We were short on time, so we stuck with appetizers and sides, and this place still delivered. The…read morefried okra and black bean fritters were on point, and the biscuits with sausage gravy were seriously filling. The pecan bacon had a nice sweet kick, while the fried oysters came out crispy without being buried in breading. Add a couple of solid mimosas and friendly service, and we had zero complaints. Next time, I'm coming back hungry enough to hit the full menu.

My wife and flew into Portland this morning for our westbound vacation and was too early for…read morecheck-in at the Porter Portland Curio by Hilton. We searched for a breakfast spot via Yelp App and found the Screen Door Pearl District. This establishment was packed with people which is always a good sign. We sat at the high chairs and tables facing the street and our waitress was prompt, professional and courteous. I ordered coffee and my wife ordered a glass of apple juice. A quick survey of the menu we settled on the following, my wife had the country fried steak with the sausage and mushroom gravy on the side and I ordered the fried chicken and biscuits with scrambled eggs and both sausage and mushroom gravy on the side. OMG!!! This food was absolutely delicious! We both had a clean plate and we DEFINITELY would recommend this business. The service was excellent as well as the coffee and food. 10/10

I've heard about this restaurant forever but put off going because I thought it might be just…read moreanother hyped Portlandia-style brunch restaurant. I was wrong - this place is delicious, bustling, and fun. We went just before 11 on Labor Day and although there was already a crowd the host managed the line expertly. We waited about 15 minutes and were seated inside a busy, airy room with every table full. Service was fast and friendly. We had the cinnamon rolls which were soft and sweet and appropriately gooey. We also shared the chicken and biscuits with mushroom gravy. The chicken was so well seasoned - as was the gravy. The potatoes were soft and crispy at once. Absolutely delicious.

Screen Door is a Portland icon…read more When family visited and wanted to go to all of the "touristy" spots in Portland, I immediately made a reservation for brunch at the original Eastside location. I know they get busy on weekends but we had no problem making a reservation and being seated promptly indoors. Their indoor space can get quite loud. They do have a covered side patio as well. We ordered some of their classic dishes: chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, banana foster French toast. Everything was absolutely delicious. I did feel some sticker shock at the prices ($17-24 ish) but the portions are quite large. They do have a kids menu as well as a full bar. Customer service was excellent, with a seemingly genuinely friendly server. Though they were busy, it was easy to get assistance as needed. The decor is wonderfully charming. Overall, Screen Door might not be an every-weekend kind of thing, but for an out-of-town visitor, a special occasion, or craving you just can't shake - it's absolutely worth the stop.

If you are craving a hearty, comforting breakfast Grits n Gravy is the perfect spot. I would…read moreanticipate a potential wait on weekends, as I went on a Sunday morning at 9:30am and got the last two person table available. The ambiance is welcoming and fun. The walls are full of bright, colorful artwork that is for sale and made by the resident artist. The uptown shrimp & grits are a must order. They were decadent, rich in flavor, and cheesy. The country boy breakfast was also a delicious option. I enjoyed the creamy and well seasoned gravy that comes on top of it.

On my 1st day back in downtown Portland, of course I skipped all the other treats so I could make…read moreGrits and Gravy to start my day. Overall, another great experience. However, now that I've been a few times, I notice little details like "why do the hostesses continue to seat people right next to each other?". There are plenty of other open tables that people could be seated at, but it really eliminated our ability to have a connecting conversation, as it felt like we were a party of 6 with us 2 in the middle!!! And 2 of the people clearly had some personal "issues" going on and were very disruptive. The space is small, but the visual displays of all the artwork make it a talking point conversation. The main artist was on hand & we found ourselves with the opportunity to talk with him while we waited on our food (which took a lot longer than expected). Funny, we ordered 1st & ours came out 10 mins later after everyone else. I decided to go with the Chicken and Waffles, and we also had the shrimp and grits. The food hit on all cylinders, and the only thing that was needed next was to make a move for a cocktail and a little walking in downtown to change it up. Will definitely return, but I will be more direct and vocal about seating that's for sure.

