08/02/09

Service with a Scowl

by nailbiter

This used to be my FAVORITE cafe. I've been going for years! But the last few times I've been there I've been disappointed. Today was a very busy sunday, not unlike other weekends I've been there, but the service was dismal. My server never made eye contact and she walked around like an aloof ghost, hardly keeping up with the pace. No coffee refills, no "how is everything?"....

I was a server for years and worked busy sunday brunches, so I'm aware of the stress involved but I was quick and smiley and I made SURE everyone always had enough coffee!

Anyway, I'm done with Utopia. There are many other breakfast places to choose from.

• Pros: good corned beef hash
• Cons: the current wait staff

06/08/09

Great Breakfast

by orderout

WOW what's happening here. Things must be worse with the economy here in Portland than I thought. Utopia Cafe not busy at 10:00 on a Sunday morning. This place is what breakfast in Portland is all about. The food and service can't be beat. I spoke with the owner and she said business is down, down about 30% and she's struggling. Help keep local businesses alive in these tough times. You won't regret trying Utopia or remembering that they're there.

• Pros: Great Service and Food

03/03/09

Best Help In Portland ?

by boze

Dear Valerie have a Happy 47th Birthday, see by the reviews you are still doing fine as you always have.

Every one here is doing fine, brothers and sister send their love, Your daughter Erin will be home for her

31st Birthday, as always we are looking forward to seeing her and Matt. They are doing wonderful in their new home and the dog loves having a acre of yard. By the way I understand that was a great little restruant you are working at . Hope to see you there soon. My girlefriend and I love to grab a bite out when we go big city shopping in portland and love the market across the street. Now that we can all see you at that wonderful little coffee shop it will be worth the trip to the big city. I understand from other reviews what to expect in quality of food that you prerare. I know your Dad is looking forward to it, the food that is.

Love as always Mom and Dad

02/07/09

Good food

by mdishner

I had read about Utopia for some time now, so I thought I'd drop in. Nice little restaurant, comfortable atmosphere, good music. I ordered the Brioche French Toast and a side of bacon. The French Toast was fantastic. Good coffee, too!

• Pros: Food, Coffee, Neat and clean
• Cons: None that I can think of?

01/12/09

What happened?

by goodfoodlover1984

We went for breakfast there last Sunday morning, after not being able to go for a while. No waiting. I was excited to get a table, and not have to wait the usual 30 minutes. Then our food arrived, and I figured out why. I ordered the bavacado scramble. The bacon pieces were dry and overcooked. I ran across something that I thought was melted cheese, but the next day, when my stomach was aggravated, I figured it may have been undercooked egg. One of my friends ordered the corned beef hash, or shall I say potato scramble, with a few dried pieces of hash. I also ordered a side of brioche french toast, the one item I was really looking forward to. The edges of the bread were so dry, and had no flavor at all. I remember the french toast being soft, and flavorful in the past, but it was not that way this last time. The service was fine, but the food was just not the same. What happened?

• Pros: No waiting
• Cons: Food not as good as it used to be.

12/03/08

Would an employee lie

by abiz

I am a server at Utopia. I started working there about 7 months ago because I love the food. The small cafe is run by a couple and our 5 person crew. We all have a great time at work and focus very hard on customer service and new creative ideas for specials. The restaurant is small and we all work very close together. I know it's strange to say you love you job but it's true. I love the food, the regulars and don't even mind the work! I read a review about the service and I find that situation hard to believe although I am very sorry and would like you to know we all work as a team and understand that the reason we are in business is because of you the customers. So please know that we have a nice establishment and strive on giving great customer service along with fact and delicious food.

Thank you for your time

11/05/08

Yikes !!

by pdxcupcake

After telling the waitress of my food allergy, I had to send the food back twice because it was ignored. When it came out the third time with the same ingrediant that I can't eat, the owner/manager became indignant and insisted it was not there. I asked if my allergy could be accomodated before I came in and was assured it would not be a problem. Poor customer service.

11/02/08

Decent food with stunningly bad service.

by mycroft

I went to Utopia Cafe on a Saturday Morning around 10. The place was clearly understaffed and disorganized and should remedy this, however this is no excuse for the incompetent and openly rude waitress who partially served our table. After several requests, we were able to get menus, but the waitress seemed to believe that the cost for menu access was our newspaper which she tried to take. From my friend's (not cold, dead) hands. Several more requests resulted in coffee, however we had to steal water from the busing station. Our waitress, a woman wearing a remarkably unfortunate beige sweater with ugly pink flowers, had to be coaxed into taking our order after three requests. When I asked to substitute something for which the menu offers substitution options, she snapped at me and condescendingly explained that the substitution was not allowed. I asked to see a manager and she rudely refused claiming he was too busy but I could return 4.5 hours later when they were quieter. Instead I opted for note on the bill explaining my decision not to offer a tip. Our meal, scrambled eggs, turned up half an hour after we finally managed to order. Best part? They probably would have been very good - if they were still hot. Needless to say, without some sort of assurance that the shrew who took our order has been summarily dismissed, I will not be returning.

• Pros: Food might be decent if still hot.
• Cons: Service not just rude, also incompetent, slow and ineffective.

10/24/08

Visitors

by dancontra

This place is Portland. We were visiting from out of town and asked the bartender at our hotel where to go for breakfast. Without hesitation she suggested Utopia. The menu has great variety for a small place and the feeling you get eating there is what I expected of Portland. CORN BEEF HASH.............The best I've ever had, giant chunks of corn beef. My wife had their blue corn pancakes, awsome.

Next time in Portland we'll be back

07/06/08

Great Sunday morning spot!

by LLBarton

This was our first time at Utopia Cafe and we will be back! Excellent breakfast scrambles, good portions, and creative specials. Blue corn pancakes were a surprise find, and the substitution of the day's special potato cakes for sauteed potatoes were the perfect side for my scramble. One of our party gobbled up banana bread French toast. Utopia offered a 2 or 3 slice option -- not something you find most places, and a welcome opportunity for portion (and price) control. Tasty sausage, excellent coffee, and relaxed atmosphere equal the perfect Sunday spot for catching up with friends. Don't tell anyone, but there was no waiting line even at the peak Portland breakfast hour of 9:00 AM! The restaurant was steady but never slammed. How nice is that?

• Pros: Food, service, options, creativity
• Cons: None