Regulars Swear The Jojos At This Old Gresham Tavern Beat Any Fries In Portland

Portland loves to argue about potatoes. Some folks swear by thick jojos, others by skinny fries, and a few loyal locals will tell you the real answer comes on a breakfast plate.

On the east side of the city, one long-running diner has quietly built a following around its potato cakes and hash browns, and families have been ordering them for more than a decade. The room is not flashy, and nobody pretends it is fine dining.

Still, the parking lot fills from early morning until night, and regulars keep coming back for more than just the spuds. Keep reading to find out where this spot sits, what makes its potato sides worth the drive, which servers people ask for by name, and the practical tips that will make your first visit go smoothly.

An East Portland Address Worth Knowing

The mystery ends at 9660 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97216, United States. Here sits Elmer’s Restaurant, a diner-style breakfast house near the Mall 205 area of East Portland, Oregon.

It is a casual place built around hearty portions. Breakfast is the headline act, but comfort food fills the rest of the menu too.

Elmer’s is a regional chain with Pacific Northwest roots. The company signs its replies with the phrase Northwest Ingredients, Locally Owned, and that local pride shows up in the way this location runs.

This particular branch has earned a strong following, with a 4.4-star standing built on thousands of opinions. That is a lot of people agreeing on one breakfast counter.

The setting is practical rather than fancy. You get booths, big tables, a host stand, and a menu thick enough to keep a hungry table busy for a while.

Price expectations are friendly, too. Most meals land in the ten to twenty dollar range, which helps explain why families treat it as a regular stop instead of a special occasion splurge.

So the address is settled. The bigger question is what keeps so many people loyal to a diner that never tries to be trendy.

A Staple That Outlasted Its Siblings

Some restaurants open with a splash and vanish within a year. This one has stuck around long enough that locals describe it as a community staple for as long as they can remember.

That staying power matters in a city where diners come and go. Fans who once ate at the Elmer’s at Delta Park now make the trip here, glad that one is still running.

The loyalty runs deep. Some families have been coming for more than twelve years, often every Friday or on weekends.

There is a time-capsule quality that regulars talk about warmly. The place feels very Pacific Northwest, and for many people it brings back memories of earlier meals with parents and grandparents.

Not everyone sees the age as charming. A few guests point out that the interior has not been updated in quite some time.

Management has acknowledged that feedback openly. The general manager has promised to use it to improve the guest experience, which is a fair sign that someone is listening.

Either way, longevity tells its own story. A diner does not survive this long on nostalgia alone, and the next section gets to the plate that keeps people talking.

The Great Potato Debate

Ask Portlanders about jojos versus fries and you might start a long conversation. At this diner, the regulars have a different answer, and it comes shaped like a cake.

The potato cakes here are a frequent talking point. They come out with a fried exterior and a soft center, and they pair easily with eggs and bacon.

They are not jojos, to be clear. Elmer’s is a breakfast house, not a tavern, so nobody should walk in expecting wedges.

Still, the spirit is the same. People who love a hearty potato side tend to find something to cheer about on this menu.

Potato cakes and hash browns together draw dozens of mentions from happy diners. That is a lot of attention for something that usually plays a supporting role.

The kitchen seems to understand that sides matter. Plates are described as well placed and properly portioned, so the potatoes never feel like an afterthought.

For anyone keeping score in the city’s endless spud rivalry, this is a strong contender. And the hash browns have their own fan club, which deserves a closer look.

Hash Browns Made to Order

Picky about hash browns? Good news, because this kitchen takes requests.

Guests who want theirs extra crispy say they get exactly that. Others who like them softer find the cooks happy to adjust.

That kind of flexibility is rarer than it should be. Plenty of busy diners send out one version and hope for the best.

There is also a loaded option called Hashbrowns with the Works. It turns a simple side into something closer to a meal of its own.

Paired with eggs cooked to preference and toast, the hash browns help make a classic plate. Regulars describe the edges and the tender middle as a solid balance.

The value comes up often as well. Some people leave with leftovers boxed for later, which stretches a ten to twenty dollar check a little further.

