Prairie Schooner Tavern

12 or so years ago I would have given a higher rating on the food. We used to come in here with my guys parents to grab a Cajun rib eye, broasted chicken, or Cajun halibut with parmesan cheese. Back then the food was really good. We even came for breakfast once in a while. Then for a while the food started to go down hill and we stopped coming in. Once in a blue moon we would show up for a drink with friends, but that would be it. Here recently we thought we would give the food another shot, and I got the Cajun rib eye, which they make with black butte porter. I was not impressed. I am not sure if the meat itself was just cheap? Which it used to be quality meat here. The flavor was gross, and I was just not overly impressed. Back in the day it was packed with flavors that made you craving it. It was nice and juicy back then. But not now. My guy ordered the broasted chicken and I noticed he had left overs. Very unusual for him. We returned today by pick of our friends and it was for breakfast so I had the sirloin and eggs. I asked for med rare. I got med. It was a tough piece of meat! That my friends is one reason I hate, hate anything over medium rare! The siracha ketchup was its saving grace. I did have the Bloody Mary and that was good. I can’t say I will be back for the food, but they do make good drinks. Service for the most part has always been good.

I’m a man who likes to give places a few shots. If you have an awful experience, it’s not always the restaurant’s fault. That being the case, the Schooner unfortunately still deserves a 1 star.
Three separate times I have waited over an 1hr with work colleagues to get food. In one instance, after waiting 1hr 20min, we got up and left. They hadn’t even remembered to refill our drinks, much less approach us and give us any sort of clue as to when we would be served. We asked when we would be served they said, «should be right out,» without checking with the kitchen. It was not. The third time we went we asked if it would be much of a wait. They said «No, most everyone in here has already been served.» Whether or not that information was correct, we – for the third time in a month, mind you — waited over an hour for our food.
The staff hardly acknowledged us, our drinks were rarely refilled. The staff does not seem like one for small talk either. The coffee is pretty bad, but the food isn’t bad for the price. Think cheap American diner food. It could be a lunch stop if we could only get served! I imagine this is a good bar for the locals in the neighborhood at night, a little passed dinner time — but it certainly doesn’t feel welcoming to anyone else. It’s hard to talk to your server, your food takes forever and it’s not like you’re at a 5-​star restaurant.

This neighborhood bar, restaurant is a lot like our own little Cheers. Regulars hang out at the end of the bar drinking beer. Thursday night ribs and cheap tacos keep the staff moving. prime rib on Friday is great. Like most of their homemade soups, but clam chowder on Friday is to die for. As a single women I feel welcome and never feel uncomfortable walking into the schooner by myself. I always take out of town visitors to my favorite dive.

There food is great, ya the place is a little old and divey but i like it. I still cant believe the size and taste of there burgers. there potato salad is homemade and excellent.

Dinner was good, roasted chicken was delicious. Service was good considering she was the only one and they were busy. I enjoy going to a bar and getting a good meal!

Worst service ever or should I say lack or service completely. Went in on a Saturday at 6pm and sat at w bar table for ten min before even getting menus then when we went to bar and asked for menus… They never came and greeted us at our table. The new young staff (tall brown haired girl and short blonde girl) didn’t even bus our table or even acknowledge our presence and they had seen us and been looking the entire time. They also were texting on their phones and laughing behind the bar knowing we were just waiting for service. We finally got up and left because we sat there for another 10 min and no one ever came. Will not go back here and will be telling others of the horrible new staff they hired.

Do not go here if you find Fox news offensive. On constantly. Food is average bar food except their clam chowder which is exceptional. The manager cook is awesome. Some of the bartenders are very nice… One is not. Been here dozens of times due to location Owner is fox news junky… Nuff said.

RUN AWAY FROM HERE!!! This place is a joke. From owner to server there is a definite lack of, well anything of positive value. They are rude and ridiculous and have no concept of how to treat people. This place is a waste of time. And yes, as someone else pointed out the prep room has a wood counter and no sink.

35 minutes for coffee that tasted like freeze dried Tasters Choice and two hours for a very mediocre breakfast– need I say more?
The staff was pretty nonchalant about getting us coffee, water, cups or even silverware. The server kept telling us that our ticket was coming up, but we watched table after table get seated, served and leave, before we even got a sniff of our food cooking in the kitchen.
The only reason this place is getting two stars is because of the fact that my family and friends made this dining experience so much fun.
I have lived in many states and breakfast «joints» are my favorite! From the dive to the divine, if it has good food, friendly staff, and it’s clean; then I’m there… this place lacked in every category. It certainly isn’t the worst, but it’s hardly worth a second helping.

