Portland Volume 1: Breakfast Wars

I just recently went to Portland with my brother, his wife, and their beautiful baby boy Parker. We were also joined by three of their closest friends, Wiley, Tyler, and Christa. Let me tell you, they were quite the fun bunch. And if there was one thing this fun bunch loved to do, it was eat. If there was one thing we loved more than eating, it was eating breakfast. Luckily, Sarah and Christa got the inside scoop of where THE top breakfast places in Portland were. And thus began Portland Breakfast Wars 2011.

Round 1: Mother's Bistro 

{Just ignore the fact that we are basically twins. I swear it wasn't planned}

As the first stop on our 2011 Breakfast Tour, Mother's Bistro did not disappoint. Quite the opposite actually...it was friggin AWESOME. I would love to tell you what everyone else got, because I definitely had a bite of each thing, but all I can remember was the ridiculousness that was the French Toast. Observe...

I mean, c'mon. It is not even fair. My mouth is watering just looking at this picture. Because, dear friends, this was no ordinary French Toast. In fact, it was the Mother of all French Toast (Mother's Bistro...get it? ha). This French Toast was dipped in Corn Flake batter, making it the ultimate in crunchy, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. I am actually considering going up to Portland again, just for this French Toast. 

On the first leg of the tour, we were pretty impressed. Everyone loved their food, and we weren't sure how anything else would top it.

Round 2: The Original

{The Original at night, because I actually forgot to take pictures of this one. Bad blogger, bad.}

While I loved the cool Modern Extrerior/Interior, I was a bit underwhelmed with the food. I will give them credit for originality though. My brother ordered Peanut Butter and Jelly Pancakes, and some others ordered Beef Jerky Bloody Marys (which I heard were amazing). But the thing I remember the most was some form of ridiculous Cheesy Fries, which gaind the reputation of "Cheese Turd"

{Gross.}
Overall, I would say that creativity in a menu matters, but not as much as quality food. I would rather have a delicious classic dish, than a groundbreaking original dish that is so-so. 

Round 3: Kenny & Zukes

I have got to hand it to this place, they were pretty awesome. This place had more of a diner vibe, focusing on deli classics such as Pastrami. I ordered an Everything Bagel Sandwich, and it was to die for. Since we got here later, it was more of a brunch experience, so we got to order some lunch items too!

Although I didn't have a bite, because I was stuffed from my Breakfast Sandwich and Mimosa, I heard that the Mac & Cheese was amazing! Kenny & Zukes hit the nail on the head with their laid back New York Deli type menu, focusing on quality food!

The Verdict:

While most of the places we went were good, I can only choose one winner....

Mother's Bistro!!!

Clearly people. I mean, they had me at Cornflake French Toast.  Cornflake. French. Toast. I know some of you are reading this and thinking "Dang Kai and her friends ate a lot that weekend", and to that I say that you are correct sir! But it was all for the sake of the greater good (a.k.a. Breakfast Wars), and in no way had to to with the fact that we looove to eat. And if you think that's bad, remember there are two other meals in the day, which means we ate six other meals I didn't even go over....yet....