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Name: The Original
Address: 300 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97204
Telephone: (503) 546-2666
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.68

The Original

300 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97204

(503) 546-2666
Store is closed

The Original Menu

Soup N Salad

Cup or Bowl of Soup

Cup or Bowl of Chili

Greek Salad

Cobb Salad

Caesar Salad

Oregon Salad

Green Goddess

Cup or Bowl of Soup

Cup or Bowl of Chili

Greek Salad

Cobb Salad

Caesar Salad

Oregon Salad

Green Goddess
Entrees - N- Burgers

Farmer's Pasta

Fish N Chips

Breakfast Burrito

Hamburger

Turkey Burger

Housemade Chickpea & Quinoa Burger

Deluxe Burger

Farmer's Pasta

Fish N Chips

Breakfast Burrito

Hamburger

Turkey Burger

Housemade Chickpea & Quinoa Burger

Deluxe Burger
Sandwiches

Grilled Cheese

B.L.A.T.

Pulled BBQ Chicken

Reuben

Grilled Chicken Cobb Sandwich

Tuna Salad Sandwich

Spiced Squash Panini

Banh Mi

Grilled Cheese

B.L.A.T.

Pulled BBQ Chicken

Reuben

Grilled Chicken Cobb Sandwich

Tuna Salad Sandwich

Spiced Squash Panini

Banh Mi
Quick Combo

1/2 Salad

1/2 Sandwich

Bowl of Soup w/ Biscuit

1/2 Salad

1/2 Sandwich

Bowl of Soup w/ Biscuit
Daily Dog

Daily Dog

Daily Dog
Fries

Chili Cheese Fries

Poutine

Trainwreck

Basket of Fries

Chili Cheese Fries

Poutine

Trainwreck

Basket of Fries
Milkshakes

Chocolate Malted

Cookies & Cream

Vanilla

Berry

Chocolate Peanut Putter

Bourbon Maple Bacon

Chocolate Malted

Cookies & Cream

Vanilla

Berry

Chocolate Peanut Putter

Bourbon Maple Bacon
Floats

Coke

Diet Coke

Cherry Coke

Mr. Pibb

Coke

Diet Coke

Cherry Coke

Mr. Pibb
Housemade Soda

Ginger Mint

Five Flower

Honeydew

Sour Cherry

Cream Soda

Grape

Ginger Mint

Five Flower

Honeydew

Sour Cherry

Cream Soda

Grape
And All The Rest

Lemonade

Iced Tea

Stumptown Coffee

Stumptown Coffee

Lemonade

Iced Tea

Stumptown Coffee

Stumptown Coffee
Soft Drinks

Mexican Coke

Sodas

Mexican Coke

Sodas

Healthy Meal suggestions for The Original

Soup N Salad

Cup or Bowl of Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cup or Bowl of Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

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

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

Cup or Bowl of Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cup or Bowl of Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

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

Green Goddess [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees - N- Burgers

Farmer's Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

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

Housemade Chickpea & Quinoa Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Farmer's Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

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

Housemade Chickpea & Quinoa Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Deluxe Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

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

B.L.A.T. [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pulled BBQ Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Grilled Chicken Cobb Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Salad Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spiced Squash Panini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

B.L.A.T. [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pulled BBQ Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Grilled Chicken Cobb Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Salad Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spiced Squash Panini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Mi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Quick Combo

1/2 Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

1/2 Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bowl of Soup w/ Biscuit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

1/2 Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

1/2 Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bowl of Soup w/ Biscuit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Daily Dog

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

Daily Dog [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fries

Chili Cheese Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Basket of Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chili Cheese Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Basket of Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Milkshakes

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

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

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

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

Chocolate Peanut Putter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

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

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

Chocolate Peanut Putter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

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

Mr. Pibb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

Mr. Pibb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Housemade Soda

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grape [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
And All The Rest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stumptown Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soft Drinks

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

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

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

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

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Write An Anonymous Review

Grace M.

First of all, the decor and atmosphere is weird. I felt like I was in an airport (you'd know what I mean if you went there). Lighting was way too bright. Waitress was slightly inattentive (She forgot my Mimosa!) but understanding when we brought up issues with the food. Most importantly, the food was so-so. POUTINE: Warning: this is NOT anywhere near traditional Poutine. The cheese curds were melted into a solid pancake of lukewarm cheddar cheese. The majority of the cheese wasn't even on top of the fries, just off to the side. I couldn't eat more than one bite, and asked the waitress to send it back. The manager came out and curtly told us that "This is how it always is served here". He asked if I'd like something else, and I got a small bowl of chili that was just okay. TUNA MELT: Great! One of the best I've ever had. SIDE OF CLAM CHOWDER: Extremely small, but not great. DONUT BURGER SLIDERS: Would've been nice to know that the donuts are glazed and sugary, which neither the menu or the waitress (after we asked) clarified. Only one out of the two restrooms was in service, and it was out of toilet paper and very messy (garbage can overflowing, toilet unclean). I will not be going back here or recommending this restaurant to anyone. WAY too pricy for a below average experience.
(2)
Vanessa H.

Upscale diner with a good bar area. They must be raking it in. Lunches and drinks were both good, fresh, etc. Nice spot for a nightcap.
(4)
J W.

Last meal in Portland, we've power-walked to The Original in the rain! The restaurant looked absolutely gorgeous, loved the gigantic windows, so much light! Fresh squeeze grapefruit juice, PLUS! Waldorf Salad - mediocre and pricey Lobster Benedict with potatoes - small benedict, fresh and tasty, loads of potatoes, pricey! service - guy 1 at the door was really cool and friendly, really tried to make us feel welcomed. girl 1 forgot to bring the menu, wasn't sorry, girl 2 was cool but chatty with others even when we told her we were in a hurry .... Overall - MIXED feelings, but they do serve VooDoo Donuts ;)
(3)
Patrick S.

Breakfast here was just plain strange. It doesn't fit the portland breakfast mold, but they did try. My food was average. The potatoes were fresh... from a frozen bag labeled 'Sysco'. The coffee was Stumptown, hard to ruin that. The service was nice and efficient. The price was respectable for such an elegant, clean and very new feeling diner/restaurant smack dab in the middle of "Downtown". Maybe I'll try it for a different meal.
(3)
Paige H.

We needed seating for 10, on a Saturday night. We were already beyond hungry, having been at a conference all day. Thank you for the yelp ap, that led us to the perfect place. We were seated immediately, and had a very laid back and helpful waitress. 5 1/2 carafes later, we were very loud and putting away plate after plate of this fun, inspired diner food. The perfect venue for this group of friends from all across the country.
(4)
C. Y.

How often does the name of the restaurant, especially when it's particularly grand as The Original is in this case, live up to it's moniker? Not often in my experience but I'm happy to say The Original definitely does. It's one thing to offer unique items on your menu. More important, they should taste good, and here one taste should prove that the food isn't being made solely for the sake of being different but to taste good. Just taste the Voodoo Donut Burger and you'll believe as if it were speaking the sermons of David Koresh. I complain quite routinely about service up where I live in Seattle but if The Original is indicative of all of Portland, Seattle businesses could learn a lot from our neighbors to the south. Our server was not only a knockout, but every bit as nice and friendly as she was pretty. Plus the whole restaurant was sparklingly clean and nicely decorated. Go try the Voodoo Donut Burger before it becomes scarce. I've heard Texas and several other more rotund southern states are petitioning that the VDB become an official form of currency!
(5)
Augustina M.

This is a place to go when you're in the mood for different, but not too different. The atmosphere is a little too clean and bright for my personal taste, but it is a great place to have an initial business meeting or go for lunch on a Saturday. The food is good, but it did take a while for it to come to the table. Likewise our waitress was a bit slow as well. But we are in Portland, and it is to be expected. All in all, I would go back, but it wouldn't be my first choice for dinner.
(3)
Kim Y.

another yelp rec. i thought this place was pretty cool. it was walking distance from our hotel. it's like a modernized oldskool diner if that makes any sense. imagine an oldskool diner furnished by ikea. it was very spacious. i think it had a second level, big glass windows that looked out. even though i wasn't fully satisfied w/ my lunch choice, i would totally come back just to try something else. our waitress was very patient. we or i took a long time deciding on what to get. everything sounded deelish on the menu like the mac n cheese, grilled cheese sammy w/ tomato soup, lobster eggs benedict, blueberry pancakes, etc...i ended up choosing the duck and waffles w/ chard. the waffle was soft in the middle and lightly toasty on the outside. it was really tasty w/ the maple syrup. the duck leg on the other hand was tough/dry and way over seasoned. some bites were very salty. the chard also made my waffle soggy. =( my friend's fish and chips were very good though!
(3)
Makenna C.

Since hearing about their claim to fame (the voo-doo burger, obviously), I really wanted to check this place out. Being a strict pescatarian I obviously couldn't go for the signature dish, but I figured with something that interesting, they must have more to offer. The interiors are interesting, sort of a strange mix of old-timey diner, early 70s studio and contemporary. Loved the staircase. And with $1 PBR pints and no happy hour food item over $5 that is an automatic star for me. I ordered a veggie burger, which it seems they made in-house. It LOOKED amazing and huge, but upon biting into it it was a sort of soft mix of diced veggies (to be expected) in a mix of lots of gooey , not so flavorful mayonnaise (or something like that) which was shaped into a patty and deep fried. It was just bland and fell apart out the sides of the bun immediately. I only ate half (and I can definitely eat!). My friends' meat items looked a lot more tasty, but no one was really raving after their meal. Basically, if you're looking for a great culinary experience, go somewhere else, but if you want a simple happy hour that you can get into with ease and won't break the bank, this place is a go. I suppose with so many great happy hours in our fair city, I was just expecting a little more.
(2)
Meredith L.

This place is convenient to work, but I've been disappointed every time I go. Overpriced for food that isn't special or very tasty, and slow service. There's not much reason to go here with so many other tastier choices in town.
(1)
Lola C.

Meh. We really wanted to love this place. We went for breakfast. Started out great with 2 steaming cups of Stumptown. That was the highlight. I ordered an omelette with goat cheese and "wild mushrooms" and husband ordered the chilquiles. His was basically a plate of nachos with eggs and cheese. Mine was a pretty standard, dry omelette with some dry goat cheese and sauteed creaminess. Boring. I did like the fact that I could get a side salad instead of home fries, and it was a nice salad with mixed greens and a good olive oil vinaigrette. The service is no good. Our waitress took our order and we didn't see her again until we were both almost done with our meals. I had to ask for more coffee. Overall: Meh. The interior is beautiful, service needs serious work, and the food...maybe if we ordered something more fattening it would have been better.
(2)
Mike H.

Decided to try this new spot on a Friday night. Much different than any other place that I have been in Portland, very much a San Francisco feel. The downstairs looks and feels like a casual diner from the 50's. The upstairs on the other hand is a complete and different story. I would compare it to the new trend coming through Portland, the spaceship/ultra modern movement. Recently after visiting Departure, the upstairs of the Original has the same feel, which is a stark contrast from the casual downstairs. The food: It was good, but not great. The price points for most things on the menu ranged from $7 (burgers) to $15 chicken pot pie. I had the voodoo donut burger which was good but ultimately just tasted like a regular burger. Overall: I think this place deserves four stars basically for the unique atmosphere and interesting menu. Aside from that the food wasn't anything to write home about, except for having an interesting conversation starter, "guess what I just had for dinner, a burger on a donut".
(4)
Trieste L.

I was shocked by how awesome the veggie burger is here. It's about an inch thick and packed full of flavor. The only reasons I'm not giving this place 5 stars is that I haven't had a chance to check out the rest of the menu. Bonus points for no questions (and only a slight snicker) when I ordered bacon on my veggie burger. ;) Service was fast and efficient, portions were good, the water was kept full, and the staff was very friendly.
(4)
Stella C.

ordered cod, code is good. i think it is okay but the bacon and green beans are over fired.
(3)
Melisa V.

third time here was not the charm. went back at 12:45 on Saturday to grab lunch. upon arrival we were told we had to wait until they changed the kitchen over for lunch at 1:00. during that time, our server just forgot about us. when we finally ordered (an open-face turkey sandwich and grilled fish sandwich) it felt very thrown together. in all honesty, the best thing we had were the fries (and that's because I like them super crispy almost to be point of being burned). the white bean soup I had with my sandwich just had an odd taste. needless to say, they could have been having an off day but after enjoying happy hour so much the week before, I was VERY disappointed.
(2)
Emily H.

This was a good brunch location. The bloody marys were strong and tall while the meal selection was varied. There were some real unique items on the menu - I ordered the wild mushroom and chreve cheese omelet and it was delicious! I was especially intrigued by the selection of pancakes they had...fruit loops! This was the only place at 9:30/10 AM on a Saturday that could immediately seat a party of 6. It was definitely worth walking around for about 30 minutes to find The Original for breakfast!
(3)
Shane S.

Ok, this place is beautiful! Walk around and check it all out, truly amazing. The food is funky and pretty amusing. The menu was fun to browse, and the food is all over the place. And remember, the happy hour is CHEAP and really big portions. I'll be back, I can't wait to eat my way through their menu. Good job!
(4)
CaLiLu H.

I met up with and old friend for happy hour last Friday and was surprised that we were able to be seated promptly with no wait time. It took me a little off guard because I am used to having to wait for HH on Fridays, but who was I to complain? We decided to share a few dishes and ordered the Voodoo Doughnut burger, chicken fritters, mini vanilla milkshake and fries, and short rib perogies. It was love at first bite for the sweet, savory, and just plain delicious burger. Who knew such a weird flavor combination could taste so good? The chicken fritters were also very tasty. I really liked the smoky flavor which called to mind the flavor of bacon and the bright orange sauce it came with was really good. Now, when it came to the mini milkshake and fries, the fries were perfectly crisp and seasoned, but the milkshake was well, vanilla...and it was basically 1/3 shake:2/3 whipped cream. The short rib perogies were beautifully plated, but sadly the taste was pretty bland and didn't live up to our expectations. On to the drinks! My friend ordered the Gin Blossom and I had the Dew Drop. Both were made well and we would come back for drinks. The ambiance of the Original is what really stands out. It's the kind of place where you just feel 10 degrees cooler by being there! However, the service is a little hit or miss. Our server never came around to inform us of last call for happy hour although we were still in the mood to munch (and lost track of all time due to our chatting). After a few unsuccessful attempts to wave her down, we were able to order a couple more app's from the dinner menu to try: the SOS (mushrooms on a thick brioche topped with a poached egg) and the chicken liver pate. However, we were informed that they had already run out of the chicken liver pate (by 6:20pm??) and just had the SOS instead. This dish was well presented but lacked flavor and the egg was a little too raw for my taste. I ended up having to put more salt and pepper to give this dish a boost. However, the bussers were great at clearing our tables of plates efficiently. All in all, I was a bit disappointed in my visit because I just expected better executed dishes, so I am willing to give it 3.5 stars and being the optimist that I am, I'll round up! :) I will probably be back with my husband and try out other things.
(4)
T L.

Lets start by saying I will never return here, Soley based on the fact that our service was horrible. Hung over and tired we wanted something fast and delicious, But this place offered neither of those. I ordered a mushroom and goat cheese omelette with hash browns and English muffin. The omelette was cold and disgusting which I only took two bites of, and my English muffin was burnt beyond edibility. But did my waiter noticed this and ask if everything was okay? Not at all, he cleared my plate without saying a word. My boyfriend on the other hand got crabcakes benedict, Which was okay. It took us 20 minutes to even get a glass of water another 10 to get our drinks we ordered and about 30 to get our food because the waiter put the wrong order in. He accidentally brought crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e French toast to the table which I now wish I would've eaten instead of the omelette! Overall it was very overpriced not that great and the service was absolutely awful. The Decor is cool and comfortable but that is about all they have going for them.
(1)
Sherra S.

Excellent food & service. The pancakes are HUGE. The potatoes & bacon are excellent too.
(5)
Joe K.

I really liked the idea of bringing the vintage food and style to the modern era. I really wanted to get something worth the visit. I didn't really know what was good there, but I did see something that caught my eye. It was the turkey open faced sandwich. My friends all got something different. One of my buddies got the buffalo hot dog. The one thing that my friend did not expect was that the buffalo meant the sauce on it, not the meat contained within the dog. Maybe that's his fault, maybe it's the restaurants.. but whatever, this isn't his review. hah Anyways, I did have bite of his buffalo hot dog, and it was not very good. The portion was huge, and the hot dog was drenched in buffalo sauce so you could barely make out any taste of the meat. I had the turkey open faced sandwich, and it was good. It felt like it was thanksgiving all over again with the fixings it came with. What a great way to start the mid-day with a sandwich that is going to put you to sleep. (that was my fault for not planning ahead. lol) Anyways, the decor is nice, and looks like it could be a bangin' place to visit at night. The service was friendly, they let us stay as long as we needed even though they had closed between lunch and dinner service. This place is part of the whole Departure/Urban Farmer/The Original trinity of restaurants, so it's only fitting that they get almost all the same rating from me. They have a lot of style, but maybe lacks some substance to make people coming back for more. Maybe I'll go back and try something else or visit during a different time. Sometimes the time of day makes all the difference.
(3)
Atha M.

Below average diner food here. Ordered the Cuban ($9.95) and was severely disappointed. The side soup that came with it (pumpkin something) was straight bad too - basically a lightly salted broth. Poutine is relatively decent, if you're drunk - speaking of which, I don't think I'll be going back unless I am.
(2)
Sherri A.

The old style diner reinvented - loved it!
(5)
Rob P.

$4 Voodoo Doughnut Burger (with fries) at happy hour!
(5)
Renee O.

This place is awesome. The inside is cool and trendy, menu is creative, and of course the food is de-lishh. The waiter was rad, even gave us a free refill on the homemade soda, which BTW is very tasty. Don't usually like American food, but this place is a winner.
(5)
Martha C.

Probably the worst meal I have ever had. I don't think they taste the food which was sorely lacking any flavor. My blue plate special was two deep fried pounded chicken breasts stuffed with ham and nasty cheese and made into a sandwich. It didn't really match the menu description and two or these people could eat from it. The soup was cold and also needed salt! Service was good and prices were okay. It's just bad greasy food.
(2)
Isa D.

I'd say 3.5 stars if I could. Yes, A-Ok & Yay! I'm a fan. I really want to like this place. In fact, I REALLY wanna give them 5 stars one day. The space is huge (for a downtown meeting place), it's on the bus line (not so great for parking, but when you meet a group for HH, what do you expect. It's downtown; get used to it), it has decent food (better than just typical bar food), and the drinks are great! I've been here only twice so far. The first time was fine. I say 'fine' because it wasn't a bad experience. It left a taste in my mouth wanting to come back to experience more. So, that's a good thing. I had a drink with a friend, it was good, the customer service was pretty good, so therefore I thought I'd give it a try again. The next time I went I met a group of people instead of going to the next level... you know what I'm talking about: first you meet for drinks, then you meet for dinner (or a full meal of your choosing), and THEN after you've had a few meals you might move on to the next level by meeting with a group of your close friends. Well, I seemed to have forgotten about restaurant foreplay cuz I just went straight to the next level. The upstairs lounge was closed off for service (and we were warned of this in the beginning of our arrival). No service available upstairs... yeah, we get it. We took a chance. Well, the restaurant/bar was very busy the night we all met up. Of course how are we supposed to know what is busy for them on a Friday night? There was space enough for us downstairs but figured it wouldn't be any big deal to just pop down to the bar to get our own food and drinks. Well, as everyone in our group is taking care of themselves by going to the bar (as directed) my friends were told to go to the END of the bar (by someone who worked there) to place our orders. Ok, so... we did. We all (in small groups of four or less) went to the end of the bar to make our orders. Needless to say the place we were told to go was also the pickup station for staff. Great. So here we are, trying to make our orders, and staff is telling (not asking) us to get out of the way. Super. That sucked. That... really sucked actually... that was really rude. Did we complain? No. We just went about our business. Word got back to the shift manager and he personally came up stairs to apologize to us for their behavior. I really felt like he was very sincere. I explained to him that next time we wanted to go there we would call ahead. It's just that we didn't know so many people were gonna show up. But the fact that he came up and tried to save potential business is why I want to go back. The Original. Expensive but good food, nice staff (when they aren't TOOOO busy), not so nice when they are too busy. I would love to give them the benefit of the doubt by going back, because I'm pretty darned certain it's going to be a great experience. I haven't been there since last summer. I hope to go again soon. I'm certain I'll give a better review next time. Until then I'm keeping my fingers crossed. missisa
(3)
Jav V.

I read about this place a few times and walked by a few times and thought it looked really neat, so I had pretty high hopes. I was really excited about the menu. I ended up getting the BBQ brisket with mac and cheese and a salad. The brisket was good. I'd say 3.5/5. The mac and cheese was pretty good but a bit too salty. The salad was simple but tasty. We tried the bark soda and it was nasty. Breakfast is fun mainly because they have poutine with eggs. So good.
(3)
Keith D.

Please, stop.
(1)
Ben K.

Decided to try this place after seeing the menu and being intrigued by the voodoo doughnut burger. Wasn't feeling it, opted for the fish burger instead. It mentioned that it's 'whatever's fresh,' so it came with Salmon. It was pretty delicious, very tender and flavorful. The fries had mucho salt on them, but were good anyway. Tried one of their ginger root homemade sodas. I've had ginger root before, but this one had a lighter flavor, but was still very flavorful. I liked it a lot. Had to run out before desert, which is a drag because it looked good. Maybe I'm a cheap date, but it seemed very very inexpensive for where we were and everything. Though we only ordered sandwiches and not their $20 Mac and Cheese.
(4)
Devon D.

I recommend doing it old-school; post up at the vintage-style bar for happy hour, order an "adults-only punch" to sip on, and munch on juicy BBQ sliders. Take note: best poutine fries in town--that's right, I'll take these cheese curds slathered in gravy over Potato Champion's any day. Pints are affordable, and snacks are tasty, though I think there's a reason one doesn't see lamb ribs very often--heafty mouthfuls of fat connected to dry (though nicely gamey) meat. Dip that in a bland creamy sauce, and you won't be trusting any further bar tender suggestions.
(4)
Caroline R.

I came here for a snack and settled on a chocolate milkshake. I have to admit, it was very rich and delicious! Much richer flavor than I'm used to, but very good. I split it with my boyfriend, and he ended up finding a piece of plastic in his portion. At first he thought it was a big chocolate flake, but he couldn't bite into it and he pulled it out of his mouth and said, "What's this?!" Perhaps it came off a blender or something, I'm not sure. So to make a good thing even better, we got a brand new milkshake, sans plastic, and weren't charged. I was glad to see this restaurant treat the situation professionally. I found out later from our waiter that they had just recently been voted "Best Milkshake" in Portland in a local publication. I wouldn't know, but I did enjoy the shake -- accidents happen. Other than that, cool funky place, pretty good service and the food looked good even though we didn't get any. I wish they stayed open late.
(3)
Corey C.

When I first walked in to "The Original", I was greeted with a warm smile. My friends weren't here, yet, so I decided to sit in one of their comfy chairs in the waiting area. The atmosphere soon grabbed my attention with lounge music and the unique fliers posted against the wall. For lunch, I had a tuna melt, which was bomb-diggity. Customer service was great and loved the restaurant. I like the fact that the place is well lit (near the windows) and perfect place to have lunch, dinner, or even breakfast!
(5)
Roxie G.

Greay food! Great staff! A bit pricey, but thats the way of today I guess?
(3)
Tom C.

Cool looking restaurant and bar. Seems popular for late night breakfast and drinks. However the food is so-so. Got blueberry pancakes that weren't bad, but the eggs were underdone, runny, and had too much salt and butter. Wouldn't mind grabbing a drink at the bar though - its probably better for that. The staff was very nice though.
(3)
Jes R.

Fun food. Creative. Affordable. What's not to love? Our first visit presented us with a cold breakfast. The waitress made it right very quickly. We found ourselves a GREAT chicken fried steak place! We went back for lunch a few days later, everything was perfect. YUMM! The fries were crisp and hot and the Rueben rivaled Kenny & Zuke's for flavor with out the drippiness. We'll definitely go back to try more of their unusual fare.
(4)
Dave B.

Amazing chile verde. Also the fruit loop pancakes are not just for kids!!! we will go back again!
(5)
Genevieve B.

I heard a lot about this place, so I elected to come here with my parents on my birthday for lunch. We arrived at 11:30 ish and it wasn't busy. We were sort of greeted, albeit not friendly or warmly and were notified that we were not allowed to order off the lunch menu as it was still breakfast. I didn't want breakfast but we perused the menu anyway. Then the server, a tall lanky guy with dark hair (they probably all look like that though) came back and told us extremely firmly, almost in a scolding matter that we could order off the burger menu and NOTHING else! We were a little freaked out by that. I got the lobster benedict, my mom got the chilaquiles, and my dad got the mac and cheese pancake. After we ordered I kid you not, he sat a table of 4 right next to us and gave them lunch menus. What the heck? My poached eggs were still clear, which really grossed me out, but the rest of the benedict was ok. The chilaquiles were meh, and the mac and cheese pancake was one of those menu novelties that's not actually good. The service was super slow, and they didn't even bother to actually walk around to our table, electing instead of serve us and talk to us over this partition wall. It was just all really weird. Sort of one of those places that only dain to serve you instead of being happy for your service.
(2)
Ryan K.

I stumbled upon this restaurant after hearing somewhere that it was the "original" restaurant in downtown Portland. I didn't expect much when i sat down at their odd-looking tables. I was admittedly surprised at how excellent and friendly the service was. The menu is filled with classics as well as very creative-sounding sandwiches, salads, entrees, and cocktails. After eating, this has become one of my favorite places ever, especially since I am not in town but a few times a year. I look forward to coming back to this place and you should definitely give it a try!
(5)
Charlie C.

I have to say, I was somewhat disappointed by the food here. The breakfast here is okay, nothing too special. You can get much tastier food out in the food carts across the street. I was especially disappointed in the dinner. I ordered something kobe beef, and part of it had tendons, and the beef wasn't very soft. The reduction was also too sweet to be used with beef.
(3)
Christy D.

I had heard good things from a friend who adores diner food, so I was excited to try The Original. It was a friend's birthday, and they had no problem setting up for our party of 14. I will give the service 5 stars - the host was super friendly, and our waiter did a stellar job serving our large party. The food and drinks came out in a timely manner. I started with their homemade root beer with vodka. It was very odd.....not sweet, kind of odd taste. Intriguing. But it was giant and had a good amount amount of vodka, so wheeee! I had the lamb balls and the poutine off the happy hour menu. The lamb was.....lamby. And poutine, dear god - the gravy was good and the cheese was good, but please share this heart attack on a plate with five others - you won't get very far by your self. Sampled the 72-hour Beef Brisket - everyone who ordered it loved it, but I'm not a big fan of chipotle, so I wasn't a fan. The atmosphere was pleasant and we had an excellent view of crazy people making their way to the Insane Clown Posse show at the Roseland. All in all, it was a fine experience. I wasn't doing cheetah flips over the food, but it may be worth a return visit to try some other dishes.
(3)
Erin B.

Portland needs more diners. Even if they are slightly chic, mostly hipster style diners, I'll take them. Especially those that offer such oddly delicious combos as voodoo doughnut burgers (yes, I know...everyone is talking about them but they really are surprisingly good!) So whether you're down with the decor or not, or find the service either charming or snooty, the food really is comfort food of the old school variety. With a young Portland twist of course.
(4)
Nicole S.

The Original was just okay. I wasn't too impressed with the place but I wasn't disappointed either. I went here for Happy Hour (HH) with a few girlfriends this past weekend. I think the overall consensus was that the food was good but it was overpriced for what it was. I will try this place again before I make my mind up.
(3)
Jessica L.

The 1st time I came here it was so good I was craving to go back for months afterward. I must have built it up so much in my head that when I finally did go back, it was a huge disappointment. I ordered the granola and it took over 15 minutes to arrive at my table and was lack luster. My partner's order had the same "we could have made this at home" appeal. We left feeling like it was such a waste of time and money for so-so food.
(2)
Michael J.

The fifth star is for the attention to detail and flavor, e.g., in the beef jerky that was technically a garnish to my bloody mary but really should be offered as a side to all their dishes. I wish I had some now!
(5)
Alexis T.

Been wanting to eat here for awhile now. Clean, modern decor which I like. Had lunch and everyone's food was good. Large portions and tasty options. Waitstaff was friendly. Would like to go for breakfast sometime soon!
(5)
bruce d.

wonderful steak and eggs, couldn't ask for better.
(5)
Steve F.

Quite possibly my favorite breakfast ever, and that's comparing against venues like Sunday brunch at the Willard in D.C. We went here because I'd looked at the menu and got a good vibe. Mac and cheese with lobster? Pork belly? Poutine? A burger made using a glazed doughnut as the bun? Who can argue with that? When I got there at lunch last Sunday, I noticed chicken fried steak on the menu. Along with corned beef hash, this is one of the dishes I use to judge a restaurant's breakfast and lunch. Normally, chicken fried steak is a thin slab of ground beef or liberally punctured cube steak, breaded and fried and served with gravy. When I ordered this at The Original, that's what I expected. NO! This chicken fried steak is a real, inch-thick steak, with a seriously crunchy (good-crunchy, not bad-crunchy) breading that totally adheres to it. Under a pool of country gravy and served with a Mexican Coke. This meal alone is enough to get me to go back to Portland.
(5)
Shannon M.

Fabulous quinoa burger. AMAZING!!! The green goddess salad rocks!! My waitress was super nice and attentive. They have salted caramel and bacon ice cream. Really cool atmosphere. I love it there.
(4)
Sandra S.

I loved this place so much I'm writing my first yelp review! I recently moved to Portland and as a suggestion from a friend, checked this place out. It was Halloween night and they weren't too busy, but the staff was still in a great mood, which I really appreciated. Working on a holiday can't be too fun. We took a seat at the bar, which I loved the cool feel and vibe of the decor and ambiance. The bartender suggested their Halloween cocktail specials, which all sounded wonderful. I tried the pumpkin spiced martini, it was to DIE for. It's rare that you get a pumpkin drink that really tastes like pumpkin. I don't know if this is a seasonal winter drink, but check it out...delish. We had some wonderful apps, BLT deviled eggs...purple and great, hot wings, calamari, oysters, everything at this point had been amazing. And, it only got better a few lollipop punches later and we had also enjoyed a beautiful meatloaf, only the best burger ever ( blue cheese, gruyere, fried onions)...man I'm getting hungry. The even had a beautiful pumpkin shaped cake in the desert case, cute. Anyways, I wanted to give The Original a great shout out, I was very impressed....stellar staff, wonderful cocktails and delicious food. We will be back, thanks.
(5)
Ricky O.

I had the deluxe burger, It was amazing! Loved the atmosphere, service and the homemade soda. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Erin J.

This place rocks for breakfast and happy hour. You can get a lot of food for $10 at breakfast, and the hot dogs and other happy hour food specials are awesome.
(5)
Matthew M.

mkay...so the homemade poptarts are gone, but I'm not weeping about it. My friend seemed to like them more than I did. I do however think the following food kicks butt: Their eggs rocked. Yes, scrambled eggs can be screwed up and they did them amazingly well. They were better than about 50% of the ones I do at home. The country friend steak is awesome. I've ordered it three times now and every time it's awesome. Real steak...not some ground-up, sissyfied excuse for beef. Real steak. Yum. The crust is awesome. The gravy is awesome. The Voodoo Burger...it's a hamburger on a doughnut. What's not to like? The only problem I've ever had was some slow (slow-a**) service. When I got someone's attention and told them that they needed to shape up, they shaped up. LOL The Eggs Benedict rock. Best hollandaise sauce I've had. Most people make it too tart and it hides the actual taste of the food you're eating. Not here. It was awesome. I don't really care about the decor but some might so I'll mention it. It's kind of The 50s meets The 60s in The 90s. Cool for what it is. I'm going back...I've been back...It's always good.
(4)
J M.

Hotel Resturant that wil surprise you. Get a Milk shake. Open real late. Food is excellent.
(4)
Itida K.

Terribly disappointed. IHOP has better value for food and better food. Everything ordered came to the table cold as ice (waffles,eggs,potatoes--EVERYTHING)
(1)
Keith K.

Limited menu but the eggs Benedict was excellent.
(3)
Esin K.

Good atmosphere, good interior design. It looked promising but did not deliver... I got a salad with godess dressing but it was more like dressing with salad!!! The pig in a blanket was ok. The fries were pretty good but you should get good fries at a diner- like place by default, right?! All in all, I would not go back any time soon...
(2)
Alison S.

oh my goodness, so yummy! wow! decent portion sizes and the breakfast burrito is fantastic!
(5)
Jan S.

It was late...I had several beer samplers....discovered the OTM Stout at the Tugboat...needed some food...thank goodness for the veggie burger at The Original! YUM!
(4)
Mardi C.

we went for a hike in downtown portland the day after christmas... we almost went to mothers, but it was packed, and well? looked a little stuffy for me. so onward we went. then we passed this place. the art drew me in. clowns, and kinda odd, then the atmosphere had that quirky portland vibe to it, so we went in after looking at the menu. I guess the idea is a diner, and a restaurant combined... chilequedos? yum. chicken friend steak? yum macaroni and cheese pancake? hmmm. interesting. waitstaff, pleasant, and seeing an ad for a draq queen new years party? LOL yeah, very portland. good prices, and lots of leftovers, made a homeless guys day. nice change of pace.
(4)
Ran B.

Uninspired food, took ages to get served. It's right under the hotel I'm staying in and I still won't go there a second time.
(1)
Brie S.

My husband and I met up with another couple for dinner last night. We showed up a bit early and so we went to the bar. They offered some intriguing handmade sodas and, being pregnant, I was thrilled. So I asked what was in these sodas. The bartender said "hmm... I really don't know." Long pause... so I ask, "can you please find out?" "Sure, he response." He comes back a couple minutes later and then says "it's soda and house-made syrup." I follow-up with "does it have corn syrup?" His response? "I have no idea." The hostess nearby says "I think it's made with simple syrup." Realizing I will get no additional information, I order a citrus lemongrass one. It was super sweet but pretty tasty. Halfway through the drink (after we were at a table) I discover a strange green blob in the bottom of the glass. I mention it to the waitress and she says "that's part of the syrup, it's a piece of mint leaf." I told her this was a "citrus lemongrass" soda. "oh... " After pausing for 5 seconds, she offers to get me another one but seemed really annoyed that I brought it up. Needles to say, this wasn't getting off to a good start. We ordered an appetizer of wings to start out with and it took 30 minutes for them to show up. The first floor was only about 50% full and the second floor was closed off. The wings were WONDERFUL when the showed up but 30 minutes for an appetizer? For dinner I ordered the meatloaf and it came with rapini and mashed potatoes. It arrived about 40 minutes after we ordered. The meal was good but SUPER SALTY - my friends all had a taste and agreed! The food was good... the service left something to be desired. Definitely not worth going back but glad I got to try it!
(2)
Emily S.

I simply don't understand what all the hype is about. I went on a Saturday afternoon for brunch. My party of five was given a dark table in the back, and we were offered the "midday menu" rather than the brunch menu. The Midday Menu is full of light lunch/heavy appetizer options, and was not what we wanted. Oddly, the table next to us got the brunch menu, but we were told that brunch was over when we asked about this option despite the fact that the other table was seated after us. The service was disappointing. Our waitress seemed to have forgotten about us, glasses of water went unfilled, the food took ages to hit the table, and when the food arrived items were missing. My meatloaf sliders were dry, and when I mentioned that to the waitress she said that the kitchen had forgotten the caramelized onions. I never got the onions, and she didn't offer to do anything to fix the sliders, and charged full price for them. At best, the rest of the food was acceptable. There was nothing amazing, and certainly nothing worth the prices they were charging. (Seriously - $6 for three deviled egg halves, sitting on a pile of undressed arugula. Simultaneously bland and dry. Blech.) The house-made soda was very, very good. Our total for 4 (plus a child) to eat came to over $90 after tax and tip, which is about twice what it should have cost given the service and the quality of the food. We had brunch at Mother's the next day, where our (outstanding) meal for the same group of people cost about 2/3 of what our meal at The Original cost. Next time I'm in Portland, I won't be back to The Original.
(2)
Tiv V.

the place reminded me of somewhere in new york, one of those low key places. we went for dinner and i was impressed that they had wagyu beef. i ordered the brisket, it came with 4 (yes, 4) onion rings, that was okay and crisp green salad (the dressing was vinigrette and super delish). it wasn't crispy, but the batter was tasty. the kids burger was basically a slider, the little one enjoyed it though. the brisket was soft and tender, i would have just eaten it without the sauce that covered it. kinda ketchupy...overall the place was cute and will do when you want some simple food, with quality ingredients. however, the drinks were fabulous. especially the hemingway...
(3)
Kevin M.

Had dinner here last night: started with deviled eggs (A+ and not what one expects - tastey but not over the top with mayo), Oregon Salad (yummy light dressing with lots of variety), papperdelle w/favas (base was a pepper butter - quite good), then too many desserts to recount (we all shared - the s'mores shake was sick!). Looking forward to checking this place out late night this weekend.
(5)
shanklin g.

I was first taken to this place against my will with a group of friends after a late night show. The host was friendly and the wait staff were in good moods. There is nothing worse than eating at a place where the wait staff act like you are an inconvenience to their night. I used to work in a restaurant and I've seen co-workers destroy the mood of a table first hand. However, this did not happen at the original. Their food isn't the best but the space is cool and large enough to fit a good number of friends for a late night "group think." They have a full bar but if you get there after 10 you will not be able to order one of their delicious alcohol filled shakes! If you're out late and you want some decent food in a clean atmosphere you should check this place out.
(4)
syrus f.

It was not a bad experience at all (compared to many bad reviews from other yelpers). Maybe we were lucky? We came here for breakfast/brunch on Sunday and were fortunate enough to have window seats. Our server was really nice and helpful. He gave us time to study the menu with no pressure. The service and food were not bad. My buddy ordered Egg Benedict while I ordered Tofu Scrambled. My buddy told me it was one of the better Egg Benedict he had. We also ordered the Bark Beer and Ginger Mint house made soda which was okay. But the only thing that our waiter forgot was my dressing. I wanted more dressing on my salad that came with the meal but my waiter forgot to bring it to me... But that was okay since I still managed to finish the whole plate anyway.
(4)
Laura D.

This place has become a weekly spot for date night with my boyfriend. The staff is always super friendly, and can recommend any of their fabulous dishes and cocktails if you can't decide. The deluxe burger-with an upgrade to poutine- is heaven in a bun. Their salads are generous and served in large glass bowls. The daily $6 punch is boozy and creative-but stay for their boozy shakes where they give you the mixing cup, its like second drink! Great place, great food, I've never been disappointed.
(5)
Jessica L.

Chad was the best! The jerky bloody mary's are awesome, the food was great and they were very accommodating for our party of 7.
(5)
Tyler D.

Hands down my favorite place to eat in Portland. Wait staff is always very friendly and the vibe is always right on. The food is amazing and the drinks rock.
(5)
Jen C.

So funny that while I lived in this hotel last summer and came to the Original at least 5 times a week, that I never reviewed it! I've been here for breakfast, lunch, drinks, dessert...you name it. And here I am again a year later and the place is packed at every hour of the day. People are catching on I guess because the food and drink here are amaze, everything fresh and local. Seriously, I've had almost everything on the menu. The quinoa-chickpea veggie burger is the best veggie burger I've ever had. The burger is really good too. As is the pasta of the day. And I think they are rotating their beers a bit more because this time around they had Double Mountain Kolsch and Rogue on tap where as last summer it was Stella, Full Sail...and some others. We were also stoked when we saw that Poutine was on the menu since we just had it in Montreal and loved it. Keep up the great work! Love this place.
(5)
Michael T.

Nice clean and colorful decor. The staff was very friendly. Good food at a great value. I had the salmon risotto with veggies for $12.99. Salmon had a very nice sear and was well seasoned. Will definitely be coming back the next time I'm in Portland.
(4)
andy m.

mmmmmmmmm... Duck and waffles!!! sooooo goood!!! duck leg is amazing, sitting with spinach on a waffle with smoked Applewood Bacon. oh portland how i love you. all the burgers here are delicious as well... the only one i haven't tried is the Voodoo doughnut Burger!!! its basically a cheeseburger but instead of a regular bun its sitting between a glazed doughnut... ohhhhhh mannn!!! i cant wait till next time im up in the Pacific North West!!!! ^_^
(4)
Uyen T.

Went here for happy hour today and I don't think I want to go back. I ordered the Punch because the way the waitress described it, made it sound yummy. The Punch was sweet and tasted like it was mixed with those frozen from concentrate fruit juices but with the added water. Needless to say, I didn't finish the Punch. My friend and I ordered the poutine, pigs in a blanket, and salmon soup. The fries in the poutine were kind of soggy, and there was hardly any cheese curds on it. You are better off going to Potato Champion for that. Pigs in a banket featured "Kobe" sausage. Too bad the "Kobe" sausage tasted like a Bar S sausage you can buy at Winco and wrap with a pilsbury dough wrap. I am thoroughly disappointed with the quality of the food. The happy hour menu items sounded unique and fun but it is only fun and unique when the food actually tastes good.
(2)
Richard T.

Meh. Great idea let down by the execution. By far the most insipid salad dressing I've ever had the mischance to experience - literally flavorless grease. The Cuban sandwich wasn't bad at all, though I have been a bit spoiled by Bunk over the river. Enjoyed the look and indeed the concept, but the place is noisy and I came away thinking I'd have done better at the food carts around the corner.
(2)
Jennifer T.

I'm all in - ready to nap - after a blow-out of a meal at The Original. Shoulda woulda coulda taken photos, but was swept up in the OUTRAGEOUS menu choices and totally forgot I even had my IPhone handy. After a hike up (almost) to the top of Multnomah Falls, hubby and I were famished. We broke out said IPhone and found the reference from Yelp to this hog-heaven place in the Best City on the Planet, fired up the Magellan and headed in to Portland. The lobster mac & cheese (I see a photo below) with truffle oil was brilliant. Not too rich, although you would think so. The little tiny orzo pasta lures you into a false sense of security while you are eating this blatantly over-the-top dish. It was delicious! Creamy! Lobstery! The lobster was cooked perfectly. The cheese sauce with the truffle oil was sublime. Not one off note to be found in this dish. The sprinkling of sprouts on top (or was it baby 4-leaf clovers, how cute!) was the final masterpiece touch on the artistic creation. And that was just my hubby's dish. I got the duck and waffle combo. Whoa - can't. eat. rest. of. day. But heck, I could not put down my fork! The waffle was crisp, round, fluffy and somehow it was HOT. It's so hard to keep a waffle hot. Served with (gasp) greens that were chock full of plump & crispy lardons, yes I know it sounds bizarre, with a luscious leg of duck confit on top, this was easily the most unique dish I've tasted in Portland. Greens on a waffle? YES! Duck and syrup? YES! Greens and duck, of course! Every mouthful was a different experience of tastes and textures. And the waffle actually held up to my exorbitant amounts of this incredible house-made HONEY-BUTTER SYRUP (it tastes like brown sugar caramel with butter, only thin for ease of pour-age). So by the time the fall-off-the-bone duck was consumed in 5 or 6 bites with greens and some of the waffle, I had half a waffle left for (ahem) dessert! By the time we were done, and we both cleaned our plates, I was planning my next visit. They have foie gras! They have bone marrow butter! They have fries with gravy and cheese curds and did I mention FOIE GRAS???? Whew, I'm stuffed till tomorrow for sure. The appetizers would be great with beer, at least the two we had. Without beer, well, just get a beer. I don't drink anymore but I know the pigs 'n blanket done upscale and the lobster corn dog would both have benefited from a sip or two of the good stuff. Nothing at all wrong with either plate, don't get me wrong. Just woulda been GREAT WITH BEER. The dessert options looked fabulous, and the french-fry cups coming out of the kitchen were beautiful and looked delicious. I'll be back for those and the above and some steak and meatloaf and and and and........ YUM !!!
(5)
Anne S.

