CHALKBOARD Cafe — Restaurant in Seaside

Amidst our OR coast vacation dining experience, my family and I decided to take a break from seafood and go for a plain ol' sandwich. Our expectations were not high -- we were just cold, hungry, and needed some sustenance at an ordinary restaurant in between souvenir shopping stops. Our first clue that our experience was not going to be ordinary was the decor -- what an interesting looking and inviting place, with a way cool mural on the wall, custom-made tables with gorgeous inlays, and an abundance of tasteful items and photos adorning the interior. The staff all wore tie dyed outfits and were very welcoming.

I wish I had thought to take photos of our food, because the dishes were amongst the best we've ever had and I would have loved to have posted images of what they looked like for this review. I ended up having the quiche, and my wife and mother-in-law split the philly cheese steak sandwich. Wow! I had to steal a bite of the sandwich, which was generously stuffed with slices of ribeye steak, green and red peppers, and cheese. I am trying to improve upon my own quiche recipe, so I had to have theirs. It was the best quiche I've ever had. I had all sorts of questions on how Chalkboard's quiche was made, and the owner/chef Ken came out and gave me all sorts of pointers on his quiche prep. It turns out that Ken has formal training as a chef and decades of experience in high end restaurants. Preparing the Chalkboard menu items constitutes a very, very small percentage of Ken's culinary skill set, and quite frankly is child's play for him; however, focusing on that comparatively narrow menu allows Chalkboard to deliver food that is consistent and of superior quality.

I need to come back to the decor and outfits. Ken's wife and Chalkboard co-owner Angela painted the large mural on the wall, and her son made the beautiful inlaid tables. Ken makes all the tie dyed outfits worn by the staff, and the tie dyed t-shirts and aprons are for sale in the store. I love that Ken and Angela have poured so much of their versatile artistry into this establishment.

Overall, what started as a simple meal amidst sightseeing turned out to be the highlight of our day. We will be returning to sample more of Ken's cooking, and to see our new friends...

No stars. We got reservations after reading positive reviews about this restaurant and the food. The location is nice. Right on the water, down the boardwalk from Broadway. The decor is quaint, very hippie boho vibe. We came for a family father's day brunch, so we ordered mostly breakfast, with a couple Philly cheesesteaks. We were served by a surly man in tie-dyed overalls, who we later found out was the owner. My wife ordered the redneck Benedict, and asked for her eggs over-easy. He replied that they make the eggs "grilled", so no effort to customize the eggs, even though they promote eggs your way in the menu. Her overcooked eggs were over too dried chicken thighs, and then smothered in the most tasteless gravy we have ever tasted. She also asked for the gravy to be on the side. Missed the boat there too. My daughter and I ordered the chalkboard breakfast special with poached eggs and sausage and a biscuit. The eggs were hard with it seemed like no vinegar, so no flavor and not soft boiled like a poached egg should be. The sausage was a patty not links, again overcooked and burned on the edges. The biscuit was large, but bready, not flaky. I would have sent it all back, if I wasn't so hungry. My mother ordered the combo special with steak. The "steak" was a flat, tough piece of some kind of beef, hard to tell since it was thin and overcooked also. My son and son in law ordered the Philly cheesesteaks, which they said also were tough, and not very tasty. My son in law asked for no peppers and onions, but it came with peppers and onions. To sum it all up, it was probably the worst meal we have ever had, along with some of the worst service ever. We will never come back. I understand that if you are short staffed, it can make it a long day for the staff, but if you are the owner serving food like that, and you know you can do better, have some pride and lease don't bring poorly cooked food like...

From the moment you step inside, it's clear that Chalkboard Cafe is a hidden gem. Tucked away in a quiet corner, this place effortlessly combines outstanding food, impeccable service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Every detail seems thoughtfully curated to create an unforgettable dining experience.

The food is nothing short of exceptional. Each dish bursts with flavor, expertly prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. But the true star of the meal was undoubtedly the marionberry pie—a masterpiece. Family recipe made by sweet Angela, the marionberry was perfectly crisp, golden, and delicately sweet, providing a beautiful contrast to the rich, tangy berries inside. The combination of textures and flavors was absolutely divine, making it the ideal ending to an already fantastic meal. It’s the kind of dessert that lingers in your memory long after you've left the restaurant.

As for the service, it was flawless. The staff were friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the food they were serving. They made excellent recommendations and took the time to ensure we were enjoying every part of our meal, without ever being intrusive.

The ambience of the restaurant is equally impressive—yet relaxed, with soft lighting, cozy seating, and an atmosphere that feels both warm and welcoming. Whether you're looking for a nice brunch, a gathering with friends, or a quick bite, this place strikes the perfect balance.

If you’re in the Seaside area, don't miss out on this treasure of a restaurant. The marionberry pie alone is worth the visit, but with such remarkable service, stunning food, and a charming atmosphere, it's clear that Chalkboard Cafe is much more than just a meal—it’s an experience. Highly highly recommended! Thank you so much Ken and Angie, we will most definitely be back,...