Besaws

Besaws Cafe offers a casual, welcoming atmosphere. In the summer, there is an outdoor patio under an awning, while the tall windows that line the dining room create an open feeling year-round. Many of the interior fixtures date from the restaurants opening in 1903 – including the American mahogany bar that runs the length of the front room. Besaws was originally established by two French Canadian loggers, Medric Liberty and George Besaw. They dreamt of starting their own beer parlor and gambling hall, and Henry Weinhard gave them some seed money to get started. Located in the route to the 1905 Lewis and Clark Expedition, the saloon prospered during the early years. When prohibition came to Oregon in 1916, Mr. Besaw closed the saloon and started serving food. After prohibition was repealed, the business was granted the first liquor license in the state. Besaws Cafe quickly became the most popular meeting place in the neighborhood, with a reputation for a good drink, a square meal, and some lively conversation. Not much has changed today. With almost a hundred years of history, nearly every Portlander has a Besaws story or memory! Today, Besaws is one of Portlands top breakfast places, a popular lunch establishment for local business people, and the ideal neighborhood dinner spot. Times and menus may have changed, but we strive to carry on the Besaws tradition — real food for real people.