Shannon Llewellyn
Google
The low-slung and unassuming Sweet Home Bar & Grill is a neighborhood gem! As a professional chef and food writer, I endeavored to spend (the Mercury's annual) Nacho Week chowing down on as many crunchy, crispy variations on the Nacho theme as I could. I was genuinely disappointed by the 3 out of 5 I tried; lackluster efforts would be an understatement. However, when I went to Sweet Home Bar & Grill, my faith in the tradition of Nacho Week was restored tenfold. First of all, this place is CLEAN - it's naturally dive bar dim inside, but your feet don't stick to the floor as you sidle up to the bar to meet - clearly, the fastest moving, most friendly bartender you'll ever meet, Crystal. Once I placed my order I took ownership of a table facing the door, yet strategically located for full reconnaissance once my eyes adjusted. The pool table, dining tables, barstools, video machines (and un-ripped-up chairs) were all in un-sticky, un-torn and clean! The music was 80's and 90's rock triggered my awkward college years, like a psychic, Crystal caught me staring off into the 'what if' abyss and brought me another Deschutes Pale Ale.
My Nacho Quest was delivered to me in a large plastic tray under checkered paper: Bulgogi Beef Nachos. Tender, umami-rich rib-eye strips were layered on sturdy, freshly deep-fried tortilla chips and served with queso, garlic sour cream and (thankfully) the kimchi on the side. Trust me when I say, after disappointing nachos elsewhere, these were superb! Bulgogi Beef Nachos showed up like a 'just the facts, ma'am' and ended with a tip of the hat to my palate. High praise to Chef Steve Federlin for restoring my faith in Nacho Week. FUN FACT: I've been back a few times and I can personally recommend the Double Smashed Burger (phat and juicy) and the Steak & Fries (cooked to expectation with crispy, fluffy beer-battered fries). Now, if I could just get them to stop playing Christopher Cross...