Bates Steakhouse & Saloon

I’m mostly giving the 3 stars because my server was great. The food is overpriced for the quality you get. This was our first time here. They have a small menu, the chairs are the most uncomfortable I’ve ever sat in at a restaurant. I really loved my server, she was the only waitress there, really apologetic for the slow service, even took off my husband’s drink for. Not horrible but not great.

Way over priced! I was not impressed at all. Soup had no flavor and steak dinner started at 25.00 and it was tasteless. Won’t go back.

One of our favorite places to go for those special occasions! Al and his wife catered our wedding 5 years ago and did an outstanding job. We have been at so many weddings where the food was nothing to rave about. We still get compliments to this day from people regarding the food! The Chicken Parmesan is the best thing I have ever tasted and it is consistently good! What a treat to have Al be our waiter for New Years Eve! Thanks guys!

I was visiting here with my family for Christmas Eve. The building isn’t wheelchair accessible, and we were promised some of the cooks would come and assist us, which they did. I then tried to go use the restroom, but the men’s room is not accessible. I had to use the ladies room while my mom guarded the door. We had to wait a long time to order our food. My filet mignon was cold when it arrived, but the soup, mashed potatoes, and vegetables were delicious. It’s a pleasant enough atmosphere to be with family/​loved ones, but the food/​price left something to be desired.

Our wedding was small and simple with about 45 people attending. Bates catered buffet style: BBQ Chicken, Beef Brisket, Pea Salad, Mac N’ Cheese, Stuffed/​Smoked Jalapenos, Stuffed Mushroom Caps, and Deviled Eggs.
Everything was cooked off site and transported here to Keizer/​Salem. I was in continuous contact with Lisa at Bates, who covered all her bases with emails and then calls on the last week before our event. I had TONS of questions because no one in my family had ever used a caterer. I know that I asked a few questions more than once and Lisa was so patient. She really walked me through everything.
Servers and Bartender arrived to the venue on time and were very considerate to our timeline. Of course, things were not on time at my wedding, and we were only mostly repared. Everything went off without a hitch with dinner.
We specifically paid for about 10 extra portions because my family are big eaters and we wanted leftovers. The food was SO, SO GOOD. My family HEAPED their plates and many went back for THIRDS. At the end of the night, we took home so much food I had to freeze some. Bates Catering was worth every penny and we will travel from Keizer to Eugen regularly to eat dinner there!

cool ambiance, really nice service. tried filet mignon, rare. it was pricey and the meat quality and cook of rare was pretty off. half and half experience. one side of the meat was rough, chewy and almost inedible. the other half was tender, juicy, perfectly done. the sides were okay. potatoes the best and the vegetable beef was okay but the salsa was better. great root beer float at the end. I want to go back but am hesitant at those prices :/

To be fair I went there because my friend just told me it was really good. But he also said it was expensive and that it was. I tried to think it the whole time I was there but I was not impressed.
The waitress was nice but clearly had a vested interest in the company and kept saying everything was really good rather than suggesting anything.
They serve a bunch of small appetizers one at a time before the meal comes out. The side salad was good, but it should not have been the best thing they served me. The rest of them were bland and the entrees did not impress either.
Lobster was rubbery, crab was over cooked, scallops were like dry chicken. Sauce for those 3 was not flavorful (which they forgot and I had to request). One of their signature cocktails that was supposed to be flavorful tasted like water.
I give it 2 stars because it wasn’t an awful experience, but for what I paid it would be a low 1 star. I don’t usually leave half of a lobster behind, but they ruined good food and I heard other people complaining about it too.

Even if price wasn’t an issue and your used to paying $ 30−40− it’s still not worth it. I’ve been there twice because the group I was with wanted to go. First time I ordered filet mignon. The meat wasn’t that flavorful and it was overcooked. I got fettuccine alfredo ($ 18– the «cheapest» thing on the menu) the second time because I didn’t want to dish out big cash for something I didn’t like. The portion was huge– but it lacked flavor– very bland. I noticed the onions on my friends steak wasn’t caramelized either. Plus, when I spend that kind of money I want elegant/​chic/​swanky atmosphere. This place is none of those things. In fact, the décor of the place makes it look cheap. The waitress was wearing jeans. And I’ve seen better bathrooms at fast food places. Not that it was dirty. It was just tiny and looked like no one put any care on how it looked. THERE IS A REASON WHY THE OVER-​ALL REVIEWS GIVE THIS PLACE 2.5 STARS PEOPLE– IT AIN’T JUST ME! I gave only gave it 2 stars because the service was good. If you want to spend $ 30-​$ 40 there are much, much better options then Bates.

If this is the best steak house in Eugene then just don’t eat steak in Eugene. The service was friendly. The crab cakes were good. The steaks were all undercooked (easily fixed but seriously your a steak house). They ran out of the first 3 bottles of wine we attempted to order. The place is dirty. The side dishes are a joke. Avoid.

