What a fun family night. I love that they allow all ages to come to drag bingo at 5pm on…read moreSaturdays. There were so many families enjoying time together. Some of the other reviews were negative on their food...but our food was fantastic. The burgers were moist and not greasy. The waffle cut fries were hot and crispy. The bartenders work non stop to get your drinks and food out quickly. My daughter loved the churro style donuts (but they are messy). The decor is a D&D dive bar scene....so many things to look at as you wait for bingo to start. They just changed the rules and you do have to pay $1.00 per person to play bingo...but where else can you get that type of entertainment for a dollar. We can't wait to return.

Food - My oh my. I should have gone with the fish and chips. My poor fried mushrooms were assaulted…read morein the back of house and deep fried 50 shades of charred. The stew was very stout, like an aged stout...no I mean licking an old beer can out level and it needed an unscrewed lid salt pour out (twice). Ambiance - The bathroom wall writings are worth a stop and read. The decor is like a giant game of I-Spy, from owls to pearls to clowns to Freddie Mercury. The Krampus painting isn't for sale!!! The drag queen bingo experience and show was worth it all. Service - The bartender was great. She kicked a guy out for being a creep...how will they stay in business kicking local creeps out down by the river??! My rum had a little coke in it. Definitely worth a stop and people watch.

There are restaurants that seduce you with promise, and others that test your patience before…read morerevealing their intent. Lion & Owl, on this particular morning, proved to be both--a place of evident talent, yet uneven discipline, where flashes of brilliance are offset by lapses that no serious kitchen should permit. Let us begin with the triumph. The buckwheat pancakes arrive not merely as breakfast, but as a composition. A stack of admirable loft and structure--evidence of a properly developed batter, handled with restraint and precision. The crumb is airy yet resilient, each bite yielding gently before dissolving into a delicate nuttiness inherent to buckwheat. A caramelized banana sauce pools generously, glossy and fragrant, its sweetness tempered by the cultured tang of crème fraîche. Toasted coconut chips scatter across the top like crisp punctuation, lending both aroma and texture. This is cooking that understands balance--sweetness checked by acidity, softness lifted by crunch, comfort elevated by technique. It is, quite simply, a five out of five dish. The kitchen, here, remembers what it means to nourish and delight. And then--alas--we encounter its counterpoint. The mushroom brioche toast, in conception, should be a study in harmony: buttery bread, earthy fungi, silken eggs, fresh greens. Yet the execution falters at its very foundation. The brioche--so essential, so central--is pushed past the threshold of caramelization into bitterness. In a bread so rich with butter and sugar, precision is everything; overcook it, and the entire structure collapses under a shadow of char. The garnish, too, feels careless--large stems of greenery draped without intention, rather than composed with purpose. It is a dish that looks promising from a distance but betrays its flaws upon inspection. A two out of five--a failure not of imagination, but of discipline. The brie and truffle macaron arrives as an afterthought--set aside, unannounced, uncentered, as though it were a spare utensil rather than a composed pastry. Presentation matters. It signals care. Here, there is none. And the macaron itself? A confection that should whisper with delicacy instead resists with age. The shell is hardened, the interior overly chewy--signs of time having passed unkindly. The flavor is confused: a sweet, almost vanilla shell encasing a mild, savory filling of whipped brie and timid truffle. Neither side asserts itself; neither yields to the other. It is neither dessert nor savory course, but a muddled compromise. A two out of five, and left unfinished--a silent verdict more damning than words. The mimosa, I am told, is bright and pleasing, though presented without flourish--a small omission, but telling in a restaurant aspiring to polish. A four out of five, competent yet unadorned. The pour-over coffee reveals a lighter roast profile: bright acidity at the fore, a nutty mid-palate, a gently lingering finish. It is, as you observed, "hipster coffee"--intentionally expressive, though perhaps too acidic for a more classical palate. On flavor alone, a three out of five. Yet the experience is marred by a most unforgivable intrusion: a hair in the initial cup. Such a thing should never reach a guest. Ever. And beyond the plate--there is service. Dishes arriving out of sequence. Eggs meant for one guest appearing with another's delayed entrée. A table divided, one diner finished while the other waits. Explanations that do not align with reality. Items placed without acknowledgment or intention. These are not minor stumbles; they are fractures in the very architecture of hospitality. The Verdict Lion & Owl is a restaurant caught between what it is capable of and what it consistently delivers. There is real talent in this kitchen--evident in the pancakes, in the conceptual ambition of the menu, in flashes of thoughtful composition. But talent without rigor is unreliable. And hospitality without coordination is hollow. For every moment of genuine pleasure, there is another of carelessness--overcooked bread, stale pastry, inattentive plating, lapses in cleanliness, and disjointed service. In the end, one must judge the whole, not the highlights. Overall score: 2 out of 5. A restaurant with promise--undeniably--but one that must remember that excellence is not achieved in moments. It is achieved in consistency, in care, and in respect for the guest at every stage of the meal. Until then, Lion & Owl remains... a place that almost is.

Really great fresh food with some interesting combinations. We came here on a whim (no…read morereservations) while visiting my wife's niece at UofO at around noon on a Saturday. Busy but they had a table for us. Very nice decor, rotating menu. We had the buckwheat pancakes with caramelized bananas, dates, and pineapple syrup which was sweet but not overly so since the pancakes underneath were not touched by the syrup ended up being a really nice balance. Bacon was like a cross between pork belly and bacon (very thick) but really tasty. Breakfast Sando was good with in-house ground pork and a nice aioli. We also tried the savory macarons (Brie and truffle) which are delicious. Creamy and a tad sweet. Not too much truffle. Coffee was a bright tangy pour over-not my favorite type but some people really like that style. Oh, and we had a blood orange mimosa which was really good Overall an excellent experience! Definitely going to again when we are in town!

Came to South Hills Cafe in Eugene thinking I'd get a solid, low-key breakfast... and somehow ended…read moreup questioning everything I know about breakfast burritos. First of all who gave them permission to make it this good? I'm from Los Angeles, I've had my fair share of legit Mexican food, and this burrito? Absolutely ridiculous (in the best way). Like... borderline emotional experience. Honestly, the people running this place deserve a Michelin star. Or at least a standing ovation every time they bring a plate out. Super friendly crew, chill South Hills vibe, and plenty of spots to sit and enjoy what can only be described as breakfast excellence. Came in hungry, left impressed, slightly confused, and already planning my next visit. We will be back

It's fine. The service is lovely, the cafe is spacious, and the food comes out in good time. But…read morethe food itself is fine. We ordered grandma's favorite burrito, grandma's favorite omelet with hashbrowns and a biscuit, and the chilaquiles. All of the dishes felt like they could have had more flavor and spice. The biscuit was crumbly/dry. It's a good neighborhood spot, though, and I'm interested in trying their sweet items instead to see if there's much of a difference there (pancakes, waffles, French toast).

My boyfriend and I stopped in here for dinner and also brunch the next day…read more I was happy to learn this place is dedicated gluten free and allergen friendly. I am dairy free. For dinner we ordered fried calamari for a starter. I got the steak frites and he got the chicken marsala (also made Dairy free). Amazing!! For breakfast this am, I got the chicken and waffles and he got the Elvis waffle. Both were so good! Definitely the highlight of the trip The waitress both days were super attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. I will be back again next time in town.

I prefer to only make positive reviews, but until this place figures out how to run a restaurant…read moreyou should avoid it. It was a busy weekend but here is the rundown of our brunch timing. Note this meal was on Saturday, not Sunday Mother's Day brunch : -1145am appointment and promptly seated. We were told it will take about 40 minutes to get our food which is fine. - 1200 the wait staff finally came by and took our total order (food and drinks) -1210 water was finally brought to table -1220 four of 5 beverages came out. - 1235 final beverage delivered. There is zero engagement from anyone between these long waits. -1255 three meals delivered. One missing something. - 100 one of the remaining meals delivered - 110 final meal and apology that it would be comped. That's 1.5 hours to get breakfast food for 5 people. The menu was good but the execution by the kitchen was inconsistent. At that point we just wanted to finally get out of there. Sitting there with tap water after finishing your first round of coffee/drinks a long time ago and hoping someone ever returns is crazy. The location is great, menu well constructed, and it was clean and welcoming. If you are looking for a place to just sit around and talk to each other for a couple hours and maybe, just maybe get some food or service at some point then this is the place for you. The one positive note was the barista slinging coffee drinks. She was working her tail off the entire time and all the coffee drinks were great. If anyone had come to ask we likely would have ordered more while we waited.

This is still the best breakfast place in Eugene... there's no denying it. It's vegetarian, and…read morethat's not for everyone. But it's just right for me. Parking is really the only challenge about this place. The pastry case offers a beautiful display of options. The menu is loaded with incredible choices with excellent flavor combinations. And the setting is just right in terms of being cozy and agreeable for a comfy social interaction. I really love the location in downtown Eugene and enjoy the nostalgia of this long-standing brunch establishment. You'll come for the wholesome food and be delighted by the friendly service and uplifting atmosphere.

Had an hour before my morning meeting and wanted to start the day with eggs. I didn't have cooking…read morefacilities so looked up eggs in town and MGC came up. Loved that it was so close to the train station! The red door stood out in the morning sun; outdoor seating looked friendly. Sitting inside a raccoon that greeted us as well as a friendly purple painted morning glories climbing the walls. Pastry case was impressively packed with vegan pastries. The banana bread was outstanding. Ordered the 3 fingered jack (an omelette with green chiles) and I was told just about everything on the menu could be made vegan -- a promising treat for plant-based diet friends since the food was so well-made.

