Donald, Oregon’s Beloved Cafe Is Getting a Brand New Home — And It Opens This June

For more than 50 years, the Donald Cafe has been a familiar stop for both locals and travelers passing through Donald, Oregon — a small town of about 1,000 people located just off I-5 between Portland and Salem.

It’s the kind of place known for hearty breakfasts, simple comfort food, and a welcoming atmosphere where regulars don’t stay strangers for long.

Now, that longtime favorite is entering a new chapter.

A Fresh Start for a Local Landmark

The Donald Cafe has been completely rebuilt from the ground up.

The Monen Family — experienced restaurant operators with more than four decades in the industry — have taken over the project with a clear goal: preserve what made the cafe special while upgrading the space for the next generation.

They’re not changing the identity of the restaurant. They’re protecting it.

The new location will include:

• A fully rebuilt dining space
• An outdoor deck for additional seating
• Updated interior design while keeping its classic diner feel

Even with the changes, the heart of the cafe remains the same — a simple, honest breakfast and lunch spot rooted in tradition.

A Big Moment for a Small Town

The City of Donald is actively tracking the rebuild as part of its local development updates, highlighting just how important this project is to the community.

For a town this size, the cafe isn’t just a restaurant — it’s part of its identity.

Opening Timeline

The new Donald Cafe is targeting a June 2026 reopening, operating Wednesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 2 PM.

The menu will continue to feature its signature comfort food — breakfast classics, lunch favorites, and locally inspired ingredients whenever possible.

Why It Matters

In a world of fast-changing restaurants, places like the Donald Cafe stand out because they stay familiar.

It’s not about reinventing the experience — it’s about keeping it alive.

For anyone traveling along I-5, this will remain one of those must-stop Oregon diners worth pulling off the highway for.

📍 Address: 10780 Main St NE, Donald, OR 97020
📱 Follow updates: @thedonaldcafe (Facebook & Instagram)

Jennifer Schurter serves buyers, sellers, and investors throughout South Clackamas County and the North Willamette Valley — including Canby, Oregon City, Wilsonville, Aurora, Hubbard, Molalla, Woodburn, Newberg, Sherwood, Tualatin, West Linn, Lake Oswego, and the greater Portland metro south. Her goal is simple: to be the most knowledgeable, most responsive, and most genuinely helpful real estate agent in the area — every single time. Jennifer is a licensed Oregon real estate broker with Real Broker LLC.

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