Grain and Gristle Reviews

I went here with my parents during an impromptu restaurant crawl. We were looking for a cocktail each and a few small plates to share. We were very pleased with the selection of plates to choose from. The cocktails were our favorite part - we each had a different one and all were very tasty. We had deviled eggs (they have fish on them - beware!), pork rillette, and mussels frites. All were so delicious that we had to sample the buttermilk panna cotta with rhubarb for dessert. While there we saw many different types of groups - some with small children, some couples, some groups of friends. It seemed like a great place to meet a group of any size. In fact, while we were there my parents decided to make plans to come back the following weekend for their meal deal (meal with 2 beers for $25) with a few of their friends.

Wow! This is a warm, friendly place featuring a limited number of imaginative and well-prepared small dishes. The braised pork shoulder is meltingly good and the moules frites are worthy of Paris. The portion sizes are smaller than most upscale restaurants but perfectly adequate for a meal. They price accordingly - generally between $8 and $14 for entrees and a pretty good "twofer" deal that changes frequently. The space itself is softly lit with lots of wood. The tables can be combined or kept separate to accommodate parties of varying sizes. There's a comfortable bar in the middle of it all. The waitstaff are very friendly and quick with suggestions and service. I plan to return often!

Ate there twice during recent trip to Portland. The menu is limited but the food is excellent. Both nights we had the "for two" special which includes an entree served family style and a beer for $26.00. The first night it was braised pork with a mixture of various vegetables in a tomato based sauce. The second night was beef brisket with a similar small potato vegatable mixture. Both were very good. They also have a good selection of beers.

Food is ok but better dishes await you nearby. I had heard all the accolades and bellied up to give it a try. Staff is in love with itself and not its customers. Helped many others first even though we sat quietly before them. Not a fun dinner to say the least. This place needs a humility injection.

Based upon reviews, we were SO looking forward to brunch here. We enjoy trying and supporting the not-so-mainstream establishments. However....out of 5 dishes and 4 sides ordered; all were just okay (with the exception of the coffeecake...delicious!). The service was seriously lacking. We had to fill up our coffee cups and creamer pitcher ourselves (they have both available for waiting customers near the entry) as our waitress was too busy waiting other tables. She checked on us once, when we were done, and again when she brought the bill. So...we're very disappointed! While we can't say we'd never be back, it'll be a long time before we try it again. Giving this a 2-star for service (because service makes all the difference to us) and would give 3-stars for food, if possible.

Pork croquettes. Remember when you were a kid and how freaking amazingly delicious McDonald's Chicken McNuggets were back then? These...are so much better. Their burger was fantastic too. No sauces necessary, perfectly cooked and seasoned. They only have locally made spirits at the bar (or at least they didn't have captain, pyrat, or sailor for rums), but the rum and coke I got was served as a glass of rum on the rocks with a glass-bottled coke (hencho en mexico, real cane sugar!) on the side. This place was empty when I arrived at 5:30PM on a Monday night, but got packed around 6 and hadn't let up by the time we left at 8:00PM.

A small group of us had dinner here the week before Christmas. Although it was a weeknight around 8, we had to wait about 45 minutes for a table. However, the wait aside, the food was really good! The burger was probably the best I've had in the 3 years I've lived in Portland. Our waiter was awesome! He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and was attentive to our needs. We'll definitely be back to see if we can hit the 5 star experience!

While visiting Portland, we ate there as it is one of our son's favorite places. Fun little place. Great deal on 2 for $20, 2 beers and meal to share. Plenty to eat, 3 of us shared with an appetizer - deviled eggs with spanish anchovies - yummy! Pork chops were juicy and the squash was really good. Great atmosphere, busy and fun. Good craft beer options as well.

We enjoyed this venue very much. The price seemed appropriate and the food was very good. The wine selection was especially good. I asked for the house white but ended up being served an exquisite sauvignon blanc--not sure if this was by mistake but I was delighted!

I first tried G&G in Dec 2011 when I was on a Portland neighborhood walk-about. I walked up to N. Alberta but didn't find a place to have an afternoon beer. I ventured down NE 15th and happened upon a simple looking building that appeared to be a pub. I cozied up to the most beautiful bar surface made out of rough edged Oregon coast maple. G&G has an ever changing list of fresh local brews on tap and I had a soup and salad that hit the spot. Liked the place so much I returned with a friend later in December on another visit to Portland and had some excellent appetizers. My recent visit on a Saturday afternoon had some wonderful late afternoon breakfast foods with some excellent local beer. I learned that they get a full pig once a week and dress it out to make all kinds of fantastic pork dishes. The ham slice with scrambles eggs was delicious. This is a place I will return to over and over again. Good service, great food, and good local Portland NE neighborhood vibe.