Man, the service here is SSLLOOWW. I went here for lunch with coworkers and nearly 1.5 hours later we were headed out the door. I had the Green Goddess Salad, which was tasty but nothing spectacular. However, good points for serving it in one of those glass nesting bowls like you would buy in a set at Williams-Sonoma. Our table also ordered the Serrano ham fritters. They were OK but nothing amazing. Lots of tasty/interesting things on the menu (I'll be going back to try the creme brulee french toast). I thought it was fairly spendy considering what it was in the end. But a fun atmosphere and an interesting take on classic diner favorites.
(3)
Mario S.

On a vacation to Portland, a friend and I stumbled upon this place (while lost, hungry) en route to the Saturday Market. We were impressed. I had the PDX omelet. Not a big omelet guy, but this thing was awesome. The atmosphere is very new-Portland. Lots of natural light, 60s modern feel. This would work equally as well on a stormy morning or a sunny afternoon (there's sidewalk seating). Staff is way friendly.
(4)
Jamie W.

Rainy Sunday morning- perfect for downtown breakfast. Hubby heard about The Original. Arrived around 9am, parking was easy within two blocks. Originally directed to crowded wall seating, where we would have been elbow to elbow with others. Nice if you feel like chatting w/ others- we did not, so we requested something else. Ended up inthe back with no street view. Be sure to request street seating in advance, if you don't mind waiting. Our server was sweet and attentive. Menu is adventurous, but we prefer the classics. Ordered quickly, coffee refills were timely. Ambience is fun - hip downtown dineresque decor. Sounds of Beatles Muzak with some classic Loretta Lynn and R&B accompanied the smooth diner din. The aroma of bacon and coffee was reassuring. Food arrived, not super fast- but didn't seem to take forever- maybe 15 mins. We both ordered two eggs any style- mine OE, his scrambled. For $7.75, this comes with potatoes and toast. For $2 more, Lee got two strips bacon, me- two saus links. That's a little too pricey for what you get. At first site, potatoes looked overdone- WRONG! they were perfect! Eggs were standard fare, although Lee was convinced he got three within scramb, which was great. Choices of toast - white, wheat or rye- come unbuttered, for you to do yourself, accompanied with a jam packet- no choice, maybe ask for your favorite? Overall a good diner breakfast! Lee loved the $2 coffee and I enjoyed my $3 fresh squeezed room temp OJ, however it was small for the price. Good food, portions/price, ambience and service for a downtown eatery. Recommended!
(4)
Denise D.

Went here for Dine Out for your Life event. Service was impeccable. This "dinerant" has a pleasing decor and a creative menu. My gin and berries cocktail of the day was quite good. Prices were reasonable. The food, though, fell a little short. Everything we had was off in some way: the mac and cheese was bland and overwhelmed with bread crumbs; the pretzel bites with cheese curds were overbearingly salty and we could not taste cheese in any of them; the veggie burger was bland; the pecans on my ice cream were burned and the caramel sauce I asked for was in scant supply. We might try this place out one more time to see if we have different luck with other food items, or to just have drinks.
(3)
E W.

Really good, friendly and accommodating staff, and cute decor!
(4)
Damian V.

Amazing food. Chicken fried steak is amazing!
(5)
Cole K.

What would be the reason to stop serving milkshakes after 10pm on Saturday? Although I was able to talk them into making one. The food was below the scale of my taste buds.
(3)
Madeline P.

It's a great atmosphere, but on the pricey side. Granted I've only had lunch here, but with that said it's still too trendy for me. Can you blame them? It's a hotel restaurant, I guess it's supposed to be geared towards tourists. Voodoo Doughnut burger? Listen, locals don't even eat Voodoo - there are so many better donuts in town.
(3)
Mei G.

Creme brulee french toast and Mac n Cheese pancakes. No wait at about 11 on a Saturday morning. Beautiful bright interior with natural light. Voodoo donuts. Stumptown Coffee. I think they are still trying to figure out their service groove. Had no idea it was connected to a hotel. Might not have come with that knowledge. Don't let that sway you. The food was GOOD.
(5)
Pete M.

This place does brunch perfect. And the drinks are a bonus.
(5)
Lina I.

I headed out to The Original last night to try something new. As someone new to Portland, I am always excited to try a new restaurant. The space was easy to find and very well decorated. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. We were seated promptly with no wait and our drinks came fast. We ordered the Pigs in a Blanket, which tasted all right. The kobe beef hot dog was great, but I found the cheese fondue to be really bland. It was billed as a cheddar fondue. When I think cheddar, I think sharp! Like it actually has a taste! This just felt like something wet to help you choke it down. So that was the beginning of our disappointment. For dinner, we decided to split some of their lobster mac and cheese. The lobster taste completely overpowered it, in my opinion. Which is weird, really, since there were only two minuscule pieces of lobster on the top of the dish. The orzo was cooked well and I didn't mind the taste of the full dish at first, but after about six bites I found it to completely oversaturate my palate. It made me kind of sick. Honestly, after a few minutes, I couldn't even stand smelling it so I pushed it to the middle of the table. I mean, I had hardly eaten any of it. After I had done that, our waitress looked right at our table several times but seemed to avoid us. She never asked how we liked the meal or anything! I felt like she was trying to avoid a confrontation. Since it was that I simply did not care for the meal, I would have appreciated offering to replace it with something else or perhaps comping us for it. To just completely disregard a customer's obvious displeasure with the food is a HUGE service faux pas. We will not be going back.
(2)
Lucas R.

Stopped in for Breakfast during a recent trip to Portland since it was close to the hotel. Am I ever glad we did! I had the Biscuits and Gravy which were exceptional - light and incredibly tasty. My buddy had the cakes and eggs, which come with 3 types of syrup - the Vanilla Bourbon syrup was pretty amazing, flavorful but not too sweet. We actually went back for dinner, and I tried the "Mac and Cheese", which is a bit of a misnomer, since it does not actually contain macaroni. What you wind up with is a spectacular bowl of orzo and lobster chunks in a marscapone truffle sauce. Well worth the trip!
(5)
PD F.

On recommendation from hotel staff, I came here for breakfast. A great recommendation - good food, decent prices, nice staff...and they let me sit in a booth, even if I was a single diner. Good crispy bacon, hash brown potatoes well cooked & not greasy, over medium eggs were actually over medium and not overlooked. I was tempted by some classic diner fare, but I restrained myself. You might try the chicken fried steak or biscuits and gravy, though. I bet they'd be good. and I saw eggs Benedict being served...bet that's good too!
(3)
Just M.

Don't waste your time or your money. How hard is it to do diner food? We gave this place 2 chances to impress on a recent trip to Portland only because they were close to our hotel and it was raining. The food is just not good and the service is worse. How can a restaurant like this survive in a city full of great places to eat? We tried them first for lunch and I ordered a grilled cheese and a cup of tomato soup. How can you mess that up? Well, if you use cheap cheese you get a bland sandwich and then serve the soup cold, well there you go. Okay, so I mentioned that the soup is cold and they did bring me out another cup- of COLD soup. Dude, if something comes back to the kitchen-FIX IT. Don' send out the same damn thing. So, on the morning we were going home we went back for breakfast (don't ask me why). Sunday morning around 9:30 there is one table seated in the whole restaurant and no hostest or servers to be seen. Finally someone comes out of the back, and ignores us. A few minutes later someone else comes out and we are greeted and seated. We get water but then nothing else for at least ten minutes when I flag down a server and ask if I can get a cup of coffee to which he responds 'just a minute' as he rushes past. When he does come back to take our order I ask him about the French toast. He raves about how good it is and how people come there especially for it. I decided to go with it mainly because the breakfast menu was really limited and pricey to boot. I really was expecting a great breakfast menu given the diner motif. So I ended up with 3 pieces of bread that were somehow soggy in the middle and charred around the edged. Gag! It was just gross and tasted, no lie, like a soggy piece of charcoal. My daughter's eggs were cold and the breakfast potatoes were, well, weird steak fry looking things seasoned with- I kid you not, cumin. Why? Who knows. From reading all the reviews it sounds like the menu has changed several time over the life of this place. So maybe it's evolving. Into what, I don't know. Back to my French toast. When I told the waiter that the chef went a little crazy with the Creme brÃ»lÃ©e torch and my toast tasted like charcoal he took it away but did not apologize. He didn't offer to bring anything else and he did not take it off the bill. I was mad so as I was leaving a saw the manager at the front desk and asked her name. Maggie or Megan, I think. She asked if everything was okay and when I told her what was going on apparently it was the first she had heard. To her credit she then went back and took it off the bill along with the coffee. I guess she was out of the loop - who knows. She is the only reason I am giving this place any stars at all. Won't be back.
(1)
Gavin M.

I went twice this week, for two separate events. Food was fine (a pasta with truffle oil was particularly promising, but not end up delivering), but chairs and tables not very comfortable or inviting. The kicker, though, is that drinks -- beer earlier in the week and orange juice this morning -- were first, forgotten by each server, then, once reminded, still took about ten minutes to arrive. Some of my co-diners had less than kind words to say about their breakfast and the service. I would concur that the service was bad both times, two different staff members. No reason to go back.
(1)
Lawrence l.

A Beef Stroganoff and Chicken pot pie tasty. Dessert was delayed and the server didn't look into it leaving us hanging. A little spendy...$10 burgers
(3)
Cat S.

I'd rate this more a 2.5, really, but decided to round down instead of up, because, while there were nice bits, the meal we had here was really pretty "meh." The atmosphere wasn't terrible, but it is kind of weird that the place is so huge; it only emphasised the fact that it was practically empty. We couldn't try any of the "soda jerk" cocktails because somehow they were completely out of soda. I ordered a Knight Rider boozy shake, which was delicious, but almost completely lacking in alcohol; my boyfriend's gin and tonic was almost entirely tonic and ice. The dinner menu was full of tasty-looking things, but when the food we'd finally settled on arrived, it was uniformly disappointing: My boyfriend's chicken sandwich was "okay, I guess," but his salad was only lettuce and contained none of the tomatoes or cucumbers advertised by the waitress. My steak was so gristly that about half of it was inedible...though at least the onion rings it came with were very nice. Maybe the breakfast or happy hour is better, but paying nearly $70 (with tip) for a meal like that was not even close to worth it. Meh, I say.
(2)
Stephanie W.

Service was good, but breakfast was just mediocre. I had eggs and cakes, and they were just ok...really nothing to write home home. I give them 2 stars because compared to other great b-fast places in town, there isn't much to compare. A plus might be that there was no wait...but I'll let you be the judge whether having to wait is a good thing or not.
(2)
Greg K.

Good food, still has some bugs to work out. Breakfast was better than dinner, but both were tasty. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Great location and nice space. Recommended.
(4)
Steve S.

Hot dog flight not nearly as good as it sounds. Looked and tasted like elementary school cafeteria food. The dogs were shriveled up, and the buns were stale. I think I may have just caught them on an off day. That said, my friend got the sausage special. Ridiculous! Foot long Vienna sausage with roast beef and provalone cheese. Could cause a heart attack, but it's worth the risk.
(3)
Vincent L.

Went here around 9 at night. Got seated quickly. Real simple menu. Had the deluxe burger which is a good sized cheese burger. Service was a little slow. Nothing spectacular and not a must see. Overall good experience. BTW beer selection was lacking
(3)
Jason M.

Was walking around randomly in downtown Portland, and came across this well-lit diner Had the happy hour menu at the bar (which went until 8pm). The chicken burger was okay, but the french fry / gravy / cheese curd was amazing. I was tempted by the Voodoo Doughnut burger, but my arteries told me to politely decline. Good service from the bartender. I'll probably go back for the milkshake while I'm in town.
(4)
LYNSEY L.

Breakfast and Booze, YAY! I work graveyard downtown and the Original is my go to spot for breakfast after a long night - everything I have tried is delicious. Go there for drink at night as well, really tasty concoctions and not too spendy!
(4)
S B.

Oh my gravy. Full disclosure: I'm tired, I was starving, and my apartment flooded today. So yeah, any drop of human kindness is pretty much going to go a long way with me right now. But I just nabbed a to-go order from this place, and the veggie burger really rocks! It's not another stupid frozen patty from the grocery store; this tastes more like a huge, delicious falafel on a bun. With deliriously salty fries (insert Homer-Simpson-like drooling here). OK, uh...I do like salt on my fries. Ahem. I also sat at the bar while they prepped my order and had a hand-crafted ginger-mint soda. Really tasty! I kind of wish I'd ordered a refill to go or something to negotiate the salt thing now, but whatev. Add in the nice guy at the front who sent me off in the rain with honest, sincere good wishes, and I'm pretty much sold. Thank you, diner-esque/hipster-ish place, for taking a bit of the crap outta my day.
(5)
Vince C.

pros: - i've eaten here a few times, and the food was always good - they have poutine! haven't tried it yet, just found out. will update this when i do. - prices are really reasonable for what you get - today had a special, seared steelhead salmon, with harissa and chimichurri sauces and broccolini, plus salad and grilled asparagus. all good. i think the harissa wasn't so authentic, but it was noticeably spicey and good. cons: - i did not get the portion size thing other people talked about...i actually thought the portions were small (especially the fish part of my entree). however they were reasonable for the price. - if you order a "dinner salad", you get lettuce and dressing, just fyi. in my book this does not really constitute a salad. - i've only eaten room service and take out from this place, but the takeout order didn't include any bread. that would have been nice. overall, pretty great for the $$.
(4)
Anna K.

It's okay, depending on what you're there for. Business lunch? works for me. Happy hour? decent deals. Dinner? Pretty damn spendy for what you get. I had a dinner salad and added chicken, and ta-da! I had an $18 plate. That's a lotta money for a salad with a little chicken ... other entrees have been non-spectacular, and I've witnessed/heard of two fish dishes being sent back (once on a date, and once by a friend; different nights). If I have a really good coupon, happy hour, or business tab, the prices seem reasonable, but in Portland for dinner? so many other options at the same price range for a lot more foodie value.
(3)
Adam W.

Good lunch or breakfast spot for meetings downtown.
(4)
Suzanne M.

Went there for breakfast. Waitress was attentive and there was wifi. Gave us a comfy booth. Bf ordered the chilaquiles with pork verde, which were quite good, though not what I was used to (softer, tomato sauce, egg mixed it more thoroughly with the chips). Waitress recommended the creme brulee french toast over the biscuits and gravy. Toast just tasted burnt on top, and bread way too crusty. Syrup ran like water! It was nothing close to syrup, and flavours were weak and fake tasting.
(2)
Ann F.

Had the waffle with duck. Wow! very southern yummy. My friend had mac and cheese on a hot dog and it was devoured. We had to diet for a week after but it was worth it. Enthusiastic wait staff, good service, I will go back.
(4)
Yasuo S.

I was so happy eating at this place, I went back for dinner. I had my eyes on Mac'n'Cheese, so I wanted to have a meat dish to go with it. First of all, Mac'n'Cheese is not an ordinary one- it was playful, using orzo for pasta, with marscapone cheese, truffle and chunks of lobster tail meat (earlier in the day, they were using crawfish but by dinner they got the delivery. Phew!). I had them serve me Mac'n'Cheese and also the fritter of ham and chicken. The fritter turned out to be a bad dish, bland and no chunks of any meat present and mostly tasted like potato croquettes. I told the server and she asked me if I wanted to get something else. I took up on the offer and asked for a half order of their lobster corn dog. This, turned out to be not too fun either. Good idea, good seasoning, but it needed sauces (and not sticking to what you would put on regular corn dogs-ketchup and mustard) -like maybe some concoction of tarter sauce, tobasco, etc. to go with the lobster meat that is cooked using an immersion technique (fancy!). Adam the manager agreed with me on how bland the fritter tasted and apologized to say that they were experimenting with the taste. Well...I was going to reduce the stars to four, but here's what I ordered for dinner tonight (I can't help myself): Peanut Butter and Jam Monte Cristo sandwich (with Marcona almond butter, huckelberry jam, cornflake crust)! It was accompanied by three warm syrups: maple, xxx (don't remember what) and Marionberry syrup. Needless to say I went for Marionberry syrup, berry of Oregon. Again, creative, tasty and good ingredient makes this dish memorable (and I don't think you can get it anywhere else?) The stuff about lobster corn dogs and fritter can be fixed, and the fact that the montecristo sandwich was a big score, no star deduction for me. You just avoid the dishes I told you to avoid until they fix them. OK- with sugar rush, I can get more work done, and then crash and burn. "The Original," thanks for feeding me and making me happy!
(5)
Clayton T.

Service has been slow in the past but on my most recent visit it has improved dramatically. Waiters and food move quickly and provide high quality. My only concern from this last vist was one of my favorites, the meatloaf sandwich, has changed and not for the better. Where it used to be a nice slice of well seasoned homestyle ground beef it has changed to something resembling Spam! Still tasty but the texture was all wrong for a meatloaf sandwich. This should be changed back to the original formula. Otherwise, a very positive experience.
(3)
Mario Z.

Amazing food and drinks. They make sodas in house and pasta is fresh made!! This is the best food i ate during my stay in portland.
(5)
Emily M.

We loved the food and cocktails, but the service was TOO fast. Despite plenty of empty tables at our early jet lag dinner hour, we felt rushed to get in and get out. Would have preferred more time to enjoy our fun surroundings and yummy food.
(4)
Lori L.

Super Yummy! They made what sounded like a simple salad actually delicious, and their fries are perfect. Thing is that they had something for everyone. And the price was really reasonable. Not to mention the location - fabulous. Great service, fantastic cocktails, and even the bathroom is cool (try the hand dryer, you'll leave with a smile) I'll definitely return for more!
(4)
Dazer T.

Just OK. The food was pretty bland and uninspired. I've had worse, but nothing about the place--the menu, the ambiance, the beer selection--would make me think about going back anytime soon. Just too many better options around.
(2)
Nicola W.

Well, I've given this place two chances now, and I think that's about it. First time it was a gloppy bland tasting stroganoff. The second time it was a dull, underdressed caesar salad with grilled semi-raw salmon. The waiter said they like to serve it "medium-rare". No offer to take the item off the bill even though it was clear I was unhappy with the meal. Not a hipster, so not impressed.
(2)
Lynsay B.

cute lil diner. it really stood out as cooking up the best country fried steak i ever had. hands down.
(5)
h p.

happy hour at the original is worth a try. probably the best fries $2 fries i've had in a while. $4 punch.
(4)
Ann S.

Going to The Original was a spur of a moment idea for my family and I. Without much knowledge on the place before hand, other than Yelp of course, we went for a Sunday family dinner. The outside was univiting. Dim lighting inside made us think it wasn't even open. After walking in the server was very friendly and was very patient with our hectic family dinner. My grandfather loved his cocktail, said it was very large. The bathroom was extremely dirty and underkept. The one meal that everone was satisfied with was the fried chicken. Very tender and I enjoyed the flavoring. I ordered the Waldorf Salad, with grilled shrimp. I was very dissapointed in the way it was served. A high sided bowl making it very difficult to eat also the dressing had little flavor. I find this place to be a trendier spot to go to for drink, rather than sit down and actually enjoy your food. I will not suggest this restaurant to anyone and even though I enjoyed the fried chicken, I will not be returning for it again.
(2)
Reagan G.

I adored it here, I thought it was cute, and delicious! I got a salad during happy hour, it was a dollar or two! I also got a lemongrass citrus soda, and chili fries! Soo good! One thing I didn't like was the waitress, but I am definitely coming here again!
(5)
Marti L.

We were going to go here for dinner tonight and saw the hours on Yelp show they are open until 9 p.m. We called to confirm and couldn't get though--got VM that didn't have the hours on the recording. We were suspicious, so we called the hotel that it is in, and turns out they close at 2 p.m. on Sundays now, but they haven't updated their hours on Yelp. Not acceptable in 2010!
(1)
David M.

Was visiting friends in PDX over the holidays. Was staying nearby, so dropped in for an unexpectedly great dinner. The Chicken Fried Steak was incredible -- not your average CFS, this one was a real steak done the real deal way! We also enjoyed the Beef Stroganoff and a very excellent Burger. Service was warm and friendly. Drinks were solid and the Lemon Meringue Pie rocks! Cool, modern environment.
(5)
Michael H.

This was great food and atmosphere.... The staff was great ... I had a chicken burger that was delicious and great apple pie dessert!!! The decor was unigue and felt very genuine.
(4)
Jake D.

Great old styled eatery, feels like a 50's diner with a hipster spin on it. They have a poutine challenge that I look forward to doing - if you finish it, you get the meal for free and a t-shirt.
(4)
Nicole D.

Finally had a chance to try The Original - and it did not disappoint! Went in for breakfast and had already made a committment to myself to try the Macaroni & Cheese pancakes. Not necessarily because it sounded good, but because it seemed too odd and gross not to try. Let's just say that I was intrigued. And can I just say that it was as if heaven had entered my mouth? 3 fluffy pancakes covered and stuffed with cheese. The macaroni noodles, while present, were not overwhelming - that was more of an added bonus. I was eating the pancakes just by themselves when our server came over and let us know that the Sous Chef suggested eating them with the maple syrup. Again, it sounded gross - but of course I had to try it and it was fantastic! The perfect suggestion of mixing two completely different flavors that surprisingly complimented one another. And when I was all done, I didn't get that heavy "I-think-that-I-may-throw-up" feeling that pasta and cheese can often leave. I actually felt light as a feather! My co-worker ordered the coffee cake pancakes, and they too, were delicious. Service was decent. Could have used a coffee top-off a bit more frequently, but our server could tell that we were a bit busy at our working breakfast, so I think that she was trying to give us our space - which was much appreciated! The aesthetics were a bit kitschy - almost feels like Canter's in L.A., but not nearly as dirty. All in all, I will definitely be back. Would like to try the poutine in the future... tried to order it with breakfast but no bueno :(
(4)
Doug Y.

It's kempt. It's got a great seating arrangement and environment. The only thing this place was missing was a shtick, and by shtick I mean something unique that gives it an advantage over other places. The coffee was great, but it's Stumptown coffee, so that's expected, and you can get that from any Stumptown joint. The food and service was good, but it was prepared like any other dish I've ever had.... there's really nothing to dislike about this place. I guess you could say it's a shining example of how when things are done right, you don't give it much thought.
(4)
Jacob G.

It was time for brunch, and thus "dinerant" said their breakfast was only 'til 11. However- they were indeed serving their breakfast menu during brunch hours. Rejoice! As for the food, it was a good bacon and eggs breakfast. I probably should have had something more fancy like my girlfriend's poutine and eggs, but the pancakes I had were good. Had my choice of syrups; the caramel syrup I had was a good companion to the banana pancakes. The Stumptown Coffee was a bonus. Next time I go here, I think I shall tackle that Voodoo Doughnut burger and have some drinks. Hopefully the upstairs lounge area will be a nice place to relax during the rainy winter. All I know is that happy hour is calling.
(4)
Frannie h.

I'm all in. I was apprehensive as this place is a little expensive for diner food, but then I tried it out. Everything was tasty, the atmosphere is cool and the staff was beyond good. I met 2 friends here for lunch on a weekday. The menu has lots of good looking items but I decided to not pig-out and go with a lunch combo: 1/2 sandwich and a bowl of soup. Only, I failed to mention that I wanted the special and when a huge whole sandwich and small cup of soup came out the server read the disappointment on my face. I explained that I had meant to get more soup and less sandwich, she said they could make it right. They brought out a huge bowl of tomato soup and gave me a box to take the other 1/2 of my sandwich home. They charged for the lunch special when I actually got 2 lunches. It wasn't even their fault! That is stellar service. The tomato soup was perfect, so glad i got a whole bowl! I chose the B.A.L.T for the sandwich pairing- it was great. y friends were very happy with their meals as well. Since this place has a diner theme, I decided to try one of their fancy sodas. It was a hard choice since they have so many on the menu. On the server's recommendation I opted for the ginger / lemongrass concoction. Such a clean and refreshing flavor! It was nice and bubbly and not too sweet. Next time, I'll come back for happy hour and get some booze added to one of their sodas. yum!
(4)
Huong T.

The food was pretty good, but it was way too expensive. I came here for breakfast, lunch and dinner and all those times I felt ripped off. The dinner menu and pricing was accurate, but the breakfast pricing was more expensive than what I would pay to eat some eggs and toast. The service was slow. But I have yet to have a bad meal here, everything has been delicious. The atmosphere was friendly and staff were nice though. Maybe I'll come here for dinner again if I'm in that part of downtown, but I would rather go to a not so fancy place for breakfast and get a good meal for cheaper.
(3)
Kirsten S.

Rolled in to The Original with just two minutes to spare of their happy hour, and they still let us order off the happy hour menu without any attitude! The way to get a five star review out of me is simple, yet doesn't happen so easily. To qualify, a restaurant must offer really good tasting quality food AND not be expensive. The Original meets this criteria. Went with my fiance. Like I said, we ordered off the happy hour menu, which provides some very cheap and very delicious items. We ordered the ham and cheese fritters, the spare rib perogie, and two grilled chicken sandwiches. All were great! Especially the fritters, I highly reccomend them. With our food I also ordered the "punch" which changes flavor daily. That day it was white peach lemonade with vodka and was REALLY good, especially for the happy hour price of $4. But even if you're too cheap for that, they have $1 PBR during happy hour as well. Happy Hour: How cheap ass students can eat at nice restaurants. :) Now I need to take a minute to tell you about the sundae I ordered for desert. They have homemade ice cream which comes with your choice of one sauce and one topping. I ordered the whopper flavored ice cream with vanilla sauce and carmelized rice crispies. Best. Sundae. Ever. It was so good!!! I still dream about it. And it was less than $3!!! Overall, this place looks pretty fancy but the prices (especially during beloved happy hour) are very reasonable. Good food and affordability generate an A+ from me!
(5)
Michelle R.

Yep. We stayed at the adjoining Marriott for Travel Portland promotion and with free parking and coupons rec'd vouchers for breakfast. Excellent! Deconstructed crab cake Benedict with the silkiest hollandaise I have had in, well, forever. The crab cake was not the end all but more than adequate. Clever touch was the English muffin cum croutons with dressed arugula. Friend's birthday - so even though it was 8:30 on a Sunday morning they delivered a most incredible chocolate peppermint patty cake to us with candles taped to the top. I was practically carried around on shoulders after showing up to party with that - what? 20 pound circle of joy. Well done. Modern and spunky and gracious. My only regret is that 160 miles is a long drive for Sunday brunch! But I am tempted, sorely tempted.....
(4)
Cookin B.

Just go there and eat a trainwreck
(3)
May T.

I was really doubtful that The Original be worth driving out of my comfort zone--SE, and put up with PARKING DOWNTOWN on a Sunday? But to my surprise, i enjoyed myself very much, and foresee future visits. (probably, take the bus next time.) For a party of 10 with late attendance, the service with surprisingly fast and the food hot. We had people ordering breakfast, salads and burgers and they all arrived in a timely manner from each other. I liked my Cherry pancakes with two eggs, side of fruit-could have been more interesting, but oh well. Strong coffee. I can't speak for my fellow diners, but i didn't hear any complaints; everyone just jumped right in. I plan to try their dessert next time. Five layers cakes? yummy.
(4)
Christina F.

"The bartender accidentally made an extra drink, we can't let it go to waste" Ok, so they were off to a good start with boys Vanilla Stoli and Coke (now a deux). They were in our hotel lobby (another plus) Now onto the food The salad was GREAT, yes its what I would make at home, but thats kinda the point...you can pick whatever you want in it, and I love how the shake it with JUST the right amount of dressing (never has a restaurant gotten it perfct before this) The veggie burger was SUPER....house made said our server. We ate there three times in 2 days. I was happy with it
(5)
Ashley S.

I came here when going out with some friends who work downtown. The place has a fun modern diner feel, everything from fun lights to booth seating. The food is like a diner on steroids. I got the deluxe burger (but with chicken). It had a unique twist on a normal burger, with some fried onions and unique cheeses. I don't know what the normal beef patty is like but the chicken patty was amazing! It was a thick slice of chicken I would say 1 inch easily, that was super moist. The fries that came with it were packaged in a paper lunch bag which I found different and kind of fun. They had some interesting spices and salt on them that made me keep wanting to eat more even when my tummy was full. To drink I had one of their unique flavors which are made there. It was ginger mint. It was different but I enjoyed it. Among my party I think we tried just about every flavor and everyone was pleased. If I remember them all correctly there where: Ginger mint, Citrus Lemongrass, Kola, A floral one I can't remember the name, and one that was a unique root beer like flavor. To top off the meal we tried the Almond Joy Cake. I'm not one to usually get a dessert but they were all so tempting. This cake was amazing everything from the chunks of peanuts on the top to the delicious coconut filling. It was moist and rich (but not too rich). Our service was awesome, even giving us a free dessert when they didn't have one that we wanted. Overall I was very pleased and would head back here again.
(4)
Consumer A.

Walked in for breakfast on Sunday 4/7, asked hostess for a booth. Was informed I had to wait 10 minutes. There was an empty booth right behind her. Walked out! They received immediate customer feedback!
(2)
Sharon M.

If i were not for the decent food I would give this place two stars for poor service. Today when we were in at they were out of coffee and had to brew more. The server left the carafe on an empty table next to ours and I had to show him where it was, he said he'd "lost it". The hostess was so pushy. She told me she really needed me to sign my tab after she'd run the card and walked up to me three times to see if I had done so. Tacky! I've never been asked to "sign" before. We got in at the tail end of brunch and 2 of us had eggs, two of us burgers. Good burger but lousy service. And I still may call the manager on Monday to complain about the hostess being so damn pushing and disrespectful.
(3)
H O.

+: Most "LA" feeling restaurant I've been to in Portland and their space and staff totally accommodated for our large group that kept growing! -: Food was alright and on the salty side. !: Location is awesome for getting things started. ?: Why can't we go
(3)
Cedric J.

The skinny: Pricey Tasty Upscale Sustainably-focused I went for lunch today. I was expecting expensive. I'm not sure I was expecting it to this degree. Normally, when downtown places have lunch specials. It did not. That's a bit disappointing, but isn't terrible. If you got a lot of scratch to blow, this is a great place to do it, though, even though it has a very kitschy sort of look/feel to it. I do plan to stop in for a malt or something when I am feeling like I can handle one... My best recommendation is to take a non-Portlander here because it does roll up PORTLAND very well. Creative, sustainably-focused menu items in that retro 50s/60s ironic-with-tattooed-staff thing going on. It is a great introduction of a lot Portland has to offer AND they include band posters on the columns so that people from out of town will have things to do at night! I'm not on a budget for lunch; I was ready to go... but even I baulked at 20$ mac and cheese (but it had lobster in it!). I shied away from it: I'm probably a wimp. What I did try was the hot dog flight. Note, not all items were out of whack: all the sandwiches were reasonable in price and the fish and chips are on par with pretty much everywhere else. Since I was to have three dogs, I figured a salad would be a nice accompaniment. I was right. The salad was delicious and fresh; a slightly sour lemon vinaigrette with a hint of salt... not overly dressed either. Well done! The dogs were 3 mini-dogs (so about 1 regular dog) and had three toppings on them. All of them were excellent. The chilli (Chicago) (which honestly frightened me a bit; I'm not a beef fan although I like sausages) was very good. It was sweet and slightly smoky and had no spice to it. The New York style had lox and an aioli of some sort that was also very good with pickled onions on it. The Portland dog had green relish, gherkins, and a bit of pickled peppers. I tried their house-made soda, the bark soda. It was like a cross between a good root beer and a good cream soda with a hint of nutmeg. Good! Not sure it was worth 40% of the hot dogs, but it was good. Maybe I should have added booze to it for 2$, but it was lunch... I must see what they have going on for a happy hour. This place would be fun for something like that, I think. The wait staff was also attentive without being overbearing--something I think people are catching on to. It is a novelty and I'm only afraid that the price will scare people off from going back. But then again, there's a hotel upstairs and those people have expense accounts. What better way to be introduced to Portland than with a lobster-stuffed corndog or a Voodoo-doughnut cheeseburger? I still have to give them props for sourcing locally. Maybe they could be REALLY cool and give a Portlander discount--they card you and give you 20% off for being a weird local? Maybe? C'mon, I'm doing my part to keep Portland weird. Purple hair, Dutch bike, vintage suits... please? I have friends coming in from out of town though, and this will probably be on the Portland circuit as a post Chinese Garden lunch spot or dinner. It is interesting at the very least. Keep the menu changing and we may all be back!
(3)
Tracy P.

They've still got it! It's easy to understand how a "diner" might not stand up to the test of time, but this jewel in downtown Portland has succeeded in setting the standard to which newer eateries no doubt aspire towards. I first ate here over five years ago and upon returning wasn't sure what I would find. But I went out on a limb and ordered the chicken pot pie on a quiet holiday weeknight. It was worth the wait. The fluffy puffed pastry topping and bright fresh greens salad dressed with a fresh lemon vinegarette was the perfect combination. Do you want simple and delicious? The Original blends urban hip with a nod to Americana circa 1950 in proximity to everything we love about Portland.
(5)
Stephanie M.

The service was great. The people were friendly. The music was awesome. Went here with my friends the morning of the day they got married. I ordered the biscuits and gravy. Everything was picture perfect....until I tried to put my fork into the biscuits. ROCK HARD. I was disappointed, but luckily I was brought a new batch, and that batch was a lot better, but still hard towards the bottom. I would love to try this place again with a different dish. Also, I tasted my friends moms mimosa and it tasted great! Giving 2 stars mainly for the atmosphere. Had the biscuits been better I would have given 4 stars.
(2)
Stu H.

OH my goodness! From the sweet and stunning hostess / to the waitresses / to the amazing breakfast - one of the best breakfast restaurants I've ever been to. I had eggs over medium (perfect) and biscuits and gravy (absolutely the best I've ever tasted). I'd move to Portland just to have more opportunities to have a meal here. Thank you
(5)
Shane S.

When: July 7, 2015, Party of 2 Adults, 5:15 pm From the service to the food, the dining experience at the Original was Outstanding. It may lack the ambiance of a fine dining restauraunt, but on the other hand, it doesn't pretend to be. The better comparison, for those old enough to remember, is the 1950-60's diners that proliferated the dining landscape back then...you fast forward and you modernize the standard american comfort food and you make it hip, with that "Portland Vibe". Bingo, Bam, Bullseye... Wife had the Donut Sliders, which is an appetizer dish, and a Double Mountain Kolsch Pint and I had the Blue Plate Special, which was a Squeaky Burger (70% Beef & 30% Bacon In-house made patty) with Fries and a Chocalate Peanut Butter Shake...Think Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in a shake... Everything tasted great...full of taste and uniqueness...We will definitely be back, when visiting Downtown PDX, and I woulld definitely reocommend it to visitors and residents...
(5)
Jeff P.

An up to date version of a diner. The staff were friendly fast and attentive to the level of my coffee. I ordered Steak and Eggs which came out perfect and the way I ordered them. There is a assortment of local ketchups and a habanero that was perfect for my dish. When you check in on Yelp you get a free slice of pie. They were out of Apple so I tried the Chess pie. Holy crap the entire meal was good ! Although more money than Denny's you absolutely get your money's worth at the Original. When I am in town it will be a must from now on !
(5)
Nick N.

I came here three times while staying at the Courtyard (attached to it) over the course of three days. 1st time: breakfast. I tried the bacon waffle. There were actual pieces of bacon bits in it. I tried it with both the maple syrup and berry syrup. Both syrups are good with it. 2nd time: late night snack. I wanted some dessert, and was thinking pie with ice cream. I ordered the apple pie, which had a topping with cheese in it. I wasn't expecting the sharpness of the cheese to come through so much. It was interesting. Considered savory? 3rd time: breakfast again. This time I tried the hash. It was very tasty and interesting because it has beets in it. It throws you off because it comes and the whole thing is purple from the beets. Don't let the color turn you off, it's good. And dare I saw healthy because of the beets.
(4)
Karen O.

I came here for a late dinner. We were visited promptly by the waiter, who took our drink orders (Merlot for me). I wasn't super hungry, but with the menu looking so interesting, I had to order a full entree. I ordered the lamb French sip. Amazing!! I don't know why exactly it was so good. The meat was so tender and the carmelized onions lent a sweet and savory flavor to the mix. There was goat cheese thinly spread on the bread. Definitely could have had more goat cheese to make it even more divine. We ordered the white cheddar Dutch Apple pie for dessert. The crust did have a cheesy flavor to it, which I loved because I'm not that into sweets. The service was 5 star-worthy. Thanks guys!
(4)
Michael S.

Free pie with Yelp check-in ... so be sure to check-in. The Original bills itself as a dinerant fitting somewhere between a classic diner and a modern hotel restaurant. Whatever it is, it was open Christmas Day ... and offered free pie. The menu was limited for the holiday and the 25 minute wait almost too long, but who's gonna say no to free pie, right? We celebrated with a couple small burgers and a few draft beers. * Banh Mi Burger ($14) with French Fries So much promise without much flavor. I hoped for a bit more from the Sriracha Aioli, Braised Bacon, and Pickled Carrots & Radishes. (3 stars) * Taco Burger ($13) with Tomato Soup Fried Jalapenos were the stars of this burger and a cool match for Guacamole, Cotija, Cheddar Cheese, and Chipotle Aioli. (4 stars) * Dutch Caramel Apple Pie ($7 or free) Huge chunks of Fresh Apple packed with Caramel in a Pie Crust were a wonderful match for Vanilla Ice Cream ($3) on the side. (4 stars) Super friendly service, tasty (but overpriced) burgers, and a cool check-in deal for a free slice of pie are all reasons to make The Original a holiday or weekday tradition.
(4)
Jeff C.

Was excited to give this place a try as it had good reviews and was reasonably priced. Decor is sort of a modern/sheik diner. The feel was a little more sparse/cold than I cared for but not a big deal. Doughnut burger sliders, about what you would expect. Two for $6. We were expecting three but oh well. Service was okay, we didn't have forks for the first part of the meal and had to ask for them and the server took quite a long time to check in to see how our meals were. The burgers were excellent. Breakfast was, well, breakfast. But worse. Biscuits were almost rock hard and with not much gravy. After consultation with the server, I took the recommendation of the Blue Plate special on the fresh sheet which was fried chicken and lentils - supposedly better than the fried chicken on the normal menu. For $20 I got one dry, overcooked leg of chicken on top of a huge pile of overseasoned lentils. I'm not sure what it is with people and their obsession for fried chicken. I can see the appeal of the thin dusting/coating on this chicken making for crispy, salty skin, probably too salty. But what was inside was SO dissapointing. The driest fried chicken I've ever tasted. In the past 15 years I've probably dined out at least 200 times and maybe sent my food back 3 times and this was one of them. Instead I opted for a glass of red wine and a side of mac and cheese (a bargain for $4). The Mac and Cheese shell pasta wasn't overcooked, actually cooked correctly al dente, hurray! The cheese sauce was a bit thin and lacked depth but otherwise was pretty decent. Amazing that I went from $20 overcooked chicken leg to a $4 bowl of mac and cheese that was much more edible. They of course did not charge me for the chicken and through in the mac and cheese for free which was a nice gesture. The place is the definition of a 3-star dining experience for me ( I was hoping for/expecting a 4.) Just A-OK. Would have been 2 but burgers saved it. Maybe if I'm back in town I'd tried something else on the menu as the burgers, sandwiches and salads were quite reasonably priced. I've got to be honest that I'm scratching my head regarding the 5-star reviews. Even if I assumed some of the other items on the menu were excellent, I don't see, all things considered, how this place could be rated 5-stars unless your are either hungover, hungry and craving salty food (and thereby have a low bar to meet) and/or you are overly enchanted by the modern diner concept.
(3)
Mike H.

Creme Brulee french toast....that's all that needs to be said. The brunch here is insane and you definitely need to try it if you're here visiting. We now stay exclusively at the Marriott it's housed in just to be able to stumble downstairs and eat here in the AM. Only down side is the staffing is hit or miss. They hire these hipsters who have an air of "I'm too good to be working retail food" and cop an attitude. This is remedied by the tip which I have no issue completely removing from the check. The brunch is still good I'm still giving a 5 though.
(5)
Jason D.

I've been to The Original at least 10 times over the past few years. The two things that are consistent is bad service, and decent food. Today was an excellent example of that. My girlfriend and I went to lunch and after sitting at our booth for almost 15 minutes without service, finally placed our order for a cobb salad to split, dressing on the side; fries, and two drinks. Right after my drink came my clumsy ass knocked it over, spilling it all over my phone and wallet. The bus boy was quick to respond with a towel, but I had to ask for extra napkins as ours had been used in an attempt to clean up the mess. Our waitress came to help briefly, but never offered to get me another. That was the last time I would ever see my iced tea as she never offered, nor brought a replacement. Okay, so shit happens, I wouldn't leave a bad review for that. But... When our salad came out it was brought in one giant bowl, placed on our table by someone that wasn't our waitress and left that way. We had no silverware, no extra bowl, and no dressing on the side. About 5 minutes later after asking I received my bowl and side of dressing. The bowl was filthy, I mean literally as if it hadn't been washed. There were little flakes of salad and carrots still stuck to it. Really gross. I asked for another bowl. Now, 30+ mins into the experience we were finally ready to eat. We poured the dressing on and started to split up our own salad (in the past the kitchen did this for us at this location); well, to our surprise, the salad already had dressing on it! So now we've got a salad soaked in dressing. Apparently it was tossed with dressing, but the toppings covered up that fact. Aaanyway, the chicken on the salad was cold, dry and tough. The rest was good (the fries were great). The service, however, continued to be terrible. We were never checked on, our waters remained empty nearly the entire lunch, and not only was my GF's drink never refilled, mine never reappeared. I was, however, still charged for it. After 10 visits here with continually poor service and mediocre food, I think this time was the last...there are so many great restaurants in this area there is really no reason to patronize and establishment like this. The staff definitely needs work... I'll check in one last time in a few months and see if any changes have been made, but this seems to be a consistent issue at The Original.
(2)
Andrea R.

This was nothing special. They were able to accommodate a large group, which was why we ended up there, and that was nice, and the service was good. However, the food was nothing to write home about. The chicken fried steak was fine, not great but not bad, but at $15 there should have been more food. $3 for a tiny glass of juice was also annoying. Another in our party had the burger and said it had very little flavor. We will not be returning.
(2)
Jason T.

Chicken and waffles was great. Also had the Benedict which was legit. I will definitely grab breakfast here again next time I'm in Portland.
(5)
Rebekah T.

You can say that I love this place given that I've been here each and every time I travel to Portland. It was a great place to meet up with my friend Mary, so we decided on brunch. I ordered up a MANMOSA, which was a full pint glass of mimosa with grapefruit juice. It was quite satisfying and made for a great brunch refresher. To eat, I went with a chilly day special and ordered a grilled cheese with cup of tomato soup. Mary ordered the Eggs Benedict and it looked fantastic. Our little lunchers ordered off the kid's menu and chose grilled cheese with fries, pancake and eggs with fruit. Happy campers all around. For my second drink, I went with the Beef Jerkey Infused Bloody Mary. It was fun and fantastic. Hit the spot, great little brunch place in Downtown Portland. I look forward to coming back yet again on my next trip. :)
(5)
Dana G.

Very sweet service complemented the very tasty food last night. I couldn't decide between the veggie burger and the caprese sandwich. The waitress suggested the caprese (I'm not even vegetarian and it's one of my favorites, she said). It turned out to be a solid suggestion and I liked the flavors much more than the weird tomato soup. The three of us finished with the free (with check-in) apple pie. And THAT was tasty!
(4)
Roger M.

