Arleta Library Bakery and Café

Recommends

jwhitney2

Joined 6 years ago

Spectacular Cafe/Restaurant in Portland!!!. I am a concert promoter so I travel often. I must say I was amazed upon discovering this cafe in Portland. I have been back everytime I am on assignment in the area. My favorite is "The Witless" turkey sandwich. They take a normal sandwich and make it taste like it's fine cuisine. As a matter of fact, that's the best way to describe all the meals I've had there. They take what would usually be a normal meal (Turkey Sandwich, BLT, Bisquits and Gravey) and they upgrade it so it tastes like fine dining. The Cheesesteak on Thursdays is the best cheesesteak I've had outside of Philly (I grew up in a Philly suburb so, trust me, I know). The atmosphere is inviting and the service has always been extremely congenial. I spoke with, who I assume, was the owner and he mentioned that they are planning on expanding with an outside deck due to increased popularity and demand. If the food and experience continues to remain at the high level that it has in the past, they are going to need more than a new deck; they're going to have to open 3 or 4 other restaurants! If you are in Portland or visiting you MUST visit this cafe.

Recommends

priceless1

Joined 6 years ago

Oh my oh my what a yummy yummy place. Well, you'd never know there was a yummy little place like in the Mt Scott area. They make a muffeletta sandwich that was excellent- and I've been to New Orleans. Their Cheesesteak Thursday is a calendar marking experience and we have marked ours. And they have breakfast too!

This is a place you go and thank your lucky stars you found it. Heartly recommend this place, you'll love it all!

Recommends

hairy_carey

Joined 6 years ago

The Arleta Library Cafe? I LOVE that place!. I moved to this outer southeast wasteland off Foster Rd. from NW Portland three years ago. I really missed the amenities of living where the action is, but things are finally starting to look up since this new joint opened down the street. It's got the best food of any place for miles. They make everything from scratch--from their ham to their jam. The brunch on the weekends is really good and there's usually a lot of people waiting for a table, so I go on the week days most of the time. I'm working my way through the menu--so far everything has been excellent or beyond. I especially love Philly cheesesteak Thursdays (ask for yours "Philly style" and get the secret sauce) and their biscuits and gravy are among Portland's best.

The espresso-laced little motivator cookies are crazy good and jack you up for hours and their sour cream coffee cake is hands-down the best I've EVER had.

The place is small and family-owned so they don't have a huge amount of choices, but the service is friendly and attentive.

Recommends

gramma

Joined 7 years ago

A little neighborhood gem!. During a recent stay in the area, I ate almost daily at the Arleta Libray Cafe. I would recommend everything that I had. The date scone was the best I have ever had. The Portland scramble was excellent and hot from the first bite to the last. The Weezie was a sandwich that is delicious and filling. If I lived in Portland, I would be a regular at this cafe that not only offers excellent food but friendly service and cozy atmosphere.

Recommends

pdxg

Joined 7 years ago

Freshly prepared sandwiches, brunch food, baked treats, and more in Southeast Portland.. Fresh ingredients and simple ideas meet culinary expertise at one of my new favorite breakfast/lunch spots in Portland. The food is the attraction here, but the atmosphere is warm and friendly. The sandwiches rank among the best I have tasted from Elephants, Zupans, or New Seasons. Try a salad or bowl of (real) minestrone with a sandwich at lunch, or treat yourself to brunch on the weekends. The daily specials are superb, the breads and pastries delicious, and the coffee outstanding. I visit often, with grownups and kids alike, and am always happy that I did.

Recommends

kitacar

Joined 7 years ago

Best Food for miles around!. This cafe is such a breath of fresh air for my neighborhood. I really cannot rave enough about the quality of the food, service and atmosphere. I have eaten both breakfast and lunch as well as had baked goods and absolutely everything has been delicious. The coffee alone is worth the trip, so come check it out.

Recommends

wreckingpaul

Joined 7 years ago

Kick A$$!. I only have a couple of favorite breakfast places in Portland, and this is now top on my list. The food comes hot, and is obviously prepared by culinary pros. The staff is welcoming from the moment you walk in, and the service is great. I highly recommend the Portland scramble with shrooms and bacon. Comes with potatoes - this is one of the few places in PDX that knows how to do them right - crispy on the outside, hot and soft in the middle, a little rosemary and to top it off homeade ketchup - little piggy heaven.

The pastrys are also excellent, but you will be too full from breakfast to even think about eating one until late afternoon.

They only do brunch on weekends, so I need to skip out of work one day to try lunch that looks by the menu to be worth the loss in pay I will incur for playing hookie!

Recommends

indymotown

Joined 7 years ago

Mt. Scott/Arleta finally has a great breakfast/lunch place. i'm not sure too many places can boast of homemade ketchup, but it's the little things that makes this cafe just as good or better that many of the great breakfast places around portland. thank goodness outer SE area has a close place to grab a quick roast beef sammy (slow roasted by ALBC) or spend a brunch sipping on stumptown coffee and slathering fresh strawberry jam on pearl bakery/arleta bread.

the atmosphere isn't pretentious and the staff is very welcoming.

I've noticed a significant drop off in quality restaurants once your leave hawthorne in the SE. It picks back up around sellwood but the middle ground is kinda shaky. This new place fits a gaping hole. The area is up and coming (like many fringe portland areas). This should be a great start to reshaping the mt. scott/arleta area.

Recommends

cowboy_clyde

Joined 7 years ago

A neighborhood oasis!. What a treat to have this new place in an area of southeast that has no other decent food. They use quality ingredients (Stumptown coffee and everything is from scratch) and the cooking is top-notch. My favorites so far are the french toast and the beef hash. They have the best sandwiches in town, too. It is also nice that they have fresh, homemade baked goods - the morning glory muffins rock! I can't rave enough about this place. I live nearby, but I'd still drive across town to eat at the Arleta Library.