Update :: go support this business they're going to be going out of business beginning July 2026!!…read more This was our first time trying Miss Delta, and honestly, we were surprised by how good everything was. The collard greens were some of the best I've had - perfectly seasoned, greens perfectly cut well and full of flavor. The fried oysters were massive, crispy and delicious. Don't skip on the banana pudding here! We also stopped in during Taco Week and their taco special was a 10/10. The restaurant itself is casual, quick service, with both indoor and outdoor seating. We grabbed a spot on the patio and spent the afternoon people-watching while enjoying some seriously tasty southern food.

This was a treasure to find. We found this when we had attempted to go to Gravy's for brunch but…read moredon't want to wait. We walked in to Miss Delta and were seated right away. The entire menu looked delicious so we had a hard time choosing what to try. Just means we have to go back. I really appreciated we were told what they had run out of as we were given the menus. We tried the Shrimp and Grits and Country Fried Steak. The seasoning on everything was spot on. Service was quick and friendly. If you have a hankering for some delicious southern inspired food this is a must try. Can't wait to go back and experience the BBQ.

I'm in heaven. My 11 year old and I shared a combo plate with catfish and ribs, she wanted fries…read morefor a side and I got collard greens. The ribs were to die for, the catfish perf crispy and flaky, the fries were lightly seasoned, and the collards were spicy and delicious! Perfection!

Closed when they're supposed to be open 12pm.... It's 2:30... this is the 3rd time I've come here…read moreand the place was closed. Wasted my gas driving here... never again

Ever since homegrown smoker closed, I have been looking for my go-to vegan soul food spot. Dirty…read moreLettuce has filled that gap! My wife and friend went for dinner and we sat outside. We shared an order of hush puppies and they were awesome. They were cooked perfectly and tasted very fresh and flavorful. We also tried the calamari which was also good (though it lacked salt overall). My wife got the catfish, and I thought it was very good. Nice texture with the cornmeal crust and had a nice subtle seafood flavor. The sauces were all good and I enjoyed dipping in all of them. Although I did find the remoulade sauce to be a bit bland compared to the other sauces. It was still good though. I enjoyed the mashed potatoes and gravy. They were very rich with a nice texture. The greens were also tasty and cooked well. My friend got the bbq ribs with rice and beans. The rib was nice. Not what I was expecting it to look like, but the bbq sauce was tasty and had some nice smoke taste coming through. The rice and beans were simple and good. I ordered the chicken bacon ranch sandwich. It was very delicious! I was surprised by how much flavor the fried chicken had. I couldn't eat all of it and ended up eating the rest cold for dinner the next day and somehow it tasted even better! All in all we had a great experience. The service was friendly and quick. The space was clean and charming. I loved all of the hot sauce and condiment options. I love this place and will definitely be back.