I was invited to breakfast by a kindred spirit and fellow yelper Tom "Tom!" I do not go out for breakfast that often. Wife /I eat out for lunch, happy hour and dinner more. Besides everything that can be done with an egg, cheese, bacon or sausage I can do in my own kitchen the way i like it. But like it, the Original, I did! My omelette was stellar! Organic eggs with in-housemade chorizo (Carlton Farms) loaded with black beans and delicious salsa topped with fresh avocado. Creamy butter and toast. Yelpin Yippin Yupper-do Yummy! Tom is a veteran at the Original and I see why. Great taste. Sat at one of his "fav" comfy-retroish feelin booths as we went back in time (where we came from to PDX) and where we headed down the road. Tom and his partner are Boston-bound and this Yelper will miss a new pal beginning. I wish all the best to you,Tom! Oh yea! The Original is a great place for chit-chat and investing in some social capital! On this day the Original food, ambiance and right on the ball service in my book is 5 star all the way!
(5)
Binx J.

Great upscale diner. Chowder is beyond good. Razor clams were perfect. Simple salads with delicious dressings. Chicken pot pie that was very comforting. And lovely burger. I am a ketchup old schooler but I can forgive since theirs is local. My daughter devoured her berry shake and free pie from yelp who can complain. And our server was great. Very attentive but not hovering which is the best. Party of ten mainly kids and she didn't bat an eye. Great job!
(4)
Michelle R.

The fact that The Original was attached to my hotel room was a blessing and a curse. Two mornings were spent doing take out, which was mostly good since I did not want to leave bed immediately and the food is legit. However, the food takes like 45+ minutes to be ready, and we were quoted 20 minutes each time, so my boyfriend sat in the restaurant for much longer than necessary, and they messed up his order two days in a row. That being said, the biscuits & gravy are quite good! I ordered this twice.
(3)
Amanda N.

I swear I love eating on vacation. The original was another spot bookmarked on my trips to Portland. I love the atmosphere of this place. Not your usual diner. Very modern and parking wasn't hard to find. My friend and I ordered the fried chicken and waffle which was nothing too extraordinaire. The next dish was the banh mi burger which was DELICIOUS! I'm Vietnamese and I love the Vietnamese sandwiches but who would've thought to make it into a burger? Kudos. The last dish we ordered was the incredible creme brÃ»lÃ©e French toast. And OMG.... The best dessert and breakfast in one. I def recommend this place. Our waiter was super friendly and quick with our food. Plus he made sure we got that banh mi burger.
(5)
Chris B.

I had the Sunday Benedict that just blew my mind. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the bacon was to die for. I also hot the apple pie which was light and crisp. I would come back here again.
(4)
Tres B.

The Original is just solid. It's a an apologetic swanky diner. Well trained staff with traditional dishes usually with a contemporary twist. I enjoy the floor to ceiling windows that offer the entertainment of Portland's busy streets including passing light rail train, busy people , bohemians, hipsters, determined bikers, etc.... It's bright and airy.
(4)
Branden B.

The place was really cool. Staff was nice and prompt. Food however was just okay. Being half Canadian, the Poutine was not authentic. And I guess that's okay, but seeing cheddar on the chips, barely any gravy.. it was a little disappointing. Also HAD to try and donut sliders and again was let down. I thought it would be frosted donuts with a burger in between but it was more like bread shaped like a donut with frosting drizzled on it. Wasn't much there. We probably won't go back but the place is definitely hip. Possibly trying too hard to fit that label though. Drinks were the highlight.
(3)
Sonya P.

Last night was my first time. This place has very mixed reviews. My friends and I decided to give it a try. Three of us had the Northwest Logger, one had a burger. Northwest Logger was alright. Bacon was the best part. Pancakes tasted good. Bland hash browns and eggs though. I also didn't like the style of sausage either, it tasted off. The meal needed more flavoring and seasoning. No one was extremely satisfied with it. The burger my friend had was supposed to be medium rare and it came out pretty soggy and rare. A messy looking thing that did not look appetizing. He didn't enjoy it much. French fries were good. Service was bad, almost non existent. Waitress would forget we were there and not return for long periods of time. It wasn't busy at all though. We got restless when waiting for the check and had to go to the front to ask for it. I would not go again. There are many other breakfast/brunch places in Portland with amazing food. Don't waste time here!
(2)
Rebecca C.

Ok, so I've now been here for brunch, lunch and dinner. It wasn't until brunch there yesterday that I realized I had never written a review. Absolutely unforgivable. I do apologize. Anyway, let's start with my favorite meal of the day: brunch. It is good. As you know if you read my reviews, I'm a benedict snob. This place is great. The hollandaise is tangy and buttery and they were amazing and subbed out the english muffin for a fantastic biscuit, and added spinach. Basically the perfect benedict. The hashbrowns are crispy on top and cooked perfectly underneath. Friends have gotten everything from the creme brulee french toast (good), polenta cakes with candied bacon (super sweet but damn that was good bacon), smoked salmon benedict and monte cristo sandwich (just ok). Lunch and dinner I've never had anything bad, but nothing has really stood out to make me remember this far down the line. Except maybe the poutine fries. I think I remember loving them. Not as much as the old Produce Row (RIP) but still good. I guess I'll have to go back and try things again. Oh darn.
(4)
Zoey W.

We ate at the Original on a Monday morning. When we walked in, we were greeted by a male and female host and promptly seated. So far, so good. But then it went downhill from there. We sat looking at our menus while hoping a server would bring us coffee. No one came over although a male server stopped at the booth right next to us. I tried to get his attention but he ignored us. After about 10 minutes, I had to flag down a passing server and asked who had our table. He said he will get him for us. Well, wouldn't you know that our server was the guy who was serving the customers seated in the booth right next to us but ignored us. We finally got our coffee and placed our order. My friend ordered chicken & waffles and I ordered the chicken fried steak. It took awhile to get the food and my food was served room temp,.not hot. The chicken fried steak itself was grisly and tough and barely edible. The gravy was thick and would have tasted better if it had been served hot. But because it had cooled, it looked like paste. This was definitely the worse chicken fried steak I've ever eaten. My friend's chicken & waffles was pretty good. I was disappointed with the service and the food. Won't be back!
(2)
Ben M.

Here lies a time machine. You will be transported to a location frequented by the likes of the cast of Mad Men, were they to hit a diner downtown after work. Great food, great drinks, and Great Wall art to boot! Don't miss this one. If you like milkshakes, you're going to want to check theirs out. The special when I visited was toasted coconut and was to die for. Later, I did just that - because I had two. Ooufff!
(5)
Kimberly N.

Boozey shake; The Dude & The Pick Me Up was the other ordered. Best adult dessert ever!
(5)
Andrew H.

So a buddy moved to Portland from Texas and the first thing we do is head to the Star Theater to see the Reverend Horton Heat. But before that, we needed something to eat. We stayed close and I knew of the Original but didn't know the food. We saw the menu outside and saw some good burgers and yeah.... Poutine. We went in. Nice set up and we sat ant the bar and got a couple of good local beers. Me a Kolch from Double Mountain my buddy an IPA. We didn't want too much and thankfully we stuck with apps, because they were more than enough. Buttermilk fried chicken and waffle sliders with a honey drizzle and the already mentioned poutine. The poutine plate was huge. Fries, cheese, more cheese, and lots of brown gravy. We didn't even finish it. The fried chicken and waffle sliders were also impressive. A huge chicken tender over a quarter Belgium waffle with honey dripped over the top. So simple and so good. Those we finished off. Our bartender was great, minus the Michigan tie (My roomie went to Michigan St.) The decor was nice, not too much not too sparse. Like Goldilocks, just right. Enjoy.
(3)
KeshiaSkye S.

So 2nd time ups the score! For my second trip to TO, I went for Sunday brunch with my mother and 16mo old son. We we're say in a booth, which was MUCH comfier than the chairs. We had a nice corner to ourselves and the waitress was very accommodating to my little one's needs. I ordered the Biscuit Sandwich, my mother got the eggs any style and I ordered my son the eggs and potatoes off the children's menu. The biscuit sandwich was by far the hit! The biscuit itself would have been enough for me to rave! My mother really enjoyed her breakfast, and my son ate most his food as well. There is only 2 things keeping this from a 5 experience. 1) I made reservation for 2 adults and a high chair and when we were seated there was no high chair and I had to wait a few minutes while they found one. 2) When we arrived, the hostess said 'sit them next to the table you just say' which upon arrival I realized they put the two families with small children next to one another. Honestly, I find this to be one of the rudest things you can do... It's categorizing parents as the people who should sit in the corner with the other little monster owners... Not cool TO, not cool
(4)
Karen H.

My husband and I went here for breakfast. After reading reviews on yelp, I decided to order their Cream BrÃ»lÃ©e French Toast with bacon on the side. The French Toast was delicious and the bacon was actually 4 good slices of good bacon. I have a sweet tooth, so I did add some maple syrup. However, you may not need syrup because it's pretty darn sweet already. My husband got their breakfast burrito. I had a bite of it and it was quite tasty. The staff was friendly and very attentive. I would come back here again.
(4)
Robert R.

Great place to take out of town guests who want to "go downtown" and aren't fancy enough to go to the Heathman.
(4)
Emily S.

We ordered breakfast at 5pm and the best club sandwich ever. Our server Katie was great, the food runner Allison was on it and very friendly, and the manager Max was awesome and checked to see if we were having an amazing time! We love this place because of the consistently good food, good service and fun atmosphere. We will defiantly be back!
(5)
Mojdeh S.

How I heard of this place: On a walking food-cart tour in September, my husband and I met a group of women from New Jersey - who are often in Portland on business. They made a number of recommendations, including The Original Dinerant. (More to come...) Type of cuisine: "Mod-Americana cuisine served with a dose of style and sophistication. We love food, and it shows. The Original is the perfect destination for unexpected all-day Portland dining. Our inspired menu of eclectic American cuisine takes on regional favorites and modifies them with local and seasonal ingredients resulting in flavors and textures unique to the Pacific Northwest. Unwind at our candle-lit bar for that much deserved post-prandial nightcap. At the Original, we honor the past as we listen in on the pulse of Portland's adventurous and evolving tastes." Ambiance: Bright and airy, the spacious, tall-ceilinged, window-lined establishment offers the welcome of a thoughtfully decorated and presented space within the comfort of a diner. Rusty brown booth seating, laminate table-tops and bright reds set against grey walls give patrons every reason to come in and stay for awhile. What I ordered: With yet another 45-minutes of Happy Hour, and the option of more for less, we knew what we had to do. My husband and I picked our favorites and then set out to share each dish, starting with Poutine ($6): french fries, cheese curds (and cheddar?) with gravy. A Crispy Chicken Sandwich ($7) of breaded chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, onion, honey dijon spread on a brioche bun, the BBQ Brisket Hot Pockets ($4): two mini pockets stuffed with cheese curds and served alongside BBQ Fondue, Donut Burger Sliders ($5): mini buttermilk donuts, highland oak beef and Tillamook cheddar, Chicken & Waffle Sliders ($5): two quartered buttermilk waffle triangles topped with fried chicken and a drizzle of honey dijon. We started, and ended with our two Shakes ($6 each). For me, the shake of the day: Strawberry-Banana with a chocolate-hazelnut topping, and for my husband, the Cookies & Cream hand-dipped milkshake. What I loved: The BBQ Brisket Hot Pockets, despite the wee size, stole the show for me, while the abundance of glaze surrounding the Donut Burger Sliders kept my husband most happy. The Strawberry-Banana Shake, a perfect balance of fresh fruit with creamy, ice-creamy consistency. Why I loved it: A comfortable, trendy, hipster-vibed diner with Portland's famous quality of creative food. Cost: Average ($4 - $8 per happy hour menu item)
(4)
Kim K.

Elevated, comfort food favorites! Happened upon this just walking through downtown. Planned to have lunch but the menu inspired a friend and I to do breakfast in the afternoon...which started with milkshakes. I haven't had a milkshake in years but when I saw a Bourbon, Salted Caramel version...SOLD. I was tipsy when I left. SO satisfying! I also got the bacon, egg and cheese biscuit breakfast. The biscuit was scratch and 4 inches tall. I tried to mash it down to fit in my piehole but after two bites, I deconstructed it. The portion of food on the plate was still huge. Well worth the $9. I dig this place and will be back!
(4)
Audra B.

Stopped there randomly on a fun day trip in Portland. BEST WAFFLE EVER! I don't even really like waffles, but the flavor of their waffles are so unique. The rest of their breakfast food is well done too. They cooked the eggs and bacon perfectly. The staff were nice as well. Next trip to Portland I want to come back and try more food, and eat more waffles.
(4)
Lime A.

The bartender will work you if your waiting on the train. Do not spend your money here unless you need to.
(2)
Lawrence W.

Clean, minimalist place. Great service, all smiles. Food was delicious. We had juicy hamburgers. The a Donut Sliders are a must-try for this place. Some like the sweet and the savory together... Some don't like that much sugar frosting on their burger. Depends, I suppose. I enjoyed it on a small appetizer of a slider. Good call as an appetizer only. The Hamburger was delicious and juicy. Unfortunately, I expected the Bahn Mi burger to be a little more exotic tasting... perhaps more parsley or something. The homemade pineapple shrub soda tasted good but the carbonation was too sharp... burns the throat a little too much. The wait until the food got out was also a bit long, considering not a full house today. Worth a try, tho.
(4)
Mary I.

I was in town for business and stayed at the adjacent hotel. I stopped in for lunch on my first day and ordered the chicken and waffle sliders. A manager (or someone other than my waiter) delivered my meal and apologized for the delay and indicated the meal was on the house. The restaurant was busy and I didn't think it was an unreasonable wait.....but I gladly accepted their kind gesture. My entree was awesome. I return the next evening for dinner. I ordered a grasshopper (from their boozy shake menu), cheeseburger and fries. Everything was delicious. The burger and fries were tasty and prepared as orders. He serving sizes are generous and the staff are delightful. I highly recommend The Original!
(5)
Richard W.

I ordered vegetarian eggs Benedict. I was offered avocado as a substitute for meat. I was charged for avocado, 2$, above the 14$ they charge for meat Benedict. Getting hustled at breakfast ruins the experience. I was shorted 10$ in change when I paid as well. The food here is only ok. This type of business is unacceptable. I left more then a 25% tip because this waiter will need it as they should be fired.
(1)
Mike W.

I normally just swing into here for happy hour (sliders, sliders, and more sliders) but we decided to come in for a full on dinner this time and it did not disappoint. We started with the chicken and waffle sliders (fantastic) and moved on to the main courses of pot pie and bbq lamb with polenta. The food was good, the service was excellent, and the pecan pie for desert was gooey, hot, and delicious. Big props to our server. We can be awfully indecisive and I can often times see the pain on the face of the people who take our order. This guy was a champ though. He gave suggestions, never rushed us, and was a super friendly dude.
(4)
Craig D.

Chicken and Waffles, Poutine, Carmel milkshakes and coconut cream pie. All of my favorites in one meal at one Restaraunt! All delicious!
(5)
Anna S.

Color me confused. How does a place that serves up outstanding brunch with excellently friendly service and no wait on a Saturday in Downtown Portland have 3.5 stars? Folks, that rating is borderline criminal. I stopped in yesterday and had the absolute hardest time narrowing down what I wanted to scarf down for brunch. In fact, that may be the only downside to this place -- they have a pretty large selection, and everything sounds great. It creates a real dilemma for the indecisive! My rule is, when in doubt, Eggs Benedict. If there's a "special" version, even better. Here, I had a Smoked Steelhead Benedict and it was SUCH a good choice. The eggs were poached perfectly, and the hash browns on the side were crispy but not over-seasoned, so as not to compete with the flavors of the main dish. Of course, my dining companion's Polenta Cakes (+ Buttermilk Fried Chicken) were also amazing. I had so much food of my own but kept sneaking bites of those polenta cakes with candied bacon. Oh, and I'll let you in on a little secret: they have Cholula at the tables, but if you ask for it, they also have Secret Aardvark. Ask for it. This place rocks at customizing your plate, by the way. Add bacon to this, an egg to that, fried chicken to anything... and the staff is so patient! Some reviewers mentioned a wait for the food. I didn't experience any extraordinary wait, though food didn't come out in an instant (and it shouldn't). Even if the wait for the food was long, we were seated immediately. This is practically unheard of, especially when you consider the legendary waits at Mother's just a few blocks away. After trying brunch at The Original, I'm not sure why people aren't just heading here instead. All in all, I was impressed with everything I tasted. I highly recommend the Smoked Tomato Bloody Mary (it really is smokey and you should add a strip of crispy bacon), and I'll absolutely have to return soon for one of their legendary milkshakes. While the 3.5 rating may be part of the reason that there is no wait for Saturday brunch, The Original simply deserves better.
(5)
Maki D.

So Portland is well known for it's amazing brunch spots right, as portrayed in our favorite show, Portlandia. Well fear not weekend brunch seekers, the Original is as good as any brunch spot in Portland minus the 2 hour wait time. You have the choice of opting out for a classic breakfast here, eggs, bacon and hash browns, but what I like about the breakfast menu here is that they get creative with the menu: Smoked steelhead benedict poached eggs, english muffin, house-smoked steelhead, baby spinach, leeks, hollandaise, hash browns, or the Red Flannel Hash, housemade corned beef, beets, potatoes, fennel, peppers, two eggs, choice of toast. See? You don't have to torture yourself for quality food on the weekends anymore! The vibe is very cool, large windows good for people watching. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Take not, out of towners, Mother's and Screendoor are amazing, but so is the Original.
(3)
Kelli M.

We went here for brunch one morning before we went on a hike. We were staying in the Courtyard Marriott next door and wanted to give this place a try. Everything was AMAZING. The coffee was strong and fresh, the food was incredible, and the KETCHUP was to die for. The four of us basically licked our plates clean. I'm drooling as I write this - I could eat here every day. The atmosphere is awesome - kind of like Continental (if you're from the Philly area). Funky, hipster, laid back - all things fun! Would definitely recommend if you are traveling in the Portland area.
(5)
Aiko A.

Really love this place, Whenever visiting Portland we are sure to make at least one stop here. Since we were staying at the connecting hotel on our most recent stay, we ate at The Original on both nights of our stay. On both nights we left very much satisfied. On the first night, we enjoyed their happy hour with the donut burger sliders, sweet glazed donuts with savory grass fed beef and cheddar. Also enjoyed the poutine and BBQ lamb. The happy hour daily punch was good, but the wine, not so much. For the second night, Saturday, there was no happy hour. But the hubby and I loved the smoked buffalo wings, totally get it when you go! The chicken and waffles, were okay. The chicken was flavored and crisped very well, but would have preferred the waffles to be crispy on the outside...Then we shared the special burger, a maple cake donut with grass fed beef and bacon! It went very well with my Kentucky mule...which had house made cinnamon whiskey which tasted like cinnamon toast crunch. The cherry mule was also good and what was even better was the Super Duper Spicy Margarita! It was awesome! I just wish they would bring back the liver that was made with funyuns... The service has always been friendly and I have no complaints! They are attentive, personable, and make great recommendations. I look forward to returning every time we visit Portland! PS I added a fifth star from my original rating because over the five years that we've been enjoying The Original they have consistently gotten better and better!
(5)
Tiffany M.

I've been to the The Original a few times over the years, although none of those times were in a drunken stupor- unlike many that pass through those "open late night" doors. In general, we're looking at a place that aims to serve comfort food with a perhaps elevated spin. They accomplish this in some dishes, but seem to miss the mark in others. The food over all would be three stars. The drink I got last time was not good at all, and my husband thought the same of his. The service was weird, inconsistent, and inattentive. These two factors are really what drag the review down. I might be back, but maybe next time it will be after throwing back a few in Old Town.
(2)
Yan T.

Funky, hip, but casual cafe/bar attached to the Marriott Courtyard Hotel. I also held a 2-day meeting at the hotel that was catered by The Original. The catered food was good and the staff was very accommodating. Overall, a very positive experience here. Also convenient for tasty meals, The Original is one of the better hotel cafes I've experienced. They had several proper Northwest beers on tap, including Bridgeport. The grilled steelhead (a rainbow trout from the Columbia river) sandwich was very tasty.
(4)
Emily M.

I really liked my Taco Burger. Had a delicious burn to it. Super juicy. Perfect bun, chewy but light. We came with our family of 6 and had a great experience. Though, I thought the kids menu could use a few more items. It was pretty limited. The main menu was spot on American diner with no corners cut.
(4)
Brie R.

I took my hard-to-please, 12-year-old burger-connoisseur while on a trip downtown. He was more than impressed and gave five-star reviews to the two burgers he sampled. Best french fries in Portland. Even down to the local-business condiments this place can't be beat!
(5)
Alece W.

Fried chicken-WOW it came out on a large platter with four pieces, I asked for a breast and it didn't have one but they quickly went to the chef to add one. That quick response to being so happy to please and make me happy is a total A++ the Mac and Cheese is also delicious with a rich creamy taste and hot to eat in every bite. The biscuit that comes with chicken is flaky yummy goodness!! Mashed potatoes are just alright but still tasty, the gravy is definitely the high light there. Overall this place feels good inside and has excellent staff. The drinks are awesome and full menu that offers many options - a must try if in the area.
(4)
Andrea L.

I wish I like this place more. Because it's really cute.I really like the idea of it a lot! Burgers and shakes... a malt shop downtown! Looking for a spot to eat and bunk was crowded and cold so we tried this place. Love the look and even the feel. Not a diner but big booths and lots of space. A round dessert display! The place is not cheap... not at all. I got a cocktail, something pink with vodka so I couldn't resist. It tasted good, for for $5 or 6... not really a trace of alcohol. We had chicken fried steak with eggs, hash and gravy, ($15) and a hamburger with chili cheese fries ($13). The chicken fried steak was the best thing. But we ordered it med/rare and it came pretty much well done. Overcooked but a delicious piece of steak with a nice coating. The hash browns were boring and flavorless but crispy, the eggs just eggs over easy. The burger was ok, and the chili cheese fries disappointing. Alone, the fries were pretty good - but needed seasoning. The chili had little flavor and the cheese was like a slightly cheesy beschamel sauce - but not enough flavor all around. The service was quite good and efficient. The waitress took $5 off for the obviously overcooked steak, which was nice and the right thing to do. Took the sting out a little. So I like the look and the service, but for those prices I expect a lot better food. Maybe saturday isn't the best day for it and I will try again... we'll see.
(3)
Lisa T.

I'm done. Gave this place one last chance because I was craving a salad. What they did perfectly was act smug and provide poor service. I asked for the salad to be spilt and the dressing to be on the side, failed at both of my requests. My drink sat empty, never received a refill. It's really not hard to find another diner in Portland to spend my money and feel slightly more appreciated. I used to feel bad when I'd see the restaurant sit nearly empty, now I completely understand why!
(1)
Michelle D.

Brianna, our server was so friendly! The portions are huge, prices are great, and food is amazing!! We ordered a chicken wrap, chicken sandwich, Mac and cheese, and a slice of mousse pie!!! Highly recommend all of it! Def will be coming back!!!!
(5)
Jason S.

Breakfast was good but not great. There are better places for the money. Did not try lunch or dinner
(3)
Linda T.

Poutine fries are so nice and crisp, deliciousness! I had the taco burgers and it was nicely charred and tasty. Great place to go for a simple lunch dining.
(4)
April C.

So this might be a confusing review as my first experience at The Original gave me one of the best things I've ever eaten and my dining companion one of the most meh meals he's ever eaten including some scary fried chicken. The OMG: Polenta cakes with honey, fresh parmesan cheese, and candied bacon (three strips on top). These were insanely good with the perfect combination of dense, cheesy polenta with the crispy, sweet bacon and the subtle addition of honey and cheese. It was seriously one of the best things I have eaten in a long time. I could barely finish one of the two polenta cakes on the plate! You know that I took that home for leftovers later and it was still incredibly tasty. This is one of those dishes that you might be like "Eh, well, sounds good in theory but it's just some polenta" but no, at least split this was some good, worthy friends. The Upside-Down Smile: My boyfriend got the ham and cheese omelet that came with hash browns and an english muffin. The omelet was fine; filled with a lot of ham and seasoning was on point. The hashbrowns were pretty terrible--so bad in fact that we each had a bite and decided that was more than enough. The top was nearing burnt and the bottom was underdone. The Scary: The waitress (very nice, great service all around) suggested that I get the fried chicken with the polenta cakes (I had overlooked it already came with bacon apparently) so, of course, I say "Sure! Bring it on!" A nicely sized fried hunk of chicken came out on its own plate and looked very promising. I picked off a piece of the perfectly crispy crust and it was well-seasoned. My boyfriend took a big bite and thoroughly enjoyed it and I was a bit more dainty in my knife and fork approach. Upon slicing into the chicken, the middle looked strange; pinkish, juicy but not sure if it was "succulent" juicy or "undercooked chicken" juicy. My boyfriend took another bite and it was fine but I was definitely put off by the look of the chicken after that one cut. I did sample a small piece but something was just a-miss with it. Overall, the decor and menu of The Original is very appealing. It seems like a great spot in Downtown to bring a bit more traffic to as well. I feel like there might be something missing from making this place great but I can't quite put my finger on it. I will definitely come back to try some more unique dishes.
(3)
Sarawr O.

I loved the food I had for dinner, but breakfast the next day left something to be desired! Dinner: I picked a lamb-style French Dip. It was delicious, but I wish there was more then a fleck of goat cheese on it Drinks: good, affordable enough for downtown Portland. Breakfast: I got the breakfast burrito. It was suuuuper hard to hold, needs a tin foil wrapper I think. Water kept dropping out of the bottom, so halfway through it was pretty soggy so my stomach said 'that is not worth finishing' Service overall was good!
(3)
Kerri L.

Looks like I'm going to burn the "midnight" oil here getting in my final review of the year done. Let's see if I beat the clock or fall asleep before midnight. As I came back through downtown after getting off work early (and going sock shopping (so glamorous)), I felt like I owed myself a treat and decided on The Original. I've been intrigued with the restaurant for quite awhile, so what better time than New Year's Eve. There's so much right here: Service: Fast, friendly, frequent, not pretentious yet not intrusive. I felt comfortable right away and that's due to this bright young group of servers. My server, Chelsea, anticipated my needs, but I also could ask for help from the other servers if need be and not feel like I was causing them trouble. They just jumped in and answered my questions. Atmosphere: Relaxed and friendly. The booths were spacious and comfortable. They let me have a whole booth to myself on request and let me choose it. Music: Great choices of music that wasn't too loud. Other diners could carry on conversations comfortably without having to resort to screaming or having their heads explode due to volume extremes. Some even sang along out loud and that just made things more comfy. Cleanliness: Very clean. Didn't use the restroom, but seems like they probably would be clean like the restaurant itself. Decor: Coffee shop meets club? One half of The Original is diner decor and the other half is contemporary cool club decor. It works pretty well and doesn't take away from the feeling of coziness in the diner area or cool factor of the club. Menu: Eclectic diner. Breakfast for dinner, burgers, shakes, etc. Lots of tasty-looking dishes to be had. I settled on biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs and hash browns just because it was a little bit of a celebration after getting off work and heading home sweet home afterward. Their cocktail menu looked intriguing. Portions were perfect, not leaving me feel like I could explode, just comfortably full. What Could Be Better: Food: My scrambled eggs were light, that's true, but they were also still runny. Should have asked for them to be well done, but that's just me. My hash browns and biscuits and gravy were not adequately seasoned and on the bland side. The biscuits were not as light as they could be (they need my mom's biscuit recipe and her light touch) and it was hard to cut through them with a fork and were also a tad too crispy and almost verging on burnt. The hash browns were good enough that I would have liked more. The organic ketchup by Portland Ketchup Company (which I wasn't sure I would like) turned out to be one of the best parts of the meal. The food didn't stay hot for very long either. I had Earl Grey Tea and was given plenty of honey and lemons to "season" the tea with. I originally wasn't going to have dessert, but when I checked in via Yelp on my phone, a coupon for a free piece of pie popped up and The Original honored the coupon, so of course I had to have the pie (dutch apple). It was tasty, but the pie crust hadn't been mixed well (big patches of salty crust interspersed with big patches of overly sweet crust). It was also tough and hard to cut through with my fork (had been handled too much during the mixing of the dough). The filling was not seasoned enough with sugar and other spices. The dish as a whole was not heated correctly so half was cold and the other blazing hot; yikes. A for effort, C+ to D for outcome. Like I said, there's so much right here at The Original, and I would definitely like to come back and have a burger (saw the burger and fries going past to other patrons and looked very good) to give them another chance. The biggest draws are the service, decor, cleanliness, and other atmospheric things. Someone needs to pay greater attention to the smaller details of actual food prep and getting that spot on (making sure things are heated all the way through, etc.). I think this is definitely a restaurant that can do it because they're smart and care about what they're doing. I almost wrote a book, and I hear fireworks going off all over my neighborhood, so Father Time is going to be changing the clock over to the New year sooner than not. My best wishes to everyone everywhere for a great New Year, especially at The Original. I know you have it in you to become one of Portland's greatest in the New Year; you're already 75% there.
(3)
Shaedyn M.

The time I came here was a pretty empty day, and all I wanted was a milkshake. So i ordered the chocolate peanut butter milkshake, and the person I was with ordered one egg and hash browns, a simple order. It took at least 30+ minutes to get it to us. One milkshake, One fried egg, and a small order of hash browns. I would understand if it was extremely crowded, maybe. But come on. The milkshake was one of the best I've had, just because I love peanut butter and they were liberal with it, but I haven't tried anything but that so I can't fully review this place yet!
(2)
Jeff F.

Whew.... this one was a rush... we were hurrying to get food and make an appointment for a car rental a few blocks off... we didn't have much time, and actually... we didn't mention this, but the Original met our needs beautifully. We started with some drip coffee which came to us right away... we perused the menu, and the waiter came by promptly again... wife got the lumberjack breakfast (not really knowing what she was getting except for a little bit of everything... umm, no dear... it's a LOT of everything). I got the red flannel hash with over easy eggs (I'm a sucker for beets). The food flew out of the kitchen (it was early on a Sunday downtown... the place was pretty empty), and we dug in (only had about 15min left). The wife was wow'd by the amount of food... she now knows what a lumberjack breakfast is. Mine was tasty, but swimming in oil/butter... not sure which. It was still tasty, just a little oozy on the bottom. The wife could not stop raving about how fluffy and tasty the pancakes were the whole time through the meal. We asked for the check 1/2 way through the meal (to expediate our departure), and again...the server had no problem meeting our speedy needs. Perfect breakfast place for our needs that day!
(3)
Kendal B.

Great food, cool atmosphere, seriously awesome pie. What more can you ask for?? Also, the bartender, Ryan, was super friendly and attentive! Way to go Ryan!
(5)
Kate H.

Great food and friendly staff. I had the fried chicken sandwich and my boyfriend had the special -- a burger called the squealer that he loved. Their house made sodas are refreshing, and I'd love to try a milkshake (I was too full tonight though).
(5)
Shelly C.

Very cute funky decor and service was great. The kitchen couldn't get our order right to save their lives but when they finally did it was very good food. Our table had Mexican omelettes, eggs with bacon and toast. Nothing to really write home about but good. Our server was great tho and the setting was good. They also had gluten free bread which was nice.
(3)
Mitch D.

The Original is LEGIT!!! If you visit Portland you have to try this place... HAVE TO!! The Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e French Toast is incredible. The building and ambiance is awesome. The service was great too!!! My wife and I couldn't have ended our weekend getaway any better. Definitely plan to come back the next time we visit Portland.
(5)
alan l.

I love businesses that work hard to fix issues and improve. One of the managers of The Original reached out to me after my review and thanked me for the negative review. I'm looking forward to the next time I'm at The Original.
(3)
Jessica S.

I ate here twice while I stayed at the Courtyard Hotel, which it is connected to. The first time, we stopped in for a lunch on a Saturday. The restaurant was busy, but the service was painfully slow - until I complained that we would have to cancel our order as we had to attend an event. This did get things moving, but we still had to scarf down our food pretty fast to actually get where we needed to be in time - it took 40 minutes to get an omelet to the table. Fine. The next day, we stopped in for breakfast, and things were much improved. We both had eggs and bacon. The coffee was great, and the eggs arrived with a generous helping of really, really good bacon. Things arrived much more promptly to the table. The prices are reasonable for the quality. If you're staying at the hotel, it's a good option, just be sure to tell the staff if you're in a hurry.
(4)
Sophie E.

The French toast is amazing. It is crispy on the outside but moist in the middle, they served this with really good syrup and honey butter. Had a great time eating here and would recommend their breakfast foods!
(4)
Ashley F.

What Did I Order? The Deluxe Burger with French Onion Soup How Was It? Okay. I ordered my burger medium, but it came well done. Not the worst offense in the world, but not great either. The french onion soup was flavorful, if a little salty. I did like that I could order something other than fries as my side item. How Was the Service? Eh. My coworker and I had to wait for a long-ish time (maybe 5 minutes) for a greeter to show up at the front of the restaurant. There was another person waiting when we walked in. We came in at 2pm and it wasn't busy. The rest of the service was with a different woman, the actual waitress, and it was okay. Nothing special. It also took us a full hour to eat lunch from start to finish because of slow service, which doesn't seem acceptable when the place isn't even busy. Would I Come Back? Probably not. There are enough options downtown with either excellent food or excellent service or both. This place just isn't special. The food was okay and the service was meh.
(2)
Linda C.

As I begin to write this review, I glance over at some of the previous reviews and.....there are chicken waffle sliders? What?! Must report this to the sweetheart because we're coming here again! We happened to rise well before noon on this recent Sunday so we decided to go get some breakfast. I heard of this place a few years ago from a coworker. He came here on a date and enjoyed it immensely. I am a fan of diner food with a twist. If you are too, come here. Now. Breakfast/brunch is delicious. The brunch menu also includes some burgers and salad that you can order if you're not in the mood for breakfast. I ordered the Dungeness Crab Eggs Benedict. The sweetheart ordered bacon Belgian waffles and fried chicken breast (you can add fried chicken to any of their waffles or french toast. The french toast, by the way, is a creme brÃ»lÃ©e sort of concoction using brioche bread. This is what I read, it's not what I saw although I am sure I would be salivating if I did see what it looked like. We sat in a booth, it's not like your normal booths and I quite like it. It also seems like most of the lines in this place curve. No sharp edges or 90 degree angles even in the bathroom. Did I mention that the food was delicious? It was. The staff is nice and friendly. The place seemed to operate like a well oiled machine, at least when we were there. There aren't too many places where everyone seems to jive like that so it is nice to see witness it sometimes.
(4)
Ben F.

I just had breakfast here...giving it 2 stars for the atmosphere and service but not for the food...I had the Denver omelette and it came literally swimming in grease...this is not the way to serve an omelette. Hash browns were also cold and the food didn't seem to have great taste...Also not a fan of the Portland organic ketchup...bring back the Heinz 57!! On the plus side the coffee was good! I don't think I would come back to this place. At least not for the food...
(2)
Jessica P.

5 stars for sure! We ordered a couple different signature drinks (they were all delicious). My favorite was a Cosmo that had been aged in their barrels for 3-4 weeks. Make sure to check out the "barrel aged drinks" when you go there. Next we had the donut sliders for our app. Wow, these were so great! I ordered the chicken pot pie and my husband had the NW loggers breakfast (they serve breakfast all day long!). Both entrees were large portions, but OMG the NW loggers breakfast was HUGE... Really could have fed both of us. And they have 3 different syrups for the pancakes. We tried them all of course. The chicken pot pie was delicious. Perfectly seasoned and the crust was light and just the right amount. This restaurant is best described as a modern diner. Cool vibe and amazing service!
(5)
Glatta M.

You traverse the Portlandia mount for the fabled service of brunch. There are many false prophets on the mount, some screaming salvation through coffee, brightly iced donuts dunked in cereal bits and yuppy fare with mollusk hashes and forbidden spiced aiolis. You have sat through their services...you know they spout half truths. But you thirst...your stomach craves simple, hearty....and candied pork if possible. It is willing to reign its mewlings for a baptism in sweet/savory holiness. Your stomach knows what it wants. Suddenly, by chance you stop at a diner that can't decide if it wants to be upscale or a 50's greasy spoon. You are skeptical...it's connected to a hotel and we all know that hotel restaurants are 90% overpriced crapshoots. The clients are in Eddie Bauer. You are full of conflicted feels until you see the external menu flickering near the door. It reads...Polenta. You didn't bother even reading the rest of it. Your stomach knows it hit breakfast mecca. You sit at the counter and order. You are patient; your stomach waits with baited breath...its Messiah is coming and he brings bacon. Then it happens...Polenta Jesus gives the sermon on the brunch mount. He breaks the candied bacon, crunchy, smokey with speckles of carmelized brown sugar and laces of creamy fat. As its passed around, more parishioners arrive and hungrily accept said blessing. He breaks the polenta cakes, crisp and soaked with webs of honey butter on the outside...soft, fluffy and delicate within. You are impressed with The Originals bait and switch...a secret reverend to the Polenta Jesus, a Father for the culinary divine. You look at the check...not too shabby. Your stomach, now full, rumbles 'Hellz Yeah!'. Thank you, The Original, for allowing Polenta Jesus to save our souls. We are forever blessed. Amen.
(5)
Noreen M.

I must admit that I was a little nervous about going here after reading so many negative reviews, but on this cold rainy day I was craving some comfort food, so my husband and I gave it a shot. We arrived during the lunch hour and were seated right away. Our server was very attentive and super friendly. They didn't have a huge list of beers on tap, but what they had was very good. While I wouldn't say it was exceptionally fast service, it was by no means slow. Our meals were great - I ordered the Deluxe Burger and it was quite tasty! My husband said that the Tuna Melt was among the best he's ever had - great flavor. Our french fries were really hot and fresh. The atmosphere was fun! Awesome 60's vibe, but classy (as so many other reviewers have noted). All in all, we had a great experience at The Original!
(3)
Shane W.

The creme brÃ»lÃ©e french toast is the ONLY reason to come here. Best. Ever. I dream about it. Absolutely incredible. The Bloody Mary was nicely presented but tasted kinda gross. The staff is alright. I have been here 5 or so times and have never been impressed with the service. But the creme brÃ»lÃ©e french toast will keep me coming back.
(4)
Donna K.

Unfortunately, this is an upscale diner serving diner food for upscale prices. The hamburger is just another hamburger. Dry and unoriginal for the price of a desire for something more. The other menu items can pass a drunkard's taste buds. The best thing are some of the cocktails. The Italian soda rhubarb wan tasty, but it became a dessert. They have fresh squeeze greyhounds and screwdrivers, which are always good. Somehow my screwdriver was a bit strong, and any sane person would not complain, but I needed more juice: call me weak sauce. I do somewhat enjoy the happy hour with the scotch egg and donut burger sliders. Bonus: it's also a hotel, so if you drink one too many of their stiff screwdrivers, you can spend the nigh upstairs!
(3)
Amber S.

I'm not reviewing the food or the drinks right now all I'm reviewing Is our waitress Chelsea . Thank you Chelsea for being so sweet and attentive .
(4)
Jeff W.

This is usually our go-to eatery when we are staying downtown. Aside from one visit, the service has always been excellent. You can't leave without ordering the chicken waffles and the donut burger sliders. They have some unique specialty drinks as well. It's the perfect place to get the party started!
(4)
Ashlee W.

This place was recommended by a friend to try while we were in town. I ordered the croissant e-cristo and my friend ordered the palenta cakes with candied bacon. The brown sugar candied bacon is to die for! Life changing! Would definitely go back. :) We also had the little mini hamburger sliders that were served between two donuts as buns. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.
(5)
Emily S.

The original is an interesting spot. Located downtown, you wouldn't expect a mom and pops style dinner and even when you walk in the theme isn't quite apparent. Once you sit down though, you'll notice a wide selection of classic American dishes, many with a special "twist" (crime brÃ»lÃ©e French toast, anyone?). While a bit more expensive than the corner diner, the food is delicious and the service is friendly. There's not much more you can ask for.
(5)
Autumn D.

Dessert is where its at!! I went back (My sweet tooth got the best of me) I ordered the Chocolate Mousse Cake from hell!! Haha OMG its amazing!! There is no way i can eat this all in one sitting!! Its 4 layers of dreaminess!! My fiancÃ© got the hot fudge Sunday!! Yummy only complaint there is no hot fudge but still good!! Its not a traditional hot fudge it almost looks like the magic shell chocolate we used to have as a kid!! The manager was so nice he actually read my yelp review!! (nerve racking) No one likes a negative review!! But he took the harsh criticism and mentioned it to his kitchen staff!! That is a man i respect! For him to actually care that i was unsatisfied is outstanding!! Businesses should look at yelp as ways to improve!! I love cooking and without customers or reviews i would have nothing!!
(5)
Irene S.

This place is pretty good. The service is sometimes slow but the people are very nice and accommodating. They messed up our order but they made it up by giving it to us as a service. Their French toast is good too. This place is good to try at least once while living on Portland.
(4)
Sabrina M.

Even if the food wasn't delicious (it was!!) I would still give The Original 5 stars just based on their staff. I was under the impression that it was a 24 hour diner so we took our time ordering and sat around chatting for quite some time. Little did we know, they close at midnight and it was 12:45 before we realized they are not a 24 hour establishment. We felt terrible, but the staff was so patient. But the food...oh my god...donut sliders! Chicken waffle sliders! Everything was amazing! Can't wait to go back at a normal hour.
(5)
Andy K.

We had our first Portland meal here and it did not disappoint! For a hotel restaurant, The Original is surprisingly good and boasts a very inventive/yummy menu. We started with some local brews which was awesome (especially the blond ale). I ordered the Lamp French Dip which was absolutely delicious. It's a traditional French Dip but with lamb meat and herb goat cheese. I would HIGHLY recommend it. We finished off with some pie, which was free due to their check in special. We settled on a slice of Dutch Apple and a slice of Pecan. Both were very good but the Pecan was definitely my favorite. Last but not least....the poutine. Now, usually Canada is the place for poutine. My Canadian sister-in-law actually remarked that the poutine at The Original was some of the best she's ever had. Make sure you try it.
(4)
Gabrielle M.

I really love this vibe here, like an old diner! We had a cheese burger with a salad, also shared the appetizer of a mini donut cheeseburger. It was bomb!! They make their own sodas and have milkshakes, even BOOZE shakes! We split the 'pick me up' we added kaluha and oreocookie crumbs! It was amazing.
(4)
Jillian R.

Just OK. Had the eggs, hash browns, toast and bacon. The bacon was AMAZING, but the rest of the meal was pretty bland. Cool that ketchup on table was local to Oregon and organic, but honestly it wasn't that flavorful either. Wouldn't make my list of recommended places to eat.
(2)
Marissa C.

Came here for our last meal in Portland before heading back to the airport. Surprisingly a lot of the other diners were closed on a Monday and this one was one of the few that showed open that was walking distance of where we were. The ambiance was a fun themed diner and our waitress was friendly. She was very attentive to my food allergies and even allowed me to sub the eggs on my dish with bacon. I ordered the Tofu Hash and my boyfriend ordered the Steak and Eggs. The Tofu Hash was actually REALLY GOOD and filled me up despite the fact it looked like just a pile of veggies. We also got coffee with the meals and i was so happy to hear they had soy milk! +1 for them! Overall, it was a good meal for a good price.
(4)
Carolina M.

