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Name: Helser’s on Alberta
Address: 1538 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR, 97211
Telephone: (503) 281-1477
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.77

Helser’s on Alberta

1538 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR, 97211

(503) 281-1477
Store is closed

Helser’s on Alberta Menu

Griddle

Russet Potato Pancake

Buttermilk Pancakes

Pigs In A Blanket

Belgian Waffle

Mushroom Hash

Yukon Gold Hash

Pepper Bacon & Cheddar Hash

New York Steak And Eggs

Sausage Breakfast

Brioche French Toast

Russet Potato Pancake

Buttermilk Pancakes

Pigs In A Blanket

Belgian Waffle

Mushroom Hash

Yukon Gold Hash

Pepper Bacon & Cheddar Hash

New York Steak And Eggs

Sausage Breakfast

Brioche French Toast
Eggs

Scotch Egg And Potato Pancakes

German Pancake

Order One For The Whole Table

Benedicts

Natural Zenners Ham

Spinach, Crimini Mushrooms & Tomatoes

Smoked Salmon

Pear And Havarti Pie

Crumpet And Egg Sandwich

Louisiana Hot Sausage Scramble Wrap

Black Bean Chili Scramble

Scotch Egg And Potato Pancakes

German Pancake

Order One For The Whole Table

Benedicts

Natural Zenners Ham

Spinach, Crimini Mushrooms & Tomatoes

Smoked Salmon

Pear And Havarti Pie

Crumpet And Egg Sandwich

Louisiana Hot Sausage Scramble Wrap

Black Bean Chili Scramble
Sides

Pepper Bacon

Seasonal Fruit Plate

Yogurt & Fruit

Toast

Potato Pancake

Maple Sausage

Home Made Chips

Toasted Crumpets

Egg

Scotch Egg

Yukon Gold Hash

Toasted Brioche

Oatmeal

With Fresh Fruit

Pepper Bacon

Seasonal Fruit Plate

Yogurt & Fruit

Toast

Potato Pancake

Maple Sausage

Home Made Chips

Toasted Crumpets

Egg

Scotch Egg

Yukon Gold Hash

Toasted Brioche

Oatmeal

With Fresh Fruit

Healthy Meal suggestions for Helser’s on Alberta

Griddle

Russet Potato Pancake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buttermilk Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pigs In A Blanket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Belgian Waffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mushroom Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yukon Gold Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepper Bacon & Cheddar Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New York Steak And Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage Breakfast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brioche French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Russet Potato Pancake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buttermilk Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pigs In A Blanket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Belgian Waffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mushroom Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yukon Gold Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepper Bacon & Cheddar Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New York Steak And Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage Breakfast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brioche French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Eggs

Scotch Egg And Potato Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

German Pancake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Order One For The Whole Table [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Benedicts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Natural Zenners Ham [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach, Crimini Mushrooms & Tomatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pear And Havarti Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crumpet And Egg Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Louisiana Hot Sausage Scramble Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Bean Chili Scramble [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scotch Egg And Potato Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

German Pancake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Order One For The Whole Table [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Benedicts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Natural Zenners Ham [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach, Crimini Mushrooms & Tomatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pear And Havarti Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crumpet And Egg Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Louisiana Hot Sausage Scramble Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Bean Chili Scramble [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Pepper Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasonal Fruit Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yogurt & Fruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Pancake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maple Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Home Made Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toasted Crumpets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Egg [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scotch Egg [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yukon Gold Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toasted Brioche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oatmeal [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

With Fresh Fruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepper Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasonal Fruit Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yogurt & Fruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Pancake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maple Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Home Made Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toasted Crumpets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Egg [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scotch Egg [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yukon Gold Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toasted Brioche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oatmeal [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

With Fresh Fruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Rob A.

You'll wait to get in of course, but theres a very cool brunch menu waiting for you when you get it. I went with a smoked salmon hast that was fresh and delicious. I would have rated a four easy if our server didn't act like she hated life and us and checked in every so often. I'll go back and hope for better service next time, foods worth it!
(3)
Pete B.

Yes. Delicious scramble. I want more.
(5)
Mike M.

We went for breakfast this morning and got to Helser's about 9:45a. We waited ~6-7 minutes to be seated at one of two empty tables. Tip: It says "Wait to be seated" when you walk in and there is a list. I assumed (incorrectly, I might add) that Helser's help would keep the list. Nope......SIGN THE LIST when you walk in!!! Turned out not to be a big deal as the gal who jumped in and signed wanted to sit outside, but a little direction would be nice. I can see what others have said about the service, but my only criticism is about before were seated. Before we got a table, not a single person working there would make eye contact in our direction. This included the person serving the outside tables who had to walk by us to get in and out of the front door. Maybe because it's a small place and they're used to people waiting...dunno, whatever. Wasn't the most welcoming. Once we got seated and greeted by Becky, this was a GREAT place for breakfast!! I had the traditional ham eggs benedict and my wife ordered the cheddar bacon hash. All was terrific! We also ordered a scotch egg, just because we'd never had one....and that is a meal in itself!!! Our order did take a little bit to come out, but we recognized the small kitchen....and we were enjoying mimosas anyway. The food is great! You can shrug off a a couple of service issues for this....
(4)
Jens J.

This was my second visit here. Today it was definitely Hipster Central with a curious vibe. I noticed a lot of people were darting their eyes around the room, checking everybody out. Too much caffeine? Bored with their dining companions? I dunno. Also, an interesting incident - after the tatted waitress in spandex leggings brought out breakfast to the couple at the table next to me (which appeared to be Eggs Benedict with fresh strawberries on the side) the gal sitting at the table jumped out of her chair and stormed toward the back of the restaurant. She came back and sat down with a big thump, the waitress following right behind. The waitress kept repeatedly saying, "I wasn't trying to upset you." Well, apparently, she majorly did! True, her service wasn't so hot. She plunked the check down on my table when I had just barely begun to eat. Never did she offer refills on my water or ice tea. Did she think she was working at Shari's? I bypassed the menu and took a look up at the specials board. Today there was crab Eggs Benedict and chicken and waffles. Thinking fondly back on the chicken and waffles I had had at Simpatica Dining Hall, I went with this option. It was a no-nonsense straightforward dish, served with eggs highlighted with parsley. The waffle was light and fluffy. The chicken was crispy. I'm guessing the only seasoning they used was salt. But it was really good.
(4)
Allison F.

I've given Helser's a couple of chances, but both times I have left disappointed. The first time I ordered the early morning breakfast special. The food was good enough for the discounted price. The second time I went, I was hoping to take advantage of the early morning breakfast discount. However, I went on Christmas Eve on my way to work, and was told that they weren't doing the early morning breakfast special that morning. There was nothing posted online or in their store informing me of this. I was totally pissed off. I ended up ordering a plate of pancakes, and they were just blah! I am definitely not going back to this place!
(2)
Emily-Anne P.

While I was last in Portland, I took friends up to Alberta for a bit of a stroll to check out other parts of the city and when we got off the bus we were all starved. We decided breakfast was in order and stopped in at Helser's which was the first place we saw. We got seated really quickly and had a super friendly server who brought us our coffee. As I said we were all starved so we each got a Pepper Bacon Cheddar Hash (Pepper bacon, Tillamook cheddar, Yukon Gold potatoes, scallions, CrÃ¨me Fraiche, with two poached eggs). In hindsight the three of us could have got two and split them three ways but we gave it a shot. It was really fabulous. Although it was cheesy and rich, as to be expected with bacon and cheddar it was really good. There were a few too many potatoes which filled us up pretty quickly on the starch but it a) hit the spot and b) was totally worth the $8.50. They had really good coffee, looked like a decent selection of beer on tap and had great prices. I say if you're looking for breakfast check this place out. There's always a list and a bit of a wait from what I gathered but check it.
(4)
Cooper M.

Quality, local stuff. Need to work on getting the line moving faster - seat people more efficiently.
(4)
Travis N.

The food is great but the service sucks. It can take a long time to get seated even when tables are empty.
(3)
Jana C.

Having messaged Mike K recently about being a lucky duck for sinking his gob into some Scotch eggs to gobble up, I come to Helser's to review because they serve 'em.... that plus a whole lot of absolutely delicious food with Western European panache!!! Plus, OPB devoted a segment of Best Breakfasts in USA to them last night (Tin Shed as well.. both on same street of close-in NE Portland), and it was a lot of fun to watch some joints that I have personally enjoyed receive some kudos. So enter Helser's on Alberta, opened in 2005 and full of sophisticated flair and personal touches for breakfast. Frame of reference is *everything*, and paying exorbitant Bay Area prices for everything now (and never used to it, might I add), Helser's employs blue-light specials prices!!!! But I certainly didn't think this when I lived in NoPo! From the large windows to the al fresco option (not many tables) to the line you will suffer, it is well worth it. Well... even the splurge out of the wallet... Quality food with wonderful pairings of ingredients... for the palate that can. Trust me. Scotch eggs that are so unhealthy but so stinkin' savory.... first tried in UK and could never stop looking for them. They're done to a crispness with tasty all over the $2 wonders. German pancakes that are part blini, part souffle, and part cream puff batter..... OH MY! As Pdx is SOOOO much about the microbrews, the HH meal deals, it is even more so about breakfasts. Nobody (certainly not the East Bay anyway) can do up a properly filling, hearty, awesome, multi-ingredient morning pleasure the way that Bridgetown can (rolling off free think: Stepping Stone, Tin Shed, Jam on Hawthorne, Beaterville, Gravy, Muddy's.... that took about 3 secs. to type). OH MY *MY*!!
(5)
Angela S.

The food at this location was top notch for me. The only thing I was turned off by was the atmosphere. There was no personality to the location, just a bunch of tables and chairs and bar seating. The staff was personable but didn't really offer anything to be remembered by. I did love their eggs benedict. One suggestion-they should offer more things on the kids menu-the menu only offered 1 pancake and to go to the adult menu, it went to a large 4 pancake. Without ordering a bunch of sides, it would have been nice to have more of a variety for him. The waitress didn't really offer any alternative suggestions to the kids menu when she noticed the food was not ample enough for him on the kids menu. Regardless, the food is ALWAYS what makes a restaurant and gives me the desire to return. The ambiance is what keeps you there longer and feeling more comfortable about your stay.
(3)
Orian I.

I love Helsers, yes there is a wait, yes it's filled with hipsters, bla bla. i don't care. It's also filled with some of the best brunchy food, and families and old people and me! The space is small and well utilized, it's bustling at all times, it's not quiet but it's not noisy except the constant humm of conversations around you. I have been here before, but this review is for the most recent trip. I had a Friday off and we headed down for a special brunch. even at 1030 on a Friday it was packed. not as bad as on the weekend. We're adventurous kind of folks so we put we'd sit any where, within 10 min we were seated at the bar top, where all the action is. French press coffee, attentive service started us out right. I'm a water fiend and require it at all times,not a problem for the gal who was serving us. We were increasingly getting ravenous staring at the kitchen window, seeing off those lovely things filing out. we kept trying to guess if what was coming out was going to be ours. We got my favorite and my measure of any brunch place, traditional eggs Benedict, and my boy got the "sweet" special. Be sure to always check out the specials. Seriously his pancakes were the best pancakes I've had, sorry mama. First of off, they make their own crumpets, and although it wasn't my favorite, they were very good. The ham is tasty not over salted and crispy where it should be and soft and moist in other spots heaped generously. The eggs were just how I like them, a perfect poach. The hollandaise was delicious, just wished there was more of it. The potatoes were perfectly done, not outstanding but very tasty. We also got a side of potato pancakes, if you're able to sub these for the regular, cause these are fantastic!! so full of flavor, nicely crisped. so on to the special sweet. That days special was pancakes with nectarines and blackberries. oh darlings, this was spectacular. I don't know what they do to those pancakes but they are out of this world. there's like a caramelized crispy texture around the edges then in between hearty and light, these were perfection. The fruit with a little creme fraise and fruit syrup just makes my mouth water thinking about it.
(4)
Amani G.

Dutch Baby Delicious.
(5)
Tinna H.

Admittedly, my friend and I tried to go to the Tin Shed just a few blocks away, but we really didn't feel like waiting. One of these days, Helser's will be a destination and not just some random spot that we hit up because of our impatience. However, on that fine day, we wanted to get to the Multnomah Falls before the rain clouds rolled in! So we found this on our stroll along Alberta. Took a quick glance at the menu and signed ourselves up for the wait there. Not too long after, we were seated at the bar. I can see why others would call this place a tad bit fancier, considering its proximity to the Tin Shed, but it's not upscale/snobby at all. In fact, there's a sign outside with a $3.95 breakfast before 9am! [Is it still $3.95? I was there awhile ago.] I suppose one could be a cheap snob. Too bad we got there around 11... My companion and I both ordered Eggs Benedict, one with mushroom, spinach, and tomatoes, and one with smoked salmon. "Lick your lips" yum! Instead of an English muffin, all of that goodness tops a crumpet. Not crispy the way I like my English muffins to be, but definitely more filling. That crumpet expands in your stomach! My poached eggs were a little overdone, but my friend's were perfect, so I won't hold it against them. The potatoes were okay - definitely more flavorful than the other place we tried over the weekend. The Strawberries & Champagne look tasty - might have to give that a go the next time I'm there.
(4)
Leslie Y.

This restaurant comes up as farm-to-table, yet their eggs aren't free range and the salmon is not wild caught. Farm raised salmon.
(1)
Gabe G.

All the food we had was great but the wait was insane. These smaller places need to start taking reservations. I have kids and cannot wait 45 min for a table as they will not last that long. We were a group of 8 and had to sit at different tables. This defeats the purpose of going to breakfast with friends. Only reason for not giving more than 3 stars is because of the wait and being split up.
(3)
Kelly A.

Delicious!!! Friendly staff. Great atmosphere. I get the mushroom hash and it is unreal. Lots of food, always enough for me to have leftovers. A great brunch spot.
(5)
Jason B.

On the way to the airport after a terrific mini-vacation, we stopped at (allegedly) this quintessential Portland brunch spot. I wasn't as blown away as most Pacific Northwest yelpers, but I did get to create a new breakfast item. Take: - Crumpets - Egg whites - Jam Mash together. Consume. Drum roll please, it's an Egg McCrumpet. And I did sneak a bite of the scotch eggs. While eating a hard boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst and then fried isn't my normal cup of tea, it was delicious.
(3)
Lindsey K.

Ever since I watched the BBC's "The Office," I have been craving a real honest-to-God Scotch Egg. Like I'm mildly obsessed with them. So imagine my surprise when I drag my slightly hungover self on an overcast, wintry day to Helser's and see this little bad boy featured on the brunch menu. My jaw dropped. I drooled a little bit. Then my eyes rolled back in my head. It was like The Exorcist meets Breakfast at Tiffany's. Sexy, I know. I know hipsters love a late brunch, so I wasn't surprised that this place was paaaacked late morning on a Saturday. It's also super tiny, so it's best for a party of two or three. However, when you have been waiting fifteen minutes at the front, I always appreciate a "Hey there, I see you, and I'll seat you when I can" acknowledgment from the servers. There wasn't one, just a sign-up sheet to put your name. I could see an area for a coffee bar, but it was sadly empty when we got there, and I was too scared to ask for more. (I have confrontation issues.) However, once we were seated our server was super nice and attentive. Plus, she was older, which is always nice because then I can order fatty dishes and not get a smirk from her emaciated hipster body. Soooo the Scotch Egg plate comes with three potato pancakes, horseradish cream sauce, applesauce, sour cream, and a hard-boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst and fried like a corn dog. IT. IS. PERFECTION. Oh, and you can order a second one for $2. Take it with you and eat it later. In private. Curled up in bed. Crying at the sheer joy of its saltiness. My dining companion ordered the famous Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict. It goes over my $10 breakfast amount but SWEET BABY JESUS was it delicious. And they don't use English Muffins, they use HOMEMADE CRUMPETS. I apologize for the ALL CAPS, but I don't know how else to convey my excitement without screaming. Homey atmosphere, great people-watching, great prices for amazing food, and an eclectic menu...all in a great walking neighborhood of NE Portland. Mama like!
(4)
Theora M.

In a city saturated with amazing breakfast spots mediocrity just doesn't cut it. For the price tag the food just wasn't that great and the Bloody Mary I ordered was just bad. I was also cold from wind from the front door despite keeping my jacket on. Not planning on going back.
(2)
Brandon B.

I'm watching you. You, kitchen guy, with the shoes encased in gunk, standing -- standing! -- on the food service area. Standing, writing on the specials board high on the wall. Waitresses continue to grab food from the kitchen window, prep it with butter pats and whatnot, next to your disgusting sneakers. And when you're finally done perfecting your chalk masterpiece... No one wipes off the counter. I'll say it again: No one wipes off the counter. The counter that's being used by all the wait staff to prep food. I'm watching you, grime on the counter.
(2)
Kristina B.

Nothing about the restaurant, ambiance, or food, but our waitress was inexcusably rude while we were there. A woman with very short grey hair proceeded to purposefully ignore me when I would ask for the check or a box and walk away mid sentence as we asked for things. Not very terrible, but then she took a plate from a mother and her young daughter that another waitress had just brought out and gave it to another customer in her section. It could have been a misunderstanding and a service mixup but she made a scene about it and cursed under her breath at the other waitress and threw a fit near the kitchen. It was stomach turning and really too embarrassing for me to recommend the possible experience to anyone else.
(1)
Ed J.

It's been awhile since I found a place that served an eggs benedict that I would recommend to anyone else to have to try, but this place makes a pretty darn good one. The sliced ham version I ordered (and most of the people around me were eating) came piled with slices of actual ham instead of some skinny slice of fried pressed ham loaf. They use actual hollandaise sauce and not some sort of mayonnaise and lemon juice fake. The downside of this place is that it suffers the same sort of issues you will find in pretty much any downtown Portland cafe/restaurant. Limited seating and people in their seats that aren't in any particular rush to go anywhere but where they are. If there are more than a couple of people waiting for a table, you will be standing outside to wait...which 70% of the time in Oregon isn't a pleasant place to be standing unless you have webbed feet or scales.
(4)
Lisa C.

This place is outstanding. The food served here was second to none. Everything we sampled was cooked to perfection. Were it not for the skanky dirty toilet and early delivery of the bill (like REALLY early... And the place was empty so it felt like they were trying to turn the table quickly), I would have given this place 5 stars.
(4)
Nina T.

Yum! Eggs benedict with delicious hollandaise, thick, tasty pieces of ham, and fresh crumpets. We got in before 10 and were seated right away, but the line was out the door by the time we were done eating. Lots of items looked delicious - will have to try next time! Only downside was that I was so full from breakfast that it was almost dinnertime by the time I was hungry again.
(5)
Kohlrabi P.

I like Helser's. I like the Louisiana hot link. And the Scotch eggs, and the Dutch baby's! Mimosa's are bonus!
(4)
Jen B.

Bad day? Normally the food here is excellent but not this time. I ordered the smoked salmon eggs Benedict, my fave. The salmon was way too salty, the eggs were sloppily poached so the whites were stringy, and it seems like the cook didn't drain them before putting them on the crumpets because the bread was soggy. Hollandaise was tart and the peach wedge of the fruit garnish arrived looking like someone had already taken a bite out of it. Gross! After waiting for 15 minutes (party of one on a Friday morning, no less), this wasn't worth it. I'm disappointed, this used to be one of my staples.
(1)
Hannah H.

I have to say - I typically love this place. My friends come in generally once a week for a late morning/ early afternoon brunch. Food and service are generally awesome. Even with a wait. Today I went in for lunch. Two of us around 1pm. They only had four other tables going - two wait staff. It took four visits to our table before the server took our order (I'm on my lunch hour mind you). The server talked over my boyfriend while he ordered, and in doing so, didn't hear his order correctly and brought the wrong item. The food took so long to get to our table, I told the server as I was on my lunch hour, she should just bring out a box with it because I was going to have to leave. (It took over 20 minutes for food to arrive.) I accidentally spilled a glass of water. We sat with a puddle on our table for 5 minutes without anyone coming by. I went to the bar, where the server stood talking to another employee and ignored me. When she finally brought lunch and a to-go box, I mentioned that I had spilled water. She came back with a towel and replacement napkins, but never refilled my water. The few bites of the salad I had were delicious. I just wish I could have enjoyed the rest of it fresh. I'll go back, but not if I have anything to do for the rest of the day.
(1)
Don B.

Helser's is just another reason that Portland can be considered one of the best brunch cities around. Solidly good, gourmet food, great service, and a cozy spot. I finally made it up to this ultra-popular Alberta spot to try out the grub, and I was definitely not disappointed. They have coffee up front for while you're waiting (strong and chock-full of caffeine), and for a 2-top at 1230 on a Sunday, the wait wasn't long at all. I enjoyed my special chorizo, anaheim pepper, onion and jack cheese fritatta. it was a huge portion for a very reasonable price. The fritatta was nice and thick, baked well through without being overcooked around the edges, and there was no shortage of chorizo and other ingredients. It filled a decent sized plate, and came with a little fruit on the side. Overall, it was more than enough for me, and plenty rich. Flavor wise, it was good but did not blow me away. Solid, delicious, and on part with some of the better brunch spots in town. I tried the wife's mushroom and spinach benedict and it was again good. Solid. Done just right. I would have liked the eggs to have been less cooked, but that's just me. I like em gooey. The yukon gold potatoes were divine. Overall, 2 large plates of food and 2 coffees cost $23. Not too bad for a very hearty meal. The service was great. Fast, on point, super friendly, and very smiley. If I lived in the neighborhood, this would definitely be a go-to spot for me. I will definitely be back. But to drive across town, into someone else's hood, and wait... well, that makes it less likely. Really good food, great service, cozy space, some outdoor tables = 4.5 solid stars.
(4)
KK H.

I love breakfast/brunch at Helser's. Wonderful food, coffee, wait staff. HOWEVER....wayyyyy too long a wait to get seated and food served on the weekends. I made the mistake of going there on a Saturday. Plan on spending an hour in line and waiting to get served once seated. Also, this time around, we were plagued by fruit flies buzzing our table and all over the walls. Ewwww. Go on the weekdays during cooler weather. The noise level was so loud that my friend and I had to yell our conversation.
(4)
Sarah H.

A+ on the mushroom hash. A perfect sinful Sunday breakfast. The veggie sausage is great too! :D A tad lacking on the personality, the service was a little bit surly. Also, Helser's should invest in a big jar of olives. Although very satisfying, the bloody mary could be a bit more generous with the garnishes. I would definitely go back, but probably on a weekday.
(3)
Spencer D.

I had the pigs in the blanket, a side of their potatoes and tried some french toast. 'Twas delicious, I must say. I liked all of it. The only thing that was of any disappointment was the size of the sausages in the pigs-in-a-blanket. they were relatively tiny. so it was more pancake than anything else. Otherwise, the potatoes were freakin' fantastic and the french toast was delicious as well. The wait wasn't horrible, especially considering it was a Sunday brunch at like 11am. So I have no qualms with that. Our server was extremely nice and was actually kind of sassy; considering gays always love a sassy broad (and this was a table of gays) we enjoyed her. This place was pretty damn good.
(4)
Irene C.

3 star for food, 4 stars for the nice casual service and the "early bird" breakfast choices. I, unlike most Portlanders, prefer my breakfast before 9am and it is great to be rewarded with a menu with lower prices and not to mention no crowds. Coffee was a bit on the weak side.
(4)
Tina G.

My husband and I got out quite frequently on breakfast dates. We happened to be in NE to drop our son off for a class. We decided to find a breakfast place in NE while we were there and boy are we glad we did. Helsers was fantastic! My husband had the french toast and ate all of it. I have to say after taking a bite, i love it! I ordered the Black Bean scramble! YUM! Service. It took a while for someone to take our order when a waitress finally discovered we hadn't been helped she immediately started taking care of us. It did take a while for food to come as well. They had a huge turnover all at one time so it slowed things up. Best part, she gave us our french press coffee on the house even though we said it wasn't necessary. Great service! We will be back again!
(5)
Amy S.

On my first trip to Portland I thought MFP was easily the best breakfast I had ever had in my life. This second trip up, Helser's on Alberta EASILY takes the title. EVERYTHING was amazing and I mean EVERYTHING. The place was adorable. For the San Diego folk imagine it like The Mission in North Park meets The Cottage in La Jolla. The coffee was indescribable. I slugged down more cups of that stuff faster than the coffee junkies in my family. God it was delicious. I had eggs, toast, maple sausage, and of course, oodles of coffee. Sure its the most basic breakfast ever, but the tastes of it definitely have me sold. Anything less than 5 stars would be just wrong.
(5)
John B.

Service: awful. Food: great. Atmosphere: appropriate, low-key. The last time I ate at Helser's on Alberta, I was having brunch alone. My guess is that my server forgot to put my order in. People who were seated after I ordered had finished their food and paid before I got my food. If I hadn't flagged someone down, not my server, and asked where my food was, I think I would have sat there indefinitely. When the food was delivered, not a word of explanation or apology. I haven't been back and steer people away. If you have to wait to be seated, consider that you may have to wait to get your food. They get two stars, instead of one, because the food is so good.
(2)
Megan H.

I keep giving Helser's a chance because my friends seem to like it but I've just been disappointed too many times. I will admit that I am a total benedict snob but I did not enjoy the benedict I had here. If I'm going to eat 1500 butterlicious calories they'd better taste good! The crumpet is a nice idea but just ends up soggy, I think the textural contrast of a crisp english muffin is pretty integral part of the dish. The hollandaise didn't have enough lemon to cut the richness of the butter but they do know how to poach an egg right, amen! Another visit I tried the pear and havarti pie which was sadly pretty gross. It was soggy, bland and the havarti on top was blackened and rubbery. Maybe it's not the thing to order but hey, it shouldn't be on the menu then! I'm not a fan of a giant pile of potatoes so maybe this place just isn't for me. On my last visit I had the grilled chicken salad which was another disappointment. The chicken was coated in a thick cornstarch batter and fried, not exactly grilled as the menu promised? All I could taste was the cornstarch which is sad because the chicken was very nicely cooked. I would probably give this place 1 star because the wait is always loooong and the service is less than stellar but for some reason I just can't do it. Maybe because my friends seem to always enjoy their food? I won't be back on my own free will but if I get brunch-tricked into going here again I'll just try something else and cross my fingers.
(2)
Jim T.

Definitely a great place for breakfast. Really good hash with Wild Alaskan Salmon, potatoes, spinach etc... The Brioche French Toast was also really tasty. Nice bright, open atmosphere.
(5)
Drew H.

need to go back, was not feeling well so only had toast and coffee. The menu looked great and Dave had a early bird special that looked awesome.
(4)
J K.

If we can't wait in the long line for Pine State, this is our back up. I am not a French toast fan, however the blueberry French toast at Helser's is amazing. Quick service, always a shorter wait than other places on Alberta, and good breakfast options.
(4)
L B.

Its been while since my visit to this place, but I hated it so much I thought it only fair to wait till I cooled off before writing this review. First things first. We walked in to find four people waiting for a table, a list to put your name on and an empty bar. My first thought, head to the empty bar for a seat. I wondered to the bar and asked the waitress who was standing there if we could sit at the bar. She pointed to the front door and said you need to sign the list and wait. I was a bit put off since there were 6 seats at the bar and four people at the door waiting to share a table, but I headed back to the door and waited. Our names were already on the list. A few minutes went by and the four top was seated, the bar still empty and tables opening up right and left. We waited another 8 minutes before anyone came to seat us. By this time we decided we'd just take the table. I'd heard so many good things, so I tried to put the opening experience out of my mind, but just then I watched as two people walked in headed straight to the bar and were greeted by the same waitress with smiles and menus. They weren't told to wait at the door or to sign the list. I was blown away! So the food must be great for people to keep coming back, right? Well it took nearly 12 minutes to get our drinks ordered and served and another 10 to take our order. The restaurant was full, but most had already eaten. I ordered the eggs benedict, and had high hopes. No one in town screws up an eggs benedict. When it arrived at the table it had the traditional poached eggs and their "homemade" crumpets, but where was the Hollandaise??? On top of each egg was a tea spoon of the sauce. It didn't even cover the yoke of the egg. Taking my first bite I realized I was in trouble. The "homemade" crumpet was the driest thing I have ever eaten. Well besides the potatoes that were on the plate. The only thing that was eatable was the poached eggs. I still can't believe that others love this place. My experience was terrible! I sometimes return to a place after a bad experience, but I will not try Hell-sers ever again!
(1)
D G.

Living in the Woodlawn Triangle, we are close enough to Helser's that we rode our bicycles to the joint. The first bright and sunny Sunday in the first week of March, we rode to the restaurant and put our name on the list to be seated. It was very busy, but our wait was only about 15 minutes. My wife ordered the Benedict with spinach and tomatoes, and I ordered the Mushroom hash. They were both very good, nice sized portions, hot, and well presented. We ordered Bloody Marys but they were a bit on the disappointing side. The waitress was awesome! She came back with a third and asked us to sample it as she had remixed a new batch of mix. It was better. She did not charge us for the drinks! They were apparently on the house because we had expressed that they were not that great. Two meals, a beer, an iced tea = $27.50 Good value and good food. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Corinn M.

Best breakfast in Portland. (I'm hesitant to write that, only because I don't want all the hipsters blowing up my favorite spot!)
(5)
David R.

Good breakfast for adults - great breakfast for kids. My 2.5-yr old and I will wander up here a couple weekends a month and have a good dad-daughter hangout. Part of what works about Helser's is that it gives no appearance of being kid-friendly, but its kids breakfast menu is out of this world. For $1, $2, or $3, you can get your kid a great mess of oatmeal and fresh fruit, cakes, or bacon and eggs if you're that way inclined. Plus, cups with lids and straws. My wife and I prefer the hashes - mushroom for her, pepper bacon for me. Plan on leftovers and a second breakfast later. Latkes are good too, if so inclined. Their vegetarian biscuits and gravy are also quite good -- very creamy and using (I think) Morningstar patties for the sausage substitute.
(4)
CeeCee P.

As I'm writing this six hours after having brunch... I'm still full! That being said, I think it's safe to say that two people can comfortably split one dish. Enough with the portions, it's about the food... one word: amazing. I love love love my brunch food, and Helser's hit the spot with their hash. Their smoked salmon hash was delicious... the potatoes cooked to perfection. The poached eggs on top were great, except I would have preferred them to be more undercooked. We ordered their french toast, which is good and a solid dish, but I wouldn't call it outstanding. My visit to Helser's was also my first experience with Dutch babies... and I was left with a pancake that was too eggy and flavorless for my taste. With all that Helser's has to offer, I'd pass on these... Now... on to the staff.... they were friendly... whenever we got to see them. When we arrived there were plenty of open seats, yet it took quite some time to have our orders taken, and a whole lot longer to receive our receipt because our waitress forgot to run our card. Despite the pitfalls, I'm forced to return as I'm hooked on their hash.
(4)
Kritt M.

Great hash and fun environment. Will return again.
(4)
Kristen M.

Helser's on Alberta - another reason why I love BRUNCH in Portland! Parking is on the street. You go in and write your name, party of #, and wait until you get seated. I recommend going in a smaller party if you want to get seated faster (So about 4 or less). Anything larger than a party of 4 would probably have to wait a good 1-2 hours depending on how busy they are (especially if it's on the weekend!). Nonetheless, this place is worth the wait because they deliver with flavor in all of their foods. AND they are not shy on their portions! (Plus in my book!) Service was prompt and awesome! I was able to try their infamous "Scotch Eggs" and I do must say this is one of the thing's I'd over all over again. I don't know what it is but it's savory heaven in your mouth! It's complimented with a horseradish sauce. I ordered their Smoked Salmon Hash and just a disclaimer (the portions are huge!) This was good for 2 meals or just for two people to share! There was lots of hash action going on with fresh spinach, bits of smoked salmon here and there, with two poached eggs that were topped with some hollandaise sauce. I couldn't finish the whole thing! I was able to have it as another meal later on the day. I highly recommend Helser's as a brunch joint to visit if in Portland! Kudos to Helser's for simple gourmet food with such an affordable price tag! No wonder you're a hot spot!
(4)
Matt K.

Why do people continue to go here? The food is on par with Denny's. The coffee is KOBO'S for christ sake. How can any self respecting restaurant serve KOBO'S in Portland? Yet every weekend I walk or drive by and see this place packed. My wife ordered a simple eggs, bacon and toast. The eggs looked like they came out of a carton, and the bacon was limp and greasy. There was plenty of toast though. I ordered a Mushroom hash that was packed with congealed cheese and contained very little mushrooms to speak of. The potatoes here are over-salted and had a lot of burnt chunks. And did I mention the COFFEE? I could find better at Texaco. Do yourself a favor, skip this place. There are plenty of other breakfast places with the same amount of wait time but better food (and coffee).
(1)
Beth G.

Helser's is definitly on my list of Top 5 breakfast places in Portland. They do savory dishes really well, and that's where my heart is--Pepper Bacon and Cheddar Hash? I am all over it! Scotch eggs? Be still my heart. My experiences there have been very consistent--always very good food, good service, pleasant experience. I don't go very often because of THE LINE. Just like most other places on Alberta Street, Helser's is mobbed on weekend mornings. So I don't bother (see my list for no wait breakfast joings instead) unless it's a weekdy. Which makes it a special treat when I do visit Helsers...and order their awesome Pepper Bacon and Cheddar Hash.
(4)
Kathi B.

I brought my kids here on a Sunday after dragging them around to different yarn stores. I figured it must be a good place since it was so busy. We were not disappointed. I had the eggs benedict with ham and it was delicious. My son had pancakes and scrambled eggs. My daughter had biscuits and gravy and potato pancakes. Both kids liked their food as well. Overall, Helser's on Alberta has a friendly staff, great food, and a warm environment. It was such a nice place to sit and watch people and dogs walking up Alberta St.
(4)
Michael V.

I think this is a place to come for breakfast. That's what everyone else seemed to be eating. I just wasn't impressed with their lunch menu. They were quite busy though, making service pretty slow.
(2)
Shoya W.

Breakfast on an early January morning here gave me cause to write my first restaurant review. Ordering from the "sides" section of the menu, I chose the 2 potato pancakes and 2 fried eggs. Those were both perfectly cooked to order. Pancakes were thin, oniony, and not greasy-almost better than my own. Yum! Lori, our server, was attentive and patient. I will definitely return and highly recommend Helser's for breakfast.
(4)
Amy M.

Oh Helser's! Why, oh, why do people flock to you!?!?!? I have been to Helser's probably about a half dozen times because I keep wanting it to be all it is cracked up to be. But, alas, it is never so. 5 out of 6 times I have been they have totally screwed up my order. 3 out of 6 times they served me totally raw eggs with a side of burnt potatoes. It seems impossible to get a refill on the (very bad) coffee. The service is pretty terrible (with the exception of one server, who is currently not working).... I think it is just that thing with Portlanders... they love to wait in line.
(1)
Justin T.

We went in for breakfast last Saturday around 10am. Not a huge wait, and they were able to accommodate 5 adults and 2 babies (keep in mind it's a small dining area & Saturday) in relatively short order. They're doing good so far. The coffee was good and the food came out quickly. I had the Salmon Hash and a Scotch Egg. The Hash was good, but had more potatoes than I could deal with. The best part about the Scotch Egg was the horseradish cream it came with. If you're ever here, get one for the cream, i think it's worth it. Across the rest of the table were a Pepper Bacon Cheddar Hash, Eggs Benedict, and the daily special, Chilequiles. We're a bite sharing bunch, so the other Hash was great, the Bennie was okay, and the Chilequiles were so-so (I make them at home, so I'm a bit biased, as mine are the best around). The service was a bit slow (could have just been our server). The food was good. I would come back again. That's all for now...
(4)
Erin C.

Minor wait on a Sunday for brunch (~15 mins) but what do you expect from a 4 star brunch place on Alberta st? Love that you could have a cup of coffee while you wait. The place is small but the plates were mighty! French toast: for $6.95 you get 3 super thick french toast. the bread itself is pretty unique. It almost had a bit of cornbread taste to it. It was sweet, fluffy, delicious without the syrup. Smoked salmon hash: smoked salmon and spinach and potato combination is just heavenly. Pretty large plate. Sausage breakfast: Louisiana hot sausage was pretty spicy. I love that they gave some fresh fruits (grapes and pear) even though they weren't stated on the menu. 3 dishes down and many more to try!! I'll def return~
(5)
Lauren G.

I love this place. It constantly impresses. I had the mushroom omelette on Saturday and it was amazing. My boyfriend had the black bean scramble- also great. Getting to eat of both plates was actually kind of perfect because of how different the flavors were.
(5)
Allen K.

Came here for brunch today bc I wanted to try the scotch egg! FOOD: I ordered the Pepper Bacon and Cheddar Hash (pictured) and a Scotch Egg on the side. The dish was a beautiful mound of cheesy, bacony, scalliony, melted goodness. I'm pretty sure I was full after eating 1/4 of it but I kept going! The "hash" dishes aren't really what you'd consider hash browns. Rather, they are sliced potatoes like the kind you'd find in scalloped potatoes. The dish was still good, but I kind of missed the crispiness of shredded hash browns. The Scotch Egg is a hard-boiled egg wrapped in Kiebalsa sausage (I think), then lightly breaded and fried. It wasn't overwhelmingly impressive in taste in that the pairing of the ingredients didn't really enhance the other. Each part was good on it's own, but nothing special together. There was a mayo/horseradish sauce that came with the egg, though, that added a creamy kick to the dish. SERVICE/VENUE: The place is a bit small, but has an intimate diner charm. When you walk in there's a list for you to add your name to. There was a decent wait since there is only one person working the front (she acts as hostess, busser, and waitress) plus it's a popular location for brunch. **I definitely need to give credit to the nice lady performing all 3 jobs in the front though. She was always kind, warm, and never was frazzled by the million things she had to take care of all on her own. Tip her well!!!
(4)
Sunni W.

OMG that FRENCH TOAST you won't know what hit you. First time in portland and my cousin brought me here. Don't sleep on this!!
(4)
Ariel H.

Had to wait 30 min to get a seat (Sunday brunch so we knew it would be a bit) but it was well worth it. I got the smoked salmon hash and my boyfriend got scotch eggs - both were absolutely delicious! Servers were friendly and always made sure our coffee cups were full (even when we were waiting outside).
(4)
Ian R.

One of my favorite Saturday morning pastimes is driving by the amusement park-like lines at the Tin Shed Cafe on Alberta and laughing at all the starving brunchers, knowing they could just walk a few blocks down Alberta and get a better meal at Helser's. That's not to say they wouldn't have to wait there too, but it definitely wouldn't be as long and the payoff would be immensely better. From amazing home baked blueberry french toast to the spicy sausage scramble wrap to the variety of well-seasoned egg dishes, you really can't go wrong. Everything is reasonably priced and all the servers I've had have been as pleasant as they could be even if they don't clear and seat tables as efficiently as you think they would in such a busy restaurant.
(5)
Kara K.

This place is so good! The service has always been great, food delicious, wait time reasonable. I love it!
(5)
Zach M.

Food quality probably rates a four star, especially the German Pancakes with blueberries, but the service and the time to get the food lowered it to a 3 star for me. Service for us was OK, but not great and the server made lattes which were very poor. The German Pancakes (Dutch Babies) are advertised to be 15 minutes so I told the server to bring everything else when it was ready, but either she forgot or the cook chose to wait so we received the food at least 20 minutes after ordering. They are great for potatoe related dishes. Quantities are big and I didn't think the prices were as bad as some other reviewers. All in all, given it was a busy lunch hour with tables full and people waiting, the experience was fine and I would come back for the good food.
(3)
jennifer w.

the scotch egg was good but the place is soooooo l.o.u.d. in there that it will have to be a one time only kind of place.
(2)
dylan s.

