Last night, I met my friends for a productive dinner at Paradox Cafe. A few years ago, Paradox seemed to be hands down, the restaurant I visited the most in Portland. I lived in the Sunnyside neighborhood and was there regularly, often deciding between corn and 4-grain pancakes or rice and roasted potatoes on the old early bird list.
It’s amusing to look back on, and to have ever complained about, but it was one of the few places an old boyfriend of mine would ever dine at. I ordered a whole lot of those pancakes and would anticipating the changing of the seasonal decor and menu. On the bright side, dining at Paradox so often let me actually make my way through the menu. There are so many memories of brunches with old friends in the blue booths, casual dinners, and for some reason – I’m blaming a self-imposed fad in my early 20s?!? – drinking cups and cups of decaf coffee with a little pitcher of soymilk.
Our charming waitress sorta poses for a photo
These days, I don’t go as often as I’d like, maybe a few times a year – it’s Portland and I live in a different neighborhood – yet, I’ve gladly dined there twice in the past week. First, it was to reacquaint myself with a classic Portland breakfast (for dinner, even better) for Breakfast in Bridgetown, and the other was last night.
One of my favorite friends was working (who should comment if they want to be outed!) and I have to say, it seems like new management has brought changes for the even-better in the past year or so. For starters, “nooch” was on the specials board last week, and the menu looks more versatile – both in selections and pricing. They’ve added Field Roast sausages, more tempeh, and still have those great pancakes. I should really visit more often…
Paradox Tempeh Scramble - my tastebuds are still sick with the rest of me, so I figured lots of straight-up vegetables was a good move.
This place sounds lovely. I swear every time I read one of your PDX restaurant reviews I’m thisclose to proclaiming we’re jumping ship and moving out there. You’ve given me a ridiculously long list of places to eat at whenever I get myself out west.
Loving their old Country Comfort breakfast with the new Tempeh and Apple-Sage Field Roast options. My perfect hangover food!
inside scoop: the homemade garden sausage most likely will be disappearing from the menu in the next few weeks, as well as the meatballs and taco meat (the latter two i’m not *as* positive about), so if you like them, you should probably get your fill of them whilst you can.
what will be added: tater tots! tot-chos! and some other stuff, like a $5 and under menu.
sincerely,
your favorite waitress
Yum yum yum! I have been there a few times and loved it every time!
I’ve been there a few times and look forward to going back. Everything I’ve had is good. Wanting to try the pancakes/corncakes.
Hmmm…”tot-chos”?? Not that Brooklyn doesn’t have its own great vegan options…but I’ve got to get to Portland someday.
Everything looks great (um, except maybe the noodles with hair in them…), but since I have a pickle obsession, that fried pickle plate made me SO envious.
That plate looks epic!
i love the paradox!!
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