• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Urban Bliss Life logo

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • contact
  • shop
  • cookbooks
  • cooking classes
  • resources
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Asian recipes
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Dairy-free Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Entertaining Recipes
    • Filipino Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • 5 Ingredients
    • Kid-Friendly Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • Dog Treats
  • Wine
    • Oregon Wine Guide
    • Washington Wine
    • California Wine
    • Food and Wine Pairing
    • Wine Country
    • Wine Tips & Wine Pairings
  • Travel
    • Europe
      • Greece
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Liechtenstein
      • The Netherlands
      • Switzerland
      • The UK (United Kingdom)
    • Canada
    • USA travel
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • Oregon Travel Ideas
      • Utah
      • Washington
      • New Orleans
    • Travel Gear
    • Japan
    • Travel Tips
    • Hotels
    • Family Travel
  • Restaurants
  • About
    • Work With Urban Bliss Life
    • Press
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Work With Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Urban Bliss Life » Restaurant Reviews » Portland Oregon Restaurants » Portland Penny Diner [CLOSED]

    Published: June 16, 2015 / Updated: May 29, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Portland Penny Diner [CLOSED]

    0 shares

    Update 2020: this Portland restaurant, Portland Penny Diner, is now closed.

    In my life BC (Before Children), I knew where all of the best happy hours were. Not because I was cool like that; merely because there were only a few good ones back in the day. I used to love getting out of work in the Pearl District and meeting up with friends for cheap (passable) beer and greasy happy hour grub. When you're in your twenties, cheap = good, right?

    Thankfully, happy hour offerings have grown up since then (I'm sure some people wish they could say the same about me - ha!) and I am delighted by the variety and complexity of happy hour menus now available in Portland. Today's local happy hour menus extend beyond mere $2 beers and $3 tater tots to feature creative dishes that compete aggressively with other happy hour eats across the city. This month, a popular breakfast and lunch spot in downtown Portland has extended hours and launched a new menu to become the latest Happy Hour player in this food-loving city: enter, Portland Penny Diner.

    Portland Penny Diner restaurant in Portland, Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com

    If you've been to downtown Portland, you've most likely walked or driven down Broadway and noticed the large revolving penny atop the building at the corner of Broadway and Stark. That's the Portland Penny Diner sign. Named after the historic coin toss that decided the fate of our great city's name, Portland Penny Diner has been serving up fabulous breakfast and lunch hits for the past three years.

    Portland Penny Diner restaurant in Portland, Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com

    This corner diner is owned by chef restaurateur Vitaly Paley (Paley's Place, Imperial), who is arguably one of the nicest and hardest working guys in town. I had the pleasure of chatting with Chef Paley during Portland Penny Diner's happy hour menu launch. It's clear that he's proud to showcase this eatery in a new way, with dishes that further elevate Portland's happy hour scene. 

    Portland Penny Diner restaurant in Portland, Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com
    Portland Penny Diner restaurant in Portland, Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com

    The menu, which is a delightful mashup of comfort and street food, is a collaboration between Chef Paley and Executive Chef Doug Adams. My kids might just be his biggest fans after watching him closely in every episode of the last season of Top Chef.

    If you've ever eaten at Imperial next door to Portland Penny Diner, you know that one of Chef Adams' most famous dishes is Doug's Buttermilk Fried Chicken, which you most definitely must try if you haven't yet. I'm going to show you the Portland Penny Diner version in a bit.

    First, let's take a seat at the bar and check out the new happy hour cocktail selection.

    Portland Penny Diner happy hour Portland Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com

    Cocktails

    Portland Penny Diner's Lead Barman Tony Gurdian has created a lineup of eight classic and vintage cocktails on draught.

    Yes: that's cocktails on tap. More cocktails on tap than any other bar in the city! Although, truth be told, I had no idea there were cocktails on tap anywhere else in the city. If you can name another local spot that offers this brilliant mixology magic, please let me know in the comments.

