Howell’s Restaurant & Lounge

Can’t believe I have lived in Oregon City for so many years and never been here! Delicious real deal breakfast. Hand pounded chicken fried steak, scratch gravy, fresh corned beef hash, and amazing country potatoes. Definitely going back!

Been back three times since my first review, and Howell’s is still A+ for me.

Breakfast my favorite meal of the day just got better. A short walk from my local lodgings and in need of sustanance. Open grill, Counter Service, Excellent cooking in a cozy diner of locals. I knew it was good when I strolled by in rain took a look in and viewed a senior crowd of plenty. They always know the best diner spots at 7:30 am
My special is the tastiest Ive had in a very long time. And no sales tax and I can play Keno. yippie yi Yay

Food was absolutely wonderful! Have been raving about this place since we left! Can’t wait to go back for breakfast!!!

This is the place for breakfast. Great food, you can watch it being cooked, almost everything made from scratch, ample portions and good service. Prices are reasonable and this place has been in the same location since the 1920’s.

Wow my first one star review. And this place really needs it! After a night drinking we went to this place expecting decent coffee and some greasy bar food for breakfast. I ordered the chicken fried steak, and that’s not what I got. When my food came I was not happy… My chicken fried steak was a thin over cooked regular steak with luke warm country gravy. It was so tough I only took 2 bites and I think I broke a tooth. ok not really, but I could have. The country potatoes with onions were pretty alright, but nothing special. Also, the COFFEE was the worst I have ever had in my life. Serious. I should have known when she brought the pot over you could see right through it. Boo! Shame on you for making such weak coffee! I should go get my money back!

Howells is a man named Jerry. Nothing else matters save this lone man working his grill. You want to eat breakfast or lunch here. You want to because Jerry is cooking, and half of Oregon City will tell you the same thing. You give this man ingredients of any caliber, and you will eat like a king when he is done.
When Jerry has the components to create masterpieces, he does so. He is not a line cook, he is a chef who works with what he has, and he is a expert on his grill. He makes as much as he can homemade, works endless hours, and is a joy of a man, a true heart in Oregon City. His homemade gravy is creamy and meaty. His soups are always creative and delicious. One of his soups once brought me to tears, reminding me of my grandfathers soup which I have not tasted since he passed away. If food can bring a tearful, joyous, nostalgia to you, it is done right!
If you are lucky enough to walk in on Banana Pancake day, try them, they are the best I have ever had. His corned beef is delightful with all of the perfect spices in tune. His tuna melt is one of my favorites, it has so much more flavor than just tuna. You can trust that he will prepare your food well. Jerry is the only reason I believe Howell’s stays in business. Go for his food, you will not regret it. The stars above are for him alone. He will win your heart in the end as he does with everyone he gets to know. He is the reason Howell’s has so many regulars. He is also extremely nice about customizing food to suit your taste. He may scowl at you until you work your way into his heart. If all else fails, put a kiddo in front of him. Kids love this man, and he cherishes them. After six years, my son still waits to get his hug after «Uncle Jerry» makes his breakfast. He is family to Oregon City.
Try Howell’s for Jerry. The food is everything a greasy dinner’s should be. I recommend it. Old fashioned comfort food, just like Grandpa use to make.

Always enjoy their great food and specials. Especially breakfast!
Great cheap drink and good service

The food was OK, just what you’d expect from a divey-​dive. There was a game on TV, old plastic booths in back, video poker and lots of regulars at breakfast/​brunch time. The service was awesome, friendly too. Clean and comfortable. Had an OK chicken fried steak (8 ounce top sirloin pan fried with light bread crumbs not crispy) and awesome crispy golden hash browns, scrambled eggs, toast with decent coffee for $ 10.50.

The food is good, I like the atmosphere.
However, we have been here twice and the service was unwelcoming. Both ladies were rude and seemed annoyed by our business.
First server got better as the meal went on because I kept trying to be sweet. Second lady couldn’t be swayed. She hated us no matter what we did.
It’s so close to home and they serve breakfast all day, but I don’t know if we will come back. They obviously don’t want us to feel welcome.

Super-​de-​duper divey. BUT, the food was decent and we had a pretty good time coming in for breakfast.
One of my friends got the steak and eggs and said the steak was terrible. But the rest of us thought our food was a-​ok. We all got a variety of other things. I liked the toast and the breakfast meats and I thought the eggs were nicely cooked. I can’t remember how the hashbrowns were, which means they were at least acceptable.
Coffee was drinkable.
We were the only ones in the dining area, rather than the bar area, so we sometimes had to chase down a waitress, but it wasn’t terrible.
If you’re looking for an easy breakfast on the fly and you’re in the area, not a bad choice.

