We finally made it all the way out to the Country Cat. The fried chicken was superb, served on a bed of greens and bacon and with a biscuit. The whole dish is drizzled in maple syrup. Not for the purists, but for those with no preconceptions, delicious. My wife had the special, an 8 oz beef tenderloin, grilled and served with a cool salad of wax beans, cucumbers and wax beans. We both started with salads. The butter lettuce with green goddess dressing refreshing, with a poached egg adding some richness. The red iceberg with roasted sweetcorn and blackberries was also good. The sour cherry pie was amazing, the velvety bourbon ice cream contradicting the slightly sour fruit. The brandied peaches with honeycomb and pecan ice cream were disarmingly simple, just a few slices of peaches lid on top of ice cream studded with pecans and honeycomb. The service was like the food. Everyone was friendly and approachable, obviously seriously into the food and eager to talk about it. Definitely on the list for a return visit.
(4)
Jim B.
Great comfort food. I had the braised beef and my wife had the fried chicken along with sides of brussel sprouts and collard greens. I've had much better chicken but the beef was wonderful. Good sized portions, but save room for the pudding trio dessert.
(4)
Blaine B.
Great American food. Great vibe. Had the burger, wings, and onion rings. Very good.
(4)
Willow W.
Well, I have now tried dinner at Country Cat, and I wasn't very impressed. The atmosphere still rocks and service is good, but the food was overpriced and underinteresting. Two in our party got the $18 fried chicken, which was pretty good. My dinner was a crostada with morels and seasonal veggies. The idea and the texture were great, but the flavor was quite boring. My friend got some sides, but they were boring as well. The other entrees were about $20, with the exception of a great looking hamburger piled high with onion rings for $11. I'd say stick to breakfast here, or go for a drink and a bar snack, which is a different menu.
(3)
Lara G.
Hot chicken wings. Duck leg. Paper thin onion rings. Ginger lemon drinks. Peanut butter chocolate cake. Heaven. We ate at the bar and enjoyed water drinks refilled instantly, along with every other need instantly met. We loved everything we had, but were warned by the bartender that this is a restaurant with ADD, and not to expect the same thing twice. I would love to replicate the same crazy spread, but I'm sure I will enjoy the next culinary adventure!
(5)
Tanna P.
Great quality food and cocktails. Kinda pricy, street parking. Staff is very friendly. The place is very clean and comfortable. I went for brunch on Easter Sunday. I got the biscuits and Gravy and is was so delicious that i over ate and got very full. I also had a whiskey and ginger-ale and that was great.
(4)
Juanita M.
This place rocks for breakfast! I've been to Portland twice now and both times we went to The Country Cat for breakfast/brunch. I've never been disappointed in the food. The second and most recent visit was with my husband and our best friends. The waitress suggested the Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken & Toasted Pecan Spoonbread. She stated people drive (which is unheard of apparently in Portland) for that meal. Since Portlanders gauge places by walk-ability or bike-ability... driving was a big deal. So two of us got that meal, the other three got different meals so we try. Every dish was fabulous! I would say that the dish she suggested is worth driving for. :-). We are looking forward to our next visit to Portland.. The Country Cat is a definite stop when in the area.
(4)
chelsea s.
Hell yea...nothing else to say
(5)
Adriana K.
Apparently, all of Portland has beat me to showering the Country Cat with accolades. I will add. I love brunch. I really do. It only can get better if you can split the best of both worlds with sweet and savory. A friend and I were seated in a corner best for watching the holiday rush of people bustling in and out and decided to order the Whiskey Custard Challa French Toast - suddenly, my pounding headache from over indulgence the night before dissapated, who cares if it has alcohol - this sounds decadent! It was. SO good. The savory egg scramble that followed was more generic, and not as memorable. Due to my current state, I couldn't bring myself to order the made from scratch- served with house make jerky bloody mary. Another time. What impressed (but didn't surprise) me was the local ingredients, a tasteful atmosphere, helpful and patient staff (do they submit headshots when they apply for jobs here??) and some real talent for bringing the best out of simple flavors.
(4)
Hovie G.
We were very disappointed with our introductory experience at "the Country Cat" especially given the pedigree of its owners having trained with Wildwoods. The beet salad was pretty much bland and the mushrooms soup was nicely flavored but served tepid. The steelhead was delicious but served at room temperature if that. The restaurant has potential in terms of the cuisine if they can figure out how to serve their hot food hot. We were also very surprised to see that we were charged three bucks for asking for a little extra gravy for the mashed potatoes which were served with only a dribble of gravy.
(2)
Joe D.
My wife and I had dinner at the country cat a few days ago and I have, absolutely, not stopped thinking about their fried chicken since. I want it for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week. I want that fried chicken for a midnight snack. I want to drop everything I have, my job, responsibilities, etc and go be with my one true love: country cat fried chicken. We got to the restaurant around 6pm on a Thursday evening and they were just filling up. They had initially wanted to sit us at the 'chefs counter' but that is not really our style. We persisted and snagged the last available booth. The place only got busier going forward. The restaurant is a tad on the small side for how good and busy they can be. But the interior is beautifully designed with clean edges and wonderful lighting. One of the issues that I did have with the place was that it was far too cold inside. Granted, it was one of the coldest nights of the year. But that is no excuse. Every time someone opened the door a harsh gust of cold air filled the dining room and drove us to huddle in the booth. For starters, I ordered a Manhattan and we decided on splitting the Wedge of Butter Lettuce salad. The drink was well made and stiff. What really impressed, however, was the whiskey selection. You have to appreciate a place that offers up Makers Mark as their 'cheap' whiskey. The salad was absolutely delicious. So simple and so good. A wedge of butter lettuce topped with a good amount of homemade green goddess dressing and a soft boiled egg. The flavors played off each other fantastically. For the entree my wife got the whole hog and I, clearly, got the fried chicken. The whole hog plate was fantastic. Three different slabs of high quality deliciously cooked pig meat on sweet potato and balsamic braised plums. In my book, you can not go wrong with a dish featuring rolled pig belly, smoked shoulder and grilled ham steak. There was some debate between my wife and I over the sweet potato dish. It was savory, rather than sweet. I was a big fan. She could have done without it. Overall though, we both agreed that this was an A+ meal. On to the fried chicken. I can not get this meal out of my head. It was that good. I do not know that I have ever had proper fried chicken before. And, I have to admit, I was skeptical about even ordering chicken out. I am normally not a fan. But I had read too many reviews of this dish to pass it up. I was not disappointed. The dish itself was simple enough. A bed of perfectly braised collards and bacon sat at the bottom of the plate. These were, hands down, the best collards that I have ever had. If this was the best part of the meal I would not have been disappointed. As things stood however, it was hard for them not to be an after thought. The greens were sitting in just enough sauce to impart flavor to all aspects of the meal while not allowing anything to get soggy. Sitting atop the collards were three of the most delicious, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, overall fantastic knock your socks off pieces of boneless chicken that were ever imagined on earth. The outside of the chicken was extremely flavorful, crispy and sat with just enough of the aforementioned collards juice to pick up flavor. On top of all of this, sitting in the center, was a fantastic homemade biscuit. I bake bread myself and am quite the fan of all things 'biscuit'. The country cat has taken biscuit making to a whole new level. I can think of no better word to describe this magic concoction of flour, water and butter than 'rustic'. The inside was velvety smooth while the outside was perfectly crisp and flaky. I have never eaten a bread product and never even thought of adding more butter before. Drizzled over the whole meal was just a touch of very light honey. It touched everything off perfectly. I highly recommend going here and getting the Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken. Even if you are not a fan of chicken normally. The whole hog was good too. But get there before 6pm and try to go on a warmer night. This place could easily be 5 stars if it was warmer in there and they had more space.
(4)
jennifer w.
i went here for breakfast and had some poached eggs and bacon. d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s! the eggs were perfectly poached and the house made bacon was just plain awesome! we went on a monday around 930. not crowded at all. friendly and efficient service. ill be back!
(4)
Denise D.
Great food-every dish ordered at our table for dinner was raved about! Doesn't look like a super fancy place but wonderful presentation of great meals. Even on a weeknight it was a little noisy due to the open atmosphere but very enjoyable. Will go there again!
(5)
MaryAnn J.
I vacillated on whether to rate this restaurant with 3 stars but just couldn't. This appears to be a very popular restaurant with that said our experience was mixed at best. We arrived for brunch on Sunday. They take reservations so that was nice since we were a party of 6. They added on a 20% gratuity because of our size even though 2 were children. Had it been a spectacular experience I would have tipped more. The positives are that the waitress was very nice and the food tasted okay. Other than that it was odd. The entrees were small for the price and if you wanted toast on the side with your breakfast, there was none. They don't do toast according to our waitress, the option was a biscuit that they charged an additional $2.50 for. For example our son ordered shrimp and girts which was very soupy. There was nothing to soak up the sauce with at the end so he needed that biscuit. It or toast should have been included with each breakfast other than the eggs Benedict which of course came with that said muffin. When paying the bill, we decided that none of us were that impressed for what we paid and still a tad hungry. We were so hoping for a wonderful experience as we had read so many of the reviews. Too bad.
(2)
Kyan H.
Great food - cozy, upscale atmosphere. Maybe pricey (for me) but worth a visit!
(4)
Ben K.
My wife and I are huge fans. This place is a true neighborhood gem. The owner has a humble pride in not only his food and establishment, but also in the neighborhood they're in. Some of the best service in SE, which is VERY welcome. The food is simply outstanding. I wouldn't put it in the same category with Beast or the other super high end, but that's not what it's going for either. The fried chicken is some of the best I've had; light and not greasy. The Whole Hog is my favorite. Imaginative and tasty, you get 3 different pork selections in one dish. Good seasonal dishes. Very serviceable wine, cocktail and beer menu to compliment the food. Highly recommend sitting at the chef's bar your first time so you can talk to the chef/owner and let him make recommendations. No reservations, but you can put your name in and grab a glass of wine at Grand Cru Wine Bar a few doors down, they'll even call you! Outstanding brunch as well. Cinnamon rolls are fantastic. Love it all.
(5)
Catherine G.
Very low key casual vibe in this place which can be nice when the weather starts to heat up. We went with friends and had a great time. All told we tried the whole hog, the fried chicken, and I had the ribeye steak special. The steak was cooked to perfection with bleu cheese butter and crispy fries. The chicken was crunchy but tender inside and while I did not try any of the hog my husband cleaned the plate. A great place to stop by if you're in the neighborhood and even worth the drive if you're not.
(4)
Megan C.
i came here with a group of 5 during prime breakfast eating hours. Despite this we were seated quickly (15 minutes). The staff was friendly and the service quick. I wasn't left waiting and wondering "where the heck is my server?!" The food we had was fantastic with healthy sized portions. Everything about the eggs benedict was delicious. The house made biscuits were flaky and moist and mouthwatering, the eggs poached to perfection and the hollandaise sauce nicely done too. The fried chicken was tasty but the bacon pecan spoon bread was disappointing. It was moist and fluffy but that's all that was remarkable about it. Even when paired with the chicken and the maple syrup, nothing about the bread stood out. The chicken fried steak, crispy and delicious! And the bbq flank sandwich was tasty too. And those onion rings! They are like crack, so so so addicting I could probably eat a plate of just those!
(5)
jear b.
Love Country Cat. The BEST fried chx EVER! I've tried a few things and all have been supurb. As soon as you order you can see the cook take whatever you ordered and prepare right there from total scratch. The way it should be!!!!!!! Haven't tried the brunch but I heard it's pretty good. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is the ambience is a little cold. It's sheek but really doesn't have that warm feeling at least on the cold rainy nights. It will be just fine in the summer...and of course that's just my opinion. Plus $18.00 for fried chx and greens is a little steep. I can see $14-15, but $18.00 is slightly high. It doesn't mean I won't dine there over and over though. :)
(4)
Maria D.
I've only been here for brunch. It's not my favorite brunch place but the things they do well they do really well. Biscuits, gravy, chicken fried steak, bacon, sausage, and gooey buttery cinnamon buns. I've heard the owner butchers his own meat so the beef and pork products are really good. I couldn't find anything mildly healthy on the menu so if healthy and yummy is your thing go to my favorite brunch place (Bumblekiss on Fremont St in the NE), but if you're in the mood for awesome unhealthy food the Country Cat is your best bet.
(4)
Joshua C.
What can I say, I love this place. The wife and I have brought friends and family here for a few brunches and I was blown away at the quality of the service and food. But I wasn't fully sold on the Cat until I tried their dinner. The food is polished, innovative and inspired country cookin'. And the potato bread! It's like eating mashed potatoes in bread form. Delicious. I had a lamb dish on my dinner adventure. It was perfectly medium rare and was served with a fantastic spinach noodle lasagna thing. In the words of the Governator, "I'll be back"...
(4)
Christian B.
Absolutely loved our dinner at The Country Cat. My wife and I biked here for a late dinner (around 8pm) last night and we both were very much satisfied with our meals. First of all, we loved the atmosphere of the place. It was very nice looking. Plus hey, I love the cat logo! I'm a cat person, OK?! I got the burger, which consisted of some really tasty garlic ketchup, cheese and meat. What was surprising about that particular menu item was the GIGANTIC MOUND of little thinly-sliced, small onion ring-type fries that came with it; they were easily one some of the tastiest rings and fries my wife and I have ever had. Put them with some garlic ketchup and you have a recipe for deliciousness. My wife got crepes that consisted of pesto, squash and goat cheese. She said that she has never experienced such a flavor. She was mildly disappointed when the dish came with another kind of cheese (not sure, need to ask her what she said it was but she loves goat cheese and it wasn't goat cheese) but she really enjoyed her dish nonetheless. As you've probably seen in all of the other reviews, this place ain't cheap. I paid $11 for my burger + onion ring fries, which was actually one of the least expensive options on the menu. Not much was over $20, if anything, if I recall correctly. We'll be back for sure!!
(5)
Jordan E.
The Country Cat has been one of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots for some time now. If it's busy, I suggest sitting at the bar. You can generally get a seat quicker, and the atmosphere is pretty great. The biscuits and gravy are tremendous, and the potatoes and house made katsup are always a favorite. The girlfriend and I have become regulars now... but I always forget how heavy their door is. hmmmmph... it's always fun to pull that thing open with both hands! Go eat here!
(5)
Dañel M.
This is the best home style southern cooking in Portland. They render their own lard and everything is fresh and local. Service is great and the drinks are amazing.
(5)
Jay D.
I've been to The Country Cat a few times for brunch and for dinner now and declare it the Bee's Knees! And it isn't just because I like a bit of gin for breakfast. No, it is because of their Southern food with a twist, and: 1.) I like my fried chicken incredibly crisp, and with tasty not-greasy greens. (How'd they do that?) 2.) I enjoyed eating meat again, without fear of a heart attack. (I was too distracted by the great taste). Plus, the jerky to go was a hit with the spouse. 3.) Who knew that hard alcohol at breakfast could be guilt-free? 4.) Spouse says they have the best burger ever. While the place is small, and you should be prepared to wait if they are busy (as they can be for dinner later in the week), they really serve tasty and upscale comfort food. Don't think the Pearl is where all the action is. Venture out to Montavilla. Take that from a kool kat.
(5)
Michelle S.
This place is so delicious! I can't afford it often but I've been there a few times for special occasions and it's so good. The service is friendly and they haven't yet brought anything incorrect. Sometimes when the place is busy you have to ask for salt and sauce but they do it with a smile and as quickly as they can. If they're busy they might be a little long on the service but that's to be expected. They also don't have a lot of vegetarian options with no vegetarian gravies for biscuits and gravy but they're up front about that and they do what they do. Not good for people with diabetes. I stick to the veggie options and they've all been good. I've tried the pancakes and the country cat and the onion rings. Aaaaallll delicious. The food is always delicious. I brought my sister there for a birthday brunch and the food was a little late because they were busy. We asked each other if it was still excellent even with the wait. We looked at each other, grinned, and nodded vigorously. The food is wonderful! The biscuits are as good as my grandma (who was from Louisiana) used to make. Thanks for everything!
Love the Country Cat! Always a go to for NW soul food. Take a friend from out of town, they'll like it too.
(4)
Valerie H.
Went here last summer...... The service wasn't that great but worst of all the food had zero flavor!!!! My mom and I ordered the fried chicken and it didn't taste like anything. Four other people at our table ordered various other dishes and they too had no flavor. We also ordered biscuits to all share and they once again had no flavor. Never coming back to this place again
(1)
Michael W.
Slow burn: perfect sized breakfast. The pulled pork chili has a great tang to it; not too spicy, but just right. The other half of this good sized bowl is grits: not instant grits out of a packet, or even quick cook grits, but awesome, imported from South Carolina slow cook grits. They were perfect, creamy, and buttery. Topped with two farm fresh eggs, sunny side up and some fresh picked garden micro greens. This is a great flavor party. Great breakfast item. Brunch crowd midweek is totally better than weekend, plan accordingly, y'all!
(5)
Sarah R.
I decided to check this place out after seeing it on DDD. I ordered the fried chicken which was ok. I thought it lacked some flavor. It came with mashed potatoes and collard greens which were great. Although I wasn't a huge fan of the dish I ordered I would probably go there again and try something else. The atmosphere was great and the people were friendly.
(3)
Anna B.
I didn't think the Guy Fieri graffiti tag above the kitchen would bother me... but it does. Spray paint side-eye aside, I still like the Cat but maybe a teensy bit of luster has been lost for me over the past couple of years. I do not enjoy waiting for a table here, so I pretty much stopped having dinner here a while back, but I still dig sitting at the bar for a fabulous cocktail and a snack before catching a movie across the street. Meow.
(4)
April C.
We initially went to another restaurant down the street but the wait was pretty crazy so we wandered down to find the Country Cat. I had heard many raves about it so we hoped for the best. There was only a short wait and we were then seated at the bar. First off, all of the staff were amazing. From the hostess to the bartender and the servers, everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. If the food were horrible (which it wasn't), I would still consider coming back here just for the service (okay, and maybe the strong drinks). We ordered the deviled eggs to start, which were good, and then my boyfriend ordered the chicken fried chicken and I went for the fish fry. Chicken fried chicken came with mashed potatoes and gravy. My boyfriend said the chicken was good but the two pieces that came on the plate were pretty sad. We looked at another table's plate and their pieces seemed a little bit larger but for the price, I would have expected either larger pieces or three pieces. My fish fry came with two well sized portions of fish, tartar sauce, coleslaw and a bit of soft, fluffy rice. The fish was perfect and the tartar sauce complimented it beautifully. The coleslaw had a unique flavor and while it wasn't my favorite, I handed it over to my boyfriend and he seemed to love it. We also ordered the special cocktail that had bourbon, black walnut bitters, port, and maple syrup which definitely warmed us up. For dessert, we went with apple pie, drizzled with caramel and topped with vanilla bean ice cream. HEAVENLY. Overall, I think we would go again but perhaps order several sides or appetizers instead of entrees. The whole menu did look interesting though!
(3)
Pasha H.
We made reservations using OpenTable and it made our life easier since we were able to walk in and be seated, allowing us to avoid waiting. I recommend doing the same! The service was great, food was tasty and different. Definitely lived up to the Portland dining experience standard. The atmosphere was upbeat, yet far from crazy. Had a wonderful experience with family, while indulging in their delicious food. Left the restaurant full and smiling.
(5)
Mike D.
Great brunch stop. Super friendly Staff. Really enjoyed the slow burn. Simple meal but with a lot of flavor.
(4)
Holly R.
The service was awesome. Our waitress was friendly and welcoming. She explained the menu to us and gave us some good tips. Both my boyfriend and I ordered the fried chicken and were more than impressed. We will be back for date nights! :)
(5)
Wayne C.
Country Cat is just the epitome of Portland cool. Everything about the restaurant - from the food selection to the owners - is just so PDX cool. Not to mention the fact that they've got a presence at POrtland International airport. I love this place!
(4)
H. L.
Great place in SE to get your comfort food fix! I love that you can make reservations for brunch. Since Sunday brunch can be crazy busy in PDX this is a huge plus! We shared a basket of cinnamon rolls (3 per basket) at our table and they were tasty. They weren't too sweet which is the way I like them, but I was searching for more pecans. I got the braised beef hash which was rich, but not overly heavy. I loved the crunch of the beets and tender braised beef. The potatoes where still crispy too. I was one happy girl with my dish. My husband got the chicken fried steak, which was huge! A poached egg on top was a great idea. The gravy and steak and greens were yummy and comforting. The coffee I felt was overly strong which is weird for me to say since I love a good cup of Joe. I had to add more cream and sugar than usual to fit my taste. One item that was not good was the tomato soup. It was a smoky style, but to me it almost tasted like BBQ sauce. The soup could use some adjustments for sure. Our waitress was super friendly and the food came out fast considering how busy they were. All-in-all great brunch spot.
(4)
Frankie C.
Made it here for brunch! Everything was fantastic. Cinnamon rolls were nice and fluffy not overly sweet, and fried chicken was juicy and seasoned well. Forgot the name of my drink, but definitely weren't being cheap with the whiskey in my cocktail coffee. Highly recommend!
(5)
Joanna S.
I was not impressed :( so sad I was expecting a lot from place... I had the open face meatloaf sandwich... It was cold and not what I expected at all. Disappointed!!
I've heard about this place long ago and finally was able to go with a friend. Nice atmosphere and good homey food. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Mike M.
I guess things have gone down hill in the kitchen. We both had the rib eye steak special. The 1/2" thick steaks were unseasoned, full of gristle and had some sort of unrecognizable sauce on them. The mashed potatoes were bland. The spring greens salad wasn't too bad. The plates were boring and uninspired. The three pudding dessert with creme brulee, chocolate and butterscotch puddings and freshly baked cookies saved the day. The staff, however, was great and the service was solid.
(2)
Margo G.
So-so good! Everyone in our party was extremely satisfied! From the duck pot pie to the plump juicy fried chicken to the homemade beef jerkey and whole hog with fresh baked bread and butter! And that's not to mention the service, which was excellent!!! Five stars for sure!
(5)
Allison R.
Yeah, it's good. A client brought me here for lunch, it was a Tuesday at about 11:45am. It was pretty full inside but the guys had just cleaned a table and we were promptly seated. No wait. I couldn't for the life of me, decide what I wanted to eat. Everything on the menu looked really bomb, or maybe I was just really hungry. Either way, I went for the grilled cheese and tomato soup. The bread, the cheese..all of it, man it was warm, melty goodness in mouth and I cant wait to go back and try dinner there. Oh yeah, we also ordered the hot wings as an app. They were huge, the buffalo sauce was tasty -- and we even called them little chicken steaks at one point because they were loaded with meat. ;) Nice full bar too. Easy 5 stars for the Country Cat.
(5)
Sabrina C.
Wow! I am beyond impressed!! Best salmon I have EVER had. Perfectly perfectly cooked. Worth the 45min wait. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jenni L.
Chicken fried steak is one of those guilty pleasure foods that I always forget how much I love. The Country Cat did a decent job with their chicken fried steak but to be honest I'm not a huge supporter of brown gravy. It just seems wrong to slather it in anything other than country gravy, if anything. The flavor of the actual steak was spot on, but the crust was a bit difficult to eat. It fell apart at the slightest prod which was a little disappointing. I opted for breakfast potatoes instead of mashed and they were good, but the house made catsup was not. I really enjoyed the braised kale though, it was a nice non-traditional addition to brunch. Overall my meal was decent and service was superb. The food may not have completely blown me out of the water but it was definitely good enough to peak my interest enough to investigate the rest of the menu on another day.
(3)
Angela D.
This place is amazing great fresh food wonderful staff delicious bloody Mary's I can't wait to go back oh our steaks were perfect.
(5)
Scott H.
You gotta go whole hog. I saw this place on DDD and was intrigued ever since. I really like the house made beef jerky. A little on the sweet side and with a touch of spice. I need to spare my dental work though. Excellent drink selections. I had the Skeet Tea and it was really good. I'm not much of a drinker but would definitely order that one again. I ordered the fried chicken. It was good, but not the kind of chicken that changes how I look at my life. Great combo with the potatoes and gravy. The chicken can't really live on it's own. My wife got the vegetarian special. Very kind of them to have and it was actually quite tasty. Good enough to entertain a veggie guest. My brother in law got the Whole Hog. Now this is a thing to behold. The Porketta was salty and rich and just melty meaty goodness. Can't describe the last time I had something like that. The pork shoulder was tender and got an excellent flavor from the birch syrup I think. But the pork chop makes the dish. Perfectly cooked and juicy, just melted in your mouth. This is the best pork dish that I have ever had or will have. We had the dessert which was good, but paled in comparison to the pork. I liked the rootbeer ice cream pie. A nice unique touch. Go here and get the Whole Hog. You won't regret it.
(5)
Kristi C.
Not sure what it is about eating at the counter, with a view into the kitchen. Maybe it's guys cooking...and they're good at it! My dining experience started out, well iffy at best, but my server recovered well. Smoke Salmon Eggs Benedict, one of the best I've had. And I've eaten A LOT of eggs benny. What stands out is their hollandaise sauce-without a doubt, the best I've had. Light and lemony, you'll be happy here if that's how you like it. Completely devoured the fluffy biscuit everything was perched on. And the poached eggs, jeez I wish I could figure out how to make them so perfectly, I guess practice does makes perfect!
(4)
Robert R.
The food was amazing. Service could not have been better. You need to have the fried chicken. The Bloody Mary was Devine. A must visit in PDX. Our server Jess should win awards!
(5)
Mike K.
Heard great things about this place, so we made a reservation online mid day Sunday, even leaving a credit card to do so. Don't much like that practice of having to leave a card... but OK, the app is secure I hope. There were plenty of tables on opentable, any time we wanted within an hour either way had slots open, so it seemed a bit over the top, but maybe that's for when they are swamped. We arrived on time, but minus one diner. We had reserved for 4, but arrived with 3. Hey, life happens one couldn't make it at the last minute. No big deal, right? I told the hostess so she could table us appropriately. She immediately gets this "sucking on a lemon" look and explains that had this been a busier night with a waiting list, we'd lose our reservation and go on that waiting list. She was fucking scolding us or something. I looked around. I didn't see any triangular 3 person tables, so I'm not sure what the hell their issue is. Maybe they like to seat parties under 4 at the 5-6 person dining bar (which was full)? There were tables of 2 at 4 tops and a 4 at a 6 top... Sorry to have offended you, hostess. Ok, so on to beverages- no bloody mary with beef jerky, they are out of jerky. Sad trombone. Hey if it's your signature drink, maybe don't run out of the fixins? The cocktails the girls ordered were delicious. Well crafted, boozy but not overly so, well balanced sweet/ sour in the marion berry lemon drop. I had some beers, the mug was warmer than I like but it was a good beer temp- acceptable just not my personal preference- I'm a beer snob but I like cold beer in cold glasses. They were out of 1 out of 4 taps, but a good selection of bottles backed it up. apps: Deviled eggs were good, the potato bread (gotta pay for bread...) and the pretzel app a bit on the bland side- good mustard with the latter. These might be baked on site, a pinch of salt is key for bread, especially if serving with whipped unsalted butter. Entrees- we ordered fried chicken, but she doesn't like collards. The menu says "Fried chicken, potatoes, bacon braised collard greens" but when asked if there was something that could be swapped for the collards we were told "well they are more like a garnish than a side so we don't do swaps on that". My friend inquired - maybe some corn bread or annother veggie or something like that? Waitress doesn't say "We don't have cornbread, maybe some XYZ?" she says - "do you see that on the menu?" Hmm, mmmkay. Just leave them off. The chicken itself was good. The benchmark for me is probably Screen Door or Pine State (on the Reggie), and this wasn't as good. It was delicious, but not quite up to the top billing I've seen for this place. I had the "whole hog". It was tasty, but the grits were a bit runnier than I like (is that "South Carolina style? I don't know) and under seasoned (which I do know...) and the roasted / shredded shoulder was stringy and bland. The belly was well prepared and seasoned, very tasty. The loin chop, likewise- a tasty glaze (or remnants of the brine), a nice mix of a little char/ browning and tender. My girlfriend ordered the wild mushroom and braised leek ravioli on winter squash puree. This happens to be a vegan entree and was tasty, but $15 for 5 bite size ravioli and a smear of squash puree is a bit over the top, isn't it? Even for those really nice ravioli that's a bit much. Overall prices are really reasonable but this entree was a joke. Ok, we over-ordered apps like usual and nobody's gonna starve, (we shared pork and chicken with her) but 5 ravioli? Also the "shaved truffles" were pretty much undetectable, so that's not where the money went. On to dessert! Apple crisp was good, but like neighborhood pie house good, not OMG good. The chocolate cake was, frankly, a huge let down. Think Costco bakery. After the sparse ravioli plate, my girlfriend was looking forward to making up for it by tucking into some cake and it just fizzled. Overall maybe the hype was just too overblown. I'd love to have this place in my neighborhood, but doubt I'll go out there again since I don't live nearby. I'd have to go past too many better places. I almost went 4 stars, but our fourth star just couldn't make it at the last minute, so it's on the waiting list. solid 3. The whole schtick with the 3 vs 4 people on the reservation just soured me. I was looking around for Portlandia film crews as that little snot explained their seating policy in their 25% empty restaurant, but I didn't see any. By the time we had finished up the place had emptied out, maybe sitting for dinner at 7 on Sunday is late for them? They turned a couple away about 8:30 right before we left, after waiting for our waitress to stop doing whatever close down the shop cleaning she was doing...
(3)
Lynette B.
Loved it!! Yummm!! Will have to go try dinner. Kinda small and there was a wait, but it was worth it. Will go back for sure.
(5)
Krista S.
Went to this place on a random weekday morning. No wait, which was awesome. They have pretty decent servings. Not too many options but I got their eggs, bacon and biscuit and home fries and it was all so delicious. Their bacon was thick cut maple bacon and a half order is enough to feed 3 people. Their sausage was also delicious and flavorful. Again, a half order of sausage can probably feed a few people since you get about 4-5. They serve Stumptown coffee which is a great pairing with breakfast. Servers are very nice and attentive. Parking is street parking, 1-2 hours unless you find some on the side streets.
(4)
Curt B.
They crank out a high volume of very good food here. Most meals can be had for between $15-$25. If you want to know how they accomplish this, sit at the bar facing the kitchen and you'll learn what it takes to deliver fantastic food through organized chaos. One of my top three places in PDX.
(5)
Crystal D.
Oh those good ol' quintessential east side breakfast spots and you know there are many. This spot I would have to say is no different. It is one of the nicer spots as you can tell by the well thought out menu. Small spot, so it gets busy. As its usually just me and another person, we got seats at the bar. Great service and great food. I had the house made House-made Chorizo, Butternut Squash, & Goat Cheese Omelet and I was not let down. I love good homeade chorizo and if you are a lover of chorizo too, you know that you can royally screw it up if not spiced correctly. The mix of the ingredients on my plate all complemented one another and I cannot wait until I make it back here so I can try the dinner menu. If you find yourself in the SE for breakfast, try this place out.
(4)
Lesa D.
Why is it that the places I love the most, I don't review? We have been coming to the Country Cat since it opened. I couldn't even say how many times I've been here. Every meal has been enjoyable. Breakfast/Brunch and Dinner - all wonderful! We came tonight for Portland Dining Month, and I had my eye on the Baby Back Ribs - Love them and Country Cat doesn't usually serve them. As usual, we also ordered the onion rings - thinly sliced, crunch, and not greasy. The English Pea Salad for course 1 was wonderful - it tasted like Spring. Sadly, the ribs, coleslaw, and baked beans that came as part of course 2 were not that good. The ribs were incredibly over seasoned. Very salty and leaving it impossible to taste the meat. The cole slaw could have been from your local 7-11, and the baked beans, although containing pork and tomatoes, just weren't that great. But, Country Cat came through - I returned the dish and was allowed to order something else. They were very gracious about the entire thing. The dishes we love? I should have ordered them, but I was being adventurous (and I LOVE baby backs) - their Duck Leg Pot Pie, we mourned that we left the leftovers on the table; their brussels sprouts, an ingenious recipe; their Wallapa Bay oysters, awesome - and what is it that's served under the oysters? I love Country Cat; always have. Anyone can have an off night (and it certainly hasn't affected my giving them 4 stars). But, they should have thought long and hard about offering ribs as part of their Portland Dining Month fare. Pod Nah's and Russell's do an awesome job - theirs wasn't even close. It's natural to compare (my Partner didn't order the ribs because he knew they couldn't compare to Pod Nah's - I should have taken his lead), so please Country Cat, don't put yourself in that situation unless you're absolutely sure. And this time, it didn't work. But I still love you, and we'll be back - Oysters, Brussells Sprouts, Whole Hog, and all!
There's usually a line, but what brunch place doesn't?? 5 words: Cast. Iron. Skillet. Fried. Chicken.
(4)
Chandra F.
So fucking good! Bloody Mary with Beef Jerky. DELICIOUS burger with onion strings and amazing Benedict with smoked salmon on a cream biscuit. Duh, go here. It's worth it.
(5)
Olivia P.
I wanted to like this place more because it is in my neighborhood and I want my 'hood to be awesome. The staff was nice, the food was good, but overall I think it was overpriced. Spending over $20 for breakfast for one person doesn't seem reasonable.
(3)
Andi S.
Not disappointed, but not delighted. Came here for a Saturday brunch, intending on sampling the cast-iron fried chicken. Wife got the chicken fried steak. We like fried things and our Yelp research told us that Country Cat was worth a shot. All in all, it was good to check this place out but I wasn't especially impressed and don't feel the need to come back. A note on the fried chicken: presentation could use some work, but the value is just not there. You get two pieces, and these are well-cooked. The breast was thick but juicy all the way through, and the dark piece was fine. It's accompanied by a nutty spoonbread, and a fistful of greens. For $15. The chicken pieces aren't huge, or uniquely flavored, or beyond remarkable, so I wonder why they charge quite a bit of money for this dish. I couldn't help but think about my other fried-chicken-for-brunch choices...Screen Door's blow-you-away Chicken and Waffles comes to mind. Here's a suggestion: If you call it Cast Iron fried chicken, serve it in a little cast iron skillet. And don't give me a handful of cheap greens for my fifteen dollars, how about some home fries or hash browns or something more substantial? Still, service was friendly and efficient, and the morning vibe felt lively. Solid three stars because I've got other places in mind to get decadent fat-filled brunch for my money.
(3)
Tina P.
We saw Country Cat on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and came by the next day for brunch. We only waited 10 minutes for a table but the hostess did say right before we came in the wait was over 2 hours...note to self: don't go earlier than Noon on a weekend or make a reservation. We completely enjoyed the chicken friend steak and signature fried chicken. The AM menu is a bit different than the PM but they will make dinner style plates on request. I was pleased our server suggested this as I really wanted the dinner style chicken/mash/greens combo and they did it with no hestitation or upcharge. Everything we ate was scrumptious. Nice size portions, served at proper temps, and very fresh. The polite, professional staff and decent prices were also appreciated. The one big con for us (and what knocked off one star) was the music. It was WAY too loud and the style and volume were not at all condusive to conversation or digestion. I think someone else must have mentioned it because it seemed to go down a notch about halfway into our meal. Still too loud for my liking but maybe the staff don't notice it since they're working? Apart from the music issue, we had a great meal so we do recommend the Country Cat and we will be back...hopefully with friends next time. Good to know: *Can be a very long wait for breakfast/brunch on weekends per the hostess. Strongly recommend reservations for groups of 4+. *Clean restrooms. *Parking is on the street and Montavilla can be busy but it's not impossible if you don't mind a little walk to the restaurant. Public transit nearby, okay for bikes or folks on foot.
(4)
Ammo Q.
Loved this place! I had the Challah French Toast, it was fluffy and full of lots of flavor, super delicious!! Also had a side of bacon and that was thick and crispy. I will definitely be back to try their other dishes. My mom had the Country fried steak and it changed her life. My fiance had the ham egg Benedict and he said it was real good. My friend had the Slow Burn and she said the meat was tender and the sauce was delicious!
I have been to Country Cat numerous times, unfortunately this place is 'hit or miss'... I have had some really great experiences here and some not so good experiences here. The staff is almost always friendly and competent, I've had a flaky server once or twice. Also, the ambiance is nice. Now let's get to the important part, THE FOOD! The GOOD -Sweet Biscuits. I love them. They are flaky and tasty and come with a delicious jam that changes seasonally... or so it seems. -Salads. Almost every salad I have had here has been fantastic.They typically change them seasonally and with the exception of one (some sort of beet disaster) they have always been delicious. -Bacon Wrapped Steel-head. Delicious!! I've gotten this dish quite a few times and every time it's been great. Every element is executed perfectly. The SOMETIMES GOOD -Fried Chicken and Spoon Bread. I've had this dish a few times and sometimes its amazing, sometimes it's a greasy mess. But when it's good, it's so good, so I keep getting it in hopes that it will be a 'Good' time. The PRETTY GOOD - The Cheese burgers are decent. Nothing to write home about but definitely a solid choice. - The Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese. This dish is nice for a light lunch. Nothing special but really good. - The Desserts. I've tried a few different ones on different occasions and they have all been OK, but nothing that I crave or want to go back for. We've tried a few other dishes that were really bad, but never tried them again. I'm choosing not to name them, just in case it was an off night. I really wish users could do half stars. Sometimes its a 5 star sometimes it's a 2 star.
(4)
Nicholas G.
Excellent food and service. I think they have the best Hollandaise in town. Biscuits are amazing!
(4)
Jason W.
Really good cinnamon rolls with pecans; very tasty French toast made with challah bread, whisky custard, dark cherries, and clabber cream (though I think the rolls really had more flavor despite the many yummy ingredients in the French Toast). Wife had the tomato/kale/bacon hash, which also had good flavor and good portion. Interesting "modern" decor, decent prices, friendly and attentive wait staff. Got a bit loud when the place was packed. The only real downside was beyond the control of the house, and that was the loud opinionated jerk behind our booth who so enjoyed the sound of his voice that he shared how very right and how very cool he was with everyone for an hour. I think he followed me from the last concert I went to...
(4)
Claire L.
Excellent, fresh Southern style food. I took a friend who is from Texas and whose Mama lived in Louisiana to make sure that the food was authentic. She gave it a hearty thumbs up. Saturday night was busy but we took their advice and came early; the kid and geezer crowd were in full force. We did a full tasting menu, from the soup of the day to salmon, collard greens and grits. My mouth is watering just remembering it all. Go!
(5)
Adam T.
I've eaten here at least five times in the past year, each time it's been excellent until today. As a two top we were seated immediately even though the restaurant was fairly busy and our server was attentive and quick to take our order. After our order was taken we proceeded to wait 40mins(and it was actually 40mins, not just a hungry persons interpretation of 'a long time')without being checked on once. I probably should have been more assertive at that point and flagged our server down, but a few minutes later our server came table-side and explained that the ticket for our order had fallen down out of view from the cooks so that's what the wait was all about and said that our food would be up ASAP. I've been working in the service industry in the back of the house for around 10 years and I've seen my share of mistakes and stressful situations with angry customers so I'm incredibly understanding in situations like this one. The typical response from a restaurant in this scenario is to make the food on your ticket first before anything else leaves the kitchen, or at least one or two dishes behind the front. What we proceeded to watch was 2 or 3 full tables receive their food before us, including people who were waiting to be sat after we ordered, and even-what appeared to be-exactly what we ordered. 10 minutes into watching other people being fed I started to get a little pissed and we decided to walk out. I've never done that before but we were both kind of low blood sugar hungry and maybe reacted a bit hastily(like I said, I'm patient with problems with the service I'm receiving). we even accidentally left a jacket and a set of keys behind in the booth... I walked back in to grab those items and the server was standing next to the table looking pretty bummed. She said 'your keys are in the booth and here's the jacket.' I took them and walked out. Not once was there an apology or a remotely conciliatory gesture offered, even though we'd been waiting for 50 minutes til we walked out! The food here is great but the service needs to match it. Kind of an epic fail from a normally excellent restaurant.
(1)
Stephanie K.
I come hailing from Texas and I thought this place did a pretty good job of coming close to southern food. Honestly, there's nothing in Portland quite the same. But this is one of the few that is pretty damn close. We went for brunch and were those assholes that came in almost at closing (I don't get off until 1 from my restaurant job and my parents wanted to take me out for brunch and we chose this restaurant). The person who sat us was a little abrupt right when we walked in the door telling us to hurry because the kitchen is closing. Working in the industry I understand that it is annoying to come in right before close but I also know that it is not appropriate customer service to make people feel rushed. Luckily we weren't terrible offended by it and merely just caught us off guard. Our server was fantastic and friendly. The environment is great- I laughed so hard when sir-mix-a-lot started playing over the speakers it's a great atmosphere. The fried chicken is delicious. The pecan roll thing is a little interesting. Good, especially the pecan part but not my favorite. I had chicken fried steak and added egg. It was good as well. Overall we had a good time and would come back, now that we know they do brunch every day and not just on the weekend it can be one of the few places on our list for "brunch" type foods that is not just opened on Saturday and Sunday- when I also work brunches.
(3)
Tran P.
Terrible hostess made us wait and seated people in front of us when she didn't even ask us for our seat preference. I would leave if we hadn't already waited for 40 minutes. First and last time here! Post Note: my angry disposition got us a free basket of pecan cinnamon rolls (which were delicious and the best part of our meal). When our waiter, Brian, asked about our food - Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken & Chicken Fried Steak - my comment to him was "it was interesting." The Worcestershire gravy on my chicken fried steak was interesting to say the least. Another word also came to mind: sour. My brother said to me his Cast Iron Skillet Chicken has a nostalgic flavor; reminded him of Safeway fried chicken. Because of my comment and a lack of enthusiasm in my voice, Brian came back with our check and a 50% manager discount deducted from our total bill. So my overall impression of the restaurant started out bad but ended on a good note (service wise). With that said, the food was mediocre at best and definitely not worth the wait.
(2)
Jessica M.
Slow Burn. Eggs, polenta, and delicious smokey pork sauce. They have brunch during the week! Good drinks, house cured meats, flaky biscuits, and the bacon, so good!
(5)
J K.
If you are going to go, go for brunch! I have been here twice. Once for dinner and then again for brunch. Dinner portions are quite small and expensive. The food was very good but I left hungry and spent a good chunk of change. Brunch however is amazing! Larger portions, cheaper prices, and still amazing food. I had the eggs Benedict with smoked trout and it was delicious. Brunch gets a 5 star, but I took I one away because of the expensive, but small dinner plates.
(4)
Christy H.
This place has a unique style to the menu hitting it with a little country cat influence. I like the homemade beef jerky they put in the bloody Mary's. I have only been here for breakfast a few times so I can't speak for the dinner spread. The hollandaise sauce is used on a few dishes and it is pretty good. The biscuits that they make need some improvement. They just don't have it down yet. Potatoes are yummy. This place is alright.
(3)
Hannah W.
poor. when i got to the table, the table smelled like vomit. out whole party had to have them wash the table again. i order the cast iron fried chicken and the chicken was raw. this was even more alarming considering i am 8 months pregnant. i won't be back. they were very nice there and had an excellent wait staff but my over all experience was poor.
(2)
Katherine W.
So good I almost clicked five stars. I've been here regularly (if infrequently) over the last few years and it's always delicious - and a good experience too. Last night I had the trout with root vegetables and it was amazing. My dining companion had the fried chicken (somebody has to every time, it's mandatory!) and he loved it. We also had a wonderful Pinot Noir.
(4)
Erin D.
My partner and I went to Country Cat Sunday early evening for dinner and had a really great experience. First, the waitstaff was very attentive, accommodating, and consistent. We were seated promptly and asked after every course was served how everything tasted. We ordered a cider braised squash soup with Braeburn apples, maple sour cream and pumpkin seeds to split. It was amazing. My partner does not normally like soup and loved this as did I. Perfect blend of interesting and comforting. We then ordered two entrees and a side to share: the fried chicken with mashed potatoes, the red wine-braised beef with wild mushroom steak sauce and the braised collard greens on the side. First off, this amount of food was MORE than enough for both of us and we went in hungry. That being said, we ate most of it because it was so delicious. The fried chicken was great but quite heavy. It fulfilled my fried chicken craving but I probably wouldn't get it again because it made me feel like a human anchor. The beef was great and very tender in a fantastic sauce. The greens were also incredible. Overall, definitely a place that's worth the money for the atmosphere, service and portion sizes. I won't be getting the fried chicken again but will definitely be checking out what else their menu has to offer.
(4)
Curtis C.
Went in for brunch today with a friend from out of town. I had been meaning to try the Country Cat for a while now, but I'm never in this part of town. We got a table in under 15 minutes... take that long wait! My BLT was missing the "wow factor". It was good, the tomatoes were unbelievably ripe and juicy, but it just didn't sing. Friend had a summer veggie sandwich, and thought that the tomato relish was overly sweet. I would like to try some of their favorites, like the fried chicken and chicken fried steak. Maybe then I will know what all of the hype is about.
(3)
Robert H.
We had brunch after making a reservations the night before (a must for parties of 4 or more). The ketchup, homefries and bacon were fantastic. However the biscuits were not too far from being little bricks and the gravy was only so-so. The service was great!
(3)
Amber W.
I've been to this place a couple of times now and must say its been awesome every time :) The folks who serve here are super friendly, the atmosphere is clean and simple. OK ok, its hip... but it's not pretentious hipSTER. There is a difference, you know. So you walk down Stark and see this joint with a 60's-esque tile cat on a heavy wooden door, happen to look in the windows and see people having a good time with friends, you kinda HAVE to go in. You won't regret it. Either sit at a table or the bar, either are great places to sit, I've done both and had plenty of room to eat, drink and be merry with friends! The first time I came here I ordered a drink, their cowboy coffee (WOW buzzin off of one!) and I remember they gave me a piece of jerky with it! Honestly, that's what stood out in my mind and why I picked this place to meet my friends today before going antique-ing half drunk. ...don't judge! Anyway, their drinks pack a punch and their food does too! Also, its important to note that their bathrooms are clean :) ... Wanna go get a drink? Lets go!
(5)
Donna H.
Excellent Service and great food! Definitely a win! I had the Fried Chicken, my daughter had a burger with the best onion straws! My husband had a BBQ brisket sandwich and my son had pancakes and everything was excellent!
(5)
Anuj K.
I read about this place in the Portland Monthly, Hot Breakfast Spots issue, specifically the orgasmic french toast and flaky delicious biscuits. Sadly I couldn't enjoy either of those, because I gave up bread for lent. Don't fear, it didn't interfere with my ability to enjoy brunch. My friends and I showed up on a rainy Sunday around 1:15, and waited roughly 15 minutes for a table to clear. The hostess was nice enough to take our number so we could wander around the area instead of cramming into their little hallway. I ordered the mushroom and leek omelette with the house style potatoes. When it arrived, I was impressed with how large the potato pieces were, and then was quickly in love with the flaky, crispy crust on the potatoes. They had a soft interior, and they were spiced really well. Oh boy, the country cat really knows how to handle their potatoes. I honestly don't even remember eating the omelette, because it was all about the potatoes for me. Portland Monthly needs to do an issue on hash browns and homestyle breakfast potatoes. The Country Cat would be #1 or very close to it. I'm holding out on the 5 stars because I want to try their other food they are known for before I slam down the 5 star approval. POTATOES!
(4)
Bret C.
OMG, the best dinner I have ever had. I had the whole hog dinner and it was the best thing I have eaten in a long time.. Waited 45 minutes to sit at the bar, but it was well worth it! I highly recommend this place to eat. The couple next to me had the fried chicken and Loved it. So,as they say it's all good!
(5)
Jean B.
Had Sunday morning/ hangover cure brunch here and boy oh boy, it sure was yummy! True to Portland form, the Country Cat takes American favorites to next foodie level; You can really appreciate the nuances of qualIty ingredients and talent/passion in the kitchen. Both my friend and I had the country fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. It was not your greasy spoon country fried steak; it was fresh, quality ingredients that can only be described as 'proper.' We also had the backet of pecan cinnamon rolls and house made bacon. The bacon looked too tasty to pass up (I rarely eat pork); it was not overly seasoned and very fresh, and I felt no regrets having consuming those delicious strips. The Bloody Mary was excellent also (quality, real ingredients). So why 4 stars instead of 5? The location was a small factor. The service was very friendly and spot on. The hostess has to make up her mind as if she wants to be genuine/friendly and balance professionalism with that, otherwise it doesn't match the theme of the restaurant. The decor was great and very fitting. I'd eat here again as the food was great and the bartender was tops. Overall wouldn't consider it as good as it gets, but definitely a fan.
(4)
Laura K.
Every plate was worth its cost, and it's rare that I can say that when I go out to eat.The menu had a little for everyone, including a children's menu that doesn't dumb down the food to burgers and chicken fingers. We all sampled each other's main dishes (grilled tuna, grilled steelhead, 'the whole hog', and leg of lamb), and all of them were perfectly cooked and seasoned and had perfect portion sizes. Definitely give this place a try. There is a nice casual atmosphere and a friendly staff.
(5)
caitlin n.
Great place, food is always just what we were craving- when we are craving a meat and potatoes American hearty meal. The resteraunt is classy but not at all uptight. Drinks are yumm too.
(5)
Cindy I.
Finally tried them out. We had heard they had good friend chicken and we had a coupon. Maybe we should be concerned that they always have coupons available for one meal at half price. Does that mean they are always over priced? Anyway took the parents there that love fried chicken and we all ordered it. Maybe our standards are too high with places like Bernie's and Screen Door but the Cat's chicken just wasn't up to speed. I do wish one of us had tried something else to see how other things are there. I have heard the burger is good but don't know personally. We also didn't think much of the sides - the collared greens and the mash potatoes were both very sour (on purpose). I did really like the biscuit. If we lived closer we might try the burger but we have other good burgers much closer to home and outside the biscuit I can pass on all of their other sides.
(3)
Adrienne I.
I really think The Country Cat could go by The Cozy Cat. The interior is warm and inviting. The servers are friendly. I sat at the bar for breakfast watching the bartender make batch after batch of their signature bloody mary with its beef jerky accent. I was more than pleased with their attention to what tea drinkers want. They serve loose leaf and when sitting at the bar can get easy hot water refills.
(4)
Anthony K.
Went on a sunday night. Apparently the rave is about the brunch but I enjoyed my meal. I ordered the pretzels, a pilsner, an IPA, and the trout. The pretzels were good as was the spicy mustard. There were a few cold spots in the pretzel which led me to believe that either it was frozen and then reheated or it just was not cooked through. Im going to go with the frozen and then reheated theory. The beer was berry good. The trout was excellent and if i was really hungry might have not been enough but it was perfect. I look forward to going back some day for the brunch.
(3)
Julie T.
This is a 3.5er review. I can only speak to the chicken fried steak. The CFS itself was delicious. However, what's up with the gravy? Thin, not particularly well seasoned, and was it mushroom gravy? They definitely need to whip up a cream gravy for their CFS to create something that I would become addicted to.
(4)
Erich S.
Definitely delicious, but a little sparse on their diversity of menu items. Gourmet breakfast food!
(4)
Cass M.
Fantastic late night dinner for 2. The fish was fantastic, the whiskey drinks were strong and I can't even describe the biscuits eloquently enough. Service was good and not intrusive. Will be returning to this location to try brunch very soon.
(4)
Connie C.
Fried chicken. Those are the only words that needed to be muttered for me to instantly add this to my To Eat list. After a 30 minute wait and a walk around the quiet blocks in the soft rain, we finally got a seat. One of the many tattooed waitresses was quick to give us water and take our order with a smile. The decision was made with no hesitation. I wanted fried chicken and the bf wanted the chicken fried steak. We wanted to get the cinnamon buns. We oogled their gooey-ness at table near the wait area, but they were out. The food came and the bf's eyes widened at my plate and simply said "I think you won." I hated to make him feel bad, but I think I did. His country fried steak was ok at best. It was a tad overcooked and chewy. The mashed potatoes were creamy and tangy though. The greens were fresh. The fried chicken, however, was one of the best I've had. It was crisp and juicy. Even the white meat was tender. Drizzled with maple vinagrette? It's hard to go wrong. The pecan spoonbread was much more savory than that sounds. It was creamy with a crunch from the pecans. It came with a side salad that was perfect for balancing out the rich meal. I will definitley head here for fried chicken brunch cravings, which happen a lot more than you think or it should!
(4)
Ill L.
What happened? I go in for a birthday breakfast and get terrible food and lame service. I'm sorry but if I made eggs Benedict like that I would be ashamed. the poached egg was hard and the sauce was flavorless. Not going back anytime soon.
(2)
Rosetta S.
Our wait was actually short for a Sunday morning, and they even took our number so they could call when the table was ready. It was awesome to be able to look in the shops near by whilst waiting for breakfast. I had the Cinnamon Swirl Challa French Toast. It was good, but not the best I've had. I also had a wild mushroom, leek and Fontina Cheese Omelet, served with home fries. The home fries were awesome! Crispy and seasoned very well. The omelet had tasty flavors and was cooked well, but nothing spectacular. Our waitress was very friendly, but because they were so busy my water glass was left empty too often. I probably wouldn't seek it out for brunch again, but want to try it for dinner.
(3)
Matt M.
I made my way in here with my AMAZING (I hope she's watching) wife a few weeks ago and we nommed and nibbled ourselves some brunch. I was grateful that we didn't get any attitude with our kooooooponnnnns. We wouldn't have been in there otherwise. I mangled some chicken fried steak. It had some washershittershire sauce gravy and it was...good. I don't think that I would pick that if I had a choice, but I didn't, so whatever. Them taters are great, perfectly done.
(4)
J D.
The fried chicken served to my girlfriend was the blandest I've had in Portland - and we were charged $15 for it! Fortunately my Heritage Burger w/ Judy cheese was tasty and cooked well, but really greasy and more bun than burger. The onion rings were, like the chicken, rather bland and tasteless. Thankfully they provided a side of ketchup. Service was courteous but practically non-attentive while we sat at the bar. If you want a fantastic fried chicken dinner for a reasonable price, hit Pine State's Alberta location instead.
(2)
Megan C.
When I think of the kind of place I would want to open, think of Country Cat. The food is OUTSTANDING, the service is spectacular and the atmosphere is totally on point. A- The menu is always changing to include fresh, seasonal ingredients in new, creative ways. I had a barley cake dish that was something I will never forget. And their daily specials are great deals on great food (beer battered fish with a lemon aioli is YUM and includes a beer!) B- The wait staff is perfect. They are friendly and attentive beyond belief. C- This place takes you back. Its like a diner, but it isn't. The food is high quality, but the setting isn't pretentious, Yay. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Joseph H.
A small menu offers the utmost stellar regional food American style. The "heritage" burger isn't just a gimmick to drop $10 + on a burger with onion rings. It actually is from local heritage producer Sweet Briar farms. If you've shopped at farmers markets in town you've undoubtedly come across their meat and eggs. Everything from the kitchen inside and out is from the local economy. - They served me quite possibly one of the best vegetable soups I have ever eaten. - Our table ordered 5 sets of the fried chicken dinner, it's that good! - my petite and slender wife ordered and devoured a "whole hog" it's also perfect for sharing if you can swipe any bites while people are distracted by conversation. I'm here for the meal, baby. - I'm ramping them up the 5 star nod for repeat visits and equal consistency on each. On my last visit I really questioned the server and was delighted to find a lot of local organic choices. You can spend $10 on a meal at Quiznos or grab a heritage burger right here. The fried chicken which I had for the first time was bathing in chicken broth around an island of collard greens. (which were tasty! I never eat ma' greens) The chicken gave me some leftovers and I had a thigh with some mashers the next day. You've gotta ask yourself one question, "do I by local?"* If you're unable to answer this question with certainty please see the following source material: Food Inc, The Future of Food, and King Corn for starters. Happy eating!
(5)
Audrey T.
I have been going to Country Cat since it opened. The country fried steak was my favorite. It seems possibly there are some new cooks because the last two times we have gone, it is subpar. At best. My country fried steak was practically a crackly mess with a dried out meat underneath. Even my side of sauteed greens had changed and had no flavor. Although the mashed potatoes were delicious. My friend got the fried chicken. We couldn't finish it. It was so dried out. And since when does fried chicken not have bones in it? Although the corn bread was delicious. And the Bloody Mary. So, all in all, we spent $43 to has some good mashed potatoes and bloody Marys. Bummer.
(1)
Tim B.
Why did I wait so long to eat here?! After passing the CC everyday going to work, the wife and I finally stopped in and had one ASS KICKIN' breakfast. I don't know what the wife had but I had eggs beni and it rocked (eggs beni is my go to dish for most restaurants). They must have been smoking bacon outside because the intoxicating smell of bacon could be smelled for blocks. I want to go back!!!!
(5)
Gerry N.
I'll need to make a disclaimer and say i've never been here for any meal other than breakfast. That being said, breakfast here is amazing. Are you looking for the perfect chicken fried steak? This is the place. Not one of those machine formed patties but a delicious piece of steak cooked the way it should be for chicken fried. Oddly, it comes with brown dinner gravy, but you can substitute the white sausage gravy if you want. Their chicken and waffle item is pretty damn good as well. And don't quite feel like breakfast? the open faced meatloaf sandwich is often on the menu and very tasty too. Bottom line, Country Cat is one of my favorite places for breakfast in a town that has many great choices.
(4)
JW R.
I've been here twice for breakfast and I'm afraid I can't find much hype to kill, so this won't be my most entertaining review. Don't be disappointed! There's some hype, just... Oh, on with the review. Country Cat strides a fine balance of being affected without being cutesy (Bumblekiss) or kitschy (Byways), maybe quirky is the best word. The waitresses are tattoo'd, the cooks in the open cook line are friendly and bustling. The menu items are (grrr), code named. Oh, what DOES "The WT" stand for? Okay, the food. It's, okay. They fall into the scrambles/omelets/hashes category that seems to be prevalent these days. The home fries are like eating a quarter of a potato (just use hash browns, please!!!) but they're cooked well. Why only three stars? (other than the home fries?) They charge you for bacon. WT*F*, right? No dish comes with bacon, or really any meat. You have to buy a side of bacon at side of bacon prices. It's a good handful of bacon but first the bacon is too thick, as a rule I don't like gnawing when I eat. This goes double for breakfast. Second, you should NEVER have to pay for bacon. Pay for MORE bacon, certainly but not for any of it at all. It's like paying for oxygen, maybe that flies in LA, but not here, bucko. Lastly, it adds to the already somewhat inflated prices. "$$" doesn't really cover how expensive this really basic food is. Before you have to buy a side of bacon. So, it's okay, but after two visits I don't feel the need for a third. Maybe for dinner, but maybe not.
(3)
Amanda L.
I had a great Sunday brunch here highlighted by one of the best eggs benedicts I've ever tasted. Atop a sweet pillowed biscuit rested tender flakes of smoked steelhead, wilted spinach, a poached egg and a drizzling of lemony hollandaise. Perfection on a plate, with the welcome addition of browned rosemary homefries on the side and a housemade ketchup. You also owe it to yourself to try the bloody mary brunch cocktail, accented with Country Cat's own pickled veggie medley. It's only a shame that I live on the exact opposite side of town as this little far-southeast gem of a restaurant.
(5)
JoAnn G.
Love Country Cat. Have only been once but will be going back. Oatmeal pancakes are delicious as is the French toast ( I tasted my mothers). The bacon is AMAZING! My only complaint is the loud music. It's a small space, very popular so I imagine often crowded. The music makes it hard to have a conversation. Other than that, wonderful!
(4)
Anita H.
I came here for brunch and ordered the eggs benedict with house-cured ham. The steelhead salmon option sounded tempting, but I was baited by the key word "house-cured." Unfortunately, this was a bit of a disappointment because the "house-cured" ham tasted like regular old ham. The lemon in the lemon hollandaise didn't really shine through and if anything was overpowered by this mustardy aftertaste. The spinach literally tasted like boiled spinach that was plopped on the biscuit. Speaking of which, the biscuit was the only thing that saved this whole dish. It was nice, subtly sweet, and flaky. My friend ordered the cast iron skillet fried chicken and toasted pecan spoonbread and she seemed to enjoy her email. I had a bite of her pecan spoonbread and that was rather delicious. I have heard rave reviews of their dinners here so I will have to come back again and try the dinner menu.
(3)
Ian M.
Food: 5 Star Service: 2 Star The food was excellent. Well cooked and tasty. Priced reasonably for being a nicer restaurant. Service was poor. You have to track down the waitress and ask when you need something. Not much communication or socialization goes on.
(4)
Erin H.
HOLY LORD!! The food and coffee here were SO delicious. I'm allergic to eggs but they had more than enough other options. The wait was long but I'd go here again next time I am in Portland!
(4)
D B.
I love this place! I make a point of going every time i am back in the hood- my neighborhood i grew up in. best brunch ever, especially the bloody mary w/ home cured beef jerky. i only wish i had this place closer to my current home in napa county ;)
(5)
Kristen M.
This review is for brunch only. Country Cat Dinnerhouse and Bar not only serves up dinner and has a bar as the name implies, but they serve up brunch daily from 9-2pm. Country Cat reminds me of a modern-upscale diner. Very spacious, areas to hang your coats/jackets and a sweet looking chalkboard-wall by the bar-kitchen area. I came in on a weekday since I heard it gets quite chaotic-busy on the weekends. The weekday rush wasn't that bad and it was good enough to have conversation with a friend. I had a mimosa ($7) with grapefruit juice (you have an option of that or orange juice). Which was a nice way to start off my morning and to cleanse my palette - a little bubbly and juice! I opted to try their infamous Cast Iron Fried Chicken which was complimented with a lovely pecan crusted spoon-bread (where bread met savory and sweet) upon a bed of a lightly vinaigrette salad. Service was great, was well taken care of and was given a glass of water right before I was to sit down! (Talk about promptness!) My visit at the "Cat" was quite memorable. Adam & Jackie Sappington's soul-food, bringin'-it-back-homemade-esque dishes are full of flare and from the heart. I will definitely make a trip back here to try out their dinner menu one of these days! Note: Parking is on the street or neighborhood area. They are located near The Observatory, McDonalds and Bipartisan Cafe.
(4)
Evan S.
They make everything in-house, it is absolutely amazing. Service is quick, prompt, friendly, and they want you to enjoy the meal. Absolutely no complaints.
(5)
Big D.
Their boneless fried chicken is crispy and full of flavor and made in an iron skillet. Mashed potatoes with gravy are very good. Cheeseburgers are good too.
(5)
KJ H.
My favorite place to eat in portland! The BBQ beef brisket is to die for with the pile if onion rings? Ugh... Everything is way too good here... Service, food, southern hospitality. I love you guys!
(5)
Jeff A.
Awesome food.....traditional but different....we love it and will be back
(5)
Trisha P.
the best buttermilk biscuits.... amazing cinnamon rolls.... some of the best fried chicken, sausage gravy, and comfort food found anywhere.
(5)
Kristina K.
Since it seems the whole Yelp community has already received The Country cat Dinnerhouse and Bar, I figured it's mine turn now. On Monday night, we and a group of visiting friends left Country Cat holding their bellies and smacking our lips. The dining room was partially full throughout our service and the staff was great. We started off with the Roasted Potatoes with Ricotta and Honey. The Roasted Potatoes were fried and coated in just the right amount of Honey and placed gingerly on top of a dollop of creamy Ricotta. Upon closer inspection, it appeared as if the Honey coated Potatoes were sprinkled with slivers of fresh mint. This dish was not cloyingly sweet and hit just the right taste notes to begin a meal. Following the potatoes, we had the classic Deviled Eggs (three halves to an order) and house made Pretzels. For the main course, we ordered a Pulled Pork Sandwich (someone I dine with loves his Pulled Pork Sandwiches even though I make pretty damn good ones at home), Fried Chicken and Carrot Soup. I prefer dark meat chicken and was glad that Country Cat observed this standard as well. They lost the bones but kept the skin on; two thumbs up! The Fried Chicken's crust was significantly thick and held up as next day's leftover. The collard greens were okay, but I don't really like collard green in the first place. The biscuit covered in honey was buttery, flavorful and not overwhelming dry. The soup was like food for the eyes. For dessert, we split a Rhubarb Crumble and a Strawberry Shortcake. The Rhubarb was equally tart and sweet. The Strawberry Shortcake was a little of a let down, because the shortcake was more like a yellow/white cake instead of a shortcake. Overall, we had a memorable time at Country Cat and can't wait to return to tour the rest of the menu.
(4)
Kyle J.
Great local joint, awesome food & drinks. I especially like their breakfast... esp with a morning cocktail hahah.
(4)
Jesus F.
One of my favorite places for breakfast. I'm hooked on the steelhead benedict. Their homemade bacon is great as well. Their dinner is great also but a bit expensive and i'm not a fan of the "a la carte" thing when you are already paying high prices. Though the burger is outstanding and affordable. Staff is friendly and unpretentious. Never disappointing in many many visits.
(4)
Bradlee H.
If you are looking for another uppity overpriced under portioned Portland beanie wearin kind of place you have arrived at your Mecca The food however is quite delicious and potentially worth the price if you aren't cheap and overweight like me. I ordered the heritage burger and onion rings. It was delicious but it looks more like a large slider than a burger it is a super thick patty with a dinner roll bun again it was delicious but 10 dollars for a slider is steep where I come from, the fried chicken is also delicious but will set you back 15 smakaroos. An overall positive experience and will be back to try out the dessert menu
(3)
Sarah H.
It was pretty okay. Perhaps we went with too high of expectations. We got the Biscuits, Deviled Eggs, Manilla Clams with Sausage and Fried Chicken. The biscuits were really dry, almost inedible, but we were hungry so we ate them. The fried chicken, which is supposed to be their signature dish, was just okay. My husband claimed it was the worst fried chicken he's ever had, but I thought it was fine, just not great. Not a ton of flavor. The cocktails we got weren't great either. On the plus side, we got in quickly and the service was great. All in all, not a terrible experience but we were definitely underwhelmed. And in Portland, with so many great restaurants, we couldn't help but feel our $60 could've been better spent elsewhere. Kind of a bummer.
(3)
Stefanie N.
Here kitty kitty. Finally got around to trying this place and I definitely enjoyed everything that we had. Ordered the chicken fried chicken w/ their spoon bread and both were flavorful and well seasoned. The chicken was super crispy. We also ordered the apple pancakes with salted caramel butter. It was surprisingly not as sweet as I expected. Perfect amount of sweetness and served with real maple syrup. We sat at the kitchen bar and the staff was friendly. Highly recommend this place for breakfast/brunch.
Sigh.....My sis has wanted to try CC for months and we finally had a chance to go. After so many good reviews, I'm sorry to say we were completely and totally underwhelmed. Waitress never told us there were specials available, so we were bummed to look over and see the board by the bar after we had ordered. My mixed greens salad was wilty and nothing more exciting than the mesclun salad mix I get from Fred Meyer. Niece ordered a side of onion rings which, while tasty, my gosh, do they really need to serve you a plate of fried food larger than your head? Its a side for heavens sake. I had the bbq beef, which was OK. 2 people had fried chicken which was greasy and uninspired (I'm not from the south, but collard greens need to be cooked, not served al dente). One had the pan seared halibut but no real flavor (yes, I understand halibut is a mild fish). Side of mashed potatoes---somewhat tasty but had gravy with bacon and sausage. Really? I love bacon and sausage as much as anybody, but seems to me if you need to add both to a gravy, you have a flavor issue. I understand this is supposed to be comfort food, but come on. Sorry Portland, I love you, but there is no way I would ever try this place again.
(1)
Jes P.
Maybe this place has gotten better, but my friends and I visited the first month this place opened and man were we disappointed. The food was blah and overpriced and the desserts, which I expected to be spectacular, just didn't pass muster. This is a major thumbs-down for me.
(1)
Danell B.
To be fair, I ordered the $11 "happy hour" burger without cheese or mayo, so take this review with that in consideration. But, the smallish burger was wayyyy over-cooked and served with a whole-grain mustard that took my breath away (think horseradishy overpowering). I sampled my friend's beef and it was okay but underspiced. Both of us had stringy rappini. I'm sad because I was looking forward to dining here for a long time. The service was very nice though.
(2)
Britney H.
Yoga Girls Night Out turned into a pig out as we ate our way through the menu. We leaned heavily on the apps menu and were delighted. The shrimp and cheese grits was simply AMAZING, the meat lovers ravioli was so fabulous we ordered bread so we could soak up every last drip of sauce. The beet salad was delicious - we had two. On to the entrees - fried chicken was good and crispy but I thought the collard greens were still a bit too stringy. The whole pig was great although by the time it got to me I only got the ham steak and the quinoa cakes were a huge hit. Donuts for dessert - light and crunchy and wonderful. We had slow service to start but once we got going our server was fun and kept the food coming. Can't wait to go back for breakfast this weekend!
(4)
Kris N.
Second best brunch in Portland as far as I know (right behind the Screen Door). If you've read the yelp reviews on the Country Cat you should already know. The Brunch is great and the dinner is not so great. The food is a bit greasy but definately delicious. Order the Fried chicken for breakfast...you will love it. Pour some of the syrup over it for an extra kick. The spoonbread is mandatory as are the Bloody Mary's. Did I mention that the Bloody's come with beef jerky speared with the olive and lime? I've had hundreds of bloodys over the years and this was a new one for me. We did a bite and pass with 4 people so I also had a chance to try the burger, an omelet, and the pancakes. All were above average. Did I mention the best way to enjoy brunch here? With a southern influenced breakfast you always have to order a table whisky. What's that you ask? It's a double shot of a nice bourbon to pass around the table and sip throughout brunch. What pairs better with bacon, fried chicken, and syrup? Nothing. Next time you go, order a table whisky. One last thing: people complain on yelp about the prices here but I'm from SF so I guess I'm just used to paying more for good food. The potions are normal and prices are fair. I'll definately be back.
(4)
Colleen P.
My BF had heard good things about this place (great food, amazing beef jerky by the pound) so we gave it a try over the weekend. I ordered the burger since nothing else on the menu sounded that appetizing. I was not impressed and have had much better burgers in Seattle, particularly at Skillet (bacon jam!). My little burger was served over a pile of grease-soaked onion strings, not rings. Super messy and not worth the effort. My BF ordered the only other appealing menu item: fried chicken with a side of asparagus instead of greens. I must say, the chicken was delicious, asparagus was decent, and I didn't try the biscuit. We also ordered the potato bread since I needed something to nibble on but that was a waste of money. Who charges for bread anyways, especially when it isn't even good? I only ate it b/c I had to pay for it. We had leftovers so I'm eating pretty much fried chicken on a pile of greasy onion strings. I think I'm going to have a heart attack in a few minutes. Anyway, nice wait staff, good atmosphere, but if you're not a big foodie, don't bother.
(2)
Mac M.
I haven't been to many restaurants around the infamous SE 82nd area of Portland, so when my dl suggested this place for brunch, I was all in. The outside of the joint is unassuming; it looks like an old diner from the 60's, with a cool drawing of a cat on the door. Stepping inside however, you can see they have done a lot of work on remodeling the place; with valuted ceilings, bar seating, and an open grill, it's definitely my kind of place. The brunch menu is modest, but what is listed is gourmet southern-style cooking at its best. I had the Braised Beef Hash, which consists of collard greens, fried potatoes, whole grain mustard sauce, and topped with two poached eggs. It was very tasty, and I would eat it again with no problem. The coffee was a Stumptown variety, but I won't hold that against them. The reason for the 3 stars instead of 4, is that the hash, while certainly tasty, did not have nearly enough beef in it. There was plenty of potatoes and greens, but I consumed perhaps only 4 smallish pieces of beef, and some leftover bits that made the plate somehow. That being said, I am fairly confident that I will try it again; maybe this time I won't be asking the old question: "Where's the beef??"
(3)
Michael B.
Wow. Even after doing my research. Wow. I love it when a place turns out to be as good as the hype makes it out to be. I went for the first time last night. We got there early (sixish) and were seated immediately. The staff was very friendly. To drink, I ordered something called the Kentucky Housewife whch eneded up being a sort of a mojito, but with bourbon. It was good. . .but about what one would expect I guess. For a starter, we shared the potato-chive dumplings, a bit heavy for an appetizer, but the combination of hazelnuts, goat cheese, and mushrooms were nothing less than harmonious. For the main course, I had the whole hog, and it is definitely insanely good. Insanely. Rolled pork belly? Really? Who would have ever thought? My fiance got the friend chicken with a side of mashed potatos that she claims are the best she has ever eaten which is saying a lot considering her statement had the word "ever" in it. For dessert, we had the apple crisp. It was hot. It was cold. It was amazing. I honestly cannot remember the last time I have ever been this utterly impressed with a meal, as a whole. If there was one drawback, the service was a little slow at times, with dessert and the check, but not too bad. I mean, at a place like this, it's more common to feel rushed which is much much worse in my opinion.
(5)
Greg L.
The single star was for the service... it was done with a smile. As for everything else, not so good. This restaurant wouldn't be open if it weren't on the east side (I'm an east sider so no offense). The butter leaf with green goddess was an under spiced buttermilk soup. The medium well burger was a dried hockey puck with the saltiest onion crisps known to man. Their homemade catsup was better left to Hine's, especially in the tomato pasty baked beans. For the little amount of food we did eat, we were reminded of the meal for many hours later.
(1)
Claire J.
You know the taste. It's the what you might encounter at those chinese diners that stay open 24 hours where you find yourself at 2 am after a long night of drinking. The crust of the chicken is stale and the grease tastes like it hasn't been changed in at least a week. There are parts of the chicken that don't resemble anything that once involved flesh. Eating fried chicken at the Country Cat was kind of like that, except it was $18 instead of $4, and it was 7 pm on a Thursday instead of the wee hours of the morning. It was seriously inedible. The only reason I took it to go was because I knew my boyfriend would never believe how bad it was unless he tasted it for himself. His one response: unpalatable. The rest of the meal was equally disappointing. The drinks were way too sweet (even though I specifically asked for less sugar) and the stuffed chard leaves were like lemon garlic mashed potatoes squeezed inside a slimy filmy green cover. The tastes and textures were not interesting, just out right wrong. To sum up, it is not a place I will ever revisit, nor would I ever refer anyone there. The service was fine and the bread was delightful. Worth a $60 tab? Absolutely not.
(1)
Rylen F.
hmmm... such a disappointment! After all the good reviews we had high hopes. The waitress and the staff were as good as it gets. They get 5 stars... But the food. It has been over two hours since we left and I can't wash the taste of the vinegar from the collard greens and the sour taste of the espresso drink. Overall, the food sounded great but the execution was over the top. My husband ordered the halibut which looked great - sounded great but in reality the fish which should have been the highlight was completely overpowered by what tasted like a strong Italian antipasta. The fried chicken was okay, better at The Screen door or Delta's but okay with a good biscuit. The greens were again okay but a bit over powering with way too much pork fat. My mother in law ordered the lamb which was full of gristle and tough. On the other hand the salad and soup were very good - had we only stopped there we would have been happy. Alas Portland has far too many yummy restaurants to bother with this one again.
(2)
Christine M.
Went there on a Sunday night, and we were surprised (and glad for them) that the place was so busy. The only thing that disappointed us was how very loud it was when it's that busy - very difficult to have a discussion - shouting was necessary. I say that because the food was so good that it definitely changed our mood - at the beginning of the meal we felt like we wouldn't be back because of the noise, but afterwards we know that we'll have to go back no matter what - our meal was fantastic. I had the duck legs, which were prepared with a delicious hickory/molasses tasting coating - the meat was absolutely succulent - so flavorful and not fatty at all - just tender duck meat with crispy sweet skin. It was served with a squash puree with a gingerbread crumb coating and spinach, as well as lovely balsamic shallots - they were rich with balsamic. My husband had the fried chicken - really fantastic with 3 nice sized pieces on delicious collards with ham, and served with a biscuit I'm so jealous of - why can't I get mine so tall and moist at home? I loved the potato bread and butter, and I loved my dark rum and ginger cocktail. Too bad I didn't have room for dessert - 3 kinds of pudding and a hot cookie is right up my alley. Can't wait to try it, as well as brunch... Service was great. I'll have to figure out when it might be less crowded so we can talk over dinner. I don't know how I'll bring myself to order anything else as I dream of that duck. mmmmmm.
(4)
Terri W.
Very nice waitstaff. That's the good piece. My friend and I went for brunch, and got there just before the rush. We waited about a half hour for food, I didn't notice, but my breakfast partner was not happy about that. Her breakfast (the WT) looked good and tasted good as well. I got the pan fried chicken and pecan spoon bread (not being a big egg eater, I like to try the non-eggy entrees). Luckily I picked up a piece of chicken before cutting into it - it had a 4 inch hair embedded in the fried coating and hanging down off the chicken. I notified the waitress, who took it away and came back with the same entree 5 minutes later. Never asked if I wanted something else, and when the bill came, I was charged full price. And the chicken was greasy and the spoon bread was raw in the center.I paid and left - but will not go back. There are too many breakfast gems in Portland to deal with substandard hairy food. Oh, and just a personal preference - way too many young children there - so good for young familys, but not for me.
(1)
Sally E.
Love this place. Organic, seasonal, locally-grown produce. Non-toxic meats. Friendly, knowledgable staff. The menu changes almost weekly, so you can always try new things. Great selections of wines, beers and spirits. Homemade desserts and breads. Best brunch in town and rarely a wait, unlike other weekend breakfast places. We eat there often and are always glad we did! :-)
(5)
Nikki L.
The food here was absolutely delicious. We had the Monte Cristo sandwich and the autum veggie hash- WOW! We were both 100% satisfied with the food. The service was also great. If I'm ever back in Portalnd, I will visit this place again! Only complaint- there's a little bit of a wait due to it being such a popular spot, but if they had a decent busser, they'd get the tables cleaned up and people seated much much faster. We saw multiple tables waiting to be bussed for +/- 5 minutes, meaning people could have been seated a whole lot faster. Don't they know that quickly cleaned tables = more people seated faster = more profits?
(4)
K M.
My LA to Portland transplant friend took me here for a bday brunch. Its a little out of the way from where I was staying but well worth the drive. I had the fried chicken and spoon bread (the latter was a new culinary experience) and my friend had a basic breakfast plate with a side of bacon. The fried chicken was AMAZING and the spoon bread was to die. The server was super sweet and I loved the decor (woodsy chic). The vibe in the restaurant is super chill and I caught a glimpse of an impressive whiskey bar. I cant wait to come back!
(5)
Brian S.
The Birds and the Bees will be taught to my child thanks to this place. Because it is relatively small, the wait on the weekends can be a tad long. So, if the weather is nice, you can walk through the neighborhood and the hostess will call you. If you are lucky, you can stroll by, child in tow, the hot tub/Sexy-Time-by-the-hour place (Portland Tub N Tan). Which will then, by necessity, require you to utter that dreaded sentence..."Son, when a man and a woman love each other very much, and have decided they want to spend the rest of their noon hour together, they rent a sauna in a private room. Sigh...they grow up so fast! And the food's good. Bonus.
(4)
Jacob C.
Go here for breakfast/brunch...order the fried chicken with pecan spoonbread...trust me.
(5)
Ann S.
Great service but the menu is too limited. The veggie option (soup) was very bland.
(2)
Jennifer A.
Let me say this, I want to give this place four stars. I have found the service friendly, the drinks delicious, and the food, at times, well done. I love duck. I always order duck. A few times, my fried duck has been a bit chewy. My husband ordered "The Whole Pig" and wondered if by pig, they were implying guinea, because of the lack of meat on his plate. That being said, the pudding desert is amazing, as well as the sides. I will be back.
(3)
Jennifer A.
Enjoyed the fabulous company of my friend as we tried a new to us recommended fair. The best flavor was the Braised Lamb Neck Creppinette on shell beans with fennel pollen gremolata. Wonderful flavor with an almost caramelized lamb that was most inside and accented with the beans. Judy's cheese pot also had bright flavors especially with the homemade rosemary crackers. Good job! The butter salad was fair, lacked flavor, a tad bland. My friend had the burger and although she said it had good flavor, it was hard to tell because there was gristle all throughout, and she had to dismantle the burger and cut around the inedible parts. Other details. It was cold outside so the wind made its way in and we found ourselves putting our coats on and off, even though the heavy curtain is in place to try and block the chill. The music was a bit loud when we first arrived. Despite this and the screeching baby, we enjoyed ourselves. Portland has such amazing restaurants, it is hard to be compared. For southern fair I prefer Bernie's, but I would give Country Cat another try...for the fried chicken, and the soup.
(3)
H O.
+: Amazingly rich flavors and large portions built to blow your mind and belly. If this spot were more central, the line would be Screen Door-ish so thank goodness its further out! -: My french toast was good but I think they shine with savory. I got to t
(5)
Kathy D.
After all the positive press about this restaurant, I decided to drive over from Vancouver and try it for lunch midweek. I arrived after 1:00 to beat the rush and even though there were a number of empty tables and not very busy I was IGNORED. After being seated that was the end of my service. So I left and gave my business to YaHala. I'll never go back! Too bad the wait staff isn't aware of their impact on business.
(1)
Holy-foo' X.
The decade-long drought, of life w/o succotash, has ended. Not just ANY sweet corn succotash, mind you. The Cat's version is some of the best I've had, and I hope not to simply be slipping into old fogey dotage here. Czaba's until now had the best succotash I've ever had bar none, but alas, Czaba's is gone, and it is entirely unclear whether or not he ever intends to return... The steelhead that went with said succotash? Superb. Almost made up for the steely I had on my line the other day and.... well, almost makes up for the pain of yet another one that got away. Close but no cigar. The service @ the Cat was prompt, engaging, friendly. Easy-going. I'm actually going into withdrawls here, it's been probably several months now since I've had the added dining enjoyment of having a Miss Priss for wait server, anywhere I've gone, and I go out several times a week. In a perverse sort of way that does not add much, if anything at all, to the present discussion on the Cat, the "snooty waitress factor" is undeniably a source of immense personal pleasure and satisfaction. But that's all the further glimpse you'll get--and far more than you probably wanted, gentle reader---for now, into the craggy catacombs of my brain... Very well turned indeed, Country Cat. Me-friggin'-yow!!!
(5)
Elena d.
We visited this place after seeing it on DDD a few months ago. Of course like most places in Portland they don't open till 5pm... Once we got inside decor was modern and the place was clean. It didn't long and restaurant was filled up... My BF ordered the Country Cat Pork Plate and I had the Fried Chicken plate. Food was OK at best! My chicken was cooked "Perfectly" juicy on the inside and very crunchy on the outside, but there was just something missing I finally concluded the breading lacked flavor. Chicken is bland to begin with and you have to "SEASON" it well and that includes the breading. Mashed potatoes were avg. I didn't really care for their "country gravy" it was a lil to herby for me.. MY BF's pork plate was good. Collard greens were awesome, the porketta was delicious(by far a fav thing we had), the pork tips were ok, it also comes with a Huge Pork Chop which we both agreed was very tough to cut and very fatty... Down home country food not at its best but good for the Portland area. Our waitress was had a great personality, very observant and attentive. In all I don't think we'll be giving this place a try again anytime soon...I have to say Guy Fieri had this place marked high but honestly nothing special.
(3)
Natalie C.
A list from Eater PDX led us here, and I am so glad it did. The red wine braised beef came apart on the fork, and was so nicely paired with beautifully browned little potatoes. The dish was dressed with a bit of arugula that turned out to be be a great taste accompaniment rather than just plating aesthetics. Also notable was the espresso I had after dinner. My after dinner coffee drinks don't usually leave an impression, but the memory of this little cup lingers as I have my own morning cup back at home. The pudding trio for dessert was also delicious, but should come with a warning for how rich it is. This did not stop me from cleaning out each cup. Wish we'd been in town long enough to try brunch too.
(4)
Megan H.
I've only been once for breakfast but I can say with confidence that the Country Cat benedict has made it into my "Portland Top 10" and I have had benedicts allllll over town. Normally I'd turn my nose up at a benedict shying away from the traditional english muffin but the biscuit had enough texture that it didn't bug me. The thing that really drove it home was the hollandaise. Nothing disappoints me more than a crappy hollandaise. Country Cat does it right, extra lemony just how I like it. The potatoes were a nice bonus too, little pillows of fried goodness with a nice tangy homemade ketchup. I'll definitely be back to check out dinner soon, only wish it was closer to my house!
(4)
Louise W.
Came on a Sunday around 1:30pm for a late brunch. Only a 15 minute wait before we were seated. The hostess and server(s) were very welcoming. Had to give 4 stars because my daughter said the pancakes she ordered were the best she's ever had in Portland. I had the French toast, which was good, and our side of bacon was thick and cooked perfectly. The Country Cat deserves their good ratings, and we will definitely be back!
(4)
Gina S.
I want to give The Country Cat 5 stars because it's in my neighborhood and I want our property value to rise by the neighborhood becoming up and coming. If I could give stars on brunch alone, The Country Cat would get 5 stars, their brunch is fantastic!!! It's the dinner that doesn't live up to the hype. We have dined here enough to write a fair review.... having read 5 star yelp reviews and "must" eats we gave The CC dinner another go....We went with the Braised Beef & The Whole Hog. The Braised Beef was a whole lot of arteries w-some Braised Beef and four half potatoes as a side. The Whole Hog which The "Chop" being the major portion of the pieces was fair. The Cheese and or brains of The Hog, was a greasy gnarly croquette mess. The belly, fatty & oily. The pulled pork fair also. From what I understand about Pork Belly, it is all about the seasoning and preparation. We do not dine out looking for over sized portions but I do believe in a happy medium. Literally 4 1/2 potatoes with a slab of arteries is just not culinary fare. The cocktails do not disappointed and the wine recommended was delish as well!. We had a really enjoyable dining experience, we were just let down by dinner
(3)
Sandra W.
The 'Cat was our choice for dinner one night this week, and it met all of my requirements for a five-star: Locally-owned, serving tasty food that is inventive, but not too fussy. It took me a while to figure out how the name of this establishment translates into a theme or philosophy (Yes, I was a marketing geek once upon a time). You expect the name to translate to country food or a rustic atmosphere. We found none of that here. The food is not exactly country food, and the atmosphere is completey modern and urban. So what's with the 'Cat in the Country? All the tables were full, so we accepted an offer to be seated at the chef's counter. These are the best seats in the house for a couple of food geeks, in my opinion. This gave us an unobstructed, close-up view of the three chefs at work. We could have thrown a bisquit blindfolded and hit any one of them, but that would've been a waste of a fabulous bisquit. The Hubs ordered the Whole Hog and I selected the Red Wine Braised Beef. Our order went in and we watched the chefs go to work. A pork chop on the grill, vegetables sauteed and then popped into the over for a roasting, tender pieces of braised beef getting a last-minute balsamic reduction, plating. Our dinners prepared right before our eyes, just like home, only much quicker. And it was sooooo good. The Cat's Meow. My tummy was a-purrin,' "Pet MeeeeNow." The executive chef and owner, Adam Sappington, chatted with us after we'd finished our meal. He's a friendly Cat who creates dishes that are quietly American, quietly bucolic, and elegantly indulgent. Like any Cat, his creations beg your undivided attention and adoration, but like a Country Cat, in the back of his mind, you can tell he's cleverly thinking about that lil' sumtin' sumtin' that might be a hidin' out in 'dem der barn.
