Dots Cafe

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2521 Se Clinton St
Portland, OR 97202

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(503) 235-0203
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Reviews
( 12 )
( 19 )
( 3 )
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( 1 )

Best

I am just visiting my boyfriend in Portland, so I had no idea what to choose when he asked me what I wanted to do for dinner. He took me to Dots and we had a great time. There i...

Worst

At my last and final visit to Dots, I actually got a bill before my food! And just a question, do the servers ever smile? They ignore you the whole time you are there, and if you ...

You won't be disappointed 12/2/2004

Dots has great food and for the price per portions it is indeed an excellent value! Try the BLT w/ guac and fries...yum! Service has been crap everytime I've been..the waitresses can be unfriendly and once they set your plates down forget refills on beverages or brews w/ out having to knock them over for it. Decor is awesome and the darkness inside at high noon is welcomed for a weekend hangover. Go to Dots you won't be disappointed! Pros: Great food/value, Good location, Great atmosphere more
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Sandwiches and Fries in a new direction. 4/8/2004

The thing I love about Dots, besides it's velvet wallpaper, big-eyed 70's paintings and doll-parts chandelier, is the food. The portions are generous and the food is consistantly fantastic. (Except at 2am where quality goes down with the rowdier crowds) Dots has a way of taking fries and sandwiches to a heightened state. Try the Turkey Monterey. Imagine crunching into golden brown sourdough, cool lettuce & tomato, then crispy pepper bacon, creamy, melty Monterey jack cheese and real juicy slices of turkey breast. This sandwich alone keeps me going back to Dots again and again, even when the cook is backed up and the waitresses are frazzled. Hint: Rest your eyes from the summer sun and retreat to Dots at noon on a Saturday. You'll get the best service and the best food and the least smoke from the bar portion of the place. Pros: Great food Cons: , smoky at night, crowded at night more
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Dots Cafe 7/28/2003

I'd recommend Dots as a good place to get a little drunk, not too sure about why people rave about the food. Ok, the cheese fries are good, but nothing all that special about them. That they have spice or peppers on them is great, but the fries don't taste fresh. Burgers aren't special either. The guacamole is lemony and mushy. Our table was not impressed bythe food. On the other hand, the decor is fantastic as were the drink special prices. Great feeling to the place in a cool part of town. Just don't expect good service. We weren't the only one who had to track down the staff for help, more drinks, and the bill. Think the surley waitstaff may have been a ""schtick"" the place used 10 years ago, now they just have bad attitudes in general. Yeah, that's not fun. Anyway. Good place, not great. Pros: drink $, no wait to get seated, velvet paintings Cons: staff sucks, food nothing special, oh yeah, staff sucks more
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Dots is a must for late-night food 5/21/2003

The cheese fries rock, the Greek platter rocks, the ambiance rocks. If you are into Celine Dion and DKNY, you probably will not like this place. If you are into restaurants decorated with scores of sock monkeys, check it out! One of my favorite college hangouts. Maybe the waiters aren't friendly, but what do you expect- all hip people in Portland are surly! Pros: Cheese fries, Cool retro decor Cons: It can get packed, late at night more
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No Tip here! 5/4/2003

At my last and final visit to Dots, I actually got a bill before my food! And just a question, do the servers ever smile? They ignore you the whole time you are there, and if you are lucky enough to get your food or a bill, they don't even speak acknowledge you! Why would anyone eat here? Oh yeah, they're open late. What a selling point... Pros: Open Late, Good Food Cons: Service, Parking, No Lights more
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Best Greasy Veggie Food in the World 4/3/2003

For those of you vegetarians who miss the meaty comfort food, you must try: Garden Swiss Patty Melt! French Fries! Spicy Tofu Sauce! Yum! Add a pitcher of PBR and you're ready to eat some damn good greasy vegetarian fare. Don't worry about the service. The more you go, the better it gets, plus you have to leave yourself enough time to play a game (or two) of pool and order an extra pitcher of beer. Music's great. Booths are cozy. And wall's are covered with sexy black and gold velvet wallpaper! What more could you want?!?! Pros: veggie & vegan items, greasy, limited smoking area Cons: no vegan cheese, can't be in a hurry, limited smoking area more
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Eating with a velvet Elvis 12/27/2002

