The Office Pub and BBQ

Yummmmmm!
We came across town to try The Office and were so glad we did! The Smoked Brisket was generously portioned, moist and full of flavor, really delicious! The plate came with french fries, which were so perfectly seasoned and VERY tasty. The Signature Hog Wild Nachos appetizer was more than enough to share… we really enjoyed the pulled pork, and the chips were perfect nacho chips! I loved the fresh jalapeño slices too. Our service was prompt and genuinely friendly!
There is a full bar and TVs, Happy Hour every day 3−6pm & 8pm-​close, and a daily drink special too. Definitely the best bbq we’ve had in Oregon, hope to be back soon!

Another one of those rare hidden gems in a strip mall. This a relaxed little space with a classic rock heavy soundtrack, and a roadhouse-​esque vibe. The owner/​manager/​barman/​waiter is knowledgeable, and very passionate about the craft of BBQ, and is eager to talk shop and experiment. The tap-​list is varied and well-​rounded, but I have not yet had the cocktails.
As for the food, it’s great. The pulled pork (particularly the nachos) is tender, moist, and very flavorful. The spicy sauce is absolutely on point, and most importantly: Allen doesn’t use oak in his smoker. Heed my words, Portland pit masters: Oak is a wonderful wood for building furniture or keeping your house warm. However: it has no business in a BBQ pit, unless you enjoy bitter, acrid tasting meats. The Office understands this; on the day I went there was a mixed fruitwood/​hardwood blend in use. For this I am very, very thankful. I’m looking forward to watching this place grow and prosper.

Owner’s positive attitude is why we’re not going 1-​star here. All the positive reviews confuse me, as our experience couldn’t have merely been a one-​off. Just walking in with our 2 young girls in tow, I could tell we might regret it. First impression: of 9 or so tables in the place, just the 3 to the right had plastic checkered picnic table style table coverings while the rest didn’t. The only other people in there were another family with small kids, and the big bar that takes up the back half of the restaurant space was empty. The music was kind of loud, alternative or rock or something. Just had the makings of a very make-​shift atmosphere. I was actually surprised that the place even allowed kids, given it’s called «The Office Pub” – kids aren’t usually allowed at the office, and it’s billed as the place to stop on your way home from the office – but I guess the overly family-​friendliness of the place explained the empty bar. It’s trying to be a bar while at the same time serving the families of Sherwood, and the place is just two small to do both. Then there’s the food. My brisket was super dry (read: old? read: given the lack of customers and lack of investment into the atmosphere – how about plastic tablecloths for every table? – it had me wondering just how old they might be stretching food to get by). My wife didn’t care for her meal either. The presentation, as others have commented, was very haphazard. Just separate little piles of DIY food, including the famously nutritional white bread. My wife and I exchanged several glances of confusion to each other. What did we just pay for?
At the time we visited, it was the newest place in town, but had been open over a month. We’d really hoped it would’ve been great, as we eat out more than we should and liked the prospect of a new regular spot to add to the mix. Unfortunately, this wasn’t it for us. Now, with Schmizza Public House open next door (which has its own atmosphere issues, but decent eats and good beers) which is literally also next door to McMenamins, and the Old Spaghetti Factory destined to open soon (family-​friendly), I’m just not sure how The Office is going to fit in the Sherwood equation. My unsolicited advice? The menu should either cost less, or have more of a «prepared for you» presentation, and needs to be fresh every time or you get these kinds of reviews. Then, choose. Families or after-​work drinkers. The two do not combine in this space for an atmosphere that satisfies either. Given the price and the lack of food quality (at least during our visit), I’d go for the drinkers. They might not notice the things we did.
If things change quite a bit, I hope to catch word and try again. The owner was very nice and I can’t help this small business finds it’s way.

This place can hold its own against some of the more acclaimed bbq in the area, such as Pine Shed or Russell St. The 12-​hour-​smoked brisket was quite good. The cole slaw and fries were clearly house-​made and fresh. The beers on tap are excellent. The service was good. They could spruce up the décor a bit and I’m never a fan of strip malls, but I can’t hold that against them. Please come try this place and make sure it stays in business.