The Country Cat was listed in this month's Portland Monthly as one of the top breakfast places in PDX. A friend and I set out on Sunday morning to give it a whirl. Honestly, the photo of the Cinnamon Swirl Challah French Toast is what lured us here. We started out our brunch with one of their cocktails. My cocktail, the "good mornin', sunshine" was an awesome blend of orange juice, citrus vodka, and emergen-c. I seriously was contemplating ordering a second one. The French toast, which is dredged in a Maker's Mark custard, was fantastic! Plump, rehydrated raisins and maple syrup spread upon the soft-in-the-middle and crusty-on-the-edge french toast rocked my world and left in me in a brunch hangover. We also shared a side of their thick sliced house cured bacon - OMG can we say meat candy?? I'll definitely be back to sample other items - even though I was in French toast heaven, I was having food envy with every dish that came out of the kitchen.
(5)
Martha R.
Went for brunch - loved it. The food was just as heart-stopping, hangover-curing, delicious-tasting as I had hoped for. The juice fresh squeezed, and the service perfect. A 10 minute wait too boot. Awesome place... AND - thanks for the update to the website. Much, much, much better. Not sure when that went down, but I used to have to email them to get the menu. Now it's right there on the good 'ole internet. Muchas gracias!
(4)
Jim W.
Agree with what he/she said if rating greater than 3. solid, tasty, great service.
(4)
Roxanne C.
This is an above average local restaurant that I've gone to brunch a couple times at. Nothing that exactly blows your mind. Good for Southern food like good fried chicken and gravy when you don't want to wait too long.
(4)
Robynn H.
Very savory!
(4)
Chelsey T.
Excellent and friendly service, even in a bustling small space on a Sunday. If there is a wait, check out the farmer's market down the block and the hostess will call you when the table is ready. I got the eggs Benedict with ham and it was to die for. On a melt in your mouth biscuit instead of the usual english muffin, I don't think I can ever go back to muffins now. The Hollandaise is perfectly lemony, rich and light at the same time.The home fries that accompanied it were thick cut and well seasoned. The homemade ketchup has a perfect mix of vinegar and sweetness. The portion is generous and I left happy and full. My sister had the french toast, and it was light and crunchy, while still being flavorful and the cream on top was super yummy. The baby's scrambled egg was perfectly fluffy and not too greasy. The service was excellent and the place while on the small side, was easy to maneuver around in and I didn't feel guilty for using a high chair like I do in some small places. We will definitely be back again.
(5)
Phoebe o.
absolutely the best service ever, and combined with delicious, high quality food made for a perfect night. Didn't hurt that a part of their proceeds for the entire day went to Mercy Corps to help Tsunami victims as well.
(5)
Tristan M.
Fried chicken, excellent. Duck, alright, but overwhelmed by the sauce. Wine selection, tasty options. Pretzels, lacking. All in all, satisfied, though feeling a little overcharged.
(3)
Joshua G.
Meh...it was ok, but nothing special. The country fried steak was good. The country cat breakfast was ok...egg a little undercooked, but the potatoes were good as was the biscuit. But quite overpriced for an egg, potatoes and a biscuit. May be nitpicking but we were the second in the door when they opened but we're the fifth or sixth to get our order taken. Also the place was really loud. Loud music and a full restaurant means you have to shout to hear each other which just makes the place that much louder.
(3)
Jason G.
This is in our neighborhood and I brought my friend here for dinner. I have been here about six times I guess, and feel the food is declining a bit; just kind of average these days. The menu is the same forever now, getting a bit stale in the hood. Let's pick it up.
(3)
Shir F.
Portland has a lot of great brunch options and this is one of them. I've only been here for their brunch service. Great selection. They keep running out of cinnamon rolls - if it's is available, make sure to order them (then save me one, please). Have to drive out a bit further for this place, but you can actually make reservations here.
(5)
Olivia T.
We came here for one of my sister's birthday brunch and everything was lovely until my youngest sister found A FRUIT FLY in her salad. She flagged one of the server and the server was skeptical. Server : " I didn't see a fruit fly." Sister : "It's right there." pointed to the dead fly. Server : "Oh." walked away with the plate and didn't even say sorry about that or anything like that. Our actual server came and asked if my sis wanted a new salad. She lost her appetite already and said no thanks. He didn't over her a brand new Fried chicken plate since that's what she was eating and the plate was taken away from her because of the fly in the salad that companied the fried chicken. When we got our check, they didn't comp my sis' fried chicken plate. We asked our server, he comped it, and he made a statement "We comped the fried chicken plate, but since we serve organic vegetables, FRUIT FLIES are common in our dishes every now and then. YOU should expect that from ORGANIC PRODUCE." I was furious. First of all, our smarty pants server, please try to say that to the health inspector when they are inspecting your establishment. Tell them in front of their faces that fruit flies are ACCEPTABLE in ORGANIC meals. Second, I know you might be butt hurt because you loss $12 worth of food and reducing your tips by $3 something, BUT your job is a server in a restaurant. We don't need smarty ass comments, all we need is an APOLOGY. It doesn't have to be a formal please forgive me statement, even a casual "Sorry about that. I don't know how the fly got in the food." will be just fine. We came to Country Cat for delicious food, friendly service, and having a good time as family. Instead we got food with fly, unfriendly bad service, and we lost our appetites to finish our meals. We will never go back here EVER AGAIN and I will do everything in my power to prevent people that I know to come here. Bugs in food are forgivable when there's no SMARTY ASS attitudes involved with it. Goodbye, Country Cat, we will spend our money somewhere else.
(1)
Kari B.
This review is for brunch.... We went this morning and arrived at 10:00 am. The business was full but not the hour plus wait you find around portland. We opted to sit right away at the bar but a table would have been about 10 min. The special of the day was pumpkin pancakes with poached pear and real maple syrup. Simple amazing. My friend said they were better than her dads and she never says that. I also had the biscuit and gravy with eggs over medium. Eggs were perfectly cooked just a tad runny the way I like. The home fries were seasoned with some sort of garlic herb concoction and the biscuit butter enough with out being to flakey. The gravey was not your typical it had chunks of ham and sausage lots of herbs and not overly thickened like the white creamy sort you sometimes get. Really fantastic. The gentleman next to me had a grilled cheese and soup and further down the bar was the eggs Benedict that looked amazing and a must go back for. Food wise I would say one of the best breakfasts I have had in Portland. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is the service was a little slow. My friend ordered coffee and had to ask for sugar three times. Today as we were talking and catching up it was fine. But if you were really hungry this would be a down side.
(4)
Zomoz O.
My favorite is their fried chicken! Juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. Had no idea fried chicken could be that wonderful!
(5)
Amy D.
I was finally able to breakfast/brunch at the Country Cat, since it's a little further out from Downtown Portland where I normally stay when traveling out this way. We got there about 15 minutes after they opened on a Saturday, and the restaurant was mostly full already. By 9:30am, they were completely full and there was a super long line by the time we left, so definitely come early to avoid having to wait! We tried: -Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken (w/Bacon-Pecan Spoonbread & Field Greens, Dressed w/Maple Syrup, $15, yelp.com/user_local_phot… ): Yum- solid fried chicken. The skin was crispy and flavorful, and the chicken was fried very well. However, the bacon-pecan spoonbread was very boring, and way too dense. I didn't like the field greens in here at all, since the flavor of the balsamic dressing didn't go well with anything else on the plate. -Half Order of Bacon ($3), Side of Gravy ($3), One Biscuit ($3) [ yelp.com/user_local_phot… : The bacon was ok, but the fat to lean ratio was uneven among the three pieces. Also, one piece was way overcooked/almost burnt, which was disappointing. The biscuit and gravy were good, but the gravy was a brown gravy, and I'm a fan of cream based gravy. I would probably get the bacon and biscuit again but not the gravy. -Stumptown Coffee ($2.75): Solid, and they give you free re-fills. Our server was super sweet, and the service here was excellent. Overall, this is a solid brunch spot, and they give you gigantic portions so it's definitely a good value. There are some street parking spots available, but it'll likely be difficult to find parking after it gets busier.
(4)
Keycee D.
Well, this is a long over due review... Came here in January when we were in Seattle watching the food network. It was a road trip so we would be going through Oregon going back to California. We decided to stop by for brunch, luckily we made it just in time before closing. I tried their fried chicken with pecan of course. Chicken was yummy and not dry at all. I also got their beef jerky to go... It was not what I expected.... I most likely wouldn't get it again... Overall service was great and the food we ordered were yummy other than the beef jerky. *this place gets busy *plenty of street parking
(4)
Loren K.
The food here is okay, but the portions arent worth the prices. I decided to check this place out because I saw it on Diners, Drive ins and Dives a week before traveling to Portland. I was pleased with breakfast, but dinner was rather bland and boring, especially considering I'd ordered the Whole Hog. It looks good, but it could have been so much tastier. Perhaps its because I opted to make it gluten free, so I didnt get the breaded cube of head cheese? Surely that cant make that big of a difference, but I honestly wouldn't know. If you DO eat gluten, I am sure that this place is an entirely different and much more delicious experience. As a person with a gluten allergy, I feel my dollars are simply better spent elsewhere.
(3)
Robert C.
Fried chicken was very good. Mashed potatoes with gravy tasted home cooked. My wife had the "whole hog plate", which not only tasted fantastic, it was enough for two meals. Started with delicious bread and a mixed green salad with a yummy blue cheese vinaigrette. Also tried the deviled eggs, which were ordinary. Too full to try dessert.
(4)
Andrew P.
Ali and I drove up from Eugene, OR to partake in Cars & Coffee and we had a blast. We decided to hold off on eating until we got up to Portland and I'm glad we did. I'd heard about Cat Country Grillhouse and have been aching to go. I've been really jazzed to try the whole hog entree but that's a dinner item that's served after 5 pm. I hope it doesn't sound like we settled for breakfast because nothing could be further from the truth. Ali ordered the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup and I ordered the grits with pork and 2-eggs. Before or breakfast dishes arrived I ordered us a side of the house jerky and we made that side disappear super quick. Soooooooo good and perfectly seasoned. Ali's words after the first bite were, "this is the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had." I took a bite and it was exceptional. The cheese was plentiful, gooey, creamy and buttery and the bread was the perfect compliment as it was crispy but not cut up your mouth. The tomato soup had a smoky element to it that proved to be the perfect pairing for the sandwich as Ali and I are the type to sink or grilled cheese sandwich into the tomato soup. On to my dish - Slow Burn. The grits were cooked to the perfect texture. Creamy and slightly buttery but rather neutral so as to not over power the accompanying pork chili which is seasoned with amazing attention to detail. The chili sauce that the pork is bathed in lends itself to compliment the grits. I opted for two eggs over-easy and the yolks were the perfect consistency and drizzled all through my dish once pierced. Both plates ended up clean and the same could be said for the tables that were around us. Kaitlin was our server and she was very attentive and nice and a wealth of suggestions as I was torn between two dishes ( Hash & Slow Burn). The menu is well thought out with interesting arrangements that promise to seduce the taste buds. We will definitely be back for both breakfast as well as dinner. This place is amazing.
(5)
May N.
After our sunrise hike we went here for brunch. Our waitress was very nice and we got seated right away because we came when it just opened. What's good about this place is that they take reservations, which not many Portland breakfast joints do. I ordered the country fried steak and it was delicious but the breading of the steak did not adhere to the meat well so it all just came apart right when you cut the meat. It was in a shallow bowl thing too and was hard to cut the steak. The cinnamon rolls we ordered were tasty but we're basically soaked in butter.
(3)
Gabby M.
My family and I came here because we saw this place on TV and we're very glad we did! The biscuits we're excellent and the fried chicken was as well. Everything was perfect minus the wait but the food made up for it. The restaurant is very organic and casual and a great place to unwind and eat at one of the best restaurants in town! Come quick and expect the wait but it's worth it
(5)
Angel C.
I feel mixed about CCDB - see the quandary as follows: PRO- 1. trendy decor 2. attentive service 3. interesting variety on menu CON- 1. my braised beef hash was more stew, with the cubes of braised beef swimming in a thin sauce and the broken poached eggs lost in the soup - the protein was actually tasty but not what I was expecting and thus not what I wanted 2. my friend's housemade chorizo, asparagus and goat cheese omelet also disappointed as the greens were overcooked and the home fries stale 3. prices were high for more the perception than value or quality So you see my dilemma - CCDB certainly tried, but in my personal experience, misrepresented the items on the menu which we happened to choose, all while keeping our water glasses full and smiling warmly. I would pass in future.
(3)
Maxene A.
it was good, but out of the dinner items we ordered nothing made me excited to come back again. ordered foods:] deviled eggs- one order comes out with three egg half's. The eggs seemed okay at first, a little tangy like they had put pickle juice into the filling which gave it a briny taste but after the second egg it was just annoyingly boring to me and very bland. potato bread and butter- soft and fluffy like potato carbs are, fluffy is a happy noted liking about fresh bread, yet it country cat's needed something else; like salted butter or sweet cream butter, something was just lacking, yes it is just bread, but again it didn't knock my socks off, i suppose if I want to be impressed by bread I should just keep going to trifecta tavern. radish leaf ravioli- meat free dish of ravioli stuffed wtih ricotta cheese and mushrooms tossed in brown butter and served on top of pureed peas and turnips, radishes and toasted hazelnuts. This was a delicious dish, a great effort but again something was lacking. I easily questioned if the water to cook the ravioli had been salted or maybe it just needed a little something else, I couldn't figure it out but it just seemed to lack a little extra excitement. set up & other mentions:] just as the name implies this restaurant has that southern diner feel to it. wooden booths, tables and chairs. freezer jam sized glass for water and chalkboard specials. our service was great, our server was fantastic and took note when we needed more water, and decided on last minute add on items. their is seating outside in the warmer months and timed street parking out front and around the neighborhoods. I won't write this place off just yet, maybe I can only truly judge the country cat when I try what they are known for, their fried goods and meats, until then I won't be raving about this place unless someone else is paying
(3)
Jenn W.
Their food is simple and well prepared. Unfortunately, the service is lacking. Our server was obviously on drugs and also rushed us to order our entrees. We had the fried chicken with collards and mashed taters and the "whole pig." Both were very tasty, but I found the chop to be too salty. The jerky and Judy's pot are definitely worth trying. We will definitely be back to try and have a more relaxed, down-home experience on another day.
(4)
Colette B.
This place hands down is the shite! Staff was perfection...can't have bread but had the biscuits anyways....no regrets at all
(5)
Elliott D.
Came here for dinner with the fam, ready as ever to sup on the bounties of The Country Cat... ***THE COUNTRY CAT'S WHOLE HOG with brined & grilled loin, roasted belly & braised shoulder on South Carolina grits As glorious as that description sounds, this was one disappointing pig. It was obvious that the loin was brined due to its excessive saline taste (not enough sugar), but apparently not to completion as it wasn't tender & juicy like it should have been. There was no sauce, which was a tragedy. The roasted belly was one small circle of bacon-like texture, not super memorable. The braised shoulder was tender and pleasantly marinated, but it was gone in two bites. All this on a bed of grits, or so I thought until I went to eat some and realized that it was all gone (stuck to the loin). ***GRILLED LEG OF LAMB on pumpkin and black barley risotto with pomegranate gremolata We were told that the hog would be sufficient for two people, but it wasn't, so we immediately ordered the lamb. It took so long to come out that everybody was already finished with their meals and had to watch us eat. The lamb itself wasn't particularly memorable, cooked a bit past our requested medium rare, but our pumpkin & barley risotto with pomegranate gremolata was actually really delicious, a lovely balance between creamy and sweet with pleasing textures--this would've been a great complement to a superior cut of meat. ALL IN ALL: Not an bad meal, but not as exceptional as I was hoping for. I will say that the Red Wine Braised Beef, which my father ordered, was scrumptious enough to keep me sneaking bites here & there--perhaps my assessment would be different had I ordered that dish instead...
(3)
Katherine C.
Had a delicious meal tonight with my best friends with amazing strawberry rhubarb and vodka cocktail, moist chicken, delicious hog, and yummy rhubarb crisp. The smoked trout salad and bok choy were just ok. Overall very satisfying meal!
(4)
Steven B.
We have always loved The Country Cat, recommending it to friends and visitors. Last night's experience was a disappointment. Rarely are the first three things on the table the best of the night, but so it was for me last night. The biscuits and honey were excellent as usual (however the minimal amount of butter provided was strange). The Cat's onion rings are among the best in town and were on point last night as well. My Marionberry Lemon Drop was wonderful. The butter lettuce salad with poached egg and green goddess dressing was bland as could be. My first three bites tasted like lettuce and water. The dressing added nothing. On top of that my fried snapper had spent too much time in the fryer...over cooked and a tiny bit brown. We will give it another visit, but not soon.
(3)
James P.
Good food, nice little place. The reason for 3 stars was the service. My food sat getting cold at the cook station while my waitress was BS'ing and chatting with the other workers. Same thing when it was time to leave and most the bill. Standing across the room talking like she was in break. Pat attention to your customers.
(3)
Diane C.
The wait for this place is ridiculous which is probably because they were featured on some television show. Luckily the Bipartisan Cafe is just down the street and we could have our lattes and hot chocolates there while we waited, though that means that we wouldn't be buying those from the Country Cat and they must lose revenue because of that. The Country Cat will take your cell phone number and text when your table is ready. THAT is a great idea. The food was really pretty good. We had the Eggs Benedict, which is served on a biscuit instead of an English Muffin and that was really good. We also had the Cinnamon Swirl Challah French Toast and it was amazing, with its Makers Mark Custard. Order that! The inside is not fancy but clean enough. We got a nice booth and the waitress was so attentive and friendly. So, 4-1/2 stars. Not perfect but pretty close.
Delicious every time. Today we had the jerky; the carrot, fennel, corn salad; fried chicken; braised beef along with two cocktails: The Boss and Port of Portland. EVERYTHING was freaking awesome. Great service, great food, great atmosphere.
(5)
KeshiaSkye S.
Not really impressed, surprisingly based on the reviews and word of mouth. The portions were small, not just small for the price but actually SMALL. My husband ordered the pulled pork sandwich which was basically the size of a slider, was soggy and the 'onion rings' that came with it were literally onion straws (not the same!) If it weren't so expensive I'd try it again, but it's not worth the money to waste
(2)
Joe L.
The words 'country cat' conjure up images a dependable farm feline, dutifully dispatching mice from the barn, while providing warm companionship to a farmer and his family. Nothing extraordinary, just a steadfast companion. So, as my wife and I sat down for the first time at The Country Cat for lunch yesterday, we expected good food (the place's reputation precedes it), but I didn't expect anything extraordinary. Everything was presented in a homestyle, comfortable way..like you might find in a rustic farmhouse. The staff was friendly and helpful. Our plates of food arrived, and my order; cast iron fried chicken and pecan spoonbread, flanked by a fresh tossed salad beckoned to my mouth. Long story short. I have never, ever had fried chicken as perfect as this. Moist and flavorful on the inside, crunchy on the outside. Many things can go wrong with fried chicken, but in this case, the crunchy outside didn't overwhelm the meat itself, but rather the inside and outside complimented each other perfectly. Nor was the chicken greasy. It was served hot (almost too hot), but I'm fine with that. We had forgotten exactly what the spoonbread was, probably because my mind and senses were overwhelmed by the deliciousness of the chicken. To those unfamiliar with spoonbread, my wife and I included, it was a little odd. Was it cornbread? If so, what was the layer of mushy stuff on top of it? In any case, it was OK. I found it a little bland, overshadowed by the cavalcade of flavors from the chicken and the sweet deliciousness of the salad. My wife had the strata, which she liked..but after giving her a taste of my chicken, I believe she'd order that on our next visit. The other thing; we have tried eating here in the past, but like many Portland restaurants, the wait can be long. We managed to arrive in between 'bursts' of diners, and waited a mere 15 minutes. I would expect to wait longer than that most of the time. Why not 5 stars? The fact I only got 2 pieces of that divine chicken, and the portions in general were a little small, in my opinion.
(4)
D'Ann B.
Went there for brunch right after flying in to Portland. It was SO good! I had an entree with pork chili and grits - amazing combination. They do a great job of putting an unexpected twist on "homey" food!
(5)
Allison B.
I wanted to like this place so bad... So so bad! Today a coworker and I stopped by for a quick lunch before an appointment, to put it frank- both of our entrees were pretty bad. I had the heritage burger with cheddar & onion rings. The burger was completely raw in the middle, not pink like I'd asked for, and the cheese was goopy and separated, making it extremely greasy. I also thought the burger was really small, but sitting atop a plate full of stringy tasteless onion rings. The home made "ketchup" tasted like sugar and tomato paste... Very disappointing. My friend had the fried chicken, which wasn't horrible... But the pecan "spoon bread" that it came with was inedible. It tasted burnt and stale. My 2 stars go to the side of pancakes we got, which were amazing! And our really friendly waitress, who could tell we didn't like the meal and offered to make us anything we wanted. Unfortunately we had to run to a meeting, otherwise we would have taken her up on her offer. Overall- I really hope this was just an off day for the kitchen... Or maybe just stick to Country Cat for breakfast only
(2)
Pete H.
BEST SOUTHERN FOOD IN PORTLAND. For me anyway. We had a top top TOP notch dining experience here last night. First-they take reservations for 4+. So we cruised right in at 8 PM on a Saturday night. No waiting? Awesome. Country Cat is an upscale, Southern diner. It is relatively small, but you are not elbow to elbow with other patrons, which is nice. For apps, we had several orders of deviled eggs, and also their version of pimento cheese spread, on homemade crackers, that also had some pickled veggies on the plate. The deviled eggs were good, but this homemade cheese spread plate was just incredible. I wish I'd had an order all to myself! Some huge homemade flaky biscuits arrived shortly after that, with honey and butter. Delicious. For entrees, I had the "Whole Hog". Which is brined & grilled loin, roasted belly & braised shoulder on South Carolina grits. I ordered this almost solely on the fact I saw it being delivered to another diner. This dish was incredible. I would find it hard not to order it again next time we go. If you are a carnivore, get this. You get a really good serving of 3 kinds of pork. I also ate about half of my girlfriends fried chicken. This was also delicious. Even the omnipresent greens that come with every Southern dish were tasty. We were wayyyy too stuffed to get dessert, although what I saw go by looked very good. We look forward to returning soon. Very soon.
(5)
John S.
The floor show is worth 10 bucks by itself. Grab a seat at the bar overlooking the kitchen and watch the crew at work. I ordered the chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy. Three cast iron pans filled with chicken were going at once. Once in a while, one of the cooks would ladle some hot oil over the top of the chicken. The three cooks and the kitchen manager were going at breakneck speed to keep up. They did a fantastic job. The chicken, boneless breasts, was great. Crunchy outside and moist inside. Very tasty. The potatoes and gravy were also tasty. The staff was very attentive and friendly. The hostess leaned outside as I left to thank me. Thank the kitchen staff as you leave.
(5)
Randi W.
My family coming in from out of town had seen this place on DDD and explicitly wanted to visit, so we made reservations for 5 for Thursday dinner and arrived about 10 minutes ahead of time. (We were even able to move our reservation time back an hour on the same day!) We were seated even a little early ahead of our time, after the hostess verified twice that our entire party was with us. Judging by the leering of those on the wait list inside, it was probably best that we made reservations! We were seated a booth with an extra chair on the side, and it was a cozy fit but that worked since we're family after all. By the time we arrived at 7, they had run out of the house-made jerky, so we had the biscuits and the wings as appetizers. Both were outstanding, and a fantastic start to the meal. The biscuits (though there were only 3), were buttery and huge, making plenty to split between 5. It came with a cute cup of butter, and a separate container of honey too! The wings were also the full-sized wing, and we were able to do 1/2 hot and 1/2 honey mustard. The hot flavor was delightfully vinegar-y, and you could actually taste the ground mustard seed in the honey mustard flavor! For cocktails, we only tried the skeet tea, but the second was stronger than the first (the mark of a good bartender to me!), and all of the tea drinkers mumbled strong utterances of approval at the tea-infused vodka. Since we were here for a birthday celebration as well, the birthday boy requested we try different dishes for the entrees, so we sampled the whole hog, the salmon, the fried chicken, the burger and the duck. Whole hog: head cheese is bomb albeit still mysterious. The porchetta was the best part of the dish, with the loin in a close tie for second. The pork chop was up there with the best I've ever had, but it's really hard to beat the fatty cut of meat. It was all served up with some grits and collard greens, both up-to-snuff with those I've had down south. Salmon: this one was my dish. The hazelnut flavor is strong, so I only recommend this for the Oregon-nut lovers out there. I loved the local infusion with the berries, corn and green beans, but it was a lot going on all together. The salmon piece itself was probably my favorite part, as it was rich and meaty. It was a touch overcooked for me, but only by seconds and it was still a great piece of salmon. Chicken: the chicken and potatoes are meant to be combined together. The chicken is crispy, fatty and golden-delicious, and the potatoes are earthy and buttery. Separately they are ok, but together is how this combo succeeds. (sorry to those who don't like their food to touch let alone eat combined bites of different foods.) Duck: duck two ways! The berries are warmed and juicy in this dish, and the duck is cooked in a way that's so far from Peking Duck. Just the right level of tenderness with crispy exterior skin. The duck breast was incredibly succulent and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Spaetzle rocked as it should. Burger: This one was the strangest, and the one I'd be least liable to order again. The ketchup is made in-house, and I'm not sure what made it strange but it's very different and distracting from the great flavor of the burger. The heaping pile of onion rings (which are actually like homemade funyuns = delicious onion strings) was the best part of the plate. Dessert was as fabulous as the appetizers. They were out of the coconut sorbet (strike two on order choices!). We had a peach raspberry galette instead, as well as the pudding trio. The galette was great with the vanilla ice cream, and the pudding was phenomenal - butterscotch, creme brulee and bittersweet chocolate all served in perfectly-sized espresso cups. Service was attentive, though not super friendly. Nothing wrong with that on an easy-going July evening. Decor is a modern diner feel, and Guy Fieri's face has been sketched above the open kitchen for a cute touch. Verdict: come early so nothing has been sold out, get reservations if you can, and appetizers/desserts are completely worth the money (and saving room for)!
(4)
Nicole B.
It's cold, and chilly, what's more comforting than some fried chicken? Walked in around 8:30. Not too busy. Laid back vibe. I definitely was going for the fried chicken. My better half decided on the red wine braised beef. I am not sure what it is about Portland and fried chicken. There's no bone. It's basically fried chicken strips in a hefty batter. My perspective of fried chicken though is a little skewed I guess. When I think fried chicken, I think of a thigh or a breast or a drum stick. Not, what seemed skinless and boneless chicken. Heavily battered chicken strips, is what comes to mind, when I think of skinless and boneless chicken. Anyway. The mashed potatoes were creamy and the gravy complemented the potatoes perfectly. That being said. The red wine braised beef was excellent. The beef was tender, on a plate with decorative pieces of arugula in addition to the mushrooms and braised potatoes. This hearty dish is exactly what I would want when I am cold and in need of something comforting. I would skip the fried chicken, unless your perspective of fried chicken is basically 2 small pieces of heavily batter chicken strips!
(3)
Rebekah S.
Um seriously? The very best brunch ever! And the service? Karen is absolutely the best server/bartender/comic relief I have ever experienced. It's kind of like this: you check out a new bunch spot, there's a line 'great how pretentious is this place going to be?' And what kind of bird sized portions am I going to get? You wait 30 minutes, get a text that tells you you've got seats at the bar, you're like eh ok whatever I'm hungry. You get to the bar and Karen is there slangin dranks like a boss but still gracefully greets you and gets you your 'jug' of mimosas along with a delightful description of what's on the menu. And can we talk about the shrimp and grits? Amazing. Holy smokes. It was like New Orleans in my mouth! I'll be back for sure and I'll wait with a smile and pray I get to sit at the bar and hang with Karen.
(5)
Julie C.
Had the hog thing and fried chicken. The best part of dinner was the glorious evening sky. Now get me a pitcher of water to save me from the saltiest dinner I've had in a long time. Skip it.
(2)
Jasmyn M.
If I had written this review 2 days ago it would've been 4-5 stars. I had been here for breakfast and dinner in groups big and small and always had a great meal and experience. A couple days ago, however, I went for brunch with my husband who had yet to try the place. He had heard how wonderful their friend chicken was from both myself and many friends that he had to try it for himself. Few bites in, he had a look similar to many people's...party in your mouth. Few more bites in, he had a look of horror. Gagging horror. I looked at his plate only to find translucent pink meat at the center of his fried chicken. He had taken a large bite of raw meat and only realized it after he swallowed. He promptly and quietly brought it to our server's attention. He waved off any new foods as he had lost his appetite completely. A couple minutes later the server came back and said, "We went ahead and took your meal off your check for you. Also, I want to thank you for not going crazy. You wouldn't believe how some people react to raw food." Seriously? First of all, he said this like it's happened a few times before. Fried chicken should never be raw! Also, he made it sound like he did us a solid by taking the raw chicken off our bill. Isn't it expected that you wouldn't charge a patron for nearly poisoning them? I don't know, maybe he could've comped my husband's coffee as well. Or given us a reason to come back like a free drink on a return visit or something. At this point I see no reason to visit this establishment again. I wasn't super thrilled with how that situation was handled. A shame since I had such a nice time there in the past.
(1)
Tim F.
I've gone here twice with my wife for brunch. The best part is that it isn't too far from where we live. Seems like any good brunch place is close to downtown, so the outer SE people always have to make a trip. The quality is very high and the menu always changes. it gets pretty full on weekends for brunch but it's still a fun place to be in. sitting at the bar is great because you get to watch them cook your food. the decor is pretty cool too. I'd definitely keep going to this place.
Excellent Bloody Mary, horrible food. Menu is great but they lack flavor when served.
(2)
Harry C.
Best comfort food in Portland, Karen's the best! Had the country fried steak, the shrimp grits, and the fried chicken for lunch!
(5)
Julie D.
Really wanted this place to live up to the hype. Unfortunately, the food was surprisingly overseasoned and overwhelmingly salty. Neither of us finished our meals. I had the salmon, which was nicely cooked but overpowered by seasoning, my husband had the burger, which was OK, but dwarfed by the massive mound of salty onion rings. Even the salad was so overdressed, we had trouble eating it. Perhaps our tastebuds were fried by that point, but I found the potato salad served with the salmon to be flavorless and bland. And I was excited about the cocktails, but both that I had were tinged with a taste of vinegar... no idea why - they were completely different drinks, neither enjoyable. Service was fine... nothing special. At least we ticked another restaurant off our list of places to try. Sadly, this one was not worth the wait.
(3)
Joellen S.
Yum!! Brunch with a friend, I had the Slow Burn, pork chili and grits with two sunny side up eggs and a biscuit on the side, friend had the fried chicken with the salad and spoon bread. Mine was great, and the fried chicken and spoon bread were killer as well. Chicken arrived hot and moist, spoonbread, I'd never had before but i'd do it again in a minute!! My slow burn was wonderful, it had never occured to me to put chili and grits side by side in a bowl. I will in the future, and the eggs to mix in made it even better. It was way too much food. I could have rolled out the door I felt so full but very happy with my Country Cat experience.
(5)
Amy B.
It had been years since I had been here and even then it was only for dinner. I was pretty excited to try their breakfast. We started off with the cinnamon rolls. They were so hard and dry we ended up not eating them, but the flavor was amazing! I was really bummed they were so dry. We told our server and she took care of it and we really really appreciated that. She also seemed to think that was not normal, so that was good. I got the eggs benedict. The hollandaise is some of the best I have ever had and the smoked salmon was also very good. But the biscuit was so dry you couldn't cut through it, so I finally pushed it off to the side and went without it. Service was outstanding. This may have been an off day since the line was out the door when we showed up 5 minutes before it opened. I saw the french toast come out and it looked really good.
(3)
Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: In Portland, it is best to ask the locals where to dine. We did just that the entire week of our stay, and sampled this little establishment first! Type of cuisine: "At The Country Cat Dinner House & Bar, American craft cooking is truly at its prime. Adam and Jackie Sappington have masterfully created their unique interpretation of the country's ever-evolving culinary heritage yielding a conversation-starting menu that highlights flavor profiles from Adam's southern upbringing balanced out by classic Northwest styles." "The seasonally-focused menu represents the best local offerings from surrounding markets; in fact, 65 percent of their produce is hand-picked from the farmer's market - it's no wonder Adam can often be seen winding through the restaurant providing guests with a sample of the season's first strawberries that then appear in various ways throughout their menus." "Cured for four months, The Country Cat's popular country ham is made from the traditional process known from the days of Thomas Jefferson. Each year, they make five tons of house-cured bacon and over 1,000 pounds of beef jerky (better known there as "meat candy") used in many ways including to garnish Bloody Mary's. Even the ketchup is made from scratch at 10 gallons a week while 350 of the most perfect buttermilk biscuits are handmade, handcut and baked daily. Well-known for his artful butchery, Adam purchases and respectfully carves a whole 160-pound heritage pig on-site weekly utilizing everything available to create a carnivore's dream menu. Perfectly punctuating this unique aspect of the restaurant is the popular Whole Hog plate featuring a brined chop, a pinwheel of pork belly, smoked shoulder meat and head cheese croquette, served over white corn grits with a seasonal fruit sauce. Simultaneously, the restaurant is well known for its exquisite fish entrees and wide-ranging vegetarian options." Ambiance: "The cozy and soulful restaurant is nestled in southeast Portland's rather unexpected Montavilla area, a family neighborhood reminiscent of Adam's hometown in Missouri allowing the duo to foster a restaurant environment that serves the community first." What I ordered: Our party of six indulged on this culinary adventure, starting with two orders of the Deviled Eggs ($3 for each plate of three), a plate of six Honey Mustard Chicken Wings ($8), and the Wedge of Butter Lettuce salad with Poached Egg & Green Goddess Dressing ($9). For our main entrees, three at our table ordered the Skuna Bay Salmon with Bacon, Brussels Sprouts & Pecans Tossed in Balsamic Mustard with a Crispy Soft-Poached Egg ($20 each), and one order of the Cast-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Country Gravy ($15). My husband and I shared the Portland Dining Month's Three-Course Fixed Price Menu ($29) which included, as its first course, a Juniper & Black Pepper Crusted Beef Carpaccio with Truffle, Leek & Chopped Egg, two pieces of Cat-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy for the main entree, and Mom's Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Candied Walnuts and Pineapple Sauce for dessert. My husband also indulged in the Virgil's Root Beer Float ($5). What I loved: The salmon. Whoa. Why I loved it: You can feel the sweet energy, the family-owned spirit and the true love and passion for good food at every turn and with every bite at the Country Cat. "Most every night, Portland's well-known husband-and-wife culinary team Adam and Jackie Sappington can be found buzzing about The Country Cat Dinner House & Bar, their dream restaurant they opened in April 2007. Adam serves as the Executive Chef while Jackie plays the role of Pastry Chef, seamlessly blending their talents into a family-driven and community-focused eatery centered on American craft cooking taking the farm-to-table concept to admirable heights. The duo first met in 1995 while working together for three years at Portland's Wildwood Restaurant, which laid a solid foundation of friendship and professional respect between the pair. Falling in love over the stove, they married in 2000 and always remain focused on camaraderie, not competition, supporting each other as well as balancing out their individual strengths and weaknesses. Active members of the community especially when it comes to educating area children about seasonal and local food, the Sappingtons have two sons of their own, Atticus and Quinn, whom they simply adore." Cost: Average ($10 - $23 per dinner entree)
(4)
Morgan K.
I was stuck between a two or three stars for the brunch here, but the 15 minutes it took just to pay was the tipping point for me. The food was average, pretty expensive for the quality. My partners french toast had great flavor but it was slightly overcooked and only luke warm by the time it came. There were no sides (home fries, eggs, etc.) that came with the French toast so that was a let down with the smallish portion. The WT, biscuits and gravy, was also just alright. It came with eggs on top of the gravy which was difficult to eat; I would have preferred them on the side. Not to mention my eggs that were supposed to be sunny side up were very unevenly cooked. The gravy was AMAZING, it was probably the best I have ever had anywhere. But it wasn't enough to make up for everything else. Biscuits were nice and flaky in the middle, but way too hard around the edges. Home fries were pretty good, but too salty. Food took over half an hour to come too. Overall the food was mediocre, too expensive, and there was a too long wait for everything. The gravy was the only good part. Pass next time, there are lots of better brunch spots.
(2)
Nichole M.
Well I went here again today and was disappointed. Won't be back or recommend. Got the biscuits and honey. Warm on the outside and cold in the middle, a little hard too. They weren't even warm even to melt the butter. I got the fried chicken which was okay. The other 3 people I was with got the burgers, everyone thought it was okay not great. One person had a lot of Grissel in their burger. Our server wasn't friendly, very serious didn't even smile. She didn't refill drinks and took a friends plate before they were done . I paid a lot of money for poor service and mediocre food.
(1)
Cora D.
Wonderful!! Had a great time with my mother there, the breakfast was really great and it was fun to watch them plate and cook people's food I front of us. It was a great experience and seeing Guys signature on the wall was awesome. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Bachtuyet L.
Had their cast iron fried chicken for breakfast and felt like a total glutton, but dayummm it was good :) So crispy and flavorful. I like dark meat usually because it stays moist and delicious, but it didn't matter here. Dark meat, white meat, it both moist and yummy. I've never had spoon bread, but that's what the chicken came with and it was tasty! It was the texture of firm grits with a layer of thick gravy and pecans sprinkled on top. There is supposedly bacon in the spoon bread, but I didn't taste it (which is awesome because I'm not a huge fan of bacon... I know, I know... WTF). Then there was a side salad. I don't know what it was dressed with but it was sweet and vinegary. Tasty! The order itself was huge and definitely shareable. We could hardly finish all the food. However, we did order a cup on smoked tomato soup on the side, as well. Too much food, but it was all super delish. I also got their version of a bloody Mary. The little pickles that came with it were awesome. I think it may be made in house. To top it off, there was a piece of housemade jerky. So much good food. I wanted to try their Cinnamon roll, but it only comes in a basket of three. Thank goodness I passed or they would have to roll me and my leftovers out of the restaurant :) I will be back for those rolls. You just wait.
(4)
Lauren R.
I was really disappointed in this place, it was EXTREMELY overpriced. The gravy was literally the worst I have ever had. I payed WAAAYYYY too much for a Chicken Fried Steak that was just, MEH. I live in the neighborhood so I may give it another try, even though I was really turned off. I have to give a place at least 3 tries before I can completely write it off...SO STAY TUNED. The only good part *and the reason I gave it two stars instead of one* was the Bloody Mary. Yup. That is all.
(2)
Debbie B.
How can you resist sweet cream biscuits? Don't! Eggs Benedict with steelhead on sweet cream biscuits. Yum!
(5)
Cristina K.
I am continued to be perplexed by this restaurant. The food is mediocre at best. Lacking in the flavor and finesse that would be expected of the owners, so clearly they are rarely in the kitchen. With amazing southern restaurants like Screen Door, I just can't bring myself to return again.
(2)
Deeds B.
Service was very friendly, I really like the atmosphere in this place, it's like modern southern comfort food, which is my jam. The chicken fried steak I had was insanely good and piping hot. I'm not usually in that area of Portland but I'll be sure to get back out there soon. Great service, great food, five star experience.
(5)
Sarah G.
Great menu! My friend and I love going to The Country Cat for breakfast! So many amazing choices it's always hard to decide what to get. Everything we've ordered has been great, only disappointment is that their water has a funny taste to it and we don't normally order drinks with breakfast. I recommend their onion strings, they are incredible!
(4)
Tamara L.
I've been here on 3 occasions. Unfortunately we had some similar issues each time. We've had breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At each visit we had several dishes that did not taste fresh. The restaurant, although not exorbitant is still at the higher end so we were expecting fresh, local produce and meats. The portions were on the sparser side, there were side dishes that did not taste fresh( for example the breakfast potatoes were cool, chewy, and looked as if they'd been sitting around). The service was a bit inattentive but friendly. There seemed to be a lot of socializing among staff. The space is clean and is in a pleasant neighborhood. We probably won't return given that we live in the Portland area and there are so many other choices.
(2)
Pepper P.
There should be a line out the door for this food, but the service is the pits. And who the hell is choosing the wine?? Gimme a break. I'll be somewhere else until this gets straightened out.
(3)
Christina I.
Was unaware they stopped seating at 2. Walked in at 1:58PM. Was seated, and minutes later asked to leave.
(1)
Luciana J.
We were visiting from San Diego and planned our whole day around having lunch at 2pm at the country cat after the reviews and triple D episode. We arrived there at 2:05pm and they said the kitchen was closed until 5pm. The lady acted like she didnt give a shit after we said it's 2:05pm and we would be catching a plane at 5pm. She didnt go ask, just told us sorry, maybe next time. Yeah right! With that kind of service, u can shove it Country Cat. i called before we left San diego to see if a reservation was needed for lunch on Monday, they said no issue. They never mentioned the place closed at 2pm. My wife also called on Saturday for directions and to ask if they would have a full menu for lunch Monday. Also the website also said they were open from 9am to 9pm. Food could be good, but the service is -5 star.
(1)
Jean-Philippe J.
Great place. My wife and I lived in Georgia so we know about southern food. This place is a high-end soul food in Portland. We had mash potatoes and collard green with big and tasty boar meats (belly, shoulder). My wife had Salmon special, as of the Pacific Northwest met the South !
(4)
Cathy A.
Casual dining but was pleased with actual silverware and linen napkin. Our party consisted of five teenagers, one preteen, and three adults. The service was prompt and courteous, portion sizes were more than adequate, and the food was delicious! No complaints from anyone in our party. The chicken was hot - straight from the skillet. My Ruben sandwich was the best I have ever had. We highly recommend the Country Cat and we will visit them again!
(5)
Luke O.
This place lives up to Portland's quirky yet awesome reputation. While the cinnamon rolls weren't very good, the Eggs Benedict was the best I've ever had: homemade biscuit topped with egg, ham, and delish Hollandaise. Service was great, too. She warmed up our coffee shop cups at no extra charge. Worth the wait!
(5)
Heather W.
wow. heavy contender for the best eggs benedict ive ever had. im not sure ive ever had one with freshly made biscuit instead of say, and english muffin or bread of some sort. and it was just pure heaven...that slight sweetness and almost hint of vanilla to it against the cream sauce and decadent poached eggs. yes. if you want a hearty breakfast that won't disappoint (and like benedicts) this is the item to get. we also got a reuben which was also very tasty. THICK cuts of meat. my only complaint was my cappuccino. it was plain terrible. very disappointing flavor and just not robust enough (but i like rich coffee). the standard hosue coffee was slightly better...but this is definitely not a coffeehouse and I'd grab one down the road from the small cafe -- that place was happening!
(4)
McKenzie M.
I've been here three times over the last few years. While I would call it more of a "southern inspired" restaurant, I would also call it completely delicious. The biscuits are huge, peel apart in layers, and are served with butter and honey. The potted Judy cheese appetizer comes with a nice assortment of pickles and crackers, and it's fun to mix and match. As far as entrees go, the fried chicken is always great, as is the braised beef and crab cakes, and I was rather impressed by the mushroom ravioli served over a bright squash puree. I had a very good summer vegetable pie special once, with flaky crust and juicy veggies, but obviously that isn't part of the regular menu. The mashed potatoes are buttery and delightful, the braised collards are everything a person could hope for (cooked with bacon), and the service is very good. I'd skip dessert here though and go down the block to the Bipartisan Cafe instead. The trio of puddings are tasty, but nothing to write home about, and while the coconut cake was solid, I just found myself wishing I had pie from next door. I'd be really excited to try brunch here one of these days.
(4)
Troy S.
I have tried to eat here several times but they will not take reservations for less than four people and if you put your name on the list its at least 30-40 min wait to be seated. guess they don't want me to try it and bring friends if I can vouch for them. We have experience in restaurant business and have found couples spend just as much and stay a shorter period of time so it should be good for business. Their loss.
(1)
Janice V.
Did Sunday brunch at The Country Cat today and they definitely satisfied my brunch craving. I had to try their most popular dish, the cast iron skillet fried chicken with toasted pecan/bacon spoonbread. Soo good, the breading on the chicken was crisp and crunchy while the chicken meat inside was nice and juicy! Yummy! I've never had spoon bread before so I have nothing to compare it to, either way it was still delicious. I downed all this goodness with a glass of their Bloody Mary, garnished with their housemade beef jerky. I also tried a bite or two of the chicken fried steak which was also a delectable treat! Gravy, mashed potatoes, and we added eggs on top. Definitely worth the one hour wait. Service was also good, we sat at the bar so we were able to grab our server's attention fairly quickly.
(4)
Yisha B.
Maybe I was just hungry, or maybe it was the ingenious craftwork of an amazing chef but I had one if the most gastronomical adventurers if my life with this meal. I started out with a Wandering Aengus cider, very tasty. Then came the fried oysters appetizer. I will say I almost always exclusively order oysters on the half shell because most places fry them to rubber. However, this was not the case here, the oysters were so lightly fried that the insides were still soft like how an oyster should be, and the breading was also very lightly fried; crisp yet not detracting from the actual taste of the oyster. Now, pair that with arugula, thinly sliced onions, and avocado aioli and you have have just given your taste buds a taste of heaven. Seriously, I had to slow myself down so I could slowly chew and thoughtfully taste each bite. It was glorious. Finally my entree arrived. I had ordered the cow milk and goose liver ravioli plated over crab meat and cherry tomatoes. The goose liver ravioli was a splendid creamy creation that paired so perfectly with the saltiness of the crab meat, and the sweet yet tartness of the tomatoes. Again, my mouth was in heaven. If you are ever in this area, you have to give this place a try. I only wish I lived here so I could try all the items on the menu!
(5)
Joey O.
Went here for their dinner menu. It was my 1st time here. I ordered the chicken with mash potatoes and greens. I must say that those were the best damn mash potatoes I've ever eaten. So amazing and creamy and the gravy was on point. Not to over powering. We sat up at the bar and got to watch the kitchen because it's open and right there. All the cooks were very friendly and talked to us. The waitress was always on her toes making sure everything was okay and that we were doing good. Not over the top to where it bugs you. But perfect. I will defiantly be returning to try the breakfast menu as well as go back to try more on the dinner menu.
(5)
Meagan B.
My partner and I came in from Arizona on an overnight to Astoria. We were seated at the Chef's Bar and very we'll taken care of by Meagan. We ordered the Country Cats Whole Hog and the braised beef. Both were incredible, and we almost licked the plate clean of grits. We also ordered the trio of puddings for dessert and we were incredibly satisfied. We will definitely return every time we're in Portland. Sit at the Chef's Bar- it was awesome to see the boys cook!
(5)
X X.
Debated between here or the others on the same lock, and chose this place by a quick look at the menu. And I chose wisely. The food was terrific; the service was prompt, friendly, and attentive; and the decor and ambiance were great.
(5)
April E.
I really wanted to love this place as I have heard so many great things, but it fell short of my expectations. The service was great. Our waitress was prompt and nice. The food itself, however, was not. I ordered the chicken fried steak which was not bad. I also split a biscuit and gravy with my friend. Meh, it was so-so. What really killed it for me was that my friend ordered the braised beef hash. Braised beef should be very tender, but tender it was not. The meat was very tough and the overall dish pretty bland. Again, I wanted to love this place but do not think I will be back.
I had amazing pancakes in Canada once, and I've been on a hunt to find them again since! They had this cornmeal texture, and lighter than the usual pancakes. So I was excited when I saw cornmeal pancakes offered here! And of course, I had to try it! It was pretty good. The blueberry compote was delicious with it too. Also tried their beef hash, which isn't normally my preference, but friend liked it. Service was friendly, but the food took a very long time to come out.
(4)
Dismas S.
The food is overall very good. From our dinner group, the burger was "the best burger I've ever had," the fried chicken was excellent, etc. The only negative was that my lamb was a little cold, but still delicious. Service was friendly, and relatively quick.
(4)
Monique L.
I am a lover of Eggs Benny and theirs was disappointing. Instead of Canadian bacon, they use some kind of homemade "ham" that is more like a juicy, bland pulled pork. Really weird. It's on a biscuit not an English muffin and for some reason that added to it being bad. I think it had bland boiled spinach on it just to make matters worse. Maybe try this place, just not for Eggs Benny. Veered too far from traditional Benny for my taste. Can't say how good their other food is. I never went back.
(2)
Rachael B.
Good ol' fashioned farm to table food. Delicious!!! "The best bloody mary I've ever had."
(4)
Matthew R.
A lot of the food here is on a Southern theme, and yes -- we Georgians, like all southerners, do like our salt. But *everything* was over-salted, from the deviled eggs and onion ring starters to the trout and duck entrees. The next day we felt bloated. The Idaho trout was not fresh and was slightly overcooked. Overall the dish was heavily acidic from the "salsa" that came with it: brined olives (more salt!), mandarin oranges, and green onions. Dunno if maybe we went on an off night? Service was very slow; it took over an hour to get our food. High points: 1) the duck was very tasty, 2) our waitress was Kristen Wiig.
(2)
Katherine B.
A friend played tour guide for us while we were in Portland and promised us only the best. She was right on, and the Country Cat was delightful. We had 8pm reservations and were able to get right in after finding street parking. I started off with a Porch Swing (if you like sweet, girly drinks, get on this), and our table had deviled eggs for an appetizer, which we ended up getting seconds of. From what I can tell, Portland REALLY likes deviled eggs, and I am so on board with this. We also had the "Judy" cheese appetizer, which went over extremely well with everyone. I had the Paprika Shrimp for my entree, which was prepared on a delicious biscuit with a garlic cream sauce. The waitress warned me that the entree might not be big enough for an entree, but I was stuffed. On her recommendation, I also ordered a side of cheese grits, which the table helped me devour. Everyone in our party loved their drinks and food, and the atmosphere was friendly and inviting. Would love to come back for breakfast!
(5)
Doug V.
Meal: Late breakfast, on a weekday. The place was packed, w/ folks waiting. Yet, there was seating at the kitchen counter, and the bar. My son & I chose the bar seating as we were starving, so no waiting involved. First of all, I will recommend the bar even though we didn't drink alcohol on this visit. The guy next to us had a really stunning Bloody Mary going on, with what looked to be candied bacon slice of some impressive size in it. Real tomato juice I can attest, as that's what I had w/ my coffee. My son had a chicken fried steak breakfast, I had beef hash. His was delicious according to him, and I don't doubt it. Mine was a visual feast, poached eggs served on a vegetable/beef hash, the veggies being squash, beets, greens, so there was lots of very good optics (I actually picked it because I saw someone else being served this and it looked good). Color=goodness, etc. OK, it was creative, nutritious, and lovely. But, it really didn't make my grapefruit squirt. There was some broth or rue but not much and it lacked flavor that the visuals promised. The vegetables were obviously fresh and top quality, and well cooked. Yet, somehow flavor lagged. The service was great even though they were busy, perhaps because we were sitting at the bar and at 930 the bartender was not exactly slammed. I suspect I should have just got biscuits and gravy or fried chicken - both of which looked awesome. I was just trying to make a more healthy choice. PS- more on the bar. They have one of the most impressive assortments of rye whiskey I've seen. To me, this is the signature of a classy, well stocked bar. As I said, we didn't have a drink, but I can tell this would be a good place to enjoy one. Summary: This looks to be a great bar and a good restaurant. We had good service. One of us had a really good meal, the other was .. less than great. Overall I'm glad I came, and my son is a bit of a regular. We'll undoubtedly be back.
(4)
Michelle S.
A nearby car wash and detailer recommended The Country Cat (Cat) among other good places to eat. I had picked up a friend who was having her car detailed and it would be a couple of hours. The Cat it was. Brunch time. They also have a dinner service. I have eaten at Ya Halla on the opposite corner of Stark and driven by her many times. Always wondering about this place. Today was the day to check it out! I am always skeptical of Hollandaise. I asked our server if I could have a taste. She said she wasn't sure but, would (immediately!) ask the kitchen. She returned a minute later with a small metal cup filled 2/3 with Hollandaise. While it was not a true Hollandaise nor perfect it was pretty good. Which, for me is saying a lot. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with Shaved Ham and home fries. I asked for my home fries extra crispy. My Partner-In-Dine (PID) ordered the Cast Iron Fried Chicken with Bacon and Pecan Spoon Bread. Neither of us knew what "Spoon Bread" was so, we asked. Our server did not know either. She admitted this was her first day. She instantly went to ask the kitchen for more information and returned right away with the info. I felt like we were testing her without meaning to. She passed with bright and flying colors. My Eggs Benedict came with a copious amount of Hollandaise unlike so many places that skimp. No skimping here. There were so many extra crispy "Home Fries" I couldn't finish the meal. The home made biscuits the entire collection sat on were buttery, crispy crusted, with a moist and dense interior. Excellent biscuit. The two poached eggs were perfectly cooked. No uncooked whites and the yolk entirely liquid. My PID's order arrived looking beautiful and she tucked right in. When she got to her Spoon Bread she hit a chill on the meal. The bread was cold. It should have been hot. The server immediately took the plate to the kitchen where they removed the Spoon Bread to "refire" it. The rest of the plate was returned to my PID. She thoroughly enjoyed the chicken and the salad. After several minutes there was no Spoon Bread. We got out server to check on it. She returned to tell us they had messed up and were "firing" another portion. This took more time than either of us thought it should. After several more minutes we got the servers attention to tell her my PID had not received her Spoon Bread. She went and stood in the kitchen watching them until they got it correct. She brought back to the table piping hot and apologizing. The difficulty with the Spoon Bread turned out that the kitchen had refired the Spoon Bread but, instead of letting the server know this they put a double portion onto another order and sent it out. So what is Spoon Bread? I am still not sure. There was a corn bread bottom layer. On top was a milky white somewhat gelatinous layer. On top of that was a generous layer of pecans. I couldn't really make out much bacon. It tasted best with the maple syrup it is served with. Overall we both enjoyed our meals. Were it not for the less than perfect but, still good Hollandaise and the whole Spoon Bread issue the rating would be higher. If I could rate it on our server alone I think a 4.5 would have been perfect for her. I do think that due to the continuing problem with getting hot Spoon Bread part of the meal should have been comped. It was not. There was no offer of free dessert or reduction in price. I will go back another time.
(4)
Ima S.
We really wanted to be wowwed but we weren't. Our $12 dollar eggs Benedict was served with a rock hard biscuit and little sauce, our breakfast hash was more of what I would call a stew, we soaked our rock hard biscuits in the hash/stew juices to try to make them edible. I like toasty bread on my Benedict but this was not at all toasty..more like dried up...like it was sitting out for 5 days. We didn't point put these things because over and over again all this hoopla was pointed out to us by the waitress what great care they took...we felt like our complainta might be too much of a slap on the face , we just decided never to come back. In the future we will go to the Screendoor cafe for this price point. way too expensive at country cat for the portion size not to mention the quality we received. sorry.
(2)
Jay S.
Why can't there be more down home joints like Country Cat? Well-priced, quality comfort food served with a sassy smile. Chicken Fried Steak ($12) - Done the way diner fanatics dream about: crunchy crust with tender meat, a nice brown gravy with just the right amount of pepper. The portion is enormous. yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Caramel apple pancake ($8) - Manages to be sweet enough to eat without syrup, but not overly so. Light. Moist. Gild the lily with real maple syrup. yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Chili - Red & just slightly spicy. Have a request? Country Cat does it your way like it's nothing. We asked for potatoes instead of the creamy polenta listed on the menu....no problem. Caveat: plates are so well constructed & balanced, that you wanna think twice before changing stuff around. yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Kid's Fried Chicken ($6) - This is a serious deal. The picture's dark, but you can see 3 small pieces of real fried chicken on the bone (not strips) same as on the big menu. yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Monte Cristo ($12) - It starts out well with the french toast, but sadly, this is where we had a letdown. They brine & roast the turkey! They cure their own ham! Problem? Together it's too salty! Compounding factors: Not enough cheese and they didn't have any jelly in the restaurant. s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com… Bottom Line: don't let everybody's rave reviews about high quality food scare you away. Country Cat is priced well for most pocketbooks and will set any diner heart aflutter. Shout out to Sherry S. - thanks for getting me to brave the wait, girl - you were right, it's worth it!!
(5)
Lisa B.
This place is hit and miss. The fried chicken is horrible, the mimosas are overpriced and also horrible, but the French toast is pretty awesome. Go for brunch not dinner and get the Bloody Mary in lieu of the mimosa.
(3)
Louie F.
I must admit I was very surprised by this place. It is a smallish restaurant that was packed on a Monday night. Service was great, fried chicken better and the bite I had of the whole hog which appeared to be rolled pork belly was almost life altering. I even had a Brussel sprout which I absolutely abhor and would order them for myself next time...
(5)
J.R. H.
So it was on TV greatest place ever right? Well I had the chicken it was just ok we'll finished but no flavor,salt or spice I was disappointed but the braised greens are awesome almost worth the trip ,potatoes and gravy were equally good.my wife had the ravioli they were good but no distinctive flavor other than the mint her favorite part was the roasted onion good beer great service decent price.
(3)
Chicago A.
Amazing. The duck potpie was incredible, the apple crisp delicious. My only negative was that it was cold in there, never took my coat off. But the food warms you up fast.
(5)
Rosaleen G.
Probably my favorite breakfast spot to date. I go here *at least* once a week for brunch with my best friend. So far, we have decided that everything on the menu is super good, and you can tell that a lot of care went into crafting the menu and the homemade flavors. There is a ton of things to choose from on the menu if you like a meat-centric breakfast, but even as a vegetarian, there is more than enough to choose from and you definitely will not leave hungry. The biscuits are amazing - big and flaky, and almost pastry-like, and they serve them with seasonal homemade jams. If you go early or during busy hours, the grits are super tasty and creamy (later in the day or if it is slow, the get reheated and are sort of gelatinous - not so great, but they will heat them up properly for you if you ask nicely). The home fries are the best I have ever had - crispy and perfectly seasoned. I just wish they gave you a bigger portion with your meal. Sometimes you only get a few, which is a bummer because they are so delicious. We typically order "The Country Cat", which is your choice of eggs, biscuits and home fries, though we have tried out a good chunk of other dishes on the breakfast menu and have never been disappointed. The coffee is always fresh, and the drink menu is super tasty. Also, the service here is really great. They are always so friendly and very attentive! You'll never have to worry about having to ask for a refill on your coffee or a top up on your little jug of creamer, and they are always happy to make substitutions or grab you little extras if you need more jam, butter, ketchup etc. Always a pleasure eating here :)
(4)
Jacob V.
Ahh I think maybe the cook was having a bad day. We had the fried chicken and it wasn't cooked right. Underdone in some parts and overdone on others. We actually only ate one piece out of the two pieces on our plates. Thank you waitress for giving us a break on the food we didn't eat it was awesome that you care about the customers. Thank you thank you thank you! The breading was too thick and dry like it was done at a corner market. I really did like this place and hope they do some re-vamping to the food. Oh my wife wants me to add that the mashed potatoes had too much sour cream and the gravy was re-heated and the onion rings were extremely salty and greaaaaaaaazy! Sorry country cat I'm hoping things will get better because I've had good meals here and I want more of that good good but not this day. Oh and one more thing guys I know you have your ideas about the menu but I would suggest a little larger portions or a little lower prices just like a buck or two.
(2)
John L.
Went there for brunch. Overall I was pleasantly surprised. Not sure why it took so long to get out there.... Mid-week brunch was awesome. No problems parking. No wait. Got seated immediately. They do take some limited reservations online. There were so many items I wanted to try. The kids fried chicken was delicious. 5 stars. Home fries were good. 4 stars. The kids grilled cheese was decent. 4 stars. The bread was grilled nicely but still soft. The tomato soup was super hot but good. 4.5 stars. The pumpkin pancakes were really good for the 1st half then got a little too sweet, but that's more my taste preference than a knock on the food. 4.5 stars. The onion rings with home made ketchup was fantastic. 5 stars. The biscuit was awesome!! 5 stars. My wife liked her vegetable hash, I didn't really try it. Didn't feel like vegetables today =). The service is great, location is not bad, and most importantly the food was fantastic. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Michelle M.
I have nothing negative to say about this place. The food is outstanding. The bloody maries come with house made beef jerky! One of Portland's best restaurants in my opinion.
(5)
Diaz M.
Best fried chicken & biscuits! Service was great! Went in during the week and was seated right away. Plus this place was featured on Diners, Drive ins and Dives so had to check it out!
(5)
Serene E.
We came for brunch on a Sunday. It wasn't too crowded. Cute little spot. We ordered fried chicken, country fried steak, and poached eggs with pork chili with side of grits. Biscuits on the side and a Bloody Mary. The chicken was amazing. Apparently they soak the chicken in milk before and that's why it's so moist. My eggs and chili were beautiful and the grits were buttery heaven. I chose to have mine on the side The Bloody Mary was fancy but tasted comparable to others you can get elsewhere. The service was great. Our server was awesome. and informative. I would definitely come back, especially to bring out of town guests to.
(4)
Ramie M.
Getting a seat can be difficult. Noise level is a little above average. Parking is street parking (my least favorite). But...good deviled eggs, good house potato bread, good cheese appetizer, some good beers, good chicken, and great braised beef. I recommend a trip, I have gotten the braised beef whenever I go (+ other things). I have been multiple times and would gladly go again.
(4)
Russell D.
I gave it another shot after a few years, and I left with the same impression. Good food, below minimum customer service. This time I had a reservation for four at 5:30. Three of us were there at 5:20, the restaurant was empty except one table, and our fourth was running late. They would not seat us until the fourth showed. 3 people on a 4 top is critical mass, and it felt completely absurd to wait for a table when the place was empty. It was such nonsense that I was embarrassed by the employee's lack of problem solving skills.
(2)
Joel D.
Just had the cast iron fried chicken - amazing goodness! I grew up in Texas, so I had my fair share of fried chicken and I can honestly say I don't ever remember having better. Third time here, and look forward to coming back to try some more.
(5)
Richard S.
Very disappointed in our experience here. The noise level was way too high to even hear your own table without raIsing your voice and the food was average and way overpriced. The fried chicken was bland and dry and 2 average to small pieces for $15 is incredibly overpriced. A whole chicken is $5 so what gives. The whole hog was also overpriced and nothing to write home about. The pork chop was not tender and juicy...more like dry and overlooked. Also the 2 additional hog pieces were so small that 2 bites and they were gone. Again, for $23 this was overpriced as well. The best part of the meal was the reasonably priced onion rings for $7. They came out quickly along with the salad but the entree took almost 30 min. Sorry Country Cat...you failed in my book. For our $70 meal we could have had a much better experience elsewhere.
(1)
Cindy B.
The menu presents you with tough choices. I feared I made a mistake when I bypassed the chicken fried steak and fried chicken for the grilled portobello sandwich. The table next to us had one of each and they looked delicious. But my sandwich topped them both. The combination of savory and sweet was unique and delicious. Highly recommend the onion rings as a side. Delicious!
(4)
Bill H.
What can you say about a place that has Beef Jerky on the menu. The Jerky was awesome and they have a bag that allows you to take some home. Had the fried chicken and it did not disappoint. There is a reason this place was on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. great food and will be back again soon.
(5)
Laura P.
We had heard about this place, it was on our radar, but living on the West Side we don't often get over to this part of town. We knew that the Chef, Adam was in the running for a James Beard award, which made us even more excited to try this place out! We happened to be at Roscoe's enjoying some Deschutes 2011 Abyss and other great stouts at the Stout Summit, 2013 event. We were so pleased to pass by it as we left. We peaked in, on a Friday night there was room for us! We were elated! We sat down and immediately started drooling over the mouth watering selections. Our service was attentive. It was obvious that our server liked food. She had lots of recommendations and explained the menu items thoroughly. We went straight for the Whole Hog, It was wonderful. Brined and grilled pork loin, roasted pork belly and braised shoulder. The fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy was a hit at the table too! We will come back again!
(5)
Crystal G.
Meh. We came for brunch and I got eggs Benedict. I feel like they just tried too hard. The hollandaise was too lemony and the overall dish I just disassembled to try and find something edible within it. My table mates had the same problem. Maybe we aren't hipster enough?
(2)
Joel W.
I wish that I was able to give them a review on their food, but unfortunately we left before being able to have anything to eat. My wife and I were seated and waiting to order when we were asked to give up our table for a party of 4 that came in after us. The other 2 in our party were parking.....needless to say I will not be returning, I think that good service is just as important as the food.
(1)
Matthew B.
I had the "whole hog" and it was fabulous. One of the best meals I have eaten. Great food!
(5)
Brye P.
I appreciate what this restaurant has done in terms of attracting new small businesses (that aren't crappy car lots) to this little stretch of Stark street. And I also appreciate the positive impact these new small businesses have made on the property value of the first home I have ever owned located a short walk past 82nd and over a few blocks. The food they serve here, however, is just very "ok" and "fine." It's perfect for families post-church to wait for brunch. I get that. And I'm glad those people have a place nearbye to take their aunts/uncles/cousins when they come to visit. I've been there twice (once when my dad was visiting), and I see no reason to ever return.
(3)
Anna M.
Breakfast, omelet and eggs benedict were bland. Mountains of potatoes. This place maybe gets too much hype for what it is. Not worth the drive if you are coming from far. Disappointed.
(3)
Nick C.
The food was fantastic. Fully recommend the fried chicken, braised beef and the whole hog. All were excellent. We started our meal with not to be missed onion rings and butter pretzels. It can be a long wait if you don't have a reservation, we waited about 1.5 hours for 3, but it was well worth the wait. Finished the meal off with the special blackberry and plum turnover and it was flaky buttery greatness.
(5)
Felicia R.
Mmmmmmm brunch in Portland! I got the Eggs Benedict, and it was one of the best decisions of my Portland trip. The home fries are well seasoned and they make their own ketchup! The service was good and prompt. If I had more time there I'd try everything else on the menu.
(5)
Brandi S.
Looking for some good ol' down south cooking? Look no further, this place has it. We came here for the fried chicken and it did not disappoint. Did I mention they have been featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. Check this place out!
(5)
Bernie B.
I rated this place so low because of their apparent disinterest in potential customers. I sent an email to the link on their home page on Feb. 19 and haven't heard a thing. I'd hoped to stop for an anniversary brunch next month, but now I wouldn't waste my time even if they "comped" us.
(1)
Jason C.
Great place for dinner and it has a nice feel to it inside. Food was great and really enjoyed the atmosphere in general. Started off with some onion rings and cheese spread. Both were fantastic and the onion rings were seasoned perfectly. I got the Salmon, it was slightly overcooked and didn't have a sauce on it. But it was surprisingly great without any type of sauce. The vegetables were fantastic that were served with it.
Great southern style home cookin'. I enjoyed the Aviator's dinner with a martini and fried oysters to get the ball rolling, followed by some lip smacking fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy with a side of greens. Saved some space for lemon cheesecake for dessert. Easy to see why people make this a regular spot on their dining out list. BTW, prices are reasonable and service is great.
(4)
Mary C.
I've been to the Country Cat twice and had a catered meal by them, and have had outstanding food and service every time! The menu is great making it difficult to decide. If you plan to go for dinner on the weekend plan on waiting a bit, but they have great drinks while you wait!
(5)
Winnie C.
When I arrived I was asked how many in my party and was told when everyone arrived I could be seated. The place was all most empty.. One of the ladies in our grouped wanted to substitute mashed potatoes for spoon bread and was told no. One person wanted cheddar cheese on their burger no they don't have it. We asked to talk to the manager and was told the cook does not make any changes to his plates. In all the manager was very rude. We did finally get the mashed potatoes. I believe that was when he over heard us all talking about leaving a bad review. I will never go back there! Plus I have had a upset stomach all day.
(1)
Cassandra A.
The food was great here; the service and venue was just okay. The hostess on our particular day was not great at all. Let me start by saying, there is no way to make reservations if you are a group less than four. So as a couple, you just have to show up and put your name. Unfortunately, they have no waiting area inside the venue, meaning, it's not really a place you can [comfortably] wait at. So after trying to come here twice and being told we'd have a hour wait, we finally came by for breakfast early in the morning and were told the wait was only 25 minutes. We gave them our name and walked down to Bipartisan Cafe for coffee. There was (amazingly) no line there and as soon as I poured just a plain cup of brewed coffee, my husband was called to say they were ready (less than 5 minutes after we left country cat). My husband unfortunately ordered a latte, so I walked down to get our seats, while he waited for his latte to be made. Upon arriving, I was told I would not be seated without my full party there (i.e. just my husband). In the meantime, I watched the hostess seat three other couples that came in. Finally when my husband arrived (less than five minutes after me) we had to wait an additional amount of time since she gave our table away to other walk-ins. Our table was right near the entrance. And despite the curtains they have hung up to somewhat block the wind it doesn't. And due to the fact that (again) this restaurant does not have place to seat people waiting, we did have a couple people leaning over the ledge of our table which kind of bothered me. The food itself was awesome. I ordered their poached eggs with salmon. My husband got a country fried chicken steak (yeah, I know, breakfast). The potatoes that came on the side were wonderfully seasons. My husband still wants to try this place again. Maybe if we can go without an hour long wait again, AND get a realistic estimation time, we'll try it again. The attitude of the hostess was just plain non-costomer friendly. She was a poor communicator (as evidenced by her poor estimate of our wait) and then failing to even acknowledge when and if she would seat us when my husband arrived.
(3)
Mark W.
Everyone knows they have great fried chicken here. It is very good. The surprise was the corn bread that comes with it. A corn bread bottom with a custard like topping; mix in some bacon and top it with pecans. Holy jamoly! Texture and taste is awesome.
(4)
Miz C.
Best fried chicken ever. Deviled eggs are great. Great cocktail I had with black tea infused vodka. Will definitely be visiting this place again.
(5)
Chrissy M.
Yes, I admit it. I'm a tourist and came to 'The Country Cat Dinnerhouse & Bar' because it was on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. We arrived around 11:30 on a Monday and were seated right away. I'm sure this place is packed on the weekends. I originally wanted to order the chicken fried steak, but they were out the day I visited. I opted for the open faced meatloaf sandwich and my husband had the braised beef hash. Even though the portions were huge, we managed to eat all of our food. We licked our plates clean (literally!). The service is quick and friendly. I'd like to come back for dinner and try their dinner offerings on my next visit.
(4)
Monica S.
We've been frequenting the Cat for as long as they have been open and it is by far, our favorite place to visit. Not only is the food always delicious, the drinks are outstanding and the service is exceptional. We live in the neighborhood and love the fact that we can waltz on over for dinner any night of the week. It is usually crazy busy particularly since their stint on DDD, but that is not an issue for us because we can always kill time at a neighboring shop or bar while we wait. Adam and his amazing crew are just delightful and we have always found them to be super attentive, funny, thoughtful, and just downright fabulous. Some of our favorite dishes include any of the Friday and Saturday night steak specials, the whole hog, and the hamburger (best in town). A previous comment left by another "yelper whelper" complained about the seating policy. I don't believe this policy is new because we have experienced it, most recently during the holidays. If you know anything about the restaurant industry, this is not an uncommon practice for high-end, extremely busy locations. And really??? I have been asked by staff at both Genoa and Paley's Place to shift over to the bar when our party had stayed too long and it was causing a delay or shift in the reserveration flow. Furthermore, the bar at the Cat is not just a bar. Many people who might not want to wait the hour or so for a booth, choose to have their dinner there instead. I seriously doubt anyone would think any different if a pregnant woman was sitting there, particularly if they were in the 2 seats that are not "higher than hip level" located on the end of the bar. And I'm quite sure the "snippy little wench" that the previous Yelper referenced, who is obviously a (gasp!) non-child-bearing hostess, would have liked to stoop to your level and wish a plague of locusts upon you as well but that would be childish. But alas.... I digress. So regardless of whether you are pregnant, or not pregnant, or wish you were pregnant, or regret getting pregnant, you should check them out. You most assuredly will love it AND them just as much as we do.
(5)
T M.
I was in to the Country Cat with my family over the weekend and had a wonderful experience. We had a reservation and they were so busy for brunch that it took about 12 minutes to get our table. Meagan was our server and greeted us promptly and friendly. I let her know that we were looking for direction and right away, she came up with some "must haves" in the menu... We came in specifically for fried chicken, but the menu had caught our eyes with a few others - Meagan nailed them all, so we ordered them all. The food came out quicker than i expected, given the business of the place and we got to enjoy great coffee while we waited. Let me tell you... the chicken ROCKED, the pancakes were light, the biscuit was flaky, the cinnamon rolls were moist and the french toast was huge... all tasted great. when I rate a restaurant experience, i look at everything from before i enter the building till the time we leave... Country Cat delivered on cleanliness, promptness of service, knowledge of service, quality AND value of food, not too busy of a menu, and ease of paying and leaving. this is the way to run a business. TMac
(5)
Ron P.
Great Brunch place with a southern flare. Like a lot of hot restaurants in PDX there is usually a wait, sometimes quite a long one. Priced well, food is excellent, but beware health fiends and vegetarians, you won't find a healthy meal here, just good home style cookin. Love the jerky in the Bloody Mary!
(4)
Mackenzie J.
What a delicious brunch. It was a little ways out of the way but so what, still worth it. I order chicken fried steak. Its batter was a little bland but the thing was ginormous and the Worcestershire gravy gave it a nice twist. The bacon was phenomenal. I would have given them three stars because the service was not that great; I waited for awhile for my check and there were only a couple of people in the restaurant. However, I respect the owners for putting out a good product at a decent price that holds up the southern expectation. Really though, the bacon was some the best I've ever had.
(4)
Aaron V.
Ugh... Was here this weekend and saw an obnoxious signed caricature of Guy Fieri on the wall. I don't think that I can ever come back here again. Gross! Do you have no shame?!
(1)
Kevin F.
This place is just okay. Decent food, could be better. Service is okay. Prices are a bit high. Good location and atmosphere. Menu needs work.
(3)
Jeff W.
Well you would think a restaurant like this could serve a hamburger to order - not the case - my medium rare was medium well. The server didn't think it worth her while to ask about my meal. I'd say get your hamburger from Little Big Burger who will cook your burger to order for half the price.
(3)
Travis S.
My partner had the grilled steak which was delicious, and I enjoyed the fried chicken. While the snap pea salad wasn't my favorite, the entrees along with the pudding and chocolate cake for dessert was just fantastic. This place is a find, if you're wondering whether to give it a try, we say go. Go now!
(5)
kathy m.
I had been hearing about The Country Cat for several years from friends as well as reading reviews, and it was one of those places I kept wanting to go to but just never seemed to get to it..Last Saturday I finally made it with 3 friends who had been here before and had raved about it! I had spent several days prior to going reading the menu online..getting myself primed...one thing I knew I had to try was the Judy cheese...none of my friends had ever tried it when they had been here before..but I had heard so many good things about it that we had to have some..It is fantastic..made in house and is basically just a cheese spread with crackers.and pickles on the side.. but WOW..really really good....and perfect with the cocktails we ordered.as well as some wonderful onion rings..the thin ones which I prefer..good and crispy.....I must give props to one of the best waitresses ever, I called the restaurant to get her name ,Kerry C., and if you are lucky enough to sit in her section your experience will only be enhanced!!.They make GREAT drinks here..so often I find them too sweet or too something when restaurants have alot of cocktail options..but everything we had was delicious..I wish I could remember the name of the one I had..actually a couple of us had this..a rum punch type drink that was fabulous and one of our party had the house infused cherry vodka something or other..and it was really refreshing and tasty....perfectly balanced which is a big deal to me! It was a Saturday evening early,5:30, and we were glad we had reservations as this place was hopping even that early! I had gone back and forth during the week planning what I would have (yes..I am somewhat obsessed with food...) I had heard so much about the fried chicken but I was skeptical to hear that it was boneless..I'm one of those people who loves to gnaw on the bones....they serve a boneless breast and thigh(although you can get two breasts if you ask) Now I am a convert..just delicious .it came with mashed potatoes and gravy..but we ordered a couple of sides of grits as well as the green goddess salad with a perfectly poached egg on top!(Which has made me determined to get back in there for brunch..anyplace that can poach an egg perfectly when as busy as they were is tops for me!) Three of us had the fried chicken and one had the braised beef....I had gone back and forth between that and the chicken so happily my friend gave me several bites..OMG..just incredible..fabulous ..this place knows comfort food!! One would think that we wee too full for dessert..but one would be wrong..we ordered the pudding/creme brulee threesome as well as the profiteroles both of which were perfect....and ...THEN....I just HAD to do it....we ordered the Root Beer float with a shot..and asked for Knob Creek rather than the Maker's Mark they offer because I prefer Knob...now..here is where I went wrong...I asked for TWO shots of the Knob Creek...thinking this would be a regular little shot....she brought out two BIG shots and by that time we were all full of food and drink but figured between the 4 of us could finish it....It eneded up pretty much i front of me..as a couple of people had Spanish coffee's...and while I will say that it was the best root beer float ever...I paid for it on Sunday morning....However...happily..I had not finished my meal and so I had left over friend chicken and grits and mashed potatoes....I warmed up the mashed and the grits together and let me tel you THAT is a hell of a combination too..!! I ate the chicken cold and it was just perfect...so good even cold...I'm so glad I finally made it out here..and now I've got to go back for brunch!!
(5)
Pink D.
I can only speak on their brunch, but if you let me talk about it, you may notice a drizzle of drool, because - yum. I think I might love their benedict, the biscuits topped with perfectly poached egg, greens, tasty fish, a well made hollandaise and served with the crispiest potatoes that I have ever put in my mouth. Yes, it was the best plate of food I have had in weeks. I would go five stars, but the coffee wasn't flowing fast enough to our table, and the music was alternately blaring and then down to a reasonable volume during our meal. Weird. I had one of those moments of shouting to be heard over the music and then, oops the music is down, and now you are the center of attention because you are suddenly talking way too loud. Yeah, I needed everyone to hear about my favorite reoccurring guest star of Star Trek TNG.
(4)
Rebecca I.
Their biscuits are wonderful and i love the cinnamon applesauce on it! Would love a choice of fresh homemade jams too, but maybe that's just me. Otherwise very nice!
(4)
Linda M.
Solid food; solid service. Was it the ultimate food experience of a lifetime, no. But it was one of the better meals that I have had in Portland. Very comfortable neighborhood vibe -- no hipster, no glitz. Husband had the fried chicken-- crispy, moist, well seasoned. I had the leg of lamb; tender, and cooked to order with very tasty zucchini cakes as an accompaniment. We shared a refreshing late summer salad of melon, plums, beets with a lightly dressed but flavorful vinaigrette. Fabulous. Finished off with a plum cobbler topped with Earl Grey tea ice cream. Excellent. Not too sugary or over-the-top excessive. Service was attentive and gracious. Although we did not indulge, noticed an impressive selection of bourbon and whiskey. Will we be back? Definitely.
(4)
Mardi C.
from the get go, it started out wrong. the busser wanted me to sit at the bar, and I didn't want to. she then explained that she didn't want to have one person sit at a table that she could sit four at. NMP. I work as a hostess in a very busy restaurant myself, and you have to make folks happy. I had her seat me at a table. there were plenty of tables empty, when I arrived, and when I left. it was a monday. It shouldn't be an argument. I never argue with someone if they choose to not sit at the bar. I try to make people happy. I waited for coffee. took a while. it arrived just a minute before breakfast. maybe thats your policy? but coffee? is a simple thing. breakfast was pulled pork, grits and two eggs over easy. the pulled pork was half fat, and half tiny morsels in fat. lots of brown gravy, and very salty. the grits? were bland, and could use some love. the eggs? they were right. I finished my ONE cup of coffee I got, and my meal, and was out the door. sorry to be so harsh, but I am from a city that has SERVICE in their industry. I am also from the south. y'all need to learn some southern hospitality and cooking. I won't bother to come back.
(2)
Ed H.
Had the fried chicken ( of course), collard greens, English peas, and onion rings. Lu had the Whole Hog. Both entrees were great though the Whole hog was way too much food for Lu. The collard greens were some of the best I've ever had though the peas were just okay. I wouldn't order the onion ring appetizer again as it seemed more like a garnish that you put on a green bean casserole...we had to wait about 20 minutes past our reservation time--not good since we came about 25 minutes early. Would have been nice if management would have comp'd us an appetizer or cocktail, but no such luck. They did help themselves to a 20% gratuity when presenting the bill. Highly recommend the food in spite of the customer service.
(3)
B. F.
The food is spectacular. We went last night for the first time and sat at the bar as the place was pretty crowded (good sign). The bartender was really nice and attended to us right away. The menu was impressive and I had a hard time deciding what to get as it all sounded tasty. I went with the ravioli's -English Pea, Ricotta, & Mint Ravioli tossed Toasted Hazelnut & Crab Brown Butter $15-- superb! It was a little on the small side but it was actually perfect since we split some bread. I was completely satisfied with out feeling stuffed. My dining companion had the clams - Manila Clams, Pork Sausage, & Roasted Peppers in a Sweet Garlic, Shallot, & Chardonnay Broth $8-- I hate clams but I am ordering this next time I go. I have been converted to a clam lover after tasting this! It's a good sized portion and just utterly scrumptious especially with bread to soak up the broth. The service was great, atmosphere comfortable and overall I would come back for sure and encourage everyone I know to try it.
(5)
John R.
One of the best burgers in town! Great beef, great bun, homemade ketchup, and some of the best onions rings you'll ever eat. The whole hog remains an iconic Portland dish, and yes, the fried chicken is damn good too. For brunch, the chicken fried steak is incredible and one of the few places in town that even serves it. Not as consistently great as Screen Door, but you can tell everything is made in house, by passionate people that really care about what they're serving. Great place!
(5)
Mel A.
The fried chicken was boneless and moist but very bland and I had to keep salting it. Mashed potatoes and gravy were very tasty. The beef in red wine sauce was super tender and the sauce quite good. the collard greens with bacon were really a few greens with a mess of chunky bacon and fat, and overly vinegary. For the price, portions were small, no veggies or salad comes with the meals, you have to buy a pricey side. Overall, I'd rather drive further in for better tasting food for less money at Montage.
(3)
M B.
Showed up asking for a 6 top at 10am on Sunday. At least half the tables were completely empty, yet we were told there was no seating. Apparently the only table was reserved at 1130 and they didn't want to risk us not being done. Fine. Forget you. Went to the songbird cafe a couple blocks away and they went out of their way to accommodate us even though they were very busy. So sick of the Portland restaurant "you're lucky we even acknowledge you" attitude. I'll take my money elsewhere.
(1)
Christine N.
Make sure you have an appetite. The portions here are huge! The fried chicken is great. All of the dishes were good but very rich. A cute place for brunch.
(3)
Matthew N.
This place did not live up to the hype for me. With such strong reviews on Yelp we decided to take visiting managers and customers for a late breakfast early lunch. While the food (when it arrived) was huge in portions, it was over seasoned, slow service and not very appealing neighborhood. With seven people (the only guest in the building....first watchout at 1145am on a Tuesday) lunch/breakfast took well over an hour, to be served (25 minutes), eat (20 minutes), get the bill (15 minutes after clearling the table) and another 10 minutes to get the bill back. If you are looking for something in the non-typical locations, give a try.....maybe it was just an off day when I arrived
(3)
Jeffrey B.
Had a great time due to the company I was with but everything we ordered from the shrimp to the $11.50 burger to the duck was way overcooked. They charge $7 for three biscuits? Collards $6? Grits $6? My grandma would slap me if I opened a restaurant and charged such crazy prices! But we have had good with the bad. Usually after a nice romp at the Montavilla farmers market we would grub down on some Country Cat brunch. Went on several occasions and was always happy enough. Although, the home fries and bloody mary's were the highlight of my meals. Yet the beef jerky in my bloody mary was so chewy that it was inedible .
(3)
Aimee J.
Great dinner. My husband had The Whole Hog, I had the Fried Chicken. We also had a side of mashed potatoes which were so yummy. My husband also had a great Bloody Mary. Next time we'll try brunch.
(4)
Marika B.
Quite frankly, this was some of the best food I've had in a very long time. It could get a little pricey, but I can't imagine a scenario where it wouldn't be worth it. Pros: -Delectable food. -Great service. -Kid-friendly w/o being a 'kid restaurant'. -Nice decor, good ambiance. -They make their own bacon!! And it's de-LISH. -DELECTABLE FOOD. Cons: -We had to leave. -Our leftovers didn't last very long. -They're in Portland and I'm not. Seattlites, if you are ever in Portland, CHECK THIS PLACE OUT. I got back from my trip to Portland and told probably 20 people about the Country Cat, because it was really amazing food--a good experience overall. Don't pass this place up the next time you're hanging in P-town. I'm definitely going back!
(5)
Shane S.
Met friends for dinner. Having been in the area for many years, this part of Portland has changed a lot. All for the good, too! An area of Portland that still has it's neighborhoods, and great little finds. This is one of them too. Drinks were fantastic (Old Fashioned Iced Tea), meals were super yummy (Fried Chicken & Pea Tart). Desert... let's just say that I've never had real butterscotch before. WOW! Butter & Scotch! Perfection! Get a window seat, sit back, and just let this place do what it does... serve great food in a great location!
(5)
Julie T.
this place has become a brunch favorite. we like to go here when we go to the monticello antique mall. there grits are likely the best in town. we usually sit at the bar (the bf and me), so we don't have to wait. i would try it out, if i were you!
(4)
Aaron R.
The Country Cat delivered. 'Nuff said. Almost. First, it's not what you might expect in terms of appearance -- on the corner in a fairly non-descript building. I almost drove by, but I was glad I didn't. I had the lamb, and my dinnermates had the steak and the steelhead. The lamb was delicious. I got a chop and a shoulder, perfectly done, very flavorful. The cuts vary throughout the month, but I can't imagine that the other cuts wouldn't be as good as the one I had. The steak was alright, not spectacular, not bad, according to my partner, and my friend's steelhead was very very good. We also tried a side of the asparagus, which was perfect. Very tasty without being too crunchy or too mushy. Dessert was fabulous: if you're a butterscotch fan, you have to order the pudding dessert just for the butterscotch. The strawberry shortcake was also pretty good, so I'm told, but I was too busy with the pudding to really be aware of my surroundings. It's that good. Drink selection was wide, and the service was pretty much spot-on: attentive without being clingy. The atmosphere is terrific -- not too loud but you can totally tell that it's popular. And they didn't try to run us out at all. We started dinner around 7, and got into a nice conversation, had dessert and coffee, etc., and didn't get out of there until 10 or so. Some places make it pretty clear that they want the table back, but this place really didn't seem to care as long as we were happy. Nice touch. Definitely a place to take friends for a relaxing night with good food, good drinks, good service, and plenty of time to talk. I'll certainly be back.
(4)
J P.
Was looking forward to breakfast here after reading reviews and seeing the line form at their 9a door opening; expectations were not met. Upon entering we were directed to a four top directly in front of the busy, windy entrance door. We asked if we could move in one tableto the next four top, the hostess huffed and said,"I guess so, but I have a reservation coming in." Not sure why the reservation couldn't have the four top we were offered. Ten minute wait for waitress to take drink order, watched two other tables that were seated (2 top and 4 top) after us receive their drinks. Meal order was placed with drinks, thirty minutes passed along with those two previously noted tables having been served. Steelhead Benedict was good, if served warm instead of hot. However the pancakes were an odd composition. The waitress warned of the hot plate, but the plate was room temperature. The apples were of varying consistency ranging from al dente to mush. It left the impression of eating a badly bruised apple. The apples baked into the pancake were clumped in the center, the carmel butter pooled in the center to reduce the pancake consistency to an unappealing nasty goo. Although the waitress was a pleasure and tried to make things better, we couldn't imagine waiting another half hour for a roll of the dice on the replacement selection.
