written by Julie Lee | featured photo courtesy of Canyon Grill
Craving a heaping plate of food that’s a little on the greasy side? Diners deliver. Here are some favorite Portland pit stops when the stomach demands re-fueling.
Canyon Grill
Combining the diner experience with local sourcing, Canyon Grill makes one of the best burgers in town. Painted Hills Beef is topped with a special Canyon Sauce (made daily), and myriad topping choices such as chipotle peppers, blue cheese pecan spread and pineapple. Our favorite is the Yosemite Samich burger, topped with onion rings and barbeque sauce. Make sure to pair it with a classic diner-style milkshake. It’s all part of the experience.
8825 SW Canyon Rd. | thecanyongrill.com
Stepping Stone Cafe
Let’s start with their slogan: “You eat here because we let you.” If that doesn’t scream diner to you, nothing will. Entering the Stepping Stone Cafe is stepping back in time, with checkered tablecloths, coffee kept hot all day, and huge portions of food served with a side of sass. The ginormous “mancake” pancakes put Stepping Stone on the national map in the reality show, “Man vs. Food.” The food won.
2390 NW Quimby St. | steppingstonecafe.com
Original Hotcake House
Raise your hand if you’ve been out at 2 a.m. in Portland and have frequented the Original Hotcake House. It is truly an original, open twenty-four hours, seven days a week, serving breakfast all day. If you are extra hungry, or extra hungover, the meat omelets are three meals in one.
1002 SE Powell Blvd. | hotcakehouse.com
Skyline Restaurant
Most diners have been around forever, and they’ve been serving the same food for that long. Skyline Restaurant has been serving burgers and shakes since 1935, and not much has changed over time, including the customers. This is a diner joint loyalists love, with old fashioned red booths and great greasy food.
1313 NW Skyline Blvd. | skylineburgers.com
Fuller’s Coffee Shop
Fuller’s Coffee Shop is an old-school counter service haunt, specializing in gigantic omelets and food you don’t want to make at home when it’s hot out, like corn beef hash and chicken fried steak. Wait your turn, sidle up to a bar stool next to some friendly strangers, and be prepared for Fuller himself to present an eating challenge on a plate with a side of black coffee.
136 NW 9th Ave.
