Ponderosa Lounge

This place is really hard to review. It’s a truck stop bar. It’s a truck stop bar with really good food. Is it a diner? No, it’s a bar. You can’t really review it fairly unless you travel often and can’t skip a beer during a fuel stop, or grab some food. But this is a little off the beaten path for anyone on vacation. So the patrons are rarely the same, unless I am there. I see a few people time and time again. Mostly the bar manager (hilarious guy) or the daytime bartender (wonderfully polite and service driven.) But the place is a bit dark, outdated. Which lucky for everyone, is going to change soon. They have some big plans for remodeling which will sadly put this place on hold for awhile. I hope the chefs and waitstaff weather the storm and come back. Drinks are great, food is surprisingly on point. Baked mac and cheese, I dare you not to finish it. From the plans I heard this place will be more accommodating for the live shows they have. I am excited to see one there, and I am not even much of a country fan. I think to judge this as a long term thing would be best suited, but for now, I am calling it a place to get away from the crowds, that has good food, good drinks and some interesting truckers from all over the place.

It’s a super cool neighborhood country bar in theory but the type of people that come here are just on either one side or the other of the country scale. It’s a super busy bar and lots of action most of the time and good shows of well known and local talent. It’s a bigger location for sure so def good for lots of groups and the gals that work here are super friendly. It’s got an indoor outdoor feel to it which is always sweet for a country bar. They have a full bar menu which is always legit when you’re drinking, or just hungry. Lots of bar food mixed with other stuff. They don’t have a great selection of liquor which is kind of a downer, lots of whiskey and tequila but no sailor jerry at a bar like this? A little disappointing but I won’t let it ruin how I feel about the place. I give it. 2.5 stars due to it not being just your standard country bar but more so based on the type of people that come here. There are regulars then people who think they’re regulars which ruins the ambiance for me personally. But other than that, give it a try !

Been coming here for years and never a problem. Bar is clean and drinks are great. Turn over seems high for the car but that’s typical anywhere these days. Food is good and portions are large.

OMG, I just had the best Ruben sandwich I’ve ever eaten! I think it was the way the pastrami was cured, but it was unbelievable! The bartenders are wonderful – Kate was my bartender – and they are very personable.
If you like Reuben sandwiches, great atmosphere, and friendly servers, you MUST get down to The Ponderosa Lounge next to Jubitz truck stop.

Such an awesome venue with events and live bands! We love going there but their service is not up to standards. When you have the place packed, and only have 2 servers for the entire place, is not ok. Took me awhile to write this because I was giving them the benefit of the doubt but we’ve come 3 different Thursday’s for Battle of the Bands and all 3 times the place was packed and they only had 2 servers. Servers are too busy; I don’t blame them, not their fault. But when we talk to the manager both times and both times the managers say they are too busy to help, that’s a problem!

Been to the ponderosa twice now. Bad experience both times. Great music, but rude staff.

worst place I’ve ever been too, literally.

I love this place for it’s atmosphere. Unfortunately every time I order food it’s pretty greasy and just kind of «blah». The girls behind the bar are attentive and always seem upbeat and in a good mood. I love the bands they have, the cover charge is always worth it. They typically close around midnight, which seems kind of early, but overall I’d definitely recommend this place.

What the what!!! Ponderosa is a real thing. How have I lived in north Portland with the most overblown sense of random adventure, and have never wandered through Juitz, haha. First of all this whole complex is like some sort of government reservation for country folks who were displaced by hipsters. I must admit I’m probably closer to hipster than country folk on the spectrum, but this place is so priceless for that.
There’s 4 dollar movie theater with random movies like Powder, yes in 2012, anyway if you haven’t, then you need to get lit and take stroll around Jubitz.
Ponderosa is their oversized country music venue, complete with real people actually line dancing in rows to a live band. Accoustics are actually really good for live music, and as little as I usually like it, you can get in the spirit of the country music with all the people in serious farm costume dancing around you. Strong cheap drinks, arcade and huge dance floor make for a random good time.

You mean I get to stand close to some of my favorite up and comer country stars? You mean I get to have photos with, get things signed and free used by the artist and band souvenirs? You mean I get to do this without having to pay loads of money? I get to do this even though I’m short and barely having to stand in line? The beer is actually cheap? Thank you Ponderosa for making my country concert going extravaganzas that much easier.

Went on a Friday night, Had to pay 5 dollars to get in, Youngest person there by about 30 years. Live band was cool, but only people dancing had walkers, and looked older than my grandmother. Will not be going back

Do I even dare to admit that I not only spent a night drinking here, but that I loved the hell out of it?!?
The bartenders were freindly and poured the drinks just right. I didn’t eat, so you can’t quote me on that one.
The live music was fabulous (admitantly we went to see a friends band play, but the other band was also wonderful, and the sound was loud enough to enjoy, but not too loud to talk over)
I loved the crazy blend of western, rockabiliy, truckers and your average wanderers all out on the dance floor having a great time.

We had fun drinking cheap beer, watching people dance and listening to great country bands on a Saturday night. We even took the #8 bus directly from our house near 15^th and Ainsworth to Jubitz in about 10 minutes. The service was so-​so, but the Busch is only $ 2, and the potato skins were yummy. Thanks to the DJ for playing our Hank Williams request! It’s a bit confusing to find so get good directions.

My husband and I love to swing dance and this place has the biggest, nicest, hardwood dance floor around. We’ve been here quiet a few times to see some of our favorite local swing/​country western/​rockabilly bands like Lisa and Her Kin. This is also where they have the Rose City Roundup (in the parking lot and in the lounge) which is a classic car show/​music fest/​fun times. Now the lounge itself has ok pub food (no gourmet meals here) and an alright beer selection. When they get really busy the service tends to be slow, but the waitresses are always friendly and joking. The biggest draw back is the location, go to the OR/​WA border and turn right. But I love that this swinging lounge with it’s huge dance floor and big music stage is in the biggest truck stop I’ve ever seen. If you get a chance take a drive out to Jubitz and the Ponderosa Lounge, you’ll enjoy it.

I am not a Country Girl and dont know much about Country Music… but this IS the place to be if you are.
The Ponderosa/​Blitz is a BIG truck stop, and the building serving their customers is HUGE. There is a restaurant, mini store inside, gas station, bar/​dance floor… and lots more.
I have gone to the bar/​danicing a few times now and fully enjoy the place. There is always very good LIVE country singing bands. I do like live bands so I enjoy listening to them play.
I dont know a lick of country dancing, but can get out there and follow a good lead for a few. I mostly love to watch the master country dancers do their thang! They look great out there!
Fun place, and people are very down to earth and respectful.
* Usually a cover charge $ 5

Came here for my 21^st Birthday with the family. Has 2 dance floors, pool table room, live music on some nights.
Very layed back atmosphere. Very easy to go in by yourself and make a lot of friends!

You’ll wonder if you’re really in Portland, Oregon. Full stage, two dance floors, CW dance music, dance lessons, pool tables, cowboy boots and hats and truckers with big belts. Oh my!