Doris’ Cafe

Many folk’s aren’t from around here so they probably don’t know about the original BBQ shack on the southeast corner or Williams kitty-​corner from the now defunct bread outlet. It was to die for, especially on a hot summer evening sitting on the tailgate of my pickup. I would have a cooler full of (ahem) beverages to share amongst those there and all got by just fine. Doris moved up to the Russell location just west of MLK where I did some of the remodel which was overseen by her nephew Jewel, who later managed the business.
Portland was blessed with several damn good ‘Q’ joints in the eighties-​nineties. Boss’s Ribs on Alberta, the Roosevelt Market on ‘K’ Street, and of course Doris’s to name a few. I forget the name of the shack off 33^rd, which some say had some of the best.
The Renfro brothers purchased Doris’s first location, and the Jefferson HS/​Dallas Cowboy star aptly named the new spot «Renfros», but sorry to say it didn’t catch on.
Days gone by, sad to say.

Man, I haven’t been here for a looong while. I need to go back for more of their delish fried chicken. They make it to order, so you will have to wait a while. The mac and cheese is homemade, but it’s still not my favorite. I love the red beans and rice. Add some Red Hot sauce, and I could eat them for days! My friends have also enjoyed their ribs and cornbread. The building and dining room could use a little elbow grease.

Welcome to the mothership soul people! Can I get a Hallelujah people!
Doris’ Café has been around for nearly 20 years. I can not believe I get a first review on this one! They were the go to place for BBQ in NPo forever. They moved location a couple of years ago. (Ever been to Russell Street BBQ? Know how they got so famous? Location, Location — (definitely not the food or service IMHO) Doris’ Café was in that location for 14years.)
The «new» place is just a couple of blocks away. From the outside it definitely looks dive-​y, but it is all about food for these people. Inside I kind of get the feeling I am sitting in someones basement eating. Check out the crazy different collections of photos and art — crazy uncle’s place?. Though again it is all about the food for these people.
Let’s dig in!
This place is a haven for meat lovers. They have the great smoked ribs (beef and pork — my favorite) — sweet, slightly spicy sauce. Rib tips — my friends always gets these. Wings that are battered and fried perfectly and the best «just good and simple» fried chicken in town (Johnny’s Seasoning Salt is a guilty pleasure)
Remember to save room for your sides — my favorite — hush puppies, and greens. My wife’s — corn and okra & mac ‘n cheese.
I have never had a dessert from there — who has room for dessert after good BBQ. I usually just want someone to ‘bring me a bucket’. But they do bakes sweet potato pies and peach cobblers and look yummy!
And did I mention the best part? Portions are generous and prices are what they should big for good low down BBQ.
We often call in and get it to go as well.
Doris’ says, «Beef it up, pork it down, but don’t chicken out if you want the greatest BBQ in town.»