Bridge City Cafe - Essex House

Introduction / Overview

For decades, Oregon locals and those working in the state’s bustling economic center have relied on Bridge City Cafe - Essex House. Established in 1992, this local institution has been a cornerstone concept in Downtown Portland, offering a dynamic fusion of services including a professional bakery, a bustling cafe, a full-service sandwich and salad shop, and a high-volume catering operation. The longevity of Bridge City Cafe speaks volumes about its commitment to quality, a mission centered on providing fresh, scratch-made products in a friendly, fast-paced environment.

Nestled in the heart of the city’s core, Bridge City Cafe is much more than a typical lunch spot. It is a true multi-faceted culinary haven that expertly fulfills many roles: a morning destination for ‘made from scratch’ muffins and fresh coffee, a top-tier Box lunch supplier for corporate Oregon, and the definitive place for a superior midday meal. The core secret to their enduring local popularity lies in their commitment to baking. They prepare all of their breads, famous cookies, and breakfast items in-house daily, a practice that elevates their entire menu, from the bread on the 'Sellwood Club Sandwich' to the complimentary chocolate chip cookie that accompanies every full sandwich order.

The cafe is specifically tailored to the fast-paced life of the Downtown Oregon community, specializing in quick, high-quality transactions that facilitate a 'Quick visit.' Whether you are seeking a hearty Breakfast, a flavorful sandwich, or one of their acclaimed fresh salads, Bridge City Cafe provides a reliable and welcoming experience. It also proudly upholds a community-first approach, extending a warm welcome as an LGBTQ+ friendly establishment.

Location and Accessibility

Bridge City Cafe - Essex House is centrally located in the heart of Downtown Portland at 1310 SW 3rd Ave. This strategic location places it within the city's Government District and close to major businesses, making it an essential daily stop for those who work in or frequent the area. The cafe is housed within the Essex House building, offering a convenient, accessible point of service for the busy metropolitan crowd. Its hours (typically 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays, closed on weekends) are perfectly designed to serve the morning commuters and the intense midday lunch rush of the downtown core.

Accessibility for all Oregon customers is a priority, as evidenced by the Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring every member of the community can enjoy their fresh products. The downtown location provides unmatched connectivity. It is a short walk from multiple TriMet bus stops and MAX light rail stations, making it an easy destination for individuals traveling from various neighborhoods across the city and surrounding suburbs. For those who prefer to dine in or wait for their Takeout, the premises offer the necessary comfort and convenience, including an available Restroom.

Services Offered

• In-store Shopping & Dine-in: Provides a comfortable and welcoming cafe environment for customers to enjoy their meals inside the Essex House location.
• Takeout & In-store Pickup: Efficient services tailored for the working professional needing a fast, high-quality meal on the go.
• Delivery: Full delivery service is offered, making it simple for customers across the downtown and surrounding Oregon neighborhoods to enjoy their fresh food without leaving the office or home.
• Catering and Box Lunch Supply: Specializes in large-group food service, providing extensive options like Sandwich Trays, Premium Group Salad Bowls, and its core competency as a professional Box lunch supplier for corporate events and meetings.
• Comprehensive Menu: Offers a full-service selection encompassing a Bakery, Breakfast restaurant, Cafe, Cookie shop, Salad shop, and Sandwich shop.
• Coffee Service: High-quality Coffee is available to complement morning pastries or midday meals.
• Payment Convenience: Facilitates swift transactions by accepting Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, catering to the digital-first habits of the modern Oregon consumer.

Features / Highlights

• Locally Owned and Operated Since 1992: A true Portland staple with over three decades of community history, establishing it as a trusted source for fresh, quality food in the Downtown area.
• Bakery Fresh Promise: Stands out by making its own breads, muffins, pastries, and signature cookies from scratch daily, guaranteeing unmatched freshness in its sandwiches and baked goods.
• The Signature Complimentary Cookie: Every full sandwich order includes a “really good” and "scrumptious" freshly baked chocolate chip cookie, a much-loved signature touch highlighted by loyal customers.
• Acclaimed Sandwich and Salad Lineup: The menu features popular, locally-named sandwiches (e.g., Sellwood Club, Fremont Chicken Walnut) and famously addictive salads like the Southwest Chicken Caesar, which customers rave about for its perfect balance of spice and flavor.
• Extensive Catering Expertise: Recognized as a major Catering food and drink supplier, with the capacity to serve large groups through Sandwich Trays, Cookie Trays, and comprehensive Box lunch options, essential for Portland's corporate sector.
• Inclusivity and Welcoming Atmosphere: Officially recognized as an LGBTQ+ friendly space, ensuring a respectful and comfortable experience for all patrons.
• Speed and Efficiency: The service model is optimized for the 'Quick visit,' allowing customers to get their breakfast, lunch, or coffee swiftly, a necessity for its Downtown location.

Contact Information

To place a quick order, arrange catering, or inquire about the daily soup or bakery specials at Bridge City Cafe - Essex House, please use the following contact details:

Address: 1310 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97201, USA

Phone: (503) 222-5664

Mobile Phone: +1 503-222-5664

What is worth choosing

Choosing Bridge City Cafe - Essex House is choosing a piece of genuine Portland culinary history, supported by an uncompromising commitment to freshness that has been the foundation of its success for over 30 years. For local users in Oregon, it offers the perfect marriage of quality ingredients and speed. What makes this cafe truly worth choosing is the integrated experience: a professional deli serving up the best of a scratch bakery. You get homemade bread on your Morrison Turkey & Cheddar sandwich and a "really good" fresh cookie included—a delightful pairing noted by many long-time patrons.

The establishment's mastery of the lunch hour, demonstrated by the eight-year loyal patronage for items like the "Southwest Chicken Ceasar salad," which is "spicy but not too spicy," confirms its status as a reliable daily essential. Furthermore, for local businesses, its expertise as a Box lunch supplier and Catering food and drink supplier is invaluable, providing reliable, high-quality food for important meetings and events. By choosing Bridge City Cafe, you are supporting a local, multi-decade Oregon business that excels in every category it serves—from a quick morning coffee and muffin to a perfectly crafted, fully catered downtown lunch.

Bridge City Cafe - Essex House

1310 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97201, USA