John's Café — Restaurant in Portland

My favorite downtown restaurant. I’ve been a regular for years, and eat there once or twice a week. Owned and run by a husband and wife team who moved from Greece to Oregon 50 years ago and somehow bought a restaurant, they’re a living example of the American Dream. They still work six days a week, but close around noon these days. Each day I go, I treasure the experience, because they’re getting on in years and won’t be around forever, though I don’t expect them to stop anytime soon. Note that this is not a “fine dining” experience; it’s an old fashioned diner, like you might find in New York. Small, a bit tight, even, and nothing fancy. The food, though standard American fare, is lovingly prepared by a man who, since he also keeps the books, told me that he has broken some 5 million eggs over the last 50 years. The expertise one acquires from such almost impossibly vast experience means that when I walk in shortly after opening, since I always order the identical meal, I don’t have to say anything besides hello. Within as little as two minutes, a perfect plate of hash browns, two eggs over easy, and a steaming mug of coffee appear before me, exactly the way I like it, and faster than a McDonald’s drive through, even though I’m seated at a cafe. For years they have offered the best value breakfast in town. Now, I can’t promise that everyone will have the same experience. I even dread posting such a glowing review for fear of overwhelming my favorite breakfast place. So please, be kind. If they’re jammed, be patient. Go early, as close to 7am as possible, and don’t bring a crowd. Note: it’s long been a somewhat sketchy neighborhood, with perhaps just enough riff-raff outside to keep the...

I thought long and hard before writing this review. I don’t like writing poor reviews, even when service is less than par. The food is fine, hovering close enough to good that I’ll give it 5 stars. The price, the quality etc.

The owners are unbelievably rude. I work in the immediate area. In tourism and hospitality. I could not have been a more compliant patron. I asked the woman a simple question, she didn’t even look at me or the menu. Which was upside down and not the breakfast menu. I made a very simple order of two breakfast plates and two orders of pancakes. I tipped 25%, made conversation with one of their regular patrons.

All the while the owners glared at me as I was waited. It was an odd, uncomfortable experience. Considering that I am a street tour guide in the area, it takes a lot to make me feel uncomfortable. I was clearly unwelcome and they certainly do not owe me their services.

However, I will not return and I will share my experience with others. Unacceptable business practices. Maybe they would be better suited in bail bonds or a check cashing business where it’s expected to be treated like trash.

For those wanting a consistently good breakfast. I highly suggest checking out Rocket Breakfast in The Hollywood District.

I will always support local businesses. With that said, I cannot support businesses that treat certain patrons...

I wanted to check this place out for like a decade and finally got around to doing that. When I saw pictures of the menu posted by other people on Google reviews I assumed that I was looking at older posts because there was no way that in today's economy the breakfast would be that cheap but oh my god it was. And it was spectacular. The food was actually in people sized portions instead of being super sized like it would be at Denny's or IHOP, so this isn't a place where an entire family of four can split a single entree, but that's actually a good thing! It was brisk morning, but it was nice and toasty inside the restaurant, but not overly warm. The hash browns were the perfect balance of crispy and soft, which is something I always find delightful.

I was a tiny bit frustrated when my coffee first came out because I had asked for cream and then I did not see the cream so I just sat there not drinking my coffee for a minute until I grabbed the cup and realized that the cream was behind the cup just outside of my line of sight and I am the idiot in this equation.

There were a few other people in there when I got there, and right after I ordered my omelette breakfast, somebody else got the pancakes delivered to their table and they looked delectable so next time I go I will be getting the pancakes.

I cannot recommend this place...