Holy crap! So. Much. Food! Some friends and I had been bar-hopping along North Mississippi and wanted some place that served some more substantial food. If we were in Georgia, we could easily go to some divey Waffle House, but The Original, oy, that puts Waffle House to shame. We probably should have just ordered one plate of biscuits and gravy, but we ordered two. That was messy and delicious and so worth the price. I also had a bit of the bacon milkshake. That was tasty too. Service was great too considering it was about 2-3am. I couldn't see myself making the effort to come back to this place, but if I were under the same circumstances of being a late night, and needing something to eat, I would come back.
(4)
Wayne G.

For the first time in forever, we decided not to cook on Thanksgiving and thought we'd give The Original a shot. It was a risky move on my part. And I was just picturing my wife giving me a ration of s**t if the dinner didn't come off well. Well, thankfully it did. We had reservations for myself, wife and two daughters 11 and 13 and arrived right on time and were shown right to our nice booth. The atmosphere was very casual but cool. The service was outstanding and my first cocktail made with cranberry was just perfect. We browsed the menu and three of us chose the turkey with all the trimming and my youngest daughter wanted grilled cheese and a Caesar salad. The food came out very quickly and was fabulous. The side dishes were good to great and when my wife asked for extra gravy, they didn't bat an eye and brought it out right away. But I have say of all the things we ate, the turkey was the star.... as it should be... but seldom is. Many times it's too dry or too tough or too thin or not well done enough. This was PERFECT!!!! P E R F E C T. If my turkey turned out like that I'd have it more than once a year for sure. Anyway, we all had the best time with no stress and we were very happy with our night. I couldn't think of one thing they did wrong or not well. Can't wait to go back for some more down home cooking!
(5)
Jay C.

The Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e French Toast is AMAZING! And you definitely need a boozy shake. Seriously. No question. Boozy Shake.
(5)
Julia V.

We finally made it to portland after a long drive and this was the first place (and only in he area of a few blocks) that we saw, so we hurried in to be fed. We realized once inside that we had actually been here before kind of with the same back story, hungry and only one restaurant in sight. After realizing this we were delighted since the first time we had come the food was delicious! Now our second time around was just as good. We came in during the brunch menu but since it was 2pm burgers and milkshakes was more appropriate (the only non-breakfast food on the brunch menu). Their veggie burger is good, not the best I've ever had but certainly did the job. And many of the food items are locally produced the menu was great at explaining the farm to table effect which I really appreciate. Anyways, great place!
(5)
Brittany D.

Great breakfast place! I got the veggie sausage scramble. The veggies were very fresh- kale and tomatoes with cheese. The hash browns were great too. I'm very particular about my hash Browns and these were shredded with organic ketchup. Pancakes come with multiple syrups as well that are delicious. I would recommend this place for breakfast for sure!
(5)
Ally G.

Had a lovely handmade honey Rosemary soda, 1/2 Oregon salad and 1/2 grilled cheese. All were fresh and really good. Even the choices of condiments were great. Loved the spicy catsup. Wait staff and hostess were attentive a pleasant, music and decor fab.
(5)
Alex M.

Best hangover brunch ever!!!! For a bachelorette party we stayed in the hotel connected to The Original, and obviously didn't want to go far the next morning. I had the breakfast burrito and it was delicious, I could only eat half so I had the other half for lunch! I am really excited to go back and try some other items on their menu.
(5)
Avishek S.

The red velvet pancakes were delicious and filled me up. I hadn't eaten any breakfast. If you ask em, they'll provide FREE maple syrup for sticklers like me. I don't want the fake stuff. The people who work here were really nice to me too. Also they have wifi, but people don't usually do work here for whatever reason. I skipped out so I could get some work done elsewhere
(4)
Frank A.

Great food. Great staff. Dinner here was so good. The pork chop special on sweet potatoes was great. As was the chicken pot pie tasted so delicious. Breakfast on Sunday a delight, but you will have to wait a bit. Wonderful experience! Truly wonderful staff!
(5)
Cyrus L.

Came for apple pie. Left with a stomach full of disappointment.
(2)
Colin C.

Something here has changed, not sure what. The menu was slightly tweaked, the ingredients have been changed too. I had an unimpressive turkey burger, and the burger buns, which used to be great, are not so much any more. Service has been a little iffy too. Not sure what happened, we used to love this place. Maybe ownership changed? Just be aware that older reviews may not apply any more.
(3)
Marcy E.

My kitchen outside of my apartment... And the best part is, I don't even have to cook. I was introduced to delicious Portland Ketchup for the first time here, and I've never bought from another ketchup brand since. And out of all the places I've tried in PDX, I've probably eaten here the most, and there's a good reason. First off, the decor is freakin' sweet. A retro feel, but still classy. You get little tastes of a classic diner here and there, but the modern touches and color scheme brings you back to the 21st century. So far my favorite time to eat here is for brunch, with my all time favorite food item EVER being their cornmeal bacon batter waffle. Excuse me? Where has this been all of my life? How much of a genius do you have to be to think of combining the delicious taste and texture of cornmeal batter with the amazing-ness of bacon? Typically, whenever I get french toast, waffles, or pancakes, I ALWAYS need some sort of meat or protein component (and let me say that you're just lying to yourself if you don't love "accidentally" getting maple syrup on your bacon strips). Most of time, that costs extra. Like, $4+ extra for a plate of bacon. And that can get kinda costly. This waffle saves me money, which I gladly use toward their delicious cappuccino or latte. Here are a few other close second favorites: Creme Brulee French Toast: My first dish at The Original. Perfectly cooked and delicious. And those bread slices are HUGE. You definitely don't need any additional sides to fill you up. Biscuit Sandwich: This is definitely one of those "If I Had to Choose a Final Meal" plates. Very filling. I'm normally not a fan of tomatoes on my sandwich (apparently I'm an idiot and every single time, the tomato gets stuck on the roof of my mouth and I have to use my tongue to get it off but I can't and... I'll just stop rambling now), but the preserved tomato was delicious and really made the sandwich. I'm pretty sure I could eat this dish for every meal of the day. One of the only complaints we have about the place is The Man complaining about the size of the orange juice. It seems to cost a pretty penny just for a small glass. Maybe I was spoiled being brought up in the Sunshine State where there are orange trees far and wide (not really). But it just seems silly to pay that much when you can just get a carton at the grocery store. So far this is one of my favorite go-to places. It's not a bad walk to get to (and the walk back home prevents me from getting into a food coma from all of the delicious food). And it's opened all day.
(4)
Ron T.

If you really want me, you'll spend money and time with me. Well, only if you'll continue to pull the tricks that you use to do. I would like to treat this place like a hooker dealing with a return customer. It is weird, awkward, nostalgic to be inside a place where it has left wonderful memories between you and people. You just have to keep coming back. This is what the Creme Brulee French toast reminds me of. It's so bad for you yet it is just good you crave for it. And you have to have it even when you know it will shorten your lifespan. You might as well keep a journal on the side for the EMT to look at so they know what to de-clog later when you pass out. Their milkshakes are good. If you are feeling lush, add some booze. It's easy and delicious. Yes, it will bring all the boys to the yard. I think I'm in heaven.
(4)
Arlena T.

Came here for the Babe's Birthday Breakfast. I got just two eggs and hashbrowns which were pretty good. He got the breakfast burrito which was amazing. The best part was the BLOODY MARY'S uhhhhhhh probably the best I've ever had.
(4)
Melissa H.

SO glad I came back to The Original to give it a second chance - it went from a 3 star to a 5 star in my book! If you've read my original review, I was underwhelmed by the Cube Libre and dessert I ordered. Well, this time I didn't come for drinks, but for brunch instead. And can I just say, brunch rocked my world! I'm so glad I ordered the veggie sausage scramble - it was SO good! I know Portland is known for its vegetarian-friendliness, but still. As a visitor, I'm still blown away that restaurants here offer a varied selection for vegetarians, AND serve delicious food at the same time. It can be done, AZ! Hint, hint! Beyond the delicious veggie sausage scramble and the coffee, the thing that took The Original from a 4 star (for great food) to a 5 star was our server. I really wish I remembered his name - Matt, or Mike - he was amazing! I was traveling with my Dad this time, and my Dad has lost a lot of his hearing in his older age. When we travel, that means I usually 'interpret' for my Dad (answering questions he didn't hear, telling him what the servers said, etc.) This usually means people end up ignoring my Dad, and turning to me to answer his questions. Not our server at The Original. Matt/Mike went out of his way to clearly and loudly answer my Dad's questions, directing all answers to him. He made my Dad feel like someone was listening to him and not just treating him 'like an old man.' If you're visiting Portland, or are downtown for an event, you should definitely visit The Original for brunch if you want a varied, delicious menu with friendly and professional staff. Our server's professionalism and dedication made The Original stand out even further - with great food and terrific servers, I know I will be back again!
(5)
Pollyanna M.

Solid eats at The Original. We were able to call ahead and reserve a table for our party of nine. I had a tasty bowl of chili, which came with a small cornbread muffin. Everyone enjoyed their meals, from the crispy fried chicken sandwich to the pot pie and salads. They do their milkshakes the way milkshakes should be done - super creamy with the 'extra' milkshake in a side aluminum glass. Fun and retro-inspired theme, but with modern elements. It's a cool ambiance and we enjoyed checking out all of the band posters in the back.
(4)
Lynne S.

I have wandered by this place on many a night and wondered about it, as it's one of the few outposts that is open late in downtown. And last night, I finally got a chance to try it. After a browse of the menu I chose the chicken and waffle sliders. Out came two li'l fried chicken pieces on the cutest waffles I've ever seen. The waffles were fresh crusty buttermilk perfection, the chicken moist and the breading tasty. What really made it was the honey-mustard drizzle on top, with the faintest taste of rosemary. This was one of the yummiest things I've eaten in recent memory--no joke. The staff were super friendly, and our server was very accommodating--they searched high and low for mint syrup so they could make my BF a mint-chocolate shake. For adorably-portioned chicken and waffles sans multiple-hour wait, I will most certainly be back. Yay for the Original!
(4)
Isadoro M.

Eh. The Bahn Mi burger sounds great, but it's overwhelmed by the dry, bready bun, plus has none of the distinct Vietnamese flavors. Very disappointing. So many possibilities. Same for the Steelhead Salmon sandwich. All bread, no flavor, even with the attempted remoulade sauce. Chicken and white bean soup was good, if over salted, as were the fries. Using a lot of salt to simulate flavor is a cop out. Use real herbs and spices. Exotic name doesn't make it taste so.
(2)
john A.

This establishment has mixed reviews, but my wife and decided to check it out anyways. Most of the negative reviews were spot on! The service lacked in all areas, I couldn't get my coffee refilled so I took it upon my self to grab it and fill my cup up myself. There seemed to be plenty of staff and they were all walking about but doing what could be debatable. It's a shame that so many tourists come to visit our lovely city of Portland and hear how wonderful our brunches are, and to come across such establishments that are subpar and leave feeling dissatisfied is quite shameful. Typically I'd just mark this experience off as a loss, but given the $8 parking I just don't want people to leave here with a bad taste in their mouths. On Sundays they only offer the breakfast menu and dinner later in the evening, even though there was it was breakfast they offered some lunch options. The waiter informed us that they were going to be adding even more lunch options to the breakfast menu in the weeks to come. It is quite possible we did not order their signature dishes, though the dishes we did order should have just been breakfast 101 for the cooks. My wife ordered the waffle and added a fried chicken breast on top, the waffle was undercooked and a bit soggy. The chicken was overly greasy and bland, or maybe we are just spoiled by places like "The Screen Door", and "Pine State Biscuits". I ordered the NW Logger which came with bacon, sausage, eggs, hash browns, and pancakes. It was nothing amazing, but it was okay. Tasted like pancakes out of a box and the hash browns were greasy and cool and lacked in the flavor department. Lots of people ordered the creme brule French toast, which looked pretty good. There were some aspects that I did enjoy, they served Stumptown coffee, provided Portland ketchup, and had Aardvark sauce (yum!) The atmosphere wasn't to bad and the joint may just be convenient for the conjoined Hotel, but in a nutshell there are 100 better choices within a mile radius. Hope this helps and keep Yelping!
(2)
Brittany H.

Delicious breakfast, fast and friendly service, and my favorite part was that unlike most breakfast places in Portland, we didn't have to wait an hour to be seated! Try the creme brÃ»lÃ©e french toast! My fiancÃ© loved that they had actual hash browns instead of potatoes
(5)
Alyssa T.

I've been here twice and I have struggled with what to order each time because the whole menu looks great. The polenta cakes were amazing but very sweet. The service was good, but I wish the server had told us the shot of irish cream we ask for with our $3 cup of coffee was going to be $8. That seemed a bit steep to me.
(4)
Craig L.

Saturday mid morning with no wait. Mix of clientele from young to old, singles, couples, big groups, families. Had to try the Creme Brule French Toast, wow, no syrup needed, decadence at 10:30 AM. Wife enjoyed the Mexican Omelet, the biscuit was large and delicious, the chorizo a little spicy, and she really liked the slices of avocado topping the eggs. Portland knows breakfast.
(5)
Dave K.

Great dinner. Enjoyed everything and the service was fantastic.
(5)
Margarita S.

The Original has the most amazing french toast! It really kind of rocked my world. It comes with a side of house made honey butter. Service is great and fast. they also serve a selection of boozy milkshakes which are all quite enjoyable. The only reason The Original doesn't get 5 stars from me is because half of my side order of bacon was undercooked to the point that it didn't seem safe to eat. Otherwise, eating at The Original was a very enjoyable dining experience.
(4)
Christina P.

The Original is attached to the hotel we stayed in and we visited for dinner one night. As for the food, it was pretty tasty. I had the meatloaf which was hearty and homey and the mashed potatoes it came with were nice and chunky. I also appreciated the free glass of wine I got with my check in offer! Though it was about a four star experience, I take off one star because of the condescending attitude from our waiter. He wasn't especially friendly from the get go, but what really got on my nerves was when we dared to ask questions about the happy hour signage that they had on every table. According to the signs, they had happy hour from 11pm-1am, and one of the drinks listed was a gross but interesting sounding 'Cosby' jello pudding shot. We were curious about it so we ordered one. The waiter gave us an incredulous look and said no one actually ever ordered that, but that he'd go and check to see if they had any (which they didn't). He then proceeded to say it's not something that he'd ever recommend having or ordering and that's why they don't have them in stock. OK, clarify something for me. If something you list on your menu is so gross and foul that you'd harshly judge anyone who deigned to order it, then why is it posted in a little plastic cube on every table? The fact that they were out of it didn't bother me as much as the fact that he made us feel dumb for even asking about it. This is the kind of snobbishness I don't stand for, whether it's a five-star restaurant or a trying to be trendy diner. Too bad, because otherwise I really liked the concept of this place and how convenient it was to our hotel. My recommendation is for the waiter to get an attitude adjustment and for The Original to take anything off their menu that they wouldn't proudly serve, happy hour or not!
(3)
Mitch N.

Very happy with my NW Logger breakfast. A simple 2 pancakes, eggs, potato hashbrowns, sausage AND bacon. I strongly recommend adding the buttermilk fried chicken. It's just a few bucks to any order, but it so made my meal. Perhaps why my breakfast was so good, everything seemed to be cooked in butter. The eggs, hashbrowns and even sausage had a butter flavor to it. One of the few times I didn't salt my eggs.
(4)
Rachel R.

I've tried multiple times to like this place. They used to be semi-cool when they stayed open late to cater to all the folks wanting a late night meal (usually after the bars), but they no longer are open late, boo! We went here again for dinner on Saturday. I had the crispy chicken sandwich. The chicken was cooked well, but lacked flavor. It was incredibly bland. It had a dressing/sauce on it that made the burger impossible to eat with your hands and ruined the bun as it was soaked in this crap. And the sauce itself had good intentions, but again, very bland. My fries were okay. I love the idea of what they do with them, but when they come out cold and looking like you got the last of what was lying around, it makes you not want to consume them. The BF got the chicken and waffle sliders with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. The potatoes are delicious and buttery, the gravy is so-so. The waffles tasted like a fortune cookie, which was interesting and okay. The chicken, just like mine, was tasteless. And sweet jesus, the lighting! What is happening there?! Someone please cut the bright lights! So after many attempts of trying to like this place, I'm afraid I just can't.
(2)
Philipp G.

I used to come here all the time. Slowly the service became increasingly worse. Constantly burnt food, the absolute slowest service and careless waiters (if they ever stop at your table.) Do not waste your money here.
(1)
Lettie C.

Ok - gave The Original another chance & so glad I did! Blue plate special today are uh-mazing chicken soft tacos - with pickled veg, yummmm!! And killer salsa! The waiter was tops, recommended the Cock & Bull ginger beer which was so great. Hats off to the folks @ The Original!
(5)
Alayne H.

We were staying at the Marriott Courtyard and on our way back from a Friday night out, we stopped in here for dessert. We sat at the bar and the bartender promptly greeted us. We discussed dessert options and he helped us make up our mind - lemon cake and apple pie tart with ice cream. Both desserts were scrumptious. The cake had a lemon custard layer on top. It was moist and had just the right amount of tartness. The apple pie was served warm with ice cream on the side. The pie had the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Oh soooo good! Great service and decadent, fresh baked desserts made me a fan.
(4)
Shy A.

Came by for Christmas brunch...The wait was short and we were seated fairly fast, I guess I assumed that because of the holiday, we would be waiting forever. Service was good, she pretty much left us alone but made she we had everything we needed. The food was just meh. Let me just say their chicken was delicious! I ordered the heuvos rancheros which was overall pretty bland. I added the fried chicken for an additional $4 and it saved my meal! I heard that they have some killer burgers here and will have to check it out another time to try them out. The bloody mary I had was just ok, it had a smokiness about it that reminded me of bacon but barely had any alcohol. Pretty disappointing.
(3)
Sonny G.

Ordered Chicken Fried steak and it came bloody, as in raw in the middle. Customer service was great and allowed me to order something else but overall the food was a big disappointment and overpriced. You're better off going to Shari's!
(2)
Annie S.

My favorite breakfast place! The decor is just the best. It's trendy and cute. The tables are awesome! It's like a modern diner. I adore it. The food we had was delicious! Well made. The menu is cool. Not too many choices but not all the same stuff you see at all the other places. The breakfast was perfect. Waitresses were nice. The location is a pain to park and get to but it's worth it.
(5)
Caitlin C.

Maybe I just picked the worst dishes on the menu- the chicken in my chicken and waffle sliders was rubbery and the brisket hot pocket tasted like oily mystery meat. Wait staff redeemed it- very prompt and took the hot pockets off my tab when they noticed I barely touched it.
(3)
Jessica A.

I went here while on vacation in Portland. The ambiance is cool & drinks are inexpensive during happy hour (if your waitress remembers to put it in as a happy hour beverage). The food was overpriced and ehhhh. I got the shrimp cocktail which had tiny little bay shrimp (a little over a tablespoon of them) on some sauces and it was like $7. The soup had bacon in it (I could taste it) even though I asked first if it had meat in it. I also asked again after I tasted it, but the waitress just said it didn't have meat in it and walked away, continuing to ignore our table until she brought the check. The bartender was cool, but our waitress was useless. So 2 starts for Mr. Bartender and the drinks! My trip to Portland would have been much more memorable had I not visited The Original.
(2)
Irene S.

Why do I always feel like a such a glutton every time I leave this place? I've been here twice now and have walked out both times feeling way too bloated to even think straight. It's not like I'm gorging myself either! The first dining experience consisted of me ordering some creme brÃ»lÃ©e french toast. The 3 Texas-toast slices of french toast didn't seem too daunting and there was even an assortment of 3 condiments to drizzle atop the toast (marionberry syrup, honey butter, maple syrup). I could only finish a slice and a half of the french toast. Maybe it was just the combination of the sugar on the toast or the syrups that I poured but WOW, even with my sweet-tooth I couldn't finish more than 1.5 slices of this order. The second time I was here, I was also a little overambitious. BOURBON MAPLE BACON MILKSHAKE ($6). The stuff my dreams are made of? Possibly. I couldn't taste the bourbon, but the maple and bacon bits more than made up for it. Yes, this milkshake is as rich as it sounds. Don't take this milkshake lightly. I also ordered a $12 breakfast burrito. I definitely underestimated the size of this burrito. It was gigantic. It sustained me for 2.5 meals. Typical tasty assortment of hashbrowns, plain omelet, some soft shredded pork as the filling + chile verde shredded pork hugging the outer sides of the burrito with a small dollop of sour cream, guacamole, and side of simple salsa. Sprinkled with some shredded cheddar. Come here if you want to be dumbstruck by the sight of a giant breakfast burrito or maple bacon milkshake!
(4)
Pascal F.

Gave this place a whirl for breakfast. I'm a fiend for a good breakfast burrito, and I saw it on their menu. The decor in this place is pretty rad, and it lives up the their "dinerant" description. The Good: Decor. Service was solid and attentive. My burrito was good, but I like to pick it up...it was kind of a big ole pile. Portion was huge though! Needs work: My girlfriend got the polenta with candied bacon. The bacon was a little over the top, so sugary that it stuck in your teeth. Would pass on that next time.
(4)
Emily D.

We started our meal off right with orange and grapefruit mimosas. My husband got the steak and eggs - the steak was excellent! I had the polenta cakes - definitely an amazing diner food :) the service was wonderful.
(5)
Mona B.

Recently my boss decided we're due for a team outing, so off we went for a breakfast at this place. Service? Good - no complaints there. Both servers (a guy and a gal) were efficient, friendly enough and pleasant. (this is the only reason I'm giving them 3 stars, rather than 2 stars that their food deserves) Food? well... I ordered a smoked steel head eggs benedict. It came with a gigantic hash brown that occupied 2/3 of the plate (shredded burnt bland potato? no thanks) that I didn't touch and the hollandaise sauce I asked to be on the side was bland that I was very glad that it didn't drench the eggs. One of the poached eggs was 98% runny (runny egg white - yuck! hello?!) but since I was surrounded by my coworkers, I decided to push that egg aside and not say anything. Other than that, there were about 4-5 teeny little pieces of smoked fish under each egg and 3 spinach leaves under that, then half of an English muffin. So I ate 1 poached egg (sans sauce), 6 spinach leaves and a few skimpy little pieces of smoked fish for $14. Let's just say I was glad that I wasn't paying. FYI, they have 2 bathrooms that are gender-less and each bathroom has an occupancy of 1 (get it? you open the door and you see a toilet and a sink). If that didn't bother you, here's a final kicker. Both bathrooms face the dining area with no obstructions. So depends on where you sit and eat, you'll have a full view of the inside of the bathroom every time someone opens the bathroom door. eeeew.
(3)
Keith P.

I had vegan ice cream here... so creamy... so good... so chocolatey... so delicious! The only complaint I had is that it took the waitress 10 minutes to talk to me in a somewhat empty restaurant.
(3)
Jason M.

Turn up and put a bird on it. Large portions and a great vibe make this a jewel of the Cascades.
(4)
Momo B.

HAD TO TRY IT FOR MYSELF Same restaurant group as the Urban Farmer at The Nines Hotel. The concierge and Club Level never stop raving about the Original especially the Breakfast 4 Dinner. So for this evening we order the Creme Brulee French Toast with 3 pork links and 1 sunny side egg on top of the toast. Also included two appetizers: crab cake and short rib wagyu in three pockets. Also included a spiced orange soda. After experiencing the Breakfast 4 Dinner ensemble, I can now understand why the Club Level staff has such an infatuation. Thought the short rib wagyu pockets were fulfilling and tasty. Crab cake was delightfully all crab to my amazement.
(4)
Charles S.

An American diner feel without the worry of what may be stuck to your shoes. It's a classy way to enjoy Classic American fair, from breakfast to burgers, milkshakes or a Rootbeer float. The staff is friendly, the service is prompt, and of course the food is great! I would recommend for anyone for a quick business lunch or even just for your lunch break from work.
(4)
Mary M.

Ate two breakfasts at the Original. Diner theme but the food was top notch. Loved the arugula, grapefruit, cottage cheese and almond offering. I was ready for heavy the second time there and had their grilled polenta with caramelized bacon and a side of sautÃ©ed greens. My companions loved their omelets with fondue on top. High quality ingredients, preparation and presentation. Way beats a diner.
(4)
Mark J.

I used to eat here, regularly. My wife and I were at the bar with a few friends after hours, one last drink before heading to bed, we stayed at the connected hotel even though we live up the street (long story).... One of the servers mad a rude comment to me in passing, and I asked him to clarify. He got red faced and lost his cool, and called me something I will not repeat on this forum. I let him walk away without comment and asked for the manager, the manager was not there, big surprise. I spoke with the hotel manager about this situation, and the manager was apologetic but added he could not really do anything but report back to the restaurant manager. I never received an apology or a follow up call as I requested. I did not say this at the time, but we used to hold private parties, upstairs. We gave this place a bunch of business! No longer we will never be back nor will the parties we held, all because of a bad person! I can no longer recommend this restaurant to anyone, there are just to many options. I have noticed that the patronage has tapered off significantly, it sounds like I am not the only one that had this experience. PS: Hotel Manager was not helpful in the slightest, disappointing experience all around.
(1)
Kristina M.

I was having breakfast downtown the other day with a few friends and wanted to find somewhere I had never been. (I'm big on off-the-beaten-path type places.) Saw some really good reviews for The Original on Yelp, so we decided to check it out. And WOW, was I glad we did! The concept of the restaurant, a "dinerant," is so cool. The place had a 60s diner feel, but in a very upscale and sophisticated manner. The staff was incredibly friendly. Both the hostess and the waitress were a pleasure to work with, and our waitress had an awesome sense of humor that made the dining experience feel very casual. And the food... YUM! I had the Elvis Sighting and oh good gracious was it delicious! Our table also had Biscuits and Gravy and the Crab Cake Benedict and both got great reviews from us! I live out of town, but will definitely be returning to The Original when I'm in Portland next. (Hopefully for the lunch or dinner menu so I can try something else!) In other words, if you're debating dining here, do yourself a favor and GO!
(5)
Mac M.

In a city full of great breakfast places The Original stands out.... The Creme Brulee French Toast is awesome..... Great bacon, great pancakes and super hash-browns. Only con might be parking can be a pain. But this place has got a great diner atmosphere and the follow it with great food. I've been here a couple times and love it all....
(5)
Kount T.

We waited 40 minutes for our food, and not once did our server come by to apologize for the wait. We had to hunt our server down to get our water refilled. And during our meal, our server never stopped by to see if we needed anything. Mediocre food.
(1)
Taylour J.

I've been here a couple of times for lunch. The first time our service was so incredibly slow that we had to end up asking for our food to go once it was ready because we needed to get back to work. The food was pretty good and they gave us a complimentary cookie for the delay, which we appreciated. The second time we ordered the same food, but it was not nearly as good. I think they must carve their own turkey because they included some really questionable parts of the meat in our club sandwiches. It put such a bad taste in our mouths that we decided not to finish eating. Our food was prompt this time around but our initial drink orders took a pretty long time to fill. We probably won't ever go back so I've got to give this place a 2. I think this place has a lot of potential but falls short on delivery.
(2)
Matthew L.

Had brunch there on our first morning in Portland. Their menu prices are higher than average, but their portions are large and my cousin and I were stuffed by the end of our meal. I ordered the northwestern logger which had pancakes, bacon, eggs, hash brown, and sausage. Their house blueberry jam and syrup is amazing. My cousin had the Steak and Eggs, which he enjoyed as well.
(4)
Kyle B.

Went here for Breakfast on Saturday morning. Was very pleased to see that they can take phone in reservations for Breakfast. With 2 young children, nothing is worst than 2 little ones starving and having to wait 30+ minutes for a table. Huge props to The Original for this. Service was exceptional. Food was Great. Everyone else at the table had some delicious breakfast. I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak. Was not to happy with it. I am a huge fan of comfort food CFS . Some good sausage gravy and a hand breaded CFS, there is nothing is better in life. The Original's CFS was a little fancy for my taste. They use a flank steak that is hand breaded, it was a little like eating a hamburger with white table linens on fine china. Not really needed if you get my drift. My wife did have the Chile Verde Breakfast Burrito. This was AMAZING. I stole away half of it from her. That was some good eating. We will defiantly be coming back to The Original (I just will stay away from the chicken fried steak).
(4)
Paul L.

I love the twist on the old American classic dinner menu here. Went here a couple times for brunch and was never disappointed.
(5)
Ben J.

Yummy adult beverages... The chicken and waffles sliders could have had less breading and more taste. Hot sauce to them is tabasco. Show me some Frank's Texas Pete, etc. Good customer service and child friendly atmosphere.
(3)
Joni W.

I've been here twice and had great service, but terrible food, both times. I wouldn't recommend The Original.
(2)
Dave R.

Came here with very high hopes and dreams about how good the food should be.....This is were a little "middle of the road" starts to happen.... The service: lets discuss that shall we, promptly greeted at the door by a cheerful young lady and she seated us. The server was promptly at our table to get our drink order.....so far so good..... WAIT, not so fast. The drinks took about 10 minutes to arrive and he stated that he would be right back for to take the food order, and he did, about 5 minutes later. We asked about a few items on the menu and I was on the fence between the eggs bend your dick or traditional breakfast. He said that hands down no question the steelhead eggs benedict was top shelf and over the top. We discussed the preparation of the dish and it was very clear how I was going to get the meal.... I was waiting on pins and needles and forgot all about the drink in front of me, and yes it was empty and so was my daughters. No one offered a drink to us even after the wait of about 20 minutes for the meal. Yes, it was delivered, overcooked cold fish on a soggy untoasted English muffin, with a egg that was also almost hard boiled and it was cold also. The dish had tomatoes on it even though we had discussed the precise preparation 1/48th of a day prior...... I was planning on sending the plate back as the fish smell was over powering and after 10 minutes of waiting, I finally pushed the chow around a little on the plate and ending up eating some of it. Now thirsty, my daughter finished with her pancakes, no servers to be found anywhere and the 4 customers in the entire joint seemed to be content, we decided to make out way to the hostess who was clearly counting cars and rain drops, but she actually was the best part of my experience and for this there is a extra star delivered to the review. We did pay her and off we went. Kinda felt like the owners should be informed of a few things as I feel they can be fixed. The location is good. Check. The interior looks and feels good. Check. The menu is robust and full of choices. Check. The service is non existent and needs correction. Fail. The quality of the food was cold and not prepared as the image that a customer might expect. Fail. Now lets talk about the star ratings. 1 star for the start of the review. 1 star for the location. 1 star for the hostess greeting. 1 star for the promptness of seating. 1 star for the menu options. -1 star for the service wait staff. -1 star for the food quality and preparation. That leaves you with 3 stars and 3 stars to me says, go back in 3-6 months and try to give the joint a little bump on the rating...... Look forward to the return.....
(3)
Christina T.

Their breakfast is nothing special. Their food was typical American breakfast food. The music and atmosphere and wall decoration didn't really seem cohesive, also. Also, the waitresses hardly ever came over to check up on my friend and me. Wouldn't come here again.
(2)
NJ R.

Delicious. They are open super late. We ate here late at night and it was so good I wanted to come back for breakfast! Their brioche French toast with carmalized sugar with Marionberry syrup. MMM. Scrambled eggs with gyuere cheese!!! Also had a side of delicious fresh berries including blackberries my favorite! Gourmet food that is priced for a budget. Do try them.
(5)
Eric P.

I stopped in for a solo breakfast my first morning of a recent visit to Portland, and got a seat by the window (bonus: people-watching). The service was prompt and attentive but not in the way. And the breakfast: wow. My breakfast burrito was about as big as my head. OK, perhaps that's an exaggeration, but it was bigger than two fists ... which I used when digging right in to the pulled-pork-filled, scrambled-egg-loaded, cheese-covered, chile-sauced goodness. Definitely an "add to future visits" kind of spot, especially if one has an appetite that needs addressing.
(4)
Heather F.

"Overpriced diner" is an oxymoron that should not exist (outside of Manhattan). There is really nothing justifying these prices at all. A restaurant should only be able to get away with this if the atmosphere is incredible and unique or the food and menu is exceptional. Neither were the case here, and I do not plan to return.
(2)
Diane C.

The service here was wonderful, very friendly and prompt. We had the Creme Brulee French Toast and the Traditional Eggs Benedict. We loved both. In fact, I think this was the best Eggs Benedict that I have had in Portland. The French Toast was also very good. I loved the Creme Brulee crust that it had, and the 3 different types of syrup they served with it. Highly recommend.
(5)
Chris C.

Cool looking place, kitsch atmosphere but the food was very simple and not very flavorful. I've had better burgers at mcdonalds. The service was slow, the food took a very long time to come out and the cooks forgot to add bacon to my burger. We tried a house made soda but it was way too sweet and full of syrup. However the milk shakes are great
(3)
Adam G.

Excellent spot for brunch. The staff are very pleasant and helpful. The food is well prepared and seasoned. The pancakes are more like a feast for three, the size of a dinner plate and piled high. Of particular note are the smoked tomato bloody mary and the beef jerky bloody mary.
(4)
Shawnee N.

I really like this place. It's conveniently located downtown and has a rock n roll vibe to it. I really liked the vegetarian omelette, I'm not a fan of the Goddess salad. It's a great little place for breakfast or after a night on the town.
(4)
Lindsay D.

I've eaten here several times, and for me customer service is a big deal in terms of my experience. The Original always nails it in that department. I feel very taken care of without being smothered, and things are always served quickly. The food is also pretty decent. Portions are on the big side (at least for dinner). Basically, it's classy comfort food. Burgers, milkshakes, mac & cheese, meatloaf........ Here's the only disappointing thing, and TOTALLY NOT the fault of the restaurant: the transit center is right on the other side of the window. While it can make for good people watching, it can also make you lose your appetite. For instance, the last time I was there, a giant pile of dog crap was right outside the window in my direct line of vision. I tried to ignore it, but people kept walking by and pointing at it. So my advice is keep your back to the window :)
(4)
Sean H.

My office is close to The Original, so I'm there for breakfast two or three times a week. Rarely do I venture away from my usual four eggs, four slices of bacon, and one pancake. The pancake is usually nice and fluffy, but every 4th or 5th visit it falls flat. I guess those ain't bad odds. Service is usually great, but when a group from the office recently went for breakfast our waiter was a rude little fart to one in our party. Odds, right? I had the very yummy Oregon Salad for lunch yesterday, though I wonder if the chef REALLY likes beets because few of the tiny chunks made it into my salad the two times I've tried it. A "large" salad clocked in at $17 with added chicken. I'm considering investing in lettuce futures.
(4)
Chelle A.

Had breakfast here on our last day in Portland. The environment is mid century modern design diner. I got the chicken and waffles and my boyfriend got the chicken and french toast. The food was really good especially the fried chicken. I also order a mimosa with peach also was good too, good place for breakfast
(5)
Shauna M.

Great location in downtown Portland by transit. Nice interiors and very friendly staff, however the dish I ordered, (seafood gumbo), although looked outstanding, was just not all that. The Bloody Mary however was quite good. Good menu with apps, salads, sandwiches and specialty dishes. Worth a try, however, doubtful I will venture back.
(3)
Joseph L.

Good food, great ambiance. Conveniently located off the max. Definitely going back soon.
(5)
Courtney L.

NOT SAFE! Three people I know have suffered from allergic reactions here that sent them to the emergency room. That CANNOT be a coincidence. Not worth it...go elsewhere.
(1)
Jimi R.

Nice location, strolled over here after spending some time at the saturday market. The food was okay. I got the traditional eggs Benedict and wasn't very impressed my friend got the crab cakes Benedict and liked it but was sadden by the extremely small portions. bottom line is it wasn't horrible, but it wasn't worth the money.
(3)
Allison H.

I took my 9 year old to The Original for dinner before going to a show at the Keller. It was so good and according to her "we definitely need to go back!" I highly recommend the doughnut burgers:) Very fun, family friendly place that has great food and a bit of sophistication!
(5)
Jessica F.

Good food. Great location. The boozy shakes are an awesome end of the day treat.
(3)
Clarice G.

Love the diner-ish feel of this place! I've been the The Original a few times and each time was for breakfast. My bf is a big breakfast person so he kept insisting that we back come to this place even when we stayed at a different hotel. Food: I always get the PDX omelet--shroom and cheese. SOoo good. I can never remember what type of cheese they use, I'm just go ahead and say that its a goat cheese. Must try! Service is awesome. Portland in general is such a quirky city and the service here reflects it. They are very attentive and the food always comes out in a reasonable amount of time. We'll definitely be back!
(4)
Caliope S.

Love this place. Have been here twice. The food is really good. The fried chicken made me crave fried chicken for the six months between my visits here-- and I'm not someone who normally ever eats fried chicken. My only complaint is that when I ordered it again on my last visit here, the fried breading was quite burnt and I let it fall off (it did on its own) and just ate the delicious chicken by itself...kind of defeating the point of ordering fried chicken, but still yummy. But my boozy shake was delicious, my cornmeal and bacon waffle was even pretty good, even though it wasn't what I was totally in the mood for at the time. The first time I went, I ordered the polenta-- holy crap that's delicious! I probably should have ordered that on my subsequent visit, but wanted to expand my palette to other items on their incredibly enticing menu! I ate so much at my second meal (brunch around 11am), I didn't get hungry for the entire rest of the day! Which is a good thing because, let's face it, that boozy shake in itself had over 1,000 calories and I had fried chicken, a side of bacon, and a waffle with syrup (and more bacon in it) on top of it! Can you say, "gluttony"? ;) I was grateful that the waitress didn't judge me too harshly when I ordered my food. It was definitely a cheat meal for me! My man ordered the monte cristo w/jam sandwich and loved it. It looked good, but I wasn't in the mood for a sandwich at brunch, so didn't taste it. I would definitely come back here again and recommend you try it, too. You won't be disappointed...unless you're a REALLY healthy eater who doesn't like to splurge every once in a while! I'm hoping the doughnut burger thing is on the menu next time I go! It sounds disgusting, but if anyone can make it delicious, it's going to be The Original!
(4)
Davey H.

We had the breakfast burrito paired with a marion berry smoothie. Portions were large, but the food was mediocre, not really memorable. I thoroughly enjoyed the decor with all the music posters. Service was good.
(3)
Coral C.

We decided to eat Thanksgiving out this year, and even though we tried making reservations at the beginning of November, most were sold out. Not here though. I was a little fooled by the high ratings, we had a pretty awful meal. The hubby and I did the TV Dinners, and we got to choose an entree, three sides, and a dessert. I went more traditional, getting turkey, mashers, stuffing, and pumpkin pie (and a totally inedible side of braised greens and delicata squash). So we could get a good range of food, my husband chose ham, brussels sprouts, rice pilaf, and a sweet potato dish. Apple cobbler for dessert. Okay, I get that this is a holiday, but the place was packed. Our food came out cold. No way that this should have happened. Not only was it cold, the rice pilaf was not cooked completely, so there were hard pieces of rice in it. I enjoyed my turkey and mashed potatoes, but everything else was cold and not good at all. Who serves apple cobbler cold? Or any food for that matter? When our server came to check on us, we asked for a different side for the uncooked rice, and after the replacement potatoes were delivered, he never came by again. Maybe it was because we were stuck in the back corner and forgot about us? I know this wasn't their regular menu, but I expected a lot more. Definitely won't be back. Way overpriced, terrible service, and the food was no good.
(1)
Serena K.

Great food and awesome atmosphere. Loved every bite of every dish we purchased. Prices were very fair and service was super quick. It was one of the better places open late and luckily we were staying right there!
(5)
Bill G.

I've eaten here a few times while staying at the Courtyard. Surprisingly it's good both for breakfast as well as evening drinks. Not many diners can pull that off. At breakfast the creme brulee french toast is absurdly good.
(4)
Michaela L.

Ugh, this place was disappointing. We were staying around the corner at the Vintage Plaza and needed something safe-ish for dinner since my husband wasn't feeling well. I felt like having fries and pie, so I went looking for walking distance pie recs on chowhound and yelp and this place popped up. Phoned in an order for chicken pot pie, a side of fries, a slice of apple pie, and something called "chicken soup ravioli" that my husband thought sounded safe, then walked over to pick it up. Fail 1: The chicken pot pie was inedibly salty. Just bad. Additionally, texture-wise, it was essentially soupy goo with a circle of pie dough floating on top and the occasional shred of chicken and carrot. There were a few discernible chunks, but not a lot. Fail 2: The first "chicken soup ravioli" my husband cut open contained a big wad of chicken gristle. He was instantly icked out and didn't finish the rest. Fail 3: They left out the fries. Two stars because the apple pie was good. Meh. ETA: Just received pretty much Instant feedback from the owner that they will look into this, so that's nice -- it's nice that they care.
(2)
Todd O.

This place gets 4 stars because of the surprise factor. My plan was to eat my way through Portland and diner food, upscale or not was not on the menu. We stayed at the hotel so it was screaming my name but I had bigger plans. I also had checked the reviews and the place was rated below my 4 star minimum. With all that said, I went anyway and I was pleasantly surprised. We had really good service which was nice. They have a great happy hour and you could go just for dessert. We went for breakfast and they had a great mix of standard breakfast and creative. They have amazing hours which is perfect for the traveler. The space is modern and contemporary serving up creative diner food...I think I summed it up!
(4)
Joyce C.

after a long day of driving we decided to have dinner at the original dinerant. our server was cool and just really easy going. the restaurant had a cool retro vibe to it...everything that a diner should feel like . for dinner i decided to have the deluxe burger which was also recommended by our server....highland oak beef, fried onions, blue cheese, gruyere, pickle and shallot aioli. i also decided to switch out the fries for poutine which i remember reading you could do. the poutine {which wasn't truly poutine since it wasn't white cheddar curds} was pretty tasty! the burger was delicious but enormous! we didn't realize that we could've shared this so it was a pretty heavy meal. we ended our dinner with a pistachio cake to share. for some reason, i expected the cake to have a hint of amaretto like the ice cream but this was just a pistachio cake. overall, i liked the original. the food was good and the service was great. i just recommend splitting a meal unless you're ready to throw down!!!
(3)
Danielle D.

The food was good but nothing amazing. And the wait was much too long for the food quality. After being seated we waited about 45-60 mins for 3 orders. It was a little upsetting because the service as good and the atmosphere was really nice.
(3)
Aaron W.

The panda learned never to try and consume 5 lbs of poutine. But ice cream is always welcome! My friend -- a competitive eater -- and I arrived midday on a Saturday during Memorial Day weekend, when there basically was only a limited menu. The ice cream flavor on my visit a couple weeks back was Gary's Spicy Peanut ice cream. Very creamy, with a strong peanut presence. A very slight kick for me on the back end, but people more sensitive to spice will probably feel it more than I did. I actually ended up adding some hot sauces to this. Hey, it still tasted good! The 5-pound poutine challenge probably has at least 2-3 lbs. of fries (perhaps a bit more), with the rest of the weight comprised of gravy and cheese curds topping all that starch. No traditional white cheese curds here; it looked more like small blocks of cheddar cheese (perhaps it's Tillamook cheddar to help local businesses?). The dish is served on a butcher's block. Gotta love that presentation! My friend demolished the challenge in record time. The staff and I just marveled at awesome food gluttony. Even though I wasn't feeling 100%, I wanted to try my hand at this $25 poutine challenge anyway a couple months later (meaning last month). Needless to say, that was one colossal mistake. My friend joined me again for my "stupid panda" moment. We arrived right around peak lunchtime on a Sunday, so it was fairly busy. We snagged a booth near the back right corner of the dinerant. For the heck of it, we took the challenge on side by side. My friend showed why he's a pro and finished it AGAIN in a leisurely 14 minutes. I ate as fast as I could, and at least for the first few bites, it was pretty good. Not that it would have mattered in the long run, but the crispy fries (which I generally prefer) didn't help my cause to finish. For quantity challenges only, I wish the fries were softer. The abundance of cheese cooled and hardened, and when it became clear I wasn't finishing, I just started avoiding it. Oh, and I am not eating that much gravy again. Totally messed up my insides afterward. I'd say probably half of the challenge (perhaps a bit less) was still on the butcher's block at the end, but I got a T-shirt anyway just for attempting it. It's a nice gesture. Normally when I hear about food challenges, you'd only get a shirt if you beat the challenge. This is a hard one to rate, but in the interest of fairness, I'd eat that poutine again in much smaller amounts. It's probably just a question of when that would be. Feeling all poutine'd out, really. Pretty good service, very friendly staff. It was a bit slow getting the poutine to us, but when you have to cook up all those fries, it naturally would take a while. Not to mention it was still lunchtime. I'll likely be back at some point, and I'll avoid the challenge, thanks.
(3)
Lica N.

