Screen Door

i want to share this place with the world, this is my first review. it was very busy but a short wait, everyone that worked there was possitive and outgoing, they all seemed to enjoy there job, the kitchen is open so you get to watch them prepare your food, oh i almost forgot . the food was amazing i had to order like 5 differant things , i wanted to try every thing, next time, jambalya was better then what i had in louisana. prices are fair and worth it, lil noisy but only cause its busy,great place ill be back! more

Screen Door is my new favorite for weekend breakfast/brunch in Portland. The atmosphere is easy-going, the staff is genuinely friend, and most importantly, the food is fantastic. On our first visit we had a crawfish omelet and waffle topped with a slice of praline bacon - both delicious. We also got a size of their special biscuits, which change every weekend - this time they were asiago, herb and roasted garlic - to die for! No matter what you order, make sure to get a side of the praline bacon - I didn't know it was possible to make bacon better, but this bacon is life-altering! :) Pros: Fantastic food, good atmosphere & service Cons: Can be a long wait to get in for brunch, depending on when you show up more

Service was attentive, friendly, and helpful. Drinks were strong and complimented the ambiance. Haven't made it to the brunch yet, but loved the dinner. Great place for a late summer evening date on the patio! more

Absolutely fabulous! Best southern cuisine I've had in PDX. Our entire group was very pleased. We sampled each other's food and everything was delicious. Service was exceptional. Friday night is busy - expect a wait during peak dinner hours. Recommendations: fried oysters, hushpuppies, pulled pork sandwich, fried chicken, brisket, greens, black-eyed peas w/ grits, ban - ossie pie, peach cobbler and Hurricanes. more

As vegetarians we eat better here than we did in the actual south! Seasonal, local and delicious, this is our favorite place to go for celebrations or for a nice alternative when we don't want to cook. The Screen Door plate is perfect for people wanting to sample from the wide variety of weekly specials, and won't set you back a fortune. Of all the restaurants in Portland featuring seasonal ingredients this is the best I have tried! Unlike many ""hip"" places the service here is friendly, fast and knowledgeable. If you haven't tried it yet, please go. But it would be best if you went on the weekend when it is already super crowded, so I can still get a table on weeknights! Pros: Great food, service, atmosphere, drinks, prices.... Cons: Really crowded and a bit loud at times, not so much for a romantic dinner. more

Don't know, don't care about ""Southern Cooking"".\r \r But their weekend breakfast/brunch is absolutely great, and reasonably priced. Last Sunday was my first time there, and besides my smoked salmon fritatta I tasted the two other dishes in our party, and they were just as delicious, especially the poached eggs on artichoke hearts covered with hollandaise sauce, on english muffins. Vegetarians have plenty of choice. I hear the fried oyster fritatta is pretty darn good. The lightly seasoned fried potatos are just right, best I've tasted.\r \r SE Pdx has many many little cafes with great breakfasts, but this ranks near the top! more

Originally from Mississippi (can't get more southern than that) and having lived the past 20+ years on the west coast, I have search high and low for a decent southern restaurant. At last, my search is over. Screen Door is as close to authentic as eating in my Mom's kitchen. Over the years I've eaten at countless ""southern"" influenced restaurants only to be disappointed by under cooked vegetables, soggy catfish, and over all bland tasting food. That is NOT the case with Screen Door. These folks know what they are doing. The collard greens were AMAZING, finally someone who isn't afraid to cook with pork fat. The catfish was the best I've had this side of the Mississippi River. Trust me, catfish is near and dear to a true southerner's heart and we're picky about how it is cooked. At Screen Door, it was light, flaky and cooked to perfection. The hush puppies were to die for and the mac and cheese....Oh yeah! True comfort food. I also had black eyed peas and they were fantastic. I can't tell you how many times I've ordered BEP's or red beans and rice at a restaurant and nearly chipped a tooth because they weren't cooked enough. Any kind of peas/bean, etc cooked by a true southerner is near mush, al dente is not how they should be prepared. Even though the place was packed, the service was amazingly quick and friendly. I talked to the owner on my way out to tell him know how much we enjoyed the meal. Way to go Screen Door, you nailed it!!!!! more

