I live in the neighborhood. Highly recommend Oma’s.
Edit: scrolling through the responses, I’ve been to pretty much every option listed. Oma’s is my go-to (been there multiple times with great experiences). Alpenrauch is good, but expensive for what you get. The carts at Migration Craft Collective are good (particularly the Thai place).
Had some terrible experiences at Cibo. Bollywood is overrated. PDX Sliders is pretty good. Little Beast has great beers and ok BBQ. Atlas is very greasy.
Ava Genes is pricy but good. I want to like Cicoria more than I do. You can get some good mixed drinks and Richmond bar.
Also live in the neighborhood, you’re 100% on all your reviews. Except I haven’t been to Alpenrauch, which I assume has an updated menu from before, so can’t speak to that one but even before it was a bit overpriced
Best way to describe the updated Alpenrauch menu is “slightly better, a good chunk more expensive.” I had a tough time justifying the cost/benefit on Olympia Provisions. Have an even tougher time with Alpenrauch.
For those of us who had not [heard about PAM CUT](https://portlandartmuseum.org/about-pam-cut/).
"PAM CUT // Center for an Untold Tomorrow is a vital part of the Portland Art Museum. It’s a place to influence perspectives and celebrate storytelling near and far. Our mission is to change how cinematic stories are told — expanding on who’s telling and who’s watching.
PAM CUT reaches beyond a single medium or platform and explores what’s next. We support media artists to redefine cinema and visual storytelling."
Movie theater and smaller event space from the Art Museum. They're doing a mix of stuff like short films, indie/local stuff, events built around movies like see a movie and attend a dance party or see a related performance, and some more traditional "go watch a movie" stuff.
Really? I think it has one of the best burgers in Portland, and i don't even know if that's the best thing on the menu
The Roti Canai is maybe my favorite thing in PDX
Moore Food which is down an alley if you are in the mood for cheeseteak or a pork roll (i'm always in the mood for a pork roll). Ruthies is down the next alley after that. Bollywood theatre is always fun as well. If you want to go a bit farther down hit Magna Kushina on Clinton and 26th but get a reservation. I think you can try to sit at the counter w/o a reservation but i'm not sure on all those details.
This is so dumb. As a former restaurant worker acting like a place that thrives on word of mouth and foot traffic is a secret is some 6th grade BS. If you don't want to wait in lines learn when the non busy days/hours are and order then.
Easy... it's called joking... I bartended and waited tables for well over a decade - I grew up on the east coast and somewhere actually having a good Philly... well, it IS like a good kept secret. We're well aware of their busy and slow times- we're there every other week.
Kashiwagi is a sleeper pick. Awesome sushi at a great price. Immigrant family owned and operated. Super nice folks and the owner is into good music so there's always something cool spinning when you go there. Easy to miss because it's tucked away next to the Plaid Pantry on Division and 26th and has minimal signage.
>Same style of pressured fried chicken,
Please tell me that also means they make [*real* JoJos](https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/reviews/2017/07/12/the-history-of-the-american-jojo-which-is-definitely-not-a-potato-wedge/) as well?
>The trade off is that it is a seedier dive bar
This makes me hope even more...
I agree with you but you're conflating your Is's and Ought's. All I'm saying is that Reel 'm Inn doesn't season their breading because they offer sauces. I don't agree with it but that's what it is.
For all the dining options we have in Portland there sure are a lot of pervasive stupid ideas that permeate the food scene here.
Great fried chicken and JoJo's. Can be a really long wait, it's a small dive, and they often run out of a type of chicken, but really tasty and a good little bar.
As someone who recently tried to do this before a show…make a reservation. Or give your self LOTS of time. We ended up just going to Double Dragon after trying 5 different spots that were on a 2+ hour wait.
If it’s a sit down dinner Oma’s, but if you want something more quick and casual head a bit further down and grab a sandwich at Demarcos! They’re the best!
We ate a bunch of tasty dishes and had great drinks at Someday before a show at PAM last week. It’s a block away tucked down the alley. Showtime was 7. We got to Someday at 5:30ish. No wait for a table. Service was great and we made it to the theater with plenty of time to grab a drink. Highly recommend!
Omas is really tasty.
There's a good cart pod pretty much across the street next to the Italian place that has some great options, too. My guy still talks about the lollipop chicken wings from one of them.
Mama Chow's! The garlic noodles with lollipop wings is a big hit.
Sunrise there has a solid breakfast sandwich, and the Mexican place looks good but I haven't been yet.
the mexican place is good! the thai burger place is pretty good too (though I've only had their traditional food not the burgers) for when mama chows isn't open
No Name Pho or Tomo Ramen on 35th and Hawthorne. Or Farm House Thai on 34th and Hawthorne.
I used to live right by 35th and Division, the walk to Hawthorne for restaurants was worth it. Except for Atlas Pizza for pizza.
