In much of the United States, diners hold a central place in American civic life, offering inexpensive meals from breakfast to dinner (and something through the night). Seating is typically confined to booths or a long lunch counter. Some have the shotgun look and barrel ceilings of an old railcar. More modern versions are much larger. Menus are typically made up of American standards with an emphasis on breakfast such as eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, club sandwiches, burgers and sometimes, especially in New York and New Jersey, gyros, souvlaki and Greek salads.
Portland has its own thing going, with hotcake houses, lunch counters, egg-slinging dives and dozens upon dozens of breakfast and brunch spots. Among the city’s true diners, the Overlook Restaurant, which closes Sunday, Jan. 21, after 43 years in business, probably comes closest to replicating the East Coast ideal -- busy, inexpensive and Greek-owned.
Below, find 15 of our favorite remaining diners and diner-ish restaurants in the Portland area. Some probably aren't best classified as diners, but all offer a slice of diner-style menu or decor. Some even take their own riff on the genre -- at Cameo Cafe’s two locations you’ll find a handful of Korean-American comfort dishes alongside the diner specialties.
Bannings Restaurant and Pie House
Where:
11477 SW Pacific Hwy, Tigard
Cameo Cafe
Where:
8111 N.E. Sandy Blvd., Portland and 7703 N.E. 72nd Ave, Vancouver
Denny's
Where:
Locations throughout the Portland metro area
Elmer's
Where:
Locations throughout the Portland metro area
Fuller's
Where:
136 N.W. Ninth Ave.
Maple Leaf Restaurant
Where:
7129 S.E. Foster Rd.
The Nite Hawk Cafe and Lounge
Where:
6423 N. Interstate Ave.
Pattie's Home Plate Cafe
Where:
8501 N. Lombard Ave.
Pig 'N Pancake
Where:
Locations throughout the Portland metro area
Polar King
Where:
1030 E. Powell Blvd., Gresham
The Roxy
Where:
1121 S.W. Stark St.
Shari's Cafe & Pies
Where:
Locations throughout the Portland metro area
Stardust Diner
Where:
1110 S.E. 164th Ave., Vancouver
Tik Tok Restaurant and Bar
Where:
3330 S.E. 82nd Ave. and 11215 S.E. Division St.
Tom's Restaurant
Where:
3871 S.E. Division St.
Michael Russell | The Oregonian/OregonLive
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On Sunday, January 21, the Overlook Restaurant will close after 43 years in North Portland. And when it goes, it will take with it one of Portland's last true diners, a place where neighbors gather for all-day breakfast and never have to wait long for someone to refill their coffee.Read our weekend feature on the Overlook's closure.
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