It was a little out of the way from where we were staying. Our initial waitress obviously did not know much about the menu. She gave us incorrect responses to our questions. Upon entering we were asked in a rather abrupt way to show our vaccination cards - we all 6 had these, but it was not done in a very nice manner. Dinner was good - not great. I would not tell someone to waste their dining experience here, especially given the wait staff.

I was here for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It is a small and quaint place that is warm and comfortable. My lunch was good, service was good and the place was clean and well kept. If I am in that area again I will certainly stop by again.

Looks like a bar but small menu has many gems- and many involved seafood Full bar with focus on beer. Full cocktail options are available Started wish hard boiled eggs which has sardines on and in so be ready. Olive bowl had many types, all good Amongst us we had many main dishes. Mussel were fresh, large and with frites. Just like being In Brussels. Seafood plate had 4 items with lox and shrimp fritters being my fav. Burger was eaten. From smiling friend, it seems to have been enjoyed. Green bean plate was shared. Salad too- standard fare done well. Service of meals was too slow. Drinks & appetizers were quick. Wasn’t overly crowded week night Parking on streets within block or two Small lot just west was nearly full Prices were reasonable.

This might be the most underrated restaurant in Portland, in my humble opinion. I go a lot for lunch. Last time, for dinner, my wife and I split a steak salad that had just the right touch of horseradish. The burger is what brings people in, but there is so much more here. Lots of meat, but good vegetarian options, too. Fabulous beers on tap.

Friends and I were catching-up in Portland for the weekend. For dinner on Friday, we wanted a place that didn't feel touristy and that was casual. A person with knowledge about Portland suggested Grain & Gristle, and it was a great suggestion! This indeed felt like a casual, neighborhood establishment; the other guests seemed like locals and the atmosphere was like a gastropub. Our server was really friendly and very attentive. There was a small but high-quality selection of beers on-tap. The menu was small but had gastropub fare, including some tempting vegetarian options. We started with a delicious pickle plate (the picked radishes were the best) and all three fell to the temptation of burgers. The burgers were cooked as-requested and tasted great. Fries were yummy. One person ordered the fried onion rings instead of fries; these were very small onion rings instead of the big, traditional kind; they were tasty, but I prefer the traditional kind. We were stuffed at the end of the meal and skipped dessert. Was a fun evening - a good addition to list of possible Portland restaurants!

Great place for a casual dinner out. Amazing deal on the twofer dinner at just $20. We had braised beef with roasted beets. It was moist, tender, and delicious. The beets were roasted whole, with their greens. Really good! We didn't order the fish, but several people around us did. It looked and smelled fresh and perfectly cooked. You'll find a good selection at the bar too. We had a couple of martinis made with locally-produced New Deal Portland Dry Gin. Fresh & crisp, they were a nice clean side for the savory stew. The staff were friendly and very attentive. After we ordered our martinis, three other staffers came by to ask if we'd ordered drinks. Not pushy, but eager to please. Grain & Gristle is now definitely one of our regular spots in Portland.

We went to Grain and Gristle with friends who live in NE Portland. The name of the restaurant made me wonder, but the food, the atmosphere and the service did not make me wonder. They have great food! We will be back.

My wife took me here for a date. We have been by here many times and stopped this time. We sat down at a corner table as it wasn't busy when we arrived. Our waitress was very nice and took great care of us all night. We started with some Padron peppers that were excellent grilled. I ordered a beer that was very good. My wife loved her burger. I ordered the Pork. It was good but not great. It sounded really good when I ordered it but it didn't hit the spot. My wife and I will go back to try some different appetizers and their meat and cheese boards.

Brunch, dinner, late night drink this place has it all! Tge food is top notch and locally sourced with some great standbys like a burger that will knock your socks off and always offers some fantastic specials. The cost atmosphere tops off the Grain and Gristle experience, give it a try and you will be coming back for more.