(2)
Ellie D.
Not. Impressed. Wait staff was nice.
(2)
Sasha L.
Yum! My friends and I went to Country Cat this past weekend, and oh my, it was taste-tacular. I promised myself I was going to try something other than the fried chicken so we wouldn't each order the same thing, and I only had slight plate-envy when my three friends had their heaping amounts of fried chicken set in front of them. My buyers remorse quickly dissipated with my first forkful of braised beef and slightly carmelized fried potatoes. Oh man, those potatoes! It was a great experience. We ate on a Saturday evening, and even though we made a reservation, we wouldn't have needed it as everyone that came in was seated without waiting. Our service was so great--our server told us about other places she's been wanting to try when she heard our drink order. This was one of the best places I've eaten in recently history; the staff, the ability to watch the chefs work, and the great food all contributed to a wonderful time. I'd go back in a heart beat. Also, our bill with four people, a couple drinks, and two appetizers for a nice night was 104 dollars pre-tip.
(5)
L R.
We ate lunch at Country Cat the other day, and they take comfort food to a new level. I had the meatloaf sandwich and my husband had the chicken fried steak; they were both improvements on old American classics. Not food I'd eat on a regular basis, but when I'm hankering for comfort food, I'll head to the Country Cat.
(4)
Jason L.
Amazing breakfast. I seriously want to go here every weekend. Don't be afraid to order the fried chicken for breakfast. Unbelievable. Also, the cinnamon rolls are amazing. But the best part? Fantastic breakfast cocktails!
(5)
Melisa V.
went to brunch there with a group of 7 friends today. even though no one was sitting at it, took a while for them to get our table ready. once we sat down, coffee orders were taken quickly (always a good thing). the menu was definitely unique, had a southern twist to it with everything from spoon bread to chicken fried steak. it really amused me because one girl in our group couldn't understand the fact that the chicken fried steak was indeed beef. the first thing that caught my eye was a mushroom, pesto and goat cheese omelet, maybe because it seemed the most normal. I'm usually fairly adventurous but nothing else really caught my eye. one friend had an eggs benedict made with smoked trout and another did try the chicken fried steak. ended up sharing said omelet with my friend who ordered the fried chicken and spoon bread. I ate the tiny drumstick. the thigh she had wasn't much bigger. the salad on her plate was pretty good, though it was only greens with a drizzle of oil and vinegar. I usually like spoon bread/bread pudding but this wasn't great. as for the omelet, it was okay. the pesto was a bit overpowering. I did really like the fact that everything was fresh and local though, though it was a bit more expensive than the places I typically go. the service was good, as I probably had more coffee than I needed. also there was someone who kept taking pictures of us while we ate. I'm guessing it was for a Web site but no one asked or made sure it was okay for them to do so. I wouldn't rush back here for brunch but would definitely try again for dinner.
(3)
Sue W.
What a experience! Words are hard to describe my experience. I could only sit at the Chef's bar or wait thirty minutes for a table. But I wouldn't have had it any other way. Watching Michael and Mitch, chef wizards cook all the different orders, only being called in, no tickets was amazing. I can only say that they are not paid enough. I hope they also receive tips from the waitresses. As a person who has worked as a waitress and been around cooks. This was awesome. Food was prepared perfect and was the best. Had the boiled shrimp salad, squash soup, Brussels sprouts with Candied walnuts. Yum. Yum. I can hardly wait to go again.
(5)
Clinton D.
Two Words: Pudding Trio. Save room for it, it may just change your life.
(5)
Patricia F.
Came here for breakfast on a Tuesday. The general consensus of myself and my party was that this place was just okay and slightly over priced. Nothing out of the ordinary here folks.
(3)
Chris B.
When I head to The Cat as my friends and I call it, I know I am always in for a good meal. I live close to The Cat and I have been many times. I have never had a bad meal. The service has always been great. You can not go wrong with the whole hog an the fried chicken is my favorite in town. There is a good cocktail menu and decent selection of rotating brews. The owner is very friendly too. He even helped me with a recipe for smoking some pork and it turned out great because of his advice. Very good place!!
(5)
Tan N.
One-word impression: BOSS I had a craving for some fried chicken for brunch today, probably because I've been eating vegetarian left-overs the last few days that lacked great textures (you were yummy, though, my red lentil curry). In Yelping for some good fried chicken options, I ran across the Country Cat, which I've passed by several times in the past and have made mental notes to myself to check it out. What better time to try it than now, I told myself. With the name Country Cat, I expected an atmosphere that was rustic and charming. Though I found the place to be charming enough, it seemed a little too modernized and clean for a true country feel. I ended up sitting at the bar, where I got relatively good service. I liked how the waiter ended each of his questions with "boss," as that's something I haven't heard since I was in the South and equated to a more country environment. In looking at the menu, I was excited over several of their items, but I came there to get what I was craving for. I ordered the Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Pecan-Bacon Spoonbread with excitement. However, when I got the plate, I have to admit, I felt a bit of a let down. While the chicken was nicely deboned, there was just maybe a whole thigh and half of a breast there. That's not to say that the meat wasn't juicy and flavorful enough, it just wasn't as much as I would have expected for $13. In addition, the texture of the breading was not as great as I would have wanted it to be, as I have definitely made more crispier chicken on my own cast iron skillet. As for the spoonbread, it was good, but not that memorable, and the pecans didn't really make up for its limited textures. I felt that the maple syrup they added over the chicken and spoonbread really helped to tie the dish all together, though. All in all, I enjoyed my experience and the chicken at the Country Cat. However, I will say that while the food was good, I was not wowed. I would certainly give it another shot to try any of the other dishes, but would do so with less excitement and expectations.
(3)
Wayne R.
This place is like a less crowded, less choice, but just as tasty Screen Door. They take RESERVATIONS for 4 or more for Sunday brunch?! Huge big check. Bloody Mary with an olive, green bean and BEEF JERKY? Double huge big check. Deep dark SE Portland location? negative check (I think we were watching jet planes take off from PDX). Regardless, service was nice in this family friendly neighborhood restaurant. Had the Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Spoon cake. The plate came with LOTS of salad, a big piece of cake and a tiny drumstick and a medium sized darker cut of chicken. The chicken was amazing, if of tiny portion. I'm not sure I have ever had spooncake, but I left 3/4 of it on the plate. Ah, for $10 the dish was totally worth it. Will go back.
(3)
Sherry J.
My, my, my...Love the breakfast! Let's just start with the way this place makes the surrounding area smell. You are drawn in from the sidewalk. You know something good is cooking. I went for breakfast. I was a little skeptical because my 20 somethings son recommended it BUT...he has a new respect from mom. It was perfect! btw..for all of you Southerners...they have grits...real grits....not the instant stuff. They have them shipped from South Carolina. Now that is a country cat!
(4)
Kevin K.
Now the review below mine (by Kris W.) decided to review about my meal too. So, in return, I will review what she had. She had a salad with blue cheese and was apparently very good. The vegetables were fresh and less than a week old with excellent dressing that wasn't overdressed. The atmosphere was a mix of retro modernness. The seating area was somewhat small, but it was empty when we went. My burger was indeed small and I didn't really like the sauce used. Frankly, a Burger King Whopper Jr. was larger than this restaurant's Heritage Burger, which cost $11. The onion rings were pretty much excavated from the bottom of the Great Salt Lake, to the point where we actually asked them to redo it. Fortunately, they were very tactful about it and didn't argue and they didn't put any salt on the onion rings for round two. I've been to so many restaurants, where they sit there for minutes arguing about it. Also, their onion rings gets a little sickening after about 7 pieces. They have a tiny minuscule burger, with a large pile of onion rings, which is an unnecessary uneven balance. The "homemade" ketchup tasted like Heinz to me, but was more chunky. I would say in general that the service was excellent, but the food isn't worth the price.
(2)
Miyo H.
The Country Cat has been a nice local go-to place when I'm up in Portland. I've been there a couple of times now for dinner and it's never been a disappointment. What I enjoy doing the most is to order a bunch of starters and appetizers with a few friends. I haven't found one I didn't like and their soups are quite good. In particular I like the chestnut and potato dumplings and the honey carrots. I wanted to like the mashed potatoes more than I did. Oh the veggie crostada is awesome as well. I liked the fried chicken, but not as much as other reviewers. They have quite a fair drink selection as well. Overall thumbs up, especially on a chilly night. One of these days I need to figure out how to get there for brunch!
(4)
Kris W.
Mixed overall - service was very good, food was inconsistent. Went here with a couple other intrepid diners with high hopes; prices were on the high side (burger was small; vegetarian crostada contained exactly two vegetables - carrot and parsnip) and value overall was not outstanding. Onion rings were good but order them unsalted and add to taste at the table. I'd skip the overpriced bread and butter - the gratis bread at Ciao Vito is a lot tastier (unless you like hunks of russet skin your bread). Burger was tiny but the side of onion rings was generous. The petrale sole got high marks; braised endive was good but Wildwood's grilled version is tastier. Cocktails were on the sweet side. For the money, I'd go somewhere else next time. Not bad, just not exceptional.
(3)
Emily L.
We went here after a recommendation from my dentist - random, I know, but he claimed they had the best fried chicken he'd ever tasted. My dad and boyfriend both got the fried chicken and I had a few bites - delicious! But, dad complained that the chicken was sitting on top of the greens, making them soggy. Mom got the veggie dish - an eggplant/vegetable casserole of sorts. I tried a bite too and it was extremely good. Unfortunately for me, I ordered the beef - not good. The first few bites were tasty, but it was so overwhelming in flavor and extremely heavy. I couldn't eat very much of it. I would go back though to have my own plate of fried chicken.
(3)
kate m.
You know a place is good when you have food anxiety related to not being able to try everything you want off the menu. We started off with the homemade pretzels off the bar menu (only available in the main restaurant between 5 and 6 and after 9, just so you know). Next up was the potato dumplings. Yummy. And also some really good bread. There were some hard choices to made for the entrees but we ended up with arctic char and braised beef. When my husband said "if we were at home I would drink this" in reference to the potato dumpling broth, I knew we would be back. The deserts were good, but not as great as the rest of the meal, or maybe we were just too full to appreciate them. We also enjoyed some nice adult beverages that were quite tasty. Our waitress was lovely, and took great care of us.
(5)
Aimee R.
I've only been for breakfast, but it is one of my favorite breakfast spots in town. Great selection, good portions, fairly priced. Simply delicious. The only reason I'd say 4 and not 5 is that I've not had dinner there, yet.
(4)
Dan S.
Like many other Yelpers, had the fried chicken and it was delish, but what really complemented the fine fowl was the collard greens. Mmmmmm, spicy good. The lemon tart was also a tasty choice for dessert.
(4)
Jav V.
The butter lettuce salad was good, but way over priced for whit it was (lettuce/dressing/one egg). The fried chicken was decent, but definitely not the best I've had. The biscuit was awesomet though. I liked the atmosphere and the service was friendly. I just don't see myself going back anytime soon though.
(3)
Beth M.
#1 - SOOOOOO excited to have a nice restaurant in the neighborhood! It's the perfect place to follow up a hygienic and relaxing trip to the Tub-n-Tan across the street. Ummm, just kidding about that part. My food-o-phile husband and I took in a nice dinner the other night, and were by and large pleased with the whole experience. The service was great - friendly, more on the casual side (which I prefer - Stanfords, McCormick and Schmicks et al - do you think I don't KNOW you force your employees to say certain things to me?!), and just the right level of attentiveness - not too overbearing and pushy, but always nearby in case we needed something. Our server was Kerry, and she was a kick in the pants - we hope we'll be seeing more of her in the future! The price was extremely reasonable - 2 apps, 2 beers, a bottle of wine, 2 entrees and a dessert for under $100, which for this quality of food is great. The food was solid. There were things I liked more than others (The Whole Hog is a must - that pork shoulder is truly amazing), while the shellfish stew was not really what I was expecting - creamy and heavily herbed. Good, but not what I had in mind. The wine list is functional, and I definitely plan on trying some of the mixed drinks next time! The best part was that it seems like everyone is just REALLY happy to be there - the staff is knowledgeable about the food, and excited to share what makes their restaurant special. Everyone at the bar seemed to be having a great time, and the bartender looked like a sassy lady with panache - someone I could belly up to the bar with, for sure. We'll definitely be back!
(4)
Catherine H.
Today my friend and I went to Country Cat for lunch. I want to start by saying that the food was very tasty. My two star rating is due to portion size and price. We both ordered a veggie hash that had two poached eggs on top. The cost was $11 per plate and the size was noticeably small. No extra bread, tortillas, biscuits, nada...After I ate I was hungry....eleven dollars at lunch for a small smattering of veggies with two eggs is way over the top. This summer I traveled through Germany, France and then drove to Iowa and back. After all of this travel, The Country Cat was my first dining out back home in Portland...and the most glaringly overpriced and undersized meal I had anywhere!
(2)
Andrea V.
Country Cat is a welcome addition to the Montavilla scene. I'm always up for anything having to do with mashed potatoes, and in my book, "American Cuisine" means mashed potatoes! Game on! I had the Whole Hog (not as scary as it sounds, although I think it frightened my kosher dining partner...) and was pleasantly surprised. I ordered this on the recommendation of the waitress and was leery of receiving gobs of fat on my plate. When it did arrive, no gobs of fat, only a tasty selection of piggie meat. I'm not sure what was the rolled belly, which was the brined chop or the smoked shoulder, but I know I ate it all. I asked for mashers instead of the garnet yams, and they were everything I hoped for - soft, flavorful and FABULOSO! My dining partner enjoyed the trout and also subbed out for mashed potatoes leaving me to wonder what they do with all the lonely vegetables that get passed up for the mashers. Drinks were great - one was plenty to get a buzz on. Dessert was cobbler, served hot and with ice cream. We left completely stuffed. Service was great, Adam came over to see how things were and I was happy to compliment him on the experience. I love that they use local food here. The place was full on a weekday evening, I'd suggest reservations or you may wait awhile and there's not much room to wait inside. I can't wait to try brunch. I bet its fantastic!
(5)
Elena M.
I have to say that I liked the food and the service here but the wait for food to come out was unusually long.
(2)
Madelyn A.
My husband and I walked in just a couple minutes before they were closing, but they still sat us! A friend had recommended we try this place, so we were excited to try a new place. We had biscuits and the Monte Cristo... no complaints on any of the food, and our waitress was nice too... she didn't act irritated that she had customers walk in at the last minute. There were a group of ladies that also walked in at the same time we did and from what we heard/saw it looked like they enjoyed their meals and service as well. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Joan D.
Hubby and I had a breakfast here recently - ordered what was on the cover of the Portland magazine featuring breakfasts in PDX. We had the Challah Cinnamon French Toast - lovely, rich, wow - a lot to eat!! Sugar rush, but that is what we wanted and ordered and got!!! Loved sitting at the chef bar and chatting with the cooks and those next to us. Fun time, good food, will go again only make certain I haven't eaten for a day before going. Our waitress was excellent - Kerry I think! Oh! and we partook of the cocktails too - good and interesting blends.
(4)
Angelee A.
Meh. If I hadn't paid $12 for that Chicken Fried Steak I might have been more impressed, but it's doubtful. I'm from the MidWest and I'm something of a Chicken Fried Steak whore, meaning if it's on your menu and I'm in a saucy mood (that's most of the time), I'm going to try it. The Country Cat has attempted to improve upon the traditional CFS, and it fell flat. Literally, flat. Meaning instead of pounded cube steak with fried breading, I was served fried breading (it was about two inches thick) with a t-h-i-n slice of flank steak in the middle. Top it with mediocre gravy and there you have it. Totally unimpressed. BUT the coffee was superb, and so was the side of kale, which was the tastiest kale I've ever eaten... and I eat a great deal of kale. The gentleman had the burger, which was named Best In Oregon by USA Today. It's.... not the greatest burger in Oregon. Good, but not special. Came with crispy little onion curls which, at least, were delightful. Service was fine, atmosphere fine. Neither bad nor stellar. Would I go back? Maybe if someone else footed the bill.
(3)
Lula T.
What a royal waste of time and money. Being a Louisiana native, I LOVE good soul food, but this definitely aint it. The wings were gross and had too much breading (save your $ and go to Fire on the Mtn) and the sauce had way too much vinegar. Both entrees left much to be desired--I had the lamb, which (to my surprise) actually came out as a mysterious lamb loaf. My boyfriend had the fried chicken, which, as other yelpers noticed, was not crisp, had too much breading, and poor flavor. And, $18 for fried chicken? Oh, and 2 of the 4 beers on tap were out, which left the disappointing Amber and a Pilsner. I can officially say this was the worst meal I've had all year. Don't go.
(1)
Audrey K.
We had a great time at the Country Cat! The grilled cheese and tomato soup was excellent! Mom had the chickenfried steak, which she loved. Cocktails were fantastic!!!
(5)
fon z.
a great addition to Montavilla. our favorites on the brunch menu were the shrimp and grits and the pork chili. the fried chicken was good, but i think it's a bit of a stretch to call it the best in the city. overall the taste is great, the ambiance pleasant, we just wish they'd stick to their southern roots and serve up heartier portions. who watches their waistline when eating at a southern restaurant anyway? can't wait to go back and try their dinner.
(4)
Sprinkles G.
If I had closed my eyes while biting into my order of chicken fried steak I could have almost believed that I was back in my Grandma's kitchen, in Alabama. I'm not sure what 'chard' is, but it tasted a lot like something we call "greens" in the south. The chicken and chard were perfectly matched with the mashed potatoes and gravy that the poultry was wearing. Overall it was great experience, and my new southern fix for when I get homesick.
(3)
April C.
in summary: verrrrrrrry greeeeeeaaaaasy. they should drop sample packets of lipitor with the checks. we went for brunch this past weekend while i was suffering an irrational craving for fried chicken (reforming vegetarian, strange moments of protein desperation). we'd been on our way to screen door, but saw the cat and thought oh, let's try it, we've heard good things. and i'd say for the most part, sure, good things. many, many seemingly amazing things on the menu, great service, nice space. but my fried chicken... it was, as noted by other fellow yelpers, some odd cut of chicken not exactly 'standard', and unlike fellow yelpers, mine had very little breading, though it did have a giant puddle of grease to sit in. the spoon bread was some intense concoction of probably everything imaginable that could clog an artery - cornbread, something very eggy and custardy, and an overlying creamy butteryness to everything, and if that weren't enough - bits of bacon! (so my jewish friends, beware, as i don't remember that noted on the menu.) that said, i knew going in that this wasn't going to be an exercise in healthful eating. lastly - and this is not unique to the cat, it seems to be a disturbing trend - $2.25 for a cup of coffee?!?!! a latte, sure, but this was just stumptown drip. i mean, seriously, that cost the establishment maaaaaaybe a quarter to produce... kind of absurd. a lover of whiskey, however, i probably will be back, because i'm, well, cocktail-curious, and think they have potential.
(3)
jeff b.
I was holed up at a crummy airport hotel and just did a quick search for nearby restaurants. Luckily, the Country Cat came up and, though the place was jammed, they made room for a solo at the bar facing the open kitchen. The wait staff couldn't have been nicer or more adorable. And the food was amazing. And who's going to resist the pudding trio? That was six months ago, and I'm still looking forward to next Portland visit so I can go back to the Country Cat.
(5)
Coral C.
I wanted to like this place, I really did. Place had a really cool vibe, and our server was really friendly. I decided to get the fried chicken and subbed some mashed potatoes instead of the kale/onions. My dining partner wanted the lamb, but they were sold out, so he got the whole hog. He enjoyed his meal, and I liked the chop portion of his that I got to taste...but my chicken was disgusting. It's more of a personal preference, but I don't like darker cuts of meat. It came with three pieces, still not sure what they used for it. The outside was burnt and had an odd taste, and I found a weird grey gooey substance in the middle of one of my chicken pieces. The sauce was very herby and overwhelming. Dessert was good, I had the chocolate tart and hubby had the blackberry cobbler. I would definitely try it again, but make sure to ask more questions before I order! I wish I had opted for the fish n chips or the burger.
(3)
Tiffany J.
Not sure what all the fuss is about! Everything tries to be special, but they miss the mark on just about everything. Our group tried 3 different things that we all tasted. Chicken and waffles were awful and my chicken fried steak left much to be desired. How do you mess up eggs Benedict so badly? Perhaps the kitchen was having an off day, but for the prices I won't be going back to see.
(1)
Mikalina W.
I went to The Country Cat when it first opened, and I was pretty disappointed, However, I went back a few months later, and they managed to win me over. The breakfasts are great, although a little on the pricey side, but a nice treat. I overheard one of the waitresses tell another customer that there is not a single jar of pre-made anything in their kitchen. They even make their own ketchup. The fried chicken is succulent, juicy, flavorful and boneless, and it comes with awesome bacon-laced collard greens. If you're planning a night out at the Country Cat, be sure that everyone in your party wants to eat meat. They offer a couple vegetarian entrees, but my (mostly) veg fiance says he always feels like he ate an appetizer made mostly of starch when we eat dinner there. Perhaps, pairing his meal with some of their yummy sides would round it off, but it's unfortunate that the veg meals are not as well-rounded or filling as the meat-based entrees. But really, it's all about the meat. When we eat dinner there, it's because I am craving southern-esque vittles. It's not the real deal, I lived in North Carolina for several years, but the Cat does an awesome interpretation of southern cookin'. The wait staff is great, and the cooks wear overalls in the open kitchen- nice touch. The owner is a nice, down to earth guy who, most importantly, seems to get along well with and be well-liked by his staff.
(4)
Amanda P.
Love this place, favorite Sunday brunch spot, heck favorite dinner spot too! Love everything and crave the fried chicken, AM. cocktails are fabulous, perfect for a peaceful, lazy day!! Can't wait to bring my out-of-town guests!
(5)
Richard S.
Wow. Fantastic service! Our waiter went Waaaaayy beyond the call of duty to help granny be sure there wasn't a trace of onion in her meal. She landed the trout, and enjoyed it thoroughly. He was kind and understanding, I was impressed as he went yet again to the kitchen to, for example, to see if the fried chicken dusting had any onion powder in it. Amazing. The rest of the food was fab too, I had the lamb. Just a fine restaurant. Proud of PDX. We have some really good restaurants in this burg.
(5)
Darren A.
I like this place. Quite busy for a Saturday morning, but not "screen door busy". We were able to snag two seats at the bar. Really friendly folks here; our server was great. I ordered the biscuits, gravy, eggs over medium, side of bacon, and split an order of the sticky buns with my bud. (ok, I was really hungry). Eggs were cooked perfectly, and the potatoes that came with were perfect. Sticky buns were tasty. Sausage gravy was ok. My one real complaint was the bacon. It was nice, thick-cut bacon, but it arrived on a side plate in a puddle of grease. I'm assuming it went driectly from the pan to the plate without patting it first. Kinda gross, sorry. Other than that, a very good meal.
(4)
Rachel T.
I live within walking distance of The Country Cat, and so have always been really excited about it's presence in the neighborhood, and what it might mean for the rest of Stark Street. I have been to the Country Cat five times (2 dinners, 3 brunches), and have always had the following experience: The restaurant is hopping! Packed with people who help create the happy, hustling atmosphere that is The Country Cat. While I've almost always had to wait to be seated, the wait is never too long. Once at a table, my mouth waters while I read over a delicious sounding menu while an attentive and friendly staff member asks for drink orders and such. Food arrives in a timely manner and.... has never failed to dissapoint. I have always left The Country Cat wishing my food had been better. Especially considering the amount of money you leave behind you. After my last visit just a week ago, I realized that I wanted to believe it was worth all the rave reviews, and tried to MAKE myself believe it was as good as everybody else says it is. It just isn't. It falls flat. The bacon has been TERRIBLE. How do you make bacon that is terrible? The home fries are no better than what I can make at home, and the cinnamon rolls are uninspired. That being said, the atmoshpere and staff is great, and I would probably still pop in for the amazing onion rings and a cocktail if I didn't feel like driving anywhere. Otherwise, I consider myself disillusioned by The Country Cat.
(2)
Linda E.
Wow! Delicious steelhead cooked perfectly and sitting on a bed of some mighty tasty wild rice and "apple salad" with pomegranate seeds. This dish was much better than I expected. My husband ordered the fried chicken with the greens on the side--perfect. The waitress forgot to bring the onion rings until we asked. We weren't annoyed at all, but weren't charged for them. Friendly service, delicious food, a warm and inviting atmosphere on a cold night--love it.
(5)
Tony M.
my wife and i went here for a special breakfast occasion, and we couldnt be happier with the service, the food,and the bloody marys are awesome, ( get the country home fries, roasted potatoes ) with your breakfast you wont regret it, and plan on a nap afterwards, great quality food, locally sourced, & enjoy one of p-towns gem's.....t
(5)
Anne S.
I've been meaning to eat here for a long, long time. It was particularly fun because I'm rather familiar with the old drug store that used to be there, Dickson Drug. I appreciate restaurants that know what they do and do it well. A single page menu is really so refreshing when you're going out to eat. My mom and I went on a Friday evening for an impromptu meal. We were a bit nervous about a potential wait but were seated immediately. Our server was awesome--knowledgeble, attentive but not overbearing. We both ordered a salad with homemade ranch dressing, the halibut and then three puddings for dessert. I did think the halibut was a tad overdone but still quite tasty. The puddings were amazing...I don't even like butterscotch flavored anything yet I gobbled it right up. This is definitely worth a return visit.
(4)
Rebecca H.
"Adam Sappington's "The Country Cat" - a 65 seat dinner house & bar featuring regional American Cuisine. Open Wednesday through Sunday nights from 5pm to 10pm" The good: -STRONG drinks; I was buzzed through dinner. I had the lemon fizzy something, with sapphire gin, and I was on a high through the meal. They could have served slop and I would have enjoyed it. Luckily, the meal wasn't slop. -Food: I had the butter lettuce with green goddess dressing and it was GOOD. It was weird that it had an egg over medium nestled in it, but who doesn't like runny egg yolk on their salad? I couldn't really taste the egg so it didn't matter anyway, but it's not something I would have imagined as a salad topping. Traditional green goddess has mayonnaise, anchovies, vinegar, green onion, garlic, parsley, tarragon and chives, and it seemed to be all there, with a crisp and herb filled taste. My husband had the beet salad; it was a little bitter. He had the special stew and it was very dense and meaty. I had the fried chicken, which is served boneless. The batter tasted a bit burnt and the asparagus were definitely on the well done charred side, but I ate it all anyway, because the fried goodness with the Tabasco dressing was great. I was so full but I couldn't stop. It's a bit greasy but so good! The bad: -Service is on the slow side. All the servers are hip young women with lots of tattoos and piercing to admire; if they were around more often perhaps I could have enjoyed the artwork more. A different server brought our dinners but didn't ask who got what, she looked at the ticket first. That negates the slow service for me; it's a peeve when servers ask who ordered what. -THE NOISE. It is so fricking loud in there. I felt my eardrums rupture when a screaming child added to the cacophony of the place. It needs more room dividers, or egg cartons stapled to the ceiling, or give out earplugs. We had to yell at our dinner companions and that makes dining unpleasant. We were going to get coffee but were so overwhelmed by the noise that we left after our meal and went to the Bipartisan Cafe, a lovely spot a few doors down (great coffee but closes at 9pm, has a bakery on premise). It was much quieter there. -The drinks: full of booze, yay! Bitter and not well mixed, boo! They just don't taste good. The bartender needs to work on his skills. Stick to wine and beer and avoid the mixed drinks. Cost: fried chicken was 18 bucks. Drinks are around $8-9, desserts about $6. Figure, with salad and a drink, around $35 per person. I don't know if it's worth it; dinner was good, but I love anchovies so the green goddess was a hit, and who doesn't love greasy fried chicken? If they were able to quiet the din I might return, but with the design as is it is doubtful that can easily be done. There are plenty of other places to go, so off we go to explore other American style eateries. It's been open for about a month and I think it's still coming into its own. You can make reservations now and it's advised. But maybe skip right around dinner time to avoid some of the noise, and the place is child friendly, which is great for people with kids but not so great if you don't like to hear kids while you are paying 18 bucks for fried chicken. Keep that in mind.
(3)
Terry W.
I LOVE razor clams. Even in the Pacific NW, they can be hard to find on many menus. Lately at Country Cat, razors have been on the starters menu and they are orgasmic. Throwing out the traditional preparation of flouring, egging, breading and frying with tartar on the side, the Country Cat lightly sautees the clams for a few seconds and (I haven't spied on how they do it, but) mix in (minced?) pork cheeks, of all things, then a delicious mustard crumb concoction---all item beautifully spooned into 3 empty razor clam shells. It is soooo good. The clams are as tender as you can get and there is no greasiness, dough-ey heaviness at all. One of the best things I have ever had at Country Cat and easily up there with my favorite preparation of this glorious shellfish. Not sure how long they will be on the menu, but if you love a twist on razor clams, this could be the ticket. I start salivating at the mere thought.
(5)
Suzanne F.
Not to be catty, but I just don't think Country Cat is all that to purr about. There will be people who object to this point of view, and I'm not going to howl & scratch or have a hissing fit, but seriously, our experience here tonight was simply nothing to rave about. We arrived between 5:30 & 6:00 on a Sunday, which is generally the slowest night of the week for dinner. There were 10 of us, absolutely no line, no one waiting and still the hostess felt the need to reprimand us about making reservations "in the future". Not bloody likely with a reception like this. Come on! 10 people ready to have dinner on a Sunday night & you immediately make us feel less than welcome? Think about this during the economic slump. We were seated and without any fuss. The music was horrific! Even my enthusiastic 9 year old said it sounded as tho' a cat was screaming. It sounded like some bad screechy late 70's metal...the point being, it was NOT conducive to our dining experience. We ordered & when it came to my turn, I asked if I could substitute a tossed salad with my burger rather than a huge heap of onion rings. Despite the fact the salad would have been less costly for THEM, the answer was NO. I did get to choose another side & it was the spinach, which was good, but I had wanted a salad. What would have been the big deal? The burger was fine, cooked like I ordered it, but absolutely nothing out of the ordinary in terms of burgers. It was good, the quality of the meat was high. I eat maybe 2 burgers a year & this was enjoyable, but again, I must state, there was nothing spectacular here. Stuart & another of our dining companions had the same thing. Everyone ate, tho' no one commented on anything being amazing. This was such a disappointment. Another companion ordered the fried chicken & he liked it, tho' he felt he could have used some of those onion rings I eschewed... The boys & the young ladies we were with sampled a variety of offerings, with no complaints, and no wild commendations. A big round of 'meh'... Things seemed okay, till a short while later. Both my youngest son & I suffered from stomach pains & it was not due to over indulgence. Hmmm...this does not bode well. I am giving 3 stars as we chose to come here, thus we do accept our share of responsibility, and, to be fair, nothing was bad or poorly executed. It's just we had such high expectations & Country Cat just didn't meet them. To continue some sort of feline vernacular, this spot didn't make any of us purr...
(3)
Jamie w.
I must admit, I thought the chef was from Alabama, but he is from Missouri. While everyone may rave about the fried chicken, my experience with the Whole Hog was meditative. There was a smoked chop on top, a bit of shoulder, some greens and something that was covered in in corn meal and deep fried. Some where between the shoulder and the greens, I stopped thinking in words and shifted to just perception. The last time I hit this state was 9,000 feet up in the Sierra mountains. I woke up when I thought I spotted a slice of eggplant under some sweet potatoes. I could not figure out what the vegetable was doing there. It wasn't a vegetable; it was pork belly. I know pork belly is over done and is the current fois gras, but this was the perfect. I love slicing through the crunchy, meaty and fatty layers. Eat here. Don't ignore the drinks and make sure you order a bourbon.
(4)
Sam O.
We came here on a weekend for a late breakfast, and I feel I need to update my review. The food was better this time, and the bartender was a blat, and made us some tasty drinks. I don't know if they are just better suited for breakfast, but we enjoyed our meal a lot more this time.
(4)
Steph B.
i got the "hickory smoked duck leg with apple bourbon puree, chanterelles, and cranberry relish" YUM, right? yes, it was pretty yum. the flavors blended nicely and they're sure creative. i gotta say though, when i see "smoked" anything, my mouth starts watering just thinking about that tender juicy meat, delicately cooked by the smoke of hickory chips for hours before making it to my plate, where it should subsequently be falling off the bone. but this particular duck leg was pretty dry and definitely charred. it had a jerky-like consistency to it. the accompanying flavors made for a tasty dining experience, but for the price per plate, i prefer a bit more attention to technique. 4 stars for inspiration and overall flavor - if that duck leg had actually been smoked, they would have rocked my world last night.
(4)
Rebecca H.
I just went to the Country Cat for the first time over the weekend though it's been recommended to me several times and all I could think once I got there was "why did I wait?" The food was absolutely wonderful. I had the duck thighs and they really were superb. The portion was perfect - plenty to fill you but not so much you feel stuffed if you really want to finish your dinner - and the flavors were really delectable. The balsamic glaze was tangy and sweet yet not overpowering by any means and the meat just fell off the bone. I can't wait to go back and bring more friends and family there.
(5)
Eliza S.
If you're looking for some crunchy, juicy, tasty fried chicken, this is it. Basically the epitome of what fried chicken should be. Let me back up a bit. Country Cat is a cozy and snazzy restaurant that's kinda gourmet, but uses essential ingredients in a creative way. While my motto is to try something new and different (I was going to go for the smoked duck legs), I went for the fried chicken because that's what I've heard about. It came on a huge bed of sauteed spinach and garlic (I asked them for this to in lieu of the collards), three huge hunks of deep mahogany fried chicken pieces, and the most delicious biscuit drizzled with honey. That warm biscuit was crusty on the outside and so soft on the inside (and the honey dripped down my arm). The fried chicken was boneless, so I was able to just cut right in. Last the spinach was just great -- plain old sauteed spinach -- a perfect complement. My SO and I always play the "who won" game when we eat. Meaning who got the best dish. I won hands down (of course because he once again got a burger).
(4)
John R.
Best breakfast in Portland. Line can be long on Sunday mornings but it is worth the time. Get whatever the fried chicken dish is...delicious!
(5)
S A R A H.
Off the beaten path for anyone living in downtown proper, but it's well worth the trip. The food is scrumptious and fresh. I enjoyed a quiche-like dish with morels (from Bozeman, MT) and peas. Delicious! Meat and vegetables are purchased at local markets and/or from near-by farms (why not morels from Portland)? The owner is quite a foodie and smart about what he serves from a sustainability point of view. From drinks to desserts, your taste buds will thank you for eating here! I will definitely return.
(5)
lynne M.
Have ordered off the bar menu a couple of times. No problem with any of the drinks I have had. I LOVE the food. Great flavor combinations and wonderful seasonal offerings. The bartender is very good at his job. He is knowledgeable, friendly, attentive and seems happy to be working there.
(4)
Anne B.
Food was good. Decor plain but homey. Quite southern. Don't get what is up with Dixie invasion of Portland- Pine State Biscuits, Screen Door, and this. Maybe all the chefs migrated here from Katrina... Service was excellent. Food was quite expensive for the atmosphere, but again, good. Not many fish choices however, except the artic char. Drinks were good, especially the peach sidecar. Too many nondigestible veggies in my Veggie soup however, so I only ate half of it.
(4)
Abby M.
I usually don't venture this far north for eats (shame on me, I know) but a friend raved about this place, so a bunch of us met up there one fine Saturday morning. Um, baskets of cinnamon rolls that tasted like heaven, something crazy called pecan spoon bread and a killer bloody mary? Unreal, as were the friendly tatted waitresses. You know it's authentic when you can see the whole hogs hanging in the walk-in in back.
(5)
Marie A.
Country Cat has a "new" policy about their seating. If you arrive and are waiting for the rest of your party to show, they will not seat you. You will have to stand around and wait - and hope that they don't fill up before your party shows, so that you're not waiting even longer. This happened to my family last night. My husband and I arrived and were told we'd have to wait till the rest of our family showed up to be seated because to seat us "would mess up the flow of their seating." We got there at 5 when the place was just opening and empty. Right... Anyway, they also do not care if you're 9 months pregnant, they'll still make you stand around forever. The hostess suggested we could sit at the bar - because sitting on a stool slightly higher than your hip level at 9 months pregnant would be comfortable. And, having a pregnant woman at a freaking bar in the first place doesn't look bad or ridiculous at all. I hope in the future that the hostess we had last night gets pregnant and has an experience like mine. Maybe then she wouldn't be a snippy wench. The "new" policy is just bs. I was here about 3 weeks ago and was waiting for the rest of my party to show and I was seated right away - with NO mention of this so-called policy. Either the owner, Adam, is blowing smoke up my ass or the staff isn't consistent with the policies. Within this ridiculous policy, you can finish your meal and sit at your table for as long as you want afterwards because that doesn't mess up their seating flow. However, Adam said that if they need the table you're at and you're just having cocktails and/or desserts, they'll ask you to hurry and finish or ask you to move to the bar. I have NEVER known a restaurant to do this! There is no logic to this policy. Adam flat out told us that it "doesn't matter if it makes logical sense to us, it only has to be logical to him." Great customer service there, Adam. This was a huge disappointment for my family and I. This was one of our favorite restaurants, however with customer service taking a nose dive, our visits will be far and few in between. I would typically meet clients here, but I will be looking for a new restaurant to meet them at. I live on the west side of town and drive 20-30 minutes to come here, it's good to know my business isn't valued at all.
(1)
Edward B.
ATMOSPHERE: I expected more upscale. Not sure why. Maybe word of mouth, fancy website, whatever. For the neighborhood (82nd and Stark) it's probably as good as you can expect. Vinyl flooring was actually not that hideous for vinyl flooring, but I did see at least one place where it was falling apart. And at least one section featured blah grey carpeting. Bar and chef's counter were cork tiles with copper edging. Low budget, but nice. I commend them for doing something fun and cool without breaking the bank. No funky odors. Lighting wasn't my preferred style, but obviously somebody gave it some thought, it had some character. Sitting at the chef's counter was fun, but they could class it up a bit. I saw things that were perfectly fine from a sanitation perspective, but looked shoddy. It's not really a money thing; they just need to sit here and look around with a critical eye, look for things that don't project professionalism. Butchering is in house, and visible from the chef's counter. Don't like seeing carcasses sawed up when you're eating? Better sit somewhere else. I thought it was cool though. I don't remember much about the music, but I do recall hearing a 80s Bowie song. Not very imaginative. Eighties hits seem to be popular for restaurant music, for some reason. Kitchen staff was fairly youngish, energetic, talkative, so the vibe at the chef's counter was fun. SERVICE: Crystal (name on my check anyway) was great. I was given my choice of seating. She was chatty, but not too much, pretty much picking up on my cues regarding level of discussion. Checked in the right number of times, and at the right times. Coffee cup was kept full. There were two negligible errors which really aren't even worth mentioning, and one of them was very gracefully corrected without making me feel like I was too demanding. Oh, and there was a mixup in the kitchen, which would be totally uncool in a fine-dining establishment, but here it was just funny, so no complaint. FOOD: Biscuit was outstanding. Square cut, which I prefer (for reasons beyond the scope of a yelp review). Crispy exterior, flaky interior, almost in the under-done territory, but just barely outside the too-mushy zone. Served with fruit preserves, which I understand may vary from day to day, and may also be at server's discretion. Mine came with apple butter, which I love, and which isn't seen enough IMHO. French Toast was oven-finished, and then presented beautifully. Menu says "Cinnamon Swirl Challa French Toast: dipped in Maker's Mark custard and topped with dried fruit compote, clabber cream, & maple syrup". I didn't taste the bourbon. I did taste the cinnamon, and found it stronger than I prefer, but not to the point of being disgusting. "Dried fruit compote" was just some raisins and a prune. Oh well. I guess I could have asked before ordering. Clabber cream? Seriously? How cool is that?! Syrup was the hottest I've ever experienced. If you hate getting cold thick syrup, no worries here. The further I got into this plate, I started to recognize a taste I associate with an economy cinnamon roll, like something you'd find at a grocery store bakery case. That's unfortunate. That, plus the poor choice of fruit, diminished my enjoyment. Still, even though I wouldn't order the French Toast again, it was better and more interesting than what most places serve. Regarding the fried chicken on the brunch menu which some yelpers complained came w/o syrup: It really is pretty meager in quantity, and not distributed well. They should use a bit more, and/or make more of an effort to drizzle it all over, instead of a couple random splashes. Coffee is Stumptown. Strangely, I liked the decaf better. Hmmm... PRICE/VALUE: A bit high, for what they are. The cost of the structure, as it's built out for this restaurant, shouldn't be that high. Looks to me like their prices have gone up 20% in three years (based on my extremely limited research resources) which makes me think they're taking advantage of their popularity. Okay, that's cool, it's America. But it's also American for me to say they're not your best value. OVERALL: What might bring me back: Interesting menu items, not the same-ol'-same-ol'. Love the all-in-house model (in-house butcher, baker, candlestick maker), and that's something I want to support. Oh, and even though the neighborhood is kinda lame, at least it means on-street parking is easy (I don't think there's a parking lot here).
(3)
Jason F.
OK but really nothing special. I went because it was on Food Network and they weren't busy. I was expecting much better given the drooling over the food that occurred on the show. What I got what a decidedly ho hum meal. The fried chicken was a bit dry and tasted like it had absolutely no seasoning in the breading. Not bad, but I could pull off better at home. The "salad" was just some spring mix thrown on the plate with a few drops of vinegar on it. The weird pecan/cornbread thing tasted like nothing for the most part. Country fried steak looked good but what's up with the brown gravy?
(3)
Eli L.
I'll give 3 stars because my wife loved what she ordered and the service was great. Although negotiating the curtain to get into the place was interesting. I felt like I was going through a rebirthing process. But, when you're seated in the seats in front of the door you see why they need it. Wasn't even that cold out and I was extremely uncomfortable the whole meal. They need a better solution. People stand with the eh door open or don't close it behind them. I am never cold. I am usually hot and enjoy the air. I was quite uncomfortable just wanted to leave. But my wife has been wanting to try this place for ages. My advice? Get a new door setup. That curtain is obnoxious and ineffective. Now the food. Underwhelming. With all the great reviews and gab about this place I had pretty high expectations. We ordered beef Jerky as an appetizer. This was very good. Nice cuts and spicy sweet. Then, I ordered a braised beef with potatoes and a side of Brussels sprouts. 1) beef was just in this gross reduction and cooked like a pot roast. Fatty and flavorless. The potatoes were cooked to death, dried out and completely unseasoned. Boo. 2) The Brussels sprouts sounded lovely. Walnuts and a cream sauce. Again bland, bland, bland. And I'm a bland fan. The sprouts themselves were raw and cold and again...flavorless. I tried to salt it but our salt shaker was caked. After . $65 for two people and I left hungry. I was disappointed because we went for breakfast and I loved it. I do want to say my wife ordered the whole hog and loved it. She loved her whole meal. I liked the service and have heard so much about this place and want to go back, sit in a better spot, and try something else. Service was great considering going the wait person seemed to be alone.
(3)
Christopher G.
So we arrive on a Sunday evening, me wife and I, at around 6:00 and we are told it's an hour wait. Well now! But we went and sat in the car and played Android games for a while and got seated after about 45min. Not terrible. We had seen TCC episode on Triple D the night before and just happened to be cruising thru P'land. Not disappointed. I am deffo a whole hog kinda guy, so that's my order, and the pork shoulder part was amazing. If you like pork belly and you like the idea of roasting it and you don't mind eating a bit of pork fat, then you should adore the porchetta. Dreamy, The loin chop was decent, a good sized portion, but not as good as the other two parts. I'm not a fan of head cheese, but it was quite alright. The grits that TCC lays down as the bed for the porchetta were perfect to my taste. Creamy. My wife ordered the fried chicken and it was tasty but not what I would order if I went back. One small observation: the hostess was one of the most adorable looking young women I've seen in a while. If you're single and in your prime, you might check her out. She might be single too. Steamy.
(4)
Krista G.
Great place to take your friends with kids! They also take reservations, huge plus for those who just can't wait. The appetizers we tried were the wings which were pretty tasty, the pretzels I loved and the Deviled eggs which were just ok. Service was spot on and I thought the place had a great happy vibe! The drinks were strong and delicious, the cherry lemonade bubbly drink oh yeah I loved that! My entree was the fried chicken and mashed potatoes. The potatoes were out of this world, but the chicken was a bit too greasy, still cooked to perfection though. Everyone else seemed to really enjoy their dinner too. Dessert was the pudding trio, for the win! We will be back!
(3)
Sherry S.
Smoked steelhead eggs benedict! Not sure you can pick that up anywhere else. The smoked steelhead flavor is so divine and it was very moist. The eggs were perfect, the hollandaise so fresh. The server was awesome because I asked for no potatoes and hollandaise on the side and she served it up as if it was a normal part of the menu. Also had to have a bloody mary that morning and those things are huge at this place. It all went down easy and I was able to walk out into the sun afterwards.
(4)
Becky Z.
This place is so good! All the staff are super pleasant and friendly. All the food that I've tried is amazing- the beef hash, biscuits and gravy, Huevos rancheros, chicken fried steak and the bloody marys with their famous beef jerky (that you can buy) are delicious! The presentation of food is absolutely beautiful and they always impress me with the freshness of each ingredient and deliciousness of every dish. I would say that by far the beef hash is the most impressive for my taste buds! I have only gone for brunch but would love to try dinner!
(5)
Yoomz 5.
Came here for my birthday brunch! The food is amazing, I had the beef hash, and it was phenomenal. Cinnamon rolls are even better. The service was accommodating, even when my whole group wasn't there they let us be seated. Thank you country cat!
(4)
Charles P.
Wonderful place. Really enjoyed their take on the Bloody Mary (it was jerky in it). The Chicken Fried steak was very good. Very crowded, your going to wait for a while. Our waitress was nice and helpful. Not a place to go for large groups, four to five the most. They do have table outside (only three) if you chose to sit there. I would totally tell people if they're in the area to grab a bite.
(4)
Will W.
My date's dish was good: the duck pot pie was tasty and filling. I am not a big eater, but my "entree" sized ravioli dish was, at best, an appetizer. This is the first time I can ever remember being hungry after eating an entree (and spending $15). The server didn't bother to check on us after serving, and when I politely complained, mentioning I was still hungry, I got a "thanks" and she walked away. I will not return.
(2)
Lindsey L.
Was this an off-night? The food was much too sweet and much of it oddly tasted of cinnamon/allspice. We were sorry to have gone- I wish it had been better. For the wait and price- go to ScreenDoor.
(2)
Abigail M.
Love this place! A little over priced and overhyped but still a unique place to dine in Portland. Their fish is always cooked very well and their menu changes seasonly. The wait staff is always kind. It does take a while to be seated, even with reservations. The front area of the restaurant is very small and cramped however the ambiance inside is beautiful and welcoming. Don't bother with the onion rings but definitely try their Roy Rogers with house made grenadine.
(3)
Tom M.
I'd been here with friends several years ago, shortly after it opened and really liked the place. So, when we were considering dinner out this evening, this was the first one that came up and here we are. I remember this place as being really good but I think they have gone through a big menu change and it didn't feel like the same place. The food was less expensive for one. I passed on the wine this time around because I knew we were going to be taking care of that part of the evening later. I ordered the smoked trout salad and the server informed me that it might not be enough so she suggested the soup. The trout salad was served with a wonderful pesto and a generous portion of fish. The soup was very good with a vegetable broth base, peas, etc., and it had a nice little kick to it. These two items were perfectly paired so I might suggest that combo if you don't want to be eating too much. It was perfect. Filling and delicious. My partner on the other hand, was less than pleased but he enjoyed the burger and reports that it was cooked just the way he asked, medium rare. He said that by itself, the burger was pretty flavorless but that the potted "Judy" cheese thing helped give it the extra boost it needed. However, the most disappointing part of the meal for him was the onion rings. He said they were nothing but a mess of grease and maybe even enough to make him not want to come back. Between my happiness here and his less than such, I'm giving it 3 stars. We decided to skip dessert and trundeled off to the wine bar. The server was just a little less friendly than I like but she had a wonderful display of ink, for which I complemented her. The next time she came around she was wearing bright red lipstick. You know, like the stuff they wore in the 40s because it was the only color to choose from. It looked great on her. When my partner asked if he could have a taste of the "Judy" cheese thing, I think she was just a little bit huffy. As a server, no matter what your guest is doing, unless they are just outright rude, don't show any kind of a negative reaction. It does nothing to help your tip. Service is a big deal to me and doing it with a smile really helps. Trust me on that one.
(3)
Alice L.
Food fabulous! Service bad...staff needs some team building exercise's....and basic service instructions!
(2)
Lyman W.
Love the food. I had the steak and the wife had the fried chicken. really enjoyed having Karen serve us
(3)
Patti F.
Brunch was tasty - a few vegetarian (but I didn't see any vegan) options. Mimosas were VERY nice. I don't know if I'd try for dinner, because I'm not sure about veggie options - and really, it's not fair to expect too much of a place with downhome favorites such as chicken fried steak (which looked like a carnivores dream), to be THAT veggie friendly. I found it a little pricey for what we got for brunch, but the service was EXCELLENT and absolutely zero complaints there.
(3)
Clare F.
Awful! We arrived at 5:17 for our reservations according to THEIR clock. So they gave away our table without a phone call (they had our number) or warning when I made reservations that it is their policy to give away tables at the 15 minute mark EXACTLY. They told us it would be an hour and a half wait to get another table even though half of the restaurant was empty.
(1)
Frank H.
Had reservations last night. Showed up on time and was greeted by a waitress who told us to wait. And we did. For probably like 5-10 minutes before someone noticed and took us to our table. We sat down and the waitress came by and took our drink orders and then we waited again. Then maybe 5-10 minutes later the drinks came and we waited again. They took our order and it took a while for everything to arrive at the same time. Never mind if things were appetizers or starters, they all came at once. By that time, we were pretty hungry and a bit annoyed. Why is there no bartender at the bar? It seems like the waitstaff has to get the drink order and mix or get the drinks themselves. Pretty inefficient. The food, the biscuits and honey were very good but they arrived when everything did. The fried chicken, their specialty, the meat inside was juicy but there was very little of that juicy meat inside. It was mostly fried skin and batter. The mashed potatoes were ... sour. Is this a southern thing? And the duck two ways .. Pretty bland. Not really worth the $19. When we decided to get dessert, we experienced the same long delays. Delays in getting the dessert menu. Once ordered, another delay in getting the desserts. We didn't order anything baked. I mean why does it take 10 minutes to get a nice cream float? It was scoops of ice cream in a mug and a bottle of soda. Of course when it came time to pay the bill. More delays.... Overall, it was a frustrating experience. The food was pretty meh. Everything was pretty middling, except the biscuits. I would recommend those without reservation.
(3)
Alena C.
For my graduation celebration, I had a party of ten at the CCD 7:30 on a Sunday. From start to finish, the service, food and ambiance were perfect. We were seated early, and all of our entrees, drinks, menu's came right away. We had one server who was attentive, cleared away dishes as we went, and treated us like we were her only table. Everyone LOVED Bloody Mary with homemade beef jerky and pickled green beans ($8). I had the skillet chicken with mashed potatoes ($15) and everything was just a knock out. My friend had the whole hog ($21) and she graciously let me try everything on her plate, and it was just as good. We didn't have room for dessert but the choices looked great. I will definitely be back again.
(5)
A L.
After the third visit in the last 6 mths, I've accepted my disappointment in the Country Cat's execution. Like the atmosphere, menu sounds good, but food comes out lackluster. Dishes have been served with burnt home fries, over cooked biscuits, under cooked biscuits, and under salted main entrees. Unfortunately, I won't recommend it to friends going forward.
(2)
Lezley L.
Is it bad that we tried this place twice in one week? Once for dinner and once for brunch. Personally I felt the dinner was better than the brunch. The fried chicken is moist with a crispy batter. Homemade beef jerky? Score! Service was good as we got the same server on our visit. Btw the beef brisket for dinner is fantastic. Tender meat that just melts in your mouth. The red wine & mushroom sauce looks like it might be overwhelming but the taste is mildly balanced. Cool place to have dinner with friends just make sure you have a reservation if you want to get a table.
(4)
Giselle K.
On the recommendation of a coworker, I stopped by the other night on the way home from work to buy some beef jerky for my sweet husband who had been kindly nursing me through a bad cold all week. I got there at 4:45pm, not knowing they didn't open until 5. The door was locked, but I saw a lot of people milling about inside, so I knocked on the window to see if I could maybe wait inside or buy the jerky really quick. Got one dirty look from a female employee through the window, then a couple of minutes later another female employee came outside from around the corner (back door?) and asked what I wanted. I said I just want to get some beef jerky, can I do that really quick. She said, "We don't open until 5, you're welcome to buy some at that time. We sell by the 1/4lb." I said, "What time do you have?" She looked at her watch, said, "You have 13 minutes." And she walked away. It was freezing cold out and I still wasn't feeling that great, so I went to the car. I figured I'd made the special trip, so I didn't want to leave empty handed. Luckily, I came to my senses and left. My desire not to give them my money or business overrode my desire to give my awesome husband a nice treat. Is it really so difficult to be courteous in this town? I'm finding more and more that it is. This was my third disappointing customer service experience in a week (a holiday week, at that). There was no line of people waiting to get in, how hard would it have been to ring up some jerky or let me wait inside for a few minutes? Even to suggest a warm place on the street to kill time would have been nice. I've heard great things about the food here and CC has been on my list of places to try, however, if this is how they treat customers, I'll pass. I think my coworker summed it up best: "It's not like you were trying to get seated early or jockey for a table in front of other people...you just wanted some overpriced jerky!" Well, I guess i did get jerky--jerky attitude!
(1)
Kelly M.
If I'm being totally honest, I'd been avoiding coming here for a long time. As excited as I was about the food, I just wasn't looking forward to the wait. One Thursday night, we were semi-in the area, so we decided to give it a try. We braced ourselves and went for it. Guess what? We could be immediately seated at the counter or wait 20 minutes for a table. Husband, feeling brave, opted for the counter. EXCELLENT choice. I highly recommend the counter. We got an awesome view, and it was great talking to the cooks when they had some downtime. They do a really great job. The food was great, but you probably already know that. We had the onion rings - which are really more like onion strings, my FAVORITE. First I wished they were served with ranch, but one bite of the house-made ketchup changed my mind about that. The chicken lived up to the hype, but skillet fried isn't my favorite way to have fried chicken. So not best-ever, but still tasty. Husband had duck two ways and loved every bite. We finished with the trio of pudding, which was divine. I think the chocolate was my favorite, but they were all excellent. We'll be back!
(5)
Emma B.
First time here.. Not at all disappointed! Chicken.. Awesome. Grits.. Freaking amazing! And the greens, oh the greens. Then there was dessert. This place is so wonderful. We sat at the bar that faces the cooks. Good show, great guys, amazing food. Order the Grits. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Evelyn S.
We arrived for Breakfast on a Sunday morning only to learn that the wait would be 1.5 hours. We left. That same evening, after showing off the Gorge to a visiting friend, we decided to see if we could get in for dinner, we were seated immediately. I ordered the Wild Mushroom & Spring Vegetable Pot Pie and my friend ordered the Two Pieces of Cast-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken and was able to substitute veggies for the mashed potatoes that usually accompany her selection. My pot pie was tasty, rich and filling. Her Chicken was darn fine, at least that is what she said when she made me take a bite! I am not an expert on either of these two types of entrees, but I would have to say that this place knows it's stuff and does it right. The decor is on the kitschy side of things and suits the neighborhood well. The servers are very nice and accommodating. The prices reflect the premium food they provide. The portions are generous but not overwhelmingly so.
(3)
Don J.
I drove past this place for a year. I had seen the yelp reviews but as I was frequently just coming back from Home Depot - not a great time to stop. However, some local friends who had also not been there also wanted to try it - so we did. The wait time was reasonable for that time on a Sunday. You could easily get to the bar to order cocktails. So we did. Bloodies - very nice. We were seated at a 4-top across from the bar. Server and bus staff were very upbeat, efficient, and gave honest recommendations. Order to Receive time was quick - less than 15 minutes. Food selection on the menu is great. Food quality was good. We had a GREAT time - largely because we were there with good friends. However, we'll be back to give it a second shot. If you like breakfast sausages: you may want to know that the ones we got (in two seperate orders) were a little grainy and overdone (by general comparison to other places & my own cooking.) Again, the staff could not have been more friendly or accommidating. Fantastic cocktails.
(3)
Tanisha W.
Oh my goodness!!! Heaven on Earth! Had the fried chicken and pumpkin pancakes! Soooo delicious! The staff was fantastic! Love this place!
(5)
Nick B.
I am dreaming about coming here a second time!!! Went here for a quiet date with my lady and it did not disappoint. The house made jerky is definitely a must!!! It was really hard to choose between the entrees as they were all good sounding. I elected for the red wine braised beef and was likewise not disappointed.
(5)
Kate R.
Great that they take reservations for a weekend breakfast place. The food was good, but not amazing. The onion rings are worth the trip and the biscuits are also delicious. The egg dishes weren't perfect. The savory stuff looked better. Not tons of vegetarian options. In a city of great breakfast places this one is good and worth the trip.
(4)
Dan H.
I'll admit it. I saw the picture of Country Cat's Cinnamon Swirl Challah French Toast ($10) on the cover of a recent Portland Monthly magazine and I couldn't get that photo out of my mind. I'll admit that Country Cat has been on my ever growing list of places to try in Portland. I will admit that I didn't want to come here for brunch on a Sunday and wait in line for 3 hours to get a table. I just assume most places have a 3 hour wait on a Sunday morning. We did not come here on a Sunday morning. The secret is to take a day off of work and come here during the week. Monday morning? Walk and a get seated immediately. I have just solved the long line breakfast problem in Portland. You can thank me later. I looked at the menu and thought I was going to cry. I did not see the french toast. Well, this morning wasn't starting out too well. Then our server came over and said she had a few specials. I don't know what one of them was, but I know that one was the french toast. Sold. Put me down for 12 orders. Ok, my mind wanted 12 orders, but my body only had one. Challah bread is the only bread one should make french toast with. It is the perfect vehicle for this dish. This version of this dish is dipped in Maker's Mark custard with Winter fruit compote, clabber cream, & maple syrup. Why can I not be eating this while I'm typing this review? Why do you mock me? Why am I talking to myself? Easily some of the best french toast I have ever eaten. Side note. I don't eat french toast that often. That doesn't mean this isn't good. It is. Believe me. It is very good. Next up I need to come for dinner. As Ahnold is wont to say. I'll be back.
(5)
Michael Q.
Second visit, though I swore I'd never go in again. But I now live in the 'hood, so... From my Facebook post a few moments ago...most of my friends are in Texas, where I'm from. I grew up on CFS, and have had some amazing versions...but NEVER in Portland, for gawd's sake. And NOT at The CC. I was jonesin' for chicken fried steak today after receiving the December issue of Texas Monthly which is dedicated to Texas food. I made the mistake of going down the street to a place that gets raves from magazines like Bon Appetit and papers like the New York Times, Portland's Country Cat. The CFS was a joke. Brown gravy? Really? And they served this in a friggin' bowl with all the "vegetables" hidden under the thin piece of beef with breading so wimpy it did not adhere at all to the "meat". I swore I'd never go into that place again after having the absolute worst fried chicken of my life: $18 for two burnt chicken strips, some tasteless greens and useless mashed potatoes. And the Times, et al, rave about their chicken! Unbelievable!!!!!! And they served this in a friggin' bowl with all the "vegetables" hidden under the thin piece of beef with breading so wimpy it did not adhere at all to the "meat". Sorry, CC, I've now paid my dues. I'll go straight to heaven when I die, to a room full of properly prepared Southern food! Sorry, CC, I've now paid my dues. I'll go straight to heaven when I die, to a room full of properly prepared Southern food! Apparently Kenny Shopsin is spot on: Most people DON'T know what the fuck they're eating...
(1)
Michael U.
Moving on to my final day in Portland; a 6:00pm flight scheduled to deliver me back in Phoenix just after 8:00 I knew I had time to double up on brunches once more and after my morning run and a stop at Coco Doughnuts I hoped to build on the previous day's southern success at The Country Cat; Adam Sappington's "Country Craft Kitchen" on Stark Street. Described with many of the current industry buzz words including "farm to table," "nose to tail," "organic," and more featuring a sizable menu with many of my favorites and reportedly FAR shorter waits than those at Screen Door the space seemed like a can't miss but in the end the experience turned out to be a mixed one. Arriving just after 9:15am and finding the space already half full but never anywhere near as jammed packed as Screen door I was greeted by a young woman at the door and offered my choice of a table or a seat at the Chef's counter and opting for the later I'll note that if you have the option, particularly as a solo, this is the spot to be as a quiet but friendly staff of four worked the line while joking with one another as well as guests, seemingly enjoying their job every step of the way - even as they heckled me about 'ordering too much,' something I assured them that two plates was very unlikely to entail. Sitting and waiting, sipping yet another cup of Stumptown, while watching the team expedite everything from pork to pancakes and biscuits to brisket it would be approximately a twenty minute wait before my duo of plates arrived (unfortunately the restaurant's policy was to serve dishes together, as opposed to coursed out) and as hard as it was to pass on the Monte Cristo my selected savory would prove to be well worth it, the signature "Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Toasted Pecan Bacon Spoonbread" an exemplary pile of crispy bird paired with sweet-meets-savory bacon and cornbread custard topped with buttery pecans plus a seemingly extraneous salad that actually proved brilliantly placed, the light acid of the vinaigrette helping to provide some levity to an otherwise hefty plate of excellent cuisine. Transitioning from savory to sweet, and the main reason I opted to visit Country Cat on a weekend rather than a weekday, the *weekend only* Cinnamon Swirl French Toast with Makers Mark Custard, Vanilla Poached Pears, Clabber Cream, Maple Syrup would unfortunately prove to be quite disappointing - particularly in a city where I'd already experienced so many superlative takes on my favorite breakfast dish - and largely because of the toast itself. Large in portion and big in flavor with the poached pears, cream, and pure maple all excellent it was the execution of this dish that fell short - the custard not only unremarkable (and certainly not boozy,) but also not saturating the bread thus leaving the interior not dissimilar to a slice of plan cinnamon toast. Admittedly more than ample for sopping up the lovely amalgam of fruit, cream, and syrup but generally 'bready' I'm sure some of my disappointment in this dish was my preference for custard laden toast, so perhaps others results may vary, and I certainly would not hesitate to return in order to sample more of the menu - particularly the cinnamon rolls and monte cristo which both looked excellent, or some of the more interesting options from the dessert menu (which they should really consider serving at brunch.)
(3)
Andrew H.
If you're the type of person to say things like: "Screen Door is soooo OVER!" "Montavilla is such a cool area, it's one of the few places in Portland that's still real and not all played-out" You will LOVE this place, go here immediately, and please don't burn a bag of dog excrement on my door-step. For everyone else: This is a poor-man's Screendoor. There, I said it. And by that I mean that the concept is similar, the prices are similar, the lines are similar (OK, the wait is probably less here, and almost non-existent on weekdays...OK, that's a third reason to come here I guess: Screen Door-style food on weekday mornings) but the quality is lower and the portions smaller. That's not to say this is a bad place. If Screen Door didn't exist, it would be a great place to eat. As it is though, I've been here twice and both times I left hungry and underwhelmed. I just don't see why anyone would go here for brunch when Screen Door is minutes away. I also don't get what all the hype is about? It seems like people just like to drop the name of this place because it isn't as well know as the Screendoors and Tin Sheds of the world. I've heard people say the bacon here is some of the best in town, really? I guess bacon is a personal thing because I was not impressed. It was dry and lacked any pepper or sweetness, it was more like a dry ham-slab*. (who's bacon is better? Screen Door, City State...Simpatica seems to have a similar *style* of bacon to the Cat, but it is better executed) I should say that, like Screendoor, the waitstaff here is SUPER friendly and really great. NOTE: I am speaking solely about breakfast/brunch, I've never been here for dinner. NOTE:NOTE: I didn't read any of the other reviews of this place before I wrote this, I usually try to keep myself "pure" so that I don't' inadvertently plagiarize the thoughts/feelings opinions of others. I'm not sure if anyone else thought about comparing these two places or if it's just me. I'm not trying to start some sort of Ducks/Beavers, Bloods/Crips** turf-war thing with these two places...so...sorry if that happens. *OK, so maybe at the end of the day that's what bacon actually is but I'm an engineer, not a butcher! Also: the Wikipedia article on bacon confuses me...slab/Canadian/not-Canadian/cured/smoked...ugh **This used to read "Crypts" thanks to friend and fellow Yelper Kade M. for both pointing this out and forgiving me for getting it wrong on account of growing up in Florida
(3)
Cindy K.
Customer service lacking, wouldn't seat us until the entire party arrived and the food is over seasoned, rubbery mess.
(1)
Tori B.
The oNLY things worth ordering for dinner are some of the cocktails,hamburger, biscuits, deviled eggs and onion rings. Chicken=grease!, duck pate= ugh, pickled veggies are great if you love to drink vinegar! Clams were greasy, and muscles were not great either! Service was pathetic
(2)
Andrew A.
I thought they used to give a few biscuits for free with each meal, but I may be mistaken. Anyway, they do offer a single and basket of biscuits and if they are the ones I'm thinking of, they are quite delicious. The Breakfast Pizzetta was very good, but very difficult to cut with the knife they give. Eating by hand isn't very functional, so maybe they should serve with a different type of knife. Potato sides, home fries and the like are usually just so so, and it's the same here. However, the ketchup that accompanies the taters was different and good. Have tried a few different items, including the Chicken Fried Steak, and all were good, but not great. Our male server was a bit impatient, and of course, more friendly when dropping the check. One standout: the cappuccino. Not sure what roast they use, but one of the better versions in coffee city.
(3)
Lyle R.
I can see how there is opposing opinions on the French toast. The first half with the fruity goodness and whip cream mixed with the crunch of the oats was awesome! But once that was gone it was fairly dry and bland.
(3)
Yaz H.
A million stars and more!!! I cant say enough about this place....Though we only had the Fired Chicken and Chicken Fried Steak as well as a biscuit, it was all heavenly... I cant wait to go back for the Eggs Bene or the Hash...Yum, Yum, Yum!!! Worth the trip and the wait, though we didn't have a wait and went on a weekday early afternoon.
(5)
Becca S.
I went for brunch and it was deliciously amazing. It's small and felt a bit cramped but that's what you get when you're an idiot who forgets that it's Father's Day until you see the crowd at a restaurant. The service was as fast as attentive as possible even though it was full to the brim. I'm a sucker for Eggs Benedict and the fact they do it with Steelhead sold me immediately of course. The biscuits were so yummy, the homefries were done perfectly.
(4)
Anita W.
Went to the Cat with a friend who highly recommended the place. The guy who seated us acted surprised that we didn't have a reservation and harrumphed about it while looking around at the several empty tables. After he got over his pique about us not having reservations, he seated us and our server came fairly quickly. He also had a little bit of an attitude, and didn't seem very happy that we weren't immediately ready with our orders. He did come back several times and was attentive, so I will give him props for that. Our food came as ordered, and was hot. I was not impressed with the food, and the staff needs to take a course in humility. I wasn't wowed and probably won't be going back.
(3)
Sarah B.
I'm going to agree with Sherry and say "Smoked steelhead eggs benedict!" Om nom nom. I love steelhead and I love benedict, making this my go-to breakfast of choice. Their biscuits are ever-so-slightly sweet, ever-so-slightly lemony, and ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. You can even order a basket of them on the side - normally, biscuits are mediocre. Not theirs. If you're not a biscuit person, give them a try, and I can guarantee a 90% biscuit-lover conversion rate. Famously garnished bloody marys and fantastically fizzy mimosas provide the perfect accoutrement to breakfast or brunch at the Cat. You can also get tasty things like fried chicken (in Portland! I know! it's a revelation!) and yummy biscuits and gravy. If you don't want taters on the side, you can have greens or fruit or whatever you like, since the servers and the kitchen are all flexible and accommodating and friendly as all get out. If you're in the 'hood, this is a great place for a lazy weekend morning. Next up, I plan to try dinner here.
(5)
JP R.
FYI long wait up to an hour. Worth the wait! Food is amazing - had the eggs Benedict with smoke salmon. Home fries are seasoned to perfection and abundant. Benedict lies on homemade biscuits! Heaven!....my friend had the braised beef hash with eggs...looked amazing! Prices $9-12. Service is very friendly. A great brunch spot on a Sunday afternoon.
(5)
Stefanie W.
This is as perfect a place as you will ever find. Everything I've ever had was a foodgasm. We drive from 40 miles away weekly just to have breakfast here. My favorite is the country fried steak with sour cream mashed potatoes with Worcestershire gravy and kale. I never stray from that, but I certainly try what other people are having. Today, I swiped some of my husband's pumpkin pancakes. Ohmergawd.
(5)
Hana F.
Pretty good. It's a bit expensive, but the food's good, although getting to the restaurant from downtown is a bit out of the way. The fried chicken is delicious. Is it worth $15? I don't know.
(4)
Joan B.
I am NOT from Portland, and was taken to the Country Cat by my daughter. The food was wonderful, the service exceptional, the pacing perfect. There were 3 of us and we shared two entrees, one side and a dessert , and left well satisfied and not over fed, all for just over $50. Oftentimes, I leave the restaurant just a little disappointed, thinking that I could have done at least as good if not a better job at home. This was definitely not the case last Sunday night. I am already looking forward eating at the Country Cat during my next time visit Portland,
(5)
T. M.
one of the best breakfasts I've had in Portland. The fried chicken was amazing. This place blows screen door away. The line want bad for a Saturday morning either. Super kid friendly too.
(5)
Shirley C.
Decided to try the Cat again during the March dining month. This time the meal was yummy! Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and collards. Everything was excellent but the potatoes and gravy were out of this world
(4)
Jimmy N.
My friend invited me to have dinner here to try this place out. It was definitely a bar atmosphere (more than a dinnerhouse atmosphere). We were seated promptly as the restaurant was at only roughly 70% capacity. We ordered (non alcoholic) drinks such as lemonade. The drinks did not arrive until approximately 7-10 minutes later. And when the drinks arrived, the waitress did not take our order or insisted on it; she just dropped off the drinks and drifted off. Another ten minutes comes by and she finally takes our order. Keep in mind, the restaurant is NOT busy, and far from full capacity. After placing our orders we had to wait another 10-15 minutes to receive our entrees. Throughout dining on our entrees, the waitress did not check up on to see if everything was okay. After clearly completing our entrees, he received attention finally after another 10-15 minutes. After the unfinished bland food, we were were still hungry and decided to try desserts. The desserts were very good, far from the quality of the entrees. We enjoyed the desserts. Overall the dining experience there ended up to be approximately a hour, where 40 minutes or so of it was just "waiting" on the waitress to give us the proper attention. Customer service is was rated 1/5... whereas food was not absolute terrible (I've had worse, but so much better elsewhere) although far from mediocre which rates a 2/5. The lack of customer service, alone, discourages me to revisit here again anytime soon.
(2)
Eric P.
One of the most Portland-y restaurants I've ever encountered. Plain wood booths, simple decor, and a focus on the food. A creative, home-cooking-inspired menu delighted everyone in our party -- a month-early two-birthday celebration brought on by the restaurant's appearance on TV, which necessitated getting reservations. From the "Judy" cheese and the onion rings (sliced thin enough to resemble calamari) through entrees to shared cobbler at dessert, we were all thrilled with everything we ate. (Though as much as we loved the "Judy" cheese appetizer, it was extremely filling ... moderation would have perhaps been wiser on our parts.) The full bar didn't hurt matters, either. Yet another addition for my "eating through Portland" list of places I'll want to hit again.
(4)
Daniel R.
This place has a great vibe. It's very Portland. The servers are friendly and the food is really good. They tout local ingredients and 'real' food. I highly recommend them. I've been there a half a dozen times and have never been disappointed. Cheers!
(4)
Virginia S.
The food was delish but the service was terrible. Came here because of DDD, and wasn't disappointed. It's a real small place so watch out when a table of 10 show up about the same time you do. Had the duck and husband had the Whole Pig. And it was parts of a whole pig. Loved the duck.
(3)
Rachel S.
Fabulous brunch! I wanted to treat my sister to brunch for her birthday, and this is where she wanted to go. We arrived a little before opening on Saturday to ensure that we wouldn't have a long wait- we did have a toddler in tow. As soon as they opened, we were seated and given water and offered some coffee. Given how many amazing-sounding dishes are on the menu, my sister and I decided to divide and conquer. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with steelhead, she ordered the pancakes with apples, and we shared. The eggs bennie come on a biscuit, which is a plus in my book, and the potatoes they came were were delicious and light. The pancakes were some of the best I have had at a restaurant, and the caramel butter and apples made them absolutely divine. Our service was excellent, the atmosphere was cozy (and warm on a cold, rainy morning), and our experience was fantastic. Definitely a top brunch spot for me!
(5)
Kari J.
The Country Cat is simply the cat's meow. We will be back!
(4)
Yellow H.
Honestly, this place is amazing. We usually skip the lines at brunch and go for dinner, where there's rarely much wait. The food is always beautifully conceived and executed, the staff friendly, and it's a hell of a deal for the quality.
(5)
Angela G.
The fried chicken and mashed potatoes was amazing. The pork chops were fork tender. At first bite, the shoestring onions seemed basic but when it melted in the mouth, it assumed a surprising yumminess. With the pork chop came a delightful fig/prune? Sauce. Wow. Just wow. Even the kale was good. Come here to eat. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Cee A.
I'm a fried chicken kind of guy. Popeye's, Church's, Roscoe's, Ezell's, Cackalack's, Pine State ... and so on, and so forth. I love me some fried chicken. I mean really, how can fried chicken ever disappoint, right? Well, I guess you should never say never. I mean, it's not as though Country Cat's send up of fried chicken is bad. No, in fact it's quite delicious. But for some reason I just wasn't feeling it. I guess there's something about smallish, de-boned chicken breast pieces that make me feel like I'm eating chicken strips rather than good old-fashioned fried chicken. Could've been a victim of the hype too. I'd heard many, many accolades about the Country Cat before I ever made it in, so maybe my expectations were exorbitant and there was just no way anything was going to suffice. Whatever the case, this is one fried chicken aficionado that found the Country Cat a little lacking. For what it's worth, the wife wasn't exactly floored by her Benedict either. You can certainly do a lot worse when it comes to brunch. But given the myriad options elsewhere in Portland, I'd rather hit one up that was more to my liking.
(3)
Brook P.
Get the chicken Fried Steak! Everything else is good, but the Chicken Fried Steak is out of this world. Potatoes, good breaded steak, and collard greens. I don't usually like chicken fried steak but the country cat changed my mind!
(4)
Cait S.
There are WAY better breakfast places in Portland. I know breakfast places on the weekends are going to be busy so I do my research, Yelp, news articles, friends, etc. From Yelp and news articles it sounded like the place to be. It wasn't. Only after did I have time to check with friends who are as big of foodies as I am and they all agreed, it wasn't that special and didn't deserve the high rating. The biscuits, which people rave about, tasted similar to bisquick ones that are made at church functions for hundreds. The ones at Jam are way better. The "smoked" salmon benedict on the biscuits were barely edible. They looked great but the hollandaise sauce soaked into the biscuit making it a doughy texture...the type that sticks to the roof of your mouth when you chew. The salmon was not smoked in any sense of the word. I grew up on the Oregon coast with real smoked salmon so I'm extra picky but even my friends who tasted it all said it was as though they steamed it without any flavor. Don't waste your time driving here unless you're desperate and if you do, don't get the salmon benedicts or biscuits.
(2)
Mandi T.
Called and made a reservation for 4 on a Friday night for my guys birthday... he got the whole hog and I got fried chicken. Very yummy and we will definitely be back.
(5)
Samantha B.
As a newcomer to Portland, we came here because of the reviews we found online (yelp, ect.) The breakfast was literally the WORST I've ever tasted. I got an egg dish, with pork and grits. None of the flavors complimented each other. The consistency was slimy and the eggs were undercooked. I sent it back and ordered the biscuits and gravy. Again, the worst I've ever had. The biscuits were hard as a rock and the gravy was flavorless. The same happened when my husband ordered the eggs benedict. Flavorless. The only good thing about this place was the atmosphere and the potatoes. Even their house made ketchup tasted off. TERRIBLE. I've been around the block when it comes to food tasting and this place doesn't measure up to anything. I think they're trying too hard.
(1)
Holly C.
Went here with my husband. We both really enjoyed it. We ordered the Manila Clams as a starter. They were good and served with a small piece of bread. I wish my piece of bread was bigger to soak up more of the broth from the clams. On second thought more bread would have kept me from eating the rest of what we ordered. My husband ordered The Whole Hog. It was a bone-in pork chop, pulled pork, pork belly, and head cheese. He let me have a small taste of everything. I was nervous about the head cheese, but it was very good. I ordered the lamb dish. My husband "won" dinner but my order was really good too. The lamb was served with greens and a potato cake. For dessert my husband and I split the Red Velvet Cake. I had tea for my drink and my husband had some drink I can't remember. Good thing we went to Ikea after, We burned a bit of the calories off. I would return for sure!
(5)
Laura C.
The breakfasts here may be a little spendy, but with inflation, so have the breakfasts at Denny's, Shari's and IHOP. And this is a league above. I ordered your typical biscuits and gravy with a side of potato's and an egg. It ran about $10, but was soo worth it!! My friend ordered a side of bacon with her meal and got a few huge pieces of the thick, peppery kind you find at the butcher. Her orange juice also tasted fresh squeezed. We didn't have much of a wait, but then we went early to avoid a rush. Parking is on the street and in the nearby neighborhood, but was very easy to find and free. As Tom Peterson used to say "Free is a very good price". I guess it's just a matter of time before they start putting in meters, so I was just glad to enjoy the free-ness of it while I could.
(4)
Darrell R.
Having seen the hype on DDD, our party of 4 stopped in for dinner. I had the Whole Hog dish & was disappointed - pork chop was dry & tough & other pork dishes nothing special; lamb meatloaf was reportedly 'good', chicken close to average & not up to DDD's hype & burger just above average.
(3)
Lauren R.
Very crowded on the weekends but they'll take your number and send you a text when the table is open, so you can wander about at your leisure. The food was good. The eggs benedict were yummy but I thought the hollandaise sauce was a bit weak in my opinion. The French toast was a bit thin but very good otherwise. Overall good experience.
(4)
Lisa k.
You know. Yesterday was my birthday and as much as I wanted to go here again (would have been my fourth time) I got swayed by the hype of the Screen Door. Regrets regrets regrets. I was sad that my birthday food experience was one of MEHdome. But if you want GOOD FOOD, minus the bullshit hype...Country Cat is where it is at! I have been here three times, have eaten different plates, with many different people, and everyone has had the most tastebud loving time here! I don't know if you can go wrong with your food choice. If you ever get to sit by the open kitchen, the kitchen folks are friendly, informative, and fun to watch. The actual wait service is decent (not amazing) but I guess that depends on who you get. Basically, you are not going to get someone who ruins your time (at least from my own experiences). I haven't had it yet but I've been told by a co-diner that the fried chicken is stellar! Everything I've ever had here has been amazing EXCEPT their house salad. Not that it tasted bad but was really not happy getting a pathetically small plate of greens for $7 without any other veggies. Don't waste your money on that house salad. You've been warned. The prices are higher than Screen Door and portions are smaller (depending on what you get) but the QUALITY outweighs the mediocre quality and larger quantity of SD. This is a great place for groups large and small with many options (except that stupid house salad). Bon Appetite!
(5)
Duane P.
In my quest this year to finish eating at all of the Eater PDX top 38 restaurants, Country Cat was next up. It is a nice looking restaurant inside with a large counter and lots of booths, My favorite two seating options. We were waited on promptly and after taking a while to decide we choose the Steelhead Benedict and Country Fried Steak. These are also my two favorite options for breakfast. After the food arriving and looking at the great plate presentation we dug in. The Benedict was a little dry because of the biscuit and not enough hollandaise sauce. As other reviewers have mentioned the sauce was lacking in lemon flavor. The Chicken Fried Steak was very good but a little chewy. I liked the sauteed greens with it. Overall good service and food quality.
Went to country cat tonight. Showed up at 6pm with 6 people. There were several open tables. The hostess was super unfriendly stating the next table that would be free would be 8:30. Seriously??!? Probably the last time I go there.
(2)
Mar C.
Brunch review. Went here with my family yesterday around 1pm. We unfortunately got a booth that had a slanted table, but nothing slid off of it so that was okay. We're not complainers over minor things like that. We ordered a few items and shared them among us. Eggs Benedict with Steelhead Salmon - the eggs were cooked quite nicely, but the hollandaise did not add much flavor to it. Came with herb-y potatoes and house ketchup. Open-faced Meatloaf Sandwich - came with a salad and fried onions on top. The onions were a bit soggy and I kept wondering where the meatloaf was. Two eggs with Biscuits & Gravy - Standard dish. Hard to mess this up. The gravy was a nice balance. Chicken Fried Steak - Seemed like mostly breading. Soggy breading at that. I did like the Worcestershire gravy very much and wish it had more. Came with some steamed greens and mashed potatoes. The potatoes needed salt. Service was friendly but a bit slow. Our water glasses were not refilled at all.
(3)
Jason F.
I love this place. The staff is great, the food is great. "The slow burn" is an amazing yet easily overlooked dish. The plain menu description doesn't do justice to this wonderful smokey pulled pork concoction on a bed of creamy grits topped with over-easy eggs. You really can't go wrong here and it's kid friendly.
(5)
Nicole W.
I have been to The Country Cat about a million times now, and I have to say that I keep coming back for the food, the service, and the convenient location. My favorite dish is the eggs benedict with salmon - GUH! The best eggs benedict I've had was here at The Country Cat. The servers are generally very friendly and polite, I've nothing bad to say about any of them. All that being said, there are definitely less memorable visits - it is likely that they have several chefs working different shifts. Surprised? You shouldn't be. They have someone working that kitchen with a real talent for food, though. Whoever it is, they're worth finding. I hate how long the wait time has become. I remember when I could walk in and be seated almost anywhere, at any time. The Country Cat sorely needs a relocation for more seating. Also, they don't take reservations for Sunday brunch. The waiting list is just too long.
I came here for a birthday dinner and was so sad that the food me and my friends were eating wasn't better. I had heard so much about Country Cat and thought it'd be spectacular but I was wrong. We got biscuits for appetizers and they were pasty. I mean, they were so dry that they stuck like Spackle to the roofs of our mouths. My fried chicken - which I thought would rival Screen Door's. . . was dry and appeared overcooked. Overall, super disappointing.
(1)
Simon K.
Got here nice and early on a Saturday morning just before the real rush of people starting filing in and I was ever so impressed. Another place that has raised 'the bar' of what damn good breakfast should taste like and be priced at. I really do think I come from a city that is overpriced for it's own good, and when I step into a place like this, there is an instantaneous smile of approval that cannot be rubbed off my face! From the hundreds of reviews of this place, I knew that I could not go wrong coming here, and I already had the expectation of waiting to get a seat to get my food. Rolling in at about 9:30AM on a Saturday, me and the girls still had to wait a good 15 minutes before being seated. Coming in here, you have a sense of an old diner with many new fixings, like the clean open kitchen on the back end, and the big bar with bottles lined up to the ceiling. The logo of the place is done in tile on the outside, and we knew we were at the right place, can't miss it, as it's on the corner. It was a hard choice, already looking at the menu posted outside, on what to order, where we had to send the server back, as we still needed more time after looking at the menu outside what our stomachs really wanted (everything, but you know you can only have so much!). I finally settled on the 'Smoky Bacon & Tomato Hash' and my partner decided to order a side of their homemade tomato soup. Our other friend had the 'Cinnamon Swirl Challa French Toast'. While we waited, we started food staring, hunger can do that to you, and were amazed not only by the portion size, but the presentation and the delicious smells that were eminating (as I said, hunger can be a true bitch!). Our food didn't take too much longer, but I did notice the 'Bloody Mary's' they were serving, with a side of bacon instead of the green bean or celery. That is one fine chunk of meat, you can't miss it, this thing is like a big fish swimming in a very small tank, order it, or look around and you will see this drink! Back to our food, once it arrived, the smells from it were making our mouths water. When I looked at my 'hash' it just looked very picture perfect. Two Poached eggs lying on the bed of big square potatoes, almost looking like big fat blob clouds just being perched in the air. I then decided to take my fork and stick it... into the potato hash that is... and have my first bite! The potato bit was nice and crispy on the outside, and just the correct firmness on the inside, but the taste of everything from the corn, tomotoes, peppers, onions, and whetever else they threw in there was damn good. I didn't even think of the poached egg till my partner had the plate and said "I'm poking it", and the dark yellow gooey liquid from the yolk came dripping out, taking on the bits on the bottom of the plate like when high tide comes onto a beach. Me and my partner, we are not big eaters, and this one plate, not massive, but filling, hit our stomachs in the right spot, served with a very creamy tomato soup (this was fresh!) and we were set to start our day. The service was fast and friendly, and I couldn't have been more impressed at the food. Definitely a must hit for great breakfasts in Portland. Oh yeah, tons of parking around here free as well.
(5)
Ian H.
Unfortunately, this place let me down. Big time. If I only had two words to explain it, they would be "hype overdose." I'm sure the big "guy fieri ate here" tag over the kitchen only helps add to the aforementioned hype. Every time before this, I left because there was an excessive wait time. This was my fourth attempt at grabbing a table at country cat and I was so excited to finally peruse the menu and taste my way through the orchestra of down home flavors the hordes before me had clamored about. I'll start by saying the service was very friendly but a tad on the slow side and the drinks were very good. The food however was the big let down. We started out with some deviled eggs that tasted like chalky Dijon mustard. Yuck. I make deviled eggs all the time and it's not really all that hard to make them taste good. For mains, I ordered the fried chicken n mashers and the Mrs. Ordered the shrimp and biscuit with a side of baked beans. All proteins were sadly overcooked. My chicken thighs were very dry and the breading on them was doughy and chewy. The potatoes were meh, and the gravy was pretty standard stuff. The sauce that came with the shrimp was one dimensional and lacked any real flavor. The baked beans were so dry, it was like eating dirt with some BBQ sauce that was about one water atom away from being powder. Final overall assessment: the fried chicken and baked beans were the worst I've ever had. How?! Why?! Country cat!!! What's going on? I hate writing bad reviews, it makes me sad. But as a devoted yelper, I must be honest about my experience. It is not my goal to hurt their business with such an admittedly harsh review. I'd like to encourage you to check them out if you're really into it but don't be surprised if your experience is similar to mine. If you do experience something akin to the joy most people rave about, then please, by all means, tell me about it.
(2)
Tom D.
