I am cluttered with cliches today. Adrift with adages. Swimming with saws. Proffering proverbs. Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs! (Yes, that makes no sense, I know). Renner’s Grill, in the Multnomah Village neighborhood of Portland, is a place “where everybody knows your name,” and “chief cook and bottle washer” Marshall, proprietor, makes sure of that, introducing himself, his posse of co-workers, to you, and in turn, you to all his regular old-timers.
What makes a place like Renners feel like “home?” When you know it’s a place of refuge, where you can relax, enjoy friendly banter, the beverage of your choice and here’s the important part – you get to do this among people you will quickly come to regard as “family”no matter who you are, where you come from, your lifestyle choice, your size, your shape, your skin color, religion, political beliefs, or any other category that makes you feel either invisible at one place, or makes you wish you were sometimes; at Renner’s, you’re just “one of the gang”, and you’re welcome.
Renner’s has recently opened for the lunch rush, and has daily food (and beverage) specials, inexpensive, “mean cuisine on the scene”, quality food.
Altho Mrs. BDB and I have popped in before, I waddled in yesterday because Marshall put up a new sign outside that he is now serving genuine Vienna Beef “Chicago style” hot dogs. Do you know how rare that is in Portland? I know you do. Renner’s got ’em, the dogs that made Chicago famous. Vienna Beef uses the finest cuts and secrets seasonings to make a plump, juicy, skinless dog, served on a poppy seed bun (do you know how hard THOSE are to find here?), and if you take it loaded up “Chicago style“, you’ll enjoy it with the customary toppings of mustard, chopped onion, the ‘real deal’ neon green relish, pickle spear, tomato wedges, and celery salt!
Or any of a tumult of toppings, your choice. Me? I went for that bountiful beef biggie w/ only raw onion, and yellow mustard. I wanted to “relish” the purity of the beef dog, and the oh so deliciouso softness of the poppy seed bun on its own. Man, I’m drooling for one right now, what time do they open?
I added a side of fries, only a buck, and got a pile o hot, salty crisp shoestrings, far beyond my expectation for bar fries. Amidst bar flies. (ok, groan).
My foto doesn’t do justice to this bad boy banger; I shot quick and sloppy so I could GET quick and sloppy with my dawg!
Renner’s is at 7819 SW Capitol in Portland, open 7 days.