always..been going since 02'
(5)
Stanley X.
By far one of the best happy hour deals in Portland. The fish tacos I have to say are the best I've ever had. Spicy, tangy and cheap. The margaritas are decent as well and the staff is attentive and polished but not too corporate. The views are nice but you have to want to drive a bit to get a great deal and it's worth it.
(5)
Matthew N.
I have eaten at Salty's on four different occasions and I have to say I have had four different experiences. The location is absolutely perfect, on the Columbia river with great views and afternoon sun. The price is, in my opinion way to high for the quality of food and service. I understand they are charging for the location, but the end of the day the food needs to deliver. If you are visiting the Portland area and want to eat on the river there are a number of other locations I would choose first.
(3)
Jevonnie B.
First time there today with one of my girlfriends. Great atmosphere, delicious food and even better drinks. Place was clean and our waitress was awesome, pretty girl with super white teeth lol. I will definitely be coming back with my husband. Love it!
(4)
Quisha F.
Favorite place on the OR side to eat on the river. I'm only rating their weekend brunch. I want to start off, I hate seafood! But hands down, this is one of the best buffets around! So much amazing food. And for a few more dollars bottomless mimosas! They have some of the best eggs benedict I've ever had!
(4)
Chae Hee L.
Great food! Jeremy, our server was really nice. My boyfriend and I came there on NYE. I had the new year's special blackened rockfish and he had Salty's house special. We split the crab cake and caramel cake roll with Bavarian cream. Mmmm. We'll be back for the Hawaiian Tuna entree.
(5)
Momo B.
NO TAKEOUT BOX HERE Not sure if there's a connection with the balmy evening weather and the horrible traffic congestion. It chewed up an hour's time from downtown PDX to this restaurant. Once we arrived, parking was not to be found in their parking lot. Be careful when parking on the roadside where vehicles especially semi's will come uncomfortably close to the unpaved shoulder. Here is what is available under the PDX Dining Menu: First Course (choose *): *Seafood chowder -or- *Bay shrimp cocktail -or- Harvest salad Second Course (choose *): *Peppercorn-crusted bistro filet - summer hash, horseradish butter -or- *Citrus salt-dusted wild salmon - grilled asparagus, Dijon mashed potatoes -or- Artichoke and feta ravioli - pomodoro sauce, heirloom carrots, peas Dessert (choose *): *Seasonal ice cream -or- Seasonal sorbet -or- *Darla's Cheesecake with seasonal berries With exception to their seafood chowder, wild salmon and dessert items, the other selections are not available under their regular menu. Even though we had reservations, we were not seated as scheduled and unfortunately were skipped over before reminding the receptionist that others who had arrived later were being seated before us. Of course she sincerely apologized and assigned us to a very nice window table on the second floor. It seemed like everyone wanted to be seated at 7 pm. The seafood chowder was over the top with the sherry topping. Bay shrimp cocktail was plentiful but stingy with the cocktail sauce. Preparation of the salt dusted wild salmon was fit for royalty. Peppercorn-crusted bistro filet was medium-rare as ordered but realistically should be named "eye of round" or a medallion of beef. Summer hash of cubed mixed vegetables was quickly devoured by the two of us. Dessert was most satisfying and a perfect finale. Nothing to take back to the hotel. The view of Columbia River was to die for and the service by Terry was flawlessly lightening fluid with the exception of a distraction when remembering to bring a seafood fork. I would definitely attempt a return for their weekend brunch. Terry suggested 10 am to avoid the long cue for tables.
(4)
Terry T.
A nice location and view. However the service was slow, the food from kitchen was slow, and when it finally arrived the fish was overcooked, meat overdone. A real disappointment for a restaurant charging those types of prices. I do not recommend.
(2)
Jared M.
I would give this place 0 stars if possible. Made reservations for a birthday, still had to wait. When we were seated, we were sat in the back with no view when it was 50% occupied. Were there 20 minutes before getting drinks and ordering, stale bread to follow after another 20 minutes. After 1 hour of watching others eat we finally received our meals. Soggy uncooked fries with grey cod, and a $30 four shrimp microwaved pasta dish. Bill came to $78, could have saved 50 bucks and gotten better quality at Applebees. At least I would have known what to expect.
(1)
Joe E.
The prices are a bit high, but the food is not lacking. Their chowder is one of a kind. It is not your traditional cream based but a whole new experience in it's own. Staff was very friendly and caring. FOr a good quality seafood resurant and you don't mind a little hike in price Salty's is your place.
(4)
Olga A.
AMAZING! That's what this place is my food delicious the view stunning and the service awesome and friendly. This is an amazing restaurant go here it's great
(5)
Rob S.
Having finally given Salty's a try, I found my overall experience nothing that left me yearning to come back soon. Here are the bullet points: 1. Seafood chowder was okay, but lacked the chunkier seafood in it I've experienced with other chowders. The flavor was average, but I had no time to experience the flavors as it came out with my entree. 2. My salmon and steak was cooked appropriately...however didn't really live up to the hype the location is known for. My steak was flavorless and looked more like something from a t.v. dinner. 3. We also ordered Salty's Burger...however had to send it back because they forgot to add.....well, everything on it! This subsequently had us eating at separated times. 4. The waitress was great...you can never under estimate the value of great wait staff. So I guess overall, this first time experience fell short of the four stars it's rated at. For the price per portion, I'd say thumbs up. However, for the price with the quality and flavor of the meal...thumbs downs. I may give the brunch a try in the future...hopefully it will redeem itself.
(3)
Windy S.
This review is for the Sunday Brunch. It had been several years since we had been to Salty's Sunday brunch. We had a good friend in town with his fiancee and it was a beautiful weekend so we decided to do brunch at Salty's. The Quality and Selection of the Sunday brunch has IMPROVED enormously since our last visit. The Highlights for me: - The Seafood: Dungeness Crab, Oysters, Peel and Eat Shrimp, Clams, Trout - The Chowder - Bacon - Mac & Cheese - Cheese and Fruit - Caramel Popcorn Didn't get to try the: Made to Order Omelets, Prime Rib, Ham, Made to Order Crepes, the kiddie Popcorn Shrimp and Mini Corndogs... ;) LOVE this BRUNCH wish I could justify it every weekend.
The views were great, even though it was overcast and rainy. The buffet spread had tons of food choices, just as advertised. The seafood spread was plentiful, and very tasty. Just wish they put out more oysters (seemed like it was empty whenever I got there). The hot prepared food was good, but nothing stood out. The prime rib was good, but a little overlooked for my taste. The chocolate fountain was as expected, but the other desserts we tried were just okay. The bottomless mimosa was just that - the wait service always keep the glass full, even when I've only just had a sip. The only really big negative is they crowd you into the restaurant.
(3)
Juli M.
Salty's is my favorite place to eat in Portland! My husband spoils me and takes me there a few times a year and we always have AWESOME service and the food is amazing!! From our first date there, almost 10 years ago, and our Wedding Night Dinner, 3 years ago tomorrow to the day, and all the times in between (like the holiday brunches and just random date nights).....SALTY'S always puts a smile on my face and I cannot wait til I can come back :) Also, I have give a shout out to their staff and their manager Laura! You all are amazing!!
Boyfriend ordered the paella off the regular menu and since it's Restaurant Month, I went with the seafood chowder, salmon, and the cheesecake. Like another reviewer said, the paella was really soupy, and everything else was just ok (think Outback or similar franchise-y place). Salty's on Alki is one of my favorite restaurants in West Seattle. I am always amazed every time I dine there, by everything from the presentation/taste of the food to the decor/general ambiance. It always feels like a special occasion. So I had high expectations of the Portland location, and I was disappointed - not that it was a bad experience, just that it wasn't a great one. However, the service is very friendly and attentive, and the view is beautiful.
(2)
Dave M.
Wow! And I'm not even a seafood lover! The food was incredible, everything from fish to nuts, and a whole wall of deserts! This was our first, of many, visits to this Portland Landmark Brunch spot. A title well deserved, and lived up to. Service was great, food was great, and did I mention I'm not a seafood lover? I'm hear to say, the blackened Steelhead, great, fresh crab, very tasty, so yes, worth all the stars.
(5)
Dave E.
we attended a 50th wedding anniversary, last Saturday October 26, 2014. We had a huge windstorm and it knocked out the power to the restaurant. So as not to disappoint the honored coupled, Salty's stayed open just for the celebration. The staff was incredible. They used candles and flashlights, kept the atmosphere lite, and everyone had a great time. They even improvised in the kitchen, and we had a delicious buffet to enjoy. Way to go Salty's, I will never forget that evening, and I know the honored couple will always hold that evening special, because of you
(5)
Natalie M.
I love this place, took the bf here for a Saturday brunch birthday and I must say everything was on point. The service and staff are wonderful, our waitress was awesome! The food was amazing and how can u go wrong with all u can eat crab??? Everything was super delicious and they have bottomless mimosas for 10 bux, where in the world r u ever going to find that?! 5 stars is well deserved as I highly recommend, I also don't understand how people say it's expensive, for all everything u get at the buffet is actually very reasonably priced!!!
(5)
Alison M.
My brother and sister in law rave about this place, and when they invited us to brunch I was excited to give it a try. I have always wanted to give it a try but needed a reason to come since it is an hour from home. Overall it was a lovely experience, my 2 month old nephew was in tow and our meal ended up being a leisurely 2 hours since we went to the buffet in shifts, and he needed caring for. The view was very beautiful. The standouts for me were the Lox Benedict & crepe station. My biggest complaint is that the prawns were not deveined, so I did not eat them, the digestive track of a shrimp grosses me out big time. Out of the 4 adults I was the only one who was drinking, and enjoyed several mimosas. The was a sign that starting 6/1/13 bottomless mimosas would be an additional $10. Overall it was a good time and was on par with many other brunch buffets I have been to in the past.
(4)
Jason W.
My experience here was an evening dinner about 6 months ago, and was expecting some great food since my friends talked it up. I had something like a seafood jambalaya that was really short on flavor and spice. Not much of anything was really great that night, and some was like out of a box. I expected a LOT more, especially from a place in Portland. We have so many good chefs here. I may try it again sometime, but there are lots of other choices beckoning.
(2)
Jennifer J.
We went for Happy Hour, but arrived too late. It's only from 5-6. We sat at the bar anyway and ordered appetizers. The tacos were good, but not amazing. The burger on the bar menu was impressive. Unfortunately, they were really busy and it took a long long while to get our food. The staff was wonderful and they comped our meal. My advice is to try happy hour, but arrive early. Otherwise, make a reservation and enjoy the good service. The view is worth it.
(4)
Jessica C.
We always go to Salty's for special occasions or when friends/families come into town. We have tried Salty's at Alki Beach (Seattle) and this one at Columbia River. The service at Salty's at Columbia River was way better. We always make reservation online and they will call to confirm. At Columbia River, we arrived a little early and got seated soon after. When we went to Salty's at Alki Beach, we arrived early and still had to wait for 30 minutes for our table....on our anniversary! Two thumbs up for Columbia River! The seafood is fresh and tasty. If you are oysters lover, you will love it here. The crepes station is ok...not a wow factor. They also have a good spread of desserts. What puts them above the rest is service - We left our kiddo's tshirt in the restaurant and they were willing to mail it back to us...at no cost to us. The server always ensure that our glasses are never empty. We requested for seatings at the lower level where the buffet is and they fulfilled our request.
(5)
Patti F.
I do enjoy Salty's - though some of the prices are just too much for what you get. Some prices are just right, but unfortunately I find that inconsistent. Their fried stuff = great, crispy and not as greasy as it could be Fish = cooked decently, though still a bit overdone for my taste Cocktails = decent, no complaints Wine = meh, OK, though not as extensive of a wine list as you might expect for the entree price Ambiance = well, it's right on the river so DUH - it's gorgeous. Outdoor seating = awesome, unless it's either a) raining or b) 95 degress which would probably suck.
(3)
Taylor J.
Good lunch place. The food was fresh, waiters were friendly and the view is just lovely. We went on a Monday, so there was no wait and the food came out super fast. I'd go back
(4)
Holy-foo' X.
Salty's has been in town for 26 big years now, which means it opened back ca. 1987. Don't know where you were in '87, but in Portland Ditler Beach was the spot to be that summer, which is about 1/2 mile further E. on Marine Drive. Thanks for helping contribute to the magic, old Salt. You're still a fine place for Happy Hour or brunch, and I do love your Steelhead salad, your chowdah, and super crispy, lightly powdered calamari. *clink clink* Raising a salute to Salty's. youtube.com/watch?v=ZEZY…
(5)
Paul S.
Mediocrity with a view. Four of us were here for my birthday. I had the Fish and Chips. It was quite good. But, it's sad when F&C is the BEST seafood at a seafood restaurant. My wife had shrimp in a tomato sauce. The tails were off but the shells were still on. It would make removing the shells a bloody mess, so she just ate them. My mother-in-law and her husband got very small portions of their entrees. And they were only 'ok'. I will not rush right back to this spot. (Unless I just want Fish and Chips With a view)
(1)
David H.
Cool place with fantastic views right on the Colombia. Floor to ceiling windows make viewing the river from either floor of this two story restaurant easy. The bar is upstairs and that's where I sat. Had a couple of good Oregon IPA's and a bowl of seafood chowder along with some nice conversation with the friendly bartender. Salty's is pricey but you have to pay for that view somehow, right? The food and service are first rate and the people are friendly, so this will be a place I return to whenever visiting Portland. Oh yeah, did I mention that this restaurant has a free shuttle that will pick you up and take you back to your hotel? What other place does that?
(4)
Shannon P.
I'm giving this place three stars because my meal wasn't all that good, but my bf was very pleased with his fish dish. I ordered a steak - which I realize is not what they are known for - but it came at very well done versus the medium rare I requested. I sent it back and the second time it came out medium so close enough. My bf ordered the cod and felt it came out perfect. The customer service and wait staff are really great here, and they do have great views of the river (although they need to wash the windows). The price is high, but if you are coming for seafood, you probably won't be disappointed.
(3)
Chad A.
Great view, Great Food...Great Service Sure the view is nice and the food is pretty good, but none of that negates their inflated prices. I neglected to find value here...even during "Happy Hour" ... as an example; their HH Burger was $11! I don't know about you, but there is nothing "happy about that price tag." Also they charged $3 for one taco during HH...again nothing "happy" about that! That aside the Sirloin Burger: yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… was still pretty good. There was nothing too fancy or creative about this Bacon Cheeseburger other than the fact that they used ground sirloin, but when all the ingredients came together they still proved to be full of flavor and textures to make anyone happy. Was it $11 "HH" good?...NOPE! The establishment would really like everyone to find value here and will strive to make sure that happens no matter what in a genuine and well communicative manner. Many people will look down on many children for wanting to go to McDonald's (knowing full well it's for the toys or the playground,) but at the same time many adults will go to overpriced restaurants where the view is nice, but the food and service are very shoddy yet justify it... Salty's is one of those rare venues that will give you the whole package! From the outside the venue looks kind of unassuming, but once inside patrons are treated to a nautical yet slightly dated theme that kind of caters more so to an "older" crowd, but don't let that deter you as Salty's is definitely for everyone of all ages. On the weekend one can take in a view as well as their Brunch which is $39.99 or $49.99 if you'd like some champagne with it. They have various types of seating both upstairs and downstairs with many of them affording diners with sweeping views of the Columbia River and the Washington shoreline. Parking should be a breeze in their large dedicated lot. File under "Special"
(4)
Allison W.
Not impressed. Much better seafood at many other establishments in the city. The view is the only reason they got two stars.
(2)
Jared K.
This restaurant was a little more upscale than a lot of places we had seen around Portland, which gave us a nice break from the weirdness swirling around us. The view of the Columbia River is amazing, and it adds a perfect ambiance to the meal. Our waitress was extremely friendly and checked on us frequently. Their decor was a tad dated and haphazard, particularly the wall art. I started with a cup of seafood chowder, which was creamy and delicious. The bacon was also a nice touch. Each of the different sea creatures had a distinct flavor and texture. I could pinpoint each one, which speaks highly of the quality and care that went into its preparation. For my entree, I decided on their special of the day: Grilled Copper River salmon, served with dijon mashed potatoes and asparagus. The salmon was about as fresh as it could possibly be, probably caught that morning. The sprinkling of crunchy crushed pistachios on top added a nice texture. Delicious!
(4)
Julia C.
I went here for a work Christmas party and was impressed. Then I went for brunch. Holy moly, what a brunch. Ok, for the price, it better be amazing. And it is. Unlimited oysters. Never ending Dungeness crab. Crepe bar, omelet station, a Bloody Mary to die for. It's amazing and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Benson N.
Ohh my wallet....so empty.. Poof! Ohh my stomach; so full! I guess it was an equivalent trade... Or was it?! Let's see so the market price for a pound of dungeness crab is around $11. Dungeness crabs can weigh from 1.2 - 1.6 pounds. They only offer the a crab's legs at the buffet, 6 legs would amount to roughly .8 of a pound. The cost of the meal is $43 per person. So in order to get your money's worth in Dungeness crab you would have to consume about 4 pounds of crab totaling to $44 you would go over by a dollar! Woohoo go that extra mile! Anyways, since every 6 legs equal .8 pounds you'd be required to eat a total of 5 helpings of 6 crab legs ( 5 * .8 = 4 pounds ) so basically what I'm trying to say is you need to eat 30 crab legs give or take a few in order to get your money's worth! By the way.. This is assuming all my math, prices and sources are credible.... Which I doubt are not.. if you think I'm and idiot I apologize but stick with me please and continue reading because I will now get into my actual experience of the Sunday buffet brunch at Salty's. Okay, listen I believe you need reservations for this place. It was packed! Don't worry about finding parking because they have free vallet. ( remember to tip! ) When you are seated you can order any drink, juices and soda are free. ( try the OJ it's freshly squeezed and tasted so fresh and pure! ) Ill just name a few things that I liked from what the buffet had to offer; prime rib, clam chowder, make your own crepes, chocolate fondu with various dipping options, ham Benedict, shrimp, clams, snow/Dungeness crabs, ( WOW! ) Mac and cheese and the apple pie was amazing! Everyone I came with had a more than good time and the service was an A++ waters quickly refilled, many of the staff greeted us kindly and vallet was a bonus. I'm glad we chose this place to celebrate my mother's birthday! The only sad thing is since my girlfriend is preggo she wasn't able to enjoy much of the seafood which is where you get your money's worth! I had to single handedly try to dominate the crab bucket! Do you know how much crab I tried to eat?! I would have passed out, foam from the mouth and needed resuscitation if I ate another bite! As soon as that baby pops out were coming back. I heart Salty's.
(5)
Jen C.
I've eaten hear several times and I have to say this is the best brunch I've had in town. The chowder is so good. So much to choose from for brunch. Lots if fresh seafood. Service is great! Super friendly. Great place to take out of town guests.
(4)
Matthew A.
Run, fly, drive, whatever it takes - get to this place if only for their scrumptious Sunday brunch. We first got a sampling of their brunch at at a Yelp event, but knew we had to come back for the whole shebang. We made reservations online with ease and strolled in on a lovely sunny Sunday to be greeted promptly and escorted to our preferred outside seating. Our waitress was quickly by our sides and sold us on bottomless mimosas - like that's hard. Then it was time to hit the buffet! There's so much to choose from it'd take many visits here to try it all. You've got seafood (oysters on the half shell, crab legs, shrimp), eggs (omelets, eggs Benedict), made to order crepes, chowders....come hungry 'cause you're going to be stuffed. The fact that it's on the river is provides a great & nice view while you're eating as well. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Beverly M.
A group of us decided to go to Salty's for a special occasion, so we made reservations a month in advance. The price for the buffet is pricey, $60 with mimosas, but we thought the food and the view would be worth it. The buffet was good, especially the crab, however the prime rib was so tough I couldn't eat it. Our group was seated between two walls at the back of the restaurant???VIEW? What a joke! Couldn't see a damn thing. I figure if they charge such an exorbitant price it should include a view of the Columbia....might as well have been seated in a basement. Our bill came to $666.00 and they tacked on a 20% service charge...for what??? We served ourselves and the wait staff only brought us water and a few condiments. Very disappointed!
(1)
Seymour M.
Great seafood and view from the deck!
(5)
Richard G.
We along with another couple had dinner here on Thursday evening, Aug. 7, 2014. We had their seafood chowder, seafood pasta primavera, Columbia River king salmon, scallops and coconut prawns and a Caesar salad. All the entres were excellent. We had a bottle of Willamette Valley Pinot noir which was also excellent. Our server was very attentive and helpful.
(4)
Robin N.
Came here for brunch with the family. We sat outside which was really nice because of the view of the Columbia River. The food was delicious. I really enjoyed the oysters on half shell and the prime ribs. There's also a neat chocolate fondue area where you can choose from a variety of snacks to dip! It's $40 per person so make sure your stomach is empty!!!
(4)
Jesy B.
Review for brunch and man, it was GOOD. We first came here for a Yelp event & based on reading the brunch description, we knew we had to come back. We're not big brunch people - because we don't like waking up early and waiting in line. Salty's makes online reservations via their website or Yelp app a snap - no waiting! So we show up, are seated promptly outside and greeted by our server. The brunch has one price per adult, $39.99, and for a mere $5 you get bottomless mimosas or champagne. Let's talk about a no brainer, add that ON. Let's talk about the brunch for a hot second. Selection wise, it's just all over the place with awesomeness. Fancy scones, eggs Benedict, omelet, crepes cooked to order, ham, prime rib, salmon, potatoes.....yup. Oh wait! Crab legs, shrimp, clams, oysters on the half shell, seafood chowder. Not done yet? Chocolate fountain, brownies, custard, creams........ Assuming you're still reading and not headed there right now, the service is not to miss. Our server was on cue, refilling out mimosas with speed and clearing out plates like a genie. She was so pleasant to everyone in our area too, she's just the kind of person that seems to like her job. This is not meant to be a quick brunch, so don't plan that way. We spent a good 2 hour there and never felt rushed to leave and clear our table. Instead we were encouraged to linger, enjoy our food and drinks - and of course the view. Don't forget that. It's on the river and it is gorgeous! I wish both my wallet and waistline could afford this every Sunday but instead it'll be a great treat for us in the future. Win!
(5)
Kent W.
Pretty pricey, but I'm a fan. The food was great, but I'll tell you what made it for me was the service. No matter what I thought customer service was possibly the best I have ever had and I would go back and pay high just because of that. We had crab cakes and the wagu burger, which wasn't anything more special than can be found in Wright Way Angus beef. It was well done by the cooks with good toppings and a very well put together fry seasoning. We were headed to a concert downtown Portland and thought we wouldn't need to bring a doggie bag, but Salty's provided enough food to make us take one anyways. The east facing balcony was okay and we had it to ourselves- felt a little secluded not necessarily in a good way. Supposed to be a happening place on evening when they often have a live musician playing.
(4)
Erin L.
Salty's brunch has been on my "must try" list for a while now and it did not disappoint when I finally got around to it. Located on the Columbia river, the restaurant has a great view and great food. The brunch was $50 with mimosas, but well worth it and the waitress did not skimp on the champagne. There is such a variety of food to try, that it is hard to decide where to start first. From scones to crepes to eggs benedict to crab, all the fruit and cheeses you can eat, plus a chocolate fountain, it would be hard to not find something that you liked. Definitely worth a trip back.
(5)
Oscar M.
Eureka! I'm typically not the buffet type, usually it's mass produced crap kept in trays bobbing in Luke warm water. But there is a place I just left called Salty's with some serious Sunday love popping the hell off. Bottomless Mimosas, Chinook Eggs Benny, fruit galore with a 6 ft chocolate fountain to baptize your strawberries, and Danny Devito or his doppelgänger cracking mountains of crab legs with his apparently freakishly strong stubby little man hands, all while watching jet ski's weave through kayaks on the Columbia. I am beyond satisfied, a nap is in my future, and in my dreams we dance!
(5)
Shelley M.
We celebrated our anniversary at Salty's and were not disappointed. We were made to feel special from the time we checked in. The view was beautiful and the service was terrific. We started with the Calamari which was tender, but it had the flavor of old oil or something. My husband had the steak and lobster which was delicious. I had the Hawaiian Ahi which was good, but not my favorite. Be prepared to spend some money when you go if you want the whole experience. I would like to try the buffet since they are so well know for it. I think you could also cut down on the expense if you just dropped in for a few drinks and some shared plates. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Ron T.
Darn. Of all my days off & I'll be missing the buffet. How I miss the bottomless Mimosas and crab legs. Quite frankly, that's all what's in my mind when we came in for dinner. Alas, didn't have none of that. For real. Sad, yeah? I know. I've had one of the pan seared Alaskan Halibut with vegetable ragu. It was awesome. Nicely done. It was well helped with a mojito and was sweetened by Tiramisu a little later. Nice evening. Nice dinner. All I can hope for is a better weather to sit along the patio. Service is good. Well attended by the friendly staff. Had I not been driving, I could've used more of those liquid courage. In vino veritas.
(4)
Karey R.
Can a vegetarian find enough variety at the Sunday Buffet to justify the exorbitant cost for a special treat to celebrate a friend's birthday? Yes. Yes he/she can. I didn't realize the buffet would be *hack hack* $43!!! when I enthusiastically RSVP'd "YES!" to my friend's birthday party invitation. But, realizing too late (i.e. as we're ordering our included juice, soda, coffee), I decided to make the most of it. Of course, the options are meat and seafood heavy. BUT everything is labeled (whew!) and there are lots of options for you, my little green friends. There is an omelet station where I got a knock-out veggie-packed omelet. There is tray after tray of pastries, bread pudding, fresh fruit. There's mac & cheese, eggs a few different ways, salads, waffles, pancakes, French toast. I can't even remember what all I ate but I had no trouble filling my plates. And the dessert bar?? My, oh my! From the chocolate fountain to the fruit tarts to the mousse pies... it's a sensory delight. Needless to say, for $43 a person, the service was top-notch. In fact I had mentioned my veggie status to the waiter and he offered to have the kitchen whip up a special meatless eggs benedict which I thought was a very very sweet gesture. But I assured him there was plenty for me to eat as it was. So go ahead, veggies. When your family suggests coming here to celebrate an event or just treat yourselves to a fantastic meal with a fantastic view, tell them sure! There's plenty for you at Salty's!
(5)
Tom T.
Great local seafood spot to have our final meal after an awesome week traveling in Oregon. Awesome river side table, menu, wine list and service. Best chowder ever and the key lime pie was the best.
(4)
Chuck B.
Excellent dinner with friends. Waiter and hostess very attentive. Food prepared with flair and to perfection. Great views of activity on Columbia River.
(5)
Len M.
My oh my oh my, etc. This IS THE PLACE. I thought Bellagios' brunch in Vegas was superb - but this wins by a river.
(5)
Sonia B.
Happy hour is where it's at with this place. The seafood chowder, wedge salad and burger are all great options at a decent price. Enjoy the awesome view while you sip on a margarita or glass of wine.
(3)
Richard M.
The Sunday brunch buffet was delicious and fresh with an abundance of seafood. Ate my weight in oysters on the half shell! The entire staff was very friendly and helpful. Kade, our server in training but you would think he had been here for years. He was very friendly and outgoing. The building was clean and the view was amazing! Will be back next time in Portland.
(5)
Poppy L.
I love saltys weekend brunch. They really use quality fresh oyster and crab. It means a lot for me and I appreciate them for providing a quality meal. I would recommend for anyone.
(5)
Erin C.
I went there on a Sunday brunch for friend's birthday celebration. Thanks to the reservation there was no wait. Minor delay in the parking lot waiting for valet. I saw a sign that worried me a little "don't leave anything valuable in the car due to our secluded location" or something. (but nothing was stolen :)) the buffet was great. Wide selection from seafoods to roast beef, fresh pancakes, waffles, personalized omelette, all kinds of pastries, and my personal favorite - chocolate fondue :) you can dip fresh strawberries, marshmallows, and much much more. and of course everyone was loving the unlimited mimosa. the wait staff ensured the glass was always filled. All and all, great buffet if you can eat a lot, because you would want to try everything :)
(4)
Amy M.
Risotto is amazing!!! View is beautiful, service friendly. Local seafood. Would bring the whole family.
(4)
Mikhail H.
Well over a decade ago I used to drive past this little restaurant daily during my commute and I kept thinking I needed to go there. This was, of course, when I could not afford a decent restaurant and barely knew how to cook myself. Finally I get invited to the winemakers dinner by Willamette Valley Vineyards which they decided to host here. How exciting! First of all, several months ago I was at a Yelp Elite event and got to try some of Salty's famous seafood chowder so I was excited to introduce my husband to it. Friends have been raving about their brunch and happy hour for a while as well. The dinner was absolutely amazing. The Chef, Josh Gibler, was able to have fun and create a four course meal completely different from anything they offer on the regular Salty's menu and wow, do I wish they had that presentation of Copper River Salmon as a regular item because it was truly magical! Each dish was accompanied by hand selected Willamette Valley Vineyard wines and their beverage manager actually found wines that WVV no longer even carries! What a wonderful meal - and the service was amazing. The sweet girl helping us even was able to effortlessly bring us chowder to go quickly and their free valet service was a treat! Watching all four of Oregon's seasons happen in the course of an hour over the Columbia River made for a very relaxing evening. The view was astounding and we most certainly will be back again.
(5)
Abby D.
Last night was our first visit to Salty's. We made a reservation for a family of 6 (1 kiddo) and were delighted to be sat at a large enough table in the middle of the restaurant with a beautiful view of the Columbia. As restaurant patrons with a small child, we are often cast off to the back-side of restaurants so this was a nice surprise. Our waiter was awesome & attentive. I stared with the Seafood chowder and it did not disappoint. It was creamy, rich & full of chunks of shrimp, clams & scallops. I ordered a special of skewered salmon & halibut on a bed of polenta. It was not exactly to my liking but the fish was tasty and well cooked. I regret not ordering off the standard menu. The overall experience at Salty's is worth at least 4 stars but I had to give 3 due to my meal falling short if expectations. I can't wait to return for brunch to hopefully help earn that extra star!
(3)
Esther K.
Our schedule that day was pretty hectic so I ended up calling the restaurant to change our reservation time 4 times that day. Each time, they were very understanding and accomodating. Once we made it inside, we were seated by the window with a gorgeous view of the river. We ordered the seafood cocktail appetizer platter and IT WAS FREAKING DELISH. Cold steamed crab, shrimp cocktail and this other shrimp which I forget the name of. It was fresh, juicy, tasty and well presented. Highly recommended. The Entrees: I ordered the smoked steelhead, my mom ordered the jambalaya and the man friend got the salmon. All of our dishes were decent portions with very good sizes of seafood prepared perfectly! I really did enjoy every single dish (i tried them all). The dessert: HOLY OH EM GEE, order the CHEESECAKE. It's a calorie bomb, but dammit, just do it. It's the best cheesecake I've ever had. It was so amazingly light. fluffy (not to sweet) and even on a super full stomach it was a party. Final thoughts? The Saturday night dinner crowd was largely the middle-aged to senior folks. Lots of adult birthday celebrations. Not a place to be hip and with it. That being said, the food was pleasurable and amused my bouche and I would probably go here again. It's a bit pricey for the ambiance though. For 1 appetizer, 3 drinks, 3 entrees and 1 dessert our total was about $130.
(4)
Aaron V.
Nice view, friendly staff, hardly anything else worthwhile. I ordered the Northwest Paella - what showed up looked more like gumbo. I don't think paella is supposed to be a soupy mess - but this sure was. Overcooked and rubbery salmon, cod, chicken, clams, and (especially) shrimp that's swimming in broth. And then they, for some reason, put the whole thing in this dumb cast iron paellera that it was obviously not cooked in. Really sounded good on the menu, really fell fall short. Mostly, you'll find people over 50 eating here along with a handful of younger couples duped into thinking this is a nice restaurant. They certainly put on the airs of a fancy restaurant, but then skimp on the most important part. Also - who serves cold butter? What am I supposed to do with butter that is incapable of being spread? Just put a pad on the bread and wait for the bread to warm it up? This place is a joke.
(2)
Sydney L.
Attentive staff. I have been here several times and this is the first time I ever felt like we were truly treated like a valuable customer. We were seated near by the food area and it was uncomfortable having people walk by as much. The general manager , Jacob, noticed it and rearranged for is up sit somewhere else with a little bit less traffic. Which was amazing for how busy they are on a Sunday morning. I have always been a fan of oysters and This time there was a few things that jumped out of us and that pretty much ruin oysters for me forever. :( Jacob again was on top of things and took care of us. Salty's should know how lucky they are to have staff such as Jacob. I have ever leave Salty's unhappy. As always food is delicious and I look forward to my next visit.
(5)
Josh W.
I still have to give Satlys a 5 star review. Again, perhaps because this holds a special spot in our hearts, but this weekend was nothing short of spectacular. We showed up for 11am reservations. When I walked in I asked if we could wait for a window seat to open up. As luck had it, there was a 2 seater available right next to a window. This meant we waited 2 minutes to be seated. Awesome! Not much has changed over the years when your talking about what they serve. About the same thing every time. This doesn't bother me, I'm familiar with what they have, and know what I want. Service was WONDERFUL. We had a great waitress who took care of us. I can't even tell you how many times I put my empty mimosa glass down, and had it filled within 5 seconds. It was perfect. Weekends like last Sunday are the EXACT reason we keep coming back to Saltys. Amazing service, Great food, Great views, all of this along with fond memories keeps this as one of our favorite spots for brunch.
(5)
Sofie M.
I wish I could write a good review about this place! We decided to take out of town friends here for dinner- we made a reservation for 5 and got right in. We had a nice table with pretty views of the water right at sunset. The service was very very slow. It took an hour to get our food. Although our waitress was very nice, she never checked on us to reassure us our food was coming, to bring by more bread- nada. When we got the food, it looked and tasted good, but immediately afterward my sister and I felt funny. We got the same meal, salmon with potatoes. Needless to say, we didn't make it home in one stop. We both ended up getting sick on the way home. That night I spent the night on the bathroom floor- you get the idea! This was so so so disappointing. For $30+ a meal with small portions that took forever to get, the last thing we needed was food poisoning. It took us a good 3 days to feel better. Wont be going here again!
(1)
Cass M.
I really wanted to like you Saltys but for so many reasons you wouldn't let me. This was by far the most negative Dining month experience we had and that is such a rare thing in our wonderful city. The drinks were good but expensive the service was very fake and sporadic and for a supposed fine dining establishment things were paced terribly from the kitchen. The view is beautiful but no view can overcome some overpriced, badly presented food that you can get down the road in Astoria for 1/3 the price.
(2)
R P.
Three stars because of the long service. Took one hour for just salads and one appetizer. 15 min for drinks to come. Hour 1/2 before our food was brought to us. I got one if the specials and not really pleased with the price and quantity. For what I got should have been about 10$ less. My fish was cold but too hungry to complain. The potatoes were not real tasted like instant. The best was the cold seafood appetizer with shrimp shrimp and crab. Other than that I still prefer jakes famous crawfish by far and for the price.
(3)
Laura C.
Let me first say, the deck is fantastic!! Second, there is a parking lot. That's always a big plus in my book. Third, you can have the delicious happy hour on the fabulous deck. Those 3 things make me a happy girl. My friends love to go to their Sunday brunch, but $40 (plus $7 tip) is out of my price range for waffles and bacon, considering I am not quite the seafood lover they are. I can do it for dinner, but not for the meal I consider to be my breakfast. However; I can't knock it - because they think it's the best brunch in town. It comes with champagne, which to my friends - makes it a great deal. However; 2 glasses is my limit if I am going to be driving, so it's still a spendy breakfast for me. I will stick with their happy hour. The food is great and the bartenders are friendly and make great Moscow Mules (my fave). Even if the rains comes, the restaurant is surrounded by windows overlooking the Columbia river. The only view comparable is that at PCG - and that's like comparing apples to oranges. This is a seafood lovers paradise. Their deck, the sunshine and Coconut Prawns or their Sirloin Burger is my paradise.
(4)
Jackie M.
Your paying for the view, thank goodness for the never ending mimosas!
(3)
Belle B.
The view from the dining area is amazing. It is romantic and elegant. A good time to come is during sunset, but don't forget to make reservations and ask for a window seat. We shared (we always eat family-style) the house smoked wild alaskan salmon, crab cakes, prawns, calamari and the organic greens with the strawberry vinaigrette. It all was really good. We didn't order the crab, but it looked really good. Maybe we will try that next time. The brunch also seemed like a good thing to try out.
(4)
S T.
Great place for a nice meal after flying in to PDX. Love the chowder.
(4)
Robert B.
Excellent experience from start to finish. The food was outstanding,if a bit pricy, but worth the money. Service was outstanding. The view was good, but would have been better during the day. This place was recommended by my hotel and I can see why. If I lived in Portland, I would be a regular.
(5)
Scott O.
Regardless if you are in Seattle or Portland, the name Salty's will come up for great places to eat. After this visit, I questioned if this PNW chain really fits into the great places to eat category. The ambience and views are certain standouts, however the meal here was par and the three of us in our party were not satisfied. Do not order the fish and chips, YUCK! Thank goodness the fries were good to offset the poor breading taste. Perhaps it was my fault for not ordering fresh seafood. Oh well I will still go to the Salty's on Alki Beach for the view.
(2)
Kenneth C.
Went during Happy hour and the food was gooood!!! Started with one of my favorite beers, Session. Then we had a few raw oysters and some calamari, oysters were very fresh and calamari was perfectly crispy. For dinner my wife enjoyed her tomato bisque soup and I had a perfectly cooked salmon Caesar salad. If all that wasn't enough the outdoor seating with a perfect view of the river made the high prices well worth it.
(4)
John C.
$$$$. Do they have anymore dollar signs? I'm rewriting this review because Yelp pulled my last review, deeming it unworthy. If you have no precautions against spending money to gain the marginal benefit of having a river view then please ignore my review. The reason I say "marginal" is because there really doesn't seem to be a lot of seats in the restaurant that give a really good view. Maybe I'm wrong. My experience was on Valentine's Day. To make a long story short, they dropped our reservation when we had arrived and after supposedly fixing the error, the lady had failed to enter our name in the second time around. We were finally sat in a corner of the restaurant that had no view, which to be honest, is what makes this place special. The Valentine's Day menu was jawdropping. The prices were exorbitant. Not expensive...exorbitant. The least expensive was a quinoa dish at $40. The steak was over $100. Let's just say I'm not a quinoa guy but if I was, I'd have to go on to say that it doesn't justify $40 no matter how it's cooked when you're not throwing in any protein. The waitress could see I was disappointed and tried to alleviate the situation. To be honest, I felt bad for her because she wasn't the antagonist yet she is the one who has to bear the reactions of customers. I tipped her well but I can say I won't go back to this restaurant. There's too many places to get a good meal in town with a great view (although perhaps not of a river) at much more liveable prices.
(2)
Eam M.
I was really impressed with the appetizers. The main course......not so much. I felt I was eating too much sauce on my pasta. The calamari was the best I have ever had! Next time I go to Salty's......it's only appetizers for me!!!!!
(3)
Janet M.
3.5 2 points are for the view. So pretty. We have not been to brunch, here, hubby just won't do it despite all of our begging and pleading. We have been to dinner, and recently we had lunch here with my dad. My dad loves this place. If he buys we don't have to beg and plead, hubby just gets in the car, all compliant-like. Child had fish and chips off the kid's menu. It cost $7. She liked it, but told us she liked Burgerville's fish and chips better. Hmm. That's not really a good sign, is it? I had chowder and a salad, I was happy. Husband had some blackened fish tacos, he liked them ok. Just ok. Still, we love the view and our drinks were good. The service was a little on the slow side, and it wasn't so busy, but it's ok to be a little slow when you're staring out at the water, which we were. I noticed that their happy hour menu is pretty reasonable. Maybe I can get hubby to be compliant for that too?
(3)
Kuma C.
Salmon is to die for!! Calamari a bit soggy, but flat bread, breaded shrimp, and white chocolate cake is very good. Drinks are a bit on the light side, but good overall. Very good atmosphere, good view on the river and airport lights. Traffic a bit rough it worth the trip.
(4)
Hannah K.
HANDS DOWN BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH IN PDX! Buffet style with crab, salmon, shrimp, prime rib, pastries, salad, Bloody Mary bar, bottomless mimosas and so much more! Thy also have an omelet station. $45 per person plus $10 for Bloody Mary bar or bottomless mimosas. Trust me, the mimosas are bottomless! We spent 3.5 hours there eating and drinking and our server never once seemed annoyed. The manager walked by us several times and encouraged us to return the the buffet and "try everything". The service is GREAT from the time you walk in and talk to a hostess until your server cashes you out. The view is gorgeous and I can't wait until summer when I can sit on the deck and drink bottomless mimosas. It is a little expensive, but definitely a treat and we will be going back again and again.
(5)
Punkrockg F.
Written by my boyfriend: "A nice place, but somewhat commercial. Food was good, but pricey. Drinks were also pricey. Sadly we kind of got knackered on the bill, as we ordered the Dungeness crab appetizer and instead received King Crab... My girl friend was surprised, but given that we told the waiter that we were just having appetizers she just sluffed it out. When the bill came it had the full King crab meal which was a whole lot more... that being said we just paid the bill and that was that. I just would have thought that given the price differential between the two that the server would have confirmed which we wanted... Anyway, a nice place, but certainly not a place that made me say wow I have to go back." I have to say I agree.
(3)
Cool Nutz X.
This is always a great place to do brunch on Sunday. Great quality of good and unlimited mimosa's. scenery is always beautiful and great environment for family and friends gatherings. A little spendy, but good to go a couple times a year. Make sure that you make your reservations.
(4)
Alena C.
No spanks. I have been fooled far too many times by this river front restaurant. Nice view, sun deck, piano bar, kinda fancy, so you would think great spot, right? But the food is pretty cheap. I had my first visit to Red Lobster (oh, I have to yelp that) and Red Lobster comes out ahead of Saltys. This place is like that ex that always seems better in hindsight and you just miss the way they smell and think maybe if you just tried a little harder, gave more chances, it would have worked out. But, then you remember that the waitress was surely, the crab cakes had barely any crab, the trout was oily and you spent over $50 to feel bad about yourself. But then three months go by and you start thinking about Saltys again, and how much fun you would have together on a nice summer day on the river. Just go somewhere else. Saltys has found new patrons that can put up with the crap and have lower standards that you do. Me? I'm moving on.
(2)
Paul K.
Great food all the way around. Crab Cakes, excellent, Oysters, excellent, Clam Chowder, Incredible, Steelhead with a bacon ruhbarb marinade, Outstanding! The only complaint I have is the martinis were a little weak and small. Otherwise this is a must for anyone going to Portland. Sit outside if you can as it is located right on the river.
(4)
May C.
Yes, it is expensive; yes, it is worth it. We went on a Sunday at 5:30 pm. It wasn't crowded and we got a seat by the window no problem. The view was incredible. Service was excellent. We split the shrimp cocktail and the shrimp were huge! And so tasty! Then I split a meal with my companion and it ended up being the perfect size. It was the special of the night: salmon with garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli, and a light jalepeno sauce but empasis on the light because it was perfectly spiced. The salmon was incredible as well as everything else on our plate. Splitting the meal is the way to go because the portion would be too large for one person if it wasn't split. We had a chocolate silk tart for dessert which was also superb. I'm not really sure what other people are complaining about. Maybe we just ordered the right thing!
(5)
G G.
We have family from Pennsylvania visit us every year, and our final evening dinner has been celebrated at Salty's for several years now. Friday, August 2nd, was our best ever! Dinner for nine was a) delicious, b) a great value, c) served with style and class. Special thanks to our server, Jake. I ordered Sparkling Cider for the 3 youngsters at our table. It was served with champagne glasses, kept chilled in an ice bucket, accompanied by a special berry syrup designed to make it even more interesting, and one of the three girls was even offered an opportunity to "taste for the table!" Unbelievable! My "today's special" blackened swordfish was fresh, moist, flavorful. The Oregon Harvest Salad is also recommended. Everyone loved their dinner and I know they will all want to be back next year. My 5 star review is not intended as "5 stars considering it was Salty's." It would be 5 stars no matter where it was served. I really believe they have improved on their already solid game. The local folks in our crowd will be back soon!
(5)
Ryan Y.
Best seafood buffet in town. Clams, lox, salmon, dungeoness crab, snow legs, cerviche, oyster on half shell, boiled shrimp, crawfish. The only bad part is everything is on ice. Plus a tons of other brunch food. Great for special occasions. A little steep at $50/person, but a great way to celebrate. Service is subpar. Hardly saw my server when she had only two tables in my area.
(4)
Rob L.
Nice atmosphere, friendly wait staff but a bit unattentive. $120 for 3 people and we stopped at McDonalds on the way home because we were all still hungry.
(1)
Heather R.
my work crew went for a celebration brunch on a rainy saturday. we had the BEST time. excellent brunch spread, friendly service by wait and management staff, delicious bottomless mimosas and a perfect ambiance. i would recommend this place for a celebration of any kind, big or small, because it never disappoints!
(5)
Erica L.
I wanted to like this place so, so badly. I love seafood and the idea of a dinner place right on the river sounded marvelous. My boyfriend took me out for a birthday dinner here. The place looks really nice. It has a classy but vintage feel with a grand staircase up to the 2nd floor. The view of the river is lovely and we happened to finish up dessert as the sun was setting. The staff was so, so nice. Our waitress was obviously very good with people. I saw her working the room with ease and she could appear to the point and pleasant for the business dinners and like one of the family for the large, multi-generational groups. I'd give five stars to the staff if that was all I was rating here. My issue is the food. I had the Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad and my boyfriend had the baked salmon. The menu sort of describes the salad as a grilled salmon and doesn't list anything about the flavor of the salmon. It doesn't mention how garlicky the salad is either. The salmon was grilled in some Indian spices which did not work with the Caesar and was far too spicy for my taste. The garlic, which was in the dressing, cut up into the salad, and on the croutons was also overpowering. I went through about three glasses of water with the salad. The boyfriend said his salmon had middle eastern spices on it, which were not on the menu, and he was annoyed he received such a small portion when he paid much more than my salad cost and I got the bigger plate. The desserts were tasty though. We had creme brulee and cake and both were worth the cost, even though mine was comped as birthday treat. I received a small card from them as well, which I thought was nice. We MIGHT try this place again when I have East Coast relatives in town, just for the dinner-on-the-river experience but it seems a bit overpriced for the quality and quantity of food.
(3)
Wendell Y.
We were a party of 3 seated next to the jazz trio on a Friday night. Great music! For food, we each had the 3 for $30 special. Great food at a great price. The service was top notch. The view of the Columbia River cannot be beat. Salty's is a very popular restaurant so be prepared for a wait if you don't have a reservation. There is valet parking and self parking.
(5)
Cyrille K.
We went to Salty's for Sunday Brunch to celebrate a family birthday. The service was excellent, the mimosas were the right blend (just a splash of OJ!), and while I'm not normally an all-you-can-eat type of person, I have to say it was wonderful to have as much dungeness crab, shrimp, prime rib, etc. as I wanted. I even dipped a few potato chips in the chocolate fountain along with my strawberries - kitschy, I know, but it was so much fun! This is a restaurant that is showing its age a bit, but the view is amazing, and the dated feel actually lends to its character, in my opinion.