Have a friend in from Cali for a week. Wanna give him a real taste of Ptown culinary. No better place or better meal than the 2 for $25 special @ G&G. Amazing seasonal farm to table meals! It’s a cant miss w 2 IPA’S included in price.

The first visit to the restaurant was prompted by the Local Newspaper's article listing it as having one the best of burger.It was fantastic. We invited some out of town visitors to join us for burgers this week. The best burger morphed into just another ordinary piece of meat. Shocking and embarrassing, I believe our guest must have thought we lost of tastebuds. My burger ordered medium rare came out the most over done of the four ordered. The Burger was half the size of the original ,and tasteless. Possibly, the rave review article went to the Chef's head.

Visited the restaurant for the first time today. Menu is interesting and includes several Italian and German influenced dishes. Although, we got the US version and ordered Pickles and Burgers with Fries. I added a fried egg, my husband blue cheese. Honestly, for us it was the best burger ever. The patty quality was outstanding and cooked to order. There is always a debate about „the best burger in town“ ;) Grain and Gristle convinced us with the outstanding food quality, seasonal, locally sourced and an cozy atmosphere anyway.

The Grain and Gristle is located in a wonderful neighborhood for walking around and exploring. Our group of 3 had a late breakfast, my eggs benedict (a special that day) was beyond wonderful. All of our meals were fresh and innovative. Although they have a full bar we only had coffee and it too was excellent. This gem of a restaurant, is a great place for a casual meal with friends and family.

My daughter lives around the corner of G & G and suggested we go there for dinner. I ordered the burger with blue cheese and was I glad! It may have been the best burger I’ve ever eaten. The service was great. I’m definitely going back next time I’m back in Oregon!

I really wanted the to be a 5* experience. Our son was hoping for a super burger for his birthday dinner. The ambiance was very Portland and we loved the concept of a single source for the beef. Everything was fine but just not special. I tried the charcuterie plate and only liked 1 of the selections. The burger was good but not amazing as we hoped. My husband ordered the ribs and found them too sweet.

We found this by mistake while looking for Podnah's pit BBQ (which I'm guessing this replaced). What a very happy accident, we walked in off the street and sat down to a fabulous meal, really excellent value too (appetisers, mains and 1 beer each for 3 people came to $65). We liked the atmosphere plus the staff are really friendly. Would heartily recommend.

Loved this little place and it is very small. Overall, the feel of this restaurant is definitely Portland. Walk in and sign your own name on a clipboard and they'll seat you when they have a table. Wait was only 5-10 minutes on a Friday night at around 7:30pm Beer choice was nice and they had some great specials, but were out of the top choices, by the time we ordered. Had the Burger, because it was something I don't normally have and it was beyond fantastic. Our server was extremely friendly and helpful, and didn't make us feel rushed. Great Portland friendly restaurant and will be back again. Neighborhood is great too!

Nice place, limited on parking but worth it. Went for lunch and had the home made Slim Jim's which were fantastic and a burger. Burger with a fried egg and cheddar is the way to go. Next time would pass on the onion rings, they were more like onion strings. Except for the onion strings, the good was quality and we'll prepared. Would definitely return!

We would never have found this place, let alone even heard of it were it not for Food&Wine's June 2011 issue. We knew we'd be visiting Portland in September so I tore out the page to remind us. On our only night in Portland -- Saturday night at that -- we mapped the place online, braved the one-way streets that are typical of the city, and drove straight to the restaurant. We like sitting at the bar when we try new places and were rewarded this time. Kat, our waitress (and bartender) was knowledgeable, polite and easy to talk with, even after we gave her our spiel about why we were there. She and one of the owners, Ben, even signed our magazine page (small townish, I know) and the owner talked with us quite a while as he came out to sit at the bar and do paperwork. We each had a drink (one beer and one wine), an appetizer ("House pickles, a fine selection" with absolutely no cucumbers) and the evening's "two-fer" special of half a chicken and vegetable. Our total bill was $29. "$29? that's all? Are you sure?" we asked. That's right, Kat answered. Wow. Excellent locally-sourced foods, great wait staff, unique bar (see it here http://grainandgristle.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/bar-shot1.jpg) and delightful conversation with those who make this place the treasure that it is. We would go back there in a heartbeat. We saw nearly all ages the night we were there, from children to grandparents. You can spend much more than we did, by choosing other menu items (like dessert), but you can spend much less than we did, too. Hats off to those with the vision to make this restaurant a reality. We are the welcome beneficiaries!