The location for our YoHi reunion in Portland. Great place to hang and catch up with peeps you havent seen in decades! The place we had originally planned on having it was booked and The Original was able to accomodate us with less than 3 hr notice. Awesome! The Original is located in downtown and is connected with the Courtyard Marriott. The restaurant is situated in the corner of the building and instead of walls its floor to ceiling glass so you can see out into the street. A great place for happy hour and to people watch. We were actually in town during Pride week and saw a few of them dressed up (see pic). Nobody was really hungry so we just ordered some appetizers. Cheese plate, Fried cheese curds, Poutine, Chicken and Ham fritters. The Poutine was the best, I mean how can you go wrong with fries, gravy and cheese!!! As Navy brats we all went to the same HS in Japan and so we have peeps living all over the world. So when one is in town or is visiting a place a mini reunion gets on the calendar. We had peeps drive/fly down from Seattle, NoCal, Reno and me from SoCal. Its a very unique thing that we do. Its rare that one keeps in touch with peeps from HS much less College but our HS was awesome and we love keeping in touch with everyone! It was great turn out.
(4)
Robert C.

found this location, via yelp and it was a great success. service and food were excellent for dinner. the following day we returned for breakfast and that also was highly enjoyable. overall we ate on 3 separate occasions and between the 4 of us had nothing at all to complain about...this is highly unusual and congrats to The Original for providing great service and very good food
(5)
Claudia G.

I love, love, love The Original. I consider it the best burger downtown. I have to say, I have never ordered anything other than a burger here. I've tried the vegetarian (one of them at least, the one made with garbanzo beans) and of course the beef burger. I love both. I think that the veggie one is particularly good because it's not stringy, like some veggie burgers sometimes are. The other thing I like about this place is their Italian sodas! The orange cream one is to die for. This is an excellent spot for lunch for out-of-towners. Every time we have clients visiting the city, I always send them to The Original.
(4)
Becca W.

This place is cute, clean, delicious, and I wish it was in Chicago! the food isn't too pretentious either. Bf got creme brulee french toast which was awesome, and I ate the best benedict I've ever had thus far.... Seriously. So much flavor. The staff was so nice, and we had great service. 5 stars!!
(5)
Tilla L.

Good place for cheap eats. Reminded me of fast food burgers and fries but in a sophisticated restaurant atmosphere. Mostly a burger place but they have other good dishes. Place is nice, mood and atmosphere is hip. Recommend if looking for something cheap quick and fast.
(3)
Sydney M.

Defiantly will be coming back here soon! Great customer service and amazing food! I had the London Broil, can't wait to come back and try something new!!!
(5)
Kelsie V.

Not too impressed. Waiter had a great sense of humor. My entree was unique, but not completely satisfying. It was a ham and gruyere sammie and instead of bread (it was pieces of fried chicken breast). I love fried chicken ! But overall just too weird and maybe a little dry. My leftover may taste better the next day. We ordered FRIED PICKLES. What we got was some deep fried potato things that had maybe some pickleing flavor? False advertising in a way. Local craft beer - good. Kind of pricey Unique choices - but kind of limiting for my dinner expectations Ambiance - good, upscale diner. My friends seemed satisfied with their entrees--not nothing to rave about Maybe return for breakfast sometime? Or not.
(2)
Anita H.

If you want average fare breakfast, the Original Dinerant is the place to be. Nothing too outstanding or nothing too disastrous. I ordered the Denver omelet which came with the standard ham, onions, bell peppers, and cheddar cheese. It was decent, again nothing too spectacular. The hash browns were definitely tastier and better than others I've had at other breakfast joints. They were actually seasoned, quite nicely, too! Which compensated for the slight blandness of the denver omelet. I ordered a lemon chiffon pie to go. WHOA, WHOA -- hold up!!! No one told me they had dang good pies here. It was DELICIOUS, the lemon chiffon was so light and fluffy and just the right amount of zing. If you want an amazing lemon chiffon pie, come to the Dinerant!
(3)
Tony M.

I had the creme brulee French toast and the biscuits and gravy,the French toast was so good,very sweet but was made with hollah Bread. The biscuits were great,the gravy was really good got it with a over easy eggs
(4)
Jen F.

I have eaten here quite a few times. the staff is hit or miss. they are ok, unless they are busy chatting with their friends. The food is good, not great. It depends on what is on the menu on the time. In the past I have had good entrees, now the menu is not as appealing. The chicken and dumplings is mediocre. It is a thin soup with veggies, chicken and gnocchi. The fried chicken is good, but all boneless. Salads are good. Desserts are good. Breakfast is good with lots of choices. Good coffee. Decent hash browns which is usually hard to find.
(3)
Enrique S.

You have to be out of your mind not to give this restaurant five stars!!! I ordered the Elvis sighting. It was French Toast with Carmel, nuts, bananas, and smoked ham. With I a side of juicy fried chicken. The taste was out of this world!!!! And our waiter was awesome!!!!! A must go!
(5)
Jeff S.

I'm a whiskey person but I loved the bloody Mary's. Vodka lovers much get the grey hounds. More later.
(5)
Ryan T.

I came here while visiting Oregon for a wedding, and stopped in Portland on the way back to Chicago. The first thing I noticed about this place was that it has a really neat layout. The huge glass windows are a really pleasant thing to be able to have nearby as you eat. Onto the food - I got the crab cake Benedict which was really nice - I like that they actually substituted the biscuit for the crab cake instead of having both. They also asked how I wanted my eggs poached, which is a rarity and eliminated the stress of waiting to see whether if the egg will be properly runny. All and all it was a pleasant experience and very tasty.
(4)
Justin A.

Food was good... But DON'T GO FOR THE SERVICE! This place is riddled with waitresses who could care less about their tables. We had a party of 10 single people and the server refused to split the check. She wouldn't even let us do all the math for her on the receipt and give her separate cards... Since we had a large party she completely ignored our table knowing the automatic gratuity would be coming her way regardless of her service. If you get a server named Katie... RUN!
(2)
And R.

Why would you not have gift certificates available at your restaurant? It's fucking stupid to have to buy them online or go to Departure to pick them up.
(1)
Robert L.

Food was good. The lunch menu seemed mostly reasonable. The wait time for not very many people was long - and tends to be. There's something not very hospitable about a place that draws its inspiration and style from a mid-century Americana diner...you know, the one where Flo works and she pours your drink before you even sit down and then calls you "hun". I presented a Foursquare deal that has been there for over a year and the waiter still looked perplexed...it's a friggin' free iced tea with a meal...you can swing that, right? Plus, it's your old deal anyway. Then, I got my check and there was a $3 charge for Iced Tea. I didn't say anything because I already waited longer than $3 worth of my time for the check in the first place...it's the principle of the matter. The tomato soup tasted like - and felt like - marinara. Exactly like pizza dipping marinara. The burger was pretty good and the salads were really satisfying with big portions and good dressing without being too much. The deserts looked very, very good...but I had willpower. A quick lunch will cost you - both in time and in your wallet - but it's worth a try. I bet brunch is good...but I'm not waiting in a line. If service is that slow and cold on a slow afternoon, then how bad is it when 50% or more of the huge space is filled?
(3)
Ha T.

The five stars are for just one thing: crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e French toast. It was perfect - crispy caramelized sugar, slightly burnt and rich taste. No soggy bread whatsoever. It was made more perfect by three kinds of warm (almost hot) syrup. I will attempt to recreate the toast at home, with a butane torch. Hopefully I won't set my hair on fire.
(5)
Cheryl D.

We met for family breakfast at The Original this morning full of excitement! We left feeling less than satisfied and my Mom (who treated, a much lighter wallet) Severely disappointed in the food. The restaurant is beautiful, it is just too bad their food is so bland, overpriced and COLD. Every plate that came out of the kitchen had cold food, my toast was so cold it would not melt butter. Everyone in our party had a plate full of cold food. Speaking of the food, it was just average, nothing more. They have some interesting sounding dishes, but my first visit was so bad I don't know if I can convince myself to return. My Brother got the Chicken Fried Steak which was burnt and extremely small for the $14.00 price tag. The only thing that looked and tasted good was The Elvis Sighting, I would go back for that and perhaps a milkshake, but never for breakfast again. The final nail in the coffin, after drinking a bunch of coffee I needed the Rest Room, they have two, the first one was in terrible shape so I notified someone and then stood outside the 2nd ND for 10 minutes and finally went next door to the hotel to see if I could find one there, no dice. By the time I came back the 2nd restroom finally became available. My family wondered what the hell had happened to me, I was gone SO LONG.
(2)
Nancy G.

Went here the day of the Shamrock Run. Was very surprised they weren't prepared for a lot of patrons. You'd think 30 thousand folks coming through downtown would make you add a few more staff to your schedule. So the good; yummy food. However, my daughter ordered fried chicken that was pink inside! Yuck! We already waited so long for our food, we didn't bother sending back. The bad; horrible, slow service. Messed up orders, wrongly billed items, long waits, rude bartender. Dude takes off to bring more soda for a kiddo and comes back 15 minutes later. Seriously? This is no lie, from the moment we walked into the door to leaving it was 2 hours and 10 minutes. Ridiculous! You guys can do better! Every restaurant can have a bad day but he'll will freeze over for me to recommend this place with a group of friends. Competition is tough.
(2)
Alanna S.

Meh. It was ok. The food was passable, but the service was terrible. It's not just me, I noticed several reviews saying the service here is lousy. We had to flag our waitress down several times for refills. Our group asked for a booth. The hostess acted like it was a major hassle to grant our seating request. It was SLOW and plenty of seating was available. Better than a greasy spoon, but not on my radar for being good. Also has a weird lack of bathrooms. There was a constant line for both male and female. Very inconvenient.
(2)
Cassie R.

Great food!! Great service on Christmas Day! Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e French toast is rich and wonderful, heavenly homemade biscuits,
(5)
Johnson S.

The Original? I hope to god that doesn't mean there are other restaurants like this floating around. Brunch here was, hands down, the WORST experience of my life. With a party of 10, we waited 45 minutes for a table even though the place didn't seem busy. When we were finally seated it took a good 30 minutes to get our drinks, where mine (a French 75) was made completely incorrectly. Should have been a sign that the staff had never even heard of the drink. Oh well. When the food finally came is was subpar at best. Way overpriced. Not worth raving or ranting about though. It was really the service that made this experience a disaster. Our server, Katie, seemed bored the entire time and gave us attitude when we asked to split the check. I wonder if this is restaurant policy or her just being lazy? Never refilled waters, never asked how the food was, nothing. She knew she was getting her auto gratuity and that her shift was over soon and was just completely checked out. Horrific. That's not to say the other staff were any good either. The two hostesses did nothing but stand and chat the entire time we were there even though no customers were coming in. Can you not help fill water glasses, clean a table, run a plate of food, etc? Atrocious. Watching it all happen was literally torturous. I am recommending that Gordon Ramsay feature this culinary hellhole on his TV show, but until that happens I will be telling everyone to STAY THE HELL AWAY from The Original.
(1)
Annie T.

This place is great for brunch. Even the simple biscuits and gravy was perfect! $5 a mimosa is kind of steep though.
(4)
Chi N.

We came here because we stayed at the hotel. The restaurant is clean and the service was prompt for table of 2. Creme brÃ»lÃ©e French toast was amazing!! I've never had anything like it before. It comes with 3 toasts, with crunchy creme brulee coating on each. Smother it with maple syrup, you are in heaven. I ordered mine with side of bacon which was good cut of meat with just the right amount of crunchy-ness. We also ordered regular 2 eggs and hash browns, which were very good! I'd go back here again next time I'm in pdx.
(5)
Valerie W.

AMAZING! Sums up our experience last night in one word. The Original has stepped up their game thanks to their awesome GM Adam Smith who takes the time to ensure his employees are up on their game, knowledgeable about the food, and cares about the customer experience. The food was excellent as always. The Fish of the Day I would definitely recommend and the Couq Au Vin was very flavorful and juicy. The desert....so yummy! After a very full and satisfying dinner we had to do desert to go but Ken our awesome waiter surprised us with their Apple Cheddar pie (so so good) and the whatchamacallit chocolate desert (also so so good) that he had suggested. We had some service issues in past experiences here but it looks like those have been solved and the service was beyond great last night. We had an excellent time and will of course be back again. I still want to try out the milkshakes! PS - They have a special Maple Bacon milkshake right now that seems quite amazing. I have yet to try it but am very tempted to.
(5)
Melani B.

Dear Original, Ever since I visited you for breakfast with my sister 2 years ago, you've been one of my favorite places for a quick and delicious breakfast in downtown Portland. Those tomato-baked eggs (add a side of greens) kept me coming back whenever I could convince my husband to make the drive from Aloha... I also occasionally opt for one of your intriguing (but frankly much too sweet) pancake or waffle-type options; the polenta cakes stand out as my favorite of those. The coffee and prices are on-point, the service is always good. I thought I'd come back here regularly for years to come. Imagine my sorrow on my most recent visit... the tomato-baked eggs and chilaquiles are no more! What remains of your savory brunch items are unimaginative and kinda pedestrian (though still of the same good quality and portion size). What will I do now? I don't think I can bring myself to come back ever again. Boo to that, Original. Now you're just like every other bar breakfast in Portland.
(3)
Gillian W.

Been to this place a few times. They have quite a bit of variety on thier menu. Everything always looks so good. I love thier deviled eggs. We were in here just the other night but not for the food this time. Was nice to just and out at the counter area (which I love) makes me feel like I'm in a diner.. makes sense since the Original is a dinerant. This is another one of those ambiance places where you just can't get the feeling somewhere else. Only here. I love being in here when I'm downtown. Too much fun!!
(4)
Tman B.

I really loved the food here. It has a great atmosphere that is welcoming to all. The charcuterie was really good. I went there yesterday and the staff was very cool and hip.
(4)
Michael F.

Delicious food, modern atmosphere, and very friendly wait staff! I had a veggie omelette and it was perfect! Right on the 6th Ave. bus mall too, so it's easy to get to.
(5)
Bo H.

Some people think that breakfast is an easy thing to cook and serve. They'd be wrong. Ask anyone who's ever cooked on a line that served breakfast and you'll find out that people are most picky before they've had that first cup of coffee. As a former breakfast cook and current caffeine junky I place myself fully in that picky category. This place looks small from the outside; it's not. Unless there's a noticeable line out the door they've got plenty of space to seat your party. My wife ordered the "Loggers Breakfast"- pancakes, sausage links, hash browns, and eggs. No she did not finish it, but she ate a good portion of all of it and said it was all really good. I had the "Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e French Toast". No, it thankfully is absent any custard. But it is rich and delicious. Now, I really really love french toast. I love that the Brits call it "Poor Knights of Windsor" because they can't stand the French. And I'm pretty sure that proper french toast is supposed to be crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Unfortunately most breakfast places have to be strong armed into "burning" my french toast. Not so at The Original. You see they make the french toast as anyone would, then they sprinkle it with raw sugar, then they take a blowtorch to the sucker. Fan-freakin-tastic! Nothing produces a satisfying crunch like caramelized sugar. Just ask any creme brÃ»lÃ©e fan. This picky breakfast eater was more than satisfied. Oh yeah, the bacon was pretty good too.
(4)
Kim W.

Wonderful, attentive service. Delicious food and reasonable prices. We would recommend the polenta cakes/candied bacon and the steak and eggs. The biscuits and jam are to die for. Great selection of local brews and creative cocktails.
(5)
Kaylie H.

I went here with five friends 3AM Saturday morning and received the best service I've ever had in a restaurant! Out waiter, Richard, went out of his way to make sure we had the best dining experience possible. And the chef (I didn't catch his name) made us the most amazing whipped cream I've ever had in my entire life (to go with my $3 side-order of pancakes!) He came out and explained in detail how he did it, just like they do in super fancy restaurants. It sounded like something that took hours to do! Thanks to these fellas, my whipped cream and waiter standards are way too high. I will never enjoy whipped cream or dining out as I have before, because nothing will compare to the incredible experience my friends and I had at The Original! Needless to say, we will definitely be returning!
(5)
Richard B.

Candied bacon and polenta cakes. Your new crack cocaine.
(4)
MJ M.

Long wait getting served, but probably due to our visit coinciding with city's boil water advisory. Server was gracious enough to get us eggs Benedict even though we showed up just past 11a. We wanted to try the crab cake Benny but didn't want to push our luck at that point. Lukewarm coffee and underseasoned food. Paid more for this breakfast than we did at tasty and alder, which is a bit of a travesty. Cool layout, decent service, lacklustre food. Don't think I'd go back.
(3)
Ahadin H.

Sunday/Saturday morning breakfast/brunch? CHICKEN. FRIED. STEAK. MEDIUM. RARE = Quite awesome! and COFFEE. for less than $20??? This is the perfect morning-after-meal no matter what happened some hours before. Definitely will fix you up for a "better" rest of the day.
(4)
Kaupo K.

Food was delicious. We ordered from the brunch menu and there were a ton of different options. Burgers, fries, breakfast burrito and huevos rancheros were all wonderful. Food portions were huge! The service was a little slow but the staff was really friendly. The only thing to watch out for is the bathrooms. There are only two individual bathrooms and both were occupied the whole time.
(4)
Rob D.

It was after 2am and they were open. Good late night find!
(3)
Bunny E.

As far as food goes: milkshakes were pretty darn good- I went for the peanut butter milkshake and my mom got a malted chocolate shake- I tried both- my moms had a subtle malted flavor an my shake was very peanut buttery. Both good though. We also tried the donut sliders and the Mac an cheese- holy wow- the sliders you'd think would be kinda weird? Glazed donut burgers? But seriously amazing. Pass on the dumpling soup. Not great. Ambiance a little awkward, service a little laggy.:: but overall if I were craving some tasty diner food, I'd definitely return.
(4)
Alisa G.

There are so many amazing breakfast joints in this town that you've got to be pretty spectacular to compete. The original does not make it into the spectacular department. It's fine; nothing special, but fine. The interior is clean and inviting, and the service is pleasant and available at just the right time. I had the egg white omelet. Rather than offering egg whites on all omelets, they just have one called the egg white omelet. It was definitely for folks who prefer lighter fare, made with kale, avocado, and tomato, no cheese. It definitely lacked flavor, even with the hot sauce on the table, but it was a nice option for someone who still wants a full breakfast but without the heaviness of meat, cheese, and other artery-clogging stuff. The wheat toast had a nice flavor to it, so that I didn't try the jam on the table. I like that they offer fruit or hash browns without making you go through the hoops of a substitution. I should have done fruit but opted for the hash browns, which also were pretty flavorless. The coffee was not up to snuff for Portland, but I was pleased that the server offered a refill (although checking back a second time would have been nice).
(3)
Nora K.

Food was just ok, service was terrible...we had to get our own drink refills, waiter was decidedly unhelpful with questions on menu items. Overcoooked veggies. Bland meatloaf.
(2)
Kelly B.

My hubs and I were staying at the Marriott downtown on a impromptu weekend getaway in Portland (coming in from Seattle) and we were hungry. Damn hungry. At the valet's recommendation, we walked a few blocks to the original at the promise of a "24-hour, cool diner" and it did not disappoint. Though a lot more quiet than I expected (and much less of a dive than I thought it would be, on the contrary, it was pretty hip) Original was a slam dunk. Do people still say that? The service was friendly and the food = awesome. My hubs ordered a ham omelet and I mentioned to the waiter that we would share. The omelet came out on two plates - the chef had split the entree for the both of us. We were THRILLED. I was convinced the server would charge us for two since the portions were huge (I assumed he thought we both ordered one) but voila, one entree on the bill. Delicious food...the chocolate and PB shake was killer, and enormous. Great late night spot! Just don't expect a traditional diner vibe.
(5)
Jenny Z.

Came in for breakfast with a friend early on a Sunday morning before business picked up. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was friendly and had great knowledge of the menu. My coffee cup was never empty and my waiter was attentive. I recommend the polenta cakes with candied bacon!
(4)
Julie S.

Delicious! Ingredients are local, which I love. Had the corn meal bacon waffle and fried chicken, and I ate every bite!
(4)
Mark J.

i ate there only because it was the only thing open at 1am. I wasnt expecting great things, but a diner should be able to cook eggs correctly and add some seasoning. needless to say i wont be back.
(2)
S L.

Creme brulee French toast and beef jerky bloody Mary....interesting. Looked good but I didn't get it. I got Stumptown coffee and eggs Benedict. Enjoyed my dish a lot. The dishes that I saw around me where pretty good sized. Our server was friendly and attentive. It was busy during brunch so go early. We walked to this place so unsure if parking is a hassle or not. Worth a try for breakfast/brunch.
(4)
Melina H.

Hubs and I have been here a couple of times - once for a beverage before dinner and once for a late nite nosh session after a night on the town for a friend's birthday. Meh. Not bad...just underwhelming. The homemade sodas are great and the atmosphere and service are cooool. That's it. I can't even remember what breakfast we ordered. All I remember is that it seems overpriced and kinda bland. And...Considering the plethora of food choices in Portland, it won't be my first dining choice when I am downtown - I'll probably need to be "in the mood" for it.
(3)
Juju M.

The Original tomato soup is lovely... but there's a caveat. The first few times I sampled this soup it was extraordinary. It had a healthy amount of spice which I just love. But then one day I went in for an early lunch and it was watery and lacked flavor. It wasn't the same tomato soup that I had grown to need and love. So, I asked my man what was up. He explained that the soup might taste different earlier in the day as it hasn't had the same amount of time to really sit and soak up all the spices and flavor, since they make it fresh every morning (well, that's good). Okay, so here's the deal! You want good soup at the Original? Go give a whirl AFTER 4pm... Oh and they charge for a piece of toast. Not OK.
(3)
Bradford M.

The Original does dolled-up diner food as well as anyone. It's one of my go-to spots in the neighborhood for a quick and hearty meal, and never disappoints. In the mood for some incredibly tasty meatloaf? They've got it. Need to get around some savory-gravy-laden poutine? Check. Doughnut burger sliders? Sure, why not (and yes, those are indeed tiny cheeseburgers on doughnut buns). Personally, I think calling it a "Dinerant" (which I assume is a smoosh-up of diner and restaurant) is freaking stupid. But to each his own. The silly name doesn't take away from the fact that this is a comfort food paradise. Try it.
(4)
Anthony B.

Cool, retro vibe inside courtyard hotel. Donut sliders were amazing. Friendly staff and managers. My wife had their burger and it was cooked perfectly. I had the steak and it was fantastic.
(5)
Tamara J.

Came here for breakfast on a quick trip to Portland and was very pleasantly surprised! They serve Stumptown coffee of course, and the wait staff is great! I took my waitresses recommendation and ordered the polenta cakes with candied bacon and honey butter (added an over easy egg on the side)- absolutely delicious!!! I highly recommend their specials even if you typically order a standard breakfast. I would definitely come back!
(5)
Susan J.

Went for breakfast. Twice. They had this creme brulee french toast that was to die for. Absolutely the best french toast I have ever eaten. Had eggs with it that were well prepared. Oh, and Stumptown coffee too, so you can't go wrong!
(5)
Peter T.

Returned to The Original in downtown Portland, was last there about sixteen months ago. Been a few changes on the menu, some of the more innovative dishes appear to have vanished; I guess that's not so hard to understand, a lot of online reviews kind of panned those efforts, but I don't know why. A chef has to stretch his legs once and awhile. A lot more emphasis on coffee shop food, these days, and they are closed in the slow hours between meals. I went with the Deluxe Burger, cascade natural beef, fried onions, blue cheese, gruyere for 10.95. Upgraded from fries to the poutine for an additional $2. The other half of the Dive Dining Duo, Portland attorney William Du Val, went with the regular burger, sans cheese. Both of us ordered them medium rare, Du Val had a small Caesar on the side, in quest of a strong garlicky Caesar dressing, the server said it wasn't very garlicky, but Will plunged ahead in any case. Bold move, my friend. The poutine was amply gravied, as I had asked the server to tell the chef to be generous with same. I guess he figured that being overly generous with gravy meant he could skimp on the curds, which were few and far between. I believe I had that same experience my first visit. The burgers were prepared exactly as ordered, and while mine was supposed to be laden with both Gruyere and Gorgonzola, the latter wasn't present in a detecable amount. Du Val thought that the Cascade Beef patties were super grand, once he added a little bit of NaCl. (Oh, stop laughing, Mrs. BDB, in fact I did NOT salt my burger!) Note to chef: At medium rare, the Cascade puts out enough juice to make the bun less than supportive for the sandwich, particularly in the southern hemisphere. You might want to rethink those buns. But granted, they are delicious. Would I return? Sure. My recollection is that I was not too impressed with the service before, but today it was just fine. As were the burgers, and as always, the company.
(3)
Michael D.

A comfortably great way to start the day. Top notch pancakes and endless orange juice. Try the polenta cakes with bacon. Super reasonable prices and a very friendly wait staff.
(4)
Samantha F.

great service and delicious food! nice and clean place! great appetizers and entrees! great place for day or night in downtown.
(5)
Noelle B.

Came in for a coffee on a Sunday afternoon wanting a different atmosphere than the typical cafÃ©. Sat at the bar and found the vibe to be really chill. My favorite part- I was excited to find they had a vegan, mini chai bundt cake (made in-house) on the counter - perfect with the [generously re-filled] Stumptown coffee.
(4)
Mike K.

The food here is exactly what I'm looking for most times: something that will stick to your ribs without being greasy or heavy. I love that they have a "pick 2 out of 3" lunch combo (soup, salad, 1/2 sandwich) because some days it's a soup/salad day and some days it's a soup/sandwich day. I always have to have soup if it's good, and these guys don't disappoint. It took me a little bit longer to get my food than I was hoping for, but not by much. Everyone was very friendly and the price was decent. So I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Jeruen D.

First off, I should say that the idea of taking the concept of a diner and amp it up to a restaurant in order to produce a dinerant is quite nifty and original indeed. It results in a high-quality upscale menu without the pretentious attitude of a classy restaurant. As one enters, one finds the various fliers and other pieces of paper that are looking for something: a call for a bassist, an ad for a show, apartment rentals, and so forth. Typical of a diner. But the thing that distinguishes them from other diners is the menu. Yep, this is on the more expensive side. But after sampling their selections, I think it was well-worth it. So I went here with two of my professors as well as another graduate student for dinner one evening. We went ahead and shared a bottle of white wine. Two of us wanted to order the burger, and as we were quite adventurous, one of them ordered it rare, and the other medium-rare, but not without checking first whether their meat was fresh. They were assured that it is indeed the case: two cows are slaughtered for their meat purposes every week, and we got a description of the farm where it comes from. The waiter was quite knowledgeable. I ordered the pork shank. And oh my, it melts in my mouth. It was not tough at all, it slides off the bone, making my knife unnecessary. It was the best pork shank I have had in years. Overall, I think I am a fan. Unfortunately, my stay in Portland is short, that I cannot go back there again to try their other offerings. Ultimately, I love the flexibility of the place. There's a full bar for those who want to drink and be merry, there's tables for people who want dinner, and there's also solo tables for the ones who just want to have a cup of coffee or munch into finger food while reading a book. Oh, there's also an art gallery upstairs. Unfortunately, we were busy with the food that we didn't check it out.
(5)
Faye M.

*Ate here in Dec. '09: Breakfast for me was the PDX 3 egg omelet (wild mushrooms & chevre) w/potatoes - very good, but 3 eggs was too much! Sister had the bacon waffle and she loved it. BIL had the corned beef hash - it was a really small portion, especially for a grown man! Great decor and really relaxed atmosphere! Dinner here was the same day as breakfast here...that's how much we liked it (plus, we were staying at the Marriott!). I was again undecided what to eat, so i ordered one of their $5 appetizers - the pirogi and the SOS (another appetizer) which was wild mushroom ragout, toasted brioche and a slow cooked egg. both were very delicious and I was quite happy!! My sister ordered the lamb meatballs (appetizer) which was soo good! Not gamy at all! BIL's appetizer was the liver and onions which was funyun-crusted duck liver - it was very delicious too!! My BIL said it was the best liver he ever had! Sis had the choc & espresso braised short ribs, and BIL had the 72hr BBQ brisket - I had bites and both were delicious!! We all shared a huge slice of their Almond Joy cake, it was soo good, but we couldn't finish it!
(4)
Lourdes L.

Just had an awesome dinner! The best green beans ever. First time here, definitely not the last. I had the meatloaf and my daughter had the fried chicken with mac and cheese. We fought over her biscuits, yum.
(4)
Nam N.

driving around portland looking for a good place to eat can be difficult because there are so many choices. The Original had a very "original" look from the outside so me and 7 friends gave it a shot. from the inital step thru the door - we had a warm welcome from the very cute hostesses and seated nearly immediately. our server (who was also the bartender) was very nice and despite my buddy taking two days to place his order - maintained a high level of professionalism and composure and took his time answering all questions and joking around with us. the food was goooooood. i ordered Creme Burlee french toast (recommended by the hostess) and i was blown away - taste just like creme burlee with the perfect textured french toast - and the honey butter maple syrup was to die for! my denver omelete was okay... felt the eggs could have been more fluffy and i personally love my ingredients mixed in with my omelete and not the fold over style. the side potatoes were done perfectly - crispy outer texture and a soft center all the way thru. the server did forget to bring out my mimosa as ordered - but not only did he not correct the problem by making a mimosa right away but also went above and beyond by making things better by hooking me up with a creme burlee french toast to go. great service, great food, great company = 5 stars and i will definitely visit again soon!
(5)
Beverly P.

My sister-in-law and I had a blast shacking off a big hangover at this joint! I had the POLENTA CAKES with candied bacon, aged white cheddar, honey butter and immmmmm it was so crazy good! She had the Creme Brulee French Toast and oh yes and double yes! Perfect sunday brunch hangover food that is best served with a little hair of the dog ;) Really liked this place!
(5)
Heather D.

Great modern space! Lots of bar seating, tables and booths. A great place to go with a large group. Expect to see lots of business people stopping by for the Happy Hour or working on their laptops while they munch. Friendly staff and very cool cocktails. Ask for any classic cocktail and they will whip it up for you with a cool unique twist. Now on to the food! A modern take on diner food aka comfort food. We had the brisket hot pockets, Cobb salad and brisket with macaroni & cheese and onion rings. Talk about comfort food! It was all so good! The salad arrives in a large glass bowl and is very generous. We were snuggled into one of the red rounded booths with piles of food in front of us. It was awesome. Add a few glasses of wine and a few beers to that and we were pretty much in a food coma by the time we left. It was everything you imagine when you think of comfort food.
(4)
Cyndi S.

Looked for a kid-friendly place downtown to take the kids before going to a show. The Original had a fun, mod atmosphere and had reasonable prices during happy hour. The kids enjoyed yummy milkshakes (with the leftovers in the traditional silver cup!) and root beer floats. There were lots of slider choices - chicken and waffles, burgers, and meatloaf - and fries. Kids mac and cheese was delicious as well. Tasty salads and upscale diner fare for the adults satisfied everyone. The staff were friendly and accommodating. The kids liked watching the MAX trains go by on the transit mall through the large picture windows. Overall, we had a very enjoyable meal.
(4)
Thad G.

This place is a solid four. My fiance and I came to Portland and on our first full morning here, decided that we wanted to try a breakfast place that focused on local ingredients, as well as had some creativity behind their menu. After some digging through fellow yelpers, we settled on the The Original due to their Eggs and Poutine dish and our subsequent love of gravy on anything, especially at 8AM. I am pleased to say that our first experience with Portland breakfast was a positive one. Our waiter Shane was very good, and gave us some good tips on some other places to consider throughout our stay. I myself ordered the Eggs and Poutine, which was not on the menu, but they were extremeley accomodating and prepared it a la carte, however it did cost double what it would have when it was on the menu. The fries were crispy, the gravy was a good brown gravy that wasn't overpowering, and the cheese was the absolute star of the dish. The portion was huge, and I made sure to take the option for $4 to add a piece of chicken, which was a large fried piece that came plopped on top. My initial impression of the chicken visually was admittedly not super positive (the crisp was darker brown, which from my kitchen days usually indicated older oil), however upon first bite i realized i was wrong; the flavor was outstanding and the knife that he brought along with it was courteous but unnecessary as you could easily cut through it with a fork. My fiance ordered the fried polenta with candied bacon and honey syrup. This combination of sweet and savory will absolutely be stolen and taken back to Baltimore where we will be working on the homemade version of it. I was presently surprised by the fried polenta in a cake form - think super textured grits that you can slice and smear with honey syrup before laying a piece of candied bacon on top and crunching it while you think about how you could continually do this over and over until sweet & savory induced vomiting occured, and then probably more. Definitely the absolute star of the show and I very highly recommend it. The coffee was also great, albiet it 3 dollars per cup, which I do not know yet if that's par for the course in Portland, but i'm assuming so. Overall i would definitely recommend folks to check out The Original - good for the adventurous and conservative pallate alike.
(4)
Andrea E.

Consistently satisfactory! Eggs and bacon or Huevos Rancheros. Sooo Good!
(4)
Don B.

Stopped in for lunch today and enjoyed a pretty decent tuna salad (definitely not tuna from a can) sandwich with side salad for $7. Not a bad deal. It was just tuna salad on como bread with no condiments and a fairly simple salad, but it did the trick. I'm still in love with the house-made kola. So tasty.
(4)
J J.

I have been to The Original a few times now... I really, really want to like it every time I go. It's a very likable place... I enjoy the decor, location, ambiance, the staff has always been attentive, accommodating and pleasant. However, I just.... don't. There is never anything on the menu that grabs me and makes me say "Ooo I'm getting that!" The food I have ordered had been fine. I've been a few times for late night and most recently for brunch. I dunno sadly this place just doesn't do it for me. Perk: free valet with the hotel when you eat here!
(3)
Delilah K.

Two girls walk into the Original. One had a Hemingway in hand and a plate of doughnut burger sliders on the table. The other girl, took a chance with the daily punch ( a smokey Rum and Coke- thank you Mexico for using real sugar) and the Daily Dog. A few sips in and 3 bites later, "Switch plates" happened. There wasn't a clear winner as it all was good. Happy hour starts at 4:30. But I easily imagine this place as our last stop... one late night. To match the vibe, we would be most assuredly dressed to the nines (Mad Men style) down to the pearls and martini. The caloric intake could have killed them.. instead they just smile and take it like real women. Two women walk out of the Original, planning to visit again.
(4)
Michael G.

Nice place. Clean. A modern American diner. Good service. Looks like a good mix of locals and visitors. Some young women passing by were overheard calling it "cute."
(4)
S H.

5 star because of the great customer service. Be sure to ask for Logan. He is outstanding!
(5)
Richard W.

Great local beers ceviche has a distinct flavor calamari is really light A really different vegi burger as well The atmosphere is great. Chicken Pot Pie is fantastic Be careful to not put too much on the burger, they can get really hefty.
(4)
Tonya P.

I was walking by and I see a cute girl on the street smoking, I think to myself, I want to take her picture, it's early morning, I will leave her alone. then she compliments my hair, skeeert. Stop, talk, take photo. LOL She is going to work at The Original, so I decide to go eat breakfast. No time like the present. I ordered Stumptown coffee and a roasted pork burrito add jalapenos please! It was so delicious. Loaded with egg, roasted potatoes and pork, served with a tomatillo sauce, sour cream & fresh guacamole. Everyone was really pleasant, plenty of window seating - so you can stare out into space and look like you are people watching. Modern and funky, with tiki art. Breakfast of champions, my breakfast was $15 without tip- so don't forget your wallet.
(5)
June Y.

The BBQ chicken was dry. I like my wine dry. It's nice when my clothes are dry. I like dry sands, and dry beef jerky (wet jerky? whatever). What I don't like, however, is dry chicken. It's like eating a dirty mop that's been sitting in a corner for years. This is why I appreciate Cambinos ( yelp.com/biz/cambinos-asâ€¦ ) - they do chicken right! Maybe it's just that one dish, that one cook, and that one item. Perhaps other patrons in the restaurant, eating the bbq chicken got theirs moist and flavorful. Who knows? thank goodness the glass of cab kept me sane. The ambiance and decor was good. It's darkly lit and gives it a very intimate and personal feel as you eat. The service is quite good and the waiter was attentive. For the wine, the service, and the ambiance, it gets three stars. Come here for wine and desserts - not for food.
(3)
John H.

I sit here sipping my coffee, digesting the chilaquilas I just annihilated, and wishing there were a fire truck outside to help me handle the spice of my beef jerky bloody mary. this is a dope joint for breakfast. the place has a hip-but-not-snotty, open, modern feel to it. very unique. a giant floor-to-ceiling window runs the north length of the place and allows for some fantastic people watching while my stomach marvels at the flavor gang bang it just received from the chilaquilas. salty, meaty, sour creamy, over tortilla chips with some avocado on top. it's like doing tequila laced with LSD... it's a helluva trip, but I think it's gonna hurt me in the end. not for the faint of heart. but a tremendous reward for the courageous. the coffee is exactly how I like my women... black and bitter, but mellow enough to be out in public. really fantastic coffee. the beef jerky bloody mary gets better with age. letting it soak for a while gets the flavor of the jerky to soak into the flavor of the cocktail. a brilliant flavor. somebody should patent this. I'm gonna look into that when I get home. the wait staff really knows their menu. they help each other out, offering to refill drinks and such. also, several cute waitresses. many with trendy dos and tattoos. daddy liiiike. and to top it off, the crapper has a dyson airblade hand dryer. that's just cool.
(5)
Young Y.

It's a total surprise to find out that there is a restaurant still open until 4am during fridays and saturdays. On a saturday night, sunday morning...my friends and I were done attending a concert and were very hungry. So we come upon The Original, which was still open at the time. From entire, they were very nice and attentive. Their customer services and waiter is super nice. The food is very amazing. I think my friends and I all like it. The atmosphere there was very nice and calm. It's a good place to sit back and relax and basically chill iwht your friends. Good for groups and small gatherings. They have the must amazing food and customer service is through the top...very attentive! So go there when you pass by or just enjoying the good old Portland night life!
(4)
Heidi W.

Expensive breakfast, long wait, terrible service, burnt hashbrowns. Boo!
(1)
larry m.

Over two days staying at the Marriott Courtyard, I had two breakfasts and a room-service dinner. The decor of the restaurant is nicely done and looks like an up-scale diner, but it lacks atmosphere - maybe some light music or a staff with a personality would help. The staff could be Zombies - mostly going through the motions without personality. The kitchen is s l o w. The egg-white omelet was good - a bit bland but good. The black bean & quinoa veggie burger is messy but delicious. Traditional breakfast items - eggs, sausage and pancakes - were on par with Denny's and therefore below expectations. The over-medium eggs were very runny and the pancakes where the spongy type. Room service dinner was good but funny - I guess you need to stipulate that you want a napkin, silverware and condiments. I am a frequent visitor to Portland and know there are very good local restaurants - this one isn't worth the time unless you are staying at the hotel and need a bite without going outside.
(2)
Bruno G.

Very slow service by staff that just did't seem to like working there. They weren't incompetent, I just had the impression it isn't a great place to work and the vibe overwhelms it. Very average food.
(2)
Eric B.

I was up bright and early this fine Sunday Morning and wanted a good traditional breakfast. However, since doesn't seem to be possible before 7:30 AM in the Downtown area, I ended up at The Original at that opening time. Maybe in hindsight I should have taken the cab or transit over the Tin Shed on NE Alberta (which opens at 7 AM). The other thing that I learned this morning is that the folks at The Nines had no clue what was available, as I earlier found myself (at their recommendation) at a still closed Fuller's. All was not lost on this rainy morning as I love walking around this pedestrian friendly town. But really, are all those Portland Slackers already in bed? I like the look and feel of The Original, which was large, roomy, and very 70s Retro. The service on the other hand was what I would call hands off with a smile. Coffee refills were slow in coming and the wait for my basic "bacon and eggs" combination was longer than expected. Plus, they forgot to include the meat within the original order. On the positive side, the Stumptown coffee was a welcome improvement over what would have been served in the Retro day and the potatoes where perhaps the best I've had in a long while. The food was served hot and the whole combination (right down to the jam on the wheat toast) went down very well. Would I come back? Only if time and circumstance aligned like the did this morning. There are way too many late opening breakfast places out there before I would need to circle back to The Original.
(3)
Alex L.

The more I think about it, 2 stars might be generous... We ordered take out and they were very friendly on the phone. When we got there they were also friendly. They get points for that. When we got our food home, there were three awful things about the food. 1) My wife's much desired fries (her favorite food) were just plain missing from the order. We ordered only four items and that one was missing. 2) The chicken pot pie was awful. It had very little crust which is a bummer cause that is the good part. It was *incredibly salty* to the point of being inedible. And it was gelatinous goo with almost no chicken or veggies in it. This is not an exaggeration. Pretty gross. 3) My $18 "Chicken Noodle Soup" ravioli contained 4 raviolis that were quite frankly, disgusting. They were slimy for some reason, I never figured out what that was. The flavor was awful. Not sure why because I love chicken noodle soup. But worst of all, the chicken inside the ravioli was all fat and skin. Just gross. So there you have it. A food review that contains the words: awful, missing, gross, slimy, and disgusting, but still they get 2 stars. I must be feeling generous. Bottom line: The food is awful. There are many other choices within a few blocks. Try those. Epilogue: Missi C. contacted me from The Original after she saw this review. She was very concerned about our experience. She offered to make it up to us. Once again, the people at The Original seem very nice. The food the one night we went was not so nice.
(2)
Joe G.

This place is pretty cool, I went in here for a Saturday morning brunch. [-] The place was a little difficult to find and the hostesses were not really good at giving directions (or I was not good at following them). They kept telling us to "keep heading north," but failed to assure us they were there because this place stood out from the bank buildings around it. [+] We were promptly seated, because of the reservations, which were probably not needed. The environment was cool and I guess kind of retro. [+] The waitress was attentive and nice. The water boy/busser was quiet, but what do you expect, he was not going to serve us. The booths had low backs which provided little privacy, but who wants to obstruct the view of the outside with this resturant's massive window front. There were several booths in back that looked like they could have accomodated a party size of maybe 6? [+] I had a steak and eggs breakfast (included hash/toast). The steak was phenomenal but so small, luckily i am on a diet. The pancakes that my friend ordered were nice fluffy, sweet and crunchy; we had to order some more. The hashbrown were seasoned and tasted great, they knew how to poach eggs! kids meals were decent size, but might not be enough for a 9 year old. Overall this place was good! [-] One negative I did have about this place is the bathrooms are NOT private. I know this sounds gross, but I really did not enjoy seeing people enter, leave and wait for the bathrooms. there are only two single bathrooms, for this place, which is two-stories (i think). I am sure there are more upstairs, but I did not see them. So... if you need to use the restroom, plan to wait or use one somewhere else.
(5)
Carmel U.

