Cameo Cafe Reviews

My wife and I always split an order of long life soup, which is a complete meal for us, and get an extra piece of the strong bread toast. Only $10 total. We love it every time.

Had this delicious breakfast yesterday...wow 🥓 hash browns and 🍳... Sooooo good... Coffee with Irish creamer too.. huge menu and very reasonable prices

Always packed so pick a time that you don't mind waiting a bit. Big plates, big meal....good food! Kind of like being in a family member or friends kitchen!! Wait staff extremely friendly and helpful. Breakfast is a must! Omlettes are great....blueberry pancakes...and thick sliced bacon for sure! Don't expect a sterile hospital....its home!

Met a large group here recently for late lunch. Enjoyed their breakfast fare - much larger portions than we thought they'd have. Kimchee omelette was great too. Server was polite and attentive. On street parking only. Check out the chickens on the north side of their building too. Recommended.

cameo is the best breakfast restraunt i have ever been to. As soon as you walk in the door you feel at home. Every body is soo nice expecially the owner she is so sweet. The food is delicious and everyone is so friendly. Plus they have my favorite bread ever.Cameos strong bread is the best. Yum YUM yum

I went to this place for breakfast based on the reviews. When I entered, the lady automatically seated me at the counter. When I asked for a table, she acted offended even though the place was empty. The serving size was more than generous, but the food was lacking quality. The best thing was the home bread they have. When I reviewed my bill, they charged me for coffee even though I didn't have any.

Our traveling buddies had eaten here before on an earlier trip to Portland. They said we had to go there for breakfast. Thank you Erik! It was delicious. Good coffee, fabulous scrambled eggs & hashed browns. The pancake was huge! It was all delicious and I cleaned my plate( I did split the pancake with my husband!) It is located on NE Sandy Blvd. between the airport and the main downtown area. Definitely worth the trip.

This place is full of surprises from the chicken coop with live chickens in it to the Korean Kim Chee on the menu at a pancake house. The place is full of oddities, mismatched coffee mugs, saucers, wall decorations as well as the menu. But I have to say the biggest surprise is the great wait staff and food! You wouldn't know by the street view but this place is a gem. the wait staff is attentive and you never are waiting for anything. The food is fantastic, they have everything you could want from Korean fare to American breakfast whatever you could want. We had the #2 American breakfast Bacon and eggs with hash browns the bacon HMMMM nice thick 5 pieces the hash browns awesome! the eggs perfect to order! If you leave here hungry it is your own fault! My husband had the #2 with Ham nice thick slice of Ham. Another oddity is they don't season much but they bring the seasons to the table so you can do it, good seasonings I have to say. And the homemade jelly in the ketchup container fantastic. Got to give this place a try. Prices are perfect for anyone's pocket book

Acre pancakes are great. Like really great. And the server was super fast and friendly. Delicious breakfast.

good not great, but wouldnt hesitate to stop in again :) service was good not over the top. remember this place used to be something else but i could be wrong

Cameo Cafe is a real regional gem. I encourage all travelers to the area to check it out for local flavor. It seems like your typical "greasy-spoon" diner - kinda Denny's like menu - eggs, toast, sausage, bacon, etc... But that is where the comparison stops - The Korean owner, Sue Gee, doesn't just try to copy the old standards - she recreates them - by hand - and it works! There is their "strong bread" - which is hearty and toothsome bread - a far cry from white toast... The hot sauce is also excellent. A little sweet - a little spicy. Goes great with the eggs and bacon! Their pancakes are gigantic - - and their standard breakfast goodies are solid. To this well trod path, there is delightful sprinkling of Kim Chee, Bibimbap, Kalbi and assorted fusion dishes that effortlessly mix Eastern and Western flavors. Sue Gee is not trying to impress horn-rimmed hipsters - she is a genuine a bicultural chef that presents to us the foods she herself likes to eat - without any strict guidelines of what is and isn't a breakfast hash. Personally, I have recently taken to Cameo's massive burgers for breakfast. One giant patty with sweet (homemade?) pickle relish and all the standard fixings. I cut it with a fork and knife and enjoy it immensely. If you are looking for the old standbys - but with some unique & delicious & sincere side helpings - this is not a place to miss!

As someone who travels both for business and pleasure, hotel food gets a little old, so when the Regional Manager of our Portland Office and I got together for a business breakfast, we drove around a bit, and found the Cameo Cafe on N.E. Sandy Blvd. Housed in a rambling, interesting building the restaurant was crowded with locals. We were greeted very enthusiastically by the lovely lady who owns the place, and seated promptly. The food was fabulous. What a difference from typical hotel buffet food. I had the corned beef hash with poached eggs. Unlike any hash I have ever eaten, this was chunks of meat, potatoes, fresh green and red peppers, onions and fresh soui dough bread on the side. There was enough for two breakfasts on the plate, and the flavor was amazing. The gentleman with me had the same, and neither of us could finish. Coffee was fine, accompanying breakfast were all sorts of condiments and sauces, and our wait person was busy making us feel at home. The menu was extensive, the quality outstanding. My friend lives in Portland and can't wait to take his wife there, I know that this will be my breakfast place any time I am in town. I plan to try it for other meals in the future...if the lunch or dinner is asgood as what we had...it is amazing.

While the tripadvisor menu link shows a dinner menu, the restaurant is only open 7 days a week until 3 pm - bummer! I'll have to return for breakfast or lunch!

My cousin loves this place for breakfast. The food is good and plentiful. It can be crowded, and is only open for breakfast and lunch.

Very good service. French toast was great perfectly cooked with a nice flavor. Would definitely recommend.

Huge breakfast with big strips of bacon and lots of shredded home fries. Buckwheat pancakes are one of my favorites but hard to find. They had them and they were delish. Large servings -- we brought half home for the next day. Lunch menu looked interesting.

Great little cafe specializing in breakfast. Though there was not a lot of places to sit, the staff kept things moving and there was little wait time when we were there. Large servings and truly friendly staff.

Restaurant has bar you sit at and order, and small tables as well. I had breakfast here, hi quality food though slightly expensive. Service was good, coffee expensive but refillable. Enjoyed it. This restaurant has high reviews in Portland, particularly their breakfast.

I came on a recommendation. Probably would've drove right by this place. Hard to find parking, and not a ton of seating. Once past all of that, the food is pretty good. I had the Kim chee omelet. Wait staff courteous and nice.

