We had a lovely breakfast-great benedicts and the most amazing giant latte. We really enjoyed reading the history of the building and looking at all of the historical relics. I'm pretty sure our server was an owner and she was fantastic. We will be back if we ever come back to town! read more

The inside is beautiful but I don't plan on eating here ever again. They took a while to take our orders and then when we finally got our food, they had given my plate to someone else and asked if I wanted the other persons plate. I really did not feel like starting the whole waiting process over again so I grudgingly accepted. They offered a "discount" for the mix up but it was a really small one which might not have even been a discount in the first place. read more

We only had the milkshakes so third is not a full review. Milkshakes were good, as milkshakes tend to be. Not special. Service was amazing, even on a busy day. read more

Very slow service, excellent breakfast. Come when you're not in a hurry and you'll be fine. If you are on a schedule you'll be frustrated.

There are a number of good things about Bair's. The building is charming and full of light, with the old soda fountain counter where kids can sit and have a soda and look at the interesting old pharmacy items in the glass cases. (My mom, who's 88, recognizes most of the items from her childhood, which makes for interesting conversation all by itself.) There is a new outdoor seating area. Steilacoom is a lovely little town, worth a visit. The food is really very good and well priced. The marbled rye toast is really impressive, the bacon is excellent, the eggs and red potatoes are very very good, and hot. Two-egg breakfast is $7. We go there on the occasional Sunday for breakfast, ready to spend a couple hours. Why a couple hours? The service is inexcusably slow. Seriously, we speculate for the entire forty minutes it takes them to bring us bacon, eggs and toast. It's nice to have the time to visit and sit, or read the paper, but even if you're not in a hurry, you really wonder why they can't seem to get their act together after all these months. Today there were six people working in this small place and we wondered why no one had considered hiring a former Denny's waitress to train them on how to hustle. The guy who took our order was inexperienced but he's not the holdup: The kitchen is. No one we know has gotten served in under half an hour. Go there and realize the service will be preposterously slow, and the food very good. We usually eat something before we go there. We'd love to try some of the really great items on the menu, but worry it will take longer than we can bear. They have some beautiful items in the pastry case; it might be worth getting something from the case and a cup of coffee to tide you over until your breakfast arrives. I'm originally from the area, and the revival of the old drug store is welcome. We enjoy going there, but know exactly what we're in for. It drives away all but the very patient. read more

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I went to the a Bair Bistro this morning around 9:00. I ordered the house special , sausage gravy & biscuits. It looked great. Eggs were overcooked and the gravy a bit bland and the biscuit was a bit hard on the bottom. Thick and dense rather than light & fluffy. . Ample portions but too much for me. The atmosphere is great. Don't get espresso. My cappuccino was overly bitter and the milk was bubbly not frothy. If you want espresso stop in at the Coffee Cabin first. My recommendation - try it. You might find something you like. Maybe a homemade scone & American coffee. 3 stars at best. read more

The Bair - Sausage gravy & biscuit. Looks great but a bit bland. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Steilacoom, Washington

Absolutely love this place. We've been going here regularly for over a year. In fact, whenever we have visitors, this is the one place we always make sure to take them. We enjoy their breakfasts the best...and have been pleased with every one we've tried. Everything has a made-from-scratch taste that is hard to find nowadays. And yes, that takes time. Critics who call it "slow" miss the point about the experience. It's like eating at grandma's house - not something to meant to be rushed. The proprietor, Sarah, is terrific too. She is genuinely interested in her customers and it shows every time we see her. If you're looking for a quaint spot for a delicious brunch in a relaxing setting, then this is the spot! PS Try biscuits and gravy - they are the best we've ever eaten. read more

Loved this darling spot, went for Saturday brunch. Service was great, they got us a table right away. Fun atmosphere, and the Old Bair scramble was delicious. Got one of the most amazing looking scones to go and will report back later if it tasted as good as it looks. Will definitely be back. read more

The Bair - Scone from the Bair Bistro. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Steilacoom, Washington

LOVE this place! Can't sing its praises enough. The food is excellent and the menu has excellent opportunity for those of us with food allergies. Sarah and all the staff at The Bair really make the experience that much better. You definitely feel like part of the family when you come here. Oh! And I can forget to mention the decor! The inside looks like you walked back in time to a vintage soda shop with an actual soda fountain. You definitely won't regret having any meal here! read more

Food was eh. Not worth the price. Okay service. But honestly the food wasn't good. No flavor and too much salt.