For potato fans, this might be the strongest argument in the whole building. Fries have their place, but a well-made hash brown can win over a skeptic before the coffee cools.

Bottomless Fries for the Slider Crowd

Fries do make an appearance, and they come with a generous twist. Order the cheeseburger sliders and the fries are bottomless.

That detail tends to delight kids and teenagers. It also makes the sliders a smart pick for anyone with a serious appetite.

Fries show up alongside sandwiches as well. A lunch order can easily include a plate of them next to a cup of soup.

So how do they stack up against the potato cakes and hash browns? That depends on who you ask, and the answer usually depends on the time of day.

Breakfast loyalists stick with their morning potatoes. The lunch and dinner crowd often leans toward fries with a burger.

The beauty is that nobody has to choose a side in the debate. One table can cover every option without breaking the budget.

That variety is part of what keeps the booths full. It also sets up a question about timing, because when breakfast runs all day, the rules about what to eat get pleasantly blurry.

Breakfast After Dark

Breakfast for dinner is not a guilty pleasure here. It is standard practice.

The doors open at 6:30 AM and stay open until 9 PM every single day. That long window means eggs, bacon, and hash browns are on the table well after sunset.

Evening guests who order a morning plate describe everything done just right. Bacon, eggs, toast, and potatoes all land the way they asked.

This is handy for anyone working odd hours. One guest came in after an eighteen hour shift and found a server ready to make the meal relaxing.

Early risers benefit just as much. A 6:30 AM opening gives commuters time to eat before work.

The seven day schedule keeps things simple. There is no need to check which day the place closes early, because it does not.

That consistency is a quiet perk. And while the morning menu gets the spotlight, the afternoon and evening options have a fan base of their own.

Lunch and Dinner Get Their Turn

Elmer’s is known primarily for breakfast. Yet regulars point out that lunch and dinner are nicely done too.

The menu covers comfort food territory beyond the morning hours. Sandwiches, burgers, steaks, and soups all appear on tables throughout the day.

Some evening specials are popular enough to sell out. Arriving earlier gives a better shot at getting what you came for.

Groups appreciate the range most of all. A table of fifteen once split breakfast, lunch, and dinner orders without anyone feeling left out.

The food is described as fresh and prepared properly. Guests are clear that it is not fine dining, but they also say they leave satisfied.

Consistency is not perfect every time. An occasional order arrives missing a requested item, and management has responded by apologizing and inviting guests back.

Overall, the later menu holds its own. For families with mixed cravings, that flexibility might be the real reason to choose this spot over a single-focus diner.

Servers People Ask For by Name

A great potato side gets people in the door. A great server gets them back the following Friday.

Staff here earn frequent praise for being kind, courteous, and quick. Several team members are mentioned again and again for going out of their way.

One longtime server already knows certain families when they walk in. Guests seated in his section say they receive some of the best service they have had.

Small gestures stand out. A warmed mug for cold hands, a free biscuit when a guest did not know pancakes replaced it, and tea offered to someone exhausted after a long shift.

Servers are described as polite with children and attentive about refills. Busers keep tables clean and quickly reset.

Service is not flawless on every visit. Some guests mention slow check-ins or waiting at the host stand, so experiences can vary.

Still, the overall pattern leans strongly positive. When people remember a server’s name years later, something is clearly going right in the dining room.

A Kids Menu That Doubles as Entertainment

Most kids menus are a paper placemat and three crayons. This one is a mini magazine.

It includes pictures of every dish, so even children who cannot read yet can point and order. Games fill the pages to keep young diners busy while the kitchen works.

Then there are the superhero masks. Some kids love them so much they wear them home and even to bed.

The food lineup is simple and familiar. Mac and cheese and burger sliders are popular choices, and plates tend to come back empty.

Parents appreciate that the menu has options for all ages. Grandparents, toddlers, and teens can all find something without a fuss.

The atmosphere supports families as well. Birthday parties pop up, and the overall mood is welcoming to tables with little ones.

