Shari’s Restaurant
Shari’s Restaurants
2950 West 11th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97402-3221
(541) 344-1155
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I know I am supposed to hate chain restaurants. This is something I need to work harder at doing. I should know that a big evil corporation could not possibly compare with all the funky little local competitors in the Eugene breakfast market, right? This is all my fault.
For example, I know I should love the laid-back hippie service attitude of Morning Glory. It’s really cool how they barely pay any attention when you walk in the door. And if you stand there slightly confused, you really learn a life lesson when they give you a hippie look of scorn (if you don’t know what to do when you walk into Morning Glory, then you just don’t belong, man!). I also should revel is the communal feeling you get when you ask for anything at Morning Glory, and they tell you, “It’s over there on that table by the door” (go get it yourself, you capitalist pig). But for some strange reason, I am a sucker for the way Shari’s greets you at the door and asks how many people you have in your group, and then escorts you to a nice clean table. They also bring you things like water, extra utensils, and Tabasco sauce. It’s my failing that I don’t “get” Morning Glory.
And of course, I really should appreciate the famous “Challah French Toast with Berry Compote” that so many people rave about at Studio One Cafe. I guess I am not evolved enough to understand the attraction of smallish, dry, tasteless pieces of french toast with little cups of toppings on the side. Shari’s apparently is trying to hold back my personal development by offering rich battered french toast with hash browns and a buttery biscuit on the side. Damn you, Shari’s!
Ye Olde Pancake House and Brail’s have patiently tried to teach me for years that serving sizes should be smallish at best. I know they are just trying to help me control my weight. And I should thank them for their concern and caring. Instead, like a lumbering zombie, I get drawn back to Shari’s over and over again for their reasonably-priced and good-sized portions. Whether it’s eggs & bacon, pancakes, or a spinach/mushroom omelette, Shari’s consistently shows their lack of concern for my health by giving me a good value for money.
Summary: Yes, I need to work harder to appreciate the local breakfast joints. I will think about this while I am chowing down on a delicious breakfast at Shari’s tomorrow morning.
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August 30th, 2010 at 7:42 am
What a fun perspective! Shari’s does offer fantastic service, so I really understand your point of view. For a chain restaurant, they also have a pretty healthy selection! That said, there’s nothing more fantastically awesome than their stuffed hash browns!
I’ve been enjoying your blog & will link to it from mine when I’ve actually got content. I’ve been too busy writing for other sources to do my own, but it’ll be up this week! My focus is on healthy local food, and Eugene offers so much in that area.
August 30th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Cool. I’ll check it out soon and will add a link also.
September 13th, 2010 at 10:03 am
You know, I’m on board with a thumbs-up for Shari’s, too. They do a surprisingly decent Hollandaise for a chain restaurant, and I give big points to any place that’s prompt with refills and service twenty four hours a day! Good points.
September 13th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Hi Jenn. Thanks for boarding the Shari’s boat.
I like your website also. Nice long reviews!
October 14th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Nice work on this one. I tend to side with your distain for the hoity-toity, particularly with my breakfast.
I have to say though, there are a ton of great breakfast-spots around whose profits don’t go directly to New York.
Check out Busy Bee or Fins in Springfield, and Todd’s Place in Eugene for starters.
October 14th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Busy Bee. Never heard of it. Will try it out.
Fins: Been there. For me, it was just slightly below the line in terms of cleanliness. The decor is kinda a mess also. The idea seems right, but lacks some shine. Probably would not go back.
Todd’s: I’ve seen the sign but never stopped. Something about the font is not grabbing me.
Addi: For me, it’s slightly above the line (same line that Fins fell below), but not by a lot. Still, I would go back there again. Have you tried this one?
August 1st, 2011 at 7:20 pm
My husband, son and I just ate at Shari’s in Lebanon, we have eaten here alot since it is close to where we live, I have never had such LOUSY service ever!!. My son ordered a sandwich and tater tots, my husband and I ordered bowls of soup and I ordered pie with ice cream. My son was served and nearly finished when we were brought soup as the waitress was doing desserts and then visiting at the register. We sat back by the back, the ice cream container was left open with a dirty paper towel as its cover, toppings were spilled and at least 4 walked through the mess before it was cleaned up. If the health dept came in this would be closed. I would hate to see Shari’s of Lebanon on Dirty Dining some night on the news. the manager ask if everything was fine and I said NO and told him why. He did not charge us for the soup and I cancelled the pie and ice cream after seeing the open container of ice cream. It will take a while for me to go back here to eat.
Marjorie Wilson
August 19th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I love the Shari’s in both Portland and Eugene, though I haven’t tried the one in Lebanon we had great service. It’s a shame when nice place hires shitty staff it kills the reputation. good pie and love the pancakes