There's a pub along Highway 101 on Oregon's southern coast called Mr. Ed's. Owned and operated by…read moreEd Houck, it's a slice of Americana that everyone should experience at least once.
Much to my surprise, there is a vibrant music scene along the southern Oregon coast. Nestled among the coastal communities sits Mr. Ed's, a pub that has become a gathering place for locals, travelers, and musicians alike. Ed Houck--proprietor, bartender, restaurateur, and, as we soon discovered, music enthusiast--runs the place.
The establishment is part pub, part family restaurant. The walls are lined with guitars, ukuleles, mandolins, and other stringed instruments, giving the place the feel of a community music hall. Local artists and patrons alike are welcome to pick up an instrument and play.
The food is simple, hearty pub fare: a surprisingly good cheese pizza, breakfast burritos served all day, and an assortment of savory meat pies. Nothing pretentious--just honest comfort food that fits the atmosphere perfectly.
On a Thursday evening stop during our travels, we were treated to an unexpected showcase of local talent. Musicians took turns on the small stage, accompanied by a simple drum beat and the encouragement of friends and family gathered around the room. From what I could tell, the restaurant is a true family operation, run by Ed and his daughter. The sense of community was unmistakable.
This place appealed to me at my very core. It was a genuine slice of Americana.
Ed may not appreciate me drawing attention to this little coastal enclave, but I want the world to know about it--a place where neighbors gather, families cheer on performers, and music is shared simply for the joy of it. We watched as Janine checked a lifelong item off her bucket list by performing at her first open mic night, singing a song dedicated to her child.
As the evening progressed and community members stepped away from the stage, Ed and a friend pulled instruments from the wall, settled onto a pair of stools, and treated everyone to a few instrumental performances of their own.
Suddenly, I found myself enjoying one of the best beers and one of the best slices of pizza of the trip, surrounded by authentic small-town charm and the unmistakable spirit of Americana in a coastal Oregon town.