We went to Screen Door on a Friday night, had heard great things about this place, and it was packed! We waited for about 15 mins and then were seated, only to get a below avg meal. This place is so overrated, and if you have ever lived down south or even on the east coast you know this really isn't that great. The portions were large which is a plus, but the sweet tea was not sweet (hence the sugar cubes on the table) and the fried chicken (how can you mess that up?) was not too great.\r \r If you decide to go w/the hype and visit this place, keep your expectations low. If you've never had authentic southern/soul food, you may love it. more

Fabulous, flavorful and original! The wait seemed daunting, however, I will do it again and again! I went with a friend from Memphis and she was impressed as well and said, I quote, ""I feel like I've just come home to the mothership!""\r \r Our server was friendly, attentive and treated us as if we were friends that had come for brunch. We were impressed as the line never stopped of people waiting to get in and the usual experience I have had at other trendy places about town is to have the waitstaff rush you and try and turn the table as quickly as possible but not at the Screen Door! \r \r The food was amazing and left a taste sensation behind every bite. They also offer healthy options and will ""lighten"" any meal to your liking including cooking in olive oil upon request and so on. \r \r I would highly recommend the Screen Door to anyone! Do not be daunted by the long wait. There's a reason everyone wants to go there! Pros: Fabulous food and great service! Cons: Long wait but well worth it! more

My husband and I were delighted when we saw Hush Puppies and Sweet tea on the menu. The creole mustard sauce was divine and a perfect compliment to the fresh corn pups. The sweet tea wasn't as sweet as I remember, but it was still quite refreshing. I was happy to find they support local farms and organic food and have a different weekly offerings of artistic and fresh salads. My husband had the special, pulled beef with mashed potatoes and I had the pecan crusted trout with asparagus and buttered leeks. My mouth is still drooling with just the thought of that meal. Go and enjoy some southern hospitality! Pros: Intimate table seating, awesome food, exceptional service. Cons: No reservation could mean a long wait. more

Service was polite and cheerful. Too bad the food was so bad. I lived in New Orleans for a while, so maybe I'm just picky. But the po'boy bread was stale, the collard greens were not spiced at all, and the cornbread was the driest thing I've ever eaten. Healthful food has its place [in case that's what their motive is in making such watered down versions of New Orleans fare], but it does not belong in a place that brags about their New Orleans roots. Spend your money elsewhere. Pros: nice waitstaff Cons: the food is terrible more

I've been wanting to try the Screen Door for some time now and friends and co-workers have had nothing but wonderful things to say about it. When I dine out I want an experience. It all starts when I walk in. I was promptly greeted by someone who was very friendly and set a table up for me and my family. I read the menu as I waited and everything looked quite tasty. I ordered a cocktail (the Rhett Butler - which was delicious) and waited for my party. When they arrived our sever came to the table quickly and took a beverage order. When my cousin asked his opinion between two beverages his tone got a little tiresome, as if her question was foolish. I ignored. When it came to ordering the food I asked him which he preferred off the side menu, the fried catfish or the pork chop. He quickly pointed out to me that both were delicious. Ok, but which do you prefer, was the question. He had no answer for me but to offer the difference between a catfish and a pork chop. His snarky attitude continued around the table and throughout the meal. \r The food was adequate. I ate the collards, the pork chop (thank you, snarky server) and a fresh fennel and cameo apple salad. All quite good. As a server, I would never treat my customers that way and I didn't wish to be treated that way during my meal out. My cousins enjoyed their meals too, but we all agreed our service was horrendous. My experience at the Screen Door was not enjoyable and I will think twice about returning.\r more

I loved this place. I had a Tofu po' boy and it was out of this world, just a really tasty sandwich. I also had grits, I lived in the south for 3/4s of my life so I am very well acquainted with this wonderful dish. I was not expecting much out of the grits, as all the grits I have had in Portland are horrible... just too thick and dry. No one can seem to make grits right here... except this place. These were the best grits I have ever had... don't let my grandmother know though... she will be on her way to my house to whack me upside the head with her wooden spoon! Also we had a really sassy waiter... but sassy in a good way. He was really attentive and a nice person. Pros: Food, service, drinks, best grits ever Cons: a little pricy more

We ate here last night and from the second we met our very competent waiter to the last bite of chocolate cake, the meal was wonderful! I had a pecan crusted Idaho trout special with a mustard sauce that was inventive and superb. The fried chicken was among the best I've ever had, and the savory bread pudding with sage, cheese, herbs, and a cream sauce was stellar. All around, this place is doing it right! The only catch is there's often a wait - but you can grab a drink at the bar while you wait, and I promise, it's worth it! Pros: Food, Service Cons: The wait for a table more

