Polar King

Reviews

• Magnus M.

  star star star star star 24 July 2026

  I LOVE restaurants and public places that are lost in time, not having been updated in decades.  Polar King is one of these places.  If a movie or television production company needed a period diner to film at, this would do nicely with a little paint and TLC.  I found out about it through the travel website Only In Your State only recently and I've lived in Portland for almost 50 years.  I'm glad I did.
  
  Polar King has huge portions of well-prepared food typical of an above-average family diner.  I had a bacon cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate milkshake.  I'm very particular and these items were perfect.  My brother had the chicken fried steak and also loved it.  The focal point of the restaurant is their dessert case--as it should be in any diner--and the homemade desserts are awesome.  I had the huge chocolate cake with ice cream on top.  And a nap not long after.  
  
  The building itself is 1950s-1960s, with a small parking lot that fills up fast in a neighborhood that has few other options.  It has some oddly shaped booth seating and counter seats generally filled with regulars happily reading the paper and gossiping and drinking coffee.  No rush.  It is popular with a wide variety of people.  Why?  Other than the food, the service is extremely warm and attentive and the place is CLEAN.  There are some rough spots as the building has some miles and years on it, but the restroom and every surface is spotless.  My only quibble would be with the original wooden sign, which really should be repainted.  I'm not sure if it had neon at one point (I doubt it).
  
  Outstanding in every respect.  I will be back.

• Aaron M.

  star star star star star 13 July 2026

  Absolute throwback legit diner. Very good French toast, scrambled eggs and Four pieces of delicious bacon!!!  Coffee on the house, what?!  Love this little place, look forward to coming back.

• Eli T.

  star star star star star_border 9 July 2026

  I've been to this place a couple times and both times have been pleasant. The place is a bit dive-y but appears to be clean. The service is great. For the life of me, can't remember her name but she served us both times (Tracy?) Always attentive and on top of it whether it was water or soda or anything else. Good job!
  
  The first time, came here with my wife and a couple of friends for breakfast. Tried the biscuits & gravy with eggs over-medium and sausage (sorry, no pics). Overall, decent. For me, the gravy lacked, though. It had the overbearing flour after taste, a bit salty, and hardly any pepper in it. Good consistency and the biscuits were good.
  
  The second time we came here, we ordered the fish and chips and the double cheeseburger. Good portion sizes on both plates. The fish was a little overcooked but still good. The burger is massive but definitely tasted over seasoned, a little salty but still a decent burger. The fries were great with their tartar sauce!
  
  Over all, the prices are reasonable, the service is good, the food portion is more than enough, and the flavor of the food is a little across the board but nonetheless worth a try. I will continue to come here from time to time!

• Chris D.

  star star star star star 6 July 2026

  Omg I can't believe I have never been here and I've lived right down the street for over 10yrs! Just what I needed this morning. Steak and eggs and a pancake.
  Have been driving by it on Powell since 1997!
  
  This place is awesome!! Delicious food and the staff is so friendly. Prompt service and attention to detail.
  I even got a Christmas present!!
  
  Much love for this place.
  -cheers

• Luna T.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 1 July 2026

  Newsflash:
  "GLOBAL WARMING hits Polar King"
  ...3 soft serve cones for $7....the SOFTSERVES were sOOOOO soft  they should be called milkshakes on STALE cones.  Horrible.   Never again. So disappointed as I want to support local business and double disappointed as I'll never see my 7 bucks again.