Skyway Bar and Grill
An eclectic, après-ski roadhouse loaded with barbecue and good community
Skyway Bar and Grill
OVERVIEW
An inviting après-ski destination to enjoy scratch food, specialty drinks and entertainment, in a fun, artistic atmosphere.
CONACT
skywaybarandgrill.com | 503-622-3775
ADDRESS
71545 E Highway 26
Zigzag, OR 97049
12 minutes from Mt. Hood Alpine Chalet
FIELD NOTES + INSIDER TIPS
Welcome to our third place on Mount Hood. When we’re not relaxing at the chalet or linking turns on the mountain, The Skyway is a welcoming retreat that our whole family enjoys.
This community-centric, er eccentric, roadside attraction serves up Texas-style barbecue with a Pacific Northwest twist. It also spices things up with generous sides of live music, creative cocktails and quirkiness. We’ll dig deeper into those goods later though.
The unique building has been a restaurant since the early '70s, but current owners Tom Baker and Tracie Anderson changed more than its name when taking it on in 2000. The bar and lounge area is the heart of it all with tin-ceilings, round booths, vintage decor, roaring fireplace and a revolving list of live bands. It’s a cavern of convivial vibes that sits just 15 minutes from the slopes of Mount Hood and spitting distance from U.S. 26.
Just look for the hand-painted BBQ sign on the side of the building as you’re driving up to your ski spot. Make a mental note to stop by on your way back down because The Skyway is an après-ski dream you never knew you needed — until now. Let us tell you all the reasons why.
NW-Inspired BBQ and Creative Cocktails
The Skyway is family friendly until 10 p.m., which gives your little ones ample time to enjoy its one-of-a-kind atmosphere and solid menu.
Let’s be real though; macaroni and cheese is one of the only dishes universally approved by kids (and adults). Thankfully, Skyway takes this humble casserole to the highest level, becoming one of our favorite meals on Mount Hood. Chef Jason Hornor starts with what he’s coined a “bastardized Mornay” sauce that is rich and creamy even before he folds in a duo of Tillamook cheddar and pepper jack. For kids, they can also hold the spice. Then, it’s topped with Japanese panko bread crumbs and popped into a broiler to create a bubbly crisp. You can choose from more than a dozen “hook ups” to customize your creation. Our tip: Get the boat and add their smoked brisket. It transports you and this amazing mac into a dimension all your own.
Hornor has been at the helm of Skyway since 2007 and says the pastrami is also not to be overlooked. Barbecue traditionalists will happily find heaping plates of smoked brisket, spare ribs, pulled pork and chicken slathered in delectable, house-made sauces. Having trouble choosing? Try a trio with their sampler, which serves up brisket, ribs, pulled pork and your choice of two sides. And when they have key lime pie—your day of riding, shredding or climbing just ended perfectly.
Their attention to detail extends to the cocktail menu, where house infusions elevate a range of creative concoctions. On a midsummer's day, we reach out for a Cool Hand Luke or take in a Lazy Days, but you really can’t go wrong. Post-ski drinks call for a warmer take, and their Moroccan Coffee and Infused Hot Toddy are must-haves to defrost and relax. For wine and beer, they feature a small, hand-picked list of standout local purveyors that touch a range of tastes.
Live Music and a Massive Patio
When the Skyway opened, they were one of the only places in the Hoodland corridor featuring live music regularly. Today, there are more options but none match the foot-stomping status of the Skyway.
During the fall and winter, bands take the stage two or three times a week inside their low-lit lounge. The acts range in style and status, so everyone can find their groove and feel welcome. On our most recent visit, an incredible bluegrass band inspired our youngest to tap into her inner Irish jig. Her excitement filled the floor and brought smiles to the whole room.
During the warmer months, the party moves outside to an expansive garden patio. They recently added a cement slab to keep the crowd moving to the music. Benches, picnic tables, umbrellas and covered areas provide ample seating and shade, while cafe lights, plants, antiques and statuaries set the scene. The al fresco fun is made complete thanks to a cocktail shack that’s nestled next to the stage.
We Need to Talk About The Flair
From the moment you drive in, you notice something different is going on here. A classic car emblazoned with owner Tom “Huzza” Baker’s name, and he’s behind much of the Skyway’s flair. Baker had long-wanted a place to share the menagerie of art, cars, and random “stuff” he’s collected or created over many years as a photographer and pioneering picker. What you see is his dream come to life.
He and Tracie’s eccentric spirits jump off the walls and into the restaurant’s ethos. Every year, they throw a Valloween Festival, where guests dress in costumes and marry the two schlockiest holidays of the year. On St. Patty’s Day, the special of the day is “Unicorn beef,” an alchemy of brisket bathed and simmered in Pastrami brine.
Settle into the main dining room if you’ve got the family in tow and you’ll find cathedral ceilings, live plants, reclaimed windows and a hodgepodge of eccentricity lining the walls. If your kids get antsy on a weekend night, follow the long hall to the dancefloor. Along the way, you’ll find a collection of Baker’s portraits of Oregon life and extended family, which is fitting for a restaurant that has built its own.
Putting Family and Their Village First
Tracie and Tom consider many of their employees family because a good deal of them have been working there for years. That’s part of what makes the place so endearing. They make the weekends feel like a house party every night, and the team is happy to be there hosting.
As the Skyway has found its groove, the locals who helped build it have started having to wait longer for a table, but they're happy to be a part of the success. They’re occasionally rewarded for it too when the Skyway runs “Locals Only” specials and discounts for patrons with local addresses.
The Skyway has built more than a family, they’ve built a culture of positivity and belonging that, as odd as it is, makes it feel a lot like home.
