Looking for nice place to eat around Oregon Zoo (Portland: crime, neighborhoods)

[Mossa]

Will be visiting Portland as a tourist. And basically looking for good places to eat, but also in the neighborhoods where I don’t have to worry about my car being vandalized or being assaulted or yelled at by a homeless person while trying to get a bite. I tried to sort of cross-reference restaurant reviews with crime maps, with little result. Im sure locals would know better. One of the places I’m planning to visit is the Zoo, and looking for such place to eat in that area. Could you please help? Portland has a ton of great restaurants, but I’m afraid to get more than I bargained for not knowing what the deal is on the streets around that great restaurant.

[Nell Plotts]

My favorite is the Goose Hollow Inn. Take the MAX east (city direction) one-stop and cross the street. Their parking area is now outdoor seating so unless you leave your car at the zoo parking area you will need to find parking on the street (free for 2 hours but competitive).

The best item on the menu is their Ruben sandwich, take half to go and you have dinner. https://www.goosehollowinn.com/menu

There is a free Washington Park shuttle but the closest it comes to the Goose is the Lewis and Clarke Memorial, next to the Sacajawea statute (or convince the driver to stop at Park Place). Walk down Park Place, hang a dog-leg to Salmon, then turn south on 20th to Jefferson. That is about a 15-minute walk downhill to the Gosse Hollow Inn. The hike back uphill is tough, take the MAX.

[CARas2020]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

My favorite is the Goose Hollow Inn. Take the MAX east (city direction) one-stop and cross the street. Their parking area is now outdoor seating so unless you leave your car at the zoo parking area you will need to find parking on the street (free for 2 hours but competitive).

The best item on the menu is their Ruben sandwich, take half to go and you have dinner. https://www.goosehollowinn.com/menu

There is a free Washington Park shuttle but the closest it comes to the Goose is the Lewis and Clarke Memorial, next to the Sacajawea statute (or convince the driver to stop at Park Place). Walk down Park Place, hang a dog-leg to Salmon, then turn south on 20th to Jefferson. That is about a 15-minute walk downhill to the Gosse Hollow Inn. The hike back uphill is tough, take the MAX.

There Rueben's are so good. I am looking forward to going to eat out again. But since I'm starting chemo I will probably have to wait a little longer.

Yes taking the MAX is the best way to get there and it isn't too expensive I think it's $250 for adults and hlaf that for kids.
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[Nell Plotts]

Check with your oncologist re eating out. Almost all of the Goose tables are outside and well separated from other customers.

[SusVelo]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Check with your oncologist re eating out. Almost all of the Goose tables are outside and well separated from other customers.

Oncologist?

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by Mossa

Will be visiting Portland as a tourist. And basically looking for good places to eat, but also in the neighborhoods where I don’t have to worry about my car being vandalized or being assaulted or yelled at by a homeless person while trying to get a bite. I tried to sort of cross-reference restaurant reviews with crime maps, with little result. Im sure locals would know better. One of the places I’m planning to visit is the Zoo, and looking for such place to eat in that area. Could you please help? Portland has a ton of great restaurants, but I’m afraid to get more than I bargained for not knowing what the deal is on the streets around that great restaurant.

There aren't any restaurants close to the Portland zoo other than the cafes that are within the zoo itself.

You'll either have to drive east into Portland where you have near infinite options. Or drive west into Beaverton which also has hundreds of restaurants. If you are worried about Portland "riff raff" then head over to Beaverton where you are more likely to find off street parking anyway. Yelp can help you find whatever you want. There are also a lot of restaurants along Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway through the Portland West Hills which is just south of the zoo in the Raleigh Hills area. You might find something to your liking down there

[SlideRules99]

Vista Springs Cafe, on Vista in SW Hills/ Goose Hollow.

Wine and Growl on Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy.

Verde Cocina on Canyon Court (although check their status first…they had a fire last summer and may still not be open yet). EDIT: they still look closed.

These are excellent restaurants that keep you out of any potential trouble spots, since that is a priority for you. I’ve enjoyed them all.

[Nell Plotts]

Vista Springs Cafe opens after 3 pm. Hours – Vista Spring Cafe

[blazenjames]

I'd head to inner eastside. There are dozens of good restaurants. I'd stay out of downtown. Beaverton and SW Portland are ok if you like strip mall dining.

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by blazenjames

I'd head to inner eastside. There are dozens of good restaurants. I'd stay out of downtown. Beaverton and SW Portland are ok if you like strip mall dining.

Well sure, there are lots of good restaurants on the east side. But that isn't anywhere close to the Portland Zoo. And it will be a LONG slog to get over there during evening rush hour after a day at the zoo. SW Portland and Beaverton will be much easier and will have off-street parking when you get there unlike say inner east side restaurants on Hawthorne or Division. Where you will be forced to patrol up and down the nearby residential streets for scarce on-street parking. Which I personally don't mind doing when I'm out with my wife, but maybe not with a hungry crew of kids in tow after a long day at the zoo. But I guess having off-street parking in front of your business makes you a strip mall and therefore taints the food and dining experience

But the Vista Ridge Cafe mentioned above would actually be a good choice and you can get there via back roads if traffic is bad by cutting through Washington Park. They have lots of pizza choices so probably good for kids.