(5)
Jim K.
After living in Portland for over 20 years, i thought that it was about time. Came here for the first time this Sunday for brunch. The array of food to choose from was staggering. I enjoyed the crab legs and the salmon Benedict was superb. The crawfish were enormous and flavorful. I ran out of room, but the omelette bar looked good, and we entirely missed the clam chowder that is reportedly awesome. A bit pricey, but worth it for the occasional special occasion.
(4)
Minh V.
I'm just reviewing the lobster I had last night for New Years Eve and it was awesome.
(5)
Paula W.
My mouth is still watering over the wonderful Sunday Brunch we had a few weeks ago. Though the price is quite high, I didn't eat for almost 2 days afterwards. Walking in, the first thing I thought of was, "I haven't seen such a sumptuous feast since the last time I was on a cruise ship". Of course, the 6 layer chocolate fountain and dessert bar was one of the first things I saw. No matter what your taste in brunch items, they had you covered: fresh fruit, ham, potatoes, 2 kinds of eggs benedict, cheesy grits, sausage, bacon, bagels and lox, smoked salmon, peel and eat shrimp, prime rib, build-your-own omeletes, pasta or crepes, shrimp ceviche, and too many other items I can't seem to remember. Plus bottom-less mimosas for $5. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because we made reservations for 6 people a month in advance and were seated at a horseshoe booth away from the windows (do you know how hard it is to get in and out of a booth when you're having brunch?). Unfortunately they were completely booked up so couldn't move us to a table. This is definitely worth the money for an extra special occasion.
(4)
BlazingPrattles P.
I was really looking forward to Salty's because I always heard that it was amazing. The food is good, and the view is nice. The service is adequate. I had the only option they had for maine lobster, and it was good. The bar didn't carry my brand of bourbon. The band was too loud for dinner conversation. The views could be great if the dining room and windows had been built to make sunsets more comfortable. The constant glare was a disappointment. But really, it is just good. Not special. For the money, I would try something else.
(3)
Peter H.
I really like this place. Been here about 4 times over the past couple of years. Every time has been exceptional, with one hold out which was only great. I most appreciate that they have a wide variety of non-shellfish dishes (I'm allergic...) as well as a significant amount of beef and poultry dishes. The wait staff is always friendly, available, and on their game. I have never had to wait on a drink refill, or extra bread/crackers. Very nice. The view isn't half bad either and the bar upstairs is a great destination on its own. All in all, you can't go wrong here.
(4)
Randy S.
Ate here with my sister and niece when I returned on a business trip. The ambience is nice on the river. The waitress was sweet and knowledgeable about the menu, the sampler appetizer was large for 3 people, My salmon was cooked medium rare as ordered, the special my sister had - sturgeon was cooked perfectly and my niece had teriyaki salmon which was also cooked as it should have been. The portions for the main course were also generous. The price was about 50 per person including non alcoholic drinks and tip. I so love Oregon not having sales tax. I do plan to return to this new found restaurant.
(4)
Sherlock H.
We went there this year for their Christmas Eve buffet. The food selection was minimal and didn't encompass the normal brunch type foods. The only thing that fit was the omelet station, but it seemed out of place since there were no other foods to go with that like waffles or breakfast potatoes or bacon. There were practically no vegetable choices, but they had a few pasta type dishes that tasted like they didn't cook down the flour enough in the cream sauce. The dessert selection was pretty lame for it being Christmas. Just some small items of typical dessert fare, nothing really special for Christmas. Baklava? Really? What about pecan pies or a yule log or something like that? I was so disappointed in the selection. And the prime rib was so undercooked I swear it was still mooing! Seriously, the meat was basically raw. We won't be returning to this Salty's. I have to say that the Salty's at Alki in Seattle is way better than this one.
(2)
Cyn S.
Salty's is one of the best restaurants in town. We had a reservation at stone cliff in carver. When we arrived and asked to sit outside we were told we couldn't because all the tables for 2 were taken. There were lots of tables out there. We left and headed to saltys. When we got there it looked like the place was packed. We didn't have a reservation but knew we'd get great service and the food would be exceptional so we were willing to sit inside. The hostess couldn't have been more accommodating. Upon receiving our request to sit outside, she said it would be a few minutes but she could make that happen. We headed to the bar to wait. There we were greeted by the funny bartender who had our drinks in front of us in minutes. We toasted our good restaurant choice only to be asked if we were ready to head to the deck. Wow! We're we ready! They seated us with a view of the marina, the Columbia, and Government Island AT A TABLE FOR 4! With saltys help we recovered our evening. Guess where we'll go next time. It'll be saltys. Don't waste your time going to stone cliff.
(5)
John B.
This place is great, however the food is OK. I think we went on a bad night, but the view is awesome and this place is great too. THe food was ok but I would try again I am sure the food is better than what we had.
(3)
Ana M.
Four stars because of the price. Overall, great place for a special occasion. My husband and I came here for the last 2 Valentine's days. The first year was great, but this last year, the prices rose and the dinner menu downgraded so that was pretty disappointing. If you want a special Valentine's day, I would recommend coming here with your special someone. They decorate the place with fresh roses, and each special lady receives a beautiful long stem rose from the staff. In the lobby as you wait to be seated, glasses of champagne and a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit will keep you very busy ;) The Valentine's day menu is very limited to a few dishes, so make sure there is something you like before you decide to make a reservation on Vday (PS- Valet parking is included). On any regular day, I would say get the clam chowder-- best I've ever had!
(4)
Kelly M.
2.5 stars Easter brunch 2013. Pros: waiter Trevor, the view, breakfast selections, prime rib, Dungeness crab, blackened salmon, chowder, oysters. Trevor was very attentive and very friendly. He made suggestions that were very good and had a special crepe made for my boyfriend. By the way, crepe station was sooo good! Cons...and it's a big one for my family....DESSERT! Only reason I decided it would be worth $50. My mom has wanted to come for the last 8 years and we finally went this year. I felt I was basically lied to by the Easter menu shown online. There were 5 of us (first time) and my brothers enjoyed it a lot, but it's because they love prime rib and it was very good. Best I've had. But not good enough for the $50 per person price! They had NO cheesecake, pastries (besides apple dumpling), Danishes, brownies, bread pudding, chocolate cake, blueberry coffee cake, caramel almond bars or even chocolate chip cookies! Not even lady fingers for the chocolate fountain. Only graham crackers and Oreos...Hate both. So nothing soft and delicious to put in the fountain besides strawberries, marshmallows, and pineapple. For that much money, my mother should have some cheesecake. All they had was Rice Krispies, oatmeal cookies, orange cups, lemon lime bars, meringue cookies, hazelnut tart, and carrot cake. So they DIDN'T have more things then they DID have for dessert. All this can be found at home town buffet. Chocolate is good, but not good enough to where we didn't notice everything else was missing. We were at the end of the day (6:30 pm) so I understand they can be out of things, but then the price should be cheaper. I convinced myself that a restaurant like this would make sure everything was there until the end. I was very underwhelmed. My mom says she doesn't want to come back for Mother's Day. Which is why we came yesterday because normally we have 8 people in our family, but they were out of town. We wanted to test it out with less people and we are glad we did. I would come back if I wasn't paying. Other than that, no.
(2)
Cathy R.
Where to start.... This was a second trip, and most likely my last......at least for a while. We had a reservation for 10 for Mother's Day brunch. Now, four were children, age 1, 4, 7 and 9. My biggest complaint is cost. I was shocked to get the bill, not realizing there would be additional charges for the champagne and 2$ for the one year old....Our bill was over $500! Yikes!!! The food, while the choices included crab, steelhead, oysters, shrimp, was not impressive. The prime rib was dry and tasteless, the shrimp were tiny and water logged, getting to the food was chaotic, but then who am I, they had over 1600 reservations on this particular day.
(3)
Axel R.
It was 72 degrees when I came here. The hottest day of the year so far. I wanted something to eat before my trek back to Seattle. I sat on the deck and it was happy hour; a bonus:) I had the wild salmon caesar salad. It was good. A crab cake and a couple drinks. It was awesome. Relaxing watching the boats on the Marina. Service was good. Due to the nice weather. everyone mostly wanted to eat outside, but inside dining is wonderful as well. Not much else around in the area, so it might be a little out of the way, but wanted to eat on the water. I had a wonderful experience.
(4)
Stephen T.
oregon rockfish good, clam chowder good... appetizer with the fried stuff....not so good; greasy i felt
(4)
Peter T.
Was invited by Portland's garden consultant extraordinaire, Sara Pool, for brunch at Salty's on the Columbia River. We've wanted to hit this brunch for a long while, as it features at least three of Mrs. Burgerdogboy's favorites - crab legs, raw oysters, and bacon! And I'm all about any place you can eat pounds of bacon and sausage and not be admonished or penalized (in some regards) for doing it. We arrived for the 11am seating (make reservations via OpenTable), and were seated promptly, tho the restaurant was very crowded. (Note, it seemed to thin out a bit around 123o). Our affable server Austin (named after my mother's home town) took our beverage orders and explained our options. We were seated upstairs at a window overlooking the marina, the river, and flightpath for PDX. It was a lovely sunny day. The buffet is on the main floor, and the choices are too numerous to even start a list. Suffice to say that anything you could imagine being on an American Sunday brunch buffet was there in full force, very high quality, attention to detail and presentation. Whether you wanted to focus on a "breakfast" or imbibe in solely seafood, or chomp on chocolates - have at it! Just the seafood alone is enough to drag me to this place (full menu link below), this is a feast! The Salty's brunch is a bit spendy ($45 plus drinks), but take a gander at their brunch menu online, and you'll want save your pennies to hit this place as soon as possible. I haven't been very happy with my food pix lately, and today was no exception. This is just one plate of many that we had. The foto looks "foggy", as you can see. I had a lightbulb when I got home, and cleaned the lens. A lot of old burgers and pizza covering that piece of glass, apparently. A new camera is on my wish list for burgering in 2012. The quality will improve! (Thanks Spool for a fabulous day!).
(5)
Eric H.
I used to get all excited for Vegas buffet but now I'm gonna have to start flying to Portland Oregon for buffets. All sea food variety was just kick ass. I live in Los Angeles and I just cant seemed to name a buffet better than this place. This is a definite place to go again for Sunday brunch next time I'm in town.
(5)
Andy B.
A big thumbs up on the ambiance rating. The restaurant is beautiful inside with a great view of the Columbia River. The waitstaff was also top-notch, very knowledgeable, very helpful, and prompt. For starters, I had the clam chowder along with some corn bread. Both were superb and I wish this place wasn't so far away from where I live just so I could have it more often. Tasting their delicious clam chowder at the Yelp Bossanova Event is what brought me here in the first place and it tasted just as good as I remembered! The entrees, sad to say, were a disappointment. I had the special and the fish had a dirty taste to it. Considering how much it costs, it was not up to par. However, when it came time for dessert, the food was excellent once again. I guess the entrees were a fluke considering how many other positive reviews this place has. (Note for next time: avoid the special.) I'm anxious to come back and try out the Sunday brunch! Food: 4 Service: 5 Ambiance: 5 Value: 3 TL;DR: The clam chowder & cornbread are heavenly
(4)
Cassandra C.
First of all: the view is gorgeous. Get a river view table if you can. I had dinner here, had no interaction with the bar. Started with a "seasonal tap" (Full Sail Amber, wth?). An appetizer was ordered but I didn't eat any of it. The table bread was delicious and a nice hold-over waiting for food. Service was attentive without being hover-y. They had a market menu (their specials) with the regular menu. I am not particularly a seafood person (I do like scallops and all things clam chowder-esque). I started with the seafood chowder and for $7 it was better than any soup I've ever been served at a restaurant. There must have been unicorn milk in the broth and a heavy dose of butter but it was awesome. Best thing. I ordered the rosemary steak with garlic potatoes ($38). The steak was good at the table but nibbled at a couple hours later, it was a little leathery. So I wouldn't recommend taking it to go unless you've got a good method for reheating. I just got a promotion so this was a celebratory dinner and I wanted to splurge a little. This item was just the ticket. It was very simple, served with a demi glace, something of a runny barbeque/teriyaki sauce. Good stuff. And for dessert, I split a Frangelico brownie with someone that was quite inventive. It had shaved ice doused in liquor on top and was served with a dried apple garnish. I devoured it. Would I return? Yes. Would I shell out hard earned money? Yes. I'm very interested in their happy hour. I can see myself enjoying that upper bar some sunny July Monday afternoon. . .I'd eat the chowder even if the Earth's surface was 300°.
(4)
Misty B.
This is pretty much my new favorite place for brunch. I'd come here all the time if it wasn't so expensive, however the price is totally worth it. I was just there this past weekend celebrating my 5th wedding anniversary with my husband. We brought the kids along as well. Our son LOVED sitting outside, watching the planes fly overhead! The food was great! I think I ate about 10 crab legs, the meat tasted fresh and sweet. Prime rib, endless bacon, potatoes, bottomless mimosas, etc etc etc. There is something there for everyone. I will say, the eggs benedict should be avoided unless you get one fresh; the yolk will cook as it sits in the warmer. (Unless you don't like runny yolk!) My yolk was perfect, my husband's was not. I was even brave and tried a raw oyster. Not my thing. I hated it, but my husband said they were fresh and delicious. My only complaint is that they should have chilled, or just not steaming hot, plates next to the shrimp and crab legs bar. I like my shrimp cocktail chilled, but by the time I got back up to the patio with my food, the hot plate had made my shrimp warm and funky. I'll have to remember to grab a separate small plate near the desserts for next time, which might be in a couple weeks when we have some family come into town for a visit! The service there is fantastic! Free valet parking and very attentive and friendly, but not annoying, servers. I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Chaein H.
Love the Sunday brunch!!!! luckily I had reservation!!! I went on fathers day n it's overflown wiv ppl in the waiting area ! With reservation , when I check in - Sharon the expert -that's wat her name tag says :) nicely told me hopefully it will be under 30 min wait , coz it's superp pack so I understand . But after 5 minute my name is called n being seated upstairs ^^ very nice . Such a big variety of food n seafood ! Love the dungeness crab it's so fresh n not salty !!! N the shrimp !!! Yummy!!! The freshest I had so far ! Oyster bar constantly have lines n once it's my turn -it's out !! Gotta wait couple minute fir top up :) yeah it's that fresh n everyone is going for it !! Love how fast they top up their food once its runs low ! Top notch service!! I have Ahmed as my server n he was very attentive n courteous n deserve the 25% tip at the ends ^^ My next return will sure request a deck seat or window seat . The view , mimosa n the crab it's just Heaven ^^ Will def come back n recommend to friends! Arrived 11:30 n when I leave @ 2pm the waiting area still packed!!! Wow . Will return once I train myself to eat more!! :D This time I didn't get to try it all coz I got so full !! Leave clam chowder, crepes,n salad the last n go for crab oyster n clam the next time ;)
(5)
Jihae H.
This place is an institution here in Portland. It's been around forever, so you know there has to be something special about it to keep it in business for as long as it has been. The Open Table reservation capability via their Yelp page was super convenient and we were seated almost immediately at a wonderful table with a view. We took advantage of the June Dining out Month's $25 3-course meal and it was faaaaantastic. Hubby had the Wedge salad with bay shrimp and the Chile rubbed Mahi Mahi, which was cooked well and seasoned perfectly. The portions were perfect and we left feeling full and happy. Service here is fantastic. They treat their customers with respect and are efficient and consistent with their food. As much as I love going to the new and trendy restaurants, as a person who has lived here almost my entire life, I love love love supporting restaurants like this one, with history and roots in Portland. This is a great place to go for a special dinner, or even just their happy hour or Sunday brunch.
(4)
Dirty D.
Management responded to my criticism in a favorable way. I'm please to see how attentive this business is to the customer. I returned to have two delicious salmon dinners. "Yay! I'm a fan."
(4)
Debi V.
My husband and I decided to try Saltys to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It was the Best experience we have ever had. Breonne was our server and she was perfect Our mimosa's lunch and special desert were perfect. Thank you for such a great celebration. We love d it!!
(5)
Roberto L.
Great weekend buffet! Good value for price $43. Service was attentive and food selection includes Dungeness crab, salmon, seafood chowder, omelet stations, and a chocolate fountain. Views of river are ok. Very crowded, so, make a reservation.
(4)
Sherry S.
Felt like being outside looking at the river and thought Salty's! The weather will be changing pretty quick here in Portland so I wanted to watch some sailboats etc. Have not been here in years. That being said it feels like nothing has changed from that time either. First we got all shuffled around because we were there for happy hour food (5pm we were there) so there are official/designated spots for us. Finally got to sit outside upstairs which was a great view at any rate. Note though that there were maybe 6 tables in the whole place with people at them at that time so was not sure about the whole fuss. Happy hour menu is pretty good. Prices are very reasonable. Items from $2-$9 a piece. They also have 3 cocktail choices, wine, beer at 5 bucks a pop. Not too bad so far. Ordered the small casaer salad and the ahi like tuna. Partner ordered the fish and chips. The waiter was very helpful throughout though a little anxious maybe. Might be related to the slowness of the day. Got our food and the ahi looked very different. They also use a special marinade so maybe that was why it had a strange color to it. It tasted ok, not bad but not the freshest. The marinade was so so. The fish and chips, same kind of thing as far as freshness, so-so. Portions were not too big but not too small. They could have added a little bit more romaine on the small salad. I mean romaine is cheap. They used fresh ground cheese for the salad. Bottom line? For a place that is in a great location it felt like they really don't seem to want to try that hard to get that whole fresh food thing on.. I don't understand that. Just seemed a little tired. We went out the back way and the place needs some sort of outside attention as well. Oh well, I thought I would try it out once more.
(3)
Kimberly M.
My husband and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary dinner at Salty's on the Columbia last month. The reservation process online was great and I even received a call later that day from the restaurant to confirm. Our server was friendly and attentive; he also answered all our questions and made welcomed suggestions for menu selections. We split a Dungeness Crab Cake as our appetizer and thinking back on it - I wish I had ordered my own! The cake was amazing. I wish it were available as an entree (2-3 cakes) and then a vegetable side. For the main dish he had the Sturgeon Surf & Turf and I ordered the NW Paella. Both were delicious and I at least had left overs. That was good the next day for lunch. There are 2 things that cause me pause in putting 5 Stars for this review. First, our drinks (a beer and a simple cocktail) were quite late in showing up. Our server went to the bar at least twice to check on them, overall, about 20 minutes for them to arrive. Second, the dessert, creme brulee, was on the greasy side. The custard itself was bland, not much vanilla to be detected at all. The dish was saved by combining bites with the garnishes, strawberries and a lacy, nutty cookie. Overall it was a nice dinner and experience. I would love the opportunity to return and try the Champagne Brunch and be able to see the river during the day. I am also looking forward to trying their chowder, fish & chips, and the wonderful, delightful, Dungeness Crab Cake again.
(4)
D B.
I've been to Salty's a couple times over the last several years. I was pleased to find myself there again on a recent business trip to Portland. We had a large group and were treated very well by the staff. The restaurant has a great view out onto the Columbia. We were treated to a pair of Ospreys as well as local wind surfers doing their respective things outside. I was also pleased that there were plenty of local beers to choose from. I opted for the Ninkasi IPA, and was not sad faced upon departure. I Will disclose that I am a big fan of salad and am often disappointed when ordering starter/appetizer salads. If you are going to charge 8-9 dollars for a salad I expect more than some lettuce and a green wedge of tomato. Very happy to report that the salads at Salty's are first rate. Nothing but two big thumbs up on the front. I went with a halibut dish that was also fantastic. Not the best I have ever eaten, but very good just the same. I didn't hear any of the other 12 guests in our party complaining about any of their meals either. Unfortunately we had to run out quickly after our meal so time for dessert, but maybe next time.
(4)
Cal K.
Very overpriced for what you get. The last several times I've eaten here (it was a business function this weekend so it wasn't my choice) I've had either good, not great, but good food, or some pretty lousy food. Some people prefer trendiness over taste and food quality, that's not me. Taste and quality comes first. At a table of 10, at least 4 (including myself) were disappointed with the food and the others said it was "good". No one raved about it or the location we were at upstairs with no river view. Appetizer was very salty, 2 of us had fish and chips that were mostly fluffed batter that was peeled away and left on the side of the basket, the basic salad one had as an appetizer only had a few bites and was pushed away, the crab another had for $40 was was described as good but nothing special. 2 had the Cod and Dungeness crab oscar they both really liked but still mentioned it was overpriced. There's nothing wrong with paying for what you get but Salty's does not deliver on the prices they charge. You can find better food elsewhere with just as good and better atmosphere and fair prices. Update: My original review was a couple weeks before Christmas last year, 2011. After I posted the review someone from Salty's contacted me and made an offer suggesting something like a comped meal to give Salty's another try. I suggested 2 complimentary Sunday buffets for myself and my fiance who was with us and not very pleased with her meal last December. I mentioned I had heard the Sunday brunch was good and felt this would be a reasonable request to give Salty's another try. I never heard back. Talk about one slap in the face after another. That is NOT how a business treats customers and drops my previous 2-star rating to a 1-star.
(1)
Jake J.
Salty's suggest the Paella and for desert, white chocolate mouse cake! Yummo!
(4)
V G.
I just returned from a business lunch and I hate to say that I was not impressed. The service was wonderful. The decor was nautical but not corny. The food was disappointing. I had the "Special"- it was grilled steelhead (bland), the bacon wrapped scallops were obviously purchased pre wrapped and frozen. They were akin to little bacon wrapped tires. I won't hurry back for a meal on my own time.
(2)
Kimo S.
This was an awesome brunch with a good value ($40)! The view is beautiful and you a buffet with a wide variety. On a typical end, there's omelette station, oysters, crab, pastries, chocolate fountain. The best/most creative item was the waffle benedict!
(4)
Dante C.
My wife and I went to Salty's on the Columbia River for our anniversary. It was a superb experience. Pricey, but superb. After we told them that it was our anniversary, the servers placed a pair of helium balloons at our table and treated us to a light and tasty slice of cake after our meal. The only reason I didn't give the restaurant five stars was the halibut special that I ordered: much too heavy on the paprika, on the fish and in the sauce. The clam chowder, however, is to die for. Great place. I would go there again.
(4)
Mark H.
don't know why people go here. the food is crap and the service is just ok. I know it's on the river but that doesn't make up for bad food and bad service. save your money and go some where else. 1 valet for a Saturday night bad service no way I'm going back
(1)
Cindy A.
HAPPY HOUR If I had to pick only one Happy Hour to marry, Salty's would be my chosen forever love! It's right on the Columbia River, and views are truly majestic. Best in the summer with their giant outside deck -- and beautiful sunsets! There is a late-night Happy Hour on Fridays 9-10 where you can catch Mel Brown Jazz. FOOD $1.50-$6.99 BEST burgers in the city! Plus: Caesar salad, salmon, fish and chips, coconut prawns, always-excellent flatbread of the day, fries, award-winning seafood chowder (YUM!!) and more... DRINK SPECIALS $3.95 choice draft; $5.00 wine selections $4.25 Margaritas & Bloody Marys CRAZY huge and delicious weekend brunches too!!!!
(5)
Buzz M.
Salty's is a great place to go even with a group. 8 of us ate here on a Thursday evening. Once of the reasons I choose Salty's for a group is the restaurant is quite large and there is plenty of room for a larger group without feeling like claustrophobic. The menu is pretty extensive but stick to the basics. A few in our group had steak then complained it was dry (really?... you're in a SeaFood place!). The Shrimp Cabonara was outstanding but brought out a tad cool for my liking and the place was not busy at all. No excuse for serving anything less than hot food!! Still, this is a place I'd rather dine at than say, Jakes Crawfish, just because it's easy to get in and out of, and there's plenty of room to stretch out. When it's light out, the views are fantastic. In the winter, you won't be able to see a darn thing.
(4)
Anne M.
OMG! This was my second time at Salty's, and I am hooked. From now on, I will book my flights to land here for lunch or dinner before heading to PDX. I had Damien's Dish, a special for the day, and it was a delicious combination of halibut stuffed with crab and shrimp over garlic mashed potatoes. Others had the cioppino, the lobster roll, and a good looking sandwich. There is a great wine list, and I had the Rainier Cherry (Baileys and cherry-flavored vodka) for dessert - really helped those pre-flight jitters and was a great drink besides. My daughters split a chocolate satin dessert that was also very good.
(5)
Paul P.
We had heard much of Salty's and were eager to treat ourselves. It's a mixed bag. I would like to rate Salty's higher but the food just wasn't there. First, the setting is of course exquisite. Service was excellent. And the live Jazz was great. Seating, the table next to the window had cold air blowing on us. We asked about it to see if the temp could be adjusted. We were offered another table but would have had to give up the window. We stayed. I think they turned the temp up a degree. Appetizers, we had the trio of shrimp, calamari, and crab cake. All were good and the crab cake was great. Main courses: We both ordered a cup of the world famous chowder. I'm sorry to say it was a bit disappointing. Heavy on the thickener (I think it was potato instead of flour). It was a bit gloppy/pasty. My wife had the shrimp carbonara. 2 shrimp on some pasta for $23. She said it tasted good. I had the scallops wrapped in prosciutto. It was just OK, a bit salty and dry, and the tomato bisque on the bottom was very salty. Desert: we shared the chocolate silk pie which was very good. Pricing was quite high for the mediocre quality food. We might return to sit in the bar and listen to music and watch the river but will probably pass on dinner. We have read much of the brunches and might try one some time but we are now a bit cautious of Salty's.
(3)
Matt K.
Was here on business with a large party, so I'm not sure how expensive it is? But the view is very nice. Food is excellent, ambience is just a little "busy". Enjoyed it, but I'd probably want to try out other places if I were in Portland again. Probably would have enjoyed it more if I had been there with friends, not for work. I'm sure I'd have ordered three times as much.
(4)
Gena L.
The Sunday brunch is insane. Approximately $40 gets you bottomless food that spans everything from a chocolate fountain to lobster. $5 also gets you bottomless mimosas. The brunch lasts from 9am to 1pm. Can't leave this place any other way but fat and happy. Views of the river are nice and the waitstaff is helpful and check back often. My mimosas never reached the bottom without a waiter topping me off again and again and again. I only wish I didn't get fulll so fast!
(4)
Jennifer F.
Business brought me to Salty's on a chilly Thursday afternoon. We had a table of about 15 people and for the amount of people we had, I'd say it was fairly speedy. Very accommodating with our large group. Good HH prices and frosty beverages. Overall, excellent. I'd definitely go back!
(4)
Alane D.
Breath taking views! Lobster roll was very good and tasty salad. Very good chowder. Super place for our first lunch on this trip to the Pacific Northwest.
(4)
Garry W.
Here on business and this Resturant was recommended by the hotel I was staying. Ended up eating here twice in one week! Great views, great service, and the food was out of this world! Wine is from the region and a good selection.
(5)
Nicole P.
Came by for our Anniversary meal. the location is a bit out of the way and we wouldn't have been able to find it without the GPS. We got a balloon and a piece of vanilla mouse cake (free) for celebrating there. Our table was overlooking the river which was nice, but it was so dark out you couldn't see much. I had the crab legs with green beans and a potato cake. The potato cakes were out of this world, the crab legs were cold, but the green beans were defiantly fresh. The lobster bisque was really nice and creamy. My boyfriend had Cajun prawns with asparagus and potato cake. The prawns were nice and large with great seasonings. why only 3 stars? i thought for what they were charging the ambiance might have been a little better, and we had a great waitress but it seemed informal ... for the amount we were paying. Dinner for 2 with wine, soup and 2 entrees was $98. It was a special occasion and the food was good, but didnt blow me away and the atmosphere is nice but not upscale or romantic.
(3)
Sean S.
Almost Perfect, the only knock was the Halibut special my wife ordered per great waiter? Wasnt cooked well...But with that said? The reservation was easy, restaurant was on time, sat us upstairs overlooking the Columbia River in a perfect spot.Waiter was extremely friendly without beeing phony? Appetizers Oysters were a 10, Chowder was a 10, Pinot was a 10....My Steelhead was a 10..Halibut was a 5...Dessert was great, Cappucino was great and waiters pace was awesome...
(4)
Ken V.
We had a perfect first visit during the Sunday brunch. A great range of options featuring a strong selection of seafood. Promptly seated on time (with reservation) and had exceptional service throughout. An otherwise gray skyline broke a bit and showed the riverview. All in all, a great Sunday event.
(5)
Lindsay L.
This review is for brunch only. This was my first time heading out to Salty's for brunch and a girlfriend and I had been looking forward to it for weeks! They offer bottomless mimosa's (Wycliff Sparkling) and an all you can eat buffet. Our server, Austin, was fantastic bringing us hot towels with my crab-hands were icky, clearing our crab bucket with it got full and overall delivering the best service I've had in awhile.
(4)
Ran B.
One word - disappointment. It's not BAD food, just not good one. Compared to the alternatives (e.g. Benson hotel "London grill" champagne brunch), Salty's just doesn't deliver. It breaks down to two types of customers: Those who aren't super interested in sea food - for them there's almost nothing to eat. Omelet, some bad breakfast meats. Those who really like sea food - for them the sea food is bland and not interesting. All in all, I wouldn't come back here, and coming the first time was a mistake I now regret.
(2)
Shayne B.
OK, so I try to find things wrong with Salty's since it is just over my travel per diem allowance for my company. The problem is every time I go to Portland I end up there and I am always glad I went. It is not downtown, so for those staying out by the airport the location is perfect. Lots of easy parking too. Go downtown and tell me you don't appreciate easy parking. Most importantly the food is great. Try the crab macaroni and cheese for lunch. You'll have too much and get dinner or a late night snack out of the deal. All the dishes I have had there are great as were the appetizers. The service is pretty good and the atmosphere is nice with a lot of windows looking over the river. The happy hour is call/well I think because you get brand name drinks at call prices. So I'll go back and spend $55 for dinner and end up paying the extra $5 and the bar tab myself. It is a great place
(4)
Marjorie L.
Perfect day to sit on the patio and enjoy the beautiful view! Great dinner with friends, all of us liked and enjoyed our entries. Our server was excellent, happy and fun! NIce small party with my friends.
(5)
Timothy L.
Sunday Brunch Endless lobster, create your own crepes Even bottomless $5 mimosas Sad they dropped the early bird rebate
(4)
Heather D.
Dinner was great, wine was fantastic, view of the river was lovely. What more could you ask for with your $68 lobster? I really enjoyed my dinner at Salty's and cannot make one complaint about my food. My friend and I both chose fresh crustaceans out of the tank, I had crab named Hans (I like to name my live food before having it steamed with garlic. It seems only right) and he had a large tasty lobster. While little was lacking in my dining experience, this place could use some serious updating. The decor is rather dated and the place feels kind of like the inside of a boat themed restaurant from the 70s - minus the actual boat theme. I am also not really sure what was going on down by the window area, but there were balloons tied to every other table - thankfully not mine or there would have been a POP POP sound disrupting dinner for everyone else before I would have even sat down. The price tag on the menu connotes fine dining, but the interior doesn't reflect this at all. The menu offers sides of roast potatoes and vegetables (as I recall), but the waiter let me know I could substitute most of the sides. I went with the asparagus and the mushrooms. The mushrooms were the real stand out dish here. Apparently someone in the kitchen is a woodland forager and brings in local fresh mushrooms for this dish. I believe the night I was in the plate had some super tasty chanterelles, oyster mushrooms and a third variety whose name escaped me somewhere around the 3rd glass of wine. Speaking of which, I hate to pour my own glass of wine, in a restaurant. The angle from the table is never great and the waiter had been by a couple times so I feel like he could easily have taken care of this minor detail. Other than this he was very informative, accomodating and attentive. I have heard the place offers a pretty great Sunday brunch. I am not sure I would choose this place first for a high dollar dinenr again, but for brunch I'd check it back out.
(3)
Ryan P.
Three stars because of the long service. Took one hour for just salads and one appetizer. 15 min for drinks to come. Hour 1/2 before our food was brought to us. I got one if the specials and not really pleased with the price and quantity. For what I got should have been about 10$ less. My fish was cold but too hungry to complain. The potatoes were not real tasted like instant. The best was the cold seafood appetizer with shrimp shrimp and crab. Other than that I still prefer jakes famous crawfish by far and for the price.
(3)
Olivia T.
Try the Sunday Brunch! I have tried the famous Salty's Sunday Brunch three times and it never fails. Third time has been the best because of the Christmas decor that added to the ambience (oh yeah and because I was celebrating a milestone anniversary!) I love the no-fuss high-quality customer service. I never had to ask our awesome waiter for refills on my unlimited mimosas and he came by timely and provided a warm towel as we were chowing down on seafood. The food selection is amazing, but I rated the brunch 4 stars because they longer include mimosas in the buffet price. Now you have the option of $37.99 or $42.99 (with mimosas). Overall, if you like seafood buffets or are looking for a nice place for a special occasion then Salty's is the way to go!
(4)
Andrej B.
Phenomenal fresh seafood, have to try any steelhead special and the mixed seafood plate. Great views right on the river.
(5)
Maile A.
This place was recommended by the Hotel we were staying in. We knew it was "pricey". We don't mind paying for good food, but everything we had was bland, dry and so disappointing. What did we have? Mixed mushroom bruschetta, coconut shrimp, salmon with asparagus, mashed potatoes, cajun fish, "mango" sorbet that tasted like orange sorbet. My meal of salmon, asparagus and mashed potatoes tasted as if they had been cooked hours ago. For $104 ($120 with tip), we could of had a much better meal at Red Lobster of Outback Steak House. It was extremely disappointing. The only reason I gave a 2 star rating is for the spectacular view.
(2)
Julia H.
Food was great, martinis were perfect, nice wine list, nice service, beautiful view at sunset, however, if you have outdoor seating and an average entree is $30ish dollars, please clean your deck off!!! The plexiglas was gross and complete with forehead-grease-smudges and long hairs plastered to it. And the dust, pollen and SPIDERS that were hanging out between our food and our view about made me want to run the other way. Fortunately, we had a 4-top table, so we could scoot away from the multiple spiders working on their webs! But I suspect other diners weren't as lucky. C'mon Salty's - it's not too hard. A few hours before you open have a staffer get out a hose and spray down all the plexiglas so you get rid of the spiders, and then invest in some Windex! Clean both sides of the glass for best results and we may be back to enjoy the view and the tasty food. Your ghetto deck gets a dive-y rating from me!
(3)
Jesse S.
Saltys food quality easily matches the best Oregon view on the Colombia River So great to be here!
(5)
G C.
I was excited to go to Salty's tonight. We've been before and the food was very good. That was about a year and half ago. Tonight, most definitely not the same. The food was the quality of a retirement home, or a Sizzler's. I had the lobster stuffed halibut which was so-so. Not much spice and I did not really taste the lobster. The mashed potato's were not good at all and most of them stayed on my plate. My husband ordered a NY steak. He ate 2 bites of it and stopped. The look of the steak was not appealing at all, as was obvious by his face. I tasted the steak and did not like it either. I let our waiter, Andrew, know about it. Our waiter was great and none of this review is directed at him. We gave him a good tip, as the food is not his fault. He did let the manager know. She came to our table and congratulated me on something....ummmm....wrong table. Then we told her about the steak. She apologized and asked if my husband wanted anything else. He did not. She took $25 off the bill. So I guess he spent $25 on a piece of potato. Nice. I can grow several acres of potatoes for twenty five bucks. In any event, we will not be back to Salty's. It's on our list of 'never eat there again' restaurants. Jakes is far superior to this, even though it is also a tourist trap. But still far better.
(2)
Kel S.
Food is ALWAYS tasty. Service staff has ALWAYS been friendly, attentive and helpful! My only complaint is that it is so popular that the noise level gets so loud that it's difficult to carry on a conversation...but if you're there to eat and drink, who cares, right?!
(4)
Julie T.
I have an uncle who insists on taking us to Salty's for family get togethers. So, I've been there several times, and I've tried plenty of the dinner entrees. I've also had a variety of appetizers. The one thing I can't get over is that I have always found that the food just didn't justify the prices. I mean, eh, it was ok, but I could honestly take it or leave it. I was always interested in trying the seafood dishes, but I must ask, why is a filet $45 dollars? Last time I was there, the kitchen ran out of bread too. Try feeling good about paying for a several hundred dollar meal after you've been told after asking that the kitchen is out of bread.
(2)
Amy H.
We came here with my husbands parents back when we first got engaged (Aug 2010). We requested a seat up on the balcony (highly recommended). Amazing food, beautiful view and the staff are incredibly helpful. I recommend the crab mac and cheese, to die for. The cream they make is literally the best I have ever had.
(5)
Ken B.
One star for the view , another for the service .the rest a total rip off Happy hour for who ? Not the clientele , quantity and quality better at macdonalds. A waste of time and money . Shame on you Saltys
(2)
Flora R.
What stands out the most about this Salty's location is the hospitality of the staff. Everyone is so courteous and friendly. I don't eat seafood or anything that lives in the water, but there are menu items for people like me. Everything I tried was fresh and of high quality. I'd like to go back someday to try their Sunday brunch.
(5)
L E.
I came back on Yelp to update a review for Salty's, but couldn't even find the reviews of upset Valentines customers... weird.. at any rate... after contacting management, I did get a response and they really took responsibility for the issue and sent out a gift certificate. I really appreciate that.
(3)
Jeff B.
Love the seafood chowder!! Gorgeous location too! Their Sunday buffet looks incredible, but a bit pricey at $35 per person. The interior is decorated with a tall model ship and several other fisherman style decorations. Very rustic, but in a tasteful manner.
(4)
Caroline P.
I was very disappointed with my meal this evening. I ordered the honey glazed coho salad. Although the glaze was good and the fish was nicely salted, the oil that the fish was seared in was not hot enough, so the fish had absorbed quite a bit of oil and was not crispy. Also one section of the fish had a "fishy" flavor suggesting it had not been iced properly. The warm fish was placed on a ball of chevre on top of a pile of unevenly dressed arugula. The arugula, about half of which was yellowed or blackened and slimy with age, wilted with the heat of the fish. Under the warm fish a spoon of cinnamon candied pistachio nuts was hidden. The nuts were soggy and the cinnamon was an odd and unappealing companion to the fish. Finally, the promised peaches in the salad were canned! It is mid July and there are lots of ripe peaches and nectarines in the grocery store so I couldn't believe they would select canned peaches over fresh. I don't know why this restaurant gets good ratings. I have not had a good meal here the three times I've been.
(2)
Jonathan S.
Very disappointed with brunch today. We had visited the Salty's in Seattle on our first trip up there and came away with a positive view of the food. We thought we'd give the sister location a try. The quality and the variety of the food is better in Seattle. Some of that can be explained by the cost difference, but I'd rather pay a little more and come away satisfied than pay what I did and be frustrated. In general, the food was just too bland. The crab legs and shrimp were water logged. Even the horseradish for the prime rib was woefully mild. The desserts were a bit of a disappointment as well, nothing was worth the calories. Our waitress was good and attentive. We also had a great view from our upstairs tableside window.
(2)
Ryan G.
Love the setting here, especially the patio on a nice day. Service is excellent and food is prepared well. I recommend bringing enough money to get everything they have to offer to the fullest.
(4)
Heather R.
Where, oh, where can I find more of those chocolate mint heart tartlets... divine, delicious, decadent and a lot of words that haven't even been created yet! Cheers to the creator!!
(4)
Tore L.
To go is available! Yessssss! Fresh fish from the coast mmmmmmm
(5)
Margaret M.
Great place. Beautiful setting, great service and we all enjoyed our food. They had no problem giving us all separate checks, since we we all on our own expense accounts. The bruschetta was different from the norm but really good and worth a try.
(4)
John G.
Just there last night. The front desk service was prompt and pleasant. We had a reservtion and they were right on it. Food was very good. I would go back in a second. There are a few issues they need to iron-out for the good of the restaruant. Our waiter tried hard but desperately needs training. Time and again he blundered through the service. The one issue most troubling was our food was luke warm. Clearly it sat in the kitchen awaiting his arrival. There just isn't a good excuse for cold food. We decided to just eat it as he was so scattered we feared never seeing it again. A couple of issues for managment...if they read the reviews. He picks up water glasses on the drinking surface rather than the stem. Just gross and a basic training issue. One other classic. He stops by our table to see if we want anything else with an armload of dirty dishes...that he places on our table while talking. So, I am staring at a pile of someone's dirty dishes. Again, just basic training lacking. It was not a busy night so really no good reason for the troubled service. Notwithstanding the issues we will go back.
(3)
Ashley C.
Brunch on a Sunday is always nice, buffet on a Sunday is even better. All you can eat and mimosa drinks for $40 is what we attempted to conquer; there were lots of casualties but all happy ones. Free valet parking, nice view of the Columbia River, and all the food you can stuff. Two words: food heaven. If I wasn't so full I think I could have stayed and become foodmatose for a day. Although the food was okay, the experience made it fun and the food better brcausr you're simply eating your heart out and not necessarily about the texture, quality, etc. We had the nicest, nicest, waiter - Austin. He was great!
(4)
Michael L.
Salty's has a nice location and a good reputation for quality food. The staff is very nice and the food is only average. The upstairs area is very noisy.
(3)
Dean C.
I have eaten here almost every time I am in Portland great food fabulous view worth your effort to find this place. The seafoods are fresh and service is attentive.
(4)
Rick W.
Best brunch buffet in town. Nee additions: pizza station and sushi. The sushi should be avoided if you love sushi - bland and dry. Good for beginners maybe.
(4)
Jeff V.
I have been here only twice and I was waiting to write a review after we attended their buffet brunch but I wanted to be fair and get something up for them in the meantime. We had gone there for an event and they really took care of all of the patrons. The staff were very friendly and the food was quite tasty. On a nice day be sure to sit out on the deck just watch out for the cottonwoods that are flying around during the summer as they will attack your beverages and food. It can be kind of fancy, but it you know a PDX fancy, not a Beverly Hills Fancy.
(4)
Heather K.
I first heard of Salty's at Yelp's Bossanova Ballroom Bash a few weeks ago. Salty's had a table set up where they were dishing out cups of their awesome clam chowder with a gift certificate to get you to check out their restaurant. The gift cert was in a sealed envelope with a value between $20-$100 off dinner. The catch is that you couldn't open the envelope and learn the value until after the meal when you're paying the bill. My boyfriend and I decided to have a Salty's date. He loved the chowder from the Yelp event and after reading their menu online, it sounded amazing. Parking is tight, but the view is great. Unfortunately it was raining & hailing while we were there, but we were lucky enough to be seated at a window overlooking the river. Eddie ordered one of the salad appetizers from their brand new fresh market menu that the waitress explained had just been published that day. The salad came with four scallops served on their shells which was a neat presentation. Eddie then ordered the cedar plank salmon and I ordered the cheeseburger (with a few modifications) for dinner. The salmon was a smallish fillet when you figure you're paying almost $30 for the plate, but Eddie said it tasted really fresh. Unfortunately, I was really unimpressed with my burger. The portion was huge (seriously looked like 3/4 pound of ground beef) which is usually great, but it was totally overcooked. Granted, the waitress didn't ask how I wanted it prepared, but I think it's safe to assume that burgers are cooked to medium unless the menu specifies otherwise. For me, if I'm going to pay $16 for a burger, it has to be perfect. The bun was good though. It was some kind of a kaiser roll... My only other hangup with the burger is that the bacon was not flavorful. Bacon is piggy yumminess... Not sure how it can lack flavor, but somehow it did tonight. But the beer battered fries were great! Salty's only gets three stars from me tonight because while the atmosphere and service are spectacular, I think the food is just adequate - pretty good but way overpriced for the portions and quality. I probably won't be back for dinner (unless I have another one of their gift certificates), but I'd be happy to return for happy hour or their famed brunch. $5 bottomless mimosas sound great! Maybe then we can turn this into a 4-star review.
(3)
Andrew A.
The Salmon Caesar salad is highly recommended. The salmon had a crisp sweet coating that's just delicious, but the salad could have been more favorable. Also tried the Seafood Chowder which was better than average, they offer a dash of cream sherry which was nice. Service was great during lunch, but had to wait awhile for a menu. Word to the wise: don't go on Valentine's Day or special holidays
(2)
Road Warrio R.
Great place for dinner with fantastic view of the river. You will not be disappointed. I'm coming back and trying the Sunday brunch.
(4)
Gabriel M.
Very good. I liked the one in Seattle better, but this place is definitely of the same breed. Good local seafood combinations. Had the cioppino with the crab. It was quite scrumptious, and I was licking my fingers at the end (but mostly because it was kind of messy with the grab and broth). It was definitely some of the best crab I've had, and it seems like they approach everything with that degree of selection.
(4)
Renee J.
WOW! So many thoughts! My brothers came into town with short notice for Thanksgiving, which was wonderful. My job... to find an awesome place for brunch/dinner. I took suggestions from friends & cross-referenced reviews. Salty's got the best of both. The Thanksgiving brunch at first seems spendy.. $49.99, but! the outlandish spread is so worth it. You not only get their full blown crazy-good brunch, but they add all the traditional Thanksgiving fare. Carved turkey, ham, roast beef. the best gravy I have ever tasted & a crab meat-mac & cheese I still don't believe exists. add to that.. bottomless champagne or mimosas, yummmm AND.. pretty darn perfect seating. almost every seat is a window seat featuring the shoreline of Washington on the Columbia River. We got the added bonus of being seated by a huge tree a Bald Eagle frequents, which we were treated to his/hers comings & goings for our entire brunch. The service was incredible.. friendly, attentive, professional. Bottom line... I would highly recommend Salty's to anyone...cozy couple time,out-of-town visitors, girlfirends who lunch or a great family get-together for a delightful, casual, unforgettable brunch!
(5)
Alethia B.
This was the best restaurant by far that we patronized during our visit to Portland. The food was fantastic; the wine/beverage list extensive and good; the view was unbeatable; and the service was impeccable. We tried to go back, but alas, it was mid-afternoon & the restaurant was closed. My husband and I definitely recommend Salty's!!!
(5)
Trent G.
I'm late in making this review but the family and I stopped by Salty's after landing in Portland for a week long vacation along the coast back in mid October. Had a great lunch. The clam chowder was good and the grilled tuna fish sandwich was pleasing. Nice scenery along the river. Looking forward to eating here again before flying home.
(4)
Jane S.
consistently great view, but food can be hit or miss. Good place for brunch for family celebrations, and the staff always seem nice.
(3)
Sarah R.
Supposedly the best brunch around. We ate here for fathers day and had the 215 pm seating. They screwed up our reservation, thinking we had a party of 10 they seated us upstairs as far away from the food and view as possible. After a little complaining they moved us to a more appropriately sized table in the main dining room. (there was only 6 of us seated at a table for 12). The all you can eat buffet was full of crab, shrimp, oysters and other seafood delicasies. The honey Dijon turkey tenderloin was to die for. The waiter was very attentive and always made sure our mimosas were full. I would go to the brunch on a non holiday.
(3)
Rick J.
