I have a "Short List". I'm guessing you do to. It's that hunger triggered pop-up of drool inducing places highjacking your conciousness close to meal time, that primal urge (or obnoxious plant) screaming "FEED ME!". It's not a rational list, it maddeningly gives no thought to proximity, price, location, or operational hours (Yeah, those real world considerations). Anyway, for me, always near the top is the LRBC.
Other than a Sellwood sister location (come on, we need a Little Red Tricycle Cafe, I'm tellin ya), North Portland's Little Red Bike Cafe has got it all (everything I'd want in a neighborhood breakfast/lunch/coffee spot). Amazing, fresh, creative, cravable, reasonably priced, perfectly prepared food? Yup. Personable community minded owners and staff? Hell yeah. Precisely pulled espresso or French pressed coffee? Uh huh. Intimate uncorporate space populated with chill PDX peeps? That too.
If you share my "industry" hours you can slip in here off-peak (not that there's a bad time to visit the LRBC). For starters try a "ZooBomb" or "The Messenger". Both expertly constructed egg sandwiches, the former bringing a touch of heat, the later being savory n' sweet.
ZooBomb fried egg, jack cheese, caramelized onions, and pasilla aioli on fresh baked ciabatta (to which I typically add bacon & avocado).
The Messenger fried egg, applewood smoked bacon, gorgonzola spread, and homemade apple butter on fresh baked ciabatta.
Sunday brunch (Brie en Croute, Black & Blue French Toast, Portabello Nicoise Pasta Salad, Oregon Tuna Melt, etc...) is not to be missed nor is their wondeful blog, an eloquent expression of foodie passion blended seemlessly with the honest roller coaster of restaurant realities. Between reading their story on-line and meeting them in person, it's evident that Ali and Evan (the owners) are: 1) Not just in it for the money 2) Passionate beyond words about the community and great food 3) Cooler than Otter pops. Love that they're willing to take risks, to be adventurous, and to do so at such a delictable level of excellence.
So yeah, the LRBC's one from my short list, maybe it'll soon an addition to yours. :)
Little Red Bike Cafe
4823 North Lombard Street
Portland, Oregon 97203
503-289-0120
www.littleredbikecafe.com
Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 8am-2pm
Sunday Brunch: 9am-2pm
CLOSED MONDAYS
LRBC @ Yelp.com
LRBC @ Portland Food & Drink
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