50+ years ago Alice met the man who would lead her to be known in NW Portland as "the other Alice". Arlo Guthrie played at the Armory and she was there. This resturant has been a eating spot since the days of the trolley car. 25 years ago Alice moved east and sold. Now it is a must stop if you, for whatever reason, find yourself in NW Portland. They give you a lot of food but my vegitarian wife was, for the first time in 25 years was unable to finish her spinach omelette and I left A PIECE OF BACON, BACON! on my plate.

I’m sorry to say but the meal that my friend and and I just had at this place has to be one of the very worst diner experiences I’ve had during my 60+ years on this planet. I rarely write negative reviews, and take no pleasure in posting this one, but my experience and my displeasure was so egregious that I feel I have no other option. It’s located not far from the hotel we’re staying at near the airport here, and it had a good number of good reviews. I should’ve known better and just walked out as soon as we sat down and smelled some really dank, revolting smell in the place. Don’t know whether it comes from the gross carpets, animal urine, or bat guano in the walls, but we were very hungry, tired from a long flight, and decided to just go ahead and order. Maybe the smell was only from the rotten meat. YES, WE SHOULD HAVE LEFT THEN. I ordered a combination of a hot cake, two eggs, and sausage. The hot cake was about 12 inches round, light brown on the top, but undercooked on the bottom. It came with a chunk of butter on the top. It would be unfair to rubber to say that it tasted like rubber - it was actually worse. The consistency was revolting, and there was no taste. The eggs were fine, and the sausage was OK. My friend ordered scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns. They were, in sequence, barely OK, almost petrified, and greasy. Coffee was watery. Everything has a greasy quality. The place is greasy and dirty. The bill was over $40!! We could have had a much better meal either at Burger King or at a diner in NYC or any other city. I’m attaching a photo of an aged, handwritten ad taped up at the entrance. Wish I had called and found my (un)fortune before I went in. Shame on the owner to present a place like this to the public. It should be closed, cleaned from top to bottom, and have a new or retrained staff on how to prepare food. Stay away!

We where in the area and decided to stop for breakfast ... a rooster greeted us ... beautiful morning so we requested outside seating and was told it was for guest with pets ... the food is amazing 😉 split anything you order ! Ham with eggs it's actually a ham steak ... a pan cake is the size of a frisbee ... omelette take up an entire plate ... felt so wasteful ... homemade bread for toast and the hash brown are a must

This is an experience! We were pleasantly surprised by this quaint little café. My girlfriend and I were visiting Portland for a couple of days and read about this café in our hotels suggestions. We enjoyed breakfast here and the atmosphere is very friendly and warm. The menu is quite large for such a tiny place and the decor is dated, but charming. I would recommend the bacon as it is fantastic. My friend had a crab and shrimp omelette which she said was wonderful.

If you are looking for a decent breakfast near PDX then this is the place to go. Nothing fancy but the food is good. The bacon is great. My wife had fresh peaches on her waffles which was very good.

You get both quality and quantity here. Best traditional breakfast and lunch in town and there are several asian fusion dishes that make me keep coming back for more. This is definitely my favorite place to eat.

We found this little cafe while staying at a hotel nearby. We weren't so sure when we saw the building, but don't let that fool you! This place is delicious! I had their long life soup, and I couldn't believe how good it was! I wanted to pack some up to bring home with me. Yeah.... it is THAT good... I got mine spicy with seafood. Just thinking about it makes me want more! My boyfriend got their seafood omlette and loved it! The owner is so friendly. She came and gave me a hug when a told her how good her soup is. Such a sweet lady! I will definitely be back and would recommend it to anyone.

Just a tiny little place at a triangular corner. We loved the Monte Cristo sandwiches. Should have shared it. So big!

If you want good food & coffee, Cameo is a great place to visit. If you are in a rush & have a large group of people, not so ideal. The small diner has very sweet staff but service was slow. If we didn't have to rush to get to the airport I think we would have enjoyed the experience more.

Loved my waitress, she was phenomenal. The food (omelet, toast, and hash browns) was amazing and the portions were huge. I will go back tomorrow.

A friend and I had a vegetarian stir fry and chicken bento for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed it. Service was good and the price was reasonable for large portions.

We sat at a table where we could watch the prep and grill cook making breakfast. Immediately apparent they know there hash browns, great bacon, pancakes and eggs. The owner was busy, always moving, but still took time to visit, as did her mother who arrived later. We went classic, but need to return a few times to try the Korean inspired dishes.

I don't normally give bad ratings, but in this case. I would not return. The wife and I placed our orders, several others came in after us. My dish was given to the couple next to us. (Strike 1). The couple said this was the wrong order. The dish was then given to the table behind us (Strike 2). The wife's order was given to the next couple (Strike 3). A pitcher of water was given to the other couple, but none to use. At this point, we decided that it was not worth it. The might have been good, but based on the service. We will never know. We will not be returning

Good food and friendly service. I have no doubt that I will be coming back for another meal before I leave the area. I had lunch which was awesome but safe (Philly cheese steak) the next visit will be a little more spicier I'm sure! Viva Portland!

The Cameo is a bizarre little restaurant that is shaped like a triangle and holds about 25 people at one time - they serve mouth-watering breakfasts and the hours are limited so be certain to check before you pay them a visit. I can recommend anything they serve, but the blueberry pancakes are to die for.

We made this our first eating stop on the way to our hotel when we visited Portland. we sat outside on the patio/deck, which was a little bit noisy from the traffic (it's a corner location) but not bad. We ordered breakfast, and the food was awesome. We'd recommend to anyone happening through this area.

I can’t quit looking around! This place is so vintage, so quaint! Definitely a place for the locals! The food looks gorgeous and tastes delicious! I’m having the seniors French toast!