I really wanted to love this place, and I’m a huge proponent of independent restaurants, however this place just didn’t do it for me. 2.5 stars.
The meat is actually pretty good, but the sides and presentation/​delivery fell on its face. We ordered a caesar salad with BBQ chicken, pulled pork sandwich, and a St. Louis ribs platter, plus an order of onion rings.
BBQ chicken was fine but there wasn’t very much of it. The salad itself was over dressed, served with a side of more dressing.
The pork sandwich was served as a platter, with 2 slices of soft white bread, which my husband tried to make a sandwich out of, but of course it fell apart. When he ordered it, they asked «half pound or full pound» and we said half, but I chimed in with «as a sandwich!» and the guy said yes sure. Didn’t see that brioche bun as promised. Pork tasted pretty good, but it was disappointing that it couldn’t be made into a sandwich as served.
The ribs were decent — meat falling off the bone. Kid liked them okay. The menu said it came with cornbread, which is why the kid ordered it in the first place, but it arrived without, and included a side of unordered beans instead. We asked for the cornbread and were told, ok sure, but when they brought it, both boy and husband claimed it was inedible. Their faces told the story — way way way too dry and no bueno.
And the onion rings arrived looking rather like old fashioned donuts. Over cooked & too crunchy on the outside, and the onion inside was like skin, not a thick juicy piece of onion. Served with parmesan cheese on top. Disappointing.
The bbq sauce was good though. The spicy was definitely hot. So, meat & sauce good, but that’s all I can recommend.
The service was attentive and the guys kept asking if things were ok. But what am I going to say? Re-​do it all for us? They did alert us to a Groupon offer we didn’t know about, so we were able to buy and use that deal on the spot, which was very nice of them. Maybe it was an off night for the food?

Went to The Office last night for the first time. I would say that the food is solid. The BBQ offerings are especially good. The menu is a bit limited however the portions are generous. The atmosphere is lacking something. Possibly a warmer color scheme or a gas fireplace would make it more inviting. Also, I noticed the walls and ceiling were in rough shape with scratches and dings. Overall, I feel this place has some potential to really get noticed.

Originally from southern Virginia, I know smoked meats…
This place gets it right! Ordered 3 sliders, as to sample the goods. They served the meat with NO sauce — the way it should be. Brisket was ok. Chicken was tender, flavorful, and full of smoke. The star was the pulled pork. Damn it was good! Not too much rub. Let the meat shine throigh. The sauce was sweet, tangy, and just right on spice. Hand cut fries & slaw made a good platter. 2 platters, 2 drinks, & tips = $ 30.
The place is low-​key, with a great staff — Alan was outstanding!
Stop in, eat good meats, support a local business!

Been in to the Office with my wife and son 3 times now, and overall about 5 times. The menu is excellent. There are a few specialty items and then there is the standard BBQ fare of ribs or brisket, etc. The best thing about this menu is that it’s not over busy with a million choices. The food is excellent, and consistently well prepared. My favorite item to order is the ribeye sandwich, as the steak is always a generous piece, and tender on a ciabatta style roll with a tangy garlic aioli that brings it all together. There is also a simple kids menu, a must in my opinion, if you are a smart food establishment in this town! Thanks for that! The full bar is a real plus and the tap selection of craft beers is thoughtful for those of us beer snobs! The atmosphere is comfortable, as the staff, including the owner, makes an effort to connect with everyone. It was refreshing to sit in the pub, chatting with everyone, staff and other customers alike about the last 35 years worth of Star Wars films the other night. Fun to engage with folks rather than have the anonymous eat n run experience you get at so many places, particularly the two other (unnamed) pubs in the same strip center. Well. That’s it from me, but I forgot to mention, I personally know several other friends that already love this place as much as I do! Hope you have as good an experience as I!

Sherwood has BBQ! Nice little spot off Highway 99. We have been there a couple times now, both times having a chance to visit with the owner, Allen. The food is good, and there’s a full bar. Staff is wonderful. They have garlic french fries. They have french fries with brisket on top, which is fantastic. Great place for eating in, taking out will having delivered to our local Two Kilts Brewing Company. Definitely worth trying out.