As someone that follows a gluten free diet, this place is great for me. It is sooo good. Sometimes drink refills are a little slow but the food is delicious. Check their hours because they aren't always open for dinner. read more

This morning I went in just wanting a bagel and cream cheese and My order was taken immediately and I paid right after then I waited a little while and at first I was a little confused but then I realized they are so busy and for good reason the vibes are amazing and the food is even better as well at the freshly made milkshakes there was a hostess there and she was so amazing she had a conversation with and it was great soon after my food arrived and I left but man I'll definitely be back considering my family lives so close and there food is delicious read more

My experience at this establishment urged me to create a yelp account... it was that bad. This place was a huge BUMMER. The service was AWFUL and the food, mediocre at best. My friend and I walked into this nearly empty restaurant where the rude woman behind the counter asked if we needed a table for two. I answered back "yes and a highchair please for my daughter" (the 9 month old on my hip whom she refused to acknowledge?) and she told us there was a highchair at the back of the restaurant near the bar?? "Should we get our food from the kitchen as well?" I said to my friend. After we were seated, she practically threw our water at us and didn't come back to take our order for at least 15 minutes. After we put our order in, we waited for our food for at least another 20 minutes. When we finally got our lunch, the sandwiches were sloppily slapped together, and the fries and soup were cold. As I mentioned, there was hardly anyone else in the place, maybe two other tables... This was our first time visiting Steilacoom since moving to the North Tacoma area and we were sorely disappointed in this place. It's an adorable spot with tons of potential so it's really too bad the people running this joint have no idea what good food or service looks like -- NOT going back. read more

Delicious breakfast! We love this local spot! Its not the fastest place to eat but you won't regret going. They also have really yummy milkshakes! read more

I come here a few times a month with coworkers for breakfast and I've only ever had good experiences. Service is always prompt and courteous; food does take a while to come out sometimes, but I'm willing to 'bair' (couldn't resist) with it because of the quality and I'm sure they don't have a ton of people working there. Definitely a good place to go for breakfast if you don't mind spending at least an hour drinking coffee and socialising with whoever you're with. read more

Nice atmosphere. Food is good. However, service is typically very slow no matter how many customers are present. Having a reservation will not speed service. If you are under time constraints, this restaurant should not be your first choice. read more

My wife and I have enjoyed breakfast 3 times here and each time has been awesome! The owner, Sarah, makes a point to come around and chat and makes you feel welcome. She knows guests by name and makes you feel like family. The old hardware store decor and setting is really well done and gives a folksy Americana feel to the place. My wife must eat gluten free and also can't eat items that have corn and that has been no problem here! Many choices for her, and that can be surprisingly hard to find. On the regular menu my personal favorite is " Gary's breakfast", which is really good. Their bacon is thick and soft and sausage is really flavorful. Even the coffee is great. Mimosa's hit the spot last visit. It does get busier as the morning progresses but one would expect that of a breakfast place like this. We have not had lunch or dinner there but that will happen for sure. I highly recommend a visit! read more

If you are considering catering with the Bair, perhaps my experience can help you decide, especially if you are planning a wedding. My wife and I were getting married in Steilacoom, and we wanted someplace local, so we looked to the Bair. From beginning to end, the Bair's owner and chef Sarah was ready and available to help. She made time for us to talk with her about our desires for the wedding. She was available via phone and email whenever I had a question. Best of all, she let us build a menu from scratch. No other caterer we looked at had this kind of service. Sarah, however, was eager to give us exactly the foods we wanted, and she happily cooked all of them just for us to try. Sarah also worked with a local vendor to obtain all our dishes, silver, and linens for the event, which made our lives easier since we didn't need to deal with that side of things. Once the day arrived, Sarah was on site early. Her staff were helpful and professional, and the food tasted great. I heard nothing but compliments from the guests. Everything was ready on time and looked delicious. Sarah was also more than willing to help out in other aspects of the wedding, even going so far as to hand-craft a huge number of tea kits for the tables. We were really glad to have her help and expertise. All told, our experience with Sarah at the Bair was top notch. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, skilled, and downright fun vendor to work with. Sarah's sense of humor made every step of the stressful planning process easier; I was always laughing and smiling after our meetings. Thank you Sarah! And to anyone considering the Bair as a caterer: you won't be disappointed! read more

