Cannon Beach Hardware & Public House - Cannon Beach, OR

I read about this place in Cannon Beach, Oregon, that has combined a hardware store with a bar & grill situation. It sounded too good to be true, but when QuarterBoy and I were out on the Oregon coast, I knew I could get him into a hardware store pretty easily. If they had beer and food there, he’d be up for that kind of pleasant surprise. The place is a legit hardware store complete with all kinds of drill bits, screws, saws, belts, clamps, clothing, cords, and everything else you might need in a hardware store. It isn’t a large store, but I would for sure shop here if I lived in town. The appeal of having someone get up from their table while you looked through various drill bits and tools is really appealing to me.

QuarterBoy and I needed some beer, which is handy because this place is also known as “Screw & Brew”. I got a Lug Nut Lager from Tap 29, and QuarterBoy got a pFriem Pilsner. Both great lighter beers and both welcome after the drive from Portland in the rain. The food menu is bigger and more appetizing than you might expect – especially from a hardware store. 

QuarterBoy wanted a Ecola Burger (named after Ecola State Park up the road, not the virus) and I needed a hot pastrami sandwich, with tots. These lunches were no joke and we both commented about how we shouldn’t try to finish these sandwiches. Only one of us listened to that advice…. I tried to stop and even the tots filling me up weren’t enough to stop eating this large pastrami sandwich. It was really tasty and had some delicious melty provolone on it. QuarterBoy’s burger was covered in Tillamook cheese and he made plenty of approving sounds as he ate as much as he could. 

This place is really great food – I might even say the restaurant is better equipped than the hardware part of the store, but even the hardware part has plenty of items. It just isn’t a big box store with absolutely everything. Plus, there’s the whole “can you get up from your lunch while I look at these tape measures, please?” situation that cracks me up. Still, worth the visit to tell people you ate in a hardware store and loved it. 

And, as a bonus, it's basically a block from the beach where Haystack Rock is - the rock in the ocean that you see in The Goonies!

Cannon Beach Hardware & Public House   
1235 S. Hemlock St.
Cannon Beach, OR 97110

Dead Man's Isle - Astoria, OR

As most of you know, I love a tiki bar. Anything that encourages rum and fruit juices to flow down my throat is going to be a winner every time. Dead Man’s Isle wasn’t open the last time I was in Astoria, evidently because they opened in 2022. The décor and the feel are pretty fun and the staff were perfect!!! We happened to be there on the chef’s birthday, so he was sitting at the bar sharing drinks with friends and seemed like a great guy to have around (or a round with).

 

The menu is pretty extensive, both with drinks and even with the food items (more than just appetizers). I started with a Rum Barrel. As often happens, the bartender warned me this was for like 2 or 3 people, to which I replied “yup”. It does have 4 or 5 shots of rum in it, but it also has a bunch of juices and ice and garnishes, so it’s basically healthy. It really was delicious, and I’d recommend this one to anyone.

Since I wasn’t driving, I opted for a second drink – Nielsen’s Blood – rum, brandy, blood orange, falernum, and ginger beer. I was looking for something unusual, and the bartender (Audrey, I think) recommended this. It was fantastic and I enjoyed it so much. Just a few bubbles form the ginger beer and the combo of rum and brandy is always delicious. 

The place has an impressive collection of merch, including t-shirts and tiki mugs – including in a tiki vending machine! Be sure to stop next doo at Muntiki for some seriously upscale and unique tiki mugs. You won’t be sorry you did. 

Looking forwarding to hitting this tiki bar up every time I’m in Astoria! Gold star for you fine folks!

Dead Man’s Isle
1239 Duane St.
Astoria, OR 97103