You might think breakfast sandwiches are pretty basic, but Balong Panaderia on SE 82nd Avenue takes them to next-level deliciousness.
A sure-fire way to get my 13-year-old out of bed somewhat early on a Sunday morning with minimal grumpiness is to say we’re going out for breakfast sandwiches. That was the case when my family, including my 10-year-old kiddo, hit up Balong Panaderia recently. The Filipino-American bakery and breakfast-sandwich shop was a popular pop up, but now has a permanent home on Southeast 82nd Avenue. Balong is tucked back in the Fubonn Shopping Center, which also houses a large Asian grocery store and shops selling milk tea and smoothies, Chinese herbs, and Korean beauty products. Helpful signs pointed us in the right direction.
The space is bright and modern, with a pretty forest and jade green color palette that carried over from table tops to the dark green self-service water jug. My husband noted it had the vibe of a restaurant you might find on inner Division. We arrived around 8:45 am and were able to order at the counter right away. It got busier and busier as we were there.
The menu is short, but strong. You can get egg and cheese sandwiches with bacon, housemade longganisa sausage or veggie sausage. They come on pan de sal, which is an airy, brioche-like Filipino bread. Or you can substitute a cheddar scallion biscuit for an extra $2. There’s also a bbq chicken sandwich, breakfast plate, and biscuits and gravy option. And there’s a pastry case with ensaymada and coffee sweet rolls.
My carb-loving younger child opted for just a plain cheddar biscuit ($6) for his breakfast along with a Natalie’s Blood Orange Juice ($5). He said the biscuit was very good. We all had a taste and agreed. (And all grabbed a Natalie’s. My teen got the Orange Mango flavor and said, “This is the freshest thing I’ve had from a plastic bottle.” It really did taste fresh-squeezed.) I also ordered a coffee roll ($8), that had coffee grounds sprinkled on the frosting. It was a hit with everyone as well.
My older kid went for the bacon sandwich on a cheddar biscuit ($14). It was huge! But my kid happily ate most of it. My husband ordered the sausage sandwich ($12). After a few bites he said I had to try it. When he does that, I know he thinks it’s exceptional. And it was. The longganisa had a great flavor and texture, it was kinda sweet, kinda garlicky with a hint of spice. I had the bacon sandwich on pan de sal ($12). I loved the soft texture of the pan de sal bun, it was a perfect vehicle for a breakfast sandwich. And we also ordered two deep-fried and delicious rectangles of hash browns ($5 each). The seasoning salt on the hash browns was perfect.
Everyone really liked their breakfasts. Balong Panaderia ended up earning our family’s highest praise — we excitedly talked about bringing Nana the next time she comes to Portland for a visit. She’s in for a real treat since she loves breakfast sandwiches as much as her oldest grandchild does.
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