Reel M Inn

"A dive bar in its purest form, this local haunt is open until 2:30 a.m. The wait for its famous fried chicken and jojos (monster-sized potato wedges) can be a bit long, but you can pass the time in classic dive bar fashion with a few stiff drinks and a round of pool." - Zoe Baillargeon

"Food at most of the spots on this list ranges from a pretty decent pub burger to a freezer-burned Hungry Man reheated with a scowl, but this fishing-themed chicken joint proves the exception to the rule, with a legendary reputation for frying the best-battered birds in the Portland metro area. It’s got plenty of dive bar bonafides as well, from the fishing lures shellacked into the bar itself to the chalk graffiti on the unnervingly exposed rafters. Just be prepared to wait, as the cramped quarters only allow for a single bartender to take drink orders while wrangling the single overworked fryer behind the bar." - Ben Coleman

"Eating fried chicken and thick-cut potato jojos is a sacred ritual in Portland, whether you’re getting them at Sadie Mae’s, Jojo, or Alberta Market (aka Jack’s). But often, when Portlanders talk about chicken and jojos, one name comes to mind: Reel M Inn, also known as the Reel, is a true Portland institution, standing in one form or another for 50 years. Sure, big-deal chefs and writers have praised the colorful dive for ages, but it’s also treasured by locals, who happily spend an evening playing pool, knocking back shots of whiskey, and dunking crispy hunks of potato and chicken into ranch and Frank’s hot sauce." - Ben Coleman, Eater Staff

"There’s a reason this old-school dive bar is nationally renowned for its fried chicken: It’s super crispy, super juicy, and — perhaps most importantly — unfussy. Some people say the secret is that the chicken sits in its dredge, which helps the coating adhere to the skin; some say it’s the fryer. Whatever it is, it’s best enjoyed in the Christmas-light-adorned bar, with a pile of jojos and a pint of beer." - Ron Scott, Thom Hilton

"Eating fried chicken and thick-cut potato jojos is a sacred ritual in Portland, whether you’re getting them at Sadie Mae’s, Jojo, or Alberta Market (aka Jack’s). But often, when Portlanders talk about chicken and jojos, one name comes to mind: Reel M Inn, also known as the Reel, is a true Portland institution, standing in one form or another for 50 years. Sure, big-deal chefs and writers have praised the colorful dive for ages, but it’s also treasured by locals, who happily spend an evening playing pool, knocking back shots of whiskey, and dunking crispy hunks of potato and chicken into ranch and Frank’s hot sauce." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden