Welcome to Elephants on Corbett
Nestled in the heart of Portland, "Elephants on Corbett" is more than just a dining spot; it’s a culinary haven. Specializing in American soups and sandwiches, this cozy locale champions local ingredients, crafting dishes that deliver comfort with a twist—like their renowned tomato orange soup and indulgent grilled cheese. Noteworthy for its cheerful ambiance, accommodating staff, and versatile menu, Elephants caters to diverse dietary needs, ensuring that everyone can find a delightful meal. Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely brunch or hosting a happy hour, the inviting space and flavorful offerings make it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts.
- 5221 S Corbett Ave Portland, OR 97239 United States Hotline: (503) 937-1075
Welcome to Elephants on Corbett, a delightful culinary haven nestled in the heart of Portland, Oregon. This restaurant is a charming blend of comfort and creativity, specializing in a range of American soups and sandwiches that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Located at 5221 S Corbett Ave, this casual dining spot embraces local ingredients, bringing the community's flavors to your plate while maintaining an inviting atmosphere.
When you step inside Elephants on Corbett, you are greeted by a cozy decor that mixes vintage aesthetics with a modern touch. The unique vintage French advertising posters adorned with elephants add character and warmth, making it an ideal setting for a relaxing meal. The ambiance here strikes the perfect balance between casual and classy—perfect for a quick breakfast, a leisurely brunch, or a family lunch.
- Food highlights:
- Tomato Orange Soup: A customer favorite described as "perfectly tangy." It’s the kind of comfort food that can turn your day around.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Known for its gooey, melty goodness, it's consistently rated a 1000/10 by regulars.
- Nigerian Peanut Soup: A standout dish that intrigued many guests, showcasing diverse flavors from around the world.
- Variety of Options: You’ll find everything from hearty breakfasts to savory sandwiches, salads, and even pizzas, ensuring there’s something for everyone—including vegan and vegetarian selections.
- Customer Experience:
- Friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere create a sense of community.
- Outdoor seating is available, perfect for enjoying meals in the pleasant Portland weather.
- Clearly labeled dietary options on menus make it easy for guests with restrictions to find suitable dishes.
The restaurant also offers great utilities such as delivery, takeout, and the convenience of making reservations. Whether you're looking for a meal for the kids or a casual dinner with friends, Elephants on Corbett has you covered with its wide range of offerings and family-friendly environment.
In addition to the excellent food, Elephants on Corbett features a full bar and happy hour specials that are well worth exploring. Relax with a drink while you savor the delightful dishes on offer. The combination of private dining options and a spacious upstairs room makes it a great venue for everything from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations.
In summary, Elephants on Corbett is not just a restaurant; it’s a community hub where good food meets local charm. Whether you're a Portland local or just passing through, this is a dining experience you won’t want to miss. Don’t forget to try their signature soups and (if you're lucky) snag a seat on the outdoor patio as you enjoy your meal in a relaxing setting.

I love Elephants - I don't live in Portland anymore but every time I'm back I have to stop here. This location is super cozy and definitely my favorite. Despite it being such a simple meal, the grilled cheese here is always 1000/10 and the tomato orange soup is some of the best soup I've ever had - it's perfectly tangy. I love that they use local ingredients/support local businesses but I wish they'd open up in other states so I could have it way more often!

Great friendly people here and a wide variety of food to choose from. I only had coffee and a snickerdoodle cookie so in fairness to them not dinging them any points. However, they would need to do better with making sure that their cookies are baked through. The snickerdoodle was still doughy. There is a difference between soft cookies and doughy cookies. I'm not a big fan of doughy as it means it still raw dough which means the egg in the dough also wasn't cooked through and eggs not being cooked through can have bad effects.

My friend and I sat at the bar and tried a few different dishes and a happy hour drink. I really liked the decor, which featured something like vintage French advertising posters with elephants edited in. Even the bar was super cute. The staff at the bar was friendly. My friend and I shared a few dishes including a fruit cup, salmon bites, french fries, and my favorite, the Nigerian Peanut Soup. I'd go back just for that. My friend has some dietary restrictions and was able to find dishes that worked for her and the menu was clearly labeled (for example gluten free items had an icon on the menu.) Check out their daily happy hour and cocktail specials.

Is there anything better than the addictive tomato orange soup on a day that things aren't going your way? Methinks not. This location is great with lots of food selections and beverages. I love going there when the weather permits with a book and just relax. A truly dolce far niente lunch.

Elephants has a vibe unlike most cafes these days. It's clean, retro, inviting, and well organized. We stopped in for a sandwich on a Sunday afternoon, and it was very pleasant at 1:00 pm. Not too crazy, but pleasantly buzzing. I ordered the tuna melt, and they did a great job - I was quite happy with the results. Do know that most sandwiches only come with the sandwich. Not a bad thing, just setting expectations :) Also of note, there are lots of options, including sandwiches, salads, pizza, burgers, and more!

Elephants has the best soup in town! Also top notch are their breakfast entrees and made to order breakfasts and lunches. If you love Macaroni & Cheese or Beef Stroganoff, these are must haves. You can order any pre-made entree by the pound, so it's easy to get a scoop of each for the undecided. Upstairs is a huge dining room with windows on 3 sides, large enough to have a reception, or large meeting or weekend workshop. (Just book in advance) There is a covered patio off this large dining room, which over looks the upstairs parking area. This makes it ideal, for traditional wedding receptions, where a bouquet is thrown from this covered patio (low balcony) out to the guests to catch it. Of course this could also be used for a workshop, where a prize is tossed out to the attendees in the parking area. Downstairs is like a bistro, with distinct areas, including a long full bar, a bakery, wood fired pizza oven, deli, and soup / sand which / cooked to order entrees, and gift section. Downstairs also has out door seating.