Screen Door has been bringing authentic Southern hospitality to Portland since 2006.
The Eastside location serves legendary fried chicken and indulgent brunch made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
This Kerns neighborhood spot combines warm service with comfort food that keeps people coming back for years.
What Makes Screen Door Special
The restaurant built its reputation on buttermilk-battered fried chicken that’s perfectly crispy outside and juicy inside.
Sweet potato waffles provide a unique twist on the classic chicken and waffles combination throughout every preparation.
Everything comes from the in-house bakery, including those cream cheese-filled cinnamon rolls people rave about consistently.
The Story Behind the Food
Screen Door opened with a mission to serve vibrant Southern comfort food far from the South.
The kitchen uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create dishes that honor Lowcountry traditions throughout every service.
Two locations in Portland mean more people can experience authentic Southern cooking without leaving the Pacific Northwest.
Portland’s Favorite Menu Items
Food Highlights
- Chicken & Waffles: The signature dish pairs buttermilk-battered fried chicken breast with a sweet potato waffle at $16-28. Guests can choose one, two, or three pieces depending on their appetite creating flexibility throughout ordering. 🧇
- Fried Chicken: Crispy on the outside with juicy meat inside, this is what Screen Door is known for throughout Portland. The buttermilk batter creates the perfect golden crust every time with proper Southern frying technique. 🍗
- Praline Bacon: Smoked bacon gets caramelized with pecans, brown sugar, and a hint of cayenne at $10. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy creating an addictive side throughout brunch. 🥓
- Bananas Foster French Toast: Rich brioche French toast comes topped with rum-flamed caramelized bananas, cinnamon, and whipped cream at $16. This New Orleans-inspired dish brings dessert flavors to breakfast creating an indulgent morning experience throughout. 🍌
- Lowcountry Shrimp & Grits: Five jumbo shrimp are sautéed in a signature tomato-garlic sauce with smoky bacon at $24. 🦐
- Mushroom Gravy: The vegetarian gravy option has become a star in its own right at $5. Rich, hearty, and packed with mushroom flavor, it’s perfect over biscuits or chicken throughout service. 🍄
- Fried Catfish Sandwich: Cornmeal-dusted catfish comes on a griddled bun with lemon slaw, dill pickles, and house hot sauce mayo at $17. It’s served with crispy French fries for a complete meal throughout lunch and dinner. 🐟
- Warm Cinnamon Rolls: Two cream cheese-filled rolls come fresh from the Screen Door bakery at $9. The cream cheese filling is what makes these truly special, creating a perfectly sweet start throughout brunch. 🥐
- Huevos Rancheros: All-natural beef brisket braised in salsa ranchera gets paired with slow-stewed black beans and two eggs at $18. It’s served over crispy corn tortillas and topped with melted pepper jack and jalapeño crema throughout. 🌮
- Fried Okra: Deep-fried okra comes with sauce remoulade for dipping at $9. It’s a classic Southern side that’s executed perfectly here creating authentic Lowcountry experience throughout. 🌿
- Chicken & Biscuits: Crispy fried chicken breast gets smothered in country pork sausage gravy or vegetarian mushroom gravy at $18. It comes with a buttermilk biscuit and breakfast potatoes for a hearty meal throughout service. 🍗
- Breakfast Potatoes: These Cajun-seasoned potatoes are crispy and flavorful at $5. They’re a perfect side for any breakfast dish creating a spicy kick throughout morning meals. 🥔
- Banoffee Pie: A shortbread and pecan crust gets filled with caramel and bananas, then topped with whipped cream at $10. It’s the perfect way to end a Southern meal creating a sweet finish throughout dining. 🥧
Atmosphere
The Eastside location sits in the Kerns neighborhood at 2337 E Burnside Street with a spacious, open layout throughout.
Inside, a casual atmosphere without booth-style seating creates a welcoming environment where families and friends gather comfortably.
The restaurant welcomes dogs on the covered back patio, making it perfect for pet owners throughout dining.
First, service stays friendly and attentive even during the busiest weekend rushes. Moreover, staff members consistently keep water glasses filled, ensuring that diners never feel neglected despite the crowds. Additionally, servers check on tables regularly to address any needs promptly. In fact, this attentiveness remains consistent from start to finish. Furthermore, the team works seamlessly together to maintain efficiency.
Meanwhile, we strongly recommend reservations, particularly for weekends. During these peak times, brunchers pack the place throughout service, making it difficult to secure walk-in seating. Furthermore, wait times for walk-ins can exceed an hour. Consequently, booking ahead ensures you won’t miss out on this popular brunch spot. Otherwise, you may find yourself waiting outside indefinitely. Therefore, planning ahead becomes essential for the best experience.
The online booking system makes it easy to secure a table days in advance throughout planning.
Bottom Line
Visit Screen Door Eastside for authentic Southern comfort food with legendary fried chicken and indulgent brunch options.
Buttermilk-battered chicken, sweet potato waffles, cream cheese cinnamon rolls, and that incredible mushroom gravy everyone talks about.
Two Portland locations prove Southern hospitality and Lowcountry cooking resonate far from the South with lines worth the wait. 🌟
Screen Door Eastside
2337 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
📞 (503) 542-0880
🕐 Daily: Brunch 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM | Dinner 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM