Grits & Gravy is a 100% Black-owned breakfast spot in Portland that does Southern breakfast the way it should be—big portions, bold flavors, and no shortcuts.

The Uptown Shrimp N’ Grits surprised me with how rich it was. The white wine and andouille sausage gave the creamy Cajun sauce a depth that made me want to slow down and savor every bite. 

I loved how fresh the grits tasted too, though they were a bit runny for my liking. 

One regular here swears by the chicken-fried steak.  It comes with three eggs, country gravy, and a lineup of sides. The steak has that perfect crunch—crisp but not greasy—and the gravy is peppery enough to wake up the home-fried potatoes.

Their Country Boy Breakfast is just as savoury. It comes with a giant sausage patty perched on biscuits, all smothered in gravy. It’s the sort of breakfast that leaves diners full until midday. 

The food was amazing

I didn’t realize the history this place had before coming, just thought the menu looked interesting.

The atmosphere was really unique and interesting to take in.

The food was amazing. I don’t know what they put in their batter/seasoning for their chicken fried steak, but I wish I knew, because it made every other chicken fried steak I’ve had in my life feel like prison food it was that good.

My sister got their biscuits and gravy and she was also in awe of how good everything was.

Really appreciated too that they had authentic Squirt soda. Was a fun novelty I wasn’t expecting.

• Jess Larson Google Reviews 

The portions were great 

My husband, our friend, and I just visited Grits N’ Gravy for the first time today, and we were impressed! I’m picky when it comes to breakfast/comfort foods, especially gravy. I was honestly blown away by both the sausage gravy and the red-eye gravy. Both were so good and soothing on the stomach. Their biscuits were some of the best restaurant biscuits I’ve had in a long time. They cooked their eggs perfectly, giving us that wonderful yolk to drag our biscuits through. The homestyle potatoes with peppers and onions were a winner! Crisp, delicious. The grits were buttery and good, though a little runny for my taste. Still loved them! The portions were great as well! All in all, this breakfast was stellar and this gal’s heart (and stomach) is full.

• K Feagins Google Reviews

Dawnbringer’s homemade English muffins are what make their breakfast sandwiches stand out from the crowd. 

What’s different here is how they swap butter for olive oil in their muffins. It gives the bread this tender, airy texture that still gets a crisp, golden edge from the griddle. 

One regular told me he always snags their Morning Muffin for its combination of tinned fish, kale, avocado, and a touch of miso. The cream cheese and scallions added a creamy, herby lift, and she likes how it’s earthy and a little rich.

For vegans, the Daylight Delight features spicy chickpeas and a sunflower-tomato spread that gives it an extra pop. 

If I had to pick a favorite, I’d choose the savory Twilight Tasty. It piles bacon and sausage on top of soft scrambled eggs and cheddar on that signature muffin. The chili mayo brought some heat, but not so much that it overpowered everything else. 

While they had coffee, I liked their green smoothie more. It was fresh but not too sweet.

The only downside? They only take cash or Venmo, which can be inconvenient for some. 

Absolutely delicious breakfast sandwich!

“Absolutely delicious breakfast sandwich! The english muffin was the perfect balance of fluffy and chewy and all the fillings were spot on, especially the egg which was perfectly fluffy.

They are cash/venmo only.”

• Taylor Stringam, Google Reviews 

Everything is homemade

“I’m nuts for this breakfast sandwich and get it as many times as I can when I’m in town.  Everything is homemade and the real star is the English muffin.  The smoothie is great too!”

• Stef Choi, Google Reviews 

Jam on Hawthorne landed on my breakfast list for one reason: bottomless coffee. They brew Marigold Coffee, roasted right here in town, so every cup tastes bright and fresh. There was no burnt or bitter aftertaste.

The menu runs the gamut: classic eggs and toast, pork huevos rancheros, pancakes stacked high—the kind of lineup that makes it hard to choose. Honestly, I got a little overwhelmed just reading through all the options.

Their pumpkin French toast is perfect for those craving something sweet. Thick challah slices get a soak in Grand Marnier batter before hitting the grill, then come out topped with pumpkin cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. 

I liked that they didn’t drown it in toppings—the pumpkin and that soft, custardy bread with 100% pure organic maple syrup actually came through. 

For those after something savory, I’d recommend the kimchi hash. Housemade kimchi is tossed with hash browns, cheddar, and roasted pork belly, then crowned with poached eggs and a drizzle of spicy mayo. 

Service, though, is on the slow side. I had to wait a few minutes for anyone to come by and top off my coffee.