We’ve had two dinners in the past month and, today, brunch. The food has been consistently good to really very good. The wait-staff has been consistently very good and friendly. So, When I called to ask whether we’d left a pair of glasses at the table, I was stunned by the refusal to look for them. This, after earlier today plonking down about 55 bucks for a party of three. I’ll chalk this up to a bad hire, though will stop going if the attitude is repeated.

This is a place that was highly recommended by a couple of friends. The reviews were good, too, so my expectactions were high. I like the casual atmosphere. We were seated at a corner window table. Damn, it was cold! It was about 35 outside and my boyfriend said he might need to go outside to warm up. My coat was buttoned up to my chin and my scarf was double wrapped around my neck as I asked the server to turn off the air. That did the trick and I was soon warm and cozy. We each ordered a salad and they were both flavorful, fresh and I decided that I need to eat more arugula in 2012 and beyond. The arugula salad with apples and blue cheese was crunchy, creamy and delicious. My boyfriend was attacking my sald plate before he even gave his a glance. Had to bat his fork away! I ordered the mussels and my boyfriend ordered the chorizo on creamy beans. From the time we finished our salads to the time our entrees came out, 20 minutes had passed (restaurant was two thirds full). Too long and no one bothered to explain why it took so long. Acknowledgement goes a long way. Our food finally arrived and my mussels frites were served cold. I was famished so I let the server know that my dish was cold but that I was hungry so I wouldn't mind eating the cold mussels as long as I got a fresh order of hot fries. Well, before I could stop her that dish disappeared out from under me and was whisked back into the kitchen. As my boyfriend ate his meal, I waited and waited for my dish to come out. He was completely finished by the time my mussels came out. Unfortunately, the mussels tripped and fell flat on their little mussel faces in flavor. Some garlic, herbs and wine would go a long way to impart some flavor into these, although they were cooked perfectly. With so many great places to eat in Portland, I probably won't return unless I go for a beer. They did comp the mussels, btw. Edit Remove

It was just before the Covid 19 lockdown that we were able to make the trek out for lunch. I totally feel like a tourist taking pictures of my food. What really stood out was the cinnamon roll. Oh my. Super light so not sure I would call it that. It was more like a light French pastry. I’d make the trip just for another one of those. Ouch was good too as well as friendly service. Nice experience.

The menu was very unique giving the 4 of us the opportunity to try new things and everything was excellent! The flavors just combined to make everything so tasty. Service was good and the total price very reasonable for the quality of the food and the time we were able to spend there as a small group.

This neighborhood restaurant is a go-to place for our daughter and son-in-law. They wanted to share the experience with us and it was a good time. The brisket and pork meals were delicious, and the veggies were good, too. The service was friendly and helpful - the evening was an all-around success.

Very interesting seasonal menu that's fun, but overpriced IMHO. Drink menu is also fun and worth a try.

Great burger with all the fixings! All local ingredients. Cures there own olives which were amazing! Excellent service! Thanks again

Visited here after we received several recommendations and the food was very good. My wife had the weisswurst and loved it. (German roots) she raved about the squash that accompanied her dish. Small squares lightly fried and full of fluffy squash. My G and G burger was good but average. Of all the food places we visited in 3 1/2 days in Portland I can unequivocally say that the service was very laidback. A definite difference from all the other places we visited where staff seemed glad to see us. Much like the staff in many Canadian restaurants where their demeanour is (It’s a job,just let me get through the day).

You'll never go hungry here; the food is rich and delicious. Sometimes you have to wait, but if you get there by tennish on the weekends, you are probably able to sit down. I love the eggs benedict and home fries and biscuits. Actually, everything I've tried there has been really good. Service is competent and polite. Atmosphere is well, Portlandish--certainly not fancy, but probably what you want if you're looking for a good brunch.

We stayed with a friend overnight in Portland and he took us to this neighborhood spot for dinner. It was warm enough to eat outside - which consisted of picnic tables. Great service, and nice craft cocktails plus a good selection of bourbons. Try the deviled eggs and pork rinds for appetizers. Our entrees were very good - we had a lamb dish and a specialty burger. Would definitely go back next time in the Sabin neighborhood of Portland.

