We popped in for brunch! We sat in the back and it's full of drawings from customers. You can sit outside as well. This place has so many options a little bit of everything and the price is right. We enjoyed Benedict with biscuits and gravy (B&G was so cute lots of flavor) and a cinnamon roll and a polenta Kielbasa Benedict off the *specials of the day menu* AMAZING. The cinnamon roll was huge and delicious (3 people shared it). Staff was so so nice :) They cook out of the cutest lil kitchen in the front pretty hardcore you can tell they get busy and they are just cheffing it up! I will be back girl! read more

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Bertie Lou's has been around since 1943, and it's easy to see why it's stuck around so long. We came for breakfast and had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. While we waited, we were offered coffee, which was a nice touch. I had a cold press and really enjoyed it. Just a heads up: they don't do lattes or cappuccinos, so it's more of a classic coffee setup. The kitchen is small, but it was fun to watch everything move so efficiently. The staff clearly knows what they're doing, and it was impressive to see how much they crank out in such a tight space. I ordered the polenta Benedict with a sausage patty added, and my partner had the Beckman. Both meals were excellent. The hollandaise on mine was especially flavorful and well balanced. Service was friendly and attentive, and overall the vibe was relaxed and welcoming. Worth the wait and a great spot for a casual, well-executed breakfast. read more

Bertie Lou's Cafe - Polenta Benedict with added sausage patty - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Shocked by the 5 star reviews. Portland brunch has a high standard and this is not it. Can't believe how many people wait in line to eat here. Food is below average quality at best. Breads are prepackaged and stale. Chicken fried steak made from a frozen patty. Eggs Benedict came out cold. read more

So close to 5 stars and honestly it's a frogs hair from that score. Lives up to the hype IMO -- they've got a menu full of all the breakfast classics, like egg scrambles, omelettes and Benedict's, plus your French toast variations along with some specials. My veggie scramble - tomato, mushroom, zucchini with Swiss -- was just the right proportion of veg-to-egg to-cheese, the home fries were crispy on the outside and chewy within, and even the coffee was a step or two above diner sludge. Our servers were delightful, and even though the space is seriously tiny inside (kinda charming meets claustrophobic) they have compensated with lots of outdoor seating options (it's seasonal however). It's old school, it's super casual, it's rustic no-frills Portland at its best, but the bottom line is it's a great freaking breakfast joint. Love the cool customer-drawn sketches posted up in the walls too. I'll be back. read more

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Here's aThis corner café is an absolute gem! From the moment you step inside, you're captivated by its unique design and enchanting ambiance--it's a place that sparks curiosity and makes you want to linger. The service? Outstanding! The staff treats you like royalty, ensuring every detail of your visit feels effortless and enjoyable. Now, the food--wow. This was hands down the best breakfast I've had in ages. If you go, do yourself a favor and order Larry's Sandwich: a perfectly crafted English muffin egg sandwich with savory ham, paired with their house potatoes that are downright heavenly. Every bite is pure bliss. Don't walk--run to this café. It's the kind of place you'll rave about to everyone you know! read more

Bertie Lou's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We stumbled upon Bertie Lou's while looking for a brunch place near to where we had a nearby event later in the morning, and we're very glad we did! Not only were the two entrées we ordered both fantastic (although with a minor nitpick on one), but my wife and I saw several other interesting items on the menu that will most assuredly have us coming back for more! We were immediately seated upon arrival at 11am on a Saturday, which seems close to impossible in Portland these days. I went with the Oaks Bottom Omelet, and my wife had the Bertie Cristo, with a side order of biscuits and gravy to split and share with our toddler son. Being generally not a fan of Hollandaise, I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed my omelet; the sweet notes harmonized well with the bacon, garlic and tomato in a way I had not anticipated. Would definitely order again! On the other end of the table, my wife also loved her Bertie Cristo, but found it to be a tad burned; this apparently is a common complaint here, and its the only reason I docked a star from this review, as it seems to be either intentional, or simply an reoccurring oversight on the part of the cook. It doesn't ruin the dish, but it does detract from it slightly. The biscuits and gravy, however, were above reproach, and enjoyed by all in equal measure! Fantastic home-style greasy spoon cooking like this is a real treat, especially when there's a unique spin on a dish to make it stand out from the rest. Bertie Lou's Cafe has this quality in spades, and has one of the most compelling brunch menus I've seen in a café in a long while, and will likely take several return visits to explore them all. Hopefully, they'll dial back the burner a bit before the next one! read more