It is nice to have such a place like this in the neighborhood, but I don't think it's worth traveling across town for. They're known for their fried chicken, though they seem to get they're breasts off of teen chickens so don't expect a whole lot of meat on them. That said after three tries here. I went for breakfast today and had the lemon poppyseed challah french toast dipped in vanilla custard with red wine soaked plums, vanilla clabber cream, and maple syrup, which somehow had very little taste, though the plums were delicious. Those should have been the entree. I think I am done with this place unless I'm in the neighborhood. Cute name, quaint spot, but not noteworthy as a Portland restaurant.
(3)
Kevin K.
Great food, and atmosphere! Sat at the chefs counter and really enjoyed the experience. Very reasonably priced wine list with many good steals in every varietal. Country Cat great southern comfort food!
(5)
Torrey M.
Awesome food! Had the eggs Benedict with salmon. It was absolutely amazing! This is definitely a new breakfast/brunch spot for me!
(5)
Kathryn K.
I got there at 4:55 and they opened at 5:00. There was already a line to get in but I did not have to wait for a seat once they opened and got a window seat. By the time I left at 6:05 the restaurant was full and there were people waiting for tables. I had Barbeque Duck Leg on a Smoky Bacon, Wild Mushroom, Sweet Corn, & Blackberry Succotash. For dessert I had the Warm Plum Cobbler Served with an oatmeal cookie top, Earl Grey ice cream, & caramel. The dessert was the most enjoyable of the meal in my opinion. The ice cream was so good with just a hint of the Earl Grey on top of the Oatmeal Cookie. I could have just eaten the cookie and ice cream by themselves but there was this delicious combination of fruit buried under the cookie crust. The duck was not at all gamey and the variety of vegetables in the succotash gave a unique flavor to the meal. The only thing I would have changed would to have the duck skin crisped up and a little more seasoning on the succotash. I will be going back to try something else on the menu another time.
(4)
Frith P.
Went here for the first time for breakfast this past Friday morning with my son. My son has been here before and had told me they had good food. I was impressed. The service was really good-we sat at the bar and the bar tender waited on us. He was friendly and engaging. The staff all looked like they enjoyed working there and were super friendly. The food was great! I will definately go back and take more people with me.
(4)
geoffrey K.
Loved everything we had. Great casual environment, wonderful food, and creative drinks. This is definitely one of my go to restaurants on my regular trips into Portland. I am sure that their seafood options are good, however I seemed to end up there hungry for heavy dishes and more often than not end up getting lamb or duck dishes. It is also great to go to a restaurant where they prepare collard greens to perfection! Now that I think about it, maybe I go tonight!
(4)
Anne R.
Profoundly, impressively awful in every way. We had the same server who was mentioned in a couple of previous reviews: tattoos, bright red lipstick, and a surprisingly rude attitude. Every question was spat out with a disdainful sneer and ended with a sigh: "Do you know what you'd like-kah?" We also had a similar experience to several other reviewers here, in that my friend's drink arrived with a drowned bug floating in it. We pointed this out to two different servers. The first one said "Oh," left it on the table, and wandered off, ostensibly to get Miss Personality, our original server, who glanced at it and helpfully explained that "it's a fruit fly." Well, yes. It may not be a cockroach, but it's still a dead insect - in the drink you just brought. She took it away and removed it from our bill, which is the one nice thing I can say about the service in this place. The food was pretty bad. My vegetable "hash" consisted of odds and ends from the crisper drawer in some sort of bland broth, with a rubbery, nearly unrecognizable, sloppily poached egg on top. I learned an important lesson from eating here: Life's too short to eat bad food and drink buggy drinks served by sullen hipster bitches, especially in the glutton's-dream-come-true that is Portland. Go somewhere - ANYWHERE - else.
(1)
Chantelle V.
Really cool place, but extremely long wait time for a table plus hostess was not the most friendly girl in town. We were about ready to walk out when we were told we were next, then two more groups were sat before us. Looked like hostess was seating her friends before those with reservations. Very frustrating! Once seated our waitress was amazing and my water was kept full-this is super important to me when dining out. Food was heaven!!!! Worth the wait!
(4)
Jennifer G.
We just landed in Portland and were starving for a good breakfast! Neither of us are familiar with Portland at all so we just went in the general direction of some places listed on our GPS. But when we passed Country Cat, it looked like a good neighborhood place for some breakfast. We were right! Two of us shared "The Country Cat" plus 2 extra eggs. It was perfect. The eggs were cooked just how we wanted them. The homemade sauces were awesome. Also, because we had just landed we were trying to get our bearings. A woman who wasn't our server (she was a server, just not ours) spent time with us showing us where we were and a scenic way of getting us where we were going. After she was done, she returned a few minutes later to give us another suggestion. We both really appreciated the time she took and how obviously excited she was about where we were heading. We'll definitely go back if we're ever in the area again!
(5)
James S.
Any one who knows me even a little has probably heard me ranting about having brunch in this city. Get a couple cocktails in me and I get down right nasty about it. Fact is, I hate what it has become. People standing in line for an hour for some eggs. Parties of 20 adults, 15 kids running around out of control, dogs chained up to anything. Flash photography and the places entire amount of bandwidth being hogged by photo uploads! Fuck that noise! That's why on Sunday morning you'll find me at noodle soup places or my own house. But once in a VERY wee while, I'll bomb over to the CC and brave the crowds. Getting there "early"( 9 AM is NOT early) isn't a problem for me because this place is about 6 blocks from my house! The food here is just amazing! I almost always get the fried chicken, greens salad, and spoon bread. Probably the best piece of fried chicken I've ever had! The crunch and adhesion of the breading to the meat is superior. That's the mark of someone who knows what's up with frying some yardbird! I've had other things there too, and equally good. They keep a few solid regular items on the menu and like to mix in some eclectic rotators in too. Their homemade bacon is like carnivore candy! I always get the cowboy kicker or something like that to drink. It's a black coffee, a shot of espresso, and a shot of Pendleton whiskey! Whoo wee, whiskey in coffee will take your breath away, but boy is it worth it. I love this place! But only at 9 AM. When I'm not asshole to elbow in some Portlandia skit.
(5)
Mike S.
I can't comment on the food, because we left before being seated because of the rude service. I met a friend there for a weekday lunch and got there first. There were only one or two tables occupied, but I was told I'd have to wait for a table until my friend arrived. When she did, we went elsewhere. (There were still only one or two tables occupied then.)
(1)
Pamela S.
I don't ever need to go back to the Country Cat. I've given it three tries and it's three strikes and you're out. I don't DIS-like the place. I just don't LIKE it. First, don't ever go when it's cold outside. They have this ridiculous heavy curtain in front of the doors. It's there, ostensibly, to keep out the cold, but it fails miserably at its job. Every single time someone comes in or leaves they pull the curtain aside, open the door and let cold air flow freely into the restaurant. As is often the case with people entering or leaving an establishment, they stand there with the door wide open waiting for their entire party, so the door is often held open for minutes at a time. The curtains billows out into the dining area and a cold draft enters the restaurant. First time we went, we were sitting directly in front of the curtain covered door and got a big fat blast of freezing every 30 seconds. When we asked to be switched to another, warmer, table we were informed that the curtain protected us from the cold and that the other tables, although vacant at the time, would be occupied later. The food was okay. Our server raved about the biscuits, so we ordered some for our table and they were cold and dry. I've had better biscuits at home using Bisquick. We had better luck with the biscuits on our second visit. They were quite tasty that visit. They were not so good again on visit number three. Everything about Country Cat's food is average. There is nothing memorable on the menu. I would like, very much, to say "You need to try..." but that won't happen about this place. The food is adequate. Nothing you'd write home about. It's alright, but not delicious. The drinks are good. And, other than the ridiculous curtain, the place is attractive.
(3)
Annie T.
Love this SE joint-- perfect for breakfast for dinner, or whenever. Haven't had a dish here that I didn't care for. This is where we go when we want home cooked meals and are too lazy to cook. Even the kids portions are a good size and taste just as good! Can't wait for spring to have fried catfish...
(5)
d m.
Good food but really expensive. Good service too. Haven't been back because of the cost.
(3)
Deb F.
I have enjoyed all the meals I've had at Country Cat. We've gone for brunch once and dinner twice. Each time, the service was fantastic; attentive and helpful, and accommodating of large groups. The ambiance is good; casual and hip. It's very very loud though, so if you're part of a large group, it can be hard to hear others at the larger tables. The fried chicken is what they're known for and it's quite good, although I was craving veggies after that meal. It comes with mashed potatoes and 2 large pieces of chicken. I've had the braised beef, which is super tender and flavorful and I liked the black-eyed peas it came with. The poached snapper with chickpeas is probably my favorite menu item. Although their onion rings are the bomb, and the biscuits aren't far behind. I liked this place, but this isn't the kind of food I crave, or choose to eat, most of the time. But, it's a great place to take out of town guests to give them a bit of the true Portland experience.
(4)
Heather S.
My husband and I went to The Country Cat for brunch this past weekend. In a word: Gross. It was really busy and I didn't really want to sit outside. I normally love sitting outside for brunch in Portland, but this particular stretch of Stark is pretty smelly and grimy espeically on a Sunday morning. Maybe it's becuase of all the bars and partiers from the night before. I don't know, but it smells bad. Also, watch where you step, there is dog doodoo all over the place. Reluctantly we sat outside because it was a 45 minute wait otherwise. We figured it must be good if it were so busy. We were wrong. I ordered a Mimosa because my hubby said he'd had them before and they were good. It was good, however it came in a glass that resembled a bud vase. And it may well have been one because the waitress apologized for it taking so long...they had run out of glasses. Hmmm... I ordered scrambled eggs, and a biscuit and gravy with country potatoes. My husband got eggs benedict. The gravy was a gelatinous gray substance, the eggs were way over done. The potatoes tasted like they were fried like fries (deep fried), had way too much rosemary on them, and the 'homemade' ketchup or whatever that comes with them tasted like Campbell's tomato soup. Hubby wasn't impressed with the eggs benedict either. His eggs were almost hard boiled and didn't care for the potatoes either. In short, if you like smelling dog poop and eating gray gravy, and drinking mimosas out of a bud vase, The Country Cat is your place for brunch. Or you might give The Redwood, just half a block down, a try. We walked by there and were envious of their patron's food. Can't say we'll ever go to Country Cat for brunch again. Maybe dinner is better?
(2)
Heather E.
My husband and I went on a quiet early afternoon during the weekday. We were greeted by friendly staff and an inviting environment. Although we didn't bring our son...I am excited that it is kid friendly :) I got the cast iron fried chicken and bacon pecan spoon bread with maple syrup--oh my goodness was I a happy girl. The chicken was wonderfully crispy, the flavors of the chicken mixed with the perfectly sweet spoon bread was exactly what I needed to commence our day of celebration! We WILL be going again!
(5)
Dean R.
Chicken fried steak ruined me. Don't think I'll ever eat that dish anywhere else. Stuff dreams are made of.
(5)
Stephanie L.
Enjoyable breakfast, but was here for a relaxing, catching up ladies brunch and feeling rushed through. Reception was very friendly but not a place for a relaxing brunch. Great omelet (chorizo, artichoke hearts and feta). Great grits and wonderful biscuits. But really disappointed in feeling so rushed through. Bottom line, great food but service was a bit concerning with the pressure to move through.
(3)
Andrea K.
By far the best breakfast i have EVER had!!!! Definitely recommend the country fried steak and the bacon! If you can, sit at the bar in front of the kitchen so you can watch these amazing chefs at work! AMAZING!
(5)
Tom B.
Went for breakfast/lunch. Had veggie hash.... So so potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms roasted with 2 poached eggs. Small portion Gal next to me got the same thing and got a lot bigger portion. My wife had the Portabella Sandwich. Again not a lot of Portabella and you only get a small salad no starch. Our waitress was very nice and helpful though.
(3)
Heather S.
The Country Cat Dinnerhouse and Bar is kind of a misnomer. Where they excel is brunch! I've never had such a sublime eggs bennie (with smoked salmon not bacon, though they offer that version here, too), perched on a flaky biscuit (the best I've had in Portland), with a lemony hollandaise. It is heaven!!! Their monte cristo, which can be just turkey (and not ham), is the most decadent thing I've had in a long time! It's served with "Judy," which is like a Welsh Rarebit (cheddar cheese, beer, and Worcestershire sauce), and goes perfectly. Heart attack on a plate, and boy, is it worth it!!! It's hard to go back to ANY brunch place after going to the Country Cat. Their food is that good! Where they lack (and where I've reduced the stars) is service: they REALLY need more servers on the floor; their turnaround takes a while, including waiting for the bill. We waited nearly 30 minutes just for our bill at brunch! At dinner, it was only about 15. Now, granted, they're busy, but again, they need more servers on the floor! And, the main server at dinner is a bit too cool for school in attitude. Their fried chicken is moist and crunchy, but lacks a depth of flavor or enough salt (and I'm not a person who likes things salty!). Their trout is perfect: tender, and perfectly seasoned. They have a seasonal veggie option. When we went, it was Quoina and Barley cake with squash and goat cheese, which is divine. DIVINE!!! You're not missing out if you're a carnivore and want something healthier! I also highly recommend their biscuits and honey side order, and their butter lettuce with green goddess dressing and poached egg. An amazing melange of flavors and textures!!! Prices are moderate/high; I can't imagine going every night, but then, I'd be as big as a house! ;) And, it is a special treat. In all, The Country Cat Dinnerhouse and Bar is awesome: casual with great food, some of which is perfect. What they need to match the exemplary food is a few more staff on the floor.
(4)
Don B.
Every time I go back to the 'Cat, I'm ever more impressed by the food, the service, the atmosphere, and, well, everything. It's a solid meal served up by friendly folks in a hip yet neighborhood-y space. What more could you ask for? Last time in I had the pan-fried chicken with collards and a buttermilk biscuit (which had a great honey glaze on top of it). The chicken was de-boned breasts fried to perfection sitting atop some collards floating in a pool of deliciousness. The greens were awesome, and the biscuit? Amazing. Paired up with a butter-lettuce-wedge salad with house-made green goddess dressing (yup, that's an avocado based salad dressing) and a poached egg, it was an amazing meal. We also sampled the deviled eggs, which were some of the better deviled eggs I've had in a grip. Adam Sappington's Country Cat really has come into it's own in the years since they've moved in to the space on Montavilla, and with the awesome brunch options and the great dinner offerings, I'm super glad to have them in the neighborhood.
(5)
Lindsay B.
I can't imagine having a bad meal here. I had brunch on a weekend morning. The place is much smaller than I anticipated so expect a wait. The area with the majority of the tables is open and looks like it might feel crowded, but I was lucky enough to get a booth by the window. They also have counter seating at two counters and it looked like sitting at the counter might be a way to avoid or lessen a long wait. I waited about 15 minutes and the only complaint I have is there really isn't anywhere to wait, except outside. The service was a little slow, but competent. Okay, The Food! The food is great; like I said I can't imagine having a bad meal. I'm sure some things are better than others, but everything is good. I had the Wild Mushroom & Fontina Cheese Omelet with grilled asparagus & home fries for $11. The omelet was on the good side of the scale, nothing outrageous, but solidly good. The home fries were where it was at! They are so good with a unique flavor compared to most restaurants. They were a little spicy maybe, not too much, just right. But don't forget about the cinnamon rolls. You need to get a basket of 3 for the table before the meal. I eat a lot of cinnamon rolls and was truly impressed with these, the texture and flavor were just perfect. My companion had the Eggs Benedict with ham which looked popular throughout the restaurant. It looked really good. The consistency of the egg was amazingly perfect. 5 stars. One of the best breakfasts I have had in Portland. Can't go wrong. Give it a try; I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(5)
Julie I.
Went for brunch. Between the four of us had the eggs Benedict, lemon ricotta pancakes, cast iron fried chicken, and beef hash with poached eggs. Everything was really good! We also had their sweet cream biscuits and house made bacon. I love biscuits and theirs met my high expectations. Service was great too! Would definitely go back.
(4)
Sarah M.
Oh, Country Cat. When did you become so mediocre? I love your onion rings but your fried chicken really let me down. The boneless chicken bits were so tough you needed a jackhammer to get through them. And talk about bland. Sad to see a once great place slip but I think the guys behind the stove need some help. The service was friendly and helpful. I don't think I'll be returning any time soon.
(2)
Brandi G.
Wait... you mean to tell me that the Country cat is open for breakfast EVERY SINGLE DAY now?! Yes!! I love the country cat, I love the dinner and I love the breakfast. I love the environment and how competent and friendly the wait staff is. Portion size is perfect, I don't need to have mounds of food on my plate to be satisfied. I really like to have just enough food so I leave feeling full without wanting to crawl to my car. I have eaten here several times, each time has been wonderful. The onion rings (or strings if you will) and their house made ketchup are some of the best things on their menu. The onion rings are so light, and crispy with such a delicate flavor. The bacon and broccoli hash was unique, big chunks of smoky bacon steamed broccoli and potatoes with a mustard sauce to compliment perfectly. I've eaten many things on this menu, but as it's ever changing. I wont describe every plate... If you haven't been (or if you have) go and eat. You'll be pleased.
(5)
Paula W.
Any place that serves a big hunk of beef jerky as a garnish to their Bloody Mary's is gonna get high marks from me! I mean seriously, there was a giant slab of beef attached like a sail to the top of my Proud Mary! And the drink itself was pretty darned delicious too. Though the selection was a bit limited for brunch - I believe only about a dozen breakfasty choices - almost every one of them sounded wonderful. I was with a large group and each of us ordered something different so I was able to sample quite of number of the offerings. My sausage and goat cheese omelet was just so-so compared to the chicken fried steak with worcestershire gravy. But the best thing I tasted was the bacon pecan spoonbread which was a side for the fried chicken (amazing!!!). Our server was pretty damned amazing too, but then I might have been a bit biased because he called me "Miss". I certainly wouldn't "Miss" a chance to try this place if you're in the neighborhood.
(4)
Tiffany B.
Oh my hangover!!...... After one wild Yelp event the night before, we needed some serious "cure me" hangover breakfast! To the Cat we came- we heard this place was off the hook! Lucky for us, it was a Friday morning, so no wait! It's small inside, but lots of seating, cute little bar and an open kitchen all surrounded by wood tables and booths. We sat by the window and immediately ordered 2 Bloody Marys! The beef jerky was an awesome addition and the celery salt that rimmed the Mug-O-Mary was da bomb! And when I say mug, I mean huge glass mug! Probably the equivalent of 2 Marys elsewhere! My omelet had many layers and fluffiness to it also. The potatoes with rosemary were fork-n-awesome! You could smell the rosemary from across the table! My sweetie said his grits were the best he has had, and I agree, they were done just right! The Cat was kind to us....we left with our bellies full and hangovers cured! We will be back for sure, adding The Cat to our favorite breakfast joints!
(5)
Janet M.
I'm really mad at Country Cat because they moved into this neighborhood about a month after my family and I moved OUT. Sigh. Isn't that always the way? That said, I've been here for lunch/brunch a couple times and enjoyed it. I like the spare atmosphere and the good service. I have had fried chicken and pecan spoonbread (yum), and eggs and grits and collard greens and some bacony stuff and challah french toast ( amazing)... I don't remember specific dishes, just general feelings of UMM and OOOH. Partly because I ate my companion's food too ( and they ate mine). This is one of those places where you want to try a lot, so don't take someone who isn't willing to share. We tried to go here recently on a weekend... don't do it. Go during the week if you can. Otherwise the wait is like that bad Portlandia episode... insane.
(4)
Deanna N.
Back for dinner with a Chinook coupon.Best thing to do is put in your number and hit the Observatory or Vintage for a cocktail and have 'em call you. I had decided it was time - time for the gut bomb.To have the skillet fried chicken. I already lurve the mashed potatoes and throw sausage gravy on them with perfect boneless chicken- melt in your mouth. Something was a little astrange with the Kentucky housewife cocktail all three of us had a peculiar taste that the soda water was off with the mint and bourbon. Delectable lemon tart for dessert and the home made macaroons dipped in chocolate with the coconut sorbet - I was the phat girl at the table.
(4)
Jon B.
Eggs Benedict were really good and filling. Atmosphere was really cute and service was good. Do yourself a favor and get a reservation though. Weekends are packed. But isn't that what we sign up for living in Portland?
(5)
Heather M.
Tasty food, good service, but it's very pricey for what it is and the restaurant itself smells a little like cat pee (possibly from mildew rags used to wipe down the tables?!). I came here for dinner, we tried a variety of food: half a dozen fresh oysters, house salad with green goddess dressing, the sturgeon dish, the three kinds of pig dish, and the three types of pudding for dessert. For everything, not including tip, came out to around $70. Pretty pricey for two people... The oysters were cold, fresh, and briny, so of course I loved them! However, at $9 for six, they're probably not for everyone. The house salad was alright, but it literally consisted of some mixed greens with a poached egg on top. Good? Yes. But again, pricey. The surgeon dish was not what we were expecting. It was a SMALL piece of fish wrapped in bacon. It was bland, boring, and of course, VERY pricey (notice a theme?!) It came with au gratin potatoes (which were AMAZING, I could just eat a plate of those) and some broccoli rob (I think?!). The three types of pork dish was delicious!! Each part of the pig was cooked to perfection and was a one-way ticket to flavor town! It came with grits and broccoli rob, which were okay, but just a side note to the porky goodness. Lastly, the three types of pudding were awesome! Lots of flavor, but not too rich, which is nice after everything else we ate. Yum!! Our waitress was friendly, funny, and very attentive. This seemed to be a common theme amongst all the waitresses working that night! All in all, this place is exactly what the rating above says, A-OK. It's modern twist to classic flavors will make you want more of some things, but you may want to pass on the pricey extras as they seem to be hit or miss in terms of flavor. I definitely would like to come back and try their brunch!
(3)
Jordan K.
I really wanted to like this food! I had a great Bloody Mary (with beef jerky in it) and the service was wonderful. But my hash was soupy and watery. And the server was kind enough to replace it but the Ham Benedict was bland and overly smoky. I'm not a picky guy but I've never been so disappointed by the food at a Portland restaurant.
(3)
Lindsey G.
Ate here for brunch recently. Our table ordered country fried steak, shrimp & grits, and pulled pork chili with grits. All three were amazing. All three were huge. Also ordered a coffee, a regular bloody mary, and a bacon bloody mary. All three were amazing. Service was great. Got seated right away. Waitress came around a few times to refill waters and coffee. Definitely recommend this place for brunch.
(5)
kelsey d.
Went there for brunch with my friends and their 2 babies. Country cat really is kid friendly. They were so sweet and accommodating. We had a giant stroller, which I suggest you leave in the car if possible, but the staff was awesome! The food is delicious! We had an amazing experience.
(5)
Clara L.
My family and I chose to have brunch at the Country Cat over the weekend since they took reservations, which seems to be a rarity in the area for brunch spots. I ran the Rock n Roll Portland Half on sunday morning and knew I'd be starving after the race. So waiting in line for brunch was not going to be ideal. Plus, we had a party of 7, meeting around 12:30pm, so I'm really glad we were able to make a reservation on sunday. We were able to sit down at our table a few minutes after we arrived, right by the front window. (Perfect people watching spot too!) We ordered a round of the Proud Mary, their bloody mary that used beef jerky as a garnish! I don't really like bloody marys that much, but it wasn't bad. For food, I ordered the eggs benedict and we also ordered the wings (which had a mustard glaze) and biscuits to share. The wings were fantastic. Meaty and really good flavor. The biscuits were nice and buttery and fluffy. The eggs benedict dish was pretty good. The hollandaise sauce, the homefries, the smokes steelhead (salmon?) and the spinach were all very well prepared but unfortunately my eggs were over-poached. What a shame. Not a bad brunch spot at all and definitely a plus that they take reservations.
(3)
Anna A.
In my year and a half in Portland thus far my roommate and best friend, Heather, has been telling me how good The Country Cat is and how badly I need to go there. Finally, I went - as a Plan B whim - and then again, and I hope again soon. The following is what was consumed during these two visits. Go there! Deviled Eggs $3: Was that horseradish? We think so! Moscat marinated beets, goat cheese, mint and rosemary walnuts $9: the moscat is making these beets lush. Hickory Smoked Duck Crepe: with roasted plum puree, chanterelles and hazelnuts $14. On my two visits, at least one dinning compadre ordered this fantastic combination of meat and a little sweet. Crispy quinoa and barley cake on smoked squash puree with soft goat cheese $11: my chosen dish, surprisingly the cake was spicy, making the dish even better with the cool goat cheese. Sauteed chard with preserved lemon, garlic and chili $6: bright and hot. House potato bread and butter $2: we ordered this for dessert, but that doesn't matter, it just should be ordered. Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy $15: H.C. went Mmmmmm Fish & Shellfish Pot Pie $10: This dish looked like an appetizer, but it was still hearty and didn't end up leaving me with cat breath. Heritage Burger with Onion Rings $10: It's a burger that's made USA Today's Top Burger List. The Collard Green with Pork Hock: a very satisfying side. Chocolate Turtle Tart with salted almonds and chantilly $7: Just like biting into a See's nuts and chews, expect this time it was an entire slice.
(5)
Holly D.
Why do I have to drive by some place hundred's of times before I finally go in and try the food? Answer (1) I don't want to stop anywhere on my way home from work. (2) This place is hard to spot if you don't know what you are looking for. (3) I don't try many places without checking it out on Yelp first. (4) how good would food be from a place with such a silly name? But here I found myself...and it was awwwwwsome (a highly over used word, but fits here) The Salmon, the creme brulee, the ....everything was amazing...who would have thought ? Just go there.
(5)
Douglas C.
It was just the two of us this Thanksgiving, so we needed two pounds of turkey. Now if you can even find a two pound turkey, there's probably a reason it's so scrawny and thin. Maybe it's a drug addict, or has rickets or was used in depraved medical experiments. Maybe there's some sinister economic justification to genetically modifying it to resemble a chicken. Whatever the reason, it's going to be disappointing pulling that pathetic, chromosome defective, drug addled thing out of the oven on Thanksgiving day. So we went to The Country Cat instead. We stepped into the place only to find 'Occupy Country Cat' inside. A crush of humanity stood silently inside the door waiting for the next wave of tables to open up, as the assembly swelled. I saw officials with tattoos darting around the parameter of the crowd. I thought I saw fat, fleshy jowls in a Kevlar helmet wielding a red aerosol can, but it turned out to be a man in a red fez. We were seated at a table near the window and ordered drinks. Our server was stressed but friendly and offered us a genuine but tired smile. She started us off with appetizers that were really awful, and raised my hackles. I started expecting the worst, and maybe they were too - maybe I did see riot cops after all. The chanterelle mushroom & pumpkin soup was wonderful and the freshly baked biscuits were flakey and hot. The riot police receded into the shadows. The turkey arrived piled high on a platter - not a plate, but a platter. My mistake, there were two piles of turkey, one light and one dark. There were mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet carrots, stuffing and cranberry sauce. We ordered a side of sweet potato mashers as well. The food was wonderful, and I was so full I waddled like a duck.
(4)
Anni H.
My first time here, what a wonderful place. So glad to see that they use local ingredients. I had the Skillet Fried Chicken with spoon bread and my friend had the Chicken Fried Steak which she said was one of the best ever.
(5)
Chris A.
Southern food with a Portland twist. This is a farm to fork establishment that I really wanted to like. In fact I did like it, but I wasn't as impressed with the food as I wanted to be. I had the whole hog, a brined pork loin chop, pork belly and smoked shoulder with grits and cider soaked cherries, all from the same local pig. Sounds amazing right? I really wanted it to be, it was just ok. The pork belly was dry, the shoulder lacked flavor and the loin was not evenly cooked. I voted for the chef, Adam Sappington at cochon555 this year, so I have no doubt they know how to do pork. I will have to try this again to see if it was just an off night.
(4)
A R.
Best breakfast dishes! There isn't a lot of selection on the dishes but the ones you do get are amazing! Great coffee as well! One of my favorite breakfast places in Portland. Location is probably not the best but the decor is nice and welcoming. I highly recommend for my personality and purposes.
(5)
Alan G.
Agree with all of the positive comments about both the food and service. Have been here about five times, but only for brunch. It's always been top notch in both food and service. It would be on all of the top 10 lists for Portland if it were closer to downtown. As it is, it is a hidden gem.
(5)
Mike B.
We definitely liked this place. I had the $29 deal with 3 courses. Yummy! During our weekend in Portland, we visited 3 sit down places and this was our favorite.
(4)
Katie K.
Fabulous! We knew we were in for a treat when we passed by a chef smoking the steelhead out back. We had a fabulous brunch - every bit of food and drink was excellent. I can't wait to go again.
(5)
Meg And Daniel G.
We went here with a few friends for brunch. We arrived - unknowingly - right at the cut off. (They take a break between brunch and dinner. Our hostess chuckled that we were the last customers they would be seating, but gladly and without hesitation gave us a great seat by the front windows. We never once felt rushed as we ordered a round of Eggs Benedicts and Bloody Marys. Both are top notch. The eggs benedict are served with ham or smoked steelhead (we went with the steelhead), and served on a mouthwatering buttermilk biscuit. The home fries are also delicious and so flavorful you honestly won't even want to use ketchup. And the Bloody Mary? It comes with a giant piece of beef jerky, picked veggies and a mammoth olive. We appreciated the mellow atmosphere, the generous portions, and the friendly staff.
(4)
Maria P.
Ordered the bbq brisket. More like the bbq fatwich. 3 inches of fat, on each piece of meat on a slider bun. What a joke. Waitress was too busy chuggin milkshake instead of askin customers how their meals were. Never again.
(1)
Jeff G.
Get here early or you'll be waiting in line (still worth it). I got the Eggs Benny with smoked trout. One of the best things on the planet to put in your mouth. The wifey ordered an omelet. She explained to me that there are two main types of omelet. I don't really remember the details, but basically there's one that's fluffy and one that's runny. Apparently the fluffy one is a lot dryer, and that's what they serve here. The coffee was good. Service was attentive and polite but not over polite and not too attentive. Decor was kinda Doug-Fir, oldy-moderny, but very comfortable. Go here.
(5)
Stanley T.
I was trying to think of a place to meet some people for a celebratory dinner when Ronda - knowing my occasional cravings for fried chicken - suggested a return to Country Cat. We were all glad she did. Three of us had said chicken, each with a side of collards. Ronda went all Walla Walla on us and ordered the Tomato, blue cheese and WW onion salad and the Chanterelles with WW Onion Pie. Everyone was very pleased and a table full of clean plates resulted. There was a slight mix up on white vs. dark meat preferences, but the friendly server promptly made it right. I can't quite bring myself to click on that 5th star. The chicken verged on 5 star stuff, but maybe a little small in the portion department. I'll be back. I should go when I'm not craving fried chicken so I can try one of their many other interesting offerings.
(4)
Matt V.
I had a great meal here and a great cappuccino. Service was top notch, even though there was a slight hiccup with our order. Our server recovered quite well and we left happy.
(5)
Katherine R.
Food was superb and it only added to the fun watching them prepare it. Try the Two Pieces of Cast-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy. Delicious!
(5)
Patrick K.
There are very few places that impress me to the point of just being 'wow'ed... This is one of them. A small eclectic little diner that contains a unique selection of appetizers, meal selections, and deserts. The group I was with shared the house-made buttered pretzels and the fresh biscuit appetizers. I had the lamb entre and the apple pandowdy for desert. A-mazing!
(5)
Rosalie H.
Wow. Breakfast was amazing. Shrimp and grits with a bed of scrambled eggs and the most amazing gravy. This is not your mamas thick white gravy. It was more like a broth with light mild sausage., amazing! The french toast floating by to other tables made my mouth water, so next time it's a must try on my list! My boyfriend had the smoked steelhead eggs benedict which he loved as well.
(5)
Magdalena R.
So normally this place is pretty awesome for dinner time, but we went today for brunch with a few friends and it was probably one of my least favorable dining experiences. I ordered the Rueben thinking that it would be pretty good given the background of the meat selections I have had in the past. It ended up being a soggy flavorless mess:( I also ordered the onion rings that were so salty you couldn't eat more than a few. Seeing how disappointed I was my husband shared his fried chicken with me and we both agreed that it had Zero flavor and was way overcooked. My friend ordered the eggs Benedict and also said that it lacked flavor and taste, other friend had the chicken fried steak he said the breading and gravy were yummy but the meat was very chewy. The only win we had was my other friend who ordered the burger and a side of bacon and he said it was delicious. I'm not sure if the kitchen staff was new or what but it was a real bummer.
(2)
nick w.
Wife and I enjoyed some great fried chicken and spoon bread. I have been craving fried chicken for about year now. It was so good it should last me another year.
(4)
Marty O.
The best restaurant in Portland. The food is outstanding and the service is consistently the best.
(5)
Tom T.
I have only experienced the breakfast menu a few times, and I am satisfied every time. The breakfast menu is more aggressive that most, because they are not afraid to feed my fat cells. What little I have. Sometimes decadent breakfasts are necessary.
(4)
Ali J.
We've eaten at The Country Cat twice now. The first time, a few years ago, we weren't impressed. Since our friends love it there, we figured maybe we caught them on an off night. We decided to give them another try tonight. Now they are 0 for 2. The atmosphere was too loud to hold a conversation easily. And, once again, the food was mixed. The onion "rings"--I don't get it. More like a gigantic pile of onion garnish? As a garnish they would be delicious. As a side, really hard to eat without looking and feeling ridiculous. The steelhead and the lamb were both good, and I liked that they came with vegetables, but, "This roasted cauliflower isn't quite as good as my roasted cauliflower I make at home" is not the thought you want to have when you go out to eat. One companion's burger had an odd texture and taste and he was bummed that cheddar cheese wasn't an option (he doesn't like American cheese, and the special cheese sauce was....drippy). Another companion's soup was surprisingly spicy even though the menu didn't describe it as spicy. The fried chicken was tasty but meager portions. Mashed potatoes did get a thumbs up. It wasn't bad food, but we all agreed (for the second time) that it wasn't a place we'd go back to. This time we'll stick to that. There are too many fantastic places to eat in Portland to settle for "okay."
(3)
J Y.
Great place to get breakfast. Reasonable and great food. The whole group was really happy with what they ordered. It's a definitely a place to check out.
(4)
Mathew B.
Limited seating, but great Southern food lies ahead. Prices are a bit high. Definitely order the collard greens.
(4)
Jason P.
This place is awesome! Whether it's breakfast, dinner, dessert or drinks, you can't miss. Braised beef Was Excellent! Great atmosphere and as I tile setter by trade, I love the big mosaic cat at the entry. : )
(5)
Elizabeth E.
Cast Iron Fried Chicken- yowza!!!!!!!!!! I'm pretty sure they have someones grannie back there cooking this stuff up. It's perfect. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked, perfectly fried chicken. (Maybe you REALLY do get an endorphin high from fried chicken!!??) They have honey to drizzle on it, but it needs nothing. WELL, nothing but that fabulous BACON PECAN spoonbread, also good with the honey drizzled on it. Holy Toledo. This is the knockout punch I was hoping for for my last day on the carbs for a long while. Thanks CC!
(4)
Katherine S.
The ONLY thing here that sucks is the ketchup and parking. That's it, really.
(5)
EvanBeth N.
After two other tries with too long a wait, we finally got in tonight. This was possibly the worst fried chicken I have ever had. The oil was clearly too hot, which crisped the batter but not the skin on the chicken, meaning it was incredibly fatty and disconcerting. The gravy, I was told, was a pork white gravy. As a southerner, this offended me. It was not very good, and the coloring was disconcerting as it was a gray-brown color. The potato bread was unlike any I've had before and sour rather than sweet. My husband's burger was fine but nothing to rave about, especially since the patty only filled the bun halfway. The onion rings were fantastic, but I would recommend Tabor Tavern over Country Cat any day of the week. I won't be going back.
(1)
Le Sage D.
The food is pretty good here - four stars for the food. Interestingly, we found the salads to be the best part of the meal - they were nicely balanced and well put together. The whole hog was a bit overplayed - belly was too salty, shoulder was too smoky, chop was too sweet. Fried chicken was very good, but not enough that I'd go much out of my way to eat it again. Beer list is adequate, wine list is a bit less so - especially considering they are only a few miles from some of the greatest freakin' wine in the world. What's up with that?? Here is my issue - one of the staff was clearly working sick. Wiping nose drips on the back of the hand multiple occasions. Wiping sweaty forehead. Then touching clean dishes, glassware, etc. This was multiple occasions in plain view of all diners and other staff. There was no hand washing going on after nose wipe, just the front of the apron. Apparently this is tolerated at this place because it was happening in plain view and this staffer was clearly suffering. The culture of a dining establishment shouldn't tolerate this. It was a slow evening and they even sent a different member of the crew home early. Ack. Feeling a bit queasy just writing about it. So, as you can imagine, this spoiled the meal for me.
(3)
Kelsey C.
I wanted to love this place. I've read stellar reviews and heard good things but...the eggs benedict was terrible! I'm about to dissect it so I don't seem like a snob: The biscuit was dry and stale. The hollandaise was like a cube of butter at room temperature with little to no flavor. It was a pint size amount of smoked salmon; my husband got the ham which he did say held flavor and juiciness. Maybe it was just the benedict but man, we were super disappointed. This review is based solely on our food. The service was great.
(2)
Johnathan W.
So as I was excited to eat here for breakfast the wait wasn't as long as I expected. Our server felt rushed and when I asked if I could add or delete things, delete veg, add bacon, change cheese on the omelet. She said she would check and returned back and said that the cooks and management only cook with the finest ingredients and they can't change the item. So I ordered something I didn't truly want. But my wife really enjoyed her Eggs Benedict. When leaving I talked to the management and explained what happened and she was not happy with the service we received. She said they could have made the order I wanted. The manager made things right by inviting us back on the house. Great save Country Cat!!!
(3)
Dave W.
I've been here for brunch twice and both times were awesome! I love that they take reservations. Both times I went with a large group and they seated us promptly while telling others there was an hour and a half wait. The servers are super friendly and funny at times. The food is amazing. Last time I had the chicken fried steak. It looks as good as it tastes. It's smothered in gravy and served over a pile of delicious mashed potatoes. Can't beat it!
(5)
Charley C.
Yep, its rated on triple D. Yep the food is good. Yep, It costs. Yep the line is long. Yep, the wait is well, not worth it. (over an hour and a half on my day) To get on the Waiting list is slow, The Service is slow and the place is PACKED. The line is out the door and down the street. I think this may be another wonderful restaurant the Diners Drive ins and Dives has increased the popularity to such a degree that the inconvenience of eating here outweighs the value of the meal. Yes the quality is very good. Yes the people are nice. I had to go once, I did, Once was enough. Thank You.
(4)
Kimberly J.
Amazing fried chicken dinner! Great service, nice environment and the food is out of this world.
Great place, the food was damn good and the service was great. I had the chicken fried steak it was nice and light and the gravy was awesome. You should try this place out
(4)
Monica C.
Overrated.. Pancakes were too sweet and sausage was bland .. At least the server was okay
This restaurant is literally three blocks from my house and has become a stand-by for a quick date night. Country Cat certainly has an amazing menu of Southern fare (with a NW twist) and fantastic cocktails, as well. And for those, like me, who can't do greasy Southern food all the time, Country Cat has a fantastic variety of other options like ravioli, seafood and even a burger that are sure to satisfy. One of my favorites is the pan-fried trout and the seasonal ravioli. Always delicious! For those nights when Southern comfort food is calling my name, we enjoy the fish fry, fried chicken and the pork plate. Don't miss the biscuit! It's dense and sweet and buttery and amazing. The Country Cat has served me my favorite Hot Toddy to date, and has amazing butterscotch pudding that can't be missed. So glad this is in our little neighborhood and so accessible!
(4)
Sammie J.
AWESOME! This place is unbelievable. The food options are overwhelming because everything reads like flavor explosion on the menu. It took about thirty minutes to decide what to order. The ingredients are the poster children of fresh and flavorful. Great combinations of traditional county dishes with a west coast twist. You need to try something with their homemade meat products. If you like bloody Mary's, this one definitely won't disappoint... And it comes with a huge piece of outstanding homemade jerky. Yum! You need to get there early or Judi plan to wait. It's worth the time.
(5)
tony j.
I enjoyed this place. The text for an item table is a nice option that let's me avoid standing in line, which I like. I would go back. I had some bbq, that was spicy like I make it, which I consider a plus. Nice place with good food, but it didn't strike me as a must visit among portland joints.
(4)
K D.
I didn't realize they closed at 2pm on Sunday! Yikes. Glad I made it in time. Cute place in a nice little neighborhood of Portland. As an out-of-towner I liked seeking it out. I had previewed the menu and had my eye on the pot pie but it wasn't on the brunch menu so I decided to go for the BBQ Brisket Sandwich. Delicious. And delicious onion rings. I sat at the counter. Loved the decor - booths, counter area, open kitchen, chalk board walls. A nice experience, great service, great food.
(4)
Joe S.
We went for brunch and were thoroughly underwhelmed. Most of the food was bland and some of it was nearly inedible. On the plus side, the service was good and the place was trendy looking. Skip it.
(2)
Lynn S.
Basket of cinnamon rolls on Sunday...need I say more?
(4)
Gumba C.
Made a reservation for 5 at 5pm when they open. They tried sticking us at a booth for 4. At first they resisted moving us and said I could sit across from the booth at the bar, totally not with our party. Finally they had a reservation not show and moved us to a table that we could all eat at together. Food was so, so. Hostess said they are overwhelmed since being on DDD.
(3)
Dibs G.
I couldn't wait to take in this highly recommended spot in SE Portland. The food and drinks looked great and the atmosphere and price point fit my bill. I ordered a coffee drink and although I love Stumptown coffee, the coffee was very bitter and the alcohol weak. After explaining this to the waitress, she offered no solution but to get me some cream and sugar (to doctor this up). I ordered eggs benedict, which came on dry and flavorless biscuits, topped by undercooked poached eggs, too little Hollandaise sauce and accompanied by highly over seasoned potatoes; the shaved ham was the tasty however. Because this dish is one of my favorite breakfast items, I have tried these all over Portland, so I have a good comparison and expectation base. My friend ordered the fried chicken that came with the pecan custard bread type accompaniment but found that there was little to no syrup on the dish as described on the menu. When asked about this, the waitress explained that it was there and that having more syrup would incur a charge. The folks sitting next to us explained that they had the same experience and perspective. Although I really, really, wanted to love this place, I won't be returning.
(2)
Greg E.
If you're looking for a 5 star meal for a 3 star price. This is the place. Not only is the food beautiful to look at. It tastes as amazing as it looks. The ONLY place in the PDX area that I have ordered duck from, twice. They do food and they do it well. Small menue. But in this instance it works for most people. The dishes they put together are crowd pleasers. The drinks are also pretty limited but again, done well, super strong and the small selection they have is fantastic. The service is amazing. Smiling happy folks that love their jobs or can fake it well. The chef is fantastic. If I had the money I'd bar him up in my spare bedroom and only let him out to cook my meals. Go here. Eat till your full. Then go to the Academy Theater and watch a movie. Great date night all in one block.
(5)
A. H.
Great food. Fresh, top notch ingredients. Friendly service. Not inexpensive, but worth every penny. Consistently good.
(5)
Jenna F.
I really enjoy breakfast here. The menu is a little limited and sometimes I show up and nothing sounds that good, but when it hits - it really hits. I usually have whatever omelette they are cooking with the most fantastic fried potatoes and homemade ketchup. The ingredients used here are just so fresh and delicious that everything just turns out tasty.
(4)
Rhondee C.
Had dinner on Saturday and was very disappointed! The first trip earlier this year was a wonderful experience so I returned several more times. The food is bland and not consistent. "The onion rings are onion strings, good but not as a appetizer! we had the the special and the steaks were very tough, difficult to cut. and chew. The server was excellent but seemed to be stressed and in a hurry and not friendly. The other 2 entrees were just bland. Sorry, this place has lost its appeal and flavorful foods.
(1)
Katie G.
Wish I could give this place a better review, especially since I had heard such great things. Had a reservation for right when they opened . Only half of our party was there ( other half was stuck in traffic ). They told us we would be seated but if the rest of our party didn't show up soon we would have to be out by a certain time. Seriously your going to tell us how long we can stay, that is so not ok! Luckily the rest of our party showed up about ten minutes after this . We ordered 4 apps for the table; onion rings , prezel, biscuits, and their version of pimento cheese. All where very tasty and good size portions. Unfortunately entrees where a different story. Half the table ordered the fried chicken, huge portions. Other half, including my self, ordered the duck, with mine I subbed the rice for some grits with cheese. When mine arrived I swear it could of been ordered off the kids menu because the portion was that tiny ! I took my first bite and it was so salty I couldn't even barley tasty anything else. Asked the waitress if I could exchange it for the fried chicken. Said it was not a problem. My replacement entree was reallly good. But for the life of me it seems like there entree sizes and portions are beyond not consistent. I felt really bad for the hubby. He had the duck as well and was still so hungry after he finished that he had to order another entree ! Again should not have to do that. I hope they will be more consistent in the furniture and have better customer service. If it does happen I would give it another try.
(2)
Leanne G.
Places like this really make me wish I lived in Portland. The Judy cheese alone makes me start thinking the west coast isn't that far away from the east coast... Or maybe Judy, whoever that genius lady is, would come here. Now that is a house guest I would gladly entertain for 3 - 4 days. After devouring some house made pickles, the aforementioned Judy cheese, and some delightful soft pretzels (don't judge, we all shared!)-- I had the cornmeal fried trout atop a tasty beet and arugula salad. Finished my meal with black cherry sorbet, which is evidently The Best. I am a cherry fiend and that had everything going for it. Great. This was about a month ago and my mouth is watering, again, just thinking about this meal. If you are lucky enough to live in Portland I envy you for Country Cat (et al.).
(5)
Rolyat E.
So this is a review for brunch, i have yet to explore the Country Cat for any other meal. Great menu that appeals to both sweet and savory brunchers. The Slow Burn - doesn't sound like something you want, but you do, you really, really, really want it. Actually, you need it. Perfect pork, buttery grits, and two sunny side up eggs. I could go on forever about how each item is delicious and brilliant. The french toast perfect, a monte cristo is an underrated brunch item in Portland, fried chicken (duh), and their biscuits yummm. Reasonable prices, friendly service, cute atmosphere. Oh and they take reservations for parties greater than four, so it's a great spot without a wait for your Sunday brunch club.
(5)
Af R.
Good place, nice waitress. Long waits on weekends but got right in at 7 PM on a Monday night. Got a salad with bibb lettuce, poached egg, and green goddess dressing - good but too much dressing. I got the trout, which was over kale and asparagus and decent. Nothing stood out as great but it was good.
(4)
Jessica M.
I had the tomato hash and it was amazing! Definitely recommend the place.
(4)
Dave P.
Overall, very good. Had the fried chicken. Tasted great. The mixed drinks were good also, but maybe just a tad on the high priced side (ordered from "specials" drink menu). The blue cheese dressing salad also was very good. I don't "get out much", but was a little surprised at $74. (plus tip) tab for two.
(4)
Alexis D.
I've only been for breakfast, but I love it! This is definitely my favorite little to no wait breakfast joint in Portland. If there is a wait, go grab a cup of coffee up the street at Bipartisan Cafe, they'll give you a call when your table is ready. I know other reviews mention that they had a wait, but I only waited once and it was nothing in comparison to the 2 hour wait I was cited at Screendoor that same morning. I generally hate ketchup. Of all the condiments I can put on my breakfast potatoes, ketchup leaves something to be desired. However, country cat makes their own ketchup that is absolutely delicious. The swizzle of jerky meat in my bloody mary is also welcome. And while one time I saw a cockroach in the dining room crawling on an unsuspecting diner, it's still a place I'll go back to time and time again. If you think that nowhere else you've eaten has cockroaches, I suggest you stop eating out.
(5)
Ginger M.
We've been to the Country Cat for brunch twice now, but never for dinner or happy hour so I think I'll still give it a chance for that. Being vegetarian doesn't leave many options for me at this place. I think I could have chosen one of the omelets without meat, or just get eggs, biscuit and potatoes, which I can really get anywhere so I was kind of bummed that there weren't more choices. The first time I went there was a winter vegetable hash that was pretty good but not mind blowing. This time I went with the eggs, biscuit and potatoes choice. The potatoes are pretty good, but then again anything that is deep fried then tossed in herbs and salt is a no brainer, and a few of them were underdone. My scrambled eggs were literally like greasy rubber. I kindly asked the waitress if I could just have a poached egg instead, medium poached. It came to me 20 mins later with lots of the white still raw, definitely not medium. I know it's hard to poach an egg perfectly, but c'mon, I'm paying a pretty penny for these eggs! The boyfriend got the steelhead eggs benedict. Pretty underwhelming as far as benedicts go, the preserved lemon hollandaise was boring and didn't have the nice lemon zing you expect. He also said that the steelhead lacked flavor, the sauce and the sauteed spinach overpowered and made it disappear. The benedicts over at City State Diner are far superior and less expensive. Plenty of better brunch options in this city so I probably won't be going to the Country Cat again, even though it's super close to our house.
(3)
Lucky B.
I rated this so low because we had to wait over an hour to eat. When we did get our food 2 out of the 4 plates had a piece of hair in our food!!! So gross! I would not recommend eating here until the cooks start wearing hair nets or something. Also the food was just OK, we eat out somewhere for Breakfast every Sunday and this was run of the mill food.
(2)
Erin K.
Breakfast is delightful! We enjoyed the Cinnamon Toast Crunch (French Toast) and Chicken Fried Steak. I was also eying the Hash and Biscuits and Gravy, and I think savory is the way to go here because, even though the French Toast was very good, I have a feeling that their specialty lies in rich savory dishes, particularly with gravy :) Service was great, we were seated quickly (arrived right at 9am to ensure 2011 Chinook book has a sweet coupon.
(4)
Linda M.
You know how you go by restaurants with lines waiting for breakfast and tell yourself you have to go there some day? I'm flummoxed about the lines here. Gave this restaurant another try even though I was served rotten lettuce in a salad the 1st time. People seated after us waited on and served before us. Side of bacon served dripping in grease. Food is average. Cilantro in places you wouldn't think to ask it to be left off. Fortunately the spouse was hungry enough to eat both meals.
(2)
christine c.
Tonight, I did something shocking. I ate red meat for the first time in 20 years ... And I had a hunch THE place to go was Country Cat. There are dozens of local eateries with naturally raised, grass-fed hormone free meats, but I knew (from my years of eating here as a vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian) that it would be simple, wholesome, and pure. I never craved red meat in the last 20 years, not even when I was with child. I just thought it would give me a boost. Now due to health issues, I am inviting some red meats into my life again. So i was thrilled when my braised beef atop a bed of veggies was perfect in its perfection. The first bite satisfied as it melted in my mouth. The next bite, a local baby carrot, made me appreciate carrots again (how the sugary sweetness of the carrot balanced the earthiness of the beef)...green beans, parsnips, capers and onions (both roasted in chunks and minced atop)...and 2 mini slices of corn on the cob. Beside the carrot/beef realization, I also had an eye-opening moment with the Lemelson Pinot Noir - a glass I've had literally dozens of times - even though they say Pinot Noir is a lighter dish kind of red, I finally felt like this Lemelson met its match.
(5)
Lauren G.
Came here for brunch and we both had lunch items. my veggie sandwich was spicy but fantastic. Her fried chicken was great too. The drinks were stiff (almost too stiff, which i didn't know was possible - maybe i was hungover?).
(4)
Allie R.
Like many others, I came here because of the review in Portland Monthly -- and it certainly didn't disappoint. We ordered the french toast (per the PM cover) and the fried eggs on a biscuit with sausage gravy to share, and I enjoyed both, but the eggs and biscuit were my favorite, in large part because of the outstanding home fries. I can't wait to come back here for breakfast and look forward to trying their dinner menu as well.
(5)
Kelly H.
I really wanted to love this place, truly. I'm a fan of Diners Drive Ins and Dives, so we came to see if Guy was right. Husband got the Whole Hog that was featured on the show, and I got the fried chicken, also featured. My fried chicken was underwhelming. Very crunchy and thick batter and the inside was pretty dry. The mashed potatoes that came with them needed salt but the texture was nice. Husband's Whole Hog was a way better dish. The chop was perfectly cooked and the pork belly was melt in your mouth sweet and savory. The headcheese cube was weird tasting. His greens and grits were OK, nothing to write home about. We also got an appetizer of onion straws, those were delicious and light. Husband got a bloody mary that he deemed average, but it was garnished with an incredible housemade beef jerky and pickled veg. I could have had a plate of those pickled veg and had been happy. We got an order of the beef jerky to go. Summary: Some aspects of dinner were really good, but mostly just meh. We probably won't be back, there are just too many good restaurants in Portland that are better.
(3)
Makenna C.
Finally (underscore, underscore underneath FINALLY) made it to The Country Cat this weekend and was not disappointed. I think that the space is really nice, cozy but not divey - really bright and cheery. We were greeted by a friendly hostess and given a wait time, which ended up being cut in half. We were seated at the bar, so of course we ordered a breakfast cocktail. I got something along the lines of "Parisian 79" - or something to do with Paris and the number 79, anyhow. It was champagne with St. Germain and some other goodies, and was delicious. Our bartender/order taker was also very friendly and attentive (cough and cute cough). I got the slow burn - sunny side up eggs over grits and a pork chili concoction that was melt in your mouth yummy - and my dining partner got a chicken fried steak which I tried a bite of (my first ever chicken fried steak actually). While not something I would necessarily order out of preference/general avoidance of huge amounts of fried food, it tasted great. Regardless of The Country Cat being soooo very far away from me, as God as my witness I will return!
(5)
Paige H.
Totally my new favorite place. Awesome for brunch in that yes you need a side of cardiac treatment to go with your thick cut peppered bacon. I would recommend the stove-side seating so you can see the geniuses in work, and see everyone's food, so you can plan for your next visit. The dinner was divine in that country french peasant food sort of way that leaves you totally satisfied yet still wanting to eat more if only you could. The seasonal menu has some totally gourmand options, but I'll go back for the potato bread. I mean, it's the perfect combination of two things I love and somehow, together they are even better!
(5)
Orian I.
Every single time I go back, I want to make out with this place behind the bleachers. seriously.. We were running late, per usually my fault, decided brunch would be the thing cool kids would do that day. We called ahead to get on the list, even reserved sticky buns. First of off, the service is impeccable. We arrived and they put our buns in to warm, we got to nibble them while we were perusing the selections. We decided on the cast iron fried chicken paired with a beautiful salad and pecan spoon bread. total and complete food gasim. I literally have a food boner right now, just thinking about it makes my face flush and my mouth salivate like a dog. The chicken is apparently brined then soaked in buttermilk then fried in beef taro. my dear lord... I'm going to go into a food seizure writing about this. as soon as I put it i my mouth? I said, "common! this is not even fair!" and it wasn't it's literally the best chicken I've ever had. every single bit brought on wave after wave of satisfaction. The other dish we had was the special, house cured pastrami hash. absolutely fabulous. Seriously, if you don't get the chicken next time you go, you're a terrorist and probably kick puppys. just saying.
(5)
Beth G.
This place, by far, is one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. I'm lucky in that I visited with a friend who likes to try many things and share. They have an in-house butchery, all the beef is grass-fed and the majority of their ingredients come from within a 30 mile radius of the restaurant. We started the meal with the buttermilk biscuits and honey. They were very flaky and flavorful. The outside had a nice crispness and the inside was light and airy. We then shared 3 entrees! The hazelnut toasted ravioli with crabmeat had a nice, light nutty flavor and the crabmeat was some of the best I've had. It was not an overpowering flavor combination at all. We then shared the quinoa and barley cakes which came with a vegetable ragout and soft goat cheese. The cakes had a wonderful texture and the vegetables and goat cheese had amazing flavor. And here comes the kicker.....our third entree was a grass-fed 12oz ribeye with mashed potatoes and an arugula/cherry tomatoe salad. This was not on the menu. They had 3 left from the day before so it was a spontaneous treat. BEST STEAK EVER!!!!!!! The meat was flavored, tendorized and cooked to perfection. It practically melted in your mouth. The potatoes and salad complimented it perfectly. When I have the opportunity to eat here again I intend to immediately ask if this is available. I'm still dreaming of the meal. This place makes me want to move to Portland. Our server Daniel was very friendly and answered my many questions. Our only negative comment would be that our cocktail, the Chuck Berry, was more of a shot than a sipping drink. It was a bit too sweet and strong to be eaten with the meal. Highly, highly recommend this spot.
(5)
Beerboy M.
Very well done food at this place. Top notch ingredients, prepared well, with great service. Their menu may not be expansive, but what they do, they do well. Meals are not cheap here, but they're definitely worth it. Worth a shot for brunch, too.
(5)
Lindsay D.
It seems superfluous to write a review for a place that has ton of other reviews, but here goes... I had a lot of people rave about Country Cat to me in the past, but didn't actually manage to get myself there till recently. I had no clue what to expect, but a friend and I went in for a late lunch after climbing the Tabor Stairs for a couple hours. In my head I thought it would be more of a greasy spoon so I didn't feel terrible about showing up in my workout clothes, but it was definitely NOT a greasy spoon. They have some basic but quality dishes for breakfast/lunch. I had summer vegetable hash with poached eggs, which was excellent. For me, the portion was just right, but I know a lot of people like to pig out on breakfast so I could see how others might think the portions too small. Our mimosas, on the other hand, did seem on the small side. Now you know my priorities. The service was casual and friendly. The prices were a little on the high end ($11 for my hash) but the atmosphere was clean and lively (especially for the area).
(4)
David P.
On a recent Friday evening my partner and I visited the Country Cat. We were happy to be seated by a friendly host. The dining room was stylish and very clean. Our server was one of the many cool and beautiful servers working that evening -- she was cool, beautiful, and barely friendly. My partner ordered a cocktail; after a couple of sips he noticed a small fly floating in the amber. His drink was replaced with a minor apology, a bit of a 'tude, and no adjustment on the check. Our dinners arrived. The presentation was beautiful; the meat was perfectly cooked. Both meals, however, were so salty that we could hardly eat them. My beef was served with an overpowering mustard sauce that did nothing to enhance the flavor of the beef. My stuffed potato was again extremely salty. My partner's lamb was very salty, as well. I am not overly sensitive to salt, in fact I enjoy nicely salted food. We would have sent our dinners back to the kitchen had we not been so hungry. When our cool, beautiful, sullen server asked if we would like dessert, we declined lest we be presented with a very stylish salt lick. She brought our check and flashed a beautiful smile. Time for the tip. As we rose to leave, I noticed one of the other cool, beautiful servers reapplying her lip gloss. Her make up was perfect. We won't be back.
(1)
Susanne K.
Busy as hell during the hot eating hours like brunch. Try to go on a weekday during lunch break. This place has great food, good service and hard working chefs behind the kitchen. Especially the ones that you can see up in the front. The reason may be that there are maybe 15 people lined up at the door waiting to get in. Their hustle is definitely on. Yummy dinners too!!
(5)
A. L.
I've been here twice for brunch and both times the food was good, if a bit pricy for breakfast. The gravy served with the biscuits is not cream gravy, but is still pretty tasty. Biscuits good. Eggs standard. Potatoes pretty tasty. I didn't like their catsup. Maybe I'm just too used to Heinz, I don't know. The chef has a pretty heavy hand with the salt. This is very heavy, carb-laden food. Do not come here if you're in the mood for a light meal. The restaurant has a lovely decor. The ambiance is spoiled by bad acoustics - it can get VERY noisy in here during weekend brunch. Superior service by Meagan.
(4)
Chuck N.
Had the lamb roast special yesterday: Meager portion (actually a blessing), fatty, and tasteless. You have to watch anything out of the ordinary comfort food menu here because the chef's talents are quite limited. I would have been deeply embarrassed to serve the dish. Unfortunately my wife ordered the same lamb roast and liked it even less, if possible, than I did. A waste of $15 bucks for each of us. 1/15 Improving now it seems.
(4)
Jen S.
WOW...great, great food. I sat at the bar just because I was a singleton. I could have sat at the chef's counter, but I had a feeling my ice tea would have been refilled faster if I sat at the bar. Small, simple, straightforward menu so you're not overwhelmed by graphics, fonts, and choices. The choices that were available however still made choosing very difficult. I decided on the skillet fried chicken with bacon braised greens and biscuit. I also ordered the potato bread and butter for an app (unlimited refills). The potato bread was great, with flecks of potato skin. It was moist, dense, and chewy, with a hint of sweetness, almost like eating cake. It was great with the salted butter since it brought out the sweetness even more. The main course was three pieces of boneless chicken sitting atop the greens crowned with a honey drizzled biscuit. The greens were sweet and tangy, soft, but not cooked to mush. The chicken was fantastic. Because it was sitting in the sauce that braised the greens the skin wasn't crispy, but it was still very flavorful. The meat was sometimes dry, sot the sauce did help. Everynow and then, you would get a surprising bite of chicken that accidentally received some of the honey from the biscuit. After cleaning my plate, I used my potato bread to sop up the sauce. I would describe the biscuit but I was too full to eat it. :) The restaurant/bar is relatively small, as such I think timing is everything. I came on a Sunday evening when it was relatively slow, steady, and quiet. I think if I had come when it was busy, the ambience would not have been as nice and the service would have also suffered. As it was, the service was just right, attentive without being intrusive. I felt the prices were reasonable given the portions. I would definitely go back to try the trio pork dish!
(4)
Robin B.
*Food: Fried Chicken, best collard greens ever, not to mention the biscuit that melts in your mouth $18; Hamburger, was quite a surprise seasoned perfectly and quite a deal for $10. Also to note looks like they have a good bar menu that is served until 6 each night and after 9 in the main dining room *Service: was very prompt never left needing or wanting anything, but got some weird looks from the waitress when we asked for to go boxes, not sure what that was about *Environment: very comfortable Overall will totally go back
(4)
Sara G.
There's this guy in my department who LOVES this place. Do you know this guy? He raves about it like it's the best thing EVER. I had tried it when I first moved here and wasn't impressed. Expensive, far out, average fare. He was like, "how can you not LOVE CC? Go back and if you dont' like it I'll pay for it." So we did. And it kinda sucked. The salad was good, I'll give them that. But the burger was overcooked, the appetizer was burned on one side, and the bacon tasted leftover. I know it's house made, but it was not fresh. Just not good. I don't have the heart to tell this guy that his favorite place let him down, so if you see him, will you let him know we want our $40?
(2)
Thomas M.
I gave this place a shot last weekend after going to the observatory only to find it closed for the weekend. The decision to go to Country Cat was based purley out of laziness and not wanting to drive any more, but oh boy am I happy I settled in here. We went on a Sunday morning and there was no line when we arrived around 11am, this did change after we were seated though. I ordered the Monte Cristo sandwich, it was the best one I have had in several years. The sandwich is served without syrup or jelly, which is a must for me, I requested some jelly and they served me a side of home grape. This made my day and made the sandwich really pop. The girl friend had the fried chicken, very tasty and moist. I would highly recommend it as well. Great new spot that I will add to my list
(4)
Giggly C.
Fried chicken good. French toast not as fab as the photo in portland monthly. They totally messed up the kids meal and we waited a crazy long time for it (both adults finished with meal before kids meal came out, even though we asked about it 3 times). biscuits pretty good too.
(4)
Linda W.
Came here tonight to try the dining month special. My boyfriend tried some of the other menu items. ALL the food was great. The friend chicken was boneless AND moist! And instead of the chocolate cake we tried the pudding trio (they ran out of cake). We would go back for the pudding anytime. The only reason they didn't get 5 stars from me is because the service was a bit slow for being a late dinner and a half full restaurant.
(4)
Shannon M.
I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was really really good. The onion rings were a nice accent. I had to have them prematurely removed from the table so I wouldn't eat like a pig. I really appreciated that the chef goes table to table and asks people if they are enjoying their food. I am always very impressed when that happens. The one time I ate at Spagos in CA, Wolf Gang Puck came out and did that. It makes you feel important and appreciated. Kudos Country Cat!!!!
(4)
h p.
dude... SO GOOD!!! my friend who is a regional chef for a big restaurant chain suggested this spot as one of his favorites when he comes to down... with that being said, i had to check it out! SO GOOD! i'm not a big fan of trout because of the mini-bones... i thought i'd order the Grilled Idaho Trout and i wasn't disappointed... YUM!! cute little spot with good food and a great story behind it!
(5)
Neal S.
This place has it going on, and was very crowded for Sunday brunch. The staff was terrific, and we were seated at the "chef's table in back". Watching the team cook (they were slammed) was truly entertaining. We ordered the veggie hash with poached eggs, and the highly recommended fried chicken with pecan spoon bread. Both were just OK. The fried chicken coating was tough, although the spoon bread was terrific. The veggie hash was fine, the poached eggs a bit overdone. As we watched all the orders come up we wished we would have tried the low country shrimp and grits with a couple of fried eggs on top, or maybe the eggs and chilli. The eggs Benedict looked great, as did the pancakes and sausages.
(3)
Miss K.
Fried chicken with greens and spoonbread for breakfast? Hayles yes I say. The trio of pudding is my dessert of choice (mini creme brulee makes me melt). Breakfast/brunch is a great way to try them out without committing to the substantial price tag that can accompany dinner. Service- great, attentive and sweet without going too far.
(5)
David S.
Came for dinner with a friend on Thursday night after he heard about this place from a friend. The restaurant was almost full at 7pm but we were immediately seated. Server was quick to come by with menus and to ask for a drink order. Nice selection of wines and reasonable prices. The food menu was very well designed with almost everything sounding like something I wanted. We settled on sharing the Fried Oysters for an appetizer with a glass of white wine. I have had fried oysters many times but never were they cooked as perfectly as here. Fantastic! So good in fact that we ordered a second helping. The tarter sauce was also the best I ever had. For entrees I had the Pan Seared Steelhead and my friend had the Fried Chicken. Both were excellent and perfectly prepared. Based on the food, the menu, and the excellent service, this place deserves 5 stars. The prices were very fair for a restaurant of this quality. I would like to give it six stars if I could. I didn't get the servers name but she was excellent. Look for the tattoos of bright red cherries. Can't wait to return on my next visit to Portland.
(5)
Kody L.
I'm a fan! I wasn't sure how I felt spending as much as we did, but the dishes definitely didn't disappoint. The fried chicken is good, but I'm not a fan of ordering chicken dishes at dinner -- it's just not that exciting to me. The Sweet Briar Farms Whole Hog was excellent. Get it. If you see the apple crumble on the menu, for the love of god, GET IT!
(4)
Cassandra D.
I've been here a few times in the last year for pre-Academy Theatre drinks. Loved... the awesome bartender. She's gorgeous, has great bangs and/or hair depending on the night and like, the best memory ever. With at least a month in between visits she remembered me. She is very friendly, accomodating and prompt. I really like their root beer floats and, while I've never tried them, I enjoy that there are deviled eggs on the menu. Disliked... nothing, I really like this place.
(4)
Aaron D.
Quick review: tasty food, fine service, decent size menu, pretty good bartender, kind of spendy Longer: First a disclaimer, if I was leaving this solely for my meal, it would have been 2 stars, but the others with me had the tasting menu of the day and that raised the rating. We'll start with the tasting menu, I guess. It was a very tasty grilled corn salad, followed by the best thing of the whole night, white-wine poached snapper over garbanzos. That dish was perfect and showed the kitchen was certainly capable. They also had a solid desert (I'm not a huge sweets person, and it doesn't take that much to make a good dessert, in my opinion). Unfortunately, my grilled trout was not as good as the snapper. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but it was also about what I think I could have pulled off. Our party also had the braised beef which looked fantastic, but I didn't get much of a report on that one. I should also mention we had 2 good mixed drinks All in all, the Country Cat is good and worth a visit, but with so many options in Portland, I can't say I'd recommend it.
(3)
Robert M.
The Country Cat never disappoints and regularly changes up their menu keeping you coming back for more. Bloody Mary's are a must have as are the Shrimp n Grits. The Benny or the WT are always a crowd pleaser as are the burger n fried chicken, boneless no less. Come in hungry leave happy. Say hi to Jessie the bartender, she rocks.
(5)
Mal C.
4.5 We weren't even hungry, but the food was delicious. The server was very attentive and personable. Didn't have to ask for water or coffee refills - she just kept topping it off! The onion fries were bountiful and perfectly salted. The dressing on the bing cherry salad was great. The freshly made noodles of the spaghetti were my favorite part - such a great chewy consistency. Nice light jazz in the background. Nice drink list. Great atmosphere.
(4)
Barbara W.
the best part of this rest is the old fashion milk bottle used for water meat loaf as my girlfriend said if she tasted dog food close second-corn bread tasted like raw dough-fried chicken no taste-waste of time and money
(1)
Nancy K.
I had made up my mind that I would decide if the Country Cat was worthy of a 5-star review after having brunch there over the weekend. I ordered the chicken fried steak and I have to say that it was pretty good...maybe not the best I've ever had but real nice. The over-the-top kicker though was the side of bacon my hubby ordered. First, let me say that I am always skeptical of side orders...esp. bacon. Usually, it's like $3 for 2 lame-ass pieces of overly dried out salty crap. I saw that CC's side of bacon is like $5.50. YIKES...that's way spendy for a side. Well thank the lawd he ordered it because it was the most heavenly wonderful thing in the world!!!! Our server brought out a PILE of bacon...a heaping pile of the best bacon I've ever had. Smokey, not too salty and a perfect mix of crispy and tender strips of pure bliss. Go.Eat .Bacon.Now.
(5)
P B.
We found the Country Cat from Yelp users in the talk section, as a suggestion for our anniversary dinner. We didn't want snooty fancy, but still a decent place to go, with good food. This place didn't disappoint! We went overboard, started out with an appetizer that was some kind of bean soup. We could smell it before it got to our table, and the smell was just tantalizing. Great soup. I got a steak special that they had that night, best steak I've had in a long time, and cooked perfectly. My husband went back and forth between the fried chicken and the Whole Hog...Well he went with the Whole Hog and really liked it, but while waiting for our entrees, they served the fried chicken to a neighboring table and he stopped talking in mid sentence...because the smell was just so delicious! We splurged and went for dessert, I had a vanilla cheesecake (why yes, the fat girl does want cheesecake!) and he had the apple crisp. All were very good, and we were extremely full afterward. Now husband has been down in the deep south, and has partaken of the food down there, and said this was the "Yuppified" version of Southern soul food. While it's not quite the same, it's still VERY good! We totally plan on going back for their PB&J night! (Pulled Pork, baked beans, and a shot of Jack!) This place was totally our speed. Nice, but still with a redneck flair!
(5)
Corrie H.
I know this place is famous for meat/poultry, but we went in February, when my husband and I celebrate "Free February" (a month long vegetarian extravaganza)... and I am happy to report that I still had a delicious meal. I had an absolutely excellent vegetable hash. I can't quite remember the details, except for the tasty pureed squash that everything was served on. We were there for a weekday lunch, and the place was very quiet, which meant there was no wait, and we had very attentive service. It was one of those experiences where you find yourself drinking far too much coffee, because someone is continually refilling your coffee. It's a very nice problem to have.
(4)
Katherine K.
My husband and I are regulars at The Cat, so this review is long overdue. It is also one based on consistency of years, not just a visit or two. First off, we love the staff. They have become friendly faces we look forward to seeing almost as much as we look forward to the food. Stephanie and Carrie (sorry if I spelled your names wrong, ladies) are just plain rad. Yes, rad. And Chef Adam in his bib overalls makes me smile every time. This drinks are a bit pricy, but good enough to justify one or two. As for the most important thing...the food...it is almost always truly incredible. But be forewarned, this is southern-style comfort food, and as such is not for those who do not enjoy the finer calories in life. But for godsakes, have the chicken. Seriously. HAVE. THE. CHICKEN. It has been my go-to menu item since they opened, and has never disappointed. The whole hog is also a testament to Adam's opulent adoration of pig and his in-house butchery/curing skills. The Cat is yum-licious, and a place we always take out-of-town friends.
(4)
Jeanine M.
Great service but the cook needs to be fired. It looks pretty but not taste. Had the slow cook pulled pork and grits so bland. My man had country fried steak with mashed potatoes so so so bland. Servers were good and fast. My man said the pork was just liquid smoke. His country fried steak tasted like fried wontons. Dont ever want to come back just go next door to the observatory.
(2)
Sam F.
It's like the Screen Door without the obnoxious line. Well made southern style staples, fresh ingredients and a quick turn over of tables. The staff is great and the bloody mary's are awesome as well.
(4)
Carlo X.
Went there for the "Whole Hog", but it was incomplete (no head cheese) that night. Service was off. Drinks took forever. The Pork chop (one of the 3 components of the whole hog) was a little over cooked and the pork belly was a little soggy from too much gravy. The best side was the mushroom quiche. Collards were average.
(3)
Megan W.
Fantastic Farm Fresh dishes funky/flavorful drink options I'm a vegetarian so the menu was a bit limiting--still some scrumptious options meat eater friends say the fried chicken is to die for the staff is friendly and knowledgable // the atmosphere is comfortable
(4)
Tracy Y.
Our family (2 teens, 2 adults) recieved a gift card for this establishment. The teens ordered 2 piece fried chicken / mashed potatoes & gravy - one teen said the chicken tasted like KFC but the potatoes & gravy were great. The other teen was too busy eating to give a review. My husband & I both ordered soup, then an entree each. We both liked our food. The onion ring appetizer is good. We ordered a "Sex on the beach" and the bar tender / server had to look it up online. It was a little spendy as our bill was $101.00.
(3)
Andrizzle A.
Country Cat is on of the gems of the neighborhood. Their food is top notch as isbthe atmosphere and waitstaff. I have eaten here a bunch of times for breakfast and never been dissatisfied. All I habe tried from the dinner lenient isbthe fried chicken which is so good it has kept me from trying anything else. I recommended this spot for breakfast, their coffee is great, or for dinner. Check them out for high quality flavors and good atmosphere.
(5)
David H.
I like this place. It's very Portland, but with southern-ish fare. The staff is cool, the atmosphere is quaint, and the food is solid. The bar is well stocked with a few interesting signature cocktails to tie you over while you wait for a table. If it's the weekend, the brunch is worth the inevitable wait. This is a great place to go with a group that can't decide what they want to eat as there is something for almost everyone here.
(4)
Alex T.
Found the Country Cat listed in the Portland Monthly. Server messed up our drink order immediately and seemed very distracted, possibly by his ongoing conversation with the kitchen staff who are clearly visible from the cafe. The space between the kitchen and the bar appears to be the 'hangout' spot for staff, and having them all grouped there talking was really annoying. The food was delicious and arrived quickly.
(3)
Paul G.
Great food and atmosphere. This place has good food at reasonable prices, and while I did not have a cocktail they looked good and the drink menu was enticing for sure. This joint is awesome because it caters to a wide variety. There were young, old, hip, and not so hip in the place, and everyone seem to be having a good time enjoying their food. I think what makes this place great is that no matter who you are it becomes a welcoming place. As for the food it was excellent. As everyone has noted the fried chicken was great. Crispy and not greasy. I found the portions to be fine, and felt pretty full. The deviled eggs were great, tasty mashed potatoes, and their homemade biscuits with honey were pretty darn good. The red velvet cake for desert was delicious. Cant wait to go back and try some of their other entrees.
(5)
Thomas W.
As anyone can tell from my profile pic, I like cats. They're clever, affectionate and know how to take care of their bathroom business with minimal assistance. It should come as no surprise that I would be immediately attracted to a business with the word "cat" in the name...I mean, the coolest characters in all of fiction have been cats: the Cheshire cat, those weird ones from Broadway... Besides, every once in awhile I like to just walk around new areas of town, places that I have not yet had the pleasure to experience. Sometimes that works in my favor (yay! Dove Vivi!) and sometimes not (ugh...Dessert Noir...) It just so happens that I was wandering around SE Stark while waiting for a separate party and glanced inside the windows of the Country Cat after noticing their creative and distinctive cat logo. A quick look at the window menu had me sold - there were some creative dishes being described, with some awesome-sounding recipes for lamb, wings, even their french fries all sounded great! I was shown to my table by a very friendly and attentive waitress (it didn't hurt that she had short red hair and tats...very hawtt, but that's a separate review for another time! ;) Within seconds, I had water and my 7-Up at the table, and she was ready to take my order! For the sake of brevity, I will limit my descriptions to my chosen entree. I ordered the lamb, cooked medium and served with some delicious sausage and wedge biscuit topped with all manner of fragrant spices...even toasted pine nuts! When it came out, I was very pleased by both the flavor and quantity being offered - the lamb was very tender and juicy, and the sausage, while a little dry, was the perfect compliment to the rest of the plate. Soaking in natural juices were three long softened stalks of celery, which had by then taken on the flavor the dish entire...very nice, if not a little off-putting due to the color. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this little place...definitely one of the better meals I have had in SE, to be sure. I will definitely be back, both for the service and to sample some of the other tempting items they have on their menu!
(4)
Joel T.
Absolutely incredible! I ate at Country Cat for the first time a few months ago and loved every minute of it. We were still in the middle of the Sunday brunch rush when we arrived at 11am. After about 15 minutes of waiting in line I put my name and number down and they texted me when our seats at the bar were ready about 45 minutes later. I was really craving a delicious home made cinnamon roll, but to my disappointment they didn't have any on the menu that day. After much deliberation I finally decided to go with the fried chicken with the maple pecan spoonbread. I added a side of buttermilk mashed potatoes just to round things out. It was the best meal of my life. Don't get me wrong, I'm very partial to southern comfort food like this, especially fried chicken. As you'll see in my Yelp profile, I've declared this as the meal I would have if it were my last day on earth. The chicken was 2 boneless breasts seasoned and fried to perfection - easy to cut and eat with a fork. The potatoes were creamy and delicious. The spoonbread was something I hadn't tried before but it was amazing. The fluffy bread, a sweet glaze, and crunchy pecan topping fully satisfied my cinnamon roll craving. I like to take a bite of each and continue in a circle until they're all gone. Of course I leave the best bites for last. Now if only they could make a second location closer in!
(5)
valari b.
Had brunch, I ordered the fried Chicken and my husband ordered strictly meat ie bacon and sausage and beef jerky. All was amazing! The fried chicken was moist and crunchy served with cornbread and salad. We had cocktails Vesper, light refreshing and very tasty. Service was quick, friendly and friendly. Food was so good I bought the cookbook
(5)
Craig F.
Second time here, and first time for brunch! Nothing but OUTSTANDING!! Jess was great and the hash was killer killer! Sweet honey mustard wings! The monte cristo sandwich and of course the fried chicken! Get the biscuits
(5)
Gloria R.
I'm surprised this restaurant shoes such great reviews because I was underwhelmed by my meal. I ordered the popular fried chicken entree and it came with two pieces of over cooked hard and dry white meat. The mashed potatoes were tasty but I don't really like lumpy mash. The veggie was collard greens and I found those inedible because they had been drenched in vinegar. Maybe it was just a bad choice on my part. Another guest at my table enjoyed the " whole hog" entree and cleaned her plate. I probably won't go back.
(2)
Kristen B.
I had the country cat breakfast and it was really good- two eggs, home fries and a huge biscuit. I ordered my eggs over easy which is often difficult to get right but they were perfect. The biscuit was huge flakey and buttery. The home made jam was really good. My boyfriend wasn't a big fan of the sausage gravy. My only complaint is the server didn't bring my boyfriend the glass of milk he ordered and we had to ask for more water after we sat there for a while finished with our meals. It was pretty busy so she just forgot. Overall it was a good experience and I'd go again!!
(4)
Rebecca C.
This review is for dinner, and while some parts were disappointing I still want to come back and try their brunch. For now, I'll say this: are y'all crazy? Have you ever been to the south? This is not how fried chicken is supposed to taste. Good fried chicken is not bland. Good fried chicken is crispy. The meat underneath was well cooked, so I was happy with that. But really, when you have to pour salt on the chicken to give it flavor, you know it's under-seasoned. To be fair, my friend who is from the south had warned me that the fried chicken was highly overrated but I'm stubborn and needed to try it for myself. The rest of the meal was actually pretty good. The braised beef was the best thing by far, and since my friend and I split our entrees, I was lucky to eat half of that. It fell off the bone and had a great flavor. The mashed potatoes and gravy were good, and the appetizer we shared, the homemade cheese and picked veggies, was also good. The dessert was hit and miss. The chocolate chip cookies were fabulous, and the trio of puddings was like Goldilocks. The chocolate pudding was grainy on the bottom (the top was done well on all these). The butterscotch pudding wasn't set on the bottom and the Creme Brulee was just right. I probably wouldn't go so far out of my way again for dinner, but like I said, the brunch menu looked fabulous. I'm willing to give it another shot.
(3)
Angel H.
After seeing this place on Triple D, we decided to give it a try. We popped in on a Saturday night to a VERY busy and noisy restaurant. Even though the place was packed, we were seated promptly. Our very friendly waitress was on the ball during our entire visit. For an appetizer, I ordered the homemade pretzels. They were YUMMY, but the dipping sauce was way too spicy. For supper I ordered some sort of braised beef & fried chicken combo meal. The chicken was great but the braised beef sauce was too spicy and rich for me. My husband got the pork chop dinner and said it was excellent. For dessert I got the trio of puddings. Now THAT was absolutely delicious!! I'd come back here just to eat more of these and the pretzels.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jonathan C.
We finally made it all the way out to the Country Cat. The fried chicken was superb, served on a bed of greens and bacon and with a biscuit. The whole dish is drizzled in maple syrup. Not for the purists, but for those with no preconceptions, delicious. My wife had the special, an 8 oz beef tenderloin, grilled and served with a cool salad of wax beans, cucumbers and wax beans. We both started with salads. The butter lettuce with green goddess dressing refreshing, with a poached egg adding some richness. The red iceberg with roasted sweetcorn and blackberries was also good. The sour cherry pie was amazing, the velvety bourbon ice cream contradicting the slightly sour fruit. The brandied peaches with honeycomb and pecan ice cream were disarmingly simple, just a few slices of peaches lid on top of ice cream studded with pecans and honeycomb. The service was like the food. Everyone was friendly and approachable, obviously seriously into the food and eager to talk about it. Definitely on the list for a return visit.
(4)Jim B.
Great comfort food. I had the braised beef and my wife had the fried chicken along with sides of brussel sprouts and collard greens. I've had much better chicken but the beef was wonderful. Good sized portions, but save room for the pudding trio dessert.
(4)Blaine B.
Great American food. Great vibe. Had the burger, wings, and onion rings. Very good.
(4)Willow W.
Well, I have now tried dinner at Country Cat, and I wasn't very impressed. The atmosphere still rocks and service is good, but the food was overpriced and underinteresting. Two in our party got the $18 fried chicken, which was pretty good. My dinner was a crostada with morels and seasonal veggies. The idea and the texture were great, but the flavor was quite boring. My friend got some sides, but they were boring as well. The other entrees were about $20, with the exception of a great looking hamburger piled high with onion rings for $11. I'd say stick to breakfast here, or go for a drink and a bar snack, which is a different menu.
(3)Lara G.
Hot chicken wings. Duck leg. Paper thin onion rings. Ginger lemon drinks. Peanut butter chocolate cake. Heaven. We ate at the bar and enjoyed water drinks refilled instantly, along with every other need instantly met. We loved everything we had, but were warned by the bartender that this is a restaurant with ADD, and not to expect the same thing twice. I would love to replicate the same crazy spread, but I'm sure I will enjoy the next culinary adventure!
(5)Tanna P.
Great quality food and cocktails. Kinda pricy, street parking. Staff is very friendly. The place is very clean and comfortable. I went for brunch on Easter Sunday. I got the biscuits and Gravy and is was so delicious that i over ate and got very full. I also had a whiskey and ginger-ale and that was great.
(4)Juanita M.
This place rocks for breakfast! I've been to Portland twice now and both times we went to The Country Cat for breakfast/brunch. I've never been disappointed in the food. The second and most recent visit was with my husband and our best friends. The waitress suggested the Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken & Toasted Pecan Spoonbread. She stated people drive (which is unheard of apparently in Portland) for that meal. Since Portlanders gauge places by walk-ability or bike-ability... driving was a big deal. So two of us got that meal, the other three got different meals so we try. Every dish was fabulous! I would say that the dish she suggested is worth driving for. :-). We are looking forward to our next visit to Portland.. The Country Cat is a definite stop when in the area.
(4)chelsea s.
Hell yea...nothing else to say
(5)Adriana K.
Apparently, all of Portland has beat me to showering the Country Cat with accolades. I will add. I love brunch. I really do. It only can get better if you can split the best of both worlds with sweet and savory. A friend and I were seated in a corner best for watching the holiday rush of people bustling in and out and decided to order the Whiskey Custard Challa French Toast - suddenly, my pounding headache from over indulgence the night before dissapated, who cares if it has alcohol - this sounds decadent! It was. SO good. The savory egg scramble that followed was more generic, and not as memorable. Due to my current state, I couldn't bring myself to order the made from scratch- served with house make jerky bloody mary. Another time. What impressed (but didn't surprise) me was the local ingredients, a tasteful atmosphere, helpful and patient staff (do they submit headshots when they apply for jobs here??) and some real talent for bringing the best out of simple flavors.
(4)Hovie G.
We were very disappointed with our introductory experience at "the Country Cat" especially given the pedigree of its owners having trained with Wildwoods. The beet salad was pretty much bland and the mushrooms soup was nicely flavored but served tepid. The steelhead was delicious but served at room temperature if that. The restaurant has potential in terms of the cuisine if they can figure out how to serve their hot food hot. We were also very surprised to see that we were charged three bucks for asking for a little extra gravy for the mashed potatoes which were served with only a dribble of gravy.
(2)Joe D.
