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About Zell’s Cafe
The Zell’s Story
The Zell’s Cafe building has been around the Portland neighborhood for almost 100 years. Originally built in 1924 as a shoe store, the storefront transformed into a pharmacy and soda fountain in the 1940s. Our regulars who attended Washington High School in the late 40s tell exciting stories about stopping by the pharmacy during their school lunch break to sip milkshakes and smoke cigarettes.
Tom Zell took over the 1300 SE Morrison storefront in 1983 to open Zell’s Cafe. After years of running the restaurant, Tom made the decision to sell his business to local restaurateur Judy Sacheck in 1996. In 2006, Judy handed the Zell's Cafe keys to her long-time employees Nance Jansen and Michael Gaines (MG). In 2022 MG and Nance sold the cafe to new owners who are carrying on the legacy of Zell’s while offering new food and traditions.
We love our community.
We deeply appreciate all of the support from our regulars, our local partners, our out-of-town visitors, and everyone who has stopped in to just sit at the bar, enjoy a coffee, and say hello. Thank you for the continued patronage—it’s our customers who are keeping the Zell’s Cafe tradition alive!
Our Zell’s Cafe team is one big family!
Our little team has been with each other through thick and thin, in jobs both in and out of Zell’s Cafe for many years.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMER SAY
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I moved to Portland a few weeks ago and wanted to get breakfast with the mom while she was in town. Zell's was recommended to me and I'm so glad that it was, because it's a bit hidden and I'm not sure if I would have found it for a while otherwise.
The environment was welcoming and family oriented, which I appreciated. I also loved the menu and the old school feel of service, meaning that the staff was attentive and focused on making the experience great!
The food was amazing. I'll be back again with friends and family!”