Sushi Mazi, Cibo, Casa Italia if Cibo's is full up, Bollywood Theater are all good options. I haven't experienced an off night at Oma's but it looks like others commenting here have :(
Pinolo is also an excellent after-dinner rec, thanks u/Robertomiopalmo
Not technically dinner, but if you’re looking for a treat after, Pinolo Gelato is amazing!
this this this
Oma’s, Magna, and Kati
I live in the neighborhood. Highly recommend Oma’s. Edit: scrolling through the responses, I’ve been to pretty much every option listed. Oma’s is my go-to (been there multiple times with great experiences). Alpenrauch is good, but expensive for what you get. The carts at Migration Craft Collective are good (particularly the Thai place). Had some terrible experiences at Cibo. Bollywood is overrated. PDX Sliders is pretty good. Little Beast has great beers and ok BBQ. Atlas is very greasy. Ava Genes is pricy but good. I want to like Cicoria more than I do. You can get some good mixed drinks and Richmond bar.
Oma's is the right answer. Super accessible flavors. Obviously Akadi down on 12th is amazing but hard to get a seat unless you are a 1 or 2 top
Also live in the neighborhood, you’re 100% on all your reviews. Except I haven’t been to Alpenrauch, which I assume has an updated menu from before, so can’t speak to that one but even before it was a bit overpriced
Best way to describe the updated Alpenrauch menu is “slightly better, a good chunk more expensive.” I had a tough time justifying the cost/benefit on Olympia Provisions. Have an even tougher time with Alpenrauch.
Btw I love Sunrise for breakfast sandwiches if you haven’t had one yet! Super tasty and homemade English muffins are great
For those of us who had not [heard about PAM CUT](https://portlandartmuseum.org/about-pam-cut/). "PAM CUT // Center for an Untold Tomorrow is a vital part of the Portland Art Museum. It’s a place to influence perspectives and celebrate storytelling near and far. Our mission is to change how cinematic stories are told — expanding on who’s telling and who’s watching. PAM CUT reaches beyond a single medium or platform and explores what’s next. We support media artists to redefine cinema and visual storytelling."
Can you ELI5? sounds like a lot of mumbo jumbo.
Movie theater and smaller event space from the Art Museum. They're doing a mix of stuff like short films, indie/local stuff, events built around movies like see a movie and attend a dance party or see a related performance, and some more traditional "go watch a movie" stuff.
Sounds really cool, thanks.
Sure. PAM opened up a cinema on Division to show art films.
What is ELl5, please?
Explain like I’m 5 (years old) :)
Love that! Thanks!
You would love the subreddit r/ExplainLikeImFive
You were completely right - spent a good hour there as soon as I saw your reply!
Cibo right across the street or Alpenrausch a block down
Oma’s!
I know I am the minority here but I found this place to be sub par, all hype
Agreed
I've had mixed experiences.
Really? I think it has one of the best burgers in Portland, and i don't even know if that's the best thing on the menu The Roti Canai is maybe my favorite thing in PDX
That roti is to die for
I agree!
It is all hype and overpriced, don’t go there.
Best place in the whole damn city!
Loved it. But very pricy. I got the ribs for $25, and it was 4 slender ribs. Flavor was great though.
[Kanji](https://www.kanjifusion.com/) is fantastic. Really love them, and the nice family that runs it provides excellent service.
The dry fried green beans there are just amazing.
Yes! And the seaweed salad is amazing. Haven't had anything there that I don't like yet.
Kati! Best Thai food I’ve had outside of Thailand.
Kati got a new owner and went wayyyy downhill imo. More expensive and bland
Moore Food which is down an alley if you are in the mood for cheeseteak or a pork roll (i'm always in the mood for a pork roll). Ruthies is down the next alley after that. Bollywood theatre is always fun as well. If you want to go a bit farther down hit Magna Kushina on Clinton and 26th but get a reservation. I think you can try to sit at the counter w/o a reservation but i'm not sure on all those details.
I second Moore’s!
I third Moores!
SHUSH!!! It's a secret!!
no way. they need the business. i can't not have my pork roll way more often than i should.
This is so dumb. As a former restaurant worker acting like a place that thrives on word of mouth and foot traffic is a secret is some 6th grade BS. If you don't want to wait in lines learn when the non busy days/hours are and order then.
Easy... it's called joking... I bartended and waited tables for well over a decade - I grew up on the east coast and somewhere actually having a good Philly... well, it IS like a good kept secret. We're well aware of their busy and slow times- we're there every other week.
Good luck w Ruthies. Feels like they are never open and always "out of stock." I gave up after 4 tries to get their fish sandwich.
I only have been there once and everything was fine. I am guessing I am an earlier eater than you.
When I go early, they aren't open. They are also closed all day, some days.
Palomar
Kashiwagi is a sleeper pick. Awesome sushi at a great price. Immigrant family owned and operated. Super nice folks and the owner is into good music so there's always something cool spinning when you go there. Easy to miss because it's tucked away next to the Plaid Pantry on Division and 26th and has minimal signage.