When in Portland we often stay near the airport where there are lots of hotels but not many restaurants. A friend recommended this very small restaurant located adjacent to an old fashioned and not very inviting motel. Without the recommendation we would never had gone in. But we were very glad we did. The décor is a bit overdone and odd and the chairs aren't very comfortable and it's not pristine, but that's where the downsides stop. Everything else about this cafe is superlative! The wait staff was warm and friendly to a person and the menu was enormous and even included some interesting Korean specialties like Kim chi hash. But in addition to the menu there was a specials board that had about a dozen specials on it. I chose a special omelette that was described as shrimp and bacon Florentine. My husband had one of the egg Benedict versions on the menu. While ordering, I mentioned that it was a hard choice since they had buckwheat pancakes on the menu and the server promptly offered to sub a buckwheat pancake for hash browns at a small up charge. My husband got a buttermilk pancake. The up charge was small but the pancakes were not. Both of them hung off the plate. My omelette was one of the best I've ever eaten. Aside from a generous portion of shrimp and bacon, it also had mushrooms, onions and spinach as well as a couple different cheeses and it was cooked perfectly without being either dry or undercooked. The only problem with it was the enormous size. My husband's Benedict was equally good and the hollandaise sauce was exceptional - light and lemony. The coffee was not exceptional but very good for diner type of coffee. The pricing was very reasonable - especially for the quality of food. We will definitely be back for breakfast.

A short walk from the Howard Johnsons. In a very small building that looked to not be open. Very gracious service. Large portions (especially the pancakes). Be sure to check out the specials. The menu had the standard diner fare. The specials looked much more interesting. Try the strong bread and the homemade syrup.

This was an extremely homey restaurant for me. I enjoyed the pancakes, but also the Korean food served in the evening. I'm probably going to ask them for my favorite breakfast (omelette and rice) the next time I show up.

Great pancakes, friendly, nice decor. Was recommended to me by a local.

I ordered a hotcake instead of toast with my sausages & eggs. They brought out the hotcake moments before the other and I thought they must have confused my order for one where hotcakes alone was ordered because the hotcake filled the dinner plate and was hanging over the edges! That was a meal in itself. The homemade blackberry sauce that came in a squeeze bottle was way tastier than the little packets of jelly usually avaliable. And the sausages and eggs were a good portion size as well. So overall, I was one very full traveller! I loved the Korean options for food on the menu such as the Kimchi omelet, but when I came back for brekky the next morning, I chose the acre hotcake again.

You won't be disappointed with the warm and friendly staff at Cameo Cafe, on the east side of Portland. We met our family there when we were flying in from the airport for breakfast. We had a great meal and the best bacon. Service with smiles, prompt and efficient. Enjoyed it!

The food was very good. Atmosphere was terrific. portions good. Really enjoyed the mixture of choices on the menu. This is a do again place

I felt like I was in a movie about New York City or something! This restaurant is charmingly small, with little chandeliers. The staff is wonderful. The menu has a lot of variety, and the plates are filled great food! We went on a Sunday afternoon and there was even a guitar player.

If you've ever wanted a kimchee omelet, here's your chance. This bijou cafe specializes in both diner and Korean food, and the servings are huge. The hash browns were amazing, and the biscuits with gravy had a distinct seafood flavoring that was unexpected but welcome. The buckwheat pancakes were fluffy and ample, and the service was so friendly. Looking forward to returning for a seafood omelet.

Nothing overly fancy about this little gem but the food is fantastic! Huge portions and along with a twist of Korean in the menu. We were lucky enough to have live guitar music while dining on our breakfast. The service is great, staff is very attentive and if you can, sit at the bar and let the cook entertain you with his skills.

The pole sign outside states "CAMEO PANCAKE & STEAK." One look at that, and I knew that I would love the place. And love it I do. When I was growing up, my grandmother's house was full of knick-knacks: figurines, statuettes, china teacups and saucers; very homey. And when I walked into the Cameo Cafe for the first time, I felt transported back to my grandmother's home. But don't be intimidated by the wallpaper and the decor. After a few bites of breakfast, you will be so full and satisfied that you won't be able to see straight! The owner, Sue Gee, is a wonderful woman who greets you with a beaming smile as though you were her best friend. How can you not feel welcome with such an introduction? I've had almost all of the omelets on the menu, and occasionally have tried to fit a short stack of pancakes in as well. Eating here actually saves me money each time I visit Portland, because I am too full to eat lunch and dinner (though I try to make room for Voodoo Donuts at least once). While I'm sure this beautiful city has many superb restaurants, I probably will never enjoy any of them. And why should I, if my days begin in such a satisfying manner at the Cameo Cafe?

We walked into this packed cozy place, and were lucky to take the very last available table at 10a. There was a guitarist at the door playing wonderful soft tunes for the room. The menu had both traditional fare and a variety of interesting korean-flare plates. I wouldn't necessarily call this cheap, but definitely reasonable and all the entrees are HUGE!!! I shared chicken fried steak with 2 sunny-side eggs, hasbrowns and a single plate-sized pancake called a 1/4 acre. The eggs were on the runnier side; the steak had a flavorful batter and wasn't overly salty or tough. Coffee was fresh, and the cheerful wait staff was always alert and at-hand refilling waters and coffee without intrusion. I will definitely be returning.

I ate here during COVID-19,, though except for a "masks required for entry" sign, there seemed to be few changes due to the pandemic. It's a nice diner that welcomes both people from the neighborhood and outside visitors. While it's an aging establishment, it's been kept up fairly well and serves excellent food. The waitresses were almost too attentive. They were constantly refilling coffee and asking if everything was all right. I ordered a ham and cheese omelet, which was big and airy. It was accompanied by hash browns and rye toast and what appeared to be homemade jam. All the food was excellent. The only disappointment was the coffee, which was surprisingly weak for the Pacific Northwest. I saw this place while passing by on a bus and decided to stop in. I'm glad I did. It really is a lovely little diner.

good breakfast!

If you leave hungry its your own fault. Small area, the services was excellent! The food was great. We had a small child with us. Our waitress brought a slice of toast cut into strips for our 2year old first thing. Lots of things to choose from. Fresh fruit.

Place, was extremely cute and adorable. Food was delicious. Staff made sure our mugs always had coffee filled to the top

Portland vibe. Old school diner with a slight Asia. (Creative!) twist on some items. Whether sitting at the counter or at a table, breakfast, brunch or dinner are worth the visit. We’ll be back.

