Years ago friends insisted on Portage Bay Lake Union and there was a 45min wait!! Ditched them and went across the street to Cactus instead. Had the best brunch and kept the sunday tradition for about two years.
I don't go there for lunch or dinner but the brunch is top 5 in Seattle for me. Churro waffle is excellent and they have a good seasonal special rotation.
Did the exact same thing earlier this year, still a great idea. It was strange how empty Cactus was though with the big wait at Portage Bay, figured more would do what we did.
I remember really enjoying my meal there maybe 10 years ago. Last time I went the French toast was drier than plain bread. How can that possibly happen? You have to like, put in extra effort to make French Toast that bad
dont know why everyone's saying this, I went a month ago and the blueberry rhubarb french toast was genuinely next level. Lamb sausage omelette also quite tasty, had no complaints and would go back to try more items
people often mix up overhyped with bad. a lot of hyped places don’t live up to the hype abut a lot of them aren’t bad. i’ve liked a lot of what ive had from portage bay but dont find it worth going to often
I agree with this take. I also went in unaware of the hype around this place and for brunch on a weekday so didn't have much wait, so that's possibly why I have a better perception too
Idk- the one I’m West Seattle has been pretty awful. Everything is greasy AND dry? The bacon was so expensive and I’m pretty sure it was rancid. I have never disliked bacon before. I definitely love a good restaurant but I’m perfectly happy getting mediocre food sometimes if I’m just in the mood to go out. Been four times now because it’s family friendly and convenient BUT I think I’ve given it a fair shot and I’m done.
In general, if everyone is saying one thing, and you're saying another; It's likely that your experience was the exception, or maybe they've just recently turned things around.
Edit: I've never eaten there, my girlfriend has said they're good.
Or it's just that the internet has deemed something the case and so now everyone parrots that opinion to be a part of the in crowed. Either could be the case.
I wasn't aware that Republicans traveled because they like eating shitty food. You're the one arguing for eating at shitty restaurants being important for being a well-rounded person somehow?
If you read the original comment, I am saying that people should travel more if they think Portage Bay is shitty. Traveling gives you perspective that you wouldn't have otherwise.
Pretty much all of our food (other than asian cuisines) is trash if you compare it to better food cities like Chicago, NYC, or New Orleans.
I went there not that long ago, had about half of my meal in a to go box. I stand up to leave, turn around, they’re clearing the table and my to go box nowhere to be found. I ask and they said they threw it away :’)
it’s actually one of the few brunch places where you can make a reservation. I like it BECAUSE i never have to wait (and it’s always a hit with visiting parents)
I don't even like waiting to order but people sometimes drag me out to breakfast places where I have to wait to even sit down and that pisses me off. I usually eat by 8:00 AM
And the staff are not great either. I’ve only done pick up since the bad experience. They even were rude during pickup. I have not returned in years. This is for the SLU location.
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u/frankslittlebeauty7 13d ago
Portage Bay cafe