Eating here has become our favorite weekend ritual since moving to the area. The food is delicious and offers a unique spin on many classic dishes. There's always something on the menu that will jump out at you and satisfy a craving you may not have known you had until the first delicious bite. Sara is a rockstar proprietor. Her and her staff treat their customers like family. read more

Third time here and i love this place. Cozy general store atmosphere with vintage drug store packaging for decor is awesome, can't wait for my mother in law to come visit she will adore this. Food is great I've ordered something different every time and have yet to be disappointed. Also I can honestly say best hollandaise sauce I've ever had. **bonus if you're gluten intolerant this is the place for you** read more

I've been going here for years since I'm a steilacoom local and it's one of the few places downtown... I have found it's a hit or miss. Sometimes the food is good (never amazing), most of the time your food takes forever to get out and if you are there before other people come in that doesn't mean your food will get to you first usually have new waitresses and they're usually not very good. It's a very cute place so it's a shame it could be way better and the milkshakes are 90% of the time yummy. read more

I am fairly new to Steilacoom and was so exceited to know that Bair was reopening, shortly after my move to this beautiful little town....However, I must say that the 3 times I have been there have been horrible, bad service, wrong orders, or having to wait forever to get your food. This could be a gold mine for the right person...someone who knows about great customer service! This was very disappointing! read more

What a fantastic place!!! I have been coming here for years and the Bair never disappoints! I noticed that some reviews have claimed slow service as a detriment...when in fact; the relaxed atmosphere and family ambiance is one of the most appealing aspects of this wonderful restaurant. If you want a 'fast' meal; eat at McD's!!! If you want good food, an amazing atmosphere, and friendly staff...then this place should most definitely be on your short list; clearly one of the best breakfast spots in the South Sound. read more

The atmosphere here is incredible. The restaraunt doubles as a museum for Washington's oldest settlement. The food is typical PNW American fare, but very well done. I recommend breakfast, though note that the service is pretty slow. read more

I went here for the first time today and I loved the decor. It was really quaint. For arriving at noonish on a Saturday, it wasn't packed. i got a table for me and my daughters (14 and 2) right away. There was a warning in the menu that said that the food would not come out fast. Fair enough. My rating is an average. 4 for food and 1 for service. The food: the Salmon Pancakes, well, I wasn't fond of them because the hash was undercooked to my tastes, it did not look like a pancake as I was expecting but a pile of hamster shavings. It wasn't bad but it's not quite what I envisioned. I ate all of the Lox and made it through half of the giant pile of non-pancake with barely existent gouda melted somewhere in there. My eggs over easy were cooked PERFECTLY. I think their simple breakfast would have been a way better choice. On the other hand, my daughter's biscuits and gravy was the real deal and I was jealous that I didn't order that instead. I could taste the sage in the sausage and the gravy wasn't too thick or too thin and the biscuits were nice and fluffy. My other toddler's pancakes were equally delicious. The milkshakes were great and my Latte was passable, On to the service. I think our server needs some serious training. She was sooooooo slooooooooow. I watched her handle what I would consider a meager number of tables with the hustle of a three toed sloth. She had no timing and no personality. She didn't give us suggestions or anything. She didn't check up on us to see if we liked our meal or not. Frankly, I wasn't happy with my meal and wanted to request more gouda but I do not chase servers down. That is not my job. I'm a customer. Nary a plate was cleared from the table, nary a glass of water was filled. We finished our meal and the 2 year old started going into post-fuel mode and we had to get out of there. I had my daughter take her sister outside and I waited 15 minutes for this young woman to come and bring me my bill. Again, I'm not chasing someone down for this transaction. I could have EASILY walked out without paying and they wouldn't have noticed and I seriously considered it. Instead, I estimated my bill and left it in cash on the table and walked out. No "thank-you for coming, have a great day!" followed me. I am sure I overestimated just to make sure I had the meal covered, including the 9.4% sales tax plus a 15% tip, I'm sure she got overcompensated for her service but seeing how slow she is, she probably needs it since she can't turn over a table worth a crap. For me, half of dining out is being treated well. I drove from North Tacoma for this breakfast to treat my two daughters and all it did was make me mad. I won't be coming back. The decent food isn't worth the crappy service. read more