This was our first visit to this restuarant. We arrived about 15 minutes after the Screen Door swung open and were lucky to be seated promptly at one of the last available tables. After reading through the regular menu and the special Sunday Brunch menu, we settled on some choices from both, We went a starter course of rice donuts. (calas). Served warm, dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar. My wife had wished there was some marmalade on the side, but only as an after thought, not a complaint by any means. For our Main dish my wife had ordered the Eggs Sardou and I went with the Cajun Scramble. We also decided to order a side of Praline Bacon, just because. Now my first reccomendation is definitely order a starter. If for no other reason, do it because finally here is a staff that lets you enjoy your first course, without rushing you through it or by rearrangeing your plates as you eat. Here you can dine on your time and not theirs. When we finished the starter we had the perfect amount of time to enjoy that perfect cup of coffee or freshly shaved chocolate served hot. The cajun Scramble was just as advertised and delicious. The Eggs Sardou were good, but one wonders how much better they might be with fresh artichoke instaed of one from a can. Once again a minor point of contention, given the overall presentation and excellent taste regardless. The Praline Bacon is incredible. I doubt you can find it prepared any better anywhere else in the state. \r The only overall neagaative we found, might be the noise factor. It is very busy and acoustically not so great with a crowd. The sounds bounce all over the place. However, this too seems to dissapate with excellent service and great food. Ask for a server named Arielle. Her knowledge of the menu, friendly attitude, and excellent service added to a very pleasant start to our day. Pros: Great Food, Great service Cons: Noise, parking more

Now, I love my Delta Cafe and it certainly has its place. Out of town guests hankering for a 40 on ice? Take them there. Anyone else, take to Screen Door. The food, while of a southern persuasion doesn't weigh you down. I had the most delisciously simple heirloom tomato salad along with my gin & juice and pulled pork sandwich (there was nothing bland about it) and was simply in heaven. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere comfortable. The breakfast menu is extensive and no one will hassle you if it takes you 30 minutes to decide what you want. There's just THAT much to choose from. Bonus? You feel good for eating there and supporting local farmers and ranchers. Do your part and try it out. Pros: Fresh/local foodstuffs, creative and extensive menu, wont break the bank Cons: Grits more

Very good margaritas, just ask for don patron silver and you are all set. Been there three times and enjoyed everything. Chicken and pork both very good. Mashed sweet potatoes are to die for. Staff very friendly. Sit near a speaker as they play great southern jazz. Highly reccomend this joint. Pros: just darn good food and drink Cons: sometimes crowded more

My friend took me there for breakfast one day (not in my area of town). I am from the south so i was a bit hesitant. WHOA. sooooo good. I have had something different everytime, i can't stop going back. for sure my favorite breakfast spot. My two favorites so far...the mushroom hash, which was a special was delicious. i got a side of eggs to add to it. soo good. seems like a dish that could be real bland, but it wasn't...the chicken and waffle. WHOA. if you are from the south and have ever had chic-fil-a, think of that, it has that sweetness in the breading, but then there is a bit of spice to it, and a sweet potatoe waffle, what isn't to like about that? i recommend it to everyone and take all guests visiting me to the screen door! more

I've tried Screen Door 3 times, hoping that it will be stellar. So far it hasn't, but it's in my neighhorhood and so pleasant-seeming that I'm sure I'll try again. The breakfast was just okay - the grits very bland. The organic sides and regular sides are all good, but the entrees that I've tried so far have been pretty bland. I tried the spicy fried chicken special recently and the chicken was cutlets, unexpected, and seemed like it had been fried earlier and heated up; it had no crunch at all, and was not spicy. \r the bbq pork sandwich was also just fine. It's a vinegar pork, not bbq sauce, but the vinegar was bland - it didn't have that zing that you want from this style of bbq pork. The margarita was weak, but the beer selection is good and their house cocktails look promising. The service is very friendly. I hope that the food improves, because I'd love for this to be my neighborhood go-to spot. Pros: great service, beer selection, outdoor seating Cons: bland food, loud acoustics more

Wherever Screen Door's sausage comes from, that's where I want to go when I die. It tastes better than... more