I've never really felt the need to leave a bad review before but given this place suspiciously has…read morea 4.1 average, I feel compelled. I will also say, I worked in restaurants for almost 8 years and I am VERY understanding of costs and the possibilities of off days. But this place is honestly ridiculous. First of all, I did a to-go order, so my review is completely about that experience, the food, and the cost. I do not have a review of the service. $18 dollars for a breakfast burrito sounded crazy, but since it was my bad not checking the prices, I went through with it. The food was not at all worth $18. It was bland and soggy, not moist or juicy from the sausage, just soggy. The flavor of the sausage was good but other than that the burrito was completely bland. The home fries on the side were pretty tasty but I didn't even want them and would've preferred them inside the burrito or not included at all for a lower price. My main reason for leaving 1 star and not maybe 2 or even 3 is that they charge a 10% gratuity on to-go orders which, to me, is unacceptable. I generally tip about that much on my own for to-go (20-35% if I eat in for people who think I'm awful lol), but given the food is ridiculously overpriced I was unsure if I would this time. Them making that decision for me without any heads up ensures I will never come back here again. A small note on ambience; the place is stinky. As I said, I didn't sit down so take this with a grain of salt, but when I walked in I was blasted with a musty and kind of dirty smell that would've had me not wanting to stay for a meal. I honestly feel bad writing this review but this place does not deserve the communities continued business unless they SERIOUSLY up their game. I don't believe I will ever be back but hopefully they improve and actually live up to the 4.1 rating that they have. There are many, many better tasting and more affordable options throughout Eugene, even places with much lower ratings.

Solid spot for breakfast on the south side of campus! They can get pretty busy on the weekends but…read moretables cycle out pretty quickly. We ordered the chilaquiles and French toast. The Chilaquiles were okay - resembled more of an egg scramble with a few chips. Really enjoyed the French toast though! This place brings back good memories of coming during college!

Needed an early breakfast with my daughter, and a local sent me here. Cute little place, but…read morereally its all about the service. Addi herself waited on us and was super personable and sweet. I heard her across the cafe ask after a customer's new baby -- he hadn't been in for a year, she just remembered. A homeless guy came in and she listened to his rambling story attentively, then got him some food and sent him on his way. She's a gem. The food was pretty typical greasy spoon breakfast, which is exactly what I wanted. Solid meal and much appreciated at that hour. I think I heard then say they opened at 4am. Delightful little life saver of a spot.

I will say that when I arrived, I was a little bit sketched out…read more But immediately upon entering early in the morning, I was greeted and the place looks cool inside I had two eggs and hashbrowns with sausage and it's exactly what I expected. Not necessarily a review that rides at home, but I will say that I would stop here again

If Farmers Union isn't my #1 favorite coffee shop in Eugene, its definetly in my top 3. There are a…read morelot of coffee options in Eugene and this one is an easy best. Everyone is always is always so nice, and crafts their coffee well! I love that you can see the roaster and all the coffee bags and see exactly where your beans are coming from. The historic building itself is also gorgeous! Perfect place to get "coffee shop vibes."

Super cute coffee shop. They have a bunch of adorable decorations and machinery where they roast…read moretheir beans. Vibes are great for catching up with a friend or studying. Their service is always great and the employees are friendly. The drinks and food generally come out pretty quickly. It's usually busy tho, so be prepared for a bit of a longer line at their peak hours. My go-to is an iced latte with their complimentary simple syrup. I'd say it is of the best lattes in town. My boyfriend always gets a matcha latte, and he ranks it among the top 3 in Eugene. I will note that the breakfast sandwich wasn't good -- I don't know if I just got unlucky the one day I got it or what but it was almost inedible. The biscuit was super dry and the egg and sausage were tough and hard to chew. I don't know if they put it in the oven for too long but I couldn't finish it after a few bites and had to throw the rest of it out

I have an Original Pancake House up the street from my house in Vegas and had visited that place a…read morefew times. While visiting my child here in Eugene, she suggested we come here for breakfast. I was very surprised and pleased with this place. The vibe is young, fresh, bright and all things University of Oregon. My server was amazing. She was on point with making sure I have my coffee cup full at all times! You have no idea how much this means to me! The pancakes we ordered were light and fluffy. It was delicious. The bacon, even though the menu said 'thin sliced', was fairly thick. I guess where I come from, when they say thin sliced, it's paper thin. lol Over all, amazing place. Price point is great and service is exceptional!

Maybe it was an off day but it took for fucking ever to get our food, swear people who sat down 20…read moreminutes after us got their food and we still had to wait 20 more minutes after that. I'll give them some grace and just write it off as an off day but it was not great service. Food was okay. Might come back for a redemption brunch.