Watch in-depth video breakdown here…read morehttps://youtu.be/2LsMS2vxzRU?is=U5MfItnpo97tUvuq Dirty Lettuce had me questioning whether I was really in Portland or somehow got transported back down South. I'll admit, I came into this place with a slight bias. I'm from the South, and maybe it's ignorant, but when I hear "soul food," I automatically think of the South. I grew up around soul food. I know what good collard greens taste like. I know what good mac & cheese tastes like. So when I heard people on TikTok raving about a vegan soul food restaurant in Portland, Oregon, part of me was thinking: "Soul food? In Portland? How good could it really be?" Well... Dirty Lettuce shut me up pretty quickly. I originally found this place while searching TikTok for vegan restaurants in Portland. Dirty Lettuce kept coming up, and people especially hyped up the fried chicken and BBQ ribs, so I had to see for myself. I ordered the fried chicken meal with collard greens and mac & cheese -- two sides I take VERY seriously. The fried chicken was incredible. The seasoning and batter reminded me of some kind of combination between KFC and Popeyes, while the inside stayed moist and tender. At certain points I genuinely forgot I was eating vegan chicken. It tasted and felt like I was eating a Southern fried chicken plate somewhere in Mississippi or Alabama. Then came the collard greens. Man... These greens tasted like somebody's grandma was in the kitchen cooking Thanksgiving dinner. They serve them in a bowl with plenty of pot liquor, so initially I thought they might be a little watery. Nope. That broth was PACKED with flavor. It was almost like a collard-green soup, and I mean that as a compliment. The greens and the broth complemented each other perfectly. And the mac & cheese? A1. Creamy, rich, flavorful, with this subtle smoky taste that I wasn't expecting. I don't know exactly what they did to it, but whatever they did -- KEEP DOING IT. I also tried the BBQ ribs. They were good, although they were probably my least favorite item compared with everything else. But that's almost unfair because the chicken, greens and mac & cheese set the bar ridiculously high. I also went into the ribs with huge expectations after hearing people hype them up on TikTok, and I'm not really a ribs guy to begin with. So take my opinion there with a grain of salt. They were still good. My one area for improvement would be customer service. The woman who took my order wasn't rude or anything, but I personally would have appreciated a warmer greeting and more inviting energy. I'm very big on customer service, and I think the person at the front counter sets the tone for the entire experience. Maybe she was just having an off day -- we all have them -- but that was really the only part of my visit that didn't match the quality and energy of the food. The restaurant itself is small, clean and has some really cool artwork on the walls. It has a nice atmosphere without trying to be anything overly fancy. But the FOOD is the story here. At one point during my meal, I remembered that Black people make up a relatively small percentage of Oregon's population, and I became convinced somebody from that percentage had to be back there in that kitchen cooking. Because there was no way these greens were tasting this close to something my grandma would have made on Thanksgiving. I came in skeptical. I left thoroughly impressed. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or eat meat every day of your life, I'd recommend trying Dirty Lettuce. And if you're from the South and you're skeptical about getting legitimate soul food in Portland like I was? Go ahead and try it. It legitimately reminded me of a Southern Sunday plate from somebody's mama's kitchen. Dirty Lettuce proved me wrong -- and I'm glad they did. Highly recommended. Watch in-depth video breakdown here https://youtu.be/2LsMS2vxzRU?is=U5MfItnpo97tUvuq

OOO MAN! those biscuits were so light and fluffy and warm, and with the whipped butter…read more.. my boyfriend and i went there; i got the diner plate, with eggs (over medium), fried chicken, collard greens, and a delicious biscuit. he got the reggie, a classic biscuit sandwich with this rich gravy, fried chicken, and egg. everything was so flavorful and savory. the collard greens especially surprised me as they were just drenched in flavor. atmosphere was hip, and the open air set up made it super breezy and light. the music was on point. servers were so helpful and friendly! certainly check it out if you're in the area and in need of a flaky, warm, fluffy biscuit!

Pro-tip: They use the cash app so you can get some cash back from dining here…read more Highlights: Definitely get the shiitake mushroom gravy - it's the right amount of savory and creamy. I also thought the fried chicken was fried really well, but still super juicy and tender on the inside. Service is quick and very friendly. Lowlights: I wish they had different portion sizes because one biscuit sandwich is honestly pretty heavy and filling for me.

Atmosphere: Nice little casual spot. Also a few outdoor tables…read more Food: The burger week burger was great! Interesting variation that I would love to see get added to a regular menu. Will be back to try the BBQ. Price: Prices seem on par with other BBQ around town Service: Service was good. Food came out pretty quickly as well Parking: Street parking

Not only was the burger for burger week amazing, the service was on point. If you haven't been out…read morefor Burger week, I would say try this place and go early! We tried two days in a row and it was sold out. But if you know you know! We will be back to try the regular menu soon.

Pine State Biscuits hype is legit! The plane landed in…read morePortland and straight to get breakfast, we went. Seeing them make the biscuits in front of you was super cool. The Reggie Deluxe is a MUST get with their signature fried chicken, then bacon, tillamook cheddar, gravy and the deluxe includes a well-worth-it egg. The Chatfield with again their dried chicken, bacon and cheese topped with apple butter is another fun one. No matter what you get, a chicken biscuit should be part of the order. I'm so glad I got to try this Portland staple! I will absolutely be back when I'm in town again.

