New Gastropub Tabor Tavern Now Open

There is a new gastropub style place in town--the Tabor Tavern is now open for business. First reported by The New School back in March, this bar and restaurant on East Burnside and 53rd is conveniently located near Belmont Station and, of course, Mt. Tabor. The place has impressed in its first weekend of business by combining hearty, housemade American and English food with a local craft brewery connection.

As noted back in March, Tabor Tavern Owner Ken “Zig” Naffziger has more than 25 years of brewing industry experience, including stints as regional manager with McMenamins and Lompoc Brewing. His experience certainly shows--within days of opening the place seemed to be moving as smoothly as one operating for years. I have already made 3 visits to the new tavern in the past week, and received excellent service each time while getting a feel for the place.

You know you're in a gastropub when the decor features exposed light bulbs and interesting lighting fixtures. The vibe of the tavern is warm and inviting, a nice use of open space with small and large tables for groups and a decent sized bar featuring full liquor and cocktails. There are a couple of TVs, one on each side of the room, though the sound is off and they seem out of place in the otherwise warm and inviting atmosphere that welcomes conversation.

Old print photograpy of the historic Mt. Tabor neighborhood decorates some of the walls and adds a little character and history.

The menu features beer and food pairing contributions by Lompoc's head brewer and blending master, Bryan Kielty, and the Lompoc connection shows through to the beer list. An exclusive Lompoc beer,  a dry hopped golden ale called 'Zig's Swig', is made just for the Tabor should always be available on tap. The taplist was rounded out with beers from Double Mountain, Widmer, Alameda, Migration, Hales, and Terminal Gravity. Classic pub favorites like the Tabor Burger make appearances with housemade additions like "bacon jam" made from a reduced blend of marinated onions, herbs, sugar, and, of course, bacon. The handformed patty was thick and juicy when I tried it, and the sweet-savory quality of the jam was well balanced with the blue cheese topping.

Beyond the American pub fare staples, there is chicken liver mousse with grilled baguette, house mustard, onion marmalade, fig jam and cornichons, and cured trout with horseradish crème fraiche, pickled onions, capers, and arugula. Better yet, the menu is affordable and even has a great happy hour.

From 4-6pm Monday through Friday beers, wine, and well cocktails are $1 off and select premium cocktails are only $5. The food menu is also a great deal. I tried the Happy Hour Fish & Chips, which more than hold their own to Horse Brass's infamous plate. For only $5 I received two of the largest pieces of fish I have ever seen, along with tasty fries and their own handmade tangy tartar sauce. Moreso, instead of a lemon slice on the side, the plate was dusted with fresh lemon zest.

The beer list at Tabor Tavern will be rotating, and though the selections might not blow you away with their rarity, there are more than enough great beers to choose from, along with very solid food offerings in a pleasant environment. Open now for lunch and late night food and drinks, I imagine I will be putting Tabor Tavern into regular rotation for food and grub.

Tabor Tavern
Mon-Thursday 11am to Midnight • Fri-Sat 11am to 1am • Sunday 10am to 11pm

5325 East Burnside Portland, OR