Portland is famous for food carts and coffee, so a plate of Southern fried catfish might not be the first thing on your list here. That could be a mistake.
Tucked into a quiet North Portland neighborhood, one small cafe has people calling its catfish the best in town and its mac and cheese the best they know of in the whole city. Folks who grew up in Texas and the Carolinas say a single plate brought back memories of family kitchens back home.
Even better, the place runs as a nonprofit with a church behind it and a mission at its heart. Keep reading to learn where it is, what makes the catfish and mac and cheese so loved, when to go, and a few smart tips that will make your first visit a good one.
A North Denver Avenue Address Worth Knowing
Hiding in plain sight on a low-key stretch of North Portland, Po’ Shines Cafe De La Soul sits at 8139 N Denver Ave, Portland, OR 97217, in the United States.
The address places it in the Kenton neighborhood, a calm corner of the city that feels far from the busy downtown blocks. It is the kind of street where a restaurant could easily go unnoticed.
That is part of the fun. Plenty of first-timers have admitted the outside does not look like much, and some nearly walked away before friends talked them into going in.
Those who stayed were glad they did. The cafe is a soul food restaurant with a homestyle Cajun and barbecue focus, and it serves the down-to-earth dishes people from the South tend to miss most.
Fried catfish leads the conversation, with mac and cheese close behind. Both have built a loyal following among locals and travelers alike.
The cafe also holds a strong 4.4-star standing from close to a thousand diners, which is impressive for a small neighborhood spot. That kind of number does not happen by accident.
So the modest front is not a warning sign. It is more like a quiet doorway into one of the city’s most talked-about plates of fish.
A Kitchen With a Mission
Profit is not the main goal here, and that alone makes the cafe stand out.
Po’ Shines is a church-operated nonprofit restaurant. The money that comes in supports a larger purpose, so every order does a little good beyond the table.
It is also a family-owned, Black-owned business with deep roots in the Kenton district. Some describe it as a storied, historic location in the neighborhood.
That family feel shows up in small ways. Staff members often introduce themselves by name and share stories about recipes passed down from a great-grandmother.
Some guests have heard tales of family barbecues, a favorite uncle bringing over meat, and a mom who just knew how to season it. Those stories give the food a backstory you will not find on a menu board.
Many people say they come back for the cooking and also for the chance to support the mission. It is a rare combo of a good meal and a good cause.
Fans often encourage others to visit simply to help the place thrive. With a kitchen like this, helping out is not exactly a hardship.
The Catfish Everyone Talks About
Ask a regular what to order, and the answer usually lands fast: get the catfish.
Plenty of diners flat out call it the best fried catfish in town. Some travelers who visit Portland order the cornmeal breaded fried catfish almost every single trip.
The fish comes as a basket, a platter, or tucked into a po’ boy. The breading and seasoning earn steady praise, and the pieces are generous.
For one guest from Texas, the first bite was so close to family summer meals back home that it brought tears. That is a lot of feeling for a fillet.
A blackened catfish option is also on the menu. People who try it often say it is so good they start rethinking their usual fried order.
To be fair, not every plate is perfect. A few diners have wished for a bit more seasoning in the batter, and one noted a piece that came out undercooked on a later visit.
Still, the catfish remains the main reason many people make the trip. It is the dish that keeps the reel spinning, so to speak.
Mac and Cheese With Serious Bragging Rights
Bold claim incoming: some diners say this is the best mac and cheese they know of in all of Portland.
That praise comes from people who clearly pay attention. One pair noted the cheeses were so well combined they could not even name them, and that the sauce held together with no oil separation.
In plain words, the cooks know how to build a proper cheese sauce. That skill is easy to overlook until you get a version that falls apart.
The mac and cheese shows up as a side with platters, including fried chicken and fish combos. It pairs naturally with the catfish, which is why so many orders include both.
Even guests who had mixed feelings about other sides have called the mac and cheese very good. It tends to be one of the steady wins on the table.
For a first visit, the classic move is simple. Order the fried catfish, add mac and cheese, and let the kitchen show what the fuss is about.
Consider it a cheesy decision in the best way.
Po’ Boys That Earn Their Name
Sandwich lovers, take note. The po’ boy is one of the most mentioned items on the whole menu.
A fried catfish po’ boy here comes with a generous piece of fish on a sturdy roll. The bread itself gets compliments, which says something.
For a small extra charge, around a dollar and change, you can upgrade with add-ins. Options like onions, peppers, and mushrooms can turn a good sandwich into a favorite.
One traveler who judges soul food spots by their fried fish said the catfish po’ boy ranked with the best he had eaten. A tangy pickled topping set it apart in a way he could not quite figure out.