My wife and I had dinner at the country cat a few days ago and I have, absolutely, not stopped thinking about their fried chicken since. I want it for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week. I want that fried chicken for a midnight snack. I want to drop everything I have, my job, responsibilities, etc and go be with my one true love: country cat fried chicken. We got to the restaurant around 6pm on a Thursday evening and they were just filling up. They had initially wanted to sit us at the 'chefs counter' but that is not really our style. We persisted and snagged the last available booth. The place only got busier going forward. The restaurant is a tad on the small side for how good and busy they can be. But the interior is beautifully designed with clean edges and wonderful lighting. One of the issues that I did have with the place was that it was far too cold inside. Granted, it was one of the coldest nights of the year. But that is no excuse. Every time someone opened the door a harsh gust of cold air filled the dining room and drove us to huddle in the booth. For starters, I ordered a Manhattan and we decided on splitting the Wedge of Butter Lettuce salad. The drink was well made and stiff. What really impressed, however, was the whiskey selection. You have to appreciate a place that offers up Makers Mark as their 'cheap' whiskey. The salad was absolutely delicious. So simple and so good. A wedge of butter lettuce topped with a good amount of homemade green goddess dressing and a soft boiled egg. The flavors played off each other fantastically. For the entree my wife got the whole hog and I, clearly, got the fried chicken. The whole hog plate was fantastic. Three different slabs of high quality deliciously cooked pig meat on sweet potato and balsamic braised plums. In my book, you can not go wrong with a dish featuring rolled pig belly, smoked shoulder and grilled ham steak. There was some debate between my wife and I over the sweet potato dish. It was savory, rather than sweet. I was a big fan. She could have done without it. Overall though, we both agreed that this was an A+ meal. On to the fried chicken. I can not get this meal out of my head. It was that good. I do not know that I have ever had proper fried chicken before. And, I have to admit, I was skeptical about even ordering chicken out. I am normally not a fan. But I had read too many reviews of this dish to pass it up. I was not disappointed. The dish itself was simple enough. A bed of perfectly braised collards and bacon sat at the bottom of the plate. These were, hands down, the best collards that I have ever had. If this was the best part of the meal I would not have been disappointed. As things stood however, it was hard for them not to be an after thought. The greens were sitting in just enough sauce to impart flavor to all aspects of the meal while not allowing anything to get soggy. Sitting atop the collards were three of the most delicious, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, overall fantastic knock your socks off pieces of boneless chicken that were ever imagined on earth. The outside of the chicken was extremely flavorful, crispy and sat with just enough of the aforementioned collards juice to pick up flavor. On top of all of this, sitting in the center, was a fantastic homemade biscuit. I bake bread myself and am quite the fan of all things 'biscuit'. The country cat has taken biscuit making to a whole new level. I can think of no better word to describe this magic concoction of flour, water and butter than 'rustic'. The inside was velvety smooth while the outside was perfectly crisp and flaky. I have never eaten a bread product and never even thought of adding more butter before. Drizzled over the whole meal was just a touch of very light honey. It touched everything off perfectly. I highly recommend going here and getting the Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken. Even if you are not a fan of chicken normally. The whole hog was good too. But get there before 6pm and try to go on a warmer night. This place could easily be 5 stars if it was warmer in there and they had more space.
(4)jennifer w.
i went here for breakfast and had some poached eggs and bacon. d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s! the eggs were perfectly poached and the house made bacon was just plain awesome! we went on a monday around 930. not crowded at all. friendly and efficient service. ill be back!
(4)Denise D.
Great food-every dish ordered at our table for dinner was raved about! Doesn't look like a super fancy place but wonderful presentation of great meals. Even on a weeknight it was a little noisy due to the open atmosphere but very enjoyable. Will go there again!
(5)MaryAnn J.
I vacillated on whether to rate this restaurant with 3 stars but just couldn't. This appears to be a very popular restaurant with that said our experience was mixed at best. We arrived for brunch on Sunday. They take reservations so that was nice since we were a party of 6. They added on a 20% gratuity because of our size even though 2 were children. Had it been a spectacular experience I would have tipped more. The positives are that the waitress was very nice and the food tasted okay. Other than that it was odd. The entrees were small for the price and if you wanted toast on the side with your breakfast, there was none. They don't do toast according to our waitress, the option was a biscuit that they charged an additional $2.50 for. For example our son ordered shrimp and girts which was very soupy. There was nothing to soak up the sauce with at the end so he needed that biscuit. It or toast should have been included with each breakfast other than the eggs Benedict which of course came with that said muffin. When paying the bill, we decided that none of us were that impressed for what we paid and still a tad hungry. We were so hoping for a wonderful experience as we had read so many of the reviews. Too bad.
(2)Kyan H.
Great food - cozy, upscale atmosphere. Maybe pricey (for me) but worth a visit!
(4)Ben K.
My wife and I are huge fans. This place is a true neighborhood gem. The owner has a humble pride in not only his food and establishment, but also in the neighborhood they're in. Some of the best service in SE, which is VERY welcome. The food is simply outstanding. I wouldn't put it in the same category with Beast or the other super high end, but that's not what it's going for either. The fried chicken is some of the best I've had; light and not greasy. The Whole Hog is my favorite. Imaginative and tasty, you get 3 different pork selections in one dish. Good seasonal dishes. Very serviceable wine, cocktail and beer menu to compliment the food. Highly recommend sitting at the chef's bar your first time so you can talk to the chef/owner and let him make recommendations. No reservations, but you can put your name in and grab a glass of wine at Grand Cru Wine Bar a few doors down, they'll even call you! Outstanding brunch as well. Cinnamon rolls are fantastic. Love it all.
(5)Catherine G.
Very low key casual vibe in this place which can be nice when the weather starts to heat up. We went with friends and had a great time. All told we tried the whole hog, the fried chicken, and I had the ribeye steak special. The steak was cooked to perfection with bleu cheese butter and crispy fries. The chicken was crunchy but tender inside and while I did not try any of the hog my husband cleaned the plate. A great place to stop by if you're in the neighborhood and even worth the drive if you're not.
(4)Megan C.
i came here with a group of 5 during prime breakfast eating hours. Despite this we were seated quickly (15 minutes). The staff was friendly and the service quick. I wasn't left waiting and wondering "where the heck is my server?!" The food we had was fantastic with healthy sized portions. Everything about the eggs benedict was delicious. The house made biscuits were flaky and moist and mouthwatering, the eggs poached to perfection and the hollandaise sauce nicely done too. The fried chicken was tasty but the bacon pecan spoon bread was disappointing. It was moist and fluffy but that's all that was remarkable about it. Even when paired with the chicken and the maple syrup, nothing about the bread stood out. The chicken fried steak, crispy and delicious! And the bbq flank sandwich was tasty too. And those onion rings! They are like crack, so so so addicting I could probably eat a plate of just those!
(5)jear b.
Love Country Cat. The BEST fried chx EVER! I've tried a few things and all have been supurb. As soon as you order you can see the cook take whatever you ordered and prepare right there from total scratch. The way it should be!!!!!!! Haven't tried the brunch but I heard it's pretty good. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is the ambience is a little cold. It's sheek but really doesn't have that warm feeling at least on the cold rainy nights. It will be just fine in the summer...and of course that's just my opinion. Plus $18.00 for fried chx and greens is a little steep. I can see $14-15, but $18.00 is slightly high. It doesn't mean I won't dine there over and over though. :)
(4)Maria D.
I've only been here for brunch. It's not my favorite brunch place but the things they do well they do really well. Biscuits, gravy, chicken fried steak, bacon, sausage, and gooey buttery cinnamon buns. I've heard the owner butchers his own meat so the beef and pork products are really good. I couldn't find anything mildly healthy on the menu so if healthy and yummy is your thing go to my favorite brunch place (Bumblekiss on Fremont St in the NE), but if you're in the mood for awesome unhealthy food the Country Cat is your best bet.
(4)Joshua C.
What can I say, I love this place. The wife and I have brought friends and family here for a few brunches and I was blown away at the quality of the service and food. But I wasn't fully sold on the Cat until I tried their dinner. The food is polished, innovative and inspired country cookin'. And the potato bread! It's like eating mashed potatoes in bread form. Delicious. I had a lamb dish on my dinner adventure. It was perfectly medium rare and was served with a fantastic spinach noodle lasagna thing. In the words of the Governator, "I'll be back"...
(4)Christian B.
Absolutely loved our dinner at The Country Cat. My wife and I biked here for a late dinner (around 8pm) last night and we both were very much satisfied with our meals. First of all, we loved the atmosphere of the place. It was very nice looking. Plus hey, I love the cat logo! I'm a cat person, OK?! I got the burger, which consisted of some really tasty garlic ketchup, cheese and meat. What was surprising about that particular menu item was the GIGANTIC MOUND of little thinly-sliced, small onion ring-type fries that came with it; they were easily one some of the tastiest rings and fries my wife and I have ever had. Put them with some garlic ketchup and you have a recipe for deliciousness. My wife got crepes that consisted of pesto, squash and goat cheese. She said that she has never experienced such a flavor. She was mildly disappointed when the dish came with another kind of cheese (not sure, need to ask her what she said it was but she loves goat cheese and it wasn't goat cheese) but she really enjoyed her dish nonetheless. As you've probably seen in all of the other reviews, this place ain't cheap. I paid $11 for my burger + onion ring fries, which was actually one of the least expensive options on the menu. Not much was over $20, if anything, if I recall correctly. We'll be back for sure!!
(5)Jordan E.
The Country Cat has been one of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots for some time now. If it's busy, I suggest sitting at the bar. You can generally get a seat quicker, and the atmosphere is pretty great. The biscuits and gravy are tremendous, and the potatoes and house made katsup are always a favorite. The girlfriend and I have become regulars now... but I always forget how heavy their door is. hmmmmph... it's always fun to pull that thing open with both hands! Go eat here!
(5)Dañel M.
This is the best home style southern cooking in Portland. They render their own lard and everything is fresh and local. Service is great and the drinks are amazing.
(5)Jay D.
I've been to The Country Cat a few times for brunch and for dinner now and declare it the Bee's Knees! And it isn't just because I like a bit of gin for breakfast. No, it is because of their Southern food with a twist, and: 1.) I like my fried chicken incredibly crisp, and with tasty not-greasy greens. (How'd they do that?) 2.) I enjoyed eating meat again, without fear of a heart attack. (I was too distracted by the great taste). Plus, the jerky to go was a hit with the spouse. 3.) Who knew that hard alcohol at breakfast could be guilt-free? 4.) Spouse says they have the best burger ever. While the place is small, and you should be prepared to wait if they are busy (as they can be for dinner later in the week), they really serve tasty and upscale comfort food. Don't think the Pearl is where all the action is. Venture out to Montavilla. Take that from a kool kat.
(5)Michelle S.
This place is so delicious! I can't afford it often but I've been there a few times for special occasions and it's so good. The service is friendly and they haven't yet brought anything incorrect. Sometimes when the place is busy you have to ask for salt and sauce but they do it with a smile and as quickly as they can. If they're busy they might be a little long on the service but that's to be expected. They also don't have a lot of vegetarian options with no vegetarian gravies for biscuits and gravy but they're up front about that and they do what they do. Not good for people with diabetes. I stick to the veggie options and they've all been good. I've tried the pancakes and the country cat and the onion rings. Aaaaallll delicious. The food is always delicious. I brought my sister there for a birthday brunch and the food was a little late because they were busy. We asked each other if it was still excellent even with the wait. We looked at each other, grinned, and nodded vigorously. The food is wonderful! The biscuits are as good as my grandma (who was from Louisiana) used to make. Thanks for everything!
(5)Althea R.
Although this is a pretty meat-centric place, they quite graciously accommodate my dairy-free vegetarian fiancé (not vegan, he eats eggs and non-cow cheese). He generally has to order off the menu, but the meal is always fabulous. I've never sensed his diet restriction/special request was an issue for our server. I have no food allergies or hang-ups and have tried several meat options including the duck, which was great. The mixed drinks are splendid and ambiance quite nice. I think this is a great place to take out of town guests. Great food in a part of Portland that is clearly developing it's own neat personality complete with cool bars, boutiques, bike shop, yoga studio and farmers market. I don't think it gets more Portlandia than that! Country Cat reminds me of Screen Door, but with a more sophisticated ambiance (not judging, just describing) and a bit more NW bend to the Southern food.
(4)Gary K.
Love the Country Cat! Always a go to for NW soul food. Take a friend from out of town, they'll like it too.
(4)Valerie H.
Went here last summer...... The service wasn't that great but worst of all the food had zero flavor!!!! My mom and I ordered the fried chicken and it didn't taste like anything. Four other people at our table ordered various other dishes and they too had no flavor. We also ordered biscuits to all share and they once again had no flavor. Never coming back to this place again
(1)Michael W.
Slow burn: perfect sized breakfast. The pulled pork chili has a great tang to it; not too spicy, but just right. The other half of this good sized bowl is grits: not instant grits out of a packet, or even quick cook grits, but awesome, imported from South Carolina slow cook grits. They were perfect, creamy, and buttery. Topped with two farm fresh eggs, sunny side up and some fresh picked garden micro greens. This is a great flavor party. Great breakfast item. Brunch crowd midweek is totally better than weekend, plan accordingly, y'all!
(5)Sarah R.
I decided to check this place out after seeing it on DDD. I ordered the fried chicken which was ok. I thought it lacked some flavor. It came with mashed potatoes and collard greens which were great. Although I wasn't a huge fan of the dish I ordered I would probably go there again and try something else. The atmosphere was great and the people were friendly.
(3)Anna B.
I didn't think the Guy Fieri graffiti tag above the kitchen would bother me... but it does. Spray paint side-eye aside, I still like the Cat but maybe a teensy bit of luster has been lost for me over the past couple of years. I do not enjoy waiting for a table here, so I pretty much stopped having dinner here a while back, but I still dig sitting at the bar for a fabulous cocktail and a snack before catching a movie across the street. Meow.
(4)April C.
We initially went to another restaurant down the street but the wait was pretty crazy so we wandered down to find the Country Cat. I had heard many raves about it so we hoped for the best. There was only a short wait and we were then seated at the bar. First off, all of the staff were amazing. From the hostess to the bartender and the servers, everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. If the food were horrible (which it wasn't), I would still consider coming back here just for the service (okay, and maybe the strong drinks). We ordered the deviled eggs to start, which were good, and then my boyfriend ordered the chicken fried chicken and I went for the fish fry. Chicken fried chicken came with mashed potatoes and gravy. My boyfriend said the chicken was good but the two pieces that came on the plate were pretty sad. We looked at another table's plate and their pieces seemed a little bit larger but for the price, I would have expected either larger pieces or three pieces. My fish fry came with two well sized portions of fish, tartar sauce, coleslaw and a bit of soft, fluffy rice. The fish was perfect and the tartar sauce complimented it beautifully. The coleslaw had a unique flavor and while it wasn't my favorite, I handed it over to my boyfriend and he seemed to love it. We also ordered the special cocktail that had bourbon, black walnut bitters, port, and maple syrup which definitely warmed us up. For dessert, we went with apple pie, drizzled with caramel and topped with vanilla bean ice cream. HEAVENLY. Overall, I think we would go again but perhaps order several sides or appetizers instead of entrees. The whole menu did look interesting though!
(3)Pasha H.
We made reservations using OpenTable and it made our life easier since we were able to walk in and be seated, allowing us to avoid waiting. I recommend doing the same! The service was great, food was tasty and different. Definitely lived up to the Portland dining experience standard. The atmosphere was upbeat, yet far from crazy. Had a wonderful experience with family, while indulging in their delicious food. Left the restaurant full and smiling.
(5)Mike D.
Great brunch stop. Super friendly Staff. Really enjoyed the slow burn. Simple meal but with a lot of flavor.
(4)Holly R.
The service was awesome. Our waitress was friendly and welcoming. She explained the menu to us and gave us some good tips. Both my boyfriend and I ordered the fried chicken and were more than impressed. We will be back for date nights! :)
(5)Wayne C.
Country Cat is just the epitome of Portland cool. Everything about the restaurant - from the food selection to the owners - is just so PDX cool. Not to mention the fact that they've got a presence at POrtland International airport. I love this place!
(4)H. L.
Great place in SE to get your comfort food fix! I love that you can make reservations for brunch. Since Sunday brunch can be crazy busy in PDX this is a huge plus! We shared a basket of cinnamon rolls (3 per basket) at our table and they were tasty. They weren't too sweet which is the way I like them, but I was searching for more pecans. I got the braised beef hash which was rich, but not overly heavy. I loved the crunch of the beets and tender braised beef. The potatoes where still crispy too. I was one happy girl with my dish. My husband got the chicken fried steak, which was huge! A poached egg on top was a great idea. The gravy and steak and greens were yummy and comforting. The coffee I felt was overly strong which is weird for me to say since I love a good cup of Joe. I had to add more cream and sugar than usual to fit my taste. One item that was not good was the tomato soup. It was a smoky style, but to me it almost tasted like BBQ sauce. The soup could use some adjustments for sure. Our waitress was super friendly and the food came out fast considering how busy they were. All-in-all great brunch spot.
(4)Frankie C.
Made it here for brunch! Everything was fantastic. Cinnamon rolls were nice and fluffy not overly sweet, and fried chicken was juicy and seasoned well. Forgot the name of my drink, but definitely weren't being cheap with the whiskey in my cocktail coffee. Highly recommend!
(5)Joanna S.
I was not impressed :( so sad I was expecting a lot from place... I had the open face meatloaf sandwich... It was cold and not what I expected at all. Disappointed!!
(1)D A.
Even though Sweetie lives within walking distance, we've only dined there once. The phrase that comes to mind is "High Priced Yuppie Chow". Our friends said we must try their "Basket of 3 Buttermilk Biscuits" with honey for $9.00 We had difficulty understanding why we were paying $3/biscuit for them. Good; yes, Pine State Biscuits are better (yes, but we can't walk there ...!) We both wanted their "Mixed Salad of Local Greens" delicate little services at $14 for two of them. Sweetie opted for "The Country Cat's Whole Hog" meal with brined & grilled loin, roasted belly & braised shoulder on South Carolina grits. Not their fault, but too late, she realized she wasn't a fan of grits. She didn't say much about the meat, I assumed she enjoyed her $23 entrée. The two pieces of Cast-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy was an "extra-ordinary" dinner for me. Maybe I'm just not classy enough to understand why I paid $15 for this "classic" dish. We left feeling that, somehow, our $61 dinner, plus tip, just didn't quite hit the spot. But, they look busy all the time, so I guess we're the "Odd Couple Out" in this case.
(2)Marissa L.
I've heard about this place long ago and finally was able to go with a friend. Nice atmosphere and good homey food. I would definitely go back.
(5)Mike M.
I guess things have gone down hill in the kitchen. We both had the rib eye steak special. The 1/2" thick steaks were unseasoned, full of gristle and had some sort of unrecognizable sauce on them. The mashed potatoes were bland. The spring greens salad wasn't too bad. The plates were boring and uninspired. The three pudding dessert with creme brulee, chocolate and butterscotch puddings and freshly baked cookies saved the day. The staff, however, was great and the service was solid.
(2)Margo G.
So-so good! Everyone in our party was extremely satisfied! From the duck pot pie to the plump juicy fried chicken to the homemade beef jerkey and whole hog with fresh baked bread and butter! And that's not to mention the service, which was excellent!!! Five stars for sure!
(5)Allison R.
Yeah, it's good. A client brought me here for lunch, it was a Tuesday at about 11:45am. It was pretty full inside but the guys had just cleaned a table and we were promptly seated. No wait. I couldn't for the life of me, decide what I wanted to eat. Everything on the menu looked really bomb, or maybe I was just really hungry. Either way, I went for the grilled cheese and tomato soup. The bread, the cheese..all of it, man it was warm, melty goodness in mouth and I cant wait to go back and try dinner there. Oh yeah, we also ordered the hot wings as an app. They were huge, the buffalo sauce was tasty -- and we even called them little chicken steaks at one point because they were loaded with meat. ;) Nice full bar too. Easy 5 stars for the Country Cat.
(5)Sabrina C.
Wow! I am beyond impressed!! Best salmon I have EVER had. Perfectly perfectly cooked. Worth the 45min wait. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Jenni L.
Chicken fried steak is one of those guilty pleasure foods that I always forget how much I love. The Country Cat did a decent job with their chicken fried steak but to be honest I'm not a huge supporter of brown gravy. It just seems wrong to slather it in anything other than country gravy, if anything. The flavor of the actual steak was spot on, but the crust was a bit difficult to eat. It fell apart at the slightest prod which was a little disappointing. I opted for breakfast potatoes instead of mashed and they were good, but the house made catsup was not. I really enjoyed the braised kale though, it was a nice non-traditional addition to brunch. Overall my meal was decent and service was superb. The food may not have completely blown me out of the water but it was definitely good enough to peak my interest enough to investigate the rest of the menu on another day.
(3)Angela D.
This place is amazing great fresh food wonderful staff delicious bloody Mary's I can't wait to go back oh our steaks were perfect.
(5)Scott H.
You gotta go whole hog. I saw this place on DDD and was intrigued ever since. I really like the house made beef jerky. A little on the sweet side and with a touch of spice. I need to spare my dental work though. Excellent drink selections. I had the Skeet Tea and it was really good. I'm not much of a drinker but would definitely order that one again. I ordered the fried chicken. It was good, but not the kind of chicken that changes how I look at my life. Great combo with the potatoes and gravy. The chicken can't really live on it's own. My wife got the vegetarian special. Very kind of them to have and it was actually quite tasty. Good enough to entertain a veggie guest. My brother in law got the Whole Hog. Now this is a thing to behold. The Porketta was salty and rich and just melty meaty goodness. Can't describe the last time I had something like that. The pork shoulder was tender and got an excellent flavor from the birch syrup I think. But the pork chop makes the dish. Perfectly cooked and juicy, just melted in your mouth. This is the best pork dish that I have ever had or will have. We had the dessert which was good, but paled in comparison to the pork. I liked the rootbeer ice cream pie. A nice unique touch. Go here and get the Whole Hog. You won't regret it.
(5)Kristi C.
Not sure what it is about eating at the counter, with a view into the kitchen. Maybe it's guys cooking...and they're good at it! My dining experience started out, well iffy at best, but my server recovered well. Smoke Salmon Eggs Benedict, one of the best I've had. And I've eaten A LOT of eggs benny. What stands out is their hollandaise sauce-without a doubt, the best I've had. Light and lemony, you'll be happy here if that's how you like it. Completely devoured the fluffy biscuit everything was perched on. And the poached eggs, jeez I wish I could figure out how to make them so perfectly, I guess practice does makes perfect!
(4)Robert R.
The food was amazing. Service could not have been better. You need to have the fried chicken. The Bloody Mary was Devine. A must visit in PDX. Our server Jess should win awards!
(5)Mike K.
Heard great things about this place, so we made a reservation online mid day Sunday, even leaving a credit card to do so. Don't much like that practice of having to leave a card... but OK, the app is secure I hope. There were plenty of tables on opentable, any time we wanted within an hour either way had slots open, so it seemed a bit over the top, but maybe that's for when they are swamped. We arrived on time, but minus one diner. We had reserved for 4, but arrived with 3. Hey, life happens one couldn't make it at the last minute. No big deal, right? I told the hostess so she could table us appropriately. She immediately gets this "sucking on a lemon" look and explains that had this been a busier night with a waiting list, we'd lose our reservation and go on that waiting list. She was fucking scolding us or something. I looked around. I didn't see any triangular 3 person tables, so I'm not sure what the hell their issue is. Maybe they like to seat parties under 4 at the 5-6 person dining bar (which was full)? There were tables of 2 at 4 tops and a 4 at a 6 top... Sorry to have offended you, hostess. Ok, so on to beverages- no bloody mary with beef jerky, they are out of jerky. Sad trombone. Hey if it's your signature drink, maybe don't run out of the fixins? The cocktails the girls ordered were delicious. Well crafted, boozy but not overly so, well balanced sweet/ sour in the marion berry lemon drop. I had some beers, the mug was warmer than I like but it was a good beer temp- acceptable just not my personal preference- I'm a beer snob but I like cold beer in cold glasses. They were out of 1 out of 4 taps, but a good selection of bottles backed it up. apps: Deviled eggs were good, the potato bread (gotta pay for bread...) and the pretzel app a bit on the bland side- good mustard with the latter. These might be baked on site, a pinch of salt is key for bread, especially if serving with whipped unsalted butter. Entrees- we ordered fried chicken, but she doesn't like collards. The menu says "Fried chicken, potatoes, bacon braised collard greens" but when asked if there was something that could be swapped for the collards we were told "well they are more like a garnish than a side so we don't do swaps on that". My friend inquired - maybe some corn bread or annother veggie or something like that? Waitress doesn't say "We don't have cornbread, maybe some XYZ?" she says - "do you see that on the menu?" Hmm, mmmkay. Just leave them off. The chicken itself was good. The benchmark for me is probably Screen Door or Pine State (on the Reggie), and this wasn't as good. It was delicious, but not quite up to the top billing I've seen for this place. I had the "whole hog". It was tasty, but the grits were a bit runnier than I like (is that "South Carolina style? I don't know) and under seasoned (which I do know...) and the roasted / shredded shoulder was stringy and bland. The belly was well prepared and seasoned, very tasty. The loin chop, likewise- a tasty glaze (or remnants of the brine), a nice mix of a little char/ browning and tender. My girlfriend ordered the wild mushroom and braised leek ravioli on winter squash puree. This happens to be a vegan entree and was tasty, but $15 for 5 bite size ravioli and a smear of squash puree is a bit over the top, isn't it? Even for those really nice ravioli that's a bit much. Overall prices are really reasonable but this entree was a joke. Ok, we over-ordered apps like usual and nobody's gonna starve, (we shared pork and chicken with her) but 5 ravioli? Also the "shaved truffles" were pretty much undetectable, so that's not where the money went. On to dessert! Apple crisp was good, but like neighborhood pie house good, not OMG good. The chocolate cake was, frankly, a huge let down. Think Costco bakery. After the sparse ravioli plate, my girlfriend was looking forward to making up for it by tucking into some cake and it just fizzled. Overall maybe the hype was just too overblown. I'd love to have this place in my neighborhood, but doubt I'll go out there again since I don't live nearby. I'd have to go past too many better places. I almost went 4 stars, but our fourth star just couldn't make it at the last minute, so it's on the waiting list. solid 3. The whole schtick with the 3 vs 4 people on the reservation just soured me. I was looking around for Portlandia film crews as that little snot explained their seating policy in their 25% empty restaurant, but I didn't see any. By the time we had finished up the place had emptied out, maybe sitting for dinner at 7 on Sunday is late for them? They turned a couple away about 8:30 right before we left, after waiting for our waitress to stop doing whatever close down the shop cleaning she was doing...
(3)Lynette B.
Loved it!! Yummm!! Will have to go try dinner. Kinda small and there was a wait, but it was worth it. Will go back for sure.
(5)Krista S.
Went to this place on a random weekday morning. No wait, which was awesome. They have pretty decent servings. Not too many options but I got their eggs, bacon and biscuit and home fries and it was all so delicious. Their bacon was thick cut maple bacon and a half order is enough to feed 3 people. Their sausage was also delicious and flavorful. Again, a half order of sausage can probably feed a few people since you get about 4-5. They serve Stumptown coffee which is a great pairing with breakfast. Servers are very nice and attentive. Parking is street parking, 1-2 hours unless you find some on the side streets.
(4)Curt B.
They crank out a high volume of very good food here. Most meals can be had for between $15-$25. If you want to know how they accomplish this, sit at the bar facing the kitchen and you'll learn what it takes to deliver fantastic food through organized chaos. One of my top three places in PDX.
(5)Crystal D.
Oh those good ol' quintessential east side breakfast spots and you know there are many. This spot I would have to say is no different. It is one of the nicer spots as you can tell by the well thought out menu. Small spot, so it gets busy. As its usually just me and another person, we got seats at the bar. Great service and great food. I had the house made House-made Chorizo, Butternut Squash, & Goat Cheese Omelet and I was not let down. I love good homeade chorizo and if you are a lover of chorizo too, you know that you can royally screw it up if not spiced correctly. The mix of the ingredients on my plate all complemented one another and I cannot wait until I make it back here so I can try the dinner menu. If you find yourself in the SE for breakfast, try this place out.
(4)Lesa D.
Why is it that the places I love the most, I don't review? We have been coming to the Country Cat since it opened. I couldn't even say how many times I've been here. Every meal has been enjoyable. Breakfast/Brunch and Dinner - all wonderful! We came tonight for Portland Dining Month, and I had my eye on the Baby Back Ribs - Love them and Country Cat doesn't usually serve them. As usual, we also ordered the onion rings - thinly sliced, crunch, and not greasy. The English Pea Salad for course 1 was wonderful - it tasted like Spring. Sadly, the ribs, coleslaw, and baked beans that came as part of course 2 were not that good. The ribs were incredibly over seasoned. Very salty and leaving it impossible to taste the meat. The cole slaw could have been from your local 7-11, and the baked beans, although containing pork and tomatoes, just weren't that great. But, Country Cat came through - I returned the dish and was allowed to order something else. They were very gracious about the entire thing. The dishes we love? I should have ordered them, but I was being adventurous (and I LOVE baby backs) - their Duck Leg Pot Pie, we mourned that we left the leftovers on the table; their brussels sprouts, an ingenious recipe; their Wallapa Bay oysters, awesome - and what is it that's served under the oysters? I love Country Cat; always have. Anyone can have an off night (and it certainly hasn't affected my giving them 4 stars). But, they should have thought long and hard about offering ribs as part of their Portland Dining Month fare. Pod Nah's and Russell's do an awesome job - theirs wasn't even close. It's natural to compare (my Partner didn't order the ribs because he knew they couldn't compare to Pod Nah's - I should have taken his lead), so please Country Cat, don't put yourself in that situation unless you're absolutely sure. And this time, it didn't work. But I still love you, and we'll be back - Oysters, Brussells Sprouts, Whole Hog, and all!
(4)Joe D.
My wife and I celebrated a birthday tonight and this was our first time being here. We made reservations in advance and waited 20 minutes beyond our reservation time but the restaurant was busy so it wasn't that big of a deal. It happens My wife ordered the wedge salad (which looked like it was thrown together in a quick minute) and the ravioli which my wife liked but didn't love. I had the ribeye special with steak fries and sautéed spinach. I requested the steak be cooked medium rare but the steak was tough and over cooked. I ended up leaving half the steak behind because it was too much work to eat. The spinach was all stems with little to no leafy greens so there really wasn't much to eat. I salvaged the entree by eating the steak fries (seasoned with salt, parm and parsley) which were great. This place is really cool, I liked the vibe, decor and energy while we were waiting but the food is lacking. I'd be willing to try this place again but only with a starter.
(3)Renette Y.
There's usually a line, but what brunch place doesn't?? 5 words: Cast. Iron. Skillet. Fried. Chicken.
(4)Chandra F.
So fucking good! Bloody Mary with Beef Jerky. DELICIOUS burger with onion strings and amazing Benedict with smoked salmon on a cream biscuit. Duh, go here. It's worth it.
(5)Olivia P.
I wanted to like this place more because it is in my neighborhood and I want my 'hood to be awesome. The staff was nice, the food was good, but overall I think it was overpriced. Spending over $20 for breakfast for one person doesn't seem reasonable.
(3)Andi S.
Not disappointed, but not delighted. Came here for a Saturday brunch, intending on sampling the cast-iron fried chicken. Wife got the chicken fried steak. We like fried things and our Yelp research told us that Country Cat was worth a shot. All in all, it was good to check this place out but I wasn't especially impressed and don't feel the need to come back. A note on the fried chicken: presentation could use some work, but the value is just not there. You get two pieces, and these are well-cooked. The breast was thick but juicy all the way through, and the dark piece was fine. It's accompanied by a nutty spoonbread, and a fistful of greens. For $15. The chicken pieces aren't huge, or uniquely flavored, or beyond remarkable, so I wonder why they charge quite a bit of money for this dish. I couldn't help but think about my other fried-chicken-for-brunch choices...Screen Door's blow-you-away Chicken and Waffles comes to mind. Here's a suggestion: If you call it Cast Iron fried chicken, serve it in a little cast iron skillet. And don't give me a handful of cheap greens for my fifteen dollars, how about some home fries or hash browns or something more substantial? Still, service was friendly and efficient, and the morning vibe felt lively. Solid three stars because I've got other places in mind to get decadent fat-filled brunch for my money.
(3)Tina P.
We saw Country Cat on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and came by the next day for brunch. We only waited 10 minutes for a table but the hostess did say right before we came in the wait was over 2 hours...note to self: don't go earlier than Noon on a weekend or make a reservation. We completely enjoyed the chicken friend steak and signature fried chicken. The AM menu is a bit different than the PM but they will make dinner style plates on request. I was pleased our server suggested this as I really wanted the dinner style chicken/mash/greens combo and they did it with no hestitation or upcharge. Everything we ate was scrumptious. Nice size portions, served at proper temps, and very fresh. The polite, professional staff and decent prices were also appreciated. The one big con for us (and what knocked off one star) was the music. It was WAY too loud and the style and volume were not at all condusive to conversation or digestion. I think someone else must have mentioned it because it seemed to go down a notch about halfway into our meal. Still too loud for my liking but maybe the staff don't notice it since they're working? Apart from the music issue, we had a great meal so we do recommend the Country Cat and we will be back...hopefully with friends next time. Good to know: *Can be a very long wait for breakfast/brunch on weekends per the hostess. Strongly recommend reservations for groups of 4+. *Clean restrooms. *Parking is on the street and Montavilla can be busy but it's not impossible if you don't mind a little walk to the restaurant. Public transit nearby, okay for bikes or folks on foot.
(4)Ammo Q.
Loved this place! I had the Challah French Toast, it was fluffy and full of lots of flavor, super delicious!! Also had a side of bacon and that was thick and crispy. I will definitely be back to try their other dishes. My mom had the Country fried steak and it changed her life. My fiance had the ham egg Benedict and he said it was real good. My friend had the Slow Burn and she said the meat was tender and the sauce was delicious!
(5)Jens J.
Drinks and dinner were most enjoyable. JP marveled at the 60s retro design, remarking that every aspect was carefully thought out. Despite the rain, and being fairly late on a weekday evening, Country Cat was filled up when we arrrived. So while waiting for a table JP and I ordered drinks at the bar. We decided to at least temporarily exit our comfort zone and try something different than gin, so we requested Mt. Tabor Sunsets (JP kept thinking they were named "Belmont Sunsets"). Made with vodka and Orange bitters these were potent little buggers. And I liked that they were more tart than sweet. Two of these will knock you under the table. For an appetizer, we split the truffle potato dumplings. Flavors were muted but the variety of textures and ingredients were excellent. JP got the lamb for his entrée. It was little slices of lamb along with lamb sausage. His entrée came with a kale and carrot vegetable side dish. Really good. I had the duck leg. With delicious seasonings, the duck meat was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. My order came with spaetzle. I loved this dish. Service was doggone near flawless. I do have one question. Even though we got away with it, were we allowed to park in the lot to the rear of the building?
(5)Andrea T.
I have been to Country Cat numerous times, unfortunately this place is 'hit or miss'... I have had some really great experiences here and some not so good experiences here. The staff is almost always friendly and competent, I've had a flaky server once or twice. Also, the ambiance is nice. Now let's get to the important part, THE FOOD! The GOOD -Sweet Biscuits. I love them. They are flaky and tasty and come with a delicious jam that changes seasonally... or so it seems. -Salads. Almost every salad I have had here has been fantastic.They typically change them seasonally and with the exception of one (some sort of beet disaster) they have always been delicious. -Bacon Wrapped Steel-head. Delicious!! I've gotten this dish quite a few times and every time it's been great. Every element is executed perfectly. The SOMETIMES GOOD -Fried Chicken and Spoon Bread. I've had this dish a few times and sometimes its amazing, sometimes it's a greasy mess. But when it's good, it's so good, so I keep getting it in hopes that it will be a 'Good' time. The PRETTY GOOD - The Cheese burgers are decent. Nothing to write home about but definitely a solid choice. - The Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese. This dish is nice for a light lunch. Nothing special but really good. - The Desserts. I've tried a few different ones on different occasions and they have all been OK, but nothing that I crave or want to go back for. We've tried a few other dishes that were really bad, but never tried them again. I'm choosing not to name them, just in case it was an off night. I really wish users could do half stars. Sometimes its a 5 star sometimes it's a 2 star.
(4)Nicholas G.
Excellent food and service. I think they have the best Hollandaise in town. Biscuits are amazing!
(4)Jason W.
Really good cinnamon rolls with pecans; very tasty French toast made with challah bread, whisky custard, dark cherries, and clabber cream (though I think the rolls really had more flavor despite the many yummy ingredients in the French Toast). Wife had the tomato/kale/bacon hash, which also had good flavor and good portion. Interesting "modern" decor, decent prices, friendly and attentive wait staff. Got a bit loud when the place was packed. The only real downside was beyond the control of the house, and that was the loud opinionated jerk behind our booth who so enjoyed the sound of his voice that he shared how very right and how very cool he was with everyone for an hour. I think he followed me from the last concert I went to...
(4)Claire L.
Excellent, fresh Southern style food. I took a friend who is from Texas and whose Mama lived in Louisiana to make sure that the food was authentic. She gave it a hearty thumbs up. Saturday night was busy but we took their advice and came early; the kid and geezer crowd were in full force. We did a full tasting menu, from the soup of the day to salmon, collard greens and grits. My mouth is watering just remembering it all. Go!
(5)Adam T.
I've eaten here at least five times in the past year, each time it's been excellent until today. As a two top we were seated immediately even though the restaurant was fairly busy and our server was attentive and quick to take our order. After our order was taken we proceeded to wait 40mins(and it was actually 40mins, not just a hungry persons interpretation of 'a long time')without being checked on once. I probably should have been more assertive at that point and flagged our server down, but a few minutes later our server came table-side and explained that the ticket for our order had fallen down out of view from the cooks so that's what the wait was all about and said that our food would be up ASAP. I've been working in the service industry in the back of the house for around 10 years and I've seen my share of mistakes and stressful situations with angry customers so I'm incredibly understanding in situations like this one. The typical response from a restaurant in this scenario is to make the food on your ticket first before anything else leaves the kitchen, or at least one or two dishes behind the front. What we proceeded to watch was 2 or 3 full tables receive their food before us, including people who were waiting to be sat after we ordered, and even-what appeared to be-exactly what we ordered. 10 minutes into watching other people being fed I started to get a little pissed and we decided to walk out. I've never done that before but we were both kind of low blood sugar hungry and maybe reacted a bit hastily(like I said, I'm patient with problems with the service I'm receiving). we even accidentally left a jacket and a set of keys behind in the booth... I walked back in to grab those items and the server was standing next to the table looking pretty bummed. She said 'your keys are in the booth and here's the jacket.' I took them and walked out. Not once was there an apology or a remotely conciliatory gesture offered, even though we'd been waiting for 50 minutes til we walked out! The food here is great but the service needs to match it. Kind of an epic fail from a normally excellent restaurant.
(1)Stephanie K.
I come hailing from Texas and I thought this place did a pretty good job of coming close to southern food. Honestly, there's nothing in Portland quite the same. But this is one of the few that is pretty damn close. We went for brunch and were those assholes that came in almost at closing (I don't get off until 1 from my restaurant job and my parents wanted to take me out for brunch and we chose this restaurant). The person who sat us was a little abrupt right when we walked in the door telling us to hurry because the kitchen is closing. Working in the industry I understand that it is annoying to come in right before close but I also know that it is not appropriate customer service to make people feel rushed. Luckily we weren't terrible offended by it and merely just caught us off guard. Our server was fantastic and friendly. The environment is great- I laughed so hard when sir-mix-a-lot started playing over the speakers it's a great atmosphere. The fried chicken is delicious. The pecan roll thing is a little interesting. Good, especially the pecan part but not my favorite. I had chicken fried steak and added egg. It was good as well. Overall we had a good time and would come back, now that we know they do brunch every day and not just on the weekend it can be one of the few places on our list for "brunch" type foods that is not just opened on Saturday and Sunday- when I also work brunches.
(3)Tran P.
Terrible hostess made us wait and seated people in front of us when she didn't even ask us for our seat preference. I would leave if we hadn't already waited for 40 minutes. First and last time here! Post Note: my angry disposition got us a free basket of pecan cinnamon rolls (which were delicious and the best part of our meal). When our waiter, Brian, asked about our food - Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken & Chicken Fried Steak - my comment to him was "it was interesting." The Worcestershire gravy on my chicken fried steak was interesting to say the least. Another word also came to mind: sour. My brother said to me his Cast Iron Skillet Chicken has a nostalgic flavor; reminded him of Safeway fried chicken. Because of my comment and a lack of enthusiasm in my voice, Brian came back with our check and a 50% manager discount deducted from our total bill. So my overall impression of the restaurant started out bad but ended on a good note (service wise). With that said, the food was mediocre at best and definitely not worth the wait.
(2)Jessica M.
Slow Burn. Eggs, polenta, and delicious smokey pork sauce. They have brunch during the week! Good drinks, house cured meats, flaky biscuits, and the bacon, so good!
(5)J K.
If you are going to go, go for brunch! I have been here twice. Once for dinner and then again for brunch. Dinner portions are quite small and expensive. The food was very good but I left hungry and spent a good chunk of change. Brunch however is amazing! Larger portions, cheaper prices, and still amazing food. I had the eggs Benedict with smoked trout and it was delicious. Brunch gets a 5 star, but I took I one away because of the expensive, but small dinner plates.
(4)Christy H.
This place has a unique style to the menu hitting it with a little country cat influence. I like the homemade beef jerky they put in the bloody Mary's. I have only been here for breakfast a few times so I can't speak for the dinner spread. The hollandaise sauce is used on a few dishes and it is pretty good. The biscuits that they make need some improvement. They just don't have it down yet. Potatoes are yummy. This place is alright.
(3)Hannah W.
poor. when i got to the table, the table smelled like vomit. out whole party had to have them wash the table again. i order the cast iron fried chicken and the chicken was raw. this was even more alarming considering i am 8 months pregnant. i won't be back. they were very nice there and had an excellent wait staff but my over all experience was poor.
(2)Katherine W.
So good I almost clicked five stars. I've been here regularly (if infrequently) over the last few years and it's always delicious - and a good experience too. Last night I had the trout with root vegetables and it was amazing. My dining companion had the fried chicken (somebody has to every time, it's mandatory!) and he loved it. We also had a wonderful Pinot Noir.
(4)Erin D.
My partner and I went to Country Cat Sunday early evening for dinner and had a really great experience. First, the waitstaff was very attentive, accommodating, and consistent. We were seated promptly and asked after every course was served how everything tasted. We ordered a cider braised squash soup with Braeburn apples, maple sour cream and pumpkin seeds to split. It was amazing. My partner does not normally like soup and loved this as did I. Perfect blend of interesting and comforting. We then ordered two entrees and a side to share: the fried chicken with mashed potatoes, the red wine-braised beef with wild mushroom steak sauce and the braised collard greens on the side. First off, this amount of food was MORE than enough for both of us and we went in hungry. That being said, we ate most of it because it was so delicious. The fried chicken was great but quite heavy. It fulfilled my fried chicken craving but I probably wouldn't get it again because it made me feel like a human anchor. The beef was great and very tender in a fantastic sauce. The greens were also incredible. Overall, definitely a place that's worth the money for the atmosphere, service and portion sizes. I won't be getting the fried chicken again but will definitely be checking out what else their menu has to offer.
(4)Curtis C.
Went in for brunch today with a friend from out of town. I had been meaning to try the Country Cat for a while now, but I'm never in this part of town. We got a table in under 15 minutes... take that long wait! My BLT was missing the "wow factor". It was good, the tomatoes were unbelievably ripe and juicy, but it just didn't sing. Friend had a summer veggie sandwich, and thought that the tomato relish was overly sweet. I would like to try some of their favorites, like the fried chicken and chicken fried steak. Maybe then I will know what all of the hype is about.
(3)Robert H.
We had brunch after making a reservations the night before (a must for parties of 4 or more). The ketchup, homefries and bacon were fantastic. However the biscuits were not too far from being little bricks and the gravy was only so-so. The service was great!
(3)Amber W.
I've been to this place a couple of times now and must say its been awesome every time :) The folks who serve here are super friendly, the atmosphere is clean and simple. OK ok, its hip... but it's not pretentious hipSTER. There is a difference, you know. So you walk down Stark and see this joint with a 60's-esque tile cat on a heavy wooden door, happen to look in the windows and see people having a good time with friends, you kinda HAVE to go in. You won't regret it. Either sit at a table or the bar, either are great places to sit, I've done both and had plenty of room to eat, drink and be merry with friends! The first time I came here I ordered a drink, their cowboy coffee (WOW buzzin off of one!) and I remember they gave me a piece of jerky with it! Honestly, that's what stood out in my mind and why I picked this place to meet my friends today before going antique-ing half drunk. ...don't judge! Anyway, their drinks pack a punch and their food does too! Also, its important to note that their bathrooms are clean :) ... Wanna go get a drink? Lets go!
(5)Donna H.
Excellent Service and great food! Definitely a win! I had the Fried Chicken, my daughter had a burger with the best onion straws! My husband had a BBQ brisket sandwich and my son had pancakes and everything was excellent!
(5)Anuj K.
I read about this place in the Portland Monthly, Hot Breakfast Spots issue, specifically the orgasmic french toast and flaky delicious biscuits. Sadly I couldn't enjoy either of those, because I gave up bread for lent. Don't fear, it didn't interfere with my ability to enjoy brunch. My friends and I showed up on a rainy Sunday around 1:15, and waited roughly 15 minutes for a table to clear. The hostess was nice enough to take our number so we could wander around the area instead of cramming into their little hallway. I ordered the mushroom and leek omelette with the house style potatoes. When it arrived, I was impressed with how large the potato pieces were, and then was quickly in love with the flaky, crispy crust on the potatoes. They had a soft interior, and they were spiced really well. Oh boy, the country cat really knows how to handle their potatoes. I honestly don't even remember eating the omelette, because it was all about the potatoes for me. Portland Monthly needs to do an issue on hash browns and homestyle breakfast potatoes. The Country Cat would be #1 or very close to it. I'm holding out on the 5 stars because I want to try their other food they are known for before I slam down the 5 star approval. POTATOES!
(4)Bret C.
OMG, the best dinner I have ever had. I had the whole hog dinner and it was the best thing I have eaten in a long time.. Waited 45 minutes to sit at the bar, but it was well worth it! I highly recommend this place to eat. The couple next to me had the fried chicken and Loved it. So,as they say it's all good!
(5)Jean B.
Had Sunday morning/ hangover cure brunch here and boy oh boy, it sure was yummy! True to Portland form, the Country Cat takes American favorites to next foodie level; You can really appreciate the nuances of qualIty ingredients and talent/passion in the kitchen. Both my friend and I had the country fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. It was not your greasy spoon country fried steak; it was fresh, quality ingredients that can only be described as 'proper.' We also had the backet of pecan cinnamon rolls and house made bacon. The bacon looked too tasty to pass up (I rarely eat pork); it was not overly seasoned and very fresh, and I felt no regrets having consuming those delicious strips. The Bloody Mary was excellent also (quality, real ingredients). So why 4 stars instead of 5? The location was a small factor. The service was very friendly and spot on. The hostess has to make up her mind as if she wants to be genuine/friendly and balance professionalism with that, otherwise it doesn't match the theme of the restaurant. The decor was great and very fitting. I'd eat here again as the food was great and the bartender was tops. Overall wouldn't consider it as good as it gets, but definitely a fan.
(4)Laura K.
Every plate was worth its cost, and it's rare that I can say that when I go out to eat.The menu had a little for everyone, including a children's menu that doesn't dumb down the food to burgers and chicken fingers. We all sampled each other's main dishes (grilled tuna, grilled steelhead, 'the whole hog', and leg of lamb), and all of them were perfectly cooked and seasoned and had perfect portion sizes. Definitely give this place a try. There is a nice casual atmosphere and a friendly staff.
(5)caitlin n.
Great place, food is always just what we were craving- when we are craving a meat and potatoes American hearty meal. The resteraunt is classy but not at all uptight. Drinks are yumm too.
(5)Cindy I.
Finally tried them out. We had heard they had good friend chicken and we had a coupon. Maybe we should be concerned that they always have coupons available for one meal at half price. Does that mean they are always over priced? Anyway took the parents there that love fried chicken and we all ordered it. Maybe our standards are too high with places like Bernie's and Screen Door but the Cat's chicken just wasn't up to speed. I do wish one of us had tried something else to see how other things are there. I have heard the burger is good but don't know personally. We also didn't think much of the sides - the collared greens and the mash potatoes were both very sour (on purpose). I did really like the biscuit. If we lived closer we might try the burger but we have other good burgers much closer to home and outside the biscuit I can pass on all of their other sides.
(3)Adrienne I.
I really think The Country Cat could go by The Cozy Cat. The interior is warm and inviting. The servers are friendly. I sat at the bar for breakfast watching the bartender make batch after batch of their signature bloody mary with its beef jerky accent. I was more than pleased with their attention to what tea drinkers want. They serve loose leaf and when sitting at the bar can get easy hot water refills.
(4)Anthony K.
Went on a sunday night. Apparently the rave is about the brunch but I enjoyed my meal. I ordered the pretzels, a pilsner, an IPA, and the trout. The pretzels were good as was the spicy mustard. There were a few cold spots in the pretzel which led me to believe that either it was frozen and then reheated or it just was not cooked through. Im going to go with the frozen and then reheated theory. The beer was berry good. The trout was excellent and if i was really hungry might have not been enough but it was perfect. I look forward to going back some day for the brunch.
(3)Julie T.
This is a 3.5er review. I can only speak to the chicken fried steak. The CFS itself was delicious. However, what's up with the gravy? Thin, not particularly well seasoned, and was it mushroom gravy? They definitely need to whip up a cream gravy for their CFS to create something that I would become addicted to.
(4)Erich S.
Definitely delicious, but a little sparse on their diversity of menu items. Gourmet breakfast food!
(4)Cass M.
Fantastic late night dinner for 2. The fish was fantastic, the whiskey drinks were strong and I can't even describe the biscuits eloquently enough. Service was good and not intrusive. Will be returning to this location to try brunch very soon.
(4)Connie C.
Fried chicken. Those are the only words that needed to be muttered for me to instantly add this to my To Eat list. After a 30 minute wait and a walk around the quiet blocks in the soft rain, we finally got a seat. One of the many tattooed waitresses was quick to give us water and take our order with a smile. The decision was made with no hesitation. I wanted fried chicken and the bf wanted the chicken fried steak. We wanted to get the cinnamon buns. We oogled their gooey-ness at table near the wait area, but they were out. The food came and the bf's eyes widened at my plate and simply said "I think you won." I hated to make him feel bad, but I think I did. His country fried steak was ok at best. It was a tad overcooked and chewy. The mashed potatoes were creamy and tangy though. The greens were fresh. The fried chicken, however, was one of the best I've had. It was crisp and juicy. Even the white meat was tender. Drizzled with maple vinagrette? It's hard to go wrong. The pecan spoonbread was much more savory than that sounds. It was creamy with a crunch from the pecans. It came with a side salad that was perfect for balancing out the rich meal. I will definitley head here for fried chicken brunch cravings, which happen a lot more than you think or it should!
(4)Ill L.
What happened? I go in for a birthday breakfast and get terrible food and lame service. I'm sorry but if I made eggs Benedict like that I would be ashamed. the poached egg was hard and the sauce was flavorless. Not going back anytime soon.
(2)Rosetta S.
Our wait was actually short for a Sunday morning, and they even took our number so they could call when the table was ready. It was awesome to be able to look in the shops near by whilst waiting for breakfast. I had the Cinnamon Swirl Challa French Toast. It was good, but not the best I've had. I also had a wild mushroom, leek and Fontina Cheese Omelet, served with home fries. The home fries were awesome! Crispy and seasoned very well. The omelet had tasty flavors and was cooked well, but nothing spectacular. Our waitress was very friendly, but because they were so busy my water glass was left empty too often. I probably wouldn't seek it out for brunch again, but want to try it for dinner.
(3)Matt M.
I made my way in here with my AMAZING (I hope she's watching) wife a few weeks ago and we nommed and nibbled ourselves some brunch. I was grateful that we didn't get any attitude with our kooooooponnnnns. We wouldn't have been in there otherwise. I mangled some chicken fried steak. It had some washershittershire sauce gravy and it was...good. I don't think that I would pick that if I had a choice, but I didn't, so whatever. Them taters are great, perfectly done.
(4)J D.
The fried chicken served to my girlfriend was the blandest I've had in Portland - and we were charged $15 for it! Fortunately my Heritage Burger w/ Judy cheese was tasty and cooked well, but really greasy and more bun than burger. The onion rings were, like the chicken, rather bland and tasteless. Thankfully they provided a side of ketchup. Service was courteous but practically non-attentive while we sat at the bar. If you want a fantastic fried chicken dinner for a reasonable price, hit Pine State's Alberta location instead.
(2)Megan C.
When I think of the kind of place I would want to open, think of Country Cat. The food is OUTSTANDING, the service is spectacular and the atmosphere is totally on point. A- The menu is always changing to include fresh, seasonal ingredients in new, creative ways. I had a barley cake dish that was something I will never forget. And their daily specials are great deals on great food (beer battered fish with a lemon aioli is YUM and includes a beer!) B- The wait staff is perfect. They are friendly and attentive beyond belief. C- This place takes you back. Its like a diner, but it isn't. The food is high quality, but the setting isn't pretentious, Yay. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Joseph H.
A small menu offers the utmost stellar regional food American style. The "heritage" burger isn't just a gimmick to drop $10 + on a burger with onion rings. It actually is from local heritage producer Sweet Briar farms. If you've shopped at farmers markets in town you've undoubtedly come across their meat and eggs. Everything from the kitchen inside and out is from the local economy. - They served me quite possibly one of the best vegetable soups I have ever eaten. - Our table ordered 5 sets of the fried chicken dinner, it's that good! - my petite and slender wife ordered and devoured a "whole hog" it's also perfect for sharing if you can swipe any bites while people are distracted by conversation. I'm here for the meal, baby. - I'm ramping them up the 5 star nod for repeat visits and equal consistency on each. On my last visit I really questioned the server and was delighted to find a lot of local organic choices. You can spend $10 on a meal at Quiznos or grab a heritage burger right here. The fried chicken which I had for the first time was bathing in chicken broth around an island of collard greens. (which were tasty! I never eat ma' greens) The chicken gave me some leftovers and I had a thigh with some mashers the next day. You've gotta ask yourself one question, "do I by local?"* If you're unable to answer this question with certainty please see the following source material: Food Inc, The Future of Food, and King Corn for starters. Happy eating!
(5)Audrey T.
I have been going to Country Cat since it opened. The country fried steak was my favorite. It seems possibly there are some new cooks because the last two times we have gone, it is subpar. At best. My country fried steak was practically a crackly mess with a dried out meat underneath. Even my side of sauteed greens had changed and had no flavor. Although the mashed potatoes were delicious. My friend got the fried chicken. We couldn't finish it. It was so dried out. And since when does fried chicken not have bones in it? Although the corn bread was delicious. And the Bloody Mary. So, all in all, we spent $43 to has some good mashed potatoes and bloody Marys. Bummer.
(1)Tim B.
Why did I wait so long to eat here?! After passing the CC everyday going to work, the wife and I finally stopped in and had one ASS KICKIN' breakfast. I don't know what the wife had but I had eggs beni and it rocked (eggs beni is my go to dish for most restaurants). They must have been smoking bacon outside because the intoxicating smell of bacon could be smelled for blocks. I want to go back!!!!
(5)Gerry N.
I'll need to make a disclaimer and say i've never been here for any meal other than breakfast. That being said, breakfast here is amazing. Are you looking for the perfect chicken fried steak? This is the place. Not one of those machine formed patties but a delicious piece of steak cooked the way it should be for chicken fried. Oddly, it comes with brown dinner gravy, but you can substitute the white sausage gravy if you want. Their chicken and waffle item is pretty damn good as well. And don't quite feel like breakfast? the open faced meatloaf sandwich is often on the menu and very tasty too. Bottom line, Country Cat is one of my favorite places for breakfast in a town that has many great choices.
(4)JW R.
I've been here twice for breakfast and I'm afraid I can't find much hype to kill, so this won't be my most entertaining review. Don't be disappointed! There's some hype, just... Oh, on with the review. Country Cat strides a fine balance of being affected without being cutesy (Bumblekiss) or kitschy (Byways), maybe quirky is the best word. The waitresses are tattoo'd, the cooks in the open cook line are friendly and bustling. The menu items are (grrr), code named. Oh, what DOES "The WT" stand for? Okay, the food. It's, okay. They fall into the scrambles/omelets/hashes category that seems to be prevalent these days. The home fries are like eating a quarter of a potato (just use hash browns, please!!!) but they're cooked well. Why only three stars? (other than the home fries?) They charge you for bacon. WT*F*, right? No dish comes with bacon, or really any meat. You have to buy a side of bacon at side of bacon prices. It's a good handful of bacon but first the bacon is too thick, as a rule I don't like gnawing when I eat. This goes double for breakfast. Second, you should NEVER have to pay for bacon. Pay for MORE bacon, certainly but not for any of it at all. It's like paying for oxygen, maybe that flies in LA, but not here, bucko. Lastly, it adds to the already somewhat inflated prices. "$$" doesn't really cover how expensive this really basic food is. Before you have to buy a side of bacon. So, it's okay, but after two visits I don't feel the need for a third. Maybe for dinner, but maybe not.
(3)Amanda L.
I had a great Sunday brunch here highlighted by one of the best eggs benedicts I've ever tasted. Atop a sweet pillowed biscuit rested tender flakes of smoked steelhead, wilted spinach, a poached egg and a drizzling of lemony hollandaise. Perfection on a plate, with the welcome addition of browned rosemary homefries on the side and a housemade ketchup. You also owe it to yourself to try the bloody mary brunch cocktail, accented with Country Cat's own pickled veggie medley. It's only a shame that I live on the exact opposite side of town as this little far-southeast gem of a restaurant.
(5)JoAnn G.
Love Country Cat. Have only been once but will be going back. Oatmeal pancakes are delicious as is the French toast ( I tasted my mothers). The bacon is AMAZING! My only complaint is the loud music. It's a small space, very popular so I imagine often crowded. The music makes it hard to have a conversation. Other than that, wonderful!
(4)Anita H.
I came here for brunch and ordered the eggs benedict with house-cured ham. The steelhead salmon option sounded tempting, but I was baited by the key word "house-cured." Unfortunately, this was a bit of a disappointment because the "house-cured" ham tasted like regular old ham. The lemon in the lemon hollandaise didn't really shine through and if anything was overpowered by this mustardy aftertaste. The spinach literally tasted like boiled spinach that was plopped on the biscuit. Speaking of which, the biscuit was the only thing that saved this whole dish. It was nice, subtly sweet, and flaky. My friend ordered the cast iron skillet fried chicken and toasted pecan spoonbread and she seemed to enjoy her email. I had a bite of her pecan spoonbread and that was rather delicious. I have heard rave reviews of their dinners here so I will have to come back again and try the dinner menu.
(3)Ian M.
Food: 5 Star Service: 2 Star The food was excellent. Well cooked and tasty. Priced reasonably for being a nicer restaurant. Service was poor. You have to track down the waitress and ask when you need something. Not much communication or socialization goes on.
(4)Erin H.
HOLY LORD!! The food and coffee here were SO delicious. I'm allergic to eggs but they had more than enough other options. The wait was long but I'd go here again next time I am in Portland!
(4)D B.
I love this place! I make a point of going every time i am back in the hood- my neighborhood i grew up in. best brunch ever, especially the bloody mary w/ home cured beef jerky. i only wish i had this place closer to my current home in napa county ;)
(5)Kristen M.
This review is for brunch only. Country Cat Dinnerhouse and Bar not only serves up dinner and has a bar as the name implies, but they serve up brunch daily from 9-2pm. Country Cat reminds me of a modern-upscale diner. Very spacious, areas to hang your coats/jackets and a sweet looking chalkboard-wall by the bar-kitchen area. I came in on a weekday since I heard it gets quite chaotic-busy on the weekends. The weekday rush wasn't that bad and it was good enough to have conversation with a friend. I had a mimosa ($7) with grapefruit juice (you have an option of that or orange juice). Which was a nice way to start off my morning and to cleanse my palette - a little bubbly and juice! I opted to try their infamous Cast Iron Fried Chicken which was complimented with a lovely pecan crusted spoon-bread (where bread met savory and sweet) upon a bed of a lightly vinaigrette salad. Service was great, was well taken care of and was given a glass of water right before I was to sit down! (Talk about promptness!) My visit at the "Cat" was quite memorable. Adam & Jackie Sappington's soul-food, bringin'-it-back-homemade-esque dishes are full of flare and from the heart. I will definitely make a trip back here to try out their dinner menu one of these days! Note: Parking is on the street or neighborhood area. They are located near The Observatory, McDonalds and Bipartisan Cafe.
(4)Evan S.
They make everything in-house, it is absolutely amazing. Service is quick, prompt, friendly, and they want you to enjoy the meal. Absolutely no complaints.
(5)Big D.
Their boneless fried chicken is crispy and full of flavor and made in an iron skillet. Mashed potatoes with gravy are very good. Cheeseburgers are good too.
(5)KJ H.
My favorite place to eat in portland! The BBQ beef brisket is to die for with the pile if onion rings? Ugh... Everything is way too good here... Service, food, southern hospitality. I love you guys!
(5)Jeff A.
Awesome food.....traditional but different....we love it and will be back
(5)Trisha P.
the best buttermilk biscuits.... amazing cinnamon rolls.... some of the best fried chicken, sausage gravy, and comfort food found anywhere.
(5)Kristina K.
Since it seems the whole Yelp community has already received The Country cat Dinnerhouse and Bar, I figured it's mine turn now. On Monday night, we and a group of visiting friends left Country Cat holding their bellies and smacking our lips. The dining room was partially full throughout our service and the staff was great. We started off with the Roasted Potatoes with Ricotta and Honey. The Roasted Potatoes were fried and coated in just the right amount of Honey and placed gingerly on top of a dollop of creamy Ricotta. Upon closer inspection, it appeared as if the Honey coated Potatoes were sprinkled with slivers of fresh mint. This dish was not cloyingly sweet and hit just the right taste notes to begin a meal. Following the potatoes, we had the classic Deviled Eggs (three halves to an order) and house made Pretzels. For the main course, we ordered a Pulled Pork Sandwich (someone I dine with loves his Pulled Pork Sandwiches even though I make pretty damn good ones at home), Fried Chicken and Carrot Soup. I prefer dark meat chicken and was glad that Country Cat observed this standard as well. They lost the bones but kept the skin on; two thumbs up! The Fried Chicken's crust was significantly thick and held up as next day's leftover. The collard greens were okay, but I don't really like collard green in the first place. The biscuit covered in honey was buttery, flavorful and not overwhelming dry. The soup was like food for the eyes. For dessert, we split a Rhubarb Crumble and a Strawberry Shortcake. The Rhubarb was equally tart and sweet. The Strawberry Shortcake was a little of a let down, because the shortcake was more like a yellow/white cake instead of a shortcake. Overall, we had a memorable time at Country Cat and can't wait to return to tour the rest of the menu.
(4)Kyle J.
Great local joint, awesome food & drinks. I especially like their breakfast... esp with a morning cocktail hahah.
(4)Jesus F.
One of my favorite places for breakfast. I'm hooked on the steelhead benedict. Their homemade bacon is great as well. Their dinner is great also but a bit expensive and i'm not a fan of the "a la carte" thing when you are already paying high prices. Though the burger is outstanding and affordable. Staff is friendly and unpretentious. Never disappointing in many many visits.
(4)Bradlee H.
If you are looking for another uppity overpriced under portioned Portland beanie wearin kind of place you have arrived at your Mecca The food however is quite delicious and potentially worth the price if you aren't cheap and overweight like me. I ordered the heritage burger and onion rings. It was delicious but it looks more like a large slider than a burger it is a super thick patty with a dinner roll bun again it was delicious but 10 dollars for a slider is steep where I come from, the fried chicken is also delicious but will set you back 15 smakaroos. An overall positive experience and will be back to try out the dessert menu
(3)Sarah H.
It was pretty okay. Perhaps we went with too high of expectations. We got the Biscuits, Deviled Eggs, Manilla Clams with Sausage and Fried Chicken. The biscuits were really dry, almost inedible, but we were hungry so we ate them. The fried chicken, which is supposed to be their signature dish, was just okay. My husband claimed it was the worst fried chicken he's ever had, but I thought it was fine, just not great. Not a ton of flavor. The cocktails we got weren't great either. On the plus side, we got in quickly and the service was great. All in all, not a terrible experience but we were definitely underwhelmed. And in Portland, with so many great restaurants, we couldn't help but feel our $60 could've been better spent elsewhere. Kind of a bummer.
(3)Stefanie N.
Here kitty kitty. Finally got around to trying this place and I definitely enjoyed everything that we had. Ordered the chicken fried chicken w/ their spoon bread and both were flavorful and well seasoned. The chicken was super crispy. We also ordered the apple pancakes with salted caramel butter. It was surprisingly not as sweet as I expected. Perfect amount of sweetness and served with real maple syrup. We sat at the kitchen bar and the staff was friendly. Highly recommend this place for breakfast/brunch.
(4)Jay H.
If you want a big pile of hash browns or a huge stack of cakes, a lot of bacon or sausage and eggs at a cheap price, this is not for you. Dean's on Hwy 212, that's what you want. But if you are looking for a sophisticated take on American classics, and don't mind paying a couple of bucks, then you may get the best breakfast of your life. Your first clue is that the salt shaker is filled with kosher salt, the coffee is fresh ground and hot, and the ketchup is house made. The condiments are top quality, and so is everything else. The eggs benedict with smoked steelhead are served over light, fluffy cream biscuits with spinach that is blanched and quickly sautéed, a slice of steelhead and perfectly poached eggs (I like mine poached light, with set whites and liquid yolks and they nailed it). The hollandaise sauce is made with preserved lemons and is bright and lemony tasting without any sour flavor at all. It's the kind of dish where you can pick out each flavor, but where they are perfectly balanced, with melt in your mouth lusciousness. The potatoes are in big, skin on chunks, excellent for dipping in ketchup or soaking up excess hollandaise sauce and yolks. The oyster and ham omelet is what a Hangtown fry wants to be when it grows up. The ham is smoked, almost bacony, and very tasty. The oysters are cornmeal breaded and fried before they go into the omelet, which sounds like they would be overcooked but they were perfect. The kind of fried oysters where you take a bit and you can taste the salt breeze you get standing on a beach on a cold, clear winter day. No cheese, and none needed. We also tried the cinnamon rolls. No Cinnabon sickly sweet stuff here, these are grownup cinnamon rolls. Yeasty bread, a burnt sugar glaze on top, and just the right texture. Good stuff!
(5)Cindi C.
Sigh.....My sis has wanted to try CC for months and we finally had a chance to go. After so many good reviews, I'm sorry to say we were completely and totally underwhelmed. Waitress never told us there were specials available, so we were bummed to look over and see the board by the bar after we had ordered. My mixed greens salad was wilty and nothing more exciting than the mesclun salad mix I get from Fred Meyer. Niece ordered a side of onion rings which, while tasty, my gosh, do they really need to serve you a plate of fried food larger than your head? Its a side for heavens sake. I had the bbq beef, which was OK. 2 people had fried chicken which was greasy and uninspired (I'm not from the south, but collard greens need to be cooked, not served al dente). One had the pan seared halibut but no real flavor (yes, I understand halibut is a mild fish). Side of mashed potatoes---somewhat tasty but had gravy with bacon and sausage. Really? I love bacon and sausage as much as anybody, but seems to me if you need to add both to a gravy, you have a flavor issue. I understand this is supposed to be comfort food, but come on. Sorry Portland, I love you, but there is no way I would ever try this place again.
(1)Jes P.
Maybe this place has gotten better, but my friends and I visited the first month this place opened and man were we disappointed. The food was blah and overpriced and the desserts, which I expected to be spectacular, just didn't pass muster. This is a major thumbs-down for me.
(1)Danell B.
To be fair, I ordered the $11 "happy hour" burger without cheese or mayo, so take this review with that in consideration. But, the smallish burger was wayyyy over-cooked and served with a whole-grain mustard that took my breath away (think horseradishy overpowering). I sampled my friend's beef and it was okay but underspiced. Both of us had stringy rappini. I'm sad because I was looking forward to dining here for a long time. The service was very nice though.
(2)Britney H.
Yoga Girls Night Out turned into a pig out as we ate our way through the menu. We leaned heavily on the apps menu and were delighted. The shrimp and cheese grits was simply AMAZING, the meat lovers ravioli was so fabulous we ordered bread so we could soak up every last drip of sauce. The beet salad was delicious - we had two. On to the entrees - fried chicken was good and crispy but I thought the collard greens were still a bit too stringy. The whole pig was great although by the time it got to me I only got the ham steak and the quinoa cakes were a huge hit. Donuts for dessert - light and crunchy and wonderful. We had slow service to start but once we got going our server was fun and kept the food coming. Can't wait to go back for breakfast this weekend!
(4)Kris N.
Second best brunch in Portland as far as I know (right behind the Screen Door). If you've read the yelp reviews on the Country Cat you should already know. The Brunch is great and the dinner is not so great. The food is a bit greasy but definately delicious. Order the Fried chicken for breakfast...you will love it. Pour some of the syrup over it for an extra kick. The spoonbread is mandatory as are the Bloody Mary's. Did I mention that the Bloody's come with beef jerky speared with the olive and lime? I've had hundreds of bloodys over the years and this was a new one for me. We did a bite and pass with 4 people so I also had a chance to try the burger, an omelet, and the pancakes. All were above average. Did I mention the best way to enjoy brunch here? With a southern influenced breakfast you always have to order a table whisky. What's that you ask? It's a double shot of a nice bourbon to pass around the table and sip throughout brunch. What pairs better with bacon, fried chicken, and syrup? Nothing. Next time you go, order a table whisky. One last thing: people complain on yelp about the prices here but I'm from SF so I guess I'm just used to paying more for good food. The potions are normal and prices are fair. I'll definately be back.
(4)Colleen P.
My BF had heard good things about this place (great food, amazing beef jerky by the pound) so we gave it a try over the weekend. I ordered the burger since nothing else on the menu sounded that appetizing. I was not impressed and have had much better burgers in Seattle, particularly at Skillet (bacon jam!). My little burger was served over a pile of grease-soaked onion strings, not rings. Super messy and not worth the effort. My BF ordered the only other appealing menu item: fried chicken with a side of asparagus instead of greens. I must say, the chicken was delicious, asparagus was decent, and I didn't try the biscuit. We also ordered the potato bread since I needed something to nibble on but that was a waste of money. Who charges for bread anyways, especially when it isn't even good? I only ate it b/c I had to pay for it. We had leftovers so I'm eating pretty much fried chicken on a pile of greasy onion strings. I think I'm going to have a heart attack in a few minutes. Anyway, nice wait staff, good atmosphere, but if you're not a big foodie, don't bother.
(2)Mac M.
I haven't been to many restaurants around the infamous SE 82nd area of Portland, so when my dl suggested this place for brunch, I was all in. The outside of the joint is unassuming; it looks like an old diner from the 60's, with a cool drawing of a cat on the door. Stepping inside however, you can see they have done a lot of work on remodeling the place; with valuted ceilings, bar seating, and an open grill, it's definitely my kind of place. The brunch menu is modest, but what is listed is gourmet southern-style cooking at its best. I had the Braised Beef Hash, which consists of collard greens, fried potatoes, whole grain mustard sauce, and topped with two poached eggs. It was very tasty, and I would eat it again with no problem. The coffee was a Stumptown variety, but I won't hold that against them. The reason for the 3 stars instead of 4, is that the hash, while certainly tasty, did not have nearly enough beef in it. There was plenty of potatoes and greens, but I consumed perhaps only 4 smallish pieces of beef, and some leftover bits that made the plate somehow. That being said, I am fairly confident that I will try it again; maybe this time I won't be asking the old question: "Where's the beef??"
(3)Michael B.
Wow. Even after doing my research. Wow. I love it when a place turns out to be as good as the hype makes it out to be. I went for the first time last night. We got there early (sixish) and were seated immediately. The staff was very friendly. To drink, I ordered something called the Kentucky Housewife whch eneded up being a sort of a mojito, but with bourbon. It was good. . .but about what one would expect I guess. For a starter, we shared the potato-chive dumplings, a bit heavy for an appetizer, but the combination of hazelnuts, goat cheese, and mushrooms were nothing less than harmonious. For the main course, I had the whole hog, and it is definitely insanely good. Insanely. Rolled pork belly? Really? Who would have ever thought? My fiance got the friend chicken with a side of mashed potatos that she claims are the best she has ever eaten which is saying a lot considering her statement had the word "ever" in it. For dessert, we had the apple crisp. It was hot. It was cold. It was amazing. I honestly cannot remember the last time I have ever been this utterly impressed with a meal, as a whole. If there was one drawback, the service was a little slow at times, with dessert and the check, but not too bad. I mean, at a place like this, it's more common to feel rushed which is much much worse in my opinion.
(5)Greg L.
The single star was for the service... it was done with a smile. As for everything else, not so good. This restaurant wouldn't be open if it weren't on the east side (I'm an east sider so no offense). The butter leaf with green goddess was an under spiced buttermilk soup. The medium well burger was a dried hockey puck with the saltiest onion crisps known to man. Their homemade catsup was better left to Hine's, especially in the tomato pasty baked beans. For the little amount of food we did eat, we were reminded of the meal for many hours later.
(1)Claire J.
You know the taste. It's the what you might encounter at those chinese diners that stay open 24 hours where you find yourself at 2 am after a long night of drinking. The crust of the chicken is stale and the grease tastes like it hasn't been changed in at least a week. There are parts of the chicken that don't resemble anything that once involved flesh. Eating fried chicken at the Country Cat was kind of like that, except it was $18 instead of $4, and it was 7 pm on a Thursday instead of the wee hours of the morning. It was seriously inedible. The only reason I took it to go was because I knew my boyfriend would never believe how bad it was unless he tasted it for himself. His one response: unpalatable. The rest of the meal was equally disappointing. The drinks were way too sweet (even though I specifically asked for less sugar) and the stuffed chard leaves were like lemon garlic mashed potatoes squeezed inside a slimy filmy green cover. The tastes and textures were not interesting, just out right wrong. To sum up, it is not a place I will ever revisit, nor would I ever refer anyone there. The service was fine and the bread was delightful. Worth a $60 tab? Absolutely not.
(1)Rylen F.
hmmm... such a disappointment! After all the good reviews we had high hopes. The waitress and the staff were as good as it gets. They get 5 stars... But the food. It has been over two hours since we left and I can't wash the taste of the vinegar from the collard greens and the sour taste of the espresso drink. Overall, the food sounded great but the execution was over the top. My husband ordered the halibut which looked great - sounded great but in reality the fish which should have been the highlight was completely overpowered by what tasted like a strong Italian antipasta. The fried chicken was okay, better at The Screen door or Delta's but okay with a good biscuit. The greens were again okay but a bit over powering with way too much pork fat. My mother in law ordered the lamb which was full of gristle and tough. On the other hand the salad and soup were very good - had we only stopped there we would have been happy. Alas Portland has far too many yummy restaurants to bother with this one again.
(2)Christine M.
Went there on a Sunday night, and we were surprised (and glad for them) that the place was so busy. The only thing that disappointed us was how very loud it was when it's that busy - very difficult to have a discussion - shouting was necessary. I say that because the food was so good that it definitely changed our mood - at the beginning of the meal we felt like we wouldn't be back because of the noise, but afterwards we know that we'll have to go back no matter what - our meal was fantastic. I had the duck legs, which were prepared with a delicious hickory/molasses tasting coating - the meat was absolutely succulent - so flavorful and not fatty at all - just tender duck meat with crispy sweet skin. It was served with a squash puree with a gingerbread crumb coating and spinach, as well as lovely balsamic shallots - they were rich with balsamic. My husband had the fried chicken - really fantastic with 3 nice sized pieces on delicious collards with ham, and served with a biscuit I'm so jealous of - why can't I get mine so tall and moist at home? I loved the potato bread and butter, and I loved my dark rum and ginger cocktail. Too bad I didn't have room for dessert - 3 kinds of pudding and a hot cookie is right up my alley. Can't wait to try it, as well as brunch... Service was great. I'll have to figure out when it might be less crowded so we can talk over dinner. I don't know how I'll bring myself to order anything else as I dream of that duck. mmmmmm.
(4)Terri W.
Very nice waitstaff. That's the good piece. My friend and I went for brunch, and got there just before the rush. We waited about a half hour for food, I didn't notice, but my breakfast partner was not happy about that. Her breakfast (the WT) looked good and tasted good as well. I got the pan fried chicken and pecan spoon bread (not being a big egg eater, I like to try the non-eggy entrees). Luckily I picked up a piece of chicken before cutting into it - it had a 4 inch hair embedded in the fried coating and hanging down off the chicken. I notified the waitress, who took it away and came back with the same entree 5 minutes later. Never asked if I wanted something else, and when the bill came, I was charged full price. And the chicken was greasy and the spoon bread was raw in the center.I paid and left - but will not go back. There are too many breakfast gems in Portland to deal with substandard hairy food. Oh, and just a personal preference - way too many young children there - so good for young familys, but not for me.
(1)Sally E.
Love this place. Organic, seasonal, locally-grown produce. Non-toxic meats. Friendly, knowledgable staff. The menu changes almost weekly, so you can always try new things. Great selections of wines, beers and spirits. Homemade desserts and breads. Best brunch in town and rarely a wait, unlike other weekend breakfast places. We eat there often and are always glad we did! :-)
(5)Nikki L.
The food here was absolutely delicious. We had the Monte Cristo sandwich and the autum veggie hash- WOW! We were both 100% satisfied with the food. The service was also great. If I'm ever back in Portalnd, I will visit this place again! Only complaint- there's a little bit of a wait due to it being such a popular spot, but if they had a decent busser, they'd get the tables cleaned up and people seated much much faster. We saw multiple tables waiting to be bussed for +/- 5 minutes, meaning people could have been seated a whole lot faster. Don't they know that quickly cleaned tables = more people seated faster = more profits?
(4)K M.
My LA to Portland transplant friend took me here for a bday brunch. Its a little out of the way from where I was staying but well worth the drive. I had the fried chicken and spoon bread (the latter was a new culinary experience) and my friend had a basic breakfast plate with a side of bacon. The fried chicken was AMAZING and the spoon bread was to die. The server was super sweet and I loved the decor (woodsy chic). The vibe in the restaurant is super chill and I caught a glimpse of an impressive whiskey bar. I cant wait to come back!
(5)Brian S.
The Birds and the Bees will be taught to my child thanks to this place. Because it is relatively small, the wait on the weekends can be a tad long. So, if the weather is nice, you can walk through the neighborhood and the hostess will call you. If you are lucky, you can stroll by, child in tow, the hot tub/Sexy-Time-by-the-hour place (Portland Tub N Tan). Which will then, by necessity, require you to utter that dreaded sentence..."Son, when a man and a woman love each other very much, and have decided they want to spend the rest of their noon hour together, they rent a sauna in a private room. Sigh...they grow up so fast! And the food's good. Bonus.
(4)Jacob C.
Go here for breakfast/brunch...order the fried chicken with pecan spoonbread...trust me.
(5)Ann S.
Great service but the menu is too limited. The veggie option (soup) was very bland.
(2)Jennifer A.
Let me say this, I want to give this place four stars. I have found the service friendly, the drinks delicious, and the food, at times, well done. I love duck. I always order duck. A few times, my fried duck has been a bit chewy. My husband ordered "The Whole Pig" and wondered if by pig, they were implying guinea, because of the lack of meat on his plate. That being said, the pudding desert is amazing, as well as the sides. I will be back.
(3)Jennifer A.
Enjoyed the fabulous company of my friend as we tried a new to us recommended fair. The best flavor was the Braised Lamb Neck Creppinette on shell beans with fennel pollen gremolata. Wonderful flavor with an almost caramelized lamb that was most inside and accented with the beans. Judy's cheese pot also had bright flavors especially with the homemade rosemary crackers. Good job! The butter salad was fair, lacked flavor, a tad bland. My friend had the burger and although she said it had good flavor, it was hard to tell because there was gristle all throughout, and she had to dismantle the burger and cut around the inedible parts. Other details. It was cold outside so the wind made its way in and we found ourselves putting our coats on and off, even though the heavy curtain is in place to try and block the chill. The music was a bit loud when we first arrived. Despite this and the screeching baby, we enjoyed ourselves. Portland has such amazing restaurants, it is hard to be compared. For southern fair I prefer Bernie's, but I would give Country Cat another try...for the fried chicken, and the soup.
(3)H O.
+: Amazingly rich flavors and large portions built to blow your mind and belly. If this spot were more central, the line would be Screen Door-ish so thank goodness its further out! -: My french toast was good but I think they shine with savory. I got to t
(5)Kathy D.
After all the positive press about this restaurant, I decided to drive over from Vancouver and try it for lunch midweek. I arrived after 1:00 to beat the rush and even though there were a number of empty tables and not very busy I was IGNORED. After being seated that was the end of my service. So I left and gave my business to YaHala. I'll never go back! Too bad the wait staff isn't aware of their impact on business.
(1)Holy-foo' X.
The decade-long drought, of life w/o succotash, has ended. Not just ANY sweet corn succotash, mind you. The Cat's version is some of the best I've had, and I hope not to simply be slipping into old fogey dotage here. Czaba's until now had the best succotash I've ever had bar none, but alas, Czaba's is gone, and it is entirely unclear whether or not he ever intends to return... The steelhead that went with said succotash? Superb. Almost made up for the steely I had on my line the other day and.... well, almost makes up for the pain of yet another one that got away. Close but no cigar. The service @ the Cat was prompt, engaging, friendly. Easy-going. I'm actually going into withdrawls here, it's been probably several months now since I've had the added dining enjoyment of having a Miss Priss for wait server, anywhere I've gone, and I go out several times a week. In a perverse sort of way that does not add much, if anything at all, to the present discussion on the Cat, the "snooty waitress factor" is undeniably a source of immense personal pleasure and satisfaction. But that's all the further glimpse you'll get--and far more than you probably wanted, gentle reader---for now, into the craggy catacombs of my brain... Very well turned indeed, Country Cat. Me-friggin'-yow!!!
(5)Elena d.
We visited this place after seeing it on DDD a few months ago. Of course like most places in Portland they don't open till 5pm... Once we got inside decor was modern and the place was clean. It didn't long and restaurant was filled up... My BF ordered the Country Cat Pork Plate and I had the Fried Chicken plate. Food was OK at best! My chicken was cooked "Perfectly" juicy on the inside and very crunchy on the outside, but there was just something missing I finally concluded the breading lacked flavor. Chicken is bland to begin with and you have to "SEASON" it well and that includes the breading. Mashed potatoes were avg. I didn't really care for their "country gravy" it was a lil to herby for me.. MY BF's pork plate was good. Collard greens were awesome, the porketta was delicious(by far a fav thing we had), the pork tips were ok, it also comes with a Huge Pork Chop which we both agreed was very tough to cut and very fatty... Down home country food not at its best but good for the Portland area. Our waitress was had a great personality, very observant and attentive. In all I don't think we'll be giving this place a try again anytime soon...I have to say Guy Fieri had this place marked high but honestly nothing special.
(3)Natalie C.
A list from Eater PDX led us here, and I am so glad it did. The red wine braised beef came apart on the fork, and was so nicely paired with beautifully browned little potatoes. The dish was dressed with a bit of arugula that turned out to be be a great taste accompaniment rather than just plating aesthetics. Also notable was the espresso I had after dinner. My after dinner coffee drinks don't usually leave an impression, but the memory of this little cup lingers as I have my own morning cup back at home. The pudding trio for dessert was also delicious, but should come with a warning for how rich it is. This did not stop me from cleaning out each cup. Wish we'd been in town long enough to try brunch too.
(4)Megan H.
I've only been once for breakfast but I can say with confidence that the Country Cat benedict has made it into my "Portland Top 10" and I have had benedicts allllll over town. Normally I'd turn my nose up at a benedict shying away from the traditional english muffin but the biscuit had enough texture that it didn't bug me. The thing that really drove it home was the hollandaise. Nothing disappoints me more than a crappy hollandaise. Country Cat does it right, extra lemony just how I like it. The potatoes were a nice bonus too, little pillows of fried goodness with a nice tangy homemade ketchup. I'll definitely be back to check out dinner soon, only wish it was closer to my house!
(4)Louise W.
Came on a Sunday around 1:30pm for a late brunch. Only a 15 minute wait before we were seated. The hostess and server(s) were very welcoming. Had to give 4 stars because my daughter said the pancakes she ordered were the best she's ever had in Portland. I had the French toast, which was good, and our side of bacon was thick and cooked perfectly. The Country Cat deserves their good ratings, and we will definitely be back!
(4)Gina S.
I want to give The Country Cat 5 stars because it's in my neighborhood and I want our property value to rise by the neighborhood becoming up and coming. If I could give stars on brunch alone, The Country Cat would get 5 stars, their brunch is fantastic!!! It's the dinner that doesn't live up to the hype. We have dined here enough to write a fair review.... having read 5 star yelp reviews and "must" eats we gave The CC dinner another go....We went with the Braised Beef & The Whole Hog. The Braised Beef was a whole lot of arteries w-some Braised Beef and four half potatoes as a side. The Whole Hog which The "Chop" being the major portion of the pieces was fair. The Cheese and or brains of The Hog, was a greasy gnarly croquette mess. The belly, fatty & oily. The pulled pork fair also. From what I understand about Pork Belly, it is all about the seasoning and preparation. We do not dine out looking for over sized portions but I do believe in a happy medium. Literally 4 1/2 potatoes with a slab of arteries is just not culinary fare. The cocktails do not disappointed and the wine recommended was delish as well!. We had a really enjoyable dining experience, we were just let down by dinner
(3)Sandra W.
The 'Cat was our choice for dinner one night this week, and it met all of my requirements for a five-star: Locally-owned, serving tasty food that is inventive, but not too fussy. It took me a while to figure out how the name of this establishment translates into a theme or philosophy (Yes, I was a marketing geek once upon a time). You expect the name to translate to country food or a rustic atmosphere. We found none of that here. The food is not exactly country food, and the atmosphere is completey modern and urban. So what's with the 'Cat in the Country? All the tables were full, so we accepted an offer to be seated at the chef's counter. These are the best seats in the house for a couple of food geeks, in my opinion. This gave us an unobstructed, close-up view of the three chefs at work. We could have thrown a bisquit blindfolded and hit any one of them, but that would've been a waste of a fabulous bisquit. The Hubs ordered the Whole Hog and I selected the Red Wine Braised Beef. Our order went in and we watched the chefs go to work. A pork chop on the grill, vegetables sauteed and then popped into the over for a roasting, tender pieces of braised beef getting a last-minute balsamic reduction, plating. Our dinners prepared right before our eyes, just like home, only much quicker. And it was sooooo good. The Cat's Meow. My tummy was a-purrin,' "Pet MeeeeNow." The executive chef and owner, Adam Sappington, chatted with us after we'd finished our meal. He's a friendly Cat who creates dishes that are quietly American, quietly bucolic, and elegantly indulgent. Like any Cat, his creations beg your undivided attention and adoration, but like a Country Cat, in the back of his mind, you can tell he's cleverly thinking about that lil' sumtin' sumtin' that might be a hidin' out in 'dem der barn.
(5)Chris L.
"But I got cat class and I got cat style..." The Country Cat has landed on all fours on my list of favorite Portland breakfast joints. The TLB and I dropped in on a recent mid Saturday morning and experienced what can only be described as a paw-sitively purr-fect breakfast! Food, drinks, service, ambiance...all combined to create a spectacular 5 star experience. I went with their campfire breakfast (baked beans, eggs, greens and cornbread) while the TLB had the eggs benedict with smoked salmon and home potatoes. The portions were generous (but not nap inducing) while the flavors in both of these dishes were lively, unique and complementing. Our waiter was friendly, attentive and informative. He explained to us how 90% of their ingredients are local, and how they slaughter a whole pig and lamb each week for their entrees. This dedication to fresh local products is what brings out full bodied flavors in all their foods. The décor is warm & minimal, the entire staff friendly and their menu offers many unique options. Adding to their great list of breakfast and dinner dishes, the bar specials that day included home made pretzels, root beer floats, deviled eggs, and stuffed lamb meatballs. If you're a fan of it, make sure to also get a or 1/2 pound of their uniquely sweet house made beef jerky to go. This isn't some stray from the back alley; the class and style of The Country Cat make it the new Aristocat of breakfast.