Grain & Gristle reminds me of a place in Austin that had a similar approach to quality and preparation. It was called The Raw Deal and is, unfortunately, long gone. Thankfully, G&G appears to be thriving, though with a distinctly yuppier crowd. Tonight, we had the TwoFer, which is a ham steak, Spanish style beans, and sauteed kale, all served on a single large platter. As the name implies, it was enough for two, really just right for us. The meat and vegetables were well-seasoned and delicious. If you need frills, go someplace else. The draught beer selection is good, and the prices for wine by-the-glass looked reasonable. I had an Amnesia Desolation IPA that worked well with the meal. The restaurant is easy to find at the intersection of NE 15th and Prescott. It's about a mile and a half from NE Broadway, a walkable distance, or you can take the number 8 bus line. Reservations are neither required nor accepted, but the waitresses always seem to find a spot for you. Kind of like eating at home, only better.

Wow, OK where to start.....whirlwind week of the "finer" things in Oregon. "Grain & Gristle" was a change of pace, a good place for a wine and cheese reprieve. Anytime I'm in Portland I "hang" in a different quadrant, this time it was the NE. I had the pleasure of being dragged to a "beer place"??? I don't really like beer but there was food and that I like. It is a beer place hence the "Grain" portion in the name so my friend and I ordered two different hand crafted beers, one from Washington state in a Weizen style, cloudy and full bodied the other a lighter Pale Ale from Oregon in a traditional American style, light texture with tartness. We had not planned the contrast it just so happens I'm not a beer drinker and my friend is. Ultimately neither of us cared for the selections, his was too sweet, mine much too tart, what to do? Make your own blend! I experienced this option at a beer tasting years ago by the guys at "New Belgian Brewing Company" and it has made for great conversation and a better beer experience ever since. OK grains covered lets move to "Gristle" I went all in with "Pork rinds, mustardy dipper", fried to perfection (hot and fast). Divine, if you can say that about pork rinds (just did) with "our" custom brew. Next "Grilled romaine, lemon, caper, dry jack" (the greens on this dish change with availability). I love vegetables, lemons and cheese, together even better! The "griller"/chef has it going on, it's not an easy task to grill delicate veggies. Rounding out the meal was an order of "Salt Cod fritters" this dish was too greasy, too fritter not enough cod or maybe we should have ordered more "Grog"? In any case my recommendation would be to balance the "Grease" which I did by ordering the "rhubarb pie" again a seasonal flavor. Overall I found the energy and atmosphere to be as engaging as the concept and met some nice folks while waiting for a table which made this a spot I will recommend and revisit when in the area.

I found this place by accident; I was looking for the Thai restaurant next door that’s closed for renovations. As you walk in the first thing you see is the bar with the massive black board behind it, loaded with the daily specials. You seat yourself and a server comes over with a menu and water. As I looked over the menu my three favorite things all together between a bun had my name all over it. The hamburger with Bacon, cheese and fried egg…I’m in heaven! Added a side salad and a coke, just to balance it out. It was so good and only nine bucks!!!

we returned with friends for dinner...i had a old german lager, and my partner had the vermouth neat...our friends had a glass of wine, and the other had grapefruit juice..we shared the 2 fer special with grilled blackened trout and carrots/potatoes/mushrooms in tarragon with a drink each...plus we had the green salad too.....our friends had the savory tart, and the other had a burger/onion rings...the food was so delicious, and the ambiance cozy as usual...the staff were real nice too...our staff person was so funny and quick...she made it fun..thx so much

We arrived the party of four between happy hour and dinner. An order was taken though we were told it would be awhile. Dinner didn't start until 5. And yes we did wait awhile before the meals were served. I had a cheese plate which was pleasant with various types of cheese. A sister ordered sturgeon and she was pleased with the flavor. What I was disappointed about was the lack of enthusiasm the server portrayed.

Had a great lunch while walking around the Vernon and Alberta neighborhoods at G&G. My roast beef sandwich, made from actually roasted beef, not beef luncheon meet was exceptional. My wife's plum coffee cake--wonderful. Service was friendly and efficient. Music loud, but turned down some on request--highly appreciated. Friendly crowd, short line a the door on a Sunday at 1 pm. It seems almost all dishes were egg-based or had an egg on top--so if that's a problem, be ware. This place reminded me a bit of student hang-outs in a college town, but the chef clearly goes the extra mile for recipes and ingredients.