A great neighborhood cafe! The king melt sandwhich is wonderful! more
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THE BEST CHEESE FRIES EVER!!!!! 11/6/2002

Dot's is not the greatest place for food, all around. But, the cheese fries here are worth driving across town for at 2AM!!! And, it's a cool funky little hang out for two or a small group, especially later at night. Pros: Cheese Fries!!! more
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Mmm Cheese Fries 11/1/2002

My bookclub met here recently, and we ADORED those cheesefries! They're still talking about them!The burgers were excellent, and the service was pretty good! Don't love the smoke, and I HATE paying for each glass of soda. Ridiculous! I had been hearing about Dots forever, and found it to be just as I expected. Good choice. Pros: cheese fries, all food great Cons: smoke, $$ for soda refills more
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smoky 10/3/2002

I have gone to Dots for years and its only downfall would be poor ventalation. I was surpried to read here that smoking is not till after 10:00 . it seems no matter what time I go I come out smoky, ick! Great food though!!! And good value!! Get the cheese fries:-) more
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Jalepeno Cheddar Fries 10/3/2002

I am a ""kind-a-sewer"" of quality fries around the city, and yes, McMenamins and The Horsebrass do have awesome fies, but, the jalapeno cheddar cheese fries at Dots are worth the trip, even a long one. Just don't let a hippie or wandering Jerry Garcia fan trap you in a conversation at the bar! more
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I WORSHIP DOTS CHEESE FRIES! 8/27/2002

Dots' cheese fries are the most fabulous addition to the food world in general ever. Although, the service is SO BAD...you just have to take it with a grain of salt when you crave the food...and tip accordingly... more
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Dot's Kicks It! 8/14/2002

Dots is great! The menu is extensive with something to please everyone. The service is generally pretty good, but can get slow when the place is packed; more wait staff on those nights wouldn't be a bad thing. I am bummed that the smoking area has shrunk to only a few tables though, makes it difficult to get seated for cocktails on a busy night. Adding the full bar was one of the best ideas ever!!! Pros: extensive menu Cons: limited smoking area more
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Dot's Paradise for Vegitarians 8/6/2002

The service isn't always great (in fact, sometimes it's downright non-existant), but the atmosphere, taste, and price can't be beat. It's great for vegitarians, and they have a fantastic bar. We eat there once a week or more. Pros: Inexpensive, Great Food, Fun Atmosphere Cons: Inattentive waiters, sometimes crowded more
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piggy hipster's paradise 8/6/2002

If you like dark places and kooky surroundings, Dot's is the place for you. Also, if you like to eat large piles of fabulously greasy food...Dot's is the place. The garden burgers are actually good, the hummus is not just for health nuts and there's something full of spice (oh yeah, the fries!) that kicks ass 'til next Tuesday. Pros: good food, good hangout, late hours Cons: no non smoking area, no parking, full of hipsters more
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When you need cheese fries 6/9/2002

There's no better place in town to find cheese fries. Portions are huge, greasy and dripping with cheese (opt for jalapenos, too). The caravan platter is a tasty option, as well. Check the board for specials. Pros: inexpensive, menu Cons: can be crowded more
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Dot's is royalty 5/26/2002

Dot's is a great value and great food. Sandwiches are excellent and the ambience is great for a date or just a quick bite. The decor is wonderful and original and the staff is generally very amiable. When there is a bit of a crowd settle in for a wait, and the beer taps could use a little rotation occasionally but other than that it is practically perfect. Leave your credit card at home. Pros: inexpensive, great ambience, great music more
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Spicy dip 5/20/2002

Try the fries with the spicy tofu dip. Don't be scared away by the word tofu... the fries are plenty greasy and unhealthy. Cool place with a good vibe. more
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Love the grease, love the beer 5/14/2002

Cheese fries done right. Good beer on tap. Service can be a little slow, but if you're at Dots who cares. Try the Caravan platter, it will feed two. Pros: cheesy fries, vegetarian selection Cons: smokey more
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Menu for Dots Cafe


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Red velvety wallpaper, oh-so-'70s light fixtures and kitschy knickknacks define this mainstay for neighborhood locals and bohemian 20-somethings (teenagers aren't allowed after...

  • 3/3/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon - Fri 3pm to 2 am Sat and Sun 12 - 2 am
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Hosford - Abernethy, Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program
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