For parents trying to enjoy their own hash browns in peace, these small touches are worth a lot. A happy kid means a calmer breakfast for everyone.

Room for Different Diets

Meat-free diners do not have to settle for toast. The kitchen will substitute meat products with vegetarian or vegan options.

That flexibility is a pleasant surprise at a classic American brunch spot. It lets mixed groups share a table without anyone feeling sidelined.

Requests about cooking style are welcomed too. Eggs come according to preference, and steaks arrive at the doneness ordered.

A word of caution for anyone with strict sensitivities. At least one guest found that staff were unsure about specific seasonings, so it helps to ask clearly and double check.

Sides are not always listed on the menu. Asking your server directly is the easiest way to learn what can be added and what it costs.

A wide selection of hot sauces and condiments sits ready as well. Guests note that bottles are kept clean, a small detail that people appreciate.

With a little communication, most diets can be handled. That makes the potato debate open to just about everyone at the table.

Inside an Old-School Dining Room

Nobody comes here for cutting-edge design. The dining room leans classic, and some say it shows its age.

Cleanliness, however, gets real credit. Guests mention dust-free light fixtures, clean tables, and nothing sticky.

The layout includes booths and larger tables suited to groups. Some booths have seen years of use, which a few regulars point out with good humor.

Noise can carry in the room. Big tables nearby sometimes make conversation harder, so a quieter corner may help if you plan a long chat.

The overall mood is warm and family friendly. People describe it as relaxing, a place to settle in without feeling rushed.

That retro quality is part of the appeal for many. It feels a bit like stepping back to an earlier era of Pacific Northwest diners.

A fresh coat of design would not hurt. Yet for the crowd that loves this place, the familiar setting is half the reason they return.

Big Groups and Easy Access

Planning a meal for a crowd can feel like herding cats. This diner makes it a bit easier.

Groups of around fifteen have been seated together, with each person ordering from whichever part of the menu they liked. Large tables handle the numbers well.

Accessibility is another plus. The restaurant is described as great for wheelchair users, which matters for multigenerational outings.

Quick seating comes up as a positive on many visits. Waiting times vary, but plenty of guests sit down fast.

Celebrations are common. Birthday parties happen here, and staff are known to add small touches, such as a rose handed to a guest on Mother’s Day.

For bigger parties, timing helps. Arriving outside the busiest weekend breakfast hours can make seating smoother.

Group dining tends to be where a diner proves itself. Here, the mix of roomy tables, broad menu, and accessible layout passes the test.

Hours, Prices, and Parking Smarts

Here is the practical part. Elmer’s runs from 6:30 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week.

Most meals fall between ten and twenty dollars per person. Several guests say the bill feels affordable given the portion sizes.

Leftovers are common, so a to-go box often comes with the check. That makes the value stretch further.

The restaurant has its own parking lot. As with many city lots, it is smart to lock your car and keep valuables out of sight.

Staff have been responsive when guests raise concerns. Still, the outside area is beyond their full control, so a little caution goes a long way.

The location near Mall 205 makes it easy to combine a meal with errands. It also sits within reach for people driving in from nearby cities.

For menu details and other locations, the official website is eatatelmers.com. A quick check before heading out helps you plan which potato side to claim.

The Verdict on Portland’s Potato Loyalists

So do the potatoes here beat every fry in Portland? That is a bold claim, and the city will never fully agree.

What is clear is that this diner has earned its loyal crowd. Potato cakes and made-to-order hash browns give regulars plenty to defend.

The rest of the experience backs them up. Long daily hours, friendly servers, family-ready touches, and fair prices all add up.

It is not perfect. The decor shows its age, noise can travel, and service occasionally slips on a busy day.

Yet those quibbles rarely outweigh the reasons people return. Families who have come for over a decade are proof enough.

For a casual meal with no pretense, it delivers. Breakfast at dawn or dinner at dusk both work.

Bring an appetite and an opinion about potatoes. You might leave with a new favorite side, a to-go box, and a reason to settle the jojo debate one more time next weekend.