I love that this place is open until 4am on the weekends. Greasy spoon eats in a luxe-modern setting. The cocktails are good and the desserts were appetizing! The staff was nice and we enjoyed eating poutine fries at 3am on a rainy night. We also came back a couple of days later to partake in their coffee cocktails -- super good. Be aware, however, late night spots sometimes attract the super-drunk crowd. The staff do their best to curb their annoyance, but just be aware that your late night dinner may be slightly ruined by some newly-minted 21 year old who can't hold down their liquor. Chill place, though.
(4)
Shannon H.

My new favorite place for breakfast in Portland. Great comfort food and good service! Not trendy, just good. Had the crab benedict. Awesome! Highly recommended.
(5)
Caity G.

Delicious. Straight up. I had the creme brulee french toast that was nom nom. I should have stopped at 2, but stuffed the 3rd piece down my gullet. I regretted that decision. I suggest sharing 2 plates with someone else. Love the vibe and decor. Service was friendly and fast.
(5)
L T.

Sep 2012: 3.5*** service was ok- good in some ways but drink follow up was slow .. Bar was not full so not sure why ... Food was yummy-- had fries and grilled artichoke apps-- yummy goodness! Then 2 BIG salads- beet w goat cheese and Cobb... Lotsa lettuce and decent amount of fillings. No need to order anything else if you order a salad! Wine selection just ok. Sounds like their specialty is unique cocktails which I'm sure are fab.. Lots of cool sounding daily specials - hotdog, shake, cocktail, pasta, and soup
(3)
Andrew T.

Tasty, and good size portions justify the slightly higher price. Friendly staff and the kids enjoyed it too. Clean, fresh and trendy (but not too trendy).
(4)
alonda w.

The Original calls themselves a dinerant and that is a perfect name. The ambiance is very chill, the music is upbeat and the food is delish. I love that it stays open until 4 am. The service was great and the host was charming. We shared a turkey burger and french fries and both were outstanding. The turkey burger was homemade and seasoned perfectly. Definitely will visit again.
(4)
Brian C.

Shout out to Don B. for the recommendation here. My in-laws were in town for Thanksgiving and while my wife was running the Turkey Trot at the zoo thanksgiving day, I wanted to go out to breakfast with them. Being connected to a hotel, they have to be open on holidays and we were happy they were. We called ahead and got reservations and arrived just as they opened and got seated first since we did have a reservation. Both in-laws had the creme brule french toast, Yum! I had the eggs benedict, Yum Yum!! The service was great and the decor was cool. A good Portland stop. I can't wait to come back and try dinner and drinks.
(4)
JW R.

Who the hell thought this place was a good idea for a hotel restaurant? You're away from home, feeling rootless and disjointed and the closest place to eat is some kind of overdesigned unholy marriage of Ikea and Miami Vice? Upon walking in we were told that there was a wait, although almost every two top along the front windows and a few of the booths were empty. We said we'd be happy to sit at the bar and went ahead and did so. The bartender was someone I'd been served by at other joints around downtown, she's good but she was pretty overwhelmed by making drinks for hordes of customers we couldn't see. I think there's an upstairs or something. So despite her best efforts the service was pretty crappy. I got the burger because the menu is ridiculous and overpriced. $16 meatloaf had better fucking have HEROIN in it. The burger was medium when I ordered medium well, that's so common I don't even dock for it any more. The desert menu includes booze milkshakes. The salted caramel bourbon shakes was pretty awesome. Those seats we would have had to wait for never did fill up. Big WTF for this spot.
(2)
Erin C.

I was there for dinner and i loved the ambiance. the decor of the place was so chic and cute. Perfect place for our bachlorette party gather. (there were a few other large girls groups so we must not be the only ones who thought so) I tried the 'poutine' - french frieds with cheese and gravy. Even though it should be called a 'triple bypass' and I'm sure it's bazillion calories, it was just too delicious to pass. They also had the boozy shakes. alcoholic milk shakes... oh yum.. I would go back there just for THAT!
(4)
Matthew T.

My two friends and I put me in charge of finding us dinner. It was our first time in Portland, so naturally, I hit up Yelp to find us some good eating. There we SO many good options with some very high star ratings. I opted to see what a "Dineraunt" was, seeing as I'd never heard the term before. Walking into The Original I automatically got diner and restaurant. It was like two bodies of the culinary world smashing together to make a diner that felt modern. The indoor succulent garden is a very nice touch. The huge windows and the dark colors made this a supremely wonderful space. Our waiter was this wonderful tall lighter-shade-of-brown with dreads. He was super polite and very attentive throughout the night. When I asked him what he thought were the best plates of the house. He gave us two informed answers, neither of which I chose, but that's not the point. He knew what he was talking about and he had a certain conviction about him. Anyways, really nice guy. So the three of us got the following: the doughnut sliders, poutine, creme brulee french toast, and the fried chicken with braised greens. The doughnut sliders were good. I wasn't writing home about them but they were good. Beef and sweet pillowy doughnut buns can't ever be bad. The poutine wan't really poutine. There was no gravy, no cheese curds, it looked like cheddar on fries. I was mostly unimpressed. I mean, I'm from CA. OR is closer to Canada than CA, and even CA has better poutine that this place put forth. The creme brulee french toast was basically perfect if you like sweeter things. The torched sugar lends the perfect amount of bitter to the obviously sweet creme brulee base. It was pretty fantastic. The sausages on the plate played a sad second fiddle to the majesty that was the french toast. The fried chicken and the greens (which was one of 5 sides you got to choose from) was the juiciest piece of chicken I think I've ever tasted. The skin was crispy to a fault and the meat tender, juicy and super flavorful and boneless BONELESS perfect fried chicken -- did mention juicy?! The greens, I'd give a solid "B", but that's only because I can make them myself and prefer my own/my family's recipe. The chicken came with a dipping sauce that was complimentary but not necessary. This is likely due to the fact that I'm a fried chicken purist. If I ever go back to Portland, I'll definitely be making a stop at The Original. Everything on the menu was something I wanted to try, its unfortunate that there were only three of us and that we were going out afterward (can't go out looking like a moose). I give top marks for the service. I think the food was superb - definitely a perfect mix between restaurant and diner and its central downtown location and decor/ambiance was top notch. My inner foodie rejoices. The Original is absolutely an original and what a wonderful thing that is.
(4)
Annie C.

I've been to The Original several times, again last night for dinner/drinks with a friend. We sat in the bar. It is a low-key atmosphere and quiet enough to have a good conversation without straining. We ate/drank A LOT. They definitely have a unique menu and it's fun to try new things. We tried the scotch egg, fried pickled veggies, chex mix, hot dog of the day, Oregon salad, and beef stroganoff. I forgot to ask my friend her favorites but I really liked the picked veggies (surprisingly) and the salad. Stroganoff was average. The service was great, would recommend if you're in the area.
(4)
Christy H.

This place is alright if you are looking for diner food. I ordered the chicken sandwich. It was on the happy hour menu for $5. Also got a salad. Nothing fancy but good portion of lettuce. They also had happy hour ribs. 4 small ribs that just fell off the bone. These were super tasty! Great sauce/marinade. There is a full bar. The pilsner and the Racer IPA are both good choices. Our bill totalled $19. Not bad for all we ordered. I would go back here again for cheap eats and drinks.
(3)
kelly s.

Let's talk about fried chicken and bourbon caramel milkshakes. Are you kidding me? This is delicious. Cornbread waffle should be thrown down a flight of stairs, it was the bastard child on my plate, such a good idea gone awry due to bad flavor, texture and temperature, but the chicken... Mmm Lawdy the chicken. Also wait the bourbon caramel milkshake, yes it's real, not a unicorn, but it takes like unicorn dreams with icing on top. A boozy concoction to be sure, somehow harmoniously blended into a creamy texture with rich carmel. Anyway, the original has been up and down on my meter in the past, but I just can't deny that they have some winning elements to be sure.
(4)
Angel S.

Nice atmosphere and fast service! Granted, I was in for breakfast on a Monday. Lots of tasty options on the menu, and fresh ingredients.
(4)
Denver M.

Looking for a place for breakfast at the last minute for my last day in Portland. Thank God for Yelp. They had a few unique items for breakfast so I decided this was the place. Got there shortly after opening. Wasn't crowded at all. The decor is pretty unique, sort of Art Deco diner vibe. I think there's a second level too. Any scanning through the menu, lots of cool stuff. I decided on the poached egg and poutine, with a side of sausage. The servers were friendly and competent. The eggs and poutine were really good. Looks like they use cheddar cheese instead of cheese curds. Nice big calorie bomb. I wish I found this place earlier because it looks like they have an interesting lunch and dinner menu. Oh well, next trip to Portland...
(5)
Ann G.

Popped in here to meet a friend the day before Thanksgiving as NOTHING was getting done at the office. Independent Contractor = a bit of luxury for meeting w/ original brunch cocktail. I'm a bloody Mary fan minus the olives and the salted rim. The smoked salt rim on the Tomato Bloody Mary here is DIVINE. Mmmm!!! Food wise my choice of buttermilk fried chicken post a couple of Mary's was VERY good. The week I was dreaming about buttermilk chicken a chef friend of mine made in San Francisco. So the timing was pretty perfect. Looking forward to coming in with my husband and trying something else. I think he'd like this place given their comfort / menu and atmosphere. = Upscale diner!
(4)
Rachael S.

Expect breakfast. Cause it's on every menu! I've come for breakfast, expecting breakfast and got it. I came at 1pm on a saturday, just in time for brunch. Which means eggs AND hamburgers. Then a few nights ago at midnight to something that looked EXACTLY like the brunch menu, though the title said late night... I like the hamburger. I ordered mine with manchego cheese. I like that you can order non-traditional cheese! It was quite tasty. But the fries are the real show-stopper here. I took my daughter once (for brunch) and we couldn't stop eating the fries, even after being TOO full. They are great. Perfectly crispy, not too greasy, and kosher salt and pepper. The chillaques were uninspired and varied somewhat from the menu description, which I was dissapointed in. The one thing that has been consistent, and good, is the service. Very attentive staff, even the one time we went in and there were some celebrity-ish people (blazers) dining, we still got plenty of great service. Always full water glasses, waiter's with good attitudes and chatty but not lurking. They did have a new addition when we were there a few days ago- the tiki vending machine is no longer by the front door! Now there is a revolving baked goods case with cupcakes in it. Overall, when we are in the neighborhood, we'll probably continue to eat here occassionally. But it won't be a special trip to downtown. One thing to note- they have a frequent buyer card. It's coupled with the restaurant at the Nines hotel, Urban Farmer. If you dine either place often, ask for it. I'd been there 4 times before someone told me abut it.
(3)
Kiavash S.

came across The Original, while exploring downtown Portland, and liked what we saw through it's windows. Filled with art and food, i didn't think it could miss. ended up being a brunch menu which i thought might have been light, but that burger and shake wasn't light at all. The burger came in a great size with a great salad, which held me over for a good amount of time while walking all over town. the service was great, and our waiter took care of all our questions, and our food. It is def a place that i'd go back to on my next trip.
(5)
Luisa D.

We came here after a few pitchers of Spires Pear Cider at Tug Boat. We needed to eat and were relying on our yelp app to find somewhere that would keep everyone in our group happy. I really wasn't sure when we walked in as it looked so slick and we needed some comfort food. In the end we were all pleased with our choices. I had the Cobb salad (after all the drinking we'd been doing I convinced myself that this would be a healthy choice. We all know Cobb salad is not a light dish). My husband had one of the burgers. He smiled the whole time he ate it so I usually take this as a good sign. The one thing that really stood out, other than the staircase, was our waiter. I wish I could remember his name but after reading Cyndi H's review I think we had the same guy. He was a lot of fun! This is the kind of place you could take your family or a group. If I'm downtown in the afternoon on my next visit I'd definitely check this place out again for lunch.
(4)
Morgan A.

This place is fair at best. I had the beef stroganoff and it was huge but not very tasty. Definitely looks cool but the food is nothing special.
(3)
Jason B.

Ate here last night after a night out at the bars. It was very obvious the servers were high which was funny. But the food is very blah. We got French fries, poutine and a breakfast burrito. The poutine was terrible. It was just too salty. But the breakfast burrito I definitely recommend. It's $12 which is a little pricy but it's big enough to feed a small family...not kidding. I would recommend this place only after a night out if nothing else is really open.
(3)
Mel B.

Why would we re-visit a place that seemed so forgettable the first time? We were hungry for lunch, had time to kill until our room was ready, and a short walk later found ourselves in a familiar place. Every place deserves a second chance and thank god we came back. Deluxe burger...poutine fries. Delish. No wait...Amazing!!! Tuna melt...good Chocolate peanut butter shake. Yum. The best part of this lunch was the Deluxe burger. It was delicious. I'm not a burger expert by any means, but this was so tasty. Crispy fried onions, blue cheese, and gruyere. While I'm sure most people would've liked a bit more blue cheese, I thought it was perfect, since I'm not a fan. Prices were reasonable at $10 per lunch and given the portions, I'd say it was well worth it. Service was better this time around for sure. The Original, well, you've made a return customer out of me. Well, for lunch anyway.
(5)
Tamsen G.

Came into the Original for a business lunch and a curiosity for poutine. Don't throw me out of the city limits, but I had never had it! I missed out from too many years being a slave to a scale. But scale slave no more, I ventured a try at the poutine. And no, the scale has never had power over bacon. Just for clarification. Anyway, it was just ok. Now, I have heard a lot about the glory of poutine, so I am thinking that this was just lame poutine. The service here has consistently been mediocre. I don't know if it's the management, or the clientele, but the wait staff has always been subdued if not disinterested. I'm not sure what that's about. It's not like I think they should be all TGIF button-clad with suspenders and noisemakers, but it's been a rare sighting to find one with more energy than a mannequin. With all the great restaurants around P-town, this one is a pass.
(3)
Joseph P.

This is going to be a short review. I do not live in Portland, but was visiting for work. I was taken to the Original by my hosts. I appreciated that the spot was open late. I ordered their margarita, freshly made, no super sugary syrup mixture. The hamburger was terrific as were the fries. When in Portland, looking for someplace to eat, check out the original.
(4)
Lisa W.

So glad we went here instead of Voodoo for breakfast. This place was soooooo deeelish!!! There were so many yummy looking things to choose from, we couldn't decide. My daughter had kid sized fruit loop pancakes that came with 3 different types of syrup, she ate them so fast I thought she was going to be sick. My husband and I couldn't decide, so between the two of us we ordered 3 dishes, a breakfast burrito (the size of a football), pastrami has with eggs, and eggs benedict. One of the best eggs benedict I have ever had! I even got extra hollandaise to pour over my hash browns. I could bathe in that stuff it was sooooo good. There were 7 of us and our coffee and waters were never empty, service was friendly and fast and everyone had amazing food. I can't wait to come here again.
(5)
Sterling P.

Food was just mediocre, service started out good, kept having to ask for more coffee, and ice tea, come on its breakfast, and what restaurants are charging for drinks a refill shouldn't have to be asked for. Usually when one is having eggs one is asked, would you care for hot sauce, didn't happen, and took several minutes to find her. She did also bring us a locally made hot sauce, which turned out to be very good. Would I go back ,,,,maybe if I was in the area.
(3)
Lin J.

MARGINAL at best. HH menu spend and does not include well drinks. Food order I got was INCOMPLETE. Management response to remedying the deficience was ARROGANT and INDIFFERENT. Am not likely to be back.
(2)
Marco C.

I can't review this place for food, but I can tell you that it's a great place to get drinks later in the night. From what I saw people order, the food looks great. Unfortunately, I've only found myself in there at a time when I don't eat. 1st time because a friend suggested it on our way home. 2nd time because I was staying in the hotel connected to it. The hotel is also a great place to stay by the way. Some day I'll end up eating at the Original, but for now it's just a great place to get a drink.
(4)
Megan F.

Great meal, prompt and friendly good service, tasty food and convenient location to downtown hotel. Searched based on location and kid friendly in yelp. The booth with a booster seat worked great for our 1 yr old. Our server was great and had excellent suggestions. Fun decor and ambiance. Will be going again recommending this to Portland goers.
(5)
Kristen M.

2.5 STARS Don't be fooled by the ultra modern ambiance and the decor of the place. Consider it as a fancy diner, but with a bar....... I would like to quote Feuy S. as she pretty much told it like it is "Overpriced cafeteria food" and that's pretty much what it was for this American food fare. CEVICHE: was decent. Nothing "oooh" or "ahhh" about it though. MONTE CRISTO: was the special that they had for the day. It was an open-faced 1/2 sandwich and took up only 1/4 of the plate, when the other 3/4 of the plate came with a salad with a light dressing that I think I could've made at home. Although the portion of the monte cristo was decent for portion-control. Yes it was a bit rich, but I think the side salad shouldn't be overwhelming. FOUNTAIN SODA: they make their own type of soda concoctions. I thought it was quite creative. But at the same time, wasn't blown away. Good vibes for the effort though. Although service was kind, they were quite MIA and it took a while just for us to get an order out. Water was sometimes filled. But were able to take a lot of cards if you came in a large group. FYI: - Parking on the street - Accepts CC - FOOD CHALLENGE JUNKIES: "The Poutine Challenge" where you eat 5 pounds of poutine (french fried potatoes, cheese curds and brown gravy) within 30 minutes! Must sign a waiver and must be eaten by yourself. The plate must be clean! If you win? Other than bragging rights, they pay for your poutine meal ($25), a shirt, and there's a photo of you on their Wall of Poutine Champions. If you lose, they still think of you as a winner (yea right!), but you have to pay for your meal and they give you a T-shirt for trying. Would I come back to the Original? Probably not anytime soon.
(3)
rich j.

I've eaten here a few times, and the menu is pretty solid (they may or may not borrow liberally from Portland's most popular haunts, but whatev; it's nice to be seated without a 40 minute wait when you want brunch). They were good natured about my request for a salad during brunch and mix some interesting cocktails. The space is bright and fun and funky, and is perfect if you're entertaining out of town guests or aren't hung over. Summer mornings might be too bright if you are.
(4)
Tracy D.

I love this place -- an upscale diner with high quality comfort food. The beef stroganoff was out of this world. And if you check in on Yelp while you're there, you'll probably get the same offer for a free glass of wine, like I did!
(5)
Johnny D.

Three stars is a stretch... I am being overly kind. We walked in as a party of five and were seated promptly in a nice, modern looking table in the back. Coffee and water service was good, attentive. The coffee itself is a bit acidic so brace yourself for that. The food, meh... nothing to see here out of the ordinary. They could have rocked me if they had served the breakfast HOT. Tell me, why is that someone in the kitchen invests time and ingredients to cook something properly but they KILL the experience by serving it to me cold. Was this a one-off error? No! Every plate (five) to hit our table was COLD. Yes, same party as Cheryl D but giving a different spin to the experience. This place has every potential to be cool and hip all they have to do is execute. I have a LOT of other places to try before I consider another visit. There is some very good competition for my breakfast dollars, this place "might" get another shot.
(3)
Brian F.

Maple Bacon whiskey milkshake, poutine, BLT omelette, gigantic breakfast burrito, open till 4, sixties feel. This place is great for breakfast, dinner and fourth meal.
(4)
Erin N.

6:30 reservations for 8 on a Sunday- a nice low key birthday dinner for a friend. When we got there, the place wasn't too busy. Our server mentioned twice that their special was 50% off bottles of wine. HOORAH! Then we looked at the wine list. For some reason, this diner/restaurant had a decent selection of moderately priced white wines, but the reds were mostly upwards of $80 a bottle. Does not compute. Poutine as an appetizer was awesome. The veggie burger (chickpea/quinoa) was delish, but it was really just a flat falafel. The birthday boy had a pork shank which he devoured. Everyone else was pretty unimpressed. While the salads are indeed GIANT, the dressing was tasteless, the beets were few and far between, and the addition of steak was just meh. Our waiter, who started out friendly and with frequent trips to the table became aloof. Perhaps the restaurant got busier, or perhaps he was slacking off since gratuity was included. He made mention many times of bringing us cornbread. But then he failed to do that. Was he playing psych games with us? Was the cornbread a lie? Dessert was ok. Apparently the Nutella mousse cake was dry, the NY cheesecake was just ok, and the kitchen staff didn't understand that "all toppings" on my ice cream meant all the toppings. The kicker was that when the bill came our waiter forgot to take the 50% off the wine bill. Forgetful or deliberate error, we'll never know. We made him aware of it, and about 20 minutes later (told you he was slow) we were able to leave. $237 for a mediocre dinner for 8 (including some desserts and some adult beverages).
(2)
Liz D.

I have had the pleasure of eating at The Original twice in the past two weeks. I had arranged via phone to have a group roundtable discussion at The Original based on someone's recommendation, so I went there for lunch two weeks ago to check it out. I had the special, a pulled pork sandwich. It was hands down the best pulled pork I've ever had... tender and just the right amount of spices, topped by a bit of barbecue sauce (what good is pulled pork completely doused in sauce - you can't taste the meat then) and a bit of coleslaw. It came with a side and I chose the mushroom soup - another delicious choice. I chose what I ate based upon the recommendation of the bartender. I had asked if there was a place to sit near an outlet and they said they could plug in my computer at the bar. The bartender was SUPER attentive, asking me how everything tasted, constantly filling up my water and iced tea. Some of the best service I've ever gotten at a restaurant. This morning was the event I mentioned earlier. We sat in the back, and they had everything set up for us, coffee, half & half, sugar, utensils. The only downside is that I'd suggested they make some sort of breakfast pastry in case people wanted to buy something and I reminded the manager on duty about it, and he said he'd check, but never came back. So we all just had coffee. As someone mentioned, it is $3/cup with unlimited refills. Our server came by to refill coffee and water about every 5 minutes, even thought the place was very full. I decided to stay for lunch after the meeting, and asked the server in my new seating location for her recommendation. She recommended the B.L.A.T. which is a bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato sandwich. It was fabulous! The flavors each stood out, and the bread was perfectly toasted and they used only a little mayo which is my preference. Why do restaurants often use a 1/4 of an inch of mayo? Yuck! The bacon was really good. I also had an Oregon Salad, which was greens, hazelnuts, pears, both red and yellow beets, chevre, and a vinaigrette that was delicious and tangy, just the way I like it. This was a combo for $10.95. The salad was a very generous portion. This is definitely a great restaurant, and I've experienced exceptional service both times (and the second time was the group event and my personal lunch so it was like three times). I have no idea about those who have posted horrible reviews - the food and the service I've experienced are above anything I've experienced elsewhere in Portland. Heck, Zagat rated the place a 27/30!
(5)
Feuy S.

Overpriced cafeteria food. I ordered the meatloaf with kale and mac n cheese as my sides. ($17.95). The meatloaf was bland and had a weird slimy aftertaste to it. The mac n cheese was bland and gritty. The kale was bland and way too bitter. Notice a pattern? I also ordered one of their cocktails ($9). It came in a glass that was too small and did not taste like there were any alcohol in it. My table shared the poutine. ($7.95). The fries were good, but failed as poutine as it did not have nearly enough gravy and cheese curds. I prefer not to pay $7.95 just for fries. On the plus side, the waitress was fantastic and since some of us were sharing plates, the kitchen was able to split it.
(2)
Coral H.

Hip place even though it is part of the Marriott hotel. Great downtown location with late night food. Happy hour they have a doughnut slider - icing on the top bun and the rest is a cheesy burger. Friendly staff. Was here as part of a foodie walking tour of PDX.
(4)
James D.

As I walked around Portland trying to find a place to eat, everything was either closed for dinner or ultra-expensive. Then I saw this place. The place looks brand new. The servers were on the ball. As I looked over the menu I got in the mood for pancakes. That was served with three different flavors of syrup, all heated. I loved every savory bite. Yum!!
(5)
Rich N.

Just had the Steelhead special. It was extraordinary! Service was great as well. I've been here for breakfast also and the biscuits are amazing. Worth every carb!!!
(5)
Pete R.

Stopped in for dinner on Sunday night. "Loaded" potato soup was great, and the creme brulee french toast was pretty sinful. Also my first experience with poutine, fries and cheese and gravy...yum! A great choice for diner fare that is a cut above, in both quality and price. The bar looks like it has potential too. And not to overlook Michaela who was very good.
(4)
Blake J.

Yup, I enjoyed this place. I had the BLT with Avocado. It was nice...big thick pieces of bacon, fresh Avo and toasted just right. The service is what one would expect from a casual hipster without attitude restaurant. It was a pleasant dinner.
(3)
Madame M.

I recently came here for breakfast again and the meal was delicious. Since my sister decided to come for a visit, I chose The Original because my previous experience had been great. I had the Polenta Cakes for the first time. They were the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Two Thumbs WAY UP!
(4)
Diem L.

This place is nice...I've stayed at the hotel on several occasions and it is a nice lil spot to have dinner, catch a quick drink or have breakfast...It is definitely on the pricey side as I was having issues with paying $20 for some buttermilk fried chicken (2 pieces--a thigh and a breast)...Also had to get sides at $4 a pop each (greens and mac-n-cheese)...Food was good!!! No doubt!!! I gave the Original 4-stars because they have FERNET!!! This is very rare to find outside of SF Bay Area so it was nice to be able to get it here...Drinks are nice and stiff and the food is good...Definite repeat spot!!!
(4)
Alexis X.

This place claims to be a "dineraunt." It's got a full service bar with beers, champagnes, and mixed drinks. The menu is diner style, but the choices are a step above a standard roadside diner. I had a crab benedict, and the hollandaise was delicious. My friend had the regular eggs benedict with ham and it came with think slices of ham and the great sauce. I saw a guy next to me eating a burger and it wasn't overcooked, nice and thick with a hint of pink. The Original has an entrace from the street and seems to keep a steady flow of customers. It's also doubles as the bar/restaurant for Courtyard Marriott with an entrance from the hotel. The service is quick, you can get good diner food and a few drinks at below hotel restaurant prices. Can't ask for more than that!
(4)
Cathy P.

OK, I'll admit, the only reason we went here is because we couldn't get into Happy Hour at the Portland City Grill, but at least we got to see the view and it WAS amazing - even though I felt a little uncomfortable being that high up in the air. Niece & nephew-in-law had been to The Original for Happy Hour once before and the Voodoo doughnut burger sounded sick enough to draw us in. We were seated right away -the first to arrive for HH in fact- so pretty much got our choice of tables, mighty nice for a Friday night. I'd say there's a definite modern, urban diner kinda vibe going on, maybe with a little Las Vegas (?) thrown in. Lots of glass and aluminum with great views of downtown and a fairly diverse crowd: young, older, and middle-aged. We shared four plates: pigs in a blanket ($5): a Kobe hot dog wrapped in what I thought was a Pillsbury crescent roll, accompanied by a cheddar cheese fondue. Good, but not outstanding. Chicken wings ($5): not like Pok Pok's but the bleu cheese dressing was fantastic. My fave dish was the lamb meatballs ($5): perfectly spiced with meyer lemon & raita. And finally, last but not least the Voodoo doughnut cheese burger - how can something so, so WRONG be so, so good? Fortunately I felt too guilty to even try a bite bite but my niece was almost swooning. 4 plates and 8 drinks plus a hefty tip for our waiter (because he didn't sneer when we told him we were visiting from California) came to about $79. How can you put a price on a great time like that? By the time we left the whole place was jumping and I had resolved to try the doughnut cheeseburger. . . next time.
(4)
Eric A.

Food and service is inconsistent and for a diner, a bit overpriced. That said the menu has some unique entrees, and it is open late. Be sure to hit happy hour for the best of it, at the right price.
(3)
Megan L.

This place has SO much potential. I would honestly love to increase its rating, but we had to wait a long time for our breakfast, and it came out lukewarm. Lukewarm breakfast is pretty much the last thing someone wants on a cold Saturday morning. It was pretty traditional fare with fabulous ambience and decor. I just wish the food was better. A lot of people were forking their food around instead of eating it, which is code for "this is disappointing." Bring out hotter food, Original, and then you'll be anything but.
(3)
C C.

I came here and tried the mac & cheese pancake and ... I wasn't impressed. The service was really good and the atmosphere is fun. The interior is like a modernized diner!
(3)
Mari N.

Th breakfast menu is great for a mixed family: that is paleo, vegetarian, conventional. There are some very good choices for all of us, from creme brulee french toast to braised greens. A little pricey, but worth it because they offer variety and quality, all with a smile.
(4)
Julie H.

Came here for breakfast and got the creme brulee french toast. YUUUUM! And to offset the sweetness my bf shared his breakfast burrito. DOUBLE YUMM!!! Everything was delicious and perfect. The creme brulee french toast had that beautiful caramelized top and came with 3 syrups. The restaurant was clean and the service was good as well. great place!
(4)
Jen K.

I feel like I keep getting lured in by their location (heart of downtown), concept (comfort food with a twist) and decor (upscale reinvented diner). The menu has some interesting items (house made sodas and after dark milkshakes) and for breakfast they feature Portland favorites, Stumptown coffee and Voodoo doughnuts. I've even had excellent service. But on my first breakfast visit, I was served something that was inedible. It was just all kinds of wrong from the construction of the dish to the five different temperatures and textures of the components. And to the complete credit of the server, who happened to be extremely busy that day, he noticed I wasn't eating and made it right. I was able to order a replacement meal and went with the very basic buttermilk pancakes. The actions of the server are the only reason why I gave them a second chance. The next week I wanted to grab a quick breakfast downtown and my friend suggested The Original and I thought why not? The lines at Bijou and Mother's are out the door and I don't feel like going fancy (VQ) or hitting a food cart (Brunchbox). But the problem is that now I am gun shy. After my first experience, I'm not willing to order anything interesting on the menu and playing it safe and ordering items I can pretty easily whip up at home sort of defeats the purpose of dining out. My only experience here is with breakfast and stopping by for cocktails at night, but I can't imagine I'll be returning anytime soon. There are just too many places in Portland that I've enjoyed more in addition to the ones above. Go a few blocks farther into the Pearl and you've got the old school diner Fuller's and the kitschy Byways for breakfast. It is not that I think The Original is incapable of making wonderful food, I just haven't experienced it and my fellow diners have been similarly unimpressed by their meals. Moving on now.
(2)
Michelle G.

I had a Bloody Mary And the panini special which was a caprese. I asked for only a little bit of the cream cheese pesto which came overloaded with cream cheese. So a little disappointed that the panini wasn't made correctly.
(3)
Megan G.

This was my first time to Portland and I was referred to The Original by my dentist. We loved it! Sure it is a little more than what we would have liked to pay, but we were celebrating our fifth anniversary. We decided to try the doughnut sliders for an appetizer and oh my goodness! They were so good! Now I wish we hadn't shared them! My husband had the deluxe burger which he really enjoyed and I had the fried chicken. So good and so juicy! We plan on going back for sure!
(4)
Callie B.

I work downtown, so I'm always on the hunt for a great lunch and after-work spot. Something reasonably priced, easy, delicious and a great happy hour is always a perk. The Original has ALL these things. Happy hour is totally solid - good drink deals and the food options are pretty tasty. I've had a few work lunches here as well - pretty nice, laidback business lunch which is refreshing compared to the other hotel options downtown. One of my favorite spots downtown - no question.
(4)
Brook E.

We came here for breakfast in part because of the good reviews, and in part because it was connected to our hotel. First the things I liked: Our waiter was nice and friendly. The booths are pretty comfortable. My chilaquiles were A-OK. Wasn't a big fan of my bloody Mary. It had some sort of oil in it that floated around, and it just tasted....off.
(3)
Trevor M.

I've journeyed past the windows of The Original many times and always been intrigued but never stopped in. So, today I was out with a colleague and decided now was the time. What caught me this time out of the others? Well, for starts, I actually stopped and read the menu on the window. Then, of course, I was trapped by the idea of chicken fried steak (which is one of my favorite foods...mmmm). So, in we went. Ordered up our meals and waited. Service was actually prompt and food arrived in a very timely manner (this during usual lunch hours). First thing I noticed was that, as the menu stated, this wasn't just some cube steak pounded down and breaded. No, this was a steak, nice and thick and medium rare, breaded and cooked just right. Enough gravy covered it to add to the moisture of the meat and it cut easily. Flavors were good and the potatoes were served in large fried home-style chunks, perfect for cleaning the gravy from the plate. It also came with rapini, which appeared to be sauteed, but was a bit overdone for my liking. I also tried my colleagues poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds) and they were really tasty. As far as the food goes, I'd give it a 3.5 - 4 stars (at least from this one experience). However, the atmosphere seemed off to me. I wasn't overly impressed with the plastic chair I sat in at the small plastic table. I can appreciate good food at decent prices and understated surroundings, but it almost seemed like they were trying too hard to NOT be that overpriced type of place that they skimped a bit too much on the seating. In this case, environment brought down my rating to a solid and decent 3. I'm sure I'll be back, maybe next time I'll get to try one of the booths out.
(3)
Sherry S.

Good lunch option for downtown. They have great salad choices. I ordered the "Oregon" salad which has nuts and berries with mixed greens and a great salad dressing. I chose the smaller salad and added shrimp. When the waitress brought it over it was more than enough and the shrimp were a good size. My friend ordered the BLAT sandwich which is a BLT with avocado and a side of salad.. also plenty big enough that my friend wanted to know if I would have some.
(3)
Steve Y.

I went to The Original as part of a large group. Despite the fact that the listing says they are good for groups I WOULD NOT recommend it. We were all split across 3 tables and the server refused to do separate checks, saying that it was just too difficult, and ended up only doing 1 check per table. In addition to this matter, the service was very slow. I will not be back.
(2)
Le E.

don't waste your time here. the food is mediocre at best and our appetizer that we ordered was served to us refrigerator cold because they forgot to finish it off in the fryer. i will say our waiter was fantastic, knowledgeable, and completely apologetic about our food. great concept, just really poor execution.
(2)
Stephen B.

Food...meh, drinks...very good. A local landmark. For hipsters and young people, it's great. Open for most of the day, it suits many purposes. I find the food to be below average for Portland, but having several interesting dishes for noobs. The drinks, however, are very good. They make most of their ingredients in house, including some infused liquors. Fantastic central downtown location.
(3)
Tiffany V.

I had zero internet access so I texted my bf and asked him to look up a good restaurant near the hotel my parents and I were staying at. He told us to go to The Original and after getting lost and then finally finding it, I can totally see why. This place is his kind of place to a tee. Totally modern design and really clean. Service was really nice up until the waitress decided to ignore me for 5 minutes while we waited far too long for our food. Seriously, how long does it take to make a salad? My parents both ordered a Caesar Salad with Salmon and I got the Fish Burger with Tomato Soup. I tried some of their salad and it was horrible. The dressing tasted like absolutely nothing. What a waste of calories. The salmon was way undercooked too. My Fish Burger was fantastic although it did completely fall apart. No fault of theirs though. The Tomato Soup had such a strange flavor to it and it was a really small portion. We were there at 4 on a Sunday so we only got to see their limited "Tweener Menu." I got the Almond Joy Cake for dessert. Their desserts were pretty pricey so I was thinking to myself that they better be worth the price and it totally was. The cake was huge! It lasted me dessert, a late night snack, breakfast, and pre-dinner snack. Haha. They had some really unique and creative desserts although some sounded kind of gross. It ended up being about $50. You should definitely come for Happy Hour because the table next to us did and their bill was under $20. My mother told me this by the way, I wasn't creepily looking at other table's bills. Haha.
(3)
La C.

I really liked this place. I'm glad I did not read the reviews and stumbled upon it when walking near my hotel. I was out in Portland for a business meeting and did not want to eat at my hotel so my coworker and I went here to check it out. We tried the specialty soda, ginger-mint and it was good. I ordered the chicken and waffles appetizer and my coworker had the seafood cocktail. Both were wonderful, really fresh and nice sized. For the main course we had the Salmon special and that was so dang good, great tasting, fresh and perfectly cooked. The only minus was the side of braised green beans, I like them dry and crunchy, these were doused in red tomato sauce. I enjoyed this place so much I came back again the next night, I went with the seafood cocktail, that thing was awesome, prawns, bay shrimp, dungenous crab and fried oysters, this is a rockstar for sure. For my entree I had the bacon wrapped pork loin, it was ok for me, too salty but it was a huge portion, could only eat half. I also tried the chocolate banana cake, that thing was yummy. If I and when I make it back to Portland I will definitely return here!
(4)
Timothy L.

O - Original (as in plating) R - Restful (wasnt waiting) I - Intense (as in taste) G - Gin (Juniper - based) I - Inventive (Loving liver) N - Nougat (just a sliver) A - Alcohol (back to the well) L - Long Lasting (Time to yell (p))
(4)
Steve J.

I hesitated before writing this review because I don't want the place to get too crowded like Mother's. I want them to have exactly as many customers as will allow them to stay in business...or at least so that I won't have to wait for a table when I'm hungry. We went here for breakfast on a rainy Sunday around 10am and we were seated right away. The staff was extremely nice, attentive, and knowledgeable. The food is a bit on the spendy side, but MAN is it good! I had the Creme Brulee French Toast and it is hands-down the best FT I've ever had. My friend had the breakfast burrito and between the green chili sauce, melted cheese and the mixture of eggs and other goodies inside it was the best BB I've ever tasted. I will definitely be back - I am bringing every one of my out-of-town guests here. I love Mother's, but this place is every bit as good, and no waiting for a table!!
(5)
Damon T.

I'd never had poutine before, but I think Canada is going to get a run for its money. Gooey cheese curds, tangy brown gravy & perfectly poached eggs over a good sized bed of fries. My friend's meals looked great too. This place is essentially an upscale diner; take it for what it's worth.
(4)
Gabriel S.

The serve big salads! BIG BIG SALADS! Hooray for big delicious salads. Also, the service was great. Saturday night crowd was nice, the view is good there was interesting stuff on the walls. The street view is nice, where you can see the transit system which in Portland looks pretty cool. The custom soda drinks are tasty a very nice touch. We had sliders, and a pasta in addition to a salad. Did I mention they have big delicious salads? Also, were willing to leave the capers from the pasta special on the side.
(3)
Tonneli G.

I have only dined here once but i think that will be enough for me. I asked the waited what the best breakfast dish on the menu was (specifying i like savory dishes more than sweet ones) he told me the breakfast burrito was a hit so i took his advice. what came my table was a mushy $12 enchilada. there wasn't much breakfasty about it aside from the eggs.... for $12 more than a single spoonful of guacamole may be nice? My suggestion to the original- work on texture even the best meal can turn to yuck! if it sits too long. nothing tastes good mushy, soggy, and luke warm.
(2)
Joe C.

This is a diner that is attached to the Courtyard Marriott in Portland. It's simple with a simple menu. There's a full bar if you want a cocktail. The staff is friendly and helpful. I'd go again if I was staying there.
(3)
Amiee L.

We came here for lunch while we were there for the weekend & had a really nice lunch. The only thing that i wasn't really into was the homemade pop tart it tasted a little too much like Strawberry Quik to me and that's not my favorite flavor. I would have loved to go back again but we didn't have time...
(4)
Eric P.

Inside the Courtyard Marriott City Center but with street access. A "dineraunt". I had the chilaquilas for breakfast, and it was very good. Good spot for a good breakfast.
(3)
Joe M.

I rushed to downtown to meet up with a friend who got me a ticket to see El Vez as a gift. We decided upon going to The Original when he suggested I should try the Voodoo Donut Burger. We still had time for happy hour so we paced ourselves a few blocks to our destination. For some reason, one of my other friends was very confused when I told him where to meet us up. Eventually we caught him peeping at the window of the restaurant when we arrived. It looked packed in the bar and I wasn't sure if happy hour was offered only in that section or not. Fortunately it wasn't limited to the bar so we got a table right away. I was amazed by the happy hour choices and the prices. I had a special punch of the day which gave me a decent buzz for $4. I caved in and got the Voodoo Burger for $5 and fries for $2. My friends ordered PBR's for only a $1 and the grilled chicken sandwich. The food did take a while to come out but we were in a relaxed atmosphere and didn't feel the rush. The food eventually arrived and I thought my burger would be bigger. However as I chowed down, the sweet and savory blend melted well together. I was filled with smiles with each bite. A couple of minutes later the burger was gone and I was satisfied. The fries were a hit; not too soft and not too crunchy. My friends asked to have a couple and before I knew it they were grabbing a few as each minute passed. The chicken sandwich looked pretty good so I greedily grabbed my friend's sandwich and cut myself a piece. The chicken breast is huge, moist, very tender. No sign of dryness was present and it tasted like the chicken has been marinated to give it more flavor. I wished I could have gotten that but my friends encouraged me to go for the calorie killer instead. Service was adequate; not rushed but maybe they could have came by more often to see how we were doing. I would like to go back for their happy hour since they have so many food choices. The portions are pretty good for the price they offer. I was curious to what was going on upstairs since there was a lot of cheering going on throughout our stay. I am surprised a place like The Original is not located in the heart of the Pearl due to its fancy decor and style.
(4)
Steve G.

Wow - this place has an incredible breakfast/brunch. Some of the most original (hah) menu options I've seen for the first meal of the day. I had the Duck, Duck, Chicken, which is a confit hash dish. Delicious. The Oreo encrusted voodoo doughnut was incredible, too. Breakfast burritos are enormous and great, too. My wife had the PB&J which is made from corn flake encrusted french toast. It tasted like fried dough filled with PB and jelly. Amazing!
(5)
Kris K.

I had already had dinner at the Original once, but I recently had breakfast here. The Creme Brulee french toast was amazing. I ordered a $10 milkshake to market my insanity and was impressed. The Salty Jim was full of Caramel and Bourbon, the best shake I've ever had. Its what Vincent Vega was hoping for in Pulp Fiction. I have taken a couple people here and have never had anything sub-par.
(5)
Karl W.

My wife and I were wandering around downtown one morning and came across this place and decided to give it a try. A little spendy and the food was "just alright." Not the best mushroom omelette and hash browns I've ever had, maybe a bit dry. I enjoyed the peppermint tea and the service was fast and friendly. I probably won't go back but maybe I just had a bad experience this time, give it a shot and see what you think.
(2)
Randy V.

This place was opened up by a "marketing savvy" design and management firm called Sage Restaurant Group out of Denver. They opened Departure and Urban Farmer here at about the same time. From looking at their website they specialize in creating kitschy theme restaurants. Normally I steer WAY clear of any formula, cookie cutter restaurant but for some reason I swallowed my trepidation and gave them a shot for happy hour. You can tell they spent a lot of cash researching their target "demographic" in Portland. They tried very, very hard to create an offbeat, kind of hipster, but still accessible place to eat and drink. They succeeded there. I thought the place was a bit pretentious at first but after visiting a few more times, I got a feel for the place. The dÃ©cor is a little weird but not distractingly so. They also change up the art work and posters near the register often so you feel like the place is alive and moving. The wait staff were spot on, professional, quick and not smothering. It's obvious the management doesn't tolerate the slackadaisical attitude many servers get away with in Portland. Now for the good part; as anyone who eats knows, food is what drives a restaurant. You can have a great location, the best services and the most stylish dÃ©cor but if the food sucks, you're going to fail. I wanted to try something different for my venture off the happy hour menu. I had the Fried Chicken Double Down which was a pounded chicken breast, split and stuffed with ham. This topped off with a layer of gruyere cheese baked to a golden brown then dressed with sweet honey mustard. It was cooked almost perfectly. It was slightly under done on one corner under the cheese. I'll forgive that since the rest of it was so good. A fresh salad greens and spinach rounded out the meal nicely. The bottom line: Service: **** Quick, professional. Food: **** Delish! Price: ***Average Ambiance: ***Diner, cafeish. 3.5 up to 4
(4)
Jason B.

One of the best breakfast burritos I have ever had and I am a snob about this particular kind of food. Wife had the Elvis Sighting and loved it. Great service, awesome atmosphere. Really good coffee and not too expensive. You get what you paid for here.
(5)
Stacey T.

