T Paul’s Urban Cafe

The sandwiches here are soooo delicious!
Took mom out for lunch yesterday afternoon while we were exploring Astoria and I settled on this place because of the yummy sounding lunches they offer. So glad I stopped in! I went with the Pacific Shrimp Gobbler with a side of fresh fruit and she got the 16^th Street Seafood Melt with Dungeness crab and a side of chowder. We like to share our meals so we get a nice variety and although I loved my shrimp gobbler, that Dungeness crab melt was one of the best tasting sandwiches I’ve ever had!
First off, the shrimp gobbler. Phenomenal sandwich. After taking a few bites, it was like a grilled cheese sandwich on steroids. Thick slices of turkey, handful of little shrimp, a few strips of bacon, thick cheese slice, fresh tomatoes, but what really elevated this sandwich was that pesto cream cheese. Oh my goodness. And not only did the pesto hit all the right notes, it balanced and blended the other ingredients to create this perfectly tasting sandwich. I absolutely loved it. My only complaint would be wanting just a little bit more! If you opt of this sandwich, I would suggest asking your waiter if they could put a little extra pesto cream cheese on yours. You’ll thank me once that first bite hits your mouth :) Side of fruit was nice as well. It was just apple but fresh and crisp!
As for that Dungeness crab melt… incredible! First thing I noticed were the big chucks of crab meat beneath the melted cheese. Yes it’s a little more expensive than the other sandwiches but the amount of crab they give you definitely makes it worth it. And then when you take a big bite and get the crab, the cheese, the little mayo and the fresh extras… ultimate foodgasm I swear. They nailed it with the croissant to hold everything together. Although it was a little thin which made it just slightly awkward to keep everything from falling out every time you take a bite, that soft buttery croissant taste mingling with the juicy crab was simply the best thing ever. Indescribable. The side of chowder was solid too. Hearty pieces of potatoes swimming in a well seasoned and creamy base which rounded out the meal quite nicely.
If you find yourself in Astoria, this is a must stop. I’ll definitely be back.

An excellent find thanks to Unilocalers. Our original choice for dinner was closed for renovations. How fortuitous! We loved the décor, friendly and fast service, and the food was divine.
We had a starter of the dungeness crab quesadilla which tasted very fresh and well balanced in flavor between the crab, cheese, tomatoes, and seasonings. The chips and salsa accompanying it were nice too. For dinner, we both ordered off the seasonal specials — the wife had a seafood penne with lobster, razor clams, salmon, white prawns, and mushrooms. Delish, rich, and filling. I had the chicken Marsala linguine that was so rewarding. Again, well balanced flavor cooked to perfection.
Even Our side salads were delicious and large. The pepper parmigiana dressing was yummy.
All in all, we are excited to visit T Paul’s Café next time we are on the northern Oregon coast.

Go West for Southwestern? Better believe it!
I’m happily confused, because I don’t leave Astoria without a lunch or dinner here. Normally in a coastal environment the last thing I would want is tangy Southwestern fare, but for good reason this place keeps me coming back.
Nice veggie friendly place, which isn’t always the case when you stray from Portland. Several times I’ve eaten here, and the quesadillas on offer are the best. Their Greek option is beyond delicious with feta, sun dried tomatoes, and spinach stuffed tortilla. The regular veggie with artichokes and roasted garlic is pretty awesome too. Most everything comes with a nice side of chips and salsa as well which is a nice change from french fries. Don’t worry meat eaters, they have plenty of burger, steak, and chicken options to please you.
Sometimes when you’ve had your fill of fish and chips, a place like this is a nice option… if they do it right, and Urban café gets it right! Originally it was recommended to me by a local when I was starving and looking for a good lunch spot that wasn’t upscale snobby or greasy fast food. This place fit the bill and has ever since.
Service is great here, and they take good care of you. It’s a small place, but they make good use of it, putting in small round tables with high chairs. Cleanliness is always so important too, and while a small place can be hard to keep clean they do a great job here, including the bathrooms.
Negatives? Hard to find many, but I’d say if you are in a group this isn’t your best option by any stretch. Way too small, and not many tables that can seat more than two people.
Overall just a great value place and a good change of pace. If you’re in town, stop in and check it out. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!