John Street Cafe

I have only had breakfast here, but mostly because this is the place I think of when I want to go out to breakfast.
Make sure and view the specials board when you visit.
My best breakfasts have been ordered off of it.
They offer both indoor and outdoor seating.
I love that the outdoor seating is dog friendly.
Service can be a little slow during busy times, but I think all restaurants struggle to get staffing these days. My go-to items...
scrambled eggs with asparagus, bacon and brie cheese, lemon-ricotta pancakes with blueberries, and the marinated chicken omelet with Italian sausage, cream cheese and sauce. 4/13/24 Another visit today with another great meal.
That raspberry jam on the sourdough toast is fire! I love this place.
Service was also excellent today.
5 stars all around!

Very average cafe with slightly higher than expected prices.
I can't really say that the food was better than any other breakfast restaurant that I've eaten at.
Combine this with the fact that the service was extremely mediocre, I didn't see any reason to return when there are dozens of restaurants in the same area.
I'd like to take a minute to provide a few critiques about the service.
As someone who has trained servers at five star restaurants there are two things that need to be immediately addressed.
First, a customer should never have to ask for water.
It's free.
As a server you should be wandering your tables, picture in hand, topping off customers water glasses.
Never let the customers water get below half.
Second, if you are tired, having a bad day, hung over, whatever is going on, you are in a customer service industry.
Put on a smile, speak up, make eye contact with the customer and if engaged by the customer, make small talk.
You are selling two products, food and your service. That aside the only other thing is value.
$4.25 for a side of potatoes is ridiculous.
It's a potato with minimal seasoning.
Seriously though have your cooks heard of salt? Do your cooks taste the food they serve? It was all very bland.

Cute local American fare breakfast spot. This is a perfect location for a lazy Sunday brunch.
Or if you have family staying at your place and you live in St John's come here to save yourself cleaning dishes and let John Street Cafe take care of you. They have all the staples for breakfast and a huge board of specials. If you're local to North Portland this place is a good spot for last minute brunch.