Multi-ethnic, Vegetarian, Chicken & Seafood - Many Gluten-free choices
(503) 505-6079
1300 E Burnside St
Portland,
OR
97214
45.5228
-122.6524
Neighborhoods: Buckman, Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program
What People Are Saying About Old Wives' Tales
The Owner
Old Wives' Tales
Owner
Old Wives' Tales has been open since 1980, offering a multi-ethnic menu of vegetarian, chicken and seafood dishes. The extensive menu, including many small plates and a la carte choices, makes it possible to select a range of dining experiences from light meals to multi-course feasts. The restaurant is famous for its Salad Bar and for its Hungarian Mushroom Soup, which is always available on the Soup Bar, along with fresh Clam Chowder and two choices of vegan, gluten-free vegetable soups that change daily. Virtually everything is house-made, emphasizing fresh produce, whole grains, natural…
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short – Old Wives' Tales ranks among Portland's favorite kid spots. It's got a colorful playroom and plenty of dishes to please finicky palates--grilled cheese, noodles with Parmesan and cream, steamed veggies and burritos among them. Vegetarians can rejoice in having choices. In addition to daily specials, much of the lengthy menu is devoted to health-conscious and meat-free dishes. Best bets include Hungarian mushroom soup, spinach and potato omelette, poppy-seed pancakes, guacamole salad and the salad bar.
10/24/09
SUNDAY BRUNCH
by jacob tanford
This is where we like to meet friends for brunch on Sunday. It has a central location without the hassle of being downtown. And that increasingly rare-in-Portland commodity: lots of free parking. The brunch menu is large and both the servers and the kitchen are really on top of it--coffee keeps coming and before you know it, there's your food! Although it has long been a popular place, we rarely have difficulty getting seated right away because they have lots of tables in three dining rooms. If you call ahead, they can put together a table for 10 or 20 by the time you get there. So when we want to get together with one or two other families--no problem.
- Pros: QUICK SERVICE, EASY FREE PARKING
- Cons: No sandwiches until noon
10/22/09
GREAT BREAKFAST WHENEVER YOU WANT IT
by jack asherton
I've been having breakfast here several times a week for years. They have a big breakfast menu with some outstanding dishes you won't find anywhere else in town. I often get the oatmeal-cornmeal pancakes with their thick sliced applewood smoked bacon. They make their own spicy chicken sausage patties and when they have the roasted potato special with the chicken sausage, green chilies, jack cheese and sour cream, I always order that. I work different shifts at a nearby hospital, so I really like the fact that I can get breakfast just about whenever I want it, except very late at night after they close. This is a place that I can bring anyone I work with because there's also several tofu scramble dishes and there's even gluten-free toast and english muffins.
- Pros: Best bacon and sausage in town
- Cons: Not open in the wee hours
10/20/09
THE BEST HUNGARIAN MUSHROOM SOUP IN TOWN
by inajane cowan
If you eat at a lot of other Portland neighborhood restaurants you will notice that many places from time to time will have Hungarian Mushroom Soup on the menu. Since there is not otherwise much in the way of Hungarian food in Portland, you might wonder why. Well, those of us who have been making the rounds of Portland restaurants for the last 20 years have realized that it is because Old Wives' Tales has made Hungarian Mushroom Soup famous. They have served it daily for many years, and OWT has such a loyal following for this soup that lots of other restaurants have added it to their rotating daily soup specials. But if you really want the Hungarian Mushroom Soup peak experience, Old Wives' Tales is the place to come. They serve it daily and if you come here some morning for breakfast you can even see people ordering it in the morning, getting their Hungarian Mushroom fix long before lunch time. I buy a quart of it to take home, either to serve as is, or over egg noodles with beef -- shortcut to the best Stroganoff!
- Pros: Ultimate comfort food on a rainy day
- Cons: It does contain wheat flour and so is not gluten-free
The Details on Old Wives' Tales
Where to Sit:
If the noise coming from the direction of the jungle gym hampers your dining experience, there are seats in the back room.
Category:
Restaurants, Health Food Stores
Payment Methods:
American Express, Check, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Family-Friendly Dining, Breakfast
Cuisine:
Message from Old Wives' Tales
- Breakfast Anytime
- Central Location Free Parking
- Healthy Kids' Menu & Playroom
Old Wives' Tales has been open since 1980, offering a multi-ethnic menu of vegetarian, chicken and seafood dishes. The extensive menu, including many small plates and a la carte choices, makes it possible to select a range of dining experiences from light meals to multi-course feasts. The restaurant is famous for its Salad Bar and for its Hungarian Mushroom Soup, which is always available on the Soup Bar, along with fresh Clam Chowder and two choices of vegan, gluten-free vegetable soups that change daily.
Virtually everything is house-made, emphasizing fresh produce, whole grains, natural chicken and wild seafood. Ingredients are carefully selected to avoid preservatives and other unhealthy additives or "mystery ingredients".
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