Bakeman's Restaurant

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Lisa Kennelly

Joined 3 years ago

Go for the "experience", stay for the freshly roasted turkey. Get in the fast-moving line, quickly scan the dry-erase board for the menu and then place your order before the no-nonsense server chopping up freshly roasted turkey can snap her fingers at you. By your second visit to Bakeman's you'll be a pro.

The best sandwiches here are definitely the turkey: white or dark or both, cranberry and mayo and lettuce at your request. Other diner classics like meatloaf and egg salad don't disappoint. Neither do the 4 or 5 selections of soups and pies, or the daily specials like pot roast or beef stroganoff.

Yes, the lighting is fluorescent, the floor is nondescript tile, they only take cash and the owner will likely give you a hard time as he rings up your meal. But the "Soup Nazi" gimmick belies a friendly heart. Play along, tip him a dollar and he'll throw in a free chunk of cornbread with a wink.

Doesn't Recommend

NeoPDX

Joined 4 years ago

Better Places Than This. Cold and dry turkey on dried out bread... this was the worst! I would not eat here again.

Stop by Huber's or Downtown Freddy Brown's in Portland, Oregon for turkey done right - fresh, hot and juicy, served opened face with gravy and mashed potatoes. You'll come back for more!

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Jupiter45

Joined 5 years ago

Great food beats the sometimes mediocre service. This place is the place to have lunch in downtown.

Salmon Friday is a day to look forward to on a weekly basis. The daily specials are good, the turkey sandwich are always good.

The owner can be a pain... but you either love him or not

However good food beats the attitude!

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ColleenBrowne

Joined 5 years ago

Catering. Jason always comes through--even in a pinch--with good food, more than reasonably priced, more food than most "per person" caterers. I think he's a complete gem as is his staff. He may seem "crabby" to some, but it's just the soul of the place shining through.

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Mac206

Joined 5 years ago

A Hidden Seattle Landmark. My mom has been going to Bakeman's since the 70s. When she is back in town we always go to there and Jason at the register still recognizes her. Bakeman's is a classic Seattle restaurant. It seems like most people I know have never heard about it. Yet every time I go in it's packed. Its not the kind of place where you should expect to get royal treatment but that should be obvious when you walk in to the cafeteria-like setting. Bakeman's is fast efficient and they make the best damn turkey sandwich this side of Thanksgiving. Where else are you going to find a sandwich made on fresh homemade bread with real roasted turkey that was cooked that day for only 4 dollars? I know they have other sandwiches but I have yet to get past the turkey, its just too good. They are only open on weekdays for lunch and they only take cash. I think some people can be put off by the abrupt service. But keep in mind the place I always really busy and it's faster for everyone when you know what you want and keep the line moving. If you get yelled at just roll with it and be nice, half the time they a just messing with you. Go there get a turkey sandwich and tell your friends. Trust me you won't regret it.

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Anna Roth

Joined 8 years ago

Downtown workers have lined up every weekday for 20 years to get a turkey sandwich from this legendary lunch counter.. The Scene
The interior is fluorescently-lit with no real windows, but lack of light does not deter the devoted masses that flock here. The key to negotiating the counter is to order confidently--with such lines, the staff doesn't take kindly to indecision. For smooth ordering, specify white or dark meat and bread, then spell out any add-ons (the tangy cranberry sauce is a must-have), a la, "White on dark with cran and mayo." Follow the cafeteria line around the corner for soup and dessert.

The Food
The turkey sandwich is definitely worth the hype: Whole turkeys are roasted every night and the sandwich is filled with large, moist chunks of the stuff, recalling day-after-Thanksgiving munchies. Succulent meatloaf makes another popular sandwich. Soups rotate daily, but the turkey noodle and feisty chili are mainstays. The home-style apple pie, blessed with large chunks of apple, is a worthy end to lunch.

Doesn't Recommend

hicktastic

Joined 6 years ago

keep walking. Mediocre food. The tomato basil soup tasted like a came out of a can and while I was impressed that they used real, whole-roasted turkey meat for their sandwiches, the wonder bread and cheap toppings made me pass and have a salad instead. The lettuce was brown on the edges by the way. The guy at the cash register was extremely rude to his customers which I didn't get -- it's possible to run an efficient line and be nice to your patrons at the same time. Tat's (Pioneer Square) proves it. Next time I feel like a cheap sandwich and quick turn-around I'll walk down to McDonald's. At least they're nicer.

Doesn't Recommend

soupcanharry

Joined 6 years ago

a joke. Are you kidding me. anyone who would spend money at this place should have there head looked at. The food is half rate at best, looks like Carl Budding meat! If the owner thinks his attitude is cute then he should meet me in the alley after he gets off work, soup nazzzi wanna be ! This place is HORRIBLE and should be avoid solely to show this guy that if your going run a business you should at least be decent to people.

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shaniqua_w

Joined 6 years ago

Y'all keep eating at McDonald's if you don't like this place. Getting fat and sick from eating McDonald's food aint no way to go through life. So what if Jason Wang (the cashier )is abrupt and efficient. Deal with it, y'all.

Try the excellent turkey sandwich....try the soup.....have a brownie...enjoy life!

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mmmmmmgood

Joined 6 years ago

"C-MON, I DONT HAVE TIME!!!". Pretty good food. Good Price. But watch out!

....Know what you want ahead of time, and have your money ready to pay

......or else be prepared to get yealled at!!..... ""C-MON! C-MON! C-MON! I DONT HAVE TIME!!!!!!!""