When I come to Portland for business I stay at the Courtyard attached to this restaurant. I love their Oregon salad that has beets, pear, hazelnuts and goat cheese on it! I usually add avocado as well. The bar staff is really nice and they remember me from the last time I was here. Its a great hotel restaurant to just sit at the bar and feel welcome! I also had their breakfast the other day and the egg white goat cheese and mushroom omelet was awesome!! I love goat cheese!!
(5)
Dave T.

A nice place to get breakfast. The creme brulee french toast is delicious though you're going to put yourself into a food coma for a while after eating it. I guess it gets busy on the weekends for breakfast but on the weekday we went we had no problem getting a table straight away.
(4)
Monica B.

Came here for a solo breakfast on Monday morning. The spot was quiet but had a few patrons scattered about. I ordered the veggie sausage scramble with a side salad and English muffin. Scramble was awesome, especially the housemade veggie sausage which was savory deliciousness. Service was spot on.
(4)
Ana B.

Every time I walk by The Original catches my eye. It's been beckoning me with its tall windows and fancy interior. After doing some major shopping downtown I was in need of a pick me up, and like a fountain in the desert I found The Original. Having dinner plans later on I didn't get to really dive head first to the menu as I normally would have. Lucky for me it was happy hour, and they have it 7 days a week! The Original has a number of yummy, 5$ food to choose from. One of which was a mini chocolate shake and fries - GENIUS, and possibly one of the coolest things I have ever seen offered for happy hour. I ordered the Punch of the day (4$) which was a strawberry lemonade with vodka - magnific! I ended up getting grilled cheese, admittedly a weak choice but I was trying to keep in simple! It came with French fries which were perfectly seasoned. I look forward to going back for dinner and checking out some of the other things they have to offer. They have a lot of interesting things to choose from, and the beautiful decor is an added bonus.
(4)
Melissa K.

I dig it. The atmosphere, the funny waitstaff, the food! Whether you're nursing a hangover and need a dark place/hanging out with friends/watching the weirdness that is Portland thanks to the lovely windows--The Original has you covered. Prices are reasonable, food is fresh and prepared well. Ask the staff for recommendations to get a better feel for what they do really well at! While the food probably is only 3.5 stars, I'm bumping it up because of the amazing service I've had consistently as well as the atmosphere.
(4)
Leo V.

Saw this place earlier today on my way from PDX to my hotel. I liked the look of the place and kept it in mind to go back for dinner. Upon walking in I'm instantly reminded of Mel's Drive In in San Francisco, the terazzo floors, booths and the rotating desert fridge near the door.....there's a twist though....the other part of this place reminds me of Farmer Brown also in San Francisco. The dim mood lighting, the modern design and materials/fabrics. It's a mix of style and architecture that they'd pulled off well. This place could very well be in Las Vegas, London or New York. I had the caesar salad and crab stuffed trout. The salad...meh...nothing to write home about, the dressing had a little spice to it, but the other contents were not of the best quality, it was like to got the butt end of the romain lettuce. The trout though was a nice surprise. Crispy skin topped with fresh peppers and thin lemon slices and cilantro. The hint of peppers and lemon was noticeable all the way through. The side was jalepeno cheddar hush puppies. The jalepeno was done just right, for flavor, not for spicy heat. Only thing that I thought didn't work well was the music. It was some upbeat, quick tempo pop-ish R&B wanna be jazz....trying too hard here guys. This is Portland, not Vegas. I think if they played some since loungy jazz...maybe some Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, etc it would really set the atmosphere nicely. Definitely coming back and would recommend this place without a second thought.
(3)
Queen J.

I enjoyed my dinner last night! Yes...I'm very adventurous and being that I'm in Portland, Oregon, I thought I would do like the town folk and hop on the Max(train) to explore the city. I jumped on the Red line and headed downtown. I had no clue where I'd end up, but I thought can't go wrong in the downtown area. I was right, after walking a couple of blocks, I found myself asking a Bell hop if he had a favorite Restaurant that he frequented. He began to tell me about the different ones in the area. He mentioned an Indian restaurant, but i had just walked past that place and it was empty, that was a no go for me. He said "Why don't you try The Original." which was two steps away. I walked in, sat down and was greeted by the hostess, who was very sweet. My server Adam was excellent, right on time with everything. I am a stickler on CS and he met my standards. He recommended the Lobster Mac and Cheese, tt was tasty. Lobster on top of Arrozo Pasta with a Cheesey Truffle Foundue. The cheese taste was flavorful, and the lobster was sweet. It was nice rolling the flavors all over my tongue. Each bite had a taste all its own; Lobster, Cheese, Organic greens. MM MM Good. I washed it down with a Absolute Lemonade. For dessert I had a Red Velvet Cake. My favorite of course! The Red Velvet Cake sat on top of a Chocolate Fudge Sauce. Boy, was that GOOD. I knew from the moment I ordered I was going to add a trot to my morning walk. Trot/walk 5:45am. OOOOhh, so worth it!
(4)
Jenny W.

I really love this place for breakfast. Every time we have been on a weekend morning we have never had to wait. I always get something sweet, and the pancakes are great, especially if the seasonal ones. The service is great and so is the coffee ( i love stumptown) It is Pricey but no more then an extra $7 or 8 more than any other breakfast joint for the 2 of us. On my birthday we also went there so i could try one of the boozy milkshakes, it was SOOOOO good, they also gave me a cake free of charge. Thanks!
(4)
Lisa E.

The Original Dinerant was our happy hour destination. It was easy to get seats and wasn't crazy crowded. The prices for happy hour were reasonable too. I had one glass of Pinot Grigio ($4). My friend got the goofiest drink: some kind of whiskey with root beer! It arrived in a martini glass. He was not a fan. We ordered food. The menu was a little strange but interesting. Their Dog of The Day was a little too bizarre for me to try: hot dog with pico de gallo and cheese sauce? Ick! I got the veggie burger instead and a side salad. The veggie burger was FANTASTIC! Probably the best I've ever had. I couldn't figure out what bean it was made of (maybe chickpeas?) and it was so tasty. The salad, however, was NOT good. How do you screw up a salad? I swear they dumped a gallon of salt on my salad. Really? Salt? My friend got the Pigs n Blanket. It looked really yummy and I kind of wish I'd gotten that too. :) I'd definitely go back. The service was great and the food (minus the salad) was yummy!
(4)
Christine C.

Food's alright here. It's definitely selling itself as a classy hipster diner, which it entirely is. Modern, spacious, and clean with a full bar. Service is friendly, but the food is average. I mean it is a diner so your expectations aren't of culinary greatness, but just food to fill you up perhaps with a side of whiskey. Small menu, and they have a selection of interesting shakes as well. I got the country fried steak which was the oddest CFS i've ever had. It's like they just battered and fried a regular piece of steak instead of a cubed steak. It wasn't bad, but just not what I was expecting. But either way the food will fill you up and it won't be bad. They are open later on weekends so I guess it's a nice place to go after a night on the town.
(3)
Ryan A.

Yet again I'm on the verge of a five star rating, but just not quite there. I think it was the combination of slow and inconsistent drinks that did it, topped off by them being out of what I ordered. The service was good, they even split up our checks without us asking (we had a party of 10). The food was good, not oh my god amazing, but good. The first drink I had was at the bar and was very good. The second was also good, but the third had almost no mixer. I enjoyed the night, probably more focused on the friends than the food, so I don't have all that much to say about the place. It seemed dead in there even though it was packed, so there must be good sound management. Everything was presented well. The options on the menu all looked good. I suppose, in summary, good (I seem to be using that word a lot here - it's what I tend to say when I'm not excited about something but have nothing bad to say). I've been here before, though, and I'll go back. It's a reasonably priced upper end restaurant.
(4)
Jihae H.

When I walked in to this 'dinerant' I was impressed with the interior design and general aesthetic of the place, especially with the addition of the adorable Gnome-themed art show appropriately named "Gnomeland", adding just an extra bit of whimsy, which I always like. Ordered the Beef Jerky Bloody Mary, because I am a fan of any new bloody marys that I can get, and it was ok. Not the best or strongest bloody I've ever had, but it was pretty good. We ordered the Creme Brulee French Toast for the table since we were STARVING and mowed through it in about 10 seconds. It was DEEEEE-freaking-liscious! Perfect little crunch from the sugar on top - I don't think I could eat a whole plate of it, as I am more of a savory brunch fan, but having it for the table made my tummy super happy :) I had the Chicken fried steak as my main course, which was a disappointment. I ordered it med rare - it came well done and was tough and chewy. Needless to say, I didn't finish my plate. I think I'll give this place another try soon and re-review, it has so much potential, plus I would like to try it out in the evening when they have late late night hours - have a feeling that it is a chill atmosphere at night and they have a full bar PLUS diner food when you get the drunk hunger - which is open until 4am on the weekends!!
(3)
Jeremy J.

Went for the burger at happy hour, great burger and a great deal. Don't expect anything that will change your life, but go here for a good burger on the cheap.
(4)
Jens J.

Normally for lunch, I don't foray over the Willamette into downtown, but based on a tip from Katie S. (that she got from Don B.), I decided to give Original Dinerant a shot. And it was worth the shot! Amazingly enough, I found out later that Don was in the restaurant at the same time as me. I'm always pleasantly surprised how quick it is to get into downtown Portland (except, of course, when Rose parades are in progress). And is it always this easy to find parking on the street? Wow! I was surprised that there was not one, not two, but three nicely-dressed hostesses at Original's entrance at around noon today. I opted to sit at the counter facing the window looking out over SW Oak St. Sitting there watching people walk by, I realized that as a collection, the downtown Portland populace is quite a good-looking set! The items on the appetizer menu are the most interesting, and it was from here that I ordered the pigs in a blanket and a lobster corndog. The pigs in blanket was a single sliced frank in a light pie crust-like blanket, served with a rather tart Romano cheese dipping sauce. Good! Yes, I had to try the lobster corndog even if the price was a breathsnatching $12. But what a great concept! You will be pleasantly surprised at how much lobster meat is tucked inside the pronto pup. And actually, you get two plump corndogs in your order. One thing to keep in mind when cooking a corn dog is that they are very thick and need to be cooked for a sufficient enough time to heat the interior. Today, the lobster was not cold, but it could have stood to have been heated longer. Just ask for extra-well done! Sort of curious - is that while the rest of Original Dinerant is toney in a West Elm/Design Within Reach sort of way (including the dish for my pigs in a blanket), they brought the lobster corn dogs out in one of those cheap plastic red baskets you get at Burgerville. Yeah, I know that a corn dog is really just carnival food, but still! The iced tea could stand more tea and less ice. The restaurant is new (I could smell the leather in the seats), so I can forgive the rather lengthy wait for my food. I definitely plan on coming back to try more of their off-the-beaten-path appetizers.
(4)
Lily S.

I really really wanted to love this place. We read about it in Portland magazine and kept trying to get here and when we did...well, *I* wasn't completely won over. Service: good - the person who filled our water glasses acted like serving was beneath him, but our actual server was v funny and likeable. Food: speedy! However, does EVERYTHING these days come w/ pork? I asked for a veggie breakfast burrito and I got it...but something wasn't right - salsa that tasted like it had sugar in it? PASS. This was the first time I didn't like a breakfast burrito I'd met. SAD me. Prices: great! Comparable to most place. Atmosphere: Fabulous. I liked how clean the place looked. Like a modern, funky diner. Maybe I need to come for happy hour or dinner b/c breakfast didn't excite me...and I usually LOOOOVE breakfast. :( Note to all restaurants: not everyone wants to eat pork belly or pork shoulder or pork eyeball or pork thigh. Sometimes good ole chicken is ok too.
(3)
Anhers M.

Very typical. I had chicken fried steak (but they did ask me how I'd like it cooked and my dumb butt thought I ordered chicken fried chicken so I look at her weird) my cousin had some thing i can only call crazy fries. Overall, nothing to write home to P about..
(3)
Eric C.

Cool drinks. Fun atmosphere. Good service. What more do you need?
(4)
Cyndi H.

Comfort diner food in a modern space. Our server (I think his name was Matt) was possibly the coolest server I've ever had: sparkly personality, comedic, humble. We all loved him. The curved diner booths are a novelty that I am a sucker for. Generally I'm not a fan of diner-style food, but in this case I was really impressed. The food, with the exception of my pasta, was above average for typical diner offerings. I'll stop beating around the bush though. The truth is, you have not lived until you've tasted their Salty Jim alcoholic milkshake. Imagine that, salted caramel in a boozy shake. I have craved this creamy concoction since the night I first tried it. Please, find me the recipe before my heart breaks from longing!
(4)
Brittany K.

After discovering that the southern-style bento place we had wanted to check out was take-out only, my fellow tourists and I saw a bright, sparkly "The Original" across the street. We weren't sold, but we were starving, so we checked it out. A-ma-ZING! From being seated right away at a couple of next-to-each other booths, to our hilarious and friendly waiter Ben to my peanut butter pie (you heard me), the night was outstanding! Drinks came quickly and got our blood flowing. Those alcoholic milkshakes were moo-raculous. Teammates didn't love their pasta, but I did, plus my own chicken burger and fries. I barely heard a peep from the other table as they chowed down on their own delights. Ben made some adorable puns about Canada, and I have to give credit to any server who spends that much time on his hair. I feel you, bro. Can't wait to come back here!
(5)
Miguel A.

I was in Portland on business and asked around for a descent place to eat brunch. The concierge suggested this place, and I was surprise by the food. I had the poutine and it was delicious!!! Ive never had anything like this. Fries, syrup, cheese and 2 eggs on top! I recommend the poutine and the original.
(4)
Alexandra E.

Staying at the Courtyard attached to the Original Dinerant and I got in late and was starving. I was very skeptical because (a) it was called a "dinerant" and (b) it was attached to a Courtyard. I think I was prepared for the ambiance and eclectic menu choices because I read the menu shpeel about how it was a diner and a restaurant and whatever. I wasn't in the mood for whimsy. My tired soul just wanted food and I nearly cried when I saw they had poutine! YAH! This Canuck was pleased as heck. (I was going to order it but I noticed they had poached eggs and poutine for breakfast so I decided to save it.) I ordered the Oregon salad with grilled trout and the potato gnocchi with chanterelles and they were both excellent. in fact, the salad was one of the best ones I've had in a long time. I think it was the vinaigrette but everything (beets, chevre, roasted nuts) really worked. I've never had trout on a salad before and it was really, really good--better than boring old salmon--and not fishy at all. The potato gnocchi was OUTSTANDING. I could have licked the plate. I haven't eaten breakfast there yet but in addition to the poutine and eggs, I'm also dying to try the creme brulee french toast, PB&J pancakes and the fruit loop pancakes. I am also hoping to try the homemade pies (made daily). As for the service, it wasn't a crack team. They seemed young and inexperienced. But everyone has to start somewhere and I can forgive the small things because the food was really good. Moral of the story: Don't take this place too seriously and enjoy the yummy food.
(4)
Geoff K.

I had heard from a few that The Original had gotten it's act together and moved beyond the train wreck of an opening it had. Since we couldn't get into Little Bird we decided to give it a go. How bad could it be? Pretty damn bad. Our server was completely out to lunch, left us sitting with menues for ever. I ordered a house soda that came so sweet it was undrinkable. Sent it back and then the replacement was just as bad. Manager finally brought over 2 replacements of other kinds declaring that the Citrus Lemongrass batch was off. The replacements weren't bad, they weren't great either. Almost 20 mins after sitting down we finally placed our order. Decided to get apps and salads as it was getting late and nothing in the Entre space looked all that good. Ordered a chorizo chili dog which was a rip off at $8.95! It came 3 pieces of fried chorizo on sticks. Chorizo was flat and lifeless, not much spice and the sauce was just plain awful. Ordered an Oregon Salad to go with it which ultimately took 45 mins to arrive. I barely could eat it. Gobs and hunks of cheese, under-ripe pairs and soggy beats. Lettuce wasn't really dressed with much more than oil and the nuts were overly candied and very sparsely populated. We ultimately did talk to the manager who didn't charge us for everything but it's really hard to imagine going back. When an almost $9 hot dog doesn't compare to a $1 vegan corndog at Hungry Tiger 2 you know you are in trouble. Our server never apologized for the wait, never acknowledged there were any problems and seemed like she really couldn't give a crap one way or another. Needless to say, we won't be back.
(2)
Barry S.

Eat breakfast food while in Portland ... Tried multiple dishes
(4)
L L.

Great place. I love the decor and they have huge servings and the service is fantastic. I got the eggs and cakes as blueberry pancakes. They use whole blueberries in their mix and are huge w/ an ample portion of potatoes, 2 eggs and 2 sausage for $12. Sounds pricey for diner food, but you definitely get your money's worth without the grease that comes along with your normal diner fare.
(4)
Lisa M.

OMG! Best French Toast ever! The Creme Brulee French Toast is absolutely delicious. It's literally French Toast with the happy creme brulee crustiness on top. The poached eggs and ham I had on the side were pretty good, too. The restaurant is a bit loud, but the ambiance is cool. Mmm...so full :)
(4)
Woodinville W.

I would probably give 2.5 stars if that were an option. I'm erring on the higher side in this case as I think that maybe the issues with the service were partially due to the fact that we visited on Christmas day. The restaurant may have been understaffed, and the place was packed. In short, the food was very good, and I would have given a 4-star review if the service had been even adequate. We were seated for about 10 minutes before we were even given water. After we were given water, it was another 5 minutes or so before our waiter showed up. The waiter was very nice-so the service was friendly-just usually absent. I ordered an Americano with cream, received the Americano about 10 minutes after I ordered it-no cream. This kind of thing went on for the duration of our meal. As mentioned, the food was good. The atmosphere was also very nice, and I'd like to think that on a non-holiday day, the experience might have been better. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again, but I wouldn't be opposed to it if we happened to be in the area...
(3)
Paddy R.

Cheap headache house wine ( but not so cheap ). Only had chili cheese fries and they were OK. Nice bright spacious & modern environment. I thought only crappy dive bars did PABST specials? This taints their attempts to appeal to a more upmarket crowd.
(3)
Darren H.

My 8 year old son said the root beer float was "boss!" Great pit stop when you are downtown, not so much a destination. Restaurant is connected/associated with Marriott, had the breakfast burrito which was the size of my calf and fantastic! (Beef brisket)
(5)
Ariana A.

Before I start I would give this a 3-4 rating for having to wait awhile for food sometimes. I don't mind though because the food is amazing. We started with the cheese curd stuffed pretzels and they were chewy and delicious. I had the pork shank with bacon fritters and OMG! IT WAS SO FREAKING GOOD. I seriously can't find the words to describe how great this meal was. My husband had the braised beef and it was also great (I still think mine was better though.) Then we had the caramel corn sundae for dessert. It was the perfect blend of salty and sweet. Their drinks are good too, I had the Flora Fizz which is a greyhound with a floral soda they make in house (which they do with a lot of their products.) In conclusion I think this is a quality place! Oh and Ben is an excellent server! I've had him the last two times and he always fives great opinions and is super friendly.
(5)
Paul K.

I was recently at this place, not once, but twice in 2 days. It was recommended as a place to go to for late night dining by the concierge. I'm glad that we took that advice. Our server Dustin was absolutely awesome. He made sure we got our pickles every time. The guy was super caring and efficient. The food was great also. One of the best burgers ever. The other food plates we had were also top notch and prepared perfectly. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Sasha K.

I liked the breakfast. My only concern was the jar with jam with a spoon in it on the table. I presume most people did not lick the spoon before putting it back into the jar ;), but decided to pass on the jam anyway.
(4)
Kelly M.

Great breakfasts!
(4)
Cynce T.

I've yet to have a bad meal at The Original. My personal favorite are their belgian waffles... Mmm... cripsy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Their fried chicken isn't bad either! My boyfriend is a huge fan of their chicken fried steak. The atmosphere is very hip and trendy and the waitstaff is usually very attentive and quick. Definitely one of my breakfast/brunch favorites!
(5)
Saul M.

The menu is awesome and it varies. The portions were decent and the service was excellent. I liked their drinks and the food was amazing. They have a good happy hour menu as well and I will have to check them out for Happy Hour. They open late so its also a good option to stop by and grab a bite when out in the town late at night.
(4)
Nikki Z.

We stayed in the connecting hotel. I'm a huge fan of the Creme Brulee French Toast with their Honey Syrup for their Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner! Also their Eggs Benedict were pretty good. The english muffin was toasted and buttered to perfection.
(4)
Joshua W.

Delicious. We ate the train wreck fries, bbq brisket, baked mac and cheese, and the duck confit pot pie. I can't wait to go back and try other things.
(5)
Karen D.

We spent two nights at the Courtyard Marriott which is attached to The Original. Enjoyed one breakfast and one lunch there. Breakfast for two was a western omelette and ham & eggs. Everything was prepared perfectly and the potatoes were especially delicious. Lunch was a blue plate special: Flat Iron steak opened faced sandwich for Mom and a 1/2 BLT w avocado and salad for me. Mom kept making mmmm mmmm noises while she ate! There were 1/2 a dozen items that I'm dying to try so I guess another trip to Portland is in order!
(4)
Ed C.

What a great and unique menu! I ordered cheese stuffed pretzel bites and they came with a "tomato bacon jam". The sweet/savory flavor of the jam went great with the flakey, buttery pretzel nuggets. Just enough cheese in each pretzel to give them a kick without going over. For dinner I got the crab stuffed trout which i highly recommend. The trout was cooked perfectly, melt in your mouth good with a delish crab filling. Even the deserts have some unique options. I saw a maple bacon milkshake on the menu, but I was so full from the main course I settled on a small "cake pop" which was a good, cheap finisher can't forget my favorite part of the meal, an original soda blend made in house! I picked the honey grapefruit soda, which tasted like a delicious carbonated tea. There were tons of other options to chose from. I enjoyed the artsy decor in the place, though I have to admit, the interior doesn't handle loud sound well. There was a loud event upstairs, which isn't sectioned off and you can hear the noise throughout the diner. If a loud party sits in the diner area, forget it... On the plus side this place is opened until 4am on weekends, and serves a late breakfast. I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Jennifer G.

We went in Saturday about 5:30 for cocktails and some food. Ordered drinks. Waited 20 minutes with only receiving the one non alcoholic drink so went to bar to try and get drinks. No luck at bar but found waitress who was looking for her manager to help with the bartender who wasn't making drinks. We could see him from our table, he was chatting a lot and I saw him pour some wine but never make the drinks we ordered. So we left. Crappy crappy service. Waitress was fine but damn 20 minutes and no cocktails. We ended up at buffalo wild wings.. not only did they get up drinks in a timely manner but they had bottled tonic water since all the tap water was unusable due to ecoli. Score for buffalo wild wings.
(1)
Jackee K.

Dog friendly, outdoor seating! The service was great, the eggs benedict was (were?) delicious too! Yum!
(4)
Linda T.

In keeping with Portland tradition, this dinerant is certainly weird, but lacks any sort of real "originality." I had the famed Poutine, gravy smother french fries, which left me stuffed and and feeling quite heavy. I could barely finish it and choose not to take the leftovers home. The sandwich I had was completely forgettable. It's located in the modern, LEED Gold Certified Courtyard by Marriot (fabulous hotel if I do say so myself) so the entire atmosphere is rather hip. The food was good, but I would only recommend eating here is you are pressed for time (as I was). Why eat mediocre when you can walk down the street for some "original" Portland food truck fare?
(3)
Aaron T.

Went here for a late breakfast. Stumptown coffee with unlimited refills, Yes Please! I don't normally drink coffe black, but was able to here with such wonderful coffee being brewed. Creme brulee fresh toast was unique and tasty. Paired really well with their berry syrup. My friend ordered their smoky bloody mary. It was the most terrible thing I have ever tasted. I hate bloody mary's, so can't really hold that against them I guess. Service was pretty on point, not 5 star, but better than you find in most diners or brunch places.
(5)
Jason B.

Stopped in around 2am for some take-out to take back to the hotel room. Waited 15 minutes for two burgers that were absolutely disgusting. Even drunk and starving I couldn't eat them! But good luck finding late night food downtown near the hotels.
(1)
C E.

We ended up here as some of the areas more renowned brunch places had ridiculous line ups. After a short wait, we were sat. Nice interior. Wait staff had a semi-hipster thing going. Opted for the Breakfast Burrito. The Pork was seasoned well and was tender which married perfectly with the huge chunks of potatoes and egg. I would definitely return to try some of the other items.
(3)
Avalynda B.

So, my boyfriend and I have been here several times. I like to try new things on the menu, and he prefers to stick to what he likes. We've never had a bad meal here. Food is awesome, service is great. The BF always gets the pork shank, and the waiters don't think it's weird when he asks to have the bones boxed up to take home for my dog. The mixed sodas are great, and the bar serves great drinks. I also heartily recommend the brunch menu.
(5)
Kevin H.

I used to work overnight downtown and this place is open late on Fridays and Saturday night with a decent late night menu that they'd prepare take out for me (and give me an employee discount since I was 'industry'). Everything was always amazing. The restaurant REALLY shines though when you have a Canadian friend in town and is drunk and wants poutine and chicken wings at 3am. As far as I know, The Original is the only place that can accomodate such ridiculousness AND do it in a way the Canadian is impressed with. Their meatloaf during the day is interesting and yummy. Service is always good to excellent. I highly recommend this place to lots of people every day as easy, good food and they serve less than greasy spoon stuff at late night which is always nice.
(4)
Jasmine T.

So this was our 2nd time here... Since we had stuffed ourselves beyond capacity at dinner, we only wanted to get a drink before going back to the hotel. We wandered around looking for a regular ol' bar, but settled upon this place because we had been there once before. The last time, I wondered what it would look like all lit up at night. Very nice. So we get seated across from the table we sat at last time, but this time in a booth. So normally, I notice everything... because I am nosy and a nitpicker, but I didn't notice all the cozy, big booths in the back! I wish we came with more people so I could have sat back there... well, it was like really late (almost 11--- that's late to me) so I guess I could have asked, but we already sat down... meh. Our server approaches as the self timer on my camera goes off. He asks us if we will be eating... I had wanted a boozy milkshake, but they don't make them after 10pm. Why? Is it the noise of the blender? Is it the noise of the dishwashing machine that washes the blender? So I ask if they serve ice cream (since they have it to make milkshakes), but they don't serve ice cream on its own. When asking us for our drink order, he asked to see our IDs. No problemo. After we show him our driver's licenses, he said that we would have to show him our passports and goes on to explain the Oregon Liquor Laws. Say what now? The last time we were in town, my husband and his friends were told at the Liqour Store that a driver's license was not good enough. We thought they just didn't want to sell a bunch a of drunk goons more alcohol. Oh, so this is real... he said that the rules are really strict and that he personally could lose the ability to serve alcohol in Oregon if he overserves. It's not the restaurant that is libel, but him. Wow. In Vegas, people can drink walking down the streets and the clubs give you a wheelchair when your friend gets alcohol poisoning so you can wheel them back to the hotel. No other restaurant asked us... and Target accepts your license when you buy their ultra cheap wine. My husband gets a beer and I get a Greyhound. I never see that drink anywhere, but D gets it all the time. Normally, she has to explain to people what it is. Here they have a special one on their menu called Dew Drop. At first, there was something about it that was really perfume-y, but after the ice cubes melted a bit, I really liked it. They have this really big wall with postcards stuck on it. If you mail them a postcard and they post it, the next time you come, they give you a free appie.. nifty. That would make me come back... If only we got their earlier...
(3)
Lindsay S.

I'm giving them a star for service. The burger was beyond disappointing, lingering toward depressing. It was completely tasteless... even with blue cheese on it. I literally covered it in Tabasco sauce, and that helped (helped it taste like Tabasco sauce). I ordered the fries and cheese curds on the side, because I'm from Wisconsin (having never seen cheese curds on a menu outside of Wisconsin, i was curious). Apparently, the tasteless melted cheese blobs on top of the fries were cheese curds. I suppose they could have been. The gravy was tasty. That's about all I can say.
(1)
Tarin L.

Good sit down lunch spot, friendly service and tasty turkey burgers and fries.
(4)
Jason G.

Not a good shake, even for an alcoholic one. Wings were meh, menu was small and a little too expensive for the food you got. I don't know why this place always seems to be full. Portland confuses me sometimes.
(2)
Cheryl T.

We came here for a late breakfast on a weekday and they seated us in a corner booth - a new take on the traditional red diner booths? I ordered a stack of pancakes; no frills, but they did give me a selection of syrups. What in the world is a marionberry? I don't know - it looks like a blackberry and tastes like a blueberry. So I stick with good ol' maple syrup. I think breakfast should be simple and this place will give you simple (they even have cereal on the menu....)
(3)
Sarah B.

I chose The Original for my birthday dinner this year. A diverse group of eight of us embarked with curiosity, but skepticism (could we all find enticing choices on the, relatively, short menu?). We were delightfully surprised. I had the coq au vin, the chicken was juicy and the dish was rich, flavorful and satisfying. One member of our party had the pork shank, scary to approach, especially if you don't like your food to resemble the animal you're eating, but worth the adventure. The pork was melt-in-your-mouth moist and the milky sauce was unique (in a good way). The only disappointment was the Stroganoff, which one member of the group said was, "chewy." The service was great, the drinks were amazing and the atmosphere was comfortable. Definitely worth checking out when you're in the mood for some comfort(able) food.
(4)
Meredith M.

I want to say how much I appreciate how wonderful the people that work here were in helping me plan my rehearsal dinner here. Jessica is fantastic! We got the entire mezzanine in the restaurant for 33 people. Our guests raved about how much they enjoyed the food (even though I was skeptical that the fixed menu would be as good as the menu downstairs). Meatloaf was fantastic as was the trout and noodles with fondue sauce! I have also eaten here for breakfast and the breakfast burrito is amazing. I had it the day after my wedding and it hit the spot. I have also eaten here for lunch. The chili cheese fries are tasty and so are the poutine fries as well. Good old fashioned food with a modern twist. I stayed at the Marriott Courtyard downtown and The Original is the hotel restaurant. You can order room service from them as well! Love the Original and will recommend to anyone who comes to visit Portland! :)
(5)
Eric L.

Try the soda drinks.... Fantastic! Cool mod feel as well
(5)
Michelle N.

I was so disappointed in our visit to this restaurant, and very surprised it got so many good reviews. My boyfriend and I went there this afternoon, and will not be returning. He ordered the biscuits & gravy, and I ordered the cobb omelette. Everything tasted overwhelmingly of rosemary. And I mean everything. The hasbrowns on my dish tasted like rosemary, more rosemary, and maybe some potatoes. Same with the boyfriend's biscuits AND gravy. My omelette could barely pass for so -- first off, got the wrong dish. I was okay with it, because it was the mushroom & chevre. But it was literally a blanket of just eggs with uncooked mushrooms and a hunk of chevre thrown in. The cook was either new (and never taught how to cook), or just having a really, really, REALLY off day. This is something I could cook (much) better at home... which is not why I go out. I go out to enjoy food that I can't make. Most disappointing food experience in Portland.
(1)
M A.

Good beer, great BLAT. I enjoyed my small salad as well. Very decent options (including vegan), fast service. Fun atmosphere.
(4)
Andrea J.

Its a good thing that The Original is a three hour drive away because I worry if it was any closer that I would be eating the chicken fried steak on a daily basis. I'm not a doctor, but I doubt this would be good for my health. The steak was cooked a perfect medium rare with a crispy golden coating. The mashed potatoes were probably more butter than potato (a good thing) and the rapini almost had me convinced that the dish was a healthy choice. I was chowing down so hard I nearly gagged myself deep-throating a rapini stalk. Not joking; ask Cora F, she saw me. The decor was a little cold and the service was a little awkward, but I loved my food!
(4)
Valerie P.

I rarely sing the praises of a restaurant associated with a hotel, which I would not consider a "budget hotel". As a frequent traveler and having Gold status with Marriott, I consider this Courtyard one of the better ones. Anyway I ate breakfast here, two days (July 26 and 27) in a row and I was impressed with the attentiveness of the staff and the quality of the food. I know it is just breakfast and a cook has to be completely inept to mess that up. But I like the fact there are mixed greens on the menu, as in many restaurants I have to make a special request. I loved the music playing in the background, just classic soul, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, etc. What a great way to start the morning jamming to Otis. I loved the view from the window, and checking out all the folks walking to work, smiling at some, waving to others. I definitely get my morning high just sitting at the window. On my birthday the server gave me a scoop of sugar free, dairy free sorbet which was like heaven in my mouth! Anyway, I am sorry that Kayt d had such a bad experience, but I feel that The Original is a nice little jewel.
(5)
Danica N.

Went here on a trip to Portland and it was great. Went for dinner and also breakfast. The food was great with a little bit more of a comfort food spin to each plate. The shake I had was amazing but the service was exceptional and that's why I gave it three stars. The food was great as mentioned before but the prices were a little high for the food, so I thought. I liked the options and it was okay, but for being the 'best around' the breakfast burrito needed some work. It was bland and not very flavorful. I really think this place has a lot of potential and it should be checked out at least once!
(3)
Rich C.

Just wanted to tell you that a good friend of mine's brother in law owns the place. He suggested I stop by for a bite and BOY AM I GLAD I DID !!! I had the deluxe burger. I have to tell you it was memorable. This is a hamburger that other hamburgers look up to when they need advice. The fries were wayyyyyy too salty for me but it doesn't matter because I drowned them in ketchup and chased them with a really, really interesting IPA ale. Hope everyone gets a chance to stop in here and enjoy some good american grub!
(4)
Monique N.

Great location and great food.. a must try if you have never been here.. we had a breakfast meeting here and it was quick and fast and pretty tasty
(4)
stacey k.

Never expect to walk into a diner and be able to order a Bloody Mary for brunch. But that's just portland. Everyone has a liquor license. And the bloody was pretty good. My friend got the French toast. And when the server asked if he wanted it with a bird on top he agreed. Not knowing what he would get.... French toast with fried chicken? Hell yeah. He was in heaven. He didn't talk much until his plate was clean. I had a $14 cobb salad which had all the fixins. But...it was 14 bucks. Would definitely try this place again. Cute diner-y decor. Nice service. Good food.
(4)
Gypsy R.

I went here about 7 months ago and had their poutine and rememberd it was pretty good so headed there again. When we went back this afternoon, they served fries with cheddar cheese and gravy and called it poutine, which was very disappointing. Their "poutine" was super salty, but not terrible, just more like cheddar fries with cold gravy poured over them. Also ordered the meatloaf sliders, which were seasoned well, but on a dry bun so the texture resembled cardboard on a bun, with a coating of sticky tasteless swiss cheese. We also tried the short rib perogie, which sounded wonderful, but did not deliver because it was drowning in it's own grease and somehow managed to have zero flavor. Plus we came in about 10 minutes before "dinner" and were only given a very limited happy hour menu. The service was inattentive, and we sat for at least 30 minutes after we finished our meals with empty water glasses and plates that need to be cleared. For the price, they should deliver at least good service. We will not be going back.
(2)
Lawrie M.

The Original is a transcendent experience, as powerful and moving as an evening on hallucinogens. Be prepared; wear your stretchiest pants and open your mind to alimentary transfiguration. Happy Hour here is the spiritual bridge between you and your monstrously obese shadow-self. I entered, a mere 125lbs, anima sana in corpore sano, but left swollen with the unholy bacony spirit of the late Jon Brower Minnoch. The Original offers diner food with an upscale twist, in a shiny and modern setting overlooking a busy Trimet stop. On my first visit, I ordered a veggie burger and poutine. Our server asked if I ate animal products before noting, sotto voce, that "the gravy contains baby animals". Yes, why yes, I'd love a pureed petting zoo atop my potatoes. And gorge I did! I even managed to sip my friend's boozy milkshake, 40oz of peach ice cream and alcohol named a "Sorority Girl". Others have been underwhelmed by their dinners here, so I'd suggest sticking to their more basic items -- burgers, fries, and beverages -- especially if you get them at Happy Hour prices. Excellent snarky service, too.
(5)
Christi M.

Great late night spot! Chocolate Peanut Butter shake was fabulous and our server Kyle was amazing. We highly recommend the fruit loop pancake (ask for the special shape!).
(5)
Ben B.

We came here with absolutely no expectations. As six out-of-towners whose first choice for dinner turned out to be a tiny takeout joint, we went to the next closest establishment that looked pretty good. The menu seemed to boast some great options and our server was an absolute blast who was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and quick to offer recommendations. Everything seemed to be on track for a nice five-star. And there were definitely some goods...The boozy smoothies were huge and delicious, more than a meal on their own. The appetizer selection was great including the delicious and maybe healthy if you eat them with your eyes closed Fried Cheese Grits. And again, I can't say this enough, our server was fantastic from start to finish. That said, when one of their special Valentine's Day dishes arrived, it fell completely off the rails. Maybe it was oversold by our waiter, but I'm pretty sure it just sat on the counter for too long before it was brought out. The cream sauce had mostly congealed, the pasta was a tad undercooked, and the beet-based flavours of the dish just really weren't working. It was a tough end to an otherwise promising meal, but unfortunately killed my buzz.
(2)
Anne R.

Great food, large portions, most breakfast items under $10. Fun place to sit in, attached to the Courtyard Marriott. We each had omelets & hash browns with toast (yummy jam!). Omelets were massive! Potatoes tasty! We had to take note of these two Petite Asian ladies beside us who, between them, had a mountain of pancakes, breakfast burrito the size of my arm, & some other huge delicious plate, all of which they somehow finished... Speedily. Very amusing & odd. Solid breakfast place fo sho.
(5)
Kayt d.

It's such a shame that such a promising space is wasted on average food and slow service. My husband, my daughter and I stopped in at 1:30 on Sunday afternoon and the place was damn near empty. Even so, it took nearly 45 minutes for our order-- nothing more complicated than a couple burgers and a grilled cheese sandwich-- to come to our table. By then my hungry daughter was quickly edging toward a meltdown. Hello? Is anyone in the kitchen at all? Hello? The exit door in the bar area leads to the budget hotel next door, and that should have been a warning. This is like a restaurant saying: in all likelihood you are from out of town and you won't be back, so we don't care as much as we should about providing you with good service, reasonable prices, or exceptional food. Furthermore, I felt more than a little duped that photos on their web site show food that doesn't even exist on their menu. We feel no need whatsoever to return to The Original.
(2)
Stacy F.

Best. French. Toast. Ever. If you're anything like me and hate soggy french toast, then you will love the french toast here. It was particularly delicious with the honey butter and syrup. The hubs had blueberry pancakes, which looked good. We were there on a Monday morning, so it wasn't particularly busy and the service was prompt and sufficiently attentive. And the french toast was awesome.
(5)
Brian G.

4 stars for the food (biscuits and gravy.. NOM!) but 2 stars for the ridiculously slow and awful service that I've had here the past *3* times I've dined. I think while they train their cooks in making delicious tasting dishes, they're also busily training their hosts and servers to be inattentive and slow. Do not dine here if you have to be anywhere after. If you're content with a lot of sitting and talking to your friends while you await refills, or anything you've requested for that matter, this may be the place for you. I've also really enjoyed their burgers --- and I had some specialty cocktail here once that I've forgotten the name of, but it was on their afternoon happy hour menu and was perfect!
(3)
Neil W.

I'm torn between 2 and 3 stars, but went with 3 because the service was very good; especially for lunch. Excellent martinis and fries, but my sandwich (BLAT) while excellently toasted, was bland. Also, if you are going to pitch Avocado as a part of the sandwich, please include more than 2 thin slices (which is exactly the number included in my sandwich) on a full sized sandwich. The sandwich was also bland and somewhat under-seasoned, the tomatoes were beefsteak or the like, and lacked any flavor, could have been improved with some sort of salting/peppering/herbing etc. All in all, not a bad place, slightly pricey, excellent service, but probably wont rush to return any time soon.
(3)
Michelle L.

I'm surprised this place doesn't have more stars, cuz I sure liked it. We stayed at the adjoining Courtyard Marriott (which was awesome btw) and in typical socal rain-fearing fashion, we chose to eat here so we didn't have to step foot outdoor in the rain. I didn't expect much... maybe people should just stop reading reviews beforehand so they have no expectations. Anyways, the restaurant was clean and spacious. The waitress seated us right away and was super friendly. What I ate/drank: - Orange cream soda (it was delicious, with small flecks of vanilla bean for flavor) - Fish burger with fries (it was grilled salmon!!! The $8.95 price tag made me think I was going to get a version of the filet-o-fish, NOT AT ALL) Overall, it was awesome. And of course Portland's tax-free policy is just the cherry on top.
(4)
Greg B.

The ground floor is a cafe style environment. I sat at the counter and watched MLB playoffs while enjoying brunch (served until 11). The Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e French toast was very good. It's served with three types of syrup, honey butter, maple, and berry. I got a side of bacon with it and the bacon was thick and crispy just the way I like it! The staff was prompt and courteous. The sterile diner style environment was nothing special but overall the meal was well above average.
(4)
Pamela S.

ATTN: All Cougars, I have the perfect place for your happy hour prowling! The Original has a menu that includes things like pigs in a blanket, fries with milkshakes, and pop tarts. This has led to a serious influx of young dudes taking over there happy hour scene. I have been here a couple of times and honestly the last time I walked in there 10 guys were sitting at the bar and all of them turned to see that a female had just entered the arena. This is not really my idea of a fun relaxing happy hour scenario, and the food was way too kitschy for me to sing its praises but if you are a 40+ lady looking for some young meat, this is your place!
(2)
Brenna F.

As you could probably tell from the other reviews, The Original's schtick is to combine comfort food with contemporary/modern cooking styles. This ingenious Frankenstein-like idea/concept is infused everywhere you look at The Original, from their decor - 50s diner tables, chairs, condiment racks surrounded by modern walls, booths, artwork, and lighting. Had the Kobe beef with au gratin and greens with pine nuts and raisins. It was freaking awesome - the beef cooked exactly at medium, as ordered. The flavor of the meat was incredible. The au gratin potatoes were the second best showing on the plate, full of cheese and potato flavor with a nice crispy top. The greens had good flavor too. The cinnamon ice cream was also very delicious - recommended with the walnut topping! My husband and I are already talking about going down to PDX again so that we can eat another meal here.
(5)
Cori W.

We came back on our 2nd visit to Portland and it was horrible, not sure what happened. They changed the mushroom gravy for the biscuits and it was mediocre. I had the benedict, it came with the most bland hollandaise sauce and sad potatoes. Bleh.
(2)
Megan F.

The service was incredible. I liked that when we asked the server for recommendations he cAme back with more questions for us so that he could be intentional in recommending what we would individually enjoy! The Creme brÃ»lÃ©e French toast was the best sweet menu item that someone from our group ordered and the eggs Benedict was overall the best! Traveling with a group of 10 from california to experience Portland and "the original" is Leaving us with a perfect taste...in more ways than one. Chad, thanks for the service!
(5)
Trevor L.

Bri is the best waitress there!! I tried the Paloma and it was epic, too bad I didn't get drunk. I could not finish the whole thing, but it was delicious! I love this restaurant. The service is great, happy hour food is epic and the design of the place is great!
(5)
Blake F.

This place is a great stop in when you're looking for something trendy and yet full of interesting new takes on food choices. I had breakfast and dinner here on two separate occasions and have to say they certainly made the meal's interesting given their selection of dishes ranging from mac n cheese pancakes to their tails and trotters milk braised pork shank. I would highly recommend giving it a shot.
(4)
Aaron H.

They recently redid their dessert menu. Now the desserts stand up to the rest of the menu. And they added Mexi-Coke! Woooo! If you do nothing else, order the caramelized onion & goat cheese gratin ala carte at dinner. It's easily the best thing on the menu.
(5)
Mal C.