We had passed by the Cameo Cafe several times with little more than a glance. It's located on a triangular intersection, with limited parking around it, and I couldn't fathom how they could have any clientele in that location. Was I WRONG!! We entered this crowded, noisy and active cafe and were impressed immediately. The prices were reasonable, and we soon found that the portions were humongous!! I decided to give it a shot and tried the Kimchee Omelette. What a meal! The omelette took up half the platter and the fresh hash browns took up the other half. [Let me say here that the entire time we were seated, there was one very active chef who seemed to do nothing but make hash browns! He stayed busy!!] I ate as much as I could, and I'm normally a big eater. But this omelette was more than enough for me! It has to be one of the most unique, and most delicious I've enjoyed in all my travels! This is NOT a diner to miss. Parking IS scarce, and seating is tight and limited. But if you make the trek here, you won't be disappointed. Highly recommended!

After reading quite a few decent reviews for the Cameo Cafe, we thought we'd give it a try. The American/Korean fusion was intriguing.... Oh boy.... Where to start? 4.5 Rating, eh? I just don't see this in any shape or form. Let’s do a walkthrough of our meal. Starting with the GOOD: The Coffee was good. Marionberry squirt-bottle goo was interesting, I'll put it in the good list. The Ham/Bacon comes from Gartner's butcher shop. We could quickly identify the Gartner's products. That's it for the Good.. The Bad: Service was slow and disorganized, but I can forgive this because I'm here for the food. Cleanliness, so-so. We decided to go with a Traditional entrée and a Fusion entrée; A Blazer Omelet and Sue Gee's Special Fusion pancake. Blazer Omelet: Blazer Omelet looked like the Blazer's had trampled over it about 10 times. It looked more like a disjointed Scramble, but way an omelet. The Gartner's (Sugar) Ham came through, everything else was pretty flavorless. Veggies tasted steamed vs grilled, very little grill and zero seasoning. Eggs have a strange gray tinge. The melted cheese on top appeared to have been plopped on in the last second. Even the cheese had little flavor. Hash browns were barely browned, mushy inside and greasy. Toast was OK Fusion Pancake: Kind of a cross between a Cong you bing (Chinese Scallion Pancake), a rice porridge and a pancake. It looked interesting filling the entire plate. We had mixed reviews. a. Light and delicate with a subtle savory aspect. Pretty Good b. Delicate and ricey with unseasoned Onion. Forgettable. Bacon from Gartner's was thick and smokey. Good thing they have Garnter's products or it would have been mostly flavorless meal.. Yes, the portions are HUGE, but that in no way ever can compensate for taste. I hate giving any place 2 stars. Since the Fusion pancake is exploring new territory, I'd have to give it 2.5 stars. The blandness, lack of any seasoning and poor preparation really pushes it more towards the 2.

We have made 3 visits to Portland and always make sure we get at least one breakfast there. The Coconut waffles are great. As are the omelets and the hash. Anything there is good and the portions are generous. Do not expect linen table clothes and fine china, but bring an appetite.

The Cameo will NOT be everyone's "cup of tea," but if you want a basic, very old-fashioned American style breakfast, you can get it here...as folks have been doing for eons! OK, beyond the standard, classic, American fare, you're also going to find some interesting variations and choices, i.e., Korean! LOL, the Cameo is lovingly owned and operated by a Korean woman who has preserved the past and introduced some Asian cuisine touches! YAY! The customer is in charge, however, and you get what you want and order, American, Korean, or a bit of both' win-win! So...eggs are perfect, bacon is THICK and crispy (YUM!), and hash browns are crispy outside, and buttery deelish inside. Sausage or "whatever" on the is what you want and expect...breakfast "comfort" food, safe, predictable. Sometimes, that's all I want...nothing fancy, pretentious or "fashion cuisine forward," just BREAKFAST! Cameo is Portland old traditional, not "portland weird" (although I love that too! Anyway, go try it and you like it! It's a tad pricey..."caveat emptor." But when I WANT CAMEO, I go!

I found this as an online recommendation for breakfast and it was great. More of a diner than a restaurant. Food was tasty, interesting, abundant. Waitress was friendly and attentive and fast. I broke my rule and had the coffee in the round pot, and it was good. I did break my diet restrictions though...worth it.

While in Portland on business I found myself wandering the NE corner of the city, not far from PDX. As is typical, food was on my mind, especially breakfast. I know someplace as trendy and hip as Portland might suggest that a "real" hearty breakfast is taboo. However, with the help of a little research, I discovered this delightfully simple (and small) diner on Sandy Blvd. I ordered the kimchee omelet and I know what your are thinking.....kimchee....for breakfast....in an omelet??? Let me just summarize my experience by saying that this is undoubtedly one of the top five breakfasts I have enjoyed during my extensive travels. The toast (stone bread) is delightful with the homemade raspberry sauce. The homemade hot sauce makes the massive pile of hash browns sing! And the omelet? Well, it is hard to describe the delightfully exotic taste combinations of the cheese, egg and kimchee. I am working in Portland for the next two days...try to guess where I'll be going for a fantastic breakfast and friendly, down-home style service. If you want a trendy, hip, and "continental" type of breakfast...go elsewhere. If you want a beautiful taste experience, go to the Cameo Cafe. Just be sure to bring your appetite!

Drive by and you'll say "uh-uh". Stick your head inside and you'll say "not eating in there". But don't let the looks of this place deter you; you're in for a great breakfast here. I don't usually eat pancakes in restaurants but these are delicious! Each one lops over the plate, and I ate the whole thing, along with great bacon and well-prepared eggs. There are lots of good things on the menu and the service is good - so just go on in!

Always hoping for a good breakfast when traveling, and since this was literally across a side street from our motel, we walked on over and were glad we did. Our waitress was FABULOUS. I mean that literally! She was cheery, pleasant, and obviously knew about small children in the way she served us. She put cutlery out of reach, made sure not to pour hot coffee by reaching over (or anywhere near) him, and put in the order for "appetizer" of sausages with a rush. We could hear her tell the cook it was for a "famished little boy" :-) I had a really basic bacon & eggs + one of their famous pancakes (intending to give most/all of it to my grandson). The bacon was thick and perfectly cooked, and my only complaint was it was even saltier than most bacon. Eggs perfect (over medium). The pancake was HUGE, covering the entire plate. There was a very generous scoop of soft butter in the middle of it, and the house maple syrup was thick and rich. My daughter got an omelet that was stuffed with mushrooms, avocado, bacon and tomato, and it was delicious. She opted for no potatoes or bread, knowing she'd have to help eat the pancake, too. She tried the house "strong bread" toast ... it was whole-grain with seeds. She said it was quite good. Grandson devoured the sausages so fast, they must have been tasty! The coffee was good and kept topped up. I would definitely recommend this place if you like breakfast, especially pancakes. Oh, and the quirky decor? I won't spoil it by describing it. Just go see!