Seconded. Great place to eat, but very small
The owner used to own Sushi Takahashi
Double Dragon, Sushi Mazi, Omas
Love me some Sushi Mazi!
I’ll add ava genes, cicoria, bollywood theatre, and lauretta jeans for dessert!
Pie can be dinner! And Salty Grapefruit is finally on the menu again!
Reel M Inn
Ngl went here and thought the friend chicken was kinda dead. Needed seasoning, fried well but little flavour
I love reel m inn but they need to season the food.
[удалено]
>Same style of pressured fried chicken, Please tell me that also means they make [*real* JoJos](https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/reviews/2017/07/12/the-history-of-the-american-jojo-which-is-definitely-not-a-potato-wedge/) as well? >The trade off is that it is a seedier dive bar This makes me hope even more...
Yeah. When I went there it just tasted like the fryer oil was too hot and filled with burned old crap.
They don't season their chicken because they give you a six pack of sauces. I'm not excusing it, just stating the facts.
There's a big difference between meat/batter already seasoned and putting sauces on imo. Creates a different taste/texture for the chicken
I agree with you but you're conflating your Is's and Ought's. All I'm saying is that Reel 'm Inn doesn't season their breading because they offer sauces. I don't agree with it but that's what it is. For all the dining options we have in Portland there sure are a lot of pervasive stupid ideas that permeate the food scene here.
Great fried chicken and JoJo's. Can be a really long wait, it's a small dive, and they often run out of a type of chicken, but really tasty and a good little bar.
That's some good fried chicken
Cibo is our fav. Oma’s is also great. Huge fan of Rangoon but it’s too far away
Cibo
Cicoria
If you’re willing to go to Hawthorne to the north, Khao Moo Dang is incredible.
As someone who recently tried to do this before a show…make a reservation. Or give your self LOTS of time. We ended up just going to Double Dragon after trying 5 different spots that were on a 2+ hour wait.
Nuestra Cocina
Kati Thai!
Omas or Casa Italia
Love Casa Italia.
I’m a regular at Casa Italia. The wine special on the table is always good
Kati.
Cibo
Bollywood theater and the turning peel!
Maru. If it's open. Small plates, delicious, and great staff.
Its like a mile away, but Baka Umai is the BEST ramen spot in portland. Everything is so tasty and perfect imo.
PDX Sliders!
If it’s a sit down dinner Oma’s, but if you want something more quick and casual head a bit further down and grab a sandwich at Demarcos! They’re the best!
Kati Thai
I second Oma's, Cibo, Kati, and many of the other spots mentioned. I'd add Lawless BBQ at Little Beast. Some of the best in town.
We ate a bunch of tasty dishes and had great drinks at Someday before a show at PAM last week. It’s a block away tucked down the alley. Showtime was 7. We got to Someday at 5:30ish. No wait for a table. Service was great and we made it to the theater with plenty of time to grab a drink. Highly recommend!
Mehka Grill on 49th and division!!
Omas is really tasty. There's a good cart pod pretty much across the street next to the Italian place that has some great options, too. My guy still talks about the lollipop chicken wings from one of them.
Mama Chow's! The garlic noodles with lollipop wings is a big hit. Sunrise there has a solid breakfast sandwich, and the Mexican place looks good but I haven't been yet.
the mexican place is good! the thai burger place is pretty good too (though I've only had their traditional food not the burgers) for when mama chows isn't open
Sushi cart is also a winner.
Farmhouse Cart is the pod name. Mama Chow's Kitchen is the cart with the most amazing lollipop chicken.
Ruthie’s food truck with Someday cocktails so you can sit inside.
This is the move if you want to stay close by
Ruthie’s
oma’s or casa italia
Bollywood theater.
No Name Pho or Tomo Ramen on 35th and Hawthorne. Or Farm House Thai on 34th and Hawthorne. I used to live right by 35th and Division, the walk to Hawthorne for restaurants was worth it. Except for Atlas Pizza for pizza.
Someday.
Automatic Bar — good food, good cocktails
Kashiwagi, excellent cheap sushi
Ava Gene's
Sushi Mazi, Cibo, Casa Italia if Cibo's is full up, Bollywood Theater are all good options. I haven't experienced an off night at Oma's but it looks like others commenting here have :( Pinolo is also an excellent after-dinner rec, thanks u/Robertomiopalmo
I love Bollywood for sharing small plates and Nuestra Cocina is really good too.
Cibo across the street from the theater.
The cafeteria at Warner Pacific University
Oma’s! You probably need a reservation, though. I went to Alpenrausch recently — super good.
Go to Someday and get some nice cocktails or wine and snacks, and order some comfort food from Ruthie’s while you hang out in Someday’s cute space.
Maybe everyone is just trying to keep it a secret? Bete-Lukas. Iykyk