Best Breakfast}Jam on Hawthorne

Our breakfast adventures continue!  We headed over to the Hawthorne area of southeast Portland.

Jam on Hawthorne located at 2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd.  They are closed on Monday but open Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to  3p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You’ll notice the sign on the door – Jam Cafe and Art House   Here’s the art!

Jam is a smaller cafe but large on flavor and menu selection!  I had done a little research and heard that their lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote were to die for so I had to give them a try!

The reviews were right – they were delicious!  I had them with blueberry compote and maple syrup – a great combination!  Jim had an egg scramble which was good too.

 Jam on Hawthorne was a delightful corner cafe and we’ll definitely be back – maybe we’ll try lunch next time!

Best Breakfast}Gravy

We headed over to N. Mississippi this last week for our weekly breakfast adventure.

Located at 3957 N. Mississippi Avenue, Gravy, has a nice neighborly, laid back kind of feeling. 

Not only do they use fresh local and organic ingredients but they have also decorated with some fun, funky, cartoon like local art.

Portions are large at Gravy so just embrace it.  My husband opted for their ground on the premises, fresh, corn beef hash and I had an egg scramble.  Not to be missed are their amazing, cooked to perfection hash browns.  I don’t eat potatoes unless they are crisp so I enjoyed picking off the top layer of the potatoes – yum.

My egg scramble had a little too much spinach in it for my liking but I loved the sundried tomatoes they added for their Greek scramble.  Our favorite thing to do while we wait for our order is to watch other people’s food arrive at their table.  I don’t even like oatmeal but I must admit their Creme Brulee Oatmeal looked divine.  Crispy and crunchy on the outside thanks to a nice layer of sugar, it also has a layer of fresh fruit hiding on the bottom.  The french toast also looked out of this world.  A reason to go back!  I am sure their biscuits and gravy are to die for too – they are named for it after all!

Remember to go hungry or plan on sharing because the portions are large.  We arrived at 8:30 a.m. amd were seated right away but by the time we left close to 9:30 a.m. there was a bit of a wait.

Gravy’s is open 7 days a week from 8 – 3 p.m. and also serves lunch.

Best Breakfast} Bijou Cafe

The hunt continues….

This week we headed back downtown to the Bijou Cafe.  Jim was at a conference all day so it was just us two girls.

The Bijou Cafe is located at 132 SW Third Avenue and is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Breakfast is served all day.  Their specialities are Oyster Hash and their omelets although we tried neither.

We opted for some carb loading and went for their oatmeal pancakes which were huge, filling and oh so yummy!  My daughter chose the brioche french toast which she said was like eating cake – yum!!

I loved the fresh look of the blue and white checked tablecloths and the light coming in through the windows made for a nice cheery place to enjoy breakfast.

We arrived at 9 a.m. and were shown right to a table.  There was a bit of a line when we left about 45 minutes later. Service was friendly and fast.

I was eyeing the omelets as they were delivered to the neighboring tables so I think another trip to the Bijou Cafe is in order so that we can give one a try!

We’d love to hear about your favorite breakfast place in the Portland metro area!

Best Breakfast } Screen Door

Our second week of searching for Portland’s best breakfast took us to Screen Door located at SE 24th and Burnside.  Screen Door is a “Celebration of Southern Cuisine.” 

Screen Door is open for dinner seven days a week but only open for brunch on the weekend.

They don’t open until 9 a.m. as they technically serve brunch not breakfast.  When we arrived at 9 a.m. this is what greeted us – a line half way around the block.  I took this as a good sign.

By the time the doors opened and the first seating was full we were in the lobby area.  I asked a couple of regulars what the trick was and they said in order to make the first seating you need to arrive no later than 8:15 a.m.

We waited for almost an hour but I had brought a book so I didn’t mind.  It gave us plenty of time to look over the menu too.   In addition to their regular menu  they have daily specials which feature local and organic.

They are known for their biscuits and gravy and other Southern fare such as grits but we opted for just a plain biscuit which was buttery and flaky, just like a biscuit should be.

Jim ordered the egg scramble and I had a wonderful Praline Bacon Waffle – yummm!!  It was amazing!!

Probably their most famous item on the menu though is the fried chicken and sweet potato waffle.  We didn’t order it but couldn’t resist taking a photo.  The photo is not great because I had to go up to a complete stranger’s table and ask to take a photo of their food so I was in a hurry.  They were very gracious and didn’t think I was too crazy. 

Three large fried chicken breasts on a waffle – amazing!!

Service was friendly and prompt and once we were seated we had our food within 15 minutes.

The Screen Door serves a great breakfast and it is definitely worth the wait!  It is going to be a top contender for the Best Breakfast in Portland I think!  I can’t wait to try it for dinner.