A Weekend in Portland, OR
Hey folks–I’ll be in Portland this weekend and plan to stop by the farmer’s market on Saturday, but am looking for suggestions for restaurants. I’ve done a little research and there seem to be so many that I need your help. I love greasy spoons and diners and would also like to try one of the many restaurants that focus on local foods.
Comments(5)
Mostly, my favorite restaurants in Portland are well-known and loudly-applauded. But when it comes to dives, I think you can’t do better in Portland than El Grillo – it’s a Mexican place off Broadway in downtown Portland, and it shares a bathroom with Mary’s. Which is a strip club. Which means you have to be 21+ in order to use the toilet when you’re eating at El Grillo. Oh, and the food’s great. (Cash only.)
http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/8459659/portland_or/el_grillo.html
The best chocolate shop in the city started as a food stand at the farmer’s market, but she’s now got her own place – Sahagun Chocolates, off Burnside around the corner from a Fantasy Video superstore or something. There’s always parking in front of the video place, because no one wants to have their car seen in front of it.
http://www.sahagunchocolates.com/
I have all kinds of love for Pok Pok – it’s a Thai place with great cocktails that doesn’t take reservations (unless you’re a group of 6+), so the wait can be ungodly long. But I love it. For a sample of the foods (but not the cocktails, & not a full menu), you can order from the take-out window & enjoy it elsewhere without the crazy wait.
http://www.pokpokpdx.com/
One of my favorite local food blogs is Portland Food & Drink – I haven’t been a regular reader in quite a long time, but I still visit when I’m looking for new restaurant suggestions.
http://www.portlandfoodanddrink.com/
Forgot, one other place I have all kinds of love for – and that also doesn’t take reservations – is Ken’s Artisan Pizza. If you time it right, you’ll get seated reasonably quickly as the various waves of people come & go – and if you don’t mind sitting at the bar, look for open seats there & you can get a place immediately.
http://www.kensartisan.com/pizza.html
Jessica, thanks so much for the tasty tips–I will especially make time for the chocolate shop!
I stood next to Barbara of Three Square Grill at the pickle booth at Slow Food. She was very cool, they make great pickles and their restaurant looks cool from the website….
I second the Ken’s recommendation. There is a cool wine bar around the corner from there too called Noblerot. Last time I was at Ken’s, I had really delicious roasted vegetables along with the pizza.
I spent a heck of a lot of time at Clyde Common last time I was there – for meals and for drinks / bar snacks. I enjoyed it.
Definitely the PSU farmers market. Don’t miss the cool guys with the awesome popsicles.
I really love Higgins. Greg Higgins is a sustainable food guru, and the smoked fish there is TDF. Bypass the dining room and have dinner in the bar for a more kicked-back, saloon type atmosphere.
I have been dying to go to Le Pigeon (pronounce like the bird on the street) but haven’t gotten there. But J. Jeffrey loved it.
Pok pok is a really wonderful space, especially if it’s warm enough to sit outside. But given your short length of time I’m not sure it’s critical:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenmaiser/2625971812/