Cheers meets a diner… nothing fancy but if you come here more than once I bet everyone knows your name! Food was fantastic and plenty of it! Must come back to try chicken fried steak…

I arrived hungry and in need of coffee, I had been here many years before as a kid and back then mom was the cook. This place looks like its split into two areas, a bar area in the back and tables and food bar in front. I got my cup of coffee and menu fairly quickly and was eager to figure out what I was going to have and get some food coming, I waited and waited and waited to put my order in. The waitress seemed more interested in the back lounge area and passed us up without so much as a friendly greeting or a second cup of coffee. 25 minutes into waiting the cook finally had to come over and take our order, being very hungry I was disappointed to hear that it would be a while since there was a large table with orders in front of us. I would have been more understanding except for the fact that as I sat with my empty coffee cup waiting for a refill I watched all those people come in and go to the back to sit down. The waitress who had completely ignored us had seated them, given them coffee, and taken their order.
We finally got our food (chicken fried steak) The steak was good, gravy good too. The eggs were slightly over cooked but still pretty decent and the toast wasn’t very good.
As I sat and ate I watched an older couple that were regulars walk out and one of the parties from the large table in the back ask about her food and then take it to go since she ran out of time.
All and all I would rate the cook as decent, friendly and efficient. The waitress was not helpful, not friendly, and perhaps just having a bad day but if this is the norm then is costing the owners money. I will not be back.

It’s bar food, period. Nothing too great, burgers were good but expensive for the child-​like portions. Soups listed are not explained that certain ones are served on specific days, that was annoying. Chicken strips sucked ass.

1 person in the bar, 1 in the restaurant, 1 cook… For 50 people!!! Who owns this place?! Food is good but it ain’t that good. Ordered breakfast and ate it at lunchtime. My husband never got water and only one cup of coffee. It’s the worst service I’ve ever had. I actually feel sorry for the waitresses who are bustin their asses. We won’t return. Not ever.

so I wanted to like this place —
it’s a historic place that’s been mostly maintained. It’s looking shabby and dark inside — could use some deep cleaning and a little renovation.
the food just didn’t deliver —
the menu states «home made» potato chips — which is something I have a great fondness for. Unless they are talking about the «lay’s house», these were no home made chips.
had the chili melt — sadly the cheese wasn’t melted —
the burger was ok —
the service was basic —
the prices? meh
probably not something to repeat, which is a shame. I could have loved you Howell’s, but you let me down. Clean up your act — there’s a place for joints like yours, but you gotta work for it.

At first sight you might be afraid. One server and the cook, don’t walk away though! The food and service is worth the stay. Our waitress was really nice and attentive. Previous reviews stated best Chicken fried steak, so I was curious.
We ordered Chicken fried steak that came with hash browns, eggs, and toast. Then biscuits and gravy with bacon. The gravy for both the chicken friend steak and biscuits were the same and it was delish! Nice country style gravy, with decent size pieces of sausage. The sausage added that hearty home made gravy taste that most restaurants lack. The chicken friend steak was the perfect size, not too thin or too thick. It was cooked to golden perfection and the batter was great, seasoned well. I wouldn’t say that it was the best I’ve had but it was certainly good! Over all everything had good flavor, and the best part is that if you wanted to watch the entire cooking process you could, because the cook is right behind the bar lol.
Nice people, good food and an interesting atmosphere. If you’re around the area might as well check this place out for a quick breakfast.

I was looking for a unique breakfast in Oregon City while I was visiting, and stumbled upon Howell’s on Unilocal.The reviews are accurate folks! You really should check it out. The breakfast is really delicious. Try the Chicken Fried Steak!

After many years of living in the area I finally made it here to try out breakfast. I’m someone who has been searching all over town (including Portland) for the best biscuits and gravy — mainly some good gravy — and I have to say I have found some of my favorite! I ordered the one biscuit and gravy with eggs and it was the perfect size breakfast. The gravy had great flavor without being over peppered which I find is the case a lot of times.
Someone I was with ordered the corned beef hash and said it was the best they had. Will I be back? You betcha!

If you appreciate a great chicken fried steak, Howell’s is your breakfast place! 8 oz. top sirloin, lightly breaded and topped with the best gravy I’ve ever had. Home style potato/​onion mix and perfectly done fried eggs.
The kitchen manager Jerry was really cool and had a dry sense of humor. After telling him I was new to the neighborhood he was very warm and welcoming.
Excellent coffee and great service. I look forward to many more awesome breakfasts at this place!
Returned 12 days later. I went with one of the specials. Jerry cooked up a hamburger patty that was awesome! If you like hamburger you need to try this. It’s only offered as a special and not normally available.
The girlfriend went with 2 eggs and bacon plate. The bacon slices were very large and the portion was generous.
Update 8÷24÷14:
I’ve since been to Howell’s countless times for breakfast and it never disappoints!