(5)Rich M.
The Country Cat was listed in this month's Portland Monthly as one of the top breakfast places in PDX. A friend and I set out on Sunday morning to give it a whirl. Honestly, the photo of the Cinnamon Swirl Challah French Toast is what lured us here. We started out our brunch with one of their cocktails. My cocktail, the "good mornin', sunshine" was an awesome blend of orange juice, citrus vodka, and emergen-c. I seriously was contemplating ordering a second one. The French toast, which is dredged in a Maker's Mark custard, was fantastic! Plump, rehydrated raisins and maple syrup spread upon the soft-in-the-middle and crusty-on-the-edge french toast rocked my world and left in me in a brunch hangover. We also shared a side of their thick sliced house cured bacon - OMG can we say meat candy?? I'll definitely be back to sample other items - even though I was in French toast heaven, I was having food envy with every dish that came out of the kitchen.
(5)Martha R.
Went for brunch - loved it. The food was just as heart-stopping, hangover-curing, delicious-tasting as I had hoped for. The juice fresh squeezed, and the service perfect. A 10 minute wait too boot. Awesome place... AND - thanks for the update to the website. Much, much, much better. Not sure when that went down, but I used to have to email them to get the menu. Now it's right there on the good 'ole internet. Muchas gracias!
(4)Jim W.
Agree with what he/she said if rating greater than 3. solid, tasty, great service.
(4)Roxanne C.
This is an above average local restaurant that I've gone to brunch a couple times at. Nothing that exactly blows your mind. Good for Southern food like good fried chicken and gravy when you don't want to wait too long.
(4)Robynn H.
Very savory!
(4)Chelsey T.
Excellent and friendly service, even in a bustling small space on a Sunday. If there is a wait, check out the farmer's market down the block and the hostess will call you when the table is ready. I got the eggs Benedict with ham and it was to die for. On a melt in your mouth biscuit instead of the usual english muffin, I don't think I can ever go back to muffins now. The Hollandaise is perfectly lemony, rich and light at the same time.The home fries that accompanied it were thick cut and well seasoned. The homemade ketchup has a perfect mix of vinegar and sweetness. The portion is generous and I left happy and full. My sister had the french toast, and it was light and crunchy, while still being flavorful and the cream on top was super yummy. The baby's scrambled egg was perfectly fluffy and not too greasy. The service was excellent and the place while on the small side, was easy to maneuver around in and I didn't feel guilty for using a high chair like I do in some small places. We will definitely be back again.
(5)Phoebe o.
absolutely the best service ever, and combined with delicious, high quality food made for a perfect night. Didn't hurt that a part of their proceeds for the entire day went to Mercy Corps to help Tsunami victims as well.
(5)Tristan M.
Fried chicken, excellent. Duck, alright, but overwhelmed by the sauce. Wine selection, tasty options. Pretzels, lacking. All in all, satisfied, though feeling a little overcharged.
(3)Joshua G.
Meh...it was ok, but nothing special. The country fried steak was good. The country cat breakfast was ok...egg a little undercooked, but the potatoes were good as was the biscuit. But quite overpriced for an egg, potatoes and a biscuit. May be nitpicking but we were the second in the door when they opened but we're the fifth or sixth to get our order taken. Also the place was really loud. Loud music and a full restaurant means you have to shout to hear each other which just makes the place that much louder.
(3)Jason G.
This is in our neighborhood and I brought my friend here for dinner. I have been here about six times I guess, and feel the food is declining a bit; just kind of average these days. The menu is the same forever now, getting a bit stale in the hood. Let's pick it up.
(3)Shir F.
Portland has a lot of great brunch options and this is one of them. I've only been here for their brunch service. Great selection. They keep running out of cinnamon rolls - if it's is available, make sure to order them (then save me one, please). Have to drive out a bit further for this place, but you can actually make reservations here.
(5)Olivia T.
We came here for one of my sister's birthday brunch and everything was lovely until my youngest sister found A FRUIT FLY in her salad. She flagged one of the server and the server was skeptical. Server : " I didn't see a fruit fly." Sister : "It's right there." pointed to the dead fly. Server : "Oh." walked away with the plate and didn't even say sorry about that or anything like that. Our actual server came and asked if my sis wanted a new salad. She lost her appetite already and said no thanks. He didn't over her a brand new Fried chicken plate since that's what she was eating and the plate was taken away from her because of the fly in the salad that companied the fried chicken. When we got our check, they didn't comp my sis' fried chicken plate. We asked our server, he comped it, and he made a statement "We comped the fried chicken plate, but since we serve organic vegetables, FRUIT FLIES are common in our dishes every now and then. YOU should expect that from ORGANIC PRODUCE." I was furious. First of all, our smarty pants server, please try to say that to the health inspector when they are inspecting your establishment. Tell them in front of their faces that fruit flies are ACCEPTABLE in ORGANIC meals. Second, I know you might be butt hurt because you loss $12 worth of food and reducing your tips by $3 something, BUT your job is a server in a restaurant. We don't need smarty ass comments, all we need is an APOLOGY. It doesn't have to be a formal please forgive me statement, even a casual "Sorry about that. I don't know how the fly got in the food." will be just fine. We came to Country Cat for delicious food, friendly service, and having a good time as family. Instead we got food with fly, unfriendly bad service, and we lost our appetites to finish our meals. We will never go back here EVER AGAIN and I will do everything in my power to prevent people that I know to come here. Bugs in food are forgivable when there's no SMARTY ASS attitudes involved with it. Goodbye, Country Cat, we will spend our money somewhere else.
(1)Kari B.
This review is for brunch.... We went this morning and arrived at 10:00 am. The business was full but not the hour plus wait you find around portland. We opted to sit right away at the bar but a table would have been about 10 min. The special of the day was pumpkin pancakes with poached pear and real maple syrup. Simple amazing. My friend said they were better than her dads and she never says that. I also had the biscuit and gravy with eggs over medium. Eggs were perfectly cooked just a tad runny the way I like. The home fries were seasoned with some sort of garlic herb concoction and the biscuit butter enough with out being to flakey. The gravey was not your typical it had chunks of ham and sausage lots of herbs and not overly thickened like the white creamy sort you sometimes get. Really fantastic. The gentleman next to me had a grilled cheese and soup and further down the bar was the eggs Benedict that looked amazing and a must go back for. Food wise I would say one of the best breakfasts I have had in Portland. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is the service was a little slow. My friend ordered coffee and had to ask for sugar three times. Today as we were talking and catching up it was fine. But if you were really hungry this would be a down side.
(4)Zomoz O.
My favorite is their fried chicken! Juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. Had no idea fried chicken could be that wonderful!
(5)Amy D.
I was finally able to breakfast/brunch at the Country Cat, since it's a little further out from Downtown Portland where I normally stay when traveling out this way. We got there about 15 minutes after they opened on a Saturday, and the restaurant was mostly full already. By 9:30am, they were completely full and there was a super long line by the time we left, so definitely come early to avoid having to wait! We tried: -Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken (w/Bacon-Pecan Spoonbread & Field Greens, Dressed w/Maple Syrup, $15, yelp.com/user_local_phot… ): Yum- solid fried chicken. The skin was crispy and flavorful, and the chicken was fried very well. However, the bacon-pecan spoonbread was very boring, and way too dense. I didn't like the field greens in here at all, since the flavor of the balsamic dressing didn't go well with anything else on the plate. -Half Order of Bacon ($3), Side of Gravy ($3), One Biscuit ($3) [ yelp.com/user_local_phot… : The bacon was ok, but the fat to lean ratio was uneven among the three pieces. Also, one piece was way overcooked/almost burnt, which was disappointing. The biscuit and gravy were good, but the gravy was a brown gravy, and I'm a fan of cream based gravy. I would probably get the bacon and biscuit again but not the gravy. -Stumptown Coffee ($2.75): Solid, and they give you free re-fills. Our server was super sweet, and the service here was excellent. Overall, this is a solid brunch spot, and they give you gigantic portions so it's definitely a good value. There are some street parking spots available, but it'll likely be difficult to find parking after it gets busier.
(4)Keycee D.
Well, this is a long over due review... Came here in January when we were in Seattle watching the food network. It was a road trip so we would be going through Oregon going back to California. We decided to stop by for brunch, luckily we made it just in time before closing. I tried their fried chicken with pecan of course. Chicken was yummy and not dry at all. I also got their beef jerky to go... It was not what I expected.... I most likely wouldn't get it again... Overall service was great and the food we ordered were yummy other than the beef jerky. *this place gets busy *plenty of street parking
(4)Loren K.
The food here is okay, but the portions arent worth the prices. I decided to check this place out because I saw it on Diners, Drive ins and Dives a week before traveling to Portland. I was pleased with breakfast, but dinner was rather bland and boring, especially considering I'd ordered the Whole Hog. It looks good, but it could have been so much tastier. Perhaps its because I opted to make it gluten free, so I didnt get the breaded cube of head cheese? Surely that cant make that big of a difference, but I honestly wouldn't know. If you DO eat gluten, I am sure that this place is an entirely different and much more delicious experience. As a person with a gluten allergy, I feel my dollars are simply better spent elsewhere.
(3)Robert C.
Fried chicken was very good. Mashed potatoes with gravy tasted home cooked. My wife had the "whole hog plate", which not only tasted fantastic, it was enough for two meals. Started with delicious bread and a mixed green salad with a yummy blue cheese vinaigrette. Also tried the deviled eggs, which were ordinary. Too full to try dessert.
(4)Andrew P.
Ali and I drove up from Eugene, OR to partake in Cars & Coffee and we had a blast. We decided to hold off on eating until we got up to Portland and I'm glad we did. I'd heard about Cat Country Grillhouse and have been aching to go. I've been really jazzed to try the whole hog entree but that's a dinner item that's served after 5 pm. I hope it doesn't sound like we settled for breakfast because nothing could be further from the truth. Ali ordered the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup and I ordered the grits with pork and 2-eggs. Before or breakfast dishes arrived I ordered us a side of the house jerky and we made that side disappear super quick. Soooooooo good and perfectly seasoned. Ali's words after the first bite were, "this is the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had." I took a bite and it was exceptional. The cheese was plentiful, gooey, creamy and buttery and the bread was the perfect compliment as it was crispy but not cut up your mouth. The tomato soup had a smoky element to it that proved to be the perfect pairing for the sandwich as Ali and I are the type to sink or grilled cheese sandwich into the tomato soup. On to my dish - Slow Burn. The grits were cooked to the perfect texture. Creamy and slightly buttery but rather neutral so as to not over power the accompanying pork chili which is seasoned with amazing attention to detail. The chili sauce that the pork is bathed in lends itself to compliment the grits. I opted for two eggs over-easy and the yolks were the perfect consistency and drizzled all through my dish once pierced. Both plates ended up clean and the same could be said for the tables that were around us. Kaitlin was our server and she was very attentive and nice and a wealth of suggestions as I was torn between two dishes ( Hash & Slow Burn). The menu is well thought out with interesting arrangements that promise to seduce the taste buds. We will definitely be back for both breakfast as well as dinner. This place is amazing.
(5)May N.
After our sunrise hike we went here for brunch. Our waitress was very nice and we got seated right away because we came when it just opened. What's good about this place is that they take reservations, which not many Portland breakfast joints do. I ordered the country fried steak and it was delicious but the breading of the steak did not adhere to the meat well so it all just came apart right when you cut the meat. It was in a shallow bowl thing too and was hard to cut the steak. The cinnamon rolls we ordered were tasty but we're basically soaked in butter.
(3)Gabby M.
My family and I came here because we saw this place on TV and we're very glad we did! The biscuits we're excellent and the fried chicken was as well. Everything was perfect minus the wait but the food made up for it. The restaurant is very organic and casual and a great place to unwind and eat at one of the best restaurants in town! Come quick and expect the wait but it's worth it
(5)Angel C.
I feel mixed about CCDB - see the quandary as follows: PRO- 1. trendy decor 2. attentive service 3. interesting variety on menu CON- 1. my braised beef hash was more stew, with the cubes of braised beef swimming in a thin sauce and the broken poached eggs lost in the soup - the protein was actually tasty but not what I was expecting and thus not what I wanted 2. my friend's housemade chorizo, asparagus and goat cheese omelet also disappointed as the greens were overcooked and the home fries stale 3. prices were high for more the perception than value or quality So you see my dilemma - CCDB certainly tried, but in my personal experience, misrepresented the items on the menu which we happened to choose, all while keeping our water glasses full and smiling warmly. I would pass in future.
(3)Maxene A.
it was good, but out of the dinner items we ordered nothing made me excited to come back again. ordered foods:] deviled eggs- one order comes out with three egg half's. The eggs seemed okay at first, a little tangy like they had put pickle juice into the filling which gave it a briny taste but after the second egg it was just annoyingly boring to me and very bland. potato bread and butter- soft and fluffy like potato carbs are, fluffy is a happy noted liking about fresh bread, yet it country cat's needed something else; like salted butter or sweet cream butter, something was just lacking, yes it is just bread, but again it didn't knock my socks off, i suppose if I want to be impressed by bread I should just keep going to trifecta tavern. radish leaf ravioli- meat free dish of ravioli stuffed wtih ricotta cheese and mushrooms tossed in brown butter and served on top of pureed peas and turnips, radishes and toasted hazelnuts. This was a delicious dish, a great effort but again something was lacking. I easily questioned if the water to cook the ravioli had been salted or maybe it just needed a little something else, I couldn't figure it out but it just seemed to lack a little extra excitement. set up & other mentions:] just as the name implies this restaurant has that southern diner feel to it. wooden booths, tables and chairs. freezer jam sized glass for water and chalkboard specials. our service was great, our server was fantastic and took note when we needed more water, and decided on last minute add on items. their is seating outside in the warmer months and timed street parking out front and around the neighborhoods. I won't write this place off just yet, maybe I can only truly judge the country cat when I try what they are known for, their fried goods and meats, until then I won't be raving about this place unless someone else is paying
(3)Jenn W.
Their food is simple and well prepared. Unfortunately, the service is lacking. Our server was obviously on drugs and also rushed us to order our entrees. We had the fried chicken with collards and mashed taters and the "whole pig." Both were very tasty, but I found the chop to be too salty. The jerky and Judy's pot are definitely worth trying. We will definitely be back to try and have a more relaxed, down-home experience on another day.
(4)Colette B.
This place hands down is the shite! Staff was perfection...can't have bread but had the biscuits anyways....no regrets at all
(5)Elliott D.
Came here for dinner with the fam, ready as ever to sup on the bounties of The Country Cat... ***THE COUNTRY CAT'S WHOLE HOG with brined & grilled loin, roasted belly & braised shoulder on South Carolina grits As glorious as that description sounds, this was one disappointing pig. It was obvious that the loin was brined due to its excessive saline taste (not enough sugar), but apparently not to completion as it wasn't tender & juicy like it should have been. There was no sauce, which was a tragedy. The roasted belly was one small circle of bacon-like texture, not super memorable. The braised shoulder was tender and pleasantly marinated, but it was gone in two bites. All this on a bed of grits, or so I thought until I went to eat some and realized that it was all gone (stuck to the loin). ***GRILLED LEG OF LAMB on pumpkin and black barley risotto with pomegranate gremolata We were told that the hog would be sufficient for two people, but it wasn't, so we immediately ordered the lamb. It took so long to come out that everybody was already finished with their meals and had to watch us eat. The lamb itself wasn't particularly memorable, cooked a bit past our requested medium rare, but our pumpkin & barley risotto with pomegranate gremolata was actually really delicious, a lovely balance between creamy and sweet with pleasing textures--this would've been a great complement to a superior cut of meat. ALL IN ALL: Not an bad meal, but not as exceptional as I was hoping for. I will say that the Red Wine Braised Beef, which my father ordered, was scrumptious enough to keep me sneaking bites here & there--perhaps my assessment would be different had I ordered that dish instead...
(3)Katherine C.
Had a delicious meal tonight with my best friends with amazing strawberry rhubarb and vodka cocktail, moist chicken, delicious hog, and yummy rhubarb crisp. The smoked trout salad and bok choy were just ok. Overall very satisfying meal!
(4)Steven B.
We have always loved The Country Cat, recommending it to friends and visitors. Last night's experience was a disappointment. Rarely are the first three things on the table the best of the night, but so it was for me last night. The biscuits and honey were excellent as usual (however the minimal amount of butter provided was strange). The Cat's onion rings are among the best in town and were on point last night as well. My Marionberry Lemon Drop was wonderful. The butter lettuce salad with poached egg and green goddess dressing was bland as could be. My first three bites tasted like lettuce and water. The dressing added nothing. On top of that my fried snapper had spent too much time in the fryer...over cooked and a tiny bit brown. We will give it another visit, but not soon.
(3)James P.
Good food, nice little place. The reason for 3 stars was the service. My food sat getting cold at the cook station while my waitress was BS'ing and chatting with the other workers. Same thing when it was time to leave and most the bill. Standing across the room talking like she was in break. Pat attention to your customers.
(3)Diane C.
The wait for this place is ridiculous which is probably because they were featured on some television show. Luckily the Bipartisan Cafe is just down the street and we could have our lattes and hot chocolates there while we waited, though that means that we wouldn't be buying those from the Country Cat and they must lose revenue because of that. The Country Cat will take your cell phone number and text when your table is ready. THAT is a great idea. The food was really pretty good. We had the Eggs Benedict, which is served on a biscuit instead of an English Muffin and that was really good. We also had the Cinnamon Swirl Challah French Toast and it was amazing, with its Makers Mark Custard. Order that! The inside is not fancy but clean enough. We got a nice booth and the waitress was so attentive and friendly. So, 4-1/2 stars. Not perfect but pretty close.
(4)Tony S.
Pricey, but tasty comfort food. Great friendly & experienced service. Unfortunately, the kitchen was bit slow in the execution. If you're patient, don't miss dessert. It was the highlight of our evening. See foodie details below... * Mustard Chicken Wings - excellent! Perfectly cooked crispy with a great (and balanced) mustard sauce. * The Country Cat's Fish Fry - well cooked, but felt a bit pricey at $18 for just two pieces of rockfish. * Two Pieces of Cast-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken - OK, but a bit basic and underwhelming given all the hype. * Red Wine Braised Beef - steak sauce was too salty for us. * The Whole Hog - with brined Loin, roasted belly & braised shoulder. Too much going on and again salty. Not our favorite, and not worth $23 * Lamb Meatloaf - very tasty comfort food. The potato puree was super smooth and worked with the with rappini & romesco sauce. * Trio of Puddings - OFF THE HOOK! DELISH! Some of THE best puddings we've had (Butterscotch, Chocolate, & Crème Brulée with side of home baked cookies) Mmm! * Lemon Custard Cake - Very good with a blueberry compote & served in a mason jar * Rhubarb Crisp - Served warm with buttermilk ice cream & caramel sauce. Good, but we felt not as amazing as the other desserts.
(4)Pamela A.
Delicious every time. Today we had the jerky; the carrot, fennel, corn salad; fried chicken; braised beef along with two cocktails: The Boss and Port of Portland. EVERYTHING was freaking awesome. Great service, great food, great atmosphere.
(5)KeshiaSkye S.
Not really impressed, surprisingly based on the reviews and word of mouth. The portions were small, not just small for the price but actually SMALL. My husband ordered the pulled pork sandwich which was basically the size of a slider, was soggy and the 'onion rings' that came with it were literally onion straws (not the same!) If it weren't so expensive I'd try it again, but it's not worth the money to waste
(2)Joe L.
The words 'country cat' conjure up images a dependable farm feline, dutifully dispatching mice from the barn, while providing warm companionship to a farmer and his family. Nothing extraordinary, just a steadfast companion. So, as my wife and I sat down for the first time at The Country Cat for lunch yesterday, we expected good food (the place's reputation precedes it), but I didn't expect anything extraordinary. Everything was presented in a homestyle, comfortable way..like you might find in a rustic farmhouse. The staff was friendly and helpful. Our plates of food arrived, and my order; cast iron fried chicken and pecan spoonbread, flanked by a fresh tossed salad beckoned to my mouth. Long story short. I have never, ever had fried chicken as perfect as this. Moist and flavorful on the inside, crunchy on the outside. Many things can go wrong with fried chicken, but in this case, the crunchy outside didn't overwhelm the meat itself, but rather the inside and outside complimented each other perfectly. Nor was the chicken greasy. It was served hot (almost too hot), but I'm fine with that. We had forgotten exactly what the spoonbread was, probably because my mind and senses were overwhelmed by the deliciousness of the chicken. To those unfamiliar with spoonbread, my wife and I included, it was a little odd. Was it cornbread? If so, what was the layer of mushy stuff on top of it? In any case, it was OK. I found it a little bland, overshadowed by the cavalcade of flavors from the chicken and the sweet deliciousness of the salad. My wife had the strata, which she liked..but after giving her a taste of my chicken, I believe she'd order that on our next visit. The other thing; we have tried eating here in the past, but like many Portland restaurants, the wait can be long. We managed to arrive in between 'bursts' of diners, and waited a mere 15 minutes. I would expect to wait longer than that most of the time. Why not 5 stars? The fact I only got 2 pieces of that divine chicken, and the portions in general were a little small, in my opinion.
(4)D'Ann B.
Went there for brunch right after flying in to Portland. It was SO good! I had an entree with pork chili and grits - amazing combination. They do a great job of putting an unexpected twist on "homey" food!
(5)Allison B.
I wanted to like this place so bad... So so bad! Today a coworker and I stopped by for a quick lunch before an appointment, to put it frank- both of our entrees were pretty bad. I had the heritage burger with cheddar & onion rings. The burger was completely raw in the middle, not pink like I'd asked for, and the cheese was goopy and separated, making it extremely greasy. I also thought the burger was really small, but sitting atop a plate full of stringy tasteless onion rings. The home made "ketchup" tasted like sugar and tomato paste... Very disappointing. My friend had the fried chicken, which wasn't horrible... But the pecan "spoon bread" that it came with was inedible. It tasted burnt and stale. My 2 stars go to the side of pancakes we got, which were amazing! And our really friendly waitress, who could tell we didn't like the meal and offered to make us anything we wanted. Unfortunately we had to run to a meeting, otherwise we would have taken her up on her offer. Overall- I really hope this was just an off day for the kitchen... Or maybe just stick to Country Cat for breakfast only
(2)Pete H.
BEST SOUTHERN FOOD IN PORTLAND. For me anyway. We had a top top TOP notch dining experience here last night. First-they take reservations for 4+. So we cruised right in at 8 PM on a Saturday night. No waiting? Awesome. Country Cat is an upscale, Southern diner. It is relatively small, but you are not elbow to elbow with other patrons, which is nice. For apps, we had several orders of deviled eggs, and also their version of pimento cheese spread, on homemade crackers, that also had some pickled veggies on the plate. The deviled eggs were good, but this homemade cheese spread plate was just incredible. I wish I'd had an order all to myself! Some huge homemade flaky biscuits arrived shortly after that, with honey and butter. Delicious. For entrees, I had the "Whole Hog". Which is brined & grilled loin, roasted belly & braised shoulder on South Carolina grits. I ordered this almost solely on the fact I saw it being delivered to another diner. This dish was incredible. I would find it hard not to order it again next time we go. If you are a carnivore, get this. You get a really good serving of 3 kinds of pork. I also ate about half of my girlfriends fried chicken. This was also delicious. Even the omnipresent greens that come with every Southern dish were tasty. We were wayyyy too stuffed to get dessert, although what I saw go by looked very good. We look forward to returning soon. Very soon.
(5)John S.
The floor show is worth 10 bucks by itself. Grab a seat at the bar overlooking the kitchen and watch the crew at work. I ordered the chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy. Three cast iron pans filled with chicken were going at once. Once in a while, one of the cooks would ladle some hot oil over the top of the chicken. The three cooks and the kitchen manager were going at breakneck speed to keep up. They did a fantastic job. The chicken, boneless breasts, was great. Crunchy outside and moist inside. Very tasty. The potatoes and gravy were also tasty. The staff was very attentive and friendly. The hostess leaned outside as I left to thank me. Thank the kitchen staff as you leave.
(5)Randi W.
My family coming in from out of town had seen this place on DDD and explicitly wanted to visit, so we made reservations for 5 for Thursday dinner and arrived about 10 minutes ahead of time. (We were even able to move our reservation time back an hour on the same day!) We were seated even a little early ahead of our time, after the hostess verified twice that our entire party was with us. Judging by the leering of those on the wait list inside, it was probably best that we made reservations! We were seated a booth with an extra chair on the side, and it was a cozy fit but that worked since we're family after all. By the time we arrived at 7, they had run out of the house-made jerky, so we had the biscuits and the wings as appetizers. Both were outstanding, and a fantastic start to the meal. The biscuits (though there were only 3), were buttery and huge, making plenty to split between 5. It came with a cute cup of butter, and a separate container of honey too! The wings were also the full-sized wing, and we were able to do 1/2 hot and 1/2 honey mustard. The hot flavor was delightfully vinegar-y, and you could actually taste the ground mustard seed in the honey mustard flavor! For cocktails, we only tried the skeet tea, but the second was stronger than the first (the mark of a good bartender to me!), and all of the tea drinkers mumbled strong utterances of approval at the tea-infused vodka. Since we were here for a birthday celebration as well, the birthday boy requested we try different dishes for the entrees, so we sampled the whole hog, the salmon, the fried chicken, the burger and the duck. Whole hog: head cheese is bomb albeit still mysterious. The porchetta was the best part of the dish, with the loin in a close tie for second. The pork chop was up there with the best I've ever had, but it's really hard to beat the fatty cut of meat. It was all served up with some grits and collard greens, both up-to-snuff with those I've had down south. Salmon: this one was my dish. The hazelnut flavor is strong, so I only recommend this for the Oregon-nut lovers out there. I loved the local infusion with the berries, corn and green beans, but it was a lot going on all together. The salmon piece itself was probably my favorite part, as it was rich and meaty. It was a touch overcooked for me, but only by seconds and it was still a great piece of salmon. Chicken: the chicken and potatoes are meant to be combined together. The chicken is crispy, fatty and golden-delicious, and the potatoes are earthy and buttery. Separately they are ok, but together is how this combo succeeds. (sorry to those who don't like their food to touch let alone eat combined bites of different foods.) Duck: duck two ways! The berries are warmed and juicy in this dish, and the duck is cooked in a way that's so far from Peking Duck. Just the right level of tenderness with crispy exterior skin. The duck breast was incredibly succulent and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Spaetzle rocked as it should. Burger: This one was the strangest, and the one I'd be least liable to order again. The ketchup is made in-house, and I'm not sure what made it strange but it's very different and distracting from the great flavor of the burger. The heaping pile of onion rings (which are actually like homemade funyuns = delicious onion strings) was the best part of the plate. Dessert was as fabulous as the appetizers. They were out of the coconut sorbet (strike two on order choices!). We had a peach raspberry galette instead, as well as the pudding trio. The galette was great with the vanilla ice cream, and the pudding was phenomenal - butterscotch, creme brulee and bittersweet chocolate all served in perfectly-sized espresso cups. Service was attentive, though not super friendly. Nothing wrong with that on an easy-going July evening. Decor is a modern diner feel, and Guy Fieri's face has been sketched above the open kitchen for a cute touch. Verdict: come early so nothing has been sold out, get reservations if you can, and appetizers/desserts are completely worth the money (and saving room for)!
(4)Nicole B.
It's cold, and chilly, what's more comforting than some fried chicken? Walked in around 8:30. Not too busy. Laid back vibe. I definitely was going for the fried chicken. My better half decided on the red wine braised beef. I am not sure what it is about Portland and fried chicken. There's no bone. It's basically fried chicken strips in a hefty batter. My perspective of fried chicken though is a little skewed I guess. When I think fried chicken, I think of a thigh or a breast or a drum stick. Not, what seemed skinless and boneless chicken. Heavily battered chicken strips, is what comes to mind, when I think of skinless and boneless chicken. Anyway. The mashed potatoes were creamy and the gravy complemented the potatoes perfectly. That being said. The red wine braised beef was excellent. The beef was tender, on a plate with decorative pieces of arugula in addition to the mushrooms and braised potatoes. This hearty dish is exactly what I would want when I am cold and in need of something comforting. I would skip the fried chicken, unless your perspective of fried chicken is basically 2 small pieces of heavily batter chicken strips!
(3)Rebekah S.
Um seriously? The very best brunch ever! And the service? Karen is absolutely the best server/bartender/comic relief I have ever experienced. It's kind of like this: you check out a new bunch spot, there's a line 'great how pretentious is this place going to be?' And what kind of bird sized portions am I going to get? You wait 30 minutes, get a text that tells you you've got seats at the bar, you're like eh ok whatever I'm hungry. You get to the bar and Karen is there slangin dranks like a boss but still gracefully greets you and gets you your 'jug' of mimosas along with a delightful description of what's on the menu. And can we talk about the shrimp and grits? Amazing. Holy smokes. It was like New Orleans in my mouth! I'll be back for sure and I'll wait with a smile and pray I get to sit at the bar and hang with Karen.
(5)Julie C.
Had the hog thing and fried chicken. The best part of dinner was the glorious evening sky. Now get me a pitcher of water to save me from the saltiest dinner I've had in a long time. Skip it.
(2)Jasmyn M.
If I had written this review 2 days ago it would've been 4-5 stars. I had been here for breakfast and dinner in groups big and small and always had a great meal and experience. A couple days ago, however, I went for brunch with my husband who had yet to try the place. He had heard how wonderful their friend chicken was from both myself and many friends that he had to try it for himself. Few bites in, he had a look similar to many people's...party in your mouth. Few more bites in, he had a look of horror. Gagging horror. I looked at his plate only to find translucent pink meat at the center of his fried chicken. He had taken a large bite of raw meat and only realized it after he swallowed. He promptly and quietly brought it to our server's attention. He waved off any new foods as he had lost his appetite completely. A couple minutes later the server came back and said, "We went ahead and took your meal off your check for you. Also, I want to thank you for not going crazy. You wouldn't believe how some people react to raw food." Seriously? First of all, he said this like it's happened a few times before. Fried chicken should never be raw! Also, he made it sound like he did us a solid by taking the raw chicken off our bill. Isn't it expected that you wouldn't charge a patron for nearly poisoning them? I don't know, maybe he could've comped my husband's coffee as well. Or given us a reason to come back like a free drink on a return visit or something. At this point I see no reason to visit this establishment again. I wasn't super thrilled with how that situation was handled. A shame since I had such a nice time there in the past.
(1)Tim F.
I've gone here twice with my wife for brunch. The best part is that it isn't too far from where we live. Seems like any good brunch place is close to downtown, so the outer SE people always have to make a trip. The quality is very high and the menu always changes. it gets pretty full on weekends for brunch but it's still a fun place to be in. sitting at the bar is great because you get to watch them cook your food. the decor is pretty cool too. I'd definitely keep going to this place.
(4)Tony L.
We were headed to another restaurant, but when we got there and found out that there was over an hour wait, we decided to come to the Country Cat. Luckily, we got there before the big dinner rush and got seated right away. The décor was nice and simple, and I liked the fact that they had huge curtains by the door to stop any cold drafts (good thing, since we were seated near the entrance). We ordered: Steamed clams: this dish was pretty good, and included peppers and sausage. The best part was the little fried potatoes in dish. Potato bread: ok, but we should have ordered the biscuits instead. Fried chicken: two pieces of chicken were nicely fried, and it came with mashed potatoes. Whole hog: Crispy pork belly, pulled pork, the juiciest pork chop that I have had, and a fried cube of headcheese. All this pork came with some grits and greens. I loved the pork, but it was a little overkill after a while. It wasn't our plan to have two southern meals in one day, but the food was good here. Next time I am in the area, I will have to try out their brunch menu.
(4)Cassie B.
Excellent Bloody Mary, horrible food. Menu is great but they lack flavor when served.
(2)Harry C.
Best comfort food in Portland, Karen's the best! Had the country fried steak, the shrimp grits, and the fried chicken for lunch!
(5)Julie D.
Really wanted this place to live up to the hype. Unfortunately, the food was surprisingly overseasoned and overwhelmingly salty. Neither of us finished our meals. I had the salmon, which was nicely cooked but overpowered by seasoning, my husband had the burger, which was OK, but dwarfed by the massive mound of salty onion rings. Even the salad was so overdressed, we had trouble eating it. Perhaps our tastebuds were fried by that point, but I found the potato salad served with the salmon to be flavorless and bland. And I was excited about the cocktails, but both that I had were tinged with a taste of vinegar... no idea why - they were completely different drinks, neither enjoyable. Service was fine... nothing special. At least we ticked another restaurant off our list of places to try. Sadly, this one was not worth the wait.
(3)Joellen S.
Yum!! Brunch with a friend, I had the Slow Burn, pork chili and grits with two sunny side up eggs and a biscuit on the side, friend had the fried chicken with the salad and spoon bread. Mine was great, and the fried chicken and spoon bread were killer as well. Chicken arrived hot and moist, spoonbread, I'd never had before but i'd do it again in a minute!! My slow burn was wonderful, it had never occured to me to put chili and grits side by side in a bowl. I will in the future, and the eggs to mix in made it even better. It was way too much food. I could have rolled out the door I felt so full but very happy with my Country Cat experience.
(5)Amy B.
It had been years since I had been here and even then it was only for dinner. I was pretty excited to try their breakfast. We started off with the cinnamon rolls. They were so hard and dry we ended up not eating them, but the flavor was amazing! I was really bummed they were so dry. We told our server and she took care of it and we really really appreciated that. She also seemed to think that was not normal, so that was good. I got the eggs benedict. The hollandaise is some of the best I have ever had and the smoked salmon was also very good. But the biscuit was so dry you couldn't cut through it, so I finally pushed it off to the side and went without it. Service was outstanding. This may have been an off day since the line was out the door when we showed up 5 minutes before it opened. I saw the french toast come out and it looked really good.
(3)Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: In Portland, it is best to ask the locals where to dine. We did just that the entire week of our stay, and sampled this little establishment first! Type of cuisine: "At The Country Cat Dinner House & Bar, American craft cooking is truly at its prime. Adam and Jackie Sappington have masterfully created their unique interpretation of the country's ever-evolving culinary heritage yielding a conversation-starting menu that highlights flavor profiles from Adam's southern upbringing balanced out by classic Northwest styles." "The seasonally-focused menu represents the best local offerings from surrounding markets; in fact, 65 percent of their produce is hand-picked from the farmer's market - it's no wonder Adam can often be seen winding through the restaurant providing guests with a sample of the season's first strawberries that then appear in various ways throughout their menus." "Cured for four months, The Country Cat's popular country ham is made from the traditional process known from the days of Thomas Jefferson. Each year, they make five tons of house-cured bacon and over 1,000 pounds of beef jerky (better known there as "meat candy") used in many ways including to garnish Bloody Mary's. Even the ketchup is made from scratch at 10 gallons a week while 350 of the most perfect buttermilk biscuits are handmade, handcut and baked daily. Well-known for his artful butchery, Adam purchases and respectfully carves a whole 160-pound heritage pig on-site weekly utilizing everything available to create a carnivore's dream menu. Perfectly punctuating this unique aspect of the restaurant is the popular Whole Hog plate featuring a brined chop, a pinwheel of pork belly, smoked shoulder meat and head cheese croquette, served over white corn grits with a seasonal fruit sauce. Simultaneously, the restaurant is well known for its exquisite fish entrees and wide-ranging vegetarian options." Ambiance: "The cozy and soulful restaurant is nestled in southeast Portland's rather unexpected Montavilla area, a family neighborhood reminiscent of Adam's hometown in Missouri allowing the duo to foster a restaurant environment that serves the community first." What I ordered: Our party of six indulged on this culinary adventure, starting with two orders of the Deviled Eggs ($3 for each plate of three), a plate of six Honey Mustard Chicken Wings ($8), and the Wedge of Butter Lettuce salad with Poached Egg & Green Goddess Dressing ($9). For our main entrees, three at our table ordered the Skuna Bay Salmon with Bacon, Brussels Sprouts & Pecans Tossed in Balsamic Mustard with a Crispy Soft-Poached Egg ($20 each), and one order of the Cast-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Country Gravy ($15). My husband and I shared the Portland Dining Month's Three-Course Fixed Price Menu ($29) which included, as its first course, a Juniper & Black Pepper Crusted Beef Carpaccio with Truffle, Leek & Chopped Egg, two pieces of Cat-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy for the main entree, and Mom's Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Candied Walnuts and Pineapple Sauce for dessert. My husband also indulged in the Virgil's Root Beer Float ($5). What I loved: The salmon. Whoa. Why I loved it: You can feel the sweet energy, the family-owned spirit and the true love and passion for good food at every turn and with every bite at the Country Cat. "Most every night, Portland's well-known husband-and-wife culinary team Adam and Jackie Sappington can be found buzzing about The Country Cat Dinner House & Bar, their dream restaurant they opened in April 2007. Adam serves as the Executive Chef while Jackie plays the role of Pastry Chef, seamlessly blending their talents into a family-driven and community-focused eatery centered on American craft cooking taking the farm-to-table concept to admirable heights. The duo first met in 1995 while working together for three years at Portland's Wildwood Restaurant, which laid a solid foundation of friendship and professional respect between the pair. Falling in love over the stove, they married in 2000 and always remain focused on camaraderie, not competition, supporting each other as well as balancing out their individual strengths and weaknesses. Active members of the community especially when it comes to educating area children about seasonal and local food, the Sappingtons have two sons of their own, Atticus and Quinn, whom they simply adore." Cost: Average ($10 - $23 per dinner entree)
(4)Morgan K.
I was stuck between a two or three stars for the brunch here, but the 15 minutes it took just to pay was the tipping point for me. The food was average, pretty expensive for the quality. My partners french toast had great flavor but it was slightly overcooked and only luke warm by the time it came. There were no sides (home fries, eggs, etc.) that came with the French toast so that was a let down with the smallish portion. The WT, biscuits and gravy, was also just alright. It came with eggs on top of the gravy which was difficult to eat; I would have preferred them on the side. Not to mention my eggs that were supposed to be sunny side up were very unevenly cooked. The gravy was AMAZING, it was probably the best I have ever had anywhere. But it wasn't enough to make up for everything else. Biscuits were nice and flaky in the middle, but way too hard around the edges. Home fries were pretty good, but too salty. Food took over half an hour to come too. Overall the food was mediocre, too expensive, and there was a too long wait for everything. The gravy was the only good part. Pass next time, there are lots of better brunch spots.
(2)Nichole M.
Well I went here again today and was disappointed. Won't be back or recommend. Got the biscuits and honey. Warm on the outside and cold in the middle, a little hard too. They weren't even warm even to melt the butter. I got the fried chicken which was okay. The other 3 people I was with got the burgers, everyone thought it was okay not great. One person had a lot of Grissel in their burger. Our server wasn't friendly, very serious didn't even smile. She didn't refill drinks and took a friends plate before they were done . I paid a lot of money for poor service and mediocre food.
(1)Cora D.
Wonderful!! Had a great time with my mother there, the breakfast was really great and it was fun to watch them plate and cook people's food I front of us. It was a great experience and seeing Guys signature on the wall was awesome. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Bachtuyet L.
Had their cast iron fried chicken for breakfast and felt like a total glutton, but dayummm it was good :) So crispy and flavorful. I like dark meat usually because it stays moist and delicious, but it didn't matter here. Dark meat, white meat, it both moist and yummy. I've never had spoon bread, but that's what the chicken came with and it was tasty! It was the texture of firm grits with a layer of thick gravy and pecans sprinkled on top. There is supposedly bacon in the spoon bread, but I didn't taste it (which is awesome because I'm not a huge fan of bacon... I know, I know... WTF). Then there was a side salad. I don't know what it was dressed with but it was sweet and vinegary. Tasty! The order itself was huge and definitely shareable. We could hardly finish all the food. However, we did order a cup on smoked tomato soup on the side, as well. Too much food, but it was all super delish. I also got their version of a bloody Mary. The little pickles that came with it were awesome. I think it may be made in house. To top it off, there was a piece of housemade jerky. So much good food. I wanted to try their Cinnamon roll, but it only comes in a basket of three. Thank goodness I passed or they would have to roll me and my leftovers out of the restaurant :) I will be back for those rolls. You just wait.
(4)Lauren R.
I was really disappointed in this place, it was EXTREMELY overpriced. The gravy was literally the worst I have ever had. I payed WAAAYYYY too much for a Chicken Fried Steak that was just, MEH. I live in the neighborhood so I may give it another try, even though I was really turned off. I have to give a place at least 3 tries before I can completely write it off...SO STAY TUNED. The only good part *and the reason I gave it two stars instead of one* was the Bloody Mary. Yup. That is all.
(2)Debbie B.
How can you resist sweet cream biscuits? Don't! Eggs Benedict with steelhead on sweet cream biscuits. Yum!
(5)Cristina K.
I am continued to be perplexed by this restaurant. The food is mediocre at best. Lacking in the flavor and finesse that would be expected of the owners, so clearly they are rarely in the kitchen. With amazing southern restaurants like Screen Door, I just can't bring myself to return again.
(2)Deeds B.
Service was very friendly, I really like the atmosphere in this place, it's like modern southern comfort food, which is my jam. The chicken fried steak I had was insanely good and piping hot. I'm not usually in that area of Portland but I'll be sure to get back out there soon. Great service, great food, five star experience.
(5)Sarah G.
Great menu! My friend and I love going to The Country Cat for breakfast! So many amazing choices it's always hard to decide what to get. Everything we've ordered has been great, only disappointment is that their water has a funny taste to it and we don't normally order drinks with breakfast. I recommend their onion strings, they are incredible!
(4)Tamara L.
I've been here on 3 occasions. Unfortunately we had some similar issues each time. We've had breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At each visit we had several dishes that did not taste fresh. The restaurant, although not exorbitant is still at the higher end so we were expecting fresh, local produce and meats. The portions were on the sparser side, there were side dishes that did not taste fresh( for example the breakfast potatoes were cool, chewy, and looked as if they'd been sitting around). The service was a bit inattentive but friendly. There seemed to be a lot of socializing among staff. The space is clean and is in a pleasant neighborhood. We probably won't return given that we live in the Portland area and there are so many other choices.
(2)Pepper P.
There should be a line out the door for this food, but the service is the pits. And who the hell is choosing the wine?? Gimme a break. I'll be somewhere else until this gets straightened out.
(3)Christina I.
Was unaware they stopped seating at 2. Walked in at 1:58PM. Was seated, and minutes later asked to leave.
(1)Luciana J.
We were visiting from San Diego and planned our whole day around having lunch at 2pm at the country cat after the reviews and triple D episode. We arrived there at 2:05pm and they said the kitchen was closed until 5pm. The lady acted like she didnt give a shit after we said it's 2:05pm and we would be catching a plane at 5pm. She didnt go ask, just told us sorry, maybe next time. Yeah right! With that kind of service, u can shove it Country Cat. i called before we left San diego to see if a reservation was needed for lunch on Monday, they said no issue. They never mentioned the place closed at 2pm. My wife also called on Saturday for directions and to ask if they would have a full menu for lunch Monday. Also the website also said they were open from 9am to 9pm. Food could be good, but the service is -5 star.
(1)Jean-Philippe J.
Great place. My wife and I lived in Georgia so we know about southern food. This place is a high-end soul food in Portland. We had mash potatoes and collard green with big and tasty boar meats (belly, shoulder). My wife had Salmon special, as of the Pacific Northwest met the South !
(4)Cathy A.
Casual dining but was pleased with actual silverware and linen napkin. Our party consisted of five teenagers, one preteen, and three adults. The service was prompt and courteous, portion sizes were more than adequate, and the food was delicious! No complaints from anyone in our party. The chicken was hot - straight from the skillet. My Ruben sandwich was the best I have ever had. We highly recommend the Country Cat and we will visit them again!
(5)Luke O.
This place lives up to Portland's quirky yet awesome reputation. While the cinnamon rolls weren't very good, the Eggs Benedict was the best I've ever had: homemade biscuit topped with egg, ham, and delish Hollandaise. Service was great, too. She warmed up our coffee shop cups at no extra charge. Worth the wait!
(5)Heather W.
wow. heavy contender for the best eggs benedict ive ever had. im not sure ive ever had one with freshly made biscuit instead of say, and english muffin or bread of some sort. and it was just pure heaven...that slight sweetness and almost hint of vanilla to it against the cream sauce and decadent poached eggs. yes. if you want a hearty breakfast that won't disappoint (and like benedicts) this is the item to get. we also got a reuben which was also very tasty. THICK cuts of meat. my only complaint was my cappuccino. it was plain terrible. very disappointing flavor and just not robust enough (but i like rich coffee). the standard hosue coffee was slightly better...but this is definitely not a coffeehouse and I'd grab one down the road from the small cafe -- that place was happening!
(4)McKenzie M.
I've been here three times over the last few years. While I would call it more of a "southern inspired" restaurant, I would also call it completely delicious. The biscuits are huge, peel apart in layers, and are served with butter and honey. The potted Judy cheese appetizer comes with a nice assortment of pickles and crackers, and it's fun to mix and match. As far as entrees go, the fried chicken is always great, as is the braised beef and crab cakes, and I was rather impressed by the mushroom ravioli served over a bright squash puree. I had a very good summer vegetable pie special once, with flaky crust and juicy veggies, but obviously that isn't part of the regular menu. The mashed potatoes are buttery and delightful, the braised collards are everything a person could hope for (cooked with bacon), and the service is very good. I'd skip dessert here though and go down the block to the Bipartisan Cafe instead. The trio of puddings are tasty, but nothing to write home about, and while the coconut cake was solid, I just found myself wishing I had pie from next door. I'd be really excited to try brunch here one of these days.
(4)Troy S.
I have tried to eat here several times but they will not take reservations for less than four people and if you put your name on the list its at least 30-40 min wait to be seated. guess they don't want me to try it and bring friends if I can vouch for them. We have experience in restaurant business and have found couples spend just as much and stay a shorter period of time so it should be good for business. Their loss.
(1)Janice V.
Did Sunday brunch at The Country Cat today and they definitely satisfied my brunch craving. I had to try their most popular dish, the cast iron skillet fried chicken with toasted pecan/bacon spoonbread. Soo good, the breading on the chicken was crisp and crunchy while the chicken meat inside was nice and juicy! Yummy! I've never had spoon bread before so I have nothing to compare it to, either way it was still delicious. I downed all this goodness with a glass of their Bloody Mary, garnished with their housemade beef jerky. I also tried a bite or two of the chicken fried steak which was also a delectable treat! Gravy, mashed potatoes, and we added eggs on top. Definitely worth the one hour wait. Service was also good, we sat at the bar so we were able to grab our server's attention fairly quickly.
(4)Yisha B.
Maybe I was just hungry, or maybe it was the ingenious craftwork of an amazing chef but I had one if the most gastronomical adventurers if my life with this meal. I started out with a Wandering Aengus cider, very tasty. Then came the fried oysters appetizer. I will say I almost always exclusively order oysters on the half shell because most places fry them to rubber. However, this was not the case here, the oysters were so lightly fried that the insides were still soft like how an oyster should be, and the breading was also very lightly fried; crisp yet not detracting from the actual taste of the oyster. Now, pair that with arugula, thinly sliced onions, and avocado aioli and you have have just given your taste buds a taste of heaven. Seriously, I had to slow myself down so I could slowly chew and thoughtfully taste each bite. It was glorious. Finally my entree arrived. I had ordered the cow milk and goose liver ravioli plated over crab meat and cherry tomatoes. The goose liver ravioli was a splendid creamy creation that paired so perfectly with the saltiness of the crab meat, and the sweet yet tartness of the tomatoes. Again, my mouth was in heaven. If you are ever in this area, you have to give this place a try. I only wish I lived here so I could try all the items on the menu!
(5)Joey O.
Went here for their dinner menu. It was my 1st time here. I ordered the chicken with mash potatoes and greens. I must say that those were the best damn mash potatoes I've ever eaten. So amazing and creamy and the gravy was on point. Not to over powering. We sat up at the bar and got to watch the kitchen because it's open and right there. All the cooks were very friendly and talked to us. The waitress was always on her toes making sure everything was okay and that we were doing good. Not over the top to where it bugs you. But perfect. I will defiantly be returning to try the breakfast menu as well as go back to try more on the dinner menu.
(5)Meagan B.
My partner and I came in from Arizona on an overnight to Astoria. We were seated at the Chef's Bar and very we'll taken care of by Meagan. We ordered the Country Cats Whole Hog and the braised beef. Both were incredible, and we almost licked the plate clean of grits. We also ordered the trio of puddings for dessert and we were incredibly satisfied. We will definitely return every time we're in Portland. Sit at the Chef's Bar- it was awesome to see the boys cook!
(5)X X.
Debated between here or the others on the same lock, and chose this place by a quick look at the menu. And I chose wisely. The food was terrific; the service was prompt, friendly, and attentive; and the decor and ambiance were great.
(5)April E.
I really wanted to love this place as I have heard so many great things, but it fell short of my expectations. The service was great. Our waitress was prompt and nice. The food itself, however, was not. I ordered the chicken fried steak which was not bad. I also split a biscuit and gravy with my friend. Meh, it was so-so. What really killed it for me was that my friend ordered the braised beef hash. Braised beef should be very tender, but tender it was not. The meat was very tough and the overall dish pretty bland. Again, I wanted to love this place but do not think I will be back.
(2)Jerry M.
Ate at The Country Cat Sunday night visiting cousins in their hometown. Good food and fellowship! I had the potted "Judy" cheese with house made pickles, followed by bacon wrapped trout and a pudding trio for dessert. All were very good. I had never had potted cheese before - a savory spiced cheddar spread not unlike homemade pimento cheese on perfect little homemade crisps. The pickled vegetables were a great complement. The trout was delicious - I love trout and it was well prepared, hiding under and enhanced by the bacon. Finally the puddings- vanilla creme brûlée, butterscotch pudding and a really thick chocolate pudding (almost like pot du creme) - were a nice, if not spectacular, close. Only downsides - we were there late and they let us know and kind of pushed us out the door. Also, our waiter had no idea what was in anything on the menu and while attentive, was clueless. Oh well, not everything can be perfect!
(4)Jess L.
I had amazing pancakes in Canada once, and I've been on a hunt to find them again since! They had this cornmeal texture, and lighter than the usual pancakes. So I was excited when I saw cornmeal pancakes offered here! And of course, I had to try it! It was pretty good. The blueberry compote was delicious with it too. Also tried their beef hash, which isn't normally my preference, but friend liked it. Service was friendly, but the food took a very long time to come out.
(4)Dismas S.
The food is overall very good. From our dinner group, the burger was "the best burger I've ever had," the fried chicken was excellent, etc. The only negative was that my lamb was a little cold, but still delicious. Service was friendly, and relatively quick.
(4)Monique L.
I am a lover of Eggs Benny and theirs was disappointing. Instead of Canadian bacon, they use some kind of homemade "ham" that is more like a juicy, bland pulled pork. Really weird. It's on a biscuit not an English muffin and for some reason that added to it being bad. I think it had bland boiled spinach on it just to make matters worse. Maybe try this place, just not for Eggs Benny. Veered too far from traditional Benny for my taste. Can't say how good their other food is. I never went back.
(2)Rachael B.
Good ol' fashioned farm to table food. Delicious!!! "The best bloody mary I've ever had."
(4)Matthew R.
A lot of the food here is on a Southern theme, and yes -- we Georgians, like all southerners, do like our salt. But *everything* was over-salted, from the deviled eggs and onion ring starters to the trout and duck entrees. The next day we felt bloated. The Idaho trout was not fresh and was slightly overcooked. Overall the dish was heavily acidic from the "salsa" that came with it: brined olives (more salt!), mandarin oranges, and green onions. Dunno if maybe we went on an off night? Service was very slow; it took over an hour to get our food. High points: 1) the duck was very tasty, 2) our waitress was Kristen Wiig.
(2)Katherine B.
A friend played tour guide for us while we were in Portland and promised us only the best. She was right on, and the Country Cat was delightful. We had 8pm reservations and were able to get right in after finding street parking. I started off with a Porch Swing (if you like sweet, girly drinks, get on this), and our table had deviled eggs for an appetizer, which we ended up getting seconds of. From what I can tell, Portland REALLY likes deviled eggs, and I am so on board with this. We also had the "Judy" cheese appetizer, which went over extremely well with everyone. I had the Paprika Shrimp for my entree, which was prepared on a delicious biscuit with a garlic cream sauce. The waitress warned me that the entree might not be big enough for an entree, but I was stuffed. On her recommendation, I also ordered a side of cheese grits, which the table helped me devour. Everyone in our party loved their drinks and food, and the atmosphere was friendly and inviting. Would love to come back for breakfast!
(5)Doug V.
Meal: Late breakfast, on a weekday. The place was packed, w/ folks waiting. Yet, there was seating at the kitchen counter, and the bar. My son & I chose the bar seating as we were starving, so no waiting involved. First of all, I will recommend the bar even though we didn't drink alcohol on this visit. The guy next to us had a really stunning Bloody Mary going on, with what looked to be candied bacon slice of some impressive size in it. Real tomato juice I can attest, as that's what I had w/ my coffee. My son had a chicken fried steak breakfast, I had beef hash. His was delicious according to him, and I don't doubt it. Mine was a visual feast, poached eggs served on a vegetable/beef hash, the veggies being squash, beets, greens, so there was lots of very good optics (I actually picked it because I saw someone else being served this and it looked good). Color=goodness, etc. OK, it was creative, nutritious, and lovely. But, it really didn't make my grapefruit squirt. There was some broth or rue but not much and it lacked flavor that the visuals promised. The vegetables were obviously fresh and top quality, and well cooked. Yet, somehow flavor lagged. The service was great even though they were busy, perhaps because we were sitting at the bar and at 930 the bartender was not exactly slammed. I suspect I should have just got biscuits and gravy or fried chicken - both of which looked awesome. I was just trying to make a more healthy choice. PS- more on the bar. They have one of the most impressive assortments of rye whiskey I've seen. To me, this is the signature of a classy, well stocked bar. As I said, we didn't have a drink, but I can tell this would be a good place to enjoy one. Summary: This looks to be a great bar and a good restaurant. We had good service. One of us had a really good meal, the other was .. less than great. Overall I'm glad I came, and my son is a bit of a regular. We'll undoubtedly be back.
(4)Michelle S.
A nearby car wash and detailer recommended The Country Cat (Cat) among other good places to eat. I had picked up a friend who was having her car detailed and it would be a couple of hours. The Cat it was. Brunch time. They also have a dinner service. I have eaten at Ya Halla on the opposite corner of Stark and driven by her many times. Always wondering about this place. Today was the day to check it out! I am always skeptical of Hollandaise. I asked our server if I could have a taste. She said she wasn't sure but, would (immediately!) ask the kitchen. She returned a minute later with a small metal cup filled 2/3 with Hollandaise. While it was not a true Hollandaise nor perfect it was pretty good. Which, for me is saying a lot. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with Shaved Ham and home fries. I asked for my home fries extra crispy. My Partner-In-Dine (PID) ordered the Cast Iron Fried Chicken with Bacon and Pecan Spoon Bread. Neither of us knew what "Spoon Bread" was so, we asked. Our server did not know either. She admitted this was her first day. She instantly went to ask the kitchen for more information and returned right away with the info. I felt like we were testing her without meaning to. She passed with bright and flying colors. My Eggs Benedict came with a copious amount of Hollandaise unlike so many places that skimp. No skimping here. There were so many extra crispy "Home Fries" I couldn't finish the meal. The home made biscuits the entire collection sat on were buttery, crispy crusted, with a moist and dense interior. Excellent biscuit. The two poached eggs were perfectly cooked. No uncooked whites and the yolk entirely liquid. My PID's order arrived looking beautiful and she tucked right in. When she got to her Spoon Bread she hit a chill on the meal. The bread was cold. It should have been hot. The server immediately took the plate to the kitchen where they removed the Spoon Bread to "refire" it. The rest of the plate was returned to my PID. She thoroughly enjoyed the chicken and the salad. After several minutes there was no Spoon Bread. We got out server to check on it. She returned to tell us they had messed up and were "firing" another portion. This took more time than either of us thought it should. After several more minutes we got the servers attention to tell her my PID had not received her Spoon Bread. She went and stood in the kitchen watching them until they got it correct. She brought back to the table piping hot and apologizing. The difficulty with the Spoon Bread turned out that the kitchen had refired the Spoon Bread but, instead of letting the server know this they put a double portion onto another order and sent it out. So what is Spoon Bread? I am still not sure. There was a corn bread bottom layer. On top was a milky white somewhat gelatinous layer. On top of that was a generous layer of pecans. I couldn't really make out much bacon. It tasted best with the maple syrup it is served with. Overall we both enjoyed our meals. Were it not for the less than perfect but, still good Hollandaise and the whole Spoon Bread issue the rating would be higher. If I could rate it on our server alone I think a 4.5 would have been perfect for her. I do think that due to the continuing problem with getting hot Spoon Bread part of the meal should have been comped. It was not. There was no offer of free dessert or reduction in price. I will go back another time.
(4)Ima S.
We really wanted to be wowwed but we weren't. Our $12 dollar eggs Benedict was served with a rock hard biscuit and little sauce, our breakfast hash was more of what I would call a stew, we soaked our rock hard biscuits in the hash/stew juices to try to make them edible. I like toasty bread on my Benedict but this was not at all toasty..more like dried up...like it was sitting out for 5 days. We didn't point put these things because over and over again all this hoopla was pointed out to us by the waitress what great care they took...we felt like our complainta might be too much of a slap on the face , we just decided never to come back. In the future we will go to the Screendoor cafe for this price point. way too expensive at country cat for the portion size not to mention the quality we received. sorry.
(2)Jay S.
Why can't there be more down home joints like Country Cat? Well-priced, quality comfort food served with a sassy smile. Chicken Fried Steak ($12) - Done the way diner fanatics dream about: crunchy crust with tender meat, a nice brown gravy with just the right amount of pepper. The portion is enormous. yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Caramel apple pancake ($8) - Manages to be sweet enough to eat without syrup, but not overly so. Light. Moist. Gild the lily with real maple syrup. yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Chili - Red & just slightly spicy. Have a request? Country Cat does it your way like it's nothing. We asked for potatoes instead of the creamy polenta listed on the menu....no problem. Caveat: plates are so well constructed & balanced, that you wanna think twice before changing stuff around. yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Kid's Fried Chicken ($6) - This is a serious deal. The picture's dark, but you can see 3 small pieces of real fried chicken on the bone (not strips) same as on the big menu. yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Monte Cristo ($12) - It starts out well with the french toast, but sadly, this is where we had a letdown. They brine & roast the turkey! They cure their own ham! Problem? Together it's too salty! Compounding factors: Not enough cheese and they didn't have any jelly in the restaurant. s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com… Bottom Line: don't let everybody's rave reviews about high quality food scare you away. Country Cat is priced well for most pocketbooks and will set any diner heart aflutter. Shout out to Sherry S. - thanks for getting me to brave the wait, girl - you were right, it's worth it!!
(5)Lisa B.
This place is hit and miss. The fried chicken is horrible, the mimosas are overpriced and also horrible, but the French toast is pretty awesome. Go for brunch not dinner and get the Bloody Mary in lieu of the mimosa.
(3)Louie F.
I must admit I was very surprised by this place. It is a smallish restaurant that was packed on a Monday night. Service was great, fried chicken better and the bite I had of the whole hog which appeared to be rolled pork belly was almost life altering. I even had a Brussel sprout which I absolutely abhor and would order them for myself next time...
(5)J.R. H.
So it was on TV greatest place ever right? Well I had the chicken it was just ok we'll finished but no flavor,salt or spice I was disappointed but the braised greens are awesome almost worth the trip ,potatoes and gravy were equally good.my wife had the ravioli they were good but no distinctive flavor other than the mint her favorite part was the roasted onion good beer great service decent price.
(3)Chicago A.
Amazing. The duck potpie was incredible, the apple crisp delicious. My only negative was that it was cold in there, never took my coat off. But the food warms you up fast.
(5)Rosaleen G.
Probably my favorite breakfast spot to date. I go here *at least* once a week for brunch with my best friend. So far, we have decided that everything on the menu is super good, and you can tell that a lot of care went into crafting the menu and the homemade flavors. There is a ton of things to choose from on the menu if you like a meat-centric breakfast, but even as a vegetarian, there is more than enough to choose from and you definitely will not leave hungry. The biscuits are amazing - big and flaky, and almost pastry-like, and they serve them with seasonal homemade jams. If you go early or during busy hours, the grits are super tasty and creamy (later in the day or if it is slow, the get reheated and are sort of gelatinous - not so great, but they will heat them up properly for you if you ask nicely). The home fries are the best I have ever had - crispy and perfectly seasoned. I just wish they gave you a bigger portion with your meal. Sometimes you only get a few, which is a bummer because they are so delicious. We typically order "The Country Cat", which is your choice of eggs, biscuits and home fries, though we have tried out a good chunk of other dishes on the breakfast menu and have never been disappointed. The coffee is always fresh, and the drink menu is super tasty. Also, the service here is really great. They are always so friendly and very attentive! You'll never have to worry about having to ask for a refill on your coffee or a top up on your little jug of creamer, and they are always happy to make substitutions or grab you little extras if you need more jam, butter, ketchup etc. Always a pleasure eating here :)
(4)Jacob V.
Ahh I think maybe the cook was having a bad day. We had the fried chicken and it wasn't cooked right. Underdone in some parts and overdone on others. We actually only ate one piece out of the two pieces on our plates. Thank you waitress for giving us a break on the food we didn't eat it was awesome that you care about the customers. Thank you thank you thank you! The breading was too thick and dry like it was done at a corner market. I really did like this place and hope they do some re-vamping to the food. Oh my wife wants me to add that the mashed potatoes had too much sour cream and the gravy was re-heated and the onion rings were extremely salty and greaaaaaaaazy! Sorry country cat I'm hoping things will get better because I've had good meals here and I want more of that good good but not this day. Oh and one more thing guys I know you have your ideas about the menu but I would suggest a little larger portions or a little lower prices just like a buck or two.
(2)John L.
Went there for brunch. Overall I was pleasantly surprised. Not sure why it took so long to get out there.... Mid-week brunch was awesome. No problems parking. No wait. Got seated immediately. They do take some limited reservations online. There were so many items I wanted to try. The kids fried chicken was delicious. 5 stars. Home fries were good. 4 stars. The kids grilled cheese was decent. 4 stars. The bread was grilled nicely but still soft. The tomato soup was super hot but good. 4.5 stars. The pumpkin pancakes were really good for the 1st half then got a little too sweet, but that's more my taste preference than a knock on the food. 4.5 stars. The onion rings with home made ketchup was fantastic. 5 stars. The biscuit was awesome!! 5 stars. My wife liked her vegetable hash, I didn't really try it. Didn't feel like vegetables today =). The service is great, location is not bad, and most importantly the food was fantastic. Will definitely be back.
(5)Michelle M.
I have nothing negative to say about this place. The food is outstanding. The bloody maries come with house made beef jerky! One of Portland's best restaurants in my opinion.
(5)Diaz M.
Best fried chicken & biscuits! Service was great! Went in during the week and was seated right away. Plus this place was featured on Diners, Drive ins and Dives so had to check it out!
(5)Serene E.
We came for brunch on a Sunday. It wasn't too crowded. Cute little spot. We ordered fried chicken, country fried steak, and poached eggs with pork chili with side of grits. Biscuits on the side and a Bloody Mary. The chicken was amazing. Apparently they soak the chicken in milk before and that's why it's so moist. My eggs and chili were beautiful and the grits were buttery heaven. I chose to have mine on the side The Bloody Mary was fancy but tasted comparable to others you can get elsewhere. The service was great. Our server was awesome. and informative. I would definitely come back, especially to bring out of town guests to.
(4)Ramie M.
Getting a seat can be difficult. Noise level is a little above average. Parking is street parking (my least favorite). But...good deviled eggs, good house potato bread, good cheese appetizer, some good beers, good chicken, and great braised beef. I recommend a trip, I have gotten the braised beef whenever I go (+ other things). I have been multiple times and would gladly go again.
(4)Russell D.
I gave it another shot after a few years, and I left with the same impression. Good food, below minimum customer service. This time I had a reservation for four at 5:30. Three of us were there at 5:20, the restaurant was empty except one table, and our fourth was running late. They would not seat us until the fourth showed. 3 people on a 4 top is critical mass, and it felt completely absurd to wait for a table when the place was empty. It was such nonsense that I was embarrassed by the employee's lack of problem solving skills.
(2)Joel D.
Just had the cast iron fried chicken - amazing goodness! I grew up in Texas, so I had my fair share of fried chicken and I can honestly say I don't ever remember having better. Third time here, and look forward to coming back to try some more.
(5)Richard S.
Very disappointed in our experience here. The noise level was way too high to even hear your own table without raIsing your voice and the food was average and way overpriced. The fried chicken was bland and dry and 2 average to small pieces for $15 is incredibly overpriced. A whole chicken is $5 so what gives. The whole hog was also overpriced and nothing to write home about. The pork chop was not tender and juicy...more like dry and overlooked. Also the 2 additional hog pieces were so small that 2 bites and they were gone. Again, for $23 this was overpriced as well. The best part of the meal was the reasonably priced onion rings for $7. They came out quickly along with the salad but the entree took almost 30 min. Sorry Country Cat...you failed in my book. For our $70 meal we could have had a much better experience elsewhere.
(1)Cindy B.
The menu presents you with tough choices. I feared I made a mistake when I bypassed the chicken fried steak and fried chicken for the grilled portobello sandwich. The table next to us had one of each and they looked delicious. But my sandwich topped them both. The combination of savory and sweet was unique and delicious. Highly recommend the onion rings as a side. Delicious!
(4)Bill H.
What can you say about a place that has Beef Jerky on the menu. The Jerky was awesome and they have a bag that allows you to take some home. Had the fried chicken and it did not disappoint. There is a reason this place was on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. great food and will be back again soon.
(5)Laura P.
We had heard about this place, it was on our radar, but living on the West Side we don't often get over to this part of town. We knew that the Chef, Adam was in the running for a James Beard award, which made us even more excited to try this place out! We happened to be at Roscoe's enjoying some Deschutes 2011 Abyss and other great stouts at the Stout Summit, 2013 event. We were so pleased to pass by it as we left. We peaked in, on a Friday night there was room for us! We were elated! We sat down and immediately started drooling over the mouth watering selections. Our service was attentive. It was obvious that our server liked food. She had lots of recommendations and explained the menu items thoroughly. We went straight for the Whole Hog, It was wonderful. Brined and grilled pork loin, roasted pork belly and braised shoulder. The fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy was a hit at the table too! We will come back again!
(5)Crystal G.
Meh. We came for brunch and I got eggs Benedict. I feel like they just tried too hard. The hollandaise was too lemony and the overall dish I just disassembled to try and find something edible within it. My table mates had the same problem. Maybe we aren't hipster enough?
(2)Joel W.
I wish that I was able to give them a review on their food, but unfortunately we left before being able to have anything to eat. My wife and I were seated and waiting to order when we were asked to give up our table for a party of 4 that came in after us. The other 2 in our party were parking.....needless to say I will not be returning, I think that good service is just as important as the food.
(1)Matthew B.
I had the "whole hog" and it was fabulous. One of the best meals I have eaten. Great food!
(5)Brye P.
I appreciate what this restaurant has done in terms of attracting new small businesses (that aren't crappy car lots) to this little stretch of Stark street. And I also appreciate the positive impact these new small businesses have made on the property value of the first home I have ever owned located a short walk past 82nd and over a few blocks. The food they serve here, however, is just very "ok" and "fine." It's perfect for families post-church to wait for brunch. I get that. And I'm glad those people have a place nearbye to take their aunts/uncles/cousins when they come to visit. I've been there twice (once when my dad was visiting), and I see no reason to ever return.
(3)Anna M.
Breakfast, omelet and eggs benedict were bland. Mountains of potatoes. This place maybe gets too much hype for what it is. Not worth the drive if you are coming from far. Disappointed.
(3)Nick C.
The food was fantastic. Fully recommend the fried chicken, braised beef and the whole hog. All were excellent. We started our meal with not to be missed onion rings and butter pretzels. It can be a long wait if you don't have a reservation, we waited about 1.5 hours for 3, but it was well worth the wait. Finished the meal off with the special blackberry and plum turnover and it was flaky buttery greatness.
(5)Felicia R.
Mmmmmmm brunch in Portland! I got the Eggs Benedict, and it was one of the best decisions of my Portland trip. The home fries are well seasoned and they make their own ketchup! The service was good and prompt. If I had more time there I'd try everything else on the menu.
(5)Brandi S.
Looking for some good ol' down south cooking? Look no further, this place has it. We came here for the fried chicken and it did not disappoint. Did I mention they have been featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. Check this place out!
(5)Bernie B.
I rated this place so low because of their apparent disinterest in potential customers. I sent an email to the link on their home page on Feb. 19 and haven't heard a thing. I'd hoped to stop for an anniversary brunch next month, but now I wouldn't waste my time even if they "comped" us.
(1)Jason C.
Great place for dinner and it has a nice feel to it inside. Food was great and really enjoyed the atmosphere in general. Started off with some onion rings and cheese spread. Both were fantastic and the onion rings were seasoned perfectly. I got the Salmon, it was slightly overcooked and didn't have a sauce on it. But it was surprisingly great without any type of sauce. The vegetables were fantastic that were served with it.
(4)K L.
Amazing choices! Good service by Portland standards (support friendly and genuine, and not too slow). Made a reservation for a group of four on a Thursday night and were immediately seated. They have a very varied menu for meat, shellfish, and vegetarian entrées . They featured a lot of local beers and delicious cocktails as well. I ordered a French 79, which is a cocktail made with champagne and elderflower liqueur. It was very dry, which I loved. It looked dainty but definitely packed a punch. I had two. Teehee ! I also had the parsnip and ricotta crepes on top of a bed of kale and sun-dried tomatoes. The crepes were light and had a good crisp to it, but no overwhelming parsnip taste. The kale soaked up the juices from the tomatoes, so there was a wonderful tangy bitterness. Wonderfully done! My friend had the whole hog - essentially pig done 3 ways. It was delicious too. The meat was juicy and tender, falling off the bones. My other friends got burgers, which I didn't try, but they seemed happy with it. Overall an excellent dining experience!
(5)Jeff L.
Great southern style home cookin'. I enjoyed the Aviator's dinner with a martini and fried oysters to get the ball rolling, followed by some lip smacking fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy with a side of greens. Saved some space for lemon cheesecake for dessert. Easy to see why people make this a regular spot on their dining out list. BTW, prices are reasonable and service is great.
(4)Mary C.
I've been to the Country Cat twice and had a catered meal by them, and have had outstanding food and service every time! The menu is great making it difficult to decide. If you plan to go for dinner on the weekend plan on waiting a bit, but they have great drinks while you wait!
(5)Winnie C.
When I arrived I was asked how many in my party and was told when everyone arrived I could be seated. The place was all most empty.. One of the ladies in our grouped wanted to substitute mashed potatoes for spoon bread and was told no. One person wanted cheddar cheese on their burger no they don't have it. We asked to talk to the manager and was told the cook does not make any changes to his plates. In all the manager was very rude. We did finally get the mashed potatoes. I believe that was when he over heard us all talking about leaving a bad review. I will never go back there! Plus I have had a upset stomach all day.
(1)Cassandra A.
The food was great here; the service and venue was just okay. The hostess on our particular day was not great at all. Let me start by saying, there is no way to make reservations if you are a group less than four. So as a couple, you just have to show up and put your name. Unfortunately, they have no waiting area inside the venue, meaning, it's not really a place you can [comfortably] wait at. So after trying to come here twice and being told we'd have a hour wait, we finally came by for breakfast early in the morning and were told the wait was only 25 minutes. We gave them our name and walked down to Bipartisan Cafe for coffee. There was (amazingly) no line there and as soon as I poured just a plain cup of brewed coffee, my husband was called to say they were ready (less than 5 minutes after we left country cat). My husband unfortunately ordered a latte, so I walked down to get our seats, while he waited for his latte to be made. Upon arriving, I was told I would not be seated without my full party there (i.e. just my husband). In the meantime, I watched the hostess seat three other couples that came in. Finally when my husband arrived (less than five minutes after me) we had to wait an additional amount of time since she gave our table away to other walk-ins. Our table was right near the entrance. And despite the curtains they have hung up to somewhat block the wind it doesn't. And due to the fact that (again) this restaurant does not have place to seat people waiting, we did have a couple people leaning over the ledge of our table which kind of bothered me. The food itself was awesome. I ordered their poached eggs with salmon. My husband got a country fried chicken steak (yeah, I know, breakfast). The potatoes that came on the side were wonderfully seasons. My husband still wants to try this place again. Maybe if we can go without an hour long wait again, AND get a realistic estimation time, we'll try it again. The attitude of the hostess was just plain non-costomer friendly. She was a poor communicator (as evidenced by her poor estimate of our wait) and then failing to even acknowledge when and if she would seat us when my husband arrived.
(3)Mark W.
Everyone knows they have great fried chicken here. It is very good. The surprise was the corn bread that comes with it. A corn bread bottom with a custard like topping; mix in some bacon and top it with pecans. Holy jamoly! Texture and taste is awesome.
(4)Miz C.
Best fried chicken ever. Deviled eggs are great. Great cocktail I had with black tea infused vodka. Will definitely be visiting this place again.
(5)Chrissy M.
Yes, I admit it. I'm a tourist and came to 'The Country Cat Dinnerhouse & Bar' because it was on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. We arrived around 11:30 on a Monday and were seated right away. I'm sure this place is packed on the weekends. I originally wanted to order the chicken fried steak, but they were out the day I visited. I opted for the open faced meatloaf sandwich and my husband had the braised beef hash. Even though the portions were huge, we managed to eat all of our food. We licked our plates clean (literally!). The service is quick and friendly. I'd like to come back for dinner and try their dinner offerings on my next visit.
(4)Monica S.
We've been frequenting the Cat for as long as they have been open and it is by far, our favorite place to visit. Not only is the food always delicious, the drinks are outstanding and the service is exceptional. We live in the neighborhood and love the fact that we can waltz on over for dinner any night of the week. It is usually crazy busy particularly since their stint on DDD, but that is not an issue for us because we can always kill time at a neighboring shop or bar while we wait. Adam and his amazing crew are just delightful and we have always found them to be super attentive, funny, thoughtful, and just downright fabulous. Some of our favorite dishes include any of the Friday and Saturday night steak specials, the whole hog, and the hamburger (best in town). A previous comment left by another "yelper whelper" complained about the seating policy. I don't believe this policy is new because we have experienced it, most recently during the holidays. If you know anything about the restaurant industry, this is not an uncommon practice for high-end, extremely busy locations. And really??? I have been asked by staff at both Genoa and Paley's Place to shift over to the bar when our party had stayed too long and it was causing a delay or shift in the reserveration flow. Furthermore, the bar at the Cat is not just a bar. Many people who might not want to wait the hour or so for a booth, choose to have their dinner there instead. I seriously doubt anyone would think any different if a pregnant woman was sitting there, particularly if they were in the 2 seats that are not "higher than hip level" located on the end of the bar. And I'm quite sure the "snippy little wench" that the previous Yelper referenced, who is obviously a (gasp!) non-child-bearing hostess, would have liked to stoop to your level and wish a plague of locusts upon you as well but that would be childish. But alas.... I digress. So regardless of whether you are pregnant, or not pregnant, or wish you were pregnant, or regret getting pregnant, you should check them out. You most assuredly will love it AND them just as much as we do.
(5)T M.
I was in to the Country Cat with my family over the weekend and had a wonderful experience. We had a reservation and they were so busy for brunch that it took about 12 minutes to get our table. Meagan was our server and greeted us promptly and friendly. I let her know that we were looking for direction and right away, she came up with some "must haves" in the menu... We came in specifically for fried chicken, but the menu had caught our eyes with a few others - Meagan nailed them all, so we ordered them all. The food came out quicker than i expected, given the business of the place and we got to enjoy great coffee while we waited. Let me tell you... the chicken ROCKED, the pancakes were light, the biscuit was flaky, the cinnamon rolls were moist and the french toast was huge... all tasted great. when I rate a restaurant experience, i look at everything from before i enter the building till the time we leave... Country Cat delivered on cleanliness, promptness of service, knowledge of service, quality AND value of food, not too busy of a menu, and ease of paying and leaving. this is the way to run a business. TMac
(5)Ron P.
Great Brunch place with a southern flare. Like a lot of hot restaurants in PDX there is usually a wait, sometimes quite a long one. Priced well, food is excellent, but beware health fiends and vegetarians, you won't find a healthy meal here, just good home style cookin. Love the jerky in the Bloody Mary!
(4)Mackenzie J.
What a delicious brunch. It was a little ways out of the way but so what, still worth it. I order chicken fried steak. Its batter was a little bland but the thing was ginormous and the Worcestershire gravy gave it a nice twist. The bacon was phenomenal. I would have given them three stars because the service was not that great; I waited for awhile for my check and there were only a couple of people in the restaurant. However, I respect the owners for putting out a good product at a decent price that holds up the southern expectation. Really though, the bacon was some the best I've ever had.
(4)Aaron V.
Ugh... Was here this weekend and saw an obnoxious signed caricature of Guy Fieri on the wall. I don't think that I can ever come back here again. Gross! Do you have no shame?!
(1)Kevin F.
This place is just okay. Decent food, could be better. Service is okay. Prices are a bit high. Good location and atmosphere. Menu needs work.
(3)Jeff W.
Well you would think a restaurant like this could serve a hamburger to order - not the case - my medium rare was medium well. The server didn't think it worth her while to ask about my meal. I'd say get your hamburger from Little Big Burger who will cook your burger to order for half the price.
(3)Travis S.
My partner had the grilled steak which was delicious, and I enjoyed the fried chicken. While the snap pea salad wasn't my favorite, the entrees along with the pudding and chocolate cake for dessert was just fantastic. This place is a find, if you're wondering whether to give it a try, we say go. Go now!
(5)kathy m.
I had been hearing about The Country Cat for several years from friends as well as reading reviews, and it was one of those places I kept wanting to go to but just never seemed to get to it..Last Saturday I finally made it with 3 friends who had been here before and had raved about it! I had spent several days prior to going reading the menu online..getting myself primed...one thing I knew I had to try was the Judy cheese...none of my friends had ever tried it when they had been here before..but I had heard so many good things about it that we had to have some..It is fantastic..made in house and is basically just a cheese spread with crackers.and pickles on the side.. but WOW..really really good....and perfect with the cocktails we ordered.as well as some wonderful onion rings..the thin ones which I prefer..good and crispy.....I must give props to one of the best waitresses ever, I called the restaurant to get her name ,Kerry C., and if you are lucky enough to sit in her section your experience will only be enhanced!!.They make GREAT drinks here..so often I find them too sweet or too something when restaurants have alot of cocktail options..but everything we had was delicious..I wish I could remember the name of the one I had..actually a couple of us had this..a rum punch type drink that was fabulous and one of our party had the house infused cherry vodka something or other..and it was really refreshing and tasty....perfectly balanced which is a big deal to me! It was a Saturday evening early,5:30, and we were glad we had reservations as this place was hopping even that early! I had gone back and forth during the week planning what I would have (yes..I am somewhat obsessed with food...) I had heard so much about the fried chicken but I was skeptical to hear that it was boneless..I'm one of those people who loves to gnaw on the bones....they serve a boneless breast and thigh(although you can get two breasts if you ask) Now I am a convert..just delicious .it came with mashed potatoes and gravy..but we ordered a couple of sides of grits as well as the green goddess salad with a perfectly poached egg on top!(Which has made me determined to get back in there for brunch..anyplace that can poach an egg perfectly when as busy as they were is tops for me!) Three of us had the fried chicken and one had the braised beef....I had gone back and forth between that and the chicken so happily my friend gave me several bites..OMG..just incredible..fabulous ..this place knows comfort food!! One would think that we wee too full for dessert..but one would be wrong..we ordered the pudding/creme brulee threesome as well as the profiteroles both of which were perfect....and ...THEN....I just HAD to do it....we ordered the Root Beer float with a shot..and asked for Knob Creek rather than the Maker's Mark they offer because I prefer Knob...now..here is where I went wrong...I asked for TWO shots of the Knob Creek...thinking this would be a regular little shot....she brought out two BIG shots and by that time we were all full of food and drink but figured between the 4 of us could finish it....It eneded up pretty much i front of me..as a couple of people had Spanish coffee's...and while I will say that it was the best root beer float ever...I paid for it on Sunday morning....However...happily..I had not finished my meal and so I had left over friend chicken and grits and mashed potatoes....I warmed up the mashed and the grits together and let me tel you THAT is a hell of a combination too..!! I ate the chicken cold and it was just perfect...so good even cold...I'm so glad I finally made it out here..and now I've got to go back for brunch!!
(5)Pink D.
I can only speak on their brunch, but if you let me talk about it, you may notice a drizzle of drool, because - yum. I think I might love their benedict, the biscuits topped with perfectly poached egg, greens, tasty fish, a well made hollandaise and served with the crispiest potatoes that I have ever put in my mouth. Yes, it was the best plate of food I have had in weeks. I would go five stars, but the coffee wasn't flowing fast enough to our table, and the music was alternately blaring and then down to a reasonable volume during our meal. Weird. I had one of those moments of shouting to be heard over the music and then, oops the music is down, and now you are the center of attention because you are suddenly talking way too loud. Yeah, I needed everyone to hear about my favorite reoccurring guest star of Star Trek TNG.
(4)Rebecca I.
Their biscuits are wonderful and i love the cinnamon applesauce on it! Would love a choice of fresh homemade jams too, but maybe that's just me. Otherwise very nice!
(4)Linda M.
Solid food; solid service. Was it the ultimate food experience of a lifetime, no. But it was one of the better meals that I have had in Portland. Very comfortable neighborhood vibe -- no hipster, no glitz. Husband had the fried chicken-- crispy, moist, well seasoned. I had the leg of lamb; tender, and cooked to order with very tasty zucchini cakes as an accompaniment. We shared a refreshing late summer salad of melon, plums, beets with a lightly dressed but flavorful vinaigrette. Fabulous. Finished off with a plum cobbler topped with Earl Grey tea ice cream. Excellent. Not too sugary or over-the-top excessive. Service was attentive and gracious. Although we did not indulge, noticed an impressive selection of bourbon and whiskey. Will we be back? Definitely.
(4)Mardi C.
from the get go, it started out wrong. the busser wanted me to sit at the bar, and I didn't want to. she then explained that she didn't want to have one person sit at a table that she could sit four at. NMP. I work as a hostess in a very busy restaurant myself, and you have to make folks happy. I had her seat me at a table. there were plenty of tables empty, when I arrived, and when I left. it was a monday. It shouldn't be an argument. I never argue with someone if they choose to not sit at the bar. I try to make people happy. I waited for coffee. took a while. it arrived just a minute before breakfast. maybe thats your policy? but coffee? is a simple thing. breakfast was pulled pork, grits and two eggs over easy. the pulled pork was half fat, and half tiny morsels in fat. lots of brown gravy, and very salty. the grits? were bland, and could use some love. the eggs? they were right. I finished my ONE cup of coffee I got, and my meal, and was out the door. sorry to be so harsh, but I am from a city that has SERVICE in their industry. I am also from the south. y'all need to learn some southern hospitality and cooking. I won't bother to come back.
(2)Ed H.
Had the fried chicken ( of course), collard greens, English peas, and onion rings. Lu had the Whole Hog. Both entrees were great though the Whole hog was way too much food for Lu. The collard greens were some of the best I've ever had though the peas were just okay. I wouldn't order the onion ring appetizer again as it seemed more like a garnish that you put on a green bean casserole...we had to wait about 20 minutes past our reservation time--not good since we came about 25 minutes early. Would have been nice if management would have comp'd us an appetizer or cocktail, but no such luck. They did help themselves to a 20% gratuity when presenting the bill. Highly recommend the food in spite of the customer service.
(3)B. F.
The food is spectacular. We went last night for the first time and sat at the bar as the place was pretty crowded (good sign). The bartender was really nice and attended to us right away. The menu was impressive and I had a hard time deciding what to get as it all sounded tasty. I went with the ravioli's -English Pea, Ricotta, & Mint Ravioli tossed Toasted Hazelnut & Crab Brown Butter $15-- superb! It was a little on the small side but it was actually perfect since we split some bread. I was completely satisfied with out feeling stuffed. My dining companion had the clams - Manila Clams, Pork Sausage, & Roasted Peppers in a Sweet Garlic, Shallot, & Chardonnay Broth $8-- I hate clams but I am ordering this next time I go. I have been converted to a clam lover after tasting this! It's a good sized portion and just utterly scrumptious especially with bread to soak up the broth. The service was great, atmosphere comfortable and overall I would come back for sure and encourage everyone I know to try it.
(5)John R.
One of the best burgers in town! Great beef, great bun, homemade ketchup, and some of the best onions rings you'll ever eat. The whole hog remains an iconic Portland dish, and yes, the fried chicken is damn good too. For brunch, the chicken fried steak is incredible and one of the few places in town that even serves it. Not as consistently great as Screen Door, but you can tell everything is made in house, by passionate people that really care about what they're serving. Great place!
(5)Mel A.
The fried chicken was boneless and moist but very bland and I had to keep salting it. Mashed potatoes and gravy were very tasty. The beef in red wine sauce was super tender and the sauce quite good. the collard greens with bacon were really a few greens with a mess of chunky bacon and fat, and overly vinegary. For the price, portions were small, no veggies or salad comes with the meals, you have to buy a pricey side. Overall, I'd rather drive further in for better tasting food for less money at Montage.
(3)M B.
Showed up asking for a 6 top at 10am on Sunday. At least half the tables were completely empty, yet we were told there was no seating. Apparently the only table was reserved at 1130 and they didn't want to risk us not being done. Fine. Forget you. Went to the songbird cafe a couple blocks away and they went out of their way to accommodate us even though they were very busy. So sick of the Portland restaurant "you're lucky we even acknowledge you" attitude. I'll take my money elsewhere.
(1)Christine N.
Make sure you have an appetite. The portions here are huge! The fried chicken is great. All of the dishes were good but very rich. A cute place for brunch.
(3)Matthew N.
This place did not live up to the hype for me. With such strong reviews on Yelp we decided to take visiting managers and customers for a late breakfast early lunch. While the food (when it arrived) was huge in portions, it was over seasoned, slow service and not very appealing neighborhood. With seven people (the only guest in the building....first watchout at 1145am on a Tuesday) lunch/breakfast took well over an hour, to be served (25 minutes), eat (20 minutes), get the bill (15 minutes after clearling the table) and another 10 minutes to get the bill back. If you are looking for something in the non-typical locations, give a try.....maybe it was just an off day when I arrived
(3)Jeffrey B.
Had a great time due to the company I was with but everything we ordered from the shrimp to the $11.50 burger to the duck was way overcooked. They charge $7 for three biscuits? Collards $6? Grits $6? My grandma would slap me if I opened a restaurant and charged such crazy prices! But we have had good with the bad. Usually after a nice romp at the Montavilla farmers market we would grub down on some Country Cat brunch. Went on several occasions and was always happy enough. Although, the home fries and bloody mary's were the highlight of my meals. Yet the beef jerky in my bloody mary was so chewy that it was inedible .
