What is Arleta Library Café?
Arleta Library Café is a petite local's neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot. It blends house recipe fresh baked goods with farm fresh locally sourced specialties in a diner atmosphere.
In their own words: "The Arleta Library Bakery & Café is a family-owned and operated business dedicated to providing healthy food to its community at a reasonable price. Additionally, we are committed to sustaining our neighborhood and foodshed by purchasing as much organic food from local farmers and producers as possible and ensuring our employees a living wage."
Where is it?
Portland, OR • 5513 SE 72nd Ave Mt. Scott / Arleta Neighborhood just west of Foster and 82nd
I first went there in July of 2018, and I have been back frequently ever since.
What is it like?
It's quite small. It neighbors a coffee shop and is smaller than the coffee shop. It is open and as you walk in, on the left is the kitchen hot line and on the right is the limited seating; about 8 tables. The server will typically greet you as you walk in the door and often there is a list to hold your place in line. There is rotating local art on the walls and a specials board and display of baked goods left up front. It's casual and very true to the Portland vibe. It features a small back patio in the summer time.
When is it open?
Weekdays - 8am-2pm
Weekends - 8:30am-2pm
Serving Breakfast & Lunch
CUhl Rating (out of 5 stars)
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Quality of Service:
The service is prompt. The place can get busy and the servers are pros. They hustle. As I said above, you are greeted as soon as you walk in the door and my coffee always stays full.
Quality of Food:
The food takes the stage here. It is absolutely delicious and there is passion in it. It's cooked perfectly every time and the ingredients are locally sourced. I could see the dedication to good food when I ordered a side of fruit. They make art out of their fruit and the presentation is impressive. It's refreshing to see a diner style place considering presentation in their food.
The flavor is incredible in everything I have tried. Everything is house made with house recipes including their ketchup. They also made a raspberry jam that is to die for. They make fresh baked goods every day and typically sell out by the time they close. I once had a raspberry cornbread muffin. mmmmm.mmmmm. They also make a rotating quiche.
When I sat down today to write this review I finally looked up their website and found out that it's not just me that thought it was amazing, but that they actually got featured on the Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives show. I knew it was special! Check out the video on their website.