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cycling

Whether you’re a dedicated brunchie, a classic diner hound, or just looking for a place to eat breakfast on a weekend we’re all out for one thing; our ideal breakfast spot

Everyone is entitled to a good breakfast. Even after a bike ride I prefer to conclude it with some semblance of a meal. No better time of the day than to go on a couple dozen mile bike ride then to top it off with a hearty breakfast. Portland has many restaurants to chose from. I will be covering some well known and other not so well known as we take a tour of Portland breakfast places.

The day was April 18th, 2015. My buddy needed some help moving house from the east side over to Hillsdale. It wouldn’t take long. The truck needed to get picked up and was just shy of ten miles away so we opted to grab some breakfast nearby. It was a perfectly sunny morning and not too cold to fit in an early bike ride. We rode from his old apartment in SE over to the cafe.

Cricket Cafe

On the corner on Belmont and SE 32nd is the cozy early bird restaurant coined Cricket Cafe.This place makes great food and is one of Portland’s oldest and fondest breakfast and brunch haunts. The food is exactly how one expects breakfast if you love a plethora of food and amazing taste! Burritos are big and loaded with tons of flavor. Just about whatever you order gets a side of potatoes. The potatoes are cubed and perfectly fried.

Just know, there could be a little wait but the staff here is great and portions are more than satisfactory.

I recently found out that Cricket was closed a while but, thankfully, is now back and packing the house as before. I’ve haven’t been able to check out the new place as of yet but will be planning to in the near future. All indicators and reviews rave that the food is still just as good as it was before new management. Please go check it out the place and let us know what you think!

Recommendations:

Savory: Looking for something filling? Grab the Truck Driver Burrito.

Sweet: Check out the Honey Cinnamon French Toast.

Jefe

Our next recommendation is Jefe. It is located off the main artery off Boones Ferry Rd close to Kruse Way. Skip the croissants with brie with the hour+ lines at the Parisian brunch place next door. Treat yourself to this hip and urban brunchie favorite (Pease Note* Especially Weekly Brunchday, Sunday, there are still lines but the table turnover is still quicker than the place next door).

Is Jefe technically labeled Mexican Food? Sure, however, there there’s more than meets the eye. Jefe is versatile. The sous chef has implemented Jefe’s own variation of breakfast food. French Toast, Eggs Benedict, steak and eggs, tamales and eggs, omelets, and more. The food combines a minimalist focus on accents and flavor that does not disappoint.

Sunday is definitely the busiest day of the week to eat here. Saturday mornings seem to be less crowded and better the earlier you get there. To my recollection week days are usually a great time to go if you’re a stay-at-home mom looking to curb those at-home-blues. Jefe is a great option for a posh meal out, especially if you’re looking to go out with your friends but can’t stand another trip to another “Acme E-Z breakfast diner”.

Outdoor seating in the summertime makes this location a beautiful place to enjoy a meal outside. Inside there’s main seating with a circular bar almost in the center of the restaurant. Interior design combines minimalist with tactile. Bottles strung from the ceiling array light when backlit by the sun or from ceiling lights. There’s a fair composition of darkly stained lumber and pale masonry to really polish things off.

Recommendations: Modern pallets expect modern alterations, not least of which for breakfast. If you’re looking for a traditional breakfast with a twist I would try either the Mexican omelette or the Kuala Mexican Toast. If you’re looking for something new and experimental I recommend the Huevos Rancheros or the Barbacoa and Eggs. The house coffee here is great as well.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could go to a breakfast place and make pancakes exactly the way you like them. Either perfectly golden or dough-tastic, you can make pancakes to your own preferred taste, all without having to leave the table. Sure, you can make pancakes at home but you don’t have a griddle built into your dinning room table! Isn’t the novelty of such a thing the reason why you would chose this place as your brunch destination? The place is called Slappy Cakes and it’s likely to be your next favorite place to make and eat pancakes since grandmas’s!

