Bertie Lou's Cafe

Old school breakfast/cafe joint (we’re talking tiny) with great hearty breakfasts and all the classics; scrambles, omelettes, Benedict’s and more. Get here early, as the place is really compact inside, and even added outdoor seating options are limited. Service was stellar on our visit and my veggie scramble came out hot and fresh and tasty. Two thumbs up.

get there early, but it's worth it. they have indoor table seating but it was full. the seats at the counter are built for dolls and children {not really, but too small/close together for me to fit} so I took a table outside on the sidewalk which has its own charm. The specials menu is unique and I ended up having Polenta Benedict with Capicolla and Basil Pesto Hollandaise with a side of house potatoes . Food was great and I will definitely be going back.

Cute breakfast/brunch spot. I had the bookmans and really enjoyed the biscuits and gravy. There was a short wait. Just have to add your name to the list on the counter. When its nice outside there is a good amount of seating outside. Would definitely come back.

Bertie Lou’s is an excellent breakfast spot! This place is small with lots of outdoor tables. I’d suggest making someone going ahead to put your name on the waitlist cuz this place is not to be missed. Great food and amazing coffee but the star of the show are the biscuits and gravy. They were fantastic!

Service was quick! Food was a great price and very tasty. Got here on a Sunday at 9:15am and was sat within 5-10min. Thank god I ordered a cinnamon roll 😍

First time here and my tween son and I loved it. Indoor/outdoor seating and charming little place. We came as we heard the eggs Benedict were amazing and they did not disappoint. Great quality and size for the price! Attentive staff and just overall great place.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this place offers a great breakfast and excellent service. We are a family of three plus one baby, which is wonderful news for everyone to be here..

It's a hole on the wall that serves up fabulous food at a reasonable price! If you're looking for a unique take on breakfast, this is where you want to go.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A great spot for breakfast located in the Sellwood area. The staff was very friendly when I arrived. You are allowed to sit anywhere you like outside. I sat outside with my dog who was brought water without asking. I ordered the Italian sausage breakfast plate & it was amazing. By the time I got my coffee my order was already out so service is very fast. It has a very cozy patio area with plenty of room for my pup. Highly recommend if you're in the area!

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

Unfortunately the food here peaks at bland and unseasoned and goes downhill from there. Will just say that sitting at the bar next to the grill did not encourage our appetites. I'm normally a fan of local, crunchy, and quirky but this place is dirty, grimy, and uncomfortable.

Great breakfast. Small place but good food. Funny guys working the flat top. Great food and service but be prepared to wait for a table. Is small and busy

Wow, our first time at Bertie Lou's, and what a treat! From our initial meeting with Annie and Everyone else, the four of us had a fantastic breakfast Than'k you again! KH

Food is amazing!! The menu made me laugh with all the saying in the parenthesis. Little tight in space so make sure you get there early

An exceptional, small, hole-in-the-wall brunch spot. They have a small diner bar across from the open kitchen with an adjoining room with six tables. The food came very fast after we placed our order. I had the biscuits and gravy, which came with potatoes. I added crispy bacon. The biscuits and gravy were the most delicious I've had. When I spoke with the cook on exit, he said it is a five-hour recipe that doesn't include any water. I would absolutely recommend this place! There is no parking lot, but street parking was easy to find.

All great. Expect great food served with attitude from the cooks. Great conversations abound at the counter and open air seating available in nice weather.

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

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

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

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

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

What a fantastic spot to enjoy breakfast, brunch or lunch. The staff are all remarkable and humorous. The food is amazing. I had the chicken fried steak and it was incredible. Not super spicy, but enough to warm the insides :) I recommend this place to all !!

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

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

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

This is a priceless little secret in Sellwood! The food is so delicious. Fresh and fun. The staff are friendly and welcoming and very accommodating. It's very cute inside, but prepare to wait during prime times. Was there today for the first time. I'll be back

Love coming here for a morning meal. Tasty and quick service. Sitting at the counter made for the best experience. The waiters are attentive and the chefs are very friendly. Be forewarned- this place is popular especially on the weekends. So plan for a brief wait. The inside seating is fairly small, but outdoor seating is a great option if the weather is accommodating.

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

Best food and people. Fair prices, so happy we are neighbors. Love it here so much, is that 85 words?

This is a small old time diner. The inside dining area is in two small rooms. There is also outside tables for those that like to dine outdoors. We had the breakfast. I had one of the eggs Benedict options. My wife had a waffle breakfast. The food was good. This must be a local favorite. The place was full and the owner seemed to know most of the customers. Service was fast and friendly. I recommend this place for the good food and friendly service.

Unassuming little place. Owner was a delight. No frills breakfast/lunch diner food. Adorable and home-y inside.

Bertie Lou's is a gem. Traditional home-style breakfasts with a few surprises thrown in. It's small, really small, so when I go it's on a weekday. Cooking at the grill is who you want to see: seasoned cooks that have seen a bit of life. Highly recommended.

Came across these old pictures that I took a while back, so thought I would write a little review. I have only been here a couple times, but their breakfast and brunch foods are awesome (no doubt)! Simple, no frills, and very tasty! Not to mention that I love the old, unique, classic American feel that this place has... It feels like you are stepping back in time, and it is very charming! I also loved the decor and the friendly service here.

Great little breakfast spot in Sellwood. This little hole in the wall makes some of the best breakfast in town. It may be small but it's mighty! The service is always so friendly, nice and speedy! The food is all delicious and plentiful! They serve up a good variety of options for everyone, the food is so fresh and flavorful. Love this spot for a hearty breakfast. Plus the napkin art on the walls is always entertaining. Only downfall is that it is a small space so going with a group any larger than 4 can be hard but if its just two of you then it's perfect.

Great neighborhood breakfast spot. Nothing fancy, just good, straightforward food. Very small indoor seating area.

The day before I flew to Portland I googled best Eggs Benedict in a Portland and Bertie Lou's was top of the list. It did not disappoint! I added biscuits and gravy and it was the second best gravy I've ever had. My friend said the chicken fried pork was amazing. The outside seating is wonderful and my coffee never had a chance to get cold. I'll be coming back on my next trip to Portland.

Really enjoyed our breakfast here. Small place but on the day we went, there was no wait and the food came out fast. Perfect sized portions and very friendly staff. Owner has some SWAGGER. Can't recommend highly enough! Get the eggs benedict and bisquits/gravy combo-- seemed like too much but I was jealous with hashbrowns.

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

Very well seasoned and crispy house fries. I also really enjoyed the chicken fried steak!Very filling meal for the price. Great place for brunch.

I'm still savoring the last breakfast I got here: the special Benedict of the day, poached eggs layered over grilled asparagus and prosciutto, all of it sitting atop a pile of creamy polenta and covered with a tarragon Hollandaise. Oh, my word, a rich, flavorful textural delight! Pro-tip: read the fine print on the menu, and be nice to your sweetly snarky servers.

Should be 3 & 1/2 stars. It was good not great but good. I had the polenta Benedict absolutely no flavor. Darn it, I was super excited for some new and fun could had been amazing

Amazzzing. The biscuits are delicious. The bacon is perfect. The Ranch Eggs Benedict is worth coming here Coffee is hot. The fastest service.