Always the best!!!!!!!
Gretchen's is a special place run with love from a wonderful gal..... Everything on the menu is fantastic, always. I now just ask what she wants to feed me, I can't choose anymore....... Go with an empty belly and you will be more than satisfied when you leave. And you'll be back time and time again.
Pros: Best sandwiches in town, homemade soups too...
Cons: Only serves breakfast and lunch!!!

Best sandwiches and deli salads.
Yummy, big sandwiches -- loaded with all the fixings. Vegetarian to Meat Lovers. I tried the Moo & Blue and it was delightful! Stop by and meet Gretchen and her friendly staff.

A real neighborhood joint
Is there a friendlier sandwich shop in all of Portland? I don't think so.
Tasty soups and salads also.
Pros: Just going in this place will make your day. Plus, good view of Sassy's front door across the street. See if your boss is going in during lunch.

Great neighborhood sandwich shop
Spend 5 minutes in Gretchen's Kitchen, and she'll make you feel like a regular. She'll serve up great soup, sandwich, and salads, and then you'll hear all the neighborhood gossip. You don't get a friendlier joint. It's small, and only the faithful know about it, but it's a treasure.
Pros: Gretchen's personality, Inexpensive, Loaded sandwiches

 

Gretchen has been in the neighborhood for ten years, and that's no ~bunk~, if you get what I'm saying. Seriously friendly people serving serious comfort food, Gretchen's is a real neighborhood joint. It can be kind of intimidating to walk into a place like that, but she's really so, so nice and welcomes you right into her cozy little kitchen. Regulars know to bypass the posted menu and ask about special plates or just whatever they're craving. The sandwiches are always about three or four inches tall and filled with tender spiral cut ham or whatever you ordered on grilled bread with melty cheese, you know you want some. Like the tiniest greasy spoon ever with clean tables and personal Gretchen-style tchotchkes, you walk right through the kitchen to get to the lower level, how cute is that? Soups, deli salads, and sandwiches for lunch, eggs, omelets, and biscuits & gravy for breakfast. Espresso in the lower level cafe. It's cash only guys.

I love the ma and pa type establishment and will always go out of my way to frequent them. Gretchen's is such a place and was another on the list of places in my neighborhood (if it is a 10 minute or less walk from my apartment, I consider it to be in my neighborhood) that I've been meaning to eat at, but for one reason or another haven't. I can't say that anymore as I finally went there for lunch today.

It is the real deal. Good sandwiches and good soup at very reasonable prices. The quality of the food is very good and the quantity matches it.

Immediately upon entering, I felt like I was home. I was told the soup's of the day (white bean and ham as well as a reuben soup, very interesting) and after inquiring of Gretchen (yes, there is a Gretchen) what I should eat, I decided on the Cobbwich at her suggestion. Here is the skinny. It is egg salad, turkey, bacon, blue cheese crumbles, tomato, red onion and lettuce on sourdough bread. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off of my keyboard. Each sandwich is accompanied by soup or a scoop of one of their deli salads. I went with the white bean after I was given the option of sampling both.

The food was all very fresh and very good. The price for the amount of food is pretty amazing. Sandwiches range from $6.75 to $7.50 and as I said, include what I mentioned above.

The staff was very friendly and as I was leaving Gretchen told me to come again. I said I definitely would. The little things like that make me happy and it is why I will make this a definite stop the next time I'm craving a sandwich with a side of a smile.

Gretchen's Kitchen is a little gem my friend found right across from Sassy's Strip Club. Gretchen says she is open 7 days a week, but every once in awhile you'll go there and it'll be closed. It is run by a nice woman and one other employee. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in deliciousness and character.

The main food are soup and sandwiches. I know that sounds lame, but both are amazing. It is CASH ONLY, so make sure you don't roll in there after being at Sassy's for one too many lap dances. She said she takes IOUs, which goes to show how nice she is. The place is awesome and I highly recommend trying it. You'll get hooked. The only reason it lost a point is because it is cash only, there is not much heating, and sometimes it is closed. Minor gripes really. The food more than makes up for it.

Check it out!

Gretchen is awesome. I worked couple blocks away from this place. You can call ahead and they will make the sandwich for you how you like it then you can pick it up.

My favorite sandwich, my style, sourdough bread, pesto mayo, meatloaf, cheddar cheese, all the veggies, pickles, and cranberry. It's SUPER GOOD. Gretchen always made fun of me when I ordered it that way, but that's the best sammich ever!

The soup is amazing! The salads are fresh and the cookies are yummy. Cash Only, but it's so worth it...

Gretchen's is right in the neighborhood, and every time I've been does not disappoint. Gretchen is sweet, the sandwiches are great, and reasonably priced. I always go for the soup and sandwich, and whatever Gretchen recommends. The cash thing isn't that much of a hassle, mostly because it's not that expensive. Next time, get some cash back on the am latte- You can't go wrong!

these are sandwiches like mom used to make. well, not my mom, but someone's mom who was a little better at making sandwiches, i bet! my childhood is being post-traumatized as i digest :(

gretchen is a totally nice lady who runs a cozy little deli and makes some downright decent sammiches. the soup is awesome, and at $6.50 for a soup & sammy, the price is, how you say...right?

the coolest thing about this place is that i showed up cashless, and she told me to order anyway and "just catch her next time". this is the first time i'd ever been there, but won't be the last.

aMAZing sammiches! and very sweet lady.