Delta Cafe

09/02/08

Dirty..not authentic at all!

by sunlife2002 at Citysearch

My husband and I live just a few blocks from the Delta. I am from the south and agree that the food is not all that authentic, however I have not found an authentic southern restaurant in Portland ever. The sweet tea and Mac and Cheese is my favorite. But even living so close, we usually vote for another restaurant. If you get a chance, walk past the side door on the outside of the rastaurant that leads to the kitchen, you will probibly gag and turn right around. My husband jokes that the reason for the "mood lighting" is to distract people from the dirt and lack of cleanliness. YUCK!

• Pros: Sweet tea, mac and cheese
• Cons: very dirty, slow service, loud

08/27/08

This is the place

by gojo25 at Citysearch

If you live in SE be sure to check this place out! Great service, great food, cheap beer! Be sure to try the "southern sampler".

• Pros: cheep beer
• Cons: often crowded

07/20/08

Good prices, good food, Slow service

by jnd005 at Citysearch

I went to the Delta Cafe based on the other reviews. The food was good, the prices were decent, but it was to atmosphere that really pulled me in. It's obvious that the Delta Cafe is a well-loved neighborhood hang-out. The only problems I had were the SLOOOOOW service (although the waitress said she had been there for several years, our drinks ran out, it took about 30-40 mins for our food to come out, and she walked by constantly without actually checking to see if we needed anything) and the TERRIBLE TOFU. It's obvious that no one in that kitchen knows anything about tofu. Oh well. It's still worth it -- the meatloaf is great.

• Pros: Good food, easy to find, great atmosphere
• Cons: slow slow slow slow

06/11/08

Southern Fried Fantasy

by SackyD at Citysearch

Delta Cafe simply rules. If what you're craving is great southern-style comfort food at a reasonable price then you can't go wrong with this Woodstock beauty. They have a dizzying selection of sides including the standards mac-n- cheese, biscuits and gravy and grits - all served to perfection and in copious amounts. I have fallen under the spell of their fried chicken and have had a hard time ordering much else. Lately however the saucy, spicy ribs have knock some sense into me, reminding me there is plenty more on the menu worth knoodlin'. The fearless will appreciate the strong drinks that will put a smile on your face as you admire the down-to-earth hand crafted decorum, devoid of the pretension that plagues many other less worthy bistros. The service has always been prompt, friendly and helpful without being over-eager and never aloof.

I?ve been to the Delta Cafe several times in the past year and the experience just keeps getting better.

04/21/08

Authentic Portland

by notAhippie at Citysearch

(first time review) We took my mom there for her BD since she grew up in the south. I loved the decor, we all commented on how much we liked the music playing, the menu was funny and creative and the food was correct and delicious. Our waiter had a great attitude; we asked where the cornbread went and he actually ran to get it for us. I'm eating the leftovers right now for lunch and the smell is intoxicating. I don't think you could really design a resturant like this on purpose - it's just the real Portland character.

04/18/08

BEST SOUTHERN/SOUL FOOD IN PORTLAND

by pixie29 at Citysearch

I have yet to eat at a southern/soul food place better than Delta Cafe. It is great! We have been to Bernie's and Screen Door and they are overpriced w/no flavor. Delta is the real deal (or as close to it as possible) w/great fried chicken and yummy mac-n-cheese. The portions are great and the price is good, things are homemade but they only take cash!

• Pros: Food is great!
• Cons: Didn't have A/C during summer, kinda warm in there

04/17/08

Hopelessly Disappointing

by LJB32 at Citysearch

I would really like to eat at the Delta, but somehow each time I try the place, I am hopelessly disappointed. From surly service to cold food to long waits, the Delta just ain't what it used to be. Don't even try to order take-out food - I have been left on hold, had the phone hung up, and been ignored for several minutes. The food also leaves a lot to be desired. The greens are too mushy, the grits to gluey, and the steak over salted. BTW, where did the Chicken and Dumplings go? As for the waiting, it seems that Delta time does not involve customer service. Tables go uncleared while wait staff chat about their dogs at the counter.

Too bad. The neighborhood could use a a good local place.

• Cons: Poor Service, doesn't take credit cards, mediocre food

04/15/08

Good food, cool ambiance,,,need to shut the front door on cold night

by d4r4him at Citysearch

Great food and unique ambiance. The food portions are hugh. I had the catfish, mac and cheese, collared green. YUM. Another had the creol and corn bread. I ate some of it and it was wonderful, large and tasty. Another in the party had fried chicken, more mac and cheese and cornbread. They loved it. The fourth person had the "white trash meatloaf" - funny name, great taste and large portion. Of the four, the smallest portion was the catfish, fortunately the others were not as hungry as I was...I got to taste, finish portions of there dinner. Bummer for them, more time in the gym for me, but worth every bite.

The only down side was the place was very cold due to open doors at opposite ends of the building....fix that and it would be superb.

We found the place on the web and next time we are in town, we shall return, with a warmer coat and a better appetite.

Thanks for the web lead on this place...

• Pros: portions, taste, cool setting
• Cons: cold and needs a bit more lighting

02/20/08

walkin with elvis

by Sirisak at Citysearch

have to conceede, dont know all there is to know about soul food, but i'd call this comfy food more than soul.

white trash meatloaf - need we say more. yummy as can be. kitch gone wild, staff and decor - but love it or leave it really fits. bring lots of friends and share.

bbq is good, mac and cheese - especially after a few stiff drink, is a love affair. it isn't haute cuisine, it is happy cusine. have fun, live, let live, enjoy.

loud at times, set expectations to beam me about scotty, set your belt buckle to 'whateva' and have a good time. you'll be fat, happy and smiling. go with that expectation and you'll be glad you're still kicking

• Pros: just have fun and enjoy
• Cons: sometimes tatooed people are bitter about their life choices

02/14/08

Southern Cuisine-Sort Of...

by LaneMeyer at Citysearch

The Delta is all over the board. I must admit I am not a "Soul Food" critic, but here goes...

I lived blocks away from the Delta a few years back. Had the fried chicken and cornbread on a take-out basis a couple of times. Average. Found the cornbread a bit sweet. Had my first dine-in experience in late December of 2007. Rolled in about 6pm with a date. Service was good, food was average. Heard many horror stories about service, can't say for sure, but the tatooed folks roaming about seemed a tad aloof. Joint was slow at the time. Who knows...Greens slightly underdone, beans and rice unremarkable, blackened catfish average, pulled pork sandwich nothing special. Would go back if I was in the old neighborhood, but wouldn't go too far out of my way. 40oz bottles of Pabst are cute and all, but no excuse for a dining experience. As far as price is concerned, not as cheap as one might expect.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Menu
• Cons: Price, Parking, Service