Came here for their breakfast buffet a friend of mine talked about. This place has stunning views over the river, but I was I bit "sticker shocked" at the price when the bill came. It is a buffet, meaning unlimited food, and tons of food they do serve, but how much can one guy really eat? It was OK food for the price.
(3)
Alice T.
Never again. Made reservations for a party of 23 on Mothers Day to celebrate that, a family reunion, and a graduation. This reservation was made the day the bookings opened up-first week of April, I believe. I was called a few days before to confirm my reservation. The day of, the hostess confirmed 23 people to be seated. When we were seated, there was only enough for 21. So, time was spent clearing another table and finding seats for my guests. I mention that because our waitress mentioned our 1.5 hr recommended stay during our meal. I feel they did a terrible job and overbooked too many people. Sunday "holiday" brunch at $49.99 for 23 people was a total rip off. I can't believe I paid that much per person when most of my guests only had one plate of food because the lines were long, food ran out, and the plates were super hot, it was not easy to handle. The guy preparing one of the table side dishes was bitchin' and complaining about how there was too many people. The prime rib guy gave such thin slices. My brother, who loves prime rib, wanted to tell him "come on now, i'm a big boy!" Are you kidding me? One thin slice of prime rib? Aiyayayai! The dessert area was sorry. I love desserts. I was so disappointed in their selection. It is so unlike me to come back to the table without a plate full of desserts. I only had the almond bar and a meringue. So disappointed at this place. We looked forward to it for months. Just a bad experience. This party of 23 people will probably never go back to that place again. I've already shared this experience with my coworkers as well. I made this place sound so good to my guests because I've been to the Redondo beach location and I've seen it through their website. $49.99 per person, I thought was going to be high end food, great selection, decent lines, and appropriate slices of prime rib. My guests were so disappointed and felt sorry for me that I shelled out cash for a mediocre brunch experience. They need to make some changes to how they book for holidays. I also filled out and mailed their survey cards along with my email address for them to contact me. I haven't received a response back.
I came here for a lunch meeting and I have to say....WOW! Great job! I have been here before but it was many years ago. The view was awesome and the food was excellent. The staff was very accommodating and friendly! The prices are a little on the high side BUT are well worth what you get!! Highly Recommend!
(5)
David R.
Great food, great staff, great views. It's a little spendy but it's well worth the money. I have eaten here many times and it is always consistent. It is always good and the staff are always prompt and friendly. The menu is creative with inventive items as well as old standbys. Be sure to save room for dessert! If you are in the mood for a nice dinner you should definitely drop by
(4)
Todd R.
Great service. Great views of the Columbia river activity. Very good seafood. I had the steelhead salmon cooked on cedar plank, giving it a sutle smoked flavor that was amazing. Can't wait to go back for their famous brunch.
Awesome Sunday Brunch Buffet. Sundays anytime on the river is a very nice place to be and Salty's just make the experience all the more pleasant. Their brunch buffet is just spectacular as there is tons and tons and tons of food. From fresh fish, to landlubbers fair to standard breakfast items, its all there. Sit and eat to your harts content. Drink bottomless Mimosas. We spent hours at the window table in the middle of Fall. Buffered from the elements we lavishly sat back and watched the life on the river that cold, rainy, early Sunday morning. A very enjoyable, relaxing, and fulfilling experience. Don't get suckered into holiday dinners!!!!! (Only TWO Stars.) Although the Sunday Brunch is the best thing ever.... Do not go for the Thanksgiving Dinner.... We were very disappointed at the selection of food that day. The dinner was not even close to the brunch. It was crowded, Overpriced, slow service. An expensive way to keep from making holiday dinner.
(4)
Randy Z.
1. make sure you have a reservation. 2. second floor by the outdoor windows is a great spot.3. hard to find anything that isn't really very good ...salmon is out of this world...so is the chowder...4. worth the trip....great value.
(4)
Christine D.
The river view is what attacted me to this restaurant. Right off of Marine Drive you have a lovely view of the Columbia River. The seafood was great. I had the salmon special of the evening and it was fantastic. I even had some left over to take home. I enjoyed the 14 hands Merlot as well. From a nearby vineyard in Washington state. It was my birthday and they were happy to place balloons on the table along with my reservation. They ask up front if its a special occasion which is a nice feature. I look forward to another trip back to this restaurant.
(5)
Tet W.
This is a nice seafood restaurant on the Columbia River. The food is fresh and flavorful, but is a bit expensive for the portions you get. The quality is good but not outstanding. I did enjoy my surf n' turf dinner and the lobster I had was a nice size and succulent. The service was excellent and friendly and the place is a nice place for a date night or a special night like Valentine's Day Dinner.
(4)
Michelle D.
We had a large family gathering (15) at Salty's last Sunday evening. We made a reservation and got right in. The food was great and our waiter did a superb job of making sure to accomidate the requests of the group. We were seated upstairs. What a great view of the Columbia river! Just stunning! I enjoyed the clam chowder with the reccomended creamed sherry!!!! Very great combo! Also had the crab louie! everyone left full and happy with their choices! I will diffenatley return next time I'm in Portland!
(5)
Catfish F.
Nice atmosphere, over priced mediocre food! There are plenty of other restaurants in Portland that cost half the amount and serve a great meal ;)
(3)
Emily G.
Nearly perfect evening! My birthday dinner was great, the ambiance was perfect, the service devine! My only complaint is I felt the crab legs were overpriced for the quantity. Romantic and great views!
(4)
Dave N.
SUPER EXPENSIVE but really tasty! All-you'n-eat Buffet... so if you can put away a few plates of brunch, you get your money's worth! Lovely atmosphere, cheerful waitstaff and cooks (whom you see mingling around refreshing the buffets). A little slice of wonderful worth splurging for once or twice a year! The only drawback is all the frowning Republicans rolling up in their gigantic SUVs-- eww.
(4)
Todd M.
We've eaten at Salty's several times but this is the first with their new chef and menu and we had mixed results with the food. First the service. It was Excellent! From the moment we walked in to when we left everyone was very friendly and helpful. We've always had good service but this seemed notably better. Now the food. We had a NW Sampler Bruscheta which was excellent. The local wild mushrooms were over the top succulent and melted in your mouth. We also had a warm Brussels sprout salad that was prepared and seasoned exceptionally well. Then the entrees....two of our three meals included mashed potatoes which I would say were at best similar to instant but not as light. I had the special which was a stuffed chicken breast. The seafood and sauce that made up the stuffed part was outstanding but unfortunately the chicken was severely overcooked and under seasoned. The two other meals we had were also mixed. The steak was excellent but the roasted vegetables that came with it were unappealing. One odd thing that struck me was a seemingly scant offering of seafood, at least compared to the old menu. I could be wrong but it seemed as though the bulk of the offering used to be seafood and now it's about a third of the menu. I've always thought of Salty's as a place for good seafood. We'll probably try it again as things change and some of the food was great. Menus sometimes need to be tested out and maybe we were there during that stage.
(3)
Elizabeth D.
Went last week to celebrate our anniversary. Food was amazing! They definitely make you feel special if you're celebrating something. Had a table upstairs next to the window. Why 4 stars instead of 5? Unfortunately, had a table of 6 extremely loud men sitting nearby. I couldn't hear my husband who was seated across from me. After an hour, they finally left and I could hear again. Maybe next time, we'll make reservations later after the business crowd has left.
(4)
Stacey O.
AWESOME location... GREAT service and terrific food.. what more could you want?
(4)
Santino A.
Amazing dinner!!!!! The clam chowder was the best I've ever had. Service was excellent, and the view of the Columbia river was breathtaking. Their seafood is to die for! Desserts were also amazing, especially the chocolate brownie pudding. An excellent place to go for a special treat in Portland.
(5)
David P.
We went to the Oregon Food bank to help with a couple dozen folks from work, we sorted enought food for 10,000 meals. While in the area, never over this far, we stopped in at Salty's on the Columbia river. I found the directions from yelp and was really excited to see one place close by I wanted to try. Thanks for all the information on yelp. I knew what I wanted before I hit the door. It was quiet and not many people inside yet. We had Rebecca as our server ( professional, should be a certified trainer for other restaurants) and she did a great job, nice, quick and kept all the tables in her station properly refilled with beverages and even checked in on us after our first bites to make sure everything was they way we liked it. I really enjoyed my soft shell crab sandwich, loved the fries and the seafood chowder was spot on! Thanks to the kind hostess for seating us in a great section. When we come back to try dinner, I am going to ask if the same server is available. You should too!
(4)
Monica M.
Clam Chowder 4 stars. Oregon Salad 4 stars. Ceviche 3 stars - I doubt I'll order the ceviche again.
(4)
Susie K.
Lots of good seafood at their brunch. I was actually surprised that the quality was very good. I never expect good food at a buffet, but this place was good. It should be since it's expensive. They have a brunch happy hour too. It offers decent savings. I like saving money! The desserts were good as well. The shrimp were kind of watery, but everything else was good.
(4)
S B.
Basics: Real Food, you know the kind they serve with a napkin and fork. Close 2 airport so great for business traveler who would prefer to skip the fast food and yet the scenic kinda place that you can hang with a friend or roll with a date. Ya, I am a Fan
(4)
Mark D.
This place is a high end place. Its good I came here for work and didn't have to worry about what the cost was and what I ordered. I was with a coworker and we started with an appetizer of oysters. Those were ok. I do prefer them warm versus cold but still were good. Then I decided that I wanted to get a steak rather than seafood. I chose the top sirloin that was an 8 oz and it included mashed potatoes and some sides. The initial bread before the appetizer was ok. I like it warm if I could have requested that. I did like the steak a lot. It was juicy and the flavor was great. I like my steak medium. It came out and I ate every last bit of it. The dessert that I ordered was some type of apple turnover with ice cream. I never had anything like it. I was so full from everything else that when I got it I wasn't sure if I could finish all of it. I eventually did and it was awesome.
(4)
Yee Gan O.
Another great find on my recent trip to the Pacific NW on vacation. I had typed 'fish restaurant portland' into my search engine and Salty's came up. With the promise of a great location and views over the Columbia River, I was sold. I was blessed with good weather, which is not always a certainty in Portland, I gather from the locals. By the way, the 5 star rating comes with a few provisos. The brilliant weather meant I was able to sit outdoors and enjoy the spectacular location. It may be different if you sit inside without the view but there are large windows overlooking the river. Secondly, I love planes and wasn't with anyone else. Salty's location right next to Portland International Airport meant a constant stream of planes taking off overhead - I enjoyed watching them but conversation would have been very difficult with the noise - again this could have been much less indoors. I was determined to have some seafood while visiting the Pacific NW and went for the tower of fresh seafood. I enjoy seafood best like this, allowing the natural sweetness of the seafood not to be masked by other flavours. The seafood was well presented on a bed of ice and came with some interesting dipping sauces which complemented the seafood well. There was mainly shellfish as well as some 'cooked' delicacies such as smoked salmon. Everything was beautifully fresh and tasted of the fresh sea. The staff were friendly and efficient and helped give me directions back to the freeway - if you're not familiar with the area, make sure you ask because it's not as well signposted as it should be. I went on to explore the Columbia River Gorge after the first taster at Salty's. I would return on future trips.
(5)
Jane K.
Our family went for a special occasion. We made reservations 3 weeks in advance and told the restaurant that this was a special celebration dinner. We chose Salty's for its positive reviews and it's location. We were disappointed by both. The atmosphere and food felt like we were on a cruise ship that was long overdue for a renovation. Despite our advance reservation, we were place in the middle of the restaurant with a lovely view of the staircase and absolutely no view of the Columbia River.
(2)
Andleeb D.
Had a great evening with my husband at Salty's. We sat out on the deck and watched the sunset. The food is fantastic! The only thing I didn't care for was the inattentive server. We had to stop him and ask for bread, then other things. We'll be back, but we'll ask for a different server.
(4)
Belly R.
Salty is great for cocktails on the patio while you watch the sun go down. Over a lovely fruity foofoo drink you can laze in the breeze admiring the scenery: from boats, jetskis, and kayaks to hawks, heron, and geese. On cooler nights be sure to bring a jacket as the wind can whip through leaving you a tad chilly. While the menu has a few standout items, like the Halibut and Bernaise over Mashed Potatoes with Asparagus, the meals can occasionally be a little hit or miss compared to other Portland seafood establishments. The appetizers have never failed to disappoint, such Coconut Shrimp, Calamari, Dungeness Crab Cocktail, and the utterly sinful Crab Artichoke dip which features massive pieces of crab smothered in cheese to be piled on top of fried pita slices or thin cucumber sheets. Another drink, please! This isn't a place to eat if you are in a hurry. I've heard great things about their brunch though I honestly have not made it there during brunch hours. Stay a while, savor the nyum nyums, and make sure you stay long enough to digest some dessert such as the Fresh Peach Shortcake with a nice cup of decaf. It's a suitable place for celebration of special occasions such as birthdays, which will score you a lovely White Mousse Cake on the house. Don't expect to get out of here for dinner and drinks for less than $100. If you completely gorge yourself, you can also stumble a few yards east and walk on the paths alongside the Columbia River to work off those extra calories or cocktails. It's a nice place to take visitors to Portland, parents/family, or dates.
(4)
Betsy B.
This review only pertains to happy hour. We went there today and sat on the deck. Great view and our waiter Charles was very nice. We tried a great many things to get a feel for the seafood. We wanted to do that before we came back and spent $50 on one meal. So my husband got fish and chips that he really liked, salmon cake that was nice and moist and blonde ale that he really enjoyed as well. I had the calamari that was too spicy, clams that were pretty blah and had little flavor and yummy flatbread with prosciutto, goat cheese and argula. We also shared the coconut shrimp which were awesome and a good ceasar salad. So all and all the food was good, not great. Really glad we tried the happy hour before going straight to the expensive dinner. I've heard the brunch is good so we will probably give that a try.
(4)
Melanie J.
Great customer service and fabulous seafood.
(5)
Dan G.
Everything I've ever had here has been excellent! Salmon over creamy rosotto, yum! Also try seafood chupino!
(5)
LaQueanya H.
Clam chowder with lump crab on top with a splash of sherry and fresh pepper! Yummy!!
(5)
Margee L.
My husband and I went here for our Anniversary. I was originally really excited about ordering from the main menu, as they have great seafood. However, my hubby got there a bit before I did, and went up to the bar. It was Happy Hour time, so he ordered both of us drinks. The drinks were terrific! Someone else posted here that they were watered down, but they must not have had a good bartender, because ours sure weren't! After looking at the regular menu, both of us ended up ordering off the Happy Hour. It was MUCH cheaper and looked just as good. Anyway, their halibut fish and chips is as good as I've had anywhere. The calimari had this WONDERFUL sauce. I don't think I've tasted anything as good with calimari before. We got the chocolate toffee crunch cake for dessert. Yumm!! The only complaint is that I ate WAY too much! I'll definitely go back there for Happy Hour again. :)
(4)
Kristen M.
I took my fiance here for his birthday back in May '09. I was able to make online reservations and was also able to request window seating (which I recommend). When we arrived, not only did we have the window seat requested but there was also a balloon on the table to acknowledge his day. The menu is pricey but we were both very happy with our meals. I ordered the pan-seared scallops and without reservation I would say they were the BEST scallops I have ever had at a restaurant. They were melt in your mouth tender and very tasty. I would recommend this restaurant for special occasions and for the seafood lovers!
(5)
Bob W.
Having driven a cross-country road trip from Colorado, arriving in Portland and going immediately to Salty's was the fulfillment of a dream as I feasted at sunset on Dungeness crab and sipped a fine Oregon Pinot Grigio. I have never been disappointed at Salty"s, the food, service, people and setting are unique. This is an any occasion restaurant and therefore lively and noisy and happy. Go there!
(5)
Rachel M.
Really gone downhill. Just left happy hour. Though the patio was busy we had pretty lame service. We had to flag down the waiter to order food, and not once were we checked up on. I ordered a last glass of wine and paid with cash, then had to ask for my change as the server walked by without a glance. The last sip of wine had cork and sediment that filled my mouth and the pit in the bottom of the wine glass. All in all a sorely dissapointing experience.
(1)
Maly S.
Sunday's Brunch Buffet is so worth it for $40.00!! Everything is good!! Bloody mary bar. Alaska crab, crawfish, oysters, salmon, crepe bar, chocolate fountain, and more! This was the best buffet I have ever been too. And I have been to Rio's Buffet in vegas. This place beats it, because of the quality of the food.
(5)
Phil B.
After a rousing time at the Sextant next door (cheap pitchers + same view), our party of four decided to patronize Salty's for a Proper Meal. We came late (around 9:30 pm) and were perhaps a little under-dressed having spent the afternoon hiking in the Gorge. We got the feeling that seafood was their "thing" so we ended up ordering two cedar plank grilled salmons, one of their signature salmon dishes (slightly smoked and tasted like it had a sweet barbecue glaze), and an order of calamari. Oddly, I think I liked the deep-fried calamari the best, it was kind of zesty with a spicy sauce. For $25 pieces of fish they were small and unfortunately forgettable. Maybe that's a little harsh. I liked the subtle flavors of the aromatic cedar and the fish seemed fresh, BUT... $25 for a 4-oz piece of fish? Really? Did it evaporate whilst being cooked? I think I'll come here again for happy hour to give them another chance (it was the happy hour hype that got me in the door here for dinner). Nice view and the other patrons looked well dressed which made it feel a little more serious than it was. On the way out the door there was a fellow in an expensive suit with an expensive-looking wife who took his time getting out of our way. I believe I was an entire foot taller than him, lol...
(3)
Dennis O.
Great view of the boat docks and the columbia river from the outside seating area. The menu has a good variety of choices and the food is good. The pricing is reasonable and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Everyone we encountered greated us with a smile. Upstairs is more dining, a lounge and a three piece acoustic band.
(4)
Jacob L.
For Sunday Brunch, this spot is amazing!! We called ahead well in advance to make a reservation for Fathers day, as we had a special request (downstairs), and ended up changing our reservation the night before to include an additional guest, and the manager made it all work for us. We pulled up and enjoyed free Valet (never in LA!), and our table was ready before our reservation time (again, never in LA!) so we got seated right away. Set our stuff down, and went straight for the buffet line. If you pay good money for buffet like Saltys, you have to get the most out of it, so go straight for the fresh seafood. Crab, Salmon Locks n Bagels, Salmon Benedict, oysters, clams, be sure to grab it all! I was very surprised that everything was well stocked, and anything that was out was replaced within a few minutes. The fruit was also very fresh and crisp. Our mimmosa's were also refilled often and poured stiff. Our waitress was around often to keep us topped off and keep plates cleared, but not too often where it feels invasive. Oh, and the dessert was a perfect way to end the day, especially the chocolate fountain. Overall, it was a great Fathers Day brunch! Be prepared to spend some $$$ for brunch, but it's entirely worth it.
(5)
monica s.
The hotel I was staying at suggested Salty's. I was surprised to see that it was in the middle of nowhere. Due to the location I started to think maybe this place isn't that great. The parking lot was empty which isn't a good sign but hey I was hungry! The hostess quickly seated us right next to the window. Since we got such a great seat I started to warm up a little bit to the restaurant. I ordered the chowder and halibut and chips. The chowder was very good and so was the halibut and chips. I did not like the fact the times restaurant closes. I found that to be an inconvenience. It was not the best seafood I have had but I thought it was pretty good. Prices could be a slight bit lower.
(4)
Megan G.
Their Sunday Brunch was pretty good. Their hot plate of items seemed a bit out of date (not old but not all that creative) though. The AYCE seafood part was nice and they had every topping imaginable for your pancakes or waffles. And who doesn't love a chocolate fountain for desert. My issue is that it isn't worth the price. Just down the way on the WA side of the river there is a brunch buffet that is half the price, not as many choices and no chocolate fountain but same great view, better parking and still great food. We will not be returning to Salty's. Sorry.
(3)
Pete L.
I had Sunday brunch there a week ago -- my experience was positive overall: the buffet food was significantly above average, there were abundant quantities of fresh Dungeness crab to eat, and the service was excellent. I would be hard pressed to compare the quality of brunch at a buffet to be on par with that of some of Portland's finer restaurants (Beaterville, My Father's Place, Besaw's, Stepping Stone, Cafe Bijou, etc.), but as long as what they're offering is to your palate, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a meal with a wide latitude of options. I'd also note that I felt this was of better value than Benson's, which seemed to have more of a "precious, old-lady" quality to it.
(4)
derek c.
Food are okay, but not everything is good. Service is good but view is not ad well as it advertize
(3)
Quynh b.
If I were rich, I would make weekly trips to Las Vegas to enjoy their buffets. But since I'm not, this will do. I come here for he AYCE crabs, literally. OK, the crabs and oysters. Oh, the dessert bar too. Minus two star for ALWAYS PUTTING A TIME RESTRICTION on my dining experience. I understand they have to say it so no one spends the whole day there, but I usually only take an hour to eat anyways. By having the host give us a time restriction it just dampens our dining experience.
(3)
Robin L.
The view is well worth a visit but the food is pretty awesome too! I had the oysters to start and today they were from British Columbia and were fabulous! My main course was the 5 cheese crab Mac n cheese and was very rich and yummy! The prices are steep but well worth the visit! I am from out of town but would definitely be a regular!
(5)
Thomas W.
Perhaps I am biased, because a company I worked for that was going out of business took me to Salty's and paid for a truly extravagant night of great food, better drinks, and I never once saw the tab. Perhaps, however, that gives me a more objective point of view from which to accurately rate my meal without associating cost (which I am assured was, sadly, considerable.) Considering we just ordered two of every appetizer on the menu, I feel justified in stating that you cannot go wrong with any of these choices, though the raw oysters on the half-shell were by far my favorite; fresh, ice cold and with just the right amound of sodium, these were a delicious start to the night. The rest went by in a blur of amazing tastes, Chivas Regal, and wines so aromatic that I can only guess how old they were. That said, the appetizer course alone was amazing, and the chefs at Salty's should be commended for setting just the right tone for the meal. My meal: a delicious rare steak topped with dungeoness crab, was beyond perfect - cooked to a savory, juicy consistency on both ends and combined to form a truly decadent and unforgettable main course. Throughout it all, the waitresses never stopped coming back to check on us...and while I am embarrassed to admit it, they waited on us hand and foot (figuratively speaking). I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Salty's, and hope to make it back there in the very near future!
(5)
Jocelyn L.
"Pan-seared scallops were tasty with a little spicy kick. Great location; wish the restaurant was a little more "updated" in ambience and decor..."
(3)
Michele F.
Salty's is only A-OK if you make it for Sunday Brunch. Any other time or day is just blah. They've lost their zest. 4th of July was horrible and I wish I could say differently. THE BRUNCH is the best and only time to go. They better change it up fast, or be forced to do brunch on Saturday and Sunday. No restaurant can survive alone on brunch.
(3)
Tim D.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic! Went to New Years brunch with friends. The seafood was incredible. All you want of crab, crawfish, shrimp, lox and smoked salmon. Two types of Eggs Benedict. Wonderful desserts. Inexpensive? No. But worth every penny! Check it out. You deserve it!
(5)
Courtney D.
Salty's rocks for brunch I wouldn't choose Salty's on the Columbia River for dinner since its seafood is fairly average for a big price tag, but the brunch is more than worth it and a lovely, overall experience on the water. Don't let the $25 per person brunch price keep you away. With choices like fresh crab legs, made-to-order crepes and omellettes and mimosas included, you'll more than get your money's worth. If you're a seafood lover, you'll eat up the fresh oysters, mussels and calm chowder. There's also the usual brunch faves like biscuits and gravy, ham, prime rib, country potatoes and an assortment of homemade desserts and pastries. If that's not enough to convince you, there's a cascading liquid chocolate fountain. Need I say more? I'm not much of a buffet person, but this one rocks. Tip: Don't go on a holiday weekend such as Easter or Mother's Day. It's very crowded then, and you'll wait in line even longer for made-to-order items.
(5)
Kimberly V.
Best ways to prepare for brunch: Elastic waist band, if you dare. Pledge to pace yourself like a considerate young man on prom night. Except instead of sex, the deferred payoff is total stomach overload too soon into the morning. Buffets are like the orgies of the food world. Allow yourself 15 minutes in between lusty food to mouth contact. Sit near the huge windows overlooking the Columbia River and scenic waterside Vantucky (hi Gabe!). Count the speedboats and speculate on the number of drunken boating accidents per year. Read the damn labels. It may cut down on your pig out time, but it's worth it when you dip into the mousse only to spit it out a second after because it's riddled with killer peanut powers. Save your condescending attitude about the lady with the five full crabs on her plate, sitting predatorily near the buffet line, for when you are safely at your table. Try to shake off that pesky hypocrite feeling as you cruise over for your third course. Bring boxing gloves to throw down for crabs. Brings lots of cash. At 30 bucks a head and a server who does a whole lot despite not taking your orders, this is not a budget place. Drink your complimentary mimosa. Mmmmm. Everything is beautiful with one of those, isn't it? Laugh your ass off at the table aiming for an award on the Hot Chicks With Douchebags website. Things NOT to do: Be a vegan. Not gonna like it. At least mimosas fit into the limitations. Let your table companion elaborate on how the local salmon population could be saved if we just shot all the sea lions hanging out near the dam. This is not an argument that sane people should have. Ask for balloons, run into the freak rain storm, and set them free. It's terrible on the environment. But they just looked so happy, you know?
(4)
Mark B.
It was a seafood night out. Was gonna go to the original McCormick and Schmick's downtown but the wife thought we were going to Harborside. Ended up going the long way and back to Salty's. I've been for brunch, it is okay. The cold crab legs make me mad everytime. Every other place I get crab legs they are pipping hot. These are iced cold and supposed to be. Not my cup of tea... Back to the review from tonight, we had no reservation, told it was gonna be 30 minutes, it took 15. Add a plus there, they'll need it to recover... Noticed that there were several open tables, concluded they have a server shortage. Our food took 30 minutes to arrive after we finished with our salads. (This ain't gonna be good.) I ordered a steak and the seafood chowder. I like my steak well done every time, keep the pink in the grocery store. However just about every place thinks well done means charred, no that is not true. (Outback can do it perfectly every time but their portions keep getting smaller and prices higher.) If I don't think a place can do it right, I'll order it medium well and close my eyes while eating the little pink. The steak was bland, i.e. without spices and I think I saw a little blood when I opened my eyes for the few minutes. The seafood chowder was fine, not great, just fine. On to the service, our wait of 30 minutes after finishing our salads was inexcusable. I asked for au jus and worchestire when ordering. I get my steak with just one, the presenter has no idea which one it is. The waitress later tells me they didn't have au jus, -1 for that. They forget my wife's vegetables, another -1. The presenter makes a mistake on which salmon my wife got, and they (the waiter and manager) ever so gently start alluding to him being a brick. -1, don't badmouth your own employees. It took another 15 minutes after we were done to get our check. For $91 for 2 people our food or service should've been great, neither was. We're going to try Jake's Grill downtown next time.
(3)
Abbie P.
The happy hour here was aaaamazing. I had the fish and chips and a blue moon -- nothin' fancy, but boy was it delicious! My friends got the coconut scallops and another got the cheeseburger and everyone raved about their choices, so two thumbs up! The dessert is also to. die. for. I had the Grand Marnier Cheesecake which is a personal cheesecake with oreo crust, and a dark chocolate ganache and somewhere the grand marnier comes into play, but either way it was actually mouth watering good. The best part of our trip, I think the whole table would agree with me, was our server, Jaramy. He was just the best. He made our experience entertaining, smoothly ran, and wonderful overall!
(4)
Carolyn M.
The prices may scare you away but be brave! We had the seafood pasta which had a good sampling of shrimp, halibut and salmon over orzo pasta. It was quite good. I split the mammoth king crab leg dinner with my wife and a Caesar salad. The chef split the meal for us and boy was there plenty. The mashed potatoes were pretty darned good, too. The view was great; riverfront Columbia. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgable. I'd give 5 stars if the seafood selection was better. There weren't many shellfish offerings other than the crab.
(4)
Mark B.
I like the view, service, and the dishes I selected for a dinner visit. Came for my first lunch at 11:05 today and was told no seating until 11:15. What dork thought up that? I was treating 3 guests to lunch and you don't want our money? Went to Famous Dave's BBQ instead where they were the recipient of our 126.74 tab. I'm a fan of your place, but not of your stupid lunch policy.
(4)
Laza G.
Go here about once per year, their buffet on sunday is amazing. My father in law loves their crab legs and the kids love it there cause they also have lots of pastries and such
(5)
Joan F.
Happy hour here on a beautiful February afternoon was pleasant, affordable and boasted stunning Columbia River views. I can understand the reviews calling Salty's touristy and mechanized, but our happy hour experience was delightful--cabernet, salted caramel coffee, fries with pork belly chunks and an honest attempt at a fish taco (glad I only ordered one). Dinner here is probably over priced for food quality and prep, but happy hour prices are a good solution to that. And the view was stunning. Let's not discount that. We'll be back for future happy hours.
(4)
Scott M.
Been going to Salty's on and for 15+ years and the quality of food and service has been consistent. Atmosphere is always good and quality has been good in my experience.
(4)
Chelle Y.
Went to lunch here with my mom while she was in town. Even though I've lived in Portland for 8 years, I'd never been here. Both craving seafood, we decided to check it out. We were seated on the top deck with a view of the marina next door, it was warm but there was a nice breeze. Outdoor seating includes a glass wall with lower panels that can slide open to allow for airflow depending on conditions. There are also heating towers and every table has an umbrella so you could pretty much sit outside all year unless it was raining. The restaurant itself is huge but warm and welcoming. There is lots of art, all the indoor tables are set with crisp white linens, gleaming silverware and candles and everything is super clean and organized. Service was impeccable and I noticed that all the servers were attentive and courteous--very professional. We ended up ordering salads--the Dungeness Crab Louie for me and the Warm Seafood Salad for mom. Mine was delicious but mom (who has owned and managed restaurants and catering companies her entire life including my grandparent's steak & seafood restaurant in Fort Worth, TX) raved about hers saying, "this is the best warm seafood salad I've ever had--including the ones in New Orleans". On both dishes, the seafood was perfectly cooked. We finished with the Key Lime Tart (normally on the dinner menu but you might get lucky at lunch). The crust was flaky, crisp and filled with a wonderful Key lime filling and topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut. Placed on a shmear of lime zest creme fraiche, there was plenty for us to share. When it was time to pay the bill, the server was prompt and we didn't have to wait. Overall it was a perfect dining experience and I can't wait to go back. Prices are beyond reasonable for the quality but if you're on a budget, they have weekly specials such as Monday Fish & Chips night for $10. What a gem!
(5)
Jayson C.
Came for Mother's Day and the buffet was pretty spectacular. Priced well and we had a small group and got seated fast! My wife was a few months pregnant at the time and we were looking to start a tradition.
(5)
Andrew T.
If there was ever a 3 1/2 star review this would be it. The atmosphere and views are tough to beat and well worth the full star. Very family and group friendly. The service is solid and worth a half point. Must complain that the last time we were there the main course came as we were in the middle of our appetizers. The waitress asked if we wanted them to take it back and keep them warm. We declined and kept the dishes. The manager made sure that he offered any deserts we wanted for the mistake. I have been to Satly's twice and the food is solid but not over the top. My guests fish was undercooked the last time and they took it back and cooked it more. Other places would have offered a whole new dish. Splitting hairs to a certain extent. So in conclusion - you need some solid seafood with amazing views Salty's is your place.
(3)
Stephanie C.
Went for Saturday brunch buffet & was not disappointed. From the dungeness crabs, to the fresh oysters, to the shrimp, and to the assortment of breakfast foods (benedict, bacon, lox, & more) -- everything was delicious and fresh! Service was great too! And did I mention there's a chocolate fondue fountain?? Plus there was an awesome view of the bay! Because they take reservations, it doesn't get crowded and it feels classier than your normal seafood buffet. Definitely going back and getting the bottomless mimosas next time.
(5)
Q A.
Been here many times for their Sunday Brunches. ( see my tip on the fact that their brunches are getting more and more expensive over time) Definitely worth it, IF, you are into seafood like I am. Still, it is more expensive then the other Salty's locations, for brunch prices. ( Salty's in Washington are cheaper, for their brunches) As for dinner, I have to agree with Tet W that it is pretty expensive for what you get. Portions were small, plated beautifully. The temperature of the food when finally brought out, suffered for this. See our pics of our dinner. We spent over $450. Was it worth it? Sorry, but no. Sadly, won't be back for DINNER, even if it's a special occasion. There are just so many other fine dining restaurants in the area that makes you feel like you've got what you paid for. (dinner)
(3)
Adrienne F.
We came here in a Saturday and were lucky enough to experience the buffet. I am not usually a fan of buffets but WOW! Everything was so fresh, the restaurant is very clean, and the food was so flavorful! The bottomless mamosas were incredible and the staff was on top of topping us off. I highly recommend Salty's to any seafood lover!
(5)
Flory W.
We live in the area, we've been here several times a year, but this is the 1st time my review is SHOWING UP, and yes I've given reviews here before, so could it be that they've been deleted? Or just in my dreams! My family have attended brunch, like Mother's Day, even Father's Day, and my husband have come by just for lunch, when we wanted to get away from the city, just to enjoy by the river. My husband had this delicious large Cannelloni pasta stuffed with salmon/carrots sprinkled with shredded cheese. I just called them up, and the lady @ the accounting (who honestly said she doesn't eat that type of foods, it's possible they've discontinued it. I also had seafood avocado salad, and sliced eggs. Was also very good. Both photos looked delicious, even though I have no idea what they are now.
(4)
Von A.
If you don't feel like driving downtown to one of the cool/hipster restaurants, you could stay around the airport and still have a decent meal. However, this place is in need of a makeover. Although the place was clean, a lot of the decor just seemed so dated. It was still a good place to have a business dinner, or have a special occasion. Came here on a Thursday night, and the parking lot was full - to the point where i needed to park on the side of the road with the other cars. You could opt for valet parking - but when you see the prices on the menu, you'd probably be glad that you didn't. I loved the clam chowder - it was dressed with some kind of creamy cognac, and had a good balance of spice, and creamy goodness. I literally could and should have gotten a whole bowl instead of the small cup. A good thing on the menu, is that it seems that there are a lot of seasonally appropriate ingredients. I got the very autumn appropriate Steelhead dish which had butternut squash mash, and creamed kale(?). The creamed kale was disgusting! It was tough, and rubbery and chewy - this should be improved upon.
(4)
Sean P.
Great food, great atmosphere/location, pricey.... Did I say pricey? Just go expecting to drop at least $200.00 and you'll have a lovely evening. Amazing seafood, great staff and customer service. Beautiful spot to take friends and family for special occasions or visiting company. Did I mention pricey? Try the baked Alaska you won't be disappointed. Really yummy!
(4)
Michael H.
I would have given them six stars but yelp won't allow me. Great place with a huge variety of flavors!!! Chilled Tastes are outstanding and the oysters were absolutely fresh. Asked for a arugula salad which isn't on the menu.. But I like arugula!!! And they made it no problem and it was a very good salad and the flavors matched very well. This place is outstanding all the way around. You have to try it! You won't be disappointed!!!
(5)
Kyle A.
First time to Salty's and it was pretty amazing. I'll start with the price of Easter Brunch - $55 bucks. We checked in with our family of seven. The staff was very well organized for today's big event. We quickly got seated and the server was top notch! The drinks never got low, the coffee was always hot and he kept the dirty dishes away so we can keep stuffing our faces. I've been to many buffets or whatever you call them and leave saying " meh, it was OK or that was decent" and always upset for the cost of those, OK ones. BUT.... this one is for real! Endless top quality seafood, endless eggs Benedict, omelettes and fruit. You'll be paying a little more but it's not like your doing it every weekend. You MUST try this one.. You'll be very thankful that you did!!!
(5)
Rebecca C.
Went here for Easter brunch for the first time yesterday and I was pretty happy walking out of there. I treated my stepmom to brunch and we had a great little table looking out over the river and our waitress was amazing and we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The food was about 85/100 which is why only 4 stars. The price would not be worth it if you don't eat seafood. Specifically, crab legs. That's where you get your money's worth. Perhaps the prime rib and carving stations too, but really, the money is in the crustaceans. The good: the crab legs and seafood, the lox, the crepe station, the prime rib, the dessert. The ok: the rest of the food. It was what you would expect from your typical buffet, the eggs benedict was ok (and anyone who knows my review knows I am a benedict snob), and really the hollandaise was tasteless. The bacon and eggs and shrimp and grits were all fine. The lentils and lamb was weird (that's probably just me though). The biscuits and gravy were actually pretty ok, but I couldn't eat more than a bite because of all the things to waste stomach space on, that was not it. The made to order crepe station was good, I do love me some sweet crepes. Overall, I don't know that'd I'd pay to come back again anytime soon, but if someone else was paying I totally would. Oh, also, this seemed really good for families that were celebrating in larger groups.
(4)
Bob K.
The view was great. The service was great. But the food was just ok to good but priced like it was great. So that is the short of it. We were a group of 7. Surprisingly most of the non-sea items were good but the fish was ....eh. Fish and chips.... the fish was dryish. oysters ok. King Salmon ok. Rock fish... ok. Barbecue Salmon... ok. Chiopinno was ok. Fried Shrimp ok. The salad and soups were good. One of us wondered if the restaurant does not try to make really good food as people will still come for the scenery, which was a great view of the Columbia.
(3)
E C.
Salty's is a ripoff and a half. The food is expensive and the portion size would not fill up a flea. I ordered the Halibut for $52.00 and receive a 2 once portion and a very small potato cut up in slices to add insult to injury. If you like to eat there be ready to stop somewhere else so you can get full. This is not a place to eat if you are hungry. I would recommend you drive by Salty's until they learn that people work hard for there money and want to receive a full portion for $52.00. My Brother ordered the 12oz Steak for $70.00. It looked like a kids portion. Salty's should be ashamed of themselves for ripping off the public. No wonder the dining room was mostly empty at 9:00 PM Friday night. I would recommend fast food over Salty's pathetic portion size. Wish I could give this place no stars. They deserve it.
(1)
Bridgette D.
Definitely a 5 in my book. Everything tastes fresh and the service is great. You can't beat the fresh local seafood with the beautiful scenic view this place has. You should certainly be prepared for a $40+ per plate meal but it's good quality food. I'd recommend you make a reservation but go if you have the opportunity. I would go back in a heartbeat. I guess I'm officially vegetarian and not Vegan now since I ate fish here and even had myself a slice of peanut butter pie! Vacation's got me feeling defiant! Enjoy folks, I did!
(5)
Ele F.
This place has a great view of the Columbia River, nice beverage selection and great service. I wish I could be as complementary for the main dishes. The Rockfish was too sweet for a blackened dish. The Kale sprouts were over salted and fried in something that diluted their flavor. Due to the price for these dishes ($32 & $12 respectively) I expected a top level taste. Didn't happen. Our server, Jaramy, was very professional and attentive. If you go, ask for his section. This is a nice place for happy hour.
(2)
Paul S.
The Happy Hour here is awesome. I haven't been here for a regular meal before, not sure if I have the right clothes to wear to that sort of thing even lol... But the Happy Hour here is truly one of Portlandia's far flung gems.
(4)
Brian S.
Went to the brunch on Saturday of Father's Day weekend. The food was good and the atmosphere was delightful. My complaint was the price / value. The brunch cost was $50 and it was an additional $10 for champagne. There is no way the average person eats anywhere near $50 worth of food. I'd love to go back but won't at that price. They need to lower their price $5-10 to make it a better value.
(3)
Maggie L.
Love the atmosphere here and the view. We came here for my birthday/ Valentines day brunch. I am a valentine's day baby. Service was excellent they even valet our car. There was no wait and the wait staff got us to our table immediately which was next to the window. Their brunch buffet was excellent they even gave me cupcakes for my birthday.
(5)
Kolten L.
My wife and I enjoyed brunch here last weekend for our anniversary. The service was great from the call to make reservations to leaving the restaurant. When I called to make a reservation they politely asked if we were celebrating an birthday or anniversary. Thought this was a nice touch and had confidence in that they were going to make our celebration special- which they did. When we arrived and checked-in they wished us a happy anniversary right off the bat. We were quickly seated and a couple balloons were tied to my wife's chair. Our 2 year old was with us too and quickly snatched the balloons to play with. Our server came over and offered us drinks. My wife was able to get bottomless Mimosas for $10, which we agreed was a great deal. Our hunt for food began. Everything looked awesome! They had everything from fresh sliced prime rib to mac & cheese to crab legs and oysters. My wife lovvvves oysters and with how spendy they are at most places... $40 for a buffet that included unlimited of them is a steal! This place definitely appealed to all three of us. We returned to our table with plates overflowing with goodness. Throughout the meal the server checked on us and topped off my wife's Mimosa glass. Everything about our experience was exceptional- the view, the food, the drinks and the service. We plan on returning for her birthday. Hopefully they have enough oysters for her and all her oyster-loving sisters!
(5)
Brittany H.
Get ready for a food coma, because Salty's brunch buffet is nothing short of spectacular. Unlimited mimosas, two types of crab legs, every type of mets and seafood you could imagine -- all incredibly fresh. And guys. There's even a chocolate fountain. The service was top notch, and so was the view. We went during the holidays, and on top of tons of festive decor, Santa himself even stopped by to say hello. Not sure if that's why the place was so crowded, but it probably wouldn't hurt to make a reservation.
(5)
Barry S.
The view is beautiful. If you go at sunset, sit outside. It's quite lovely. But you can't eat the view. This was the third time we ate here... and the last. The food is outrageously overpriced. The fish is uniformly overcooked. $35.00 for what looked to be less than a 1/4 lb filet of salmon. For these prices, I'd expect the shrimp to be better quality than the frozen Asian variety. Never again!
(1)
Gina R.
I loved it traveling alone for work not wanting room service I branched out. Bar was booked for a special event I had no choice but to grab a table the staff was amazing, the food was delicious, and I had the best clam chowder ever. Highly recommend
(4)
Jamie J.
Gotta try their Brunch and mimosas! Yummm
(5)
Dean S.
Came here for Sunday brunch birthday celebration for the wife. As soon as we walked in and checked in everyone wished my wife a happy birthday , from the hostess to our server, which was very thoughful and made her feel special. We did the $10 bottomless mimosa's which they refill right in front of you assuring your champagne/Oj ratio is on point. The food was awesome!! great selection, fresh crepes, pastas, and eggs stations. Prime rib was great aswell just bummed they didnt offer any au-jus sauce, but still juicey perfectly cooked prime rib. Great attentive service, dirty plates were picked up immediatly and mimosas and waters always kept full. At $44 a person its a bit spendy there was 5 in our group, but definitley worth it for seafood lovers. We will definitley be back!!
(5)
George L.
We happened to be there for happy hour. Oysters on the half shell were some of the best I have ever had. We sat on the back deck over looking the Columbia. I felt like I was on vacation and left the city. Our server was really nice and attentive. We will go back for dinner soon. If you want to get away and have a cheap lunch you should go to salty's
(5)
Sherry J.
I just wanted to take a moment to tell you a little something about this restaurant. First and foremost I want to thank the employees and their general manager Laura for going above and beyond their call of duty. I presented her with a request for a service that they don't normally offer. My husbands mother had just undergone brain surgery the day before at OHSU hospital and he wanted to purchase a special Maine lobster dish for her after what she'd been through. Not only did Laura come through with this awesome dish but she also had it delivered right to mom at the hospital. She was extremely surprised and loved every bite of it. The Holcombe family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts. You not only gave that excellent customer service, but you provided us with an excellent customer experience!
(5)
Betty C.
Tried their new weekend brunch ....well it is new to Saturday but not to Sunday. It is PRICEY..... very. But it is very good. The prime rib is a bit overdone for me, but the crepes were amazing. Many sides to choose from. I wish they'd let you get au juice when you got your meat so it wasn't cold when the dip arrived. But the selection is really good.
(3)
Betty R.
I think this restaurant is overrated. I don't think their food is that good (maybe the chef think it is) . i couldn't believe how much they charge for sockeye salmon entree (like $37). The dessert is undesirable. Maybe if you really like to try this place, I suggest that you try their brunch (which is busy on Sundays) at least you get several choices and the price is not too bad for what they offer (less than $40/person). I don't know if I will be back to this restaurant for a while. We really had a bad service one night. It was a busy Friday night and we were seated at 8:00pm the entrees were served at 9:45pm. Got a discount for our entrees because of bad service.
(3)
Aaron F.
We took in their buffet on Saturday morning (4/11) to treat my Mom while she was in town. On Saturdays their all-you-can-eat buffet is $39.95 per person (+ alcoholic drinks). Please note it's more on Sundays and additionally on other holidays (Easter, Mother's Day). Pluses: - service was good and attentive - wide selection - seafood, seafood, seafood - the view Minuses: - Outside of the seafood, the execution of the other foods was just "OK" - decor is looking very dated - that price tag If you enjoy seafood (dungeness crab legs, peel-and-eat shrimp, steamer clams, oysters on the half-shell, salt-crusted salmon,etc) you'll enjoy this experience. It's the 'wheelhouse' of this buffet and I think you'll find the high price tag well worth it when you consider the view and the service. Now, if eating all the seafood you can lay your eyes on isn't your thing (like myself) you'll find the food very standard buffet. My omelette wasn't cooked, the eggs benedict were in a chafing dish cold and limp, the prime rib underdone, the desserts were fair. Basically, if you don't eat the seafood you're subsidizing all the hogs bellied up to the seafood tables.
(3)
Devin M.
The service is better than any other place around here as well as the food. The food is the most important thing because it's always gets better and more badass every time you go there!!! I love this place so much, and it definitely explicitly expresses the spirit of a casual restaurant!
(5)
Ryan S.
The Kalamari and view was exquisite! When the main entrees came out took about an hour and food was cold service was great.
(3)
Lacy C.
MUST DO HAPPY HOUR!!! Seriously...after 4:30pm on Sundays its happy hour time! We were served happy hour prices on their patio and ate our full on amazing seafood for under $50.00, with drinks! The staff were really helpful, the view amazing and the food divine! I highly recommend the halibut tacos...you'll thank me later.
(4)
Becky M.
Very pricey, but with this view, you have to expect it. Good food, although the salmon wasn't great tonight, the asparagus was terrific! Really like this place.
(3)
Jillian M.
I have been here twice, once with an ex boyfriend, and once on Mothers Day weekend. Though I didnt have much of an appetite that day the food I did eat was still good (that says a lot for the buffet style they did that weekend). When I went before the food was amazing! The views are amazing if you sit up stairs too. The atmosphere is really nice, and the wait staff was very attentive on both occasions. They are a bit pricey though.