Most frustrating experience. Ever. Had to ask multiple servers for a table when no one acknowledged me at the door. The first girl said she had no idea what the process was for seating and then left.. I had to find a second server on my own. Had to get my own menus, after waiting a good while without anyone even talking to us, and at a dirty table. Had to ask two separate waiters to place an order, the first one said she'd be right with us but never came back. In the mean time, new people had already been seated around us and brought coffee. Had to ask two more servers for our coffee and waters. We had to ask for silverware once our food was up. She forgot it multiple times until a different server noticed and brought some. Never once were we asked how anything was or asked about our day, anything. We asked again for waters but eventually only got one. Our server disappeared and a different one had to give coffee refills and bring the check. The whole thing was incredibly non-efficient. No one used trays, they would go get the hot sauce and then take another trip for ONE water and so on.. It was insane, everyone was stressed, we're never coming back. read more

I'll start off with the good. The antique decor is very quaint and interesting. The location is just blocks from my home in Steilacoom. Nice decor aside, the service was poor. There were four of us for breakfast. There were two people who had arrived before us. That makes 6 in the entire restaurant. Our server arrived somewhat promptly and had our coffee to us in a few minutes. We placed our orders and then waited, and waited, and waited. Two of us had corned beef and scrambled eggs. Those orders came out after 45 minutes. The other two had biscuits and gravy and salmon potato pancakes, respectively. The last two orders did not come out until the first two orders had been completely consumed and empty plates were sitting on the table, 15 minutes later. We felt odd about eating our food while the rest in our group sat there with no food, but we didn't want our food to get cold. Our server never commented on why it took an hour for biscuits and gravy to come out. There were no apologies for our orders coming out 15 minutes apart. Simply put, there was no reason for it to take an hour. There were only two people ahead of us. I understand that things are made to order, but they are in many other restaurants too. That's not an excuse to wait an hour for biscuits and gravy or any other item on the menu. The food itself was pretty good, but there wasn't a lot of it. I was really looking forward to showing our out-of-town family a good breakfast, but everyone was really disappointed by our experience. We won't be returning. read more

This was such a great find! The ambiance welcoming as well as the staff! Delicious Reuben on gluten free bread! All around great experience!

My Husband and I looooove this place and FOOD especially breakfast. The servers there are always so kind and their service is amazing! Always a great experience in a historic ambience. read more

The ambiance was quaint and rustic...love the location but the service was painful. Here let me explain: I walk in to make an order to go. I knew within 10 seconds what i wanted. The server says, "you're gonna have to wait because I have to ring up all these credit card orders". Now mind you, the most efficient thing would have been to take my order so the cook could begin the masterful preparation of my biscuits and gravy. But nope she instead had me wait while she tendered a stack of 9 tickets for a big top of military men in casual wear. They were chatting and telling stories. 7 minutes in with 4 checks to go i ask if she couldn't put my order in...she says "well they have to leave", finishes her tendering and says, "it's gonna take me awhile to figure out who is who"...walks away and begins to give the lovely, patient table of men their tickets by calling out their name. She returns, 13 minutes in, chef not having had any orders (she saw me and smiled thru the pass thru twice), and proceeded to put in my order of biscuits and gravy and 2 slices of lemon pound cake. She walks away and takes a new tables order, comes back and asks me if I want to pay and 1)not only forgets that I wanted lemon pound cake but 2) forgets I wanted 2 slices. It was utterly inefficient and painful to the point of comical....what else can u do, right? It wasn't too busy and yes I tipped her, bless her heart.. If you come in, make sure u have all the time in the world...you're gonna need it. read more

