Food Food Food (Portland: neighborhood, restaurants, pricing)

[TygrrEyzz]

Hi!! What are Oregon's greatest chain fast food restaurants?? I am coming out that way for a visit in just a couple of months and am very curious to know. I figured you guys might have some quick and healthy options other than just the usual Subway. Thanks!

[sueisme]

You'd probably enjoy our food carts rather than chain food. Trailers that serve food are set up in "pods" (groups) all over the city and serve all sorts of tasty fare. One of the others on this forum posts a helpful link about food carts. I'm sure you'd find it easily if you were to search. If you want local chains, check out Stumptown for coffee. For a quick bite, there's Laughing Planet (healthy wraps, rice bowls), Pizzacato (not surprisingly, pizza), Voodoo Donuts (incredible assortment of donuts; east side location probably has less of a line), Moonstruck (chocolate and coffee), Staccato Gelato (gelato, coffee), Elephant Deli (deli fare, according ot my kid, tasty mac and cheese). I'm sure there are lots of other local chains, but try some of our non-chain places. If you let us know what neighborhood you'll be in, I'll make some recommendations!

[sammer1]

Nice thread, thank you sueisme these are great suggestion. could you please tell us what are popular coffee places in Portland? Any chains? Also are there a lot of starbucks places (was wondering about that on other thread). Thanks

[philwithbeard]

Peet's Coffee
Seattle's Best
Small independent with many different names, but featuring Stumptown Coffee (Portland, when founded, was covered with a Pine forest; when the forest was cleared, the vast array of tree stumps provided Portland with a derogatory nickname. Or so I have been told.)

Portland is saturated with Starbucks, but only a few seem to be doing a lot of business.
(Aside: you see, the Starbuck's business model uses those huge 100 cup coffee coffee makers, and at most coffee shops, the coffee gets made and then it sits in those huge pots all morning or afternoon and becomes bitter. Only a few coffee shops empty a 100 cup coffee pot each hour all day long. The better tasting coffee, IMHO, comes from a pot that is less than 15 minutes since being brewed. YMMV depending on your own taste buds. The stronger you brew your coffee, the faster it turns acidic and bitter. )

[roneb]

Burgerville! Bugerville! Burgerville! Great fast food burgers and fries with a local Northwest twist and fabulous shakes. Get the mocha perk shake. Not the healthiest, but still a must try.

[BBRefugee]

man... I was really hoping for more than fast food inquiries from a thread titled "Food Food Food"...

but since you asked I will share. www.muchasgraciasmex.com (broken link) is the bomb. open late, and i can vouch for the special #5 Chimichangas are chronic. I found part of a bay leaf one time... that ****'s gourmet. you wont find that at taco bell.

also I'd like to note that the "brewpub" is portland's answer to TGFri, AppleB's style family friendly casual dining. there is a different one in practically every neiborhood. great beer, good -wholesome- food, casual atmosphere and pricing. that's where' I typically do lunch break.