Chose from buttermilk, peanut butter, vegan/gluten free, seasonal and more. Then chose what “fixin’s” from chocolate chips to scallions and toppings from lavender honey to whipped cream (or goat cheese if you’re craving something tangy). Then you’re all set an ready to make pancakes.

Recommendation:

Savory: Country Fried Steak and Eggs… also whatever you get make sure it includes a side of Chicken friend bacon!

Sweet: The pancakes of course. Chocolate chip, strawberries, and whipped cream are a must.

Original Hotcake House

Speaking of grandparents, if your grandparents are coming into town, or even if you’re just the type who likes breakfast made in the way it has alway has, and always should be made then you’re going to want to check out the “Original Hotcake House“. Huge pancakes, fried chicken with biscuits and gravy. More than you can eat, omelettes. Omelettes with ingredients that just make sense like, the Meat Lover’s Omelette which is a personal favorite. French toast is perfect and you don’t need butter for these biscuits.

Try not to get throw off by the behind the counter ordering system. The folks here are very friendly and make some of the best breakfast in town.

Recommendations: Just about everything on the menu.

Savory: I would try the meat lovers omelette if you like eggs.

Sweet: The French toast are the next best thing!

Oliver’s Cafe

Portland’s Foster Street best is known for its 1980s era resilience. Not so much in a good way, but it a “miles of out of date and dilapidated buildings, store fronts, billboards, and empty lots” kind of way. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule and slowly but surely this area too will be absorbed into the greater Portland culture. The pocket which has already embraced this change is around the neighborhood between Mt. Scott and Lents in deep SE Portland and the breakfast place on our list is called Oliver’s Cafe.

Set in a modern brick building Oliver’s Cafe is the new standard for Foster St.

The menu embodies the classic breakfast choices of good ol’ comfort food with that home town style.

Recommendations:

Savory: Try the Country Chicken Friend Steak

Sweet: Belgian Waffles with Strawberries & whipped cream

Vivacé

If already covered the amazing-ness which is Vivacé in my previous coffee article you can check out here. But did you know that one of the best places in town to get crepes is undisputedly Vivacé. Sweet and savory; Nutella or mozzarella Vivacé does not disappoint.

Recommendations

Sweet: ice cream, chocolate sauce, banana, and whipped cream (Indulgent much? Yesss.)

Savory: The chicken crepe (with mozzarella, mushrooms, spring greens, tomato and creame pesto).

This, by no means, is a complete list, just places I’ve been and have really enjoyed. Let us know what you think of these and by all means, share your Portland favorite.

The cool crisp morning air filled my lungs as I prepared to go cycling with friends. It was late Autumn and there was still a little color left in the leaves. I could smell rain from the night before, but thankfully it was it staved off for a bit.

I didn’t own a sufficient rain jacket, and didn’t bring enough layers for the ride but I knew I’d warm up after a couple miles. This lack of winterized-cycling-garb never stopped me before. Click for some tips on how to dress in layers

I never considered myself one who looks the part of a cyclist. I’m a big guy weighing in at 220, broad shoulders and relatively tall. I’ve become comfortable standing out on the trail.

This bike ride was long overdue. A few friends and I gathered in the shadow of the Sellwood Bridge. It was the inaugural ride of what became a regular occurrence.

Looking across the Willamette River toward Portland.

The Perfect Starting Point

Since this was our first ride together we played a majority of it by ear. We didn’t have a mileage goal and no one really knew where each other was at regarding pace and cadence. We were there to have fun.

Our starting point sat on the Eastern shore of the Willamette River at Sellwood Riverfront Park. It’s the perfect launching point for any cycling in Portland. No matter the season, there are plenty of options when starting out at Sellwood.

Sellwood Offers Options

Cycling West across the Sellwood Bridge lets you ride south into Lake Oswego and even further into Tigard.

