InterUrban: Yet Another Fine Brunch on N Mississippi

Whenever I get into discussions about the best brunches in Portland, people will always complain about long lines, and they will almost always mention Gravy. For a lot of people, it’s an example of a good place with a terrible line. For me, it’s an example of a good place to start in North Portland.

InterUrban is one of many fine brunches on Mississippi Street in North Portland.
InterUrban is one of many fine brunches on Mississippi Street in North Portland.

Let’s just say you look at Gravy’s line and think, “Let’s go somewhere else.” Well, you could walk about three blocks and visit several fine North Portland brunches: Radar, Equinox, Miss Delta, and the food carts up the street. And that’s just what you could walk to!

And then there’s InterUrban. Whenever I mention their brunch, people seem to not realize it exists. This, of course, is one of the things I like about it.

InterUrban is one of many fine brunches on Mississippi Street in North Portland.
Saturday, opening time at InterUrban. See the line? See what I mean?

The decor of this place is something like Fancy Woodlands Lodge. It reminds me a bit of the Woodsman Tavern, but it feels less open and less like a restaurant, more like a bar — both good points. The main dining area is actually upstairs, so it feels a little exclusive — you know, like that cool room upstairs at your granddad’s cabin where you can go play and be away from the adults, down at the bar.

InterUrban is one of many fine brunches on Mississippi Street in North Portland.
It’s all kind of woodsy and metally at Interurban.
InterUrban is one of many fine brunches on Mississippi Street in North Portland.
A fine table for a larger group, which can be reserved.
InterUrban is one of many fine brunches on Mississippi Street in North Portland.
Even the artwork and light fixtures are old-fashioned.
Even the coffee and creamer feels ... homey.
Even the coffee and creamer feels … homey.

As for the food, one way thing to know is that one of the of the founders was John Gorham of Toro Bravo, Tasty n Sons, Tasty n Alder, and the new Mediterranean Exploration company. So it’s good. The menu changes occasionally; the current one is on their website, and here it is from when we visited.

Food menu at Interurban, a good brunch place in North Portland.
Food
Cocktail menu at Interurban, a good brunch place in North Portland.
Drinks

You gotta love the Walk of Shame, in particular!

I’ve had two brunches at Interurban, and both times we had a great meal with no lines. We were there right at opening time of 10 a.m. both times, and once we had reservations, but even when we left after 11, there wasn’t a wait. And the food … well, feast your eyes!

Ghanian Donuts with Pineapple Jam from brunch at InterUrban on N Mississippi.
Ghanian Donuts with Pineapple Jam
Eggs Benedict with rotisserie pork and dressed greens from brunch at InterUrban on N Mississippi.
Eggs Benedict with rotisserie pork and dressed greens
Cowboy Ranchero, with rotisserie meat chili, cheese, avocado salad, sour cream, fritos. From brunch at InerUrban on N Mississippi.
Cowboy Ranchero, with rotisserie meat chili, cheese, avocado salad, sour cream, fritos.
Buttermilk poppy-seed pancakes with lemon curd; side of bacon. From brunch at InerUrban on N Mississippi.
Buttermilk poppy-seed pancakes with lemon curd; side of bacon.
Rotisserie chuck roast and eggs with johnnycakes. From brunch at InerUrban on N Mississippi.
The “no shame” with yukon golds.
Rotisserie chuck roast and eggs with johnnycakes. From brunch at InerUrban on N Mississippi.
Rotisserie chuck roast and eggs with johnnycakes.
Polenta and eggs with speck and truffled provolone. From brunch at InerUrban on N Mississippi.
Polenta and eggs with speck and truffled provolone.

If all of that looks good to you, and if a good brunch in a cool neighborhood with little or no wait also sounds good, then get yourself on over to Interurban and see you have (probably) been missing.

Interurban is located at 4057 N Mississippi Ave. They serve brunch weekends from 10 to 2:30, with main dishes averaging around $10. Call 503-284-6669 for reservations and more info.

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