Stepping Stone Cafe — Restaurant in Portland

This place would have easily received a five star review had it not been for the experience I had paying the bill.

I came here on a busy Easter Sunday with my parents having travelled all the way from Eugene, Oregon to try the "Amazing" food.

After our dining experience it turned out that my parents forgot their Bank card, however, they had cash from my mother's purse and I made up the difference with my card. The cash was more than the bill, and I basically needed to cover the tip.

When I proceeded to pay the bill the waiter attempted to force me to pay a higher tip by including their 18 percent tip estimate automatically.

Where I grew up, we paid 10 percent if the experience wasn't that great, 15 percent if it was good, and 20 if it's exceptional. This was a good experience that leaned towards the lower for a couple reasons I'll leave out this time around.

When I asked for the right amount to be billed, the waiter proceeded to imply that people stiff them on their bill all the time and that they automatically charge 18 percent because of that reason. This coming all the while he's already holding more money than the bill and arguing with me about how he can't ring up my card for a tip.

I don't know what you folks do when you split a tab but it seemed your waiter couldn't seem to grasp this concept very well.

I enjoyed the food very much up to the point where he came around and topped off our water cups and in doing so spilled water on my food with no attention to why this was a bad thing.

I'm hesitant to try this again, and hope others don't have this experience. The food was great, but the service buried what was good in a poor...

It was very busy which worried me but like a good diner it was quick as it should be. The food preparation was absolutely stunning. When they offer you a choice of toast and English muffin ask about their famous biscuits. I rarely eat red meat but today was an indulgence day! Payday! Coffee and food for two split down the middle was $18. I tipped of course! The wait staff seemed a little concerned we might walk away but let us know they had the table ready and just needed to move some things— they were maintaining their coffee machines and no one was in the way and it was swift and did not effect our service. I believe my friend got the avocado based omelette forgot the name! He shared his biscuit with me and I was so full on my generous portion of corned beef hash on scalloped potatoes with poached eggs and hollandaise egggs Benedict on too. Every bite melted in my mouth. I left a few potatoes behind but only because I have a literally small stomach. The is hot was to die for but I brought mine home for the roommate who said just a taste and devoured it. I live sampling different places but I MUST make this a spot for corned beef hash it was absolutely so tender and yummy. Apparently you can get manacles which are pancakes the size of a plate. Typical offerings are available here. I really enjoyed the coffee and the “bottomless” half and half wish and continuous refills. I get this place is always turning over. I would wait if I needed to but I did...

A friend of mine said this was their favorite breakfast spot, I'm really glad we stopped in. This place is magical, I can see why it was voted best in Portland 2023. Kiss dolls and Christmas ornaments hang on string connected to the door. When people enter or exit they all take a little dip and it's fun to watch! 🤣 I was surprised to learn Stepping Stone Cafe was on Man vs Food. Of course they were! I've heard of Mancakes. I was tempted, but I knew I had work after breakfast.

As it was closer to end of service, the two of us were offered the corner booth. Way to make folks feel like royalty! Pretty much all the other tables were taken in the main entry dining room. If they have Chocolate milkshakes on the menu it means I can have it with breakfast! We decided to split our orders. My friend ordered the biscuits and gravy. Our server let us know it's massive, they were correct! I ordered the chicken fried steak. Hilariously, my friend admitted they thought that was a chicken dish 🤣 They were pleasantly corrected... it's definitely not chicken. Both of our dishes were cooked and plated perfectly. Buttered toast for our runny sunnyside up and over easy eggs... absolutely the best combination.

All that said, the staff were also all rockstars! Only a few people run that place and they've got it locked in....