Breakfast on Friday 2/18/2011. Pleasant atmosphere and friendly service. I had the scotch egg w/ potato pancakes and my wife had the black bean and polenta special w/ two easy over eggs. Both meals were top notch and I appreciated that the potato pancakes were accompanied by not only sour cream & apple sauce but a horseradish aoli. The scotch egg was wrapped in bratwurst, which is a departure from the savory sausage that I am used to, but quite tasty none the less. The potato pancakes were just like mom's! My wife loved her meal & was very happy with the loose leaf tea & press.
(5)
Jessica T.

Helsers is my Sunday ritual at this point... The people that have given this place a bad review are completely nuts! The brioche french toast with a side of sausage? Dutch Babies?! Fresh squeezed greyhounds to chase away my sins from the night before??? How could you not love it? Helsers serves up some of the freshest, yummiest breakfasts to be found in Portland...so you have to wait? meh, good things are worth waiting for...and they serve some great coffee to soften the blow. Doesn't get much better than that.
(5)
Leigh D.

What's all the rave about? I love eggs benedict, but the sauce tasted like vinegar. Its very busy so other's must be ordering something else.
(3)
Serenity I.

Helser's was recommended to me by a friend because of my neverending search for the perfect Eggs Benedict. So this review will be based on the Benedict alone. I don't care about the price or the ambiance for this one, just the food. So far it was the best I've had in Portland. I require a perfectly-poached egg, hollandaise that blends seamlessly with the yolk and finishes with a bit of tartness. This Benedict has it. In addition, the Benedict fixins are piled onto a toasted sourdough crumpet. The only negative thing about this Benedict was that there was more ham than I like. I usually prefer one layer, but this had two. Luckily it was thinly sliced honey ham and not "Canadian bacon." So maybe that's not a negative at all, just a new way to experience a Bene. A delicious surprise were the perfectly-seasoned yukon gold home-fried potatoes. I usually add hot sauce and/or salt to everything, but didn't add any to this brunch. The service was attentive and courteous. Three coffee refills in less than one hour.
(4)
Patrick W.

I had their special, which was a gingerbread molasses waffle topped with sauteed apples and caramel sauce. Every savored delicious bite was like experiencing butter and caramel for the first time in my life. Their portions are on the large side and they're quite yummy. They also serve freshly squeezed juices. Oh, and they have Scotch eggs made with bratwurst. You will probably have to wait 30 minutes to be seated, then another 15 to get your food, but it's so very worth it.
(4)
amy s.

I want to say first of all that I like the food here, and the servers, and it's way less of a wait than Tin Shed. However, not infrequently when I go out for breakfast with my out of town friends, they will serve us one person's meal, but not the other three! And we're not talking a 5 minute wait. We're talking 20 minutes between Johnny getting his delicious Benedict and the rest of us getting our meals. I think this is unacceptable. Come on, people! Will I go back? Of course.
(3)
Suzanne F.

Helser's on Alberta is my idea of breakfast nirvana! The day I first had breakfast here there was no wait, it was early & the $4.50 breakfast specials were going on. I opted for a breakfast sandwich of egg, ham, cheddar on a home made crumpet. Oh my Lord!! Happiness on a plate! The tea is served in a French press with lots of refills. The room is filled with light, the walls are adorned with amazing B&W photos, and Dana, the waitress reigns supreme! She was by herself on a busy Thursday morning yet never looked rushed or harried. She made me feel completely at home and she was super attentive to all the other tables, too. On a subsequent visit I also availed myself of the breakfast special & had scrambled eggs, sausage & Yukon Gold potatoes...delicious. Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice hit the spot. I hear people rave about the Dutch pancake...that's on my list to try, along with the Havarti & pear pie (for breakfast?? You bet!) I would happily recommend this spot for everyone who likes amazing food, a light-filled space, FANTASTIC service, and all 'round swellness! I cannot wait to unleash the horde of small boys from my house on to the scene!! I also am looking forward to having lunch here, too. The lunch menu looks incredible.
(5)
Alan R.

stumbled in here after a long night, kicked back into gear with a bloody mary, a scotch egg and a scramble plate that was amazing, The bloody mary had a bit too much worchestire sauce for my taste, but all top quality ingredients and prep. I will be back
(4)
Neal W.

Well, I'll admit I only went once, but I think I learned a lot about what kind of place it was. It was nice and seemed rather upscale. It was busy, too. I had chili and it was hardly chili at all. More like eggs with some poorly seasoned vegetables. It was pretty expensive for my taste, and my friend didn't seem to be blown away by his meal either. It just seemed mediocre all around to me. I give it 3 stars because I assume there are better things on the menu. If I go back only to discover that I had picked one of the few bad meals on the menu, I'll come back and amend my review, but for now I remain unimpressed. Go to the Tin Shed instead (it's worth the ridiculously long wait).
(3)
Mike L.

Awesome breakfast, but the joint gets awfully busy after about 9am on the weekend. Amazing coffee - you have to try the french press - I don't know why, but it's hellishly tasty (maybe they drop a spot of heaven in the presses?).
(4)
Shelly T.

Food was good, but beware, portion sized are huge! We went there before leaving on a flight, and I could only finish one slice of my French toast! Waitress was nice enough, although we'd had better at other places in the area.
(3)
jaine p.

What can be said about Helser's that has not already been said? The food and service is wonderful, I go out of my way to eat here. However, beware the french toast- it is freakishly thick.
(4)
Tom B.

Nice little place ... I have to say I didn't know anyone besides my mom made dutch babies. I thought she invented them until I saw them on helser's menu. whether or not there's little Dutch children in them I have no idea but theyre delicious. Of course my mom makes them way better though!! (tip: skip the fruit and lemon and just use syrup and powdered sugar. Split it with a friend because a whole one is too much)
(4)
Jay D.

Helser's was a pleasant surprise. No greasy dive here (not that I expected it, but some of the best breakfast places are like that). Nice environment, great food and cheap prices. The service was kinda slow, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt since I've only been there once. Since this was our first breakfast out in a while, we went whole hog. Coffee, juice and big breakfast. I had the Louisiana Hot Sausage Scramble Wrap. It was lovely (spicy and savory), although the tortilla was a bit dry, like it had been under the heat lamp for too long. Spouse had two eggs, toast, etc.-- *yawn*--although it was apparently good. Thankfully, we got there early. By 9:30 the place was packed and there was a waiting list. Next time I'm going to get there early again, and try out the early-bird specials (7-9am) that are only $4ish. I spotted other people eating them and they looked delicious--and filling. All in all, very worth the trip!
(4)
Sarah A.

Three stars for the ok service. Like most Portland breakfast joints- ARRIVE EARLY The food is always good and we love love love the german pancake. Also the biscuits and mushroom gravy are a must have. YUM!
(3)
Christina A.

apparently portland's known for their breakfast/brunch and i'm sure it's because of restaurants like this. the food was superb. try the eggs benedict - you won't regret it.
(4)
Julie M.

OMG - Yum. Lovely presentation - involving fruit - and it's all wonderful. This is the place to bring your snootiest foodie friend from NW & Lake Oswego. But if you let them come to our sweet 'hood - make them pay, for sho. They deserve to - after all those years of attitude about Northeast and NoPo. The only change I want to see here is shorter lines, and a replicable biz plan...for every part of town. The # 72 and 8 buses are a great way to come here. Bikes too, as neighbors are rightfully weary of visitor parking behaviour. Since Helsers is already so busy, and the Tin Shed wiill be too, why not choose a place within walking distance of where you are - for weekend breakfast - and visit Alberta on less busy hours when you ccan relax and browse - and drop a few dollars around - so you can be more legit in feeling like you own the 'hood so many of us have invested and worked for years to improve? You ARE invited, and oh yes - welcome to King neighborhood - where we are still care about content of character.
(5)
Andrea V.

To get 5 stars for breakfast from me, it is mandatory to have one of two things: Smoked salmon benedict or BAG (Biscuits And Gravy) Helser's has smoked salmon benedict, so they get 5 stars. And if I could, I'd give them 6. Why? SCOTCH EGGS. I know where I got my first scotch egg: I was a pre-teen at the Highland Festival and somewhere between the caber toss and the Irish dancing, I discovered food nirvana. I have long wondered why more eating establishments don't serve this delicacy and have concluded it is an International Scotch Egg Conspiracy. Anyway. Helser's is nice enough to take the in-laws to, but down to earth and usually has a shorter line than Tin Shed. That's ok with me, they can have Tin Shed, I have my scotch egg. Then there are the crumpets...
(5)
Andrea E.

I love this place. I used to live within walking distance, and now that I live in Beaverton I am so depressed. If anyone is looking to open a great brunch place the market is wide open over here! Helsers is everything I look for in a restaurant. Great prices, unique menu items, kid friendly. (The kids menu has really great choices for $1, $2, or $3, and OJ is a buck!) The food is incredible, and It has a great neighborhood feel. If you can, try it during the week, it is small and can get really crowed during the weekend. Overall a gem!
(5)
John M.

This is a pretty decent restaurant that puts out some good food. Unfortunately, it is the service that leads me to give it a two star rating. It took about ten minutes before any member of the wait staff even acknowledged us. Our food took about thirty minutes to arrive, and it took another 10 minutes from the time I gave the waitress my credit card until she came back. The service was bad enough to be the main topic of conversation during our brunch. We considered leaving more than once. I wonder if they would have noticed if we left. The entire time, I felt that we were not the waitress's highest priority. What we thought would be a 30 or 45 minute meal turned into one hour and 15 minutes. I've read some of the reviews here and agree with most of the comments regarding the food. It is very good. But the service needs to be improved. There is a reason I only come here a couple of times a year. This service experience is typical, and unfortunately overshadows some pretty decent food. It is sad that I can expect and get better service at Shari's. Fortunately, all of these problems are correctable. When I come in to your restaurant, let me know that you see me. I've chosen to spend money in your restaurant. Don't make me feel like I've made a mistake. If there is something on the menu that is going to take some time to cook, just let me know. That way, if I'm pressed for time, I can choose something quicker. And finally, make me your priority. When I give you my credit card and am ready to go, don't find other things to do. With a better dinning experience, I would definitely come by more often.
(2)
alexandra r.

I am an eggs benedict addict. If its on the menu, I have to order it. Helser's has one the of the best bene's I've ever had. At first when it arrived I thought the hollandaise sauce was missing, but my husband took a closer glance and realized it was not the traditional yellow hollandaise but was white instead, which blended in with the eggs. The sauce was so rich and creamy, and the fact that a large crumpet was used in place of an english muffin made this benedict so delectable and tastey. The potatoes on the side were semi-mashed, semi fried, semi whole, but all together very good. But the main even was the benedict. Bottom Line: Light and airy dining room, non obtrusive service, excellent food. Next trip to Portland, Helser's will be my breakfast stop every morning. Get the traditional ham benedict and you won't regret it.
(5)
Kate S.

Mmmmmmmm, Scotch Eggs. Pure greasy bliss. The food here is fresh and fantastic. And not all of it is heavy with fat, it depends on what you order. They have beautiful german pancakes and eggs benedict as well. The service is seriously top notch, perfect for intimate conversations, family visits, or some alone time. The ceilings are high but doesn't impede the sound. So far I haven't had to wait for a table, but I haven't yet tried on a weekend.
(4)
Lisa O.

OOOOOOOOOh yea (think Ferris Bueller)!!! Helsers rocks my world and my stomach. There is no place that cures a night of partying the next day like mushroom hash, potato pancakes and a coffee nudge--who knew? "Hells Yea! (oh, like you didn't see that coming?)"
(5)
Randy A.

This place serves up some pretty damn good breakfasts, with nice man-sized portions and cute waitresses to pretend not to look at, because you're a gentleman and not a pervert. Plus they serve scotch eggs AND pigs in a blanket- and I DO mean PIGS. No teeny sausages wrapped in thin pancakes here. We're talking massive pork swords wrapped up in griddle cakes thick enough to stop a bullet... well, a sausage bullet, anyway. Yeah, I love this joint.
(4)
marney a.

The brunch here is great! The scotch eggs are excellent, but the hash is why you should go. There are two reasons why I didn't give it five stars. It took a while to get our food and a place with that good of bread should have better jam/jelly. The atmosphere and service is very friendly and attentive.
(4)
Ryan T.

One word: DELICIOUS!!! This is our 3rd day of our road trip. We had breakfast in Portland before leaving to Vancouver. After spending 5 minutes on yelp, we came up with a decision to pay Helser a visit. Parking was on the street but not difficult to find a spot. It was a cloudy day and there wasn't a lot of people around the restaurant. The restaurant, however, was full. We had to wait for only 5 minutes to be seated. Not bad at all! The waitress was nice. I think her name was Jessica. Our meal (4 people) include Scotch Eggs with potato pancakes, Sausage Breakfast, Eggs Benedict with veggies, and Pig in a Blanket. Interesting names aren't they? Kinda cute in my opinion. The first dish, Scotch Egg with potato pancakes, was awesome. The Scotch Egg lives up to its reputation. If you havn't tried it, you need to. The second dish (mine), Eggs Benedict, was also delicious. The egg was done just right. The hollandaise sauce was so yummy I finished the entire dish not feeling guilty, until the end. Breakfast Sausage consists of apple chicken sausages with scrambled eggs, potatoes, and some fruits. Also delicious! Pig in a Blanket. What a name, isn't it? The dish has hot dogs wrapped inside pancakes. Cute! It was ok, wouldn't try it again though! Highlights: scotch eggs, fresh fruits, yummy potatoes
(5)
Matthew M.

I wasn't impressed but I left, full. I had the eggs and crumpet sandwich. What's odd is that I've never had a crumpet...so, frankly, I have nothing to compare the 1) not toasty, 2) slightly damp and rubbery, and 3) bland crumpet to...so I can't really say whether it was good or not. The eggs and meat were good. The O.J. was fresh-squeezed or tasted like it.
(2)
phil m.

By far, this is one of my favorite places to eat in PDX. Though, I have yet to find others as equally delicious in this Paradise city, it may appear I'll compare it to Helser's. Definitely will take out-of-towners here. The wait can take a while depending the days and times of course. I forgot what I ordered but it was delicious!
(5)
Hollye H.

Stopped here for an impromptu breakfast. We quite enjoyed our food and the ambiance. Service was friendly. Will be going back.
(4)
Dan M.

Service was slow but the scotch eggs were worth the wait. Killer stuff. And cheers to the creative adult beverage menu. We'll be back!
(5)
Thomas C.

Mouthwatering choices on the menu. Mushroom hash was great. Waitstaff was friendly and prices were reasonable. Great breakfast spot.
(5)
Sprinkles G.

If someone dropped Helser's in the middle of my hometown in Alabama it would be something extraordinary. Unfortunately for this little breakfast/brunch joint it was dropped off in the smack dab middle of the Alberta Arts District. After reading all the hype-y reviews of this place I thought it deserving of my early morning dining time. When I walked in I felt like an astronaut walking into a small town saloon. Everyone stopped to check me out, but no one offered any guidance on where or how I should seat myself. Which leads to the set up on the front room, how close can tables be before we all become one united table under brunch? I digress... I sat staring at the decor and busy Alberta street traffic for a good ten minutes before a waitress noticed me. The coffee was delicious, and thankfully so because it was another twenty minutes before I got my food. This was a Thursday morning, the place was not super busy, and there were plenty of servers standing behind the bar drinking coffee. I ordered the Helser's infamous mushroom hash and two scrambled eggs. The food arrived late, but hot. I was hoping for something new, and delicious but all I got was a average breakfast joint style hash. Yes, they added fresh mushrooms, but everyone can throw mushy potatoes and cheese on a plate and call it breakfast. To add insult to misery it took another thirty minutes for someone to notice I had stopped eating and bring me my check. Did I mention the coffee was delicious?
(2)
Danse L.

After a great hatha yoga class we went to Helser's for brunch. The wait was rather long for a Thursday but I believe that was just due to a party of seven. We ordered the special of cornmeal and bacon waffles with eggs ($7) and a regular menu item with potato hash, bacon, cheese, chives and poached eggs ($8) on top. I loved the hash and want to try the version with smoked salmon and spinach next time. Also of note: a side of fruit is well worth it. Ours was papaya, kiwi, apricots, strawberries and banana. Delicious! Just expect a little wait...
(4)
Terry S.

I'm just now savoring my last sip of decaf. Very nice breakfast place. Friendly staff, food hot and fresh. Nice presentation of the food on the plate. Next time I'll try the crepes w/out the sour cream, of course. Seemed everyone was enjoying a different item in the menu. Great first stop.
(5)
Lauren H.

Saturday morning rush was crazy, as expected. Once we sat down we had prompt service. Drinks and food was delicious. Server recommended the black bean scramble, and I ate every bite! The scotch eggs were awesome!
(4)
Michelle H.

On the same street as Tin Shed, I can see why this place gets overshadowed. We were honestly on the list at the Tin Shed (13th group in line I believe) and so we took off walking because we needed to kill a whole lot of time. A couple blocks down the way we stumble upon Helser's, a quaint, simplistic little cafe without the crazy line at Tin Shed. We said instantly said goodbye to the Shed to give this place a shot. We were seated almost immediately at the counter as my friend and I weren't picky, just hungry. We were torn over several of the items on the menu. There was an article on the wall while you waited that touted their prowess at making a mean eggs benedict so we decided to give that a try, spinach and crimini mushroom for me and smoked salmon for my friend. The service was good, my friend's fresh squeezed orange juice even better, and sitting at the counter you get to ogle everyone else's selections of food. Everything looked so tasty! My benedict was by far one of the best I've ever had. Instead of an english muffin, they use a bigger fluffier crumpet. It was so delicious. I could have probably just sat and ate the crumpet by itself just because that's how much of a bread freak I am. Everything about the benedict was perfect. I even loved the potatoes on the side. They were fully cooked and flavorful which can almost make or break a breakfast for me. My friend's benedict on the other hand was a little over poached on the egg, but I think it was just a timing thing. Hers came out with a batch of about six benedicts, and mine just by its lonesome. So I think it just happened to be a randomly bad poach job. This place was so good that my dilemma next time will be deciding between going straight to Helser's because it was good or going to give Tin Shed a shot. Oh the decisions! -------- Edit: Now that i've been back and was able to sit outside, I think I should just mention that little experience. They weren't previously having people sit outside when we first arrived, but they were getting a line of folks and the weather was staying warm so they settled the majority of us waiting outside. Overall the experience was decent. Our waitress was virtually non existant though. So be prepared to wait just in case. It was weird because the other tables in front and behind us had 10x better service. I ended up having to go inside to find our waitress for our check because we had places to be. The food was still an A+ though!
(5)
Steven W.

I started coming to Helser's with friends years ago for the early morning $4.95 breakfast special. Back then it was insanely cheap for such good food. Today it's just as good, even if I don't usually stop in early enough for the special. In fact, I'm willing to declare the pepper bacon and cheddar hash (with scallions and creme fraiche) as my own personal Jesus Christ.
(5)
Aaron Z.

I had the Scotch Eggs-they were really good! Overall I'd say that this place was as good as it was depicted on the PBS special that made me want to go there, I would definitely go there again when I am in Portland next.
(4)
Elisa E.

Liked this place alot. Loved the decor and vibe. Brioche French toast was so light and flavorful! Service was so-so. The lady who sat us was welcoming and conversational. But our server barely acknowledge us. Acoustics are a little rough, there was a blood curdling scream from a kid when we were in there, it lasted for about 30 seconds and during which time all conversations were on hold. Overall, I would recommend it to a friend and go back the next time we are in the neighborhood.
(4)
Bobbie W.

Food is unmemorable. Literally, I don't remember what I ate, much less whether it was cooked well. I went back today to see if maybe the much-praised benedict or the Louisiana Hot Scramble Wrap would jog my memory. I never got any food. I got ignored by a vapid waitress more concerned with bullshitting about mindless garbage for AN HOUR STRAIGHT. That is, when she wasn't going out back for a smoke or jumping her friends ahead of the considerable line forming because only 2 of the 5 waitresses on staff seemed to actually be working any of their tables. To make matters worse, I was sitting at the counter and she was standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. It was like trying to eat breakfast at the DMV. There are too many other quality breakfast spots in this city for me to endure a fuckin hour of cut-rate Posh Spice babbling bullshit before someone brings me a goddamned scramble. Yeah, it was kinda busy, but not crushed. 6 waitresses for about 12 tables (and a counter) with three cooks in the kitchen? Unless they're waiting on a fucking bird to lay the goddamned eggs in the pan there's no reason for a scramble to take a full hour. I left after Bubblehead's line-jumping friend got his plate to go before I even SAW my food. I went to Gravy on Mississippi, with less cooks, more tables and a bigger line outside, was served pleasantly, and had a delicious breakfast for less than 20 bucks in about 20 minutes. Helser's is a fucking joke.
(1)
Allison S.

Food was excellent, but the hostess could use a refresher course in customer service - or just plain old human kindness. Luckily, the breakfast more than made up for her 'tude.
(4)
Keith M.

Had the loveliest Eggs Benedict here... Helser's is becoming my new goto spot for breakfast whenever I'm in the area. Great service, a good menu, and a pleasant space. What more could one ask for.
(5)
Angel T.

This is my personal favorite location for breakfast in the Alberta neighborhood. Many others like it too so there's frequently a line about 20-30 minutes long on the weekends. The restaurant itself has plenty of natural light floor to ceiling windows on two sides. They have both small and large tables and easily and happily accommodate larger groups. The menu is all about decadent and simple. The Eggs Benedict is spectacular as is the sausage breakfast and any of the 2 or 3 potato hash combinations. But if you want something really delicious take a look at their daily specials - always mouth watering! Sometimes the service can be just a little slow but the staff is always friendly and the food is truly spectacular! Have a cup of coffee while you wait and in the summer time you might get lucky and get one of the few outside tables! It's classy, delicious and fairly inexpensive - a great combination in my book! But don't go too late as they are only open until 3pm!!
(5)
Megan T.

Hesler's was wonderful, my only compliant was there was TOO much food! Ordered the mushroom hash which was delicious but very heavy, friend ordered the dutch baby and she had the same problem finishing hers! Definitely come here on an empty stomach! Loved the decor inside and the french press coffee service as well.
(5)
Mo E.

Well, I wasn't going to waste time on writing a review since the servers didn't spend more than a minute actually 'serving' me when I tried to eat breakfast here, but since my sister wrote one, I thought I'd give my one star just to bring the averages down. Bottom line, I'm not sure how our server is actually employed. She was absolutely the worst waitress I've ever had the misfortune of getting at a restaurant.
(1)
Nina S.

One of my FAVORITES!!!! The pear and havarti pie is so beyond delicious I can't help going to Helser's again and again just for that. And they make their own crumpets which I just find adorable! =) And yummy. One word of advice, I took a vegan friend here once, kind of a disaster, apparently they have very little vegan options. Being a non-vegan I honestly never noticed. So if a vegan is tagging along, you might have to choose one of the other 8 million breakfast places on Alberta that make a tofu whatever dish.
(5)
Spike C.

It was probably a mistake to visit here so soon after they were shown on the PBS "Breakfast Special". We visited at 9:40 on Friday morning and there was a pretty good signup list, however it didn't take too long for the 3 of us to be seated. It was 10:40 before we ate, though. Coffee service was as slow as I have ever seen, and my wife's mocha arrived with the Matterhorn of whipped cream after ordering just a smattering. My wife ordered the salmon hash which was good, but the poached eggs were too close to raw for her to be able eat them. I had the sausage breakfast with eggs over medium- what is the problem with cooking eggs this way??? Over easy is a charitable way to describe what I was served. I was also a little put off by the pork sausage that was pink inside. Would it kill them to include a piece of toast to wipe up the runny egg remains? This place appears to be very under-staffed for the sort of business that want to do. The wait staff appeared harried and put out an energy that made it difficult to relax and enjoy what I could about the meal.
(3)
sarah k.

i was sad to learn today that helsers changed their apple chicken sausage. whatever i was served was a poor replacement for the oh so juicy and delicious for the aroma of cinnamon and sweet sweet pork fat that once was. dear helsers, i do not hold this horrible decision against you but you will no longer be in my beautiful sausage dreams. and why you would want to serve a dried up dingleberry to your guests i may never know. your once adoring fan, sour. p.s. your coffee sucks too. WTF!!!
(3)
Joshua M.

Helser's seemed a bit understaffed. Our server Leah was super nice and probably as attentive as she could be considering the number of tables she had. I ordered their burger, and asked for medium rare and got medium well. It still was tasty enough, and the bacon had some excellent flavor. The wife who is currently sick got regular and potato pancakes, but couldn't really taste anything. I sampled their potato pancakes, and they were pretty good although not something I think I'd order personally. Bottom line is I think it's a solid affordable place to eat, but I think I'd sample some other places in the neighborhood before going back.
(3)
Colleen P.

I'd give this place zero stars but Yelp won't allow it. We found this restaurant on Yelp and decided to give it a try after the great reviews. Please note that I was dining with a 10 month old so in order to prepare, we arrived very early in the morning to avoid a crowd and ensure fast service. We beat the crowd but the fast service never happened. After feeding the baby and having a few cups of coffee, we noticed that other diners that had arrived after us were getting their food. Then they were getting their tab and leaving. Never once did the waitresses come around to check on us. Wouldn't they at least wonder WTF three people and a baby were just hanging out at their restaurant with water and coffee and no plates on their table? Nope. My sister finally got pissed enough 50 minutes after we sat down with no food that she went to discuss the problem up at the counter. No apologies, just "we must have misplaced your ticket". No kidding, be proactive instead of ignoring us. I swear they were all stoned. My sister gave them ten minutes to get our food on the table and after eleven minutes, two other tables got served before us so we got up and left. I'll give them credit, the food that everyone around us was eating looked good, but I'll never know what it tasted like. You can take this review with a grain of salt since we seem to be the exception, but the service sucked worse than any I've ever had and I eat out a lot.
(1)
Sheldon R.

Helser's is some kind of miracle. Great room, comfort food, with really affordable prices. Amazin' but true. I LOVE the German pancakes here. And... Portland's best children's book store - Green Bean Books - just across the street.
(5)
Mason C.

Let me tell you about the Peppered Bacon Cheddar Hash...jesus that's a damn good breakfast. The only thing I could think to make it better is if they cut down on the scallions a tiny bit. But hey, who am I to complain when it tastes so damn good going down. And, I can't complain about the greyhound to wash it down. Also to note is Andrew's comment about it being one of the best bloody mary's he's had. So I mean how can you go wrong with informational gold like this that I'm throwing out at you...
(5)
Trevor K.

It's just the best place for neighborhood breakfast. Huge portions, flawless (though sometimes forgivably unfriendly) service, simple but super delicious. I could eat breakfast here 7 days a week and never tire of it. Get the biscuits and gravy!
(5)
Beth S.

Been here quite bit and love it! yum yum!
(4)
K B.

This is almost the only place I go to breakfast. The potato hash portions are huge. The mushroom hash is loaded with mushrooms. The benedicts are good. Once the hollandaise was a little thinner and less lemony than usual. There can be a wait but usually not as long as other places (Gravy, Screen Door, etc). Service can be harried when they are particularly busy. Besides the single hollandaise incident, my only complaint is that sometimes the pickled bean in my Bloody Mary is limp.
(4)
Melissa M.

I think Helser's has the best breakfast in Portland. I always get the spinach/crimini/tomato benedict.....heaven. Nice big portions, yukon gold potatoes, good coffee, clean comfortable ambiance, fun servers, prime location. Every time I've gone here all people in my dining party have been happily satisfied with their meals. They also serve nice fruit on the side, like papaya or strawberries or cherries, instead of a boring melon or a couple of grapes. Those little touches count! I'd recommend Helser's to anyone looking for a great breakfast spot in Portland.
(5)
Liz G.

I liked Helser's. Just not as much as I liked Gravy last weekend. I had the salmon benedict, It was good. Could have used a little more hollandaise. My friend had the cheddar and bacon hash. It was pretty yummy. And they have scotch eggs, which I've never been brave enough to try, but the couple next to us ordered one...and then another...so I assume it was delicious.
(4)
Parichehr M.

egg crumpet sandwich was great! if i was a local this would be my breakfast spot
(5)
Amy T.

Helser's is really good all around. I've only been twice, but having just come back from a quite stellar brunch, I totally recommend it. I had the mushroom hash--delicious!--and the fiancÃ© had the eggs benedict with salmon, also fabulous. Not a long wait, nice service, pretty tables. I will gladly give it a five-star rating once we've gone back a few times and it's just as good.
(4)
Cali L.

The food here is fabulous! I breakfasted here the past couple times I visited Portland and would very much like to scoop it up and move it to DC with me! In mid-July I tried an amazing brioche French toast with fresh raspberries. The buttery brioche held its own against the tangy sweet berries. Also, I like the German pancake (it takes a while so if you are starving I wouldn't order it). It is custard-y and light and warm, it's like a big hug that makes you full. Only 4 stars because I routinely encounter absent-minded service. (I hate begging for coffee early in the morning!!)
(4)
Zachary S.

can I say hell yeah? great prices, great atmosphere and creative use of ingredients. j got the potato pancake with anaheim pepper and andooie (just like to spell it that way) sausage stacked high. It even came with 2 eggs, which luckily she said to hold. I got the Tuna curry sammy. One dish is enough for two people to share, I swear. well, if you get a small dish as well. I love this place.
(5)
Brandi S.

I had the crumpet and egg sandwich and it was amazing. Not to mention very reasonably priced and we were seated and served very quickly. Yet another lovely place on Alberta.
(4)
Yuri Y.

although line was out to the sidewalk, we were seated in 5 min. great food at excellent prices. Fair warning - if you are looking for a quiet place on Sunday morning, this is not the place.
(5)
Rachael J.

This is my new fave place for breakfast. And let me tell you, I have tried a lot of breakfast places in Portland. Helser's does tend to be busy on the weekends, and there is limited space to wait inside. So if it is cold out be sure to bundle up. Beware--they also don't seat you till your entire part is there. But it is worth it! The mushroom hash is to die for (served with yukon gold potatoes yum) and the crumpet and egg sandwich has quickly become my new fave breakfast sandwich in town (yes, I keep a ranked list in my head). There is also always a special and an early bird breakfast happy hour! Prices for the HH are $4.50 and come from a more limited menu... but does include the crumpet sandwich yay!
(5)
Kristine S.

Oh Helser's. How is it possible I didn't know about you for so long?? On a friend's recommendation, a group of us had breakfast there this past Saturday morning. I got there a little early to warn the wait staff there would be a small (ha!) group of 10 of us, and they were very accommodating to have us all sit in the same area. It wasn't too crowded (bonus!), and I hesitate writing this because I would love to keep this as my little secret. The food? Needless to say, I had planned this little group breakfast outing several weeks prior, and had perused the menu about a dozen times because everything sounded phenomenal and I couldn't make up my mind. I always came back to the Scotch eggs, which were way better than I had daydreamed about. The potato pancakes were a nice change from a regular ole greasy hash brown. The fruit? I would love to know where they found those strawberries because they were the sweetest I had ever had. I took a couple bites of my friend's Peppered Bacon Hash and it was equally awesome. I will be coming back to this place... it's easy on the wallet and fabulous on the tummy. I might actually even consider one of the weekly specials now that I've had the scotch eggs!
(5)
P. M.

A quaint little hometown cafe with a checkerboard floor and painted tables. The large portions were enough to feed a small village but we learned that they do offer half portions. It is clear that they are dedicated to quality and prepare all of the plates from scratch, nothing out of a box or can...thank goodness. Great food at a good price.
(4)
Kenneth H.

Sweet filling delicious breakfast place. The taters were quite good and my omelete/scramble whatever it was had lots of goodies on it. Hot, strong coffee accompanied and all for a reasonable price. I haven't tried the scotch eggs yet, but everyone is raving about them. Word.
(4)
Sabrina H.

I was so incredibly disappointed with Helsers. I was trying to be patient because we did show up just in time for the lunch rush but waiting over an hour for only 3 of us was a bit outrageous. I know that there are like 20 tables but there were 4 waitresses that were moving in slow motion. I saw them take 10 minutes just to clear off one table. Once we finally got seated we pretty much ordered right away but it took probably another 45 minutes to get our food. Plus people that got seated -after- us got their food -before- us (they had ordered the same things too!). I ordered the french toast but it was up waiting for a good 15 minutes before the rest of my group's food so nothing like COLD french toast. I wanted to send it back to get reheated but I was afraid it was going to take another 30 minutes to get it back. It did have potential flavor wise at least. The other two I went with seemed to enjoy their food at least. Oh yeah, when we were paying, our waitress took my card but didn't swipe it right away. She just set it by the register, left to go get clean dishes, stack the clean dishes where they needed to go and then swiped my card. Is it really that hard to let me pay and get the heck out of there? I was really wanting to like this place but it was such a big fail. I dont even know if I'll give it another chance...
(1)
Angela R.

My friend just brought me here the other day and I am hooked. They have cornmeal and apple pancakes that are to die for. Their prices are great, service was friendly, the atmosphere is definitely that of NE Portland (small, earthy, comfortable, retro...). Two thumbs up for sure.
(5)
Aubrey P.

This is one of my favorite breakfast places in Portland. Their dutch baby is done right, the scone sandwich is excellent and the sausage breakfast has never disappointed me. The service is very friendly and attentive. The only bad thing about this place is the wait on weekends. Put your name on the list and head up the street to get coffee at Random Order.
(4)
Francesca J.

So I have become a recent addict of Helser's on Alberta. A couple of my girlfriends and I do breakfast every Friday morning as a reward for making it through a hectic week, and Helser's is the only place we'll go. The food is delicious...I don't think any of us have ever been disappointed. I've quickly become a creature of habit there, always ordering the egg, ham, & cheese crumpet with fresh fruit (and about 12 cups of coffee...). The atmosphere is low-key and relaxed, but service can be a little slow (maybe too relaxed?). It's never too crowded at the time we go (7:30 am) so we don't feel guilty lingering for a couple hours over the never-ending coffee cup. Perhaps the best perk of breakfast is what we call the happy hour. If you go between 7-9 am (or somewhere around there...) they have a killer $3.95 menu with lots of options and huge portions. We never leave Helser's hungry. EDIT: Today, Helser's bumped up to 5 stars in my book. This is because when I ordered my diet RC, they asked me if I wanted lemon or lime with it! And then they offered to let my friend take her last coffee refill to go. Seriously?! And I learned that lunch is just as amazing as breakfast. This place is uh-maze-eeng.
(5)
Jasmine R.

yummy!!!
(5)
PDXtransplant -.

Having eaten at 90% of Portland breakfast joints over the past 5 years, Helser's is in my all time Top 3. It's always a good sign when you look at a menu and decide you'll need to return at least 6 more times to try everything of interest. Highly unique (Scottish Eggs), tasty breakfast dishes. While Tinshed is also delicious, Helser's is a clear step above and is also significantly less of a wait.
(5)
Tapatio S.

Went for the first time last week and I must say, it was delicious! I had the Huevos Rancheros, but I also tried the Pepper Hash (peppered bacon, hash browns, cheese, chives, etc) and it was just as great. The wait is long, but only because everyone knows it's so good!
(5)
Sage T.

I love this place. The food is really good...but the service is amazing. In a town where most service is seriously lack-luster and the server tends to give more attitude than service, going to a place where the wait staff is cheerful, can tell you a special, and remember to re-fill your coffee is downright refreshing! BTW, I go in about once a month and one of the servers there always remembers that I like English Breakfast tea with soy! That's pretty cool!
(5)
katie g.

Have you ever tried to go to the Tin Shed for breakfast on a Sunday and then realized that you really didn't feel like waiting for 45 minutes in the rain outside? And then you also thought, hey I want to pretend that I am a wee bit fancy today? Then go to Helser's! Its just down the block from the Tin, and for a couple of bucks more, everything comes with creme frachie instead of individually wrapped butter. The wait staff offer you fresh ground pepper and for a minute you might just think that you aren't a poor ass grad student who can't afford nice restaurants. I highly recommend the mushroom hash (a pile of amazing, garlicy, cheesy goodness) and the peanut butter cookies. They serve breakfast till three, so if you sometimes get a late start like me, its pretty perfect. Its a nice place to take your parents to for breakfast. Oh, and last time I was there all of the tables had cut orchids on them. Nice orchids. Good luck finding that at the Tin Shed! ps- They sell fresh brioche to go. Yum!
(5)
Gil N.

Goooood yukon gold mushroom hash. Lots of cheese. CHEESE!
(5)
B W.

I eat here frequently and I love the biscuits and gravy. Best gravy ever! But the biscuits are often cold. Boo.
(4)
Edward J.

Helser's is a great example of fancy Portland brunch eating. Of course, a place like this good the line is super long. I would try to make it there at 9am before everyone else shows up. A even better news is that Helser's has the early bird special from 7am-9am, where everything is $4.50, about half price off from the regular menu. So! Helser's is famous for its homemade crumpets, options like Cheddar, blueberry, butter, ...etc. whatever is in season and in stock! You can take a pack home and make your own breakfast meal. Or else, stay at Helser's and have a delicious Egg Benedict, which is stacked with spinach, mushroom, egg, and Holliander sauce. Now, let me warn you, the dish comes with TWO of the wonder crumpet egg stack and a side of hashbrown. A lot for $8.25! The Crumpet Egg Sandwich is smaller, and my boyfriend had to exchange the bacon for vege sausage patty. Which the waitress happily made that change for him. Oh yeah, since Fig is in season so we got a bunch of them as a side. The side fruit is always available depend on what's locally in season. Like I said, this place is really popular so I would try to get there before 9am, the wait is about 20 minutes on the weekend. During the weekday it is not that busy.
(5)
Susan G.

Helsers is one of my favorite brunch spots. My husband grew up in England and is excited to find a spot that offers Scotch Eggs and crumpets in the states. Service can be a little slow at times, but the food is delish. Like most good PDX breakfast options, there can be long lines on the weekends, but the lines move quicker than alternative breakfast spots on the same street. As much as I like this place I do have to mention that there is absolutely no heat in there in the winter. I went last January and wore a wool sweater, parka, gloves, hat, and a scarf inside and I still froze the entire time. What was more remarkable was that the place was still about half filled with folks that were also sitting at the tables bundled up in their winter coats and putting up with the freezing chill in order to eat there. Now I only come when the weather is mild, which luckily in PDX is most of the time.
(4)
Christen M.

Helser's doesn't quite have the place in my heart that the Tin Shed does, but gets five stars anyway, because, well, the wait is sometimes a bit shorter (though often comparable), the food is just as tasty (though certainly, uh, fancier and less rustic), the coffee is damn good (try the French press) and the service is always fine.
(5)
Gene S.

OPB aired a show that featured local places to eat and my boyfriend and I saw Helser's on the program. OMG IT LOOKED GOOD... and let me tell you it was! The food is fresh, colorful, and well presented. The portions are generous for the price, and the servers are extremely friendly! You can find all your standard breakfast items as well as interesting items like the Scotch Eggs... which if you are a meat eater I HIGHLY recommend! Everything is made in house, and most dishes are served with potato cakes (hashbrowns that look like pancakes). The only complaint I have is of my own doing... I got the pepper bacon hash and forgot to have my eggs scrambled... so I received poached eggs which I think are just gross BUT... if you do like your eggs runny, then this dish would have been a wonderful treat for you!!! So pretty, so yummy, we will definitely make the 20 minute drive again and again! It is worth it!!! Oh and the prices are really good!!!!
(4)
Rebecca L.

