Rainbow Cafe

Worst service ever. Waited over a half hr for an omelet, place was almost empty except for the locals, the waitress/​bartender never even said I’m sorry when we questioned the length of time we waited. Then proceeds to give us our bill without even a thank you. We almost just left without eating but our hunger win out. Food is horrible! Service is by far the worst unless you are a local and drinking at 10am. Then when we go to pay «cash only». Husband had to walk two blocks to am ATM. Wish we would have gone elsewhere.

Pendleton, Oregon is a tourist town these days — drawing principally for its well known rodeo in September. It is an historic place, with a history rich in the trappings of the old West — brothels, poker, hunting, and the early mill industry. As such, the kind of place where I want to dine is an historic site — a place with its own rich history.
The Rainbow Café is such an historic place. And it wears its history on its sleeve.
Once a saloon, the Rainbow has been a bar or restaurant or both for over 125 years. In addition to the pictures of the winners of its annual rodeo, the walls are decorated with memorabilia from its 125 year past. After dining, it took me nearly 30 minutes just to look at everything.
The food is excellent as well — at least the breakfast food that I had is. I enjoyed the veggie omelet. It consisted of at least three eggs (and seemed to me like four or more eggs) and a nice, well prepared and softened mix of broccoli, cauliflower, and squash. It was served with a very generous portion of hash browns as well as fruit.
I loved this place — not just because I met the hands-​on owner who knew the history of his restaurant and the town in general (though it helped). I recommend it as your first stop in this great historic city (even before the nearby full-​service casino).

CASH ONLY! Most places have a sign outside that clearly says Cash only. This one didn’t have a sign anywhere, not even inside. Luckily I had cash. Took about 10 minutes to get a menu. Took about 45 minutes to get out food. Waitress was polite and nice but very slow. Food was not bad, but service was very disappointing.

Had lunch and a later drink here. Lunch was okay, I’d say «value oriented». Fun atmosphere with lots of western and rodeo stuff. Also Irish? The afternoon drink was better, most of us had a wonderful Moscow Mule, served in a pretty cool copper cup. Except for the smokers on the benches at the door, clientele were interesting.

Amazing old school establishment this place deserves 3 stars just for décor alone but when you try the food it has to get another star again my though is try the fried chicken it is great

Waited an hour and 15 minutes for hash browns and eggs, and they were barely warm when they finally arrived. It took over 30 minutes for my husband to get the hot tea he ordered. Apparently this is the oldest bar/​restaurant in Pendleton. I have no idea how they’ve managed to stay in business this long.

this café came as a referral from a woman working in a gas station. we flew into town for a wedding… we wanted a locals place with beer… she was right-on…the bartender/​server was real nice… i had a bud, and my partner had a bloody mary… next, i had the halibut on wheat with a salad… my partner had the veggie burger with fries, and a salad, extra… all the food was great… we loved the décor, the vintage ambiance, and old photos of the roundup… loved that it isn’t updated… just a real place… nice and down home…

I had breakfast here this morning. It took the drive from Pendleton to Portland for me to decide how to rate this place.
It is clearly a locals place. It has been there for a long time. Not a whole lot of money has gone into the place over the last several years. I walked in because of all of the conversations wafting out the door.
I ordered the special omelette. Glad I did. It had bacon and avocado. It also had onions. I will say this was one of the best omelettes I have ever eaten. It was well worth the wait.
The big problem is it appears I came in at the end of a wave. I waited for the menu, coffee and my meal. One of the other customers was pouring coffee for the rest of us. He said it happens occasionally. I waited a very long time.
The staff is very nice. They could be a bit more efficient. It would have helped if they could have let me know it would take so long.
I would stop in here again. The meal was that good. However, I would ask if they were busy before deciding to stay.

I walked in here based on Unilocal reviews to get some breakfast. I was pretty hungry and prepared to order a large breakfast it looked like they might have some good omelettes or steak and eggs. But I had a coffee cup in my hand from an espresso place I had stopped at. I wasn’t even greeted, I was just met immediately by a woman who told me I would have to leave because of my coffee cup. So apparently because I already had an espresso in my hand and would not be ordering a $.99 cup of drip coffee from them they were unwilling to sell me a $ 15 breakfast.

Had the chicken fried steak as a friend had said it was the best he’d had. It was tasted great and was massive. I could have shared it with someone else. Though it was good I wouldn’t say it was the best I’ve had or even the best in eastern oregon. Be warned it is a cash only restaurant.