Seafood and brunch, yes and yes! We visited today for brunch and I was very pleased the view was good, the food was great, and the service wasn't shabby. We arrived 1 hr early for it 11 am reservation and they were able to accommodate us with a table and asked if an upstairs table would be okay. Once seated our server offered us the endless mimosas for $10 however we are a dry group and we headed to the buffet. There were 3 stations set up omelets and crepes, pasta, and a prime rib carving station. There were dungeness and snow crab, shrimp, oysters, smoked salmon, you get the picture a seafood lover's dream! There were plenty of other dishes as well but since I went for the seafood that's what my review is about. The dungeness crab was served cold but it was cooked to perfection and the meat was easily removed from the shell and was fresh and really didn't need the lemon or butter I put on it but hey I'm greedy so it was a must! There were 2 types of smoked salmon one was a whole smoked salmon and the other was a filet of smoked salmon I preferred the whole smoked salmon as I could get the filet at any deli back in NYC. It was seasoned well and very firm and would have been perfect in a pot of soup. The oysters were sweet and briny and they were not just thrown out there as an after thought they were selected and had I bought them individually I would have been pleased. The side dishes that I sampled were shrimp and grits, hash, and seafood hash. They were all good however they used yellow grits and the shrimp were in a tomato based sauce which was overwhelmed by the rich grits, different from what I'm used to but it was nice. So it was my second plate that I had the grits and found the hidden prize, a piece of steel wool that had been cooked in. I didn't mention it to our server Kate because she didn't bother to ask how everything was but one of the hostesses did as we were leaving and she apologized for the inconvenience. As we were waiting for the car the GM I believe came out to us and gave us a $50 gift certificate and again apologized and invited us back and we had a short convo I forget her name which is a shame because she was very nice and when I said it was okay about the wool she stated that it wasn't, that was really appreciated and that's what customer service should be about but unfortunately it's quickly becoming a thing of the past in some places but as demonstrated today not at Saltys! All said and done I would definitely return and recommend them to others. I feel that if a buffet is out together with care and thought when generally is just a way too make fast cash then they would surely do a great job with individual meals. I should also mention they had desserts with a chocolate fountain but we were way too stuffed to even consider it. This is a solid 4.5 review and it's only due to our server that I docked the .5.
(4)
Renee W.
View can't be beat. Drinks fabulous. Fish n chips awesome. I didn't care for my tacos or soup .... But may have just been an off day for me. Spicy mango margarita was excellent.
(4)
Cam W.
Probably the best hidden happy hour in Portland. Every day throughout the week there is a special and all the food and drinks are great! If you go to the bar upstairs Jeremy will take care of you with good service and honest advice on the best food to order.
(5)
Emi K.
This review refers to the Thanksgiving special dinner at Salty's. I've been to their restaurant on Alki beach in Seattle, but came here for a thanksgiving dinner with the family. The restaurant stands right next to the water, and on a pretty isolated area of Portland. The Parking lot is definitely not the easiest place to get around, especially when it is crowded. But the food is wonderful. I crave good seafood, since there are not a lot of places that serve really good seafood dishes... and this place always nails it. The thanksgiving dinner is a buffet, which includes unlimited crabs!! I love crabs so it was awesome! They also have ribs, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and all the typical thanksgiving food. They have few choices of salad, bread, pasta, salmon, shrimp, crab, oyster, and probably more. Everything was good, and everyone at the table kept on returning with more food. The dessert table was paradise for me! The chocolate cake, the pies, and the chocolate fountain!!! It definitely was not a cheap buffet, and well worth the money. The waitress was great, very nice, and everyone working there was wonderful. Since we were probably one of the biggest groups there, we were somewhat squeezed in, which made it hard for some of the people at our table. Either way, we had a great time, and was very festive with great food and family. I give them only 4stars since I do think that I should return on a normal restaurant day. But for the Thanksgiving dinner, it was wonderful, wish I could eat more!
(4)
Michelle B.
I went to Salty's while on a work trip to Portland, we were trying to recruit the owners to be on the financial realtiy webseries I was working on. They hooked us up with a table with a view, but that was about it. The food is pricey, but I enjoyed my meal. The salmon had fancy things on it like an apple relish that I just die for. And the potatoes were good! A sure sign of a bad restaurant is plain and boring mash potatoes. The salmon was also cooked very nicely. I wish I got to try the chowder, then I would know how I really feel about this place. But overall it was a nice (and expensive) dinner!
(3)
Susan C.
Great views, fabulous food, top notch entertainment (The Mel Brown Trio). Also superior waitstaff.
(5)
Bill G.
The location is very good, excellent river views and a nice interior. As far as the food; the supporting cast was much better than the main event. The pear/fig salad and chocolate/peanut butter pie were outstanding. My main course of cioppino was a little weak and and they were a bit chintzy with the volume. Some seared ahi came my way that I didn't think was done right. I'd go back if someone else was paying but it probably wouldn't be my choice.
(3)
Chris C.
Very small portions and outrageous prices for what you get. When they served our entree we thought it was an appetizer. My wife had salmon that measured no more than four inches by seven inches and had a drizzle of yellow sauce. No garnish, nothing more. $25? And it was dry and fishy. I had the chicken breast so small that I got four bites and that was it. It was nearly tasteless. The garlic potatoes tasted vile. All for $19? The only good thing was the baby green salad and an interesting view. I would never go back, could never recommend them.
(1)
Brandy S.
Ok - the real reason that Salty's made it above 1 star - Mel Brown! I absolutely love Mel Brown (and the other musicians that he plays with a great too). He is always smiling and really enjoying the music. He doesn't seem like a snooty musician, even though he has played with some of the greatest musicians of our time. He plays here every week, and this should be the only reason that you come. The food was over rated and expensive, the servers were unfriendly and stuck-up, and the air conditioning was on full blast (can't enjoy the food with chattering teeth).
(4)
channing f.
After eating mostly in the downtown area of Portland, we decided to take a 15 minute trip to southeast Portland right by the airport overlooking the river. Salty's Seafood is a huge place; reminds me a lot of the inside of a steamboat. The happy hour is ridiculous. Get ready for the most creamy, mouthwatering seafood chowder you've had in a while. It's amazing how much better food tastes knowing it's cheap and good. The only thing i didnt like which is a big thing was that the decor inside was very old and dusty collecting ALOT OF DIRT but other than that wasnt to bad
(3)
Ken P.
Jeremy our server was the best. Very professional . The view was superb-one of the best in Portland. Too bad the food is not as spectacular. Our specialty houissan chicken dish was very well flavored but the whole plate was very lukewarm - very disappointing where broccoli is involved!
(3)
Wydra O.
Four stars,only because the menu is on the expensive side.A lighter fare menu,(with lighter prices,and smaller portions,,$10-15 range?) may make it possible for more No Po folks to visit more often.That being said,the food was fabulous.Service= excellent (and I'm picky!) Seating was perfect.Wished the outdoor seating was open,if even for a stroll to stare at the water and sky.Always a pleasure to enjoy seeing, and hearing Jof Lee! I love to escape the toils of life with a cup of Jazz, and a perfect martini at Salty's.I'll be back!
(4)
Tiffanie S.
Went for Sunday brunch and it was a great place to go with a group of friends. The price was a bit much, but if you love seafood it's worth it. They have made to order omelettes and all kinds of bread and fruit. My favorite was the huge chocolate fondue fountain. Just make sure not to lose your fruit in it like I did, it's not easy fishing it out. You also get bottomless mimosas, so make sure you bring a DD. Don't order a latte though, at $4 my friend was shocked her coffee was so much while we all drank for free. If you sit on the second floor you do have to walk up and down the stairs to get your food, but it's well worth the it because there is an excellent view of the river. Be sure to make reservations because it gets crowded on a Sunday.
(4)
Alethea S.
We called ahead on Saturday just to verify if we should make a reservation for dinner. As we were planning to arrive before 6pm, the hostess indicated it wasn't necessary. We were shown to a table on the upper level and although we weren't directly next to the windows, the restaurant is open enough that we still had a nice view up & down the Columbia River. Our waiter was excellent. Very friendly and thorough in his descriptions of the menu items & specials. The waitstaff was also good to refill our water glasses often. We started with a bowl of the seafood chowder. Nice smoky flavor, although I would have liked to have more chunks of seafood. As an entree I ordered the CA sea bass special which came with a white bean puree, fiddlehead fern, squash, & morel saute, and crawfish. It was a large portion and the flavors really went well together. I ended up bringing half of it home. My boyfriend had the cedar plank salmon served with mashed potatoes and spinach. It was also very good. The food is not cheap here; average entree price is over $25. However we had the "buy one entree get one free" coupon from the Portland Happy Hour Guidebook so our meal was only $42 plus tip when it would have been over $60. We only drank water but they do have a full bar and a good beer & wine selection. This is a nice restaurant, primarily because of the location on the water, but the food was good, too. It is a bit pricey but worth it for a special occasion or just a nice meal out.
(4)
Jeffrey T.
The thought of having a seafood diner on the Columbia River was enticing. We selected Salty's based on some reviews.Sadly ,the food did not live up to the setting.My wife's oysters were fresh and Topnotch, our expectations were high for the forthcoming courses, sadly we were disappointed. my Cod Oscar was dried out and tasteless. my wife's Cioppino was over cooked.Without us saying a word the on duty manager Laura came to our table, her honest concern and charm, almost made up for the food .
(2)
Margaret S.
Just thought you should know. I will be traveling to Portland (where I have been many times) and contacted Salty's for its well known shuttle service from local hotels. No limitations are placed on the days and times -- at least not on the website. As a single traveler, I guess my business was not that attractive. Anyway, I asked for a shuttle well in advance for a Sat. night. Or even Friday or Sunday, the only days I will be in Portland. Well, at least for me, there is only a shuttle on Mon. thru Thurs.
(1)
Mary F.
I took my daughter there recently for lunch on her birthday. The service was great..no complaints there. The drinks and the wine was just okay, and the food was just okay. I have not been there in a long time, and I was disappointed only in the prices. They were very high for lunch!! I will not go back there again for lunch. For those prices, I would rather have dinner and drinks. I don't want to spend $75 for 2 people for lunch, 2 drinks, a glass of wine....no app's, no dessert....
(2)
matt s.
Travelling on business you don't always get what you want...and I wanted sushi, (lol) but we ended up here. It's a nice place with a great view over the Columbia. I ordered the salmon and a side of two scallops. I thought the salmon was cooked perfectly, but the scallops we're too rare. The service was good, the place was a bit loud, and the prices were what you'd expect for a seafood place. Not really my personal cup of tea, but there weren't any real down points.
(3)
Linnea W.
First let me say we went for brunch which is a buffet. As far as buffets go it was average. My husband and I both found items that were "good" as far as buffet standards go. We interacted with several staff members and all were friendly and helpful. Here is why I am not drawn to go back. First there were flies crawling on the open oysters, the smoked salmon, the ceviche and the cream cheese. My husband and I went through the line separately and we both noticed the flies. We were totally grossed out by this. Second it really wasn't worth the money ($40 per person). Like I said the food was good, but nothing was so good that I had to go back and get another plate full. As for dessert they do have a chocolate fountain with various items to dip in the fountain, but that was all they really had aside from chocolate cake and runny cheesecake. While the chocolate fountain has a novelty appeal, it really isn't that good and the cake bits to dip in it were dry. I saw lots of other reviews about their excellent chowder so I was sure to have some as I absolutely love chowder, but Skippers has better. To sum it up, if I want endless crab legs and other seafood I'll stick to Spirit Mountain, it costs less and I have yet to notice flies crawling on the food.
(2)
J. M.
Went out to celebrate a friend's birthday here a couple of nights ago. Wow! Wonderful views, wonderful food, and a wildly eclectic but strangely charming ambiance. I had the salmon and garlic potatoes that were on special and I'm still craving more of them. It was one of the best meals I've eaten in years. I wouldn't have minded a slightly bigger portion, but only because I'm greedy. I left feeling full and happy. The service was great, and they brought out balloons and a slice of birthday cake to make it celebratory. We had a five-year-old with us and she had a wonderful time too. Seems like they had a great kids' menu, although I didn't actually take a look at it.
(5)
Maggie and Chad T.
So when you see Salty's you think clever by the sea ~ seafood ~ oh yeah i get it! No sorry its called Saltys for the obvious reason they love the sodium! It looked like they may have good views but we didn't get anywhere near the window. Service ehh passable. Food ~ i think I've said enough. Beverages were really slow coming but good. Pretty noise so its worked well for us. Really really expensive for nothing special. I work too hard for money to spend it on that again
(2)
Chris N.
I came here with my parents for the Portland Dining Month menu, which had chowder first course rather than the crab cake that was advertised. Since we were looking forward to trying the crab cake, we ordered one off the menu, and the crab cake was incredibly salty. Perhaps, that's why they're called Salty's. So, though we were initially disappointed, it was better that we got the chowder, which was also a bit salty. The calamari was okay, good for people that like a lot of batter on their calamari. I really enjoyed the coconut prawns, so if you're looking to order an appetizer, I recommend ordering the coconut prawns. The smoked steelhead was perfectly cooked and had a nice smoky flavor, and the parmesan potatoes were pretty good though a few of the potatoes weren't cooked well enough. The cake was pretty good, but I wish there were more strawberries to accompany it. Overall, the food is hit or miss; there were some good dishes and then some underwhelming ones. At their price point, they need more hits. In addition, the service was just okay. Even with reservations, we had to wait a while to be seated. Since their food was so salty, I drank my glass of water pretty quickly, and the waiter didn't refill our waters until right before dessert. Luckily, I drank from my mom's glass. At their price point, I should never have an empty glass. Feel free to call me a snob, but if I'm paying twenty-something dollars for an entree, the service should match the price. The view from the outdoor porch is wonderful, so perhaps you're paying more for the view than the food or service. I think the Portland Dining Month menu is a good value, but I probably wouldn't go back unless I wanted to enjoy the view.
(3)
Gerald W.
After reading the Yelp reviews & talking with locals, I was totally confused. Since it was the closest to our hotel, we went. We were seated promptly in a very pleasant booth. The waitress was informative & congenial without being our new best friend. The food arrived promptly & all were piping hot except one which was only warm. This got us a desert to share. Everything was well prepared, tasty, & except for the 2# lobster, reasonably priced. For the market Salty's serves, it is a very good deal. I think some people think everything should be priced comparable to Wendys & some only post when they are unhappy.
(4)
Rachael J.
Great Happy Hour! Decent drink specials and good menu. I tried the oyster shooters, baby green salad and coconut-flaked prawns. Everyone in our group was surpised at how large the portions were for a happy hour. Salty's has an amazing view of the river from the back deck. Would go back again next summer for sure.
(4)
bridget n.
i have yet to have dinner here but if its anything like their sunday brunch, it truely IS all that AND a bag of chips : ) they get really busy for brunch so everytime we go, i make a point to make reservations. the food is of top quality and they have everything you can think of. waffles, scones, seafood galore, omelettes made to order, and bottomless mimosas...WHEW! i have to make sure to come in comfy pants when i go so i can eat ,eat, and eat some more. if you are a brunch fan, get your toosh to Saltys ASAP and make sure you are NOT wearing your skinny jeans. : D
(5)
Nancy M.
I know now what I want for my birthday. Just take me out to dinner at Salty's! Three of us went to dinner here in September and the evening was the perfect end to summer. We had the fresh oysters on the half shell and wine for appetizers. Excellent. I ordered the signature Cedar Smoked Salmon resting on garlic mashed potatoes along with spinach tossed in a pancetta vinaigrette (the half portion was perfect). My friends enjoyed the grilled halibut special, which was similarly apportioned. The service was attentive and friendly, the sunset and view of the river was unparalleled. If you need your coast fix and don't have time to make the drive for seafood, this is the perfect alternative. Good friends, good food, and a very special time.
(4)
Lisa H.
I came for lunch with a larger group. We were disappointed that we didn't have a better view of the river, but we did get to see the fighter jets taking off and landing close by. The coconut prawns and crab cake appetizers were very tasty. I had the mushroom ravioli, which was totally filling and delicious. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. I thought it was a very nice place, but definitely only for special occasions, as it is a bit pricey.
(4)
CaLiLu H.
This review is based entirely on my brunch experience and I think Salty's is definitely the best brunch in Portland. It's quite on par with the brunch buffets offered in Las Vegas...the land of spectacular buffets. Surprisingly amongst the group of 10 friends we arrived with on a Sunday morning, my husband and I were the only ones who have yet to try this brunch. And I have to say that we were missing out! I highly recommend reservations ahead of time, which we did via Open Table and were seated promptly by 11:30am. I was impressed with the spread and enjoyed plates of fresh Dungeoness crab, buttery clams, flaky salmon and even got a customized omelet from the omelet station. My husband especially enjoyed the oysters on the half shell and we both loved the chocolate fountain where we dipped everything from pineapple to raspberries to the old standbys of strawberries and lady fingers. Did I mention that our mimosas were constantly refilled? Service was friendly, although our drink orders and the check took awhile to come out. For about $35/person, I think this brunch was worth it because of the vast amounts of high quality seafood (kids are only $1.50/year). However, I overheard a few other customers note that this brunch was on the spendy side since they don't eat seafood. So anti-seafood eaters beware...this brunch is not for you! You can get the usual eggs benedict, bacon, and sausage elsewhere. Our group enjoyed our experience so much we are playing around with the idea of a monthly Salty's brunch together and can't wait to come back.
(5)
Tricia W.
Went for dinner...was not impressed with the food in comparison to the price that was charged. Service was slow, but the waiter was apologetic and gave us a piece of cake for our troubles.
(3)
John C.
We went to this place tonight thinking that our out-of-town visitors can try some reasonably priced seafood in Portland - we were very wrong. We were only offered a Valentine's Day "special menu" pricing at around $60-$70 per person. Despite the unexpected price, we still decided to stay thinking that we would receive good service and very good food in return. About the service, service was not attentive at all. Given the price range we did not expect the same service standard as any Applebee's. The only thing the server did was to serve food. As for the food, we also had some very bad experiences to share with. One of us ordered a chicken entree and the chicken was not fully cooked (we even saw red blood in it). Shrimps were comparable to Red Lobster's - blend and nothing special (they were three times more expensive than those in Red Lobster though). Given the price of the food we were very disappointed. If you would like to have some decent seafood, we will definitely not recommend this place. If you are thinking about bring your loved one for Valentine's Day dinner, we seriously encourage you to re-think.
(1)
Melinda H.
Booo, no more Saturday Brunch. :( Worth waiting till Sunday.
(5)
Ann T.
This place is great! We went at Christmastime and had a fabulous view of the Christmas Ship Parade. Just had drinks and apps, which were good (not outstanding, but the atmosphere seems to make up for that in my book). I have heard they have great brunches, so I am looking forward to that.
(3)
Marti M.
Husband man and I out doing business on a Friday afternoon, thought, "Wow, let's go to Salty's for happy hour. What a great way to start the weekend." Man were we wrong. Unlike the Salty's of years ago, the prices at happy hour have skyrocketed - eight bucks for fish and chips, eight for Caesar salad. Husband ordered the shrimp and received two two lonely crustaceans on his plate. Very stingy, I must say. The drinks were the most watered down I have had in Portland. But the worst was the forty minutes it took the wait staff to bring our fish and chips after the rest of the happy hour had arrived. No apologizing, no comping, just a plate of cold deep fat fried fish and a small mound of shriveling potatoes shoved on the table. No matter the view, will not be frequenting Salty's again. Fifty dollars is too much to pay for a few plates and two margaritas that taste like they came from a bottle with the bar tender forgetting to add tequila or a fresh lime. Very sad, since so many happy and delicious occasions have been spent at this, my home town establishment. Husband will no longer be taking out of town clients.
(1)
Jo Ann V.
The brunch is excellent and they added a Saturday brunch, which was perfect for us since we flew back home the following day. I love the marina setting and the 'surf' along the Columbia River.
(4)
Karen E.
This was our second time eating here. The first was a year ago October and we had a really delicious meal and it was well worth the money. The atmosphere was nice, the waitress was efficient and the menus had a very classy look to them. The view is really nice and the location itself is interesting being just past the airport. We were really looking forward to a return trip and were highly anticipating another fabulous meal. We saved this place for a special dinner occasion. The other night we ate there for our Valentine's Eve dinner and obviously the changes we saw and experienced weren't so good, hence the two star rating. We also had a super annoying waiter working the two tables at the window across from us. He had a booming voice and thought he was really clever and it was everything we could do not to shush him. We are so thankful he wasn't our waiter. The other down side was that when the reservation was made it was requested specifically that we sit at the window. That didn't happen, we were seated on the main floor still but across from the window. What was the point of making that request? The reservation was made way in advance so boo to the hostess. The waitress was okay and pretty efficient and brought us our drinks promptly enough though she did almost slam our bowl of limes down on the table. Now the most anticipated part of the evening arrived and I won't keep you in suspense any longer.....we were really let down. The food was just okay and actually pretty bland. Hubby ordered the steak and whole lobster. They didn't have just tails available for some reason. That was 45 bucks for the lobster plus the 46 for the steak. Ouch! His remark was it was just okay. The claws weren't cooked long enough and the tail was almost overdone. For that price it should be perfection. Steak was done just right though so it was slightly redeemed. My dinner was the crab and shrimp mac & cheese. There were tiny teenie shrimp on it I mean micro shrimp and ONE little hunk of crab. HUH? So luckily the waitress brought a gigantic portion of crab for me when I asked. I will never complain about getting too much crab on my plate. But that plate was a hefty 24.95 and for that price there better be at least half a pound of crab on that sucker when it leaves the kitchen and is placed in front of me. Another star removed. Now for the most horrifying realization of the evening. Two stars down for this: the advertising on the menu. Want to get a gift card for Salty's? You are only reminded about this THREE times during your dining experience. Truly garish. For someplace that has such high priced items and to go peddling like that in the menu is beyond comprehension. But wait, if you miss the advertisements on the menu you are reminded by the sign on the table itself or the sandwich board on your way out of the restaurant! I wanted to take a shower when I finally got home. Needless to say we won't be going back. It is such a shame the difference a year can make.
(2)
Jenna B.
I'll describe the food here in one word- salty. Just like the name. The appetizers were ok, we had shrimp and the crab artichoke dip. Instead of tortilla chips they served the dip with 5 slightly burned large pieces of toast. I ordered a seafood dish in a tomato broth and I wasn't too impressed. I picked at it and only had the shellfish and shrimp, it was too salty for my liking. The dessert however, was great. But then again, you can't really go wrong with chocolate marble cake!
(2)
Laura S.
We were so pleased with our dining experience at Saltys. We had not been to Saltys in over 20 years and had forgotten about the wonderful view and delicious food! It was my mother in law's birthday celebration and they treated her like a Queen. Balloons and complimentary (delicious cake!) dessert was not expected and very nice touches. Our view table was incredible. Our food was very good. Sole, Pasta, Eggplant, Gazpacho, Calamari, Bread -- all very good! We will definitely go back for more family celebrations. My only comments for improvement would be to spend some money on remodel. The place is dated and the servers/hostesses are too. Our waiter was wonderful, but his portfolio was held together by black tape and his outfit was a bit too casual. Same with the 3 hostesses who have to work at such a tiny little station. I recommend Salty's spend some $$ and remodel, buy some new linens, and have the staff improve their dress. Also my mashed potatos were extremely boring and almost felt like airline food. But the place is clean, the food is very good and our overall experience wonderful -- we will definitely go back!
(4)
Stephen B.
The service was good. The food was mediocre. Not bad, just not that great. Would look on for seafood in Portland.
(2)
Abe I.
Maybe my high expectations of the seafood based on a recommendation from a close friend resulted in my only "so-so" dining experience or perception there of. I cannot say. I do think that it was only average for what I got and consequently this will not be a dining destination in my future. Nice location on the Columbia River though.
(3)
Julie E.
They had the best Sunday Brunch! The salt encrusted salmon was delicious!!!!
(4)
Tommy N.
I wet to Salty's a couple of weeks back. For starters, this place has pretty good ambiance on a Friday night. They have a band playing and you are overlooking the Columbia River. The service is excellent; however, the food is pretty bad. I had the Crab and bay shrimp mac 'n' cheese and it was terrible. I tried the scallops and somehow they messed those up as well. You are paying premium money for below average food. It's a great place to go and have a drink but I do not recommend the food.
(2)
Andrew Y.
I might be a little generous with my stars on this one, but I think that it is probably really good. What do I mean by that? I don't eat that much seafood, so I didn't really eat everything, but I did eat all of the stuff that was non seafood. A group of us went for brunch here. There was a variety of breakfast and lunch/dinner type food. You could have mimosas, bloody mary's, or what tasted like fresh squeezed orange juice. The buffet has prime rib, ham, omelette station, biscuit, sunday gravy, shrimp bar, crab legs, oysters, salad, waffles, crepes, eggs benedict, sausage, bacon, chocolate fountain, desserts galore and a great view of the Columbia River. The price is $29.99. The tip was a little gratuitous at 18%. Anyway, from the sounds of it, the seafood was fresh and there were even some pearls found in the food. Bonus! Anyway, they have free valet. Make reservations if you have a group.
(4)
patti i.
i was excited to eat in a restaurant by the river and thought it was the same one as we had experienced in seattle. alas,it was not and it was a disaster. we had an overcooked crab for $48. it was supposed to be a 2 pounder but clearly was not. the server said he would rectify it. it was as if they were trying to overcharge what are they thinking??? the salad was blah. the chowder was yuk. the manager was gracious and did not charge for the crab or the salmon which was to replace it. the salmon had some kind of fake bacon taste which made us burp all afternoon. despite her effort, it is passe including the decor, the bread etc. clearly not worth a visit
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner Parking : Valet, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Ashley C.
The summer menu at Saltys is probably the best it's ever been! With so many fresh fish, it's hard to choose just one! The staff is very helpful and attentive! Laura the general manager is just wonderful, and always has a smile! Make sure you sit on the deck! It's the best view in town!
(5)Lacey B.
This place was AMAZING! Seeing as my fiance were visiting from Denver, we were very excited to have some REAL seafood! And we thought the seafood was FABULOUS! Some people on here complained enough that we were questioning whether we should go or not, but I am so glad we did. Waitstaff was super friendly, and live music was awesome. We told the hostess we wanted to wait for a waterfront view and she chatted me up while we waited, which I appreciated. She told me about the brunch they have Saturdays and Sundays, and I wish we'd had enough time to come back for that! The crab legs were HUGE and the Lobster was delicious too! It's not cheap, but we did have two big entrees, drinks and shared 2 appetizers. Everything was so romantic and perfect! I also want to give a special shoutout to Holly. She was so sweet and kind and after she saw me and my fiance waiting for our cab (over an hour and a half), she offered to give us a ride back to our hotel. Thank you so much Holly - you are a wonderful person, and we truly appreciate the help!
(5)Benjamin K.
I had the Chilean Sea Bass and a Green Salad it was top notch the fish had plenty of flavor and the right amount of moisture. The salad had a great house made Bleu Cheese and and crumbles of goat cheese. They also make some great non-alcoholic beverages and have sweeping views of the Columbia River.
(4)Ted R.
Went here for my 65th birthday. Had a window seat on the upper level with a great view. My wife had 1/2 lbs. fresh crab legs and clam chowder and my son had the calamari and clam chowder. I ordered the Cioppino and a bowl of clam chowder. We brought our on CA. wine and had great service. It was a top notch seafood meal.
(5)Jeannie J.
This is probably my favorite brunch place. It is pricey at $53 for adults with bottomless mimosa's, but for the selection, amount of seafood and champagne you can consume it isn't bad. Of course I can't make it a weekly event. I have celebrated many birthdays here (mine and friends), and they always make sure to recognize the occasion. I had my family down for Thanksgiving, and everyone was really impressed and left fully satisfied. The manager is super friendly and always makes a point to stop by the table and say hello. I don't think they have an actual pastry chef, which is surprising considering how large the restaurant is, and the price point. Sometimes they are pretty good, other times just so-so.
(4)J Faith J.
We have eaten here several times and loved the service and food; also the view in the summertime outside on the deck is spectacular:) Tonight we went for dinner and the Mel a Brown Trio jazz music. We shared the dinner of the filet mignon and lobster tale. I was Disappointed in the lobster tale size and half of it was tough... $70.00 for this combo was a bit disappointing although the perfectly cooked green slightly made up for it. Luckily we split our meal and ate most of it, so we didn't waste any of what we could eat. We will give it another try soon,
(4)Christy H.
This is an amazing Portland restaurant that has been around 1978 and is definitely a landmark brunch, lunch, and dinner restaurant. When you first drive up you can the classy service right from the start. Valet parking? yes please! Walk in and you will find an large tank full of live crabs and lobsters and a happy hostess ready to find you a nice spot (go for the window seat!). This place has some of the best views. It is right on the Columbia river. If you are lucky enough to show up on a sunny day I highly recommend eating on the balcony. The drinks here are an attempt at fancy but they just don't seem to hold much booze. I ordered the lemon drop but had to return it because it was too small and way too sweet. Especially for $11. No thanks. The vodka soda was just fine. The seafood here is amazing. I always order the oysters on a half shell to start. The crab cakes are good, as well as the shrimp cocktail. They offer some great tasting options for appetizers if you just can't decide. Main courses such as steelhead, salmon, lobster, steak, and many more! You can get clam chowder in a cup or a bowl. They sometimes have lobster bisque. It is amazing!! Not too rich. Just right. This place has a ton of events throughout the year. They offer fixed priced menus at some of the events. I went to an event here with about 7 different beer tasting stations and all you can eat seafood buffet. This also included a dessert table with a chocolate fountain. It was great. This place is also well known for their amazing brunch! The buffet has every kind of yummy seafood, and breakfast options you can imagine. The fresh crab is amazing. You can get prime rib, omeletes, eggs benedict, oysters, desserts. They have it all! The regular brunch is $44. If you want all you can drink champagne then it is $54. This place is great to bring out of town friends, large groups, and fancy date nights. Love love love Salty's. Will be back soon!
(5)Terry J.
Came by for brunch on Sunday. 40 minute wait but overall a overall a good time. Our server made the experience pleasant. Nice view and a big variety of foods to choose from. Call ahead and reserve!!
(4)Matt T.
Had a fantastic meal here last night, the fresh Vancouver, BC oysters were amazing. I would have to say the best I have ever had anywhere. Had the halibut, pan seared and pretty good nothing special, but the view was great. I was here for a business dinner and my clients enjoyed the food and atmosphere.
(4)Pepper P.
I still love Salty's, but 5 stars is totally not justified in this food-centric town. I've had a number if things here and the only thing that I still love is the seafood chowder. The service is still great and so is the view. I enjoy coming here occasionally and having a quiet drink at the bar.
(3)Marissa T.
Glad I went. For the $$$$, I will definitely not go on a Sunday morning for brunch again. I run by Salty's every Saturday and Sunday with my dogs when we run the Marine Drive Multi Use Path! It always smells so good. We pass it as we're finishing up. We both raise our noses and sniff hungrily at the air as we run by. I did a little research and knew it would be pricey. Saturdays are cheaper than Sundays. Both days have an unlimited Mimosas option! I knew the view would be fabulous since I see it on the runs! I figured, for the price the brunch should be legendary! So not legendary! It's only partially their bad! It is physically impossible for me to eat $44 dollars worth of breakfast buffet food! I'd throw up for lack of space! I hate fish! I'm weird! Who eats fish at 9am??!! There's a huge variety of other food to choose from! All kinds of seafood, a carving station, a crepe station, an omelet station, all kinds of breakfast sides and carbs! A chocolate fondue fountain! I was way exited to see what looked like amazing biscuits with gravy!!! Sadly all of it was BLAH! No flavor no seasoning and all of it needed salt and pepper! Biscuits were still dry and crunchy after sitting in gravy while I drank my first mimosa! Thank goodness for the $10 unlimited mimosas! That made me a little happier! The service was fab! The place was dead when we got there at 9am and was packed and jamming when we left at 11am! I heard the happy hour is good! I'll come back for that! It's really too bad that the buffet is the only option for breakfast!
(4)James G.
Amazing views, great food and service. I thoroughly enjoyed this place.
(5)Tiffany T.
Good view, good food. I hear they do a great brunch on the weekends but have not tried it. Expensive but had a nice meal for a special occasion here.
(4)David G.
This place had very good food and the fish was very fresh. I'm from out of town so I'll definitely come back and visit them again. Good salad and appetizers as well.
(5)Brian C.
I've only been here a couple times, but I found the atmosphere to be excellent, the location to great, and the food was extremely good as well. Each time the service has been fairly prompt. The real treat here is the location on the river.
(4)Jordyn B.
Came here for the first time ever with my boyfriend of (almost) 3 years, because he surprised me and took me here for my birthday dinner. Beautiful restaurant and beautiful location right on the Columbia river. Perfect in summertime and you need to get a window seat for the full experience. Definitely upscale, definitely expensive. However, the food was very good. Started with an appetizer of a crab cake. Although it only comes with one, it is large and good for two people and is filled with so much crab meat. The sauce was tangy and delicious. My boyfriend ordered the crab, and I ordered the lobster. Same price to get the entire lobster as it is for just the tail, so I got the whole thing. Comes with really delicious risotto too (cheesy and rich). Both portions were HUGE and they will detail the lobster for you if you wish. Both were cooked to perfection and were worth splurging to get it once and try. They also gave us a free slice of white chocolate mousse cake for my birthday. Waitress was so helpful and even took pictures for us! Only thing is it took quite a while for dinner to come and is out of our normal price range. However, wonderful! Would recommend.
(4)John B.
The food was good, but the portions small. It's also a bit dated, but I could deal with that as its a well established place that's pretty busy. Service was good, but it was Expensive!!
(3)Robert C.
What a food factory. Went for a special dinner on a Tuesday night and waited almost an hour for 4 dinners. After the long wait, my ciappino was lukewarm. All for $36! Our complaints about the wait time were met with very insincere apologies. In the ultimate irony, there was a pre-programmed discount printed on our bill for "long wait time". Obviously this "long wait time" must happen frequently if there is a pre-programmed note on the bill. On the plus side is the beautiful setting on the Columbia River .
(2)Mana L.
Suuuper expensive... but the food is good. I liked the appetizer crackers a lot! a nice change from bread. Service was great, seafood is fresh and I would go back again for a special occasion. They don't give you a whole lot for the price but quality is the most important thing anyway. Would recommend.
(4)Chelsea S.
The first word that comes to mind is amazing! From beginning to end, the service to the flavor everything was outstanding. My friend and I both got the filet mignon with asparagus with the seafood trio appetizer. We also got the famous white chocolate moose cake which was to die for! This place was hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. So if you haven't gone yet, go!
(5)Christy C.
The food was absolutely amazing. The chowder really was world famous quality and the calamari was so delicious. I will definitely be back.
(5)Lisa S.
Great view, wonderful service, and excellent food!
(5)Sandra C.
Fabulous for a special weekend brunch event location. Nice and quiet in the early morning hours 10am, but picks up a lot more customers toward noon. Come hungry and you will not be disappointed.
(4)One I.
It has been over 7 years since I've been to saltys brunch our waiter Jonathan was absolutely a tute to our needs down to knowing when to bring out hot wet napkins, the champagne was plentiful, background music brought back memories, the selection of foods were wonderful down to their desserts, you can tell by their attentiveness from the staff to the managers that they hire for quality of service not just experience. I would definitely bring my clients in for a business meeting here again. Cheers!!!
(5)Qas G.
Amazingly bad experience. We went there in the afternoon for drinks and after asking thrice, i got the damn menu. Server was rude and hygiene of the place was questionable. Never gonna come back!
(1)Nolee N.
We went out for dinner, and ordered appetizers, a bottle of wine, main dishes, and desserts. Hawaiian Yellow Fin Tuna - came with rice that wasn't cooked right (bullet.) It tasted like they just poured some cheap commercial soy sauce and oil over the rice. My rice cooker at home can make it better. They ruined fresh tuna grilling surface just like Japanese chef treats Bonito in that way (with a reason.) Needless to say, Very disappointing flavor... I wouldn't recommend to order this dish. Presentation was very like Japanese style for this particular dish but how can we eat this with knife and fork when the food is high up on the wooden board? Desserts were mediocre. Fillet Mignon was very good. If you ever go there and plan to spend $200+ for two of you, have a steak. It won't go wrong. But I prefer El Gaucho or Ringsteak house for spending the same amount for the steak so why do you go to seafood restaurant for having beef steak? Sorry, but we won't be back for dinner again.
(1)Restaurant D.
Took my hubby there last night for Happy hour. The service was horrible. It took 20 minutes to get a glass of wine and a well drink. The happy hour menu contained several choices. We chose 3. It took another 30 minutes for our food to arrive. The food was less than mediocre. No flavor. I love their Sunday Brunch but do not recommend happy hour
(2)J J.
Excellent! Brunch was absolutely amazing! The crab legs were perfect and super sweet. Oysters were delish! Far better than any seafood buffet I have ever had! Its a bit pricey but you definitely leave happy!
(5)India R.
I dined here last night for my mom's anniversary. I got the beet and kale salad, the rockfish, and a basil grape refresher. I'm no foodie, but trust me when I tell you the food was EXCELLENT. Theodore was our server and he was super friendly and knowledgable. He made good recommendations and was very attentive (but not overly so). He said (very candidly) "the people I work with are closer than family to me" - that's the kind of place you want to eat at! The views were stellar as well. Overall, it's clear that they go above and beyond to make it a special experience for their guests.
(5)R S.
Great location and views. Try the Kung Pao Fried Calamari for an appetizer. I had a filet mignon on this visit and it was fantastic. Great selection of Wine and Beers. The staff are super friendly!
(4)Phil L.
Very, very nice. We had the Salmon and asparagus, best ever. A long way from home but hope to get back there again someday.
(5)Rick C.
Take the "back road" parallel to the PDX runway to find this outstanding restaurant. If we are staying overnight at a PDX Hotel for a morning flight this restaurant will be our "go - to" location for either lunch or dinner (on the previous day). Salty's has a great location near PDX on the Columbia River with beautiful views of the River. The menu is extensive. Wine list is large and varied. They even offer wine flights to accompany your lunch or dinner. Also, I noticed they have rotating promotional wine table tents offering special purchase price on various wines. Excellent wine glassware is used. Kitchen was very efficient preparing delicious appetizers and entrees. I am getting hungry writing this review!
(5)Michael S.
Well if you come for view, it is five stars. The service is pretty good, the food is very pricey and small portions. My rice was crunchy, the garlic mash has no flavor but the king salmon was spectacular, if it was an appetizer. Now I have to find a place to eat so I don't wake up hungry!
(2)Jeff D.
The views? Stunning. The service? Excellent. The food? Pedestrian. The mixed drinks? Awful. The prices? Criminal. Shared dinner with visiting parents and family; my father's wife remembered Salty's fondly from years ago. To be fair, I doubt that I'm Salty's target audience--I would suspect the target is well-heeled couples on date nights and anniversaries, plus corporate travelers with expense accounts. If you can accept from the get-go that you are paying top dollar for the view, then go and enjoy raiding your first born's college fund to pay the bill. Otherwise, prepare yourself for remarkably undistinguished (yet frighteningly overpriced) entrees and a completely a la carte menu that would make a highway robber proud. The food's not horrible, though more than once it felt rather like a gourmet Wyatt's cafeteria with table service. At these prices it doesn't seem unfair to insist Salty's provide the Amazing WOW Factor that their after-dinner customer satisfaction survey insists we must have just experienced. To be fair, the service was great--but not great enough to make up for the blah factor of the way-too-expensive food (and the WTF factor of a truly lousy gimlet and an unrecognizable whiskey sour.) Were Salty's to step up their cuisine game, I would be all over it. Failing that, it's an expensive view (but a great one.)
(2)Wade B.
Salty's is good, but expensive.
(4)Ineedsun 1.
Our kids gave us a gift card for Salty's and we are so glad. The ambiance is very nice, the river views can't be beat and food was delicious. I had my heart set on scallops. The only menu item with scallops was a seafood combo. I asked the waiter if he would ask the chef to make me a dish of just scallops. He returned and said the chef would be happy to. It was delicious! This place is not cheap but if you want to treat yourself, I highly recommend it.
(4)Mary Jane C.
Do you love brunch? I love brunch. Especially when it piled high with dungeoness crab legs, shrimp, a towering ripple of chocolate in a fountain and almost any seafood dream I can have all at once. Salty's has increased their Sunday brunch price over time, but they are still worth every penny. I LOVE dungeoness crab, and in Los Angeles I have yet to find a location that serves it up good, and right. They have everything from eggs benedict, to custom made omelets and fresh to order crepes. For starches they have fresh made donuts, muffins, bagels, you name it.. they probably have it! Come hungry.. I made it through (2) entire plates of dungeoness crab before I was so crab-faced I couldn't eat or even look at anymore crab. I then got some prime rib and a pile of shrimp. I have never had anything bad at Salty's. Come hungry, and you will leave over-full. Make sure you make a reservation, I try to come early to beat the rush.. they do get busy :)
(5)Morris K.
Simply good food, good view, friendly and professional services. Have been there many times and never was disappointed.
(4)Cheryl M.
Our first visit to Salty's On The Columbia River for Sunday Brunch, and we couldn't be more pleased! The buffet itself is spectacular, between the two of us we "might" have tasted 25% of the offerings. Nearly everything we tried was excellent, and those which were not were still "good" if not "great". But of course some of this may be attributed to personal taste, certainly not for lack of attention or effort on the part of Salty's. What stood out to me today was the Superior Service we received! My husband had reservations as we are celebrating our wedding anniversary. We arrived early and were cheerfully greeted, and congratulated on our anniversary at the reservation desk. We expected to wait until our reservation time, but were seated in less than 2 minutes. What really set Salty's apart is that within 5 minutes of arriving, three individuals we interacted with all acknowledged our special event... The Greeter, the Seater, and our Server. Nice touch! Throughout the dining experience our Server, Jonathan, was very attentive and proactive, keeping beverages full, clearing plates, bringing new place settings, condiments, whatever we needed, most without our asking. He obviously enjoys his profession and is an asset to the team. Great meal, dining experience and celebration! Salty's has lots of press, history, great location and reputation. They could certainly fall into "resting on their laurels". We are pleased and impressed that they still rise to the occasion!
(5)E M.
The brunch is amazing. Dungeness crab, snow crab, oysters on the shell, prime rib, and a chocolate fountain oh my. Of course, the view is excellent and I can't wait to go back to try the Bloody Mary. Cost about $45 for the regular brunch and $55 with champagne. There's a discount for kids and yes it's all you can yet. Go hungry and make reservations if you're bringing a large party.
(5)Paul S.
Took my Ex wife to Sunday brunch for her birthday. What can I say? she loved it, I loved it. Every thing was over the top All the food was fresh the staff was super. it just dose not get any better. If you don't try this place then you have not lived. and the price was more then fair.
(4)Liz S.
My son was leaving for the Air Force and he wanted to try Salty's on the Columbia for his last night in Oregon. BIG MISTAKE. I requested seating on the deck, so we could watch the sunset. They didn't have it on our reservation and sat us upstairs on plastic tables that wobbled. My old fashioned (very simple drink) was the worst I ever had and was watery. Our dinners were cold when they were delivered - we ate them anyway. Finally - ordered crème brulee for dessert and it was cold - like right from the refrigerator. Simply HORRIBLE service and food. Save your $200 and go to a downtown restaurant. Salty's needs new management and staff!!
(1)Ed B.
This place is a first class fish, seafood and steak restaurant with a awesome view. You will not be disappointed if your looking for a romanic night or dining with friends. They seem to have a number of tables for 6 and can seat larger party's. The staff and kitchen were professional and concerned with my happiness. The clam chowder is very good. The fried calamari is excellent and the oysters fresh. If you like sweet chicken wings these rock. They also have a seafood tray that is over the top. I didn't personally try it but it looks to die for. It is a little pricy though but worth it. One day I'm going to have to try it. We did have the coconut shrimp, fish and chips and salmon and they were excellent. Don't tell anyone but the happy hour is a great deal and you get the best stuff for a reasonable price. We will be back often.
(5)Sean S.
The brunch buffet is awesome here! I came here a couple of times for special occasions and never left hungry at all. The service is outstanding, the views are epic, and the food is really really good! The most disappointing part of the brunch was the crab legs were just not that great. For the price you are paying for the buffet, you would think the crab legs would be more meaty than what you are given. Having said that, it is a great brunch buffet and I would highly recommend taking advantage of it!
(4)Ben J.
Ambiance and customer service is 5 star. I was not oh so impressed with the clam chowder. Really creamy and not a lot of clams. I even tried it the sherry on top. Not a lot of flavor in the Rockfish & Prawn Picatta... The GL Van Ruiten Cabernet was smooth!!! My wife enjoyed her Kale Salad, Filet and birthday case (on the house).
(3)erok m.
I went to Saltys for brunch. If you like buffets with food that's been sitting out for ever and prepared for a ton of people then go ahead and go to the brunch. Everything pre made looked gross! I tried some eggs and some potatoes and both tasted like they were microwaved. I went ahead and had the chef make me a crepe. Finally something that tasted good! The shrimp was good and crabs legs were just ok. The best part of my meal was the orange juice, that should tell you how good the food was. The freshly made pastries were ehhhh. 40$ brunch and I feel like I should of paid 10$ like I was at sizzler. Not worth it!
(1)Meagan H.
Sunday brunch one of the best in town! Also have a great happy hour upstairs, but it can get very crowded, so be aware, it's a happening spot!
(5)Lesa D.
Salty's has a touristy feel to it; and as everyone has said, they have the best location possible. It was the perfect summer evening on the deck overlooking the river. And did I really see the waitstaff bringing blankets to those who were under-dressed after the sun set? Awesome! The serve was great. The food - so-so and expensive. There are other seafood restaurants with better and cheaper food, but without the view. A rundown on the meal... Fried calamari and fried artichokes. Both so overcooked and crispy, that if you ate them blind folded, you wouldn't know which was which. We ordered two entrees - tuna and mixed grill. Both okay, but forgettable. Finally, dessert - both the highlight and the low point of the evening. Starting with the worst, just so I can end on a high note... Salty's has the WORST Key Lime Pie I've EVER had in my 5 decades of life. And, as a South Floridian, I've eaten a LOT of Key Lime Pie. There were so many elements they screwed up on that it's hard to know where to start - the radioactive, glowing bright green sauce (and yes, it does have dye in it; I had to ask)? The bland, tasteless apple pie flour crust (a Key Lime Pie original sin)? The gelatinously hard filling? The overbearing green whipped cream? The only thing different about it, that wasn't scary, was that they sprinkled coconut on it. I never got that far in tasting it, but it was an interesting concept. To whom ever thought up their Key Lime mess of a pie, I offer my services. I am happy to give lessons. Just remember, simpler is better, and key limes are not green. But, while their pastry chef most certainly isn't from Florida, I will give him tons of credit for producing an awesome chocolate mousse torte. Light, airy, chocolatey and not overwhelmingly sweet. It was the best part of the evening (along with the weather and deck). Next time I'm in the neighborhood, I want an outside table, a glass of red wine, and your chocolate mousse torte. THAT'S heaven!
(3)Aaron J.
I went here expecting more...but was let down with their taste of portland dining month specials. Very nice view, but not at all appealing in terms of what they had to offer. I wish I had gotten a better first impression. To put things into perspective, I've paid less elsewhere and been fed better seafood, at both a large chain and a smaller chain. Both times blew this place out of the water and it was nothing special - So Yes, 1 star for Salty's
(1)Jacob S.
Great place, always excellent food. Best experience when you're lucky to have an upfront window seat, but always a great itme. Spendy!
(4)Linda M.