My seasonal job having ended in May, and me being naturally lazy/a night person/a lover of sunrises, my sleeping pattern has taken a turn towards the wonky. I have been heading out for my daily jog around 11:00 p.m.. Two days ago I made some great tabouli...at 4:30 a.m.. Yesterday I woke up ready for breakfast ("It must be...10:30ish?") only to discover that it was 4:10 p.m.. I still say my watch was lying. When did I become Rip Van Winkle? One good thing that comes from throwing my system out of whack is that inspiration tends to strike after a few days. Most of my masterpieces (I have several) have been undertaken during a nice 8 p.m. breakfast, and finished by supper at sunrise. After a night spent in waking up every two hours, at 6 this morning the divine voice spoke: "Cycle to yonder Grotto, then stuff thyself silly." After a ride up Rocky Butte Rd. and a stroll past the stations of the cross (if you do it backwards it's kind of like he's born again twice!), my bro and I headed over Alberta way. It was 10:30ish on a Friday and we seemed to arrive during a lull because about 7 minutes after we were seated there were no tables to be had. I can't imagine this place on a weekend. Whether or not Helser's is imaginable is moot--it exists, and I feel lucky. Nicely mixed crowd, nicely mixed Bloody Mary (pickled green beans? Yes, por Dios!), lovely space and lovely waitstaff. Fraternal unit described coffee refill service as "aggressive". My smoked salmon hash was Mmm Mmm good (but I must second Don B.'s poached egg stance: gooier=greater), as were bro's potato pancakes. The menu I find really appealing-- it strikes the right balance between traditional/creative and comfy/exciting, and everything is pulled together by care and attention. There is a limited pre- 9am $5 menu-- it might be a wise move as the summer starts to heat things up up on ol' Alberta. I know that's early for a Portlander, but look at it as four extra beer-drinking hours. That's, like, eight Newcastles. I'm happy just thinking about it. Sleep, ho!
(5)
Ann-Marie N.

[December 2009] This was our first stop on a day trip to Portland from Seattle. We saw it listed in one of the NYTime's travel diaries and the first words listed were "potato pancakes", need I hear more? We headed directly in and the ambience is great, very neighborhoody (great part of N. Alberta Street), and you feel this is where the hip Portlanders go to eat. Everyone had a cute haircut, cool hat, and funky leggings on. The PPs were great though a softer consistency that I've had before (Pancake Chef in Seattle, Pancake Pantry in Nashville). My husband got the salmon hash with two poached eggs on top - a heaping portion and pretty good. The salmon provided some seriously saltiness. A great brunch place for sure - try to sit away from the doorway!
(4)
Larry H.

Helser's is has pretty decent food for a breakfast joint, although their taters could use more crisping. I really only came here because extramsg mentioned they had the best scotch egg in the city. Let me clarify that, elements of their scotch egg are the best in the city. For overall quality and price, the scotch egg from Helser's and the Horse Brass are comparable. The brass uses lower quality sausage but more quantity with better eggs that stay firmer after the deep-frying. Helser's on the other hand uses high quality bratwurst I believe but doesn't layer on more than a couple millimeters of it around the egg compared to around 7mm with the brass's while the egg doesn't firm up as well as the brass's does as a result of the shorter cooking time involved when cooking less sausage. However, the breading at Helser's is more delectably crunchy than the Brass. It's probably better to just make your own as I've done occasionally, so that you can make them softball-sized. Ridiculous I know, but ridiculously delicious as well. I'd recommend running ~5 miles first though, it'll taste much better without the guilt of destroying your body. I digress though, the rest of the menu seems a step above standard and the crumpets were very nice. The service is pretty good, nice and friendly with older servers who know what they're doing. Ambience made me feel like I was in some b&b in new england during graduation week with all the parents in town so it was pretty noisy, but just busy noisy and not oppressively so. Nice joint, I would definitely go back to try more of their menu. Closes around 3 so I'd get in early on the weekends, or call in sick and have a nice slow-paced breakfast before going home to lick your wounds.
(4)
Brianne C.

We sipped on complimentary coffee as we waited outside Helser's in the blustery weather, watching people casually walking their dogs and hiding under the tables. After 45 minutes, our party was called inside and seated at a large slab table, simple menus placed in our hands. Perusing the tempting breakfast items, we ordered the bacon and cheddar hash, smoked salmon hash, pear and havarti tart, and a side of scotch eggs. Settling back with additional beverages, we commenced playing games on the mats while enjoying endless coffee replenishments. Our food arrived after a lengthy wait (many items are prepared a la minute) and we eagerly tucked into gleaming yolks, lofty french toast slices, and decadent hard-boiled eggs coated with sausage and bread crumbs. The eggs, potatoes, and salmon in my hash were nicely cooked and fresh (the salmon was finely chopped in the Oregon style), but I found myself craving additional bursts of flavor. The bacon hash was zestier, due in large part to the sharp Tillamook cheddar, rendering the fluffy potatoes a nice counterbalance. Of course, the scotch eggs were delightful, a rare indulgence that reminded me of my last college days. A taste of the pear tart also revealed fresh ingredients but did not excite me, though others were pleased. Our server was kind and sheparded us through hunger pangs and a squirming (but adorable) young companion by providing children's books and tasty beverages. I would be interested in tasting the dinner menu while sitting at the appealing bar at the front. Also, the cocktails on the chalkboard trilled with promise, and I think the atmosphere must be more pleasant when Helser's is not bustling on a Sunday morning. Indeed, I would happily return to experience solid classic dishes, fresh ingredients, and a skilled display of cooking, but I might also reach for the sri racha.
(4)
Tony M.

The longer the wait, the better the food must be. On our first visit we waited over an hour to be seated. The bar was set. Expectations were very high. I had the signature dish of Scotch Eggs and Potato Pancakes. I was disappointed. I liked the concept and the texture of the Scotch Eggs but the flavor was lacking. Very bland. The potato pancakes were mushy. I admit that I am not an expert in what makes a perfect potato pancake but if they would have been crunchy, I would have liked them much better. My breakfast associates said that if I wanted crunchy I should have ordered hashbrowns. Whatever, the hashbrowns would probably been mushy as well. The pepper bacon was very good. Our server was adequate, not friendly but efficient. With so many great breakfast places in Portland, we do not need to go back.
(2)
Thomas M.

So I took a little break from Helser's... I thought I was just burned out from going there so often, but I now think it is just not quite as good as I used to be or my tastes have changed. I had my usual pepper bacon hash, it was pretty good but not what I remember. The gf had the French toast, I would strongly advise against this. The pieces are HUGE and not that well cooked, kind of like eating a piece of huge mushy bread. My last 4-5 visits have definitely not lived up to my first 2 magical visits, I will return just because it is so convenient and the lines are not as bad as Tin Shed but I hope the food turns back around
(3)
Sailor H.

This is by far the best breakfast place on Alberta, and one of the best in Portland, alongside the Country Cat and Tasty and Sons. I like restaurants that do everything on their menu well. They don't need to have a lot of options. This place has tons of different kinds of options, savory, sweet, depending on your mood. One downside: Not vegan-friendly, most things have eggs, which I love but my friends wouldn't have much to choose from. The lunch sandwiches are huge and the potato chips are thin, ridged, and homemade. The fresh fruit that comes with many of the breakfast dishes is delicious, and can be ordered as a side. Highlights: -Scotch eggs and potato pancakes with horseradish creme -Dutch baby --Curry tuna sandwich -Crumpet and Egg Sandwich i'm still wanting to try the hash. YUMMY I think I will go there for lunch today!
(5)
Kevin S.

I am a late riser so often hit breakfast joints at the end of service. Went to Helser's at about 2:15, 45 minutes before they close on a Sunday. The staff seemed a bit tired. We got our order in quickly enough but no waters for 10 minutes until we flagged down our server who has just brought some to the newly arrived guests next to us. Honest mistake maybe but some hydration on hangover breakfast days is a must. Add me to the list of people who think that just putting water on the table is a great idea. I went due to the praise of the benedict here. I love a good benedict. But, for me, benedict means an English muffin. Helser's substitutes a crumpet. The result is a distinct lack of texture. I missed that crunch of an English muffic to balance out the softness of the egg and smoked salmon. I also tasted some sweetness in the crumpted that didn't go well with the other flavors. Not sure why they deviated from the classic benedict but for me it was not a good move.
(3)
Kelly M.

I must admit that I've always overlooked Helser's in favor of the Tin Shed, it's competition just down the way. Surprisingly, though, Helser's is just as nice on the inside and offers a menu that's just as delicious and interesting. The Pear and Havarti Pie I settled on was sweet and fancy tasting, and came with fresh fruit, creme fraiche, and a crumpet. I also tried some of their potato hash with poached eggs and it was just as good (and cheap--under six bucks for a big breakfast). Helser's was good food, good service, and no wait to get seated. A good alternative to the Tin Shed for delicious brunch on Alberta.
(5)
Jen K.

Sweetie is an interesting word. Used by a man and it can sound demeaning. Used by a fun and sassy waitress and I can't help but smile. And lets face it, anything is better than ma'am, which makes me cringe every time, no matter the gender tossing it my way. Breakfast is quickly becoming my favorite meal of the day. Since I was running errands in the area, I made my first trip ever to Alberta Street and had breakfast at Helser's. I was there during prime time on Saturday morning and expected a wait even though I was dining solo. I put my name on the list to sit anywhere (everyone in front of me were larger groups) and even though there was an open seat at the cute bar area, I didn't get seated until there was a table open, so it was about a 20 min. wait. The wait would have been more pleasurable if I could have enjoyed some Kobos coffee, but for the first 15 minutes, there weren't any cups available in the coffee bar. Now both of these things could have been easily fixed, but weren't. But, in the grand scheme of things these are mere quibbles. Once I was seated, things couldn't have been better. So many good choices on the menu and I finally settled on a 1/2 order of the pepper bacon and chedder hash after discussing a few options with my server. Delicious, and still so much food I brought some home to enjoy later. The fresh squeezed orange juice was also refreshing and light (not too much pulp). All told my breakfast was $8 and I left with a big 'ole smile on my face. Also, I noticed that they have a "Yelp Loves Us" sticker on their front door. AND we received top billing above stickers for Citysearch, Willamette Week and AOL. Helser's and Yelp sitting in a tree...
(4)
Kristine P.

I will not give Helser's more than three stars because the service was pretty slow and the staff didn't seem like they had a sense of urgency about anything. (it's Sunday people)! I had the Scotch Egg and Potato Pancakes Hard boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst, lightly breaded and fried golden brown. Served with three potato pancakes and horseradish cream. $6.95 While I enjoyed the Scotch Egg (a great deal), the potato pancakes weren't crispy enough for me. But, this was my first time having them here so next time I'll now how to order them. The sour cream and horseradish cream that come with the meal was a nice touch. Oh! Also the applesauce, forgot about that! The food was good but not great and I will return but only if my friends suggest we go. There are just too many great places to eat breakfast, so I won't settle.
(3)
Ali L.

Usually when I go to a new restaurant I have some idea of what it will be like, because, well, I yelp. So this review has been sitting as an unfinished review for over week. All I had written was the first line....which....lets be honest, has left a lot to be desired. I ended up here unexpectedly. Despite the fact that I yelp I had never heard of this place. I ordered the eggs benedict with spinach and mushrooms. It was great. Fresh vegetables, hollandaise sauce was great with just the right amount used, on a whole wheat english muffin or it could have been a crumpet. The menu was simple. I will go back again. only 4 stars because the service was somewhat lacking
(4)
Kalani C.

Okay, so brunch is a huge a*s deal in PDX. People here get psycho crazy about brunch. We decided to meet our friends on NE Alberta near the Tin Shed. Most brunch places do not take reservations, so we figured we'd give our luck a try. According to yelp, Tin Shed was highly rated. But being an underdog whore (whatever that means), I personally decided that Helser's is the place to be. Like the runner-ups on American Idol. Why go Lee DeWyze when I can have Crystal Bowersox. So I made reservations for six at Helser's (yes they do for 6+) with hopes that we wouldn't stand a chance at Tin Shed. Of course, the Tin was packed with a two day wait. So we end up at Helser's (hmm, you don't say). They appologized for only having a table for four. Perfect, we weren't six to begin with, just wanted a reservation. Service was freindly and efficient, but the kitchen took a good 35-40 minutes to deliver. This didn't matter as conversation and bringing friends up to speed with what you've been up to for the past 5-8 years actually took some groundwork. Our table had the following: Scotch Egg and Potato Pancakes ............... $6.95 Hard boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst, lightly breaded and fried golden brown. Served with three potato pancakes and horseradish cream.......'I can't push it any further captain'...these scotch eggs were beam-me-up worthy! German Pancake ........................................ $6.90 (Dutch Baby): Whipped eggs, flour and milk with lemon zest. Oven baked until golden brown (20 min. cook time) Fresh Seasonal Fruit Topping 2.95 (we had blueberry)...............Delicious, light and zingy! Pear and Havarti Pie ....................................... $7.50 Bartlett pears and havarti cheese baked in an egg custard served with crÃ¨me fraiche, fresh fruit and a toasted crumpet.....reminded me of "Sweeny Todd" (yuck!) or maybe not. Pears and havarti, what can go wrong?!! Brioche French Toast ..................................... $6.95 Sliced thick and soaked in a vanilla cinnamon batter served with maple syrup and sweet butter......Perfect!! They also had a nice selection of wines, bloody marys and mimosas. A perfect spot that wasn't uber crowded, but still packed with a waiting line. Pretty awesome for a place considered "second best". Tastes like 1st place to me. Move over Kris Allen, this seat's reserved for Adam Lambert!
(4)
Karl W.

Let me tell you about the biscuits and mushroom gravy. THE BEST! I'll be going back.
(5)
Jonathan L.

The books suggest a different place as best brunch, but ER loved Helser's! The smoked salmon hash was excellent, tasty but not too salty. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the potato pancakes were light and flavorful. It was a wonderful neighborhood place.
(4)
Stephen S.

I had the german pancake (dutch baby) that takes a whole 20 minutes to bake. It was a fluffly and had a nice lemon flavor to it. It was not covered with powdered sugar as I would expect a dutch baby. All of the other food at the table looked really good as well.
(4)
shyam a.

I hate to give bad reviews but the people deserve an honest perspective. We have been here about 6 times. Have always liked it here. But... Today was Awful. We checked it sat, waited... and waited no agua for us or el perro Ahh, service, bout time Ordered coffee w/ soy milk... oops forgot the soy, be back in 5 minutes Us: Is the coffee self-serve? Them: No, but could you? That would make it a lot easier for me. My girlfriend waited at the counter for a good while for no one to fill the pot. We ordered and waited. Yay, food is here! Oh, they forgot to make it vegetarian. Be right back. Yeah, we've heard that one before. At least we have the german pancake, which is usually awesome. Today it sucked... balls.... sweaty ones. And no napkins leaving us sticky and disappointed $9 later Another table came, ordered, ate and left before we got our food By the time our next dish came, I was too hungry and bitter to taste anything. 2 stars... it's usually really good. today may have been a fluke. But we won't be back for a while. Work for your eFFin Tips!
(2)
Laura N.

One more 5-star review and Helser's might spontaneously combust...but I just can't bring myself to go any lower. But don't judge a review by it's stars: I promise to say at least something remotely interesting in the following sentences... While most people attribute 5-stars to the food at Helser's - my food was pretty standard...a spinach salad and cup of black bean chili...two items that are pretty tough to screw up. It was a solid 3 star food performance. Let's just say that I wasn't doing cartwheels leaving the restaurant, nor was I having orgasms in my mouth following each bite. I believe in unicorns* The 5-star rating of Helser's is due in gigantic part to the amazing service. Again, not your standard "speed" or "attentiveness" stars, instead I'm dishing out the big guns for our server asking the EXACT right questions. Stick this in your pipe and Yelp it: #1 I asked for a coffee (and I HATE creamer. YUCK.) Our server asked: "Would you like me to bring cream?" Now this may not seem too important for most....but I can't STAND it when I have to look at that nasty cup of cream my entire meal! Thank you THANK YOU for asking me before you just bring me a chilled cup of nasty. #2 FJ asked for a diet coke. Our server asked "lemon or lime" in that? Bam. That's music to my citrus-loving ears. #3 She had no problem bringing us some fresh bread and fruit - free of charge, although neither of our meals included it. #4 After we paid the bill, our server asked me if I wanted to take my hot coffee to GO! Brilliance. I have no shame in my doggie bag game and with my constantly cold hands... And for these lovely highlights, along with the "no complaints" food, the entire experience was 5+++stars. *just in case you didn't find my review interesting, I threw in that little juicy tidbit. Cheers.
(5)
Steel F.

The scotch eggs....I have dreams about these. Killer potato pancakes too. Wait time for a table seems a touch less than other PDX brunch spots. Highly recommended!
(5)
Kari D.

I love Helser's. Let me just get that out there right now. It's delicious. Good coffee, good breakfast (I've never been for lunch) and cool/comfortable atmosphere. My go to meal is the smoked salmon hash - imagine a heavenly mound of potatoes, smoked salmon and spinach, topped with two poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. But everything I've had is great - crumpet sandwiches, indulgently sweet french toast, black bean chili scramble. A word to the wise: be prepared to wait when you visit Helser's. While they do have coffee available while you wait, I always make sure to have a cup before heading over (ugliness will ensue if I go coffee-less). And once you get seated, be prepared to wait a little while for the food to arrive - it is a small and very busy kitchen. But always worth the wait in my book.
(4)
Lorri E.

Helser's Haiku: I love potatoes Even better with bacon Helser's, I love you Helser's is nice and bright, and a comfortable neighborhood breakfast/brunch place. In my humble opinion, the vittles are a slight bump up from Tin Shed down the street (more sophisticated), so while ever popular Tin Shed is fun, Helser's is classy and good--so plenty of room for both on Alberta St. I like the specials, and the scramble with (of course), bacon and Yukon Gold taties. Mmmm...
(4)
Vangie G.

If it wasn't for the tasty and interesting breakffast meal, this place would have gotten 2 starts merely for the service. I got the Scottish eggs and Chris got the breakfast burrito. They were both tasty although the wait and the nonchalance of the wait staff would make me reconsider coming to this place again unless there was absolutely no line.
(3)
John R.

Great food!! I had the sweet potato hash w/two poached eggs on top. EXCELLENT! Sweet bacon(y) goodness. It took a bit of time to be served, but I would come back here again.
(3)
Wasabi D.

I've lived in the neighborhood for ten years and tried Helsers for the first time the other day. The food was pretty good, but seemed to be a bit more than some other neighborhood joints. (I had the benedict and iced tea.) The one thing that really burned me was when I got my iced tea refilled, they charged me for another. I don't know if any restaurant in this town charges for iced tea refills, but for over $2 a glass, it's ridiculous that they had the cojones to charge me per glass. Of course I assumed the tea refills were free and didn't realize till I got my bill that I was being charged. It was a good meal, but that really bummed me out.
(2)
Mewstertu M.

I am not much of a breakfast person but I went popped into Helser's at 10:30 am after a pilates class not realizing that the do not serve lunch until 11:30. They gave me my grilled chicken and spinach salad anyway. The salad was amazing and the chicken was cooked to perfection. The dressing was light, sweet and a slight bit tangy. The serve only came to my table once to ask how I was doing but I was reading so maybe they just did not want to interrupt. Staff went out of their way to ask if I could get the salad and the atmosphere is simple but nice. I will return if the opportunity arises.
(4)
Sara C.

Food - 4 + Service - 2 = 3 Stars Helser's apparently wasn't expecting a larger-than-average-Monday-breakfast crowd on Memorial day because they were definitely understaffed. At one point, they even stopped seating people so they could wait on people who were already seated. This also meant that a large line built up outside while several empty tables sat inside. I hope they don't manage most of their busy breakfasts like that. The people next to us waited so long for their food that they just gave up and left, which is never a good sign. My complaint with the service was that my water glass was perpetually empty. The Pear and Havarti pie was delicious and large enough to feed two people. The Scotch eggs were great too, and not as greasy as I'd expect. Other than those two items, the menu is a bit boring and I'd love to see them some more variety!
(3)
B. C.

No pretense here, come in, order, eat, and enjoy. From properly prepared eggs benedict to tasty scotch eggs, food is served hot and quickly. The staff is attentive, to the point, and friendly. Presentation is clean and portions are satisfying. Expect a medium wait during busy weekend brunch hours. Greyhounds, mimosas and Bloody Mary's available!
(4)
Ran B.

Nice little place. Had to wait about 10 minutes for a seat - and they weren't skimpy, sat me (1) on a table for four. Server was very nice. Salmon hash was good, but huge. Didn't finish. Added side of toast (excellent, pre-buttered and golden) and bacon (standard). Note about the salmon hash - this is not smoked salmon, or if it is, it's not very well smoked. Surprised me some. Note about parking - only found a place on the street for 1 hour parking, doable, but I find myself a bit hurried toward the end. 4/5.
(4)
Jenna F.

Helser's you are killing me. Here I am in SE Portland and there you are all the way in NE! But that mushroom hash, with the havarti cheese just dripping from the yukon gold potatoes, it calls to me. It's damn good. I haven't been able to try anything else but it all sounds soo good. I did try a crumpet ( I have a a thing for crumpets, but no one ever makes them anymore), but it didn't have much flavor and the texture was a little off. Only real turn off here is that it seems they need more staff, maybe just a dedicated host on the weekends would do the trick.
(4)
Justine M.

Dining here was a pure delight this past Tuesday. I came in prior to running down to the gym and I'll admit the food was a bit heavy for pre-workout food, but delicious. The menu was stacked full of benedicts and other delectable choices. I settled for 2 eggs with hash and veggie sausage. The servings are huge and based on this basic meal being unbelievably savory & guilt-inducing, I cannot wait to try the next dish...when I am not pre-workout. I also did venture in alone and sat up at the counter with bar stools... the waitress was so nice and it was just a perfect place to sit and dine alone. Very comfy... Also, the bloody mary's looked awesome. Oh, and this place is pretty cheap(ish).
(4)
Kelsie B.

Helser's is my absolute favorite breakfast place in Portland. That's saying something. Whenever anyone's like, "Hey, what's your favorite breakfast place"? I'm immediately like, "Helser's." Breakfast is all I've ever eaten at Helser's. I have no information about lunch. The thing I usually order is the German Pancake, or Dutch Baby, if you will. It is so freaking good. I mean CRAZY good. I like all the stuff it comes with--the powdered sugar, the lemon wedges (oh, how I love to drench it with all three lemon wedges) and the maple syrup. I wish I had one right now. Other favorites: the meats (seriously, all the breakfast meats are delicious and perfectly prepared), the pear and havarti pie (don't overlook this. It is the bomb.), and the pepper bacon and cheddar hash (an excellent standby). Also, the specials have proven to be pretty wonderful, too. One time I had a crazy pound cake french toast that was probably the most sinful thing I've ever eaten. Good coffee and mimosas too. Another really cool thing is that everything comes garnished with a little fresh fruit--REAL fresh fruit, like grapes or strawberries or apricots. If you go on the weekend, the wait time can be seriously brutal. But sometimes it's not. And I still go there because when I think about the alternatives, I'm not quite as stoked. I love Helser's!
(5)
Rob B.

Last weekend my girlfriend suggested that we walk down and meet some friends of our at Helser's On Alberta. It had been about 10 months ago we had gone for the first time. I remembered the food being good, however i didn't really have a desire to go back there for some reason?... Well this weekend it was made very clear why I had no desire to go back... The Service is Lame. I'm not talking about the Service of the whole establishment... I'm talking about 1 particular waitress that I had the misfortune of getting the last time I was there. She would not give the time of day to anyone at the table except my girlfriend and her sister... it was to the point of being ridiculous. She only made eye-contact only with my girlfriend... and only asked her questions like if she wanted more coffee (I sat there with an empty coffee the whole time). It was almost like my girlfriend was a language interpreter... except there was seemly purposeful disregard for the guys at the table... it was So blatant. My food was outstanding... however, I personally would never treat anyone with such disdain regardless of their: race, sex, orientation... or whatever. So i will certainly Not support an establishment (even if it has great food) that employs a person that has that little regard for some of it's customers. In short my experience was: once again the really poor attitude of our server eclipsed the fine food that Helser's serves.
(1)
Chuck D.

BYOC -- Bring Your Own Coffee !! The brown swill they offer is piss-poor and burnt-bitter. A real shame for such an otherwise outstanding restaurant. Thankfully there is Random Order down the street for the good stuff. Other than that: the long wait is well worth it, the food is amazing, with great service (esp. since the lady that forgot to place your order and spilled coffee on you has gone -- I mean, she was friendly, but drunk). Every 6-8 months they offer a huevos rancheros with beef brisket special, which is an unbelieveable must-try. It should return as a regular part of their standard menu. Unfortunately, I can't give them a higher rating because they consistently fail at a foundational piece of the Portland brekkie restaurant puzzle: decent coffee.
(3)
Josh C.

What can I say about Helser's that hasn't already been said? Once you find it, you'll love it. If you're like me, you'll go out of your way to come here whenever you can. This is a great place to bring out-of-town guests on a culinary tour of Portland's finest. Just don't bring the little one. Found it strange that they didn't have booster seats or high chairs. They did have coloring sheets and a good selection of books, though. If your kid doesn't exactly stay in one place during mealtime, might want to reconsider going here. Make sure you try their in-house cider. It was amazing cold and I'm gonna go back soon to try it hot. Scotch eggs are out of this world. Seriously. I really like that they pair the breakfast entree with some fresh fruit. Definitely helping me get to my fruit serving for the day.
(5)
Tani S.

We wandered down the street from Tin Shed after seeing this on a PBS special and were happy to see a short wait! The menu had lots of interesting dishes and we opted for the crumpet sandwich and the salmon Benedict. The crumpet sandwich was fine although a wee bit too much cheese and wish the crumpets had been toasted a little more. We didn't enjoy this as much as we had hoped. The salmon Benedict just tasted a wee bit off. Perhaps it was because it had chunks of cut up mashed salmon as opposed to the whole pieces they usually give when I've ordered it in other locations. The one bright spot of the meal was the toddler's bacon was really memorable--flavorful and crunchy! The service was friendly and I love the atmosphere but in town with so many yummy breakfast places this spot falls below Tin Shed, Sanborn's, and Broder.. Ironic it would be four stars in Seattle but a solid three stars here.
(3)
Alyssa J.

I have only been here once, and probably won't be back since I was visiting, but good lord this place was great! The food was so delicious. They could easily charge twice as much...in SF this quality of food would be twice as much. I couldn't believe the selections on the menu. It took me like 15 minutes to decide and they have Scotch Eggs! So delicious yet so hard to find, and they were only $2 each. I was seriously considering a half dozen for $10, but decided it wouldn't be a good idea for the plane ride home. The waitress was super nice and attentive. Plus, I ordered an espresso while my friends had coffee, and she kept refilling my little cup with coffee -- totally adorable. I don't remember the music, if there was any, and didn't use the bathroom. Sooo, those are neutral. And it wasn't busy, so I don't know what it's really like on the weekends, but seriously, this was the best food I've had in a while. And I was at a food festival the day before!
(5)
Natalie C.

My go-to place for breakfast/brunch in Portland. I lean toward savory for my first meal of the day (think benedicts and hashes) and this place hits it out of the park for both. The Smoked Salmon Benedict and Mushroom Hash are my two favorite dishes. I've had the breakfast tamales on special which were to DIE for. I have also tried the Dutch Baby, Pear & Havarti Pie, biscuits and gravy, the Watercress Sandwich and the Grilled Chicken Club. I have never been disappointed in a meal at Helser's. The service is always friendly and efficient, the place is spotless, and the atmosphere is pleasant. I bring all of my out-of-town guests here.
(4)
chile o.

If you are fool enough to eat here, then you are being fooled by the other fools who have fooled themselves into thinking that there is a single redeeming quality in this establishment. Terrible service, arbitrary "rules" for guests, wobbly tables, bland, overpriced fare, and interminable waits(again, subject to arbitrary waitstaff feelings at the moment; i.e. "I have too many tables at the moment, so even though there are three open tables, I'm not seating anyone right now because I, as a waitress, am all important, and cannot be burdened with these customers"). At least the Tin Shed gives out free coffee while you wait with all the other idiots for over an hour for some eggs. This town really has the wool pulled over it's eyes with the breakfast scene. I drive by every morning on the way to my shop, and I just have to chuckle at all the saps freezing their asses off waiting for such disappointment. Don't be a fool.
(1)
Jana S.

My mouth starts watering just thinking about Helser's. This is the one time in my life, that I wish I could have a larger stomach to fit in more food. First off, don't wait until you are starving to go here. The wait is usually long, and cramped. But, you can fill yourself a cup of coffee while you wait. That being said - it's totally worth it. Everything on the menu is delicious. My personal favorite are the benedicts. Topped with spinach and mushrooms, or salmon covered in the perfect hoIlandaise. The potatoes and fruit are a great addition. I am convinced that the sauce is sprinkled with crack...I'm addicted. I must stop writing before I have withdrawals.
(5)
Ricky M.

Helser's for breakfast at 11:00 am on a Sunday. Good idea or foolish mistake? Pretty good idea actually. Got there, put name on list, walked up the street and got some coffee from Random Order and chilled on the sidewalk. It was definitely busy, some patrons were dismayed by the wait times. But hey don't expect to get in w/ a group of more than 2 in a 1/2 hour. I was tempted to order a Scotch Egg even though I don't like Hard boiled eggs. I had the Sausage breakfast w/ a Brat and the Chicken apple sauasage. Next time I'd probably rock the hot link instead of the Chicken sausage.
(4)
w r.

i tried to eat brunch at helser's today. as someone who has worked in beverage/food service i understand how hard of a job it is. i also understand how basic it is to just even say hello. it was a monday afternoon at about 1pm i walked in with my dear friend K. i put our name on the list as the sign requested and looked around. there were two empty tables that needed to be cleaned. after my friend and i sat on the chairs waiting for someone to greet us a party of three came in and walked up to one of the dirty tables one of the servers was cleaning and sat down after they put their name on the list and saw that we were sitting there waiting for a table. being the nice guy i am, i didn't say anything because i figured they must have been in more of a rush and well, i'm just not that rude. so. we waited. and waited. i stood up and tried to make eye contact with the servers but to no avail. after waiting for awhile with that empty table that stayed dirty i looked to my friend and said we should get the hell out of there and go eat somewhere where they'd actually like to serve us. so. i can't tell you if the food is good. but today? the service was awful. i won't be back.
(1)
Irene C.

I would like to provide a little background before delving into this review. Ever since my arrival to Portland three months ago, I have been on the search for the perfect eggs benedict. Well, perhaps 'perfect' is a bit far-fetched, but definitely a place with BOMB benedict. I had found place after place but never had the guts to order it because of fear of disappointment. Finally, however, I decided it was time and that Heiser's was the place. So in I walk and down I sat. Our server was very nice, but she was a bit scatter-brained. Probably just one of her quirks, I thought. . .no big deal. It did take her a while to take our order, but she was very nice about it; besides. . I was going to get my benedict so nothing could ruin my mood. I had ordered the smoked salmon benedict which comes with a side of Yukon potatoes. I could barely contain my excitement. When our food finally arrived, I noticed that the Yukon potatoes were mixed in with the salmon and everything was covered in Hollandaise sauce. Well, that was strange. Then I noticed the salmon was not sitting on an English muffin. Good Lord! It wasn't salmon eggs benedict. . .it was salmon hash! After three whole months of watching and waiting, I got HASH. I sat in disbelief. Despite it all, I didn't want to change my order as it took quite a while to come out, so I ate my hash. Although it was tasty and very filling, I ate it reluctantly. Now, I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression. The salmon hash was actually really good, and I would eat it again. Furthermore, it had the exact same ingrediants as the benedict minus the muffin. . .but salmon and eggs with hollandaise sauce on a muffin and potatoes on the side is NOT the same as salmon, eggs, and potatoes with hollandaise sauce on top. . . just as red and blue is not the same as red and blue combined. That, my friends, is purple. Salmon hash is PURPLE. I can't believe I got purple.
(3)
Jessica O.

I had a craving for eggs Benedict this morning and after looking over some yelp reviews decided to go here to get my fix. The coffee was great, hot and always being refilled. When I got my breakfast disappointment set in. The eggs were not consistent. One was way runny with some of the whites not cooked, the other had a tiny yolk ( like a teaspoon amount) and was almost hard boiled. The hollandaise sauce wasn't anything special either. The muffin that this was all on top of was once again not consistent. one half was cut so poorly that it wasn't even a full round, leaving half my ham and egg resting on the plate. Service was great but it does not fix the disappointment that this plate of eggs Benedict left on me. Maybe it was an off day for the cook but I will never know. I will never go back, just for the reason that the cook let that plate go out with so many things wrong.
(1)
Stefanie S. J.

Ten thumbs UP :)! Helser's is a place I could go to every day of the week and not get bored! Every time I sit there over the menu and can not decide what to get. The "Special" (on the blackboard behind the bar) is usually always a great choice. But also the Standards on the menu are amazing, f.ex. the Mushroom or Salmon hash. The atmosphere is friendly and filled with light, the waitresses are all very nice! While you wait you can pour yourself a cup of coffee. All I need first thing in the morning :)! And the also serve mimosa for the occasion. I am looking forward to going back very soon when we are up there!
(5)
Ash. A.

I'm just glad that there is an alternative to Tin Shed's massive line. And that the alternative happens to be miles better than it's neighboring hippy shack. I decided to go to Helsers after saying to myself the past year that I needed to give it a try. The free coffee and great service was a plus with my hangover I was battling that morning. (Also, thank goodness for Portland's overcast weather). We were seated promptly for a busy brunch morning, loaded with coffee refills, and then we ordered. The mushroom scramble was a potato dream come true. The flavors were comforting, and the cheese was a plenty. The texture of the meaty mushrooms made the dish feel hearty yet not overwhelmingly so. My partner in brunch crime got the salmon hash. It was stellar! The salmon was perfectly matched with the veggies and potatoes it was paired with. Said partner ate it all. So, I think it was a winner. I will return with an empty belly and without hangover on my next visit. Thank Helsers for putting me on the road to recovery via potatoes!
(4)
Beck B.

I just tried Helser's for the first time. I figured that braving the crowd outside and long wait times (for a table and the food), would be well worth it once I was eating. Unfortunately this was not the case. The food was just... meh. I ordered the french toast and poached eggs on the side. My partner ordered the biscuits and mushroom gravy. The french toast was pretty generic while the poached eggs were over done for my taste, and pretty gummy in texture. My partner felt the same about the biscuits and gravy. She noted that her biscuits were overcooked. That said, our server was great, very attentive without being imposing.
(2)
stangirl w.

Delish I had the mushroom hash. It was very earthy and cooked just right. I will defiantly be back to this place. I also had a bloody mary it was ok. The waitress leaves something to be desired. I felt a bit rushed.
(5)
Lisa W.

Really delicious no-frills breakfast fare. The early menu is a fabulous bargain. My husband had a yummy ham, egg, cheddar sandwich on a fresh crumpet, and I had the two-eggs, maple sausage and potato plate, both $4.95. The maple sausage is amazing for reals. I ordered my eggs over-medium, which is always a crap shoot , but they pulled it off. The potatoes are also really good, and I don't usually like morning potatoes. We also ordered the 'sweet' special: Banana bread french toast. Really? Homemade banana bread made into french toast?! Seriously decadent! I think that was like $9.50 for three generous pieces. We each ate less than one and brought the other home for later. Yum! Really good coffee and loose-leaf tea, too. Lots of little ones in the house on a Monday morning, but it wasn't crowded or loud. The place is tiny - maybe 12 tables max and I can imagine it's a very long wait on the weekends.
(4)
lee v.

Long wait but best Benedict ever The brunch here is really fantastic. My benedict was by far the best I've ever had. I think the secret is in the Hollandaise, but I was also a big fan of replacing the traditional english muffin with a crumpet. I wish that was more common. Execution on the poached eggs was perfect as well. Maybe that should go with out saying, but it's been my experience that seeing "Eggs Benedict" on the menu does not necessarily imply that the kitchen staff can successfully poach an egg. Helser's clearly has that problem solved, though. The only bad thing about my brunch experience -- and the reason I'm knocking off a single star -- was that we had to wait an inordinate amount of time for our food after being seated. I expected a long wait for a table, but was a bit taken aback by the long wait for the food. The wait was so long that I'm inclined to think that something must have gone wrong in the kitchen and this is not a common occurrence.
(4)
lala b.

If you care anything at all about service, don't eat here. On second thought, perhaps this is the best place to dine and dash because NO ONE WILL NOTICE YOU. A friend and I walked in here at 2:20 last Sunday for a quick bite. We put our name on the list. There are two names ahead of ours and two empty tables. Hmm. We waited in the tiny front area with one other couple for a solid five minutes while being ignored by the three women working the small dining room. My friend spots two coffee carafes, but no cups. We go gets cups from the bar. Psych! The carafes are empty! Another table is cleared, and finally a couple waiting outside is seated. We wait another three minutes and the other couple is seated. Another two, we sit down. We have to ask for menus and are then ignored for ten more minutes! Finally, an older waitress comes over and says 'oh, she didn't take your order yet? Dammit!' Ummm, ok. So we order - Scotch eggs and potato pancakes and brioche French toast. The French toast is pretty good, but the Scotch eggs taste like fryer oil, dry egg, and overcooked sausage. Potato pancakes are just meh. I work at one of the busiest restaurants in town and a place like this makes me appreciate my co-workers more than ever because unlike the staff at Helser's, we work our butts off. We don't walk around in a daze avoiding eye contact with guests and doing second or third-priority closing tasks. I went to Helser's to try the Scotch eggs because I'd heard they were great, and I'd heard a lot of hype so figured it must be one of those breakfast institutions that has their shit together...wrong on both counts. This place does not deserve its reputation and I absolutely won't be going back.
(2)
Huitlacoche C.

I've been here twice, the first time the place was totally empty, I think around 1pm on a weekday. My girlfriend and I were wanting a late brunch and stopped by and ended up being there waaaay too long (maybe an hour) since the waitress had forgotten to put our order into the kitchen. Both of us had to run to work so by the time the food came we scarfed it down and got the hell out to not be late to work. Totally unacceptable with an empty restaurant to basically ignore the only people in there. The second time I went with some friends and it was really good, the place was busy, and we got the Dutch Baby to share among us. In terms of Portland breakfast its fairly good but god help you if you get the awful service waitress.
(3)
Windy S.

After sleeping in on a Saturday and craving breakfast at 1:30pm, we decided to try Helser's. We walked right in, party of 3 and were seated immediately. Having heard that there's usually a wait, we were stoked to be seated right away. Random crowd of Portlanders, including some hipsters sitting right up front that stared everyone down who walked in!? Maybe they thought no one was cool enough to eat breakfast in their presence! =P Ah Ah Ah ..... douchepunks!!! Oh, bless me! Any way back to the food. I ordered the smoked salmon hash with a side order of sourdough toast. One word, AMAZING! Loved this dish! The poached eggs were beautiful and the hollandaise perfectly seasoned! I would definitely recommend the side of sourdough toast! Not sure if they make their own toast but that sourdough toast was fantastic! My husband ordered the Louisiana Hot Sausage Wrap, which surprised me being he doesn't like sausage!? And of course, he didn't really like the sausage. Still don't get that choice! I did try the sausage and it was definitely on the HOT (spicy) side! Our daughter ordered the Crumpet & Egg sandwhich. She really doesn't have much experience with goat cheese and they put a lot of it on the sandwich. I personally LOVE goat cheese so I thought the sandwich was really good! The fruit that came with the sandwich and the wrap was also really good (sliced pear, papaya and kiwi). For me the breakfast was GREAT! Service was a bit slow but nothing unusual for Portland. Will definitely be back!
(4)
S Luc S.

In the past two weeks, I've been to Helser's three times. I enjoyed each and every trip. My first encounter, I had the Bacon & Cheddar Hash. It was a plate piled high with deliciouness. The dish wasn't overpowered by the potatoes. And the bacon was in every bite! I only finished half. During my second trip, I had the pigs in a blanket. Again I only finished half. Which is a good thing since they give you four massive pancakes wrapped around delectable cylinders of porky yumminess. For my third visit, I got one of the morning specials. Suprisingly, this was the most disappointing meal as it was early in the morning, there wasn't a rush yet my eggs were cold by the time I got the plate. Boo. Other than that, I'm a fan. The staff is nice and attentive. The coffee keeps getting refilled and though on my other visits, it was during a busy time, we were seated within a reasonable amount of time (less than 10 mins). I like that it's close. I have no idea why I haven't checked it out before now. It's a good place.
(4)
Wendy C.