(3)Aimee J.
Great dinner. My husband had The Whole Hog, I had the Fried Chicken. We also had a side of mashed potatoes which were so yummy. My husband also had a great Bloody Mary. Next time we'll try brunch.
(4)Marika B.
Quite frankly, this was some of the best food I've had in a very long time. It could get a little pricey, but I can't imagine a scenario where it wouldn't be worth it. Pros: -Delectable food. -Great service. -Kid-friendly w/o being a 'kid restaurant'. -Nice decor, good ambiance. -They make their own bacon!! And it's de-LISH. -DELECTABLE FOOD. Cons: -We had to leave. -Our leftovers didn't last very long. -They're in Portland and I'm not. Seattlites, if you are ever in Portland, CHECK THIS PLACE OUT. I got back from my trip to Portland and told probably 20 people about the Country Cat, because it was really amazing food--a good experience overall. Don't pass this place up the next time you're hanging in P-town. I'm definitely going back!
(5)Shane S.
Met friends for dinner. Having been in the area for many years, this part of Portland has changed a lot. All for the good, too! An area of Portland that still has it's neighborhoods, and great little finds. This is one of them too. Drinks were fantastic (Old Fashioned Iced Tea), meals were super yummy (Fried Chicken & Pea Tart). Desert... let's just say that I've never had real butterscotch before. WOW! Butter & Scotch! Perfection! Get a window seat, sit back, and just let this place do what it does... serve great food in a great location!
(5)Julie T.
this place has become a brunch favorite. we like to go here when we go to the monticello antique mall. there grits are likely the best in town. we usually sit at the bar (the bf and me), so we don't have to wait. i would try it out, if i were you!
(4)Aaron R.
The Country Cat delivered. 'Nuff said. Almost. First, it's not what you might expect in terms of appearance -- on the corner in a fairly non-descript building. I almost drove by, but I was glad I didn't. I had the lamb, and my dinnermates had the steak and the steelhead. The lamb was delicious. I got a chop and a shoulder, perfectly done, very flavorful. The cuts vary throughout the month, but I can't imagine that the other cuts wouldn't be as good as the one I had. The steak was alright, not spectacular, not bad, according to my partner, and my friend's steelhead was very very good. We also tried a side of the asparagus, which was perfect. Very tasty without being too crunchy or too mushy. Dessert was fabulous: if you're a butterscotch fan, you have to order the pudding dessert just for the butterscotch. The strawberry shortcake was also pretty good, so I'm told, but I was too busy with the pudding to really be aware of my surroundings. It's that good. Drink selection was wide, and the service was pretty much spot-on: attentive without being clingy. The atmosphere is terrific -- not too loud but you can totally tell that it's popular. And they didn't try to run us out at all. We started dinner around 7, and got into a nice conversation, had dessert and coffee, etc., and didn't get out of there until 10 or so. Some places make it pretty clear that they want the table back, but this place really didn't seem to care as long as we were happy. Nice touch. Definitely a place to take friends for a relaxing night with good food, good drinks, good service, and plenty of time to talk. I'll certainly be back.
(4)J P.
Was looking forward to breakfast here after reading reviews and seeing the line form at their 9a door opening; expectations were not met. Upon entering we were directed to a four top directly in front of the busy, windy entrance door. We asked if we could move in one tableto the next four top, the hostess huffed and said,"I guess so, but I have a reservation coming in." Not sure why the reservation couldn't have the four top we were offered. Ten minute wait for waitress to take drink order, watched two other tables that were seated (2 top and 4 top) after us receive their drinks. Meal order was placed with drinks, thirty minutes passed along with those two previously noted tables having been served. Steelhead Benedict was good, if served warm instead of hot. However the pancakes were an odd composition. The waitress warned of the hot plate, but the plate was room temperature. The apples were of varying consistency ranging from al dente to mush. It left the impression of eating a badly bruised apple. The apples baked into the pancake were clumped in the center, the carmel butter pooled in the center to reduce the pancake consistency to an unappealing nasty goo. Although the waitress was a pleasure and tried to make things better, we couldn't imagine waiting another half hour for a roll of the dice on the replacement selection.
(2)Ellie D.
Not. Impressed. Wait staff was nice.
(2)Sasha L.
Yum! My friends and I went to Country Cat this past weekend, and oh my, it was taste-tacular. I promised myself I was going to try something other than the fried chicken so we wouldn't each order the same thing, and I only had slight plate-envy when my three friends had their heaping amounts of fried chicken set in front of them. My buyers remorse quickly dissipated with my first forkful of braised beef and slightly carmelized fried potatoes. Oh man, those potatoes! It was a great experience. We ate on a Saturday evening, and even though we made a reservation, we wouldn't have needed it as everyone that came in was seated without waiting. Our service was so great--our server told us about other places she's been wanting to try when she heard our drink order. This was one of the best places I've eaten in recently history; the staff, the ability to watch the chefs work, and the great food all contributed to a wonderful time. I'd go back in a heart beat. Also, our bill with four people, a couple drinks, and two appetizers for a nice night was 104 dollars pre-tip.
(5)L R.
We ate lunch at Country Cat the other day, and they take comfort food to a new level. I had the meatloaf sandwich and my husband had the chicken fried steak; they were both improvements on old American classics. Not food I'd eat on a regular basis, but when I'm hankering for comfort food, I'll head to the Country Cat.
(4)Jason L.
Amazing breakfast. I seriously want to go here every weekend. Don't be afraid to order the fried chicken for breakfast. Unbelievable. Also, the cinnamon rolls are amazing. But the best part? Fantastic breakfast cocktails!
(5)Melisa V.
went to brunch there with a group of 7 friends today. even though no one was sitting at it, took a while for them to get our table ready. once we sat down, coffee orders were taken quickly (always a good thing). the menu was definitely unique, had a southern twist to it with everything from spoon bread to chicken fried steak. it really amused me because one girl in our group couldn't understand the fact that the chicken fried steak was indeed beef. the first thing that caught my eye was a mushroom, pesto and goat cheese omelet, maybe because it seemed the most normal. I'm usually fairly adventurous but nothing else really caught my eye. one friend had an eggs benedict made with smoked trout and another did try the chicken fried steak. ended up sharing said omelet with my friend who ordered the fried chicken and spoon bread. I ate the tiny drumstick. the thigh she had wasn't much bigger. the salad on her plate was pretty good, though it was only greens with a drizzle of oil and vinegar. I usually like spoon bread/bread pudding but this wasn't great. as for the omelet, it was okay. the pesto was a bit overpowering. I did really like the fact that everything was fresh and local though, though it was a bit more expensive than the places I typically go. the service was good, as I probably had more coffee than I needed. also there was someone who kept taking pictures of us while we ate. I'm guessing it was for a Web site but no one asked or made sure it was okay for them to do so. I wouldn't rush back here for brunch but would definitely try again for dinner.
(3)Sue W.
What a experience! Words are hard to describe my experience. I could only sit at the Chef's bar or wait thirty minutes for a table. But I wouldn't have had it any other way. Watching Michael and Mitch, chef wizards cook all the different orders, only being called in, no tickets was amazing. I can only say that they are not paid enough. I hope they also receive tips from the waitresses. As a person who has worked as a waitress and been around cooks. This was awesome. Food was prepared perfect and was the best. Had the boiled shrimp salad, squash soup, Brussels sprouts with Candied walnuts. Yum. Yum. I can hardly wait to go again.
(5)Clinton D.
Two Words: Pudding Trio. Save room for it, it may just change your life.
(5)Patricia F.
Came here for breakfast on a Tuesday. The general consensus of myself and my party was that this place was just okay and slightly over priced. Nothing out of the ordinary here folks.
(3)Chris B.
When I head to The Cat as my friends and I call it, I know I am always in for a good meal. I live close to The Cat and I have been many times. I have never had a bad meal. The service has always been great. You can not go wrong with the whole hog an the fried chicken is my favorite in town. There is a good cocktail menu and decent selection of rotating brews. The owner is very friendly too. He even helped me with a recipe for smoking some pork and it turned out great because of his advice. Very good place!!
(5)Tan N.
One-word impression: BOSS I had a craving for some fried chicken for brunch today, probably because I've been eating vegetarian left-overs the last few days that lacked great textures (you were yummy, though, my red lentil curry). In Yelping for some good fried chicken options, I ran across the Country Cat, which I've passed by several times in the past and have made mental notes to myself to check it out. What better time to try it than now, I told myself. With the name Country Cat, I expected an atmosphere that was rustic and charming. Though I found the place to be charming enough, it seemed a little too modernized and clean for a true country feel. I ended up sitting at the bar, where I got relatively good service. I liked how the waiter ended each of his questions with "boss," as that's something I haven't heard since I was in the South and equated to a more country environment. In looking at the menu, I was excited over several of their items, but I came there to get what I was craving for. I ordered the Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Pecan-Bacon Spoonbread with excitement. However, when I got the plate, I have to admit, I felt a bit of a let down. While the chicken was nicely deboned, there was just maybe a whole thigh and half of a breast there. That's not to say that the meat wasn't juicy and flavorful enough, it just wasn't as much as I would have expected for $13. In addition, the texture of the breading was not as great as I would have wanted it to be, as I have definitely made more crispier chicken on my own cast iron skillet. As for the spoonbread, it was good, but not that memorable, and the pecans didn't really make up for its limited textures. I felt that the maple syrup they added over the chicken and spoonbread really helped to tie the dish all together, though. All in all, I enjoyed my experience and the chicken at the Country Cat. However, I will say that while the food was good, I was not wowed. I would certainly give it another shot to try any of the other dishes, but would do so with less excitement and expectations.
(3)Wayne R.
This place is like a less crowded, less choice, but just as tasty Screen Door. They take RESERVATIONS for 4 or more for Sunday brunch?! Huge big check. Bloody Mary with an olive, green bean and BEEF JERKY? Double huge big check. Deep dark SE Portland location? negative check (I think we were watching jet planes take off from PDX). Regardless, service was nice in this family friendly neighborhood restaurant. Had the Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Spoon cake. The plate came with LOTS of salad, a big piece of cake and a tiny drumstick and a medium sized darker cut of chicken. The chicken was amazing, if of tiny portion. I'm not sure I have ever had spooncake, but I left 3/4 of it on the plate. Ah, for $10 the dish was totally worth it. Will go back.
(3)Sherry J.
My, my, my...Love the breakfast! Let's just start with the way this place makes the surrounding area smell. You are drawn in from the sidewalk. You know something good is cooking. I went for breakfast. I was a little skeptical because my 20 somethings son recommended it BUT...he has a new respect from mom. It was perfect! btw..for all of you Southerners...they have grits...real grits....not the instant stuff. They have them shipped from South Carolina. Now that is a country cat!
(4)Kevin K.
Now the review below mine (by Kris W.) decided to review about my meal too. So, in return, I will review what she had. She had a salad with blue cheese and was apparently very good. The vegetables were fresh and less than a week old with excellent dressing that wasn't overdressed. The atmosphere was a mix of retro modernness. The seating area was somewhat small, but it was empty when we went. My burger was indeed small and I didn't really like the sauce used. Frankly, a Burger King Whopper Jr. was larger than this restaurant's Heritage Burger, which cost $11. The onion rings were pretty much excavated from the bottom of the Great Salt Lake, to the point where we actually asked them to redo it. Fortunately, they were very tactful about it and didn't argue and they didn't put any salt on the onion rings for round two. I've been to so many restaurants, where they sit there for minutes arguing about it. Also, their onion rings gets a little sickening after about 7 pieces. They have a tiny minuscule burger, with a large pile of onion rings, which is an unnecessary uneven balance. The "homemade" ketchup tasted like Heinz to me, but was more chunky. I would say in general that the service was excellent, but the food isn't worth the price.
(2)Miyo H.
The Country Cat has been a nice local go-to place when I'm up in Portland. I've been there a couple of times now for dinner and it's never been a disappointment. What I enjoy doing the most is to order a bunch of starters and appetizers with a few friends. I haven't found one I didn't like and their soups are quite good. In particular I like the chestnut and potato dumplings and the honey carrots. I wanted to like the mashed potatoes more than I did. Oh the veggie crostada is awesome as well. I liked the fried chicken, but not as much as other reviewers. They have quite a fair drink selection as well. Overall thumbs up, especially on a chilly night. One of these days I need to figure out how to get there for brunch!
(4)Kris W.
Mixed overall - service was very good, food was inconsistent. Went here with a couple other intrepid diners with high hopes; prices were on the high side (burger was small; vegetarian crostada contained exactly two vegetables - carrot and parsnip) and value overall was not outstanding. Onion rings were good but order them unsalted and add to taste at the table. I'd skip the overpriced bread and butter - the gratis bread at Ciao Vito is a lot tastier (unless you like hunks of russet skin your bread). Burger was tiny but the side of onion rings was generous. The petrale sole got high marks; braised endive was good but Wildwood's grilled version is tastier. Cocktails were on the sweet side. For the money, I'd go somewhere else next time. Not bad, just not exceptional.
(3)Emily L.
We went here after a recommendation from my dentist - random, I know, but he claimed they had the best fried chicken he'd ever tasted. My dad and boyfriend both got the fried chicken and I had a few bites - delicious! But, dad complained that the chicken was sitting on top of the greens, making them soggy. Mom got the veggie dish - an eggplant/vegetable casserole of sorts. I tried a bite too and it was extremely good. Unfortunately for me, I ordered the beef - not good. The first few bites were tasty, but it was so overwhelming in flavor and extremely heavy. I couldn't eat very much of it. I would go back though to have my own plate of fried chicken.
(3)kate m.
You know a place is good when you have food anxiety related to not being able to try everything you want off the menu. We started off with the homemade pretzels off the bar menu (only available in the main restaurant between 5 and 6 and after 9, just so you know). Next up was the potato dumplings. Yummy. And also some really good bread. There were some hard choices to made for the entrees but we ended up with arctic char and braised beef. When my husband said "if we were at home I would drink this" in reference to the potato dumpling broth, I knew we would be back. The deserts were good, but not as great as the rest of the meal, or maybe we were just too full to appreciate them. We also enjoyed some nice adult beverages that were quite tasty. Our waitress was lovely, and took great care of us.
(5)Aimee R.
I've only been for breakfast, but it is one of my favorite breakfast spots in town. Great selection, good portions, fairly priced. Simply delicious. The only reason I'd say 4 and not 5 is that I've not had dinner there, yet.
(4)Dan S.
Like many other Yelpers, had the fried chicken and it was delish, but what really complemented the fine fowl was the collard greens. Mmmmmm, spicy good. The lemon tart was also a tasty choice for dessert.
(4)Jav V.
The butter lettuce salad was good, but way over priced for whit it was (lettuce/dressing/one egg). The fried chicken was decent, but definitely not the best I've had. The biscuit was awesomet though. I liked the atmosphere and the service was friendly. I just don't see myself going back anytime soon though.
(3)Beth M.
#1 - SOOOOOO excited to have a nice restaurant in the neighborhood! It's the perfect place to follow up a hygienic and relaxing trip to the Tub-n-Tan across the street. Ummm, just kidding about that part. My food-o-phile husband and I took in a nice dinner the other night, and were by and large pleased with the whole experience. The service was great - friendly, more on the casual side (which I prefer - Stanfords, McCormick and Schmicks et al - do you think I don't KNOW you force your employees to say certain things to me?!), and just the right level of attentiveness - not too overbearing and pushy, but always nearby in case we needed something. Our server was Kerry, and she was a kick in the pants - we hope we'll be seeing more of her in the future! The price was extremely reasonable - 2 apps, 2 beers, a bottle of wine, 2 entrees and a dessert for under $100, which for this quality of food is great. The food was solid. There were things I liked more than others (The Whole Hog is a must - that pork shoulder is truly amazing), while the shellfish stew was not really what I was expecting - creamy and heavily herbed. Good, but not what I had in mind. The wine list is functional, and I definitely plan on trying some of the mixed drinks next time! The best part was that it seems like everyone is just REALLY happy to be there - the staff is knowledgeable about the food, and excited to share what makes their restaurant special. Everyone at the bar seemed to be having a great time, and the bartender looked like a sassy lady with panache - someone I could belly up to the bar with, for sure. We'll definitely be back!
(4)Catherine H.
Today my friend and I went to Country Cat for lunch. I want to start by saying that the food was very tasty. My two star rating is due to portion size and price. We both ordered a veggie hash that had two poached eggs on top. The cost was $11 per plate and the size was noticeably small. No extra bread, tortillas, biscuits, nada...After I ate I was hungry....eleven dollars at lunch for a small smattering of veggies with two eggs is way over the top. This summer I traveled through Germany, France and then drove to Iowa and back. After all of this travel, The Country Cat was my first dining out back home in Portland...and the most glaringly overpriced and undersized meal I had anywhere!
(2)Andrea V.
Country Cat is a welcome addition to the Montavilla scene. I'm always up for anything having to do with mashed potatoes, and in my book, "American Cuisine" means mashed potatoes! Game on! I had the Whole Hog (not as scary as it sounds, although I think it frightened my kosher dining partner...) and was pleasantly surprised. I ordered this on the recommendation of the waitress and was leery of receiving gobs of fat on my plate. When it did arrive, no gobs of fat, only a tasty selection of piggie meat. I'm not sure what was the rolled belly, which was the brined chop or the smoked shoulder, but I know I ate it all. I asked for mashers instead of the garnet yams, and they were everything I hoped for - soft, flavorful and FABULOSO! My dining partner enjoyed the trout and also subbed out for mashed potatoes leaving me to wonder what they do with all the lonely vegetables that get passed up for the mashers. Drinks were great - one was plenty to get a buzz on. Dessert was cobbler, served hot and with ice cream. We left completely stuffed. Service was great, Adam came over to see how things were and I was happy to compliment him on the experience. I love that they use local food here. The place was full on a weekday evening, I'd suggest reservations or you may wait awhile and there's not much room to wait inside. I can't wait to try brunch. I bet its fantastic!
(5)Elena M.
I have to say that I liked the food and the service here but the wait for food to come out was unusually long.
(2)Madelyn A.
My husband and I walked in just a couple minutes before they were closing, but they still sat us! A friend had recommended we try this place, so we were excited to try a new place. We had biscuits and the Monte Cristo... no complaints on any of the food, and our waitress was nice too... she didn't act irritated that she had customers walk in at the last minute. There were a group of ladies that also walked in at the same time we did and from what we heard/saw it looked like they enjoyed their meals and service as well. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Joan D.
Hubby and I had a breakfast here recently - ordered what was on the cover of the Portland magazine featuring breakfasts in PDX. We had the Challah Cinnamon French Toast - lovely, rich, wow - a lot to eat!! Sugar rush, but that is what we wanted and ordered and got!!! Loved sitting at the chef bar and chatting with the cooks and those next to us. Fun time, good food, will go again only make certain I haven't eaten for a day before going. Our waitress was excellent - Kerry I think! Oh! and we partook of the cocktails too - good and interesting blends.
(4)Angelee A.
Meh. If I hadn't paid $12 for that Chicken Fried Steak I might have been more impressed, but it's doubtful. I'm from the MidWest and I'm something of a Chicken Fried Steak whore, meaning if it's on your menu and I'm in a saucy mood (that's most of the time), I'm going to try it. The Country Cat has attempted to improve upon the traditional CFS, and it fell flat. Literally, flat. Meaning instead of pounded cube steak with fried breading, I was served fried breading (it was about two inches thick) with a t-h-i-n slice of flank steak in the middle. Top it with mediocre gravy and there you have it. Totally unimpressed. BUT the coffee was superb, and so was the side of kale, which was the tastiest kale I've ever eaten... and I eat a great deal of kale. The gentleman had the burger, which was named Best In Oregon by USA Today. It's.... not the greatest burger in Oregon. Good, but not special. Came with crispy little onion curls which, at least, were delightful. Service was fine, atmosphere fine. Neither bad nor stellar. Would I go back? Maybe if someone else footed the bill.
(3)Lula T.
What a royal waste of time and money. Being a Louisiana native, I LOVE good soul food, but this definitely aint it. The wings were gross and had too much breading (save your $ and go to Fire on the Mtn) and the sauce had way too much vinegar. Both entrees left much to be desired--I had the lamb, which (to my surprise) actually came out as a mysterious lamb loaf. My boyfriend had the fried chicken, which, as other yelpers noticed, was not crisp, had too much breading, and poor flavor. And, $18 for fried chicken? Oh, and 2 of the 4 beers on tap were out, which left the disappointing Amber and a Pilsner. I can officially say this was the worst meal I've had all year. Don't go.
(1)Audrey K.
We had a great time at the Country Cat! The grilled cheese and tomato soup was excellent! Mom had the chickenfried steak, which she loved. Cocktails were fantastic!!!
(5)fon z.
a great addition to Montavilla. our favorites on the brunch menu were the shrimp and grits and the pork chili. the fried chicken was good, but i think it's a bit of a stretch to call it the best in the city. overall the taste is great, the ambiance pleasant, we just wish they'd stick to their southern roots and serve up heartier portions. who watches their waistline when eating at a southern restaurant anyway? can't wait to go back and try their dinner.
(4)Sprinkles G.
If I had closed my eyes while biting into my order of chicken fried steak I could have almost believed that I was back in my Grandma's kitchen, in Alabama. I'm not sure what 'chard' is, but it tasted a lot like something we call "greens" in the south. The chicken and chard were perfectly matched with the mashed potatoes and gravy that the poultry was wearing. Overall it was great experience, and my new southern fix for when I get homesick.
(3)April C.
in summary: verrrrrrrry greeeeeeaaaaasy. they should drop sample packets of lipitor with the checks. we went for brunch this past weekend while i was suffering an irrational craving for fried chicken (reforming vegetarian, strange moments of protein desperation). we'd been on our way to screen door, but saw the cat and thought oh, let's try it, we've heard good things. and i'd say for the most part, sure, good things. many, many seemingly amazing things on the menu, great service, nice space. but my fried chicken... it was, as noted by other fellow yelpers, some odd cut of chicken not exactly 'standard', and unlike fellow yelpers, mine had very little breading, though it did have a giant puddle of grease to sit in. the spoon bread was some intense concoction of probably everything imaginable that could clog an artery - cornbread, something very eggy and custardy, and an overlying creamy butteryness to everything, and if that weren't enough - bits of bacon! (so my jewish friends, beware, as i don't remember that noted on the menu.) that said, i knew going in that this wasn't going to be an exercise in healthful eating. lastly - and this is not unique to the cat, it seems to be a disturbing trend - $2.25 for a cup of coffee?!?!! a latte, sure, but this was just stumptown drip. i mean, seriously, that cost the establishment maaaaaaybe a quarter to produce... kind of absurd. a lover of whiskey, however, i probably will be back, because i'm, well, cocktail-curious, and think they have potential.
(3)jeff b.
I was holed up at a crummy airport hotel and just did a quick search for nearby restaurants. Luckily, the Country Cat came up and, though the place was jammed, they made room for a solo at the bar facing the open kitchen. The wait staff couldn't have been nicer or more adorable. And the food was amazing. And who's going to resist the pudding trio? That was six months ago, and I'm still looking forward to next Portland visit so I can go back to the Country Cat.
(5)Coral C.
I wanted to like this place, I really did. Place had a really cool vibe, and our server was really friendly. I decided to get the fried chicken and subbed some mashed potatoes instead of the kale/onions. My dining partner wanted the lamb, but they were sold out, so he got the whole hog. He enjoyed his meal, and I liked the chop portion of his that I got to taste...but my chicken was disgusting. It's more of a personal preference, but I don't like darker cuts of meat. It came with three pieces, still not sure what they used for it. The outside was burnt and had an odd taste, and I found a weird grey gooey substance in the middle of one of my chicken pieces. The sauce was very herby and overwhelming. Dessert was good, I had the chocolate tart and hubby had the blackberry cobbler. I would definitely try it again, but make sure to ask more questions before I order! I wish I had opted for the fish n chips or the burger.
(3)Tiffany J.
Not sure what all the fuss is about! Everything tries to be special, but they miss the mark on just about everything. Our group tried 3 different things that we all tasted. Chicken and waffles were awful and my chicken fried steak left much to be desired. How do you mess up eggs Benedict so badly? Perhaps the kitchen was having an off day, but for the prices I won't be going back to see.
(1)Mikalina W.
I went to The Country Cat when it first opened, and I was pretty disappointed, However, I went back a few months later, and they managed to win me over. The breakfasts are great, although a little on the pricey side, but a nice treat. I overheard one of the waitresses tell another customer that there is not a single jar of pre-made anything in their kitchen. They even make their own ketchup. The fried chicken is succulent, juicy, flavorful and boneless, and it comes with awesome bacon-laced collard greens. If you're planning a night out at the Country Cat, be sure that everyone in your party wants to eat meat. They offer a couple vegetarian entrees, but my (mostly) veg fiance says he always feels like he ate an appetizer made mostly of starch when we eat dinner there. Perhaps, pairing his meal with some of their yummy sides would round it off, but it's unfortunate that the veg meals are not as well-rounded or filling as the meat-based entrees. But really, it's all about the meat. When we eat dinner there, it's because I am craving southern-esque vittles. It's not the real deal, I lived in North Carolina for several years, but the Cat does an awesome interpretation of southern cookin'. The wait staff is great, and the cooks wear overalls in the open kitchen- nice touch. The owner is a nice, down to earth guy who, most importantly, seems to get along well with and be well-liked by his staff.
(4)Amanda P.
Love this place, favorite Sunday brunch spot, heck favorite dinner spot too! Love everything and crave the fried chicken, AM. cocktails are fabulous, perfect for a peaceful, lazy day!! Can't wait to bring my out-of-town guests!
(5)Richard S.
Wow. Fantastic service! Our waiter went Waaaaayy beyond the call of duty to help granny be sure there wasn't a trace of onion in her meal. She landed the trout, and enjoyed it thoroughly. He was kind and understanding, I was impressed as he went yet again to the kitchen to, for example, to see if the fried chicken dusting had any onion powder in it. Amazing. The rest of the food was fab too, I had the lamb. Just a fine restaurant. Proud of PDX. We have some really good restaurants in this burg.
(5)Darren A.
I like this place. Quite busy for a Saturday morning, but not "screen door busy". We were able to snag two seats at the bar. Really friendly folks here; our server was great. I ordered the biscuits, gravy, eggs over medium, side of bacon, and split an order of the sticky buns with my bud. (ok, I was really hungry). Eggs were cooked perfectly, and the potatoes that came with were perfect. Sticky buns were tasty. Sausage gravy was ok. My one real complaint was the bacon. It was nice, thick-cut bacon, but it arrived on a side plate in a puddle of grease. I'm assuming it went driectly from the pan to the plate without patting it first. Kinda gross, sorry. Other than that, a very good meal.
(4)Rachel T.
I live within walking distance of The Country Cat, and so have always been really excited about it's presence in the neighborhood, and what it might mean for the rest of Stark Street. I have been to the Country Cat five times (2 dinners, 3 brunches), and have always had the following experience: The restaurant is hopping! Packed with people who help create the happy, hustling atmosphere that is The Country Cat. While I've almost always had to wait to be seated, the wait is never too long. Once at a table, my mouth waters while I read over a delicious sounding menu while an attentive and friendly staff member asks for drink orders and such. Food arrives in a timely manner and.... has never failed to dissapoint. I have always left The Country Cat wishing my food had been better. Especially considering the amount of money you leave behind you. After my last visit just a week ago, I realized that I wanted to believe it was worth all the rave reviews, and tried to MAKE myself believe it was as good as everybody else says it is. It just isn't. It falls flat. The bacon has been TERRIBLE. How do you make bacon that is terrible? The home fries are no better than what I can make at home, and the cinnamon rolls are uninspired. That being said, the atmoshpere and staff is great, and I would probably still pop in for the amazing onion rings and a cocktail if I didn't feel like driving anywhere. Otherwise, I consider myself disillusioned by The Country Cat.
(2)Linda E.
Wow! Delicious steelhead cooked perfectly and sitting on a bed of some mighty tasty wild rice and "apple salad" with pomegranate seeds. This dish was much better than I expected. My husband ordered the fried chicken with the greens on the side--perfect. The waitress forgot to bring the onion rings until we asked. We weren't annoyed at all, but weren't charged for them. Friendly service, delicious food, a warm and inviting atmosphere on a cold night--love it.
(5)Tony M.
my wife and i went here for a special breakfast occasion, and we couldnt be happier with the service, the food,and the bloody marys are awesome, ( get the country home fries, roasted potatoes ) with your breakfast you wont regret it, and plan on a nap afterwards, great quality food, locally sourced, & enjoy one of p-towns gem's.....t
(5)Anne S.
I've been meaning to eat here for a long, long time. It was particularly fun because I'm rather familiar with the old drug store that used to be there, Dickson Drug. I appreciate restaurants that know what they do and do it well. A single page menu is really so refreshing when you're going out to eat. My mom and I went on a Friday evening for an impromptu meal. We were a bit nervous about a potential wait but were seated immediately. Our server was awesome--knowledgeble, attentive but not overbearing. We both ordered a salad with homemade ranch dressing, the halibut and then three puddings for dessert. I did think the halibut was a tad overdone but still quite tasty. The puddings were amazing...I don't even like butterscotch flavored anything yet I gobbled it right up. This is definitely worth a return visit.
(4)Rebecca H.
"Adam Sappington's "The Country Cat" - a 65 seat dinner house & bar featuring regional American Cuisine. Open Wednesday through Sunday nights from 5pm to 10pm" The good: -STRONG drinks; I was buzzed through dinner. I had the lemon fizzy something, with sapphire gin, and I was on a high through the meal. They could have served slop and I would have enjoyed it. Luckily, the meal wasn't slop. -Food: I had the butter lettuce with green goddess dressing and it was GOOD. It was weird that it had an egg over medium nestled in it, but who doesn't like runny egg yolk on their salad? I couldn't really taste the egg so it didn't matter anyway, but it's not something I would have imagined as a salad topping. Traditional green goddess has mayonnaise, anchovies, vinegar, green onion, garlic, parsley, tarragon and chives, and it seemed to be all there, with a crisp and herb filled taste. My husband had the beet salad; it was a little bitter. He had the special stew and it was very dense and meaty. I had the fried chicken, which is served boneless. The batter tasted a bit burnt and the asparagus were definitely on the well done charred side, but I ate it all anyway, because the fried goodness with the Tabasco dressing was great. I was so full but I couldn't stop. It's a bit greasy but so good! The bad: -Service is on the slow side. All the servers are hip young women with lots of tattoos and piercing to admire; if they were around more often perhaps I could have enjoyed the artwork more. A different server brought our dinners but didn't ask who got what, she looked at the ticket first. That negates the slow service for me; it's a peeve when servers ask who ordered what. -THE NOISE. It is so fricking loud in there. I felt my eardrums rupture when a screaming child added to the cacophony of the place. It needs more room dividers, or egg cartons stapled to the ceiling, or give out earplugs. We had to yell at our dinner companions and that makes dining unpleasant. We were going to get coffee but were so overwhelmed by the noise that we left after our meal and went to the Bipartisan Cafe, a lovely spot a few doors down (great coffee but closes at 9pm, has a bakery on premise). It was much quieter there. -The drinks: full of booze, yay! Bitter and not well mixed, boo! They just don't taste good. The bartender needs to work on his skills. Stick to wine and beer and avoid the mixed drinks. Cost: fried chicken was 18 bucks. Drinks are around $8-9, desserts about $6. Figure, with salad and a drink, around $35 per person. I don't know if it's worth it; dinner was good, but I love anchovies so the green goddess was a hit, and who doesn't love greasy fried chicken? If they were able to quiet the din I might return, but with the design as is it is doubtful that can easily be done. There are plenty of other places to go, so off we go to explore other American style eateries. It's been open for about a month and I think it's still coming into its own. You can make reservations now and it's advised. But maybe skip right around dinner time to avoid some of the noise, and the place is child friendly, which is great for people with kids but not so great if you don't like to hear kids while you are paying 18 bucks for fried chicken. Keep that in mind.
(3)Terry W.
I LOVE razor clams. Even in the Pacific NW, they can be hard to find on many menus. Lately at Country Cat, razors have been on the starters menu and they are orgasmic. Throwing out the traditional preparation of flouring, egging, breading and frying with tartar on the side, the Country Cat lightly sautees the clams for a few seconds and (I haven't spied on how they do it, but) mix in (minced?) pork cheeks, of all things, then a delicious mustard crumb concoction---all item beautifully spooned into 3 empty razor clam shells. It is soooo good. The clams are as tender as you can get and there is no greasiness, dough-ey heaviness at all. One of the best things I have ever had at Country Cat and easily up there with my favorite preparation of this glorious shellfish. Not sure how long they will be on the menu, but if you love a twist on razor clams, this could be the ticket. I start salivating at the mere thought.
(5)Suzanne F.
Not to be catty, but I just don't think Country Cat is all that to purr about. There will be people who object to this point of view, and I'm not going to howl & scratch or have a hissing fit, but seriously, our experience here tonight was simply nothing to rave about. We arrived between 5:30 & 6:00 on a Sunday, which is generally the slowest night of the week for dinner. There were 10 of us, absolutely no line, no one waiting and still the hostess felt the need to reprimand us about making reservations "in the future". Not bloody likely with a reception like this. Come on! 10 people ready to have dinner on a Sunday night & you immediately make us feel less than welcome? Think about this during the economic slump. We were seated and without any fuss. The music was horrific! Even my enthusiastic 9 year old said it sounded as tho' a cat was screaming. It sounded like some bad screechy late 70's metal...the point being, it was NOT conducive to our dining experience. We ordered & when it came to my turn, I asked if I could substitute a tossed salad with my burger rather than a huge heap of onion rings. Despite the fact the salad would have been less costly for THEM, the answer was NO. I did get to choose another side & it was the spinach, which was good, but I had wanted a salad. What would have been the big deal? The burger was fine, cooked like I ordered it, but absolutely nothing out of the ordinary in terms of burgers. It was good, the quality of the meat was high. I eat maybe 2 burgers a year & this was enjoyable, but again, I must state, there was nothing spectacular here. Stuart & another of our dining companions had the same thing. Everyone ate, tho' no one commented on anything being amazing. This was such a disappointment. Another companion ordered the fried chicken & he liked it, tho' he felt he could have used some of those onion rings I eschewed... The boys & the young ladies we were with sampled a variety of offerings, with no complaints, and no wild commendations. A big round of 'meh'... Things seemed okay, till a short while later. Both my youngest son & I suffered from stomach pains & it was not due to over indulgence. Hmmm...this does not bode well. I am giving 3 stars as we chose to come here, thus we do accept our share of responsibility, and, to be fair, nothing was bad or poorly executed. It's just we had such high expectations & Country Cat just didn't meet them. To continue some sort of feline vernacular, this spot didn't make any of us purr...
(3)Jamie w.
I must admit, I thought the chef was from Alabama, but he is from Missouri. While everyone may rave about the fried chicken, my experience with the Whole Hog was meditative. There was a smoked chop on top, a bit of shoulder, some greens and something that was covered in in corn meal and deep fried. Some where between the shoulder and the greens, I stopped thinking in words and shifted to just perception. The last time I hit this state was 9,000 feet up in the Sierra mountains. I woke up when I thought I spotted a slice of eggplant under some sweet potatoes. I could not figure out what the vegetable was doing there. It wasn't a vegetable; it was pork belly. I know pork belly is over done and is the current fois gras, but this was the perfect. I love slicing through the crunchy, meaty and fatty layers. Eat here. Don't ignore the drinks and make sure you order a bourbon.
(4)Sam O.
We came here on a weekend for a late breakfast, and I feel I need to update my review. The food was better this time, and the bartender was a blat, and made us some tasty drinks. I don't know if they are just better suited for breakfast, but we enjoyed our meal a lot more this time.
(4)Steph B.
i got the "hickory smoked duck leg with apple bourbon puree, chanterelles, and cranberry relish" YUM, right? yes, it was pretty yum. the flavors blended nicely and they're sure creative. i gotta say though, when i see "smoked" anything, my mouth starts watering just thinking about that tender juicy meat, delicately cooked by the smoke of hickory chips for hours before making it to my plate, where it should subsequently be falling off the bone. but this particular duck leg was pretty dry and definitely charred. it had a jerky-like consistency to it. the accompanying flavors made for a tasty dining experience, but for the price per plate, i prefer a bit more attention to technique. 4 stars for inspiration and overall flavor - if that duck leg had actually been smoked, they would have rocked my world last night.
(4)Rebecca H.
I just went to the Country Cat for the first time over the weekend though it's been recommended to me several times and all I could think once I got there was "why did I wait?" The food was absolutely wonderful. I had the duck thighs and they really were superb. The portion was perfect - plenty to fill you but not so much you feel stuffed if you really want to finish your dinner - and the flavors were really delectable. The balsamic glaze was tangy and sweet yet not overpowering by any means and the meat just fell off the bone. I can't wait to go back and bring more friends and family there.
(5)Eliza S.
If you're looking for some crunchy, juicy, tasty fried chicken, this is it. Basically the epitome of what fried chicken should be. Let me back up a bit. Country Cat is a cozy and snazzy restaurant that's kinda gourmet, but uses essential ingredients in a creative way. While my motto is to try something new and different (I was going to go for the smoked duck legs), I went for the fried chicken because that's what I've heard about. It came on a huge bed of sauteed spinach and garlic (I asked them for this to in lieu of the collards), three huge hunks of deep mahogany fried chicken pieces, and the most delicious biscuit drizzled with honey. That warm biscuit was crusty on the outside and so soft on the inside (and the honey dripped down my arm). The fried chicken was boneless, so I was able to just cut right in. Last the spinach was just great -- plain old sauteed spinach -- a perfect complement. My SO and I always play the "who won" game when we eat. Meaning who got the best dish. I won hands down (of course because he once again got a burger).
(4)John R.
Best breakfast in Portland. Line can be long on Sunday mornings but it is worth the time. Get whatever the fried chicken dish is...delicious!
(5)S A R A H.
Off the beaten path for anyone living in downtown proper, but it's well worth the trip. The food is scrumptious and fresh. I enjoyed a quiche-like dish with morels (from Bozeman, MT) and peas. Delicious! Meat and vegetables are purchased at local markets and/or from near-by farms (why not morels from Portland)? The owner is quite a foodie and smart about what he serves from a sustainability point of view. From drinks to desserts, your taste buds will thank you for eating here! I will definitely return.
(5)lynne M.
Have ordered off the bar menu a couple of times. No problem with any of the drinks I have had. I LOVE the food. Great flavor combinations and wonderful seasonal offerings. The bartender is very good at his job. He is knowledgeable, friendly, attentive and seems happy to be working there.
(4)Anne B.
Food was good. Decor plain but homey. Quite southern. Don't get what is up with Dixie invasion of Portland- Pine State Biscuits, Screen Door, and this. Maybe all the chefs migrated here from Katrina... Service was excellent. Food was quite expensive for the atmosphere, but again, good. Not many fish choices however, except the artic char. Drinks were good, especially the peach sidecar. Too many nondigestible veggies in my Veggie soup however, so I only ate half of it.
(4)Abby M.
I usually don't venture this far north for eats (shame on me, I know) but a friend raved about this place, so a bunch of us met up there one fine Saturday morning. Um, baskets of cinnamon rolls that tasted like heaven, something crazy called pecan spoon bread and a killer bloody mary? Unreal, as were the friendly tatted waitresses. You know it's authentic when you can see the whole hogs hanging in the walk-in in back.
(5)Marie A.
Country Cat has a "new" policy about their seating. If you arrive and are waiting for the rest of your party to show, they will not seat you. You will have to stand around and wait - and hope that they don't fill up before your party shows, so that you're not waiting even longer. This happened to my family last night. My husband and I arrived and were told we'd have to wait till the rest of our family showed up to be seated because to seat us "would mess up the flow of their seating." We got there at 5 when the place was just opening and empty. Right... Anyway, they also do not care if you're 9 months pregnant, they'll still make you stand around forever. The hostess suggested we could sit at the bar - because sitting on a stool slightly higher than your hip level at 9 months pregnant would be comfortable. And, having a pregnant woman at a freaking bar in the first place doesn't look bad or ridiculous at all. I hope in the future that the hostess we had last night gets pregnant and has an experience like mine. Maybe then she wouldn't be a snippy wench. The "new" policy is just bs. I was here about 3 weeks ago and was waiting for the rest of my party to show and I was seated right away - with NO mention of this so-called policy. Either the owner, Adam, is blowing smoke up my ass or the staff isn't consistent with the policies. Within this ridiculous policy, you can finish your meal and sit at your table for as long as you want afterwards because that doesn't mess up their seating flow. However, Adam said that if they need the table you're at and you're just having cocktails and/or desserts, they'll ask you to hurry and finish or ask you to move to the bar. I have NEVER known a restaurant to do this! There is no logic to this policy. Adam flat out told us that it "doesn't matter if it makes logical sense to us, it only has to be logical to him." Great customer service there, Adam. This was a huge disappointment for my family and I. This was one of our favorite restaurants, however with customer service taking a nose dive, our visits will be far and few in between. I would typically meet clients here, but I will be looking for a new restaurant to meet them at. I live on the west side of town and drive 20-30 minutes to come here, it's good to know my business isn't valued at all.
(1)Edward B.
ATMOSPHERE: I expected more upscale. Not sure why. Maybe word of mouth, fancy website, whatever. For the neighborhood (82nd and Stark) it's probably as good as you can expect. Vinyl flooring was actually not that hideous for vinyl flooring, but I did see at least one place where it was falling apart. And at least one section featured blah grey carpeting. Bar and chef's counter were cork tiles with copper edging. Low budget, but nice. I commend them for doing something fun and cool without breaking the bank. No funky odors. Lighting wasn't my preferred style, but obviously somebody gave it some thought, it had some character. Sitting at the chef's counter was fun, but they could class it up a bit. I saw things that were perfectly fine from a sanitation perspective, but looked shoddy. It's not really a money thing; they just need to sit here and look around with a critical eye, look for things that don't project professionalism. Butchering is in house, and visible from the chef's counter. Don't like seeing carcasses sawed up when you're eating? Better sit somewhere else. I thought it was cool though. I don't remember much about the music, but I do recall hearing a 80s Bowie song. Not very imaginative. Eighties hits seem to be popular for restaurant music, for some reason. Kitchen staff was fairly youngish, energetic, talkative, so the vibe at the chef's counter was fun. SERVICE: Crystal (name on my check anyway) was great. I was given my choice of seating. She was chatty, but not too much, pretty much picking up on my cues regarding level of discussion. Checked in the right number of times, and at the right times. Coffee cup was kept full. There were two negligible errors which really aren't even worth mentioning, and one of them was very gracefully corrected without making me feel like I was too demanding. Oh, and there was a mixup in the kitchen, which would be totally uncool in a fine-dining establishment, but here it was just funny, so no complaint. FOOD: Biscuit was outstanding. Square cut, which I prefer (for reasons beyond the scope of a yelp review). Crispy exterior, flaky interior, almost in the under-done territory, but just barely outside the too-mushy zone. Served with fruit preserves, which I understand may vary from day to day, and may also be at server's discretion. Mine came with apple butter, which I love, and which isn't seen enough IMHO. French Toast was oven-finished, and then presented beautifully. Menu says "Cinnamon Swirl Challa French Toast: dipped in Maker's Mark custard and topped with dried fruit compote, clabber cream, & maple syrup". I didn't taste the bourbon. I did taste the cinnamon, and found it stronger than I prefer, but not to the point of being disgusting. "Dried fruit compote" was just some raisins and a prune. Oh well. I guess I could have asked before ordering. Clabber cream? Seriously? How cool is that?! Syrup was the hottest I've ever experienced. If you hate getting cold thick syrup, no worries here. The further I got into this plate, I started to recognize a taste I associate with an economy cinnamon roll, like something you'd find at a grocery store bakery case. That's unfortunate. That, plus the poor choice of fruit, diminished my enjoyment. Still, even though I wouldn't order the French Toast again, it was better and more interesting than what most places serve. Regarding the fried chicken on the brunch menu which some yelpers complained came w/o syrup: It really is pretty meager in quantity, and not distributed well. They should use a bit more, and/or make more of an effort to drizzle it all over, instead of a couple random splashes. Coffee is Stumptown. Strangely, I liked the decaf better. Hmmm... PRICE/VALUE: A bit high, for what they are. The cost of the structure, as it's built out for this restaurant, shouldn't be that high. Looks to me like their prices have gone up 20% in three years (based on my extremely limited research resources) which makes me think they're taking advantage of their popularity. Okay, that's cool, it's America. But it's also American for me to say they're not your best value. OVERALL: What might bring me back: Interesting menu items, not the same-ol'-same-ol'. Love the all-in-house model (in-house butcher, baker, candlestick maker), and that's something I want to support. Oh, and even though the neighborhood is kinda lame, at least it means on-street parking is easy (I don't think there's a parking lot here).
(3)Jason F.
OK but really nothing special. I went because it was on Food Network and they weren't busy. I was expecting much better given the drooling over the food that occurred on the show. What I got what a decidedly ho hum meal. The fried chicken was a bit dry and tasted like it had absolutely no seasoning in the breading. Not bad, but I could pull off better at home. The "salad" was just some spring mix thrown on the plate with a few drops of vinegar on it. The weird pecan/cornbread thing tasted like nothing for the most part. Country fried steak looked good but what's up with the brown gravy?
(3)Eli L.
I'll give 3 stars because my wife loved what she ordered and the service was great. Although negotiating the curtain to get into the place was interesting. I felt like I was going through a rebirthing process. But, when you're seated in the seats in front of the door you see why they need it. Wasn't even that cold out and I was extremely uncomfortable the whole meal. They need a better solution. People stand with the eh door open or don't close it behind them. I am never cold. I am usually hot and enjoy the air. I was quite uncomfortable just wanted to leave. But my wife has been wanting to try this place for ages. My advice? Get a new door setup. That curtain is obnoxious and ineffective. Now the food. Underwhelming. With all the great reviews and gab about this place I had pretty high expectations. We ordered beef Jerky as an appetizer. This was very good. Nice cuts and spicy sweet. Then, I ordered a braised beef with potatoes and a side of Brussels sprouts. 1) beef was just in this gross reduction and cooked like a pot roast. Fatty and flavorless. The potatoes were cooked to death, dried out and completely unseasoned. Boo. 2) The Brussels sprouts sounded lovely. Walnuts and a cream sauce. Again bland, bland, bland. And I'm a bland fan. The sprouts themselves were raw and cold and again...flavorless. I tried to salt it but our salt shaker was caked. After . $65 for two people and I left hungry. I was disappointed because we went for breakfast and I loved it. I do want to say my wife ordered the whole hog and loved it. She loved her whole meal. I liked the service and have heard so much about this place and want to go back, sit in a better spot, and try something else. Service was great considering going the wait person seemed to be alone.
(3)Christopher G.
So we arrive on a Sunday evening, me wife and I, at around 6:00 and we are told it's an hour wait. Well now! But we went and sat in the car and played Android games for a while and got seated after about 45min. Not terrible. We had seen TCC episode on Triple D the night before and just happened to be cruising thru P'land. Not disappointed. I am deffo a whole hog kinda guy, so that's my order, and the pork shoulder part was amazing. If you like pork belly and you like the idea of roasting it and you don't mind eating a bit of pork fat, then you should adore the porchetta. Dreamy, The loin chop was decent, a good sized portion, but not as good as the other two parts. I'm not a fan of head cheese, but it was quite alright. The grits that TCC lays down as the bed for the porchetta were perfect to my taste. Creamy. My wife ordered the fried chicken and it was tasty but not what I would order if I went back. One small observation: the hostess was one of the most adorable looking young women I've seen in a while. If you're single and in your prime, you might check her out. She might be single too. Steamy.
(4)Krista G.
Great place to take your friends with kids! They also take reservations, huge plus for those who just can't wait. The appetizers we tried were the wings which were pretty tasty, the pretzels I loved and the Deviled eggs which were just ok. Service was spot on and I thought the place had a great happy vibe! The drinks were strong and delicious, the cherry lemonade bubbly drink oh yeah I loved that! My entree was the fried chicken and mashed potatoes. The potatoes were out of this world, but the chicken was a bit too greasy, still cooked to perfection though. Everyone else seemed to really enjoy their dinner too. Dessert was the pudding trio, for the win! We will be back!
(3)Sherry S.
Smoked steelhead eggs benedict! Not sure you can pick that up anywhere else. The smoked steelhead flavor is so divine and it was very moist. The eggs were perfect, the hollandaise so fresh. The server was awesome because I asked for no potatoes and hollandaise on the side and she served it up as if it was a normal part of the menu. Also had to have a bloody mary that morning and those things are huge at this place. It all went down easy and I was able to walk out into the sun afterwards.
(4)Becky Z.
This place is so good! All the staff are super pleasant and friendly. All the food that I've tried is amazing- the beef hash, biscuits and gravy, Huevos rancheros, chicken fried steak and the bloody marys with their famous beef jerky (that you can buy) are delicious! The presentation of food is absolutely beautiful and they always impress me with the freshness of each ingredient and deliciousness of every dish. I would say that by far the beef hash is the most impressive for my taste buds! I have only gone for brunch but would love to try dinner!
(5)Yoomz 5.
Came here for my birthday brunch! The food is amazing, I had the beef hash, and it was phenomenal. Cinnamon rolls are even better. The service was accommodating, even when my whole group wasn't there they let us be seated. Thank you country cat!
(4)Charles P.
Wonderful place. Really enjoyed their take on the Bloody Mary (it was jerky in it). The Chicken Fried steak was very good. Very crowded, your going to wait for a while. Our waitress was nice and helpful. Not a place to go for large groups, four to five the most. They do have table outside (only three) if you chose to sit there. I would totally tell people if they're in the area to grab a bite.
(4)Will W.
My date's dish was good: the duck pot pie was tasty and filling. I am not a big eater, but my "entree" sized ravioli dish was, at best, an appetizer. This is the first time I can ever remember being hungry after eating an entree (and spending $15). The server didn't bother to check on us after serving, and when I politely complained, mentioning I was still hungry, I got a "thanks" and she walked away. I will not return.
(2)Lindsey L.
Was this an off-night? The food was much too sweet and much of it oddly tasted of cinnamon/allspice. We were sorry to have gone- I wish it had been better. For the wait and price- go to ScreenDoor.
(2)Abigail M.
Love this place! A little over priced and overhyped but still a unique place to dine in Portland. Their fish is always cooked very well and their menu changes seasonly. The wait staff is always kind. It does take a while to be seated, even with reservations. The front area of the restaurant is very small and cramped however the ambiance inside is beautiful and welcoming. Don't bother with the onion rings but definitely try their Roy Rogers with house made grenadine.
(3)Tom M.
I'd been here with friends several years ago, shortly after it opened and really liked the place. So, when we were considering dinner out this evening, this was the first one that came up and here we are. I remember this place as being really good but I think they have gone through a big menu change and it didn't feel like the same place. The food was less expensive for one. I passed on the wine this time around because I knew we were going to be taking care of that part of the evening later. I ordered the smoked trout salad and the server informed me that it might not be enough so she suggested the soup. The trout salad was served with a wonderful pesto and a generous portion of fish. The soup was very good with a vegetable broth base, peas, etc., and it had a nice little kick to it. These two items were perfectly paired so I might suggest that combo if you don't want to be eating too much. It was perfect. Filling and delicious. My partner on the other hand, was less than pleased but he enjoyed the burger and reports that it was cooked just the way he asked, medium rare. He said that by itself, the burger was pretty flavorless but that the potted "Judy" cheese thing helped give it the extra boost it needed. However, the most disappointing part of the meal for him was the onion rings. He said they were nothing but a mess of grease and maybe even enough to make him not want to come back. Between my happiness here and his less than such, I'm giving it 3 stars. We decided to skip dessert and trundeled off to the wine bar. The server was just a little less friendly than I like but she had a wonderful display of ink, for which I complemented her. The next time she came around she was wearing bright red lipstick. You know, like the stuff they wore in the 40s because it was the only color to choose from. It looked great on her. When my partner asked if he could have a taste of the "Judy" cheese thing, I think she was just a little bit huffy. As a server, no matter what your guest is doing, unless they are just outright rude, don't show any kind of a negative reaction. It does nothing to help your tip. Service is a big deal to me and doing it with a smile really helps. Trust me on that one.
(3)Alice L.
Food fabulous! Service bad...staff needs some team building exercise's....and basic service instructions!
(2)Lyman W.
Love the food. I had the steak and the wife had the fried chicken. really enjoyed having Karen serve us
(3)Patti F.
Brunch was tasty - a few vegetarian (but I didn't see any vegan) options. Mimosas were VERY nice. I don't know if I'd try for dinner, because I'm not sure about veggie options - and really, it's not fair to expect too much of a place with downhome favorites such as chicken fried steak (which looked like a carnivores dream), to be THAT veggie friendly. I found it a little pricey for what we got for brunch, but the service was EXCELLENT and absolutely zero complaints there.
(3)Clare F.
Awful! We arrived at 5:17 for our reservations according to THEIR clock. So they gave away our table without a phone call (they had our number) or warning when I made reservations that it is their policy to give away tables at the 15 minute mark EXACTLY. They told us it would be an hour and a half wait to get another table even though half of the restaurant was empty.
(1)Frank H.
Had reservations last night. Showed up on time and was greeted by a waitress who told us to wait. And we did. For probably like 5-10 minutes before someone noticed and took us to our table. We sat down and the waitress came by and took our drink orders and then we waited again. Then maybe 5-10 minutes later the drinks came and we waited again. They took our order and it took a while for everything to arrive at the same time. Never mind if things were appetizers or starters, they all came at once. By that time, we were pretty hungry and a bit annoyed. Why is there no bartender at the bar? It seems like the waitstaff has to get the drink order and mix or get the drinks themselves. Pretty inefficient. The food, the biscuits and honey were very good but they arrived when everything did. The fried chicken, their specialty, the meat inside was juicy but there was very little of that juicy meat inside. It was mostly fried skin and batter. The mashed potatoes were ... sour. Is this a southern thing? And the duck two ways .. Pretty bland. Not really worth the $19. When we decided to get dessert, we experienced the same long delays. Delays in getting the dessert menu. Once ordered, another delay in getting the desserts. We didn't order anything baked. I mean why does it take 10 minutes to get a nice cream float? It was scoops of ice cream in a mug and a bottle of soda. Of course when it came time to pay the bill. More delays.... Overall, it was a frustrating experience. The food was pretty meh. Everything was pretty middling, except the biscuits. I would recommend those without reservation.
(3)Alena C.
For my graduation celebration, I had a party of ten at the CCD 7:30 on a Sunday. From start to finish, the service, food and ambiance were perfect. We were seated early, and all of our entrees, drinks, menu's came right away. We had one server who was attentive, cleared away dishes as we went, and treated us like we were her only table. Everyone LOVED Bloody Mary with homemade beef jerky and pickled green beans ($8). I had the skillet chicken with mashed potatoes ($15) and everything was just a knock out. My friend had the whole hog ($21) and she graciously let me try everything on her plate, and it was just as good. We didn't have room for dessert but the choices looked great. I will definitely be back again.
(5)A L.
After the third visit in the last 6 mths, I've accepted my disappointment in the Country Cat's execution. Like the atmosphere, menu sounds good, but food comes out lackluster. Dishes have been served with burnt home fries, over cooked biscuits, under cooked biscuits, and under salted main entrees. Unfortunately, I won't recommend it to friends going forward.
(2)Lezley L.
Is it bad that we tried this place twice in one week? Once for dinner and once for brunch. Personally I felt the dinner was better than the brunch. The fried chicken is moist with a crispy batter. Homemade beef jerky? Score! Service was good as we got the same server on our visit. Btw the beef brisket for dinner is fantastic. Tender meat that just melts in your mouth. The red wine & mushroom sauce looks like it might be overwhelming but the taste is mildly balanced. Cool place to have dinner with friends just make sure you have a reservation if you want to get a table.
(4)Giselle K.
On the recommendation of a coworker, I stopped by the other night on the way home from work to buy some beef jerky for my sweet husband who had been kindly nursing me through a bad cold all week. I got there at 4:45pm, not knowing they didn't open until 5. The door was locked, but I saw a lot of people milling about inside, so I knocked on the window to see if I could maybe wait inside or buy the jerky really quick. Got one dirty look from a female employee through the window, then a couple of minutes later another female employee came outside from around the corner (back door?) and asked what I wanted. I said I just want to get some beef jerky, can I do that really quick. She said, "We don't open until 5, you're welcome to buy some at that time. We sell by the 1/4lb." I said, "What time do you have?" She looked at her watch, said, "You have 13 minutes." And she walked away. It was freezing cold out and I still wasn't feeling that great, so I went to the car. I figured I'd made the special trip, so I didn't want to leave empty handed. Luckily, I came to my senses and left. My desire not to give them my money or business overrode my desire to give my awesome husband a nice treat. Is it really so difficult to be courteous in this town? I'm finding more and more that it is. This was my third disappointing customer service experience in a week (a holiday week, at that). There was no line of people waiting to get in, how hard would it have been to ring up some jerky or let me wait inside for a few minutes? Even to suggest a warm place on the street to kill time would have been nice. I've heard great things about the food here and CC has been on my list of places to try, however, if this is how they treat customers, I'll pass. I think my coworker summed it up best: "It's not like you were trying to get seated early or jockey for a table in front of other people...you just wanted some overpriced jerky!" Well, I guess i did get jerky--jerky attitude!
(1)Kelly M.
If I'm being totally honest, I'd been avoiding coming here for a long time. As excited as I was about the food, I just wasn't looking forward to the wait. One Thursday night, we were semi-in the area, so we decided to give it a try. We braced ourselves and went for it. Guess what? We could be immediately seated at the counter or wait 20 minutes for a table. Husband, feeling brave, opted for the counter. EXCELLENT choice. I highly recommend the counter. We got an awesome view, and it was great talking to the cooks when they had some downtime. They do a really great job. The food was great, but you probably already know that. We had the onion rings - which are really more like onion strings, my FAVORITE. First I wished they were served with ranch, but one bite of the house-made ketchup changed my mind about that. The chicken lived up to the hype, but skillet fried isn't my favorite way to have fried chicken. So not best-ever, but still tasty. Husband had duck two ways and loved every bite. We finished with the trio of pudding, which was divine. I think the chocolate was my favorite, but they were all excellent. We'll be back!
(5)Emma B.
First time here.. Not at all disappointed! Chicken.. Awesome. Grits.. Freaking amazing! And the greens, oh the greens. Then there was dessert. This place is so wonderful. We sat at the bar that faces the cooks. Good show, great guys, amazing food. Order the Grits. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Evelyn S.
We arrived for Breakfast on a Sunday morning only to learn that the wait would be 1.5 hours. We left. That same evening, after showing off the Gorge to a visiting friend, we decided to see if we could get in for dinner, we were seated immediately. I ordered the Wild Mushroom & Spring Vegetable Pot Pie and my friend ordered the Two Pieces of Cast-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken and was able to substitute veggies for the mashed potatoes that usually accompany her selection. My pot pie was tasty, rich and filling. Her Chicken was darn fine, at least that is what she said when she made me take a bite! I am not an expert on either of these two types of entrees, but I would have to say that this place knows it's stuff and does it right. The decor is on the kitschy side of things and suits the neighborhood well. The servers are very nice and accommodating. The prices reflect the premium food they provide. The portions are generous but not overwhelmingly so.
(3)Don J.
I drove past this place for a year. I had seen the yelp reviews but as I was frequently just coming back from Home Depot - not a great time to stop. However, some local friends who had also not been there also wanted to try it - so we did. The wait time was reasonable for that time on a Sunday. You could easily get to the bar to order cocktails. So we did. Bloodies - very nice. We were seated at a 4-top across from the bar. Server and bus staff were very upbeat, efficient, and gave honest recommendations. Order to Receive time was quick - less than 15 minutes. Food selection on the menu is great. Food quality was good. We had a GREAT time - largely because we were there with good friends. However, we'll be back to give it a second shot. If you like breakfast sausages: you may want to know that the ones we got (in two seperate orders) were a little grainy and overdone (by general comparison to other places & my own cooking.) Again, the staff could not have been more friendly or accommidating. Fantastic cocktails.
(3)Tanisha W.
Oh my goodness!!! Heaven on Earth! Had the fried chicken and pumpkin pancakes! Soooo delicious! The staff was fantastic! Love this place!
(5)Nick B.
I am dreaming about coming here a second time!!! Went here for a quiet date with my lady and it did not disappoint. The house made jerky is definitely a must!!! It was really hard to choose between the entrees as they were all good sounding. I elected for the red wine braised beef and was likewise not disappointed.
(5)Kate R.
Great that they take reservations for a weekend breakfast place. The food was good, but not amazing. The onion rings are worth the trip and the biscuits are also delicious. The egg dishes weren't perfect. The savory stuff looked better. Not tons of vegetarian options. In a city of great breakfast places this one is good and worth the trip.
(4)Dan H.
I'll admit it. I saw the picture of Country Cat's Cinnamon Swirl Challah French Toast ($10) on the cover of a recent Portland Monthly magazine and I couldn't get that photo out of my mind. I'll admit that Country Cat has been on my ever growing list of places to try in Portland. I will admit that I didn't want to come here for brunch on a Sunday and wait in line for 3 hours to get a table. I just assume most places have a 3 hour wait on a Sunday morning. We did not come here on a Sunday morning. The secret is to take a day off of work and come here during the week. Monday morning? Walk and a get seated immediately. I have just solved the long line breakfast problem in Portland. You can thank me later. I looked at the menu and thought I was going to cry. I did not see the french toast. Well, this morning wasn't starting out too well. Then our server came over and said she had a few specials. I don't know what one of them was, but I know that one was the french toast. Sold. Put me down for 12 orders. Ok, my mind wanted 12 orders, but my body only had one. Challah bread is the only bread one should make french toast with. It is the perfect vehicle for this dish. This version of this dish is dipped in Maker's Mark custard with Winter fruit compote, clabber cream, & maple syrup. Why can I not be eating this while I'm typing this review? Why do you mock me? Why am I talking to myself? Easily some of the best french toast I have ever eaten. Side note. I don't eat french toast that often. That doesn't mean this isn't good. It is. Believe me. It is very good. Next up I need to come for dinner. As Ahnold is wont to say. I'll be back.
(5)Michael Q.
Second visit, though I swore I'd never go in again. But I now live in the 'hood, so... From my Facebook post a few moments ago...most of my friends are in Texas, where I'm from. I grew up on CFS, and have had some amazing versions...but NEVER in Portland, for gawd's sake. And NOT at The CC. I was jonesin' for chicken fried steak today after receiving the December issue of Texas Monthly which is dedicated to Texas food. I made the mistake of going down the street to a place that gets raves from magazines like Bon Appetit and papers like the New York Times, Portland's Country Cat. The CFS was a joke. Brown gravy? Really? And they served this in a friggin' bowl with all the "vegetables" hidden under the thin piece of beef with breading so wimpy it did not adhere at all to the "meat". I swore I'd never go into that place again after having the absolute worst fried chicken of my life: $18 for two burnt chicken strips, some tasteless greens and useless mashed potatoes. And the Times, et al, rave about their chicken! Unbelievable!!!!!! And they served this in a friggin' bowl with all the "vegetables" hidden under the thin piece of beef with breading so wimpy it did not adhere at all to the "meat". Sorry, CC, I've now paid my dues. I'll go straight to heaven when I die, to a room full of properly prepared Southern food! Sorry, CC, I've now paid my dues. I'll go straight to heaven when I die, to a room full of properly prepared Southern food! Apparently Kenny Shopsin is spot on: Most people DON'T know what the fuck they're eating...
(1)Michael U.
Moving on to my final day in Portland; a 6:00pm flight scheduled to deliver me back in Phoenix just after 8:00 I knew I had time to double up on brunches once more and after my morning run and a stop at Coco Doughnuts I hoped to build on the previous day's southern success at The Country Cat; Adam Sappington's "Country Craft Kitchen" on Stark Street. Described with many of the current industry buzz words including "farm to table," "nose to tail," "organic," and more featuring a sizable menu with many of my favorites and reportedly FAR shorter waits than those at Screen Door the space seemed like a can't miss but in the end the experience turned out to be a mixed one. Arriving just after 9:15am and finding the space already half full but never anywhere near as jammed packed as Screen door I was greeted by a young woman at the door and offered my choice of a table or a seat at the Chef's counter and opting for the later I'll note that if you have the option, particularly as a solo, this is the spot to be as a quiet but friendly staff of four worked the line while joking with one another as well as guests, seemingly enjoying their job every step of the way - even as they heckled me about 'ordering too much,' something I assured them that two plates was very unlikely to entail. Sitting and waiting, sipping yet another cup of Stumptown, while watching the team expedite everything from pork to pancakes and biscuits to brisket it would be approximately a twenty minute wait before my duo of plates arrived (unfortunately the restaurant's policy was to serve dishes together, as opposed to coursed out) and as hard as it was to pass on the Monte Cristo my selected savory would prove to be well worth it, the signature "Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Toasted Pecan Bacon Spoonbread" an exemplary pile of crispy bird paired with sweet-meets-savory bacon and cornbread custard topped with buttery pecans plus a seemingly extraneous salad that actually proved brilliantly placed, the light acid of the vinaigrette helping to provide some levity to an otherwise hefty plate of excellent cuisine. Transitioning from savory to sweet, and the main reason I opted to visit Country Cat on a weekend rather than a weekday, the *weekend only* Cinnamon Swirl French Toast with Makers Mark Custard, Vanilla Poached Pears, Clabber Cream, Maple Syrup would unfortunately prove to be quite disappointing - particularly in a city where I'd already experienced so many superlative takes on my favorite breakfast dish - and largely because of the toast itself. Large in portion and big in flavor with the poached pears, cream, and pure maple all excellent it was the execution of this dish that fell short - the custard not only unremarkable (and certainly not boozy,) but also not saturating the bread thus leaving the interior not dissimilar to a slice of plan cinnamon toast. Admittedly more than ample for sopping up the lovely amalgam of fruit, cream, and syrup but generally 'bready' I'm sure some of my disappointment in this dish was my preference for custard laden toast, so perhaps others results may vary, and I certainly would not hesitate to return in order to sample more of the menu - particularly the cinnamon rolls and monte cristo which both looked excellent, or some of the more interesting options from the dessert menu (which they should really consider serving at brunch.)
(3)Andrew H.
If you're the type of person to say things like: "Screen Door is soooo OVER!" "Montavilla is such a cool area, it's one of the few places in Portland that's still real and not all played-out" You will LOVE this place, go here immediately, and please don't burn a bag of dog excrement on my door-step. For everyone else: This is a poor-man's Screendoor. There, I said it. And by that I mean that the concept is similar, the prices are similar, the lines are similar (OK, the wait is probably less here, and almost non-existent on weekdays...OK, that's a third reason to come here I guess: Screen Door-style food on weekday mornings) but the quality is lower and the portions smaller. That's not to say this is a bad place. If Screen Door didn't exist, it would be a great place to eat. As it is though, I've been here twice and both times I left hungry and underwhelmed. I just don't see why anyone would go here for brunch when Screen Door is minutes away. I also don't get what all the hype is about? It seems like people just like to drop the name of this place because it isn't as well know as the Screendoors and Tin Sheds of the world. I've heard people say the bacon here is some of the best in town, really? I guess bacon is a personal thing because I was not impressed. It was dry and lacked any pepper or sweetness, it was more like a dry ham-slab*. (who's bacon is better? Screen Door, City State...Simpatica seems to have a similar *style* of bacon to the Cat, but it is better executed) I should say that, like Screendoor, the waitstaff here is SUPER friendly and really great. NOTE: I am speaking solely about breakfast/brunch, I've never been here for dinner. NOTE:NOTE: I didn't read any of the other reviews of this place before I wrote this, I usually try to keep myself "pure" so that I don't' inadvertently plagiarize the thoughts/feelings opinions of others. I'm not sure if anyone else thought about comparing these two places or if it's just me. I'm not trying to start some sort of Ducks/Beavers, Bloods/Crips** turf-war thing with these two places...so...sorry if that happens. *OK, so maybe at the end of the day that's what bacon actually is but I'm an engineer, not a butcher! Also: the Wikipedia article on bacon confuses me...slab/Canadian/not-Canadian/cured/smoked...ugh **This used to read "Crypts" thanks to friend and fellow Yelper Kade M. for both pointing this out and forgiving me for getting it wrong on account of growing up in Florida
(3)Cindy K.
Customer service lacking, wouldn't seat us until the entire party arrived and the food is over seasoned, rubbery mess.
(1)Tori B.
The oNLY things worth ordering for dinner are some of the cocktails,hamburger, biscuits, deviled eggs and onion rings. Chicken=grease!, duck pate= ugh, pickled veggies are great if you love to drink vinegar! Clams were greasy, and muscles were not great either! Service was pathetic
(2)Andrew A.
I thought they used to give a few biscuits for free with each meal, but I may be mistaken. Anyway, they do offer a single and basket of biscuits and if they are the ones I'm thinking of, they are quite delicious. The Breakfast Pizzetta was very good, but very difficult to cut with the knife they give. Eating by hand isn't very functional, so maybe they should serve with a different type of knife. Potato sides, home fries and the like are usually just so so, and it's the same here. However, the ketchup that accompanies the taters was different and good. Have tried a few different items, including the Chicken Fried Steak, and all were good, but not great. Our male server was a bit impatient, and of course, more friendly when dropping the check. One standout: the cappuccino. Not sure what roast they use, but one of the better versions in coffee city.
(3)Lyle R.
I can see how there is opposing opinions on the French toast. The first half with the fruity goodness and whip cream mixed with the crunch of the oats was awesome! But once that was gone it was fairly dry and bland.
(3)Yaz H.
A million stars and more!!! I cant say enough about this place....Though we only had the Fired Chicken and Chicken Fried Steak as well as a biscuit, it was all heavenly... I cant wait to go back for the Eggs Bene or the Hash...Yum, Yum, Yum!!! Worth the trip and the wait, though we didn't have a wait and went on a weekday early afternoon.
(5)Becca S.
I went for brunch and it was deliciously amazing. It's small and felt a bit cramped but that's what you get when you're an idiot who forgets that it's Father's Day until you see the crowd at a restaurant. The service was as fast as attentive as possible even though it was full to the brim. I'm a sucker for Eggs Benedict and the fact they do it with Steelhead sold me immediately of course. The biscuits were so yummy, the homefries were done perfectly.
(4)Anita W.
Went to the Cat with a friend who highly recommended the place. The guy who seated us acted surprised that we didn't have a reservation and harrumphed about it while looking around at the several empty tables. After he got over his pique about us not having reservations, he seated us and our server came fairly quickly. He also had a little bit of an attitude, and didn't seem very happy that we weren't immediately ready with our orders. He did come back several times and was attentive, so I will give him props for that. Our food came as ordered, and was hot. I was not impressed with the food, and the staff needs to take a course in humility. I wasn't wowed and probably won't be going back.
(3)Sarah B.
I'm going to agree with Sherry and say "Smoked steelhead eggs benedict!" Om nom nom. I love steelhead and I love benedict, making this my go-to breakfast of choice. Their biscuits are ever-so-slightly sweet, ever-so-slightly lemony, and ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. You can even order a basket of them on the side - normally, biscuits are mediocre. Not theirs. If you're not a biscuit person, give them a try, and I can guarantee a 90% biscuit-lover conversion rate. Famously garnished bloody marys and fantastically fizzy mimosas provide the perfect accoutrement to breakfast or brunch at the Cat. You can also get tasty things like fried chicken (in Portland! I know! it's a revelation!) and yummy biscuits and gravy. If you don't want taters on the side, you can have greens or fruit or whatever you like, since the servers and the kitchen are all flexible and accommodating and friendly as all get out. If you're in the 'hood, this is a great place for a lazy weekend morning. Next up, I plan to try dinner here.
(5)JP R.
FYI long wait up to an hour. Worth the wait! Food is amazing - had the eggs Benedict with smoke salmon. Home fries are seasoned to perfection and abundant. Benedict lies on homemade biscuits! Heaven!....my friend had the braised beef hash with eggs...looked amazing! Prices $9-12. Service is very friendly. A great brunch spot on a Sunday afternoon.
(5)Stefanie W.
This is as perfect a place as you will ever find. Everything I've ever had was a foodgasm. We drive from 40 miles away weekly just to have breakfast here. My favorite is the country fried steak with sour cream mashed potatoes with Worcestershire gravy and kale. I never stray from that, but I certainly try what other people are having. Today, I swiped some of my husband's pumpkin pancakes. Ohmergawd.
(5)Hana F.
Pretty good. It's a bit expensive, but the food's good, although getting to the restaurant from downtown is a bit out of the way. The fried chicken is delicious. Is it worth $15? I don't know.
(4)Joan B.
I am NOT from Portland, and was taken to the Country Cat by my daughter. The food was wonderful, the service exceptional, the pacing perfect. There were 3 of us and we shared two entrees, one side and a dessert , and left well satisfied and not over fed, all for just over $50. Oftentimes, I leave the restaurant just a little disappointed, thinking that I could have done at least as good if not a better job at home. This was definitely not the case last Sunday night. I am already looking forward eating at the Country Cat during my next time visit Portland,
(5)T. M.
one of the best breakfasts I've had in Portland. The fried chicken was amazing. This place blows screen door away. The line want bad for a Saturday morning either. Super kid friendly too.
(5)Shirley C.
Decided to try the Cat again during the March dining month. This time the meal was yummy! Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and collards. Everything was excellent but the potatoes and gravy were out of this world
(4)Jimmy N.
My friend invited me to have dinner here to try this place out. It was definitely a bar atmosphere (more than a dinnerhouse atmosphere). We were seated promptly as the restaurant was at only roughly 70% capacity. We ordered (non alcoholic) drinks such as lemonade. The drinks did not arrive until approximately 7-10 minutes later. And when the drinks arrived, the waitress did not take our order or insisted on it; she just dropped off the drinks and drifted off. Another ten minutes comes by and she finally takes our order. Keep in mind, the restaurant is NOT busy, and far from full capacity. After placing our orders we had to wait another 10-15 minutes to receive our entrees. Throughout dining on our entrees, the waitress did not check up on to see if everything was okay. After clearly completing our entrees, he received attention finally after another 10-15 minutes. After the unfinished bland food, we were were still hungry and decided to try desserts. The desserts were very good, far from the quality of the entrees. We enjoyed the desserts. Overall the dining experience there ended up to be approximately a hour, where 40 minutes or so of it was just "waiting" on the waitress to give us the proper attention. Customer service is was rated 1/5... whereas food was not absolute terrible (I've had worse, but so much better elsewhere) although far from mediocre which rates a 2/5. The lack of customer service, alone, discourages me to revisit here again anytime soon.
(2)Eric P.
One of the most Portland-y restaurants I've ever encountered. Plain wood booths, simple decor, and a focus on the food. A creative, home-cooking-inspired menu delighted everyone in our party -- a month-early two-birthday celebration brought on by the restaurant's appearance on TV, which necessitated getting reservations. From the "Judy" cheese and the onion rings (sliced thin enough to resemble calamari) through entrees to shared cobbler at dessert, we were all thrilled with everything we ate. (Though as much as we loved the "Judy" cheese appetizer, it was extremely filling ... moderation would have perhaps been wiser on our parts.) The full bar didn't hurt matters, either. Yet another addition for my "eating through Portland" list of places I'll want to hit again.
(4)Daniel R.
This place has a great vibe. It's very Portland. The servers are friendly and the food is really good. They tout local ingredients and 'real' food. I highly recommend them. I've been there a half a dozen times and have never been disappointed. Cheers!
(4)Virginia S.
The food was delish but the service was terrible. Came here because of DDD, and wasn't disappointed. It's a real small place so watch out when a table of 10 show up about the same time you do. Had the duck and husband had the Whole Pig. And it was parts of a whole pig. Loved the duck.
(3)Rachel S.
Fabulous brunch! I wanted to treat my sister to brunch for her birthday, and this is where she wanted to go. We arrived a little before opening on Saturday to ensure that we wouldn't have a long wait- we did have a toddler in tow. As soon as they opened, we were seated and given water and offered some coffee. Given how many amazing-sounding dishes are on the menu, my sister and I decided to divide and conquer. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with steelhead, she ordered the pancakes with apples, and we shared. The eggs bennie come on a biscuit, which is a plus in my book, and the potatoes they came were were delicious and light. The pancakes were some of the best I have had at a restaurant, and the caramel butter and apples made them absolutely divine. Our service was excellent, the atmosphere was cozy (and warm on a cold, rainy morning), and our experience was fantastic. Definitely a top brunch spot for me!
(5)Kari J.
The Country Cat is simply the cat's meow. We will be back!
(4)Yellow H.
Honestly, this place is amazing. We usually skip the lines at brunch and go for dinner, where there's rarely much wait. The food is always beautifully conceived and executed, the staff friendly, and it's a hell of a deal for the quality.
(5)Angela G.
The fried chicken and mashed potatoes was amazing. The pork chops were fork tender. At first bite, the shoestring onions seemed basic but when it melted in the mouth, it assumed a surprising yumminess. With the pork chop came a delightful fig/prune? Sauce. Wow. Just wow. Even the kale was good. Come here to eat. You won't be sorry.
(5)Cee A.
I'm a fried chicken kind of guy. Popeye's, Church's, Roscoe's, Ezell's, Cackalack's, Pine State ... and so on, and so forth. I love me some fried chicken. I mean really, how can fried chicken ever disappoint, right? Well, I guess you should never say never. I mean, it's not as though Country Cat's send up of fried chicken is bad. No, in fact it's quite delicious. But for some reason I just wasn't feeling it. I guess there's something about smallish, de-boned chicken breast pieces that make me feel like I'm eating chicken strips rather than good old-fashioned fried chicken. Could've been a victim of the hype too. I'd heard many, many accolades about the Country Cat before I ever made it in, so maybe my expectations were exorbitant and there was just no way anything was going to suffice. Whatever the case, this is one fried chicken aficionado that found the Country Cat a little lacking. For what it's worth, the wife wasn't exactly floored by her Benedict either. You can certainly do a lot worse when it comes to brunch. But given the myriad options elsewhere in Portland, I'd rather hit one up that was more to my liking.
(3)Brook P.
Get the chicken Fried Steak! Everything else is good, but the Chicken Fried Steak is out of this world. Potatoes, good breaded steak, and collard greens. I don't usually like chicken fried steak but the country cat changed my mind!
(4)Cait S.
There are WAY better breakfast places in Portland. I know breakfast places on the weekends are going to be busy so I do my research, Yelp, news articles, friends, etc. From Yelp and news articles it sounded like the place to be. It wasn't. Only after did I have time to check with friends who are as big of foodies as I am and they all agreed, it wasn't that special and didn't deserve the high rating. The biscuits, which people rave about, tasted similar to bisquick ones that are made at church functions for hundreds. The ones at Jam are way better. The "smoked" salmon benedict on the biscuits were barely edible. They looked great but the hollandaise sauce soaked into the biscuit making it a doughy texture...the type that sticks to the roof of your mouth when you chew. The salmon was not smoked in any sense of the word. I grew up on the Oregon coast with real smoked salmon so I'm extra picky but even my friends who tasted it all said it was as though they steamed it without any flavor. Don't waste your time driving here unless you're desperate and if you do, don't get the salmon benedicts or biscuits.
(2)Mandi T.
Called and made a reservation for 4 on a Friday night for my guys birthday... he got the whole hog and I got fried chicken. Very yummy and we will definitely be back.
(5)Samantha B.
As a newcomer to Portland, we came here because of the reviews we found online (yelp, ect.) The breakfast was literally the WORST I've ever tasted. I got an egg dish, with pork and grits. None of the flavors complimented each other. The consistency was slimy and the eggs were undercooked. I sent it back and ordered the biscuits and gravy. Again, the worst I've ever had. The biscuits were hard as a rock and the gravy was flavorless. The same happened when my husband ordered the eggs benedict. Flavorless. The only good thing about this place was the atmosphere and the potatoes. Even their house made ketchup tasted off. TERRIBLE. I've been around the block when it comes to food tasting and this place doesn't measure up to anything. I think they're trying too hard.
(1)Holly C.
Went here with my husband. We both really enjoyed it. We ordered the Manila Clams as a starter. They were good and served with a small piece of bread. I wish my piece of bread was bigger to soak up more of the broth from the clams. On second thought more bread would have kept me from eating the rest of what we ordered. My husband ordered The Whole Hog. It was a bone-in pork chop, pulled pork, pork belly, and head cheese. He let me have a small taste of everything. I was nervous about the head cheese, but it was very good. I ordered the lamb dish. My husband "won" dinner but my order was really good too. The lamb was served with greens and a potato cake. For dessert my husband and I split the Red Velvet Cake. I had tea for my drink and my husband had some drink I can't remember. Good thing we went to Ikea after, We burned a bit of the calories off. I would return for sure!
(5)Laura C.
The breakfasts here may be a little spendy, but with inflation, so have the breakfasts at Denny's, Shari's and IHOP. And this is a league above. I ordered your typical biscuits and gravy with a side of potato's and an egg. It ran about $10, but was soo worth it!! My friend ordered a side of bacon with her meal and got a few huge pieces of the thick, peppery kind you find at the butcher. Her orange juice also tasted fresh squeezed. We didn't have much of a wait, but then we went early to avoid a rush. Parking is on the street and in the nearby neighborhood, but was very easy to find and free. As Tom Peterson used to say "Free is a very good price". I guess it's just a matter of time before they start putting in meters, so I was just glad to enjoy the free-ness of it while I could.
(4)Darrell R.
Having seen the hype on DDD, our party of 4 stopped in for dinner. I had the Whole Hog dish & was disappointed - pork chop was dry & tough & other pork dishes nothing special; lamb meatloaf was reportedly 'good', chicken close to average & not up to DDD's hype & burger just above average.
(3)Lauren R.
Very crowded on the weekends but they'll take your number and send you a text when the table is open, so you can wander about at your leisure. The food was good. The eggs benedict were yummy but I thought the hollandaise sauce was a bit weak in my opinion. The French toast was a bit thin but very good otherwise. Overall good experience.
(4)Lisa k.
You know. Yesterday was my birthday and as much as I wanted to go here again (would have been my fourth time) I got swayed by the hype of the Screen Door. Regrets regrets regrets. I was sad that my birthday food experience was one of MEHdome. But if you want GOOD FOOD, minus the bullshit hype...Country Cat is where it is at! I have been here three times, have eaten different plates, with many different people, and everyone has had the most tastebud loving time here! I don't know if you can go wrong with your food choice. If you ever get to sit by the open kitchen, the kitchen folks are friendly, informative, and fun to watch. The actual wait service is decent (not amazing) but I guess that depends on who you get. Basically, you are not going to get someone who ruins your time (at least from my own experiences). I haven't had it yet but I've been told by a co-diner that the fried chicken is stellar! Everything I've ever had here has been amazing EXCEPT their house salad. Not that it tasted bad but was really not happy getting a pathetically small plate of greens for $7 without any other veggies. Don't waste your money on that house salad. You've been warned. The prices are higher than Screen Door and portions are smaller (depending on what you get) but the QUALITY outweighs the mediocre quality and larger quantity of SD. This is a great place for groups large and small with many options (except that stupid house salad). Bon Appetite!
(5)Duane P.
In my quest this year to finish eating at all of the Eater PDX top 38 restaurants, Country Cat was next up. It is a nice looking restaurant inside with a large counter and lots of booths, My favorite two seating options. We were waited on promptly and after taking a while to decide we choose the Steelhead Benedict and Country Fried Steak. These are also my two favorite options for breakfast. After the food arriving and looking at the great plate presentation we dug in. The Benedict was a little dry because of the biscuit and not enough hollandaise sauce. As other reviewers have mentioned the sauce was lacking in lemon flavor. The Chicken Fried Steak was very good but a little chewy. I liked the sauteed greens with it. Overall good service and food quality.
(4)June L.
One word...wow! Ok, two words...WOW and OMG! Thanks to Yelp, we showed up here around 7pm Friday evening. The décor inside was simple with clean and spare lines. I like that kind of interior, and even though the restaurant was full, it wasn't overly loud. We were quickly and politely greeted and managed snagged the last table outside. As we sat at the picnic bench-like table, I could smell the wonderful aroma of fried chicken coming on the table behind us. I'm thinking that's my dinner choice fer shure! Our server was friendly and efficient, always there when we needed her to be, even though we weren't seated in the main part of the restaurant. She brought us menus and water quickly, was there for cocktail orders, then dinner orders. She checked back with us and made the whole meal a great dining out experience. If it's still on the menu, absolutely order the Whole Hog. A thick, juicy, perfectly-seasoned, tender grilled pork chop. A serving of crispy pork belly (reminded me of Chinese siew yoke). A serving of moist, flavorful shredded pork shoulder. But the gem of this dish, the oh-so-clever surprise was a little square of cornmeal-dusted, deep-fried, house-made head cheese! When you cut into the crusty square, you are rewarded with a luscious, stew-like mix of yummy pork and veggie bits. Amazing! The rest of our meal was equally stellar. We happened to center it around pork, quite by accident, but we ended up with the smoked ham hock hominy soup, clams with pork sausage, The Country Cat's Whole Hog, and braised collards with bacon. All so, so good! I wish I had room for dessert. We also had a cocktail each (also yummy) and when the bill came, we felt we got great value for our money. I wish I lived closer to Portland because I'd love to come back to The Country Cat!
(5)Brandon Y.
Went to country cat tonight. Showed up at 6pm with 6 people. There were several open tables. The hostess was super unfriendly stating the next table that would be free would be 8:30. Seriously??!? Probably the last time I go there.
(2)Mar C.
Brunch review. Went here with my family yesterday around 1pm. We unfortunately got a booth that had a slanted table, but nothing slid off of it so that was okay. We're not complainers over minor things like that. We ordered a few items and shared them among us. Eggs Benedict with Steelhead Salmon - the eggs were cooked quite nicely, but the hollandaise did not add much flavor to it. Came with herb-y potatoes and house ketchup. Open-faced Meatloaf Sandwich - came with a salad and fried onions on top. The onions were a bit soggy and I kept wondering where the meatloaf was. Two eggs with Biscuits & Gravy - Standard dish. Hard to mess this up. The gravy was a nice balance. Chicken Fried Steak - Seemed like mostly breading. Soggy breading at that. I did like the Worcestershire gravy very much and wish it had more. Came with some steamed greens and mashed potatoes. The potatoes needed salt. Service was friendly but a bit slow. Our water glasses were not refilled at all.
(3)Jason F.
I love this place. The staff is great, the food is great. "The slow burn" is an amazing yet easily overlooked dish. The plain menu description doesn't do justice to this wonderful smokey pulled pork concoction on a bed of creamy grits topped with over-easy eggs. You really can't go wrong here and it's kid friendly.
(5)Nicole W.