Eating out in Portland can be a cultural experience when you head out to the edges of the inner city. Grain and Gristle is a very hip site for a creative take on dinner. The environment is rustic and its simplicity sets the stage for an adventurous food event. Many local beers available on tap and the waitstaff is knowledgeable about the provenance and flavors. We waited over an hour for a table, as they do not accept reservations. Our waitress seemed very stressed and discontented. Perhaps that's part of the business plan? Other than that, it was a lovely evening out!

Good food, good drinks, good service. Great place where you can always count on them being good. Their specials always include a 2 for $25 meal, which is one double-sized meal, and two beers (or $5 credit toward the drink of your choice) for $25. Great deal. Also, their rotating Tarts are generally good.

No one in my group had been here until today. It was well worth the drive from the west side! We tried 5 different breakfast offerings and were all very pleased with our choices. The benedict was filling, and the potatoes so tender! The french toast smelled so spicy - the 8 year old in our group really liked it. The pierogies & the breakfast platter were both very tasty. We will make the journey again..soon!

This is an adorable warm place . The food offerings are limited but we loved everything. We ordered the special for two , a burger and a radish savory tart . Our family of four went away stuffed ! The flavors were divine and everything was so fresh . As always in Portland , great beer !

Please don't waste your $72.00 plus $11.00 tip, on 4 tepid cheeseburgers with greasy onion rings... one batch of onion rings were unbearably salty!! Such a bummer...I was so looking forward to the burger on my birthday...My birthday!!! My Grandson and I went before ownership changed hands and burgers and onion rings were stellar!!! Today we ordered 2 medium well burgers and that were served well done! And 2 burgers well done. Bacon was so overcooked nearly burned and cold on all burgers..lettuce wilted..one burger was obviously old meat that tasted weird. I did want to make the owner aware, respectfully ...I didn't want to complain... However, if it were my business I would want to be informed! Heidi the owner said she would bring it to the cooks attention...no sorry...no apology, no attempts to make it right and was obviously uncaring and that's why I am submitting the review...(too busy taking pictures of what she was about to post)...We were sooo hungry !! No one was there except us!!! Over cooked and WAYYYY!!overpriced!!! Wish we had not tipped !!!

We stumbled on this place at the recommendation of our Airbnb host and are so glad we did! It’s off the beaten path but worth a jaunt! My husband and I split the beer flight, all of which were excellent but the porter and cider were exceptional. He ordered a sturgeon special with some type of corn and bell pepper chutney that was truly unique and incredible. I ordered the heirloom tomatoes on grilled sourdough, which are finished with goat cheese and fresh basil - so yummy for such a simple dish. Prices are reasonable, service is good and atmosphere is chill I highly recommend!

This is one of my favorite places to eat in Portland. I like that the atmosphere is warm and casual while the food is fantastic. My only complaint is that the menu is so small sometimes I'll have tried everything before they change it again because we tend to share our plates. I think I ate the best pork chop I've ever had here. And last summer there was this smoked trout salad that I still dream about.

Grain and Gristle is ALWAYS good. Their menu changes -- but everything is always good. If you like onion rings, they have the best anywhere. I often get mussel frites. Their veggie sideas are excellent. I don't eat beef, but my burger-eating friends say the burgers at G &G are great.

Combination of food selections are what you'd expect from a creative PDX establishiment (not what you'd expect of the food, but the creativity). Open atmosphere, creative foods with a breakfast or dinner that satisfies for many hours to come, eclectic and diverse group of patronage. Hard not to make this a wonderful repeat time and again.

Great little funky place off the beaten path. Service was great, prices are beyond reasonable, and the food is innovative and delicious.

We had a good time for dinner at this local spot. It's a convivial neighborhood place with great food and beer. Rated one of the "10 Best Hamburgers in Portland" our burger lived up to the reputation. The Mussels Frits were outstanding. Wait staff was friendly, knowledgable, and efficient. Small parking lot, but street parking is no problem. This was our first visit, but won't be our last.