The open-faced sandwich: lovely to look at, impractical as all get-out to eat. When I finished toting my egg-salad sandwich fixins from one side of the bread to the other and closing the sucker up, the sammy was approximately four inches tall and oozing hard-boiled egg out both sides. "Squish it," said one coworker. "Eat it with a fork and knife," said another. What a mess, I didn't even want it anymore! The waitress completely neglected to give our group silverware: I had to go up to the counter to ask for some after we sadly stared at our plates for five minutes. And EVERYthing had onions in it, which kind of ruined the rest of my day. On the plus side, my ridiculous egg-salad sandwich and a cereal-sized bowl full of tomato and cucumber (and ONION) salad amounted to less than $6. And the coffee was good. And one of my coworkers apparently dreams of the scotch eggs and pigs in a blanket Helser's dishes out. I'll probably give this another try. The dutch baby looked pretty good, and I'm guessing it's probably onion free.
(3)
JC R.

Portland, I've never seen a town that is SO in LOVE with brunch. You don't just "like" it, you "like-like" brunch. Helser's is my favorite brunch place in Portland. There I said it. I've tried at least 10 brunch places in Portland, and Helser's is where I bring out of town friends, cause it's so darn tasty. I love that they serve a delicious mix of fresh seasonal fruit on the side. Figs? really? you're awesome. I often get the eggs benedict with mushrooms. It rules and is very reasonably priced. You can sit outside during the 3 weeks Portland is warm. The menu, and daily specials are a bit overwhelming with delicious choices. But please get it together and order already. I'm hungry and need coffee.
(5)
Amanda L.

I've been to Helser's so many times for breakfast now you could say I'm a regular. Every single time it has been a completely enjoyable experience for me and the food never ceases to satisfy. I've tried many breakfast joints in Portland and some may be more gourmet or have more items to choose from, but Helser's succeeds in its simplicity. The coffee is always fresh and ready to pour and the breakfast plates are always tasty, hot and thankfully not overloaded with grease. Definitely check out their pre-9 a.m. happy hour for cheap plates under $5! They are good about vegetarian substitutes as well, although I'm not sure if anything on the menu is vegan. Some of my favorite breakfast entrees include the mushroom hash, the blackbean chili scramble, the German pancake (incredible!), the florentine eggs benedict, the egg and crumpet breakfast sandwich and the simple two egg, potato and veggie sausage combo. Helser's yukon gold potato hash, by the way, is some of the best breakfast potatoes I've had (and I am quite the critic of breakfast potato sides). The staff that I've encountered at Helser's has almost-always been quite kind and attentive and the look of the restaurant itself is simple, bright and comforting. Helser's is a spot I will continue to frequent in Portland.
(4)
Ralph L.

After several visits, I felt it was time to give Helser's a review. This trip I had Pear and Havarti Pie. It was wonderful. Flavors combined well and the fruit served with it were a great addition. The crumpet was good, but not great. It should have been warm and serving with Smuckers jam packets is disappointing. The previous visits we found that the $4.95 breakfasts were a great deal and they are very kid friendly. One of so many great breakfast places in Portland, even Alberta St has many to choose from.
(4)
Molly D.

Helser's is our Portland treat and often make the drive from Sandy for breakfast. I love their scotch eggs particularly and the staff is always so attentive and kind - we have two young children and this is a very family friendly place. We often see other families with young children, so it's obvious that folks are comfortable there with kids...something that is nice to see and appreciated in Portland. The food is always fabulous! Make time for a wait if you hit it up during the busy time on weekends. Usually little or no wait on weekday mornings.
(5)
Sean M.

This was our first time trying out Helser's and, while the food was very good, the overall experience was blah and we probably won't be back. We choose this place based on the solid reviews on Yelp. Let's start with the good, which is the food. While they did not have a lot of low carb options, I got the Hot Links wrap without the wrap and fruit instead of potatoes. Unlike other restaurants, they offered apricots which was a cool change of pace. Also, I also get a diet soda with breakfast and they offered bottled Jones diet cola, which was a nice change. My son got oatmeal with fruit and it was nice hearty bowl of oatmeal and blueberries, blackberries, raisins, apricots, and brown sugar to mix together. My daughter got the egg, bacon, and maple sausage. She is not a super meat fiend, but could not get enough sausage. My wife got the special blueberry french toast brioche, which she loved. Now the bad, they are very busy and, like other places, expect to wait. The acoustics of the restaurant are horrible, so having a conversation is very difficult unless you join in by raising your voice and doing your best to hear over the all the other noise. The waitress was very friendly and helpful, but not very attentive nor was she rapid. My wife waited a long time before getting a coffee refill. If you are cool hanging out and taking time, this should not be a problem, but as kids are ticking time bombs when eating out, you need to eat and get out in a reasonable amount of time. This was a not a reasonable amount of time. Perhaps they were slammed or someone called in sick, but that killed it for us. If you want to experience the great quality food, don't try it on the weekend.
(2)
Jesha M.

Pretty darned good. Efficient service, friendly, cute. I'd come here again.
(4)
Brian H.

My very favorite breakfast place in Portland! Which is saying a lot. I could eat here several times a week. The menu is fantastic for vegetarians and they offer great local seasonal specials. I still have daydreams about their cornmeal pancakes with apricot compote. The mushroom hash is always a pleaser. The staff is ALWAYS super friendly.
(5)
Mr. S.

Helser's is far and away my favorite spot for breakfast. I can't remember who recommended them to me, but as soon as I do I'll be thanking that person, repeatedly. Rare is the place that my whole family is in agreement on. My children love it in spite of their growling stomachs caused by the occaisional extended wait(s.) My pseudo-vegetarian wife loves the fact that they readily substitute bacon for ham on her Benedict. I love the fact that I torture myself trying to decide between Pigs in a Blanket, Cheddar Bacon Hash, or, my current crack, the sausage plate with two OM a Hot and a Brat. The wait can be long, for both a table and your food, but once you dig in, moot. Like Amanda L. says, "tasty, hot and thankfully not overloaded with grease." To which I add, "but, nestled in the perfect amount of grease." They like to keep your coffee hot and topped up and they've got a strong Bloody Mary to boot. A word of caution: Their Pigs in a Blanket is MASSIVE, but I've managed to finish it the two times I've ordered it (with 2 OM o/s no less) but it does draw the eyes of the tables around you so, if you're shy, go with slighter fare. A Scotch Egg or two maybe?
(4)
Gibbs G.

Helser's is maybe not the most exciting food, but it is certainly delicious (and the wait is probably 45 minutes less at Helser's than at Tin Shed). I had the oh-so-boring two eggs with hash and veggie sausage, and my friend had an eggs Benedict with salmon instead of bacon (also, it came with chevre, which is 100% delicious). The cocktails were also pretty tasty (Coffee Nudge and Cinnamon Toast). The service was good and fast, but that might perhaps be due to the fact that when we got there, half the tables were empty. I imagine that things got a little more hectic for the staff by the time we left, when the entire restaurant was crammed full of people and there were a half-dozen waiting for tables. Good food, good service, good hot cocktails. What's not to like?
(4)
Mike D.

Back for breakfast this morning. It's been a while. My wife and I ate here some months ago, looked at each other and said, "so what's so good about Helser's?" Felt kinda blah. So after seeing them on an OPB Breakfast Special last night, I thought I'd give them another try. I was there early, so not much of a wait. But as the morning went on, there was a line and people waiting outside. They must have seen the breakfast special too! From 7 to 9am they have a special menu that's very inexpensive. Some basic choices and other interesting options. I tried the polenta and eggs with a red sauce. It was savory and good. The polenta was fried with black beans added. Not bad. I'm more of a creamy polenta guy, but it was a nice change of pace. I also tried a crumpet, it's like an english muffin, light and I think it had a thin layer of cheese on the top. It really perked up when I added a little salt! When I asked for some jam or jelly, my waitress brought me a bowl with various Smucker's flavors. Hmm :-\ They do have some interesting choices on the menu. I've tried the Scotch Eggs and Potato Pancakes (greasy, but good), Pear and Havarti Pie (a little rich for me), Eggs and Louisiana sausage (fiery but good), Pancakes (sometimes good, other times rubbery) and French Toast (nothing to write home about). The service was okay, better when there were less people. The coffee is okay. A little chilly inside, but when the place filled up, it started to warm up. It's a very clean place with big windows. Definitely worth a try.
(4)
Michael M.

If you're in need to carbo-load before a long run or bike ride, Helser's hash is perfect. The portion is enormous. I think they use 6 potatoes per serving! Unfortunately, all that potato makes it hard to bring out any distinct or yummy flavors. I was left feeling full, but underwhelmed. Also, I would pass on the Scotch Egg, unless you need senseless calories.
(3)
Michael K.

two visits...both outstanding! try any of the 'hash' dishes: salmon, mushroom, bacon n cheddar (my fav) scotch eggs rock! had to pull a star 'cause the wait can be kinda long after ordering
(4)
Jim T.

A short walk from our house, we frequent Helser's on weekday mornings and for informal business lunches. It was the first (but not last) place I saw Scotch Eggs (an obsession from childhood) on a Portland menu. Their egg dishes are great and their Curry Tuna sandwich with house cut (and friend) potato chips are spectacular. It can get busy Fridays through Sunday so try mid week. Too bad they don't offer dinner.
(4)
Tim B.

Don't even think about coming here with a party of 6. We waited and waited, but they kept seating parties of 2 and 4 who arrived after us, and made no effort to put together a table for 6. We would ask periodically, and get an indifferent shrug, and "we'll see what we can do." After an hour, we gave up and left. Needless to say, no one in our group intends to return.
(1)
Monica S.

OHH MYY GODD it takes foreverrrrr to get a table here. But, the food is good and reasonably priced and hellooo, if you are into food and into Yelping, you are probably going to go there anyway and try the Scotch egg because its a Scotch egg and you want to say you've eaten that right?! Ehem. Just saying. And, it's good! Well fried, no greasy oil taste or anything. It just takes forever to get a table here cause there are so many freakin' people and it's a small-ish place. Plus, there is no where to wait inside so you have to stand outside which isn't fun if it's cold. If you're going to go, plan ahead and don't go starving and go to Fuel Cafe (west of it) and get coffee and walk around the cute shops (walk east on Alberta for this). Last thought: this is not the best - sit and linger, long conversation, or romantic morning-after gaze into your lovers eyes - type of breakfast place. Besides the waiting, the atmosphere also doesn't support that. It's not ugly by any means, but the aesthetics are more retro-watering hole-cafe - ish. Simple. P.S. Crumpets.
(4)
Henry H.

Always lookin' for a great breakfast spot... this is one of them. Mmmm! Helser's reminds me of a big city, small space kind of joint: tight, loud and diverse with classic and just-outside-the-box grubs. The wait never seems to hinder my experience; never over 10-15 minutes on a popular breakfast morning (if not less, maybe I've been lucky). Service is good... a little sparse and less than warm, but I understand how it can get... nose down, do the job. I get it, but I still had to wait a bit for my first cup of coffee. Adventures taken here: Classic eggs bene: Mmmm ham. I've never met a crumpet I loved, but I've liked them all. Poachies were just about perfect. Holly-jizz was nummy, thanks for not smothering the stack in paprika - smoke flavored red dirt should have no home on breakfast, period. The potatoes were a trip: Yukon G's sort of mashed, sort of flattop fried. All tasty, all good. Scotch eggs/Potcakes: I had a bad experience with these elsewhere, so I was hesitant. This isn't my favorite dish on a global breakfast slide-rule, but I think the truth of the dish is pushed to the surface at Helser's. I enjoyed it... them. Pear & Havarti Pie: Wow. Sweet & savory. Not my usual grab, but I went for it and was pleased. Someday soon I'll check out the lunch fare, but for now Helser's owns a spot on my breakfast map when I'm feelin' Alberta.
(4)
Darcie S.

Yummy!!! Great breakfast. Yummy breakfast/ brunch cocktails with fresh juice. Big portions, my partner had thick Belgian waffles, I had eggs, hash browns, fresh fruit. Good coffee, service is good. Def a neighborhood favorite and trendy hip breakfast place. A must try!
(4)
Holly B.

Seriously, this is my new favorite restaurant. I discovered it last month after leaving Random Order due to the line and lack of seating. I'm so glad I took the time to walk down the sidewalk to Helser's. I have been back every weekend since, and brought friends. At this point, I have sampled most things on the menu and I can honestly say, everything is great. They have amazing mushroom biscuits and gravy, which is surprisingly rare in Portland. The mushroom hash is something you MUST try. If you have the time, order the German pancake (20 minutes to prepare.) Potato pancakes are actually potato pancakes, not weird hashbrowns. Every meal comes with fresh fruit, and everything is under $12. Cons? They close at 3pm and they mostly have tables for 4, so accommodating large brunches may be difficult. But I'm sure they will try! Everyone is very polite there.
(5)
Angie G.

As a regular in the Alberta food scene, I hate to give helser's only 2 stars. I walk in by myself on a Friday morning already anticipating a bit of a wait, but when I walk to the coffee station (not a long walk-the entryway is small and cramped) the coffeepots were empty. So I waited for 25 minutes with no coffee to eventually be seated at the bar which had been vacant for the 25 mins I had been waiting. I ordered the German pancake but since that takes 20mins to cook I ordered some sausages for the meantime. My server comes back and announces, "Here's what I'm NOT going to do for you. I'm not gonna put your sausage order in first since itll push back the wait on your pancake. They'll come out at the same time now." Okay, I appreciate that, but not the assurance that you WON'T do something for me... The pancake and sausage are why I didn't only give this place one star. The only person who can make a better German pancake is my grandma. Yeah, they're that good. Also, this place serves REAL sausage links. None of that "chicken sausage" nonsense. Two stars though because of the service. Not to mention two of the servers talking smack in front of the bar customers about a coworker on the floor with them...I mean seriously?! If I weren't a server myself I would have tipped less than my usual 20%...man, I was considering it.
(2)
Tom A.

Living in this neighborhood for 15 years, I can't believe how the gastronomic gods keep inundating us with one stellar cafe or bistro after another on Alberta. It's hard to get back to even the good places because something new came along. When Helser's first opened I thought it was pretty good but with so many other offerings popping up all the time I didn't make many return trips. To be honest, I had a problem with their chairs. They had these big-ass wooden chairs that didn't fit between the legs of the tables. So you couldn't scoot in at all. I know I can be a hypersensitive aesthole if the mood strikes me, but seriously, it's nice to be able to belly up to your breakfast, isn't it? At some point in the last year or so they fixed that and I really think they have continuously improved on the breakfasts too. These days the place is solidly on stride, no matter what you order. And since everybody is cutting back on non-essentials these days, it's good to note that even after being jacked up their breakfast special price is only $4.50. Honest to God excellent breakfast in perfect quantity for $4.50. Now it's my favorite cafe on the street -- and that's no lightweight compliment. The only thing is, the website tells you the German pancake is on that specials menu and it's not these days. Don't cry. Belgian waffles are; and so is a great pancake & egg combo. You'll probably get by okay.
(5)
Chris Z.

If you are hungry, you definitely won't complain about portion size. Ordered the Brioche French Toast which was very good. I suggest asking for extra syrup since the little they give you doesn't quite do the trick. The Black Bean Chili Scramble was very tasty with just enough spice. Also, tried the Scotch Egg. Not my cup of tea.
(4)
Virginia M.

I ordered the biscuit with mushroom gravy. It was OK, not the best biscuits and gravy I've had. The gravy needed more of a savory flavor, in my opinion. My brunch companion had a hash, which was pretty big. The portions are big, and enough for two meals. In general, I thought their service was slow, and their food not worth the wait.
(3)
Nick D.

Been there 3 times in 3 years. Generally consistent, but I don't get the good ratings: What worked well: Good French press coffee. Eggs Benedict Hash Big portions Very good kids menu What doesn't: Scotch eggs - that's horrible! This is only place I've had them and would not get this anywhere. Service is slow
(3)
Monica M.

I showed up at around 7:45am on Sunday to have breakfast with my sister. At that point there wasn't a line, and I was motioned by the staff to pick my own seat. Even at such an early hour, and with so few people present, it was quite noisy on a quiet Sunday morning. I attribute the clamor to the lack of walls and close proximity of the tables. I ordered the Black Bean Chili Scramble and my sister had the Ham Benedict. The service was prompt and courteous. Both orders where served on sturdy crisp white flatware and accompanied by small water tumblers. The portions where good and the food was fresh, however, admittedly it didn't make a strong impression on me. Helser's definitely has the neighborhood breakfast spot feel to it, and I will return at least one more time to try the German Pancakes. Note: If you can wake up early, get there early. At about 9am a line started to form and by the time we left (around 10) I assume the wait was about 25 minutes.
(3)
Rochelle E.

nom nom nom!!! Helser's was to die for! I loved the hollandaise sauce for the eggs Benedict and the potatoes! My friend and I were surprised to be seated within 10 minutes of putting our names down for brunch, especially due to the fact the Alberta street fair was also going on! The service was super fast, the atmosphere was friendly, and the food was great! I was happy to get a great brunch experience in Portland!
(4)
Monica K.

I had no idea they'd redone the place but it's real nice inside now. Comfortable. We had the biscuits and gravy with two over easy eggs and dang! So good. Also- everyone working there was really really nice.
(5)
Jenny H.

Great brunch spot that didn't have a wait in Sunday which was quite nice. SCOTCH EGG ($3.50) : Loved the boiled egg coated in sausage, then breaded and fried. Boiled egg was a little overdone though. MUSHROOM HASH ($10.25) : Huge portions! I tried my best to eat half of it and saved the rest for a second meal. Tons of mushrooms and Yukon gold potatoes with roasted garlic and Havarti cheese topped two poached eggs. Perfect dish for me especially after topping with ketchup and hot sauce. GERMAN PANCAKE ($9) : Very delicious Dutch baby that's made fresh so it's piping hot as served. Edges were very crispy and center was nice and fluffy. COFFEE ($2.50) : Great smooth coffee and they were good about constantly refilling my cup.
(4)
Kate N.

Although I'm not a big brunch person, Helser's gives me a different perspective of how delicious the morning meal can be. We had the German pancake with seasonal warm fruit on top. It's pretty much a gigantic pancake that is crispy on the bottom and around the edges and a soft texture in the middle. It takes around 20 minutes to make the pancake so do expect a wait. The warm fruit is a nice touch since you don't have to use additional syrup but I personally think that the pancake itself is delicious enough to be on its own. You can appreciate the texture more without added syrup. The size of the pancake is bigger than my head and certainly can feed two. It's $8 for the pancake and $3.25 for the added fruit. Think it's a great deal since I could only eat 1/4 of it (plenty of leftovers for the next day). We also ordered the sausage breakfast. It comes with 2 choices of meat, 2 eggs any way, and 2 potato pancakes. You can also upgrade to the fancy Scotch egg for $2 more (totally worth it if you want to try something unique). The Scotch egg was totally new to me. It's basically a hard boiled egg wrapped with sausage, crusted with breadcrumbs and then deep fried. It tasted pretty unique and good. We had the bratwurst and the Louisiana hot sausage. The bratwurst was super tasty and would be great with just a bun. The Louisiana hot sausage was very spicy. No need to add hot sauce and if you don't like spicy food, this might be too hot for you. The potato pancakes had really nice texture. They were perfectly cooked. This dish is around $11 without the Scotch egg upgrade. It's a steal if you are a meat eater or a very hungry person. Despite being a very busy place, service was excellent. I had my coffee refilled 3 times and they also pack away your leftovers. Certainly was a 5 star food and service with such decent prices. I highly recommend Helser's. I will definitely come back and if you don't want a long wait, come before 10am. Don't forget to check the board for specials as you wait though, because they have some good options too.
(5)
Jskilicious S.

This is a small sized restaurant, but really welcoming. We didn't have to wait, which is nice. The selection is good. We ordered iced coffee with almond flavor. The pancake was the star of the show. Moist and fluffy. Don't pass on it! You can get one on the side. My husband said it was the best part of the meal! He ordered the pepper bacon hash. The potatoes were more like smashed potatoes than hash browns and were under seasoned. He said he wouldn't order it again: I had the brioche sandwich which was too much bread for me, but it was really tasty. It was served with fresh fruit, which I enjoyed and had a sundries tomato spread with eggs and goat cheese. We will be back :)
(4)
Kait K.

I haven't been to Helser's in a couple years but it did not disappoint. There's coffee of course while you wait and it was only 15-20 minutes at 10am, so not bad at all. Our server came over to top our coffees once we sat and was nice. The place is small but holds quite a few people and it's all windows so nice light and very modern. We ordered a mimosa and Bloody Mary to start... The champagne came in it's own little bottle which I enjoy because I'm a woman and anything miniature really gets us goin. For breakfast I ordered the Louisiana sausage wrap. Pretty spicy and it came with fresh fruit. It was pretty delicious but lacked something, maybe beans or more cheese/sauce, I'm not sure. My dad got the black bean scramble, which I stole a bite of and it was wonderful. Great flavors and both plates were perfect portions. Nice little spot, my dad thinks it's better than Jam but I beg to differ. Still yummy though and a good alternative when you don't want to wait an hour for tasty n sons or tin shed
(4)
Hailey D.

Hopped off the plane at PDX....and immediately drove here. Helser's has got to be one of the top ten brunch spots in Portland, if not thee best. I broke my 5 year Helser's fast the other day and it still lives up to my memory of the first time I indulged in the delectable brioche French toast years ago. Since then I've been thinking of my return and what out of this world meal I would get to experience next. This time I opted for the Biscuits and Mushroom Gravy, which was of course a home run. The first bite alone made every single second of the seemingly endless wait worth it. The fluffy, buttery biscuit immersed in the rich gravy hit my taste buds and I wanted to cry out of happiness. That's how I feel about everything on the menu that I've tried so just know that no matter what you order you won't be disappointed. Aside from the incredible food, the cozy atmosphere and friendly waiters make Helser's such a great spot to grab breakfast or lunch at. As with any popular restaurant there is always a wait but this is one place where it is truly worth it. Parking is also a hassle but I would circle around the block for 20 minutes just to eat here. Helser's is an absolute must if you haven't already had the pleasure of dining here (and even if you have, tbh). Make sure you try it!
(5)
Dana M.

Liked: the menu was awesome, lots of vegetarian options. The hollandaise sauce was pretty good. Strong bloodies with a good mix. The potatoes were good. Disliked: everyone seemed kind of bummed. When I asked if I could sit at the bar, the response was "um. Sure.". I got one eye roll for no reason. The general feel was that I'm a pain. Next, the Bloody Mary was veryyyy strong. Above you'll notice I also put that as a 'pro'. In another circumstance mayyybeeeeee that'd be a good thing but not at 10 in the morning when I haven't even eaten anything yet. The vodka was soo over powering and upset my empty stomach. It was pinkish in color so you know there was too much vodka. Lastly the eggs were totally over done. The second one didn't even have any yolk come out when I cut it. Bummer!
(3)
Elise J.

This place had literally the best gluten free French toast I've ever had. Also they have really good scotch eggs and eggs Benedict. I'm sure everything is delicious.
(5)
Wendy B.

Yes, I am a fan! Great space to meet for brunch on the weekend. We were lucky enough to have great weather and a seat outside for our meal. I really enjoyed the variety on their menu...interesting combinations and not your standard, everyday brunch. Yes, you can have a cocktail too! With such great weather, why not Helser's take on a Bee's Knees? Fruity and delicious with a pineapple juice twist...perfect for a sunny summer day. The Pear and Harvarti Pie was so tasty!
(4)
Ryle F.

The good: The interior was simple, yet refined and very well lit. The customer service was "hella on point," as us Californians would say. Our waitress, Lori, was very sweet and attentive. Overall, the vibe of Helser's was very relaxed. The bad: It's almost guaranteed that there'll be some sort of wait if you decide to dine here, but don't let that and the loud chatter deter you. It's so worth it. The beautiful: The food. Oh my lanta. The "Viennese Cappuccino" was delectably smooth and probably sweeter than their regular. How was the "Pepper Bacon & Cheddar Hash," you ask? It sang to me, that's what. I indulged thoroughly and willingly. Stop by when you've got the chance. Don't have any second thoughts about this place. Just.. let. it. happen.
(5)
Jordan B.

I was overall disappointed with my experience at Helser's. If you are looking for a mediocre baked potato, order the Bacon and Cheddar hash. It was a mushy pile of blandness. The place has good vibes, but missed the mark on the food.
(3)
Phoebe T.

I love how they split your plate if you ask them to! I had ordered the pepper bacon potato hash, & had it split in two plates. It was amazing! It had peppered bacon, cheddar, rounded sliced potatoes, scallions, creme freight, with two poached eggs (well one on each of our plates). It was garlicy goodness that I cleaned my whole half. We had also gotten orange mimosas & I love how our server brought out the individual champagne bottle. So cute. Overall I give this place 4 stars, our server seemed tired & disoriented.
(4)
Evan H.

Delicious food. Generous portions. Friendly staff. Great coffee. 'nuff said.
(5)
Thien-Nga N.

I would recommend this place ! I got the Benedict with veggies option and it was amazing! The service was good, they frequently checked up on us. Only thing was that there is a wait here.
(4)
Debbie L.

It was a packed house for brunch a while back. For me... the food was good but I prob wouldn't wait that long again however. Lots of great choices and again, this place was packed with a crowd outside waiting to get in so it must be a pretty popular place for many folks. With all the choices in Portland for brunch, it seems there should be no lines or waits. Although, if it's that good perhaps it's worth the wait. Just not for me.
(4)
Edward B.

ATMOSPHERE: You can tell they try. It's not a dive. There are signs of effort here and there. But overall, not quite polished. Pretty sure I remember classic rock. Yeah, almost positive I remember some Pink Floyd hit. Hey, come on, you can do better than that. One of the servers walked around with a perfume cloud trailing her. Either that or it was a customer, but a customer's perfume cloud would tend to stay in her zone and evenly spread out, getting weaker with increasing distance. It wouldn't periodically waft over me like a fetid tide on some New Jersey shore. So yeah, I think it was a server. Not as crowded as I expected. Maybe I just got lucky. I didn't have to wait, and by the time I left (maybe a little after 9:00 on a weekend) it looked to me like there was probably no more than a 20 minute wait, maybe 10. SERVICE: Pretty sure they kept refilling me with regular instead of the decaf I requested. Otherwise everything was okay until I was ready to pay. Had I been in a hurry, it would have gotten tense. On a weekend morning though, I just laughed it off and waited. Finally decided to go use the restroom, and when I came back they seemed surprised to see me. I'm confident I could have pulled a dine-and-dash and they wouldn't have noticed. Finally, was asked if I needed my check. I said yes please, but wished I had a witty response prepared. I mean, really, how could anybody respond other than in the affirmative? FOOD: Years ago I had a vile breakfast here that I couldn't finish, so I was hesitant to return. Today was better. Blueberry + lemon chiffon Dutch Baby. First DB I've had, so hard to judge, but seemed fine. Note: Blueberries should be de-stemmed. Yes, I am that picky. PRESENTATION: Everything comes in a big shallow plain-white bowl. Pancakes? In a bowl. Omelette? In a bowl. I don't like that! But I do acknowledge it adds a quirky memorable twist, and keeps it simple for them (although it does seem they'd be a hassle to clean, compared to plates). Water was served in a real glass, and a decent one at that. PRICE/VALUE: $11 is steep for a pancake, but Dutch Babies are time consuming, so they're not going to give them away. Toppings were very generous. RESTROOMS: Two. Almost icky, but not to the point that you'll lose your appetite. Not necessarily dirty, but old and run down. Well placed though, not right next to tables. OVERALL: I'm not as anti-Helsers as I was before today, but still not a fan.
(2)
Meredith C.

I used to really like this place. Hadn't been in a while; went this morning with extended family - made a bad choice. First, it is crazy loud but that may have been the loud group of people next to us, and it is hard to fix acoustics in restaurants w/ all hard surfaces. Service was not terribly friendly and not attentive, didn't see our wait person much and she wasn't happy to be there. Food was not good except the bacon side. My french toast was just kind of mushy/gloppy; one basic breakfast was basically boring with really dry ham and flavorless eggs; the brioche breakfast sandwich a real disappointment. Somewhat warm eggs but really cold thick bread; the figs were nice. Could be we all ordered poorly but I think they just aren't as good as they once were, or, because there are so many AMAZING places in Portland, the bar has been raised.
(2)
Shullina E.

This place hit the spot for brunch! The service was on point, food was great, and the place had a great vibe to it. I came with a party of 5 and all of us manage to finish our plate! As for wait time, expect to wait between 20-1 hr or more on weekends since it gets really pack fast.
(4)
Siena B.

Helser's is a cozy neighborhood breakfast joint on Alberta and I'm a fan. Their buttermilk pancakes are oh so fluffy and delicious, with quality thick bacon, fresh eggs, and breakfast potatoes. The German pancake is also good, a little more dense texture than I've had before but good flavor. Most of their specials involve jalapenos and never disappoint. They can get pretty packed at peak hours, but have bar seating for smaller parties and outdoor seating available.
(4)
Erin O.

I'll keep this short. For a Sunday brunch, this place had shorter lines than Tin Shed and Petite Provence. Small, crowded room, but it works. The cappuccino was perfect and the smoked salmon hash with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce was FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC. Perfect runny yolks and non-runny whites. Fresh potatoes that mixed crackly edges with soft interiors. Smoke salmon full of flavor. And hollandaise sauce can make flip-flops taste good. Very non-distinct place so if you are not an Alberta Street regular, you gotta look for it. So worth it. P.S. The hash can feed two.
(5)
Drake S.

Perhaps we visited here on an off day, but I was unimpressed with Helser's, surprising after reading so many glowing Yelp reviews. The problems started with the service. Our waitress was rather brisk and not particularly attentive--in the course of a 45 minute brunch we were only checked on once aside from ordering and food being delivered, leading to empty water glasses. Such a transgression could be understandable if the place was packed, but with less than half the tables filled it was disappointing. One member of our party was vegan and made a few specific requests i.e. ordering just a side of potatoes--she received potato pancakes instead, which the waitress took back but did not offer to remedy. I had the pepper bacon and cheddar hash, which was pretty good but not phenomenal. While the ingredients were fresh and high-quality, it lacked a certain panache as well as originality and I found myself drowning it in salt, pepper, and ketchup. The brioche and chevre breakfast sandwich was eaten by another member of my party without negative comment. On the other hand, the oatmeal seemed to be comprised of raw oats with hot water poured over them, not soaked in water, leading to an inconsistent consistency and some crunchy oats. Additionally, the proportions of oatmeal to toppings was way off; halfway through the bowl there was only unappealing oatmeal remaining and no fruits to balance it out. Meh. I've experienced better.
(2)
Anderson B.

Atmosphere was great nice blend of hospitality between the servers locals and newcomers.
(5)
Lawrence C.

Awesome breakfast and very good service. All of the employees were nice and helpful. Coffee was amazing and they have French press if you like that sort of thing. I recommend the Pepper Bacon and Cheddar Hash which was very filling and tasted great. The French toast was also good for those who have a sweet tooth. Just be prepared because it is really sweet. Otherwise it was delicious
(4)
Breylan D.

Pretty solid brunch spot on Alberta. The food is fresh, servers are friendly, coffee is strong. The mushroom gravy is bomb. Four stars because they seem to be consistently understaffed. Maybe if they had a busser or someone to help with seating people, the service would move a little faster when they're busy - but it'll do.
(4)
Jacob M.

Our party of four snatched up a table immediately upon entering at 10 a.m. on a Sunday. Since this is the peak of brunching, I nearly fell over with shock when I didn't have to wait in line for an hour. Our diligent "brunch club" is no stranger to braving the lines for 60 minutes+ for some of Portland's finest grub. Helser's doesn't seem to suffer from the ubiquitous plague of lines that defines brunching in Portland. I may have just destroyed that reputation by saying that. Some Helser's bullet points: -The food took approximately a half an hour to arrive. However, the slowness of the kitchen was offset by the vigilance of the servers. Every few minutes I was asked if I wanted a refill of water and coffee. At first, I couldn't decide if I was annoyed or pleased. In retrospect, I appreciated this since I am a heavy coffee drinker. -I ordered the chalkboard special (grilled pear, hazelnuts, creme fraiche, and nutella crepes) with a side of Scotch Egg. The Scotch Egg is worth a try if you've never had one. It's a hard boiled egg, coated with bratwurst and fried in bread crumbs. My girlfriend ordered the Dutch Baby (a "German pancake" that is the missing link between a crepe and a full-blown pancake) because it's a family favorite of hers that she's "never seen in a restaurant before."Kudos to Helser's for offering Dutch Babies and Scotch Eggs. These two delectable item are rare and underrated delicacies in the brunch world. I really appreciate a restaurant that offers unique items you can't get anywhere else! -I ordered crepes with grilled pears, creme fraiche, hazelnuts, and nutella. It was good, but I enviously eyed the hash scrambles as the servers brought them past our tables. I think they are the true winners. I will definitely be back. One of the brunch clubbers I was with declared his hangover gone after finishing. So there's that.
(4)
Sandra J.

This food was DELICIOUS. I ordered the pepper bacon hash and Louisiana hot sausage. First of all, these dishes were huge and affordable. Secondly, you could order half sizes. Thirdly, again, DELICIOUS. I cannot get over how amazing this food was. If it weren't for a minor seating issue, this would've been five stars. I wouldn't recommend this place for large groups only because the place is somewhat small so the seating is limited, however, I did see one large group of 6. I loved it here! Get that bacon hash and sausage! The hash is humongous so get the half size if you don't eat a lot. It was perfection.
(4)
Wes A.

Service was on point. Only two servers for a Monday and they handled the room and outdoor tables well. Food came out in normal amount of time considering orders in and staff. Like usual Dutch Baby was on point. It's a must and you can't beat the price. Pepper bacon hash was amazing and it was a huge portion as well. New favorite spot on Alberta for brunch. And I do mean brunch. Had the Dutch baby with a half sandwich and soup for appetizer (chicken curry/club).
(4)
Jessica C.

My brother and I came in for brunch, I was very impressed with quality of food. The only downside is the lack of seating, which causes long wait Times. I will be returning for brunch again!
(4)
OC Country Girl ..

So sad that this was our last meal on our Portland vacation :-/ it started off wrong from the beginning, we were the only couple waiting to be seated and the waitresses just kept walking by us. We were finally seated at some point. I ordered the Louisiana wrap and it was greasy and they seemed to have used store bought spicy sausage links (nothing original). My boyfriend ordered salmon Benedict and he said it tasted like canned salmon, that it was super salty and his hashbrowns tasted burnt. For the record, he never leaves food behind and here he did.... Yelp lead me wrong this time, this place has 4 stars. I never go wrong with Yelp!
(2)
Hannah L.

If you find yourself with a weekday morning free, do yourself a favor and head over to Helser's for breakfast. Because on the weekend (or a holiday like Labor Day), everyone else will have the same idea....And coffee while you wait is great, but not waiting is even better. Though I didn't used to be much of a going-out-for-brunch person, since moving to Portland I've realized that late morning breakfasts are delightfully delicious. They're bountiful in this town, and so various spots are becoming my go-tos for particular items. When it comes to Helser's, I haven't tasted my way through everything on the menu but their hash (especially the smoked salmon) is hands-down the best in town. Salty and smoky in just the right subtle way, laced with a lemony sauce and perfectly poached eggs, it makes two just-right sized meals (or one hugely massive one for the ambitious/starved). Though I'd thought the pepper bacon version might be boring, it's nearly as fantastic in its cheesy peppery decadence. I'm usually in the mood for savory as opposed to sweet at brunch, but on some future visit I'll explore other offerings like the Dutch baby pancake (I grew up loving those - thanks, Mom!) or whatever the crepe special of the day is. I've seen them pass by to other tables before, and damn they look fine. Note to other benedict fans: the time I ordered one here, it was surprisingly disappointing; a dry English muffin with nearly flavorless Hollandaise (though the ham itself is excellent). Skip that; go for the hash or something else. Helser's has a bit of an old-school diner feel when it comes to service; it can be erratic but it's always been friendly in a moving-quickly-Hon kind of way. It's warm and charming, and doesn't feel crammed with food TV tourists like some other joints down the block. Though I'm not coming here when I want a benedict, it's becoming a go-to spot to bring out-of-town guests when we want to show them what's truly great (as opposed to famous) about the PDX brunch scene.
(4)
Sophia M.

Food was amazing up until we both found hair in our food . Talk about an appetite killer . Servers are kind though .
(2)
Shannon L.

Terrific place. service is great. Great vegetarian and vegan options. They split my parents plate without any fuss. black bean scrabble and hash were both terrific.
(5)
Bridget A.

Really good food. If you have a breakfast sweet tooth, their German Pancake is a "must." I'd come back, but maybe share a plate next time since the plates are such big portions.
(4)
Anthony K.

Sorry to say it but the staff seemed really confused as to what they should be doing. Everyone was doing kind of everything. There was no hostess, no designated busser, just seemed a little chaotic. There were 2 spots open at the bar for about 15 minutes before we were asked if we wanted to sit in them. Oh well, once we finally got seated things got better. My lady ordered the stuffed french toast with Nutella. It was really good. I ordered the scramble which was also good. What I wasnt crazy about was the potato pancakes. Im not sure if they had new people or if they just were having an off day but if they work out some of those kinks as far as getting people in, served, and out then they will not only have better reviews, but also make more money.
(3)
Brooks M.

one of my favorite combos... make a few things and make them spectacular. go helser's! i had the breakfast sandwich. it was balanced flavors and textures, beautiful presentation and all fairly well priced. our waitress was divine. knew the product and was so sweet to us. food was ready hot and fast and every dish that came out was massive and amazing. at 11:something on a sunday the wait was only about 20 minutes and no big line. this is a new fav for sure!
(4)
Robert G.

Can not wait to go back. The food in Amsterdam was not this good. Sausages all the way. The pancake is hands down - best ever. Friendly service, all though they were very busy and we waited a while for the food.
(5)
Ryan E.

Helser's is our go-to don't wanna cook, want something tasty, might have a hangover breakfast/brunch spot. If that's a mouthful, you better watch out for Helser's, because you'll be shoving hollandaise, crumpet, and eggs all up in your gullet. Here's where I get nitpicky - the place is tiny inside and there's no real place to wait, other than sad, cold, and wet on the corner like an ASPCA commercial. So, Pro-Tip! - get it to-go. Yep, order it up, waltz in past the waiters, and walk right out feeling like the smartest man in Portland and as others watch you leave, mouth agape. I seriously don't recommend eating in, as you're liable to be sat oddly family style (like two tables jammed together but one is 3 inches higher) and service, while smiley, is harried and slowish. That said, everyone is friendly, seems to care, and they make a mean breakfast cocktail. Yay Breakfast!
(4)
Clarissa R.

Helser's gets good marks for its food -- I'm a fan of the Pepper Bacon Hash -- but the service is subpar. On a recent visit, we waited a very long time to be seated, with zero acknowledgment from the staff, not even a "Be right with you." This might have made sense had they been slammed, but it wasn't particularly busy, and there were three servers. After many minutes of being ignored, we ended up seating ourselves at a clean table. The same sort of indifferent/slow service has happened on previous visits, and it makes me less eager to go to Helser's, despite the nice food.
(3)
Sudipto G.

Another top notch brunch place in NE PDX, which cements this citys reputation of being a brunch heaven. Went there a month ago, its on the very popular Alberta street, so expect a wait on weekends. We had to wait about 45mins to get a table, but realistically, you can write your name and wander around Alberta till u get a seat. I got the scotch eggs (which yelp had lavishly praised), and it stood up to all the praise indeed. My friends got the German pancake which looked very interesting indeed, might have to try that one next time around (if I ever do get through my very long and continuously expanding list of brunch places to try in PDX :P)
(4)
Claudia R.