I've been to Salty's many times over the years and never leave disappointed. This time we had company from Italy whose birthday was on the 4th, so I called over a month ahead to secure a reservation on the patio so we could watch the fireworks. When we arrived there was no way we were going to be able to sit on the patio. That was the first disappointment, but they managed to get us a really nice seat next to a window where we could still see the fireworks, so that was great. The wait staff was friendly and efficient. Our steamer clams and oysters were excellent. My main meal was the cioppino and that was a huge disappointment. All I could taste was pepper and green pepper. I couldn't finish it because it was so overpowering with the peppers. The cost is always high here but I expect that and am used to it, although I don't know if $19 for a burger is justified no matter what the view is. We will be back, but most likely for brunch or happy hour, not necessarily for supper.
(3)Stella S.
Mmmmm I love this place! I've only been to their brunch buffet so in anything else... But why I'd come here for any other reason is beyond me. And I say that in the best way possible. The view is incredible (we got to sit outside!) the buffet is always being replenished, and the seafood they serve is actually really fantastic. Plus bottomless mimosas!!! That's all I really need to say. It's a bit pricey so it's usually something we only do when guests are in town, but it wows them every time. My biggest tip for this place is to make sure you make a reservation beforehand. If you don't, you're gonna be looking at an hour or more wait time in an area where it's super crowded and there's really no where else to walk around.
(4)Shawna A.
Oh Salty's. Where do I start? You are so different than the Alki location. Made a reservation for 6:15. Not seated until almost 6:40. Lame. Ordered an appetizer. The bruschetta sampler. Too much pickled red onion on the plate. Nasty. Ordered the crab cake for my entree. Hubs had fish and chips. Dinner came while we were still having our appetizer....which really always pisses me off. My crab cake was cold in the middle so I sent it back. Hubs' fish and chips were tasteless greasiness. By the time I finally got my crab cake, hubs had finished his dinner because I didn't want it to get cold. Crab cake tasted like tuna salad. Gross. Ate two bites. The only saving grace was our yummy cocktails, but for $100 dinner bill, downtown Portland restaurants would have been a much better choice. We'll never come again.
(1)Tami D.
Great service! The food was fantastic as well! But you definitely pay for the fantastic food! I will definitely be back again.
(4)Joan B.
First time to Salty's. We dropped in on a busy Saturday night, assuming we would eat at the bar or wait... The hostess was excellent. She was able to squeeze us in after a huge number of people already ahead of us with reservations were seated. She put us right on the window. I had the Salmon, with heritage tomatoes, and husband had the chowder with a shrimp appetizer. Everything was excellent. Our waiter was Garick (sp), was flawless. We will definitely return.
(5)John K.
Salty's has been around Portland Oregon for a very long time. I have to say there food is still great. I had there thick clam chowder and 14oz lobster tail was cooked perfect.
(4)Hannah B.
Everyone was friendly and view was great but we waiting so long for our food and once we got it the halibut wasn't very good and half of our meals were cold. Most likely not going to go back
(2)Lacey E.
Great staff, have been both for lunch and for dinner with a large party. The food is cooked perfectly, desert is amazing. Drinks are varied and delicious. Lunchtime Bloody Mary bar was spot on with a large variety of garnishes and treats. We will be back!
(5)Fatima B.
Great place! Had a fantastic time with amazing views, delicious food and impeccable service. I would highly recommend trying this place if you haven't already.
(5)MR M.
Friends have been coming here for several years and wanted to bring us here. Sadly everyone was disappointed. View is great, food was fine but expecting more given the price. The service was awful. Awful. I guess the sign out front that said "hiring all positions" should be a clue. Until they get their staffing in order I'd would avoid this place. We got our food 110 minutes after sitting down- order appetizers that took over an hour (waiter told us he forgot to get the order in), it was a fail.
(1)Kaleigh D.
I love Salty's! I've been here twice, once to celebrate getting a new job and the second to celebrate my anniversary. The seafood tastes really fresh and is well-prepared. They have an excellent wine list. The view is fantastic. You can sit near the window or on the balcony and look out over the Columbia river. We got great service both times. The servers were not only prompt and attentive, but also had excellent food and wine recommendations. It's pricey, but worth the money in my opinion.
(5)Tamara C.
CRAB LEGS - FRESH! PRAWNS - FRESH! OYSTERS - FRESH! MIMOSAS - BOTTOMLESS! BACON! BACON! BACON! CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN! What you may be asking is what don't they have? Well, I did not see any pizza...I forgive this small oversight, due to all of the above mentioned items and then some. There is so much wonderful, fresh, and made to order food available at this all-you-can-eat buffet that frankly it can be a little overwhelming. The service was impeccable, our merry table of six was taken care of very well. My mimosa was always full, plates always cleared when appropriate. Some may think that the price for brunch may be a little spendy. But consider the quality, the service and the ambiance; it is worth it. In Brunchlandia, Salty's is as good as it gets.
(5)D M.
Another five star review for salty's! Food was fresh, service friendly and prompt. We ended with out favorite server Steven again! Always kept our drinks full, and even noticed my nephew getting cereal and bringing us more milk! Our empty plates were always cleared before we came back with more food. The Santa Claus walking around was a nice touch too for the holidays and a great distraction for the kids while the adults ate. Definitely need to keep remembering to come back more often!
(5)Areena M.
A lot of people have already said it...the food here is top notch. Who knew that a touch of sherry elevated seafood chowder to a whole new level? I have never seen that anywhere! The price is high and the portions could be bigger, but overall this was a very good experience. I forgot our server's name, but he was very attentive and took great care of us. I highly recommend the seafood chowder with crab. The rockfish entree was delicious (well, the rockfish was special; the shrimp just average)...could really use something to round out the dish, though. Fried calamari was cooked perfectly and very flavorful. I'm really sad we didn't get to try brunch. Hopefully we get a chance to come back for that. The reason I'm not giving a 5 star rating is that the restaurant needs a face lift/thorough cleaning. The carpet is old/dingy and there is a strong stale urine smell by the bathrooms. The view of the river is fantastic, but it doesn't make up for weird smells hitting your nose.
(4)Joy C.
We had New Years brunch here and it was excellent. It's off the beaten path of marine drive but the views of the Columbia river were great. They have free valet where the valet guy was busting his butt and getting the cars delivered and parked quickly. We had a party of 6 and were seated in 10-15 minutes since we got there a little earlier than our reservation. Brunch is pricy at $44 but you have to love seafood to make it worth it. The Dungeness crab legs and oysters alone cost about that much if you buy it on your own so you have to love seafood if you go. It's unlimited non alcoholic beverages which is a plus. Even though the place was closed to any further seatings they still refilled the oysters and crab legs. Everything was fresh and excellent. I definitely want to come back and try their dinner menu sometime.
(5)Jay W.
Food was delicious. Complimentary birthday dessert - not so much. You will be comfortable in your blazer or sweater. Otherwise you will 'freeze' on the second floor indoors. They have tried a homemade diversion for their air vents, but that hasn't quite done the trick. Our server was kind enough, but a little scattered - all while the dining room was only half full?!? Patrons lincluded business groups and a few 2-3 people birthday celebrations. As others have noted - don't go here if you need a lot of food for your dollar. It's just not that kind of place.
(3)Debbie B.
We have been to Salty's off and on for years. Last night the wait staff was amazing. However, the food was overpriced and not well prepared. The shrimp was overcooked. The razor clams were chewing and the breading was over done. I love tamales but the one that came with my dinner was awful...thin and tasteless. The view is wonderful...5 stars for service and the view. Food...not so much.
(3)Joe T.
The setting is incredible. I sat on the balcony overviewing the river. The wine was excellent and well paired with the food. I had the seadoo stew served on a bed of rice. Overall it was an outstanding experience. The price is very fair considering the setting. I would definitely comeback.
(4)Katherine K.
Took a friend to brunch today and we both throughly enjoyed Salty's. Id been previously but my guest had not. She was unsure if there would be something she would enjoy since she's not always a big seafood fan. Had to laugh when she saw the aray of offerings. As always Salty's out did themselves. Everything from yummy baked cinnamon rolls to amazingly fresh seafood to traditional brunch dishes to scrumptious desserts. Felt like we ate it all, but we barely tasted 1/4 of the massive number of dishes. While the food was excellent as always, it was the service that really stood out. Our server Erika was terrific. She almost anticipated our every wish. Dishes were removed promptly but without intrusion. Glasses never allowed to go dry. Warm wet cloths were brought out just when needed. Erika made the experience first rate. She even pointed out the bald eagle that frequents the area. This woman is a gem. As a side bar; my guest accidentally left her sweater behind when we left. We were barely out of the parking lot when I received a call from the hostess letting us know they had our sweater. In this day and age we just dont usually see such care and concern. Salty's is defiantly worth the price. Well managed, nice people, excellent food. It checks all the boxes.
(5)S B.
Service painfully slow. Waiter pleasant but 15 minutes to get water. wow. Horrible for kids. Online reservations via OPen Table allow for requests like window seating...not accommodated and management doesn't want kids around the lobsters. apparently they are there just the grown ups to stare at in the tank...bbq salmon was good but never going back. rather unpleasant experience all around. would have been 1 star except for nostalgia...
(2)Dylan P.
The food was really good, but not mind blowing. The staff was great! The view is spectacular! I wish I tried the dessert!
(4)Daniel R.
Great restaurant. Fantastic food. A little pricey but will return.
(4)Aline M.
My second time visiting Salty's, but this time it was for the brunch buffet. You better bring your 'fat pants' because you'll want to try everything here. Being a small/light eater it was a bit much for me - more of an excuse to go back again though. We had a bigger group - 8 people total. The table we were sat at was a bit on the small side for 8 adults, to say we were rubbing elbows would be a literal statement. However our server, Kade, was awesome. Great at getting in with drink refills and even ran downstairs to check when we commented that a food item was out. My favorite item was the salt-crusted steelhead. I also enjoyed the fresh fruit, pastries, and even the chocolate fountain for desert. If you like seafood, you've got to check out this brunch buffet.
(4)Jen E.
My first time here was for the Easter brunch on Saturday...... I was expecting it to be pretty good but what I got was excellence. First the wait staff went above and beyond especially when it came to my disabled grandma. The waitress we had was a total doll and took excellent care of us. The food.... oh gods where do I begin..... the sheer amount of fresh seafood was astounding and very yummy. We had our choices of fresh oysters, crab legs, salmon, shrimp salsa (oh my gods that one was great) blackened steel head..... there was not enough room in my stomach for the amount of seafood they had available. The hot foods were as excellent as the fresh seafood. The Shrimp and Grits were excellent and there were lots to choose from including the seafood chowder, make your own omelets, waffles, crepes and prime rib. We talked with our waitress and it turns out they are going to expand their weekend brunches to include Saturdays for the summer to see how it goes. We are already plotting our next adventure here.
(5)Bria R.
Good food but it's expensive and to me it's not worth the money... City grill is better and it's the same price.
(3)Heather O.
Amazing bunch!!! And amazing view! Come super hungry & get bottomless mimosas for $10. Brunch is $44 per person or around $18 for kids and under 3 I believe is free. Brought family and my 90 year old grandma said she will always remember it and thought it was the best buffet she has ever been to. Her fave part was the crab and the chocolate fondue. My favorite part was the flavorful prime rib with the horseradish cream sauce and the oysters on the half shell. Oh my word. can't say enough good things. Definitely recommend it! And our server Will was THEE BEST! He kept my mimosas coming and gave us fresh silverware half way through. Such a sweet guy!
(5)Kate G.
Go for the view, not the food or service, which is vastly over-rated. $22 lunch fish and chips included soggy-fried fish and terrible fries. I have better almost everywhere else in Portland. I understand they have a good crab louis salad. My husband liked his razor clams.
(2)A P.
Saltys used to be low on our list of places to go for quality food. We tried them again a couple months ago and were pleasantly surprised. Under new management, the food is awesome! Get the calamari! Delicious! Drinks are good, food is great and the atmosphere is so pretty. Definitely recommend coming here!
(5)Rich Z.
Great view of the river and PDX airport. Good, was solid but not amazing. Certainly worth visiting a time or two.
(3)Roberta O.
Great dinner... crab cake little under cooked. But love the atmosphere, service and food.
(4)Scott W.
While the service was good, the food here is mediocre at best and incredibly overpriced for what you get. The seafood and steaks were both bland. The french fries were soggy. I won't go back.
(2)Brian N.
Ate in the bar (on the top floor). Nice 3 piece jazz band & good view of the river. Food was top notch. Would eat here again.
(4)Ove A.
We had our anniversary dinner here. The lobster tail and the crab leg were delicious! The service was outstanding, we had a great night here. Wonderful view of the Columbia river. Perfect place for a special dinner!
(5)Eleshia T.
We sat outside on the deck overlooking the Columbia River and all the jet ski~ers. Weather was great and so was the Mixed Seafood Grill. I also had a Strawberry Margarita before dinner then a Mimosa with dinner~made with Champagne and berry purée, it was great! I definitely recommend this place for date night.
(5)Kathy D.
Tried the happy hour last night. Fish and chips were delicious but a bit expensive at $9 for happy hour ( I only got one piece), the salad was one of the best I've ever had, so will definitely come back. I used to order the blackened salmon Caesar but $13 is too much for happy hour. Friends had the fish tacos and loved them. Bartender service is great.
(4)John V.
After reading reviews here we had high expectations, we were never more disappointed. The restaurant described here was not the one we experienced. The food we received was not worth the money we paid. The menu described a mouth watering dish, what I received was anything but delicious. Don't order the mixed grill it's not worth the price. However the clams and mussels were great. My biggest disappoint was the service. Our server was polite but very non-attentive. He was difficult to find and gain his attention. I was able to refill my ice tea by the manager, but not the server. After dinner was served we saw him only twice. Once to see how dinner was and later to deliver our bill. I had an empty ice tea glass set on the edge of the table as a signal. He arrived to deliver our bill but departed before I could ask for a refill. I completed a comment card and gave it to the manager. To her credit, she did try to make things right for us, we told her the staff needs to be attentive to everyone, not just the regulars. We paid our bill and told them we did not want anything from them, but make them aware of our experience. We were tired and wanted to go back to our hotel to sleep. Salty ' s has an excellent reputation for their food and service, its too bad we did not get to sample it.
(1)Noah U.
I am only doing a Thanksgiving review. Salty's had a wide buffet and great big American portions of traditional American food. I ate more prime rib than turkey, and their macaroni and cheese was next to godly. There were kids running around, but I enjoyed seeing the Columbia, and it will be worth going back for subsequent Thanksgivings. The price was high, but it was a good expeirence. Salty's is quite suitable for the special occassions.
(4)Kristen M.
AMAZING VIEWS AND GREAT SEAFOOD!!!! Salty's is a Pacific Northwest chain known for their great views and fresh seafood! If that doesn't spark your attention, then you need to re-read my previous sentence again (and again!) =P [decor] Old-school, casual, nautical themed. It's a bit dim towards the back of the restaurant on the second floor. Outdoor patio, two-story restaurant. The clientele caters mostly to your mom and dad. But that shouldn't deter you from coming here. The amazing views of the Columbia River are quite breathtaking! You can see the coast of Washington wherever you are seated. I dined at Salty's one evening with a few relatives who were visiting me. They were in the mood for seafood and a place with a "view." Salty's seemed to fit the bill. [devour] *CALAMARI ($13; **4 STARS**) - the calamari pieces were fried to golden perfection. Paired with a chipotle-mayo-like sauce, it was a great way to start off our meal. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) *SALTY'S FAMOUS SEAFOOD CHOWDER ($7 cup, $9 bowl; **5 STARS**) - I can tell why it is their "famous" item on their soup menu! Made with chunks of clams, shrimp and bay scallops, this chowder was amazing! It was a nice surprise to find bits of bacon and some diced potatoes as well. I wouldn't mind ordering this rich soup again! I don't want to know how much cream went into making this addicting chowder! YOU MUST GET THIS! ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) *WILD SALMON (seasonal market price; **3.5 STARS**) - since wild Salmon was in season (it's in season from May-September), I decided to order the fish. My fish was slightly overcooked, but it had a nice sear and was encrusted with ground pepper and seasonings. Upon a bed of mash potatoes and grilled asparagus, it wasn't too shabby. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) [dessert] *LEMON BERRY CHEESECAKE (**3 STARS**) - was something different and it seemed that everyone and their momma was ordering this dessert around us, that we just had to as well. I wasn't too fond of the texture of the cheesecake, it was a bit different. But the flavor profiles of the lemon, berry and it's sauce had a tangy-rich in-your-face flavor that was delightful. But I wasn't too thrilled of the item overall. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) *STRAWBERRY NY CHEESECAKE (**3 STARS**) - was our typical run-of-the-mill NY style cheesecake. I felt like it was presented to me from a grocery store. Compared to the lemon dish we ordered, that plate presentation was enticing. The texture of the cheesecake was decent, but I probably would pass this item up if I were to dine here again. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) [drank] *SO FRESH & SO CLEAN ($10; **3.5 STARS**) - was a bubbly concoction made up of vodka, lime juice, muddled mint and simple syrup. It definitely was a girly drink, but wasn't sure if it should be worth ten buckaroos (seemed more like a $7 drink to me). But if you're sippin' on this cocktail and you're looking at the views, I guess it'll be worthwhile. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… ) FYI = -HH 4-6 PM Mondays-Fridays -Sunday Buffet Brunch $39.99 adults or $49.99 adult champagne brunch -They've got their own parking lot -Weekend valet available -Reservations recommended (although they do not accept any for holidays) -Two other locations are in Seattle, Washington -Great for a date, celebration, or birthday -Stellar service! (**5 STARS**) There's no doubt you'll have a great dining experience at Salty's! With the fresh seafood, the amazing views and wonderful service, you will feel like a king or queen after dining here! One things for sure, I will be back for their brunch! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR SATISFYING YOUR SEAFOOD FEASTS Yelp 2013 100+ Reviews Challenge (going for 200!) - Review #137
(4)Tasha M.
Sigh, the sound of disappointment. Like some of the other yelpers, I really really wanted to love this place. After dining here last night, however, I can't really even say that I like it. For starters, on Valentine's Day they offer a "special" menu with a small list of items that you MUST select from. I understand how this can be a convenience for the kitchen staff, but I was not expecting it to be so limiting, and I most certainly was not paying for restaurant convenience. What I wanted from the original menu was not included, but the most expensive entrees obviously were. I said to hell with it and ordered the New York Strip and Lobster Medallion ($59) hoping for a delightful blend of surf and turf. What I got was a pretty huge steak with a smidgen of tail lopped on top. Medallion? I guess I should have known better. That was tragic advertisement and a very uneven blend of food. The steak was good, but definitely not the best I've ever had, and the veggies tasted like a warmed up bag of frozen carrots and asparagus. I've eaten similar dishes that were much more appetizing and far more filling for half the price. My girlfriend ordered the Filet Mignon and Scallops, which she said was good but not flavorful. She also said that she "was not impressed," which saddened me because this my special date for her. When we got home she was still hungry. The hostess was very nice and our server was great, but the food was overpriced, small in proportion, and mediocre at best. They say you get what you pay for - well, I guess I'll be waiting for that $137 to kick in somewhere down the line.
(2)Kenneth R.
Update: Gross!! Newyork steak was inedible. Going to find some desert to wash my mouth out. =^) It was gray on the inside.
(1)Hali S.
Amazing brunch! Will be coming back for the unlimited $10 bloody Mary's! Free valet was nice
(4)Eric C.
excellent as always..been going since 02'
(5)Stanley X.
By far one of the best happy hour deals in Portland. The fish tacos I have to say are the best I've ever had. Spicy, tangy and cheap. The margaritas are decent as well and the staff is attentive and polished but not too corporate. The views are nice but you have to want to drive a bit to get a great deal and it's worth it.
(5)Matthew N.
I have eaten at Salty's on four different occasions and I have to say I have had four different experiences. The location is absolutely perfect, on the Columbia river with great views and afternoon sun. The price is, in my opinion way to high for the quality of food and service. I understand they are charging for the location, but the end of the day the food needs to deliver. If you are visiting the Portland area and want to eat on the river there are a number of other locations I would choose first.
(3)Jevonnie B.
First time there today with one of my girlfriends. Great atmosphere, delicious food and even better drinks. Place was clean and our waitress was awesome, pretty girl with super white teeth lol. I will definitely be coming back with my husband. Love it!
(4)Quisha F.
Favorite place on the OR side to eat on the river. I'm only rating their weekend brunch. I want to start off, I hate seafood! But hands down, this is one of the best buffets around! So much amazing food. And for a few more dollars bottomless mimosas! They have some of the best eggs benedict I've ever had!
(4)Chae Hee L.
Great food! Jeremy, our server was really nice. My boyfriend and I came there on NYE. I had the new year's special blackened rockfish and he had Salty's house special. We split the crab cake and caramel cake roll with Bavarian cream. Mmmm. We'll be back for the Hawaiian Tuna entree.
(5)Momo B.
NO TAKEOUT BOX HERE Not sure if there's a connection with the balmy evening weather and the horrible traffic congestion. It chewed up an hour's time from downtown PDX to this restaurant. Once we arrived, parking was not to be found in their parking lot. Be careful when parking on the roadside where vehicles especially semi's will come uncomfortably close to the unpaved shoulder. Here is what is available under the PDX Dining Menu: First Course (choose *): *Seafood chowder -or- *Bay shrimp cocktail -or- Harvest salad Second Course (choose *): *Peppercorn-crusted bistro filet - summer hash, horseradish butter -or- *Citrus salt-dusted wild salmon - grilled asparagus, Dijon mashed potatoes -or- Artichoke and feta ravioli - pomodoro sauce, heirloom carrots, peas Dessert (choose *): *Seasonal ice cream -or- Seasonal sorbet -or- *Darla's Cheesecake with seasonal berries With exception to their seafood chowder, wild salmon and dessert items, the other selections are not available under their regular menu. Even though we had reservations, we were not seated as scheduled and unfortunately were skipped over before reminding the receptionist that others who had arrived later were being seated before us. Of course she sincerely apologized and assigned us to a very nice window table on the second floor. It seemed like everyone wanted to be seated at 7 pm. The seafood chowder was over the top with the sherry topping. Bay shrimp cocktail was plentiful but stingy with the cocktail sauce. Preparation of the salt dusted wild salmon was fit for royalty. Peppercorn-crusted bistro filet was medium-rare as ordered but realistically should be named "eye of round" or a medallion of beef. Summer hash of cubed mixed vegetables was quickly devoured by the two of us. Dessert was most satisfying and a perfect finale. Nothing to take back to the hotel. The view of Columbia River was to die for and the service by Terry was flawlessly lightening fluid with the exception of a distraction when remembering to bring a seafood fork. I would definitely attempt a return for their weekend brunch. Terry suggested 10 am to avoid the long cue for tables.
(4)Terry T.
A nice location and view. However the service was slow, the food from kitchen was slow, and when it finally arrived the fish was overcooked, meat overdone. A real disappointment for a restaurant charging those types of prices. I do not recommend.
(2)Jared M.
I would give this place 0 stars if possible. Made reservations for a birthday, still had to wait. When we were seated, we were sat in the back with no view when it was 50% occupied. Were there 20 minutes before getting drinks and ordering, stale bread to follow after another 20 minutes. After 1 hour of watching others eat we finally received our meals. Soggy uncooked fries with grey cod, and a $30 four shrimp microwaved pasta dish. Bill came to $78, could have saved 50 bucks and gotten better quality at Applebees. At least I would have known what to expect.
(1)Joe E.
The prices are a bit high, but the food is not lacking. Their chowder is one of a kind. It is not your traditional cream based but a whole new experience in it's own. Staff was very friendly and caring. FOr a good quality seafood resurant and you don't mind a little hike in price Salty's is your place.
(4)Olga A.
AMAZING! That's what this place is my food delicious the view stunning and the service awesome and friendly. This is an amazing restaurant go here it's great
(5)Rob S.
Having finally given Salty's a try, I found my overall experience nothing that left me yearning to come back soon. Here are the bullet points: 1. Seafood chowder was okay, but lacked the chunkier seafood in it I've experienced with other chowders. The flavor was average, but I had no time to experience the flavors as it came out with my entree. 2. My salmon and steak was cooked appropriately...however didn't really live up to the hype the location is known for. My steak was flavorless and looked more like something from a t.v. dinner. 3. We also ordered Salty's Burger...however had to send it back because they forgot to add.....well, everything on it! This subsequently had us eating at separated times. 4. The waitress was great...you can never under estimate the value of great wait staff. So I guess overall, this first time experience fell short of the four stars it's rated at. For the price per portion, I'd say thumbs up. However, for the price with the quality and flavor of the meal...thumbs downs. I may give the brunch a try in the future...hopefully it will redeem itself.
(3)Windy S.
This review is for the Sunday Brunch. It had been several years since we had been to Salty's Sunday brunch. We had a good friend in town with his fiancee and it was a beautiful weekend so we decided to do brunch at Salty's. The Quality and Selection of the Sunday brunch has IMPROVED enormously since our last visit. The Highlights for me: - The Seafood: Dungeness Crab, Oysters, Peel and Eat Shrimp, Clams, Trout - The Chowder - Bacon - Mac & Cheese - Cheese and Fruit - Caramel Popcorn Didn't get to try the: Made to Order Omelets, Prime Rib, Ham, Made to Order Crepes, the kiddie Popcorn Shrimp and Mini Corndogs... ;) LOVE this BRUNCH wish I could justify it every weekend.
(5)Daniel C.
After hearing so much about this place, I finally went here for the 4th of July to check out the fireworks. I was so glad there was a place right on the river, with great views, that was open for business...lucky me! This place is located near a small marina on the Columbia River, about 5 miles east of the I-5, and just north of the PDX aeropuerto. It is in a great location and there aren't really any other businesses crowding the real estate here. Parking was a breeze to my surprise, usually parking is hell on earth anywhere near a river on the 4th. They even had valet service. I made a reservation for 9:15 but showed up super early to try to get in line for a good window seat, so I showed up around 7:30 and made my request. I then went upstairs and sat at the bar, ordered some drinks, and took in the awesome views of the Columbia. After a few drinks and a few bites it was nearly 9:00 PM and we were escorted to our table, front row and center in the middle window, best seats in the house by far! Whilst sitting in the best seats in the house, drinking a cocktail, and reading over the menu, I felt like a king looking out my window perched above the river. The menu options were great, and not too expensive, but yes, if you eat here you are also paying for the experience and wonderful views so it was to be expected. I would say about $25-30 per plate, cocktails were reasonably priced from $6-9 as well. I ordered a surf n' turf entrée, although I can't remember what it was exactly, I remember it being delicious! ;) I will definitely come back here to check out their Sunday brunch, which I hear is amazing as well. I would also recommend this place for a nice lunch or dinner with business associates, family, out of town guests, or any special romantic occasion!
(5)Jon H.
The views were great, even though it was overcast and rainy. The buffet spread had tons of food choices, just as advertised. The seafood spread was plentiful, and very tasty. Just wish they put out more oysters (seemed like it was empty whenever I got there). The hot prepared food was good, but nothing stood out. The prime rib was good, but a little overlooked for my taste. The chocolate fountain was as expected, but the other desserts we tried were just okay. The bottomless mimosa was just that - the wait service always keep the glass full, even when I've only just had a sip. The only really big negative is they crowd you into the restaurant.
(3)Juli M.
Salty's is my favorite place to eat in Portland! My husband spoils me and takes me there a few times a year and we always have AWESOME service and the food is amazing!! From our first date there, almost 10 years ago, and our Wedding Night Dinner, 3 years ago tomorrow to the day, and all the times in between (like the holiday brunches and just random date nights).....SALTY'S always puts a smile on my face and I cannot wait til I can come back :) Also, I have give a shout out to their staff and their manager Laura! You all are amazing!!
(5)Doug N.
Visited last night to celebrate my birthday with my honey and his Mom. While the atmosphere was nice, I'm afraid I won't be returning any time soon. The good: Very pleasant atmosphere and nice views. After discovering that we were there to celebrate my birthday and Mom's recent relocation to Portland, we were pleasantly surprised by a complimentary slice of cake and crime brûlée. The bad: The new a la carte menu and really ridiculous prices. We've gone to Salty's in the past because I could get a nice piece of steak and my honey could get his fish dish. I had to pass on beef because I simply couldn't justify $57 for just a steak, plus paying a la carte prices for a salad and potatoes. I realize that Salty's is an "event" restaurant, meant to celebrate special occasions. That said, i walked away disappointed and don't believe I got a good value for the meal I had.
(2)Marjory B.
Boyfriend ordered the paella off the regular menu and since it's Restaurant Month, I went with the seafood chowder, salmon, and the cheesecake. Like another reviewer said, the paella was really soupy, and everything else was just ok (think Outback or similar franchise-y place). Salty's on Alki is one of my favorite restaurants in West Seattle. I am always amazed every time I dine there, by everything from the presentation/taste of the food to the decor/general ambiance. It always feels like a special occasion. So I had high expectations of the Portland location, and I was disappointed - not that it was a bad experience, just that it wasn't a great one. However, the service is very friendly and attentive, and the view is beautiful.
(2)Dave M.
Wow! And I'm not even a seafood lover! The food was incredible, everything from fish to nuts, and a whole wall of deserts! This was our first, of many, visits to this Portland Landmark Brunch spot. A title well deserved, and lived up to. Service was great, food was great, and did I mention I'm not a seafood lover? I'm hear to say, the blackened Steelhead, great, fresh crab, very tasty, so yes, worth all the stars.
(5)Dave E.
we attended a 50th wedding anniversary, last Saturday October 26, 2014. We had a huge windstorm and it knocked out the power to the restaurant. So as not to disappoint the honored coupled, Salty's stayed open just for the celebration. The staff was incredible. They used candles and flashlights, kept the atmosphere lite, and everyone had a great time. They even improvised in the kitchen, and we had a delicious buffet to enjoy. Way to go Salty's, I will never forget that evening, and I know the honored couple will always hold that evening special, because of you
(5)Natalie M.
I love this place, took the bf here for a Saturday brunch birthday and I must say everything was on point. The service and staff are wonderful, our waitress was awesome! The food was amazing and how can u go wrong with all u can eat crab??? Everything was super delicious and they have bottomless mimosas for 10 bux, where in the world r u ever going to find that?! 5 stars is well deserved as I highly recommend, I also don't understand how people say it's expensive, for all everything u get at the buffet is actually very reasonably priced!!!
(5)Alison M.
My brother and sister in law rave about this place, and when they invited us to brunch I was excited to give it a try. I have always wanted to give it a try but needed a reason to come since it is an hour from home. Overall it was a lovely experience, my 2 month old nephew was in tow and our meal ended up being a leisurely 2 hours since we went to the buffet in shifts, and he needed caring for. The view was very beautiful. The standouts for me were the Lox Benedict & crepe station. My biggest complaint is that the prawns were not deveined, so I did not eat them, the digestive track of a shrimp grosses me out big time. Out of the 4 adults I was the only one who was drinking, and enjoyed several mimosas. The was a sign that starting 6/1/13 bottomless mimosas would be an additional $10. Overall it was a good time and was on par with many other brunch buffets I have been to in the past.
(4)Jason W.
My experience here was an evening dinner about 6 months ago, and was expecting some great food since my friends talked it up. I had something like a seafood jambalaya that was really short on flavor and spice. Not much of anything was really great that night, and some was like out of a box. I expected a LOT more, especially from a place in Portland. We have so many good chefs here. I may try it again sometime, but there are lots of other choices beckoning.
(2)Jennifer J.
We went for Happy Hour, but arrived too late. It's only from 5-6. We sat at the bar anyway and ordered appetizers. The tacos were good, but not amazing. The burger on the bar menu was impressive. Unfortunately, they were really busy and it took a long long while to get our food. The staff was wonderful and they comped our meal. My advice is to try happy hour, but arrive early. Otherwise, make a reservation and enjoy the good service. The view is worth it.
(4)Jessica C.
We always go to Salty's for special occasions or when friends/families come into town. We have tried Salty's at Alki Beach (Seattle) and this one at Columbia River. The service at Salty's at Columbia River was way better. We always make reservation online and they will call to confirm. At Columbia River, we arrived a little early and got seated soon after. When we went to Salty's at Alki Beach, we arrived early and still had to wait for 30 minutes for our table....on our anniversary! Two thumbs up for Columbia River! The seafood is fresh and tasty. If you are oysters lover, you will love it here. The crepes station is ok...not a wow factor. They also have a good spread of desserts. What puts them above the rest is service - We left our kiddo's tshirt in the restaurant and they were willing to mail it back to us...at no cost to us. The server always ensure that our glasses are never empty. We requested for seatings at the lower level where the buffet is and they fulfilled our request.
(5)Patti F.
I do enjoy Salty's - though some of the prices are just too much for what you get. Some prices are just right, but unfortunately I find that inconsistent. Their fried stuff = great, crispy and not as greasy as it could be Fish = cooked decently, though still a bit overdone for my taste Cocktails = decent, no complaints Wine = meh, OK, though not as extensive of a wine list as you might expect for the entree price Ambiance = well, it's right on the river so DUH - it's gorgeous. Outdoor seating = awesome, unless it's either a) raining or b) 95 degress which would probably suck.
(3)Taylor J.
Good lunch place. The food was fresh, waiters were friendly and the view is just lovely. We went on a Monday, so there was no wait and the food came out super fast. I'd go back
(4)Holy-foo' X.
Salty's has been in town for 26 big years now, which means it opened back ca. 1987. Don't know where you were in '87, but in Portland Ditler Beach was the spot to be that summer, which is about 1/2 mile further E. on Marine Drive. Thanks for helping contribute to the magic, old Salt. You're still a fine place for Happy Hour or brunch, and I do love your Steelhead salad, your chowdah, and super crispy, lightly powdered calamari. *clink clink* Raising a salute to Salty's. youtube.com/watch?v=ZEZY…
(5)Paul S.
Mediocrity with a view. Four of us were here for my birthday. I had the Fish and Chips. It was quite good. But, it's sad when F&C is the BEST seafood at a seafood restaurant. My wife had shrimp in a tomato sauce. The tails were off but the shells were still on. It would make removing the shells a bloody mess, so she just ate them. My mother-in-law and her husband got very small portions of their entrees. And they were only 'ok'. I will not rush right back to this spot. (Unless I just want Fish and Chips With a view)
(1)David H.
Cool place with fantastic views right on the Colombia. Floor to ceiling windows make viewing the river from either floor of this two story restaurant easy. The bar is upstairs and that's where I sat. Had a couple of good Oregon IPA's and a bowl of seafood chowder along with some nice conversation with the friendly bartender. Salty's is pricey but you have to pay for that view somehow, right? The food and service are first rate and the people are friendly, so this will be a place I return to whenever visiting Portland. Oh yeah, did I mention that this restaurant has a free shuttle that will pick you up and take you back to your hotel? What other place does that?
(4)Shannon P.
I'm giving this place three stars because my meal wasn't all that good, but my bf was very pleased with his fish dish. I ordered a steak - which I realize is not what they are known for - but it came at very well done versus the medium rare I requested. I sent it back and the second time it came out medium so close enough. My bf ordered the cod and felt it came out perfect. The customer service and wait staff are really great here, and they do have great views of the river (although they need to wash the windows). The price is high, but if you are coming for seafood, you probably won't be disappointed.
(3)Chad A.
Great view, Great Food...Great Service Sure the view is nice and the food is pretty good, but none of that negates their inflated prices. I neglected to find value here...even during "Happy Hour" ... as an example; their HH Burger was $11! I don't know about you, but there is nothing "happy about that price tag." Also they charged $3 for one taco during HH...again nothing "happy" about that! That aside the Sirloin Burger: yelp.com/biz_photos/salt… was still pretty good. There was nothing too fancy or creative about this Bacon Cheeseburger other than the fact that they used ground sirloin, but when all the ingredients came together they still proved to be full of flavor and textures to make anyone happy. Was it $11 "HH" good?...NOPE! The establishment would really like everyone to find value here and will strive to make sure that happens no matter what in a genuine and well communicative manner. Many people will look down on many children for wanting to go to McDonald's (knowing full well it's for the toys or the playground,) but at the same time many adults will go to overpriced restaurants where the view is nice, but the food and service are very shoddy yet justify it... Salty's is one of those rare venues that will give you the whole package! From the outside the venue looks kind of unassuming, but once inside patrons are treated to a nautical yet slightly dated theme that kind of caters more so to an "older" crowd, but don't let that deter you as Salty's is definitely for everyone of all ages. On the weekend one can take in a view as well as their Brunch which is $39.99 or $49.99 if you'd like some champagne with it. They have various types of seating both upstairs and downstairs with many of them affording diners with sweeping views of the Columbia River and the Washington shoreline. Parking should be a breeze in their large dedicated lot. File under "Special"
(4)Allison W.
Not impressed. Much better seafood at many other establishments in the city. The view is the only reason they got two stars.
(2)Jared K.
This restaurant was a little more upscale than a lot of places we had seen around Portland, which gave us a nice break from the weirdness swirling around us. The view of the Columbia River is amazing, and it adds a perfect ambiance to the meal. Our waitress was extremely friendly and checked on us frequently. Their decor was a tad dated and haphazard, particularly the wall art. I started with a cup of seafood chowder, which was creamy and delicious. The bacon was also a nice touch. Each of the different sea creatures had a distinct flavor and texture. I could pinpoint each one, which speaks highly of the quality and care that went into its preparation. For my entree, I decided on their special of the day: Grilled Copper River salmon, served with dijon mashed potatoes and asparagus. The salmon was about as fresh as it could possibly be, probably caught that morning. The sprinkling of crunchy crushed pistachios on top added a nice texture. Delicious!
(4)Julia C.
I went here for a work Christmas party and was impressed. Then I went for brunch. Holy moly, what a brunch. Ok, for the price, it better be amazing. And it is. Unlimited oysters. Never ending Dungeness crab. Crepe bar, omelet station, a Bloody Mary to die for. It's amazing and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Benson N.
Ohh my wallet....so empty.. Poof! Ohh my stomach; so full! I guess it was an equivalent trade... Or was it?! Let's see so the market price for a pound of dungeness crab is around $11. Dungeness crabs can weigh from 1.2 - 1.6 pounds. They only offer the a crab's legs at the buffet, 6 legs would amount to roughly .8 of a pound. The cost of the meal is $43 per person. So in order to get your money's worth in Dungeness crab you would have to consume about 4 pounds of crab totaling to $44 you would go over by a dollar! Woohoo go that extra mile! Anyways, since every 6 legs equal .8 pounds you'd be required to eat a total of 5 helpings of 6 crab legs ( 5 * .8 = 4 pounds ) so basically what I'm trying to say is you need to eat 30 crab legs give or take a few in order to get your money's worth! By the way.. This is assuming all my math, prices and sources are credible.... Which I doubt are not.. if you think I'm and idiot I apologize but stick with me please and continue reading because I will now get into my actual experience of the Sunday buffet brunch at Salty's. Okay, listen I believe you need reservations for this place. It was packed! Don't worry about finding parking because they have free vallet. ( remember to tip! ) When you are seated you can order any drink, juices and soda are free. ( try the OJ it's freshly squeezed and tasted so fresh and pure! ) Ill just name a few things that I liked from what the buffet had to offer; prime rib, clam chowder, make your own crepes, chocolate fondu with various dipping options, ham Benedict, shrimp, clams, snow/Dungeness crabs, ( WOW! ) Mac and cheese and the apple pie was amazing! Everyone I came with had a more than good time and the service was an A++ waters quickly refilled, many of the staff greeted us kindly and vallet was a bonus. I'm glad we chose this place to celebrate my mother's birthday! The only sad thing is since my girlfriend is preggo she wasn't able to enjoy much of the seafood which is where you get your money's worth! I had to single handedly try to dominate the crab bucket! Do you know how much crab I tried to eat?! I would have passed out, foam from the mouth and needed resuscitation if I ate another bite! As soon as that baby pops out were coming back. I heart Salty's.
(5)Jen C.
I've eaten hear several times and I have to say this is the best brunch I've had in town. The chowder is so good. So much to choose from for brunch. Lots if fresh seafood. Service is great! Super friendly. Great place to take out of town guests.
(4)Matthew A.
Run, fly, drive, whatever it takes - get to this place if only for their scrumptious Sunday brunch. We first got a sampling of their brunch at at a Yelp event, but knew we had to come back for the whole shebang. We made reservations online with ease and strolled in on a lovely sunny Sunday to be greeted promptly and escorted to our preferred outside seating. Our waitress was quickly by our sides and sold us on bottomless mimosas - like that's hard. Then it was time to hit the buffet! There's so much to choose from it'd take many visits here to try it all. You've got seafood (oysters on the half shell, crab legs, shrimp), eggs (omelets, eggs Benedict), made to order crepes, chowders....come hungry 'cause you're going to be stuffed. The fact that it's on the river is provides a great & nice view while you're eating as well. Overall a great experience.
(4)Beverly M.
A group of us decided to go to Salty's for a special occasion, so we made reservations a month in advance. The price for the buffet is pricey, $60 with mimosas, but we thought the food and the view would be worth it. The buffet was good, especially the crab, however the prime rib was so tough I couldn't eat it. Our group was seated between two walls at the back of the restaurant???VIEW? What a joke! Couldn't see a damn thing. I figure if they charge such an exorbitant price it should include a view of the Columbia....might as well have been seated in a basement. Our bill came to $666.00 and they tacked on a 20% service charge...for what??? We served ourselves and the wait staff only brought us water and a few condiments. Very disappointed!
(1)Seymour M.
Great seafood and view from the deck!
(5)Richard G.
We along with another couple had dinner here on Thursday evening, Aug. 7, 2014. We had their seafood chowder, seafood pasta primavera, Columbia River king salmon, scallops and coconut prawns and a Caesar salad. All the entres were excellent. We had a bottle of Willamette Valley Pinot noir which was also excellent. Our server was very attentive and helpful.
(4)Robin N.
Came here for brunch with the family. We sat outside which was really nice because of the view of the Columbia River. The food was delicious. I really enjoyed the oysters on half shell and the prime ribs. There's also a neat chocolate fondue area where you can choose from a variety of snacks to dip! It's $40 per person so make sure your stomach is empty!!!
(4)Jesy B.
Review for brunch and man, it was GOOD. We first came here for a Yelp event & based on reading the brunch description, we knew we had to come back. We're not big brunch people - because we don't like waking up early and waiting in line. Salty's makes online reservations via their website or Yelp app a snap - no waiting! So we show up, are seated promptly outside and greeted by our server. The brunch has one price per adult, $39.99, and for a mere $5 you get bottomless mimosas or champagne. Let's talk about a no brainer, add that ON. Let's talk about the brunch for a hot second. Selection wise, it's just all over the place with awesomeness. Fancy scones, eggs Benedict, omelet, crepes cooked to order, ham, prime rib, salmon, potatoes.....yup. Oh wait! Crab legs, shrimp, clams, oysters on the half shell, seafood chowder. Not done yet? Chocolate fountain, brownies, custard, creams........ Assuming you're still reading and not headed there right now, the service is not to miss. Our server was on cue, refilling out mimosas with speed and clearing out plates like a genie. She was so pleasant to everyone in our area too, she's just the kind of person that seems to like her job. This is not meant to be a quick brunch, so don't plan that way. We spent a good 2 hour there and never felt rushed to leave and clear our table. Instead we were encouraged to linger, enjoy our food and drinks - and of course the view. Don't forget that. It's on the river and it is gorgeous! I wish both my wallet and waistline could afford this every Sunday but instead it'll be a great treat for us in the future. Win!
(5)Kent W.
Pretty pricey, but I'm a fan. The food was great, but I'll tell you what made it for me was the service. No matter what I thought customer service was possibly the best I have ever had and I would go back and pay high just because of that. We had crab cakes and the wagu burger, which wasn't anything more special than can be found in Wright Way Angus beef. It was well done by the cooks with good toppings and a very well put together fry seasoning. We were headed to a concert downtown Portland and thought we wouldn't need to bring a doggie bag, but Salty's provided enough food to make us take one anyways. The east facing balcony was okay and we had it to ourselves- felt a little secluded not necessarily in a good way. Supposed to be a happening place on evening when they often have a live musician playing.
(4)Erin L.
Salty's brunch has been on my "must try" list for a while now and it did not disappoint when I finally got around to it. Located on the Columbia river, the restaurant has a great view and great food. The brunch was $50 with mimosas, but well worth it and the waitress did not skimp on the champagne. There is such a variety of food to try, that it is hard to decide where to start first. From scones to crepes to eggs benedict to crab, all the fruit and cheeses you can eat, plus a chocolate fountain, it would be hard to not find something that you liked. Definitely worth a trip back.
(5)Oscar M.
Eureka! I'm typically not the buffet type, usually it's mass produced crap kept in trays bobbing in Luke warm water. But there is a place I just left called Salty's with some serious Sunday love popping the hell off. Bottomless Mimosas, Chinook Eggs Benny, fruit galore with a 6 ft chocolate fountain to baptize your strawberries, and Danny Devito or his doppelgänger cracking mountains of crab legs with his apparently freakishly strong stubby little man hands, all while watching jet ski's weave through kayaks on the Columbia. I am beyond satisfied, a nap is in my future, and in my dreams we dance!
(5)Shelley M.
We celebrated our anniversary at Salty's and were not disappointed. We were made to feel special from the time we checked in. The view was beautiful and the service was terrific. We started with the Calamari which was tender, but it had the flavor of old oil or something. My husband had the steak and lobster which was delicious. I had the Hawaiian Ahi which was good, but not my favorite. Be prepared to spend some money when you go if you want the whole experience. I would like to try the buffet since they are so well know for it. I think you could also cut down on the expense if you just dropped in for a few drinks and some shared plates. We will definitely be back.
(4)Ron T.
Darn. Of all my days off & I'll be missing the buffet. How I miss the bottomless Mimosas and crab legs. Quite frankly, that's all what's in my mind when we came in for dinner. Alas, didn't have none of that. For real. Sad, yeah? I know. I've had one of the pan seared Alaskan Halibut with vegetable ragu. It was awesome. Nicely done. It was well helped with a mojito and was sweetened by Tiramisu a little later. Nice evening. Nice dinner. All I can hope for is a better weather to sit along the patio. Service is good. Well attended by the friendly staff. Had I not been driving, I could've used more of those liquid courage. In vino veritas.
(4)Karey R.
Can a vegetarian find enough variety at the Sunday Buffet to justify the exorbitant cost for a special treat to celebrate a friend's birthday? Yes. Yes he/she can. I didn't realize the buffet would be *hack hack* $43!!! when I enthusiastically RSVP'd "YES!" to my friend's birthday party invitation. But, realizing too late (i.e. as we're ordering our included juice, soda, coffee), I decided to make the most of it. Of course, the options are meat and seafood heavy. BUT everything is labeled (whew!) and there are lots of options for you, my little green friends. There is an omelet station where I got a knock-out veggie-packed omelet. There is tray after tray of pastries, bread pudding, fresh fruit. There's mac & cheese, eggs a few different ways, salads, waffles, pancakes, French toast. I can't even remember what all I ate but I had no trouble filling my plates. And the dessert bar?? My, oh my! From the chocolate fountain to the fruit tarts to the mousse pies... it's a sensory delight. Needless to say, for $43 a person, the service was top-notch. In fact I had mentioned my veggie status to the waiter and he offered to have the kitchen whip up a special meatless eggs benedict which I thought was a very very sweet gesture. But I assured him there was plenty for me to eat as it was. So go ahead, veggies. When your family suggests coming here to celebrate an event or just treat yourselves to a fantastic meal with a fantastic view, tell them sure! There's plenty for you at Salty's!