Food portions are large.. It has all fresh ingredients .. But the people working there and the decor are what make it kool..

The cameo is decorated wall to wall Like your grandmas closet on crack. The owner is a loud, loving Korean woman who hugs her guests, yells at her employees and wears red and cheetah print daily. The waitresses are also eclectic and sing along to lady gaga while filling your coffee frequently. The food is typical greasy spoon with a Korean flare. Kimchi omelet anyone? We love bringing out of town guests here to show them how fun Portland can be!

Wonderful family run unique homestyle cooking. The immigrant family has assembled a devoted and unique staff serving a diverse menu including their own takes on American food and unusual Korean and Filipino additions. Saturday mornings usually has the owner's husband playing Classical Guitar in a most unassuming and highly skilled way. The portions are huge and the prices low, the ambience is bustling, cozy, humming with families, small groups after church enjoying the giant pancakes, and old time regular customers. They package and sell a few of their own items, including bread. Things can be spicy. An old time treasure, if you're a food snob stay away, if you're a connoisseur of people and life go, just go, trust me, it's a special place. There is a little outdoor seating visually well protected from Sandy Blvd. traffic but still very close. They have another restaurant just across the river in Vancouver, WA

I love this little hidden gem in Portland. The food is amazing and the portions are huge. Meals are so good you don't want to share but so big that you should. The décor is quirky and so is the staff. Walk around the building to see the chickens.

Extended family very hungry after an early AM flight into Portland, but heaven forbid we would not even consider risking eating at the PDX, having once made that mistake. The closest recommended restaurant was the Cameo, about 3 miles away. We were not disappointed. Crowded, but a table for 5 was found quickly, service friendly and fast. All good, in particular the waffles, if not a little pricey, Someone had Korean fare, and gave a thumbs up. Coffee refilled without asking.

We were there for a family wedding and were recommended this restruant. We were not disappointed. The prices are reasonable for what you get and the bloody Mary's are out of this world.

This little diner-style restaurant has excellent service, a varied menu, and a pleasant atmosphere. The prices are a little higher than other breakfast spots, but it is worth it. I was drawn to it because so few restaurants in Portland are open at 6:30 a.m. We tried the hotcakes, eggs, hash browns and sausage patties. And they have their own multi-grain bread/toast that is so good you might want to take a loaf home. All the food was excellent. It's hard to think of any downside, but I must share that there is no parking and one must ignore the tire storage facility across the road (by admiring the eclectic decorations and furnishings inside the restaurant). This is a place I would take a visitor or family member. A big thumbs up.

the food/breakfast I had here was good but they should use real potatoes, not boxed hash browns. The lady who runs the place is a nice looking asian lady who is a bit stern but I am sure when you get to know her.. is quite nice. The bldg is a small run down parlor type right on Sandy blvd not too far from PDX and the hotels there. Not bad at all/give it a try for lunch too. about 11 bucks for breakfast.

Intimate place with friendly staff, welcoming smells, large portions and choices for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Fairly close to the airport to stop by when picking someone up or heading out. Fun family place, not huge but very comfortable inside or patio dining. "Excellent" quote from my husband who sneaks there without me...

My wife and I stop by for breakfast whenever we are in the area. The food is great, the portions are large. (come hungry) The staff is awesome. Sometimes you might have to wait a few minutes to get seated. (think about it, people are waiting to eat here) (it's not empty!)

First off, I RARELY give bad reviews, especially restaurant reviews because I used to work in the industry and understand the struggles. Food was fine I guess, but not good enough for a $15 meal. I’m not an amazing cook and I could’ve prepared better French toast. Cold syrup. I’m not sure I’ve been to a breakfast restaurant that doesn’t warm it up? Maybe I’m wrong. I suppose the worst part was the waitress (was clearly sick) coughing everywhere, not even attempting to cough into her shoulder - put a really bad taste in my mouth and if they can’t do something like that which is so basic, what else is going on behind the scenes?

We had just finished our visit at The Grotto: National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, it was about 1:30pm and we were really hungry for lunch. We looked @ Google Maps and located Cameo Café which showed good ratings and was literally just around the corner @ 8111 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213. We noticed an off pink one-story building with a prominent white oval and blueish green “Cameo Pancake & Steak” sign which stood right out even though the structure was tucked into this residential area. When we were parking our car next to what appeared to be a multi-home unit, two friendly women struck up a conversation noticing that our license plate was from New York State, and we said that we were going to dine @ the Cameo Café. Without any hesitation they both said that the food was delicious and the portions enormous. When we walked up to the Café, we stepped up and to the left was an oddly shaped open-area with several painted picnic benches for outdoor dining and a cover with open sides that was the same blueish-green color of this venue’s sign. As soon as one of the servers saw us she quickly made eye contact and said, “Welcome, have a seat right over here for you”, and we proceeded to sit down. The outdoor area has about four-five tables for dining, it is very casual, and there is a cabinet that is used to hold the dinnerware/tableware for this level so that it is easily accessible. Our server quickly took our beverage orders while she handed us the Cameo Café’ menu, and that is when I noticed three valuable pieces of information that made me even more satisfied that we selected Cameo Café to dine. Three statements that were clearly noted on the menu read as follows: “We pride ourselves in offering you the best quality with exceptional portions”; “Locally sourced ingredients from breakfast to dinner”; “Consuming undercooked meats, seafood, or poultry may increase your risk of foodbourne illness.” Also, since our tables were relatively close we couldn’t help but see other diners in the middle of consuming their sizeable meals, but we didn’t realize how the meals truly looked until we saw our server bring new orders to table that was next to us. We knew we were in for a treat! After placing our orders, I asked the server for the directions to the restroom and I was told to go inside of the restaurant past the dining patrons, and past the kitchen where a common restroom (“uniquely decorated” according to our server) would be located toward the back-of-the-house. I followed her directions going up one step into what felt like someone’s home full of chattering patrons happily eating at their tables and in-front of a very long table-height counter. As I scooted past the diners, the counter, and kitchen I waited to use the facilities along with another individual facing the cooking line and by the storage area. I could easily see the open kitchen with Cameo Café team members diligently assembling meal requests. When it was my turn, I totally felt as if I was at one of my friend’s homes using their restroom – it was artistically decorated and very clean. Soon after my return to our table our meals arrived and WOW!! I ordered the Cheeseburger (Swiss and American) Deluxe which was a ½ pound burger well-done open-faced with fresh lettuce and tomato and potato salad for a very reasonable price of $8.50. I really never order hamburgers, but I thought I would give Cameo Café a try, and I was astounded. I have never had a Cheeseburger that tasted so delicious and hot– it was cooked as requested with fresh toppings on a compatible bun and delicious homemade potato salad. I savored every bite. My daring companion ordered the Portland Beaver - quotations next to this listing was “Truly special” @ $11.50 which was a Burger cooked well-done topped with ham, bacon, egg, cheese and grilled onions and accompanying home fries. I don’t know where to begin to describe this order because I have never seen anything like this. The burger was cooked to perfection and similar in size to my order which was large to begin with, but the toppings truly put this sandwich over the top. I was informed that what seemed to be an odd combination was excellent and flavorful, but the sheer amount of food was more than expected. The home fries were fresh, grilled to perfection and the portion size was enough for two to share. We had a chance to talk to the server who told us that she had been working at the Cameo Café for 13 years which is pretty amazing. I also spoke to the very friendly owner who was accessible, chatting to many of the patrons, and when I told her that we were from New York State she told me that she was originally from Connecticut. I have to say that on our visit to Portland this was one of my favorite restaurants we selected as it was truly the most “local” venue that offered incredible food, with unexpectedly reasonable prices and very attentive service.