    Portland Penny Diner restaurant in Portland, Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com


    Pechluck of Pechluck's Food Adventures and Huma of PDX Cider enjoyed testing out several of the cocktails on tap, but my favorite was the Mad Hatter (pictured above). Happy hour prices for the Pennydraft Cocktails: $5 each.

    • Penny Old Fashioned -Brandy, rye, raw sugar, bitters, lemon peel
    • El Presidente - Rum, dry vermouth, orange curaçao, house grenadine
    • Mad Hatter - Whiskey, lemon, sugar, absinthe
    • Between the Sheets - Gin, cointreau, brandy, lemon
    • Brooklyn - Bourbon, dry vermouth, maraschino, curaçao, amaro, bitters
    • Rosita - Tequila, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, campari, orange bitters
    • Martinez - Old Tom gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, Boker’s bitters
    • Chrysanthemum - Dry vermouth, benedictine, absinthe

    Short Orders

    Portland Penny Diner restaurant in Portland, Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com
    The new Portland Penny Diner happy hour menu also offers Short Orders: four inventive shots that are accompanied by complementary plated pairings (happy hour price: $6 each):
    • Whiskey & Beer Back
    • Tequila & Verdita
    • Pisco & Grilled Pineapple w/Espelette (pictured above)
    • Cachaça & Pickled Strawberry

    Happy Hour Eats

    I'm totally in love with Portland Penny Diner's happy hour menu. You can also enjoy the same dishes now for just a few dollars more per dish during the regular new night hours, but it is absolutely worth it to meet up with friends or colleagues here for happy hour. The fantastic menu features hearty, gourmet diner food - everything from soups and salads to fry bread tacos and burgers to heaping entrees.

    Here's a tiny peek at some of the dishes you can enjoy:

    Portland Penny Diner restaurant in Portland, Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com

    Tomato Soup with basil & croutons ($7 HH menu) -- and keep in mind these are the adorable launch party portions. You get more with the regular happy hour portion.

    Portland Penny Diner restaurant in Portland, Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com
    Portland Penny Diner happy hour Portland Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com

    House Smoked Pastrami Taco with russian dressing, swiss cheese, sauerkraut ($6 HH menu)

    Portland Penny Diner happy hour Portland Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com

    My favorite of the fry bread tacos: the Hangtown Fry Taco ($6 HH menu) with fried oysters, eggs, bacon, and spicy mayo. Normally, I find fried oysters to be a disappointment -- too chewy and rubbery from neglect in the fryer -- but these babies were fried to perfection. The added crunch of the bacon with the comforting sweetness of the egg and spicy mayo create a lively, inspiring combination of flavors. So good.

    Portland Penny Diner restaurant in Portland, Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com

    Buttermilk Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy ($13). You can never go wrong ordering this dish. The chicken is consistently tender while the batter is nice and crispy all over, like good fried chicken should be.

    Portland Penny Diner restaurant in Portland, Oregon | UrbanBlissLife.com

    Blackened Trout with coleslaw, gribiche, lemon ($14).  I only ate this dish with my eyes, but I can tell you that already I was impressed by how well seasoned the trout was and it wasn't over-seasoned as I see happen so often in blackened fish dishes.

    Visit Portland Penny Diner

    I'm thrilled that Portland Penny Diner is stepping out and branching from breakfast and lunch into a full dinner and happy hour spot. This is a great place to meet up with friends or colleagues after work, or to kick off date night. The atmosphere is still casual, but you won't be out of place if you're a little dressed up. While the interior is small, they've done a great job creating lots of seating space, with high top tables as well as banquette seating in the front and back of the diner. And if you're just popping in for a drink or two, there are spots right at the bar waiting for you.

