fun places to eat in portland Archives

Food Carts in Portland – the Story Behind the Icon

Posted on April 20, 2020April 23, 2020 by Sherri

I will admit, I hesitate to write this article, because what could I possibly say about food carts in Portland that has not already been said? Probably nothing, but it has been fun for me to travel down some rabbit holes, learning the history of how food carts have become synonymous with Portland.

Officially, the food cart scene blew up in 2008, during the Great Recession. Although that was 95 years after the first food cart set up moveable shop in Portland. As you can imagine, the cart was pulled by a horse back then!

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What are Arepas? Find Out at Teote

Posted on January 8, 2020October 20, 2020 by Sherri

Practically everyone has heard of a tortilla, but not everyone has heard of an arepa. Not having traveled to South America, I wasn’t familiar with arepas until I ate at Teote, years ago in Portland.

It all starts with corn. Corn is important to Latin American cultures. So much so, that there are prayers and celebrations in honor of this life giving plant, which is maize in Spanish.

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So What Makes a Smaaken Waffle so Tasty Anyway?

Posted on December 8, 2019April 19, 2020 by Sherri

Guess what? There are a lot of types of waffles out there. Because we live in a big world and people all over love waffles! The most popular types are Dutch waffles and Belgian waffles. But let’s not forget the American waffle, the Italian style waffle and varieties of Asian style waffles (from Hong Kong to Vietnam).

Portland is well represented with waffles and I will admit I declared one of my favorites sometime last year. All it took was one bite into a Smaaken Waffle and I was hooked. When I learned that the word smaaken is Dutch for tasty, it was so obviously befitting. In fact, Smaaken Waffle is one of my overall favorite food carts in Portland and my go to on a regular basis, even when I am not bringing people there for the Bustling Buckman Food Tour.

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Get Your Israeli Street Food Fix at Shalom Y’all

Posted on August 3, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

Through the years, I have watched John Gorham build his Portland food empire, one delicious restaurant at a time. His business model it interesting, as he serves different cuisines, but they all have delicious dining in common.

The John Gorham empire expands

It all started with Toro Bravo which is Spanish influenced, although not in the strictest of ways. Tasty and Sons and Tasty and Alder soon followed. Then Tasty and Sons morphed into Tasty and Daughters. They are excellent brunch spots, serving upscale and creative twists on traditional items like poached eggs, and French toast.

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A Slice of Hog Heaven – Tails and Trotters

Posted on July 2, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

Every time I walk into Tails and Trotters I comment (to myself), “this is a slice of hog heaven, well actually it is not heaven for a hog, but it sure is heaven for a human.” Of course this assumes that you are not vegetarian. And if that is the case, then keep reading!

Pork is nutrient dense and flavorful, not to mention adaptable to different cuisines. Now imagine if those happy pigs were finished off on hazelnuts. I bet you realize that would impart a distinctively complex and rich flavor to the meat. Well that is exactly what you can discover for yourself at Tails and Trotters.

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Pambiche – a Slice of Old Havana

Posted on April 1, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

I discovered this gem years before I moved to Portland. It came to me through word of mouth in one of those classic “where are the fun restaurants in Portland” conversations. Although I did not purposely move a few blocks from it to be nearby, it’s certainly an added benefit of living in the Kerns. And how terrific that on a rainy Oregon day, I can slip into Pambiche – a slice of old Havana with Cuban hospitality.

So Pambiche, touts itself as Cuban food, which I believe you will find to be very similar to other food from the Caribbean and Central America. Countries in those regions are geographically small, therefore the overlapping of food crops that thrive there is to be expected. And yet, each country develops its own customs of preparing food, creating a sense of national identity.

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GÜERO – The Home of La Torta

Posted on March 1, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

It’s a food truck turned restaurant. It may not be the American dream, but it is the Portland dream. Humble beginnings gather a loyal and excited crowd and eventually, the brick and mortar Güero restaurant is born. I love it!

Güero has made its name by serving tortas, and more specifically, torta ahogada, which is a drowned torta. This is the result of a happy accident that happened years ago in Jalisco, Mexico, when the contents of the sandwich fell into a pot of red chile sauce.

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Arrosto – Chicken Like Grandma Used to Make

Posted on February 15, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

Arrosto’s, food is nothing like fussy, but prepared with attention to detail. It is pretty much like the type food I would cook at home. But when I don’t have time, I have the comfort and convenience of chicken and potatoes close to my home.

In fact, the potatoes roasted in chicken drippings is what makes me a loyal customer. And once you taste them, I have no doubt you will be coming back again and again.

They are the perfect blend of crispy and salty on the outside, soft in the middle, and enrobed in nutrient dense chicken fat. Perfect any season of the year, any day and any time of day.

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Navarre – A Kerns Neighborhood Bistro

Posted on February 1, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

Navarre may be my favorite restaurant on Restaurant Row (NE 28th between Glisan and Burnside). Very European in its presentation – candlelit and cozy, serving creative bistro fare.

The menu is ever changing and all the dishes are offered in small or large portions. The set up is perfect for eating tapas style with a few friends. Which is my favored dining style, hands down. Their bread is from Ken Forkish’s eponymous Ken’s Artisan Bakery.

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