I have been to The Country Cat about a million times now, and I have to say that I keep coming back for the food, the service, and the convenient location. My favorite dish is the eggs benedict with salmon - GUH! The best eggs benedict I've had was here at The Country Cat. The servers are generally very friendly and polite, I've nothing bad to say about any of them. All that being said, there are definitely less memorable visits - it is likely that they have several chefs working different shifts. Surprised? You shouldn't be. They have someone working that kitchen with a real talent for food, though. Whoever it is, they're worth finding. I hate how long the wait time has become. I remember when I could walk in and be seated almost anywhere, at any time. The Country Cat sorely needs a relocation for more seating. Also, they don't take reservations for Sunday brunch. The waiting list is just too long.
(4)Dawn M.
Cast iron chicken, honey mustard wings, spicy bloodys....STUPID GOOD.... nuff said.
(5)Stephanie W.
I came here for a birthday dinner and was so sad that the food me and my friends were eating wasn't better. I had heard so much about Country Cat and thought it'd be spectacular but I was wrong. We got biscuits for appetizers and they were pasty. I mean, they were so dry that they stuck like Spackle to the roofs of our mouths. My fried chicken - which I thought would rival Screen Door's. . . was dry and appeared overcooked. Overall, super disappointing.
(1)Simon K.
Got here nice and early on a Saturday morning just before the real rush of people starting filing in and I was ever so impressed. Another place that has raised 'the bar' of what damn good breakfast should taste like and be priced at. I really do think I come from a city that is overpriced for it's own good, and when I step into a place like this, there is an instantaneous smile of approval that cannot be rubbed off my face! From the hundreds of reviews of this place, I knew that I could not go wrong coming here, and I already had the expectation of waiting to get a seat to get my food. Rolling in at about 9:30AM on a Saturday, me and the girls still had to wait a good 15 minutes before being seated. Coming in here, you have a sense of an old diner with many new fixings, like the clean open kitchen on the back end, and the big bar with bottles lined up to the ceiling. The logo of the place is done in tile on the outside, and we knew we were at the right place, can't miss it, as it's on the corner. It was a hard choice, already looking at the menu posted outside, on what to order, where we had to send the server back, as we still needed more time after looking at the menu outside what our stomachs really wanted (everything, but you know you can only have so much!). I finally settled on the 'Smoky Bacon & Tomato Hash' and my partner decided to order a side of their homemade tomato soup. Our other friend had the 'Cinnamon Swirl Challa French Toast'. While we waited, we started food staring, hunger can do that to you, and were amazed not only by the portion size, but the presentation and the delicious smells that were eminating (as I said, hunger can be a true bitch!). Our food didn't take too much longer, but I did notice the 'Bloody Mary's' they were serving, with a side of bacon instead of the green bean or celery. That is one fine chunk of meat, you can't miss it, this thing is like a big fish swimming in a very small tank, order it, or look around and you will see this drink! Back to our food, once it arrived, the smells from it were making our mouths water. When I looked at my 'hash' it just looked very picture perfect. Two Poached eggs lying on the bed of big square potatoes, almost looking like big fat blob clouds just being perched in the air. I then decided to take my fork and stick it... into the potato hash that is... and have my first bite! The potato bit was nice and crispy on the outside, and just the correct firmness on the inside, but the taste of everything from the corn, tomotoes, peppers, onions, and whetever else they threw in there was damn good. I didn't even think of the poached egg till my partner had the plate and said "I'm poking it", and the dark yellow gooey liquid from the yolk came dripping out, taking on the bits on the bottom of the plate like when high tide comes onto a beach. Me and my partner, we are not big eaters, and this one plate, not massive, but filling, hit our stomachs in the right spot, served with a very creamy tomato soup (this was fresh!) and we were set to start our day. The service was fast and friendly, and I couldn't have been more impressed at the food. Definitely a must hit for great breakfasts in Portland. Oh yeah, tons of parking around here free as well.
(5)Ian H.
Unfortunately, this place let me down. Big time. If I only had two words to explain it, they would be "hype overdose." I'm sure the big "guy fieri ate here" tag over the kitchen only helps add to the aforementioned hype. Every time before this, I left because there was an excessive wait time. This was my fourth attempt at grabbing a table at country cat and I was so excited to finally peruse the menu and taste my way through the orchestra of down home flavors the hordes before me had clamored about. I'll start by saying the service was very friendly but a tad on the slow side and the drinks were very good. The food however was the big let down. We started out with some deviled eggs that tasted like chalky Dijon mustard. Yuck. I make deviled eggs all the time and it's not really all that hard to make them taste good. For mains, I ordered the fried chicken n mashers and the Mrs. Ordered the shrimp and biscuit with a side of baked beans. All proteins were sadly overcooked. My chicken thighs were very dry and the breading on them was doughy and chewy. The potatoes were meh, and the gravy was pretty standard stuff. The sauce that came with the shrimp was one dimensional and lacked any real flavor. The baked beans were so dry, it was like eating dirt with some BBQ sauce that was about one water atom away from being powder. Final overall assessment: the fried chicken and baked beans were the worst I've ever had. How?! Why?! Country cat!!! What's going on? I hate writing bad reviews, it makes me sad. But as a devoted yelper, I must be honest about my experience. It is not my goal to hurt their business with such an admittedly harsh review. I'd like to encourage you to check them out if you're really into it but don't be surprised if your experience is similar to mine. If you do experience something akin to the joy most people rave about, then please, by all means, tell me about it.
(2)Tom D.
It is nice to have such a place like this in the neighborhood, but I don't think it's worth traveling across town for. They're known for their fried chicken, though they seem to get they're breasts off of teen chickens so don't expect a whole lot of meat on them. That said after three tries here. I went for breakfast today and had the lemon poppyseed challah french toast dipped in vanilla custard with red wine soaked plums, vanilla clabber cream, and maple syrup, which somehow had very little taste, though the plums were delicious. Those should have been the entree. I think I am done with this place unless I'm in the neighborhood. Cute name, quaint spot, but not noteworthy as a Portland restaurant.
(3)Kevin K.
Great food, and atmosphere! Sat at the chefs counter and really enjoyed the experience. Very reasonably priced wine list with many good steals in every varietal. Country Cat great southern comfort food!
(5)Torrey M.
Awesome food! Had the eggs Benedict with salmon. It was absolutely amazing! This is definitely a new breakfast/brunch spot for me!
(5)Kathryn K.
I got there at 4:55 and they opened at 5:00. There was already a line to get in but I did not have to wait for a seat once they opened and got a window seat. By the time I left at 6:05 the restaurant was full and there were people waiting for tables. I had Barbeque Duck Leg on a Smoky Bacon, Wild Mushroom, Sweet Corn, & Blackberry Succotash. For dessert I had the Warm Plum Cobbler Served with an oatmeal cookie top, Earl Grey ice cream, & caramel. The dessert was the most enjoyable of the meal in my opinion. The ice cream was so good with just a hint of the Earl Grey on top of the Oatmeal Cookie. I could have just eaten the cookie and ice cream by themselves but there was this delicious combination of fruit buried under the cookie crust. The duck was not at all gamey and the variety of vegetables in the succotash gave a unique flavor to the meal. The only thing I would have changed would to have the duck skin crisped up and a little more seasoning on the succotash. I will be going back to try something else on the menu another time.
(4)Frith P.
Went here for the first time for breakfast this past Friday morning with my son. My son has been here before and had told me they had good food. I was impressed. The service was really good-we sat at the bar and the bar tender waited on us. He was friendly and engaging. The staff all looked like they enjoyed working there and were super friendly. The food was great! I will definately go back and take more people with me.
(4)geoffrey K.
Loved everything we had. Great casual environment, wonderful food, and creative drinks. This is definitely one of my go to restaurants on my regular trips into Portland. I am sure that their seafood options are good, however I seemed to end up there hungry for heavy dishes and more often than not end up getting lamb or duck dishes. It is also great to go to a restaurant where they prepare collard greens to perfection! Now that I think about it, maybe I go tonight!
(4)Anne R.
Profoundly, impressively awful in every way. We had the same server who was mentioned in a couple of previous reviews: tattoos, bright red lipstick, and a surprisingly rude attitude. Every question was spat out with a disdainful sneer and ended with a sigh: "Do you know what you'd like-kah?" We also had a similar experience to several other reviewers here, in that my friend's drink arrived with a drowned bug floating in it. We pointed this out to two different servers. The first one said "Oh," left it on the table, and wandered off, ostensibly to get Miss Personality, our original server, who glanced at it and helpfully explained that "it's a fruit fly." Well, yes. It may not be a cockroach, but it's still a dead insect - in the drink you just brought. She took it away and removed it from our bill, which is the one nice thing I can say about the service in this place. The food was pretty bad. My vegetable "hash" consisted of odds and ends from the crisper drawer in some sort of bland broth, with a rubbery, nearly unrecognizable, sloppily poached egg on top. I learned an important lesson from eating here: Life's too short to eat bad food and drink buggy drinks served by sullen hipster bitches, especially in the glutton's-dream-come-true that is Portland. Go somewhere - ANYWHERE - else.
(1)Chantelle V.
Really cool place, but extremely long wait time for a table plus hostess was not the most friendly girl in town. We were about ready to walk out when we were told we were next, then two more groups were sat before us. Looked like hostess was seating her friends before those with reservations. Very frustrating! Once seated our waitress was amazing and my water was kept full-this is super important to me when dining out. Food was heaven!!!! Worth the wait!
(4)Jennifer G.
We just landed in Portland and were starving for a good breakfast! Neither of us are familiar with Portland at all so we just went in the general direction of some places listed on our GPS. But when we passed Country Cat, it looked like a good neighborhood place for some breakfast. We were right! Two of us shared "The Country Cat" plus 2 extra eggs. It was perfect. The eggs were cooked just how we wanted them. The homemade sauces were awesome. Also, because we had just landed we were trying to get our bearings. A woman who wasn't our server (she was a server, just not ours) spent time with us showing us where we were and a scenic way of getting us where we were going. After she was done, she returned a few minutes later to give us another suggestion. We both really appreciated the time she took and how obviously excited she was about where we were heading. We'll definitely go back if we're ever in the area again!
(5)James S.
Any one who knows me even a little has probably heard me ranting about having brunch in this city. Get a couple cocktails in me and I get down right nasty about it. Fact is, I hate what it has become. People standing in line for an hour for some eggs. Parties of 20 adults, 15 kids running around out of control, dogs chained up to anything. Flash photography and the places entire amount of bandwidth being hogged by photo uploads! Fuck that noise! That's why on Sunday morning you'll find me at noodle soup places or my own house. But once in a VERY wee while, I'll bomb over to the CC and brave the crowds. Getting there "early"( 9 AM is NOT early) isn't a problem for me because this place is about 6 blocks from my house! The food here is just amazing! I almost always get the fried chicken, greens salad, and spoon bread. Probably the best piece of fried chicken I've ever had! The crunch and adhesion of the breading to the meat is superior. That's the mark of someone who knows what's up with frying some yardbird! I've had other things there too, and equally good. They keep a few solid regular items on the menu and like to mix in some eclectic rotators in too. Their homemade bacon is like carnivore candy! I always get the cowboy kicker or something like that to drink. It's a black coffee, a shot of espresso, and a shot of Pendleton whiskey! Whoo wee, whiskey in coffee will take your breath away, but boy is it worth it. I love this place! But only at 9 AM. When I'm not asshole to elbow in some Portlandia skit.
(5)Mike S.
I can't comment on the food, because we left before being seated because of the rude service. I met a friend there for a weekday lunch and got there first. There were only one or two tables occupied, but I was told I'd have to wait for a table until my friend arrived. When she did, we went elsewhere. (There were still only one or two tables occupied then.)
(1)Pamela S.
I don't ever need to go back to the Country Cat. I've given it three tries and it's three strikes and you're out. I don't DIS-like the place. I just don't LIKE it. First, don't ever go when it's cold outside. They have this ridiculous heavy curtain in front of the doors. It's there, ostensibly, to keep out the cold, but it fails miserably at its job. Every single time someone comes in or leaves they pull the curtain aside, open the door and let cold air flow freely into the restaurant. As is often the case with people entering or leaving an establishment, they stand there with the door wide open waiting for their entire party, so the door is often held open for minutes at a time. The curtains billows out into the dining area and a cold draft enters the restaurant. First time we went, we were sitting directly in front of the curtain covered door and got a big fat blast of freezing every 30 seconds. When we asked to be switched to another, warmer, table we were informed that the curtain protected us from the cold and that the other tables, although vacant at the time, would be occupied later. The food was okay. Our server raved about the biscuits, so we ordered some for our table and they were cold and dry. I've had better biscuits at home using Bisquick. We had better luck with the biscuits on our second visit. They were quite tasty that visit. They were not so good again on visit number three. Everything about Country Cat's food is average. There is nothing memorable on the menu. I would like, very much, to say "You need to try..." but that won't happen about this place. The food is adequate. Nothing you'd write home about. It's alright, but not delicious. The drinks are good. And, other than the ridiculous curtain, the place is attractive.
(3)Annie T.
Love this SE joint-- perfect for breakfast for dinner, or whenever. Haven't had a dish here that I didn't care for. This is where we go when we want home cooked meals and are too lazy to cook. Even the kids portions are a good size and taste just as good! Can't wait for spring to have fried catfish...
(5)d m.
Good food but really expensive. Good service too. Haven't been back because of the cost.
(3)Deb F.
I have enjoyed all the meals I've had at Country Cat. We've gone for brunch once and dinner twice. Each time, the service was fantastic; attentive and helpful, and accommodating of large groups. The ambiance is good; casual and hip. It's very very loud though, so if you're part of a large group, it can be hard to hear others at the larger tables. The fried chicken is what they're known for and it's quite good, although I was craving veggies after that meal. It comes with mashed potatoes and 2 large pieces of chicken. I've had the braised beef, which is super tender and flavorful and I liked the black-eyed peas it came with. The poached snapper with chickpeas is probably my favorite menu item. Although their onion rings are the bomb, and the biscuits aren't far behind. I liked this place, but this isn't the kind of food I crave, or choose to eat, most of the time. But, it's a great place to take out of town guests to give them a bit of the true Portland experience.
(4)Heather S.
My husband and I went to The Country Cat for brunch this past weekend. In a word: Gross. It was really busy and I didn't really want to sit outside. I normally love sitting outside for brunch in Portland, but this particular stretch of Stark is pretty smelly and grimy espeically on a Sunday morning. Maybe it's becuase of all the bars and partiers from the night before. I don't know, but it smells bad. Also, watch where you step, there is dog doodoo all over the place. Reluctantly we sat outside because it was a 45 minute wait otherwise. We figured it must be good if it were so busy. We were wrong. I ordered a Mimosa because my hubby said he'd had them before and they were good. It was good, however it came in a glass that resembled a bud vase. And it may well have been one because the waitress apologized for it taking so long...they had run out of glasses. Hmmm... I ordered scrambled eggs, and a biscuit and gravy with country potatoes. My husband got eggs benedict. The gravy was a gelatinous gray substance, the eggs were way over done. The potatoes tasted like they were fried like fries (deep fried), had way too much rosemary on them, and the 'homemade' ketchup or whatever that comes with them tasted like Campbell's tomato soup. Hubby wasn't impressed with the eggs benedict either. His eggs were almost hard boiled and didn't care for the potatoes either. In short, if you like smelling dog poop and eating gray gravy, and drinking mimosas out of a bud vase, The Country Cat is your place for brunch. Or you might give The Redwood, just half a block down, a try. We walked by there and were envious of their patron's food. Can't say we'll ever go to Country Cat for brunch again. Maybe dinner is better?
(2)Heather E.
My husband and I went on a quiet early afternoon during the weekday. We were greeted by friendly staff and an inviting environment. Although we didn't bring our son...I am excited that it is kid friendly :) I got the cast iron fried chicken and bacon pecan spoon bread with maple syrup--oh my goodness was I a happy girl. The chicken was wonderfully crispy, the flavors of the chicken mixed with the perfectly sweet spoon bread was exactly what I needed to commence our day of celebration! We WILL be going again!
(5)Dean R.
Chicken fried steak ruined me. Don't think I'll ever eat that dish anywhere else. Stuff dreams are made of.
(5)Stephanie L.
Enjoyable breakfast, but was here for a relaxing, catching up ladies brunch and feeling rushed through. Reception was very friendly but not a place for a relaxing brunch. Great omelet (chorizo, artichoke hearts and feta). Great grits and wonderful biscuits. But really disappointed in feeling so rushed through. Bottom line, great food but service was a bit concerning with the pressure to move through.
(3)Andrea K.
By far the best breakfast i have EVER had!!!! Definitely recommend the country fried steak and the bacon! If you can, sit at the bar in front of the kitchen so you can watch these amazing chefs at work! AMAZING!
(5)Tom B.
Went for breakfast/lunch. Had veggie hash.... So so potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms roasted with 2 poached eggs. Small portion Gal next to me got the same thing and got a lot bigger portion. My wife had the Portabella Sandwich. Again not a lot of Portabella and you only get a small salad no starch. Our waitress was very nice and helpful though.
(3)Heather S.
The Country Cat Dinnerhouse and Bar is kind of a misnomer. Where they excel is brunch! I've never had such a sublime eggs bennie (with smoked salmon not bacon, though they offer that version here, too), perched on a flaky biscuit (the best I've had in Portland), with a lemony hollandaise. It is heaven!!! Their monte cristo, which can be just turkey (and not ham), is the most decadent thing I've had in a long time! It's served with "Judy," which is like a Welsh Rarebit (cheddar cheese, beer, and Worcestershire sauce), and goes perfectly. Heart attack on a plate, and boy, is it worth it!!! It's hard to go back to ANY brunch place after going to the Country Cat. Their food is that good! Where they lack (and where I've reduced the stars) is service: they REALLY need more servers on the floor; their turnaround takes a while, including waiting for the bill. We waited nearly 30 minutes just for our bill at brunch! At dinner, it was only about 15. Now, granted, they're busy, but again, they need more servers on the floor! And, the main server at dinner is a bit too cool for school in attitude. Their fried chicken is moist and crunchy, but lacks a depth of flavor or enough salt (and I'm not a person who likes things salty!). Their trout is perfect: tender, and perfectly seasoned. They have a seasonal veggie option. When we went, it was Quoina and Barley cake with squash and goat cheese, which is divine. DIVINE!!! You're not missing out if you're a carnivore and want something healthier! I also highly recommend their biscuits and honey side order, and their butter lettuce with green goddess dressing and poached egg. An amazing melange of flavors and textures!!! Prices are moderate/high; I can't imagine going every night, but then, I'd be as big as a house! ;) And, it is a special treat. In all, The Country Cat Dinnerhouse and Bar is awesome: casual with great food, some of which is perfect. What they need to match the exemplary food is a few more staff on the floor.
(4)Don B.
Every time I go back to the 'Cat, I'm ever more impressed by the food, the service, the atmosphere, and, well, everything. It's a solid meal served up by friendly folks in a hip yet neighborhood-y space. What more could you ask for? Last time in I had the pan-fried chicken with collards and a buttermilk biscuit (which had a great honey glaze on top of it). The chicken was de-boned breasts fried to perfection sitting atop some collards floating in a pool of deliciousness. The greens were awesome, and the biscuit? Amazing. Paired up with a butter-lettuce-wedge salad with house-made green goddess dressing (yup, that's an avocado based salad dressing) and a poached egg, it was an amazing meal. We also sampled the deviled eggs, which were some of the better deviled eggs I've had in a grip. Adam Sappington's Country Cat really has come into it's own in the years since they've moved in to the space on Montavilla, and with the awesome brunch options and the great dinner offerings, I'm super glad to have them in the neighborhood.
(5)Lindsay B.
I can't imagine having a bad meal here. I had brunch on a weekend morning. The place is much smaller than I anticipated so expect a wait. The area with the majority of the tables is open and looks like it might feel crowded, but I was lucky enough to get a booth by the window. They also have counter seating at two counters and it looked like sitting at the counter might be a way to avoid or lessen a long wait. I waited about 15 minutes and the only complaint I have is there really isn't anywhere to wait, except outside. The service was a little slow, but competent. Okay, The Food! The food is great; like I said I can't imagine having a bad meal. I'm sure some things are better than others, but everything is good. I had the Wild Mushroom & Fontina Cheese Omelet with grilled asparagus & home fries for $11. The omelet was on the good side of the scale, nothing outrageous, but solidly good. The home fries were where it was at! They are so good with a unique flavor compared to most restaurants. They were a little spicy maybe, not too much, just right. But don't forget about the cinnamon rolls. You need to get a basket of 3 for the table before the meal. I eat a lot of cinnamon rolls and was truly impressed with these, the texture and flavor were just perfect. My companion had the Eggs Benedict with ham which looked popular throughout the restaurant. It looked really good. The consistency of the egg was amazingly perfect. 5 stars. One of the best breakfasts I have had in Portland. Can't go wrong. Give it a try; I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(5)Julie I.
Went for brunch. Between the four of us had the eggs Benedict, lemon ricotta pancakes, cast iron fried chicken, and beef hash with poached eggs. Everything was really good! We also had their sweet cream biscuits and house made bacon. I love biscuits and theirs met my high expectations. Service was great too! Would definitely go back.
(4)Sarah M.
Oh, Country Cat. When did you become so mediocre? I love your onion rings but your fried chicken really let me down. The boneless chicken bits were so tough you needed a jackhammer to get through them. And talk about bland. Sad to see a once great place slip but I think the guys behind the stove need some help. The service was friendly and helpful. I don't think I'll be returning any time soon.
(2)Brandi G.
Wait... you mean to tell me that the Country cat is open for breakfast EVERY SINGLE DAY now?! Yes!! I love the country cat, I love the dinner and I love the breakfast. I love the environment and how competent and friendly the wait staff is. Portion size is perfect, I don't need to have mounds of food on my plate to be satisfied. I really like to have just enough food so I leave feeling full without wanting to crawl to my car. I have eaten here several times, each time has been wonderful. The onion rings (or strings if you will) and their house made ketchup are some of the best things on their menu. The onion rings are so light, and crispy with such a delicate flavor. The bacon and broccoli hash was unique, big chunks of smoky bacon steamed broccoli and potatoes with a mustard sauce to compliment perfectly. I've eaten many things on this menu, but as it's ever changing. I wont describe every plate... If you haven't been (or if you have) go and eat. You'll be pleased.
(5)Paula W.
Any place that serves a big hunk of beef jerky as a garnish to their Bloody Mary's is gonna get high marks from me! I mean seriously, there was a giant slab of beef attached like a sail to the top of my Proud Mary! And the drink itself was pretty darned delicious too. Though the selection was a bit limited for brunch - I believe only about a dozen breakfasty choices - almost every one of them sounded wonderful. I was with a large group and each of us ordered something different so I was able to sample quite of number of the offerings. My sausage and goat cheese omelet was just so-so compared to the chicken fried steak with worcestershire gravy. But the best thing I tasted was the bacon pecan spoonbread which was a side for the fried chicken (amazing!!!). Our server was pretty damned amazing too, but then I might have been a bit biased because he called me "Miss". I certainly wouldn't "Miss" a chance to try this place if you're in the neighborhood.
(4)Tiffany B.
Oh my hangover!!...... After one wild Yelp event the night before, we needed some serious "cure me" hangover breakfast! To the Cat we came- we heard this place was off the hook! Lucky for us, it was a Friday morning, so no wait! It's small inside, but lots of seating, cute little bar and an open kitchen all surrounded by wood tables and booths. We sat by the window and immediately ordered 2 Bloody Marys! The beef jerky was an awesome addition and the celery salt that rimmed the Mug-O-Mary was da bomb! And when I say mug, I mean huge glass mug! Probably the equivalent of 2 Marys elsewhere! My omelet had many layers and fluffiness to it also. The potatoes with rosemary were fork-n-awesome! You could smell the rosemary from across the table! My sweetie said his grits were the best he has had, and I agree, they were done just right! The Cat was kind to us....we left with our bellies full and hangovers cured! We will be back for sure, adding The Cat to our favorite breakfast joints!
(5)Janet M.
I'm really mad at Country Cat because they moved into this neighborhood about a month after my family and I moved OUT. Sigh. Isn't that always the way? That said, I've been here for lunch/brunch a couple times and enjoyed it. I like the spare atmosphere and the good service. I have had fried chicken and pecan spoonbread (yum), and eggs and grits and collard greens and some bacony stuff and challah french toast ( amazing)... I don't remember specific dishes, just general feelings of UMM and OOOH. Partly because I ate my companion's food too ( and they ate mine). This is one of those places where you want to try a lot, so don't take someone who isn't willing to share. We tried to go here recently on a weekend... don't do it. Go during the week if you can. Otherwise the wait is like that bad Portlandia episode... insane.
(4)Deanna N.
Back for dinner with a Chinook coupon.Best thing to do is put in your number and hit the Observatory or Vintage for a cocktail and have 'em call you. I had decided it was time - time for the gut bomb.To have the skillet fried chicken. I already lurve the mashed potatoes and throw sausage gravy on them with perfect boneless chicken- melt in your mouth. Something was a little astrange with the Kentucky housewife cocktail all three of us had a peculiar taste that the soda water was off with the mint and bourbon. Delectable lemon tart for dessert and the home made macaroons dipped in chocolate with the coconut sorbet - I was the phat girl at the table.
(4)Jon B.
Eggs Benedict were really good and filling. Atmosphere was really cute and service was good. Do yourself a favor and get a reservation though. Weekends are packed. But isn't that what we sign up for living in Portland?
(5)Heather M.
Tasty food, good service, but it's very pricey for what it is and the restaurant itself smells a little like cat pee (possibly from mildew rags used to wipe down the tables?!). I came here for dinner, we tried a variety of food: half a dozen fresh oysters, house salad with green goddess dressing, the sturgeon dish, the three kinds of pig dish, and the three types of pudding for dessert. For everything, not including tip, came out to around $70. Pretty pricey for two people... The oysters were cold, fresh, and briny, so of course I loved them! However, at $9 for six, they're probably not for everyone. The house salad was alright, but it literally consisted of some mixed greens with a poached egg on top. Good? Yes. But again, pricey. The surgeon dish was not what we were expecting. It was a SMALL piece of fish wrapped in bacon. It was bland, boring, and of course, VERY pricey (notice a theme?!) It came with au gratin potatoes (which were AMAZING, I could just eat a plate of those) and some broccoli rob (I think?!). The three types of pork dish was delicious!! Each part of the pig was cooked to perfection and was a one-way ticket to flavor town! It came with grits and broccoli rob, which were okay, but just a side note to the porky goodness. Lastly, the three types of pudding were awesome! Lots of flavor, but not too rich, which is nice after everything else we ate. Yum!! Our waitress was friendly, funny, and very attentive. This seemed to be a common theme amongst all the waitresses working that night! All in all, this place is exactly what the rating above says, A-OK. It's modern twist to classic flavors will make you want more of some things, but you may want to pass on the pricey extras as they seem to be hit or miss in terms of flavor. I definitely would like to come back and try their brunch!
(3)Jordan K.
I really wanted to like this food! I had a great Bloody Mary (with beef jerky in it) and the service was wonderful. But my hash was soupy and watery. And the server was kind enough to replace it but the Ham Benedict was bland and overly smoky. I'm not a picky guy but I've never been so disappointed by the food at a Portland restaurant.
(3)Lindsey G.
Ate here for brunch recently. Our table ordered country fried steak, shrimp & grits, and pulled pork chili with grits. All three were amazing. All three were huge. Also ordered a coffee, a regular bloody mary, and a bacon bloody mary. All three were amazing. Service was great. Got seated right away. Waitress came around a few times to refill waters and coffee. Definitely recommend this place for brunch.
(5)kelsey d.
Went there for brunch with my friends and their 2 babies. Country cat really is kid friendly. They were so sweet and accommodating. We had a giant stroller, which I suggest you leave in the car if possible, but the staff was awesome! The food is delicious! We had an amazing experience.
(5)Clara L.
My family and I chose to have brunch at the Country Cat over the weekend since they took reservations, which seems to be a rarity in the area for brunch spots. I ran the Rock n Roll Portland Half on sunday morning and knew I'd be starving after the race. So waiting in line for brunch was not going to be ideal. Plus, we had a party of 7, meeting around 12:30pm, so I'm really glad we were able to make a reservation on sunday. We were able to sit down at our table a few minutes after we arrived, right by the front window. (Perfect people watching spot too!) We ordered a round of the Proud Mary, their bloody mary that used beef jerky as a garnish! I don't really like bloody marys that much, but it wasn't bad. For food, I ordered the eggs benedict and we also ordered the wings (which had a mustard glaze) and biscuits to share. The wings were fantastic. Meaty and really good flavor. The biscuits were nice and buttery and fluffy. The eggs benedict dish was pretty good. The hollandaise sauce, the homefries, the smokes steelhead (salmon?) and the spinach were all very well prepared but unfortunately my eggs were over-poached. What a shame. Not a bad brunch spot at all and definitely a plus that they take reservations.
(3)Anna A.
In my year and a half in Portland thus far my roommate and best friend, Heather, has been telling me how good The Country Cat is and how badly I need to go there. Finally, I went - as a Plan B whim - and then again, and I hope again soon. The following is what was consumed during these two visits. Go there! Deviled Eggs $3: Was that horseradish? We think so! Moscat marinated beets, goat cheese, mint and rosemary walnuts $9: the moscat is making these beets lush. Hickory Smoked Duck Crepe: with roasted plum puree, chanterelles and hazelnuts $14. On my two visits, at least one dinning compadre ordered this fantastic combination of meat and a little sweet. Crispy quinoa and barley cake on smoked squash puree with soft goat cheese $11: my chosen dish, surprisingly the cake was spicy, making the dish even better with the cool goat cheese. Sauteed chard with preserved lemon, garlic and chili $6: bright and hot. House potato bread and butter $2: we ordered this for dessert, but that doesn't matter, it just should be ordered. Cast Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy $15: H.C. went Mmmmmm Fish & Shellfish Pot Pie $10: This dish looked like an appetizer, but it was still hearty and didn't end up leaving me with cat breath. Heritage Burger with Onion Rings $10: It's a burger that's made USA Today's Top Burger List. The Collard Green with Pork Hock: a very satisfying side. Chocolate Turtle Tart with salted almonds and chantilly $7: Just like biting into a See's nuts and chews, expect this time it was an entire slice.
(5)Holly D.
Why do I have to drive by some place hundred's of times before I finally go in and try the food? Answer (1) I don't want to stop anywhere on my way home from work. (2) This place is hard to spot if you don't know what you are looking for. (3) I don't try many places without checking it out on Yelp first. (4) how good would food be from a place with such a silly name? But here I found myself...and it was awwwwwsome (a highly over used word, but fits here) The Salmon, the creme brulee, the ....everything was amazing...who would have thought ? Just go there.
(5)Douglas C.
It was just the two of us this Thanksgiving, so we needed two pounds of turkey. Now if you can even find a two pound turkey, there's probably a reason it's so scrawny and thin. Maybe it's a drug addict, or has rickets or was used in depraved medical experiments. Maybe there's some sinister economic justification to genetically modifying it to resemble a chicken. Whatever the reason, it's going to be disappointing pulling that pathetic, chromosome defective, drug addled thing out of the oven on Thanksgiving day. So we went to The Country Cat instead. We stepped into the place only to find 'Occupy Country Cat' inside. A crush of humanity stood silently inside the door waiting for the next wave of tables to open up, as the assembly swelled. I saw officials with tattoos darting around the parameter of the crowd. I thought I saw fat, fleshy jowls in a Kevlar helmet wielding a red aerosol can, but it turned out to be a man in a red fez. We were seated at a table near the window and ordered drinks. Our server was stressed but friendly and offered us a genuine but tired smile. She started us off with appetizers that were really awful, and raised my hackles. I started expecting the worst, and maybe they were too - maybe I did see riot cops after all. The chanterelle mushroom & pumpkin soup was wonderful and the freshly baked biscuits were flakey and hot. The riot police receded into the shadows. The turkey arrived piled high on a platter - not a plate, but a platter. My mistake, there were two piles of turkey, one light and one dark. There were mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet carrots, stuffing and cranberry sauce. We ordered a side of sweet potato mashers as well. The food was wonderful, and I was so full I waddled like a duck.
(4)Anni H.
My first time here, what a wonderful place. So glad to see that they use local ingredients. I had the Skillet Fried Chicken with spoon bread and my friend had the Chicken Fried Steak which she said was one of the best ever.
(5)Chris A.
Southern food with a Portland twist. This is a farm to fork establishment that I really wanted to like. In fact I did like it, but I wasn't as impressed with the food as I wanted to be. I had the whole hog, a brined pork loin chop, pork belly and smoked shoulder with grits and cider soaked cherries, all from the same local pig. Sounds amazing right? I really wanted it to be, it was just ok. The pork belly was dry, the shoulder lacked flavor and the loin was not evenly cooked. I voted for the chef, Adam Sappington at cochon555 this year, so I have no doubt they know how to do pork. I will have to try this again to see if it was just an off night.
(4)A R.
Best breakfast dishes! There isn't a lot of selection on the dishes but the ones you do get are amazing! Great coffee as well! One of my favorite breakfast places in Portland. Location is probably not the best but the decor is nice and welcoming. I highly recommend for my personality and purposes.
(5)Alan G.
Agree with all of the positive comments about both the food and service. Have been here about five times, but only for brunch. It's always been top notch in both food and service. It would be on all of the top 10 lists for Portland if it were closer to downtown. As it is, it is a hidden gem.
(5)Mike B.
We definitely liked this place. I had the $29 deal with 3 courses. Yummy! During our weekend in Portland, we visited 3 sit down places and this was our favorite.
(4)Katie K.
Fabulous! We knew we were in for a treat when we passed by a chef smoking the steelhead out back. We had a fabulous brunch - every bit of food and drink was excellent. I can't wait to go again.
(5)Meg And Daniel G.
We went here with a few friends for brunch. We arrived - unknowingly - right at the cut off. (They take a break between brunch and dinner. Our hostess chuckled that we were the last customers they would be seating, but gladly and without hesitation gave us a great seat by the front windows. We never once felt rushed as we ordered a round of Eggs Benedicts and Bloody Marys. Both are top notch. The eggs benedict are served with ham or smoked steelhead (we went with the steelhead), and served on a mouthwatering buttermilk biscuit. The home fries are also delicious and so flavorful you honestly won't even want to use ketchup. And the Bloody Mary? It comes with a giant piece of beef jerky, picked veggies and a mammoth olive. We appreciated the mellow atmosphere, the generous portions, and the friendly staff.
(4)Maria P.
Ordered the bbq brisket. More like the bbq fatwich. 3 inches of fat, on each piece of meat on a slider bun. What a joke. Waitress was too busy chuggin milkshake instead of askin customers how their meals were. Never again.
(1)Jeff G.
Get here early or you'll be waiting in line (still worth it). I got the Eggs Benny with smoked trout. One of the best things on the planet to put in your mouth. The wifey ordered an omelet. She explained to me that there are two main types of omelet. I don't really remember the details, but basically there's one that's fluffy and one that's runny. Apparently the fluffy one is a lot dryer, and that's what they serve here. The coffee was good. Service was attentive and polite but not over polite and not too attentive. Decor was kinda Doug-Fir, oldy-moderny, but very comfortable. Go here.
(5)Stanley T.
I was trying to think of a place to meet some people for a celebratory dinner when Ronda - knowing my occasional cravings for fried chicken - suggested a return to Country Cat. We were all glad she did. Three of us had said chicken, each with a side of collards. Ronda went all Walla Walla on us and ordered the Tomato, blue cheese and WW onion salad and the Chanterelles with WW Onion Pie. Everyone was very pleased and a table full of clean plates resulted. There was a slight mix up on white vs. dark meat preferences, but the friendly server promptly made it right. I can't quite bring myself to click on that 5th star. The chicken verged on 5 star stuff, but maybe a little small in the portion department. I'll be back. I should go when I'm not craving fried chicken so I can try one of their many other interesting offerings.
(4)Matt V.
I had a great meal here and a great cappuccino. Service was top notch, even though there was a slight hiccup with our order. Our server recovered quite well and we left happy.
(5)Katherine R.
Food was superb and it only added to the fun watching them prepare it. Try the Two Pieces of Cast-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy. Delicious!
(5)Patrick K.
There are very few places that impress me to the point of just being 'wow'ed... This is one of them. A small eclectic little diner that contains a unique selection of appetizers, meal selections, and deserts. The group I was with shared the house-made buttered pretzels and the fresh biscuit appetizers. I had the lamb entre and the apple pandowdy for desert. A-mazing!
(5)Rosalie H.
Wow. Breakfast was amazing. Shrimp and grits with a bed of scrambled eggs and the most amazing gravy. This is not your mamas thick white gravy. It was more like a broth with light mild sausage., amazing! The french toast floating by to other tables made my mouth water, so next time it's a must try on my list! My boyfriend had the smoked steelhead eggs benedict which he loved as well.
(5)Magdalena R.
So normally this place is pretty awesome for dinner time, but we went today for brunch with a few friends and it was probably one of my least favorable dining experiences. I ordered the Rueben thinking that it would be pretty good given the background of the meat selections I have had in the past. It ended up being a soggy flavorless mess:( I also ordered the onion rings that were so salty you couldn't eat more than a few. Seeing how disappointed I was my husband shared his fried chicken with me and we both agreed that it had Zero flavor and was way overcooked. My friend ordered the eggs Benedict and also said that it lacked flavor and taste, other friend had the chicken fried steak he said the breading and gravy were yummy but the meat was very chewy. The only win we had was my other friend who ordered the burger and a side of bacon and he said it was delicious. I'm not sure if the kitchen staff was new or what but it was a real bummer.
(2)nick w.
Wife and I enjoyed some great fried chicken and spoon bread. I have been craving fried chicken for about year now. It was so good it should last me another year.
(4)Marty O.
The best restaurant in Portland. The food is outstanding and the service is consistently the best.
(5)Tom T.
I have only experienced the breakfast menu a few times, and I am satisfied every time. The breakfast menu is more aggressive that most, because they are not afraid to feed my fat cells. What little I have. Sometimes decadent breakfasts are necessary.
(4)Ali J.
We've eaten at The Country Cat twice now. The first time, a few years ago, we weren't impressed. Since our friends love it there, we figured maybe we caught them on an off night. We decided to give them another try tonight. Now they are 0 for 2. The atmosphere was too loud to hold a conversation easily. And, once again, the food was mixed. The onion "rings"--I don't get it. More like a gigantic pile of onion garnish? As a garnish they would be delicious. As a side, really hard to eat without looking and feeling ridiculous. The steelhead and the lamb were both good, and I liked that they came with vegetables, but, "This roasted cauliflower isn't quite as good as my roasted cauliflower I make at home" is not the thought you want to have when you go out to eat. One companion's burger had an odd texture and taste and he was bummed that cheddar cheese wasn't an option (he doesn't like American cheese, and the special cheese sauce was....drippy). Another companion's soup was surprisingly spicy even though the menu didn't describe it as spicy. The fried chicken was tasty but meager portions. Mashed potatoes did get a thumbs up. It wasn't bad food, but we all agreed (for the second time) that it wasn't a place we'd go back to. This time we'll stick to that. There are too many fantastic places to eat in Portland to settle for "okay."
(3)J Y.
Great place to get breakfast. Reasonable and great food. The whole group was really happy with what they ordered. It's a definitely a place to check out.
(4)Mathew B.
Limited seating, but great Southern food lies ahead. Prices are a bit high. Definitely order the collard greens.
(4)Jason P.
This place is awesome! Whether it's breakfast, dinner, dessert or drinks, you can't miss. Braised beef Was Excellent! Great atmosphere and as I tile setter by trade, I love the big mosaic cat at the entry. : )
(5)Elizabeth E.
Cast Iron Fried Chicken- yowza!!!!!!!!!! I'm pretty sure they have someones grannie back there cooking this stuff up. It's perfect. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked, perfectly fried chicken. (Maybe you REALLY do get an endorphin high from fried chicken!!??) They have honey to drizzle on it, but it needs nothing. WELL, nothing but that fabulous BACON PECAN spoonbread, also good with the honey drizzled on it. Holy Toledo. This is the knockout punch I was hoping for for my last day on the carbs for a long while. Thanks CC!
(4)Katherine S.
The ONLY thing here that sucks is the ketchup and parking. That's it, really.
(5)EvanBeth N.
After two other tries with too long a wait, we finally got in tonight. This was possibly the worst fried chicken I have ever had. The oil was clearly too hot, which crisped the batter but not the skin on the chicken, meaning it was incredibly fatty and disconcerting. The gravy, I was told, was a pork white gravy. As a southerner, this offended me. It was not very good, and the coloring was disconcerting as it was a gray-brown color. The potato bread was unlike any I've had before and sour rather than sweet. My husband's burger was fine but nothing to rave about, especially since the patty only filled the bun halfway. The onion rings were fantastic, but I would recommend Tabor Tavern over Country Cat any day of the week. I won't be going back.
(1)Le Sage D.
The food is pretty good here - four stars for the food. Interestingly, we found the salads to be the best part of the meal - they were nicely balanced and well put together. The whole hog was a bit overplayed - belly was too salty, shoulder was too smoky, chop was too sweet. Fried chicken was very good, but not enough that I'd go much out of my way to eat it again. Beer list is adequate, wine list is a bit less so - especially considering they are only a few miles from some of the greatest freakin' wine in the world. What's up with that?? Here is my issue - one of the staff was clearly working sick. Wiping nose drips on the back of the hand multiple occasions. Wiping sweaty forehead. Then touching clean dishes, glassware, etc. This was multiple occasions in plain view of all diners and other staff. There was no hand washing going on after nose wipe, just the front of the apron. Apparently this is tolerated at this place because it was happening in plain view and this staffer was clearly suffering. The culture of a dining establishment shouldn't tolerate this. It was a slow evening and they even sent a different member of the crew home early. Ack. Feeling a bit queasy just writing about it. So, as you can imagine, this spoiled the meal for me.
(3)Kelsey C.
I wanted to love this place. I've read stellar reviews and heard good things but...the eggs benedict was terrible! I'm about to dissect it so I don't seem like a snob: The biscuit was dry and stale. The hollandaise was like a cube of butter at room temperature with little to no flavor. It was a pint size amount of smoked salmon; my husband got the ham which he did say held flavor and juiciness. Maybe it was just the benedict but man, we were super disappointed. This review is based solely on our food. The service was great.
(2)Johnathan W.
So as I was excited to eat here for breakfast the wait wasn't as long as I expected. Our server felt rushed and when I asked if I could add or delete things, delete veg, add bacon, change cheese on the omelet. She said she would check and returned back and said that the cooks and management only cook with the finest ingredients and they can't change the item. So I ordered something I didn't truly want. But my wife really enjoyed her Eggs Benedict. When leaving I talked to the management and explained what happened and she was not happy with the service we received. She said they could have made the order I wanted. The manager made things right by inviting us back on the house. Great save Country Cat!!!
(3)Dave W.
I've been here for brunch twice and both times were awesome! I love that they take reservations. Both times I went with a large group and they seated us promptly while telling others there was an hour and a half wait. The servers are super friendly and funny at times. The food is amazing. Last time I had the chicken fried steak. It looks as good as it tastes. It's smothered in gravy and served over a pile of delicious mashed potatoes. Can't beat it!
(5)Charley C.
Yep, its rated on triple D. Yep the food is good. Yep, It costs. Yep the line is long. Yep, the wait is well, not worth it. (over an hour and a half on my day) To get on the Waiting list is slow, The Service is slow and the place is PACKED. The line is out the door and down the street. I think this may be another wonderful restaurant the Diners Drive ins and Dives has increased the popularity to such a degree that the inconvenience of eating here outweighs the value of the meal. Yes the quality is very good. Yes the people are nice. I had to go once, I did, Once was enough. Thank You.
(4)Kimberly J.
Amazing fried chicken dinner! Great service, nice environment and the food is out of this world.
(4)Evan C.
Been coming for awhile, but I just had the country fried steak. All I can say is wow, crisp coating, perfectly seasoned with sautéed greens and sour cream mashed potatoes- I couldn't pick which I liked best. I couldn't even finish the steak with such a big portion. Oh, these are the only biscuits that are better than I make at home, crisp and savory on the outside, melt in your mouth fluffy on the inside. Consistently strong service, ambience and, of course, food.
(5)Thornton A.
Great place, the food was damn good and the service was great. I had the chicken fried steak it was nice and light and the gravy was awesome. You should try this place out
(4)Monica C.
Overrated.. Pancakes were too sweet and sausage was bland .. At least the server was okay
(3)John L.
Just ate there this morning, service as a little slow but not terrible, unfortunately I needed to get to work so my fiancé and I were a little rushed. We ordered coffee for two ($5.50) along with one whole ($12) and one half entree ($9 for the whole). I was in a rush so I left that amount + tip on the table. As I was crossing the street the server ran out insisting I had under payed then showed me a receipt which included and item which was never deliver and charging me $6 each for the two components of half a $9 entry. I asked the waiter if this tab really made sense to her, she insisted that I had to pay it. So I handed handed her another $5 and told her this was ridiculous. This was my third visit and I have recommended them to others however after this I will never return again.
(1)Brooke G.
This restaurant is literally three blocks from my house and has become a stand-by for a quick date night. Country Cat certainly has an amazing menu of Southern fare (with a NW twist) and fantastic cocktails, as well. And for those, like me, who can't do greasy Southern food all the time, Country Cat has a fantastic variety of other options like ravioli, seafood and even a burger that are sure to satisfy. One of my favorites is the pan-fried trout and the seasonal ravioli. Always delicious! For those nights when Southern comfort food is calling my name, we enjoy the fish fry, fried chicken and the pork plate. Don't miss the biscuit! It's dense and sweet and buttery and amazing. The Country Cat has served me my favorite Hot Toddy to date, and has amazing butterscotch pudding that can't be missed. So glad this is in our little neighborhood and so accessible!
(4)Sammie J.
AWESOME! This place is unbelievable. The food options are overwhelming because everything reads like flavor explosion on the menu. It took about thirty minutes to decide what to order. The ingredients are the poster children of fresh and flavorful. Great combinations of traditional county dishes with a west coast twist. You need to try something with their homemade meat products. If you like bloody Mary's, this one definitely won't disappoint... And it comes with a huge piece of outstanding homemade jerky. Yum! You need to get there early or Judi plan to wait. It's worth the time.
(5)tony j.
I enjoyed this place. The text for an item table is a nice option that let's me avoid standing in line, which I like. I would go back. I had some bbq, that was spicy like I make it, which I consider a plus. Nice place with good food, but it didn't strike me as a must visit among portland joints.
(4)K D.
I didn't realize they closed at 2pm on Sunday! Yikes. Glad I made it in time. Cute place in a nice little neighborhood of Portland. As an out-of-towner I liked seeking it out. I had previewed the menu and had my eye on the pot pie but it wasn't on the brunch menu so I decided to go for the BBQ Brisket Sandwich. Delicious. And delicious onion rings. I sat at the counter. Loved the decor - booths, counter area, open kitchen, chalk board walls. A nice experience, great service, great food.
(4)Joe S.
We went for brunch and were thoroughly underwhelmed. Most of the food was bland and some of it was nearly inedible. On the plus side, the service was good and the place was trendy looking. Skip it.
(2)Lynn S.
Basket of cinnamon rolls on Sunday...need I say more?
(4)Gumba C.
Made a reservation for 5 at 5pm when they open. They tried sticking us at a booth for 4. At first they resisted moving us and said I could sit across from the booth at the bar, totally not with our party. Finally they had a reservation not show and moved us to a table that we could all eat at together. Food was so, so. Hostess said they are overwhelmed since being on DDD.
(3)Dibs G.
I couldn't wait to take in this highly recommended spot in SE Portland. The food and drinks looked great and the atmosphere and price point fit my bill. I ordered a coffee drink and although I love Stumptown coffee, the coffee was very bitter and the alcohol weak. After explaining this to the waitress, she offered no solution but to get me some cream and sugar (to doctor this up). I ordered eggs benedict, which came on dry and flavorless biscuits, topped by undercooked poached eggs, too little Hollandaise sauce and accompanied by highly over seasoned potatoes; the shaved ham was the tasty however. Because this dish is one of my favorite breakfast items, I have tried these all over Portland, so I have a good comparison and expectation base. My friend ordered the fried chicken that came with the pecan custard bread type accompaniment but found that there was little to no syrup on the dish as described on the menu. When asked about this, the waitress explained that it was there and that having more syrup would incur a charge. The folks sitting next to us explained that they had the same experience and perspective. Although I really, really, wanted to love this place, I won't be returning.
(2)Greg E.
If you're looking for a 5 star meal for a 3 star price. This is the place. Not only is the food beautiful to look at. It tastes as amazing as it looks. The ONLY place in the PDX area that I have ordered duck from, twice. They do food and they do it well. Small menue. But in this instance it works for most people. The dishes they put together are crowd pleasers. The drinks are also pretty limited but again, done well, super strong and the small selection they have is fantastic. The service is amazing. Smiling happy folks that love their jobs or can fake it well. The chef is fantastic. If I had the money I'd bar him up in my spare bedroom and only let him out to cook my meals. Go here. Eat till your full. Then go to the Academy Theater and watch a movie. Great date night all in one block.
(5)A. H.
Great food. Fresh, top notch ingredients. Friendly service. Not inexpensive, but worth every penny. Consistently good.
(5)Jenna F.
I really enjoy breakfast here. The menu is a little limited and sometimes I show up and nothing sounds that good, but when it hits - it really hits. I usually have whatever omelette they are cooking with the most fantastic fried potatoes and homemade ketchup. The ingredients used here are just so fresh and delicious that everything just turns out tasty.
(4)Rhondee C.
Had dinner on Saturday and was very disappointed! The first trip earlier this year was a wonderful experience so I returned several more times. The food is bland and not consistent. "The onion rings are onion strings, good but not as a appetizer! we had the the special and the steaks were very tough, difficult to cut. and chew. The server was excellent but seemed to be stressed and in a hurry and not friendly. The other 2 entrees were just bland. Sorry, this place has lost its appeal and flavorful foods.
(1)Katie G.
Wish I could give this place a better review, especially since I had heard such great things. Had a reservation for right when they opened . Only half of our party was there ( other half was stuck in traffic ). They told us we would be seated but if the rest of our party didn't show up soon we would have to be out by a certain time. Seriously your going to tell us how long we can stay, that is so not ok! Luckily the rest of our party showed up about ten minutes after this . We ordered 4 apps for the table; onion rings , prezel, biscuits, and their version of pimento cheese. All where very tasty and good size portions. Unfortunately entrees where a different story. Half the table ordered the fried chicken, huge portions. Other half, including my self, ordered the duck, with mine I subbed the rice for some grits with cheese. When mine arrived I swear it could of been ordered off the kids menu because the portion was that tiny ! I took my first bite and it was so salty I couldn't even barley tasty anything else. Asked the waitress if I could exchange it for the fried chicken. Said it was not a problem. My replacement entree was reallly good. But for the life of me it seems like there entree sizes and portions are beyond not consistent. I felt really bad for the hubby. He had the duck as well and was still so hungry after he finished that he had to order another entree ! Again should not have to do that. I hope they will be more consistent in the furniture and have better customer service. If it does happen I would give it another try.
(2)Leanne G.
Places like this really make me wish I lived in Portland. The Judy cheese alone makes me start thinking the west coast isn't that far away from the east coast... Or maybe Judy, whoever that genius lady is, would come here. Now that is a house guest I would gladly entertain for 3 - 4 days. After devouring some house made pickles, the aforementioned Judy cheese, and some delightful soft pretzels (don't judge, we all shared!)-- I had the cornmeal fried trout atop a tasty beet and arugula salad. Finished my meal with black cherry sorbet, which is evidently The Best. I am a cherry fiend and that had everything going for it. Great. This was about a month ago and my mouth is watering, again, just thinking about this meal. If you are lucky enough to live in Portland I envy you for Country Cat (et al.).
(5)Rolyat E.
So this is a review for brunch, i have yet to explore the Country Cat for any other meal. Great menu that appeals to both sweet and savory brunchers. The Slow Burn - doesn't sound like something you want, but you do, you really, really, really want it. Actually, you need it. Perfect pork, buttery grits, and two sunny side up eggs. I could go on forever about how each item is delicious and brilliant. The french toast perfect, a monte cristo is an underrated brunch item in Portland, fried chicken (duh), and their biscuits yummm. Reasonable prices, friendly service, cute atmosphere. Oh and they take reservations for parties greater than four, so it's a great spot without a wait for your Sunday brunch club.
(5)Af R.
Good place, nice waitress. Long waits on weekends but got right in at 7 PM on a Monday night. Got a salad with bibb lettuce, poached egg, and green goddess dressing - good but too much dressing. I got the trout, which was over kale and asparagus and decent. Nothing stood out as great but it was good.
(4)Jessica M.
I had the tomato hash and it was amazing! Definitely recommend the place.
(4)Dave P.
Overall, very good. Had the fried chicken. Tasted great. The mixed drinks were good also, but maybe just a tad on the high priced side (ordered from "specials" drink menu). The blue cheese dressing salad also was very good. I don't "get out much", but was a little surprised at $74. (plus tip) tab for two.
(4)Alexis D.
I've only been for breakfast, but I love it! This is definitely my favorite little to no wait breakfast joint in Portland. If there is a wait, go grab a cup of coffee up the street at Bipartisan Cafe, they'll give you a call when your table is ready. I know other reviews mention that they had a wait, but I only waited once and it was nothing in comparison to the 2 hour wait I was cited at Screendoor that same morning. I generally hate ketchup. Of all the condiments I can put on my breakfast potatoes, ketchup leaves something to be desired. However, country cat makes their own ketchup that is absolutely delicious. The swizzle of jerky meat in my bloody mary is also welcome. And while one time I saw a cockroach in the dining room crawling on an unsuspecting diner, it's still a place I'll go back to time and time again. If you think that nowhere else you've eaten has cockroaches, I suggest you stop eating out.
(5)Ginger M.
We've been to the Country Cat for brunch twice now, but never for dinner or happy hour so I think I'll still give it a chance for that. Being vegetarian doesn't leave many options for me at this place. I think I could have chosen one of the omelets without meat, or just get eggs, biscuit and potatoes, which I can really get anywhere so I was kind of bummed that there weren't more choices. The first time I went there was a winter vegetable hash that was pretty good but not mind blowing. This time I went with the eggs, biscuit and potatoes choice. The potatoes are pretty good, but then again anything that is deep fried then tossed in herbs and salt is a no brainer, and a few of them were underdone. My scrambled eggs were literally like greasy rubber. I kindly asked the waitress if I could just have a poached egg instead, medium poached. It came to me 20 mins later with lots of the white still raw, definitely not medium. I know it's hard to poach an egg perfectly, but c'mon, I'm paying a pretty penny for these eggs! The boyfriend got the steelhead eggs benedict. Pretty underwhelming as far as benedicts go, the preserved lemon hollandaise was boring and didn't have the nice lemon zing you expect. He also said that the steelhead lacked flavor, the sauce and the sauteed spinach overpowered and made it disappear. The benedicts over at City State Diner are far superior and less expensive. Plenty of better brunch options in this city so I probably won't be going to the Country Cat again, even though it's super close to our house.
(3)Lucky B.
I rated this so low because we had to wait over an hour to eat. When we did get our food 2 out of the 4 plates had a piece of hair in our food!!! So gross! I would not recommend eating here until the cooks start wearing hair nets or something. Also the food was just OK, we eat out somewhere for Breakfast every Sunday and this was run of the mill food.
(2)Erin K.
Breakfast is delightful! We enjoyed the Cinnamon Toast Crunch (French Toast) and Chicken Fried Steak. I was also eying the Hash and Biscuits and Gravy, and I think savory is the way to go here because, even though the French Toast was very good, I have a feeling that their specialty lies in rich savory dishes, particularly with gravy :) Service was great, we were seated quickly (arrived right at 9am to ensure 2011 Chinook book has a sweet coupon.
(4)Linda M.
You know how you go by restaurants with lines waiting for breakfast and tell yourself you have to go there some day? I'm flummoxed about the lines here. Gave this restaurant another try even though I was served rotten lettuce in a salad the 1st time. People seated after us waited on and served before us. Side of bacon served dripping in grease. Food is average. Cilantro in places you wouldn't think to ask it to be left off. Fortunately the spouse was hungry enough to eat both meals.
(2)christine c.
Tonight, I did something shocking. I ate red meat for the first time in 20 years ... And I had a hunch THE place to go was Country Cat. There are dozens of local eateries with naturally raised, grass-fed hormone free meats, but I knew (from my years of eating here as a vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian) that it would be simple, wholesome, and pure. I never craved red meat in the last 20 years, not even when I was with child. I just thought it would give me a boost. Now due to health issues, I am inviting some red meats into my life again. So i was thrilled when my braised beef atop a bed of veggies was perfect in its perfection. The first bite satisfied as it melted in my mouth. The next bite, a local baby carrot, made me appreciate carrots again (how the sugary sweetness of the carrot balanced the earthiness of the beef)...green beans, parsnips, capers and onions (both roasted in chunks and minced atop)...and 2 mini slices of corn on the cob. Beside the carrot/beef realization, I also had an eye-opening moment with the Lemelson Pinot Noir - a glass I've had literally dozens of times - even though they say Pinot Noir is a lighter dish kind of red, I finally felt like this Lemelson met its match.
(5)Lauren G.
Came here for brunch and we both had lunch items. my veggie sandwich was spicy but fantastic. Her fried chicken was great too. The drinks were stiff (almost too stiff, which i didn't know was possible - maybe i was hungover?).
(4)Allie R.
Like many others, I came here because of the review in Portland Monthly -- and it certainly didn't disappoint. We ordered the french toast (per the PM cover) and the fried eggs on a biscuit with sausage gravy to share, and I enjoyed both, but the eggs and biscuit were my favorite, in large part because of the outstanding home fries. I can't wait to come back here for breakfast and look forward to trying their dinner menu as well.
(5)Kelly H.
I really wanted to love this place, truly. I'm a fan of Diners Drive Ins and Dives, so we came to see if Guy was right. Husband got the Whole Hog that was featured on the show, and I got the fried chicken, also featured. My fried chicken was underwhelming. Very crunchy and thick batter and the inside was pretty dry. The mashed potatoes that came with them needed salt but the texture was nice. Husband's Whole Hog was a way better dish. The chop was perfectly cooked and the pork belly was melt in your mouth sweet and savory. The headcheese cube was weird tasting. His greens and grits were OK, nothing to write home about. We also got an appetizer of onion straws, those were delicious and light. Husband got a bloody mary that he deemed average, but it was garnished with an incredible housemade beef jerky and pickled veg. I could have had a plate of those pickled veg and had been happy. We got an order of the beef jerky to go. Summary: Some aspects of dinner were really good, but mostly just meh. We probably won't be back, there are just too many good restaurants in Portland that are better.
(3)Makenna C.
Finally (underscore, underscore underneath FINALLY) made it to The Country Cat this weekend and was not disappointed. I think that the space is really nice, cozy but not divey - really bright and cheery. We were greeted by a friendly hostess and given a wait time, which ended up being cut in half. We were seated at the bar, so of course we ordered a breakfast cocktail. I got something along the lines of "Parisian 79" - or something to do with Paris and the number 79, anyhow. It was champagne with St. Germain and some other goodies, and was delicious. Our bartender/order taker was also very friendly and attentive (cough and cute cough). I got the slow burn - sunny side up eggs over grits and a pork chili concoction that was melt in your mouth yummy - and my dining partner got a chicken fried steak which I tried a bite of (my first ever chicken fried steak actually). While not something I would necessarily order out of preference/general avoidance of huge amounts of fried food, it tasted great. Regardless of The Country Cat being soooo very far away from me, as God as my witness I will return!
(5)Paige H.
Totally my new favorite place. Awesome for brunch in that yes you need a side of cardiac treatment to go with your thick cut peppered bacon. I would recommend the stove-side seating so you can see the geniuses in work, and see everyone's food, so you can plan for your next visit. The dinner was divine in that country french peasant food sort of way that leaves you totally satisfied yet still wanting to eat more if only you could. The seasonal menu has some totally gourmand options, but I'll go back for the potato bread. I mean, it's the perfect combination of two things I love and somehow, together they are even better!
(5)Orian I.
Every single time I go back, I want to make out with this place behind the bleachers. seriously.. We were running late, per usually my fault, decided brunch would be the thing cool kids would do that day. We called ahead to get on the list, even reserved sticky buns. First of off, the service is impeccable. We arrived and they put our buns in to warm, we got to nibble them while we were perusing the selections. We decided on the cast iron fried chicken paired with a beautiful salad and pecan spoon bread. total and complete food gasim. I literally have a food boner right now, just thinking about it makes my face flush and my mouth salivate like a dog. The chicken is apparently brined then soaked in buttermilk then fried in beef taro. my dear lord... I'm going to go into a food seizure writing about this. as soon as I put it i my mouth? I said, "common! this is not even fair!" and it wasn't it's literally the best chicken I've ever had. every single bit brought on wave after wave of satisfaction. The other dish we had was the special, house cured pastrami hash. absolutely fabulous. Seriously, if you don't get the chicken next time you go, you're a terrorist and probably kick puppys. just saying.
(5)Beth G.
This place, by far, is one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. I'm lucky in that I visited with a friend who likes to try many things and share. They have an in-house butchery, all the beef is grass-fed and the majority of their ingredients come from within a 30 mile radius of the restaurant. We started the meal with the buttermilk biscuits and honey. They were very flaky and flavorful. The outside had a nice crispness and the inside was light and airy. We then shared 3 entrees! The hazelnut toasted ravioli with crabmeat had a nice, light nutty flavor and the crabmeat was some of the best I've had. It was not an overpowering flavor combination at all. We then shared the quinoa and barley cakes which came with a vegetable ragout and soft goat cheese. The cakes had a wonderful texture and the vegetables and goat cheese had amazing flavor. And here comes the kicker.....our third entree was a grass-fed 12oz ribeye with mashed potatoes and an arugula/cherry tomatoe salad. This was not on the menu. They had 3 left from the day before so it was a spontaneous treat. BEST STEAK EVER!!!!!!! The meat was flavored, tendorized and cooked to perfection. It practically melted in your mouth. The potatoes and salad complimented it perfectly. When I have the opportunity to eat here again I intend to immediately ask if this is available. I'm still dreaming of the meal. This place makes me want to move to Portland. Our server Daniel was very friendly and answered my many questions. Our only negative comment would be that our cocktail, the Chuck Berry, was more of a shot than a sipping drink. It was a bit too sweet and strong to be eaten with the meal. Highly, highly recommend this spot.
(5)Beerboy M.
Very well done food at this place. Top notch ingredients, prepared well, with great service. Their menu may not be expansive, but what they do, they do well. Meals are not cheap here, but they're definitely worth it. Worth a shot for brunch, too.
(5)Lindsay D.
It seems superfluous to write a review for a place that has ton of other reviews, but here goes... I had a lot of people rave about Country Cat to me in the past, but didn't actually manage to get myself there till recently. I had no clue what to expect, but a friend and I went in for a late lunch after climbing the Tabor Stairs for a couple hours. In my head I thought it would be more of a greasy spoon so I didn't feel terrible about showing up in my workout clothes, but it was definitely NOT a greasy spoon. They have some basic but quality dishes for breakfast/lunch. I had summer vegetable hash with poached eggs, which was excellent. For me, the portion was just right, but I know a lot of people like to pig out on breakfast so I could see how others might think the portions too small. Our mimosas, on the other hand, did seem on the small side. Now you know my priorities. The service was casual and friendly. The prices were a little on the high end ($11 for my hash) but the atmosphere was clean and lively (especially for the area).
(4)David P.
On a recent Friday evening my partner and I visited the Country Cat. We were happy to be seated by a friendly host. The dining room was stylish and very clean. Our server was one of the many cool and beautiful servers working that evening -- she was cool, beautiful, and barely friendly. My partner ordered a cocktail; after a couple of sips he noticed a small fly floating in the amber. His drink was replaced with a minor apology, a bit of a 'tude, and no adjustment on the check. Our dinners arrived. The presentation was beautiful; the meat was perfectly cooked. Both meals, however, were so salty that we could hardly eat them. My beef was served with an overpowering mustard sauce that did nothing to enhance the flavor of the beef. My stuffed potato was again extremely salty. My partner's lamb was very salty, as well. I am not overly sensitive to salt, in fact I enjoy nicely salted food. We would have sent our dinners back to the kitchen had we not been so hungry. When our cool, beautiful, sullen server asked if we would like dessert, we declined lest we be presented with a very stylish salt lick. She brought our check and flashed a beautiful smile. Time for the tip. As we rose to leave, I noticed one of the other cool, beautiful servers reapplying her lip gloss. Her make up was perfect. We won't be back.
(1)Susanne K.
Busy as hell during the hot eating hours like brunch. Try to go on a weekday during lunch break. This place has great food, good service and hard working chefs behind the kitchen. Especially the ones that you can see up in the front. The reason may be that there are maybe 15 people lined up at the door waiting to get in. Their hustle is definitely on. Yummy dinners too!!
(5)A. L.
I've been here twice for brunch and both times the food was good, if a bit pricy for breakfast. The gravy served with the biscuits is not cream gravy, but is still pretty tasty. Biscuits good. Eggs standard. Potatoes pretty tasty. I didn't like their catsup. Maybe I'm just too used to Heinz, I don't know. The chef has a pretty heavy hand with the salt. This is very heavy, carb-laden food. Do not come here if you're in the mood for a light meal. The restaurant has a lovely decor. The ambiance is spoiled by bad acoustics - it can get VERY noisy in here during weekend brunch. Superior service by Meagan.
(4)Chuck N.
Had the lamb roast special yesterday: Meager portion (actually a blessing), fatty, and tasteless. You have to watch anything out of the ordinary comfort food menu here because the chef's talents are quite limited. I would have been deeply embarrassed to serve the dish. Unfortunately my wife ordered the same lamb roast and liked it even less, if possible, than I did. A waste of $15 bucks for each of us. 1/15 Improving now it seems.
(4)Jen S.
WOW...great, great food. I sat at the bar just because I was a singleton. I could have sat at the chef's counter, but I had a feeling my ice tea would have been refilled faster if I sat at the bar. Small, simple, straightforward menu so you're not overwhelmed by graphics, fonts, and choices. The choices that were available however still made choosing very difficult. I decided on the skillet fried chicken with bacon braised greens and biscuit. I also ordered the potato bread and butter for an app (unlimited refills). The potato bread was great, with flecks of potato skin. It was moist, dense, and chewy, with a hint of sweetness, almost like eating cake. It was great with the salted butter since it brought out the sweetness even more. The main course was three pieces of boneless chicken sitting atop the greens crowned with a honey drizzled biscuit. The greens were sweet and tangy, soft, but not cooked to mush. The chicken was fantastic. Because it was sitting in the sauce that braised the greens the skin wasn't crispy, but it was still very flavorful. The meat was sometimes dry, sot the sauce did help. Everynow and then, you would get a surprising bite of chicken that accidentally received some of the honey from the biscuit. After cleaning my plate, I used my potato bread to sop up the sauce. I would describe the biscuit but I was too full to eat it. :) The restaurant/bar is relatively small, as such I think timing is everything. I came on a Sunday evening when it was relatively slow, steady, and quiet. I think if I had come when it was busy, the ambience would not have been as nice and the service would have also suffered. As it was, the service was just right, attentive without being intrusive. I felt the prices were reasonable given the portions. I would definitely go back to try the trio pork dish!
(4)Robin B.
*Food: Fried Chicken, best collard greens ever, not to mention the biscuit that melts in your mouth $18; Hamburger, was quite a surprise seasoned perfectly and quite a deal for $10. Also to note looks like they have a good bar menu that is served until 6 each night and after 9 in the main dining room *Service: was very prompt never left needing or wanting anything, but got some weird looks from the waitress when we asked for to go boxes, not sure what that was about *Environment: very comfortable Overall will totally go back
(4)Sara G.
There's this guy in my department who LOVES this place. Do you know this guy? He raves about it like it's the best thing EVER. I had tried it when I first moved here and wasn't impressed. Expensive, far out, average fare. He was like, "how can you not LOVE CC? Go back and if you dont' like it I'll pay for it." So we did. And it kinda sucked. The salad was good, I'll give them that. But the burger was overcooked, the appetizer was burned on one side, and the bacon tasted leftover. I know it's house made, but it was not fresh. Just not good. I don't have the heart to tell this guy that his favorite place let him down, so if you see him, will you let him know we want our $40?
(2)Thomas M.
I gave this place a shot last weekend after going to the observatory only to find it closed for the weekend. The decision to go to Country Cat was based purley out of laziness and not wanting to drive any more, but oh boy am I happy I settled in here. We went on a Sunday morning and there was no line when we arrived around 11am, this did change after we were seated though. I ordered the Monte Cristo sandwich, it was the best one I have had in several years. The sandwich is served without syrup or jelly, which is a must for me, I requested some jelly and they served me a side of home grape. This made my day and made the sandwich really pop. The girl friend had the fried chicken, very tasty and moist. I would highly recommend it as well. Great new spot that I will add to my list
(4)Giggly C.
Fried chicken good. French toast not as fab as the photo in portland monthly. They totally messed up the kids meal and we waited a crazy long time for it (both adults finished with meal before kids meal came out, even though we asked about it 3 times). biscuits pretty good too.
(4)Linda W.
Came here tonight to try the dining month special. My boyfriend tried some of the other menu items. ALL the food was great. The friend chicken was boneless AND moist! And instead of the chocolate cake we tried the pudding trio (they ran out of cake). We would go back for the pudding anytime. The only reason they didn't get 5 stars from me is because the service was a bit slow for being a late dinner and a half full restaurant.
(4)Shannon M.
I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was really really good. The onion rings were a nice accent. I had to have them prematurely removed from the table so I wouldn't eat like a pig. I really appreciated that the chef goes table to table and asks people if they are enjoying their food. I am always very impressed when that happens. The one time I ate at Spagos in CA, Wolf Gang Puck came out and did that. It makes you feel important and appreciated. Kudos Country Cat!!!!
(4)h p.
dude... SO GOOD!!! my friend who is a regional chef for a big restaurant chain suggested this spot as one of his favorites when he comes to down... with that being said, i had to check it out! SO GOOD! i'm not a big fan of trout because of the mini-bones... i thought i'd order the Grilled Idaho Trout and i wasn't disappointed... YUM!! cute little spot with good food and a great story behind it!
(5)Neal S.
This place has it going on, and was very crowded for Sunday brunch. The staff was terrific, and we were seated at the "chef's table in back". Watching the team cook (they were slammed) was truly entertaining. We ordered the veggie hash with poached eggs, and the highly recommended fried chicken with pecan spoon bread. Both were just OK. The fried chicken coating was tough, although the spoon bread was terrific. The veggie hash was fine, the poached eggs a bit overdone. As we watched all the orders come up we wished we would have tried the low country shrimp and grits with a couple of fried eggs on top, or maybe the eggs and chilli. The eggs Benedict looked great, as did the pancakes and sausages.
(3)Miss K.
Fried chicken with greens and spoonbread for breakfast? Hayles yes I say. The trio of pudding is my dessert of choice (mini creme brulee makes me melt). Breakfast/brunch is a great way to try them out without committing to the substantial price tag that can accompany dinner. Service- great, attentive and sweet without going too far.
(5)David S.
Came for dinner with a friend on Thursday night after he heard about this place from a friend. The restaurant was almost full at 7pm but we were immediately seated. Server was quick to come by with menus and to ask for a drink order. Nice selection of wines and reasonable prices. The food menu was very well designed with almost everything sounding like something I wanted. We settled on sharing the Fried Oysters for an appetizer with a glass of white wine. I have had fried oysters many times but never were they cooked as perfectly as here. Fantastic! So good in fact that we ordered a second helping. The tarter sauce was also the best I ever had. For entrees I had the Pan Seared Steelhead and my friend had the Fried Chicken. Both were excellent and perfectly prepared. Based on the food, the menu, and the excellent service, this place deserves 5 stars. The prices were very fair for a restaurant of this quality. I would like to give it six stars if I could. I didn't get the servers name but she was excellent. Look for the tattoos of bright red cherries. Can't wait to return on my next visit to Portland.
(5)Kody L.
I'm a fan! I wasn't sure how I felt spending as much as we did, but the dishes definitely didn't disappoint. The fried chicken is good, but I'm not a fan of ordering chicken dishes at dinner -- it's just not that exciting to me. The Sweet Briar Farms Whole Hog was excellent. Get it. If you see the apple crumble on the menu, for the love of god, GET IT!
(4)Cassandra D.
I've been here a few times in the last year for pre-Academy Theatre drinks. Loved... the awesome bartender. She's gorgeous, has great bangs and/or hair depending on the night and like, the best memory ever. With at least a month in between visits she remembered me. She is very friendly, accomodating and prompt. I really like their root beer floats and, while I've never tried them, I enjoy that there are deviled eggs on the menu. Disliked... nothing, I really like this place.
(4)Aaron D.
Quick review: tasty food, fine service, decent size menu, pretty good bartender, kind of spendy Longer: First a disclaimer, if I was leaving this solely for my meal, it would have been 2 stars, but the others with me had the tasting menu of the day and that raised the rating. We'll start with the tasting menu, I guess. It was a very tasty grilled corn salad, followed by the best thing of the whole night, white-wine poached snapper over garbanzos. That dish was perfect and showed the kitchen was certainly capable. They also had a solid desert (I'm not a huge sweets person, and it doesn't take that much to make a good dessert, in my opinion). Unfortunately, my grilled trout was not as good as the snapper. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but it was also about what I think I could have pulled off. Our party also had the braised beef which looked fantastic, but I didn't get much of a report on that one. I should also mention we had 2 good mixed drinks All in all, the Country Cat is good and worth a visit, but with so many options in Portland, I can't say I'd recommend it.
(3)Robert M.
The Country Cat never disappoints and regularly changes up their menu keeping you coming back for more. Bloody Mary's are a must have as are the Shrimp n Grits. The Benny or the WT are always a crowd pleaser as are the burger n fried chicken, boneless no less. Come in hungry leave happy. Say hi to Jessie the bartender, she rocks.
(5)Mal C.
4.5 We weren't even hungry, but the food was delicious. The server was very attentive and personable. Didn't have to ask for water or coffee refills - she just kept topping it off! The onion fries were bountiful and perfectly salted. The dressing on the bing cherry salad was great. The freshly made noodles of the spaghetti were my favorite part - such a great chewy consistency. Nice light jazz in the background. Nice drink list. Great atmosphere.
(4)Barbara W.
the best part of this rest is the old fashion milk bottle used for water meat loaf as my girlfriend said if she tasted dog food close second-corn bread tasted like raw dough-fried chicken no taste-waste of time and money
(1)Nancy K.
I had made up my mind that I would decide if the Country Cat was worthy of a 5-star review after having brunch there over the weekend. I ordered the chicken fried steak and I have to say that it was pretty good...maybe not the best I've ever had but real nice. The over-the-top kicker though was the side of bacon my hubby ordered. First, let me say that I am always skeptical of side orders...esp. bacon. Usually, it's like $3 for 2 lame-ass pieces of overly dried out salty crap. I saw that CC's side of bacon is like $5.50. YIKES...that's way spendy for a side. Well thank the lawd he ordered it because it was the most heavenly wonderful thing in the world!!!! Our server brought out a PILE of bacon...a heaping pile of the best bacon I've ever had. Smokey, not too salty and a perfect mix of crispy and tender strips of pure bliss. Go.Eat .Bacon.Now.
(5)P B.
We found the Country Cat from Yelp users in the talk section, as a suggestion for our anniversary dinner. We didn't want snooty fancy, but still a decent place to go, with good food. This place didn't disappoint! We went overboard, started out with an appetizer that was some kind of bean soup. We could smell it before it got to our table, and the smell was just tantalizing. Great soup. I got a steak special that they had that night, best steak I've had in a long time, and cooked perfectly. My husband went back and forth between the fried chicken and the Whole Hog...Well he went with the Whole Hog and really liked it, but while waiting for our entrees, they served the fried chicken to a neighboring table and he stopped talking in mid sentence...because the smell was just so delicious! We splurged and went for dessert, I had a vanilla cheesecake (why yes, the fat girl does want cheesecake!) and he had the apple crisp. All were very good, and we were extremely full afterward. Now husband has been down in the deep south, and has partaken of the food down there, and said this was the "Yuppified" version of Southern soul food. While it's not quite the same, it's still VERY good! We totally plan on going back for their PB&J night! (Pulled Pork, baked beans, and a shot of Jack!) This place was totally our speed. Nice, but still with a redneck flair!
(5)Corrie H.
I know this place is famous for meat/poultry, but we went in February, when my husband and I celebrate "Free February" (a month long vegetarian extravaganza)... and I am happy to report that I still had a delicious meal. I had an absolutely excellent vegetable hash. I can't quite remember the details, except for the tasty pureed squash that everything was served on. We were there for a weekday lunch, and the place was very quiet, which meant there was no wait, and we had very attentive service. It was one of those experiences where you find yourself drinking far too much coffee, because someone is continually refilling your coffee. It's a very nice problem to have.
(4)Katherine K.
My husband and I are regulars at The Cat, so this review is long overdue. It is also one based on consistency of years, not just a visit or two. First off, we love the staff. They have become friendly faces we look forward to seeing almost as much as we look forward to the food. Stephanie and Carrie (sorry if I spelled your names wrong, ladies) are just plain rad. Yes, rad. And Chef Adam in his bib overalls makes me smile every time. This drinks are a bit pricy, but good enough to justify one or two. As for the most important thing...the food...it is almost always truly incredible. But be forewarned, this is southern-style comfort food, and as such is not for those who do not enjoy the finer calories in life. But for godsakes, have the chicken. Seriously. HAVE. THE. CHICKEN. It has been my go-to menu item since they opened, and has never disappointed. The whole hog is also a testament to Adam's opulent adoration of pig and his in-house butchery/curing skills. The Cat is yum-licious, and a place we always take out-of-town friends.
(4)Jeanine M.
Great service but the cook needs to be fired. It looks pretty but not taste. Had the slow cook pulled pork and grits so bland. My man had country fried steak with mashed potatoes so so so bland. Servers were good and fast. My man said the pork was just liquid smoke. His country fried steak tasted like fried wontons. Dont ever want to come back just go next door to the observatory.
(2)Sam F.
It's like the Screen Door without the obnoxious line. Well made southern style staples, fresh ingredients and a quick turn over of tables. The staff is great and the bloody mary's are awesome as well.
(4)Carlo X.
Went there for the "Whole Hog", but it was incomplete (no head cheese) that night. Service was off. Drinks took forever. The Pork chop (one of the 3 components of the whole hog) was a little over cooked and the pork belly was a little soggy from too much gravy. The best side was the mushroom quiche. Collards were average.
(3)Megan W.
Fantastic Farm Fresh dishes funky/flavorful drink options I'm a vegetarian so the menu was a bit limiting--still some scrumptious options meat eater friends say the fried chicken is to die for the staff is friendly and knowledgable // the atmosphere is comfortable
(4)Tracy Y.
Our family (2 teens, 2 adults) recieved a gift card for this establishment. The teens ordered 2 piece fried chicken / mashed potatoes & gravy - one teen said the chicken tasted like KFC but the potatoes & gravy were great. The other teen was too busy eating to give a review. My husband & I both ordered soup, then an entree each. We both liked our food. The onion ring appetizer is good. We ordered a "Sex on the beach" and the bar tender / server had to look it up online. It was a little spendy as our bill was $101.00.
(3)Andrizzle A.
Country Cat is on of the gems of the neighborhood. Their food is top notch as isbthe atmosphere and waitstaff. I have eaten here a bunch of times for breakfast and never been dissatisfied. All I habe tried from the dinner lenient isbthe fried chicken which is so good it has kept me from trying anything else. I recommended this spot for breakfast, their coffee is great, or for dinner. Check them out for high quality flavors and good atmosphere.
(5)David H.
I like this place. It's very Portland, but with southern-ish fare. The staff is cool, the atmosphere is quaint, and the food is solid. The bar is well stocked with a few interesting signature cocktails to tie you over while you wait for a table. If it's the weekend, the brunch is worth the inevitable wait. This is a great place to go with a group that can't decide what they want to eat as there is something for almost everyone here.
(4)Alex T.
Found the Country Cat listed in the Portland Monthly. Server messed up our drink order immediately and seemed very distracted, possibly by his ongoing conversation with the kitchen staff who are clearly visible from the cafe. The space between the kitchen and the bar appears to be the 'hangout' spot for staff, and having them all grouped there talking was really annoying. The food was delicious and arrived quickly.
(3)Paul G.
Great food and atmosphere. This place has good food at reasonable prices, and while I did not have a cocktail they looked good and the drink menu was enticing for sure. This joint is awesome because it caters to a wide variety. There were young, old, hip, and not so hip in the place, and everyone seem to be having a good time enjoying their food. I think what makes this place great is that no matter who you are it becomes a welcoming place. As for the food it was excellent. As everyone has noted the fried chicken was great. Crispy and not greasy. I found the portions to be fine, and felt pretty full. The deviled eggs were great, tasty mashed potatoes, and their homemade biscuits with honey were pretty darn good. The red velvet cake for desert was delicious. Cant wait to go back and try some of their other entrees.
(5)Thomas W.
As anyone can tell from my profile pic, I like cats. They're clever, affectionate and know how to take care of their bathroom business with minimal assistance. It should come as no surprise that I would be immediately attracted to a business with the word "cat" in the name...I mean, the coolest characters in all of fiction have been cats: the Cheshire cat, those weird ones from Broadway... Besides, every once in awhile I like to just walk around new areas of town, places that I have not yet had the pleasure to experience. Sometimes that works in my favor (yay! Dove Vivi!) and sometimes not (ugh...Dessert Noir...) It just so happens that I was wandering around SE Stark while waiting for a separate party and glanced inside the windows of the Country Cat after noticing their creative and distinctive cat logo. A quick look at the window menu had me sold - there were some creative dishes being described, with some awesome-sounding recipes for lamb, wings, even their french fries all sounded great! I was shown to my table by a very friendly and attentive waitress (it didn't hurt that she had short red hair and tats...very hawtt, but that's a separate review for another time! ;) Within seconds, I had water and my 7-Up at the table, and she was ready to take my order! For the sake of brevity, I will limit my descriptions to my chosen entree. I ordered the lamb, cooked medium and served with some delicious sausage and wedge biscuit topped with all manner of fragrant spices...even toasted pine nuts! When it came out, I was very pleased by both the flavor and quantity being offered - the lamb was very tender and juicy, and the sausage, while a little dry, was the perfect compliment to the rest of the plate. Soaking in natural juices were three long softened stalks of celery, which had by then taken on the flavor the dish entire...very nice, if not a little off-putting due to the color. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this little place...definitely one of the better meals I have had in SE, to be sure. I will definitely be back, both for the service and to sample some of the other tempting items they have on their menu!
(4)Joel T.
Absolutely incredible! I ate at Country Cat for the first time a few months ago and loved every minute of it. We were still in the middle of the Sunday brunch rush when we arrived at 11am. After about 15 minutes of waiting in line I put my name and number down and they texted me when our seats at the bar were ready about 45 minutes later. I was really craving a delicious home made cinnamon roll, but to my disappointment they didn't have any on the menu that day. After much deliberation I finally decided to go with the fried chicken with the maple pecan spoonbread. I added a side of buttermilk mashed potatoes just to round things out. It was the best meal of my life. Don't get me wrong, I'm very partial to southern comfort food like this, especially fried chicken. As you'll see in my Yelp profile, I've declared this as the meal I would have if it were my last day on earth. The chicken was 2 boneless breasts seasoned and fried to perfection - easy to cut and eat with a fork. The potatoes were creamy and delicious. The spoonbread was something I hadn't tried before but it was amazing. The fluffy bread, a sweet glaze, and crunchy pecan topping fully satisfied my cinnamon roll craving. I like to take a bite of each and continue in a circle until they're all gone. Of course I leave the best bites for last. Now if only they could make a second location closer in!
(5)valari b.
Had brunch, I ordered the fried Chicken and my husband ordered strictly meat ie bacon and sausage and beef jerky. All was amazing! The fried chicken was moist and crunchy served with cornbread and salad. We had cocktails Vesper, light refreshing and very tasty. Service was quick, friendly and friendly. Food was so good I bought the cookbook
(5)Craig F.
Second time here, and first time for brunch! Nothing but OUTSTANDING!! Jess was great and the hash was killer killer! Sweet honey mustard wings! The monte cristo sandwich and of course the fried chicken! Get the biscuits
(5)Gloria R.
I'm surprised this restaurant shoes such great reviews because I was underwhelmed by my meal. I ordered the popular fried chicken entree and it came with two pieces of over cooked hard and dry white meat. The mashed potatoes were tasty but I don't really like lumpy mash. The veggie was collard greens and I found those inedible because they had been drenched in vinegar. Maybe it was just a bad choice on my part. Another guest at my table enjoyed the " whole hog" entree and cleaned her plate. I probably won't go back.
(2)Kristen B.
I had the country cat breakfast and it was really good- two eggs, home fries and a huge biscuit. I ordered my eggs over easy which is often difficult to get right but they were perfect. The biscuit was huge flakey and buttery. The home made jam was really good. My boyfriend wasn't a big fan of the sausage gravy. My only complaint is the server didn't bring my boyfriend the glass of milk he ordered and we had to ask for more water after we sat there for a while finished with our meals. It was pretty busy so she just forgot. Overall it was a good experience and I'd go again!!
(4)Rebecca C.
This review is for dinner, and while some parts were disappointing I still want to come back and try their brunch. For now, I'll say this: are y'all crazy? Have you ever been to the south? This is not how fried chicken is supposed to taste. Good fried chicken is not bland. Good fried chicken is crispy. The meat underneath was well cooked, so I was happy with that. But really, when you have to pour salt on the chicken to give it flavor, you know it's under-seasoned. To be fair, my friend who is from the south had warned me that the fried chicken was highly overrated but I'm stubborn and needed to try it for myself. The rest of the meal was actually pretty good. The braised beef was the best thing by far, and since my friend and I split our entrees, I was lucky to eat half of that. It fell off the bone and had a great flavor. The mashed potatoes and gravy were good, and the appetizer we shared, the homemade cheese and picked veggies, was also good. The dessert was hit and miss. The chocolate chip cookies were fabulous, and the trio of puddings was like Goldilocks. The chocolate pudding was grainy on the bottom (the top was done well on all these). The butterscotch pudding wasn't set on the bottom and the Creme Brulee was just right. I probably wouldn't go so far out of my way again for dinner, but like I said, the brunch menu looked fabulous. I'm willing to give it another shot.
(3)Angel H.
After seeing this place on Triple D, we decided to give it a try. We popped in on a Saturday night to a VERY busy and noisy restaurant. Even though the place was packed, we were seated promptly. Our very friendly waitress was on the ball during our entire visit. For an appetizer, I ordered the homemade pretzels. They were YUMMY, but the dipping sauce was way too spicy. For supper I ordered some sort of braised beef & fried chicken combo meal. The chicken was great but the braised beef sauce was too spicy and rich for me. My husband got the pork chop dinner and said it was excellent. For dessert I got the trio of puddings. Now THAT was absolutely delicious!! I'd come back here just to eat more of these and the pretzels.
(4)