(5)Tom T.
Great local seafood spot to have our final meal after an awesome week traveling in Oregon. Awesome river side table, menu, wine list and service. Best chowder ever and the key lime pie was the best.
(4)Chuck B.
Excellent dinner with friends. Waiter and hostess very attentive. Food prepared with flair and to perfection. Great views of activity on Columbia River.
(5)Len M.
My oh my oh my, etc. This IS THE PLACE. I thought Bellagios' brunch in Vegas was superb - but this wins by a river.
(5)Sonia B.
Happy hour is where it's at with this place. The seafood chowder, wedge salad and burger are all great options at a decent price. Enjoy the awesome view while you sip on a margarita or glass of wine.
(3)Richard M.
The Sunday brunch buffet was delicious and fresh with an abundance of seafood. Ate my weight in oysters on the half shell! The entire staff was very friendly and helpful. Kade, our server in training but you would think he had been here for years. He was very friendly and outgoing. The building was clean and the view was amazing! Will be back next time in Portland.
(5)Poppy L.
I love saltys weekend brunch. They really use quality fresh oyster and crab. It means a lot for me and I appreciate them for providing a quality meal. I would recommend for anyone.
(5)Erin C.
I went there on a Sunday brunch for friend's birthday celebration. Thanks to the reservation there was no wait. Minor delay in the parking lot waiting for valet. I saw a sign that worried me a little "don't leave anything valuable in the car due to our secluded location" or something. (but nothing was stolen :)) the buffet was great. Wide selection from seafoods to roast beef, fresh pancakes, waffles, personalized omelette, all kinds of pastries, and my personal favorite - chocolate fondue :) you can dip fresh strawberries, marshmallows, and much much more. and of course everyone was loving the unlimited mimosa. the wait staff ensured the glass was always filled. All and all, great buffet if you can eat a lot, because you would want to try everything :)
(4)Amy M.
Risotto is amazing!!! View is beautiful, service friendly. Local seafood. Would bring the whole family.
(4)Mikhail H.
Well over a decade ago I used to drive past this little restaurant daily during my commute and I kept thinking I needed to go there. This was, of course, when I could not afford a decent restaurant and barely knew how to cook myself. Finally I get invited to the winemakers dinner by Willamette Valley Vineyards which they decided to host here. How exciting! First of all, several months ago I was at a Yelp Elite event and got to try some of Salty's famous seafood chowder so I was excited to introduce my husband to it. Friends have been raving about their brunch and happy hour for a while as well. The dinner was absolutely amazing. The Chef, Josh Gibler, was able to have fun and create a four course meal completely different from anything they offer on the regular Salty's menu and wow, do I wish they had that presentation of Copper River Salmon as a regular item because it was truly magical! Each dish was accompanied by hand selected Willamette Valley Vineyard wines and their beverage manager actually found wines that WVV no longer even carries! What a wonderful meal - and the service was amazing. The sweet girl helping us even was able to effortlessly bring us chowder to go quickly and their free valet service was a treat! Watching all four of Oregon's seasons happen in the course of an hour over the Columbia River made for a very relaxing evening. The view was astounding and we most certainly will be back again.
(5)Abby D.
Last night was our first visit to Salty's. We made a reservation for a family of 6 (1 kiddo) and were delighted to be sat at a large enough table in the middle of the restaurant with a beautiful view of the Columbia. As restaurant patrons with a small child, we are often cast off to the back-side of restaurants so this was a nice surprise. Our waiter was awesome & attentive. I stared with the Seafood chowder and it did not disappoint. It was creamy, rich & full of chunks of shrimp, clams & scallops. I ordered a special of skewered salmon & halibut on a bed of polenta. It was not exactly to my liking but the fish was tasty and well cooked. I regret not ordering off the standard menu. The overall experience at Salty's is worth at least 4 stars but I had to give 3 due to my meal falling short if expectations. I can't wait to return for brunch to hopefully help earn that extra star!
(3)Esther K.
Our schedule that day was pretty hectic so I ended up calling the restaurant to change our reservation time 4 times that day. Each time, they were very understanding and accomodating. Once we made it inside, we were seated by the window with a gorgeous view of the river. We ordered the seafood cocktail appetizer platter and IT WAS FREAKING DELISH. Cold steamed crab, shrimp cocktail and this other shrimp which I forget the name of. It was fresh, juicy, tasty and well presented. Highly recommended. The Entrees: I ordered the smoked steelhead, my mom ordered the jambalaya and the man friend got the salmon. All of our dishes were decent portions with very good sizes of seafood prepared perfectly! I really did enjoy every single dish (i tried them all). The dessert: HOLY OH EM GEE, order the CHEESECAKE. It's a calorie bomb, but dammit, just do it. It's the best cheesecake I've ever had. It was so amazingly light. fluffy (not to sweet) and even on a super full stomach it was a party. Final thoughts? The Saturday night dinner crowd was largely the middle-aged to senior folks. Lots of adult birthday celebrations. Not a place to be hip and with it. That being said, the food was pleasurable and amused my bouche and I would probably go here again. It's a bit pricey for the ambiance though. For 1 appetizer, 3 drinks, 3 entrees and 1 dessert our total was about $130.
(4)Aaron V.
Nice view, friendly staff, hardly anything else worthwhile. I ordered the Northwest Paella - what showed up looked more like gumbo. I don't think paella is supposed to be a soupy mess - but this sure was. Overcooked and rubbery salmon, cod, chicken, clams, and (especially) shrimp that's swimming in broth. And then they, for some reason, put the whole thing in this dumb cast iron paellera that it was obviously not cooked in. Really sounded good on the menu, really fell fall short. Mostly, you'll find people over 50 eating here along with a handful of younger couples duped into thinking this is a nice restaurant. They certainly put on the airs of a fancy restaurant, but then skimp on the most important part. Also - who serves cold butter? What am I supposed to do with butter that is incapable of being spread? Just put a pad on the bread and wait for the bread to warm it up? This place is a joke.
(2)Sydney L.
Attentive staff. I have been here several times and this is the first time I ever felt like we were truly treated like a valuable customer. We were seated near by the food area and it was uncomfortable having people walk by as much. The general manager , Jacob, noticed it and rearranged for is up sit somewhere else with a little bit less traffic. Which was amazing for how busy they are on a Sunday morning. I have always been a fan of oysters and This time there was a few things that jumped out of us and that pretty much ruin oysters for me forever. :( Jacob again was on top of things and took care of us. Salty's should know how lucky they are to have staff such as Jacob. I have ever leave Salty's unhappy. As always food is delicious and I look forward to my next visit.
(5)Josh W.
I still have to give Satlys a 5 star review. Again, perhaps because this holds a special spot in our hearts, but this weekend was nothing short of spectacular. We showed up for 11am reservations. When I walked in I asked if we could wait for a window seat to open up. As luck had it, there was a 2 seater available right next to a window. This meant we waited 2 minutes to be seated. Awesome! Not much has changed over the years when your talking about what they serve. About the same thing every time. This doesn't bother me, I'm familiar with what they have, and know what I want. Service was WONDERFUL. We had a great waitress who took care of us. I can't even tell you how many times I put my empty mimosa glass down, and had it filled within 5 seconds. It was perfect. Weekends like last Sunday are the EXACT reason we keep coming back to Saltys. Amazing service, Great food, Great views, all of this along with fond memories keeps this as one of our favorite spots for brunch.
(5)Sofie M.
I wish I could write a good review about this place! We decided to take out of town friends here for dinner- we made a reservation for 5 and got right in. We had a nice table with pretty views of the water right at sunset. The service was very very slow. It took an hour to get our food. Although our waitress was very nice, she never checked on us to reassure us our food was coming, to bring by more bread- nada. When we got the food, it looked and tasted good, but immediately afterward my sister and I felt funny. We got the same meal, salmon with potatoes. Needless to say, we didn't make it home in one stop. We both ended up getting sick on the way home. That night I spent the night on the bathroom floor- you get the idea! This was so so so disappointing. For $30+ a meal with small portions that took forever to get, the last thing we needed was food poisoning. It took us a good 3 days to feel better. Wont be going here again!
(1)Cass M.
I really wanted to like you Saltys but for so many reasons you wouldn't let me. This was by far the most negative Dining month experience we had and that is such a rare thing in our wonderful city. The drinks were good but expensive the service was very fake and sporadic and for a supposed fine dining establishment things were paced terribly from the kitchen. The view is beautiful but no view can overcome some overpriced, badly presented food that you can get down the road in Astoria for 1/3 the price.
(2)R P.
Three stars because of the long service. Took one hour for just salads and one appetizer. 15 min for drinks to come. Hour 1/2 before our food was brought to us. I got one if the specials and not really pleased with the price and quantity. For what I got should have been about 10$ less. My fish was cold but too hungry to complain. The potatoes were not real tasted like instant. The best was the cold seafood appetizer with shrimp shrimp and crab. Other than that I still prefer jakes famous crawfish by far and for the price.
(3)Laura C.
Let me first say, the deck is fantastic!! Second, there is a parking lot. That's always a big plus in my book. Third, you can have the delicious happy hour on the fabulous deck. Those 3 things make me a happy girl. My friends love to go to their Sunday brunch, but $40 (plus $7 tip) is out of my price range for waffles and bacon, considering I am not quite the seafood lover they are. I can do it for dinner, but not for the meal I consider to be my breakfast. However; I can't knock it - because they think it's the best brunch in town. It comes with champagne, which to my friends - makes it a great deal. However; 2 glasses is my limit if I am going to be driving, so it's still a spendy breakfast for me. I will stick with their happy hour. The food is great and the bartenders are friendly and make great Moscow Mules (my fave). Even if the rains comes, the restaurant is surrounded by windows overlooking the Columbia river. The only view comparable is that at PCG - and that's like comparing apples to oranges. This is a seafood lovers paradise. Their deck, the sunshine and Coconut Prawns or their Sirloin Burger is my paradise.
(4)Jackie M.
Your paying for the view, thank goodness for the never ending mimosas!
(3)Belle B.
The view from the dining area is amazing. It is romantic and elegant. A good time to come is during sunset, but don't forget to make reservations and ask for a window seat. We shared (we always eat family-style) the house smoked wild alaskan salmon, crab cakes, prawns, calamari and the organic greens with the strawberry vinaigrette. It all was really good. We didn't order the crab, but it looked really good. Maybe we will try that next time. The brunch also seemed like a good thing to try out.
(4)S T.
Great place for a nice meal after flying in to PDX. Love the chowder.
(4)Robert B.
Excellent experience from start to finish. The food was outstanding,if a bit pricy, but worth the money. Service was outstanding. The view was good, but would have been better during the day. This place was recommended by my hotel and I can see why. If I lived in Portland, I would be a regular.
(5)Scott O.
Regardless if you are in Seattle or Portland, the name Salty's will come up for great places to eat. After this visit, I questioned if this PNW chain really fits into the great places to eat category. The ambience and views are certain standouts, however the meal here was par and the three of us in our party were not satisfied. Do not order the fish and chips, YUCK! Thank goodness the fries were good to offset the poor breading taste. Perhaps it was my fault for not ordering fresh seafood. Oh well I will still go to the Salty's on Alki Beach for the view.
(2)Kenneth C.
Went during Happy hour and the food was gooood!!! Started with one of my favorite beers, Session. Then we had a few raw oysters and some calamari, oysters were very fresh and calamari was perfectly crispy. For dinner my wife enjoyed her tomato bisque soup and I had a perfectly cooked salmon Caesar salad. If all that wasn't enough the outdoor seating with a perfect view of the river made the high prices well worth it.
(4)John C.
$$$$. Do they have anymore dollar signs? I'm rewriting this review because Yelp pulled my last review, deeming it unworthy. If you have no precautions against spending money to gain the marginal benefit of having a river view then please ignore my review. The reason I say "marginal" is because there really doesn't seem to be a lot of seats in the restaurant that give a really good view. Maybe I'm wrong. My experience was on Valentine's Day. To make a long story short, they dropped our reservation when we had arrived and after supposedly fixing the error, the lady had failed to enter our name in the second time around. We were finally sat in a corner of the restaurant that had no view, which to be honest, is what makes this place special. The Valentine's Day menu was jawdropping. The prices were exorbitant. Not expensive...exorbitant. The least expensive was a quinoa dish at $40. The steak was over $100. Let's just say I'm not a quinoa guy but if I was, I'd have to go on to say that it doesn't justify $40 no matter how it's cooked when you're not throwing in any protein. The waitress could see I was disappointed and tried to alleviate the situation. To be honest, I felt bad for her because she wasn't the antagonist yet she is the one who has to bear the reactions of customers. I tipped her well but I can say I won't go back to this restaurant. There's too many places to get a good meal in town with a great view (although perhaps not of a river) at much more liveable prices.
(2)Eam M.
I was really impressed with the appetizers. The main course......not so much. I felt I was eating too much sauce on my pasta. The calamari was the best I have ever had! Next time I go to Salty's......it's only appetizers for me!!!!!
(3)Janet M.
3.5 2 points are for the view. So pretty. We have not been to brunch, here, hubby just won't do it despite all of our begging and pleading. We have been to dinner, and recently we had lunch here with my dad. My dad loves this place. If he buys we don't have to beg and plead, hubby just gets in the car, all compliant-like. Child had fish and chips off the kid's menu. It cost $7. She liked it, but told us she liked Burgerville's fish and chips better. Hmm. That's not really a good sign, is it? I had chowder and a salad, I was happy. Husband had some blackened fish tacos, he liked them ok. Just ok. Still, we love the view and our drinks were good. The service was a little on the slow side, and it wasn't so busy, but it's ok to be a little slow when you're staring out at the water, which we were. I noticed that their happy hour menu is pretty reasonable. Maybe I can get hubby to be compliant for that too?
(3)Kuma C.
Salmon is to die for!! Calamari a bit soggy, but flat bread, breaded shrimp, and white chocolate cake is very good. Drinks are a bit on the light side, but good overall. Very good atmosphere, good view on the river and airport lights. Traffic a bit rough it worth the trip.
(4)Hannah K.
HANDS DOWN BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH IN PDX! Buffet style with crab, salmon, shrimp, prime rib, pastries, salad, Bloody Mary bar, bottomless mimosas and so much more! Thy also have an omelet station. $45 per person plus $10 for Bloody Mary bar or bottomless mimosas. Trust me, the mimosas are bottomless! We spent 3.5 hours there eating and drinking and our server never once seemed annoyed. The manager walked by us several times and encouraged us to return the the buffet and "try everything". The service is GREAT from the time you walk in and talk to a hostess until your server cashes you out. The view is gorgeous and I can't wait until summer when I can sit on the deck and drink bottomless mimosas. It is a little expensive, but definitely a treat and we will be going back again and again.
(5)Punkrockg F.
Written by my boyfriend: "A nice place, but somewhat commercial. Food was good, but pricey. Drinks were also pricey. Sadly we kind of got knackered on the bill, as we ordered the Dungeness crab appetizer and instead received King Crab... My girl friend was surprised, but given that we told the waiter that we were just having appetizers she just sluffed it out. When the bill came it had the full King crab meal which was a whole lot more... that being said we just paid the bill and that was that. I just would have thought that given the price differential between the two that the server would have confirmed which we wanted... Anyway, a nice place, but certainly not a place that made me say wow I have to go back." I have to say I agree.
(3)Cool Nutz X.
This is always a great place to do brunch on Sunday. Great quality of good and unlimited mimosa's. scenery is always beautiful and great environment for family and friends gatherings. A little spendy, but good to go a couple times a year. Make sure that you make your reservations.
(4)Alena C.
No spanks. I have been fooled far too many times by this river front restaurant. Nice view, sun deck, piano bar, kinda fancy, so you would think great spot, right? But the food is pretty cheap. I had my first visit to Red Lobster (oh, I have to yelp that) and Red Lobster comes out ahead of Saltys. This place is like that ex that always seems better in hindsight and you just miss the way they smell and think maybe if you just tried a little harder, gave more chances, it would have worked out. But, then you remember that the waitress was surely, the crab cakes had barely any crab, the trout was oily and you spent over $50 to feel bad about yourself. But then three months go by and you start thinking about Saltys again, and how much fun you would have together on a nice summer day on the river. Just go somewhere else. Saltys has found new patrons that can put up with the crap and have lower standards that you do. Me? I'm moving on.
(2)Paul K.
Great food all the way around. Crab Cakes, excellent, Oysters, excellent, Clam Chowder, Incredible, Steelhead with a bacon ruhbarb marinade, Outstanding! The only complaint I have is the martinis were a little weak and small. Otherwise this is a must for anyone going to Portland. Sit outside if you can as it is located right on the river.
(4)May C.
Yes, it is expensive; yes, it is worth it. We went on a Sunday at 5:30 pm. It wasn't crowded and we got a seat by the window no problem. The view was incredible. Service was excellent. We split the shrimp cocktail and the shrimp were huge! And so tasty! Then I split a meal with my companion and it ended up being the perfect size. It was the special of the night: salmon with garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli, and a light jalepeno sauce but empasis on the light because it was perfectly spiced. The salmon was incredible as well as everything else on our plate. Splitting the meal is the way to go because the portion would be too large for one person if it wasn't split. We had a chocolate silk tart for dessert which was also superb. I'm not really sure what other people are complaining about. Maybe we just ordered the right thing!
(5)G G.
We have family from Pennsylvania visit us every year, and our final evening dinner has been celebrated at Salty's for several years now. Friday, August 2nd, was our best ever! Dinner for nine was a) delicious, b) a great value, c) served with style and class. Special thanks to our server, Jake. I ordered Sparkling Cider for the 3 youngsters at our table. It was served with champagne glasses, kept chilled in an ice bucket, accompanied by a special berry syrup designed to make it even more interesting, and one of the three girls was even offered an opportunity to "taste for the table!" Unbelievable! My "today's special" blackened swordfish was fresh, moist, flavorful. The Oregon Harvest Salad is also recommended. Everyone loved their dinner and I know they will all want to be back next year. My 5 star review is not intended as "5 stars considering it was Salty's." It would be 5 stars no matter where it was served. I really believe they have improved on their already solid game. The local folks in our crowd will be back soon!
(5)Ryan Y.
Best seafood buffet in town. Clams, lox, salmon, dungeoness crab, snow legs, cerviche, oyster on half shell, boiled shrimp, crawfish. The only bad part is everything is on ice. Plus a tons of other brunch food. Great for special occasions. A little steep at $50/person, but a great way to celebrate. Service is subpar. Hardly saw my server when she had only two tables in my area.
(4)Rob L.
Nice atmosphere, friendly wait staff but a bit unattentive. $120 for 3 people and we stopped at McDonalds on the way home because we were all still hungry.
(1)Heather R.
my work crew went for a celebration brunch on a rainy saturday. we had the BEST time. excellent brunch spread, friendly service by wait and management staff, delicious bottomless mimosas and a perfect ambiance. i would recommend this place for a celebration of any kind, big or small, because it never disappoints!
(5)Erica L.
I wanted to like this place so, so badly. I love seafood and the idea of a dinner place right on the river sounded marvelous. My boyfriend took me out for a birthday dinner here. The place looks really nice. It has a classy but vintage feel with a grand staircase up to the 2nd floor. The view of the river is lovely and we happened to finish up dessert as the sun was setting. The staff was so, so nice. Our waitress was obviously very good with people. I saw her working the room with ease and she could appear to the point and pleasant for the business dinners and like one of the family for the large, multi-generational groups. I'd give five stars to the staff if that was all I was rating here. My issue is the food. I had the Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad and my boyfriend had the baked salmon. The menu sort of describes the salad as a grilled salmon and doesn't list anything about the flavor of the salmon. It doesn't mention how garlicky the salad is either. The salmon was grilled in some Indian spices which did not work with the Caesar and was far too spicy for my taste. The garlic, which was in the dressing, cut up into the salad, and on the croutons was also overpowering. I went through about three glasses of water with the salad. The boyfriend said his salmon had middle eastern spices on it, which were not on the menu, and he was annoyed he received such a small portion when he paid much more than my salad cost and I got the bigger plate. The desserts were tasty though. We had creme brulee and cake and both were worth the cost, even though mine was comped as birthday treat. I received a small card from them as well, which I thought was nice. We MIGHT try this place again when I have East Coast relatives in town, just for the dinner-on-the-river experience but it seems a bit overpriced for the quality and quantity of food.
(3)Wendell Y.
We were a party of 3 seated next to the jazz trio on a Friday night. Great music! For food, we each had the 3 for $30 special. Great food at a great price. The service was top notch. The view of the Columbia River cannot be beat. Salty's is a very popular restaurant so be prepared for a wait if you don't have a reservation. There is valet parking and self parking.
(5)Cyrille K.
We went to Salty's for Sunday Brunch to celebrate a family birthday. The service was excellent, the mimosas were the right blend (just a splash of OJ!), and while I'm not normally an all-you-can-eat type of person, I have to say it was wonderful to have as much dungeness crab, shrimp, prime rib, etc. as I wanted. I even dipped a few potato chips in the chocolate fountain along with my strawberries - kitschy, I know, but it was so much fun! This is a restaurant that is showing its age a bit, but the view is amazing, and the dated feel actually lends to its character, in my opinion.
(5)Jim K.
After living in Portland for over 20 years, i thought that it was about time. Came here for the first time this Sunday for brunch. The array of food to choose from was staggering. I enjoyed the crab legs and the salmon Benedict was superb. The crawfish were enormous and flavorful. I ran out of room, but the omelette bar looked good, and we entirely missed the clam chowder that is reportedly awesome. A bit pricey, but worth it for the occasional special occasion.
(4)Minh V.
I'm just reviewing the lobster I had last night for New Years Eve and it was awesome.
(5)Paula W.
My mouth is still watering over the wonderful Sunday Brunch we had a few weeks ago. Though the price is quite high, I didn't eat for almost 2 days afterwards. Walking in, the first thing I thought of was, "I haven't seen such a sumptuous feast since the last time I was on a cruise ship". Of course, the 6 layer chocolate fountain and dessert bar was one of the first things I saw. No matter what your taste in brunch items, they had you covered: fresh fruit, ham, potatoes, 2 kinds of eggs benedict, cheesy grits, sausage, bacon, bagels and lox, smoked salmon, peel and eat shrimp, prime rib, build-your-own omeletes, pasta or crepes, shrimp ceviche, and too many other items I can't seem to remember. Plus bottom-less mimosas for $5. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because we made reservations for 6 people a month in advance and were seated at a horseshoe booth away from the windows (do you know how hard it is to get in and out of a booth when you're having brunch?). Unfortunately they were completely booked up so couldn't move us to a table. This is definitely worth the money for an extra special occasion.
(4)BlazingPrattles P.
I was really looking forward to Salty's because I always heard that it was amazing. The food is good, and the view is nice. The service is adequate. I had the only option they had for maine lobster, and it was good. The bar didn't carry my brand of bourbon. The band was too loud for dinner conversation. The views could be great if the dining room and windows had been built to make sunsets more comfortable. The constant glare was a disappointment. But really, it is just good. Not special. For the money, I would try something else.
(3)Peter H.
I really like this place. Been here about 4 times over the past couple of years. Every time has been exceptional, with one hold out which was only great. I most appreciate that they have a wide variety of non-shellfish dishes (I'm allergic...) as well as a significant amount of beef and poultry dishes. The wait staff is always friendly, available, and on their game. I have never had to wait on a drink refill, or extra bread/crackers. Very nice. The view isn't half bad either and the bar upstairs is a great destination on its own. All in all, you can't go wrong here.
(4)Randy S.
Ate here with my sister and niece when I returned on a business trip. The ambience is nice on the river. The waitress was sweet and knowledgeable about the menu, the sampler appetizer was large for 3 people, My salmon was cooked medium rare as ordered, the special my sister had - sturgeon was cooked perfectly and my niece had teriyaki salmon which was also cooked as it should have been. The portions for the main course were also generous. The price was about 50 per person including non alcoholic drinks and tip. I so love Oregon not having sales tax. I do plan to return to this new found restaurant.
(4)Sherlock H.
We went there this year for their Christmas Eve buffet. The food selection was minimal and didn't encompass the normal brunch type foods. The only thing that fit was the omelet station, but it seemed out of place since there were no other foods to go with that like waffles or breakfast potatoes or bacon. There were practically no vegetable choices, but they had a few pasta type dishes that tasted like they didn't cook down the flour enough in the cream sauce. The dessert selection was pretty lame for it being Christmas. Just some small items of typical dessert fare, nothing really special for Christmas. Baklava? Really? What about pecan pies or a yule log or something like that? I was so disappointed in the selection. And the prime rib was so undercooked I swear it was still mooing! Seriously, the meat was basically raw. We won't be returning to this Salty's. I have to say that the Salty's at Alki in Seattle is way better than this one.
(2)Cyn S.
Salty's is one of the best restaurants in town. We had a reservation at stone cliff in carver. When we arrived and asked to sit outside we were told we couldn't because all the tables for 2 were taken. There were lots of tables out there. We left and headed to saltys. When we got there it looked like the place was packed. We didn't have a reservation but knew we'd get great service and the food would be exceptional so we were willing to sit inside. The hostess couldn't have been more accommodating. Upon receiving our request to sit outside, she said it would be a few minutes but she could make that happen. We headed to the bar to wait. There we were greeted by the funny bartender who had our drinks in front of us in minutes. We toasted our good restaurant choice only to be asked if we were ready to head to the deck. Wow! We're we ready! They seated us with a view of the marina, the Columbia, and Government Island AT A TABLE FOR 4! With saltys help we recovered our evening. Guess where we'll go next time. It'll be saltys. Don't waste your time going to stone cliff.
(5)John B.
This place is great, however the food is OK. I think we went on a bad night, but the view is awesome and this place is great too. THe food was ok but I would try again I am sure the food is better than what we had.
(3)Ana M.
Four stars because of the price. Overall, great place for a special occasion. My husband and I came here for the last 2 Valentine's days. The first year was great, but this last year, the prices rose and the dinner menu downgraded so that was pretty disappointing. If you want a special Valentine's day, I would recommend coming here with your special someone. They decorate the place with fresh roses, and each special lady receives a beautiful long stem rose from the staff. In the lobby as you wait to be seated, glasses of champagne and a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit will keep you very busy ;) The Valentine's day menu is very limited to a few dishes, so make sure there is something you like before you decide to make a reservation on Vday (PS- Valet parking is included). On any regular day, I would say get the clam chowder-- best I've ever had!
(4)Kelly M.
2.5 stars Easter brunch 2013. Pros: waiter Trevor, the view, breakfast selections, prime rib, Dungeness crab, blackened salmon, chowder, oysters. Trevor was very attentive and very friendly. He made suggestions that were very good and had a special crepe made for my boyfriend. By the way, crepe station was sooo good! Cons...and it's a big one for my family....DESSERT! Only reason I decided it would be worth $50. My mom has wanted to come for the last 8 years and we finally went this year. I felt I was basically lied to by the Easter menu shown online. There were 5 of us (first time) and my brothers enjoyed it a lot, but it's because they love prime rib and it was very good. Best I've had. But not good enough for the $50 per person price! They had NO cheesecake, pastries (besides apple dumpling), Danishes, brownies, bread pudding, chocolate cake, blueberry coffee cake, caramel almond bars or even chocolate chip cookies! Not even lady fingers for the chocolate fountain. Only graham crackers and Oreos...Hate both. So nothing soft and delicious to put in the fountain besides strawberries, marshmallows, and pineapple. For that much money, my mother should have some cheesecake. All they had was Rice Krispies, oatmeal cookies, orange cups, lemon lime bars, meringue cookies, hazelnut tart, and carrot cake. So they DIDN'T have more things then they DID have for dessert. All this can be found at home town buffet. Chocolate is good, but not good enough to where we didn't notice everything else was missing. We were at the end of the day (6:30 pm) so I understand they can be out of things, but then the price should be cheaper. I convinced myself that a restaurant like this would make sure everything was there until the end. I was very underwhelmed. My mom says she doesn't want to come back for Mother's Day. Which is why we came yesterday because normally we have 8 people in our family, but they were out of town. We wanted to test it out with less people and we are glad we did. I would come back if I wasn't paying. Other than that, no.
(2)Cathy R.
Where to start.... This was a second trip, and most likely my last......at least for a while. We had a reservation for 10 for Mother's Day brunch. Now, four were children, age 1, 4, 7 and 9. My biggest complaint is cost. I was shocked to get the bill, not realizing there would be additional charges for the champagne and 2$ for the one year old....Our bill was over $500! Yikes!!! The food, while the choices included crab, steelhead, oysters, shrimp, was not impressive. The prime rib was dry and tasteless, the shrimp were tiny and water logged, getting to the food was chaotic, but then who am I, they had over 1600 reservations on this particular day.
(3)Axel R.
It was 72 degrees when I came here. The hottest day of the year so far. I wanted something to eat before my trek back to Seattle. I sat on the deck and it was happy hour; a bonus:) I had the wild salmon caesar salad. It was good. A crab cake and a couple drinks. It was awesome. Relaxing watching the boats on the Marina. Service was good. Due to the nice weather. everyone mostly wanted to eat outside, but inside dining is wonderful as well. Not much else around in the area, so it might be a little out of the way, but wanted to eat on the water. I had a wonderful experience.
(4)Stephen T.
oregon rockfish good, clam chowder good... appetizer with the fried stuff....not so good; greasy i felt
(4)Peter T.
Was invited by Portland's garden consultant extraordinaire, Sara Pool, for brunch at Salty's on the Columbia River. We've wanted to hit this brunch for a long while, as it features at least three of Mrs. Burgerdogboy's favorites - crab legs, raw oysters, and bacon! And I'm all about any place you can eat pounds of bacon and sausage and not be admonished or penalized (in some regards) for doing it. We arrived for the 11am seating (make reservations via OpenTable), and were seated promptly, tho the restaurant was very crowded. (Note, it seemed to thin out a bit around 123o). Our affable server Austin (named after my mother's home town) took our beverage orders and explained our options. We were seated upstairs at a window overlooking the marina, the river, and flightpath for PDX. It was a lovely sunny day. The buffet is on the main floor, and the choices are too numerous to even start a list. Suffice to say that anything you could imagine being on an American Sunday brunch buffet was there in full force, very high quality, attention to detail and presentation. Whether you wanted to focus on a "breakfast" or imbibe in solely seafood, or chomp on chocolates - have at it! Just the seafood alone is enough to drag me to this place (full menu link below), this is a feast! The Salty's brunch is a bit spendy ($45 plus drinks), but take a gander at their brunch menu online, and you'll want save your pennies to hit this place as soon as possible. I haven't been very happy with my food pix lately, and today was no exception. This is just one plate of many that we had. The foto looks "foggy", as you can see. I had a lightbulb when I got home, and cleaned the lens. A lot of old burgers and pizza covering that piece of glass, apparently. A new camera is on my wish list for burgering in 2012. The quality will improve! (Thanks Spool for a fabulous day!).
(5)Eric H.
I used to get all excited for Vegas buffet but now I'm gonna have to start flying to Portland Oregon for buffets. All sea food variety was just kick ass. I live in Los Angeles and I just cant seemed to name a buffet better than this place. This is a definite place to go again for Sunday brunch next time I'm in town.
(5)Andy B.
A big thumbs up on the ambiance rating. The restaurant is beautiful inside with a great view of the Columbia River. The waitstaff was also top-notch, very knowledgeable, very helpful, and prompt. For starters, I had the clam chowder along with some corn bread. Both were superb and I wish this place wasn't so far away from where I live just so I could have it more often. Tasting their delicious clam chowder at the Yelp Bossanova Event is what brought me here in the first place and it tasted just as good as I remembered! The entrees, sad to say, were a disappointment. I had the special and the fish had a dirty taste to it. Considering how much it costs, it was not up to par. However, when it came time for dessert, the food was excellent once again. I guess the entrees were a fluke considering how many other positive reviews this place has. (Note for next time: avoid the special.) I'm anxious to come back and try out the Sunday brunch! Food: 4 Service: 5 Ambiance: 5 Value: 3 TL;DR: The clam chowder & cornbread are heavenly
(4)Cassandra C.
First of all: the view is gorgeous. Get a river view table if you can. I had dinner here, had no interaction with the bar. Started with a "seasonal tap" (Full Sail Amber, wth?). An appetizer was ordered but I didn't eat any of it. The table bread was delicious and a nice hold-over waiting for food. Service was attentive without being hover-y. They had a market menu (their specials) with the regular menu. I am not particularly a seafood person (I do like scallops and all things clam chowder-esque). I started with the seafood chowder and for $7 it was better than any soup I've ever been served at a restaurant. There must have been unicorn milk in the broth and a heavy dose of butter but it was awesome. Best thing. I ordered the rosemary steak with garlic potatoes ($38). The steak was good at the table but nibbled at a couple hours later, it was a little leathery. So I wouldn't recommend taking it to go unless you've got a good method for reheating. I just got a promotion so this was a celebratory dinner and I wanted to splurge a little. This item was just the ticket. It was very simple, served with a demi glace, something of a runny barbeque/teriyaki sauce. Good stuff. And for dessert, I split a Frangelico brownie with someone that was quite inventive. It had shaved ice doused in liquor on top and was served with a dried apple garnish. I devoured it. Would I return? Yes. Would I shell out hard earned money? Yes. I'm very interested in their happy hour. I can see myself enjoying that upper bar some sunny July Monday afternoon. . .I'd eat the chowder even if the Earth's surface was 300°.
(4)Misty B.
This is pretty much my new favorite place for brunch. I'd come here all the time if it wasn't so expensive, however the price is totally worth it. I was just there this past weekend celebrating my 5th wedding anniversary with my husband. We brought the kids along as well. Our son LOVED sitting outside, watching the planes fly overhead! The food was great! I think I ate about 10 crab legs, the meat tasted fresh and sweet. Prime rib, endless bacon, potatoes, bottomless mimosas, etc etc etc. There is something there for everyone. I will say, the eggs benedict should be avoided unless you get one fresh; the yolk will cook as it sits in the warmer. (Unless you don't like runny yolk!) My yolk was perfect, my husband's was not. I was even brave and tried a raw oyster. Not my thing. I hated it, but my husband said they were fresh and delicious. My only complaint is that they should have chilled, or just not steaming hot, plates next to the shrimp and crab legs bar. I like my shrimp cocktail chilled, but by the time I got back up to the patio with my food, the hot plate had made my shrimp warm and funky. I'll have to remember to grab a separate small plate near the desserts for next time, which might be in a couple weeks when we have some family come into town for a visit! The service there is fantastic! Free valet parking and very attentive and friendly, but not annoying, servers. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Chaein H.
Love the Sunday brunch!!!! luckily I had reservation!!! I went on fathers day n it's overflown wiv ppl in the waiting area ! With reservation , when I check in - Sharon the expert -that's wat her name tag says :) nicely told me hopefully it will be under 30 min wait , coz it's superp pack so I understand . But after 5 minute my name is called n being seated upstairs ^^ very nice . Such a big variety of food n seafood ! Love the dungeness crab it's so fresh n not salty !!! N the shrimp !!! Yummy!!! The freshest I had so far ! Oyster bar constantly have lines n once it's my turn -it's out !! Gotta wait couple minute fir top up :) yeah it's that fresh n everyone is going for it !! Love how fast they top up their food once its runs low ! Top notch service!! I have Ahmed as my server n he was very attentive n courteous n deserve the 25% tip at the ends ^^ My next return will sure request a deck seat or window seat . The view , mimosa n the crab it's just Heaven ^^ Will def come back n recommend to friends! Arrived 11:30 n when I leave @ 2pm the waiting area still packed!!! Wow . Will return once I train myself to eat more!! :D This time I didn't get to try it all coz I got so full !! Leave clam chowder, crepes,n salad the last n go for crab oyster n clam the next time ;)
(5)Jihae H.
This place is an institution here in Portland. It's been around forever, so you know there has to be something special about it to keep it in business for as long as it has been. The Open Table reservation capability via their Yelp page was super convenient and we were seated almost immediately at a wonderful table with a view. We took advantage of the June Dining out Month's $25 3-course meal and it was faaaaantastic. Hubby had the Wedge salad with bay shrimp and the Chile rubbed Mahi Mahi, which was cooked well and seasoned perfectly. The portions were perfect and we left feeling full and happy. Service here is fantastic. They treat their customers with respect and are efficient and consistent with their food. As much as I love going to the new and trendy restaurants, as a person who has lived here almost my entire life, I love love love supporting restaurants like this one, with history and roots in Portland. This is a great place to go for a special dinner, or even just their happy hour or Sunday brunch.
(4)Dirty D.
Management responded to my criticism in a favorable way. I'm please to see how attentive this business is to the customer. I returned to have two delicious salmon dinners. "Yay! I'm a fan."
(4)Debi V.
My husband and I decided to try Saltys to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It was the Best experience we have ever had. Breonne was our server and she was perfect Our mimosa's lunch and special desert were perfect. Thank you for such a great celebration. We love d it!!
(5)Roberto L.
Great weekend buffet! Good value for price $43. Service was attentive and food selection includes Dungeness crab, salmon, seafood chowder, omelet stations, and a chocolate fountain. Views of river are ok. Very crowded, so, make a reservation.
(4)Sherry S.
Felt like being outside looking at the river and thought Salty's! The weather will be changing pretty quick here in Portland so I wanted to watch some sailboats etc. Have not been here in years. That being said it feels like nothing has changed from that time either. First we got all shuffled around because we were there for happy hour food (5pm we were there) so there are official/designated spots for us. Finally got to sit outside upstairs which was a great view at any rate. Note though that there were maybe 6 tables in the whole place with people at them at that time so was not sure about the whole fuss. Happy hour menu is pretty good. Prices are very reasonable. Items from $2-$9 a piece. They also have 3 cocktail choices, wine, beer at 5 bucks a pop. Not too bad so far. Ordered the small casaer salad and the ahi like tuna. Partner ordered the fish and chips. The waiter was very helpful throughout though a little anxious maybe. Might be related to the slowness of the day. Got our food and the ahi looked very different. They also use a special marinade so maybe that was why it had a strange color to it. It tasted ok, not bad but not the freshest. The marinade was so so. The fish and chips, same kind of thing as far as freshness, so-so. Portions were not too big but not too small. They could have added a little bit more romaine on the small salad. I mean romaine is cheap. They used fresh ground cheese for the salad. Bottom line? For a place that is in a great location it felt like they really don't seem to want to try that hard to get that whole fresh food thing on.. I don't understand that. Just seemed a little tired. We went out the back way and the place needs some sort of outside attention as well. Oh well, I thought I would try it out once more.
(3)Kimberly M.
My husband and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary dinner at Salty's on the Columbia last month. The reservation process online was great and I even received a call later that day from the restaurant to confirm. Our server was friendly and attentive; he also answered all our questions and made welcomed suggestions for menu selections. We split a Dungeness Crab Cake as our appetizer and thinking back on it - I wish I had ordered my own! The cake was amazing. I wish it were available as an entree (2-3 cakes) and then a vegetable side. For the main dish he had the Sturgeon Surf & Turf and I ordered the NW Paella. Both were delicious and I at least had left overs. That was good the next day for lunch. There are 2 things that cause me pause in putting 5 Stars for this review. First, our drinks (a beer and a simple cocktail) were quite late in showing up. Our server went to the bar at least twice to check on them, overall, about 20 minutes for them to arrive. Second, the dessert, creme brulee, was on the greasy side. The custard itself was bland, not much vanilla to be detected at all. The dish was saved by combining bites with the garnishes, strawberries and a lacy, nutty cookie. Overall it was a nice dinner and experience. I would love the opportunity to return and try the Champagne Brunch and be able to see the river during the day. I am also looking forward to trying their chowder, fish & chips, and the wonderful, delightful, Dungeness Crab Cake again.
(4)D B.
I've been to Salty's a couple times over the last several years. I was pleased to find myself there again on a recent business trip to Portland. We had a large group and were treated very well by the staff. The restaurant has a great view out onto the Columbia. We were treated to a pair of Ospreys as well as local wind surfers doing their respective things outside. I was also pleased that there were plenty of local beers to choose from. I opted for the Ninkasi IPA, and was not sad faced upon departure. I Will disclose that I am a big fan of salad and am often disappointed when ordering starter/appetizer salads. If you are going to charge 8-9 dollars for a salad I expect more than some lettuce and a green wedge of tomato. Very happy to report that the salads at Salty's are first rate. Nothing but two big thumbs up on the front. I went with a halibut dish that was also fantastic. Not the best I have ever eaten, but very good just the same. I didn't hear any of the other 12 guests in our party complaining about any of their meals either. Unfortunately we had to run out quickly after our meal so time for dessert, but maybe next time.
(4)Cal K.
Very overpriced for what you get. The last several times I've eaten here (it was a business function this weekend so it wasn't my choice) I've had either good, not great, but good food, or some pretty lousy food. Some people prefer trendiness over taste and food quality, that's not me. Taste and quality comes first. At a table of 10, at least 4 (including myself) were disappointed with the food and the others said it was "good". No one raved about it or the location we were at upstairs with no river view. Appetizer was very salty, 2 of us had fish and chips that were mostly fluffed batter that was peeled away and left on the side of the basket, the basic salad one had as an appetizer only had a few bites and was pushed away, the crab another had for $40 was was described as good but nothing special. 2 had the Cod and Dungeness crab oscar they both really liked but still mentioned it was overpriced. There's nothing wrong with paying for what you get but Salty's does not deliver on the prices they charge. You can find better food elsewhere with just as good and better atmosphere and fair prices. Update: My original review was a couple weeks before Christmas last year, 2011. After I posted the review someone from Salty's contacted me and made an offer suggesting something like a comped meal to give Salty's another try. I suggested 2 complimentary Sunday buffets for myself and my fiance who was with us and not very pleased with her meal last December. I mentioned I had heard the Sunday brunch was good and felt this would be a reasonable request to give Salty's another try. I never heard back. Talk about one slap in the face after another. That is NOT how a business treats customers and drops my previous 2-star rating to a 1-star.
(1)Jake J.
Salty's suggest the Paella and for desert, white chocolate mouse cake! Yummo!
(4)V G.
I just returned from a business lunch and I hate to say that I was not impressed. The service was wonderful. The decor was nautical but not corny. The food was disappointing. I had the "Special"- it was grilled steelhead (bland), the bacon wrapped scallops were obviously purchased pre wrapped and frozen. They were akin to little bacon wrapped tires. I won't hurry back for a meal on my own time.
(2)Kimo S.
This was an awesome brunch with a good value ($40)! The view is beautiful and you a buffet with a wide variety. On a typical end, there's omelette station, oysters, crab, pastries, chocolate fountain. The best/most creative item was the waffle benedict!
(4)Dante C.
My wife and I went to Salty's on the Columbia River for our anniversary. It was a superb experience. Pricey, but superb. After we told them that it was our anniversary, the servers placed a pair of helium balloons at our table and treated us to a light and tasty slice of cake after our meal. The only reason I didn't give the restaurant five stars was the halibut special that I ordered: much too heavy on the paprika, on the fish and in the sauce. The clam chowder, however, is to die for. Great place. I would go there again.
(4)Mark H.
don't know why people go here. the food is crap and the service is just ok. I know it's on the river but that doesn't make up for bad food and bad service. save your money and go some where else. 1 valet for a Saturday night bad service no way I'm going back
(1)Cindy A.
HAPPY HOUR If I had to pick only one Happy Hour to marry, Salty's would be my chosen forever love! It's right on the Columbia River, and views are truly majestic. Best in the summer with their giant outside deck -- and beautiful sunsets! There is a late-night Happy Hour on Fridays 9-10 where you can catch Mel Brown Jazz. FOOD $1.50-$6.99 BEST burgers in the city! Plus: Caesar salad, salmon, fish and chips, coconut prawns, always-excellent flatbread of the day, fries, award-winning seafood chowder (YUM!!) and more... DRINK SPECIALS $3.95 choice draft; $5.00 wine selections $4.25 Margaritas & Bloody Marys CRAZY huge and delicious weekend brunches too!!!!
(5)Buzz M.
Salty's is a great place to go even with a group. 8 of us ate here on a Thursday evening. Once of the reasons I choose Salty's for a group is the restaurant is quite large and there is plenty of room for a larger group without feeling like claustrophobic. The menu is pretty extensive but stick to the basics. A few in our group had steak then complained it was dry (really?... you're in a SeaFood place!). The Shrimp Cabonara was outstanding but brought out a tad cool for my liking and the place was not busy at all. No excuse for serving anything less than hot food!! Still, this is a place I'd rather dine at than say, Jakes Crawfish, just because it's easy to get in and out of, and there's plenty of room to stretch out. When it's light out, the views are fantastic. In the winter, you won't be able to see a darn thing.
(4)Anne M.
OMG! This was my second time at Salty's, and I am hooked. From now on, I will book my flights to land here for lunch or dinner before heading to PDX. I had Damien's Dish, a special for the day, and it was a delicious combination of halibut stuffed with crab and shrimp over garlic mashed potatoes. Others had the cioppino, the lobster roll, and a good looking sandwich. There is a great wine list, and I had the Rainier Cherry (Baileys and cherry-flavored vodka) for dessert - really helped those pre-flight jitters and was a great drink besides. My daughters split a chocolate satin dessert that was also very good.
(5)Paul P.
We had heard much of Salty's and were eager to treat ourselves. It's a mixed bag. I would like to rate Salty's higher but the food just wasn't there. First, the setting is of course exquisite. Service was excellent. And the live Jazz was great. Seating, the table next to the window had cold air blowing on us. We asked about it to see if the temp could be adjusted. We were offered another table but would have had to give up the window. We stayed. I think they turned the temp up a degree. Appetizers, we had the trio of shrimp, calamari, and crab cake. All were good and the crab cake was great. Main courses: We both ordered a cup of the world famous chowder. I'm sorry to say it was a bit disappointing. Heavy on the thickener (I think it was potato instead of flour). It was a bit gloppy/pasty. My wife had the shrimp carbonara. 2 shrimp on some pasta for $23. She said it tasted good. I had the scallops wrapped in prosciutto. It was just OK, a bit salty and dry, and the tomato bisque on the bottom was very salty. Desert: we shared the chocolate silk pie which was very good. Pricing was quite high for the mediocre quality food. We might return to sit in the bar and listen to music and watch the river but will probably pass on dinner. We have read much of the brunches and might try one some time but we are now a bit cautious of Salty's.
(3)Matt K.
Was here on business with a large party, so I'm not sure how expensive it is? But the view is very nice. Food is excellent, ambience is just a little "busy". Enjoyed it, but I'd probably want to try out other places if I were in Portland again. Probably would have enjoyed it more if I had been there with friends, not for work. I'm sure I'd have ordered three times as much.
(4)Gena L.