Food was good, but nothing that would stick in my mind. Service wasn't even that.
(3)
Diana B.

Best french toast I have eaten in my life. nomnomnom. Their portions are pretty big, but their prices are more than fair. Fed a group of 4 for under $30. Score! Only flaws are the extremely long wait times (I went on a Saturday morning) and the side of scrambled eggs that I ordered did not taste too flavorful or cooked as I liked. However, they offer such a unique variety of breakfast menu items that I would love to come back and try this place again if I'm ever in the area.
(4)
Kevin L.

This places is pretty much in-line or lower than the average Yelp review of 4 stars. I say 3.5 stars. WAIT TIME: I went here on Saturday Morning with 3 other friends because the wait wasn't as long here than at Tin Shed. We waited for about 30 minutes before we were seated. The food was about another 20 minute wait. SERVICE: This place was busy so don't expect any royal treatment, but having said that our water was never empty for too long. The wait time for food was a little excessive. We grabbed coffee from a coffee shop near by and brought them into the place without issue (can't confirm if this is standard or just exception). FOOD: I ordered the Sausage Breakfast which came with potato pancakes and 2 eggs (I got poached). I decided to get two brats which the seasoning could have used a little more flavor in the meat. The potato pancake was DISAPPOINTING! The other yelp pictures made it look like crispy latkes but it wasn't. It had the texture of pancakes (makes sense from the name I guess). The egg was nicely poached though.
(3)
Ritu K.

Brunch is my fave meal of the day, we live super close to Helser's and have only eaten there once, which sadly speaks for how underwhelmed we were with the place. I love a good Dutch Baby and was super excited to see this on the menu. Unfortunately there seemed to be some food prep mishap and my Dutch Baby had a very off putting onion/garlic taste to it. Coffee/juice/everything else was perfectly fine, but when we come up with a list of brunch places to head to, Helser's never makes the list..
(3)
Sara W.

Came here on a Saturday at 10am. Had to wait about 20minutes, which is to be expected really for any brunch place. i ordered the Eggs Benedict with spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms. For some reason, my food took an exceptionally long time, at least 45 minutes... I was starving and eventually (after about 35 minutes) has to ask the girl refilling my water to find our waitress to see why it was taking so long. About 10 minutes later it came out. It was good, nothing spectacular though. And it didn't come on an English muffin, instead it was on two pieces of french bread, which got soggy from the tomatoes. The potatoes it came with were good as well. This place was good, but didn't blow me away. If you are looking for standard breakfast fare, this is the place. If you want to be wowed, I would try somewhere else.
(3)
Michael C.

What a gem! Admittedly, this was not our 1st choice for breakfast. Our first choice was mysteriously closed, but thanks to the Yelp app, we were able to find a great alternative. My first impression of Helser's on Alberta is that the atmosphere is very welcoming! As we waited for a table, I observed other diners enjoying their breakfast and talking happily amongst themselves. Thankfully the restaurant wasn't too crowded and we were seated within 5 minutes of arriving. The server was friendly and asked if we'd like some coffee while we looked over the menu. FOOD: 1. Salmon Benedict: served with potatoes and fruit. My friend was a very satisfied customer. As evidenced by only remnants of fruit left on his plate. 2. Ham Benedict: also served with potatoes and fruit. Decent portion. Delicious and very filling. I liked the potatoes! DRINK: Coffee, of course. Refills heartily given. NOTE: You must sign in for table and wait to be seated. Seating available at the counter and tables. SERVICE: Just wonderful! The server was friendly, had such a lovely smile, and was so patient while we looked over the menu. She constantly checked on us throughout our meal and always came by with coffee refills. BOTTOM LINE: Great breakfast restaurant. Wonderful atmosphere. Friendly service.
(4)
Rudrajit D.

2nd visit. Scotch egg just as delicious. Salmon hash had salmon to potato ratio approx. 1:10, so that was a bit disappointing.
(3)
Christine A.

Went for the gusto and ordered a Dutch baby with a Scotch egg on the side with a hot Brandy Alexander. Considering the fact that I had just been driving from Yreka, with images of these foods dancing in my brain meats (I'd Yelped the place last night in my cold hotel room) throughout the hours of snow and rain on the highway, they were the greatest things I'd ever seen once they finally arrived before me. Best meal I've had since... oh man, how long has it been? It was worth the drive. Worth the wait. Worth the awkward thinking-our-name-was-called-and-then-sitting-Âdown-to-discover-there-was-also-another-Brandon-ÂParty-of-Three-and-then-having-to-go-back-outside. Worth the further wait for the food to get cooked. And above all, worth the amount of carbs, sugar, and whatever else people stress absorbing when they eat this well. I'd heard about Dutch babies, but never seen one in person, let alone tried one. It was GOOOOOOOD, especially with the lemons squeezed on top and the syrup and the... MMMMMMMMMMM!! The Scotch egg was the best I've had, and thank heavens it was hot. Most places I've been serve it cold. I don't know if that's the traditional way, but these were warm and tasted like happiness. Great horseradish spread that went with it. THAT went well with Brandon D.'s potato pancakes. Will I return? If I ever get to stay in Portland for any significant amount of time, DEFINITELY!
(5)
Bonnie N.

We, meaning party of 4, came here for lunch today. Or really, since it's Saturday, brunch. The place was packed. We put our name on the list and waited. I was not impressed by the chaos, and the vibe that people waiting were in the workers' way. Empty tables sat, after being cleaned, and customers could have been seated more quickly to help with the mob at the front door. We waited it out in any case. I had the smoked salmon hash. It was just ok. One of my poached eggs was completely solid, and so our waitress brought me two new ones. There was a lot of smoked salmon, and yummy wilted spinach too...that was nice. The potatoes were WAY too salty. I couldn't eat them. Wow. I've had super salty French fries that had less sodium than those. My daughter liked her oatmeal and fruit. The kiwi and variety was a nice change from the standard. My dad had biscuits and gravy. He liked the mushroom gravy, but thought the biscuits were oddly sweet and didn't complement it well. He is not picky, the kind of guy who eats anything and everything (and he did clean the plate, even though he said it was weird). Meh. I probably won't go back. Too many other options, and I don't like feeling like I licked a salt block.
(2)
Anna S.

This place was good, not great, for brunch. It's a nice touch that they have coffee by the front door for while you wait, but they didn't refill the carafe while I was there. Undercaffeinated, I waited. Of course, the wait wasn't as bad as, say, Mother's. I think I waited longer for my food to come out after I ordered than I did to actually be seated. There was nothing wrong with my Potato Pancakes & Scotch Egg, or with my sister's Benny. It was all tasty and fine, but nothing really impressive that would make me bolt upright in bed on a Sunday and declare "I must have brunch at Helser's!" This is 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(4)
Shy A.

Brunch Smunch.....They say Portland is a Brunch town, who am I to disagree? It's places like Hesler's that make me believe it. They do brunch, right! I've been to Hesler's a handful of times and loved each visit. I find that their wait isn't as bad as other joints-you can definitely get a table within 30 minutes on any given Saturday or Sunday, if even that. I love that-I hate waiting for food-especially when it's my first meal of the day. LOVE their smoked salmon hash and the mushroom hash....Coffee is on point, Bloody's are perfect-nothing too fancy, just made right and their mimosas are also very good. Service can be hit of miss but they definitely make up for it with some free add-ons. Helser's has become by go-to place to bring friends when we are looking to stuff our bellies and not wait days on end for a table. I definitely recommend it!
(4)
Jess S.

Great food, slow service. Food: I had the sausage breakfast with two potato pancakes, and we split a scotch egg. Everything was delicious! Good portions, great flavors. Don't forget the applesauce and sour cream with the potato pancakes. Service: So slow! I'm very used to having to wait for brunch in PDX, but this was over the top for the small amount of people there. Our food (for 2 people) took 40min to come after we ordered, and our waitress never did come back to take our credit card for the bill or box leftovers. (Note: we were even sitting at the bar!) We left cash and won't be going back for weekend brunch.
(3)
Jyro F.

A terrific place for a family to eat a fulfilling breakfast, friends to gather and enjoy one others company, or even to take someone on a cute date. The food is delicious to say the least, the decor sets a very welcoming atmosphere, and the employees are kind to the bone. I highly recommend this place to any newcomers to Portland who are trying to get an above and beyond early morning experience.
(5)
Kenny H.

EXCELLENT. We had about an hour wait for Tin Shed, and a Local mentioned how there is usually little wait at Helsers, that is was good. BOY am I glad we walked over. They had my favorite breakfast item - "Smoked Salmon Hash". I use to get it at Jam on Hawthorne until it went up to $15, so I stopped ordering it. $12.95 is still expensive, but on Par with the Norm, and about what it use to be at Jam. At first I was not so sure about the potatoes being a little more Mash Potato than Hashbrown-Like in some spots.. but actually found I liked the variation in consistency better than slightly crisp and oily bits.. the soft texture added "something". Not too buttery or crisp.. DELISH. The portion was almost as big as Jam. You will be fine til dinner after this big brunch. I like the Coffee at Tin Shed a wee bit better, but it is still very good here.
(4)
Vincent W.

I had the thick brioche french toast. Super tasty and super filling. Keep in mind that you get three very large slices. I also had pouched eggs which were excellently cooked, hot while very runny. The wait staff was attentive and polite. The wait was about 30 mins which is normal brunch at this time of day. The french toast was very tasty, sweet and soft. Exceptional taste and a nice amount of syrup to accommodate. The very large deep bowls fit rhe food well and the presentation was nice. I plan to have the huge german pancakes next as they look amazing.
(4)
Noah H.

We have a fair number of breakfast spots on Alberta, but Helser's is one of my favorites. The dishes are not overly complex but uniformly delicious. The place is light and not overly crowded, the service kind and courteous, and the prices generally fair. Hard to go wrong here!
(5)
Trina A.

Grumpy lady did not greet anyone! Did not smile and slammed the door on my mans foot twice... Food was good when we were finally asked for our order.
(2)
Ben W.

Solid food served quickly. They keep the coffee and tea refills coming without delay. Between my girlfriend and I we've had the black bean scramble, breakfast sandwich, and Scotch Eggs, all of which are quite good. Nothing too fancy or exotic, just a good, affordable breakfast done right. The line to get in starts around 8:30 regardless of the day, so get their early-ish
(4)
Cat S.

Probably the worst breakfast dining experience we've had! So bummed on this place. We waited for over an hour to be seated, and then another hour for our food. We only had 3 people in our party and we didn't get our food til almost 2 pm, so there's really no reason we should have had to wait so long for food. We ordered the veggie Eggs Benedict, Biscuits and Gravy, and the Scrambled Eggs with sausage. Everything was cold, over cooked and hard. The biscuits were terrible- burnt and hard with no flavor. How do you ruin biscuits?! Needless to say the biscuits and gravy were terrible too. No flavor and cold. The eggs Benedict were totally overcooked- might as well have ordered hard boiled eggs. The scrambled egg combo came with potato pancakes, which weren't good either and not noted on the menu (would not have ordered the dish had he known they were potato pancakes). The sausages were cold and unappealing, and left, with most of the food, uneaten. The slow service rounded out our 2 hour breakfast misery.. Maybe it was an off Saturday, but I really would not recommend this spot unless you have hours to kill for breakfast and don't mind overcooked, cold food.
(1)
Gia C.

I order the sausages with potato pancakes and fried eggs and was so delicious, the portion big, and beautiful served, its a delight for taste and look...and good prices.. now i saw all the other reviewers pictures and i wanna comeback to ask all!! very recomendable
(5)
Sherry W.

My cousin and I went here for breakfast today. I had a caramel latte, bacon and Yukon good potato hash with 2 poached eggs on top and when I saw a scotch egg on the menu as a side item I just had to try it. The hash was amazing. Rich and very satisfying. The scotch egg was crispy on the outside, well seasoned sausage and perfectly cooked egg. It's served with a dipping sauce that has some horse radish in it, it was delicious. My cousin had the mushroom hash and it was incredible. She also had a fruit plate. Cute interior, friendly staff and great food. Might have to take the boyfriend here for breakfast!
(5)
Tiffany A.

This place wasn't what we had expected. I was looking for a place with dutch babies, as I had never had one and wanted to try one. We came here on an uneventful Sunday morning, beating the morning rush of church goers. We were seated quickly, which was nice. However, there was absolutely no rush to serve us, in fact it was quite the opposite. Waitstaff were hustling and bustling behind the counter, in the most unproductive manner. For people who looked so rushed and busy, they were barely paying attention to any customers, nor bringing any food out. What they were doing back there remains a mystery! Finally a waitress took our order for some tea and coffee after about 10 minutes, and it was another 10 minute wait to order our food. The bf ordered a pepper bacon and cheddar hash of sorts. I ordered a very unconventional ham benedict, and we shared a dutch baby. I had the earl grey tea which was steeped in an individual french press. It was a little too concentrated, and was served with milk instead of cream which I wasn't excited about. Over the next 45 minutes we watched people all over the restaurant receive their food, but we continued to wait. Our waters ran empty and unfilled for a very long time. It was almost an hour before I got my benedict (cold) and the dutch baby... but the bf's hash was no where in sight :( We shared bites of the dutch baby which was nothing special, it just tasted like eggs with powdered sugar. I had to start eating my meal or it wouldn't have been palatable as the sauce was setting. Mine was kind of terrible. I'd say the Zenner's ham was the only good part. The benedict was on ciabatta which was way too thick and dry for the small amount of ham and sauce, and the yukon potatoes (which I was looking forward to) couldn't be saved with a bottle of ketchup. These things were so gross. Imagine cheap margarine mixed with garlic powder and overcooked potatoes, gross! They had such a chemical type taste to them, I didn't even want them touching my other food. The bf's food finally came 15-20mins after mine, and he seemed to enjoy it (although his palate is that of a caveman). Our tab came to $40, which could've been spent in so many other wonderful ways... This place was next to crap. If it weren't for the coffee and tea, it'd be a 0 star rating... I won't be back.
(1)
Sunil T.

Excellent food. Worth the wait. German pancakes are large. They don't mind if you split it between two kids. Coffee station is available while you wait... Which will be outside, standing probably because the place is so small. Always consistent quality.
(5)
Miller C.

Pretty nice breakfast/brunch spot. The service is good and quick. The food is a great deal, because you get a lot! We went home on full and happy tummies. I was happy to find a place that had a vegetarian biscuits and gravy that was actually good!
(4)
Ethan S.

Oh lordy lord! My belly is full of deliciousness! Sunday brunch fell from heaven and landed on the corner of Alberta and 16th Ave in Portland. This is my church and my god is salmon hash! Praise Heller's the Church of Sunday brunch!
(5)
Rachel E.

I've been here several times for brunch and am always pleased - it's usually pretty busy, as is to be expected around brunch time in Portland but the staff is friendly and seems to have a good handle on everything. They have awesome scotch eggs - the perfect texture and not too oily; I also love their potato pancakes (same compliments as for the egg) and the mushroom hash was quite flavorful with the havarti and all. I was totally smitten with the pear & havarti pie and the German pancake...holy cow! I usually get chai when I come here, I don't actually know but I feel like it's homemade. Maybe it's just Oregon or Blue Lotus or something but it tastes so much better. Probably because I usually spike it with some liqueur, now that I think about it. Whatever, it's good and I will return here often.
(4)
John S.

I've been here twice and both times they sucker punched me into going for a board special German pancake. The first time it came smothered in blueberries and whipped cream. Today it was strawberries and cream. The strawberries were oozing with their own syrup, which caught the eye of the waitress. "I'm guessing you won't need any other syrup on this." She was right. The pancakes were wonderful and the service is friendly. German pancakes go into the oven, so expect a wait of 20 minutes or so. But they're darn worth the wait.
(4)
Austin C.

Absolutely excellent all around. Bright and open, great atmosphere-Coffee on a stand when you walk in-Decent wait time even on a busy Saturday morning-Excellent food/selection/portion size (feel like you get your money's worth for certain)-Fast, kind service (our waitress was happy to help even with a special request)-Just a solid place/experience overall. Go here. Eat here.
(5)
Alena C.

I have walked past Helser's a million times and I have never came in. On Sunday the plan was to hit up Petite Provence for breakfast, but with a 50 minute wait, we decided to finally give Helser's a try. We got in the door after only a 5 minute wait, and even though the house was packed, service was quick and the food was tasty. I had the special of the day, a corned beef hash with two eggs and hollandaise sauce. My guy had the Scotch egg meal. Both had huge portions and lots of creamy goodness. My hash was enough for two meals; unfortunately after leaving my to go bag in the car old day, I was advised to through it out. Thanks, Helser's!
(4)
Joyce O.

The strawberry mimosas are delish!
(4)
Geoff B.

Tasty breakfast dishes. The special was biscuits and fried chicken (small Orin chicken but cooked perfectly) with mushroom gravy. Absolutely no complaints. Everything was great.
(5)
Christi S.

We were seated fast for a Saturday and got drinks very fast. The choices of food were great and delicious specials. Most of the table got drinks and specials. My wife got a spanish coffee and oyster hash that she thought was great. I got the cheddar bacon hash that was very tasty and a lot of food!! The service was good and the food was great!
(4)
James P.

We stopped by for a late brunch on Saturday. I had the bacon and cheese hash. It was very delicious and was a big enough portion I could take home left overs. I definitely recommend this place if you are in Portland looking for a tasty breakfast or brunch.
(4)
Benson N.

Honestly I was not impressed! Neither the food or service was quite there for me. They have about two people running the floor in a small room consisting of about 13 tables. None of my water needs were met! I got the bacon hash with two poached eggs. Honestly I have never said these words in my entire life " too much bacon ". I mean it's great to be generous with the bacon but c'mon you made a bacon lover speak those words! Do not get the bacon hash it's just a mess. I left with my veins feeling clogged of little piglets. Maybe it was my fault for ordering the wrong dish because I do admit the scotch egg and ham Benedict that my girlfriend and sister got we're good.
(3)
Jessie F.

After seeing this diner on a PBS program about American diners, I've decided I need to try their Dutch babies ( German pancakes) while I'm in Portland. I came here with some family members on a week day for lunch. I had eggs, maple sausages and potatoes and a Dutch baby. The portion was big with all the dishes we order. The eggs and sausages tasted great and fresh. The Dutch baby did not disappoint. The edge of the pancake was crispy and the flavor was nice and light. The potato pancakes was quite good here as well and so was the coffee. I was not able to finish my dishes but left very happy and full.
(4)
Stephanie A.

I've been here numerous times over the years and every time I leave feeling stuffed to the brim with satisfaction. The foods delicious, black pepper bacon egg dish, french toast, german pancake, Louisiana wrap (very hearty), breakfast burrito (special) and the salmon hash. Honestly, you can't go wrong with what you order, the only trouble you'll get yourself into is eating the whole plate. ;-) I'd suggest sharing or putting half in a to-go bag ASAP. I've found there is rarely a wait if you're there before 9. Staff's friendly and usually it's the same old group of gals, they might not move at lightening speeds but they're always friendly.
(4)
R M.

Overall Great tasting breakfast. Salmon eggs Benedict was delicious. Wait was not too long. Glad the OTHER place had an hour and a half wait!
(4)
John D.

Really great breakfast spot on Alberta. Never seems to be as crowded as some of the other awesome restaurants, but it isn't due to a lack of quality food. My go-to choice here is the breakfast burrito (it comes with sausage, but I ask for it with bacon). They also have ridiculously good french toast and pancakes too. Seems to be the same staff every time I come in and they are all very friendly. Overall wonderful spot for breakfast and coffee.
(5)
Jackie G.

There are no words to describe how surprised and elated I was to finally make my way over to the art district in the North East side of Portland. Wow..what a fantastic experience. Go here for breakfast! Take your family, your date, your whatever and just get there. You won't be disappointed. It's cramped inside but everything about it is good. Yelp members gave it great reviews and it wasn't my first choice in destination but I couldn't find the original choice. This place looked busy and I Yelp checked it out. Went in..sat at the bar and received outstanding service. Even the coffee was great. Food portions are huge. I wound up ordering half an order..forgot what it was but I took a pic and posted somewhere on here. Told my family about it, a friend who lived in the neighborhood hoping I would be joined for the morning, but I was okay being there stag. Let me know when you go there. I promise you, it will be good food and good service. Parking is street side so you might have to walk a couple of blocks. I certainly didn't mind since it was a nice morning.
(5)
Tom P.

We went to breakfast here this Sunday. I read the review in Willamette week and finally decided it was time to try this place. For the last several years I have driven by and saw long lines outside and avoided coming here. Now I know why there are long lines. It took 45 minutes to get seated. We sat there for 30 plus minutes while 5 tables were already cleared and open. The wait staff sat one table, then wandered off and did whatever. I agree with tiffany's remarks. It is astounding this place stays in business given the level of inefficiency and lack of apparent management in this place. Everyone seems to be moving at their own pace with little regard for when people get seated or served. We live close by. Too bad because we had high hopes for this place. I don't mind a little wait for a good meal, but I hate that we were made to wait when there was several tables open. It would help if they had someone seat people and bus tables. But who knows. Maybe they think they can get by on the positive reviews. My wife implored me to leave. I said no, we are already this invested and we might as well wait. After we were seated, approximately 30 minutes later our waitress came up and told us that they have lost our order in the kitchen. This pretty much sealed it for us. She offered a fruit plate which we initially accepted but later declined. This is one of those instances where you offer to comp the meal. It really drove home how horrible the service is and how poorly this place is run. The fact that no one bothered to check on our order for 30 minutes is as troubling as the fact the order was lost. I am not sure how you can lose an order of buttermilk pancakes and eggs Benedict but somehow they managed to do so. While sitting there we saw two people served burned German pancakes. We finally gave up and left without getting any food. That was an hour and a half we will never get back. Absolutely horrible!!!!!! The staff is not engaging, they don't smile, and do not check on your order except to tell you that they have lost your food order. I couldn't tell who was running the place to complain. What a terrible experience.
(1)
Jaime C.

The hash is of incredible portions and fantastic quality. It's a small nice little joint which i would suggest to anyone looking for some good morning/afternoon eats.
(5)
Jean K.

Had the peppered bacon hash, very good but started to get very salty towards the end. French Toast was decent, nothing crazy. Scotch egg was so good! The batter was perfect. I wish they could use their sausage mixture from the scotch egg on the hash, that would be awesome. Very friendly service.
(4)
Preston M.

I mean, come on. A hash served in a bowl larger than my head is not only impressive but GREATLY appreciated. My table tried three different hashes; the smoked salmon, the mushroom and the tofu Thai curry. Seriously, we didn't have a favorite because they were all fantastic. The real treat that morning was the Dutch pancake. It is light and fluffy with a delicious zest. Feels like a mom and pop shop with homey complex food. Loved eating here!
(5)
Barclay L.

Waiting Forever here (over an hour) no refills this place sucks and it's not even busy... Ridiculous place for lunch, never coming back here...
(1)
Amy B.

Great food at an affordable price. I hear the waits can be long, but we showed up on a weekday and we didn't wait at all. I got the eggs bennies and they were fantastic. My son ordered the french toast and I won't lie when I say it was as big as his head and there was more than one slice. Crazy. We enjoyed all our food and we love the area, so this was a total win for us.
(4)
Alexis C.

Came here for breakfast during the middle of the week so we didn't have to wait at all. The service is very friendly and my coffee cup was never empty which was much appreciated. I had the Ham Benedict and it was delicious. The potatoes that come with it are perfectly seasoned and are a tad bit crispy. The pepper bacon & cheddar hash is also delicious and is a very generous portion so you could definitely share. At first I was a little skeptical about trying the Scottish egg because I've never had one before but it's definitely a MUST TRY!
(4)
Brian S.

I love this place and am glad when I'm on Alberta and get a chance to eat here when the line isn't long. As always, the food was excellent. I had the Mushroom Hash and my girlfriend had the Bacon and Cheddar Hash. Both were very, very tasty and super large portions.
(4)
Beau M.

Not bad diner food. Nice decor and decent service. Nothing remarkable about the place.
(3)
Shonna B.

Yummy, yummy, yummy! Good food, great portions, fair prices, good specials. But it takes a while for your food to come and it seating is a bit crowded for my style. However there is great outdoor seating.
(4)
Jason G.

I'm writing this review because I really like the food here. It does take a long time for the food to come out, therefore the tables don't turn over very fast! Seems to be many servers that walk around but don't really attend to the tables. We come here for the food not service. Scottish eggs are bomb!!!
(4)
Ashley D.

3.5 stars The scotch egg is definitely the show stopper. It was the main attraction for wanting to have breakfast here and was also my personal favorite on the table. It sounds crazy but this lightly fried hard boiled egg surrounded in sausage is quite the delight. I wasn't as excited however about the potato pancakes that came with the meal. They were pretty dry and bland so I'd suggest getting the scotch egg as a side to add on to another menu item. We also ordered some monstrous French toast which was enough to go around for our whole table of 4. It was very good and very sweet, I couldn't imagine having a whole plate to myself but getting one piece (or 3 if you're feeling feisty) to share for the table is definitely a great idea.
(3)
Julia A.

My mistake for not reading the 31 NOT recommended reviews about this place. It is absolute chaos inside, no host, just a clipboard for you to write your name down and hope you get seated at some point. It took us 30 minutes to get seated, another 15 minutes before our server noticed us and brought us a couple of menus and water. Granted it was a busy Sunday morning, but please look around and check your section. While we waited for said server to greet us we had already looked online and decided what we wanted, we ordered right away. Another 30 minutes later we finally got our food and mediocre it was! Definitely nothing special and not worth the wait, very disappointing. We won't be returning.
(2)
Kris A.

Go here for breakfast, but not if you want an omelette because they don't have them. Instead they have other tasty dishes that are unique. Try something new! I've had the black bean scramble and the sausage breakfast (chicken apple and spicy italian). All great as well as the espresso and hot chocolate. The fresh fruit with each meal is also good. This place can feel a little packed at peak times.
(4)
Bob R.

French toast is dry. Just as pie *can* be improved by ice cream but shouldn't *need* ice cream to be good. French Toast should not *need* churns of butter and a forest of syrup to be easily masticated. Sticking to Dutch Baby in the future.
(4)
Amy L.

One of my favorite eggs Benedict places, all the ingredients are freshly prepared and eggs cooked to perfection. I love that they have several different varieties of eggs benedict. I had the vegetarian benedict it had mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes very refreshing the sauce was a perfect balance of flavors and not overly salty. I heard good things about their German pancakes, can't wait to try that next time. There may be a wait on weekends I waited 45 mins on a Sunday for a party of 2 to be seated but it's worth the wait for tasty breakfast.
(5)
Anni H.

Helser's or HELL? They get the award for having THE WORST SERVICE EVER. Where do I start, it was one bad thing after the other. We waited for an outside table but then it took the hostess/busser forever to clear the table. She only filled our water glasses half full and when I asked for more water she acted so put out. The waitress did come right over but did not tell us anything about any specials. We placed our order but my friend was told that she could NOT order from "that" side of the menu as they do not serve sandwiches or salads on the weekend, only breakfast items. Well, what is Brunch? Isn't Brunch breakfast items and sandwiches and salads. So, my friend asked for a couple of minutes to look over the menu again and I guess the waitress interpreted this to take a long break because she didn't come back for a solid 15 or 20 minutes. She finally did come back and did apologize for the wait. We placed our order and I thought all was well but then I overheard another couple make the same mistake of wanting sandwiches and salads and were told no they couldn't have that. Here is a news flash Helser's just have a separate menu for Sunday that doesn't confuse people into thinking that they can order off that menu and get a sandwich or salad. We waited and waited and waited and waited. People that came in after us were served their food but ours never arrived. We must have sat there for about 45 minutes. When our waitress FINALLY showed up she had the wrong order. She then proceeded to look at us confused and blurted out, " I must have misread the ticket". That was enough for me and my friend we decided that this establishment does not deserve my hard earned money. It's too bad that this waitress did not have the people skills to either comp a meal for the long wait or apologize for the error and maybe even give us a snack or free coffee or something but we got nothing but bad, bad service. I think they may have changed hands because the photos on Yelp do NOT match what is being served currently. We got up and left and I will NEVER go back.
(1)
Food L.

I don't usually like reviews that compare one restaurant to another, but for this review I have to say this... Why are you still going to the Tin Shed???? We strayed one time to try the Tin Shed after reading the reviews and we will never make that mistake again. Hesler's is hands-down our favorite breakfast spot on Alberta. The staff are great and the food is consistently amazing! My husband cannot get enough of their smoked salmon breakfast plate which he orders practically every time we go. I am a vegetarian, and I have selection of several tasty dishes, and of course with a side of their vegan gravy.... I would eat a house slipper if it were dipped in their gravy... it's fantastic. Of course many people agree with us, and will line up for a good hour just to get a table at this quaint gem. No worries, we go Saturday mornings instead of Sundays and rarely have a wait.
(5)
Massimo F.

Good fast service. Menu with several but not so different choices. Few selection of drinks. Food definitively good and well tasting. I just found ridiculous finding warmed up chips instead of fries coming with our delicious burger and sandwiches. Recommended for a good brunch
(4)
Dante M.

Scotch eggs. Mmmmm... We came here on a Sunday at around 11:30 AM. Repeat. Sunday at 11:30 AM. We knew the wait would be long. But we heard great things about this place, and am glad that we came! As my review was prefaced, the Scotch eggs were pretty dang good. I was hungry at the time, therefore ordered an additional Scotch egg for a small premium. The cost/benefit analysis done in my head was well worth the extra funds. After we were sat, the service was decent and food was rather quick. I left full and happy. I'll recommend it to you. But get what I got!
(4)
Eve K.

What happened to this place? It used to be one of my favorite brunches in the neighborhood. I usually get the pear and havarti pie, which has always been great, so maybe my mistake was trying something different. It was my first time back this year, and for some reason I felt inspired to try a benedict. The "poached" egg yolk was hard and the potatoes were remarkably salty. The hollandaise was good, but a bit skimpy. My husband got a scramble, and his eggs were also overcooked. Maybe some people like dry scrambled eggs. Sad.
(2)
Diane C.

This is a small place, so it fills up fast on Sunday mornings. We got there early and snagged a table without much of a wait. The service was mediocre...the server was friendly enough, but she forgot that we had both ordered hot chocolate and brought only one. Then, the food was slow in coming. There was a line of people but they were very slow to clean tables and bring people in. At the end of the meal, we had a hard time getting change from the check...again, tons of people waiting and the staff seems not to care. The food was pretty good. The brioche french toast was good, though uneven. Some of it was nice and moist, and some was on the dry side. The bacon and cheese scramble was excellent. We definitely want to come back and try the German Pancake (aka Dutch Baby) and the Eggs Benedict.
(4)
Matt H.

Always love this spot but they need to be way quicker greeting and seating and it wouldn't hurt to get a big fat pile of WIFI for us werkin and twerkin folks
(4)
Lizzie R.

We had a bit of a hard time getting a table for three for Sunday breakfast. The waitress overlooked our name on the list and seated a table of four before us which was rather frustrating as we had already been waiting for about 20 minutes when that happened. We were seated shortly after. They offer coffee for people waiting for a table which was nice. I ordered the special which was a strawberry and lemon chiffon topped german pancake (Dutch baby) and it was delicious. The family had two different types of eggs benedict and were very impressed! The poached eggs were perfectly done. The freshly squeezed orange juice was also delicious. Overall we enjoyed the experience here!
(4)
Andrea R.

I've had a good experience there before, but today unfortunately did not meet my previous expectations. After putting our names down, my friends and I were told we would be seated in 30 mins. We then decided to walk around to kill time, and when we came back, found out they had already called our name and moved on to the other customers. We told the hostess that we missed our name being called because they gave us a 30 minute wait, and she said she would move us back to the top of the list but never did. In all, we waited about 45 minutes before we all decided we had had enough. Too bad they missed our business because we were very hungry. Don't know if I will be back.
(2)
Chuck N.

One of the top three breakfast houses in Portland in my book. The mushroom dish at the top of the menu is so wonderful. Their Americano's are cafe great. Nice staff and comfortable. Just an excellent place.
(5)
Renee O.

I have to say, when the line has been too long elsewhere on Alberta for Saturday or Sunday brunch, Helser's hasn't disappointed. Not only do we not wait in line for an hour plus, but instead we just go straight to Helser's and if there's a wait, we walk to Petit Provence and get a croissant to hold us over. The breakfast cocktails are only 6 bucks! Drive over the river to the west side and they're nearly double that in most places! The food is fresh and delicious and full of flavor. Their specials are seasonal and offer you definitely something new to try. I recommend the Egg Crumpet Sandwich - the goats cheese and egg and all the other flavors are harmonious :) Enjoy!
(5)
Duane P.

Helsers did it! My first 5 star for them and I have been here quite a few times. Everything clicked today. We had the Sausage Breakfast and Smoked Salmon Benedict. Look at my pictures of both meals. Huge Louisiana Hot Links made for leftovers the next day. Smoked Salmon Benedict was the best one I have ever had and looking at my reviews you know that I know Benedict's. Check it out and you won't go wrong. One of PDX's top consistent breakfast spots.
(5)
Hly N.

I really liked Helser's! The portions were generous and tasty. I had the eggs Benedict, which were served alongside toast and potatoes. The server was prompt and attentive, but I wouldn't describe the staff as warm or friendly. That's okay, because I was there to have breakfast, not to make new friends. Would definitely return.
(4)
Mary B.

I went here for brunch with some girlfriends recently. I ordered the Spinach, Tomato and Mushroom Benedict. It was very good but needed quite a bit of salt. The crumpet was the saltiest thing on there (that's weird). No problem. I still enjoyed it greatly and finished my entire plate. After reading Clare B.'s review about her food being bland, I realized that was the problem with this place. It was just ok. Nothing super special about it. Also, the french press coffee was suuuuuper dark and bitter. I probably won't choose this place again. With so many other tasty brunch places in town, it's hard to compete.
(3)
Becca J.

I'm going to be honest - my boyfriend and I only came here because we drove out to the city for Pine State and didn't feel like standing in the line that wrapped around the building. We were pretty hungry, so we just started walking down Alberta until we found the best looking option. It was pretty crowded inside (noon on a Saturday), but there were only a couple of groups ahead of us, so we sat down pretty quickly. I had the sausage breakfast with my two sausage selections being the bratwurst and the chicken apple sausage. (I wussed out on the Louisiana hot sausage when the waitress described it as a 7/10 on the spicy scale.) It came with two eggs and potato pancakes. Of course they give you a side of applesauce for your potato pancakes, and everything was super delicious. We sat at the bar to eat, which gave us the opportunity to watch everyone else's meal come out of the kitchen while we were ravenous, and EVERYTHING looked amazing. I definitely want to come back and try either the smoked salmon hash or the scotch egg and potato pancakes. My only complaint is that it is super duper loud inside. Something about the acoustics, I guess? The food was great, so the volume won't keep me from coming back.
(5)
Lisa M.

Potatos were dry and Bloody Marys tasted like cocktail sauce. Mehh.... Wait staff was nice!
(3)
Ehow C.

If Portland had a citywide religion, it would be called Brunchism, where all of the restaurants are the temples. Helser's is one of many temples on Alberta out in northside and it seems perpetually crowded on Sundays. Luckily, the bar usually opens up quickly for 1-man parties such as myself. allowing me to partake in its offerings. I've had two visits here, with some mixed results. My first visit involved a pineapple cocktail with the pepper bacon and cheddar hash, both of which were extremely delicious. The portion size of the hash was enough for leftovers, something that is rare for me. My second visit involved dry biscuits and fried chicken, both of which lacking gravy, with the potatoes being the highlight of the dish; this should never happen, even if the potatoes are good. Service was fairly attentive even while busy both times, though I found myself staring at my food at the pass for way too long on my second visit. Maybe I need to give it a third try, but I'll just use the average of my two experiences for now. Three stars.
(3)
Will S.

Superb breakfast and brunch. By far the standout of our meal were our orgasmically good Dutch babies. Yeah I just wrote that. They are phenomenal, like nothing you've ever had. I wish I lived in Portland, just so I could eat at this place about 2-3 times a week. Aside from the Dutch babies, some other highlights are the bottomless cups of coffee (the coffee is excellent) and the scotch eggs (it sounds weird, but just get them, I didn't but my brother did and I wanted to stab him with a spoon so that I could steal his). Helsers is a great place, get your ass in here and inhale a Dutch baby!!!!!!
(5)
Erica D.

Went there with my two kids. Seated promptly. Friendly attentive service. Good coffee. Delicious food. Mushroom hash is incredible. Huge portion. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Lily S.

Normally we would go to Tin Shed for breakfast, but that day we decided to give Helser's a shot - a) there was no line, and b) why not? Order the smoked salmon hash minus the hollandaise sauce - b/c it was DELICIOUS and does not need to be masked by any kind of sauce! Chock full of tasty potatoes, smoked salmon, and whatever herbs/spices they dressed this up with made my mouth do a little dance. C got the biscuits and mushroom gravy, which was really tasty, but a bit on the heavy side, so if you order this, make sure the only other thing you have to do is take a nap right after. Which we may have accomplished after eating.
(4)
Tim B.

If your looking for a good brunch place, thus is a place worth trying! I had the oyster scramble and a cpl of Bloody Mary's...Delicous!!!
(4)
Arlyn G.

This was the first time Yelp has let me down. My brother, cousin, and I were in Portland for 5 days last month visiting another cousin living out in Jantzen Beach. It was our last day in Portland and we decided to actually go out for breakfast instead of another morning of gluten-free waffles, fresh fruit, and turkey bacon. After our experience, I would have happily had our regular breakfast. We were debating between this and another 4 star Yelp establishment and visited both websites to compare their menus. After eeny, meany, myny, mo, it was Helser's. It was less than half full inside, about 5 tables seated and it was just after 9:30am. It was hard to decide on what to eat since their dishes all sounded very appetizing, but disappointing at the same time was that their menu online wasn't what it was when we were at the restaurant. The first time our server came, we weren't ready to order, but after her first visit to our table, it was another 10-15 minutes before we could get her attention again so we could finally order because she was running food to the other tables and was also getting people's checks in order. I settled on the Black Bean Chili Scramble sans the sour cream, my brother the pepper bacon and cheddar hash, and my cousin the smoked salmon hash. It took another 30 minutes to get our food. That's all we ordered. No modifications, no special requests. Our stomachs were growling and let's just say that they my cousin and brother's were still growling when we left. I don't know if hash is interpreted differently in Oregon than it is in California, but I've never seen a dish labeled as hash come out looking like scalloped potatoes! Google "potato hash" and what you'll see is crisp brown, usually shredded potatoes. Ok, fine, I'll give the chefs some leeway in coming up with something different, but you simply can't call something a hash when it clearly isn't. On top of not coming out what we expected as a hash, some of the potatoes were undercooked. My cousin ended up eating only the salmon and spinach, which both were under seasoned. It's hard to mess something up that has bacon on it and the bacon was generous, so my brother was able to eat more of his dish, but again, a pile of undercooked and soggy scalloped potatoes. No complaints on the scramble, it was quite delicious and I was the only one who left with a full stomach. Good food takes time and sure, I wouldn't have minded the wait if the food were good and fully cooked. They get one star for my scramble, but that's about it.
(1)
Jeff D.

Another great Portlandia b'fast place. We arrived early on a Sunday and beat the crowd. The lad had the German pancake and it was the most amazing morsel of deliciousness I've ever tasted! He even made the comment that it was better than the one mom makes; he's still learning... My traditional eggs benedict was nicely done with a Portland flair (the usual Canadian bacon was instead Zenner's ham) and the Hollandaise was pleasant; not pretentious or overly loud, no surprises when it first lit on my tongue. The wife's salmon hash was also well done, with one notable exception; the salmon is farmed, not wild. In Portland that's almost an unconscionable sin! For those who are looking for an East Coast finely diced, meat heavy style hash, this place will show you how it's done on the Left Coast. To the people who've compared the potatoes to 'scalloped potatoes', you really should get out more. We'll be back!
(4)
Crystal F.

