Marcy's Diner — Restaurant in Portland

I'm a self confessed breakfast foodie. My professional and personal travels take me all over the United States and the world. I'm usually in a place for ten to thirteen weeks or so. Today I went to Marcy's Diner. Even after I asked the simple question, the origin story wasn't presented with any depth. Marcy was simply mentioned as a previous owner. So what? This place is the trifecta for the breakfast foodie in all of us. As I walked in the man behind the diner bar, Stanley, barked out, "Just one?!" I gave him the Northsouth nod and he pointed at a diner stool and said, " Here's where you are." He accepted my challenge when I said, I'd be sitting in a different spot. Stanley is wearing the classic tuxedo t shirt along with a pair of gym shorts. During my entire breakfast, all I ever saw him do was wash dishes and wipe down coffee mugs and he remained in constant motion. He comes across like an older more sarcastic Joe Pesci. The waitress, Grace, has the resonant voice of an FM DJ. The diner itself is cluttered and authentically filled with things from yesteryear. It emanates the field, then the Cracker Barrel chain tries to emulate. I asked grace to bring me a ham and cheese omelet, hash browns, toast, and crispy bacon. I told her she could pick the cheese for my omelet and she chose swiss. This was a great twist to my usual omelet. Thanks Grace. The cook prepared a perfect breakfast meal. He's a guy that knows how to make a great breakfast and you'd love to have him as your wingman in a fight. Everything was top notch. If I had to do anything over again, I would just ask for one piece of toast, because as you'll see in the pics, one piece of toast in that place he's as big as a mud flap on a Ford F150. Grace kept my ☕️ coffee full and I liked that she brought me a glass of water even though I didn't ask for it. This level of conscientious anticipation and attention to detail is apparent as you look around what seems like a cluttered place. It seems like someone has just enough OCD to be a value add to the operation. They even have a bin for the lids for to-go containers that have already been stamped with Marcy's Diner.

The pricing is fair, the service is above average, and the feel reminds me of a hometown greasy spoon where people just know who you are and you are welcome. They have a few booths and a lot of...

A cute Diner. Too bad it's in the wrong hands. I've given this place many chances,but I'm done. I'm sure there will be some smart, aggressive comment in response. It appears to be the owners "Signature Move" to make fun of customers who dare have a complaint. Just scan the reviews, and you'll see what I mean. Well,I have a "Signature Move" as well. It's leaving an open and honest review on Google and the many other platforms I do food reviews for,and I do a lot. I've sat in this Diner on more than one occasion and watch the owner roll out the red carpet for people she thinks might have a little cash, or be someone of some importance,while ignoring all others. Hell, she'll give you a town history, if you are wearing a Gucci Shirt and a pair of Ray Bans. However,if you look like you're an ordinary old Joe,working a 9 to 5, about to go clock in, she can barely bring herself to speak or acknowledge your presence! She fancys herself a member of the "Upper Crust" in this town. I think she's just plain rude, and a little silly! Combine that with a Grill Cook who serves up a veritable "Swimming Pool" of grease on every other plate, because she's socializing instead of concentrating on not ruining your Breakfast. Bacon half cooked,greasy, scrappy. Not well defined crispy strips of golden goodness as all bacon should be. Hash Browns, cooked on the outside, mushy in the center, they don't get scrambled around for an even cook. That requires effort. Like draining the grease off the bacon so you don't prematurely kill someone! I will say they have the Best Muffin in town. I'm being straight about that. Im also being straight abouth the other stuff too however. So the Muffin alone isn't enough for me to swallow my self respect and go back. This place also closes every time the wind changes directions. That gets irritatiating after awhile. I'll go to Becky's Diner down the road where they're open 364 days a year and actually appreciate my business. I don't get ignored there, or made fun of if I have an issue, or served a plate full of grease. I could go on,but you get the idea. Screw this place! Screw they're pompous attitude! I won't go back. Ever! I highly recommend to the general public,Tourists and Locals alike,to take your hard earned money elsewhere. You can do SO much better than this....

Unfriendly service, below average food.

Marcy's was the 4th Portland breakfast location I've tried in as many weeks, and the clear laggard in my opinion, both in terms of service, and quality of the food.

The server's opening comment was that I couldn't bring any outside drink in with me. I realized she meant the insulated steel mug with the remains of my commuter tea I'd brought in from the car. Ok, fair enough, but this is something I've never been called on in a restaurant, ever. I put the mug out of sight as requested (fortunately, I wasn't asked to leave) and ordered a cup of tea. Marcy's may make a wonderful cup of coffee, but their tea was abysmal. I got a standard Lipton tea bag in a cup of not-quite-hot water. (A good black tea needs to be made with boiling or near-boiling water, something few American restaurants seem to realize.)

I ordered a two-egg (no three egg omelets available) that came with hash browns (not home fries) and a grilled english muffin. There were no home-made breads available, though I was told they do make their own muffins.

Our food arrived in a timely manner. When it did, I was reminded why most restaurants make their omelets with 3, not 2 eggs, and the home fries were basically grilled mush.

The decor of Marcy's is charming - it's cozy diner chic with several booths and a bar. The tables in the booths are narrow, so you sit very close to your breakfast companions. I would prefer a little more elbow room.

My advice to Marcy's: Get some decent homemade breads Ditch the hash browns Learn how to make proper tea Use 3 eggs in your omelets check out some of the competition - they're...