Gretchen’s Kitchen

All I can say is shredded lettuce on my sandwich makes me oh so happy. Definitely could use a little more space for dining in. But my turkey sandwich was delish

This place is closed. Paper on the windows, sign removed, doors locked up. But there is a new café next door, if that’s worth anything to you.

Phone is disconnected. Likely closed.

Does anyone know if this place is even still OPEN??? My friend Sabina H. and I went here for lunch today on the quest for a great sandwich in Portland and it looks like they’ve moved out or moved on or are just seemingly messy when peering through their windows…
There aren’t any hours listed on here or on their website… bummer…it had good reviews!!!

Gretchen makes great sandwiches, side dishes and soups that will make you feel like your Mom is in town, taking over your kitchen. The cobb sandwich is insane! She didn’t believe I could eat the whole thing, but I’ve got hollow legs. I would give it 4 stars if their hours were more regular, but everyone has to close sometimes, so I understand.

Gretchen’s Kitchen is a gem of a lunch spot. It’s a small family-​run place with just a half dozen seats; the dining room feels like an extension of her kitchen, and you see Gretchen herself making the meals just like mom would.
The French soup is among the best that I’ve had — the consistency was spot-​on (not slimy) and it had a pleasantly uncharacteristic complexity of flavor.
I tried their Cobbsandwich. It’s a huge sandwich with delicious, fresh bread. The egg filling was excellent. I honestly would take these home-​style deli sandwiches over anything that nearby over-​hyped Bunk offers any day.
On the way out, I grabbed a chocolate chunk cookie. Gretchen asked me if I wanted the one with the largest chunks, and I nodded my head excitedly like a chunky school boy. I’ll be damned if that wasn’t one of the best chocolate chunk cookies that I’ve had in my life!
Unfortunately, excellent product is not always a guarantee of success — Gretchen’s Kitchen may be closing soon. Get in there while you still can!

Perfect spot for lunch. If you crave real homemade sandwiches, here is the spot.
The counter is by the corner and there is additional seating 2 doors down before the Land Rover shop.
The egg salad and roast beef is divine. The owner, Gretchen, is super nice!!!
Cash only, street parking.

Soup!

Word of advice: Only eat here if you don’t have a coupon!
The food was good, but we bought a
coupon and when attempting to use it we were met by less than enthusiasm. The owner/​cook made us feel guilty for using a coupon (actually said that people who use coupons are stealing from her) and although I probably would have never eaten there had a I not had a coupon I will not waste my time going back.

Let me first start off with the positives, very quaint, friendly staff. This is obviously a regulars type of place. We were not that.
We ordered two different sandwiches and were not impressed at all. They were served on what I would just refer to as glorified wonder bread (and this was the wheat choice on the menu). Both our sandwiches were really nothing special. I actually stopped eating these type of sandwiches when I was 8. I’m imagining the high rating on Unilocal is actually a reflection of all the regulars getting on and rating it (perhaps peer pressure or misplaced nostalgia?)

Gretchen’s Kitchen just may have hijacked some of my abundant affection for Meat Cheese Bread. I stopped here today when I espied Gretchen’s sandwich board on the sidewalk.
A cozy restaurant with three tables. The gals that run the shop are cheerful, energetic and outgoing. Definitely plenty of long-​time customers here. I guess I stood out as a newbie because when the one gal was telling the other gal what my order was, she referred to me as «the new guy.»
When I entered, I was immediately told what the soups of the day were (today they were French onion, broccoli with cheese, and sausage lentil). They all sounded good, but I went with the sausage lentil. I also ordered a Meat Loaf sandwich (sans default tomato and lettuce).
Gretchen’s Kitchen was playing an oldies radio station. The one gal was concerned that I was getting blasted by the speaker. Impossible. How can any cut from Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon be played too loud?
In no time at all, my order was ready. The lentil sausage soup (also containing lima and green bean) was excellent. Perfectly seasoned. Hearty and thick too. The meat loaf (served on a very nice white bread and with a slice of cheddar and a judiciously thin smear of mayo). It was seasoned well, but it might come across to some (but not to me) as bland.
When they wanted to know if I liked my meal, they asked, «Table 3, how is it?» With my mouth full, I just responded with a thumbs up.
When I paid for my lunch, the one gal indicated that I should look up Gretchen’s Kitchen up on Unilocal,as she gestured towards the Unilocal stickers on the door. Not a bad idea, if you’ve never eaten here before.
I saw they have a breakfast menu too, so that’s yet another reason to come back.

Two girlfriends went out on the town today in Portland. We happened upon Gretchen’s Kitchen using Unilocal … Being directionally challenged, we almost wound up at the import car repair business next door. We found the right door and asked is this Gretchen’s? Hell no, Gretchen said. (the male patrons reassured us we were in the right place). After making necessary trips through the kitchen to the room if rest, we ordered and shared a fabulous lunch featuring pork, onions, cheese, lettuce, and tomato on dark rye (grilled at Gretchen’s suggestion) with chicken pot pie soup. Gretchen joined us for a while and she shared her story with us. We will return and tell others. Go to Gretchen’s Kitchen!