The Sunday brunch is insane. Approximately $40 gets you bottomless food that spans everything from a chocolate fountain to lobster. $5 also gets you bottomless mimosas. The brunch lasts from 9am to 1pm. Can't leave this place any other way but fat and happy. Views of the river are nice and the waitstaff is helpful and check back often. My mimosas never reached the bottom without a waiter topping me off again and again and again. I only wish I didn't get fulll so fast!
(4)Jennifer F.
Business brought me to Salty's on a chilly Thursday afternoon. We had a table of about 15 people and for the amount of people we had, I'd say it was fairly speedy. Very accommodating with our large group. Good HH prices and frosty beverages. Overall, excellent. I'd definitely go back!
(4)Alane D.
Breath taking views! Lobster roll was very good and tasty salad. Very good chowder. Super place for our first lunch on this trip to the Pacific Northwest.
(4)Garry W.
Here on business and this Resturant was recommended by the hotel I was staying. Ended up eating here twice in one week! Great views, great service, and the food was out of this world! Wine is from the region and a good selection.
(5)Nicole P.
Came by for our Anniversary meal. the location is a bit out of the way and we wouldn't have been able to find it without the GPS. We got a balloon and a piece of vanilla mouse cake (free) for celebrating there. Our table was overlooking the river which was nice, but it was so dark out you couldn't see much. I had the crab legs with green beans and a potato cake. The potato cakes were out of this world, the crab legs were cold, but the green beans were defiantly fresh. The lobster bisque was really nice and creamy. My boyfriend had Cajun prawns with asparagus and potato cake. The prawns were nice and large with great seasonings. why only 3 stars? i thought for what they were charging the ambiance might have been a little better, and we had a great waitress but it seemed informal ... for the amount we were paying. Dinner for 2 with wine, soup and 2 entrees was $98. It was a special occasion and the food was good, but didnt blow me away and the atmosphere is nice but not upscale or romantic.
(3)Sean S.
Almost Perfect, the only knock was the Halibut special my wife ordered per great waiter? Wasnt cooked well...But with that said? The reservation was easy, restaurant was on time, sat us upstairs overlooking the Columbia River in a perfect spot.Waiter was extremely friendly without beeing phony? Appetizers Oysters were a 10, Chowder was a 10, Pinot was a 10....My Steelhead was a 10..Halibut was a 5...Dessert was great, Cappucino was great and waiters pace was awesome...
(4)Ken V.
We had a perfect first visit during the Sunday brunch. A great range of options featuring a strong selection of seafood. Promptly seated on time (with reservation) and had exceptional service throughout. An otherwise gray skyline broke a bit and showed the riverview. All in all, a great Sunday event.
(5)Lindsay L.
This review is for brunch only. This was my first time heading out to Salty's for brunch and a girlfriend and I had been looking forward to it for weeks! They offer bottomless mimosa's (Wycliff Sparkling) and an all you can eat buffet. Our server, Austin, was fantastic bringing us hot towels with my crab-hands were icky, clearing our crab bucket with it got full and overall delivering the best service I've had in awhile.
(4)Ran B.
One word - disappointment. It's not BAD food, just not good one. Compared to the alternatives (e.g. Benson hotel "London grill" champagne brunch), Salty's just doesn't deliver. It breaks down to two types of customers: Those who aren't super interested in sea food - for them there's almost nothing to eat. Omelet, some bad breakfast meats. Those who really like sea food - for them the sea food is bland and not interesting. All in all, I wouldn't come back here, and coming the first time was a mistake I now regret.
(2)Shayne B.
OK, so I try to find things wrong with Salty's since it is just over my travel per diem allowance for my company. The problem is every time I go to Portland I end up there and I am always glad I went. It is not downtown, so for those staying out by the airport the location is perfect. Lots of easy parking too. Go downtown and tell me you don't appreciate easy parking. Most importantly the food is great. Try the crab macaroni and cheese for lunch. You'll have too much and get dinner or a late night snack out of the deal. All the dishes I have had there are great as were the appetizers. The service is pretty good and the atmosphere is nice with a lot of windows looking over the river. The happy hour is call/well I think because you get brand name drinks at call prices. So I'll go back and spend $55 for dinner and end up paying the extra $5 and the bar tab myself. It is a great place
(4)Marjorie L.
Perfect day to sit on the patio and enjoy the beautiful view! Great dinner with friends, all of us liked and enjoyed our entries. Our server was excellent, happy and fun! NIce small party with my friends.
(5)Timothy L.
Sunday Brunch Endless lobster, create your own crepes Even bottomless $5 mimosas Sad they dropped the early bird rebate
(4)Heather D.
Dinner was great, wine was fantastic, view of the river was lovely. What more could you ask for with your $68 lobster? I really enjoyed my dinner at Salty's and cannot make one complaint about my food. My friend and I both chose fresh crustaceans out of the tank, I had crab named Hans (I like to name my live food before having it steamed with garlic. It seems only right) and he had a large tasty lobster. While little was lacking in my dining experience, this place could use some serious updating. The decor is rather dated and the place feels kind of like the inside of a boat themed restaurant from the 70s - minus the actual boat theme. I am also not really sure what was going on down by the window area, but there were balloons tied to every other table - thankfully not mine or there would have been a POP POP sound disrupting dinner for everyone else before I would have even sat down. The price tag on the menu connotes fine dining, but the interior doesn't reflect this at all. The menu offers sides of roast potatoes and vegetables (as I recall), but the waiter let me know I could substitute most of the sides. I went with the asparagus and the mushrooms. The mushrooms were the real stand out dish here. Apparently someone in the kitchen is a woodland forager and brings in local fresh mushrooms for this dish. I believe the night I was in the plate had some super tasty chanterelles, oyster mushrooms and a third variety whose name escaped me somewhere around the 3rd glass of wine. Speaking of which, I hate to pour my own glass of wine, in a restaurant. The angle from the table is never great and the waiter had been by a couple times so I feel like he could easily have taken care of this minor detail. Other than this he was very informative, accomodating and attentive. I have heard the place offers a pretty great Sunday brunch. I am not sure I would choose this place first for a high dollar dinenr again, but for brunch I'd check it back out.
(3)Ryan P.
Three stars because of the long service. Took one hour for just salads and one appetizer. 15 min for drinks to come. Hour 1/2 before our food was brought to us. I got one if the specials and not really pleased with the price and quantity. For what I got should have been about 10$ less. My fish was cold but too hungry to complain. The potatoes were not real tasted like instant. The best was the cold seafood appetizer with shrimp shrimp and crab. Other than that I still prefer jakes famous crawfish by far and for the price.
(3)Olivia T.
Try the Sunday Brunch! I have tried the famous Salty's Sunday Brunch three times and it never fails. Third time has been the best because of the Christmas decor that added to the ambience (oh yeah and because I was celebrating a milestone anniversary!) I love the no-fuss high-quality customer service. I never had to ask our awesome waiter for refills on my unlimited mimosas and he came by timely and provided a warm towel as we were chowing down on seafood. The food selection is amazing, but I rated the brunch 4 stars because they longer include mimosas in the buffet price. Now you have the option of $37.99 or $42.99 (with mimosas). Overall, if you like seafood buffets or are looking for a nice place for a special occasion then Salty's is the way to go!
(4)Andrej B.
Phenomenal fresh seafood, have to try any steelhead special and the mixed seafood plate. Great views right on the river.
(5)Maile A.
This place was recommended by the Hotel we were staying in. We knew it was "pricey". We don't mind paying for good food, but everything we had was bland, dry and so disappointing. What did we have? Mixed mushroom bruschetta, coconut shrimp, salmon with asparagus, mashed potatoes, cajun fish, "mango" sorbet that tasted like orange sorbet. My meal of salmon, asparagus and mashed potatoes tasted as if they had been cooked hours ago. For $104 ($120 with tip), we could of had a much better meal at Red Lobster of Outback Steak House. It was extremely disappointing. The only reason I gave a 2 star rating is for the spectacular view.
(2)Julia H.
Food was great, martinis were perfect, nice wine list, nice service, beautiful view at sunset, however, if you have outdoor seating and an average entree is $30ish dollars, please clean your deck off!!! The plexiglas was gross and complete with forehead-grease-smudges and long hairs plastered to it. And the dust, pollen and SPIDERS that were hanging out between our food and our view about made me want to run the other way. Fortunately, we had a 4-top table, so we could scoot away from the multiple spiders working on their webs! But I suspect other diners weren't as lucky. C'mon Salty's - it's not too hard. A few hours before you open have a staffer get out a hose and spray down all the plexiglas so you get rid of the spiders, and then invest in some Windex! Clean both sides of the glass for best results and we may be back to enjoy the view and the tasty food. Your ghetto deck gets a dive-y rating from me!
(3)Jesse S.
Saltys food quality easily matches the best Oregon view on the Colombia River So great to be here!
(5)G C.
I was excited to go to Salty's tonight. We've been before and the food was very good. That was about a year and half ago. Tonight, most definitely not the same. The food was the quality of a retirement home, or a Sizzler's. I had the lobster stuffed halibut which was so-so. Not much spice and I did not really taste the lobster. The mashed potato's were not good at all and most of them stayed on my plate. My husband ordered a NY steak. He ate 2 bites of it and stopped. The look of the steak was not appealing at all, as was obvious by his face. I tasted the steak and did not like it either. I let our waiter, Andrew, know about it. Our waiter was great and none of this review is directed at him. We gave him a good tip, as the food is not his fault. He did let the manager know. She came to our table and congratulated me on something....ummmm....wrong table. Then we told her about the steak. She apologized and asked if my husband wanted anything else. He did not. She took $25 off the bill. So I guess he spent $25 on a piece of potato. Nice. I can grow several acres of potatoes for twenty five bucks. In any event, we will not be back to Salty's. It's on our list of 'never eat there again' restaurants. Jakes is far superior to this, even though it is also a tourist trap. But still far better.
(2)Kel S.
Food is ALWAYS tasty. Service staff has ALWAYS been friendly, attentive and helpful! My only complaint is that it is so popular that the noise level gets so loud that it's difficult to carry on a conversation...but if you're there to eat and drink, who cares, right?!
(4)Julie T.
I have an uncle who insists on taking us to Salty's for family get togethers. So, I've been there several times, and I've tried plenty of the dinner entrees. I've also had a variety of appetizers. The one thing I can't get over is that I have always found that the food just didn't justify the prices. I mean, eh, it was ok, but I could honestly take it or leave it. I was always interested in trying the seafood dishes, but I must ask, why is a filet $45 dollars? Last time I was there, the kitchen ran out of bread too. Try feeling good about paying for a several hundred dollar meal after you've been told after asking that the kitchen is out of bread.
(2)Amy H.
We came here with my husbands parents back when we first got engaged (Aug 2010). We requested a seat up on the balcony (highly recommended). Amazing food, beautiful view and the staff are incredibly helpful. I recommend the crab mac and cheese, to die for. The cream they make is literally the best I have ever had.
(5)Ken B.
One star for the view , another for the service .the rest a total rip off Happy hour for who ? Not the clientele , quantity and quality better at macdonalds. A waste of time and money . Shame on you Saltys
(2)Flora R.
What stands out the most about this Salty's location is the hospitality of the staff. Everyone is so courteous and friendly. I don't eat seafood or anything that lives in the water, but there are menu items for people like me. Everything I tried was fresh and of high quality. I'd like to go back someday to try their Sunday brunch.
(5)L E.
I came back on Yelp to update a review for Salty's, but couldn't even find the reviews of upset Valentines customers... weird.. at any rate... after contacting management, I did get a response and they really took responsibility for the issue and sent out a gift certificate. I really appreciate that.
(3)Jeff B.
Love the seafood chowder!! Gorgeous location too! Their Sunday buffet looks incredible, but a bit pricey at $35 per person. The interior is decorated with a tall model ship and several other fisherman style decorations. Very rustic, but in a tasteful manner.
(4)Caroline P.
I was very disappointed with my meal this evening. I ordered the honey glazed coho salad. Although the glaze was good and the fish was nicely salted, the oil that the fish was seared in was not hot enough, so the fish had absorbed quite a bit of oil and was not crispy. Also one section of the fish had a "fishy" flavor suggesting it had not been iced properly. The warm fish was placed on a ball of chevre on top of a pile of unevenly dressed arugula. The arugula, about half of which was yellowed or blackened and slimy with age, wilted with the heat of the fish. Under the warm fish a spoon of cinnamon candied pistachio nuts was hidden. The nuts were soggy and the cinnamon was an odd and unappealing companion to the fish. Finally, the promised peaches in the salad were canned! It is mid July and there are lots of ripe peaches and nectarines in the grocery store so I couldn't believe they would select canned peaches over fresh. I don't know why this restaurant gets good ratings. I have not had a good meal here the three times I've been.
(2)Jonathan S.
Very disappointed with brunch today. We had visited the Salty's in Seattle on our first trip up there and came away with a positive view of the food. We thought we'd give the sister location a try. The quality and the variety of the food is better in Seattle. Some of that can be explained by the cost difference, but I'd rather pay a little more and come away satisfied than pay what I did and be frustrated. In general, the food was just too bland. The crab legs and shrimp were water logged. Even the horseradish for the prime rib was woefully mild. The desserts were a bit of a disappointment as well, nothing was worth the calories. Our waitress was good and attentive. We also had a great view from our upstairs tableside window.
(2)Ryan G.
Love the setting here, especially the patio on a nice day. Service is excellent and food is prepared well. I recommend bringing enough money to get everything they have to offer to the fullest.
(4)Heather R.
Where, oh, where can I find more of those chocolate mint heart tartlets... divine, delicious, decadent and a lot of words that haven't even been created yet! Cheers to the creator!!
(4)Tore L.
To go is available! Yessssss! Fresh fish from the coast mmmmmmm
(5)Margaret M.
Great place. Beautiful setting, great service and we all enjoyed our food. They had no problem giving us all separate checks, since we we all on our own expense accounts. The bruschetta was different from the norm but really good and worth a try.
(4)John G.
Just there last night. The front desk service was prompt and pleasant. We had a reservtion and they were right on it. Food was very good. I would go back in a second. There are a few issues they need to iron-out for the good of the restaruant. Our waiter tried hard but desperately needs training. Time and again he blundered through the service. The one issue most troubling was our food was luke warm. Clearly it sat in the kitchen awaiting his arrival. There just isn't a good excuse for cold food. We decided to just eat it as he was so scattered we feared never seeing it again. A couple of issues for managment...if they read the reviews. He picks up water glasses on the drinking surface rather than the stem. Just gross and a basic training issue. One other classic. He stops by our table to see if we want anything else with an armload of dirty dishes...that he places on our table while talking. So, I am staring at a pile of someone's dirty dishes. Again, just basic training lacking. It was not a busy night so really no good reason for the troubled service. Notwithstanding the issues we will go back.
(3)Ashley C.
Brunch on a Sunday is always nice, buffet on a Sunday is even better. All you can eat and mimosa drinks for $40 is what we attempted to conquer; there were lots of casualties but all happy ones. Free valet parking, nice view of the Columbia River, and all the food you can stuff. Two words: food heaven. If I wasn't so full I think I could have stayed and become foodmatose for a day. Although the food was okay, the experience made it fun and the food better brcausr you're simply eating your heart out and not necessarily about the texture, quality, etc. We had the nicest, nicest, waiter - Austin. He was great!
(4)Michael L.
Salty's has a nice location and a good reputation for quality food. The staff is very nice and the food is only average. The upstairs area is very noisy.
(3)Dean C.
I have eaten here almost every time I am in Portland great food fabulous view worth your effort to find this place. The seafoods are fresh and service is attentive.
(4)Rick W.
Best brunch buffet in town. Nee additions: pizza station and sushi. The sushi should be avoided if you love sushi - bland and dry. Good for beginners maybe.
(4)Jeff V.
I have been here only twice and I was waiting to write a review after we attended their buffet brunch but I wanted to be fair and get something up for them in the meantime. We had gone there for an event and they really took care of all of the patrons. The staff were very friendly and the food was quite tasty. On a nice day be sure to sit out on the deck just watch out for the cottonwoods that are flying around during the summer as they will attack your beverages and food. It can be kind of fancy, but it you know a PDX fancy, not a Beverly Hills Fancy.
(4)Heather K.
I first heard of Salty's at Yelp's Bossanova Ballroom Bash a few weeks ago. Salty's had a table set up where they were dishing out cups of their awesome clam chowder with a gift certificate to get you to check out their restaurant. The gift cert was in a sealed envelope with a value between $20-$100 off dinner. The catch is that you couldn't open the envelope and learn the value until after the meal when you're paying the bill. My boyfriend and I decided to have a Salty's date. He loved the chowder from the Yelp event and after reading their menu online, it sounded amazing. Parking is tight, but the view is great. Unfortunately it was raining & hailing while we were there, but we were lucky enough to be seated at a window overlooking the river. Eddie ordered one of the salad appetizers from their brand new fresh market menu that the waitress explained had just been published that day. The salad came with four scallops served on their shells which was a neat presentation. Eddie then ordered the cedar plank salmon and I ordered the cheeseburger (with a few modifications) for dinner. The salmon was a smallish fillet when you figure you're paying almost $30 for the plate, but Eddie said it tasted really fresh. Unfortunately, I was really unimpressed with my burger. The portion was huge (seriously looked like 3/4 pound of ground beef) which is usually great, but it was totally overcooked. Granted, the waitress didn't ask how I wanted it prepared, but I think it's safe to assume that burgers are cooked to medium unless the menu specifies otherwise. For me, if I'm going to pay $16 for a burger, it has to be perfect. The bun was good though. It was some kind of a kaiser roll... My only other hangup with the burger is that the bacon was not flavorful. Bacon is piggy yumminess... Not sure how it can lack flavor, but somehow it did tonight. But the beer battered fries were great! Salty's only gets three stars from me tonight because while the atmosphere and service are spectacular, I think the food is just adequate - pretty good but way overpriced for the portions and quality. I probably won't be back for dinner (unless I have another one of their gift certificates), but I'd be happy to return for happy hour or their famed brunch. $5 bottomless mimosas sound great! Maybe then we can turn this into a 4-star review.
(3)Andrew A.
The Salmon Caesar salad is highly recommended. The salmon had a crisp sweet coating that's just delicious, but the salad could have been more favorable. Also tried the Seafood Chowder which was better than average, they offer a dash of cream sherry which was nice. Service was great during lunch, but had to wait awhile for a menu. Word to the wise: don't go on Valentine's Day or special holidays
(2)Road Warrio R.
Great place for dinner with fantastic view of the river. You will not be disappointed. I'm coming back and trying the Sunday brunch.
(4)Gabriel M.
Very good. I liked the one in Seattle better, but this place is definitely of the same breed. Good local seafood combinations. Had the cioppino with the crab. It was quite scrumptious, and I was licking my fingers at the end (but mostly because it was kind of messy with the grab and broth). It was definitely some of the best crab I've had, and it seems like they approach everything with that degree of selection.
(4)Renee J.
WOW! So many thoughts! My brothers came into town with short notice for Thanksgiving, which was wonderful. My job... to find an awesome place for brunch/dinner. I took suggestions from friends & cross-referenced reviews. Salty's got the best of both. The Thanksgiving brunch at first seems spendy.. $49.99, but! the outlandish spread is so worth it. You not only get their full blown crazy-good brunch, but they add all the traditional Thanksgiving fare. Carved turkey, ham, roast beef. the best gravy I have ever tasted & a crab meat-mac & cheese I still don't believe exists. add to that.. bottomless champagne or mimosas, yummmm AND.. pretty darn perfect seating. almost every seat is a window seat featuring the shoreline of Washington on the Columbia River. We got the added bonus of being seated by a huge tree a Bald Eagle frequents, which we were treated to his/hers comings & goings for our entire brunch. The service was incredible.. friendly, attentive, professional. Bottom line... I would highly recommend Salty's to anyone...cozy couple time,out-of-town visitors, girlfirends who lunch or a great family get-together for a delightful, casual, unforgettable brunch!
(5)Alethia B.
This was the best restaurant by far that we patronized during our visit to Portland. The food was fantastic; the wine/beverage list extensive and good; the view was unbeatable; and the service was impeccable. We tried to go back, but alas, it was mid-afternoon & the restaurant was closed. My husband and I definitely recommend Salty's!!!
(5)Trent G.
I'm late in making this review but the family and I stopped by Salty's after landing in Portland for a week long vacation along the coast back in mid October. Had a great lunch. The clam chowder was good and the grilled tuna fish sandwich was pleasing. Nice scenery along the river. Looking forward to eating here again before flying home.
(4)Jane S.
consistently great view, but food can be hit or miss. Good place for brunch for family celebrations, and the staff always seem nice.
(3)Sarah R.
Supposedly the best brunch around. We ate here for fathers day and had the 215 pm seating. They screwed up our reservation, thinking we had a party of 10 they seated us upstairs as far away from the food and view as possible. After a little complaining they moved us to a more appropriately sized table in the main dining room. (there was only 6 of us seated at a table for 12). The all you can eat buffet was full of crab, shrimp, oysters and other seafood delicasies. The honey Dijon turkey tenderloin was to die for. The waiter was very attentive and always made sure our mimosas were full. I would go to the brunch on a non holiday.
(3)Rick J.
Came here for their breakfast buffet a friend of mine talked about. This place has stunning views over the river, but I was I bit "sticker shocked" at the price when the bill came. It is a buffet, meaning unlimited food, and tons of food they do serve, but how much can one guy really eat? It was OK food for the price.
(3)Alice T.
Never again. Made reservations for a party of 23 on Mothers Day to celebrate that, a family reunion, and a graduation. This reservation was made the day the bookings opened up-first week of April, I believe. I was called a few days before to confirm my reservation. The day of, the hostess confirmed 23 people to be seated. When we were seated, there was only enough for 21. So, time was spent clearing another table and finding seats for my guests. I mention that because our waitress mentioned our 1.5 hr recommended stay during our meal. I feel they did a terrible job and overbooked too many people. Sunday "holiday" brunch at $49.99 for 23 people was a total rip off. I can't believe I paid that much per person when most of my guests only had one plate of food because the lines were long, food ran out, and the plates were super hot, it was not easy to handle. The guy preparing one of the table side dishes was bitchin' and complaining about how there was too many people. The prime rib guy gave such thin slices. My brother, who loves prime rib, wanted to tell him "come on now, i'm a big boy!" Are you kidding me? One thin slice of prime rib? Aiyayayai! The dessert area was sorry. I love desserts. I was so disappointed in their selection. It is so unlike me to come back to the table without a plate full of desserts. I only had the almond bar and a meringue. So disappointed at this place. We looked forward to it for months. Just a bad experience. This party of 23 people will probably never go back to that place again. I've already shared this experience with my coworkers as well. I made this place sound so good to my guests because I've been to the Redondo beach location and I've seen it through their website. $49.99 per person, I thought was going to be high end food, great selection, decent lines, and appropriate slices of prime rib. My guests were so disappointed and felt sorry for me that I shelled out cash for a mediocre brunch experience. They need to make some changes to how they book for holidays. I also filled out and mailed their survey cards along with my email address for them to contact me. I haven't received a response back.
(1)Tanna P.
Love!! I try to make it out there every few months even if it's just for a cocktail in the bar! The food menu is pretty darn pricey. The view is great, and the staff is warm and friendly. I have always gotten a parking spot. My boyfriend and I went for the clam broil which was really good and reasonably priced however I ordered creme brûlée and it was not worth the $8, sorry guys, I was really disappointed because that is my favorite dessert and not many places make it. I do love the brunch on the weekends I usually go every year on my birthday! I've always had a good experience! I would recommend that for sure.
(4)James D.
I came here for a lunch meeting and I have to say....WOW! Great job! I have been here before but it was many years ago. The view was awesome and the food was excellent. The staff was very accommodating and friendly! The prices are a little on the high side BUT are well worth what you get!! Highly Recommend!
(5)David R.
Great food, great staff, great views. It's a little spendy but it's well worth the money. I have eaten here many times and it is always consistent. It is always good and the staff are always prompt and friendly. The menu is creative with inventive items as well as old standbys. Be sure to save room for dessert! If you are in the mood for a nice dinner you should definitely drop by
(4)Todd R.
Great service. Great views of the Columbia river activity. Very good seafood. I had the steelhead salmon cooked on cedar plank, giving it a sutle smoked flavor that was amazing. Can't wait to go back for their famous brunch.
(5)Lindsay T.
We came here for the first time for the Father's Day brunch buffet-$49.99/person. It was super crowded but we made reservations and their free valet parking saved us a lot of time and effort. The food was awesome, we spent all our time on the crab, shrimp and oysters so we never even tried the hand carved meats, omelette/ pasta bar or fresh crepes. The seafood was fresh and delicious and so were the salads. The bacon was crisp and the desserts were amazing. Our service was excellent with dirty plates picked up promptly and out glasses were never emptied. They offered unlimited mimosas/champagne for $5 but we didn't partake. We sat outside right by the water and it was a perfect day for it. The price is pretty steep but we will definitely be back. The only disappointment is that they didn't have creme brûlée (which was on their Father's Day menu online) and that's my favorite and I was really looking forward to it :(
(4)Richard H.
Awesome Sunday Brunch Buffet. Sundays anytime on the river is a very nice place to be and Salty's just make the experience all the more pleasant. Their brunch buffet is just spectacular as there is tons and tons and tons of food. From fresh fish, to landlubbers fair to standard breakfast items, its all there. Sit and eat to your harts content. Drink bottomless Mimosas. We spent hours at the window table in the middle of Fall. Buffered from the elements we lavishly sat back and watched the life on the river that cold, rainy, early Sunday morning. A very enjoyable, relaxing, and fulfilling experience. Don't get suckered into holiday dinners!!!!! (Only TWO Stars.) Although the Sunday Brunch is the best thing ever.... Do not go for the Thanksgiving Dinner.... We were very disappointed at the selection of food that day. The dinner was not even close to the brunch. It was crowded, Overpriced, slow service. An expensive way to keep from making holiday dinner.
(4)Randy Z.
1. make sure you have a reservation. 2. second floor by the outdoor windows is a great spot.3. hard to find anything that isn't really very good ...salmon is out of this world...so is the chowder...4. worth the trip....great value.
(4)Christine D.
The river view is what attacted me to this restaurant. Right off of Marine Drive you have a lovely view of the Columbia River. The seafood was great. I had the salmon special of the evening and it was fantastic. I even had some left over to take home. I enjoyed the 14 hands Merlot as well. From a nearby vineyard in Washington state. It was my birthday and they were happy to place balloons on the table along with my reservation. They ask up front if its a special occasion which is a nice feature. I look forward to another trip back to this restaurant.
(5)Tet W.
This is a nice seafood restaurant on the Columbia River. The food is fresh and flavorful, but is a bit expensive for the portions you get. The quality is good but not outstanding. I did enjoy my surf n' turf dinner and the lobster I had was a nice size and succulent. The service was excellent and friendly and the place is a nice place for a date night or a special night like Valentine's Day Dinner.
(4)Michelle D.
We had a large family gathering (15) at Salty's last Sunday evening. We made a reservation and got right in. The food was great and our waiter did a superb job of making sure to accomidate the requests of the group. We were seated upstairs. What a great view of the Columbia river! Just stunning! I enjoyed the clam chowder with the reccomended creamed sherry!!!! Very great combo! Also had the crab louie! everyone left full and happy with their choices! I will diffenatley return next time I'm in Portland!
(5)Catfish F.
Nice atmosphere, over priced mediocre food! There are plenty of other restaurants in Portland that cost half the amount and serve a great meal ;)
(3)Emily G.
Nearly perfect evening! My birthday dinner was great, the ambiance was perfect, the service devine! My only complaint is I felt the crab legs were overpriced for the quantity. Romantic and great views!
(4)Dave N.
SUPER EXPENSIVE but really tasty! All-you'n-eat Buffet... so if you can put away a few plates of brunch, you get your money's worth! Lovely atmosphere, cheerful waitstaff and cooks (whom you see mingling around refreshing the buffets). A little slice of wonderful worth splurging for once or twice a year! The only drawback is all the frowning Republicans rolling up in their gigantic SUVs-- eww.
(4)Todd M.
We've eaten at Salty's several times but this is the first with their new chef and menu and we had mixed results with the food. First the service. It was Excellent! From the moment we walked in to when we left everyone was very friendly and helpful. We've always had good service but this seemed notably better. Now the food. We had a NW Sampler Bruscheta which was excellent. The local wild mushrooms were over the top succulent and melted in your mouth. We also had a warm Brussels sprout salad that was prepared and seasoned exceptionally well. Then the entrees....two of our three meals included mashed potatoes which I would say were at best similar to instant but not as light. I had the special which was a stuffed chicken breast. The seafood and sauce that made up the stuffed part was outstanding but unfortunately the chicken was severely overcooked and under seasoned. The two other meals we had were also mixed. The steak was excellent but the roasted vegetables that came with it were unappealing. One odd thing that struck me was a seemingly scant offering of seafood, at least compared to the old menu. I could be wrong but it seemed as though the bulk of the offering used to be seafood and now it's about a third of the menu. I've always thought of Salty's as a place for good seafood. We'll probably try it again as things change and some of the food was great. Menus sometimes need to be tested out and maybe we were there during that stage.
(3)Elizabeth D.
Went last week to celebrate our anniversary. Food was amazing! They definitely make you feel special if you're celebrating something. Had a table upstairs next to the window. Why 4 stars instead of 5? Unfortunately, had a table of 6 extremely loud men sitting nearby. I couldn't hear my husband who was seated across from me. After an hour, they finally left and I could hear again. Maybe next time, we'll make reservations later after the business crowd has left.
(4)Stacey O.
AWESOME location... GREAT service and terrific food.. what more could you want?
(4)Santino A.
Amazing dinner!!!!! The clam chowder was the best I've ever had. Service was excellent, and the view of the Columbia river was breathtaking. Their seafood is to die for! Desserts were also amazing, especially the chocolate brownie pudding. An excellent place to go for a special treat in Portland.
(5)David P.
We went to the Oregon Food bank to help with a couple dozen folks from work, we sorted enought food for 10,000 meals. While in the area, never over this far, we stopped in at Salty's on the Columbia river. I found the directions from yelp and was really excited to see one place close by I wanted to try. Thanks for all the information on yelp. I knew what I wanted before I hit the door. It was quiet and not many people inside yet. We had Rebecca as our server ( professional, should be a certified trainer for other restaurants) and she did a great job, nice, quick and kept all the tables in her station properly refilled with beverages and even checked in on us after our first bites to make sure everything was they way we liked it. I really enjoyed my soft shell crab sandwich, loved the fries and the seafood chowder was spot on! Thanks to the kind hostess for seating us in a great section. When we come back to try dinner, I am going to ask if the same server is available. You should too!
(4)Monica M.
Clam Chowder 4 stars. Oregon Salad 4 stars. Ceviche 3 stars - I doubt I'll order the ceviche again.
(4)Susie K.
Lots of good seafood at their brunch. I was actually surprised that the quality was very good. I never expect good food at a buffet, but this place was good. It should be since it's expensive. They have a brunch happy hour too. It offers decent savings. I like saving money! The desserts were good as well. The shrimp were kind of watery, but everything else was good.
(4)S B.
Basics: Real Food, you know the kind they serve with a napkin and fork. Close 2 airport so great for business traveler who would prefer to skip the fast food and yet the scenic kinda place that you can hang with a friend or roll with a date. Ya, I am a Fan
(4)Mark D.
This place is a high end place. Its good I came here for work and didn't have to worry about what the cost was and what I ordered. I was with a coworker and we started with an appetizer of oysters. Those were ok. I do prefer them warm versus cold but still were good. Then I decided that I wanted to get a steak rather than seafood. I chose the top sirloin that was an 8 oz and it included mashed potatoes and some sides. The initial bread before the appetizer was ok. I like it warm if I could have requested that. I did like the steak a lot. It was juicy and the flavor was great. I like my steak medium. It came out and I ate every last bit of it. The dessert that I ordered was some type of apple turnover with ice cream. I never had anything like it. I was so full from everything else that when I got it I wasn't sure if I could finish all of it. I eventually did and it was awesome.
(4)Yee Gan O.
Another great find on my recent trip to the Pacific NW on vacation. I had typed 'fish restaurant portland' into my search engine and Salty's came up. With the promise of a great location and views over the Columbia River, I was sold. I was blessed with good weather, which is not always a certainty in Portland, I gather from the locals. By the way, the 5 star rating comes with a few provisos. The brilliant weather meant I was able to sit outdoors and enjoy the spectacular location. It may be different if you sit inside without the view but there are large windows overlooking the river. Secondly, I love planes and wasn't with anyone else. Salty's location right next to Portland International Airport meant a constant stream of planes taking off overhead - I enjoyed watching them but conversation would have been very difficult with the noise - again this could have been much less indoors. I was determined to have some seafood while visiting the Pacific NW and went for the tower of fresh seafood. I enjoy seafood best like this, allowing the natural sweetness of the seafood not to be masked by other flavours. The seafood was well presented on a bed of ice and came with some interesting dipping sauces which complemented the seafood well. There was mainly shellfish as well as some 'cooked' delicacies such as smoked salmon. Everything was beautifully fresh and tasted of the fresh sea. The staff were friendly and efficient and helped give me directions back to the freeway - if you're not familiar with the area, make sure you ask because it's not as well signposted as it should be. I went on to explore the Columbia River Gorge after the first taster at Salty's. I would return on future trips.
(5)Jane K.
Our family went for a special occasion. We made reservations 3 weeks in advance and told the restaurant that this was a special celebration dinner. We chose Salty's for its positive reviews and it's location. We were disappointed by both. The atmosphere and food felt like we were on a cruise ship that was long overdue for a renovation. Despite our advance reservation, we were place in the middle of the restaurant with a lovely view of the staircase and absolutely no view of the Columbia River.
(2)Andleeb D.
Had a great evening with my husband at Salty's. We sat out on the deck and watched the sunset. The food is fantastic! The only thing I didn't care for was the inattentive server. We had to stop him and ask for bread, then other things. We'll be back, but we'll ask for a different server.
(4)Belly R.
Salty is great for cocktails on the patio while you watch the sun go down. Over a lovely fruity foofoo drink you can laze in the breeze admiring the scenery: from boats, jetskis, and kayaks to hawks, heron, and geese. On cooler nights be sure to bring a jacket as the wind can whip through leaving you a tad chilly. While the menu has a few standout items, like the Halibut and Bernaise over Mashed Potatoes with Asparagus, the meals can occasionally be a little hit or miss compared to other Portland seafood establishments. The appetizers have never failed to disappoint, such Coconut Shrimp, Calamari, Dungeness Crab Cocktail, and the utterly sinful Crab Artichoke dip which features massive pieces of crab smothered in cheese to be piled on top of fried pita slices or thin cucumber sheets. Another drink, please! This isn't a place to eat if you are in a hurry. I've heard great things about their brunch though I honestly have not made it there during brunch hours. Stay a while, savor the nyum nyums, and make sure you stay long enough to digest some dessert such as the Fresh Peach Shortcake with a nice cup of decaf. It's a suitable place for celebration of special occasions such as birthdays, which will score you a lovely White Mousse Cake on the house. Don't expect to get out of here for dinner and drinks for less than $100. If you completely gorge yourself, you can also stumble a few yards east and walk on the paths alongside the Columbia River to work off those extra calories or cocktails. It's a nice place to take visitors to Portland, parents/family, or dates.
(4)Betsy B.
This review only pertains to happy hour. We went there today and sat on the deck. Great view and our waiter Charles was very nice. We tried a great many things to get a feel for the seafood. We wanted to do that before we came back and spent $50 on one meal. So my husband got fish and chips that he really liked, salmon cake that was nice and moist and blonde ale that he really enjoyed as well. I had the calamari that was too spicy, clams that were pretty blah and had little flavor and yummy flatbread with prosciutto, goat cheese and argula. We also shared the coconut shrimp which were awesome and a good ceasar salad. So all and all the food was good, not great. Really glad we tried the happy hour before going straight to the expensive dinner. I've heard the brunch is good so we will probably give that a try.
(4)Melanie J.
Great customer service and fabulous seafood.
(5)Dan G.
Everything I've ever had here has been excellent! Salmon over creamy rosotto, yum! Also try seafood chupino!
(5)LaQueanya H.
Clam chowder with lump crab on top with a splash of sherry and fresh pepper! Yummy!!
(5)Margee L.
My husband and I went here for our Anniversary. I was originally really excited about ordering from the main menu, as they have great seafood. However, my hubby got there a bit before I did, and went up to the bar. It was Happy Hour time, so he ordered both of us drinks. The drinks were terrific! Someone else posted here that they were watered down, but they must not have had a good bartender, because ours sure weren't! After looking at the regular menu, both of us ended up ordering off the Happy Hour. It was MUCH cheaper and looked just as good. Anyway, their halibut fish and chips is as good as I've had anywhere. The calimari had this WONDERFUL sauce. I don't think I've tasted anything as good with calimari before. We got the chocolate toffee crunch cake for dessert. Yumm!! The only complaint is that I ate WAY too much! I'll definitely go back there for Happy Hour again. :)
(4)Kristen M.
I took my fiance here for his birthday back in May '09. I was able to make online reservations and was also able to request window seating (which I recommend). When we arrived, not only did we have the window seat requested but there was also a balloon on the table to acknowledge his day. The menu is pricey but we were both very happy with our meals. I ordered the pan-seared scallops and without reservation I would say they were the BEST scallops I have ever had at a restaurant. They were melt in your mouth tender and very tasty. I would recommend this restaurant for special occasions and for the seafood lovers!
(5)Bob W.
Having driven a cross-country road trip from Colorado, arriving in Portland and going immediately to Salty's was the fulfillment of a dream as I feasted at sunset on Dungeness crab and sipped a fine Oregon Pinot Grigio. I have never been disappointed at Salty"s, the food, service, people and setting are unique. This is an any occasion restaurant and therefore lively and noisy and happy. Go there!
(5)Rachel M.
Really gone downhill. Just left happy hour. Though the patio was busy we had pretty lame service. We had to flag down the waiter to order food, and not once were we checked up on. I ordered a last glass of wine and paid with cash, then had to ask for my change as the server walked by without a glance. The last sip of wine had cork and sediment that filled my mouth and the pit in the bottom of the wine glass. All in all a sorely dissapointing experience.
(1)Maly S.
Sunday's Brunch Buffet is so worth it for $40.00!! Everything is good!! Bloody mary bar. Alaska crab, crawfish, oysters, salmon, crepe bar, chocolate fountain, and more! This was the best buffet I have ever been too. And I have been to Rio's Buffet in vegas. This place beats it, because of the quality of the food.
(5)Phil B.
After a rousing time at the Sextant next door (cheap pitchers + same view), our party of four decided to patronize Salty's for a Proper Meal. We came late (around 9:30 pm) and were perhaps a little under-dressed having spent the afternoon hiking in the Gorge. We got the feeling that seafood was their "thing" so we ended up ordering two cedar plank grilled salmons, one of their signature salmon dishes (slightly smoked and tasted like it had a sweet barbecue glaze), and an order of calamari. Oddly, I think I liked the deep-fried calamari the best, it was kind of zesty with a spicy sauce. For $25 pieces of fish they were small and unfortunately forgettable. Maybe that's a little harsh. I liked the subtle flavors of the aromatic cedar and the fish seemed fresh, BUT... $25 for a 4-oz piece of fish? Really? Did it evaporate whilst being cooked? I think I'll come here again for happy hour to give them another chance (it was the happy hour hype that got me in the door here for dinner). Nice view and the other patrons looked well dressed which made it feel a little more serious than it was. On the way out the door there was a fellow in an expensive suit with an expensive-looking wife who took his time getting out of our way. I believe I was an entire foot taller than him, lol...
(3)Dennis O.
Great view of the boat docks and the columbia river from the outside seating area. The menu has a good variety of choices and the food is good. The pricing is reasonable and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Everyone we encountered greated us with a smile. Upstairs is more dining, a lounge and a three piece acoustic band.
(4)Jacob L.
For Sunday Brunch, this spot is amazing!! We called ahead well in advance to make a reservation for Fathers day, as we had a special request (downstairs), and ended up changing our reservation the night before to include an additional guest, and the manager made it all work for us. We pulled up and enjoyed free Valet (never in LA!), and our table was ready before our reservation time (again, never in LA!) so we got seated right away. Set our stuff down, and went straight for the buffet line. If you pay good money for buffet like Saltys, you have to get the most out of it, so go straight for the fresh seafood. Crab, Salmon Locks n Bagels, Salmon Benedict, oysters, clams, be sure to grab it all! I was very surprised that everything was well stocked, and anything that was out was replaced within a few minutes. The fruit was also very fresh and crisp. Our mimmosa's were also refilled often and poured stiff. Our waitress was around often to keep us topped off and keep plates cleared, but not too often where it feels invasive. Oh, and the dessert was a perfect way to end the day, especially the chocolate fountain. Overall, it was a great Fathers Day brunch! Be prepared to spend some $$$ for brunch, but it's entirely worth it.
(5)monica s.
The hotel I was staying at suggested Salty's. I was surprised to see that it was in the middle of nowhere. Due to the location I started to think maybe this place isn't that great. The parking lot was empty which isn't a good sign but hey I was hungry! The hostess quickly seated us right next to the window. Since we got such a great seat I started to warm up a little bit to the restaurant. I ordered the chowder and halibut and chips. The chowder was very good and so was the halibut and chips. I did not like the fact the times restaurant closes. I found that to be an inconvenience. It was not the best seafood I have had but I thought it was pretty good. Prices could be a slight bit lower.
(4)Megan G.
Their Sunday Brunch was pretty good. Their hot plate of items seemed a bit out of date (not old but not all that creative) though. The AYCE seafood part was nice and they had every topping imaginable for your pancakes or waffles. And who doesn't love a chocolate fountain for desert. My issue is that it isn't worth the price. Just down the way on the WA side of the river there is a brunch buffet that is half the price, not as many choices and no chocolate fountain but same great view, better parking and still great food. We will not be returning to Salty's. Sorry.
(3)Pete L.
I had Sunday brunch there a week ago -- my experience was positive overall: the buffet food was significantly above average, there were abundant quantities of fresh Dungeness crab to eat, and the service was excellent. I would be hard pressed to compare the quality of brunch at a buffet to be on par with that of some of Portland's finer restaurants (Beaterville, My Father's Place, Besaw's, Stepping Stone, Cafe Bijou, etc.), but as long as what they're offering is to your palate, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a meal with a wide latitude of options. I'd also note that I felt this was of better value than Benson's, which seemed to have more of a "precious, old-lady" quality to it.
(4)derek c.
Food are okay, but not everything is good. Service is good but view is not ad well as it advertize
(3)Quynh b.
If I were rich, I would make weekly trips to Las Vegas to enjoy their buffets. But since I'm not, this will do. I come here for he AYCE crabs, literally. OK, the crabs and oysters. Oh, the dessert bar too. Minus two star for ALWAYS PUTTING A TIME RESTRICTION on my dining experience. I understand they have to say it so no one spends the whole day there, but I usually only take an hour to eat anyways. By having the host give us a time restriction it just dampens our dining experience.
(3)Robin L.
The view is well worth a visit but the food is pretty awesome too! I had the oysters to start and today they were from British Columbia and were fabulous! My main course was the 5 cheese crab Mac n cheese and was very rich and yummy! The prices are steep but well worth the visit! I am from out of town but would definitely be a regular!
(5)Thomas W.
Perhaps I am biased, because a company I worked for that was going out of business took me to Salty's and paid for a truly extravagant night of great food, better drinks, and I never once saw the tab. Perhaps, however, that gives me a more objective point of view from which to accurately rate my meal without associating cost (which I am assured was, sadly, considerable.) Considering we just ordered two of every appetizer on the menu, I feel justified in stating that you cannot go wrong with any of these choices, though the raw oysters on the half-shell were by far my favorite; fresh, ice cold and with just the right amound of sodium, these were a delicious start to the night. The rest went by in a blur of amazing tastes, Chivas Regal, and wines so aromatic that I can only guess how old they were. That said, the appetizer course alone was amazing, and the chefs at Salty's should be commended for setting just the right tone for the meal. My meal: a delicious rare steak topped with dungeoness crab, was beyond perfect - cooked to a savory, juicy consistency on both ends and combined to form a truly decadent and unforgettable main course. Throughout it all, the waitresses never stopped coming back to check on us...and while I am embarrassed to admit it, they waited on us hand and foot (figuratively speaking). I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Salty's, and hope to make it back there in the very near future!
(5)Jocelyn L.
"Pan-seared scallops were tasty with a little spicy kick. Great location; wish the restaurant was a little more "updated" in ambience and decor..."
(3)Michele F.
Salty's is only A-OK if you make it for Sunday Brunch. Any other time or day is just blah. They've lost their zest. 4th of July was horrible and I wish I could say differently. THE BRUNCH is the best and only time to go. They better change it up fast, or be forced to do brunch on Saturday and Sunday. No restaurant can survive alone on brunch.
(3)Tim D.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic! Went to New Years brunch with friends. The seafood was incredible. All you want of crab, crawfish, shrimp, lox and smoked salmon. Two types of Eggs Benedict. Wonderful desserts. Inexpensive? No. But worth every penny! Check it out. You deserve it!
(5)Courtney D.
Salty's rocks for brunch I wouldn't choose Salty's on the Columbia River for dinner since its seafood is fairly average for a big price tag, but the brunch is more than worth it and a lovely, overall experience on the water. Don't let the $25 per person brunch price keep you away. With choices like fresh crab legs, made-to-order crepes and omellettes and mimosas included, you'll more than get your money's worth. If you're a seafood lover, you'll eat up the fresh oysters, mussels and calm chowder. There's also the usual brunch faves like biscuits and gravy, ham, prime rib, country potatoes and an assortment of homemade desserts and pastries. If that's not enough to convince you, there's a cascading liquid chocolate fountain. Need I say more? I'm not much of a buffet person, but this one rocks. Tip: Don't go on a holiday weekend such as Easter or Mother's Day. It's very crowded then, and you'll wait in line even longer for made-to-order items.
(5)Kimberly V.
Best ways to prepare for brunch: Elastic waist band, if you dare. Pledge to pace yourself like a considerate young man on prom night. Except instead of sex, the deferred payoff is total stomach overload too soon into the morning. Buffets are like the orgies of the food world. Allow yourself 15 minutes in between lusty food to mouth contact. Sit near the huge windows overlooking the Columbia River and scenic waterside Vantucky (hi Gabe!). Count the speedboats and speculate on the number of drunken boating accidents per year. Read the damn labels. It may cut down on your pig out time, but it's worth it when you dip into the mousse only to spit it out a second after because it's riddled with killer peanut powers. Save your condescending attitude about the lady with the five full crabs on her plate, sitting predatorily near the buffet line, for when you are safely at your table. Try to shake off that pesky hypocrite feeling as you cruise over for your third course. Bring boxing gloves to throw down for crabs. Brings lots of cash. At 30 bucks a head and a server who does a whole lot despite not taking your orders, this is not a budget place. Drink your complimentary mimosa. Mmmmm. Everything is beautiful with one of those, isn't it? Laugh your ass off at the table aiming for an award on the Hot Chicks With Douchebags website. Things NOT to do: Be a vegan. Not gonna like it. At least mimosas fit into the limitations. Let your table companion elaborate on how the local salmon population could be saved if we just shot all the sea lions hanging out near the dam. This is not an argument that sane people should have. Ask for balloons, run into the freak rain storm, and set them free. It's terrible on the environment. But they just looked so happy, you know?