Took the recommendation from a friend and was more than pleased with this place. My guy and I went for brunch on Saturday and were fully prepared for an hour wait but happily found it to be busy but not crowded, and waited only 15 minutes for a table. I ordered the latte and he some peppermint tea. I loved that the tea came out in it's own press that they offered to refill w/o asking. We both had an incredibly tough time choosing due to the amazing menu. We settled on sharing the Smoked Salmon Hash and a side of one scotch egg. The portions turned out to be HUGE so this was actually more than perfect. The server brought out or food already perfectly split out onto two dishes, which I was more than appreciative of. The salmon was moist and flavorful, the potatoes were light, the eggs perfectly poached, and the hollandaise....oh damn the hollandaise. This was my first experience w/ scotch eggs and I was blown away. Such a perfectly hardboiled egg surrounded by a (not too thick layer) of sausage. I've already decided I'm going to try and duplicate at home. Service was more than stellar here. Very friendly and helpful, and didn't feel pressured to hurry even though they were closing. We will be back.
(5)
Mike A.

Alright. I don't really like going out to breakfast that much, which I know is about as close to a sin as you can get in Portland. I get it. Sorry, hippies. I just don't like starting my day off with a grotesquely full stomach. Helser's temporarily changed my mind. I ordered the Smoked Salmon Hash and I was immediately hit by a heavy dose of food lust. If I wasn't with my lady friend at the time I might have eloped with my plate right then and there. There was a bit of a wait, but as to be expected when you're this good. It didn't seem like the nicest neighborhood, but then again, I am an elite a-hole so maybe this was a nice part of Portland. Doesn't matter. If they served this at the state penitentiary I'd stop by every now and then for a bite. So good.
(5)
Michael R.

Rolled into Helser's at 1:30 on Friday. The room was half full and we took a seat at an empty table. The older woman working came by to half-heartedly wipe down the table, leaving sticky marks behind. A bit too long later the younger waitress comes by with menus and water. Let's us peruse the menu an appropriate amount of time. What would we like? Bacon and cheddar hash, BLT, two coffees. Food arrives about ten minutes later. Must remind waitress of our coffee needs. She brings us coffee, finally, and we don't interact with her again until she brings the check. Didn't ask to see how things were (the food, at least, was acceptable). I paid cash because I cringed thinking how long it would take to get a credit card rung. I have a very low bar for service. Bring what I ask for and be congenial. Helser's failed on both counts. And, sadly, this was not a unique experience Service: abysmal. Food: above average. I will not be returning.
(1)
Morgan P.

We stopped by Helser's on a Sunday morning during our weekend trip to Portland. I was really impressed with their food - it was delicious and absolutely worth the wait. I had the mushroom hash, and my boyfriend had the Scottish egg and potato pancakes. The mushroom hash was perfect for me, as I love potatoes, cheese, and mushrooms! The Scottish egg and potato pancakes were also delicious. It was my first time having a Scottish egg and I'm already looking forward to my next one. Both entrees would have been large enough for us to share, and we ended up taking home some leftovers. My boyfriend had the Irish coffee as well, and the hint of brown sugar was definitely an improvement from your typical Irish coffee. I would definitely recommend Helser's if you're in the mood for a hearty, delicious breakfast!
(5)
Eric L.

What a wonderful place for breakfast or brunch. My buddy and I hit it up on a weekday so there was no wait or crowds. There is no parking so you will have to tie up your horse drawn carriage on the side of the street, and yes, there are ties that you could attach your horse to! No joke. Helser's is a nice, clean establishment right in the Alberta district. It's a small, quaint place and is usually crowded, but the weekdays are manageable. The food? Awesome. Pepper bacon & Cheddar Hash is pepper bacon, Tillamook cheddar, Yukon Gold potatoes, scallions, CrÃ¨me Fraiche, with two poached eggs. Yummy yummy for my tummy. Scotch Egg? Never had one until now and I'm slapping myself for not trying one sooner. It's a hard boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst, lightly breaded and fried golden brown. Served with three potato pancakes and horseradish cream. Absolutely delicious! Prices are pretty reasonable for the quality of grub you get. Service is pretty good considering how busy these guys get. Go to Helser's and get you some!
(5)
Angy N.

Eh. The service was friendly but there was only one waitress working so it understandably took awhile to get anything. I ordered the biscuits with mushroom gravy. I was so excited to try some veg friendly B&G. The biscuits unfortunately were too crunchy, they were over cooked. The gravy was tasty though. The eggs were weird... almost as if they were powdered. The coffee was bitter and too strong. Don't think I'll go out of my way to go here again next time I'm in town.
(3)
Steve S.

Not a bad little place, with an awesome counter for those anti-social Sunday mornings. Once my keister was at said counter, I felt instantly comfortable and ready to explore another eggs benedict. This time I went with the veggie benny, which wouldn't be my typical choice. It was just, well, OK. It was a lot of food for the money, but the quality and flavors were just a bit underwhelming. Let's just say the veggie benny was trying a bit to hard to impress, much like the girl that was sitting next to me a breakfast. Cool your jets my friend. In the defense of Helser's, next time I'll have to go for some meat on my benedict. It just seemed like the plate was too small for all the food that was served on it, which was completely overwhelming. For me, it just ruins the experience a bit. But, don't let my insanity ruin what could be a delicious breakfast. I just wish I could head back and try again.
(3)
Tommy Jane R.

This was our first visit to Helser's and we will be back! Just walking into this cozy place on a rainy day was a treat. Great service! Coffee mug was never empty. Hubby ordered buttermilk pancakes with scrambled eggs; syrup was WARM, which is something my Mama (and I) always have done, but rarely find it in a restaurant. Usually you are pouring frigid syrup on hot cakes. Does that make sense to anyone? Pancakes were delish! Came with a huge strawberry on the side, as did my plate of Scotch egg (my first) and potato pancakes. I also got small pots of creme fraiche (yum), horseradish cream and applesauce. Scotch egg was crispy sausage on the outside and wonderful! Potato pancakes were light and crispy and tender with no trace of grease. Saved half of everything to bring home and enjoy again.
(4)
Esther Y.

One thing I've discovered in my short summer here in Portland is that there is a plethora of amazing brunch places, I won't even get to them all before I leave! I finally made it to Helser's after months of hearing about it. I was told the Scotch Egg was a must try, so I ordered the Scotch Egg & Potato Pancakes dish. The potato pancakes were alright, but the Scotch Egg was definitely really good. Here's a description of what a Scotch Egg is from their website: "Hard boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst, lightly breaded and fried golden brown." If I were to go again, I think I would order the Mushroom Hash with a Scotch Egg on the side. My friend ordered the Crumpet & Egg Sandwich, and it was so good we decided to order a baker's dozen of crumpets to go for $5. I've got breakfast cut out for me for the next week! Be prepared for long waits on weekends though. I arrived around 12:45 pm, was seated around 1:15 pm, and got our food at 1:45 pm. Apparently we inhaled our food out of severe hunger because we were out of there by 2 pm. I normally wouldn't be one to wait nearly 2 hours to eat, but it's worth it as a visitor to Portland. Locals would probably be more inclined to come on a weekday morning to beat the wait.
(4)
Catlin R.

I have been coming to Helser's for about 6 years. Their food never has failed me in the past; it is my standby for excellent brunch in NE Portland. Unfortunately, their service and food quality has gone downhill. We came for a late brunch yesterday, around 12:30PM. We waited for 25 minutes while there were 3-6 tables open that entire time. The hostess moved at a pace similar to a snail. She would grab one or two items from a table to clean it, stop and chat with a waitress and then come to grab two customers. She could of bussed those tables all in about 3 minutes and then seated everybody waiting. I ordered the special, grilled polenta with poached eggs, crisp pancetta and spinach with a chipotle hollandaise sauce. It took another 30 minutes to receive our order, but that's never a problem when you know good food is coming. Unfortunately, I'm not sure why we were waiting as they were not busy and the food was disappointing. The eggs were perfect, while the polenta was bland, the "pancetta' (I think it was actually bacon) was overcooked and there was a couple drops of hollandaise. No flavor and incredibly overcooked. I doused it in hot sauce and ate all of my boyfriend's potatoes. So upsetting. I love what Helser's used to be. I heard mutiple tables complain and one of them said it would be there last time coming to Helser's. When I am usually very impressed with fresh food full of flavor, I was incredibly disappointed with the changes (hostess, menu items) that had been made this last time I was in.
(2)
Jason G.

1. Best French Toast in Portland - HANDS DOWN 2. Mushroom Hash - UNREAL Go here, now.
(4)
Adam M.

Horrible lost business because of terrible customer service waitressing skills will never be back , who cares about food when you get treated like dirt?
(1)
Mike L.

One of the specials today (Sunday) was a Strawberry - Nutella Crepe w/ Hazelnuts. I paired with the Chicken Apple sausage. It was Amazing and worth the 30 minute wait. It looks looks like the menu changed as we also had a Pepper Bacon Cheddar Hash. Service was very good
(5)
Michael B.

Our original destination was Pine State Biscuits, but by 9:30 the like was 10-15 deep out the door. Since I hate waiting in lines we moved down the road to Helser's. I am glad we did. After a short wait we were seated and the nice waitress brought coffee for darling wife and tea for me. The waitress was very friendly and nice without actually talking to us. No small talk, all business. I like that in a waitress. I ordered a bacon and potato hash with eggs. Everything was really good but I could have gone with half the potatoes. Sure double potatoes makes you feel like you are getting your money's worth, but it dilutes the other ingredients. The bacon was fully cooked but not crunchy. Just how I like it. the poached eggs were first with runny yokes. I don't get up to this area often, but when I do I will make sure to stop in for breakfast again.
(4)
Aaron H.

I have no clue what happened between the 1st and 2nd visits to Helser's. First visit cool, 30 min wait sunday morning, quick service, food was out and there was a bustling vibe in the diner. Visiting portland again recently...."hey, let's grab brunch at helser's on our way out of town." We go, get seated even quicker and then BOOM, horrible service, nonexistent kitchen, and 1/2 of my food was cold. I felt as if we were on some hidden camera restaurant show and they just wanted to witness our misery. We waited 15 minutes to get water, another 15 minutes to be asked what looked good, another 30 minutes before our food came out. Already invested an hour deep into being there I wanted to shove my face and leave. Let another party experience the complete meltdown that morning. Besides our experience we watched as about 6 or 7 groups started to form in the waiting area as they stood and stared at the 5-6 open tables spread around the restaurant. No one was cleaning the tables or coming to check on the people waiting at the door. I was just glad to be getting out of there. Never going back to Helser's
(1)
Jenni C.

Stopped here for breakfast on our last morning in Portland before heading home. It was pretty busy, but not as busy as the Tin Shed down the road (where we had originally stopped, but didn't want to wait). All of the tables were full, but we got a seat the counter right away. Neither my husband nor I could decide between savory or sweet, so the waitress suggested doing 1/2 orders of each. I had the pepper bacon & cheddar hash with a slice of the brioche french toast - both were delicious and i couldn't finish either. My husband had the black bean chili scramble and two pancakes. He enjoyed the scramble, but said the pancakes were average. The 1/2 orders were still a lot of food - I actually can't imagine ordering full sizes of anything and being comfortable afterward. One thing I thought was a little strange, was the "fresh squeezed" juices I saw on the menu were being poured from a jug with a label on the front... I didn't order any, so maybe it's fresh squeezed from a farm or something, but I thought it was a little odd. Overall, we really enjoyed our breakfast. The service was a little slow, I think we waited about 45 minutes for our food, but it was good tasting and worth the wait. The best part was we walked out the door under $25 including coffee. We would definitely return here next time we're in Portland.
(4)
Jade B.

Meatless eggs benedict can be a hard thing to perfect, but Hesler's has it DOWN. On top of that, we had the most adorable and charming server (she was new) who not only provided amazing service but was super friendly and helpful as well. I'll be back here often.
(5)
Misha Z.

Scotch eggs are a must. The hashes are good, but there are a lot of potatoes and they are not cooked crispy or anything, so maybe try something else.
(4)
Tiffany E.

This place was pretty meh. I took my dad from out if town because I thought this would be a neat lil unique portland spot. Turned out it is a glorified diner lacking in personality and loud as hell just from talking echoing. First off we get there and are ignored for a good 10 minutes at the door as we watch the waitstaff go back and forth and stock some cups and etc while looking over at us. Finally a server does come and no greeting, just "is there five of you?" Yes and she walks away without saying how long it will be or anything. About ten or so minutes later after watching her walk around and stock more things she comes back and offers to sit us at a four top with a seat added. Sure, no problem, wish you would have asked ten minutes ago as I stood there staring at the empty table. The service started getting better when we sat, she somehow grew somewhat of a friendliness now that she knew we were her table. Everything we ordered was mediocre, from the special to the tuna sandwich to the famed hash she recommended. The breakfast with two eggs over medium came out with one of the yolks already broken and cooked through, that is pretty unacceptable of a breakfast place, and another dish came out 5 or so minutes after the other dishes. My Bloody Mary sucked, was not spicy like it claimed, had no salt and was bland. I was disappointed to see Heinz ketchup and tapatio in the table instead of more portland fare like portland ketchup and secret aardvark. It just wasn't impressive and it sucks I wasted my visitors first meal in portland on it. Portland is known for some awesome brunch places but this is not one of them.
(1)
Philip W.

Yummy breakfasts/brunches. I have eaten there 5 or 6 times. Every meal has been delicious! The only detractor is that it can take a while to get your food, but it's always worth the wait.
(4)
Ray A.

As many have said, Portland is a town replete with breakfast eateries, so when on Christmas eve morning we wanted some comfort, splurgy food, why not Helser's... it's a staple, it's next to Tin Shed and Pine State Biscuits... tooooooooootal mistake, we will not be going back. I'm unsure of the cause, and really I don't care, serving a bad meal is suicide in the restaurant business. Here's the short gory details... Salmon Benedict... english muffin was cold, not toasted, and soaked through - tasted like it was just pulled from the plastic bag and tossed on the plate. Salmon... not smoked, was dried out and overly salty. The poached eggs were okay, as was the Bearnaise sauce, but not enough to offset the rest. The side of potatoes au gratin were cold (like they'd been pulled from the fridge and spooned on the plate). Few meals ever make me physically uncomfortable, but this one did. I did NOT finish it. On the service side, the place was NOT busy; it was perhaps 40% full, and it took easily 20 minutes for the food to arrive. Perhaps the only ones willing to work that morning didn't really know how to cook or plate up, perhaps, all I can say is that experience was so horrible (literally a McMuffin would have been better, it was THAT bad), in light of so many other options for passable, much less good breakfast, I will never be going back to Helser's. Save yourself disappointment and eat just about anywhere else.
(1)
JW R.

Not many cooks pick food up off the floor. I've never seen it happen all my time in kitchens. But waitresses AND cooks always pick food up off a counter if it falls off a plate. Turning a counter into a floor for 10-15 minutes, then not taking a moment to pick up a bleach towel and wipe your shoe grit off? Fucked up. Who thought putting that chalkboard above the wait station was a good idea, anyway? Professionalism is the real matter at hand here and from reviews and my own observations Helser's doesn't have much of it. Spotty service and inconsistent food don't make up for doing a few things well. Helser's isn't on my epic hate list like Montage and Roadside Attraction, but I'm not enthusiastic about giving them any more money.
(2)
Wendy S.

I agree with prior reviews WORST SERVICE EVER!! We went there a few months ago and literally sat there for 30 minutes and were never waited on. We left. Thought that maybe it was just a super busy day and decided today to give it another try today. Again super slow service from 2 women who obviously couldn't care less. Got coffee and had to ask for a refil and only got one. They got our order wrong and then to top it off charged my credit card for the wrong order. Will NEVER go again and do not recommend to anyone. Food use to be worth the wait and even the quality of food has declined. They seem to subscribe to the theory of quantity over quality. Sad to see a good place go so far off track.
(1)
Tonneli G.

I adore Helsers! this is one of my favorite places, on week days check out their early bird special menu before 9:00 for $5.00 you select from variety of tasty plates to that can please any belly. One of my favorite things about eating here is their attention to detail. waitresses always keep the coffee hot,go anywhere else for breakfast and you can expect a slice of orange with your meal maybe some flavorless melon. At helsers they garnish your meal with fruit you actually want to eat: tangerines, grapes, mango, kiwi... i love it! Everything is tasty although my favorite has got to be the Louisiana scramble wrap- not generally a wrap fan but this one is def a winner!
(5)
Emsby B.

Yummerz
(5)
Janet M.

I'm always up for breakfast. So when my good friend suggested a breakfast lunch, I was in. Mushroom hash was tasty. I ordered it with a poached egg on top, and I ate all of it. Piles of melty havarti, mushrooms, potatoes, and onion. What was not to like? It was two meals after all, brunch, right people? Friend had buttermilk pancakes and bacon. Coffee was good. Parking was bad. But that's to be expected in this neck of the woods. It's a cute little place. The service was pretty good. Friendly but not fawning. I would go back often if it wasn't so darn far from my house. That said, next time I'm in Alberta we're there. Yum.
(4)
Jake P.

Let's face it... NE Alberta weekend brunch is one of those few places and times in Portland that can seem very busy even during the winter months. Almost every establishment will have a line of some sort during peak hours, and Helser's is no different. That said, I often find Helser's to be 15-30 mins shorter on wait than some more trendy or hip establishments nearby. That isn't to say Helser's doesn't have its own diner-esque charm, and for the price, the food is as good as any in the area. Almost anyone will tell you that the highlight of your trip to Helser's is the Scotch Egg. They aren't lying. But the little details here are what gets me. The significantly better-than-average sausage? The pepper bacon? The fruit cup not being full of cheap melon? The thin-cut hash browns? That stuff is really really nice, and turns what could easily be a very basic 2 eggs over medium-style breakfast into something far more memorable. It's cheap compared to some of the other local haunts too... by about $5 or more a plate, depending on how much you like to eat. Last weekend, I decided not to endure the "at least an hour" I was offered at my first choice, and Helser's was there for me, waiting with no stern stare that said "you know you should have come here first". No, no. What I got was a 15 min wait, and a tasty breakfast. Don't worry Helser's, next time I'm in the area, I won't leave you second best.
(5)
Andy P.

I live just off the heart of Alberta. This is how a typical weekend morning can go: Walk by Petite Provence. Put name in for 30 minute wait. "Should we go over to Tin Shed?" "Sure." Oh yeah. On the way, we see Helser's. And remember that every single time there has been excellent. I have never waited more than 3 minutes for a table here. The waitstaff is always incredibly friendly. And the food. Dear God, the food. My first visit I had the Dutch baby. An excellent choice. Second time I had a black bean chili scramble. Another good option. But on my third visit I found my go-to: the pepper bacon and cheddar hash. Potatoes, bacon, Tillamook cheese, creme fraiche, and perfectly poached eggs on top. Poke open those eggs and get delicious yolk running all over. Uhhhh-maz-ing. Can't get enough of Helser's.
(5)
Ting S.

I went with my sister a couple of weeks ago and came back again. The food is good. Really good. People that I went with this time all enjoyed their delicious dishes. It is a small wait right outside of the store, but you can help yourself with some warm coffee while you wait. They have the coffee out for customers inside the door to your right. If they are out of cups or coffee, just let one of the waiter or waitress know. They will have it ready for you very shortly. The service both times were great! I really enjoyed this place and definitely will come back more!
(5)
Sam O.

Cold food, colder service. Motivated to create Yelp account due to this experience. Took 45 min to seat (tables idle the whole time), took ~1hr to get food. Cold eggs Benedict are never good, no matter how nice they look. Waitress didn't brighten the picture,either. Will not be returning to helser's, I would rather go to hell first. -Sam, party of 5
(1)
Katie D.

Helsers is one of my most favorite breakfast places. (They also have lunch food but I have yet to try any of it, because I dig the breakfast food so much) The atmosphere is crazy town! Small, crammed, loud, busy, typically a 30-40 minute wait at least, except before 9am, or after 2pm. They won't seat you unless everyone in your party is physically there, which in my opinion is more of a loss for Helsers, because we wOuld be drinking mimosas waiting for my parents, but instead we aren't aloud to be seated and spending extra money in the business. Pretty damn silly. I came across Helsers online while in search of Vegetarian biscuits and gravy, which they have. Its mushroom based and a little plain, but worth checking out for sure. I have loved almost everything I have tried so far, and continue to bring friends and family to breakfast, with the same positive reaction. The hash is super great. The potatoes aren't dry and crusty, nor are they slimy and under cooked, always perfect. They have great holandaise sauce, and my meat eating friends think the scottish egg is off the hook. The specials of the day are always interesting typically including a vegetarian option. They also have a fun selection of alcoholic breakfast drinks including the classic bloody mary filled with veggies. My only complaint is the hit and miss service. There are some amazing waitresses for sure, but one particular we are always bummed to have. We had her the last time we went, and the receipt says Lori. She's an older woman with blonde hair. She has a bitter attitude, like she hates her job, won't make eye contact, and always screws everything up. Not one time has she been able to successfully wait on the table. A good example of her service: I had a huge plate full of food and asked for a box. Carelessly she brought me a tiny box which clearly would not fit my food. She passed the table over and over clearly ignoring my hand gesture and calls. I had to practically put my arm in front of her to stop her, so I could ask for a bigger box. She finally brought it out and just threw it on the table seemingly pissed off, the same way she puts eVerything on the table. Other examples include bringing out the wrong drink multiple times, forgetting to tell the cook its VEGETARIAN hash, and in general forgetting or ignoring requests. If you cant handle it, and are always annoyed with the customers at your place of employment, get a new fucking job. She is for sure the drop of poison in the glass of wine, and that is why I'm only giving 4 stars to an otherwise great little spot.
(4)
Wolf L.

Okay, I'm upping my assessment of Helser's and for one reason: biscuits and gravy. Freaking delicious biscuits and mushroom gravy. I crumbled some pepper bacon all over the top of them, too. Oh, yeah. The biscuits tasted buttery and were light, moist and flaky. I ate every morsel and almost licked the bowl. We went to Helser's for the sole purpose of pancake loading before the Oregon Brewers Festival, which is something that I highly recommend--especially if you're planning to spend most of your afternoon at the Buzz Tent. Seriously, don't do all of those high ABV brews on an empty stomach. Of course, I did opt for the biscuits and gravy, but my companions got the pancakes. Beautiful, lovely pancakes, I must say. I had to sneak a few bites off of my sweetheart's plate. They were as tasty as they looked. The place was packed on this Friday and we did have to put our name on a waiting list. Grrr. I hate that. Bunch of damn Californians in town for the beer fest, I suppose. Wish they'd go back where they came from with their sparkly teeth and golden tans. Grrr. (Just kidding.) Anyway, Helser's has grown on me and I'll ABSOLUTELY be back for more of those biscuits and gravy.
(5)
Aimee L.

Sadly unimpressed this time around. Usual Saturday morning wait was fine but when I let the couple behind me take my table because my friend hadn't arrived yet, the hostess then proceeded to seat 5 or 6 parties after my friend had arrived and I'd politely let her know we were ready. Finally had to mention to another hostess that we were at the top of the list and would like to be seated, so she took care of us. After we got breakfast we were pretty much ignored. The crumpet sandwich was really, really bad. No one needs 1/2 cup of chevre, and it was literally impossible to eat either with a fork or by hand - I had to dismantle it, and honestly, there wasn't much taste beyond the bacon. They also have very few healthy options which was a real bummer. Not sure if I'll be back. Sad face :(
(2)
Nicole S.

I want to make it very clear to anyone about to go here, expect HORRIBLE SERVICE. My husband and I wanted a change from our normal brunch haunts and headed to Helser's this morning. We signed in and took a seat outside to wait, I noticed a self serve coffee bar inside so I went to check it out, no coffee, I grabbed a mug and headed to the bar. I should have known from the waitress reaction to turn around and walk out. Anyways, I got my coffee and checked out the list to see our spot in line. I found that they didn't seat in order and it was a mess of crossed off names. We waited some more and I had my husband come in with our toddler because I noticed a few open tables and our name coming up. 5 minutes later someone asks if I was "joe" and points me to a table that had been open the entire time. We sit at a table with two chairs and no high chair (remember the toddler) someone eventually comes over to take our drink order but I immediately ask for a high chair, see seems put off, but gets us one. We order some drinks & food, which was so rushed that our waitress walked away before we could even order our daughter anything so she had to share with us. The wait to get the order isn't bad but the order comes out wrong. They where beyond upset at this. I never got an oh I'm sorry or even a simple smile. I could hear them arguing about it (we sat next to the bar) and it was just overall awkward, I actually felt bad. Food was amazing, my husband couldn't get enough, but it didn't excuse the way I was made to feel. It's now 8:30 PM, about 10 hours later and I have not stopped using the bathroom. It was the only meal I had today and I've been sick since about an hour after we left. I'm 99% positive it's from undercooked food since my order was rushed. Needless to say, I won't be back.
(2)
Nate Z.

Brunch everyday? Let's talk. I think that my wife and I got here on a very lucky day, because we were able to sit down immediately with no wait--and I hear that this is a fairly uncommon instance. That being said, that made this an even more pleasant experience. By brunch being served everyday, we're talking about mimosas everyday? Yeah? Awesome. I could have opted for a cocktail, and their cocktail list looked good. It looked like all of those drinks are meant to compliment the breakfast. I like a restaurant that puts thought into this--rather than a chain restaurant with weird stuff on the walls that pairs mudslides with everything. Oh man, and those potato pancakes. I've never had potato pancakes before. These guys introduced me to something new and fantastic! Oh, and what did I eat? I had some Louisiana hot links--and they did not disappoint. I like you Helser's. I like you a lot. I'd wish you a great summer in your yearbook, and I'd mean it.
(4)
Matthew W.

Sorry folks, but I found Helser's on Alberta to be average - at best - in a town that should be known as Breakfastvanaâ„¢ instead of Beervana. We descended upon Helser's on a morning when Tin Shed (just down the street) had too long of a wait. We were seated immediately, which was a nice surprise, but it was still early in the morning...more people showed up to wait while we were there. As a lover of all things involving breakfast meats, I tried the Pepper Bacon & Cheddar Hash with a side of their Louisiana Hot Sausage Link. While I found the sausage to be spicy and not too greasy, the hash was just not good. Overwhelmed with potatoes and featuring a dusting of bacon, it reminded me more of a massive side dish than an entree. I am a BIG eater and I could only get through about half of the Hash before being starched out of my mind. When I head to this area of Alberta Street, I will make sure to get there early and hit Tin Shed every time. It's light years better...sorry folks.
(3)
Joshua N.

We came into town for a New Years celebration with a friend that had lived in Portland for years and he guided us to Helser's. I'm an eggs benedict aficionado so I was happy to see that they had variations of the dish and they had received a lot of favorable recognition as well. I ordered the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict and was blown away, as I usually am by eggs benedict, but this dish was different than many I have tried. The smoked salmon adds a great flavor! The fruit and hash browns were also great. We ordered a scotch egg as well and it was good, definitely something I had not tried before, very unique. I would recommend this breakfast spot to anybody.
(5)
Jamie W.

Excellent Breakfast. Excellent Lunch. Love Love Love.
(5)
Eric B.

Maybe 4.4 Stars. My son and I came here a few Sundays ago for breakfast. Actually, I was the only one eating, as my Teenager's stomach doesn't usually rumble until early afternoon. Then watch out.... A few of my Yelp friends (Thanks to Jana S. and Jen K.!) recommended Helser's and the nearby Tin Shed, while in the NE Alberta neighbourhood. Based on the crowds in both places, I don't think you could go wrong at either. What's clear is that folks in Portland love their breakfast and it's best to arrive on the early side to a snag table. There was plenty of room when we arrived at Helser's, and I was initially a bit disappointed when my son insisted that we sit at the bar. That turned out to be OK, as the counter service was fast and friendly, and there were good views forward into the Kitchen and behind us into the Dining Room. Helser's is also Kid Friendly, but watch out for those Mama Grizzlies! I'm a big fan of Corned Beef Hash (and variations) and was very pleased with my order of Pepper Bacon and Cheddar Hash. The poached eggs were prepared perfectly, and the whole montage was really too much to eat, but a joy getting it done. There was actually plenty to share, but my son was just as content with his OJ. Helser's is also one of those places that is distinguished by the regret of what you didn't order. For me that would include the buttermilk pancakes (based on Grandma's recipe), the Brioche French Toast, and most of all, the German Pancake (which might be big enough the feed the whole family). I'd love to come back, and probably the only thing holding me back is my desire to breakfast my way through the rest of Portland first.
(4)
Colleen H.

Ordered eggs benedict with ham and was the ham was cold to the touch and the hollandaise lukewarm. Returned to the kitchen and the plate was heated up to the point where it was too hot to touch but the ham in the center of the egg benedict was only lukewarm. Skipped the benedict and shared my hubby's hash which was quite good and a large serving. The waitress did not charge for the benedict. Looks like we won't be going back.
(1)
Candice Z.

Brunch is a big deal in Portland, so it's been nice to be able to skip the weekend lines and hit up a popular spot on a Monday morning. There was no wait at all, and as soon as we stepped inside they told us to have a seat wherever we wanted. Our waitress came over right away with water and menus. I ordered the Pepper Bacon & Cheddar Hash, the hubs went for the Louisiana Hot Sausage Breakfast, and we both opted for mimosas [oh the joys of unemployment]. When the food came out we were shocked at how big the portions were. (I'm not complaining at all, especially because we were able to eat our left overs at lunch.) Everything was so delicious, I now understand why this place always has a wait on the weekends. My hash was fantastic, the eggs were cooked perfectly, and the creme fraiche added the perfect touch. The hot sausages were yummy too, but definitely a bit too spicy for me [perfect for the hubs though]. And the potato pancakes were probably some of the best I've ever had. I definitely want to come back and try Scotch Egg or Biscuits & Gravy. I don't think I'll be disappointed.
(4)
Clare M.

Saturday morning breakfast is the highlight of my week. Extremely good food for usually a pretty good price, yummy mimosas, and eating whatever I want without fretting over my diet. This is my chance to eat GOOD...and I want to go someplace fantastic. This is when I feel so lucky to live in a city with so many awesome, affordable breakfast options. My boyfriend and I found a really good place we like a few months ago, and have been going every weekend. I love this place, but I know there are so many other options so this week I suggested we go somewhere different for a change. Helser's was on this list, thanks to Yelp reviews, which normally don't steer me wrong. However...I was very underwhelmed. I admit, I had high expectations for this place. We got there early enough that wait was not an issue, thankfully. The waitress was very blah and not very attentive until it came time for her to bring the check, trying to seal the deal on maybe getting a decent tip. I had the crumpet and egg sandwich. The one saving grace of my meal was the strawberry. BUT there was only a single strawberry, cut in half. The egg on the sandwich was flavorless and dry, a fried egg would have fit the sandwich much better than a scrambled egg patty thing. The sandwich was really bland, and I never thought there was such a thing as too much cheese, but the amount of chÃ¨vre on this thing was ridiculous. It's such a shame because this food looked delicious. Presentation was the only thing it had going for it, unfortunately. Mac had the pepper bacon hash. He's gotten this at a few different places we've been to, and this dish is pretty hard to screw up. However, it seemed as if they boiled a Yukon potato, sliced it up and piled it high on a plate with no seasonings, threw a few bacon bits on top, drizzled in a bit of sour cream and a few sprinkles of cheese on top. Basically all that was palatable was the top layer, and even then it was a far cry from delicious. I really hate that I had to write a bad review for Helser's, but this place was not only not good, but just plain bad. Will not be back.
(2)
Christi P.

I understand that if you go here on a weekend for brunch, there will be a wait. If the food is worth it, that's cool, I'm willing to wait. What I don't understand is when there are 4 parties of 2 and a party of 4 waiting and there are 2 clean, empty tables of two and a clean, empty table of 4 that just sit there while we wait. Those tables remained empty while we stood in the tiny cramped space with an empty coffee carafe and waited for half an hour. If you're understaffed, at least sit us and let us relax at the tables with some coffee and conversation. Or get your waitress that just walks around in a daze filling some coffee cups, walking by others that need coffee in them, to serve people at these empty tables. Novel idea I know. The food was okay, not worth the wait and (lack of) service. The eggs were cooked and poached perfectly though, I always appreciate that as they are so often overcooked. The German pancake was really yummy, we'd never had one before-it's like a big flat popover yum. Love the ambiance, the people-watching, the cute dogs that walk by. But the lackluster service will keep me from going back. Sorry folks.
(2)
Stacy M.

Just went yesterday for breakfast and we both had the special- polenta breakfast and my dish was almond crusted french toast covered with cranberry and orange goodness. The service was top notch too. We would love to go back every morning! Maybe we will.
(5)
Ashley B.

Ignoring the fact that it was 80 degree's outside and about 10 degree's hotter inside; that my water was refilled (with what could only be described as having chunks of other people's food in it) only twice while sweating through my meal; and that my server, although perfectly nice, also appeared perfectly sedated, Helser's was actually pretty pleasant and yummy, and thus warrant's a pretty good review. The Eggs Benedict (with ham) was filling and delicious (the crumpet was a nice touch), the fruit salad was fresh and a perfectly offered summer side, and I didn't have to wait forever to taste all that deliciousness either. Oh, and nobody said or implied anything when my friend and I were the last to leave...the way last to leave. So yes, redemption comes in many forms, and Helser's did indeed redeem themselves to me and my picky ways. Check it out.
(3)
J P.

Great breakfast place on Alberta Street! I highly recommend get there early on weekends. Otherwise, it will be a long wait. We were there at 10am today and got our food 50 minutes later. Pigs in a blanket and scotch eggs are great.....can't think of any other restaurant where you can get these dishes; specially scoth eggs (hard boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst, lightly breaded and fried golden brown). The potatoes pancakes are the best in town. I will definitely come back!
(4)
Brent F.

Helser's is a great breakfast place. As an out-of-towner I asked a couple PDX friends for breakfast suggestions. #1 was the Tin Shed. The daunting 40 minute wait there looked like there was concert going on. I am so glad we went with suggestion #2, HELSER'S just a few blocks down. There was minimal wait (3 min) at peak time on a Sunday morning. The service was fast, attentive and professional. Their menu full of European/ new American delights. Delicious, well presented, and very reasonable prices for such a nice place. Their coffee was terrific too. Full bar for those wanting a b-mary or mimosa with their meal. They get extra points for having my favorite and not so easy to find dessert - BREAD PUDDING! Their take on it was an amazing cinnamon bread bread pudding drizzled in a pool of the best sauce I have ever had on it. (I avoid sweets but this is one of those things that I will go for whenever it's around - no two are the same but they are almost always good). Go here and leave happy!
(5)
Brandon B.

Great food and good service. Always my first choice over Tin Shed. Same price range, better value, never as crowded. The eggs bene on home made crumpets is where it's at.
(5)
BP N.

Best 1/2 LB burger in the area. Chuck burger cooked according to your order. I usually get the the burger medium rare (a little pink on the inside) with egg over easy on top. When you bite into it, the egg yoke drain into your beef and make it real juicy. Sometimes I add pepper bacon on top. Sounds like a heart attack but it's good every now and then. Also try the Scotch Eggs. It's amazing and it is also a heart attack item. Eat accordingly. reviewed by BN
(4)
Rob D.

a chilled fog filled sky Friday morning found my talented wife and I on Alberta with hungry bellies. We walked into Helser's and were seated right away. T.W. orders a benedict w/Ham. I order 2 eggs (scrambled) with pepper bacon. T.W.'s benedict came out w/out Ham - it was rectified right away, no harm done! Breakfast was tasty. Service was attentive. This particular establishment didn't completely blow me away. I would personally opt to go to another breakfast joint but can't say this was terrible.
(3)
Olivia T.

#NAME?
(4)
Jennifer T.

Unfortunately the crowd has discovered this place, so you'll have to wait, but it's worth it. My favorite breakfast is the Pear and Havarti Pie with a side of peppered bacon. It covers all of my b-fast requirements: savory pork, eggs, and mild sweetness, like an apple pancake (those are also good here when they're offered). They also make a great Bloody Mary, good coffee in French presses and tea served correctly. However... the crumpets. Too doughy and not enough flavor. If I ran the place I'd either scrap them or experiment with a bit more salt, less dough in each crumpet mold, and a bit more time on the griddle.
(4)
Amy C.

I almost don't want to write a good review because I'm worried my wait time will grow exponentially...and it's hard to find a good Sunday morning breakfast place where you can seated in 10 minutes. How about I say what I want to say if everyone agrees to still go to the Tin Shed a half a block down and wait 30 minutes for a table there? All the times I've driven by Helser's, it always seemed a bit dry and snooty to me but I'm happy to report it's quite the opposite. The big open windows make it bright and pleasant. Being right on the corner of 16th and Alberta, you also get the entertainment factor of watching the people go by, bonus points when people go by with their dogs. And the wait staff was great. They were pleasant and attentive and just all-around nice people, helping those of us who love Sunday breakfasts just enjoy. The menu is a bit limited, unless you like meat. Good thing I do. I don't think I've been to many places that don't have omelets or various scrambles on their menu. They do have 3 kinds of hash, however. The smoked salmon hash, the mushroom and the pepper bacon and cheddar cheese. I had the smoked salmon hash and it was way better than the ssh at Gravy. There were big pieces of salmon in my dish and spinach which made the dish taste more fresh. The potatoes were cut into chunks as opposed to being grated. I think that was the reason the dish had a mashed-potato-creamy AND crispy texture, which I really liked...whereas the salmon hash at gravy seemed too crispy and over-done. It was so fried and salty that my mouth felt a little abused at meal's end. My friend wasn't all too happy with the special lemon french toast though. She was expecting a very custardy filling and didn't get that. It looked good at least. All in all, I'm glad I finally went in and found out how much I liked a breakfast joint within walking distance of my house. Yay!
(4)
Alicia P.

I just got back from Helser and the food was amazing. The salmon bendict had a ton of salmon-I was thinking that it would just a sprinkle, but it was loaded up and the eggs were perfectly runny. My husband ordered pigs and a blanket and said it was delicious-but could not finish it. The only possible downfall was the potatoes, that were good, but not great. When I was there, it was quiet and the waitress was friendly, nice and fast. Also the apple cider was awesome. I would highly recommend this place!
(5)
Lisa H.

Absolutely awesome breakfast place! Highly recommended! Fast, no-nonsense, friendly service. Great value for the money. Good coffee. Fruit comes with your meal. The pancakes, eggs, fried potatoes, and german pancakes are all incredible. I love this place!
(5)
katie e.

We were visiting Portland for the first time and decided to check out Alberta St. After an adventurous bus trip from downtown, we were ready to eat. Breakfast cafe + lots of people waiting usually equals at least a decent breakfast, so we decided to wait despite our hunger. There was plenty to ogle on the plates of the outdoor diners, but when we finally got a menu - OMG. Nearly impossible to choose. I finally settled on Scotch eggs because how could I not try a sausage-covered egg? The food was amazing, the mimosas were gigantic, and we left in a transcendental food coma. This will be a regular stop on all my future trips to PDX.
(5)
Kimberly V.