My wife & I were in Portland for 9 days visiting our son & his family. Our first morning he suggested The Cameo for breakfast. I ordered 2eggs, hash browns, bacon, Strong Bread toast, and a 1/4 acre pancake. Back home in Ohio, this would be a breakfast that I could eat. But, not at the Cameo. The hash browns took up half of my plate, the 2 eggs the other half, 4 thick, thick slices of real bacon were laid on top of the hash browms, and 2 slices of toast. Then, she brought my pancake. My eyes about popped out of my head. Mind you, they called this one the "1/4 Acre"! It more than fill the entire plate and was just the right thickness. For once, I was not able to eat all of my breakfast. There was just so much. Two more mornings we feasted at the Cameo for breakfast and I had the same less the pancake. The egs , bacon & hashbrowns were only $9.95. This is going to be our favorite breakfast stop when we go back to Portland. I totally reccomend you try this at least once.

I went to Cameo cafe while staying at the Howard Johnson's across the street. They have enormous breakfasts that are very good. Like two meals worth of food. But the really cool thing about this place is that the owner is Korean and she has a lot of Korean food items on the menu. Things like kimchi fried ramen and bulgogi with eggs. They even have bibimbap! The hot sauce they have there is awesome! It's some homemade mixture of gochu jang (Korean red pepper paste) and red pepper flakes and some other vinegar or something. It's great. I like the outdoor garden seating area, too.

Stopped here for breakfast on a sunny day in Portland. Chose to sit outdoors on the patio. I had the chicken fried steak and my wife had the Kim Chee Omelette. The meals were served with a large mound of homemade hash browns and a plate of strong bread. The server was wonderful and informative. She told us this was a 24 year old family owned restaurant. The menu has everything including some options with a Korean twist to reflect the owners Korean roots. Just loved everything about this place. You could easily split a meal, the portions are very large. Highly recommend stopping here if you're in PDX.

Tasty food with some interesting ethnic twists to some menu items. Prices are a little high for breakfast, I thought, but good nonetheless. Adorable environment that is a step back in time. Beautiful outdoor patio setting.

I read such rave reviews on this establishment so I was really hopeful. We visited on a Monday morning. Live guitar was being played in this tiny place and so it was extremely close and amplified. Counter space was the only available seating. Service was fine. Food was average (kimchi omelet, less than average hashbrowns). Problems included snot DRIPPING from our waitresses nose!!! In front of us on the counter, and I mean IN FRONT OF US, were pre-made coffee filters for the machine. They were out in the open for us to sneeze, cough or do whatever on. Ketchups and jams were being combined in our presence with the use of palms smearing ketchup back into the bottles. HELP! GET ME OUT NOW! I really cannot believe they would pass a health inspection. I will not again subject myself to what I cannot un-see. Use caution.

Near airport and has huge portions you can split if your not a real big eater. This place has near4. 5 star rating on local Yelp reviews. We had Denver Omelet and it comes with hash browns that were too greasy for my preference or would be 5 star rating for me. Plan to return for Korean fare next time. Fresh raspberry jam in squirt bottle on table is good on their bread/toast.

If you are tired of the same old breakfast, try Sue Gee's Pindaettok (Pin-Day-Tuck). This unbelievably delicious (and huge) Korean pancake consists of vegetables, bean, onions, spices & ground rice, added to a flavored mung bean batter, served w/ 2 eggs, bacon/sausage & toast. Take a friend with you. You can't possibly eat it all. Soooo good! The friendliest staff.

Great place, different breakfast options on top of the classics. Had an artichoke omelette and it was delish!

A very thoughtful fashion of traditional Korean and American fare. Kimchi Omelette would be what i would order first time there. I have been ordering the conned beef hash because i love that dish, but all the stuff with the Korean influence is fantastic. Save plenty of room because the bread is beyond words, eat is with the berry sauce.

The food is amazing and the portions are huge. Their hash browns and omelets are amazing. The bacon is mouth watering. Definitely a must if you visit Portland and want to feel like you are sitting at the kitchen table with friends. I observed the owner the first time I was there. She knows her regulars and notices when something is diferent about them. She is that mother you always dreamed of. The homemade bread is delicious. I can go on and on but the bottom line is you have to go and experience the atmosphere and the food.

Had breakfast here two days in a row and it was excellent both times. The Korean pancake called Pindaettok is really good but is so filling I recommend you only try it if you are super, super hungry. Portions here are huge, the service is good, and I really like the atmosphere. They have a wall of beauty queen photos and celebrities that have eaten in the establishment so it would be perfect venue for that one Korean reporter on the tv that needs to have her Chakra balanced. I read somewhere a Bulgogi Burger will balance the Chakra. The Cameo Cafe is a nice place to eat and the prices are reasonable as well. I highly recommend it.