Another guest called it a better po’ boy than the ones in Tennessee. That is high praise from the right part of the map.
The menu also covers pulled pork po’ boys with a drizzle of barbecue sauce. Vegetarians are not left out, since a jackfruit po’ boy is available too.
Prices are often described as pretty reasonable for what you get. It is a hearty lunch that does not ask too much of your wallet.
Sides, Smoke, and a Few Sweet Endings
Hush puppies are the most talked-about extra on the menu, and they often arrive in a bowl with a syrup for dipping.
Beyond the starring catfish and mac and cheese, the supporting cast is long. Fried okra, sweet yams, collard greens, red beans and rice, black-eyed peas, coleslaw, and potato salad all have fans.
The barbecue side of the kitchen holds its own. Brisket, pulled pork, and ribs come up often, and some diners call the barbecue perfection.
Breakfast-style options appear too. Cheesy bacon grits with scrambled eggs have been a pick for guests craving morning fare later in the day.
Then come the desserts. Sweet potato pie gets glowing words, with one fan calling it the best she has ever had, and peach cobbler is a popular to-go treat.
Beignets are on the list as well.
Not every side lands for everyone. Cornbread and turnip greens have gotten mixed marks, and a few items have been called under-seasoned.
Overall, though, the side lineup gives the main plates plenty of good company.
Sweet Tea and a Jamaican Twist
Drinks rarely steal the spotlight at a soul food spot, yet the sweet tea here manages it.
Fans describe it as spot on, and one guest said it brought back memories of neighbors pouring a glass on summer evenings. That is a lot of nostalgia in one cup.
A small heads up: the plain iced tea has not won everyone over. Most people stick with the sweet version, and that seems to be the smart call.
For something different, try the sorrel. This Jamaican drink is made from a hibiscus-type plant and has its own little fan club among regulars.
Fun fact: sorrel is a popular holiday drink across the Caribbean. Finding it on a soul food menu in North Portland is a nice surprise.
Fountain sodas are also available, and refills come free. That is handy when a big plate of fried fish is on the way.
Between sweet tea and sorrel, the drink choice can feel almost as important as the entree. Choose wisely, or simply order both.
Red Walls, Portraits, and a Giant Gumball Machine
A recent refresh gave the dining room a new look, and it now feels like a cozy little bistro.
Deep red walls, framed portraits of notable figures, and plants hanging from the ceiling set the tone. Some guests say it reminds them of the small cafes just outside the French Quarter in New Orleans.
One fan summed it up neatly: if a trip to New Orleans is off the table, get a table here. That is about the best travel tip a cafe can earn.
There is also a huge old-fashioned gumball machine, which tends to delight kids and grown-ups who never really grew up.
The overall mood is relaxed and family friendly. Servers do not rush anyone, so lingering over a plate is welcome.
Staff often check in, introduce themselves, and chat about the food. A few guests found it a touch over-attentive, but most call the service warm and welcoming.
Comfort matters too. After one guest mentioned a warm dining room, the owners shared that air-conditioning has been added.
Small fixes like that show a team that listens.
Hours, Timing, and Getting There
Plan around the schedule, because the doors are not open every day.
Po’ Shines runs Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so weekend brunch plans should land on Saturday.
Patience pays off here. The kitchen can be slow, even for takeout, and one order ended up taking about 30 minutes past the estimated wait when only a couple of people were working.
The good news is that the food is widely called worth the wait. Just build in some extra time, especially for to-go orders.
Quieter hours exist too. Some diners have found the room nearly empty around dinner time, which makes for a calm meal.
Portions run large, and a few groups split a platter between two or three people. That is a smart way to sample more sides.
Getting there without a car is easy. The TriMet 4 bus serves the area, running toward St. Johns in one direction and out toward the Lents neighborhood in the other.
Ride, eat, and roll home happy.
Worth the Trip to Kenton
Some restaurants chase trends, while this one just keeps frying fish the way families have done for generations.
Po’ Shines is not flawless. Seasoning can vary, service can move slowly, and a side or two might miss the mark on a given day.
Yet the big picture is clear. The fried catfish wins over Southerners who know the real thing, and the mac and cheese has people calling it the city’s best.
Add in hearty po’ boys, smoky barbecue, sweet tea, and sweet potato pie, and there is plenty to come back for. Many first-timers leave already planning their next order.
The nonprofit mission and family warmth make each visit feel bigger than a meal. Supporting a church-run, Black-owned neighborhood cafe is a nice bonus for anyone hungry.
Out-of-towners have stopped in during trips from Florida and Texas. Locals keep it on their regular list.
For anyone craving a true taste of Southern comfort in North Portland, this little red-walled cafe makes a strong case. Bring an appetite, bring some patience, and save room for pie.
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