I've rolled out of bed a little past noon for the past two days. This is not a normal occurrence for me. Blame the Catholic upbringing first and the hippie college in the woods next, but it chafes me to open my eyes to obscene volumes of sunlight bursting through the blinds, check the clock, and realize that I've spent half of the blessed summer day as a vampire. It keeps happening anyway. How do I afford this rock and roll lifestyle? The accurate answer is: My non-rock star job. The second answer: Brunch. Normally, for the brunch to be successful, it needs the following three components to work: It needs to be close. It needs to be delicious. It needs to be coated with just the right amount of grease and potatoes to soothe the miserable, light-sensitive drunk in the pit of my stomach. Helser's on Alberta surprised me in that it is not close to my bed, but I would definitely seek it out again on a rock star morning. I might even make that trek without the toxins. It's good stuff, and the stuff is plentiful. My mushroom hash plate precariously towered with crimini shrooms, cheese, potatoes, onion, and roasted garlic. Turns out, I'm not a vampire after all. JB's steak and eggs portion also could have satisfied a rugby player's appetite. JB got about three quarters of his plate down. I barely squeezed in half. Then we slowly drew in two very labored breaths, locked eyes across the table, and promptly fell asleep. There may also have been some simultaneous napkin throwing, the ultimate white flag of fullness, onto the table. There was also champagne with strawberry puree. What a fruity fine touch. Cake was right - excess ain't rebellion. But a cocktail on your hand close to 2 in the afternoon following a night of many cocktail glasses and beer bottles in your hand feels damn near close to the perfect level of indulgence.
(4)
Jen S.

Well... I opted for breakfast out before laundry this morning. I got there a little after 7 and had my pick of tables. Very open space, kid-friendly, clean and inviting. At 7am. I imagine around 10am it's a madhouse. A friend had raved about their spinach/mushroom eggs benedict so I opted for that. The spinach/mushroom/sauce part was tasty, but the crumpet was disappointing. Call me whatever but I like the crunch of an english muffin under my eggs benedict. By the time I got to the second half, the crumpet was mushy which detracted from the dish. The fruit on the side was fresh and wonderful - pears, kiwi and oranges - but the sliced kiwi wasn't peeled, and I had to use my hollandaise-laden knife to peel it. I know it all goes to the same place but kiwi hollandaise is no fun to eat. Call me whatever (again) but that one little detail counted in my head. Service was great, coffee was great, I liked the vibe of the place. I suppose I'll try it again. All these yelpers can't be wrong... Right?
(3)
Brynne S.

LONG WAIT! and for the wait, it was just alright. nothing to write home about and i'm not sure when my next visit may be. biscuits and gravy is my husband's favorite, so we had to order it. it had a lighter brown shiitake gravy. it was good: flavorful & light. then we ordered the special: pumpkin french toast. it sounds better than it tasted. food wasn't terrible, but i'd just recommend other breakfast joints
(2)
Candice Z.

Brunch is a big deal in Portland, so it's been nice to be able to skip the weekend lines and hit up a popular spot on a Monday morning. There was no wait at all, and as soon as we stepped inside they told us to have a seat wherever we wanted. Our waitress came over right away with water and menus. I ordered the Pepper Bacon & Cheddar Hash, the hubs went for the Louisiana Hot Sausage Breakfast, and we both opted for mimosas [oh the joys of unemployment]. When the food came out we were shocked at how big the portions were. (I'm not complaining at all, especially because we were able to eat our left overs at lunch.) Everything was so delicious, I now understand why this place always has a wait on the weekends. My hash was fantastic, the eggs were cooked perfectly, and the creme fraiche added the perfect touch. The hot sausages were yummy too, but definitely a bit too spicy for me [perfect for the hubs though]. And the potato pancakes were probably some of the best I've ever had. I definitely want to come back and try Scotch Egg or Biscuits & Gravy. I don't think I'll be disappointed.
(4)
Clare M.

Saturday morning breakfast is the highlight of my week. Extremely good food for usually a pretty good price, yummy mimosas, and eating whatever I want without fretting over my diet. This is my chance to eat GOOD...and I want to go someplace fantastic. This is when I feel so lucky to live in a city with so many awesome, affordable breakfast options. My boyfriend and I found a really good place we like a few months ago, and have been going every weekend. I love this place, but I know there are so many other options so this week I suggested we go somewhere different for a change. Helser's was on this list, thanks to Yelp reviews, which normally don't steer me wrong. However...I was very underwhelmed. I admit, I had high expectations for this place. We got there early enough that wait was not an issue, thankfully. The waitress was very blah and not very attentive until it came time for her to bring the check, trying to seal the deal on maybe getting a decent tip. I had the crumpet and egg sandwich. The one saving grace of my meal was the strawberry. BUT there was only a single strawberry, cut in half. The egg on the sandwich was flavorless and dry, a fried egg would have fit the sandwich much better than a scrambled egg patty thing. The sandwich was really bland, and I never thought there was such a thing as too much cheese, but the amount of chÃ¨vre on this thing was ridiculous. It's such a shame because this food looked delicious. Presentation was the only thing it had going for it, unfortunately. Mac had the pepper bacon hash. He's gotten this at a few different places we've been to, and this dish is pretty hard to screw up. However, it seemed as if they boiled a Yukon potato, sliced it up and piled it high on a plate with no seasonings, threw a few bacon bits on top, drizzled in a bit of sour cream and a few sprinkles of cheese on top. Basically all that was palatable was the top layer, and even then it was a far cry from delicious. I really hate that I had to write a bad review for Helser's, but this place was not only not good, but just plain bad. Will not be back.
(2)
Rob A.

You'll wait to get in of course, but theres a very cool brunch menu waiting for you when you get it. I went with a smoked salmon hast that was fresh and delicious. I would have rated a four easy if our server didn't act like she hated life and us and checked in every so often. I'll go back and hope for better service next time, foods worth it!
(3)
Pete B.

Yes. Delicious scramble. I want more.
(5)
Mike M.

We went for breakfast this morning and got to Helser's about 9:45a. We waited ~6-7 minutes to be seated at one of two empty tables. Tip: It says "Wait to be seated" when you walk in and there is a list. I assumed (incorrectly, I might add) that Helser's help would keep the list. Nope......SIGN THE LIST when you walk in!!! Turned out not to be a big deal as the gal who jumped in and signed wanted to sit outside, but a little direction would be nice. I can see what others have said about the service, but my only criticism is about before were seated. Before we got a table, not a single person working there would make eye contact in our direction. This included the person serving the outside tables who had to walk by us to get in and out of the front door. Maybe because it's a small place and they're used to people waiting...dunno, whatever. Wasn't the most welcoming. Once we got seated and greeted by Becky, this was a GREAT place for breakfast!! I had the traditional ham eggs benedict and my wife ordered the cheddar bacon hash. All was terrific! We also ordered a scotch egg, just because we'd never had one....and that is a meal in itself!!! Our order did take a little bit to come out, but we recognized the small kitchen....and we were enjoying mimosas anyway. The food is great! You can shrug off a a couple of service issues for this....
(4)
Jens J.

This was my second visit here. Today it was definitely Hipster Central with a curious vibe. I noticed a lot of people were darting their eyes around the room, checking everybody out. Too much caffeine? Bored with their dining companions? I dunno. Also, an interesting incident - after the tatted waitress in spandex leggings brought out breakfast to the couple at the table next to me (which appeared to be Eggs Benedict with fresh strawberries on the side) the gal sitting at the table jumped out of her chair and stormed toward the back of the restaurant. She came back and sat down with a big thump, the waitress following right behind. The waitress kept repeatedly saying, "I wasn't trying to upset you." Well, apparently, she majorly did! True, her service wasn't so hot. She plunked the check down on my table when I had just barely begun to eat. Never did she offer refills on my water or ice tea. Did she think she was working at Shari's? I bypassed the menu and took a look up at the specials board. Today there was crab Eggs Benedict and chicken and waffles. Thinking fondly back on the chicken and waffles I had had at Simpatica Dining Hall, I went with this option. It was a no-nonsense straightforward dish, served with eggs highlighted with parsley. The waffle was light and fluffy. The chicken was crispy. I'm guessing the only seasoning they used was salt. But it was really good.
(4)
Emily-Anne P.

While I was last in Portland, I took friends up to Alberta for a bit of a stroll to check out other parts of the city and when we got off the bus we were all starved. We decided breakfast was in order and stopped in at Helser's which was the first place we saw. We got seated really quickly and had a super friendly server who brought us our coffee. As I said we were all starved so we each got a Pepper Bacon Cheddar Hash (Pepper bacon, Tillamook cheddar, Yukon Gold potatoes, scallions, CrÃ¨me Fraiche, with two poached eggs). In hindsight the three of us could have got two and split them three ways but we gave it a shot. It was really fabulous. Although it was cheesy and rich, as to be expected with bacon and cheddar it was really good. There were a few too many potatoes which filled us up pretty quickly on the starch but it a) hit the spot and b) was totally worth the $8.50. They had really good coffee, looked like a decent selection of beer on tap and had great prices. I say if you're looking for breakfast check this place out. There's always a list and a bit of a wait from what I gathered but check it.
(4)
Cooper M.

Quality, local stuff. Need to work on getting the line moving faster - seat people more efficiently.
(4)
Travis N.

The food is great but the service sucks. It can take a long time to get seated even when tables are empty.
(3)
Jana C.

Having messaged Mike K recently about being a lucky duck for sinking his gob into some Scotch eggs to gobble up, I come to Helser's to review because they serve 'em.... that plus a whole lot of absolutely delicious food with Western European panache!!! Plus, OPB devoted a segment of Best Breakfasts in USA to them last night (Tin Shed as well.. both on same street of close-in NE Portland), and it was a lot of fun to watch some joints that I have personally enjoyed receive some kudos. So enter Helser's on Alberta, opened in 2005 and full of sophisticated flair and personal touches for breakfast. Frame of reference is *everything*, and paying exorbitant Bay Area prices for everything now (and never used to it, might I add), Helser's employs blue-light specials prices!!!! But I certainly didn't think this when I lived in NoPo! From the large windows to the al fresco option (not many tables) to the line you will suffer, it is well worth it. Well... even the splurge out of the wallet... Quality food with wonderful pairings of ingredients... for the palate that can. Trust me. Scotch eggs that are so unhealthy but so stinkin' savory.... first tried in UK and could never stop looking for them. They're done to a crispness with tasty all over the $2 wonders. German pancakes that are part blini, part souffle, and part cream puff batter..... OH MY! As Pdx is SOOOO much about the microbrews, the HH meal deals, it is even more so about breakfasts. Nobody (certainly not the East Bay anyway) can do up a properly filling, hearty, awesome, multi-ingredient morning pleasure the way that Bridgetown can (rolling off free think: Stepping Stone, Tin Shed, Jam on Hawthorne, Beaterville, Gravy, Muddy's.... that took about 3 secs. to type). OH MY *MY*!!
(5)
Angela S.

The food at this location was top notch for me. The only thing I was turned off by was the atmosphere. There was no personality to the location, just a bunch of tables and chairs and bar seating. The staff was personable but didn't really offer anything to be remembered by. I did love their eggs benedict. One suggestion-they should offer more things on the kids menu-the menu only offered 1 pancake and to go to the adult menu, it went to a large 4 pancake. Without ordering a bunch of sides, it would have been nice to have more of a variety for him. The waitress didn't really offer any alternative suggestions to the kids menu when she noticed the food was not ample enough for him on the kids menu. Regardless, the food is ALWAYS what makes a restaurant and gives me the desire to return. The ambiance is what keeps you there longer and feeling more comfortable about your stay.
(3)
Orian I.

I love Helsers, yes there is a wait, yes it's filled with hipsters, bla bla. i don't care. It's also filled with some of the best brunchy food, and families and old people and me! The space is small and well utilized, it's bustling at all times, it's not quiet but it's not noisy except the constant humm of conversations around you. I have been here before, but this review is for the most recent trip. I had a Friday off and we headed down for a special brunch. even at 1030 on a Friday it was packed. not as bad as on the weekend. We're adventurous kind of folks so we put we'd sit any where, within 10 min we were seated at the bar top, where all the action is. French press coffee, attentive service started us out right. I'm a water fiend and require it at all times,not a problem for the gal who was serving us. We were increasingly getting ravenous staring at the kitchen window, seeing off those lovely things filing out. we kept trying to guess if what was coming out was going to be ours. We got my favorite and my measure of any brunch place, traditional eggs Benedict, and my boy got the "sweet" special. Be sure to always check out the specials. Seriously his pancakes were the best pancakes I've had, sorry mama. First of off, they make their own crumpets, and although it wasn't my favorite, they were very good. The ham is tasty not over salted and crispy where it should be and soft and moist in other spots heaped generously. The eggs were just how I like them, a perfect poach. The hollandaise was delicious, just wished there was more of it. The potatoes were perfectly done, not outstanding but very tasty. We also got a side of potato pancakes, if you're able to sub these for the regular, cause these are fantastic!! so full of flavor, nicely crisped. so on to the special sweet. That days special was pancakes with nectarines and blackberries. oh darlings, this was spectacular. I don't know what they do to those pancakes but they are out of this world. there's like a caramelized crispy texture around the edges then in between hearty and light, these were perfection. The fruit with a little creme fraise and fruit syrup just makes my mouth water thinking about it.
(4)
Amani G.

Dutch Baby Delicious.
(5)
Allison F.

I've given Helser's a couple of chances, but both times I have left disappointed. The first time I ordered the early morning breakfast special. The food was good enough for the discounted price. The second time I went, I was hoping to take advantage of the early morning breakfast discount. However, I went on Christmas Eve on my way to work, and was told that they weren't doing the early morning breakfast special that morning. There was nothing posted online or in their store informing me of this. I was totally pissed off. I ended up ordering a plate of pancakes, and they were just blah! I am definitely not going back to this place!
(2)
Tinna H.

Admittedly, my friend and I tried to go to the Tin Shed just a few blocks away, but we really didn't feel like waiting. One of these days, Helser's will be a destination and not just some random spot that we hit up because of our impatience. However, on that fine day, we wanted to get to the Multnomah Falls before the rain clouds rolled in! So we found this on our stroll along Alberta. Took a quick glance at the menu and signed ourselves up for the wait there. Not too long after, we were seated at the bar. I can see why others would call this place a tad bit fancier, considering its proximity to the Tin Shed, but it's not upscale/snobby at all. In fact, there's a sign outside with a $3.95 breakfast before 9am! [Is it still $3.95? I was there awhile ago.] I suppose one could be a cheap snob. Too bad we got there around 11... My companion and I both ordered Eggs Benedict, one with mushroom, spinach, and tomatoes, and one with smoked salmon. "Lick your lips" yum! Instead of an English muffin, all of that goodness tops a crumpet. Not crispy the way I like my English muffins to be, but definitely more filling. That crumpet expands in your stomach! My poached eggs were a little overdone, but my friend's were perfect, so I won't hold it against them. The potatoes were okay - definitely more flavorful than the other place we tried over the weekend. The Strawberries & Champagne look tasty - might have to give that a go the next time I'm there.
(4)
Leslie Y.

This restaurant comes up as farm-to-table, yet their eggs aren't free range and the salmon is not wild caught. Farm raised salmon.
(1)
Gabe G.

All the food we had was great but the wait was insane. These smaller places need to start taking reservations. I have kids and cannot wait 45 min for a table as they will not last that long. We were a group of 8 and had to sit at different tables. This defeats the purpose of going to breakfast with friends. Only reason for not giving more than 3 stars is because of the wait and being split up.
(3)
Kelly A.

Delicious!!! Friendly staff. Great atmosphere. I get the mushroom hash and it is unreal. Lots of food, always enough for me to have leftovers. A great brunch spot.
(5)
Jason B.

On the way to the airport after a terrific mini-vacation, we stopped at (allegedly) this quintessential Portland brunch spot. I wasn't as blown away as most Pacific Northwest yelpers, but I did get to create a new breakfast item. Take: - Crumpets - Egg whites - Jam Mash together. Consume. Drum roll please, it's an Egg McCrumpet. And I did sneak a bite of the scotch eggs. While eating a hard boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst and then fried isn't my normal cup of tea, it was delicious.
(3)
Lindsey K.

Ever since I watched the BBC's "The Office," I have been craving a real honest-to-God Scotch Egg. Like I'm mildly obsessed with them. So imagine my surprise when I drag my slightly hungover self on an overcast, wintry day to Helser's and see this little bad boy featured on the brunch menu. My jaw dropped. I drooled a little bit. Then my eyes rolled back in my head. It was like The Exorcist meets Breakfast at Tiffany's. Sexy, I know. I know hipsters love a late brunch, so I wasn't surprised that this place was paaaacked late morning on a Saturday. It's also super tiny, so it's best for a party of two or three. However, when you have been waiting fifteen minutes at the front, I always appreciate a "Hey there, I see you, and I'll seat you when I can" acknowledgment from the servers. There wasn't one, just a sign-up sheet to put your name. I could see an area for a coffee bar, but it was sadly empty when we got there, and I was too scared to ask for more. (I have confrontation issues.) However, once we were seated our server was super nice and attentive. Plus, she was older, which is always nice because then I can order fatty dishes and not get a smirk from her emaciated hipster body. Soooo the Scotch Egg plate comes with three potato pancakes, horseradish cream sauce, applesauce, sour cream, and a hard-boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst and fried like a corn dog. IT. IS. PERFECTION. Oh, and you can order a second one for $2. Take it with you and eat it later. In private. Curled up in bed. Crying at the sheer joy of its saltiness. My dining companion ordered the famous Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict. It goes over my $10 breakfast amount but SWEET BABY JESUS was it delicious. And they don't use English Muffins, they use HOMEMADE CRUMPETS. I apologize for the ALL CAPS, but I don't know how else to convey my excitement without screaming. Homey atmosphere, great people-watching, great prices for amazing food, and an eclectic menu...all in a great walking neighborhood of NE Portland. Mama like!
(4)
Theora M.

In a city saturated with amazing breakfast spots mediocrity just doesn't cut it. For the price tag the food just wasn't that great and the Bloody Mary I ordered was just bad. I was also cold from wind from the front door despite keeping my jacket on. Not planning on going back.
(2)
Brandon B.

I'm watching you. You, kitchen guy, with the shoes encased in gunk, standing -- standing! -- on the food service area. Standing, writing on the specials board high on the wall. Waitresses continue to grab food from the kitchen window, prep it with butter pats and whatnot, next to your disgusting sneakers. And when you're finally done perfecting your chalk masterpiece... No one wipes off the counter. I'll say it again: No one wipes off the counter. The counter that's being used by all the wait staff to prep food. I'm watching you, grime on the counter.
(2)
Kristina B.

Nothing about the restaurant, ambiance, or food, but our waitress was inexcusably rude while we were there. A woman with very short grey hair proceeded to purposefully ignore me when I would ask for the check or a box and walk away mid sentence as we asked for things. Not very terrible, but then she took a plate from a mother and her young daughter that another waitress had just brought out and gave it to another customer in her section. It could have been a misunderstanding and a service mixup but she made a scene about it and cursed under her breath at the other waitress and threw a fit near the kitchen. It was stomach turning and really too embarrassing for me to recommend the possible experience to anyone else.
(1)
Ed J.

It's been awhile since I found a place that served an eggs benedict that I would recommend to anyone else to have to try, but this place makes a pretty darn good one. The sliced ham version I ordered (and most of the people around me were eating) came piled with slices of actual ham instead of some skinny slice of fried pressed ham loaf. They use actual hollandaise sauce and not some sort of mayonnaise and lemon juice fake. The downside of this place is that it suffers the same sort of issues you will find in pretty much any downtown Portland cafe/restaurant. Limited seating and people in their seats that aren't in any particular rush to go anywhere but where they are. If there are more than a couple of people waiting for a table, you will be standing outside to wait...which 70% of the time in Oregon isn't a pleasant place to be standing unless you have webbed feet or scales.
(4)
Lisa C.

This place is outstanding. The food served here was second to none. Everything we sampled was cooked to perfection. Were it not for the skanky dirty toilet and early delivery of the bill (like REALLY early... And the place was empty so it felt like they were trying to turn the table quickly), I would have given this place 5 stars.
(4)
Nina T.

Yum! Eggs benedict with delicious hollandaise, thick, tasty pieces of ham, and fresh crumpets. We got in before 10 and were seated right away, but the line was out the door by the time we were done eating. Lots of items looked delicious - will have to try next time! Only downside was that I was so full from breakfast that it was almost dinnertime by the time I was hungry again.
(5)
Kohlrabi P.

I like Helser's. I like the Louisiana hot link. And the Scotch eggs, and the Dutch baby's! Mimosa's are bonus!
(4)
Jen B.

Bad day? Normally the food here is excellent but not this time. I ordered the smoked salmon eggs Benedict, my fave. The salmon was way too salty, the eggs were sloppily poached so the whites were stringy, and it seems like the cook didn't drain them before putting them on the crumpets because the bread was soggy. Hollandaise was tart and the peach wedge of the fruit garnish arrived looking like someone had already taken a bite out of it. Gross! After waiting for 15 minutes (party of one on a Friday morning, no less), this wasn't worth it. I'm disappointed, this used to be one of my staples.
(1)
Hannah H.

I have to say - I typically love this place. My friends come in generally once a week for a late morning/ early afternoon brunch. Food and service are generally awesome. Even with a wait. Today I went in for lunch. Two of us around 1pm. They only had four other tables going - two wait staff. It took four visits to our table before the server took our order (I'm on my lunch hour mind you). The server talked over my boyfriend while he ordered, and in doing so, didn't hear his order correctly and brought the wrong item. The food took so long to get to our table, I told the server as I was on my lunch hour, she should just bring out a box with it because I was going to have to leave. (It took over 20 minutes for food to arrive.) I accidentally spilled a glass of water. We sat with a puddle on our table for 5 minutes without anyone coming by. I went to the bar, where the server stood talking to another employee and ignored me. When she finally brought lunch and a to-go box, I mentioned that I had spilled water. She came back with a towel and replacement napkins, but never refilled my water. The few bites of the salad I had were delicious. I just wish I could have enjoyed the rest of it fresh. I'll go back, but not if I have anything to do for the rest of the day.
(1)
Don B.

Helser's is just another reason that Portland can be considered one of the best brunch cities around. Solidly good, gourmet food, great service, and a cozy spot. I finally made it up to this ultra-popular Alberta spot to try out the grub, and I was definitely not disappointed. They have coffee up front for while you're waiting (strong and chock-full of caffeine), and for a 2-top at 1230 on a Sunday, the wait wasn't long at all. I enjoyed my special chorizo, anaheim pepper, onion and jack cheese fritatta. it was a huge portion for a very reasonable price. The fritatta was nice and thick, baked well through without being overcooked around the edges, and there was no shortage of chorizo and other ingredients. It filled a decent sized plate, and came with a little fruit on the side. Overall, it was more than enough for me, and plenty rich. Flavor wise, it was good but did not blow me away. Solid, delicious, and on part with some of the better brunch spots in town. I tried the wife's mushroom and spinach benedict and it was again good. Solid. Done just right. I would have liked the eggs to have been less cooked, but that's just me. I like em gooey. The yukon gold potatoes were divine. Overall, 2 large plates of food and 2 coffees cost $23. Not too bad for a very hearty meal. The service was great. Fast, on point, super friendly, and very smiley. If I lived in the neighborhood, this would definitely be a go-to spot for me. I will definitely be back. But to drive across town, into someone else's hood, and wait... well, that makes it less likely. Really good food, great service, cozy space, some outdoor tables = 4.5 solid stars.
(4)
KK H.

I love breakfast/brunch at Helser's. Wonderful food, coffee, wait staff. HOWEVER....wayyyyy too long a wait to get seated and food served on the weekends. I made the mistake of going there on a Saturday. Plan on spending an hour in line and waiting to get served once seated. Also, this time around, we were plagued by fruit flies buzzing our table and all over the walls. Ewwww. Go on the weekdays during cooler weather. The noise level was so loud that my friend and I had to yell our conversation.
(4)
Sarah H.

A+ on the mushroom hash. A perfect sinful Sunday breakfast. The veggie sausage is great too! :D A tad lacking on the personality, the service was a little bit surly. Also, Helser's should invest in a big jar of olives. Although very satisfying, the bloody mary could be a bit more generous with the garnishes. I would definitely go back, but probably on a weekday.
(3)
Spencer D.

I had the pigs in the blanket, a side of their potatoes and tried some french toast. 'Twas delicious, I must say. I liked all of it. The only thing that was of any disappointment was the size of the sausages in the pigs-in-a-blanket. they were relatively tiny. so it was more pancake than anything else. Otherwise, the potatoes were freakin' fantastic and the french toast was delicious as well. The wait wasn't horrible, especially considering it was a Sunday brunch at like 11am. So I have no qualms with that. Our server was extremely nice and was actually kind of sassy; considering gays always love a sassy broad (and this was a table of gays) we enjoyed her. This place was pretty damn good.
(4)
Irene C.

3 star for food, 4 stars for the nice casual service and the "early bird" breakfast choices. I, unlike most Portlanders, prefer my breakfast before 9am and it is great to be rewarded with a menu with lower prices and not to mention no crowds. Coffee was a bit on the weak side.
(4)
Tina G.

My husband and I got out quite frequently on breakfast dates. We happened to be in NE to drop our son off for a class. We decided to find a breakfast place in NE while we were there and boy are we glad we did. Helsers was fantastic! My husband had the french toast and ate all of it. I have to say after taking a bite, i love it! I ordered the Black Bean scramble! YUM! Service. It took a while for someone to take our order when a waitress finally discovered we hadn't been helped she immediately started taking care of us. It did take a while for food to come as well. They had a huge turnover all at one time so it slowed things up. Best part, she gave us our french press coffee on the house even though we said it wasn't necessary. Great service! We will be back again!
(5)
Amy S.

On my first trip to Portland I thought MFP was easily the best breakfast I had ever had in my life. This second trip up, Helser's on Alberta EASILY takes the title. EVERYTHING was amazing and I mean EVERYTHING. The place was adorable. For the San Diego folk imagine it like The Mission in North Park meets The Cottage in La Jolla. The coffee was indescribable. I slugged down more cups of that stuff faster than the coffee junkies in my family. God it was delicious. I had eggs, toast, maple sausage, and of course, oodles of coffee. Sure its the most basic breakfast ever, but the tastes of it definitely have me sold. Anything less than 5 stars would be just wrong.
(5)
John B.

Service: awful. Food: great. Atmosphere: appropriate, low-key. The last time I ate at Helser's on Alberta, I was having brunch alone. My guess is that my server forgot to put my order in. People who were seated after I ordered had finished their food and paid before I got my food. If I hadn't flagged someone down, not my server, and asked where my food was, I think I would have sat there indefinitely. When the food was delivered, not a word of explanation or apology. I haven't been back and steer people away. If you have to wait to be seated, consider that you may have to wait to get your food. They get two stars, instead of one, because the food is so good.
(2)
Megan H.

I keep giving Helser's a chance because my friends seem to like it but I've just been disappointed too many times. I will admit that I am a total benedict snob but I did not enjoy the benedict I had here. If I'm going to eat 1500 butterlicious calories they'd better taste good! The crumpet is a nice idea but just ends up soggy, I think the textural contrast of a crisp english muffin is pretty integral part of the dish. The hollandaise didn't have enough lemon to cut the richness of the butter but they do know how to poach an egg right, amen! Another visit I tried the pear and havarti pie which was sadly pretty gross. It was soggy, bland and the havarti on top was blackened and rubbery. Maybe it's not the thing to order but hey, it shouldn't be on the menu then! I'm not a fan of a giant pile of potatoes so maybe this place just isn't for me. On my last visit I had the grilled chicken salad which was another disappointment. The chicken was coated in a thick cornstarch batter and fried, not exactly grilled as the menu promised? All I could taste was the cornstarch which is sad because the chicken was very nicely cooked. I would probably give this place 1 star because the wait is always loooong and the service is less than stellar but for some reason I just can't do it. Maybe because my friends seem to always enjoy their food? I won't be back on my own free will but if I get brunch-tricked into going here again I'll just try something else and cross my fingers.
(2)
Jim T.

Definitely a great place for breakfast. Really good hash with Wild Alaskan Salmon, potatoes, spinach etc... The Brioche French Toast was also really tasty. Nice bright, open atmosphere.
(5)
Drew H.

need to go back, was not feeling well so only had toast and coffee. The menu looked great and Dave had a early bird special that looked awesome.
(4)
J K.

If we can't wait in the long line for Pine State, this is our back up. I am not a French toast fan, however the blueberry French toast at Helser's is amazing. Quick service, always a shorter wait than other places on Alberta, and good breakfast options.
(4)
L B.

Its been while since my visit to this place, but I hated it so much I thought it only fair to wait till I cooled off before writing this review. First things first. We walked in to find four people waiting for a table, a list to put your name on and an empty bar. My first thought, head to the empty bar for a seat. I wondered to the bar and asked the waitress who was standing there if we could sit at the bar. She pointed to the front door and said you need to sign the list and wait. I was a bit put off since there were 6 seats at the bar and four people at the door waiting to share a table, but I headed back to the door and waited. Our names were already on the list. A few minutes went by and the four top was seated, the bar still empty and tables opening up right and left. We waited another 8 minutes before anyone came to seat us. By this time we decided we'd just take the table. I'd heard so many good things, so I tried to put the opening experience out of my mind, but just then I watched as two people walked in headed straight to the bar and were greeted by the same waitress with smiles and menus. They weren't told to wait at the door or to sign the list. I was blown away! So the food must be great for people to keep coming back, right? Well it took nearly 12 minutes to get our drinks ordered and served and another 10 to take our order. The restaurant was full, but most had already eaten. I ordered the eggs benedict, and had high hopes. No one in town screws up an eggs benedict. When it arrived at the table it had the traditional poached eggs and their "homemade" crumpets, but where was the Hollandaise??? On top of each egg was a tea spoon of the sauce. It didn't even cover the yoke of the egg. Taking my first bite I realized I was in trouble. The "homemade" crumpet was the driest thing I have ever eaten. Well besides the potatoes that were on the plate. The only thing that was eatable was the poached eggs. I still can't believe that others love this place. My experience was terrible! I sometimes return to a place after a bad experience, but I will not try Hell-sers ever again!
(1)
D G.

Living in the Woodlawn Triangle, we are close enough to Helser's that we rode our bicycles to the joint. The first bright and sunny Sunday in the first week of March, we rode to the restaurant and put our name on the list to be seated. It was very busy, but our wait was only about 15 minutes. My wife ordered the Benedict with spinach and tomatoes, and I ordered the Mushroom hash. They were both very good, nice sized portions, hot, and well presented. We ordered Bloody Marys but they were a bit on the disappointing side. The waitress was awesome! She came back with a third and asked us to sample it as she had remixed a new batch of mix. It was better. She did not charge us for the drinks! They were apparently on the house because we had expressed that they were not that great. Two meals, a beer, an iced tea = $27.50 Good value and good food. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Corinn M.

Best breakfast in Portland. (I'm hesitant to write that, only because I don't want all the hipsters blowing up my favorite spot!)
(5)
David R.

Good breakfast for adults - great breakfast for kids. My 2.5-yr old and I will wander up here a couple weekends a month and have a good dad-daughter hangout. Part of what works about Helser's is that it gives no appearance of being kid-friendly, but its kids breakfast menu is out of this world. For $1, $2, or $3, you can get your kid a great mess of oatmeal and fresh fruit, cakes, or bacon and eggs if you're that way inclined. Plus, cups with lids and straws. My wife and I prefer the hashes - mushroom for her, pepper bacon for me. Plan on leftovers and a second breakfast later. Latkes are good too, if so inclined. Their vegetarian biscuits and gravy are also quite good -- very creamy and using (I think) Morningstar patties for the sausage substitute.
(4)
CeeCee P.

As I'm writing this six hours after having brunch... I'm still full! That being said, I think it's safe to say that two people can comfortably split one dish. Enough with the portions, it's about the food... one word: amazing. I love love love my brunch food, and Helser's hit the spot with their hash. Their smoked salmon hash was delicious... the potatoes cooked to perfection. The poached eggs on top were great, except I would have preferred them to be more undercooked. We ordered their french toast, which is good and a solid dish, but I wouldn't call it outstanding. My visit to Helser's was also my first experience with Dutch babies... and I was left with a pancake that was too eggy and flavorless for my taste. With all that Helser's has to offer, I'd pass on these... Now... on to the staff.... they were friendly... whenever we got to see them. When we arrived there were plenty of open seats, yet it took quite some time to have our orders taken, and a whole lot longer to receive our receipt because our waitress forgot to run our card. Despite the pitfalls, I'm forced to return as I'm hooked on their hash.
(4)
Kritt M.

Great hash and fun environment. Will return again.
(4)
Kristen M.

Helser's on Alberta - another reason why I love BRUNCH in Portland! Parking is on the street. You go in and write your name, party of #, and wait until you get seated. I recommend going in a smaller party if you want to get seated faster (So about 4 or less). Anything larger than a party of 4 would probably have to wait a good 1-2 hours depending on how busy they are (especially if it's on the weekend!). Nonetheless, this place is worth the wait because they deliver with flavor in all of their foods. AND they are not shy on their portions! (Plus in my book!) Service was prompt and awesome! I was able to try their infamous "Scotch Eggs" and I do must say this is one of the thing's I'd over all over again. I don't know what it is but it's savory heaven in your mouth! It's complimented with a horseradish sauce. I ordered their Smoked Salmon Hash and just a disclaimer (the portions are huge!) This was good for 2 meals or just for two people to share! There was lots of hash action going on with fresh spinach, bits of smoked salmon here and there, with two poached eggs that were topped with some hollandaise sauce. I couldn't finish the whole thing! I was able to have it as another meal later on the day. I highly recommend Helser's as a brunch joint to visit if in Portland! Kudos to Helser's for simple gourmet food with such an affordable price tag! No wonder you're a hot spot!
(4)
Matt K.

Why do people continue to go here? The food is on par with Denny's. The coffee is KOBO'S for christ sake. How can any self respecting restaurant serve KOBO'S in Portland? Yet every weekend I walk or drive by and see this place packed. My wife ordered a simple eggs, bacon and toast. The eggs looked like they came out of a carton, and the bacon was limp and greasy. There was plenty of toast though. I ordered a Mushroom hash that was packed with congealed cheese and contained very little mushrooms to speak of. The potatoes here are over-salted and had a lot of burnt chunks. And did I mention the COFFEE? I could find better at Texaco. Do yourself a favor, skip this place. There are plenty of other breakfast places with the same amount of wait time but better food (and coffee).
(1)
Beth G.

Helser's is definitly on my list of Top 5 breakfast places in Portland. They do savory dishes really well, and that's where my heart is--Pepper Bacon and Cheddar Hash? I am all over it! Scotch eggs? Be still my heart. My experiences there have been very consistent--always very good food, good service, pleasant experience. I don't go very often because of THE LINE. Just like most other places on Alberta Street, Helser's is mobbed on weekend mornings. So I don't bother (see my list for no wait breakfast joings instead) unless it's a weekdy. Which makes it a special treat when I do visit Helsers...and order their awesome Pepper Bacon and Cheddar Hash.
(4)
Kathi B.

I brought my kids here on a Sunday after dragging them around to different yarn stores. I figured it must be a good place since it was so busy. We were not disappointed. I had the eggs benedict with ham and it was delicious. My son had pancakes and scrambled eggs. My daughter had biscuits and gravy and potato pancakes. Both kids liked their food as well. Overall, Helser's on Alberta has a friendly staff, great food, and a warm environment. It was such a nice place to sit and watch people and dogs walking up Alberta St.
(4)
Michael V.

I think this is a place to come for breakfast. That's what everyone else seemed to be eating. I just wasn't impressed with their lunch menu. They were quite busy though, making service pretty slow.
(2)
Shoya W.

Breakfast on an early January morning here gave me cause to write my first restaurant review. Ordering from the "sides" section of the menu, I chose the 2 potato pancakes and 2 fried eggs. Those were both perfectly cooked to order. Pancakes were thin, oniony, and not greasy-almost better than my own. Yum! Lori, our server, was attentive and patient. I will definitely return and highly recommend Helser's for breakfast.
(4)
Amy M.

Oh Helser's! Why, oh, why do people flock to you!?!?!? I have been to Helser's probably about a half dozen times because I keep wanting it to be all it is cracked up to be. But, alas, it is never so. 5 out of 6 times I have been they have totally screwed up my order. 3 out of 6 times they served me totally raw eggs with a side of burnt potatoes. It seems impossible to get a refill on the (very bad) coffee. The service is pretty terrible (with the exception of one server, who is currently not working).... I think it is just that thing with Portlanders... they love to wait in line.
(1)
Justin T.

We went in for breakfast last Saturday around 10am. Not a huge wait, and they were able to accommodate 5 adults and 2 babies (keep in mind it's a small dining area & Saturday) in relatively short order. They're doing good so far. The coffee was good and the food came out quickly. I had the Salmon Hash and a Scotch Egg. The Hash was good, but had more potatoes than I could deal with. The best part about the Scotch Egg was the horseradish cream it came with. If you're ever here, get one for the cream, i think it's worth it. Across the rest of the table were a Pepper Bacon Cheddar Hash, Eggs Benedict, and the daily special, Chilequiles. We're a bite sharing bunch, so the other Hash was great, the Bennie was okay, and the Chilequiles were so-so (I make them at home, so I'm a bit biased, as mine are the best around). The service was a bit slow (could have just been our server). The food was good. I would come back again. That's all for now...
(4)
Brianne C.

We sipped on complimentary coffee as we waited outside Helser's in the blustery weather, watching people casually walking their dogs and hiding under the tables. After 45 minutes, our party was called inside and seated at a large slab table, simple menus placed in our hands. Perusing the tempting breakfast items, we ordered the bacon and cheddar hash, smoked salmon hash, pear and havarti tart, and a side of scotch eggs. Settling back with additional beverages, we commenced playing games on the mats while enjoying endless coffee replenishments. Our food arrived after a lengthy wait (many items are prepared a la minute) and we eagerly tucked into gleaming yolks, lofty french toast slices, and decadent hard-boiled eggs coated with sausage and bread crumbs. The eggs, potatoes, and salmon in my hash were nicely cooked and fresh (the salmon was finely chopped in the Oregon style), but I found myself craving additional bursts of flavor. The bacon hash was zestier, due in large part to the sharp Tillamook cheddar, rendering the fluffy potatoes a nice counterbalance. Of course, the scotch eggs were delightful, a rare indulgence that reminded me of my last college days. A taste of the pear tart also revealed fresh ingredients but did not excite me, though others were pleased. Our server was kind and sheparded us through hunger pangs and a squirming (but adorable) young companion by providing children's books and tasty beverages. I would be interested in tasting the dinner menu while sitting at the appealing bar at the front. Also, the cocktails on the chalkboard trilled with promise, and I think the atmosphere must be more pleasant when Helser's is not bustling on a Sunday morning. Indeed, I would happily return to experience solid classic dishes, fresh ingredients, and a skilled display of cooking, but I might also reach for the sri racha.
(4)
Tony M.

The longer the wait, the better the food must be. On our first visit we waited over an hour to be seated. The bar was set. Expectations were very high. I had the signature dish of Scotch Eggs and Potato Pancakes. I was disappointed. I liked the concept and the texture of the Scotch Eggs but the flavor was lacking. Very bland. The potato pancakes were mushy. I admit that I am not an expert in what makes a perfect potato pancake but if they would have been crunchy, I would have liked them much better. My breakfast associates said that if I wanted crunchy I should have ordered hashbrowns. Whatever, the hashbrowns would probably been mushy as well. The pepper bacon was very good. Our server was adequate, not friendly but efficient. With so many great breakfast places in Portland, we do not need to go back.
(2)
Thomas M.

So I took a little break from Helser's... I thought I was just burned out from going there so often, but I now think it is just not quite as good as I used to be or my tastes have changed. I had my usual pepper bacon hash, it was pretty good but not what I remember. The gf had the French toast, I would strongly advise against this. The pieces are HUGE and not that well cooked, kind of like eating a piece of huge mushy bread. My last 4-5 visits have definitely not lived up to my first 2 magical visits, I will return just because it is so convenient and the lines are not as bad as Tin Shed but I hope the food turns back around
(3)
Sailor H.