This was our first trip to Grain and Gristle. We went for lunch with our son and DiL in their part of town and this was their choice. It was just before noon and we were presented brunch menus. We were not disappointed! Located at an intersection with a handful of shops and restaurants in the same corner, parking is limited, as it is in much of older Portland. We parked a block or so away and made our way inside. Immediately you enter to a large bar area with seats along the front and tables on either side. It’s rustic and quite beautiful with the bar sporting a stunning live-edge top and nice craftsman finish on the sides. Our son tells us the owner wanted to create a place that could never be turned “upscale” which was the reason for the layout. Three our four specials were spelled out on the chalkboard behind the bar, and the menu was a good size for a brunch. Two of us ordered huevos rancheros, one the short rib hash, and the other the scramble; all meals were fabulous. We also shared a side of bacon, which was quite possibly the best bacon I’ve ever eaten. Another tidbit our son offered is that the pork sourced for the restaurant is from a farm in Carlton, is organic, antibiotic free, and free range. And the restaurant orders whole pigs, breaks them down in-house, and uses the entire animal. You can clearly taste the difference in the premium product. Our server was outstanding as well, appropriately engaging and very responsive; I really enjoyed her. Without question, Grain and Gristle is highly recommended!

The first time I sampled the goodies from Grain and Gristle was at my daughter and now son in laws wedding in 2011. It was a pig roast served at a state park in a beautiful old barn, with all the trimmings! It was FAB! This was my 2nd trip to their home base in Portland, and just loved the comfortable space and excellent dinner! Had to start with the deviled eggs with boguerones, OK white anchovies, excellent! They are mild and a wonderful adition to the creamy filling! We ordered mussels, frites with roasted fennel, herbs and aioli, braised lamb ragu with gnocci fennel and yogurt, and boring me with the burger topped with blue cheese, which was by the way excellent and recommended by both my daughter and son in law. We shared and I loved everything! Another Great Gastro Experience in Portland! GO and ENJOY!

Have visited a couple of time and have enjoyed the experience on different levels. The bar is beautifully carved from local timber and their small bar offers local selections which complement the food. The service is typical of the Portland food scene, even when they are not busy. I recommend their pork dishes, they seem to be their strong suit. Can't wait to go back and try a "Twofer".

With all the different types of places to eat in Portland, you'd think they couldn't come up with another one but Grain and Gristle surprisingly found a way to offer yet another new type of menu, dividing it up into salt, vegetable, and protien. Many dishes include an interesting combination of ingredients, making it different from what you're probably used to but not so unusual that you'd be afraid to try it. I had the braised pork shoulder (I'm not too adventurous) and it was excellent. My friend had the raddichio/feta/hazelnut salad and said it was great as well. The restaurant had a fresh, open, and friendly feel; laid back and a little country. It was very clean and the staff was attentive. I was surprised at how reasonable the prices were. We aren't beer drinkers but there was an impressive list of brews on the board as well as some specials. This is a place I'd bring out-of-town friends to show off Portlands excellent variety of eateries. It's like a sunny day in Portland!

Cute little place with great burgers, craft beer, and customer service. My burger and fries were so tasty...don't even remember what my daughter had, but she liked it! Our waitperson, Elsa, was personable and attentive. This place has a very warm and comfortable vibe. Will definitely return on my next trip to Portland.

We decided to wait until we had tried this restaurant twice before making a review. Could it be that good 2 times in a row. YES IT WAS! Fun place, great food, reasonable prices and excellent Service. We will be back.

Someone on the TA forum suggested this place and I'm glad they did. After marvelling at the massive wood bar, we took our seats and got prompt service. Loved the eclectic menu, both beers and food. Three of us tried three different beers and everyone was happy. I had a salad with greens, apple and goat cheese. We shared a cheese board and the others had a sausage of some sort and mussels. I tried it all and was happy with my choice, but all were tasty. Great neighborhood vibe and friendly staff. Wish it were in my neighborhood.

We stayed close by in an AirBNB and wanted somewhere close by so we asked our host and they suggested Grain & Gristle. First off the atmosphere was nice and updated. The staff was nice and friendly. We had their 2 for Special and it was a Steak Frites with a Bleu Cheese Salad and Garlic Parmesan Fries. This was a great choice and I would recommend it to anyone that stops by. It was like a party in my mouth and we left very satisfied and very happy with our selection. This might be the reason for leaving a review since I do not usually do this.

The free weekly here had this beating out one of my favorite burgers (Slow Bar), and not because of some aioli sauce (I don't like aioli or mayonnaise ) but because of the medium rare burger itself I decided to give it a try (plus they are open for lunch unlike the Bistro Burgers.) The waitress told me they won the one competition, and I now see that is so. On thursday, it was about half full, it had nice sunshine near the street, and darker table further in if you like that. I was a comfortable place, and my stout beer was good to, $18 for all this. The waitress said it was a tough choice between the burgers and philly, I will have to go back for that one.

