Most usefull portrait lens for Canon XT/XTi/30D/40D ?

I'm wondering which lens would suit me the best for portraits using a cropped camera from Canon (Digital Rebel 300/XT 350/XTi 400/20D/30D/40D).

I already have a all usage lens (Sigma 17-70) that I sometimes use for portrait, but at 50MM and up, it's aperture is f4 and over...
I sometimes use my Canon 70-300IS in the 70-90 range but I find it sometimes a bit too long, although I had many great portrait shots with it, OUTSIDE...
I sometimes use my "el cheapo" EF-50 f1.8 lens, but I find it sometimes a bit short and Bokeh isn't all that great.
Except for artistic type shots, I almost never use my EF-S 10-22 for portraits.

My budget is not infinite, but I guess I could afford any of the following:
So, What should I get ?
-Canon 55-250IS ? (would give me a great range for portait shots, although it is not a f2.8 or f1.8 lens...
-Canon EF-85 f1.8 ? Looks good, but is it too long for portraits on cropped Digital Canon cameras ?
-Canon EF-50 f1.4 ? I heard bokeh was better than f1.8 version, but is it long enough for portraits ?
-Canon EF-S 60 f2.8 ? I saw good reviews, but is it a good portrait lens ? Is f2.8 too much ? (am I better with a lens in the f1.4 to f1.8 range ?)
-Any other to suggest for portraits ? Sigmas or other third parties ? Should I go with a good zoom in the 50-100mm range or should I seek a prime lens ?

I'm sure a lot of you have had the same questioning using a cropped camera: Which is the best portrait lens (within a reasonable price budget range) ?

I'm awaiting your thoughts, which I hope is based on your own experience with portrait lenses...

I've been using the 50mm f/1.4 for portraits and find that a useful length for wider shots including some of the upper body. Bokeh is very good and the lens focuses a lot quicker than the 1.8. I am going to pick up the 85 1.8 soon, but.... obviously can't give an opinion on that.

85 1.8 was by far and away my favourite. Some will tell you it's too long, 'too long' is relative. I miss the field of view so much that I'm saving up for a 135L to go with the 5D to give a similar field of view.

I don't think the 85 1.8 is too long for portraits - on the contrary i think it's ideal.

When I was questioning the EF85 of being possibly too long, I was refering to cropped cameras. And then I guess that if 135L is good for 5D for some users, then EF85 would be the rough equivalent for 1.6x cropped cameras ...Again, basically I'm wondering which of the 50mm, 60mm or 85mm range is the ideal range for portaits with 1.6x cameras. I see some of you have (or wish they had) both a 50mm and a 85mm. JoYorK: The end of you signature makes me laugh...

I think the nifty is nice for portraits, but the 85 is even better. If you're outside it's not a problem because you have so much space you can tell people where to stand and get their whole bodies in if they stand far enough back, but indoors you can still get nice head and shoulder shots from the 85mm. The IQ is better than the nifty, and it doesn't hunt as much in low light.

And like the nifty it's excellent value for money.

I have been using the 100 macro (sort of comparable to the 85 in terms of FL) and the 50/1.4 for portraits and the 50/1.4 is in my opinion a much more suitable lens for a 1.6 crop camera. I like the flexibility of being able to shoot headshots when getting closer, and 1/2 body shots when being further away. And 1.4 opens a lot of possibilities

I mostly use my 50/1.4 because it's indoors. But lately since I just got my 70-200 f/4 IS, I've been using that and loving the results. You can get some great tight shots with it.

Maybe I should consider the EF85 since I already have the nifty, and then get the f1.4 version of the 50mm later-on, and then add the same ending in my signature as JoYork...
I'll see what others have to say about all this, by sharing their experience. Thanks for the first ones that have already answered my thread...

I have the "nifty fifty" and feel like I want the longer reach of the 85 on a regular basis. My 85 should be here on Thursday.