Same Corner, Same Amazing Food, Fun, and Fantastic Service
The Family Legacy Continues
Taste of the Town: Dubb’s Tavern
By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer | Photos by Brittany Jungenberg
The tavern at the corner where Borland and Stafford Roads intersect has been owned by the Wanker family since its inception back in 1961. Walter “Dubs” Wanker was a passionate and hard-working man, and it was his distinct vision which established a legacy that has persisted for over 60 years. Passed down first to his daughter and most recently (as of January 2022) to his granddaughter, Tracie Tolbert, the family tradition lives on! And it has never been stronger!
Walking into Dub’s Tavern is like walking through a portal back to the ’60s. The walls are teeming with fun and fantastic bits of nostalgia: old license plates, hats, photos, you name it. An entire evening could be spent enthralled with the decor, and you won’t even have witnessed half of what there is to see. It’s a veritable archive of local events which have taken place over the past six decades. It’s warm, it’s inviting, and it’s everything you look for in a tavern.
And the food is outstanding! If you’ve been before, the menu hasn’t changed much, but Tracie understands the importance of not fixing what isn’t broken. If you’re coming in for your favorite burgers or ribs, fear not, they still serve them! What she has done though is add a couple of exciting new dishes. So, next time you’re in, try their brisket sandwich, one of their pulled pork items, or one of their new appetizers. And for the first time in their long history, they are now serving amazing breakfasts on Saturdays and Sundays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Since Tracie took the reins last year, she has put her heart and soul into honoring the legacy her family built while subtly making some small improvements and upgrades to carry them over the next 60 years. Some of you will have already noticed that she installed a new deck with heaters, a cover, and is working on getting ADA compliant restrooms. And there will be more changes to come as she adjusts to her new role.
Most importantly, she goes to work every day with a smile. She loves nothing more than seeing familiar faces and welcoming them in. This is a locally-owned and -operated business with ties to the community going back decades. If you’ve been looking for a neighborhood bar to call home, look no further than Dub’s Tavern.
Happy Hour is 3 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. every day but Sunday. Come down and get a taste of local!
Dub’s Tavern is located at 2509 SW Borland Road in West Linn. Give them a call at (503) 638-2523.