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What an amazing hole in the wall find! Food...AMAZING and well worth the wait. Staff friendly and efficient. Eclectic Portlandia atmosphere. I would highly recommend!! read more

Bertie Lou's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Nice waitress. Fun interior. Huge menu. Food was inconsistent. I had corned beef hash, and it was tasty. My partner got an array of breakfast items. The omelette wasn't cooked in the middle; cheese absolutely not melted in there and his pancake was burnt/black. He was too shy to ask to get these replaced although I eventually lovingly forced him to go ask them to get the omelette warmer. It wasn't cheap. I do find it super charming that there's so much outdoor seating that it spreads onto a neighbor's patio there. I love that people love having this place in their neighborhood, but I'm not going again even though I live sort of nearby. read more

A great discovery for us. We enjoy finding small, local places to eat when we're in a new area and this one certainly fits the bill. Small and quirky, it was a great experience from walking up to the building to checking out. Timed it perfectly for a 2-top seat. Had to try the biscuits and gravy and the chicken fried steak. Both excellent! The gravy was some of the best we've had. The only slightly negative comment is that it could have been a bit hotter temperature when served but still great. We'll be back again to try other items another day. read more

The service was very fast. The food was good. I love the overall vibe of Bertie's. I'll definitely go back. Walking in there made me with I lived in Sellwood. It's clearly a loved local staple. read more

This place is a tiny hole in the wall, but they've expanded to make it more or less an outdoor block party! I love sitting outside, especially on their cutesy picnic tables. The waiters are all super nice and our food came out FAST. I'm always impressed on how they get people in and out, even though it's a busy spot. I always appreciate a breakfast spot that can do classic favorites and exciting twists on breakfast. I had the Bertie Cristo - a breakfast sandwich between two pieces of French toast. Don't sleep on their specials! read more

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This is such a nostalgic spot for me and hubs. When we first moved to Portland we were both so busy with grad school or working, our one special thing was sometimes we could come here and have breakfast together. This was in '05, fast forward to today went back recently with the ladies and it was still excellent. Benedict's are easy to mess up and they've been solidly consistent all these years. Their staff is always awesome too, combine that with great coffee this is an old school spot that still cranks! read more

The food here is exquisite! I came down from Seattle to meet a friend and I got the eggs Benedict with a side of sausage. It was so delicious I've thought about it a few times since last weekend. The service was okay, I do wish they would have come around more often to ask if we needed a top off on our coffee but that won't deter me from going again. As far as ambiance - we sat outside under an umbrella because I had my dog with me and it started to lightly rain which made it just perfect and super cozy. I am also glad we did because inside the cafe was very small and tight. read more

We had the best breakfast here this morning. I had a corned beef hash and he had a fantastic looking omelette. He said the gravy was the best he has ever had, and I am still praising the corned beef. Not only was the food top notch, and made from scratch, the service was stellar. Our waitress Annie was just a dream and the cook-owner, Daniel was very attentive. No wonder this restaurant has been around for ages and will be around for decades to come. It has everything needed for a successful business. It has quality food and friendly employees. We will definitely be back. My only regret is that I didn't know about this quaint little diner sooner. read more

YYUUMMMM! What yummy food! The whole neighborhood thought so. The line to get in was long but so worth the wait. And coffee was served outside of the cafe so I had a warm yummy treat to sip on as I waited. Inside was cozy and quaint and not at all too crowded read more

What took me so long (other than that I rarely go out for breakfast?) This place is wonderful, cute and cozy. There's still a counter with stools. I had The Works--eggs, biscuits, gravy bacon, sausage & potatoes (when i do eat breakfast out, i don't hold back.) The food comes very quickly (the eggs a hair too easy, but i had a spoon.) Most excellent gravy and biscuits, quality bacon and sausage. Super friendly service. Six stars! read more

Bertie Lou's Cafe - The works--and isn't it laid out prettily, with two flanks of home fries. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great service, great breakfast and great, cool, hip atmosphere for breakfast. The endless refil of coffee and cream complimented the great breakfast. Definitely a gem in Ptown. read more

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Every Sunday I have their breakfast burritos. And it is amazing. Inside is cool. It is the best hole in the wall In Portland. If you even count it hole in the wall. Good service as well. read more

The chicken fried steak was legit, service excellent, nice little hole in the wall, perfect.

