This Tiny Restaurant In Oregon Always Has A Line Out The Door, And There's A Reason Why
By Christy Articola|Published February 07, 2023
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Christy Articola
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Christy Articola has lived in Colorado since 2013 and considers herself a Centennial State enthusiast and expert through and through. She's based in Denver metro, but over the past decade, she has traveled to every corner, river, village, park, town, and city in the state and continues to explore it deeper and further whenever she can. Christy simply can't get enough of Colorado, and loves sharing all her adventures with you through Only In Your State! She graduated with a degree in journalism from Fordham University and is thrilled to be working as a full time travel writer for this and other sites - she finally found her perfect niche - and is so grateful for that.
Sometimes you know a restaurant is great before you even eat there because it’s always busy. The extreme version of that is a restaurant that not only is always busy, but that often seems to have a lot of people waiting – and for long periods – evidenced by a line that reaches outside the door. There are a few places like that in Portland, thanks to the Rose City’s epic food scene, but one that comes immediately to mind when thinking about this qualification is Screen Door. If you’re looking for an Oregon restaurant with a line out the door that is worth the wait and that deserves the hype, this is the one.
In 2006, owners Nicole and David Mouton opened the first Screen Door on East Burnside Street in the Kerns neighborhood. Finally, in 2021, they opened a second location in the Pearl District. Both locations are very popular, and it’s easy to see why. Read on to learn more about this tiny, busy, and very special spot.
Screen Door is a tiny restaurant that everyone knows. The East Burnside location, shown here, has been in this spot for going on 20 years.
Everybody knows this place and almost everyone in Portland has eaten here at least once. There's almost always a line out the door and a wait for a table, but it's worth it.
Screen Door serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, although it closes in the afternoon for a few hours. All the food here is fantastic, but the breakfast really keeps people coming back. Check out these fluffy ricotta lemon blueberry pancakes.
Perhaps you'd like to try the huevos rancheros? This dish has all natural beef short ribs braised in salsa ranchera with slow-stewed black beans and two over medium eggs. It's served over crispy corn tortillas and is topped with melted pepper jack & jalapeño crema. Wow!
The veggie hash changes seasonally. This one shown here includes roasted red potatoes with cherry tomato confit, pickled fresh corn, braised sweet peppers and onions, red cabbage, and kale over a cilantro, green garlic harissa sauce. All the ingredients are fresh. Screen Door buys as many as possible from local sources.
One of the most celebrated dishes at Screen Door is the fried chicken. Nothing showcases this chicken better than Screen Door's chicken and waffles. Just look at it!
Or, if you'd rather pick up takeout instead of eating in, this Crispy Fried Chicken Family Meal is the perfect choice. It comes with Screen Door's crispy fried buttermilk-battered chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread, your choice of collard greens or coleslaw, and seasonal fruit crisp for dessert. You can get it for two or four people. You'll have to order it two days ahead of time, though, so plan ahead.
Dinner at Screen Door is excellent a well. This beef rib roast was a holiday special, but is a good example of how beautiful every dish at this restaurant is, every time. Dinner options at Screen Door include burgers, St. Louis style pork ribs, seafood jambalaya, and fried chicken (of course!). We highly recommend the macaroni and cheese - don't miss it.
Screen Door is also known for incredible desserts. This pear cranberry custard pie with spiced pears and tart cranberries baked in buttermilk custard, topped with coconut oat crumble & whipped cream is a new seasonal special that really looks over-the-top amazing.
You can always count on getting one of the best slices of pie in town at Screen Door. The creole pecan pie is amazing, as is - believe it or not - the grits custard pie! Other desserts include an apple-cranberry cheesecake and a very scrumptious red velvet layer cake you simply must try.
Everything at Screen Door is perfect. It's no wonder there's always a line of people waiting to enter this restaurant. If you haven't been there yet, go soon. You'll love it!
Screen Door is one of the best restaurants in Portland and you will never be disappointed – even if you had to wait forever to be seated! Everyone loves this place. Plan a visit today!
