Portland’s Southeast Division Street holds a secret that locals guard fiercely. Behind the weathered exterior of what looks like any other neighborhood tavern, something magical happens in a single fryer.
The smell of perfectly seasoned chicken hits you before you even open the door.
Reel M Inn doesn’t pretend to be anything fancy. Wood-paneled walls covered with fishing memorabilia set the stage for what regulars call the best fried chicken experience in the city.
The bartender doubles as the cook, carefully tending each order while pouring drinks and keeping conversation flowing. This creates wait times that might test your patience, but every crispy, golden bite proves worth it.
The combination of dive bar charm and seriously good comfort food has turned this unassuming spot into a Portland institution where strangers become friends over shared plates of jojos and perfectly fried chicken.
Crispy Golden Perfection That Lives Up to the Hype
Walking into Reel M Inn means preparing yourself for what many consider Portland’s finest fried chicken. The batter creates thick, flaky layers that shatter with each bite, revealing impossibly juicy meat underneath.
Every piece gets fried to order, ensuring that crackling texture stays intact from kitchen to table.
Dark meat reigns supreme here, with thighs offering the perfect balance of crispy exterior and tender interior. The chicken arrives piping hot, almost too hot to touch at first.
That fresh-from-the-fryer temperature means flavor at its peak.
Some compare the batter style to Korean fried chicken, noting how the thick coating holds sauces beautifully. The seasoning walks a fine line, letting the quality of the chicken shine while adding just enough flavor to keep you reaching for another piece.
Each order takes at least twenty minutes because nothing sits under heat lamps. Patience pays off when that first bite confirms everything you’ve heard about this legendary chicken.
Jojos That Deserve Their Own Fan Club
Forget everything you know about potato wedges. Jojos at Reel M Inn transform humble spuds into cult favorites that sometimes overshadow even the famous chicken.
These aren’t your typical seasoned wedges but thick-cut potato slices coated in the same incredible batter used for the chicken.
Each jojo measures about an eighth of a whole potato, creating substantial pieces that offer maximum crunch-to-potato ratio. The breading fries up golden and crispy, while the interior stays fluffy and steaming.
They’re substantial enough to satisfy on their own yet perfect alongside the chicken.
The house-made ranch dressing makes an ideal dipping companion, though honey mustard and buffalo sauce work beautifully too. Some regulars actually prefer the jojos to the chicken, which says something considering the chicken’s legendary status.
These potato wedges have earned their place in Portland food lore, with visitors planning entire trips around getting their hands on a fresh batch straight from that single hardworking fryer.
One Fryer, One Bartender, Pure Magic
The entire operation runs on a beautifully simple system that somehow works perfectly. One bartender manages everything: pouring drinks, taking orders, frying food, and keeping the whole place running smoothly.
This single-person setup creates the wait times everyone mentions, but it also ensures quality control at every step.
Watching the bartender juggle multiple roles becomes part of the entertainment. They’ll mix your drink, drop chicken in the fryer, chat with regulars, and somehow keep track of multiple orders without missing a beat.
The limited fryer space means food comes out in batches, with each order getting individual attention.
This constraint actually enhances the experience rather than diminishing it. You learn to order your food immediately upon arrival, then settle in with a cold drink while the magic happens.
The bartenders develop impressive multitasking skills, moving seamlessly between roles. Their friendly demeanor and genuine care for getting orders right makes the wait feel less like an inconvenience and more like watching a skilled performer at work in their element.
Sauce Selection That Completes Every Bite
Every meal comes with your choice of sauces, and choosing becomes the hardest decision of your visit. The house-made horseradish ranch stands out as a customer favorite, offering creamy coolness with a subtle kick that cuts through the richness of fried food.
Many regulars consider this ranch the best in Portland.
Honey mustard provides sweet tanginess that pairs beautifully with both chicken and jojos. The balance leans slightly sweeter than traditional versions, making it perfect for those who prefer milder flavors.
Buffalo sauce brings heat without overwhelming, letting you taste the chicken beneath the spice.
Sweet chili sauce offers an unexpected option that works surprisingly well with the thick batter coating. The sauces come free with your meal, encouraging experimentation without worrying about extra charges.
Most people end up ordering multiple sauces, trying different combinations throughout their meal. The generous portions mean you won’t run out mid-meal, and the variety ensures everyone finds their perfect pairing regardless of heat tolerance or flavor preferences.
Dive Bar Atmosphere With Genuine Portland Character
Reel M Inn embraces its dive bar identity without apology. Wood paneling covers the walls, decorated with fishing-themed memorabilia that gives the place its name and character.