Had the French onion soup today it was really great, the depth of flavor — I won the food lottery
The moo and blue sandwich is great, turkey is great. I’ve never had anything bad. Don’t know what you want ask Gretchen — she’s not one to hold back.
I told someone from work about it and she ate there for a week straight :)

Best. Meatloaf. Sandwich. Ever.
What’s more, after raving to her about it, Gretchen stood right at the end of my table and told me her recipe. I mean. seriously. How awesome is that?

Even though I didn’t get a chance to meet Gretchen herself, I did enjoy her kitchen. It was remarkably easy to get in and out when we were in a bit of a rush. The staff was very friendly, and the food was really good.
I think the sandwiches, soups & salads here are a particularly good value for my lunch dollar. My sandwich came with a steak and blue cheese side pasta salad. What a great idea.

when you are a fatty who loves her food– you rarely go wrong when the place knows what’s up. Gretchen gets it. the brother and i went in after a somewhat hairy finding a parking place expedition. I was a bit worried that the three tables would be full but we were in luck. As we shared and stared at the lunch menu, Gretchen rightly sensed that she would be dealing with hugely indecisive people and she told us what was already prepared to ease our pain.
We did a little splitsy action on the two prepared focaccia sandwhiches– one involved pork and was hot damn. the other, involving turkey and avocado was motherfucker good. i went with a tasty ass meat ball soup and went in on the brother’s pesto pasta side.
I didn’t think the portions were huge in any way– but that could be cause im a fatty who loves her food. My brother was ready to go for a round two on two different sandwiches– but as im off to arizona tomorrow and a bikini will soon be worn, decided round one was enough. No need to make the others at the az pool wonder how bikini bottoms stay up with no sides as they will be hidden in my pre-​pool intertube.
Gretchen also delivers a kind of sassatude i haven’t seen since i lived in the east village–

I almost hate to review Gretchen’s, because I’m afraid it will make the line there during lunch even longer. Gretchen’s Kitchen is a down-​to-​earth, friendly, awesome place to grab a bite for lunch.
Coming here is like walking into your aunt’s house (I would say mom’s, but my mom can’t cook this well). There are literally about 3 tables, and the rest is kitchen. But what a kitchen. Wonderful side salads, like potato, pasta, and so forth. And the sandwiches… oh god, the sandwiches. The meatloaf is as good as it gets, and big enough to have for at least 2 meals.
Soups always look great, but I’ve yet to try because I can’t even make it through one sammie. Gretchen is awesome, and I hope she’s around for years to come.

I love the ma and pa type establishment and will always go out of my way to frequent them. Gretchen’s is such a place and was another on the list of places in my neighborhood (if it is a 10 minute or less walk from my apartment, I consider it to be in my neighborhood) that I’ve been meaning to eat at, but for one reason or another haven’t. I can’t say that anymore as I finally went there for lunch today.
It is the real deal. Good sandwiches and good soup at very reasonable prices. The quality of the food is very good and the quantity matches it.
Immediately upon entering, I felt like I was home. I was told the soup’s of the day (white bean and ham as well as a reuben soup, very interesting) and after inquiring of Gretchen (yes, there is a Gretchen) what I should eat, I decided on the Cobbwich at her suggestion. Here is the skinny. It is egg salad, turkey, bacon, blue cheese crumbles, tomato, red onion and lettuce on sourdough bread. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off of my keyboard. Each sandwich is accompanied by soup or a scoop of one of their deli salads. I went with the white bean after I was given the option of sampling both.
The food was all very fresh and very good. The price for the amount of food is pretty amazing. Sandwiches range from $ 6.75 to $ 7.50 and as I said, include what I mentioned above.
The staff was very friendly and as I was leaving Gretchen told me to come again. I said I definitely would. The little things like that make me happy and it is why I will make this a definite stop the next time I’m craving a sandwich with a side of a smile.

Gretchen is awesome. I worked couple blocks away from this place. You can call ahead and they will make the sandwich for you how you like it then you can pick it up.
My favorite sandwich, my style, sourdough bread, pesto mayo, meatloaf, cheddar cheese, all the veggies, pickles, and cranberry. It’s SUPER GOOD. Gretchen always made fun of me when I ordered it that way, but that’s the best sammich ever!
The soup is amazing! The salads are fresh and the cookies are yummy. Cash Only, but it’s so worth it…

Gretchen’s Kitchen is a little gem my friend found right across from Sassy’s Strip Club. Gretchen says she is open 7 days a week, but every once in awhile you’ll go there and it’ll be closed. It is run by a nice woman and one other employee. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in deliciousness and character.
The main food are soup and sandwiches. I know that sounds lame, but both are amazing. It is CASH ONLY, so make sure you don’t roll in there after being at Sassy’s for one too many lap dances. She said she takes IOUs, which goes to show how nice she is. The place is awesome and I highly recommend trying it. You’ll get hooked. The only reason it lost a point is because it is cash only, there is not much heating, and sometimes it is closed. Minor gripes really. The food more than makes up for it.
Check it out!