Balong Panaderia — Restaurant in Portland

Hours posted on the door: Wednesday-Sunday 8am-1:30pm.

My first time came in around 11am. They were busy but not overly crowded. I over heard they saying the article published on the Oregonian this week brought in the crowd.

Super tight and cozy space inside, two tables outside (for two persons) in the hallway, and a small bench for waiting area.

I came in mostly to checkout their pastry because I'm a sucker for anything flaky and sweet, but not overly sweet.

I ordered Calamansi & Strawberry Bar, $4.00, and Biscuits & Gravy, Gravy on side. $9.00. Reasonable price, I would say it's cheaper than most.

I enjoyed the not overly sweet Calamansi & Strawberry Bar, the right amount of coconut flake, not too heavy base. I didn't care for the strawberry topping since I didn't really taste the strawberry at all.

This was my first time having a tomato gravy, a bright tomato gravy inspired by the Filipino stew kalderata and a fresh-baked pan de sal. I loved the light, flaky, balanced flavor of the biscuits. It's reminded me more of tomato bisque and bread, instead of gravy. My gravy came out lukewarm so I didn't like it. There was a bitter aftertaste which I couldn't quite describe what it was. Since I wasn't really hungry, I asked for it to go instead of asked them to reheat the gravy.

Below information are copied and pasted directly from the Oregonian article published on May 22.

"Details: Balong opens from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday at 2850 S.E. 82nd Ave., #27, inside Fubonn Shopping Center, just past the supermarket entrance.

Recommended dishes: Hash browns, breakfast sandwiches, the breakfast plate, biscuits and gravy, and a pastry or two with coffee to start.

Vegetarian options: Pastries, hash browns, the biscuit plate and the breakfast sandwich with house veggie sausage.

Accessibility: Balong is at ground level, but it's small and tightly filled with cafe tables. The ordering counter is clear, but there might be more room for wheelchairs at the two tables in...

First impression: Ultra Hipster Filipino Inspired Breakfast Cafe.

Green Color Coordinated Decor ✅, Custom Open Sign ✅, custom logo’d parchment paper ✅, Old School Ordering Pad for their Menu ✅, Rack of custom Hoodies/Tshirt Merch ✅

The food was not bad, I ordered the combo plate with their biscuit, sausage, hashbrown square, and an additional Ensaymada bun which was a a cream-cheese filled bun w/ a light dusting of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Hash brown, Ensaymada, and biscuit had one taste in common: lots of butter. The sausage patty was good but tiny. The gravy was great but tiny amount.

For what you get for $26, (1) plate and (1) bun the value is pretty bad and the shrink-flation can be felt especially on the $8 Ensaymada which tasted average at best compared to other Filipino bakeries offering that style bread. I honestly think they could probably afford larger portions of everything if they spent less money jazzing the place up with their branding & decor which stood out more than their food.

Verdict: good to try out once but not a place to hit up for breakfast daily when there are so many other tasty and affordable places nearby. If you bring a date here, you’ll be looking at $24 for (2) small grilled cheese and egg sandwiches that’ll leave you hungry for more or $52 for two of...

Hands down the best bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had—everything was perfectly cooked, with crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, melty cheese, and a fresh, pillowy bun. And don’t even get me started on the hash brown… absolutely unreal. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and somehow magical. Truly the best I’ve ever eaten.

On top of that, the staff is incredibly kind and welcoming—it just makes the whole experience even better. Balong is...