The Bair - The lemon pound cake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Steilacoom, Washington

I have been to this restaurant twice, both times for breakfast. The first time was a generally positive experience despite the fact that only one server was working. I ordered an omelette and didn't wait long for it. I will say that I met my group a little late and they ordered for me beforehand which is probably why it didn't seem long for me as they waited quite a while for their food. Today the experience was quite poor. I was the first person to arrive when they opened at 8am and I was part of a group of 8. The first thing I was told was that I should have made a reservation so that the restaurant could have been prepared. I apologized and assured the server I'd call ahead next time. Again, she was the only server on shift and due to that service was quite slow. Another group of 6-8 came in which seemed to totally overwhelm her. My group waited around 30 minutes for our food and mine was outright cold. I didn't send the dish back because I understood that the issue was that this restaurant just can't handle much business during breakfast on a weekday. The Bair is located in a quaint town on the back side of a large military installation. It hasn't taken long for people to find out about it and start coming in larger groups for breakfast. That being said, the Bair should adjust to the level of demand possibly by putting more servers on shift and possibly another cook. If there was a military discount my server didn't know about it so I paid full price. I consider myself pretty forgiving when it comes to restaurants as I paid my way through college as a server for 4 years. Therefore, I didn't make a fuss and I paid for what I ordered. I did let our server know that my food was cold just so that she could be aware and hopefully fix the issue for future customers. I do not think that I will be back unless they find a way to improve service because no matter how the good the food is, eggs benedict is never good served cold. read more

Has an historical look to it. The employees are very courteous and make sure you are attended to in a timely manner. The food tasted fresh and was well prepared. Recommend anyone looking for a calm and tranquil meal to stop by an relax. read more

The Bair - Vibrant decorations to liven the mood - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Steilacoom, Washington

Suggest you show up on Friday afternoon for Sunday brunch. It will take that long for your food to arrive at your table.....perhaps longer. read more

BEST BISCUITS &a GRAVY YOU WILL EVER HAVE!! I want to create 25 different accounts to I can give Bair 25 5-star reviews. The staff is incredibly friendly and actually pay attention to you. Luke recognized us and started conversation after meeting us a month ago. They play great music, and they have several board games to play while you wait for your food. Everything is made from scratch. And again-- best biscuits and gravy you will ever have. read more

This a great small restaurant that is a reflection of days gone by. Very few of these left. Sandwiches are great. Atmosphere is calm. Not a hurry up kind of place. Go there to relax. If you want quick food go somewhere else. read more

If you have 3 hrs to waste for breakfast then I would recommend this place. Worst service then a Korean BBQ. Is rather eat at I hop taste same but you save 2 hrs read more

Great food and interesting history. Can't wait to come back and try the soda fountain.

Terrible been here for an hour. Sat for ten minutes and had to ask for a menu. The couple next to us had to ask to actually place an order. And it's been almost 55 minutes since I've placed my order of an eggs Benedict. Had have an empty cup of coffee in front of me for about 50 of the 55 minutes. The worse part o can count the number of people here on two hands max. At this point I don't care how fantastic the food may be. read more

This place was cute but we paid 12 bucks for a soggy Reuben that was made with wonder bread and deli meat I could buy at Safeway. We also paid 12 bucks for a French dip that was very obviously heated in the microwave. I could have made better myself and wish I had. read more

Came in one time for a family breakfast party of 6. Just like all the other reviews our food took over an hour to get to our table and this is after they forgot my latte that I ordered. When we brought it to the person serving us (who was the owner I believe) her response was "so do you still want it or do you want me to take it off your tab?" After waiting 45+ minutes for a latte you would think they would just bring it out complimentary. I work in customer service and that's what I would do 100%. I want to go back and try it but every time I consider it I decide not to because the whole experience was just terrible. read more