Southeast

Bakery and Cafe

5513 SE 72nd Ave.

503.774.4470

The freshness and explosive flavors the Library brings to the table were good enough to get the cafe featured on the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” The Arleta Library Bakery and Cafe has a great lunch menu, but the star dishes at this place are in the breakfast category. The Biscuits and Gravy and also their Sicilian Hash stand out on an already impressive menu. The hash includes braised beef that is sautéed overnight, then finished with peppers, onions, potatoes and—last but not least—two eggs.

Pine State Biscuits

3640 SE Belmont St.

503.236.3346

Three words sum up why Pine State may be the best place in Portland to get a quick breakfast, and those three words are: the “Reggie Deluxe.” This sandwich is pretty much taking everything that is offered on the menu and putting it on a biscuit. The Reggie Deluxe consists of a fried chicken breast, bacon, cheese, one egg and a generous amount of sausage gravy. All of this is sandwiched between two fresh, house-made biscuits.

Broder

2508 SE Clinton St.

503.736.3333

Broder is a Scandinavian-inspired restaurant that serves up a twist on American dishes. An example would be their Swedish Hash, which consists of potatoes, peppers and eggs, with the choice to top it with either smoked trout or pickled beets. This place does stay busy, but has a waiting room next door with free coffee. Broder is a nice place to try for the adventurous breakfast-goers of Portland.

The Original Hotcake and Steak House

1002 SE Powell Blvd.

503.236.7402

The Hotcake House is definitely not the prettiest of food establishments in Portland, but is instead the much-needed “greasy spoon.” The old yellow sign in front simply reads “Hotcake House” and looks like a run-down Vegas hotel fixture, but this place is about the food (pancakes, to be specific) and they do not let you down. Large portions at a discount are all the late-night bar crowd could ask for and the Hotcake House delivers. For a good finish to any night, this is the place to be.

Genie’s Café

1101 SE Division St.

503.445.9777

Free Stumptown coffee while you wait and a real “Portland” atmosphere keep devoted breakfast junkies coming back to Genie’s Café. They have some of the best biscuits and gravy in town, with a spicy kick to them, and of course a long and delicious list of vegetarian options. This place has a so-called “hipster” atmosphere, but service is great, staff is friendly and the list of mouthwatering options is endless. Get there before 10 a.m. and the wait should be minimal.

Bertie Lou’s

8051 SE 17th Ave.

503.239.1177

Bertie Lou’s describes their hours of operation as “open most days 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until the cook gets tired or quits.” That alone makes this place awesome and the food adds to it. Bertie Lou’s laid-back atmosphere and staff make for a good start to the day. Some dishes to look out for would be the Biscuits and Gravy, as well as any omelet from their creative list of options.

The Cup and Saucer

3566 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

503.236.6001

The Cup and Saucer has a small-town diner feel to it, with the art work and color scheme that make it a true Portland-style place to eat. They have your typical breakfast items and large portions to match. Some of the notable breakfast plates are the breakfast burrito (huge is an understatement) and the French toast (big enough for two). It’s another vegan-friendly restaurant that has great coffee and classic food dishes to match.