Our friends raved about this place, so we had to go. And we’ll go back every time we’re in Portland. My husband’s burger practically melted in his mouth, and he thought the catsup (is there bbq sauce mixed in?) was crazy good on his fries. The breakfast brisket I ordered was nothing like expected. Layers of sautéed kale and other veggies, tender meat, and crispy waffle topped with a perfectly fried egg. The fingerling potatoes were piping hot, sooo fresh and flavorful. My husband, a home brewer, thought the beer selection was diverse enough for hoppy lovers and brown ale fans. We were impressed with the local pilsner and ale we had.

Great service and food. Every dish ordered by the 4 of us was delicious for dinner. No reservations- try it out on a weekday. We will be back !

Interesting food and good atmosphere. It's outstanding in the area. The menu is short, which allows the chefs to concentrate on quality. But there's something for meat eaters and vegetarians as well. (not just salads)

We were craving a good hamburger, but, with an infant, couldn't go to several well-known hamburger places because of the liquor laws in Oregon. We were very happy about our choice of Grain & Gristle. We all had hamburgers and onion rings, plus their special seasonal salad of beets and corn. The hamburgers were prepared perfectly, although next time I might order mine without the aioli mayo. Everyone else loved it, but I think I would have preferred a plain mayo. The onion rings were good, but a little greasy. The best part of the evening was the service. I didn't get his name, but he was perfectly handling almost all of the tables himself.

We were shopping around NE Portland and stumbled upon this place on a Sunday, around brunch time. We were blown away by the food (and portion size). The offerings are local, seasonal, and inspired. We had a pork sirloin sort of stew that made us both want to lick the bowl afterward (though we could have shared it due to the generous size). Service was prompt, friendly, and the whole vibe is neighborhood friendly. Can't wait to return when in this neighborhood again.

We stopped by Grain and Gristle on a Saturday afternoon, after 1:00pm. It was an unassuming location given that most local Portland shops/restaurants are in a string of others, but this restaurant sat apart on a corner lot with a few music shops, small bar, and Asian diner. We were immediately met at the door by the hip bartender who offered us a seat (even though we could have sat ourselves in the small dinning room). It was NYC style in that the tables and chairs were close to other tables lining the outer walls of the restaurant. The weekends offer breakfast and lunch fare, which all appeared wonderful in their menu descriptions. I chose the breakfast sandwich and small salad and my husband chose the burger and fries. My sandwich was deliciouso! Just the right amount of everything, well maybe a little too much bacon for my taste, but I realize that is blasphemy to most so I try to say that with a big maybe. I shared a few bites of my husband's burger and it was juicy and thick, just like the ones we make at home. And that is a very good thing. Even my small green salad had a delicate and flavorful dressing that I craved even after we left. My only thing is that it is not super kid friendly, but I don't think it has to be either. They had a highchair for our 10 month old which was unexpected. Again, the vibe and atmosphere was too cool for kids, and its not because they weren't welcome; I felt like we were ruining the coolness a little. Eclectic background music that went from punk to 80's rock and back again. Loved it because it fit so well with the restaurant. I can't express enough the cool vibe of the place from the moment we stepped into the restaurant. The service was great too. Our server was kind and took care of our needs (which were few) promptly. Check it out! You won't regret it.

I love burgers, so when I saw that Willamette Week had rated Grain & Gristle's as best in town, I had to go. A burger with cheese and bacon was my order, just with bacon for my wife. Both came with the house aioli sauce, but fat dripping on the plate soaked the bottom of the bun. Half way through her burger my wife's fries were getting cold so she asked if she could have a little aioli sauce for dipping. Presto, a 2-tablespoon helping arrived in a small stainless dish. Imagine my shock when there was a 50-cent charge on our bill for the extra aioli. I wouldn't have complained if we were eating $2.99 burgers somewhere, but when it's a $13 (hers) or $14 (mine) burger, that's really tacky. I would have given it one star over the 50-cent charge, but the burgers were good. Not as good as Killer Burger, but good.

This place is great! Love the food - and love that it has MEAT! So many places think that they need to be vegetarian or vegan or something - but not Gran & Gristle! Can't wait to go back!

Small but delicious menu for lunch. Best burger in town. Great and different choices. Never ending coffee.