The space feels small and intimate, especially when the evening crowd arrives and every seat fills up.
A pool table sits ready for free games, adding to the neighborhood hangout vibe. The jukebox pumps out whatever music patrons choose, creating a soundtrack that varies wildly depending on who’s feeding it quarters.
Some nights bring excellent selections, other times the choices lean questionable, but that unpredictability adds to the charm.
During daytime hours, the atmosphere skews quieter and more relaxed. As afternoon shifts into evening, the energy transforms into what regulars describe as an eclectic Portland misfit haven.
The crowd mixes longtime locals with food pilgrims who’ve traveled across town specifically for the chicken. Everyone mingles easily, with the communal appreciation for good fried food breaking down typical social barriers found in fancier establishments.
Meal Bundles That Feed Your Hunger Right
The menu keeps things straightforward with bundled meal options designed to satisfy different appetites. The Half Bird Meal delivers exactly what it promises: half a chicken, perfectly fried, plus jojos and mac and cheese bites.
This option works great for serious hunger or sharing between two moderate eaters.
Three Piece Meals let you mix and match chicken parts, with many regulars specifically requesting the Three Thigh Meal for maximum dark meat goodness. Each meal includes those famous jojos and mac and cheese bites, ensuring you get the complete Reel M Inn experience.
The portions lean generous without crossing into wasteful territory.
Pricing stays remarkably affordable for the quality and quantity you receive. The meals feel designed by people who understand real hunger rather than Instagram-sized portions.
First-timers often underestimate how filling these plates prove, especially considering the richness of fried food. The bundled approach simplifies ordering while ensuring everyone gets a well-rounded meal.
No complicated customizations or confusing options, just straightforward choices that deliver exactly what you came for.
Extended Hours for Late Night Cravings
Most restaurants close their kitchens by ten or eleven at night, but Reel M Inn keeps frying until 2:30 in the morning. This schedule makes it a lifesaver for late-night hunger, whether you’re getting off work, leaving another bar, or just craving fried chicken at midnight.
The consistency of staying open until 2:30 AM every single night means you can count on it.
The late hours attract an interesting mix of night owls, service industry workers finishing their shifts, and dedicated food lovers who plan their evenings around a post-midnight chicken run. The vibe shifts as the night progresses, taking on a more relaxed, anything-goes energy that only late-night establishments achieve.
Opening at 11 AM daily means you can also hit it for a late lunch or early dinner. The seven-day schedule with identical hours removes any guesswork about when you can visit.
This reliability has earned fierce loyalty from regulars who know they can satisfy cravings pretty much whenever they strike. Having quality fried chicken available at 1 AM feels like a luxury that Portland residents don’t take for granted.
Beyond Chicken: The Full Fried Menu
While chicken and jojos dominate orders, the menu extends into other fried favorites worth exploring. Jalapeno poppers bring cream cheese-stuffed heat with that same excellent breading treatment.
The thick batter coating turns these into substantial bites rather than wimpy appetizers.
Onion rings get the full Reel M Inn treatment, emerging from the fryer with impressive crunch and sweet onion flavor inside. Fried pickle chips offer tangy contrast to the richer menu items, their crispy coating complementing the briny crunch of the pickle itself.
These sides work great for groups wanting variety or for solo diners who’ve already conquered the chicken on previous visits.
The kitchen clearly understands how to fry different items to perfection, adjusting technique based on what’s in the basket. Everything emerges golden and grease-free despite being deep-fried, a testament to proper oil temperature and timing.
Some regulars create their own combination plates, mixing chicken with various fried sides to build their ideal comfort food spread. The consistent quality across all menu items proves this isn’t just a one-trick pony riding chicken fame.
Community Gathering Spot With Heart
Something special happens when you combine great food, affordable prices, and genuine hospitality. Reel M Inn functions as more than just a place to eat, serving as a true community hub where strangers become friends over shared meals.
The free pool, free condiments, and welcoming atmosphere create an environment where people actually talk to each other.
Regulars know each other by name, and bartenders remember your usual order. New visitors get folded into conversations naturally, especially during those long waits for food when everyone’s bonding over shared anticipation.
The lack of pretension means people from all backgrounds feel comfortable here.
This community-oriented approach feels increasingly rare in modern Portland, making Reel M Inn valuable beyond its food quality. The bar rewards what you give, creating positive experiences for those who enter with open minds and friendly attitudes.
It’s the kind of place where you might arrive alone and leave with new friends, plans to return, and a full belly. That combination of excellent food and genuine human connection explains why so many people call it their favorite spot in the entire city.
Location: 2430 SE Division St, Portland.
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