It was so delicious

“Came here for a little solo brunch last week and it was so delicious. I’ve been comparing basic breakfast plates around Portland and this one was the most expensive I’d had so far at $15.50, but it was high quality and eggs cooked perfectly over medium as requested. I will say, it’s not the best place for a cozy solo brunch as it’s very busy, loud, and bustling, and I was seated at a 4-top by myself, but I would recommend it for a date or small group for sure. The Halloween decorations were super fun too and it’s in a gorgeous neighborhood!”

• Acecreates Google Reviews 

Absolutely delicious, well-balanced

“We visited Jam on Hawthorne with a party of 11, and despite the size of our group, the team seated us surprisingly quickly considering the weekend traffic. We were greeted by Jo, whose enthusiasm, bright smile, and attentive service set the tone for the entire meal. I ordered the pistachio latte perfectly crafted and full of flavor alongside the smoked steelhead hash, which was absolutely delicious, well-balanced, and showcased the freshness of the main ingredients. Once we ordered, the food arrived promptly. Prices were very reasonable, especially considering the prime location. The restaurant’s vibrant walls, adorned with artwork from local artists, added to its warm and creative atmosphere. Overall, it was a great experience, and I’d highly recommend stopping by if you’re on this side of the river and craving an exceptional breakfast and some positive energy.”

• Ali Hamzah Google Reviews  

Stepping Stone Cafe stands out for its massive omelets. Most of their omelets are made with three eggs.

The Gringo Verde omelet is a crowd favorite. One regular loves the juicy house carnitas and the fresh green salsa. When I tried, I also fell in love with how the cotija cheese gave the eggs a sharp, salty kick. 

I couldn’t pass up the Smothered Bad Ass omelet, for the name alone had me curious.  The diced chicken fried steak, hash browns, onions, jalapeños, and cheddar were all blanketed in a delicious sausage gravy. 

Although it was pretty messy to eat, I enjoyed how the homemade gravy brought out the best flavours of each ingredient. 

For something other than eggs, my table neighbor recommended the Breakfast Enchilada. It comes with a really good soft flour tortilla packed with eggs, chorizo, peppers, and cheese. 

He liked how the hashbrowns on the side were crisp but not over-fried, giving the meal some balance.

The only hitch is the wait. I spent about half an hour just to get a table, but the food made it worth hanging around.

Laidback neighbourhood cafe

“Laidback neighbourhood cafe offering all the expected traditional breakfast/brunch plates plus a few special options. The vegetarian options are great. Service is exceptional.”

• Diana Mendez Google Reviews 

We all had breakfast- very satisfying meal

“Such a gem, so glad we went here. We were meeting my daughters for breakfast on a Monday. This was close to our location so we gave it a try. Everything we ordered was outstanding. The service was excellent- such a wonderful experience. The coffee was hot & yummy with regular refills. The staff were friendly & upbeat. We all had breakfast- very satisfying meal & a great local restaurant. The menu is huge, lots of choices. They were super easy with substitutions & any specific requests like extra crispy bacon. We all look forward to going again.”

• Nikole Fischer, Google Reviews 

Eggs and Co’s focaccia panini breakfast sandwiches are the kind of sandwiches people start craving again before they’re even finished. 

I personally love the Breakfast Sandwich the most. The focaccia was packed with eggs, bacon, and cheddar. The mustard aioli brought a tangy kick that didn’t bulldoze the other flavors. 

The focaccia also had that perfect contrast—crisp on the outside, fluffy inside.

The Kent Croissant is just as good. The flaky pastry hides slices of Portuguese sausage and provolone. The serrano mayo brings just enough heat to make me reach for my water.

I’ve heard a lot of great things about the buttermilk waffle. One customer loved how it landed at the table golden, with a heap of berries, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and a cloud of whipped cream. 

The waffle itself was light but still rich, and the maple syrup was just enough to play off the tart berries.

If there’s a catch, it’s the weekend rush. I waited nearly 20 minutes just to place my order.

Perfect spot for a quick, delicious breakfast

This is the perfect spot for a quick, delicious breakfast. Natural light fills the modern, clean, welcoming cafe in the heart of downtown. The owners are so friendly and provide excellent, quick service. The breakfast sandwiches were really tasty served with a side of salsa verde, as were the mocha and hibiscus tea. It was quiet on a late Monday morning, so we enjoyed the music and conversation with the owners. We will definitely be back. Highly recommend, make sure to go here and help support a lovely small business that’s helping to revive downtown.

• rypdx Google Reviews

The food is AMAZING! 

This new cafe is a gem!! Nice atmosphere, they play chill covers, and the food is AMAZING! Elevated. The veggie sandwich is so good 😭 On the most fresh focaccia I’ve maybe ever had. You can tell the owners have years of culinary experience! And they really are the nicest people. Please the prices are so reasonable!! Come support this new family owned business!!!

• Kayla Banda Google Reviews