We passed this cute little corner place several times and finally decided to stop in. What a great little place with a surprising Korean accent. Only to find out that the owner is from Seoul. Having spent 10 months over 5 years in Ansan City, just about an hour via subway from Seoul, I was a little leery. But I ordered one of the many hamburgers (I think the bacon/blue) on the menu and was pleasantly delighted, because never did I have such a scrumptious burger the entire time we lived in SK. The next morning made it a point to go for breakfast, WOW those hashbrowns, very tasty bacon and poached eggs were prepared just the way I like them. The only disappointment was the coffee thus the 4 stars. If I ever visit Portland again, would make it a point to order the bibimbap. Oh and the service was very friendly. I would definitely recommend this little jewel!!

Lovely waitresses, excellent food, big portions. I so wish there were sich diners in Italy too! Pancakes are literally huge and so tasty!

I would never have thought to even peek into this place if some one had not recommended it to me. It's the craziest, eclectic little restaurant in the best way possible. A great pancakes and eggs breakfast cafe, a quaint Victorian ladies tea room, and an authentic Korean restaurant all combined in one place! SueGee, the owner , seems to be best friends on a first name basis with half of the guests. They make a fantastic Korean BiBimBop available on weekdays.

I came here for breakfast, and I was glad I did so. the place is a bit small, but don't let that discourage you one bit. Menu has a lot of different options to choose from, and they offer abig variety of "daily specials" as well. I ordered the blazing omelet which came with hash browns, and It was amazing!. Portions area good size. Staff were friendly and treated you just right. You will definitely walk out of this place satisfied!

I was amazed to find a chicken coop outside the restaurant for fresh eggs...what a great idea! My dog noticed it before I did, hope he didn't scare them too bad. I grabbed a burger to go, and found it odd that I could get hashbrowns, but no french fries with my burger...But the burger was delicious, and so big, that the hashbrowns saved until breakfast the next day.

We stayed at the Ho-Jo's just across the street from this café. When we walked in we were greeted in a very friendly and fun way. Had a great breakfast, a bit pricey but the food was generous portions, the coffee could be better but overall we would go back.

Cameo cafe has been a favorite stop when I'm in Portland ! They don't know when to quit, and pile on the food!!!

There are a wide range of breakfast options with arguably the best and largest pancakes in Portland. I don't care for raspberries, but their raspberry sauce is very nice. There are a good range of Korean dishes as well. I usually get the Kimchee Omelet with Bulgogi. It is huge and explodes with delicious flavor. You pretty much can't go wrong with anything on the menu. It is crowded so you might have a bit of a wait but it is worth it. The service is friendly and fast.

We had omelettes for lunch at the Cameo. Portions are large. The food is decidedly average. Don't go out of your way to eat here. It is just a meal. We didn't get to meet the owner.

We use TripAdvisor today to find breakfast options around us and I Cameo Cafe came up. Once we walked inside we were a little unsure it was the place for us it's decorated in Victorian era tea parlor. The food was delicious I had biscuits and gravy the biscuits had just a slight buttery crispy edge to the crust and the gravy was excellent. We will definitely be back!

My wife and I stopped in for breakfast because the Cameo was close to our hotel. We were surprised with what we found: an Italian theme, an American menu, and a Korean cook. I considered the kimchi omelette, bit went for the classic breakfast: bacon crisp. Eggs over easy, hash browns and toast. The food was good and there was plenty. We could have easily split the meal.

If your feeling hungry and want to eat like a lumberjack head to Cameo Cafe. You will be happy you did. Very close to PDX airport area. The pancakes are hub cap size, so be sure to order 1. Some of the best bacon I have every had and plenty of it. Well worth the visit. Eat up, then go walk it off on the nearby grounds of the beautiful "Grotto".

This was my third time here and we love it. They have a huge menu, interesting Korean/American mash up, fantastic kimchi if that's your thing, in-house made sauces (and just about everything else), plus attentive service. Your coffee cup is constantly refreshed. Always ask about the specials. Sometimes you will find menu items listed under the glass on tables that are not up on the board. Vibrant! We love it here.

Cameo Cafe was visited on a Sunday morning (Mother's Day) for breakfast. My first-ever visit to this restaurant was prompted primarily by both the pleasing exterior appearance and the number of patrons seen eating both inside and dining al fresco. Sitting next to me at the counter were "Neal" and his family. A native of the area, Neal commented that Cameo Cafe is renowned for its excellent food and friendly service. I ordered the crab and shrimp omelet, which was served with an ample portion of hash brown potatoes and toasted "strong bread," a whole wheat bread made on the premises. My meal was great, and more than I could eat. Heartily recommended.

We eat here often and when out of town family come to Portland, they always request breakfast at Cameo. Wonderful traditional breakfast fare as well as breakfast with a Korean twist. The owner is a lively Korean-American woman who treats regular customers like family. Besides the scrumptious food, we love the diverse mix of diners. A true representation of today's America. Atmosphere is homey rather than fancy. If you enjoy watching a short order cook perform his magic, sit at the counter.

We stumbled on this place on the way to the Grotto. So glad we did. The food is excellent, fresh, and....wow....the pancakes are huge and amazing. My Eggs Benedict had home made hollandaise and great Canadian bacon. My husband is still lusting after his thick cut bacon. Add in home made bread and amazing service! The decor is funky and cute, we loved it, and there is a fun terrace that is a bit noisy as it is on a busy street. We highly recommend this place and will be back when we are in Portland. They close early as it is mainly a breakfast spot.

First time here...i work at Elmers and this restuarant by 100% hands down the best breakfast we have had in a verry long time..cozy atmosphere..friendly staff..we enjoyed watching the chef do his fine cooking technique😁😁😁..will definitely come back!!!!..Thank you Cameo's

The portions are generous and the food is very good. The staff is friendly and great. Try the pancakes. They are fantastic.

This tiny restaurant is beyond belief for the attention they give to each customer. They remember who you are and the group you have and how long you have been waiting. If you can't tell, my wife & I love this place.

Four of us had a great breakfast. More service than you can imagine and a free gift because we are old time guests. So much Kim Chee my daughter had to tke hers home.

Really good tofu dish for breakfast. My husband also liked his food. I was seated staring at a bunch of headshots of women, at least some of whom seemed to be beauty contest contenders. Definitely NOT my thing. They should improve the decor. The server was pleasant and prompt.

