Wares at the Zipper – Brunch Specials

Did you know Mother’s Day, Easter, and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season are the busiest brunch days of the year? With Easter this weekend I thought I’d highlight an under the radar brunch option that requires no reservations or waiting in long lines – so its already a winner even when its a regular brunch and not just high brunch time. And with, that, let me highly recommend brunch at Wares at the Zipper.

That’s right Smallwares is back! After shuttering and causing much sadness, Smallwares was able to emerge as a smaller microrestaurant concept now called Wares. They’ve brought back many favorites, from the signature bright red shelves to loved dishes from their regular menu and their brunch menu. Here’s a look at Wares, and I have been especially going for their Brunch Specials. No line to get seated or to order – Just go up and order, get a number for your food order, and go find a seat yourself among many open tables (so far it’s been indoors but soon it’ll be al fresco brunch at their outdoor patio!) and wait for yummies!

Entrance to Wares at the Zipper Menu board and more description of items on paper menus at Wares at the Zipper

If you haven’t been to the Zipper before at NE Sandy and 27th, the idea is that there are many small restaurants which have a few tables inside their space, but that also share a large indoor and outdoor common area. You order at one or multiple of the tenants, pay, and they give you a placard identifier and you can sit anywhere you want whether it’s inside the place you ordered or the common area that is covered and there are garage doors that can open to an outdoor area as well. They’ll find you to deliver your food. You bus the empty dishes and trays back to to the a collection area. I mean look at these photos of all the seats open at 11am on a Sunday. A handful did get filled in the 45 Min or so I was there, but this is a hidden brunch option I’m sharing.
Wares PDX inside the Zipper, which each microrestaurant has a few tables and chairs but there is also a larger common area that all the restaurants share and will bring you your order based on your order placard Wares PDX inside the Zipper, which each microrestaurant has a few tables and chairs but there is also a larger common area that all the restaurants share and will bring you your order based on your order placard

At Wares, the regular menu is available 7 days a week 11 AM – 10 PM. If you are there for brunch on the weekends, they have an addition to the regular menu 11-3 AM (which means you can still order favorites like the fried kale along with those brunch specials). They have a special more pared down late night menu 10 PM – 12 AM.
Register and menu board at Wares at the Zipper More description of items on paper menus at Wares at the Zipper Brunch menu for Wares at the Zipper Late night menu 10 PM - 12 AM for Wares at the Zipper

The feel inside the Wares space is very similar to Smallwares, it really feels like a baby Smallwares with its signature red shelves and little whimsical decor. The new addition are the pretty ponies. On one visit they had Frozen and My Little Pony valentines for their table numbers, and then on another I squeed when I saw actual My Little Pony dolls.
Wares will find you and your My Little Pony to deliver your dish Interior of Wares at the Zipper  Interior for Wares at the Zipper Interior for Wares at the Zipper Interior for Wares at the Zipper Interior for Wares at the Zipper

At brunch available on weekends 11 AM – 3 PM, special additions include an amazing Congee with chinese sausage, granola, egg yolk, and chili oil which I think is the best congee I’ve ever had. I’ve raved about it when it first appeared at a Country Brunch that Smallwares appeared at several years ago, it was on their brunch menu at pop up Lil’ Wares in Summer of 2015, and even when Smallwares was shuttering there was one last hurrah for this congee when a version appeared at Brunch Village. Soooo glad it’s back, bless you for bringing it to Portland. You can tell I’m a wee obsessed and I’ve had quite a history with this dish.
Congee with chinese sausage, granola, egg yolk, and chili oil from Wares at the Zipper Congee with chinese sausage, granola, egg yolk, and chili oil from Wares at the Zipper

Wares has a Chinese Sausage bao on their regular menu daily, but for brunch they also have a Breakfast sausage bao with gravy and scallion paste topped with an egg. It definitely has a kick, and I was so glad I had a lychee mimosa to help cool my tongue down.
Wares has a Chinese Sausage bao on their regular menu daily, but for brunch they also have a Breakfast sausage bao with gravy and scallion paste topped with an egg Wares has a Chinese Sausage bao on their regular menu daily, but for brunch they also have a Breakfast sausage bao with gravy and scallion paste topped with an egg Wares has a Chinese Sausage bao on their regular menu daily, but for brunch they also have a Breakfast sausage bao with gravy and scallion paste topped with an egg Wares Lychee Mimosa

For some other egg porn, consider the Turkish Eggs with tahini yogurt, chorizo butter, and toast where I recommend you break the egg and dip that crispy doughy bread into the mixture of creamy but spicy and eggy bowl.

Wares PDX Brunch dish of Turkish Eggs with tahini yogurt, chorizo butter, and toast Wares PDX Brunch dish of Turkish Eggs with tahini yogurt, chorizo butter, and toast

Did you go to Smallwares before? Would you go to Wares, what dish is calling to you?
Interior of Wares at the Zipper 

Wares Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Comments

  1. I haven’t been yet, but I’m looking forward to trying the veggie pho!

  2. Definitely trying this place out this weekend or next! Breakfast sausage bao sounds amazing!

  3. You always find the best places, Pech! We have got to go check this place out. That congee looks amazing, and I’m super intrigued by the Turkish eggs. (Plus, how can you not want to go to a place that has My Little Ponies on the tables?)

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