Lighthouse Brewpub, Lincoln City

McMenamins is the Starbucks of brewpubs in NW Oregon/SW Washington. They are ubiquitous and many people love them, many others consider them a bastion of mediocre sameness. McMenamins locations run from strip mall pubs to an eclectic collection of historic properties. The Lighthouse is one of the strip mall pubs (and in an unusually downscale strip mall for a McMenamins). The decor is typical of the chain. Historically, service at McMenamins pubs has matched the decor: kind of funky and hippie-esque. I've always considered McMenamins a place to go when I am in no hurry because service can be slow and visits from your server can be infrequent. In the last couple of years this seems to be changing. I have noticed that servers seem more polished and efficient and more attentive than in the past. Food is typical pub fare: burgers and fries, fish and chips, sandwiches, salads, with a few more seafood options at this Lincoln City location. The food wouldn't make any of my top ten lists, but it's good and I've never had a bad or disappointing meal. Call me a lightweight, but my favorite McMenamins beer is their Cascade Head and the Lighthouse is one of their few locations that serve it. We often come into Lincoln City on a Friday night after a long week of work and find the comfortable laid back atmosphere and decent food and drink to be a nice transition from the hectic pace of the work week to a relaxing weekend on the coast.