North Carolina natives Walt Alexander, Kevin Atchley, and Brian Snyder began selling biscuits under the Pine State Biscuits banner at Portland Farmers Market in the spring of 2006. Their biscuits became so popular that the trio decided to open a freestanding biscuit shop in SE Portland in early 2008. A couple friends recently raved about Pine State Biscuits, with good reason.

There isn’t much to the decor, just yellow walls, a few tables and a counter that runs along the west wall. The walls host framed photos of rusted cars.

The blackboard menu couldn’t be simpler: Biscuits & Spreads, Biscuits & Gravy and Biscuit Sandwiches. Order at the counter and wait to hear your name, then grab your plates. To drink, Pine State Biscuits offers distinctly Southern beverages like sweet tea and cherry-flavored Cheerwine soda.

Esquire helped to make the Reggie Deluxe famous when it was listed as part of “The Best Sandwiches in America” in February 2008. The sandwich incorporates fried chicken, bacon, cheddar, gravy, and an egg on a buttermilk biscuit. I’m not much of a gravy fan, so we opted for the McIsley.

McIsley ($6) is a biscuit sandwich with boneless fried chicken breast, crinkle-cut pickles, whole grain mustard and honey. Each component was solid, and the combination tasted excellent, sweet, spicy and tangy.

We also ordered a biscuit sandwich with a rutty house-made sausage patty, a slice of Oregon-made Tillamook cheddar and over-easy egg. Very good.

Feathery Hash Browns ($2) were dusted with paprika and plated with stray tines of rosemary.

Any time animals are incorporated into the decor, especially pigs, I like to show them.

After our breakfast, it was easy to see why Pine State Biscuits had a line out the door. The food is fresh and flavorful, the prices are cheap, and the space is charming.

Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday: 7 AM – 2 PM