    Portland Penny Diner
    410 SW Broadway
    Portland OR 97205
    503.228.7222

    Monday - Thursday: 7am to 3pm; 4pm to 11pm
    Friday: 7am to 3pm;  4pm to Midnight
    Saturday: 4pm to Midnight
    Sunday: Closed
    Happy Hour: 4-6pm Monday-Saturday

    « The Oregon Coast Aquarium
    Dairy Free Blueberry Muffins with Lemon »
    0 shares

    Get recipes, travel tips, deals and more delivered to your inbox!

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Jay Long says

        June 21, 2015 at 3:42 pm

        Place looks and seems awesome. The food looks amazing.

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          July 03, 2015 at 4:26 pm

          It's very awesome, Jay. Hope you get the chance to check it out!

      2. Tracy says

        June 18, 2015 at 11:11 am

        Everything tastes better during happy hour, right?! :)

        Reply
      3. Monica Louie says

        June 17, 2015 at 1:15 pm

        This all looks delicious! I can think of a few people I need to call to meet for happy hour so we'll have to check this out! Thanks!!

        Reply
      4. Renée says

        June 17, 2015 at 10:41 am

        I drive by the Penny Diner at least a couple times a week, and every time, I tell myself we need to stop in... soon. But you've hooked me now, because from here on out, every time I drive by, I will be thinking about this → House Smoked Pastrami Taco with Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut. Be still my savory-sweet lovin' heart.

        Reply
      5. Kelley says

        June 17, 2015 at 9:44 am

        Nice! I don't get downtown for happy hour too much these days, either, but it's good to have options in your back pocket. Beer, wine, or cocktail? Well, if it's a $5 cocktail that sounds good...

        Reply
      6. Ali says

        June 16, 2015 at 10:42 pm

        Everything looks great! Though nothing wrong with some $3 tater tots every now and then. :)

        Reply
      7. Erin @ Platings and Pairings says

        June 16, 2015 at 4:40 pm

        Cocktails on tap are calling my name right now!!! I'll definitely need to check this place out!

        Reply

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

      Primary Sidebar

      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

      Featured In

      Urban Bliss Life Press Featured In graphic

      Dads & Grads Recipes

      • BBQ bacon burger
        BBQ Bacon Burger
      • honey garlic chicken skewers
        Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers
      • closeup photo of air fryer corn ribs stacked on top of one another with drizzled mayo and chopped cilantro.
        Air Fryer Corn Ribs
      • closeup of Filipino BBQ pork skewers with cilantro leaves
        Filipino Pork BBQ

      New Recipes

      • white basmati rice in a blue bowl on green plate.
        Instant Pot Basmati Rice
      • Thai basil beef with red peppers, green onions, and white rice.
        Thai Basil Beef
      • plate of Instant Pot country style ribs and mashed potatoes with herbs.
        Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
      • glass of white wine next to a bowl of cajun shrimp pasta with title text that reads "Best wine and pasta pairings."
        Best Wine with Pasta

      New Travel Tips

      • photos of Depoe Bay, Cannon Beach, Tillamook Oregon with title text that reads "Best Oregon Coast Towns."
        Best Oregon Coast Towns
      • photos of waterfalls, vineyard grapes, haystack rock at cannon beach, and mount hood with title text that reads 35+ day trips from Portland, Oregon.
        35+ Day Trips from Portland
      • glass of red wine next to a bottle of Bells Up Winery pinot noir.
        Bells Up Winery
      • The Prayer Hall of Wat Chalong temple in Phuket, Thailand.
        Wat Chalong Temple
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Instagram
      • YouTube

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      logos of media outlets that have featured urban bliss life.

      Recipes

      • 30-Minute Meals
      • 5-Ingredients
      • Air Fryer
      • Asian
      • Dairy-Free
      • Pasta
      • Seafood

      About

      • About
      • FAQs
      • Privacy & Accessibility Policy
      • Terms & Conditions

      Contact

      • Contact
      • Work with me

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
      Copyright © 2022 Urban Bliss Life

      All rights reserved. You may not use any photos or recipes on this site for any personal or commercial use without my express written permission.