(4)Mark B.
It was a seafood night out. Was gonna go to the original McCormick and Schmick's downtown but the wife thought we were going to Harborside. Ended up going the long way and back to Salty's. I've been for brunch, it is okay. The cold crab legs make me mad everytime. Every other place I get crab legs they are pipping hot. These are iced cold and supposed to be. Not my cup of tea... Back to the review from tonight, we had no reservation, told it was gonna be 30 minutes, it took 15. Add a plus there, they'll need it to recover... Noticed that there were several open tables, concluded they have a server shortage. Our food took 30 minutes to arrive after we finished with our salads. (This ain't gonna be good.) I ordered a steak and the seafood chowder. I like my steak well done every time, keep the pink in the grocery store. However just about every place thinks well done means charred, no that is not true. (Outback can do it perfectly every time but their portions keep getting smaller and prices higher.) If I don't think a place can do it right, I'll order it medium well and close my eyes while eating the little pink. The steak was bland, i.e. without spices and I think I saw a little blood when I opened my eyes for the few minutes. The seafood chowder was fine, not great, just fine. On to the service, our wait of 30 minutes after finishing our salads was inexcusable. I asked for au jus and worchestire when ordering. I get my steak with just one, the presenter has no idea which one it is. The waitress later tells me they didn't have au jus, -1 for that. They forget my wife's vegetables, another -1. The presenter makes a mistake on which salmon my wife got, and they (the waiter and manager) ever so gently start alluding to him being a brick. -1, don't badmouth your own employees. It took another 15 minutes after we were done to get our check. For $91 for 2 people our food or service should've been great, neither was. We're going to try Jake's Grill downtown next time.
(3)Abbie P.
The happy hour here was aaaamazing. I had the fish and chips and a blue moon -- nothin' fancy, but boy was it delicious! My friends got the coconut scallops and another got the cheeseburger and everyone raved about their choices, so two thumbs up! The dessert is also to. die. for. I had the Grand Marnier Cheesecake which is a personal cheesecake with oreo crust, and a dark chocolate ganache and somewhere the grand marnier comes into play, but either way it was actually mouth watering good. The best part of our trip, I think the whole table would agree with me, was our server, Jaramy. He was just the best. He made our experience entertaining, smoothly ran, and wonderful overall!
(4)Carolyn M.
The prices may scare you away but be brave! We had the seafood pasta which had a good sampling of shrimp, halibut and salmon over orzo pasta. It was quite good. I split the mammoth king crab leg dinner with my wife and a Caesar salad. The chef split the meal for us and boy was there plenty. The mashed potatoes were pretty darned good, too. The view was great; riverfront Columbia. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgable. I'd give 5 stars if the seafood selection was better. There weren't many shellfish offerings other than the crab.
(4)Mark B.
I like the view, service, and the dishes I selected for a dinner visit. Came for my first lunch at 11:05 today and was told no seating until 11:15. What dork thought up that? I was treating 3 guests to lunch and you don't want our money? Went to Famous Dave's BBQ instead where they were the recipient of our 126.74 tab. I'm a fan of your place, but not of your stupid lunch policy.
(4)Laza G.
Go here about once per year, their buffet on sunday is amazing. My father in law loves their crab legs and the kids love it there cause they also have lots of pastries and such
(5)Joan F.
Happy hour here on a beautiful February afternoon was pleasant, affordable and boasted stunning Columbia River views. I can understand the reviews calling Salty's touristy and mechanized, but our happy hour experience was delightful--cabernet, salted caramel coffee, fries with pork belly chunks and an honest attempt at a fish taco (glad I only ordered one). Dinner here is probably over priced for food quality and prep, but happy hour prices are a good solution to that. And the view was stunning. Let's not discount that. We'll be back for future happy hours.
(4)Scott M.
Been going to Salty's on and for 15+ years and the quality of food and service has been consistent. Atmosphere is always good and quality has been good in my experience.
(4)Chelle Y.
Went to lunch here with my mom while she was in town. Even though I've lived in Portland for 8 years, I'd never been here. Both craving seafood, we decided to check it out. We were seated on the top deck with a view of the marina next door, it was warm but there was a nice breeze. Outdoor seating includes a glass wall with lower panels that can slide open to allow for airflow depending on conditions. There are also heating towers and every table has an umbrella so you could pretty much sit outside all year unless it was raining. The restaurant itself is huge but warm and welcoming. There is lots of art, all the indoor tables are set with crisp white linens, gleaming silverware and candles and everything is super clean and organized. Service was impeccable and I noticed that all the servers were attentive and courteous--very professional. We ended up ordering salads--the Dungeness Crab Louie for me and the Warm Seafood Salad for mom. Mine was delicious but mom (who has owned and managed restaurants and catering companies her entire life including my grandparent's steak & seafood restaurant in Fort Worth, TX) raved about hers saying, "this is the best warm seafood salad I've ever had--including the ones in New Orleans". On both dishes, the seafood was perfectly cooked. We finished with the Key Lime Tart (normally on the dinner menu but you might get lucky at lunch). The crust was flaky, crisp and filled with a wonderful Key lime filling and topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut. Placed on a shmear of lime zest creme fraiche, there was plenty for us to share. When it was time to pay the bill, the server was prompt and we didn't have to wait. Overall it was a perfect dining experience and I can't wait to go back. Prices are beyond reasonable for the quality but if you're on a budget, they have weekly specials such as Monday Fish & Chips night for $10. What a gem!
(5)Jayson C.
Came for Mother's Day and the buffet was pretty spectacular. Priced well and we had a small group and got seated fast! My wife was a few months pregnant at the time and we were looking to start a tradition.
(5)Andrew T.
If there was ever a 3 1/2 star review this would be it. The atmosphere and views are tough to beat and well worth the full star. Very family and group friendly. The service is solid and worth a half point. Must complain that the last time we were there the main course came as we were in the middle of our appetizers. The waitress asked if we wanted them to take it back and keep them warm. We declined and kept the dishes. The manager made sure that he offered any deserts we wanted for the mistake. I have been to Satly's twice and the food is solid but not over the top. My guests fish was undercooked the last time and they took it back and cooked it more. Other places would have offered a whole new dish. Splitting hairs to a certain extent. So in conclusion - you need some solid seafood with amazing views Salty's is your place.
(3)Stephanie C.
Went for Saturday brunch buffet & was not disappointed. From the dungeness crabs, to the fresh oysters, to the shrimp, and to the assortment of breakfast foods (benedict, bacon, lox, & more) -- everything was delicious and fresh! Service was great too! And did I mention there's a chocolate fondue fountain?? Plus there was an awesome view of the bay! Because they take reservations, it doesn't get crowded and it feels classier than your normal seafood buffet. Definitely going back and getting the bottomless mimosas next time.
(5)Q A.
Been here many times for their Sunday Brunches. ( see my tip on the fact that their brunches are getting more and more expensive over time) Definitely worth it, IF, you are into seafood like I am. Still, it is more expensive then the other Salty's locations, for brunch prices. ( Salty's in Washington are cheaper, for their brunches) As for dinner, I have to agree with Tet W that it is pretty expensive for what you get. Portions were small, plated beautifully. The temperature of the food when finally brought out, suffered for this. See our pics of our dinner. We spent over $450. Was it worth it? Sorry, but no. Sadly, won't be back for DINNER, even if it's a special occasion. There are just so many other fine dining restaurants in the area that makes you feel like you've got what you paid for. (dinner)
(3)Adrienne F.
We came here in a Saturday and were lucky enough to experience the buffet. I am not usually a fan of buffets but WOW! Everything was so fresh, the restaurant is very clean, and the food was so flavorful! The bottomless mamosas were incredible and the staff was on top of topping us off. I highly recommend Salty's to any seafood lover!
(5)Flory W.
We live in the area, we've been here several times a year, but this is the 1st time my review is SHOWING UP, and yes I've given reviews here before, so could it be that they've been deleted? Or just in my dreams! My family have attended brunch, like Mother's Day, even Father's Day, and my husband have come by just for lunch, when we wanted to get away from the city, just to enjoy by the river. My husband had this delicious large Cannelloni pasta stuffed with salmon/carrots sprinkled with shredded cheese. I just called them up, and the lady @ the accounting (who honestly said she doesn't eat that type of foods, it's possible they've discontinued it. I also had seafood avocado salad, and sliced eggs. Was also very good. Both photos looked delicious, even though I have no idea what they are now.
(4)Von A.
If you don't feel like driving downtown to one of the cool/hipster restaurants, you could stay around the airport and still have a decent meal. However, this place is in need of a makeover. Although the place was clean, a lot of the decor just seemed so dated. It was still a good place to have a business dinner, or have a special occasion. Came here on a Thursday night, and the parking lot was full - to the point where i needed to park on the side of the road with the other cars. You could opt for valet parking - but when you see the prices on the menu, you'd probably be glad that you didn't. I loved the clam chowder - it was dressed with some kind of creamy cognac, and had a good balance of spice, and creamy goodness. I literally could and should have gotten a whole bowl instead of the small cup. A good thing on the menu, is that it seems that there are a lot of seasonally appropriate ingredients. I got the very autumn appropriate Steelhead dish which had butternut squash mash, and creamed kale(?). The creamed kale was disgusting! It was tough, and rubbery and chewy - this should be improved upon.
(4)Sean P.
Great food, great atmosphere/location, pricey.... Did I say pricey? Just go expecting to drop at least $200.00 and you'll have a lovely evening. Amazing seafood, great staff and customer service. Beautiful spot to take friends and family for special occasions or visiting company. Did I mention pricey? Try the baked Alaska you won't be disappointed. Really yummy!
(4)Michael H.
I would have given them six stars but yelp won't allow me. Great place with a huge variety of flavors!!! Chilled Tastes are outstanding and the oysters were absolutely fresh. Asked for a arugula salad which isn't on the menu.. But I like arugula!!! And they made it no problem and it was a very good salad and the flavors matched very well. This place is outstanding all the way around. You have to try it! You won't be disappointed!!!
(5)Kyle A.
First time to Salty's and it was pretty amazing. I'll start with the price of Easter Brunch - $55 bucks. We checked in with our family of seven. The staff was very well organized for today's big event. We quickly got seated and the server was top notch! The drinks never got low, the coffee was always hot and he kept the dirty dishes away so we can keep stuffing our faces. I've been to many buffets or whatever you call them and leave saying " meh, it was OK or that was decent" and always upset for the cost of those, OK ones. BUT.... this one is for real! Endless top quality seafood, endless eggs Benedict, omelettes and fruit. You'll be paying a little more but it's not like your doing it every weekend. You MUST try this one.. You'll be very thankful that you did!!!
(5)Rebecca C.
Went here for Easter brunch for the first time yesterday and I was pretty happy walking out of there. I treated my stepmom to brunch and we had a great little table looking out over the river and our waitress was amazing and we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The food was about 85/100 which is why only 4 stars. The price would not be worth it if you don't eat seafood. Specifically, crab legs. That's where you get your money's worth. Perhaps the prime rib and carving stations too, but really, the money is in the crustaceans. The good: the crab legs and seafood, the lox, the crepe station, the prime rib, the dessert. The ok: the rest of the food. It was what you would expect from your typical buffet, the eggs benedict was ok (and anyone who knows my review knows I am a benedict snob), and really the hollandaise was tasteless. The bacon and eggs and shrimp and grits were all fine. The lentils and lamb was weird (that's probably just me though). The biscuits and gravy were actually pretty ok, but I couldn't eat more than a bite because of all the things to waste stomach space on, that was not it. The made to order crepe station was good, I do love me some sweet crepes. Overall, I don't know that'd I'd pay to come back again anytime soon, but if someone else was paying I totally would. Oh, also, this seemed really good for families that were celebrating in larger groups.
(4)Bob K.
The view was great. The service was great. But the food was just ok to good but priced like it was great. So that is the short of it. We were a group of 7. Surprisingly most of the non-sea items were good but the fish was ....eh. Fish and chips.... the fish was dryish. oysters ok. King Salmon ok. Rock fish... ok. Barbecue Salmon... ok. Chiopinno was ok. Fried Shrimp ok. The salad and soups were good. One of us wondered if the restaurant does not try to make really good food as people will still come for the scenery, which was a great view of the Columbia.
(3)E C.
Salty's is a ripoff and a half. The food is expensive and the portion size would not fill up a flea. I ordered the Halibut for $52.00 and receive a 2 once portion and a very small potato cut up in slices to add insult to injury. If you like to eat there be ready to stop somewhere else so you can get full. This is not a place to eat if you are hungry. I would recommend you drive by Salty's until they learn that people work hard for there money and want to receive a full portion for $52.00. My Brother ordered the 12oz Steak for $70.00. It looked like a kids portion. Salty's should be ashamed of themselves for ripping off the public. No wonder the dining room was mostly empty at 9:00 PM Friday night. I would recommend fast food over Salty's pathetic portion size. Wish I could give this place no stars. They deserve it.
(1)Bridgette D.
Definitely a 5 in my book. Everything tastes fresh and the service is great. You can't beat the fresh local seafood with the beautiful scenic view this place has. You should certainly be prepared for a $40+ per plate meal but it's good quality food. I'd recommend you make a reservation but go if you have the opportunity. I would go back in a heartbeat. I guess I'm officially vegetarian and not Vegan now since I ate fish here and even had myself a slice of peanut butter pie! Vacation's got me feeling defiant! Enjoy folks, I did!
(5)Ele F.
This place has a great view of the Columbia River, nice beverage selection and great service. I wish I could be as complementary for the main dishes. The Rockfish was too sweet for a blackened dish. The Kale sprouts were over salted and fried in something that diluted their flavor. Due to the price for these dishes ($32 & $12 respectively) I expected a top level taste. Didn't happen. Our server, Jaramy, was very professional and attentive. If you go, ask for his section. This is a nice place for happy hour.
(2)Paul S.
The Happy Hour here is awesome. I haven't been here for a regular meal before, not sure if I have the right clothes to wear to that sort of thing even lol... But the Happy Hour here is truly one of Portlandia's far flung gems.
(4)Brian S.
Went to the brunch on Saturday of Father's Day weekend. The food was good and the atmosphere was delightful. My complaint was the price / value. The brunch cost was $50 and it was an additional $10 for champagne. There is no way the average person eats anywhere near $50 worth of food. I'd love to go back but won't at that price. They need to lower their price $5-10 to make it a better value.
(3)Maggie L.
Love the atmosphere here and the view. We came here for my birthday/ Valentines day brunch. I am a valentine's day baby. Service was excellent they even valet our car. There was no wait and the wait staff got us to our table immediately which was next to the window. Their brunch buffet was excellent they even gave me cupcakes for my birthday.
(5)Kolten L.
My wife and I enjoyed brunch here last weekend for our anniversary. The service was great from the call to make reservations to leaving the restaurant. When I called to make a reservation they politely asked if we were celebrating an birthday or anniversary. Thought this was a nice touch and had confidence in that they were going to make our celebration special- which they did. When we arrived and checked-in they wished us a happy anniversary right off the bat. We were quickly seated and a couple balloons were tied to my wife's chair. Our 2 year old was with us too and quickly snatched the balloons to play with. Our server came over and offered us drinks. My wife was able to get bottomless Mimosas for $10, which we agreed was a great deal. Our hunt for food began. Everything looked awesome! They had everything from fresh sliced prime rib to mac & cheese to crab legs and oysters. My wife lovvvves oysters and with how spendy they are at most places... $40 for a buffet that included unlimited of them is a steal! This place definitely appealed to all three of us. We returned to our table with plates overflowing with goodness. Throughout the meal the server checked on us and topped off my wife's Mimosa glass. Everything about our experience was exceptional- the view, the food, the drinks and the service. We plan on returning for her birthday. Hopefully they have enough oysters for her and all her oyster-loving sisters!
(5)Brittany H.
Get ready for a food coma, because Salty's brunch buffet is nothing short of spectacular. Unlimited mimosas, two types of crab legs, every type of mets and seafood you could imagine -- all incredibly fresh. And guys. There's even a chocolate fountain. The service was top notch, and so was the view. We went during the holidays, and on top of tons of festive decor, Santa himself even stopped by to say hello. Not sure if that's why the place was so crowded, but it probably wouldn't hurt to make a reservation.
(5)Barry S.
The view is beautiful. If you go at sunset, sit outside. It's quite lovely. But you can't eat the view. This was the third time we ate here... and the last. The food is outrageously overpriced. The fish is uniformly overcooked. $35.00 for what looked to be less than a 1/4 lb filet of salmon. For these prices, I'd expect the shrimp to be better quality than the frozen Asian variety. Never again!
(1)Gina R.
I loved it traveling alone for work not wanting room service I branched out. Bar was booked for a special event I had no choice but to grab a table the staff was amazing, the food was delicious, and I had the best clam chowder ever. Highly recommend
(4)Jamie J.
Gotta try their Brunch and mimosas! Yummm
(5)Dean S.
Came here for Sunday brunch birthday celebration for the wife. As soon as we walked in and checked in everyone wished my wife a happy birthday , from the hostess to our server, which was very thoughful and made her feel special. We did the $10 bottomless mimosa's which they refill right in front of you assuring your champagne/Oj ratio is on point. The food was awesome!! great selection, fresh crepes, pastas, and eggs stations. Prime rib was great aswell just bummed they didnt offer any au-jus sauce, but still juicey perfectly cooked prime rib. Great attentive service, dirty plates were picked up immediatly and mimosas and waters always kept full. At $44 a person its a bit spendy there was 5 in our group, but definitley worth it for seafood lovers. We will definitley be back!!
(5)George L.
We happened to be there for happy hour. Oysters on the half shell were some of the best I have ever had. We sat on the back deck over looking the Columbia. I felt like I was on vacation and left the city. Our server was really nice and attentive. We will go back for dinner soon. If you want to get away and have a cheap lunch you should go to salty's
(5)Sherry J.
I just wanted to take a moment to tell you a little something about this restaurant. First and foremost I want to thank the employees and their general manager Laura for going above and beyond their call of duty. I presented her with a request for a service that they don't normally offer. My husbands mother had just undergone brain surgery the day before at OHSU hospital and he wanted to purchase a special Maine lobster dish for her after what she'd been through. Not only did Laura come through with this awesome dish but she also had it delivered right to mom at the hospital. She was extremely surprised and loved every bite of it. The Holcombe family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts. You not only gave that excellent customer service, but you provided us with an excellent customer experience!
(5)Betty C.
Tried their new weekend brunch ....well it is new to Saturday but not to Sunday. It is PRICEY..... very. But it is very good. The prime rib is a bit overdone for me, but the crepes were amazing. Many sides to choose from. I wish they'd let you get au juice when you got your meat so it wasn't cold when the dip arrived. But the selection is really good.
(3)Betty R.
I think this restaurant is overrated. I don't think their food is that good (maybe the chef think it is) . i couldn't believe how much they charge for sockeye salmon entree (like $37). The dessert is undesirable. Maybe if you really like to try this place, I suggest that you try their brunch (which is busy on Sundays) at least you get several choices and the price is not too bad for what they offer (less than $40/person). I don't know if I will be back to this restaurant for a while. We really had a bad service one night. It was a busy Friday night and we were seated at 8:00pm the entrees were served at 9:45pm. Got a discount for our entrees because of bad service.
(3)Aaron F.
We took in their buffet on Saturday morning (4/11) to treat my Mom while she was in town. On Saturdays their all-you-can-eat buffet is $39.95 per person (+ alcoholic drinks). Please note it's more on Sundays and additionally on other holidays (Easter, Mother's Day). Pluses: - service was good and attentive - wide selection - seafood, seafood, seafood - the view Minuses: - Outside of the seafood, the execution of the other foods was just "OK" - decor is looking very dated - that price tag If you enjoy seafood (dungeness crab legs, peel-and-eat shrimp, steamer clams, oysters on the half-shell, salt-crusted salmon,etc) you'll enjoy this experience. It's the 'wheelhouse' of this buffet and I think you'll find the high price tag well worth it when you consider the view and the service. Now, if eating all the seafood you can lay your eyes on isn't your thing (like myself) you'll find the food very standard buffet. My omelette wasn't cooked, the eggs benedict were in a chafing dish cold and limp, the prime rib underdone, the desserts were fair. Basically, if you don't eat the seafood you're subsidizing all the hogs bellied up to the seafood tables.
(3)Devin M.
The service is better than any other place around here as well as the food. The food is the most important thing because it's always gets better and more badass every time you go there!!! I love this place so much, and it definitely explicitly expresses the spirit of a casual restaurant!
(5)Ryan S.
The Kalamari and view was exquisite! When the main entrees came out took about an hour and food was cold service was great.
(3)Lacy C.
MUST DO HAPPY HOUR!!! Seriously...after 4:30pm on Sundays its happy hour time! We were served happy hour prices on their patio and ate our full on amazing seafood for under $50.00, with drinks! The staff were really helpful, the view amazing and the food divine! I highly recommend the halibut tacos...you'll thank me later.
(4)Becky M.
Very pricey, but with this view, you have to expect it. Good food, although the salmon wasn't great tonight, the asparagus was terrific! Really like this place.
(3)Jillian M.
I have been here twice, once with an ex boyfriend, and once on Mothers Day weekend. Though I didnt have much of an appetite that day the food I did eat was still good (that says a lot for the buffet style they did that weekend). When I went before the food was amazing! The views are amazing if you sit up stairs too. The atmosphere is really nice, and the wait staff was very attentive on both occasions. They are a bit pricey though.
(4)Allen S.
Disappointing Music: mellow; View: excellent, Sunset: fantastic, Prices: high, Entree: cold, Server: perky, wait time; glaicial, return; no.
(3)Alisha K.
Seafood and brunch, yes and yes! We visited today for brunch and I was very pleased the view was good, the food was great, and the service wasn't shabby. We arrived 1 hr early for it 11 am reservation and they were able to accommodate us with a table and asked if an upstairs table would be okay. Once seated our server offered us the endless mimosas for $10 however we are a dry group and we headed to the buffet. There were 3 stations set up omelets and crepes, pasta, and a prime rib carving station. There were dungeness and snow crab, shrimp, oysters, smoked salmon, you get the picture a seafood lover's dream! There were plenty of other dishes as well but since I went for the seafood that's what my review is about. The dungeness crab was served cold but it was cooked to perfection and the meat was easily removed from the shell and was fresh and really didn't need the lemon or butter I put on it but hey I'm greedy so it was a must! There were 2 types of smoked salmon one was a whole smoked salmon and the other was a filet of smoked salmon I preferred the whole smoked salmon as I could get the filet at any deli back in NYC. It was seasoned well and very firm and would have been perfect in a pot of soup. The oysters were sweet and briny and they were not just thrown out there as an after thought they were selected and had I bought them individually I would have been pleased. The side dishes that I sampled were shrimp and grits, hash, and seafood hash. They were all good however they used yellow grits and the shrimp were in a tomato based sauce which was overwhelmed by the rich grits, different from what I'm used to but it was nice. So it was my second plate that I had the grits and found the hidden prize, a piece of steel wool that had been cooked in. I didn't mention it to our server Kate because she didn't bother to ask how everything was but one of the hostesses did as we were leaving and she apologized for the inconvenience. As we were waiting for the car the GM I believe came out to us and gave us a $50 gift certificate and again apologized and invited us back and we had a short convo I forget her name which is a shame because she was very nice and when I said it was okay about the wool she stated that it wasn't, that was really appreciated and that's what customer service should be about but unfortunately it's quickly becoming a thing of the past in some places but as demonstrated today not at Saltys! All said and done I would definitely return and recommend them to others. I feel that if a buffet is out together with care and thought when generally is just a way too make fast cash then they would surely do a great job with individual meals. I should also mention they had desserts with a chocolate fountain but we were way too stuffed to even consider it. This is a solid 4.5 review and it's only due to our server that I docked the .5.
(4)Renee W.
View can't be beat. Drinks fabulous. Fish n chips awesome. I didn't care for my tacos or soup .... But may have just been an off day for me. Spicy mango margarita was excellent.
(4)Cam W.
Probably the best hidden happy hour in Portland. Every day throughout the week there is a special and all the food and drinks are great! If you go to the bar upstairs Jeremy will take care of you with good service and honest advice on the best food to order.
(5)Emi K.
This review refers to the Thanksgiving special dinner at Salty's. I've been to their restaurant on Alki beach in Seattle, but came here for a thanksgiving dinner with the family. The restaurant stands right next to the water, and on a pretty isolated area of Portland. The Parking lot is definitely not the easiest place to get around, especially when it is crowded. But the food is wonderful. I crave good seafood, since there are not a lot of places that serve really good seafood dishes... and this place always nails it. The thanksgiving dinner is a buffet, which includes unlimited crabs!! I love crabs so it was awesome! They also have ribs, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and all the typical thanksgiving food. They have few choices of salad, bread, pasta, salmon, shrimp, crab, oyster, and probably more. Everything was good, and everyone at the table kept on returning with more food. The dessert table was paradise for me! The chocolate cake, the pies, and the chocolate fountain!!! It definitely was not a cheap buffet, and well worth the money. The waitress was great, very nice, and everyone working there was wonderful. Since we were probably one of the biggest groups there, we were somewhat squeezed in, which made it hard for some of the people at our table. Either way, we had a great time, and was very festive with great food and family. I give them only 4stars since I do think that I should return on a normal restaurant day. But for the Thanksgiving dinner, it was wonderful, wish I could eat more!
(4)Michelle B.
I went to Salty's while on a work trip to Portland, we were trying to recruit the owners to be on the financial realtiy webseries I was working on. They hooked us up with a table with a view, but that was about it. The food is pricey, but I enjoyed my meal. The salmon had fancy things on it like an apple relish that I just die for. And the potatoes were good! A sure sign of a bad restaurant is plain and boring mash potatoes. The salmon was also cooked very nicely. I wish I got to try the chowder, then I would know how I really feel about this place. But overall it was a nice (and expensive) dinner!
(3)Susan C.
Great views, fabulous food, top notch entertainment (The Mel Brown Trio). Also superior waitstaff.
(5)Bill G.
The location is very good, excellent river views and a nice interior. As far as the food; the supporting cast was much better than the main event. The pear/fig salad and chocolate/peanut butter pie were outstanding. My main course of cioppino was a little weak and and they were a bit chintzy with the volume. Some seared ahi came my way that I didn't think was done right. I'd go back if someone else was paying but it probably wouldn't be my choice.
(3)Chris C.
Very small portions and outrageous prices for what you get. When they served our entree we thought it was an appetizer. My wife had salmon that measured no more than four inches by seven inches and had a drizzle of yellow sauce. No garnish, nothing more. $25? And it was dry and fishy. I had the chicken breast so small that I got four bites and that was it. It was nearly tasteless. The garlic potatoes tasted vile. All for $19? The only good thing was the baby green salad and an interesting view. I would never go back, could never recommend them.
(1)Brandy S.
Ok - the real reason that Salty's made it above 1 star - Mel Brown! I absolutely love Mel Brown (and the other musicians that he plays with a great too). He is always smiling and really enjoying the music. He doesn't seem like a snooty musician, even though he has played with some of the greatest musicians of our time. He plays here every week, and this should be the only reason that you come. The food was over rated and expensive, the servers were unfriendly and stuck-up, and the air conditioning was on full blast (can't enjoy the food with chattering teeth).
(4)channing f.
After eating mostly in the downtown area of Portland, we decided to take a 15 minute trip to southeast Portland right by the airport overlooking the river. Salty's Seafood is a huge place; reminds me a lot of the inside of a steamboat. The happy hour is ridiculous. Get ready for the most creamy, mouthwatering seafood chowder you've had in a while. It's amazing how much better food tastes knowing it's cheap and good. The only thing i didnt like which is a big thing was that the decor inside was very old and dusty collecting ALOT OF DIRT but other than that wasnt to bad
(3)Ken P.
Jeremy our server was the best. Very professional . The view was superb-one of the best in Portland. Too bad the food is not as spectacular. Our specialty houissan chicken dish was very well flavored but the whole plate was very lukewarm - very disappointing where broccoli is involved!
(3)Wydra O.
Four stars,only because the menu is on the expensive side.A lighter fare menu,(with lighter prices,and smaller portions,,$10-15 range?) may make it possible for more No Po folks to visit more often.That being said,the food was fabulous.Service= excellent (and I'm picky!) Seating was perfect.Wished the outdoor seating was open,if even for a stroll to stare at the water and sky.Always a pleasure to enjoy seeing, and hearing Jof Lee! I love to escape the toils of life with a cup of Jazz, and a perfect martini at Salty's.I'll be back!
(4)Tiffanie S.
Went for Sunday brunch and it was a great place to go with a group of friends. The price was a bit much, but if you love seafood it's worth it. They have made to order omelettes and all kinds of bread and fruit. My favorite was the huge chocolate fondue fountain. Just make sure not to lose your fruit in it like I did, it's not easy fishing it out. You also get bottomless mimosas, so make sure you bring a DD. Don't order a latte though, at $4 my friend was shocked her coffee was so much while we all drank for free. If you sit on the second floor you do have to walk up and down the stairs to get your food, but it's well worth the it because there is an excellent view of the river. Be sure to make reservations because it gets crowded on a Sunday.
(4)Alethea S.
We called ahead on Saturday just to verify if we should make a reservation for dinner. As we were planning to arrive before 6pm, the hostess indicated it wasn't necessary. We were shown to a table on the upper level and although we weren't directly next to the windows, the restaurant is open enough that we still had a nice view up & down the Columbia River. Our waiter was excellent. Very friendly and thorough in his descriptions of the menu items & specials. The waitstaff was also good to refill our water glasses often. We started with a bowl of the seafood chowder. Nice smoky flavor, although I would have liked to have more chunks of seafood. As an entree I ordered the CA sea bass special which came with a white bean puree, fiddlehead fern, squash, & morel saute, and crawfish. It was a large portion and the flavors really went well together. I ended up bringing half of it home. My boyfriend had the cedar plank salmon served with mashed potatoes and spinach. It was also very good. The food is not cheap here; average entree price is over $25. However we had the "buy one entree get one free" coupon from the Portland Happy Hour Guidebook so our meal was only $42 plus tip when it would have been over $60. We only drank water but they do have a full bar and a good beer & wine selection. This is a nice restaurant, primarily because of the location on the water, but the food was good, too. It is a bit pricey but worth it for a special occasion or just a nice meal out.
(4)Jeffrey T.
The thought of having a seafood diner on the Columbia River was enticing. We selected Salty's based on some reviews.Sadly ,the food did not live up to the setting.My wife's oysters were fresh and Topnotch, our expectations were high for the forthcoming courses, sadly we were disappointed. my Cod Oscar was dried out and tasteless. my wife's Cioppino was over cooked.Without us saying a word the on duty manager Laura came to our table, her honest concern and charm, almost made up for the food .
(2)Margaret S.
Just thought you should know. I will be traveling to Portland (where I have been many times) and contacted Salty's for its well known shuttle service from local hotels. No limitations are placed on the days and times -- at least not on the website. As a single traveler, I guess my business was not that attractive. Anyway, I asked for a shuttle well in advance for a Sat. night. Or even Friday or Sunday, the only days I will be in Portland. Well, at least for me, there is only a shuttle on Mon. thru Thurs.
(1)Mary F.
I took my daughter there recently for lunch on her birthday. The service was great..no complaints there. The drinks and the wine was just okay, and the food was just okay. I have not been there in a long time, and I was disappointed only in the prices. They were very high for lunch!! I will not go back there again for lunch. For those prices, I would rather have dinner and drinks. I don't want to spend $75 for 2 people for lunch, 2 drinks, a glass of wine....no app's, no dessert....
(2)matt s.
Travelling on business you don't always get what you want...and I wanted sushi, (lol) but we ended up here. It's a nice place with a great view over the Columbia. I ordered the salmon and a side of two scallops. I thought the salmon was cooked perfectly, but the scallops we're too rare. The service was good, the place was a bit loud, and the prices were what you'd expect for a seafood place. Not really my personal cup of tea, but there weren't any real down points.
(3)Linnea W.
First let me say we went for brunch which is a buffet. As far as buffets go it was average. My husband and I both found items that were "good" as far as buffet standards go. We interacted with several staff members and all were friendly and helpful. Here is why I am not drawn to go back. First there were flies crawling on the open oysters, the smoked salmon, the ceviche and the cream cheese. My husband and I went through the line separately and we both noticed the flies. We were totally grossed out by this. Second it really wasn't worth the money ($40 per person). Like I said the food was good, but nothing was so good that I had to go back and get another plate full. As for dessert they do have a chocolate fountain with various items to dip in the fountain, but that was all they really had aside from chocolate cake and runny cheesecake. While the chocolate fountain has a novelty appeal, it really isn't that good and the cake bits to dip in it were dry. I saw lots of other reviews about their excellent chowder so I was sure to have some as I absolutely love chowder, but Skippers has better. To sum it up, if I want endless crab legs and other seafood I'll stick to Spirit Mountain, it costs less and I have yet to notice flies crawling on the food.
(2)J. M.
Went out to celebrate a friend's birthday here a couple of nights ago. Wow! Wonderful views, wonderful food, and a wildly eclectic but strangely charming ambiance. I had the salmon and garlic potatoes that were on special and I'm still craving more of them. It was one of the best meals I've eaten in years. I wouldn't have minded a slightly bigger portion, but only because I'm greedy. I left feeling full and happy. The service was great, and they brought out balloons and a slice of birthday cake to make it celebratory. We had a five-year-old with us and she had a wonderful time too. Seems like they had a great kids' menu, although I didn't actually take a look at it.
(5)Maggie and Chad T.
So when you see Salty's you think clever by the sea ~ seafood ~ oh yeah i get it! No sorry its called Saltys for the obvious reason they love the sodium! It looked like they may have good views but we didn't get anywhere near the window. Service ehh passable. Food ~ i think I've said enough. Beverages were really slow coming but good. Pretty noise so its worked well for us. Really really expensive for nothing special. I work too hard for money to spend it on that again
(2)Chris N.
I came here with my parents for the Portland Dining Month menu, which had chowder first course rather than the crab cake that was advertised. Since we were looking forward to trying the crab cake, we ordered one off the menu, and the crab cake was incredibly salty. Perhaps, that's why they're called Salty's. So, though we were initially disappointed, it was better that we got the chowder, which was also a bit salty. The calamari was okay, good for people that like a lot of batter on their calamari. I really enjoyed the coconut prawns, so if you're looking to order an appetizer, I recommend ordering the coconut prawns. The smoked steelhead was perfectly cooked and had a nice smoky flavor, and the parmesan potatoes were pretty good though a few of the potatoes weren't cooked well enough. The cake was pretty good, but I wish there were more strawberries to accompany it. Overall, the food is hit or miss; there were some good dishes and then some underwhelming ones. At their price point, they need more hits. In addition, the service was just okay. Even with reservations, we had to wait a while to be seated. Since their food was so salty, I drank my glass of water pretty quickly, and the waiter didn't refill our waters until right before dessert. Luckily, I drank from my mom's glass. At their price point, I should never have an empty glass. Feel free to call me a snob, but if I'm paying twenty-something dollars for an entree, the service should match the price. The view from the outdoor porch is wonderful, so perhaps you're paying more for the view than the food or service. I think the Portland Dining Month menu is a good value, but I probably wouldn't go back unless I wanted to enjoy the view.
(3)Gerald W.
After reading the Yelp reviews & talking with locals, I was totally confused. Since it was the closest to our hotel, we went. We were seated promptly in a very pleasant booth. The waitress was informative & congenial without being our new best friend. The food arrived promptly & all were piping hot except one which was only warm. This got us a desert to share. Everything was well prepared, tasty, & except for the 2# lobster, reasonably priced. For the market Salty's serves, it is a very good deal. I think some people think everything should be priced comparable to Wendys & some only post when they are unhappy.
(4)Rachael J.
Great Happy Hour! Decent drink specials and good menu. I tried the oyster shooters, baby green salad and coconut-flaked prawns. Everyone in our group was surpised at how large the portions were for a happy hour. Salty's has an amazing view of the river from the back deck. Would go back again next summer for sure.
(4)bridget n.
i have yet to have dinner here but if its anything like their sunday brunch, it truely IS all that AND a bag of chips : ) they get really busy for brunch so everytime we go, i make a point to make reservations. the food is of top quality and they have everything you can think of. waffles, scones, seafood galore, omelettes made to order, and bottomless mimosas...WHEW! i have to make sure to come in comfy pants when i go so i can eat ,eat, and eat some more. if you are a brunch fan, get your toosh to Saltys ASAP and make sure you are NOT wearing your skinny jeans. : D
(5)Nancy M.
I know now what I want for my birthday. Just take me out to dinner at Salty's! Three of us went to dinner here in September and the evening was the perfect end to summer. We had the fresh oysters on the half shell and wine for appetizers. Excellent. I ordered the signature Cedar Smoked Salmon resting on garlic mashed potatoes along with spinach tossed in a pancetta vinaigrette (the half portion was perfect). My friends enjoyed the grilled halibut special, which was similarly apportioned. The service was attentive and friendly, the sunset and view of the river was unparalleled. If you need your coast fix and don't have time to make the drive for seafood, this is the perfect alternative. Good friends, good food, and a very special time.
(4)Lisa H.
I came for lunch with a larger group. We were disappointed that we didn't have a better view of the river, but we did get to see the fighter jets taking off and landing close by. The coconut prawns and crab cake appetizers were very tasty. I had the mushroom ravioli, which was totally filling and delicious. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. I thought it was a very nice place, but definitely only for special occasions, as it is a bit pricey.
(4)CaLiLu H.
This review is based entirely on my brunch experience and I think Salty's is definitely the best brunch in Portland. It's quite on par with the brunch buffets offered in Las Vegas...the land of spectacular buffets. Surprisingly amongst the group of 10 friends we arrived with on a Sunday morning, my husband and I were the only ones who have yet to try this brunch. And I have to say that we were missing out! I highly recommend reservations ahead of time, which we did via Open Table and were seated promptly by 11:30am. I was impressed with the spread and enjoyed plates of fresh Dungeoness crab, buttery clams, flaky salmon and even got a customized omelet from the omelet station. My husband especially enjoyed the oysters on the half shell and we both loved the chocolate fountain where we dipped everything from pineapple to raspberries to the old standbys of strawberries and lady fingers. Did I mention that our mimosas were constantly refilled? Service was friendly, although our drink orders and the check took awhile to come out. For about $35/person, I think this brunch was worth it because of the vast amounts of high quality seafood (kids are only $1.50/year). However, I overheard a few other customers note that this brunch was on the spendy side since they don't eat seafood. So anti-seafood eaters beware...this brunch is not for you! You can get the usual eggs benedict, bacon, and sausage elsewhere. Our group enjoyed our experience so much we are playing around with the idea of a monthly Salty's brunch together and can't wait to come back.
(5)Tricia W.
Went for dinner...was not impressed with the food in comparison to the price that was charged. Service was slow, but the waiter was apologetic and gave us a piece of cake for our troubles.
(3)John C.
We went to this place tonight thinking that our out-of-town visitors can try some reasonably priced seafood in Portland - we were very wrong. We were only offered a Valentine's Day "special menu" pricing at around $60-$70 per person. Despite the unexpected price, we still decided to stay thinking that we would receive good service and very good food in return. About the service, service was not attentive at all. Given the price range we did not expect the same service standard as any Applebee's. The only thing the server did was to serve food. As for the food, we also had some very bad experiences to share with. One of us ordered a chicken entree and the chicken was not fully cooked (we even saw red blood in it). Shrimps were comparable to Red Lobster's - blend and nothing special (they were three times more expensive than those in Red Lobster though). Given the price of the food we were very disappointed. If you would like to have some decent seafood, we will definitely not recommend this place. If you are thinking about bring your loved one for Valentine's Day dinner, we seriously encourage you to re-think.
(1)Melinda H.
Booo, no more Saturday Brunch. :( Worth waiting till Sunday.
(5)Ann T.
This place is great! We went at Christmastime and had a fabulous view of the Christmas Ship Parade. Just had drinks and apps, which were good (not outstanding, but the atmosphere seems to make up for that in my book). I have heard they have great brunches, so I am looking forward to that.
(3)Marti M.
Husband man and I out doing business on a Friday afternoon, thought, "Wow, let's go to Salty's for happy hour. What a great way to start the weekend." Man were we wrong. Unlike the Salty's of years ago, the prices at happy hour have skyrocketed - eight bucks for fish and chips, eight for Caesar salad. Husband ordered the shrimp and received two two lonely crustaceans on his plate. Very stingy, I must say. The drinks were the most watered down I have had in Portland. But the worst was the forty minutes it took the wait staff to bring our fish and chips after the rest of the happy hour had arrived. No apologizing, no comping, just a plate of cold deep fat fried fish and a small mound of shriveling potatoes shoved on the table. No matter the view, will not be frequenting Salty's again. Fifty dollars is too much to pay for a few plates and two margaritas that taste like they came from a bottle with the bar tender forgetting to add tequila or a fresh lime. Very sad, since so many happy and delicious occasions have been spent at this, my home town establishment. Husband will no longer be taking out of town clients.
(1)Jo Ann V.
The brunch is excellent and they added a Saturday brunch, which was perfect for us since we flew back home the following day. I love the marina setting and the 'surf' along the Columbia River.
(4)Karen E.
This was our second time eating here. The first was a year ago October and we had a really delicious meal and it was well worth the money. The atmosphere was nice, the waitress was efficient and the menus had a very classy look to them. The view is really nice and the location itself is interesting being just past the airport. We were really looking forward to a return trip and were highly anticipating another fabulous meal. We saved this place for a special dinner occasion. The other night we ate there for our Valentine's Eve dinner and obviously the changes we saw and experienced weren't so good, hence the two star rating. We also had a super annoying waiter working the two tables at the window across from us. He had a booming voice and thought he was really clever and it was everything we could do not to shush him. We are so thankful he wasn't our waiter. The other down side was that when the reservation was made it was requested specifically that we sit at the window. That didn't happen, we were seated on the main floor still but across from the window. What was the point of making that request? The reservation was made way in advance so boo to the hostess. The waitress was okay and pretty efficient and brought us our drinks promptly enough though she did almost slam our bowl of limes down on the table. Now the most anticipated part of the evening arrived and I won't keep you in suspense any longer.....we were really let down. The food was just okay and actually pretty bland. Hubby ordered the steak and whole lobster. They didn't have just tails available for some reason. That was 45 bucks for the lobster plus the 46 for the steak. Ouch! His remark was it was just okay. The claws weren't cooked long enough and the tail was almost overdone. For that price it should be perfection. Steak was done just right though so it was slightly redeemed. My dinner was the crab and shrimp mac & cheese. There were tiny teenie shrimp on it I mean micro shrimp and ONE little hunk of crab. HUH? So luckily the waitress brought a gigantic portion of crab for me when I asked. I will never complain about getting too much crab on my plate. But that plate was a hefty 24.95 and for that price there better be at least half a pound of crab on that sucker when it leaves the kitchen and is placed in front of me. Another star removed. Now for the most horrifying realization of the evening. Two stars down for this: the advertising on the menu. Want to get a gift card for Salty's? You are only reminded about this THREE times during your dining experience. Truly garish. For someplace that has such high priced items and to go peddling like that in the menu is beyond comprehension. But wait, if you miss the advertisements on the menu you are reminded by the sign on the table itself or the sandwich board on your way out of the restaurant! I wanted to take a shower when I finally got home. Needless to say we won't be going back. It is such a shame the difference a year can make.
(2)Jenna B.
I'll describe the food here in one word- salty. Just like the name. The appetizers were ok, we had shrimp and the crab artichoke dip. Instead of tortilla chips they served the dip with 5 slightly burned large pieces of toast. I ordered a seafood dish in a tomato broth and I wasn't too impressed. I picked at it and only had the shellfish and shrimp, it was too salty for my liking. The dessert however, was great. But then again, you can't really go wrong with chocolate marble cake!
(2)Laura S.
We were so pleased with our dining experience at Saltys. We had not been to Saltys in over 20 years and had forgotten about the wonderful view and delicious food! It was my mother in law's birthday celebration and they treated her like a Queen. Balloons and complimentary (delicious cake!) dessert was not expected and very nice touches. Our view table was incredible. Our food was very good. Sole, Pasta, Eggplant, Gazpacho, Calamari, Bread -- all very good! We will definitely go back for more family celebrations. My only comments for improvement would be to spend some money on remodel. The place is dated and the servers/hostesses are too. Our waiter was wonderful, but his portfolio was held together by black tape and his outfit was a bit too casual. Same with the 3 hostesses who have to work at such a tiny little station. I recommend Salty's spend some $$ and remodel, buy some new linens, and have the staff improve their dress. Also my mashed potatos were extremely boring and almost felt like airline food. But the place is clean, the food is very good and our overall experience wonderful -- we will definitely go back!
(4)Stephen B.
The service was good. The food was mediocre. Not bad, just not that great. Would look on for seafood in Portland.
(2)Abe I.
Maybe my high expectations of the seafood based on a recommendation from a close friend resulted in my only "so-so" dining experience or perception there of. I cannot say. I do think that it was only average for what I got and consequently this will not be a dining destination in my future. Nice location on the Columbia River though.
(3)Julie E.
They had the best Sunday Brunch! The salt encrusted salmon was delicious!!!!
(4)Tommy N.
I wet to Salty's a couple of weeks back. For starters, this place has pretty good ambiance on a Friday night. They have a band playing and you are overlooking the Columbia River. The service is excellent; however, the food is pretty bad. I had the Crab and bay shrimp mac 'n' cheese and it was terrible. I tried the scallops and somehow they messed those up as well. You are paying premium money for below average food. It's a great place to go and have a drink but I do not recommend the food.
(2)Andrew Y.
I might be a little generous with my stars on this one, but I think that it is probably really good. What do I mean by that? I don't eat that much seafood, so I didn't really eat everything, but I did eat all of the stuff that was non seafood. A group of us went for brunch here. There was a variety of breakfast and lunch/dinner type food. You could have mimosas, bloody mary's, or what tasted like fresh squeezed orange juice. The buffet has prime rib, ham, omelette station, biscuit, sunday gravy, shrimp bar, crab legs, oysters, salad, waffles, crepes, eggs benedict, sausage, bacon, chocolate fountain, desserts galore and a great view of the Columbia River. The price is $29.99. The tip was a little gratuitous at 18%. Anyway, from the sounds of it, the seafood was fresh and there were even some pearls found in the food. Bonus! Anyway, they have free valet. Make reservations if you have a group.
(4)patti i.
i was excited to eat in a restaurant by the river and thought it was the same one as we had experienced in seattle. alas,it was not and it was a disaster. we had an overcooked crab for $48. it was supposed to be a 2 pounder but clearly was not. the server said he would rectify it. it was as if they were trying to overcharge what are they thinking??? the salad was blah. the chowder was yuk. the manager was gracious and did not charge for the crab or the salmon which was to replace it. the salmon had some kind of fake bacon taste which made us burp all afternoon. despite her effort, it is passe including the decor, the bread etc. clearly not worth a visit
(1)