
Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins, a beloved and longstanding restaurant in Troutdale, Oregon, was put up for sale in 2019 by its owner, Judy Jones, for \$2.5 million. The restaurant, which has been in operation since the late 1920s and in its current location since 1947, is known for its home-style cooking, particularly its signature chicken and dumplings. While there is no information about whether the restaurant has been sold, its potential closure has sparked concern among its customers and the community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current ownership status | For sale |
| Reason for sale | Current owner Judy Jones wishes to retire |
| Asking price | $2.5 million |
| Location | 1325 Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR |
| Year established | Late 1920s, in its current location since 1947 |
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What You'll Learn

Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins is for sale
Tad's Chicken n Dumplins, a beloved roadhouse restaurant in Troutdale, is for sale. Nestled on 1.36 acres along the Historic Columbia River Highway, the restaurant has been a staple for old-school chicken and dumplings since 1947. With its cozy fireplace, lovely wood paneling, and large bay windows offering views of the river and woodlands, Tad's has been a popular spot for generations of families seeking home-cooked meals and comfort food. The business has been in operation since the late 1920s and is currently listed for $2.5 million.
The current owner, Judy Jones, is retiring and selling the business. Jones, who is in her mid-70s, inherited the restaurant from her mother and has been working at Tad's for over 50 years. She started by doing dishes for her mother, the previous owner, when she was just 10 years old. Judy plans to spend more time with her family, and according to the bookkeeper, Jen Heitzman, she is "sad, but excited to start a new chapter of her life."
Tad's Chicken n Dumplins has a strong vintage vibe, with a knotty pine interior, a life-sized wooden Native American carving, and a jukebox loaded with classic tunes. The restaurant's namesake dish, chicken and dumplings, is served in silver bowls with giant silver spoons, creating a memorable dining experience. The menu also features other classics such as pan-fried chicken, seafood, steaks, and old-fashioned favorites like liver and onions. Everything, from the salad dressing to the smoked salmon, is made in-house.
While there is no word yet on the future of Tad's Chicken n Dumplins, the listing realtor, Sue O'Halloran, assures that "the restaurant is doing well," and they are "looking for the next operator." The business has a strong foundation, with stellar, long-time employees, and the iconic "Tad's Chic Dump" sign has even inspired its own line of merchandise, including magnets and t-shirts.
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The current owner, Judy Jones, is retiring
Jones inherited the business from her mother and has been the current owner since 1950. The restaurant has been a staple in the community since it first opened its doors in 1947, serving old-school chicken and dumplings with a view of the Columbia River Gorge.
Located in Troutdale, Oregon, the restaurant is known for its cozy atmosphere, home-style cooking, and generations of families who frequent the eatery. The building is nestled on 1.36 acres along the river and features lovely wood paneling and woodwork throughout, with windows offering natural views of the river and woodlands.
Tad's Chicken "N Dumplins has a strong vintage vibe, with a knotty pine interior, a life-sized wooden Native American carving, and a jukebox loaded with classic tunes. The restaurant's signature dish is its namesake chicken and dumplings, served in silver bowls with giant spoons and gravy pooling around the soft dumplings.
While the future of Tad's is uncertain, Jones is excited to start a new chapter of her life, and the community will undoubtedly miss her presence at the beloved roadhouse restaurant.
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The restaurant has been open since 1947
Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins has been a fixture in Troutdale, Oregon, since 1947. Nestled on 1.36 acres along the Historic Columbia River Highway, the restaurant has been a beloved destination for generations of families, offering cosy comfort food and stunning views of the Sandy River and surrounding woodlands.
The building, with its lovely wood panelling and large bay windows, has been home to Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins for decades, but the business itself has been around in some form since the late 1920s. It started as a roadside stop by local fisherman Tad Johnson, who sold fish and chips and smelt from the river to travellers. The current location, which opened in 1947, has become an iconic part of the community, known for its hearty chicken and dumplings, served with a generous helping of gravy.