I agree with others, this restaurant is a hidden gem! As they say, looks are deceiving when you first see the outside. Inside, it's warm and wonderful with great service and prices. I ordered a bacon/swiss cheese omelette which was cooked to perfection! It came with toast & home fries. The breakfast was hot temperature wise and served with great care. I highly recommend this restaurant!

I had heard of good reviews so decided to go there for Mothers day after 10:30 am. I really wanted to like this place since it was very cute to look at. We were greeted warmly and seated right away by the hostess even though they were busy. The waitress was very friendly and took our order. More people came in so there were quite a few waiting, well after about a half hour - a family that was there after us got their order and another family who came in before them got their order after them. We waited at least 50 minutes for our order and it was not warm and an average breakfast but they did give a good portion. A group of young gentleman who waited about 20-25 min to be seated - finally got in waiting for their beverages, were not happy as the waitress could not bring them the right drinks. They finally left. The price was not outrageous, but was not worth the wait.

Other reviewers led me to Cameo Cafe, especially a note that Kimchee was on the menu. I ordered the North Korean Breakfast Special and loved it--kimchee, rice, eggs any style, but the Bacon was the standout ( 4 thick, meaty, and perfect slices). I was here during the week and can imagine that there can be a wait on weekends. Worth it!!

We love coming here with our friends and family. They are a little more pricey than some places are, but the quality and quantity of food justifies the added expense. When you order their pancakes, please make sure to ask your server about the size or watch them come out to other tables first........THEY ARE HUGE!!!!!!!!!!! Their hashbrowns are not the little tiny shreds or the reconstituted one like some of the restaurants use. They are real potatoes! Bacon is wonderfully thick and flavorful. They have several really good sandwiches and the fries that come with them are unlike any I have ever had in a restaurant. Definitely give them a try. They are not the normal "golf course: cafe!

We had friends who needed to shop at Ikea so I found this place on TripAdvisor. When we got close I started to regret it as the neighborhood is pretty run down and the restaurant itself is a small island that has a sign reading "Pancakes and Steak" and only street parking. But persevere. Inside looks a bit like an eclectic diner with chandeliers and a dining counter. There is some outdoor seating in a shaded area. At lunch the place was hopping. We had reservations for 8. This is a blend of pancake/coffee shop and Korean accented food. Service was terrific. One person had a huge "half acre" banana pancake which was terrific. The cheeseburger was good, the melted cheese sandwich with an added slice of tomato also, BLT and ham and chhese sandwiches on the house bread a full meal. I would say either get the chips with the sndwiches or put lots of house hot sauce on the potto salad as it does not have much flavor. The omlettes are large and good. I had the bulgogi meat with rice and sauteed vegetables and, with the addition of the flavorful house hot sauce, it was terrific. The overall cost for 8 people with tip was just over $100. Everyone agreed this was a find. They have a sister restaurant in Vancouver Washington.

Love the neighborhood feel, the welcoming staff and good service. But the food lacked flavor. The eggs and hash browns were cooked in way too much grease and lacked their own flavor. It looked like the sausage patty was house made but it too didn’t taste like much. The portions were way too big. I ate less than half of my meal and felt heavy and weighted down for hours. Disappointed

My family was staying in Portland for a couple of days after spending some time on the Oregon coast. Our hotel restaurant was nothing to write home about, so we decided to find somewhere else to go for breakfast. We looked up ratings on a different site than Trip Advisor (Urbanspoon), and found this place. What a great idea! It has both American diner food and Asian food on the menu. For breakfast there were the normal eggs breakfast (bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, toast), Eggs Benedict, and then there were breakfasts with kimchi and rice! They also had lunch/dinner foods to the same theme. The place was busy when we got there, which was a good sign but our service did not suffer because of it. They quickly treated our 7 year old as the most important customer so much so that he said, "wow, I guess I am famous here!" The breakfast was very decent, huge portions. They make their own raspberry sauce and a slightly sweet hot sauce. I do love my hot sauce and to me, this was one of my favorites. They are known for their "acre" pancakes. We ordered a 1/4 acre for my son and it was bigger than his plate. I definitely recommend this place for breakfast, and though I did not eat lunch/dinner here, I am sure it would be fantastic as well.

Stopped in to the Cameo Cafe with family. Big menu with lots of food. My grandson had a pancake bigger than his head. I had a huge Denver Omelette. This place has great food, and a good atmosphere. Nice seating in an outside area on warm days. It is not the cheapest but it is good "bang of the buck". They do have a discounted "seniors" menu. If you can find a seat you will not be disappointed.

Went to the Cameo after arriving at PDX airport. Breakfast was outstanding. Almost every reviewer has already mentioned the giant pancakes, good service, friendly staff (and charming owner), the great homemade "Strong Bread", etc., etc. I have nothing to add, save another "excellent" rating for this place. I didn't notice if their lunch menu has been mentioned, but we had excellent sandwiches on a return visit as we were leaving Portland. We stuck with standard American fare, but it was very good and the portions, like the breakfasts, were generous. If we return to the area, I'd like to try some of the Korean dishes. i don't spend a lot of time in Portland, but when I do, I'll choose the Cameo Cafe for breakfast and lunch.

Fun environment. Friendly and good service. Delicious food! Ate here for breakfast upon arriving in Portland. Eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns YUM. Coconut waffle. Oh yes! Everything we had was hot and tasty! Zero complaints.

If you're staying at the Motel, it's a convenient place to get breakfast/lunch/dinner. We went here for breakfast expecting a typical diner/cafe setting, which is about right but add in more kitsch and trinkets. The interior is nice and homey, the breakfast menu offers a variety of options to choose from, you can't go wrong with anyone of them. Service was fast and friendly. The vibe was quiet since it was early morning, I assume it gets crowded here during busy hours.

A lot of old school favorites done right! Good size portions for your money. Some Korean items on the breakfast menu, crazy! The room is small but some room outside on patio. Recommend at least one try. I will be back.

Went to the Cameo after arriving in Portland. Breakfast was outstanding. Almost every reviewer has already mentioned the giant pancakes, good service, friendly staff (and charming owner), the great homemade "Strong Bread", etc., etc. I have nothing to add, save another "excellent" rating for this place. We were a party of 8 and everyone loved it.