We had a quiet little Wednesday dinner here. It was not busy at all, and we went right at open. The…read morerestaurant is dim and cozy. We had great attentive service. The sautéed shrimp we deliciously salty with chili oil and the Parker house rolls are indulgent with sweet butter. Our steaks were cooked perfectly with butter and bone marrow, with crispy potatoes on the side. You MUST get the fig sundae for dessert. Amazing!

If you are going to indulge on the bar a word to the wise.....keep it simple. As far as the food…read more OMG. The steaks were cooked perfectly and had wonderful flavor. The sides were delicious. All in all it was a good meal.

We were in the area and our bellies were talking to us. I always love to check out local breweries…read moreto support. This place didn't disappoint. I love the vibe that I immediately felt walking in. We were greeted with friendly staff and seating was available immediately. It was a Saturday afternoon. The food was scrumptious. The beer was tasty. Clothing was awesome! I purchased a zip up hoodie and it's comfy. One of my favorites to this day. Would totally eat here again.

Great Spot for a Family Gathering with Tasty Food and a Few Surprises…read more My wife's brother organized a family birthday celebration here for 11 a.m. on a Sunday--right when they open. We had a group of 12, celebrating five July birthdays. The restaurant is located in the charming downtown area of Springfield, OR, right on the corner of 4th Street. While there's no dedicated parking, we had no trouble finding street parking nearby and arrived in several vehicles right at opening. We were seated in a cozy area toward the back, near the brewery. Two large tables easily accommodated our group, and although a couple of other parties arrived around the same time, the space didn't feel crowded. Our server was friendly and attentive, quickly bringing menus, water, and taking drink orders. We started with appetizers--tater tots, fried Brussels sprouts, and garlic herb fries--all of which arrived promptly and were delicious. We placed our entrée orders shortly after, and while the food came out over a 5-10 minute window, everything looked great and tasted just as good. The menu leans toward the pricier side, with burgers ranging from $18-$22 and mac and cheese at $17 (plus $5 for pulled pork), but the quality was solid. One small surprise: we were charged 50 cents for two to-go containers (25 cents each). It's a minor fee, but still unexpected given the overall pricing. All in all, it was a pleasant experience with good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and great company. Just be prepared for slightly higher prices--and a charge for your leftovers.

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!

Love the outdoor seating! Food is always amazing and the staff is so friendly. We enjoy everything…read moreabout this restaurant. Highly recommend. Also, breakfast until 2:00 is a big plus.

I bring my 77 year old mother here for breakfast once a month, occasionally more. There is a middle…read moreaged waitress that's been working here for several years. She is rude, every time. Acts irritated to to help us, snarky tone, visits with her regulars so much that she doesn't check on others. I'm so aware of her consistent moodiness I don't want to come anymore.

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

We were visiting family in town and my brother in law suggested South Hills for brunch on a Sunday…read moremorning in March. Our party of 7 decided to meet at 11am. We were happy to see that while they were fairly busy, they were quick to put together a table to accommodate us right away. Located within a small strip type mall in South Eugene, parking is relatively easy. This local family business is open 7 days a week from 7am to 2pm. They offer their full menu which includes both breakfast and lunch items all day. In addition to American breakfast classics they offer Mexican-inspired dishes such as Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles. Our server came by and welcomed us and took our drink orders. In addition to the natural offerings of coffee and assorted juices they offer specialty coffees ranging from a standard iced coffee to white mochas, cappuccinos, dirty chai tea latte's and Mexican mochas. As we began to peruse the menu we immediately noticed their prices are extremely reasonable, which is always appreciated. Everything on the menu sounded really yummy and we each made our selections. Our table ordered items including the Linguica Scramble, Pancakes, and Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches. The restaurant had a good steady stream of customers but they appeared to be able to handle the amount of people and we didn't notice anyone wait more than a couple of minutes to be seated. We also observed a good amount of to-go/Door Dash traffic. Our orders arrived in a timely manner and looked delicious. We each enjoyed our meals and we understand why my brother-in-law made the suggestion. If you are visiting the U of O campus or are in Southwest Eugene, check out South Hills Cafe!

So good!! Large portions!! YUMMY Friendly staff!! Cute decor !! Clean restrooms ( which are super…read moreimportant!)

Nothing special about the building, although it was clean. We didn't know that we needed to go up…read moreto counter and order. I had a western bacon burger, it was very messy. Pretty good flavor. But messy canceled out flavor. Self-serve drinks, silverware etc. I don't think I will return. Tip? No I don't think so. It was like ordering from a fast food place.

Was driving through Eugene and my hotel receptionist recommended North Fork Tavern for a great…read moreburger and she nailed it. Sat at the bar and the service was fast and attentive. Not too noisy for a tavern, full selection of beer and wine. Burger came out just the way I like it, medium rare and the fries were nice and crisp. I will be stopping back here on my way back to CA.

We've been coming here for years, but our recent visits have been really disappointing due to major…read moremenu and quality changes. Last time we came for brunch, we noticed the eggs Benedict no longer has the amazing Parmesan-crusted potatoes. The hollandaise is still decent and the focaccia bread is great, but losing that crispy crust was a big bummer. Today's visit for our usual wings and nachos was even more frustrating. First, they no longer offer ground beef for the nachos. We were told we could substitute steak, but that literally doubles the price of the dish. We opted for chicken instead, which was a steep $7 extra for maybe two ounces of meat. When the nachos arrived, they looked like low-effort, homemade oven nachos with just melted cheddar on top. The whole thing was fused together into one giant sheet of chips; we had to break it apart and manually pile the toppings back onto the chips ourselves. It was really weird. The biggest letdown, though, was the wings. It used to be a solid order of six traditional flats and drums. Today, we paid $14 for just four pieces, and they weren't even wings--they were frenched chicken thighs. Subbing a completely different, lower-quality cut of meat without telling the customer is false advertising, and they turned out dry. Plus, the sauce has changed from a traditional Frank's-style buffalo to a harsh cayenne sauce. Between the wings and the nachos, today's total came out to $34--and $40 with a tip. Paying premium prices for dry thigh meat, overpriced add-ons, and a block of fused-together nachos makes it really hard to justify coming back. I'm not sure if North Fork got bought out or what, but I really don't see a point in returning.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Home away from home. KATHY....enough said. She is a GEM! Killin it every time we…read morecome in! Food! Service! Owner! Atmosphere! Amazing.

This place has the best cheap food I've ever seen. We ate like kings for next to nothing. Drank…read morelike fish (responsibly) for pennies. They had an $8 any beer any shot special. They the bad ass owner stopped by and paid our tab. The bar tender/cook Kathy was attentive and down to earth even with a busy bar. They just made customs for life. Not to mention is a U of O bar theme.