Heading North you can take a trail along the East bank of the river which leads past Oaks Amusement Park, OMSI, and onward to a local architectural landmark, the Tilikum Crossing Bridge. You can West across the bridge into Downtown Portland, or keep heading North on the Eastside of the river toward North Portland.

If you stay on the Eastside, you can take the Eastbank Esplanade all the way north to the Steel bridge. Cycling farther up this route leads up a number of switchbacks, to Wheeler then Williams. You eventually find yourself heading in the achievable direction of St. John’s and Cathedral Park.

Our route for the day would lead us to the gothic towers of the St. Johns Bridge.

*note: just east of the Steel Bridge is BiketownPDX where you can rent bikes from $2.50 a trip to $12 a month.

Choosing The Eastside

I’ve been an Eastside rider for the majority of my time in Portland. It seems to be more accessible. In my opinion, it has better bike-parking, better cafes, restaurants, and even bars for foodies and beer lovers alike. Let’s be real who doesn’t love good beers and/or great food? Both are a perfect counterpart to a long bike ride.

*note: A runner up to cycling the Eastside would be cycling the farm country out near Scholls between Roy Rogers and Farmington.

A Trail That Floats On The River

After we setup our bikes and prepared our bags, we clipped in and set off from Sellwood, staying on the Eastside of the river. We approached the east corridor from Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge and headed to the Hawthorne Bridge. There weren’t many pedestrians on the trail, which gave us free reign to move at our own pace. At one point my rear wheel caliper began to seize. We stopped so I could make an adjustment. After a quick fix, we were back on the trail.

We rode past the Vera Katz Statue, down the gangplanks and onto the floating trail of the Eastbank Esplanade. The esplanade was championed by Katz when she was Mayor of Portland.

We rode on to the Steel Bridge (it’s over one hundred years old). We rode the switchbacks up to Wheeler, past the Moda Center, and headed North on Washington.

*note: if you ride on the cracks on the gangplanks you won’t make a sound headed up or down

Some light hearted graffiti along the way.

Avoiding Downtown Portland

One thing I love about this part of town is that everyone is out walking around. Between Belmont, Division, and Hawthorne the sidewalks are occupied and these streets are filled with cyclists more than any other neighborhood of the Eastside. I would speculate even more than any other district of Portland. It’s exactly where you want to be if you are a person like myself who appreciates being amongst people.

The last direction many choose to take is east. By taking Spokane street up and over 17th on down to 19th. By taking a right there you’ll find yourself meeting up with The Springwater Corridor.

An Easy 40 Miles

Although it’s a little rough around the edges, The Springwater Corridor a favorite for both locals and tourists alike. This paved trail gives the Cyclist a tour through industrial areas, deep forests, and isolated suburbs of Portland. The section of trail from Johnson Creek to Boring spans roughly 20 miles. With only minor and intermittent inclines, it supplies any rider with an easy 40 mile ride.

There are a number of places to stop along the way and take in the sights. One noted spot is Cartlandia, which is home to over 30 food carts including Voo Doo Donuts. While having some opportunities for the leisurely cyclist, this trail is certainly primed toward those looking to get some miles in without many cars or distractions.

On The Trail.

*note: Parents! There’s plenty of space for taking your kids whether it’s with the two seated baby carrier or the ride-alongs. This ride is great for two or more people giving you the advantage of bonding with friends or family.

Food Is Amazing When You’re Hungry

If you’re like me, once you’ve completed a ride, you want to head straight to food. There are two Mexican taquerias I recommend in the area. The first one is along Hawthorne and is called Cha!Cha!Cha! The other one is called Por Que No? While the lines may be longer, it remains a gem that rivals its counter part. Delicious food, outdoor seating, and great service all while enjoying the urban scene.

Meandering Through North Portland

We rode through the bustle of North Portland, reaching out far beyond Alberta, through neighborhoods where the one ways incorporate traffic reducing medians that only permit cycling traffic. The streets here were quiet. We eventuallystopped to replenish our supplies at a Plaid Pantry then continued on our way. We rounded the slow turn on the Willamette turning ride continuing north again past the University of Portland. St. John’s was ahead.

