It's been a fruitful two decades for Gravy, their food has been so widely acclaimed that they've become one of the most recognized brands / establishments in Portland. There is practically a wait during all hours of the day, which is a testament to their popularity and success. The consistency has paid off: they're still one of the tastiest options for breakfast and American comfort food.
The place is understandably on the smaller side, with just enough seating for a handful of groups, lots of natural lighting, and an open kitchen that is buzzing throughout the day. Parking is all streetside, whether it's paid for along Mississippi, or a couple of blocks of residential parking. The neighborhood has evolved over the last couple of decades and Gravy has been a big driver to bringing relevance and gentrification to the area.
Waiting is a big part of the experience unfortunately. There are no reservations or a waiting area inside, so folks (and their completed parties) should be directly outside. Don't feel like waiting? Give their takeout a spin. Call them directly (#1) but be sure to check out their latest menu online.
The portions are excellent. Most plates are heavy and hearty, with the presentation on point. The hashbrowns are indeed crispy and uniquely shaped in a way where they remind me of a pancake in shredded potato form. The corned beef hash is made in house and is tasty as it is colorful. I appreciate the fluffiness of the pancakes, the heartiness of the omelets, and their monte cristo. My steak (a la steak and eggs) wasn't cooked to my liking, but I was still happy to eat it anyway.
This isolated paragraph is dedicated to their biscuits and gravy, but really on the latter. It has the essence of the breakfast sausage, is perfectly creamy, and utterly indulgent to the point where I can say it's one of the best I've ever had. While the biscuit is soft, fluffy, and is respectable on its own, the gravy is absolutely what makes the dish nearly flawless. In fact, if they sold it by the bottle, I'd demand a jug. It is the kind of semi-salty gooeyness that elevates any of their breakfast plates. I want to drown it in my hashbrowns and eggs, dip my toast in it, and schlop it all up like no one is looking. (#2)
Prices are in the sub $20 range for each plate. This is by no means budget friendly for anyone but there are other things to know: $2 is charged for split plates, there is no more than 2 cards per table, and an 18% gratuity is automatically added for parties of 6 or more. (#3)
Kevin was an outstanding waiter. He was often behind the counter and handling multiple tables all on his own. The rest of the staff really needs to pick up the pace, since many tables sat unclaimed since they weren't cleared and cleaned quickly enough. Just getting on top of this would cut the wait times for many, and allow others to enjoy what most folks eating are already aware of. However, good patience is a virtuous thing, in which if most patrons have it, then there is always something excellent waiting beyond the Gravy doors.
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(#1) 503-287-8800.
(#2) No judgements, please.
(#3) Thank goodness for no sales tax in Oregon right? read more