10/26/07

very yummy, worth the wait

by riverall

Everyone I dined with this morning very much enjoyed their food. I shared the brioche french toast and potato pancakes which were both very tasty. The service was excellent as well. I?ve never been disappointed with my overall experience at Helsers.

• Pros: excellent preparation
• Cons: sometimes a long wait, small space

03/31/09

Many Good Restaurants in Portland, but this is NOT one!

by RichardWilliams

I eat out a lot. There are many good places here in Portland - Helser's is NOT one of them!

Don't waste your time or money. These people do not know how to cook food or serve it. (or how to keep a place clean!!)

• Pros: They are closed most of the time!
• Cons: Sometimes they are open!

02/27/09

One of the Best Breakfast Places in Town

by J40

One of the best breakfast places in town.A variety of different dishes on menu so don't always have your favorite, try something new.What good restaurant doesn't have a wait.Peak breakfast hours are very busy, so be prepared. If you don't like to wait then call ahead, Helser staff will glady take your name and add it to the waiting list. Just make sure that you are there on time and all of your party is present as they are a smaller restaurant and can not wait to seat you.Kids are always welcome at Helsers, they have a menu for kids, cups with lids, coloring and toys available in the front.My sister takes her 3 kids in all the time and has never been snubbed, so I find that statement to be false. My visits have always been good and sometimes you have to adjust to the atmosphere, the atmosphere does not adjust to you. No one would ever be happy then.

• Pros: Great food

12/18/08

OMGAWD. Just thinking of Helser's is making my mouth water.

by randomavailablename

This is probably my favorite breakfast place in Portland. Their food is delicious and it's not too expensive. Their apple sausage is to die for!

• Pros: Extremely delicious food.
• Cons: Longer wait than usual for food.

11/29/08

New Favorite Breakfast

by ffiore

First time at Helser's and I was very impressed. For a holiday weekend (Thanksgiving) the service was very quick and efficient. The food was sooooo good- we all cleared our plates. And affordable! There were three of us, we got a french press coffee which was like six dollars, and the total was around thirty bucks including tips. My waffle was especially outstanding- obviously not frozen, like many places in town serve you. Fresh, crispy, nice and eggy. Highly recommended!!

• Pros: Affordable, delicious, great menu
• Cons: Parking in Alberta area can be tough.

11/07/08

Good place, smells that linger...

by amygard

The food here is very good and they have some interesting offerings. Their fruit garnishes (a slice of orange and a couple grapes at most places) are abundant, fresh, and diverse. The staff is friendly and service is fairly prompt. The only negative about this place is that their ventilation is terrible and you leave there smelling like a fry cook who's just come off a 10 hour shift. It took several days for the smell to dissipate from my backpack...

10/24/08

Ignore the negative reviews...

by bentrider

I don't get the negative reviews... I've made a point of trying as many breakfast joints as I can on the east side, and Hesler's is much better than most. The food is tasty, of good quality and variety within its limited design, the coffee is just fine, and the service people range from OK to wonderful. What more could you want? If it's too pricey for you, get there before 9am for the $4.50 special and less crowded atmosphere. IMO, the many negative reviews say more about the reviewer than this honest little cafe.

08/06/08

decent food, way more expensive than "cheap eats" suggest

by j2stinwill

common, almost 10 bucks for french toast? and it was dry. a friend loved his meal, but if you are a breakfast orientated place you should be able to atleast make french toast. thanks but no thanks.

07/09/08

a down hill slide?

by faerymama

i live really close to helser's and have eaten there frequently for a while now. lately, it seems that all of the regular servers have left and the quality of service has declined alot. orders aren't taken correctly--getting poached eggs when i ordered scrambled--and the food sits in the window for a long time before anyone thinks to bring it to the table so everything in lukewarm at best. the food also seems to be inconsistent, too. the fruit that accompanies the dishes isn't the best quality and no one seems to have any qualms about putting decomposing fruit on the plate. it's all really too bad because this place has been my favorite on alberta street , but i think i'd rather wait in line at tin shed because at least there, the food and quality of service is top notch.

• Pros: no wait during the week
• Cons: terrible service, inconsistent food

07/01/08

Solid food and usually solid service

by knary

As it's only a couple blocks from our home, we've been eating there regularly for three plus years. The food is solid, and the service usually good. Is it the greatest breakfast place? no. If you're looking for a breakfast "event", I wouldn't choose it. But when we want a straight forward breakfast at an ok price, it's our top choice. We almost never go to Tin Shed because by the time the food arrives, I've written a novel and eaten someone's child. Helser's is ready and willing to serve half portions of most anything and will make you most anything you ask for.

Best is before 9 am, especially during the week, when Helser's serves a limited menu of sane portions for a modest price.

• Pros: nice people, good location, amazing bacon
• Cons: noisy, busy on weekends

06/13/08

Slow service, average food

by porkee

went to brunch during the weekend. we didn't have to wait cause we got the last table, but the people after us waited 15-20 mins. like the other reviews said, the service was slow. they had two servers covering the floor (~10 tables?). the crumpet does not go well with the smoked salmon benedict (too soft - would have been better with a biscuit), though the salmon and hollendaise tasted good. hot links were spicy and flavorful. potato cakes were flavored well, but could have had a better texture (too soft- i like mine crispy exterior with soft interior). brioche french toast was unevenly flavored and pretty bland. center of french toast was too soft without a firm crust to my liking. if you want good breakfast/brunch on alberta, try Tin Shed down the street

• Pros: hot links
• Cons: slow service, mediocre food