One of our favorite places to eat for breakfast!…read moreThe biscuits are delicious and perfect with chicken and gravy. Pancake was yummy too! Good drinks, service and ambiance. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Definitely try when in Portland!

Fried chicken is *very nice*. Dan Dan fries with Sichuan peanut sauce is REALLY VERY NICE. And the…read moreice cream mix-in this week was Strawberry Kool-ade, which was an amazingly good formulation. Prices are not cheap, and an extra $1 for a little cup of extra peanut sauce really feels like nickle-and-diming to an unpleasant extreme.

Basilisk is another of those Portland restaurants I regularly visited on work trips to the city in…read morethe 2010s. It's been around 7 or 8 years since my last visit but I remember the fried chicken sandwiches coming with two thick, juicy, fried boneless thighs. I found it difficult to eat more than half a sandwich given the size and excess meat. Usually I would end up pulling one thigh out and saving it for later! I decided to visit again on a recent weekend trip to Portland, arriving for an early dinner at around 4:30 PM. It was surprisingly busy, with at least a quarter of the seats taken in the shared seating pool even though it was so early in the day. Luckily there wasn't a line to order and the food came out within 15 minutes. Fried Chicken Sandwich ($13) - Just as how I remembered, this sandwich is still huge with two breaded and fried thighs on a bed of lightly dressed, crunchy cole slaw. It's really tall and doesn't compress well due to the abundant crunchy elements throughout. There's the bun that's heavily toasted until extremely, almost aggressively, crisp and almost dark golden brown, absolutely doused in butter a la Texas toast. There are house pickles on the bottom bun, very quickly pickled such that it develops no acidity, but changes to that crunchy yet soggy pickle texture. The two chicken thighs are expertly breaded until full of crags and valleys, seasoned well, and fried until crisp. The crispy quality is of a lighter variety rather than a hard crunch, very delicate as compared to a typical flour based fried chicken dredge. The chicken is different from what I remembered. Instead of being juicy full thighs, almost an inch thick at the meatiest, these patties are thin, sad, like a single thigh butterflied and cut into fourths width-wise. The breading is far thicker than the chicken itself - in fact the chicken almost is an afterthought here, completely getting lost in all the breading and everything else in the sandwich. Seriously, look at some of the photos from other Yelpers taken in 2016 and 2017 and compare to my cross section photo. It's a huge difference. I bet it's a cost cutting measure and it certainly isn't an appreciated change. Maybe it's just a sign of the times - while the 2010s air waves thumped with 'All About That Bass," the thick thighs have now unfortunately been 2020s Ozempic zapped. The major downside of the sandwich is surprisingly the bun. It's by far the most dominant component of the sandwich. It's the crunchiest element and the butter flavor completely overwhelms the taste buds. This is why fried chicken sandwiches are usually served on soft and pillowy buns, or at least buns that are only lightly toasted, so the bread can focus on and cradle the crunch element rather than supersede it. This is the first time that I can recall a sandwich where the bun is the dominant entity. (3/5) Dandan Fries ($10) - These fries are deceptively filling. They're really snackable and give a distinct moreish quality. It's like a snack where I absentmindedly keep reaching in the bag for more and suddenly it's completely empty. The fries combine a somewhat lightly fried potato, a delicate crisp on the outside and an extremely fluffy almost fall-apart tender inside, with a nutty, spicy, and mouth tingly mala sauce. The sauce is thick, rich, filled with fatty goodness. It's actually a really good glue, adhering the crushed peanuts on the fries so well, nothing falls off while lifting the fries out of the bowl. I especially love the mini cornichons mixed into the fries. They add just a bit of sweetness and acidity that balances so well with the fatty dandan inspired sauce. Without them, I think the dish would feel far too rich. With them, the fries go down the gullet at a quick rate. (5/5) I can't help but feel a little disappointed at Basilisk. It's another one of those places that seems to have decided to sacrifice quality in order to keep prices relatively low. While I enjoyed the Dandan Fries, I'm not sure that's enough of a draw to get me to revisit. Bathrooms - Four unisex rooms shared with the other establishments in the building. Requires code to enter.