If I am paying white table cloth prices, I expect white table cloths. Well, if you go on line you will see that they charge white table cloth prices… there are no white table cloths. The atmosphere needs to be upgraded. Also when I visited the powder room I had to walk down a short hallway lined by coolers.
We were seated at a heavily shellacked wooden table it was set with silverware that you would find in a truck stop and My menu was dirty.
I ordered the triple crown filet, so did my husband. My parents both ordered the small filet. All of the steak was wonderful. The rest of our meal could be found in any school cafeteria. You DO NOT have any choice about your sides! You get salad, soup and sliced potatoes with a sauce. I ordered salad with ranch dressing, the dressing was awful. The soup was under salted and over peppered. The potatoes were also over peppered. We also added 4 pieces of Texas toast, it arrived cold.
If you are looking for a steak house your money would be better spent at Outback or Road house. They have much better food and much better prices!

I would give more stars for the full meal deal and the prices are fair. But…
5 gals on a Wednesday evening wanted to try something new. We had a coupon to use.
The management was not expecting a crowd; they were understaffed. Another group of 5 arrived in front of us. The employee said he called for reinforcements, but I suspect no one showed up.
Our host/​bartender/​waiter/​cook/​busboy was ONE PERSON!
We started with cocktails.
I did not order a 2^nd because the first one was horrible – it looked good on the menu but our hbwcb used a very HEAVY pour on all of the alcohol. (Please, somebody give him some training.). Not a good cocktail.
The salad and soup and chips-​n-​salsa were edible and tasty.
The Tri-​Tip arrived COLD and was unseasoned and very chewy (is this a Steak House?)
The Mac-​n-​Cheese was a huge disappointment– was NOT cheesy.
If anyone can tell us a better night to dine there we are willing to give it another try.

Ok what’s up with the poor reviews. We had two 8 oz filets med rare. Both were cooked to perfection. With the sides we were very full. Service was friendly and attentive. Price waa reasonable for great steaks and sides included. Not Ruth Chris where the Steak alone is $ 37.00. But not the Ruth. Chris atmosphere. Cowboy up. Wine by the glass was tasty and generous. Martini was a generous size.

Absolutely unimpressed. The prices were very high, the food wasn’t adequate, the décor was out-​dated. Dark and dreary greeted us at the door with ridiculous Halloween decorations… complete with a screaming Skeleton candy dish. The Prime rib was thin cut and lacked on flavor, but even worse were the mushy coconut prawns and the rubber lobster that had a terribly strong «fishy» flavor. $ 98.00 for all of this. Scratching Bates off the list forever!

Way overpriced with the oddest side dishes for a steak house. But their most heinous sin is that THEY DON’T SEASON THEIR MEAT at all! Without seasoning, their slabs of meat taste like… ugh.

First– do NOT come here if you took your prom date to Sizzler.
This is a higher end establishment. The prices are reasonable– considering. Everything is included in the price– soup, salad, sides and after dinner drink.
The ribeye was amazing.

Never got to eat!
Everyone better think twice before attempting to eat at the Bates Steak House.
I can not. Believe the health department hasn’t closed this dive down.
DO NOT WASTE YOU MONEY!
Read these posts its not just me, the few positive post have got to be a fluke.
Go to Texas Road house or the Oregon Electric station.

Recently stopped by the Bates BBQ Trailer parked out in front of the restaurant. It appears they are open from what the very helpful gentleman that worked there Tues Wed Thurs from 11 till 4pm. I went with the BBQ Trip Tip sandwich and added bacon and grilled onions. Now I know why there are lines of people for this trailer at every event I see it at. This was hands down one of the best things I have ever eaten. Words can’t really describe how good the Tri Tip was. Oh so sweet, smoky and so yummy. The bacon had the perfect smoke to it and the grilled onions were cooked perfect. I washed it down with a strawberry lemonade. This is going to my new go to lunch spot.

I was contacted by the Manager of Bates Steakhouse & Saloon recently and asked to remove my 1-​star review and consider giving them another chance. Since I live 300 miles away now it is unlikely that I will return. I cannot bump my review higher than 2 stars since it wasn’t OK. Two stars is accurate in that, «Meh. I’ve experienced better.» Still, I think it is cool that Management sees there is clearly an issue when the rating details shows predominantly 1 and 2 stars. My suggestion for getting help from Chef Robert Irvine from Restaurant Impossible stands.

I took my foreman there for a birthday dinner. he turned 68.
I was fooled by the superb looking menu online.
if your like me and make judgments by menu pricing.
you will be sadly disappointed by this place.
I tried to eat their «Kobe’ 16oz new York.
I think they bought it by the pallet. it was ruined by the cook.
nobody on the staff seemed to be experienced at serving a 60 to 70 dollar meal.
A top shelf margarita comes in a plastic cowboy boot cup? WTF.
I wasted $ 350.00 on dinner and drinks for 5 men. and was embarrassed by this place.
most of the meat went to Karl. he’s the face in the profile. He didn’t seem to have a problem with it.
lesson learned.
Unilocal before I bite

How does this place still exist?! The food is absolutely terrible, as in, I couldn’t even finish it both times we tried this place. The atmosphere is faux-​cowboy as if it’s supposed to be some kind of saloon, yet they charge *outrageous* prices for their food, like $ 22 for chicken, or $ 27 for three crab cakes (in Oregon? Are you kidding me?), as if they’re a fine dining establishment, which they most definitely are not.
I just don’t get how anybody likes this place. Bad food, grotesquely overpriced, and with a ridiculous theme. Must be out-​of-​towners who go here or something. You couldn’t pay me to eat here again.