Came for breakfast and was expecting better. Menu was limited and the food reminded me of first class airline omelets - were they steamed eggs? I saw water on my plate and no grease. The environment was also cold and impersonal. Probably better for lounge/dinner.
(2)
Christina R.

I went here three times in three days while at a conference in Portland. My first visit, I struggled as to whether it was going to turn out to be a place I liked, but the food was so overwhelmingly delicious that it won me over. I was alone, at lunch time--awaiting the arrival of my coworkers and desperately in need of sitting down somewhere to eat. The Original looked good enough--clean, nice setting, a little retro, but not done obnoxiously. It looked like it was going to be good. I was seated and an irritated looking man approached me asking if I'd like something to drink and also if I had any questions for him regarding the menu. I asked what I thought was an innocent question--did the house made chickpea & quinoa burger have any meat? I'm not going to be all together snarky and type his obnoxious response, or repeat here my mental snarkiness back at him at the time (because overall I really like The Original), but suffice it to say, he took me as an idiot who didn't know what chickpeas OR quinoa was. I'm not an idiot, actually, but a pescatarian who knows too well how often some places like to be what I'm sure they consider ironic and put real bacon on a veggie burger, etc. Other than this jerk (who continued to be slightly obnoxious for the rest of my first meal there--luckily it was mostly other servers coming to check if I needed more to drink or if they could get me anything), the staff was great, and I'm so glad he didn't ruin the entire experience for me...I did wind up coming back three times after all. The food is SO GOOD. The chickpea burger was, honestly, the absolute best veggie burger I've had since I've stopped eating meat three years ago...they got it just right. Other items of note include their fresh fish sandwich (which was Salmon at the time and amazing). Order something that comes with a touch of aioli--those seemed to be the best dishes. Not too expensive, good atmosphere, kind of addictive.
(4)
Sam W.

We've eaten here twice in the past few weeks for happy hour and have really enjoyed ourselves. We had the same waitress and she recognized us the second time, which is always cool. They call themselves a dineraunt, which kind of fits. The decor is a little swanky, but the food is inexpensive and good. They have some upscale versions of sliders and pigs in the blanket and a daily hot dog. The first time we were there, the daily hot dog was battered and deep fried covered in bleu cheese and buffalo sauce. The second time it was a cobb salad dog where the bun and dog served as the lettuce. We've even heard tell of a beef stroganoff dog... And the hot dogs are huge! They're definitely meal worthy. The milkshakes are great. Very thick and creamy. They have poutine w/a brown gravy that I like better than Potato Champion. We were also able to get dinner of wild caught steelhead served w/spatzle zucchini and squash for $12.95. The happy hour menu (3pm-6pm daily) is cheap (everything, was $5 or under) and includes their daily "punch" (sweet tea vodka/lemonade the first time we were there) for $4, house wine for $4 and draught PBR for $1. Oh, and lots of food! Beer selection on tap is limited to 4 choices. I have yet to have a dirty martini here, so I'll reserve judgement on that... Maybe next time. Oh! One last thing.... They have free valet parking at the Marriot (on Oak between 5th & 6th) for 2 hours. Use it. It's awesome.
(4)
Olivia T.

"This place is weird." That's what I thought of The Original. Swanky, modern, hip, young atmosphere gave me the feeling that this place serves "fusion" types of food. Asian fusion, French fusion, your mom fusion, you name it. In reality, they serve diner type of food. Milkshake, french fries, Vodoo burger, Dog of the day, Poutine, Meatloaf sliders, salads, soups, and breakfast are all there. Comfort food, yes that's the name that I'm looking for. I need some comfort food and nothing says comfort like "Happy Hour". I ordered their meatloaf sliders for $5 and $4 house wine which made me buzz (like I said a million years ago, I'm a lightweight and proud of it). They also have PBR for $1 during happy hour. My meatloaf sliders were tasty, but the portion was in the small side. It was filling, but an hour later or so, I was hungry again. I think I will come back to The Original, but probably will try their full serving entrees instead of the happy hour. What can I say, I have a large space in my belly.
(4)
Chris W.

Okay, this is a great spot all hours of the day. If you are looking for breakfast, try it. If you are looking for lunch, try it. If you are looking for a late night spot, try it! They are open late on Friday and Saturday nights and a good place to relax and reflect on the night. One of the best things I've ever had there was the Donut Burger. Yes it does sound a little different but I can't believe how amazing it was. May if we get enough people to request it, they will have it back. Make sure to check them out when you are in the downtown area and looking for some local food.
(4)
Annette V.

Slid in here with some friends 10 minutes before HH ended a few weeks ago. We were seated promptly and made our decisions quickly. Of course, had to try the special punch of the day and played "guess what's in the punch" with our waiter since he had no clue what was in it and had to ask in the back. eh? Service was good though and the idea of the place is original (groan), presentation was very cute, but food itself was meh. My friends had the meatloaf sliders, mini burger/fries/milkshake combo, and I myself had the hot dog of the day and poutine fries. Sorry to say Original, but Potato Champion has you beat on the poutine. And my hotdog was a disappointment. I was expecting a higher quality wiener ( "that's what she said") - what I got was a normal hot dog a la oscar meyer standards. Hate to say it but I'd prefer a Costco dog. Anyways, I try not to judge a place until I've been back twice so I'll give it another chance one of these days. The idea of a voodoo burger is insanely intriguing, and the pies and the cakes in the display case did look really good. Hopefully, I'll be able to update with some extra stars, because it's a great concept-in need of better execution.
(3)
Joe A.

Favorite place for a quick bite and beer in this part of town. A small, but well selected, group of local beers is rotated on tap. The smoked, brined, then fried wings are terrific.
(4)
Whitney W.

Creme Brulee. French Toast. Definite winning combination here, open dining room, tweed backed booths and service with a smile. Modern-hip atmosphere, Dyson hand-dryers in the bathroom, bottomless Stumptown coffee and a rad Saturday morning breakfast that we didn't have to sign our name on a clipboard and wait 45 minutes to be seated. Yes. We'll be back. Happy hour menu looked amazing. An addition to our breakfast hit list for sure.
(4)
Jeff G.

There's a small Oregon town roughly 70 miles south of Portland, a place that only a few hundred people call home. It's a city whose post office was established more than 150 years ago, a city whose official area is less than one square mile. A city whose main street is called Main Street. That pea of a place -- Scio, Ore. -- isn't exactly an economic juggernaut. But it can take credit for exporting at least one delicious product: beef. That's because it is home to Highland Oak Farm, a family-owned business whose mission is to "produce the finest and most nutritious beef possible in a responsible, sustainable fashion." Highland Oak, a hormone-free farm, provides quality meat to about a dozen Portland-area restaurants. One of those restaurants is The Original, a self-described dinerant where restaurant-quality food is served in a sleek, modernized diner setting. It offers comfort-food favorites with gourmet-style twists, like the hamburger with shallot aioli ($9.95 including fries). At this point, it should go without saying that the highlight of the burger is the meat.
(4)
Albert L.

My first Portland dining experience was at this self-proclaimed "dinerant." I flew in from Oakland late on a Friday night; by the time we arrived at our hotel (Hotel Lucia, which I highly recommend!) near midnight, this was one of the few places recommended by the concierge as being good for late night eats. Again, it bears repeating: I am proudly from the East coast. I believe in tradition, formality, and efficiency. And so when our jeaned waiter greeted us with a breezy "Talk to me," I immediately lost my appetite. Which was too bad because the food was quite good. Pros: The homemade chickpea and quinoa burger. I HIGHLY recommend this. It's like a light falafel patty balanced with aioli and a well-toasted bun. The french fries that came with were also excellent. FYI, they come in a small paper bag placed on the plate next to the burger, which my girlfriend smartly pointed out helps to keep the fries warm vs. pouring them out onto the plate. Her citrus soda was also delicious -- light, crisp, and not overly sweet. Cons: The overly casual service. Also, the price -- my burger and fries, tasty as they were, weren't worth $10. We were seated next to the staircase which is in the middle of the space and lent an awkward feel. On the balance, it's good food available late. And, I guess if you're a Portland native the atmosphere of the place is also a plus. But, for those of you from out of town and at all expecting a cheery, uniformed, Johnny Rockets diner-style server, be warned.
(3)
Nick B.

I've been here twice now, both with large groups (10+people) and had quick, efficient service each time. The food was good but not exceptional, the happy hour drink I had, (house punch I think,) was inexpensive enough and tasty, and our waiter put up with our shenanigans, even the annoying ones like when a party member smashed a glass everywhere, (on accident.) Plus it's open super late. Yee.
(4)
Adrienne K.

My boyfriend and I were optimistic when we walked into The Original, but we were very disappointed. The only reason I gave this place even a single star is because they did make a decent Bloody Mary, other than that this was hands down the worst dining experience I've had in Portland. We sat at the bar, which was dirty, and waited while the bartender walked by us several times without even acknowledging us. After about five minutes she finally put some menus in front of us and asked if we wanted drinks. Like I said, the drinks were good, but that was about it. The Cobb omelette I had was really unpleasant - over cooked chicken, undercooked bacon, rubbery eggs. My boyfriend was satisfied with his eggs Benedict, but not wowed. If the bartender had ever bothered to check back with us after a few bites to see how everything was I would've ordered something else, but she never did, and she never bothered to bring water, jam for my toast, or silverware. I got these things from a busser I stopped. We waited and waited for our check while the bartender ignored us and chatted with the manager and other employees about five feet from us. I finally flagged the manager down and requested it. I myself am a bartender, so I'm really pretty understanding - if someone is struggling with a lot of customers and gets overwhelmed I get that, but we were two of six or seven patrons sitting at the bar and we were blatantly ignored. I felt compelled to write this review because we chose this restaurant based on great reviews. I would never go to this place again. The food was sub par but the service was truly atrocious. Very frustrating dining experience.
(1)
Ryan D.

Had dinner there last night (April 2010). We had been there for lunch when they first opened, and loved it, so we decided to try it again for dinner. Started with the cheese plate. I've had cheese plates all over town, and this one was not only the most generous, but the most unique. A series of fruits and nuts to accompany three cheeses, each with their own 'spread' (including a bacon caramel sauce that was amazing). And the Oregon salad, with perfectly cooked beets and a not-too-heavy dressing was done to perfection. We had the Original fried chicken, done with a thin, tasty, crispy batter, topped with truffle honey (yes, TRUFFLE HONEY)! Ohmygod. It's a new dish, and hopefully, it will be sticking around. In a town full of happy hours, many of which get too busy to put on the go-to list, this place will certainly be on my list. We looked over the happy hour menu (which can be ordered from anywhere in the restaurant), and will be back soon if the happy hour is as good as it looks. Oh, and it didn't hurt that our server Erin was amazingly friendly, and just as excited about the food as we were! I LOVE when servers are like that....
(4)
Liz C.

$7.95 for a daily dog Translated: A huge all beef hot dog on amazing bread smothered in something crazy delicious (changes daily) with your choice of side (soup, salad, fries). What a freakin' deal. You seriously could split one with a friend... i walked out of there feeling like the blueberry girl from willy wonka. If only some ooompa loompas could have been there to roll me home. I had the Fondue Fries Dog. hot dog, delicious bread, fries on top, smothered with fondue cheese. throw a beer or two and some friends in there and you've got a perfect day. nuff said.
(4)
Kerin V.

So I browsed a few of everyone's reviews on this place and they commented on their inconsistency. I've only been to The Original once so I can't really comment on any of that. But I have to give them 5 stars for my one-time experience! I had the BEST eggs benedict EVER. I've never had E.B.s like that, oh my GAWD I want them right NOW. Everything about that dish makes me want to hop on a plane right now and go there straightaway. First of all, I don't know how they did it, but that english muffin was nice and crispy on the outside (despite it doing the backstroke in the most delicious hollandaise ever made) and fluffy soft on the inside. The eggs were PERFECTLY cooked. They were cooked between easy and medium and just the right amount of runnyness. And now the star.. the star of it all: THE HOLLANDAISE. Normally I add pepper to my E.B.s or maybe a little salt, but no, not this one. Adding anything to that hollandaise would be an insult to its awesomeness. And usually I don't even care about the potatoes that accompany the E.B.s, but those were amazing. AMAZING; perfectly crispy and herby and soft on the inside. Mmm. I also had the Bloody Maria for a nice morning beverage. It was deLICious. I'd never liked bloody marys before but something about the sound of this little gem made me order it. I was right. It was salty and peppery and spicy. And they used tequila instead of vodka, great decision. All in all, I would most definitely go back here. Get ready Portland, I'll be coming back as soon as I can! Oh, and sorry about all the CAPS moments. It's warranted, trust me.
(5)
Art A.

Had dinner here last night and it was amazing; total comfort food. Burgers, fried chicken, shakes, and more with a modern twist. My veggie burger (chickpea and quinoa) was great! I added avocado and bacon and it was even better! The fries were spot on too! I tried our friends dishes and they were quite tasty. Looking for comfort food or late night spot? This is it! A modern day, much more delicious, diner!
(5)
Erika G.

Creme Brulee French Toast and a shake. Enough said...no wait, add the Maple Bacon shake to that!!!! The service was good, I like the people there. One of the hostesses is the most professional I have ever met. Some of their mixed drinks we're outstanding. I liked their version of the Old fashioned, which says a lot because I hate that drink. Its in a hotel so sometimes its really busy, so take that into consideration if you end up waiting for a while.
(5)
Josie L.

Nothing stops me from eating. Not even being insanely full. I came here right after a breakfast that supposedly ruins your appetite (sweets/desserts). Once again, I yelped this place randomly. I saw that they had a VooDoo Doughnut burger. And once again, I HAD TO TRY IT. We got there, and I ordered their punch while my friend ordered their Bloody Maria. I am normally not a fan of bloody mary's, but the bloody maria here is good. Instead of vodka, they use tequila. Something about this one was done right... I had the voodoo doughnut burger, and it came with fries. The fries were amazing themselves. The right amount of seasoning and crunch. The voodoo doughnut burger.... just as great as it could be. Straight up Cheese, patty, and the doughnut. The combination was great. And I surprised myself by eating EVERYTHING on my plate. I could not stop eating even though I was full to the brim.
(4)
Christine R.

Fun place. The poutine is so-so. The boozy shakes more than make up for it though.
(4)
Alissa R.

The original definitely is original... especially given its location in the heart of downtown. If you combined the vintage/modern atmosphere of Doug Fir with the amazing Skyline Burger *VOILA* you have The Original. Me and my DP decided to hit up the joint for some late-night noshing and decided it was actually dessert we both craved. I decided on the Cheery Cherry Crumble (a la mode of course!) and DEFINITELY was not disappointed... slightly tart slightly sweet with homemade vanilla ice cream... good ol' down home cookin'. DP decided to go with an ol' fashion sundae with chocolate rice crispie ice cream (yeah... your prolly think what i did... huh?). It was awesome.. reminded me of a Nestle Crunch bar; throw some peanut brittle and butterscotch syrup on top... DELISH! After ooggling and oggling over a neighboring table's burger selection, we will definitely be back... especially when the menu offers a Voodoo Doughnut burger as well as a lobster mac n' cheese (albeit the cost is $20). Another Portland charmer for the books... I'm definitely a fan.
(4)
Lisa W.

I really like this place for any sort of occasion - breakfast, happy hour, dinner, celebration with a group... It seems to fit the bill no matter what, and I've never had to wait for a table, even with a large party. The happy hour can't be beat, with $5 "daily punch" specials - always dangerously delicious, and a fabulous food menu. Dinner ranges from reasonable ($12.95 for a ginormous burger) to a little more moderate ($22 for crab-stuffed trout). On a recent visit I opted for Breakfast for Dinner: Creme brulee french toast, sausage and sunny-side up egg. It was fantastic. We started off with the Trainwreck ($9.95): fries, cheese curds, cheese fondue, chili and probably some other delicious secrets, and some lovely cocktails. By the time my meal came I could only eat half, which was great because that meant I had leftovers for the next day. Yay! My niece had the short ribs and loved them. She chose the mac and cheese for her side, and it was really good except that it was topped with apple butter. I'm all about getting creative with flavors in the kitchen, but this tasted super weird, and totally didn't work. She was able to scrape it off and enjoy the dish without it. Her boyfriend ordered a Deluxe Burger and it was alarmingly big. I mean enormous. He ate about 2/3 of it and called it good. He said it was delicious. My husband had the Fried Chicken Double Down, which is a replica of the nasty thing that KFC used to (or still???) sell, but this one is very high quality and yummy. It was also a large portion and he brought half of it home. The service was great, the atmosphere is cool and comfortable, never too loud. This is definitely a place that stays high on my Portland restaurant list.
(4)
David Z.

- PBR Mac & Cheese w/ Salmon Croquette - Original, Homemade Sodas - Unique, Modern Decor - Fast, Friendly Service - Reasonable Prices - Delicious Desserts Need I say more? A little bit more, yes. Give this place a try - I did, & I walked out quite happy.
(4)
Paul C.

I like my breakfast pastries like I like my women: flaky, fruity and covered with icing and sprinkles. The housemade pop tart doesn't disappoint, although I wish I had known about the existence of the s'mores pop tart (special item not on the menu) before ordering the standard berry. The steel cut oatmeal was really nice with generous, but reasonable, portions of fresh berries, raisins, craisins and brown sugar on the side. Don't know if it's just because it's relatively new (less than 6 months old) but the interior is spectacularly clean and well decorated. Wish they had cloth napkins instead of paper, but don't let that keep you away.
(5)
Julie M.

After being introduced to The Original on a pub crawl-esque BarFly Bus trip last summer, a couple of colleagues and I tried the Happy Hour menu after work today. While we were happily reunited with the house Punch for only $4 and introduced to $1 PBR pints, I wasn't all that impressed with the Happy Hour food menu or pricing. With tough competition in infamous Portland happy hours within walking distance, I didn't find the tiny plate of $4 pigs in a blanket or $3 fritters impressive. The BBQ chicken sliders and basket of friends was reasonably priced and sized, but still not in quantity for sharing. A $12-per-person bill was not all that "happy" during our hour in the establishment. Overall, I enjoyed the retro interior and friendly and efficient service, but will not be returning for happy hour when I can find a cheaper, tastier selection in numerous other establishments within a block. Perhaps dinner is better?
(2)
Amanda E.

This diner has an extensive menu and is located in a cool space. Unfortunately, the food leaves something to be desired.
(2)
The J.

Maybe I ordered the wrong thing-- but I hate when that's even a possibility. Shouldn't everything be great? Shouldn't anything with bacon in it be a mouthgasm unto itself? The Bacon Waffles were pretty nasty. The bacon tastes burnt, and the waffles are made of cornmeal, so they leached that burnt flavor as well. It was one crappy circle waffle. What almost saved it was the array of syrups that were pretty good. The decor is sterile-- which is fine. I sat along the window bar which was nice to have since I'm always eating alone :(.
(2)
Liz S.

This place is delicious! I loved the food, I loved the presentation, I loved the location, I loved the atmosphere, I loved our waiter. I had a chickpea veggie burger with avocados and blue cheese. It was totally delicious. My husband had a cheeseburger that was equally delicious. The fries were also some of the more delicious fries I've had. Overall great experience.
(5)
Tom G.

Although the space is cool, and the service friendly, the food in my eyes is less than stellar... boardering on tacky, actually. The food was prompt, so my lunch time was within 30 minutes which I appreciate, but honestly the flavors were so/so and tyhe food came out rather cold. Afterwards I go back to work, and within half an hour my stomach rejected the lot in a violent way (read between the lines). So I am none too pleased with them, needless to say. No big loss, it's just a customer, isn't that right guys?!?
(2)
Jess E.

Sunday afternoon, downtown PDX. Ya think you can stop into The Original for a simple piece of pie and cup of coffee, right? This is my second time there and its really The Original Fail. More staff than customers yet it took forever to get my pie (apparently knife troubles) and (I kid you not, 5 people ended up serving our table) The space is lit up like a laboratory (ever hear of a pendant light?) This place continually frustrates me, because it could be so right and its just wrong. (I mean c'mon Voodoo donut burger as your claim to fame?)
(1)
X H.

Mondays are good for vegetarians; specials are meatless. We choose the tofu burger, hand-made & unlike any other we've had: smooth and very good, topped with chÃ¨vre & accompanied by fries which had the right texture and the right taste. The Oregon Salad with sherry vinaigrette was excellent, featuring red & gold beets, hazelnuts, apples, more chÃ¨vre, and fresh greens. An unexpected find attached to the downtown Courtyard but managed separately. Server and manager were very friendly & attentive. Check-in resulted in free glass of decent house wine. So 4 stars for what it is, and would definitely come back.
(4)
Jim P.

We were actually quite surprised by how much we liked The Original. We ended up eating breakfast here twice while on Spring Break as it was very conveniently connected to our hotel (Courtyard Portland City Center). I really enjoyed the Smoked Tomato w/Smoked Salt Bloody Mary; exceptional! Also enjoyed the Corn Meal and bacon Waffles w/Bird on Top, it was kind of like a NW Chicken and Waffles...Yelpolicious! Homemade Cinnamon Sticky Buns and everything bacon were good too. BACON! Great alternative music playing and friendly/prompt service. WIN! Cheers!
(4)
Daniel M.

Food was pretty darn good, service was excellent, and the atmosphere was nice. My wife had a great cheeseburger and I had fries... with cheese... and gravy! I love gravy. Good work, The Original. I will be back.
(4)
Ala S.

We love this place and come back every time we are in Portland. Awesome breakfast! Also great choices for vegetarians.
(5)
Gregory G.

Creme Brulee french toast. Ahh!!! We had it as our appetizer and eggs benedict as our entree- both were a homerun. Service is fine and the interior is fitting. Very helpful hostess
(4)
Dan C.

Just what I expected from a good diner, good food and lots of it. The coffee is good and strong. I like my coffee and a little less bitter. I had the northwest logger. Lives up to its name, lots of carbs and meat. Very satisfying
(5)
S Y.

This was our first stop after checking in to the connecting hotel (Courtyard Marriott) and during this trip we probably came back another two or three times for lunch and dinner. Out of convenience? Sure! AND not to mention their yummy CrÃ¨me Brule French Toast. It doesn't stop just there cause they make this Honey Butter Syrup that you can drizzle or drench the french toast in. Service was always good! On our last night we requested the CrÃ¨me Brule French Toast again for dessert and the our server was nice enough to meet this request along with making a batch of this Honey Butter Syrup, since I guess they make it every morning... While we were disappointed in some of the hard liquor options, the beer options were satisfactory and I was OK with some alcoholic milkshake. Food-wise, nothing disappointed as we also tried their Eggs Benedict, Country Fried Steak, burgers, salads... Just remember, CrÃ¨me Brule French Toast and Honey Butter Syrup!
(5)
Desney M.

Came here for dinner and drinks a couple of nights whilst in Portland. Great burgers, beers and cocktails! Ryan the bartender is attentive and friendly without trying to push more drinks.
(4)
Margaret K.

I had the smoked steelhead eggs benedict. Best. Breakfast. Ever. It was a delicious way to end my trip to Portland.
(5)
Chad H.

The Original is great for a few things: 1) Old school desserts. 2) A good stiff drink. 3) One of my favorite brunches - Chicken Fried Steak, hash browns and gravy. 4) A late-night burger. First of all, they do some cool infusions and make a bloody mary that actually has bacon essence in it - yup, real bacon not bacon flavor, not a bac-o rim, but bacon, put into a pressurized container and made into bacon-y goodness. Yes, bacon is overdone (too much bacon is like too much sex, too much of a good thing or too much fresh air - there is no such thing). If Bacon isn't your cup of booze, then realize their knowledgeable bartenders have a pretty good supply of bourbons and other liquors to wet that whistle from breakfast to well after you should be in bed. Now for the meat and potatoes. The chicken fried steak is an actual steak - not cubed, not chopped but a steak that has been dredged in a wonderful mixture of good breading that includes corn flakes, buttermilk and spice. They fry that baby for you and it can either bleed onto your plate or you can have it well done but it is good no matter how you choose it. They then put this in the magical kitchen tool called a frier (this is not for the faint of heart). Your steak is then drenched in a tasty gravy and served with hash browns and eggs (I wanted fruit instead of eggs to try to fool my body into thinking this is health food - but that's my problem). They give you a real honest to goodness sharp knife, some Portland-made ketchup and you are off to tastebud nirvana. If you still have room after eating (and drinking) your breakfast - there is a revolving glass case full of imprisoned homestyle sweets just begging to be freed to they can jump into your pie-hole! This is an eclectic place, with an attentive bar staff (where else would you sit to eat brunch) with a limited but tasty menu. Belly up!
(3)
Marlana S.

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott and were planning to try the Original for breakfast during our stay. We ended up trying it out earlier than that, stopping in for one last drink before we headed up to bed. It's an interesting mix of people and almost like two restaurants in one. A diner in the front and then a more club like feel in the back. We were seated in the diner section for our drinks, at a small table along the floor to ceiling glass windows, which was perfect for people watching. Our drinks were strong and good, and we ended up ordering a burger and fries when we saw someone else with one. We split the Deluxe with blue cheese and it was so good! We were literally counting bites to make sure we each had an equal amount. The next morning we came down for breakfast and it was pretty quiet. I am used to crazy busy breakfast waits at other restaurants in portland, so this was definitely a nice change. We were seated right away in the back of the restaurant in a booth. We had the creme brÃ»lÃ©e french toast, the breakfast burrito and coffees (stump town). All of it was delicious and the service was friendly and on top of everything. My hubby loved that they had Aardvark sauce. Definitley worth a try if you are downtown - I really want to go back for a Boozy Shake. Those looked so good!
(4)
Clint S.

I cannot say enough good things about this place... We stumbled upon it between various bars and everyone in the group immediately agreed that this was the place. We ordered the grilled cheese, Ruben,chicken sandwich and a fish po boy... Everything was cooked perfectly, which is amazing since it was almost 11 pm. The food was great and the service was just as good.
(4)
Jerry D.

The frittata of the day sounded interesting except I do not particularly care for chicken I asked and was granted exchanging chicken for house chorizo which resulted in a fabulous frittata. The food service and attention to your needs is outstanding.
(5)
Caroline N.

My friends and I popped in for some sweets to cap off our Saturday night. It's awesome that they are open so late on the weekends! I love the decor in this dinerant (diner + restaurant). We were seated in the back where they had plush red velvet booths that curved along the whole wall. The wall was covered in vintage concert posters from shows in the area. A cool modern diner vibe, I dug it. Good service - our server was honest in letting us know what was and wasn't good on their menu. Servers don't often tell you what isn't good, so I definitely appreciated that. We ordered 3 desserts to split. The caramel apple bread pudding was my personal favorite, it came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and was the right amount of sweet, though I think it could have benefited from some apple tartness. We also got the chocolate caramel banana cream pie and the cookies & cream cheesecake bar - both were yummy! The cheesecake had a dense dark chocolate crust which went really well with the sweeter cheesecake. Yummy. And all these desserts were only $5-6, so normal prices for a good dessert. I would love to come back and try their regular menu items!
(4)
Katie S.

Last time I was in Portland my mom and I went to the original. Our bartender, Ryan Murphy was amazing. He comes up with incredible drinks. This time around my dad and I went and Ryan surprised us yet again with an oak barrel aged Manhattan! It was sooo good. The aging in the barrel takes away the harshness the comes with a Manhattan.
(5)
Nicole T.

Went there for breakfast and it was excellent! My only complaint is it took 25 minutes for the my food to come out and I was there first person to order - I am hoping it was just due to the griddle just warming up. Enjoyed the Northwest Logger: 2 eggs, 2 meats, 2 pancakes, hash browns. I am pretty picky when it comes to bacon and this was delish! Everything was great, including the service! Would come here again for sure!
(4)
Rachael G.

This place is really cute! I went here with my family one evening after a night at the museum. It was comfortable and appealed to all of us. My teenage daughter suggested it. We had appetizers and dessert. We had the chicken and waffle sliders. They were eh? Not terrible but nothing to brag about! I also had the apple pie with Beecher's cheese, it is a must try. So delicious! My daughter had chocolate cake. She claimed it was above average. My husband had the hot fudge sundae. He said it was average. It was a great experience overall. Good service, decent food, chic environment. I will definitely go again. We can't wait to try brunch.
(4)
Mitch B.

Breakfast out of convenience because it's connected to the Courtyard. Ordered the steelhead Benedict with a side of fruit. The poached eggs were way overdone with no yolk left and the hash browns had no flavor. Would not go back. 2 stars because the service was decent.
(2)
Patti F.

I was impressed - I didn't think breakfast in a place with a name like "The Original" would be a swanky/cool version of an upscale diner/restaurant. The tables, and booths in the back are all modern, there's a cool staircase to the upper area, and they have hash browns. I love hash browns. And of course there's other good food items too, but I'm always in the mood (and lookout) for places that serve hash browns for breakfast. Yay hash browns.
(4)
Dave S.

I had hear the place was good. It was passable, but nothing really special. We stopped for breakfast, which was a little on the pricey side. The food was good enough, but the coffee was like $3! I can see if it was something special, but c'mon! I think you can do better in the area. The service was good though, so at least we had that.
(2)
Elizabeth G.

We were so surprised- the food, atmosphere, and wait staff were all above: tasty food, cool vibe, and staff were excellent.
(5)
Sam R.

Get the biscuit sandwich! Also make sure to try their organic ketchup with your fries or hash browns. Best condiment I've ever had.
(5)
Jessica T.

Not enthralled with the service or the change in recipe with the meat loaf but I will say that management is on their toes fixing all of the mistakes of staff.
(4)
Nigel T.

Slowest service at breakfast 2 days in a row, I mean 30 minutes from ordering and place is empty.
(2)
Archie R.

We walked into this place because it was the one that was open this late. Loved their rice burgers and their "oregon salad"
(4)
susan l.

after a night of carousing with friends at a variety of bars, we needed food. FOOOD. in our tummies. give us food. please. yummy delicious food to soak up all that alcohol. all that alcohol that we should have stopped drinking at the third bar. but we didnt. regret. but the original delivered and saved me from a wicked hangover. what i ate: - burrito: when it came out on the plate, i thought, surely they made a mistake. thats not a burrito, thats a freaking baby. i think it was the same size of my niece when she was born. despite it's heft and size, this was pretty damn delicious. at least the bite i had. the pork was tender and juicy, and the salsa verde was just right. but, seriously, it was enough to feed an entire family of four. or, my friend apparently. - biscuits and gravy: apparently the original doesnt have normal dinner plates. instead all the meals come out on SERVING PLATTERS. this was crazzzzzyyyy big. we ordered two of these to share amongst four girls. what a mistake. we could have done just fine with ONE order. seriously. the gravy was savory, the biscuits were dense and buttery. the eggs and the potatoes were also cooked well. - maple bacon milkshake: in oregon they stop serving alcohol at 2am. so if we had come before 2am, this would have been a BOURBON maple bacon milkeshade. total sadness. despite that, it was really yummy. thick, sweet, and salty. there were actual chunks of bacon to chew on. what's that sound? oh, just my arteries clogged full of bacon grease. but we all have to make sacrifices right? pros: - food portions: HUGE. you can be SAFE sharing a plate with TWO OTHER people. seriously. but if you want to have lots and lots of leftovers i date you to order one thing for yourself. - food: was all well cooked - service was pretty good - atmosphere: think upscale diner. like fancy fancy diner. without being too formal or fake. - open 24/7 for the drunks! yay us! cons: - im not a portland native, so i dont see myself coming back. would i come again? due to the location, probably not
(4)
Ric L.

I went in with high expectations based on word of mouth. I could not have been more disappointed. It's tough to like a place when the staff clearly has no desire to serve you. There were three people behind the bar serving four customers, and two servers helping three tables. There was a maintenance man carrying a a coat rack back and forth across the restaurant looking for a place to hang it. He passed our table 11 times--we counted--with that coat rack. That was 9 more times than our server passed our table. They all had one thing in common: no one smiled. Not even once. It took 37 minutes to get our food. I had a veggie burger and fries, which was average at best. I asked for a side of Ranch, and the server let out a sigh of exasperation. When I got the Ranch, it honestly tasted like the paste I ate in kindergarten. My son had pancakes that were so rubbery, I'm surprised they didn't bounce as our lackadaisical server carelessly dumped them on the table. I cannot recommend The Original. I left feeling that I owed the staff an apology for stopping by.
(2)
De K.

Although I'm only giving 3 stars, I'd still recommend this place to family and friends. It's downfall from four stars was the fact that I believe (as working in the service industry) that they were very understaffed. While we waited for a table we were lucky enough to score coffee and tea, which is always nice when your sitting near the front door at -2 weather. Once we got seated (next to the front door) we enjoyed pancakes, a fresh fruit smoothie, and an ommlette. Everything was great! The pancakes were fully and fresh with a nice trio or syrup to explore and some nice jam on the table to try aswell. The energy in the building was a bit frantic and I ate with my jacket on, but aside from that it was nice food!! (Annoying point, as we were leaving there was still a line at the door, but half the restaurant was empty, so again, understaffed may have been the issue -visited January 1st)
(3)
Brit M.

This is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Portland. The cocktails are great, the food is wonderful, and the quality is consistent. But the service takes it over the top, and this story illustrates why: I was waiting for my mom to meet me at the Original, and decided to work at a table beforehand. An hour passed by. Then two hours. Then my mom finally showed up, THREE hours late. But all during that time, the servers were totally chill to me, and even let me stay in my original booth even though that section of the restaurant was closed. I went up to the server station and told them that my mom was on her way, and they asked super politely if they could move us. I said absolutely, and they moved us to a GREAT window table and continued to serve us just as promptly as they would have a pair that just arrived. My mom insisted on paying, so I didn't see how much she tipped. But whatever it was, it wasn't enough. I'm tipping extra next time, and will continue to be a loyal customer to The Original.
(5)
Kim C.

Excellent food! The creme brulee French toast just melts in your mouth. The bloody Mary was made to perfection. We had a party of seven and each of us were satisfied with our choices. One person wanted to have lox and bagels but that wasn't an item on the menu. However they were fantastic in ad libbing with an English muffin, smoked salmon, onions, capers, and cream cheese. A definite place to go back to.
(5)
Christina L.

This place resembles a modern diner. Ordered Elvis Sighting: brioche french toast, bacon, banana mousse, and peanut butter sauce, $10. Can't quite taste the peanut butter, but the candied peanuts add a very crunchy contrast to the soft bananas. 4 halves plus TONS of sweet, sticky sauce. Orange juice is a bit too sweet to pair with this meal, plus the amount of orange juice provided is very little for $3. However, life is short, so if you want extra sugar, then by all means, go for it. Just make sure you exercise afterwards to burn it off! I had an extremely sweet breakfast (too sweet though), but I needed a break from recently having eggs for so many mornings in a row. Great service from Shane - very honest and courteous. Clean and quick service. 2 bathrooms available, one toilet each. High ceilings plus an upstairs area as well, but nobody seems to get seated there.
(3)
Caleb M.

Just a normal burger place...except for the doughnut burger sliders and the chicken and waffle sliders and the killer alcoholic milkshakes... Yeah just a normal burger place.
(4)
Janice C.

My cousin, sister and I decided to try The Original Dineraunt & I thought it the food was okay. I wasn't impressed with the menu. Aside from having burgers, the only thing that seemed like it would be tasty was the Monte Cristo hotdog. The hotdog was a bit on the salty side and it wasn't spectacular. Maybe because it didn't have jam like it was supposed to? Who knows if that would've made the hotdog taste better. For my side, instead of french fries I asked if I could have poutine & the server was very accommodating and was totally ok with that. The poutine wasn't true poutine so it was disappointing. Don't get me wrong, the poutine was good but it wasn't real poutine with the white cheddar curds. The Original's version was cheddar cheese, gravy & fries...something I can make myself. My sister let me taste her deluxe bacon burger and I have to admit, the burger was good compared to my hot dog. I would definitely recommend eating a burger instead. For dessert, we all shared a white chocolate pistachio cake which was the highlight of my dinner...delicious but sad!! The place was a cute retro place and all the servers we nice & accommodating. It was worth a try but I don't think I would ever go back.
(2)
Charlie C.

What a great place. I picked it out of the blue as I was not really in the mood to try any of the Pod places. And since I was just strolling along with nothing else to do, I popped in for a bite. Sat at the bar, Kyle was my bartender/waiter. He was as polite and friendly as can be. Yes, I know they work on tips, but friendliness and great service goes a long way in the food service industry and Kyle was great. Went with a Tuna Melt on wheat. Very good sandwich. And Kyle was always there to fill my tea glass. I will remember this place next time I am aimlessly wandering downtown Portland. Definitely worth returning to.
(4)
Tom M.

I've been here so many times and even though I think it's a bit overpriced, I keep coming back because for whatever reason, I just like the place. One of those things I like is the fact that on the street side they have floor to ceiling windows. I just like being in a place in Portland with giant windows, especially in the winter when there is so little light. It really helps make the experience more enjoyable. It's perfect as well for just that cup of morning brew. I can sit in their for a couple hours hanging out on their wifi while enjoying my Joe. It's fairly quiet and the music is great. None of that crappy hipster stuff. The music seems to be for us, not the people working there. If you play crappy hipster music, you're going to end up with hipster patrons. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that but there sure can be if that's all you cater to. When you cater to diversity it becomes less important if they're even in there. Sorry. It's not that I have anything against them per se. There are many things to love about them. I just like a little diversity in my breakfast spot. I know I have lamented this before but I just can't seem to help myself. Sometimes I will even try to engage the server while not trying to distract them too much. I think you should try it just once, especially all of you in the Bridgetown breakfast bunch.
(4)
Lauryn D.

Great food, great atmosphere. I tried the doughnut sliders because I was in disbelief that this was something people should eat. They were preciously small, but delicious. This place already adds your 18 percent tip though. And my waiter was cool, but he seemed to rush us on the bill. I wanted dessert and got my check instead.
(4)
Pegah Y.

We had burgers when we visited the Original. Though the burgers were good, they were nothing special. The hamburger was pricey - it cost $11 and came with the highland oak beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, shallot aioli. I thought it was rather plain for the cost. I probably wouldn't visit The Original when I visit Portland again (because there are so many other restaurants to visit, so why repeat a mediocre experience?), but the food was decent as was the service, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend not visiting. It just didn't stand out to me, among the many other restaurants I visited in Portland during my trip.
(3)
Jason S.

Stopped in for lunch Tuesday, 2/18/2014. We were seated almost immediately, which was nice as I hear this place can get packed. But despite prompt seating, we didn't see service for almost 15 minutes. Was just about to flag someone down when our waitress finally showed. By that time I was ready to order, so I had some cocktail called the scizor axe or something of the sort. Bourbon with an absinthe wash. Was actually pretty darn good. But $10 good, for a 2oz pour, at a diner? Noooo. Ordered the meatloaf sandwich with the daily soup, bbq bean and brisket. Waited close to 20 minutes and it finally came out. Was never once checked on in that time or even had another staff member stop by to top off water, or heck, maybe sell me another drink. The sandwich was alright, had potential. But when it's ice cold and the brioche is hard it makes it hard to make a case for it. So my takeaway is poor service and general lack of attention to the food or patrons. Not a good rep to have if you share the block with some of the best pods in the city. Will hit those next time.
(2)
Kim B.

I love their Breakfast Burrito when I went there a few days ago for brunch. It was savory, not too salty or greasy, and there was a good balance between the ingredients. And it was great that I stayed full for much of the day. I went to the Original the week prior and had their 2 egg breakfast (with rye toast and hash browns) with a veggie sausage for $3 extra. That breakfast was OK. The flavors were savory without being too salty and greasy. However, I wish there was more food. Again, the Breakfast Burrito was more satisfying. Overall, I felt that their menu was a bit limiting. There are less selections at The Original than the other diners I've been to. The price range is a bit high for the amount of food they give, compared to other food venues. I appreciate that they are using local ingredients. The Original is good if you're walking around downtown and are starving that you would go anywhere nearby for something satisfying. Also, I see this as a place for tourists to eat. If you want to be a regular, there are other alternatives.
(3)
Ian S.

I was in Portland a while back and found this place while wandering around the area near my hotel. It was jet-lagged and starving, so diner food really hit the spot. I had a burger (juicy and delicious) and a chocolate malted, which was perfect! It's kind of a hipster variation on a 50's drive-in. Service was great, too. Thanks for making me feel at home here!
(4)
Jenni L.

My friend and I popped in here for dessert the other night, marking it as the first time ever I have entered The Original completely sober. I am not a huge dessert fan by nature. Usually savory will win out in almost any battle against sweet, however, there are certain times that a little something sweet sounds great. This is where I was introduced to The Salty Jim: Bourbon, salted caramel, and vanilla ice cream. Essentially, a milkshake to dominate all other milkshakes. It was everything I could hope for in that moment. I'm fairly certain if a movie version of this encounter were made it would involve my fairy godmother pouring the shake into a crystal goblet and a flock of bluebirds wrapping a satin ribbon around it like it was going to a ball. Jaime L. is a different bird than I. Sweet will win over savory in almost any battle that doesn't involve a cheeseburger (total FACT). She opted for both the classic chocolate shake and a seasonal banana bread pudding that, to be honest, sounded absolutely disgusting to me. Oh, was I wrong. In fact, it inspired this little conversation with the bartender as I leaned over Jaime and shoveled a spoonfull of her dessert into my mouth: "I wanna have sex with whoever made this." "She's happily married." "Me being straight and her being married really doesn't change that for me right now. This is amazing." I was so impressed that I dragged another friend back the next night for a round of cocktails. I was in an indecisive mood so I asked the bartender what he recommended, and opted for a Portland Streetcar, at his recommendation. The drink was lovely, so of course I spilled part of it all over the bar in an epic attempt to prove exactly how uncoordinated I am. My friend opted for the Hemmingway at my prodding, which came in a super tall glass dressed with it's own pretty little Star Anise on top. Other than a slightly (ok, mostly) blurry night here where a mess of chicken wings and miscellaneous drunk fare was ordered by a birthday group I was with, I can't comment on the rest of the food. Though the menu looks extremely diverse and taylored to the post bar crowd for the most part. Things covered in cheese curds, poutine, and an extensive list of fried favorites. Did I mention that The Original is open until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays? (10 on other nights) This basically puts it toward the top of the list of places to pop into after a long night of Libations, which makes it that much more impressive in my books.
(4)
Laurie A.

After my original review I received a message from the manager offering to send me a gift certificate or voucher to make up for the poor experience and asked that we give it another try. That gift certificate never arrived (it's been 7 months!). Not looking for restaurants to offer up free stuff, but if you do offer...... follow through on it. I have yet to go back and honestly don't plan to anytime soon or more accurately... ever. I see their ratings haven't improved, can I will assume I'm not missing much.
(2)
Ashleigh M.

Absolutely delicious and excellent service! We ordered a cheeseburger and I appreciated that it was well done as I asked and still so juicy! My husband ordered the Seared duck breast and he was impressed. The service was outstanding, our waiter Logan was extremely attentive and pleasant. The Manager delivered the food and he was equally helpful. All around great menu and ambiance, we will definitely be back next time we're in Portland!
(5)

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Address : 300 SW 6th Ave
Portland, OR, 97204
Phone (503) 546-2666
Website https://www.originaldinerant.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :6:30 am - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
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 : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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The Original

300 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR, 97204

The Original Menu

Soup N Salad

Entrees - N- Burgers

Sandwiches

Quick Combo

Daily Dog

Fries

Milkshakes

Floats

Housemade Soda

And All The Rest

Soft Drinks

Healthy Meal suggestions for The Original

Soup N Salad

Entrees - N- Burgers

Sandwiches

Quick Combo

Daily Dog

Fries

Milkshakes

Floats

Housemade Soda

And All The Rest

Soft Drinks

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