Great classic diner food, cozy spot. Sit at the counter and you'll always meet someone with a story. Feels like home in there.

I have family who live nearby, every time I'm in Portland eating at Bertie Lou's is a must. Great food, good portions and I appreciate the history of the restaurant. Owner/Chef Daniel is a hard working man. Squeeze in at the counter if you can and enjoy the show. Any previous reviews regarding a rude server can be ignored. He no longer works there. read more

Nice, casual breakfast spot with outdoor seating. Don't go if you're in a hurry but service is friendly and food is good. I had a biscuit with gravy and eggs. It was good, nothing super special but tasty. Everyone else in our party had various breakfast items that were all good. Service can be slow so be ready to order when your server comes. Prices are really reasonable. All good at Bertie Lou's. read more

The best breakfast I have ever had in my life. I downloaded yelp and wrote this review at the table. Sat immediately, food out in 5 minutes. Affordable. My life is changed. read more

Ahhhh, so much to love about Bertie Lou's! From the servers to the coffee, from the food to the location, this place is one of our go to'd for breakfast. Also, my teenager will eat the food here so that's a win win for us all! The pancakes are her favorite. We genuinely love everything on the menu and have been going here since my daughter was a wee lass. The ambiance of the restaurant is tiny and cute and we have drawings on the wall which is something we love about this place. Gotta get there early or close to closing because the line gets long but it's totally worth it! read more

This place is the one most vintage Americana lovers seek: Bertie Lou's staff provided me the personal attention I expect from a mom & pop outfit. I can tell by the gravy! It's real, and fresh (real fresh) homemade gravy. They even warm-up/top-off your coffee like in the good old days. Note their little pitchers of cream served with your coffee! You might even feel like you're in a time capsule taking you on a trip through the 1950's while eating your favorite freshly prepared comfort food. I strongly recommend sitting at the counter for your meal, but any other seat will be nearly as good as the counter seats. read more

Amazing little breakfast spot, we loved it! That gravy is something else, delish! Neighborhood vibes, great service. read more

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Great food. Great service. Small place but supper delicious food! I highly recommend anything with the homemade fire-roasted salsa.

This is one of the most legendary and one of the oldest breakfast and lunch diner spots in Portland. If you know me, you know that I'm a sucker for old school diners. A lot of them are meeeehhh or average. Not Bertie Lou's!!!! This place defines nostalgia and delicious diner food. I'm very lucky to have this place very close to my house and have tried many of the things on their menu. The food is great, fresh, and portions are huge. They got something for everyone, weather you like savory or sweet breakfast. In addition to their menu, they usually have a few specials. My go to dishes are the Sellwood Breakfast and the Breakfast Burrito. The staff is also very friendly and funny. read more

The best breakfast in Portland. Bertie Lou's isn't special, which is exactly why it's special. I regularly eat at Michelin star restaurants on work travel, yet nothing is as authentic as Bertie Lou's. Portland's best mediocre breakfast lives up to its name, this place is a Sellwood institution. Service is great and the vibe is perfect. I've been coming for 8 years and will come back once a week for as long as they stay open. read more

Why would you go anywhere else for breakfast. Sellwood at iconic Bertie lou's! It's smallish but they turn the tables! People are super friendly and very portland quirky along the way. In a wonderful way! Lots of choices. The eggs are fresh. We love the scrambles! The biscuits are also very good. This isn't a place you go for a fancy cup of coffee and a French pastry but it is an experience that is unique and you will laugh while you enjoy a meal. read more