Enjoying the view from St. Johns Bridge.

St. Johns in North Portland

St. John’s is a little known secret of Portland. The summer months draw folks in while the Winter makes this district a sleepy rendezvous. The St. Johns Farmers Market is a favorite weekend destination in the summer, along with Cathedral Park which sits under the Gothic Towers of St. Johns Bridge. It’s a beautiful place to sit a sketch, meet a friend for coffee, or stroll in the rain. Everything here feels like Portland, with a bit less bustle.

A shot of me on the deck of St. Johns Bridge.

Crossing The Bridge

As we crossed the deck of the bridge, the fog brought texture to the forest. The tall green spires of the bridge towered above us. There were only a few cars at a time on the bridge. We stuck to the right side of the bridge and rode up to the first transition. Here you can barely ride so we simply walked our bikes around the spires then hopped back on to continue.

We crossed over to the south side and took in the beauty that was all around us. Typically Portland is visible from here, but on not on this day. A thick layer of fog prevented such a view. It was a beautiful reward for the ride. Sometimes it is about the journey and sometimes it’s also about the destination. Each at times have their merits.

Bicycles, Helmets and Gear Oh My!

Tacoma’s waterfront is the premier bike path for a cruise. Old Town Bicycle is ready to get your bike that much needed tune up before Spring melts the Winter frost.

With three locations, Olympia on Capitol Way, Gig Harbor on Kimball Drive, and Tacoma’s McCarver St Location, Old Town Bicycle’s staff is ready to get you on the road.

Cycling Aspirations and Perspiration

Let’s be clear, I do not claim to be a cyclist. When I ride, it’s usually a pleasurable cruise down by the water. My beach cruiser is classic cream white with style, and of course she has a basket.

The only time I was semi-serious about cycling was for the annual Tour de Goldfish on Five Mile Drive. That race ended in a tag team Tandem Bicycle ascent to the finish.

READ: THINGS TO DO IN TACOMA: THE NARROWS BRIDGE

Get Tuned

If you are a cruiser like me, or a serious cyclist that needs the right gear for those long distance rides, Old Town Bicycle has you covered.

When I brought my beach cruiser in for a much needed tune up, I was greeted by several staff members who were ready to assist me. Alana described the different types of tune up’s the shop offered.

They cover everything from Standard to Deluxe tune ups, taking the time to clean, inspect, grease and adjust so my two wheeled transportation was ready once again to ride along the waterfront.

Gear Heads

The staff at Old Town Bicycle is friendly and knowledgeable. They were glad to discuss the importance of bike maintenance and the best ways to keep my bike in well working condition.

Helpful Hint: Giving your bike a bath, similar to washing your car keeps it in good condition. Washing prevents pebbles, sticks and nature from rusting chains or breaking gears.

We also discussed the right types of gear. Those funny shorts and Clip in shoes you see when a cyclist passes by in the bike lane are actually well worth the price for comfort and balance.

Old Town Bicycle has the right helmets, tires, water bottles and cycle gear you need to get out on the road feeling prepared.

Outdoor Adventures

Tacoma’s beauty is is better enjoyed outside. The bike path is a great way to do this. There are plenty of things to do in Tacoma on your two wheeled friend. There are tons of local trails and waterfront views to be enjoyed.

If you ever made a resolution to get active and healthy or trying a new sport, placing your feet to the pedals is a great solution

It’s never a bad time of year to get your bike tuned, especially if it hasn’t been done in a while.

Check out Old Town Bicycle’s Deluxe Tune Up Package! Be sure to tell them Clever Neighbor sent you!

Old Town Bicycle
Address: 3009 N McCarver St, Tacoma, WA 98403
Phone:(253) 573-9400
Hours: 10AM–6PM