This is by far the best breakfast place on Alberta, and one of the best in Portland, alongside the Country Cat and Tasty and Sons. I like restaurants that do everything on their menu well. They don't need to have a lot of options. This place has tons of different kinds of options, savory, sweet, depending on your mood. One downside: Not vegan-friendly, most things have eggs, which I love but my friends wouldn't have much to choose from. The lunch sandwiches are huge and the potato chips are thin, ridged, and homemade. The fresh fruit that comes with many of the breakfast dishes is delicious, and can be ordered as a side. Highlights: -Scotch eggs and potato pancakes with horseradish creme -Dutch baby --Curry tuna sandwich -Crumpet and Egg Sandwich i'm still wanting to try the hash. YUMMY I think I will go there for lunch today!
(5)
Kevin S.

I am a late riser so often hit breakfast joints at the end of service. Went to Helser's at about 2:15, 45 minutes before they close on a Sunday. The staff seemed a bit tired. We got our order in quickly enough but no waters for 10 minutes until we flagged down our server who has just brought some to the newly arrived guests next to us. Honest mistake maybe but some hydration on hangover breakfast days is a must. Add me to the list of people who think that just putting water on the table is a great idea. I went due to the praise of the benedict here. I love a good benedict. But, for me, benedict means an English muffin. Helser's substitutes a crumpet. The result is a distinct lack of texture. I missed that crunch of an English muffic to balance out the softness of the egg and smoked salmon. I also tasted some sweetness in the crumpted that didn't go well with the other flavors. Not sure why they deviated from the classic benedict but for me it was not a good move.
(3)
Tim B.

Don't even think about coming here with a party of 6. We waited and waited, but they kept seating parties of 2 and 4 who arrived after us, and made no effort to put together a table for 6. We would ask periodically, and get an indifferent shrug, and "we'll see what we can do." After an hour, we gave up and left. Needless to say, no one in our group intends to return.
(1)
Jen K.

Sweetie is an interesting word. Used by a man and it can sound demeaning. Used by a fun and sassy waitress and I can't help but smile. And lets face it, anything is better than ma'am, which makes me cringe every time, no matter the gender tossing it my way. Breakfast is quickly becoming my favorite meal of the day. Since I was running errands in the area, I made my first trip ever to Alberta Street and had breakfast at Helser's. I was there during prime time on Saturday morning and expected a wait even though I was dining solo. I put my name on the list to sit anywhere (everyone in front of me were larger groups) and even though there was an open seat at the cute bar area, I didn't get seated until there was a table open, so it was about a 20 min. wait. The wait would have been more pleasurable if I could have enjoyed some Kobos coffee, but for the first 15 minutes, there weren't any cups available in the coffee bar. Now both of these things could have been easily fixed, but weren't. But, in the grand scheme of things these are mere quibbles. Once I was seated, things couldn't have been better. So many good choices on the menu and I finally settled on a 1/2 order of the pepper bacon and chedder hash after discussing a few options with my server. Delicious, and still so much food I brought some home to enjoy later. The fresh squeezed orange juice was also refreshing and light (not too much pulp). All told my breakfast was $8 and I left with a big 'ole smile on my face. Also, I noticed that they have a "Yelp Loves Us" sticker on their front door. AND we received top billing above stickers for Citysearch, Willamette Week and AOL. Helser's and Yelp sitting in a tree...
(4)
Kristine P.

I will not give Helser's more than three stars because the service was pretty slow and the staff didn't seem like they had a sense of urgency about anything. (it's Sunday people)! I had the Scotch Egg and Potato Pancakes Hard boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst, lightly breaded and fried golden brown. Served with three potato pancakes and horseradish cream. $6.95 While I enjoyed the Scotch Egg (a great deal), the potato pancakes weren't crispy enough for me. But, this was my first time having them here so next time I'll now how to order them. The sour cream and horseradish cream that come with the meal was a nice touch. Oh! Also the applesauce, forgot about that! The food was good but not great and I will return but only if my friends suggest we go. There are just too many great places to eat breakfast, so I won't settle.
(3)
Kelly M.

I must admit that I've always overlooked Helser's in favor of the Tin Shed, it's competition just down the way. Surprisingly, though, Helser's is just as nice on the inside and offers a menu that's just as delicious and interesting. The Pear and Havarti Pie I settled on was sweet and fancy tasting, and came with fresh fruit, creme fraiche, and a crumpet. I also tried some of their potato hash with poached eggs and it was just as good (and cheap--under six bucks for a big breakfast). Helser's was good food, good service, and no wait to get seated. A good alternative to the Tin Shed for delicious brunch on Alberta.
(5)
Kalani C.

Okay, so brunch is a huge a*s deal in PDX. People here get psycho crazy about brunch. We decided to meet our friends on NE Alberta near the Tin Shed. Most brunch places do not take reservations, so we figured we'd give our luck a try. According to yelp, Tin Shed was highly rated. But being an underdog whore (whatever that means), I personally decided that Helser's is the place to be. Like the runner-ups on American Idol. Why go Lee DeWyze when I can have Crystal Bowersox. So I made reservations for six at Helser's (yes they do for 6+) with hopes that we wouldn't stand a chance at Tin Shed. Of course, the Tin was packed with a two day wait. So we end up at Helser's (hmm, you don't say). They appologized for only having a table for four. Perfect, we weren't six to begin with, just wanted a reservation. Service was freindly and efficient, but the kitchen took a good 35-40 minutes to deliver. This didn't matter as conversation and bringing friends up to speed with what you've been up to for the past 5-8 years actually took some groundwork. Our table had the following: Scotch Egg and Potato Pancakes ............... $6.95 Hard boiled egg wrapped in bratwurst, lightly breaded and fried golden brown. Served with three potato pancakes and horseradish cream.......'I can't push it any further captain'...these scotch eggs were beam-me-up worthy! German Pancake ........................................ $6.90 (Dutch Baby): Whipped eggs, flour and milk with lemon zest. Oven baked until golden brown (20 min. cook time) Fresh Seasonal Fruit Topping 2.95 (we had blueberry)...............Delicious, light and zingy! Pear and Havarti Pie ....................................... $7.50 Bartlett pears and havarti cheese baked in an egg custard served with crÃ¨me fraiche, fresh fruit and a toasted crumpet.....reminded me of "Sweeny Todd" (yuck!) or maybe not. Pears and havarti, what can go wrong?!! Brioche French Toast ..................................... $6.95 Sliced thick and soaked in a vanilla cinnamon batter served with maple syrup and sweet butter......Perfect!! They also had a nice selection of wines, bloody marys and mimosas. A perfect spot that wasn't uber crowded, but still packed with a waiting line. Pretty awesome for a place considered "second best". Tastes like 1st place to me. Move over Kris Allen, this seat's reserved for Adam Lambert!
(4)
Karl W.

Let me tell you about the biscuits and mushroom gravy. THE BEST! I'll be going back.
(5)
Jonathan L.

The books suggest a different place as best brunch, but ER loved Helser's! The smoked salmon hash was excellent, tasty but not too salty. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the potato pancakes were light and flavorful. It was a wonderful neighborhood place.
(4)
Stephen S.

I had the german pancake (dutch baby) that takes a whole 20 minutes to bake. It was a fluffly and had a nice lemon flavor to it. It was not covered with powdered sugar as I would expect a dutch baby. All of the other food at the table looked really good as well.
(4)
shyam a.

I hate to give bad reviews but the people deserve an honest perspective. We have been here about 6 times. Have always liked it here. But... Today was Awful. We checked it sat, waited... and waited no agua for us or el perro Ahh, service, bout time Ordered coffee w/ soy milk... oops forgot the soy, be back in 5 minutes Us: Is the coffee self-serve? Them: No, but could you? That would make it a lot easier for me. My girlfriend waited at the counter for a good while for no one to fill the pot. We ordered and waited. Yay, food is here! Oh, they forgot to make it vegetarian. Be right back. Yeah, we've heard that one before. At least we have the german pancake, which is usually awesome. Today it sucked... balls.... sweaty ones. And no napkins leaving us sticky and disappointed $9 later Another table came, ordered, ate and left before we got our food By the time our next dish came, I was too hungry and bitter to taste anything. 2 stars... it's usually really good. today may have been a fluke. But we won't be back for a while. Work for your eFFin Tips!
(2)
Laura N.

One more 5-star review and Helser's might spontaneously combust...but I just can't bring myself to go any lower. But don't judge a review by it's stars: I promise to say at least something remotely interesting in the following sentences... While most people attribute 5-stars to the food at Helser's - my food was pretty standard...a spinach salad and cup of black bean chili...two items that are pretty tough to screw up. It was a solid 3 star food performance. Let's just say that I wasn't doing cartwheels leaving the restaurant, nor was I having orgasms in my mouth following each bite. I believe in unicorns* The 5-star rating of Helser's is due in gigantic part to the amazing service. Again, not your standard "speed" or "attentiveness" stars, instead I'm dishing out the big guns for our server asking the EXACT right questions. Stick this in your pipe and Yelp it: #1 I asked for a coffee (and I HATE creamer. YUCK.) Our server asked: "Would you like me to bring cream?" Now this may not seem too important for most....but I can't STAND it when I have to look at that nasty cup of cream my entire meal! Thank you THANK YOU for asking me before you just bring me a chilled cup of nasty. #2 FJ asked for a diet coke. Our server asked "lemon or lime" in that? Bam. That's music to my citrus-loving ears. #3 She had no problem bringing us some fresh bread and fruit - free of charge, although neither of our meals included it. #4 After we paid the bill, our server asked me if I wanted to take my hot coffee to GO! Brilliance. I have no shame in my doggie bag game and with my constantly cold hands... And for these lovely highlights, along with the "no complaints" food, the entire experience was 5+++stars. *just in case you didn't find my review interesting, I threw in that little juicy tidbit. Cheers.
(5)
Steel F.

The scotch eggs....I have dreams about these. Killer potato pancakes too. Wait time for a table seems a touch less than other PDX brunch spots. Highly recommended!
(5)
Kari D.

I love Helser's. Let me just get that out there right now. It's delicious. Good coffee, good breakfast (I've never been for lunch) and cool/comfortable atmosphere. My go to meal is the smoked salmon hash - imagine a heavenly mound of potatoes, smoked salmon and spinach, topped with two poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. But everything I've had is great - crumpet sandwiches, indulgently sweet french toast, black bean chili scramble. A word to the wise: be prepared to wait when you visit Helser's. While they do have coffee available while you wait, I always make sure to have a cup before heading over (ugliness will ensue if I go coffee-less). And once you get seated, be prepared to wait a little while for the food to arrive - it is a small and very busy kitchen. But always worth the wait in my book.
(4)
Lorri E.

Helser's Haiku: I love potatoes Even better with bacon Helser's, I love you Helser's is nice and bright, and a comfortable neighborhood breakfast/brunch place. In my humble opinion, the vittles are a slight bump up from Tin Shed down the street (more sophisticated), so while ever popular Tin Shed is fun, Helser's is classy and good--so plenty of room for both on Alberta St. I like the specials, and the scramble with (of course), bacon and Yukon Gold taties. Mmmm...
(4)
Vangie G.

If it wasn't for the tasty and interesting breakffast meal, this place would have gotten 2 starts merely for the service. I got the Scottish eggs and Chris got the breakfast burrito. They were both tasty although the wait and the nonchalance of the wait staff would make me reconsider coming to this place again unless there was absolutely no line.
(3)
John R.

Great food!! I had the sweet potato hash w/two poached eggs on top. EXCELLENT! Sweet bacon(y) goodness. It took a bit of time to be served, but I would come back here again.
(3)
Wasabi D.

I've lived in the neighborhood for ten years and tried Helsers for the first time the other day. The food was pretty good, but seemed to be a bit more than some other neighborhood joints. (I had the benedict and iced tea.) The one thing that really burned me was when I got my iced tea refilled, they charged me for another. I don't know if any restaurant in this town charges for iced tea refills, but for over $2 a glass, it's ridiculous that they had the cojones to charge me per glass. Of course I assumed the tea refills were free and didn't realize till I got my bill that I was being charged. It was a good meal, but that really bummed me out.
(2)
Christina A.

apparently portland's known for their breakfast/brunch and i'm sure it's because of restaurants like this. the food was superb. try the eggs benedict - you won't regret it.
(4)
Sara C.

Food - 4 + Service - 2 = 3 Stars Helser's apparently wasn't expecting a larger-than-average-Monday-breakfast crowd on Memorial day because they were definitely understaffed. At one point, they even stopped seating people so they could wait on people who were already seated. This also meant that a large line built up outside while several empty tables sat inside. I hope they don't manage most of their busy breakfasts like that. The people next to us waited so long for their food that they just gave up and left, which is never a good sign. My complaint with the service was that my water glass was perpetually empty. The Pear and Havarti pie was delicious and large enough to feed two people. The Scotch eggs were great too, and not as greasy as I'd expect. Other than those two items, the menu is a bit boring and I'd love to see them some more variety!
(3)
B. C.

No pretense here, come in, order, eat, and enjoy. From properly prepared eggs benedict to tasty scotch eggs, food is served hot and quickly. The staff is attentive, to the point, and friendly. Presentation is clean and portions are satisfying. Expect a medium wait during busy weekend brunch hours. Greyhounds, mimosas and Bloody Mary's available!
(4)
Ran B.

Nice little place. Had to wait about 10 minutes for a seat - and they weren't skimpy, sat me (1) on a table for four. Server was very nice. Salmon hash was good, but huge. Didn't finish. Added side of toast (excellent, pre-buttered and golden) and bacon (standard). Note about the salmon hash - this is not smoked salmon, or if it is, it's not very well smoked. Surprised me some. Note about parking - only found a place on the street for 1 hour parking, doable, but I find myself a bit hurried toward the end. 4/5.
(4)
Jenna F.

Helser's you are killing me. Here I am in SE Portland and there you are all the way in NE! But that mushroom hash, with the havarti cheese just dripping from the yukon gold potatoes, it calls to me. It's damn good. I haven't been able to try anything else but it all sounds soo good. I did try a crumpet ( I have a a thing for crumpets, but no one ever makes them anymore), but it didn't have much flavor and the texture was a little off. Only real turn off here is that it seems they need more staff, maybe just a dedicated host on the weekends would do the trick.
(4)
Justine M.

Dining here was a pure delight this past Tuesday. I came in prior to running down to the gym and I'll admit the food was a bit heavy for pre-workout food, but delicious. The menu was stacked full of benedicts and other delectable choices. I settled for 2 eggs with hash and veggie sausage. The servings are huge and based on this basic meal being unbelievably savory & guilt-inducing, I cannot wait to try the next dish...when I am not pre-workout. I also did venture in alone and sat up at the counter with bar stools... the waitress was so nice and it was just a perfect place to sit and dine alone. Very comfy... Also, the bloody mary's looked awesome. Oh, and this place is pretty cheap(ish).
(4)
Kelsie B.

Helser's is my absolute favorite breakfast place in Portland. That's saying something. Whenever anyone's like, "Hey, what's your favorite breakfast place"? I'm immediately like, "Helser's." Breakfast is all I've ever eaten at Helser's. I have no information about lunch. The thing I usually order is the German Pancake, or Dutch Baby, if you will. It is so freaking good. I mean CRAZY good. I like all the stuff it comes with--the powdered sugar, the lemon wedges (oh, how I love to drench it with all three lemon wedges) and the maple syrup. I wish I had one right now. Other favorites: the meats (seriously, all the breakfast meats are delicious and perfectly prepared), the pear and havarti pie (don't overlook this. It is the bomb.), and the pepper bacon and cheddar hash (an excellent standby). Also, the specials have proven to be pretty wonderful, too. One time I had a crazy pound cake french toast that was probably the most sinful thing I've ever eaten. Good coffee and mimosas too. Another really cool thing is that everything comes garnished with a little fresh fruit--REAL fresh fruit, like grapes or strawberries or apricots. If you go on the weekend, the wait time can be seriously brutal. But sometimes it's not. And I still go there because when I think about the alternatives, I'm not quite as stoked. I love Helser's!
(5)
w r.

i tried to eat brunch at helser's today. as someone who has worked in beverage/food service i understand how hard of a job it is. i also understand how basic it is to just even say hello. it was a monday afternoon at about 1pm i walked in with my dear friend K. i put our name on the list as the sign requested and looked around. there were two empty tables that needed to be cleaned. after my friend and i sat on the chairs waiting for someone to greet us a party of three came in and walked up to one of the dirty tables one of the servers was cleaning and sat down after they put their name on the list and saw that we were sitting there waiting for a table. being the nice guy i am, i didn't say anything because i figured they must have been in more of a rush and well, i'm just not that rude. so. we waited. and waited. i stood up and tried to make eye contact with the servers but to no avail. after waiting for awhile with that empty table that stayed dirty i looked to my friend and said we should get the hell out of there and go eat somewhere where they'd actually like to serve us. so. i can't tell you if the food is good. but today? the service was awful. i won't be back.
(1)
Ali L.

Usually when I go to a new restaurant I have some idea of what it will be like, because, well, I yelp. So this review has been sitting as an unfinished review for over week. All I had written was the first line....which....lets be honest, has left a lot to be desired. I ended up here unexpectedly. Despite the fact that I yelp I had never heard of this place. I ordered the eggs benedict with spinach and mushrooms. It was great. Fresh vegetables, hollandaise sauce was great with just the right amount used, on a whole wheat english muffin or it could have been a crumpet. The menu was simple. I will go back again. only 4 stars because the service was somewhat lacking
(4)
Irene C.

I would like to provide a little background before delving into this review. Ever since my arrival to Portland three months ago, I have been on the search for the perfect eggs benedict. Well, perhaps 'perfect' is a bit far-fetched, but definitely a place with BOMB benedict. I had found place after place but never had the guts to order it because of fear of disappointment. Finally, however, I decided it was time and that Heiser's was the place. So in I walk and down I sat. Our server was very nice, but she was a bit scatter-brained. Probably just one of her quirks, I thought. . .no big deal. It did take her a while to take our order, but she was very nice about it; besides. . I was going to get my benedict so nothing could ruin my mood. I had ordered the smoked salmon benedict which comes with a side of Yukon potatoes. I could barely contain my excitement. When our food finally arrived, I noticed that the Yukon potatoes were mixed in with the salmon and everything was covered in Hollandaise sauce. Well, that was strange. Then I noticed the salmon was not sitting on an English muffin. Good Lord! It wasn't salmon eggs benedict. . .it was salmon hash! After three whole months of watching and waiting, I got HASH. I sat in disbelief. Despite it all, I didn't want to change my order as it took quite a while to come out, so I ate my hash. Although it was tasty and very filling, I ate it reluctantly. Now, I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression. The salmon hash was actually really good, and I would eat it again. Furthermore, it had the exact same ingrediants as the benedict minus the muffin. . .but salmon and eggs with hollandaise sauce on a muffin and potatoes on the side is NOT the same as salmon, eggs, and potatoes with hollandaise sauce on top. . . just as red and blue is not the same as red and blue combined. That, my friends, is purple. Salmon hash is PURPLE. I can't believe I got purple.
(3)
Jessica O.

I had a craving for eggs Benedict this morning and after looking over some yelp reviews decided to go here to get my fix. The coffee was great, hot and always being refilled. When I got my breakfast disappointment set in. The eggs were not consistent. One was way runny with some of the whites not cooked, the other had a tiny yolk ( like a teaspoon amount) and was almost hard boiled. The hollandaise sauce wasn't anything special either. The muffin that this was all on top of was once again not consistent. one half was cut so poorly that it wasn't even a full round, leaving half my ham and egg resting on the plate. Service was great but it does not fix the disappointment that this plate of eggs Benedict left on me. Maybe it was an off day for the cook but I will never know. I will never go back, just for the reason that the cook let that plate go out with so many things wrong.
(1)
Stefanie S. J.

Ten thumbs UP :)! Helser's is a place I could go to every day of the week and not get bored! Every time I sit there over the menu and can not decide what to get. The "Special" (on the blackboard behind the bar) is usually always a great choice. But also the Standards on the menu are amazing, f.ex. the Mushroom or Salmon hash. The atmosphere is friendly and filled with light, the waitresses are all very nice! While you wait you can pour yourself a cup of coffee. All I need first thing in the morning :)! And the also serve mimosa for the occasion. I am looking forward to going back very soon when we are up there!
(5)
Ash. A.

I'm just glad that there is an alternative to Tin Shed's massive line. And that the alternative happens to be miles better than it's neighboring hippy shack. I decided to go to Helsers after saying to myself the past year that I needed to give it a try. The free coffee and great service was a plus with my hangover I was battling that morning. (Also, thank goodness for Portland's overcast weather). We were seated promptly for a busy brunch morning, loaded with coffee refills, and then we ordered. The mushroom scramble was a potato dream come true. The flavors were comforting, and the cheese was a plenty. The texture of the meaty mushrooms made the dish feel hearty yet not overwhelmingly so. My partner in brunch crime got the salmon hash. It was stellar! The salmon was perfectly matched with the veggies and potatoes it was paired with. Said partner ate it all. So, I think it was a winner. I will return with an empty belly and without hangover on my next visit. Thank Helsers for putting me on the road to recovery via potatoes!
(4)
Beck B.

I just tried Helser's for the first time. I figured that braving the crowd outside and long wait times (for a table and the food), would be well worth it once I was eating. Unfortunately this was not the case. The food was just... meh. I ordered the french toast and poached eggs on the side. My partner ordered the biscuits and mushroom gravy. The french toast was pretty generic while the poached eggs were over done for my taste, and pretty gummy in texture. My partner felt the same about the biscuits and gravy. She noted that her biscuits were overcooked. That said, our server was great, very attentive without being imposing.
(2)
stangirl w.

Delish I had the mushroom hash. It was very earthy and cooked just right. I will defiantly be back to this place. I also had a bloody mary it was ok. The waitress leaves something to be desired. I felt a bit rushed.
(5)
Lisa W.

Really delicious no-frills breakfast fare. The early menu is a fabulous bargain. My husband had a yummy ham, egg, cheddar sandwich on a fresh crumpet, and I had the two-eggs, maple sausage and potato plate, both $4.95. The maple sausage is amazing for reals. I ordered my eggs over-medium, which is always a crap shoot , but they pulled it off. The potatoes are also really good, and I don't usually like morning potatoes. We also ordered the 'sweet' special: Banana bread french toast. Really? Homemade banana bread made into french toast?! Seriously decadent! I think that was like $9.50 for three generous pieces. We each ate less than one and brought the other home for later. Yum! Really good coffee and loose-leaf tea, too. Lots of little ones in the house on a Monday morning, but it wasn't crowded or loud. The place is tiny - maybe 12 tables max and I can imagine it's a very long wait on the weekends.
(4)
lee v.

Long wait but best Benedict ever The brunch here is really fantastic. My benedict was by far the best I've ever had. I think the secret is in the Hollandaise, but I was also a big fan of replacing the traditional english muffin with a crumpet. I wish that was more common. Execution on the poached eggs was perfect as well. Maybe that should go with out saying, but it's been my experience that seeing "Eggs Benedict" on the menu does not necessarily imply that the kitchen staff can successfully poach an egg. Helser's clearly has that problem solved, though. The only bad thing about my brunch experience -- and the reason I'm knocking off a single star -- was that we had to wait an inordinate amount of time for our food after being seated. I expected a long wait for a table, but was a bit taken aback by the long wait for the food. The wait was so long that I'm inclined to think that something must have gone wrong in the kitchen and this is not a common occurrence.
(4)
lala b.

If you care anything at all about service, don't eat here. On second thought, perhaps this is the best place to dine and dash because NO ONE WILL NOTICE YOU. A friend and I walked in here at 2:20 last Sunday for a quick bite. We put our name on the list. There are two names ahead of ours and two empty tables. Hmm. We waited in the tiny front area with one other couple for a solid five minutes while being ignored by the three women working the small dining room. My friend spots two coffee carafes, but no cups. We go gets cups from the bar. Psych! The carafes are empty! Another table is cleared, and finally a couple waiting outside is seated. We wait another three minutes and the other couple is seated. Another two, we sit down. We have to ask for menus and are then ignored for ten more minutes! Finally, an older waitress comes over and says 'oh, she didn't take your order yet? Dammit!' Ummm, ok. So we order - Scotch eggs and potato pancakes and brioche French toast. The French toast is pretty good, but the Scotch eggs taste like fryer oil, dry egg, and overcooked sausage. Potato pancakes are just meh. I work at one of the busiest restaurants in town and a place like this makes me appreciate my co-workers more than ever because unlike the staff at Helser's, we work our butts off. We don't walk around in a daze avoiding eye contact with guests and doing second or third-priority closing tasks. I went to Helser's to try the Scotch eggs because I'd heard they were great, and I'd heard a lot of hype so figured it must be one of those breakfast institutions that has their shit together...wrong on both counts. This place does not deserve its reputation and I absolutely won't be going back.
(2)
Huitlacoche C.

I've been here twice, the first time the place was totally empty, I think around 1pm on a weekday. My girlfriend and I were wanting a late brunch and stopped by and ended up being there waaaay too long (maybe an hour) since the waitress had forgotten to put our order into the kitchen. Both of us had to run to work so by the time the food came we scarfed it down and got the hell out to not be late to work. Totally unacceptable with an empty restaurant to basically ignore the only people in there. The second time I went with some friends and it was really good, the place was busy, and we got the Dutch Baby to share among us. In terms of Portland breakfast its fairly good but god help you if you get the awful service waitress.
(3)
Windy S.

After sleeping in on a Saturday and craving breakfast at 1:30pm, we decided to try Helser's. We walked right in, party of 3 and were seated immediately. Having heard that there's usually a wait, we were stoked to be seated right away. Random crowd of Portlanders, including some hipsters sitting right up front that stared everyone down who walked in!? Maybe they thought no one was cool enough to eat breakfast in their presence! =P Ah Ah Ah ..... douchepunks!!! Oh, bless me! Any way back to the food. I ordered the smoked salmon hash with a side order of sourdough toast. One word, AMAZING! Loved this dish! The poached eggs were beautiful and the hollandaise perfectly seasoned! I would definitely recommend the side of sourdough toast! Not sure if they make their own toast but that sourdough toast was fantastic! My husband ordered the Louisiana Hot Sausage Wrap, which surprised me being he doesn't like sausage!? And of course, he didn't really like the sausage. Still don't get that choice! I did try the sausage and it was definitely on the HOT (spicy) side! Our daughter ordered the Crumpet & Egg sandwhich. She really doesn't have much experience with goat cheese and they put a lot of it on the sandwich. I personally LOVE goat cheese so I thought the sandwich was really good! The fruit that came with the sandwich and the wrap was also really good (sliced pear, papaya and kiwi). For me the breakfast was GREAT! Service was a bit slow but nothing unusual for Portland. Will definitely be back!
(4)
S Luc S.

In the past two weeks, I've been to Helser's three times. I enjoyed each and every trip. My first encounter, I had the Bacon & Cheddar Hash. It was a plate piled high with deliciouness. The dish wasn't overpowered by the potatoes. And the bacon was in every bite! I only finished half. During my second trip, I had the pigs in a blanket. Again I only finished half. Which is a good thing since they give you four massive pancakes wrapped around delectable cylinders of porky yumminess. For my third visit, I got one of the morning specials. Suprisingly, this was the most disappointing meal as it was early in the morning, there wasn't a rush yet my eggs were cold by the time I got the plate. Boo. Other than that, I'm a fan. The staff is nice and attentive. The coffee keeps getting refilled and though on my other visits, it was during a busy time, we were seated within a reasonable amount of time (less than 10 mins). I like that it's close. I have no idea why I haven't checked it out before now. It's a good place.
(4)
Wendy C.

The open-faced sandwich: lovely to look at, impractical as all get-out to eat. When I finished toting my egg-salad sandwich fixins from one side of the bread to the other and closing the sucker up, the sammy was approximately four inches tall and oozing hard-boiled egg out both sides. "Squish it," said one coworker. "Eat it with a fork and knife," said another. What a mess, I didn't even want it anymore! The waitress completely neglected to give our group silverware: I had to go up to the counter to ask for some after we sadly stared at our plates for five minutes. And EVERYthing had onions in it, which kind of ruined the rest of my day. On the plus side, my ridiculous egg-salad sandwich and a cereal-sized bowl full of tomato and cucumber (and ONION) salad amounted to less than $6. And the coffee was good. And one of my coworkers apparently dreams of the scotch eggs and pigs in a blanket Helser's dishes out. I'll probably give this another try. The dutch baby looked pretty good, and I'm guessing it's probably onion free.
(3)
JC R.

Portland, I've never seen a town that is SO in LOVE with brunch. You don't just "like" it, you "like-like" brunch. Helser's is my favorite brunch place in Portland. There I said it. I've tried at least 10 brunch places in Portland, and Helser's is where I bring out of town friends, cause it's so darn tasty. I love that they serve a delicious mix of fresh seasonal fruit on the side. Figs? really? you're awesome. I often get the eggs benedict with mushrooms. It rules and is very reasonably priced. You can sit outside during the 3 weeks Portland is warm. The menu, and daily specials are a bit overwhelming with delicious choices. But please get it together and order already. I'm hungry and need coffee.
(5)
Amanda L.

I've been to Helser's so many times for breakfast now you could say I'm a regular. Every single time it has been a completely enjoyable experience for me and the food never ceases to satisfy. I've tried many breakfast joints in Portland and some may be more gourmet or have more items to choose from, but Helser's succeeds in its simplicity. The coffee is always fresh and ready to pour and the breakfast plates are always tasty, hot and thankfully not overloaded with grease. Definitely check out their pre-9 a.m. happy hour for cheap plates under $5! They are good about vegetarian substitutes as well, although I'm not sure if anything on the menu is vegan. Some of my favorite breakfast entrees include the mushroom hash, the blackbean chili scramble, the German pancake (incredible!), the florentine eggs benedict, the egg and crumpet breakfast sandwich and the simple two egg, potato and veggie sausage combo. Helser's yukon gold potato hash, by the way, is some of the best breakfast potatoes I've had (and I am quite the critic of breakfast potato sides). The staff that I've encountered at Helser's has almost-always been quite kind and attentive and the look of the restaurant itself is simple, bright and comforting. Helser's is a spot I will continue to frequent in Portland.
(4)
Ralph L.

After several visits, I felt it was time to give Helser's a review. This trip I had Pear and Havarti Pie. It was wonderful. Flavors combined well and the fruit served with it were a great addition. The crumpet was good, but not great. It should have been warm and serving with Smuckers jam packets is disappointing. The previous visits we found that the $4.95 breakfasts were a great deal and they are very kid friendly. One of so many great breakfast places in Portland, even Alberta St has many to choose from.
(4)
Molly D.

Helser's is our Portland treat and often make the drive from Sandy for breakfast. I love their scotch eggs particularly and the staff is always so attentive and kind - we have two young children and this is a very family friendly place. We often see other families with young children, so it's obvious that folks are comfortable there with kids...something that is nice to see and appreciated in Portland. The food is always fabulous! Make time for a wait if you hit it up during the busy time on weekends. Usually little or no wait on weekday mornings.
(5)
Sean M.

This was our first time trying out Helser's and, while the food was very good, the overall experience was blah and we probably won't be back. We choose this place based on the solid reviews on Yelp. Let's start with the good, which is the food. While they did not have a lot of low carb options, I got the Hot Links wrap without the wrap and fruit instead of potatoes. Unlike other restaurants, they offered apricots which was a cool change of pace. Also, I also get a diet soda with breakfast and they offered bottled Jones diet cola, which was a nice change. My son got oatmeal with fruit and it was nice hearty bowl of oatmeal and blueberries, blackberries, raisins, apricots, and brown sugar to mix together. My daughter got the egg, bacon, and maple sausage. She is not a super meat fiend, but could not get enough sausage. My wife got the special blueberry french toast brioche, which she loved. Now the bad, they are very busy and, like other places, expect to wait. The acoustics of the restaurant are horrible, so having a conversation is very difficult unless you join in by raising your voice and doing your best to hear over the all the other noise. The waitress was very friendly and helpful, but not very attentive nor was she rapid. My wife waited a long time before getting a coffee refill. If you are cool hanging out and taking time, this should not be a problem, but as kids are ticking time bombs when eating out, you need to eat and get out in a reasonable amount of time. This was a not a reasonable amount of time. Perhaps they were slammed or someone called in sick, but that killed it for us. If you want to experience the great quality food, don't try it on the weekend.
(2)
Jesha M.

Pretty darned good. Efficient service, friendly, cute. I'd come here again.
(4)
Brian H.

My very favorite breakfast place in Portland! Which is saying a lot. I could eat here several times a week. The menu is fantastic for vegetarians and they offer great local seasonal specials. I still have daydreams about their cornmeal pancakes with apricot compote. The mushroom hash is always a pleaser. The staff is ALWAYS super friendly.
(5)
Mr. S.

Helser's is far and away my favorite spot for breakfast. I can't remember who recommended them to me, but as soon as I do I'll be thanking that person, repeatedly. Rare is the place that my whole family is in agreement on. My children love it in spite of their growling stomachs caused by the occaisional extended wait(s.) My pseudo-vegetarian wife loves the fact that they readily substitute bacon for ham on her Benedict. I love the fact that I torture myself trying to decide between Pigs in a Blanket, Cheddar Bacon Hash, or, my current crack, the sausage plate with two OM a Hot and a Brat. The wait can be long, for both a table and your food, but once you dig in, moot. Like Amanda L. says, "tasty, hot and thankfully not overloaded with grease." To which I add, "but, nestled in the perfect amount of grease." They like to keep your coffee hot and topped up and they've got a strong Bloody Mary to boot. A word of caution: Their Pigs in a Blanket is MASSIVE, but I've managed to finish it the two times I've ordered it (with 2 OM o/s no less) but it does draw the eyes of the tables around you so, if you're shy, go with slighter fare. A Scotch Egg or two maybe?
(4)
Gibbs G.

Helser's is maybe not the most exciting food, but it is certainly delicious (and the wait is probably 45 minutes less at Helser's than at Tin Shed). I had the oh-so-boring two eggs with hash and veggie sausage, and my friend had an eggs Benedict with salmon instead of bacon (also, it came with chevre, which is 100% delicious). The cocktails were also pretty tasty (Coffee Nudge and Cinnamon Toast). The service was good and fast, but that might perhaps be due to the fact that when we got there, half the tables were empty. I imagine that things got a little more hectic for the staff by the time we left, when the entire restaurant was crammed full of people and there were a half-dozen waiting for tables. Good food, good service, good hot cocktails. What's not to like?
(4)
Mike D.

Back for breakfast this morning. It's been a while. My wife and I ate here some months ago, looked at each other and said, "so what's so good about Helser's?" Felt kinda blah. So after seeing them on an OPB Breakfast Special last night, I thought I'd give them another try. I was there early, so not much of a wait. But as the morning went on, there was a line and people waiting outside. They must have seen the breakfast special too! From 7 to 9am they have a special menu that's very inexpensive. Some basic choices and other interesting options. I tried the polenta and eggs with a red sauce. It was savory and good. The polenta was fried with black beans added. Not bad. I'm more of a creamy polenta guy, but it was a nice change of pace. I also tried a crumpet, it's like an english muffin, light and I think it had a thin layer of cheese on the top. It really perked up when I added a little salt! When I asked for some jam or jelly, my waitress brought me a bowl with various Smucker's flavors. Hmm :-\ They do have some interesting choices on the menu. I've tried the Scotch Eggs and Potato Pancakes (greasy, but good), Pear and Havarti Pie (a little rich for me), Eggs and Louisiana sausage (fiery but good), Pancakes (sometimes good, other times rubbery) and French Toast (nothing to write home about). The service was okay, better when there were less people. The coffee is okay. A little chilly inside, but when the place filled up, it started to warm up. It's a very clean place with big windows. Definitely worth a try.
(4)
Michael M.

If you're in need to carbo-load before a long run or bike ride, Helser's hash is perfect. The portion is enormous. I think they use 6 potatoes per serving! Unfortunately, all that potato makes it hard to bring out any distinct or yummy flavors. I was left feeling full, but underwhelmed. Also, I would pass on the Scotch Egg, unless you need senseless calories.
(3)
Michael K.

two visits...both outstanding! try any of the 'hash' dishes: salmon, mushroom, bacon n cheddar (my fav) scotch eggs rock! had to pull a star 'cause the wait can be kinda long after ordering
(4)
Jim T.

A short walk from our house, we frequent Helser's on weekday mornings and for informal business lunches. It was the first (but not last) place I saw Scotch Eggs (an obsession from childhood) on a Portland menu. Their egg dishes are great and their Curry Tuna sandwich with house cut (and friend) potato chips are spectacular. It can get busy Fridays through Sunday so try mid week. Too bad they don't offer dinner.
(4)
Monica S.

OHH MYY GODD it takes foreverrrrr to get a table here. But, the food is good and reasonably priced and hellooo, if you are into food and into Yelping, you are probably going to go there anyway and try the Scotch egg because its a Scotch egg and you want to say you've eaten that right?! Ehem. Just saying. And, it's good! Well fried, no greasy oil taste or anything. It just takes forever to get a table here cause there are so many freakin' people and it's a small-ish place. Plus, there is no where to wait inside so you have to stand outside which isn't fun if it's cold. If you're going to go, plan ahead and don't go starving and go to Fuel Cafe (west of it) and get coffee and walk around the cute shops (walk east on Alberta for this). Last thought: this is not the best - sit and linger, long conversation, or romantic morning-after gaze into your lovers eyes - type of breakfast place. Besides the waiting, the atmosphere also doesn't support that. It's not ugly by any means, but the aesthetics are more retro-watering hole-cafe - ish. Simple. P.S. Crumpets.
(4)
Henry H.

Always lookin' for a great breakfast spot... this is one of them. Mmmm! Helser's reminds me of a big city, small space kind of joint: tight, loud and diverse with classic and just-outside-the-box grubs. The wait never seems to hinder my experience; never over 10-15 minutes on a popular breakfast morning (if not less, maybe I've been lucky). Service is good... a little sparse and less than warm, but I understand how it can get... nose down, do the job. I get it, but I still had to wait a bit for my first cup of coffee. Adventures taken here: Classic eggs bene: Mmmm ham. I've never met a crumpet I loved, but I've liked them all. Poachies were just about perfect. Holly-jizz was nummy, thanks for not smothering the stack in paprika - smoke flavored red dirt should have no home on breakfast, period. The potatoes were a trip: Yukon G's sort of mashed, sort of flattop fried. All tasty, all good. Scotch eggs/Potcakes: I had a bad experience with these elsewhere, so I was hesitant. This isn't my favorite dish on a global breakfast slide-rule, but I think the truth of the dish is pushed to the surface at Helser's. I enjoyed it... them. Pear & Havarti Pie: Wow. Sweet & savory. Not my usual grab, but I went for it and was pleased. Someday soon I'll check out the lunch fare, but for now Helser's owns a spot on my breakfast map when I'm feelin' Alberta.
(4)
Darcie S.

Yummy!!! Great breakfast. Yummy breakfast/ brunch cocktails with fresh juice. Big portions, my partner had thick Belgian waffles, I had eggs, hash browns, fresh fruit. Good coffee, service is good. Def a neighborhood favorite and trendy hip breakfast place. A must try!
(4)
Shelly T.

Food was good, but beware, portion sized are huge! We went there before leaving on a flight, and I could only finish one slice of my French toast! Waitress was nice enough, although we'd had better at other places in the area.
(3)
jaine p.

What can be said about Helser's that has not already been said? The food and service is wonderful, I go out of my way to eat here. However, beware the french toast- it is freakishly thick.
(4)

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Address : 1538 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR, 97211
Phone (503) 281-1477
Website https://www.helsersonalberta.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :7:00 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Helser’s on Alberta

1538 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR, 97211

Helser’s on Alberta Menu

Griddle

Eggs

Sides

Healthy Meal suggestions for Helser’s on Alberta

Griddle

Eggs

Sides

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