Seriously one of the best brunch places I've been to! Super speedy service with friendly staff. Not my kind of vibe or "type" but the staff are very friendly and happy so I will never knock it if it means delicious food, they were warm and friendly, knowledgeable and flexible with helping me find the right meal. I try to avoid anything over the river because it makes me feel unsafe but this place is definitely and exception, and I must return to try more of the menu. read more

Bertie Lou's Cafe - Polenta Benedict- pesto hollandaise with home fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The first time we went here and ate in person I would've give it 4-5 stars. Everything tasted great and it was a lot of food. The second time it was barely a 2 star experience. We got food to go and when we got home I noticed that almost all the potatoes were so burned that they were basically inedible and had a charred burnt taste that ruined the meal for us. The portions also seemed to be half the size of eating there which was disappointing. I'd like to think they had an off day since the first time was so much better. read more

Bertie Lou's Cafe - So many burnt pieces in the potatoes that made the whole thing have an acrid charred flavor. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My friend goes here nearly every day. I will say I totally understand why! The menu is great and completely customizable! The staff is friendly and kind and the place overall just feels so homey and comfortable. It's a great place to keep coming back to and either try new things or just keep getting your regular! read more

Bertie Lou's Cafe - Chicken fried steak - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Wish I could give 6 stars! We actually wanted to go to the taco truck across the street but realized it was for sale/rent (DEF not open) so popped over to Bertie Lou's Cafe instead!! So glad we did because I was craving breakfast food anyways! We had the sweetest waitress. She immediately informed us the water wasn't working and she couldn't bring us drinking water. At first I was kinda sad and confused...then she goes "at least I made a ton of coffee before that happened!!!" So we each got a cup of coffee, and ended up drinking like 3 each!! Larry's Sandwich for him with a side of pesto hollandaise sauce. The Bookman for me, "as is"....one of the first times in awhile I just ordered something off the menu and didn't want modifications because it sounded so good. Added lots of black pepper though This place is cute, quaint, and pretty small...and absolutely perfect! The menu was so silly and blunt, for lack of a better term. Kind of sarcastic but make me giggle a few times. The service was great, the atmosphere was nice (we sat outside), and the food was DELICIOUS. I definitely want to come back, I'm so thankful it's only about 6-10 minutes away from my house read more

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Amazing little breakfast spot. Such nice people. Cute little spot in the neighborhood, always busy.

One of the best spots for breakfast! The chicken fried steak is one of the best and the house gravy is to die for - I'd honestly put it on anything. It's a small place so the wait can be a bit long but once you're seated the service is so quick! Come for the Breakfast, stay for the snarky staff read more

Bertie Lou's Cafe - Chicken fried steak and the ranch biscuit Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Didn't get a photo BUT WOW. This place was delicious. For the chicken friend steak with two eggs. Very delicious. Chicken was perfectly crispy. The service here is remarkably QUICK!!! Quick and high quality. Definitely check this place out! Very clean, small but quaint. Staff is full of puns and smiles and the menu is enjoyable to read thru. read more

I really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Pretty busy for such a small spot but they seemed to manage well. Our server was super funny and seemed to light up most tables. The only thing that got bad was the bees outside, but not enough to take away from the meal. The vegetarian options were really good too! read more

Came here on a Sunday morning around 9/10, wasn't overly packed and there was plenty of seating outside and a small diner style bar and a few seats inside that looked cozy. We got a table outside since it was nice out and not too hot yet. Our waiter was really funny with lots of little quips. I was pleased to see a few vegetarian options of the menu and found it hard to make a decision. I ended up ordering the croissant forrentine that came with eggs Benedict's on a croissant with tomato and avocado added. It was really delicious and so we're the breakfast potatoes. Coffee was pretty standard for a diner. Overall would definitely return to try some of the other veggie options that looked delicious and the friendly ambiance. read more

The vibes here are cozy and the food is always top notch delicious American breakfast food. The service was friendly, per usual. It's such a treat eating here. The photos explain themselves. read more

Bertie Lou's Cafe - Apple Croissant French toast & Polenta Benedict (both were on the 'Specials' menu for this day) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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