Awful food and not such a good idea to sit by the kitchen. You see what really goes on, two words: sweaty toast. The lady taking orders, handling money also makes your toast and takes a sweat towel located right by the bread to wipe herself. Oh ya and doesn’t wash her hands in between. GROSS! I think all these other reviewers are use to some sub par food to give this place four or five stars. Yuck!

This is a $cash$ only restaurant! There is an ATM inside though.
Other than than the cash part, the food was really good! Server was friendly and the food was prepared as requested. It is in a bar but has seating for families with under age children.
We had the Rainbow special burger, French Dip, Club and Halibut fish and chips.
I would definitely come back again.

Had the chicken fried steak breakfast because it was recommended as one of the best in Oregon, I have to say I have not tasted better in a long while. The portion sizes were large and the food tasted fresh. A good way to start our morning in Pendleton.

We walked in and it is like walking into a old 50’s style saloon. This review is for breakfast, the people working here sort of walked around us, and no one really said hello till we asked about coffee, then we were told that they only have regular drip coffee… I am usually open to that, but I needed a Latte, a really big Latte, and the Rainbow café can’t accommodate that. I get that, not everyone cares, but on this particular morning I did. I ended up not eating here due to that, so I am giving it a 4 star rating, but only because I didn’t actually eat and the reviews seem to warrant a 4. Based on my experience, not being acknowledged and not having coffee choices, I would probably have been at a 3, but maybe the meal would have made up for the cons…

We live in Portland, but make trips back to our home state of South Dakota about once a year. Whenever possible, I make it a point to stop at the Rainbow Café for the best God damn patty melt I’ve ever eaten (I’ve forgotten about more patty melts than the average human will consume in a lifetime). The look of the place is a bonus.

This place serves a 3 purposes, two of which it does great, one of which it doesn’t. Let’s walk through a day at the Rainbow Café, shall we!
First things first… this is a CASH-​ONLY establishment! So if you’re carrying only plastic, hit the bank before ya visit, or face the fees of the ATM on site.
It’s morning! Are you hungry? Are you hungover? Both?! Good news! This place serves up a killer diner-​style breakfast. It’s generally pretty busy, but the service is always attentive in the morning, and the short-​order cooks do a great job getting your order to you in timely fashion. The glasses of OJ are pretty small, but it’s one downside in an otherwise great meal. See?! That omelet and hash browns (and the bloody mary, if you’re needin some hair of the dog) have you feeling human again! Time for a nap!
Rested yet? Good! Cuz it’s lunch time! Sandwiches are the primary offering at this time. They’re ok. The Reuben is probably their most popular item here (it is an Irish bar after-​all); tender corned beef and piled high with slaw. Good stuff. Unfortunately, while that cash is burnin a hole in your pocket, the lunchtime wait staff is not doing much to earn it. Certainly the low point during our day at the ‘Bow’. You’d probably be better served at GP or Sister’s Café, both of which make a good sammie, and take plastic.
Dinner? More diner fare. Steak, chicken, fish. It’s there, thought admittedly I Have not tried it. I have had their late-​night menu (fries/​jo-​jos, onion rings and the like. The jo-​jos are good stuff. Always served piping hot and fresh.
After dinner, it’s cocktail hour! If you’re lookin’ for a stiff beverage, look no further than Jeff or Sheri. They’re always happy to help ya out, and are happy to chit chat or pitch some jokes with ya. Anything that’s MEANT to be in a rocks glass, is happily served (free pour) here. You CAN order a martini, but you’ll likely get some weird looks, and it’ll probably be served up in a rocks glass, like a party animal. If you’re in the mood for a froo-​froo drink, this isn’t the place for it. For those kind of quaffs, hit up Hamley across the street, or Cimmy’s a half block north.
Had enough yet? Alright, go home! get some sleep… and if ya need some breakfast, check out the top of this review ;).

Great food. Great service. Sheri is awesome. Good people. Just a down home kinda place. Just like the country song «I love this bar. Its my kinda place»

I’ve eaten here 3 times and have always been more disappointed than the last. The service is very slow and the food is over-​priced. I would recommend this place if you have time to sit and wait for 20 minutes for the server to take your order and then another 45 minutes to receive your food.

I love a good dive bar. Don’t miss this one awesome decoration.

If you are headed through Pendleton, this is a great place to stop for grub, beer, and good conversation.
The bartender/​waitress was cheerful and so sweet. She made a special order sandwich for my boyfriend.
Waiting for our food, a real cowboy with spurs walked in the bar. This scene was a novelty for this city girl. This is a charming café. Everything from the vintage cowboy décor, to the friendly staff and real cowboys, it all only augments the greatness of this place.
Stop here to chat with a cowboy or quench your thirst.