Over the years, the restaurant has gone through several owners and incarnations, each building on the legacy of home-style cooking and warm hospitality. In 1950, Olga Holmberg, the mother of current owner Judy Jones, bought the business, continuing the tradition of chicken and dumplings that had made the restaurant so popular. Judy Jones herself started working at Tad's when she was just 10 years old, doing dishes for her mother.
As of 2019, Judy Jones put the restaurant up for sale, citing her retirement as the reason. The listing price was $2.5 million, and while there were rumours of closing, the restaurant remains open under the Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins name until further notice. The current status of the sale is unclear, but the impact of Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins on the community is undeniable, with many customers flocking to the iconic restaurant for one last taste of their signature dishes.
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The restaurant is popular for its home-style cooking
Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins is a beloved, longstanding restaurant in Troutdale, Oregon, that has been serving home-style cooking since 1947. The restaurant is housed in a cosy log cabin-style building nestled on 1.36 acres of land overlooking the Sandy River. It is a popular spot for families, with generations returning for its hearty, home-cooked meals.
The restaurant's speciality is its namesake dish: chicken and dumplings. The chicken is described as "a feast of skinless dark and white meat stewed until fork-tender", and the dumplings are generously sized. Other menu items include pan-fried chicken, salmon, steaks, and old-fashioned favourites such as liver and onions. All the food is made in-house, from the salad dressing to the smoked salmon.
The restaurant has a strong vintage vibe, with a knotty pine interior, a life-sized wooden Native American carving, and a jukebox. It is perched above the river, with two bars offering great views of the water and surrounding woodlands. In the summer, guests can enjoy the river views through the large bay windows, and in the winter, a roaring fire keeps the dining room cosy.
Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins has been owned by Judy Jones, who inherited the business from her mother, Olga Holmberg, who purchased it in 1950. Judy started working at the restaurant when she was 10 years old, doing dishes for her mother. Now in her mid-70s, Judy has decided to sell the restaurant for $2.5 million as she is ready to retire and spend more time with her family.
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The restaurant is located on the banks of the Sandy River
Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins is a beloved, iconic restaurant nestled on 1.36 acres of land on the banks of the Sandy River. Since 1947, the restaurant has been a staple for old-school chicken and dumplings with riverside views. The building is perched above the river, offering a great view of the water and woodlands, especially during the summer. In the winter, a cozy fireplace chases the cold away from customers who come to enjoy home-cooked meals.
The restaurant's history dates back to the late 1920s when it was first established by local fisherman Tad Johnson as a roadside stop selling fish and chips and smelt from the river to travelers. The current owner, Judy Jones, inherited the business from her mother, who purchased it in 1950, and has decided to sell the restaurant to retire.
Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins is located at 1325 Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR, and was last valued at $2.5 million. The restaurant has a strong vintage vibe, featuring knotty pine interiors, a life-sized wooden Native American carving, and a jukebox. The menu offers a range of comfort foods, including their signature chicken and dumplings, pan-fried chicken, and old-fashioned favorites like liver and onions.
The restaurant has been a popular stop for travelers and locals alike, with generations of families enjoying its cozy atmosphere and hearty meals. The future of Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins is uncertain, but it remains a beloved piece of history on the banks of the Sandy River, leaving a lasting impression on those who have dined there.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the restaurant is under new ownership as of 2019 when the previous owner Judy Jones sold the business for $2.5 million.
Judy Jones sold the restaurant because she wanted to retire. Jones, who was in her mid-70s, had inherited the business from her mother and had been working at Tad's for over 50 years.
Tad's Chicken and Dumplings is a famous roadhouse restaurant nestled on 1.36 acres overlooking the Sandy River. The restaurant is known for its home-cooking style food, featuring its namesake chicken dish, as well as seafood, steaks, and old-fashioned favorites.
Tad's has been around in some form since the late 1920s, first as a roadside stop by local fisherman Tad Johnson, who sold fish and chips and smelt from the river to travelers. The current Tad's, which has been around since 1947, is perched above the Sandy River, with two bars, offering a great view of the water and a strong vintage vibe.











































