Violet's Cafe
Portland, OR 97213
Phone: (503) 281-7933
User Reviews for Violet's Cafe
- 1-10 of 36
- Next
- See All 36 User Reviews
07/28/2008 Posted by MartyP
It was a great morning place. Nice atmosphere. Indoor & Outdoor seating, local color, The wait staff were fun and engaging. The Coffee was good. The Homemade Cinnamon Buns were incredible.
07/07/2008 Posted by hrg51675
My husband and I have frequented Violet's for year. In the past, we've had great food and lack-luster service. That has changed. While we had the kindest service ever, the food completely sucked. My english muffin wasn't toasted, the hashbrowns were not at all "browned" but rather still raw and wet potato. The server even brought us replacement potatos, but they were still undercooked. The eggs chewy. The variety of fruit that one garnished the plate is now a single orange slice. The coffee was weak. Real sugar (C&H or Raw) wasn't available at the table, and upon request we were given a total of 4 packets to restock the table and use in our two coffees. The kids toys have been removed for fear of dirt, or so we were told. The good news, you don't have to wait for a table at Violet's anymore.
Pros: They finally got the service right
Cons: The food was bad.
06/08/2008 Posted by Danielkw
I wasn't expecting much when I walked into Violet's this week. The cheeriness of my waitress, who I believe was named Lydia, was a wonderful way to start out the meal. She said all the right things. I've always believed that the attitude of the server is what impacts your dining experience the most, and Lydia was second to none. The food came promptly and was great quality for the price. Good size portions too. Overall a near perfect dining experience. I'd suggest it to all that appreciate good food and good people.
Pros: Service, value, service.
Cons: none.
05/29/2008 Posted by izokv
wow this place use to rock....now it sinks so bad i cant believe we didnt just walk out .the staff are is so rude the food has little to NO flavor at all and the prices are sky high.please do the world a favor and close this restaurant asap go across the street to biscuits they rock
Pros: it had working lights
Cons: they let people eat here
05/26/2008 Posted by laxler07
Don't worry avid violets fans! As of the beginning of june 2008 violets will yet again be under new ownership. Lets hope it works out this time!!
05/04/2008 Posted by eliot503
I should have read the reviews before I choose this restaurant. The service was horrible from the time I walked in the door, and I should have walked out then. After we got seated, it took a good 10 minutes before anyone greeted us at our table, another 5 or so minutes before we had coffee, and when our food arrived, it was...horrible. The "home fries" were RAW. When I mentioned it to the waitress, it took another 10 minutes for her to tell us the cook is "new" and she explained how she has told him over and over how to cook the potatoes, but he just doesn't understand. She didn't offer us any other substitutes, and had the nerve to give us a 10% off coupon for our next visit. The potatoes were almost half the meal, why wouldn't she comp a portion or the full meal? When I asked her if she would at least comp the scone, she had to go ask the manager. Needless to say, I will never return to this restaurant, it's a waste of time and money, and a terrible place to start my Sunday morning.
Pros: can't think of a single thing
Cons: terrible service, expensive, food was raw
03/24/2008 Posted by kbgire
I have not been to Violet's since the new owners took over, which I understand was sometime last fall, so about 6 months ago? It was one of my favourite places to go when we moved into the neighbourhood about 6 years ago. First with our dog - he would get a bowl of water and a treat. Then with our first child, and then our second. I took both my girls for an Easter breakfast yesterday morning and I could have cried on my way home. I had a simple breakfast of two fried eggs, home fries (teeny portion - before, they would have been overflowing on the plate) and 2 pancakes and the two driest looking pieces of bacon I've ever seen! The eggs were undercooked, the home fries were soft and tasted a day or two old and the only fruit on the plate was a couple of orange slices. And, all this for $9!! Also, I should have known something was amiss when it was after 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning and I had a choice of seats! It is very sad to see the ratings on here go from 5 stars to one over the course of a couple of months. I thought it was just a bad luck of the draw on my part until I came on here. I really hope they can save it or get the magic formula from the old owners. I miss them!
Pros: None any more, unfortunately
Cons: Food and value for money
02/23/2008 Posted by badether
Violet's used to be a delicious place for super fresh tasty breakfast NOT ANY MORE. We have been going to Violet's for years and understood when they switched owners that there was going to be some growing pains well 5 mos later and things have gotten worse. The menu prices have gone up, things once included in dishes like the fruit cups are now an additional charge. The orders came out at different times, bacon was cold & so greasy it was limp, home fries were so old they were like dehydrated potatoes-there was no potato in the middle! Oh, but they so seem to be adding more eggs to everything as if that will make up for the fact that there is less of anything fresh. If I want a huge tasteless meal I'd have gone to Biscuits across the street. The wait staff seem to be trying to be attentive however we received our bill before we received our water! This was a really sad miserable breakfast. WE ARE PLEADING WITH THE OLD OWNERS TO OPEN A NEW JOINT! We miss you!!!!
Pros: You no longer have to wait in line!
Cons: EVERYTHING
02/17/2008 Posted by jgayla
I used to enjoy taking my daughter for breakfast here when it was under different ownership. My family recently had breakfast here and not only did it take a long time to be seated, it took forever for the food to arrive too. When we asked the waiter a question about something on the menu, he said, "I don't know the answer to that." I heard him tell someone else nearby who had a question, "I may or may not know the answer to that." Nice. The food was simply gross. The eggs were undercooked, the coffee was lame. We will never go here again.
Pros: fairly good location
Cons: bad food, annoying service
02/13/2008 Posted by jcc123
We've been going to Violet's probably 20x/year for three years. Until the new owner took over. I read an article when the family sold the business that said the new owner vowed to keep everything the same and not wreck a great thing. Unfortunately, that hasn't seemed to happen. The coffee, once strong and your cup always full, is much weaker and I don't even know if it's the same kind any more. The home fries used to be so delicious and a staple to any weekend order. Now they're bland and the quantity on the plate seems much smaller. The prices have been raised--up to $2 per dish! The service was garbage--dirty, unbussed tables everywhere, wait staff doing who knows what while customers wait around. The food took a long time to come to the table. And when it arrived, we were so sad because we realized it was probably the last time we would go to Violet's. It used to be a secret gem in the neighborhood, great reliable food, wonderful staff, quick service, and the long wait outside was worth it because of your experience. Now I'd call it mediocre and to be honest, I'd rather find a new special breakfast place than always compare this new iteration with the old, incomparable Violet's. I would suggest to the new owner that she try to get some assistance from the previous owner's (maybe the daughters?) to try to regain some of the old flavor.
Cons: It's gone downhill since the family sold the business
- 1-10 of 36
- Next
- See All 36 User Reviews