When they invented the term «dive,» they had this place in mind. With its bar along the back wall, pool tables around a corner, and weird bi-​level dining area, it gives the distinct impression of a place that hasn’t been messed with in a very long time. It’s not close to much of anything either, about half a mile from the Beltline. Yet it’s destination dining for a large number of people. The parking lot is large and fills up on weekends.
DLW and I met some friends here for dinner and drinks on a Friday, and the place was hopping with big groups and couples. Intimate this place is not, much more a hangout for middle-​aged and older (too far from campus to attract college kids). The menu is pretty standard bar food, but it’s well executed. Our fried appetizer platter had chicken wings, tater tots, onion rings, mozzarella sticks and mushrooms, with five dipping sauces. All were cooked well, though breading was heavy. Drink selections are better than you may expect.
Our waitress was just the sort you find at places like this: elaborate hairstyle, chatty despite being very busy, handling it like she’s been doing it for 40 years, because she has. TVs are inescapable, visible from every seat. You need to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy this place. Just think «dive night out.»

Great place! Food is always good, atmosphere is relaxed, and I ALWAYS have a good time here!
The boys have made it their regular hang out spot on boys night out!

The food here is consistently good, the prices are acceptable and the waitstaff attentive. Excellent alternative when you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere with quality food.

I like dives, ok? And this is a good one. Really good.
Amy P. Unilocal quote just about sez it all: «Ok, if you like a greasy spoon that actually has decent food and waitresses with big hair, this is the place for you!» What SHE said (thanks Amy).
I’ve been here a bunch, out on Prairie Road, serving the mills. A friend of mine from Country Fair said it had his favorite Reuben in Eugene. He had good taste in dresses, so I thought I’d trust him on this too.
And he was right. Good crispy bread, nice proportions of kraut and corned beef, noticeably flavorful cheese and Reuben sauce, with very good steak fries. Last time I was here the meat portion seemed a little skimpy (say it ain’t so, Joe!), but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
Reading the reviews, breakfast & Taco Tuesdays sound interesting. Cool authentic place, well worth trying.

What a strange place! I’d been here before, since one of my in-​laws is a trucker who goes here a lot for breakfast. But this time, when my fellow Unilocal friend and I walked in, we found this place practically PACKED. For lunch no less! At a tavern! A sight to behold, I tell you.
The place seems popular with men, there were few (any?) women in there, and the men were a mix between truckers, retired guys, and men in their 40s who looked like contractors or something. However, we’d gotten some «inside information» (ok, well, an email from my mother in law with a picture of the shrimp louie), which told us to try this place for lunch. The shrimp looked amazing, I’ll try to get her to upload the picture!
We went for a double fries combo: The fries with bacon and cheese, and the shrimp with fries. I get now why, when I ordered a side salad, the waitress asked if I wanted to sub it for the shrimp”s fries. There were sooo many fries. SO. MANY. HUGE. FRIES.
The fries are thick cut steak fries. They looked beautiful, fresh and perfectly fried. Unfortunately, both of us prefer thin fries, so we didn’t even end up eating that many. Plenty of bacon on our fries, which was good, but there wasn’t as much cheese as I would’ve liked. The shrimp were good, but there were only FOUR. Sorry, but for a «shrimp basket» there –really– need to be more than four shrimp. Unacceptable.
The service was… well… good, I guess? The waitress checked on us regularly, refilled our drinks, asked us repeatedly if we needed anything else. But she wasn’t terribly friendly. No smile, and she kept looking at us a little strangely. I’d almost say with a look of «Why are a woman and a gay man sitting here in a big group of male truckers»? I wasn’t super comfortable.
Anyway, this place is definitely a lot better than expected, but perhaps we didn’t order the right things (should’ve gone for those fresh shrimp!). I’d give it another try, even if I wasn’t that impressed this time.

I haven’t had anything here that hasn’t been awesome… yet. I’ve been every Thursday night, for their taco special (must have! = $ 1.50 each), for 6 months now. I’ve also been for many other dinners & breakfasts (sitting there now). The draft beer always tastes good, the food is great, and the prices are average. The crowd here tends to lean towards the John Wayne generation – which keeps it nice & mellow. Kathy is the greatest server in the world… just look for the super tiny woman, with the dark hair and glasses.

Greasy spoon. Good portions. Good service.

Overall a good experience. Quality has gone down in the last few months and they can’t keep staff around. Otherwise a nice place. I will go back for beer and chicken strips but not for a meal.

I like the food and the portions and the prices.
Sometimes the waitresses can chat a little too much and forget about being attentive.
All in all, it’s a good dive.

Ok, if you like a greasy spoon that actually has decent food and waitresses with big hair, this is the place for you!
I had a most awesome sausage omlette, the crispiest bacon ever and decent coffee. You can get mixed drinks, and even smoke in there if you so desire.
Nice, out of the way place to get your grub on!

A damn good breakfast, all around. Even the bacon was a step above the typical greasy spoon fare, thick and well cooked.
FYI, smoking is allowed because it’s out of city limits.