Visiting Portland (2022)

I still have dreams of that Hat Yai chicken - it will be my first stop in Portland when I get back up there this summer.

 

I'm heading to the newly opened outpost of Dough Zone today. I'm hoping it scratches that itch.

 

I'm always impressed with how much Portland swings above its weight class with this stuff. Not as many of the "authentic" sorta hole-in-the-walls you get in other places but a lot of great mid-priced restaurants with tons of creativity.

The beer selection at these places is a mixed bag, but it's Portland so you can usually find something good on tap.

Just noticed that MeKha opened another location on SE Division (MeKha Grill)... if you go, get the dry Phnom Penh noodles (the pho is fine but not even close to as good as their other stuff)

 

HK Cafe is probably your best bet for traditional dim sum in the city proper. Master Kong isn't dim sum per se but has awesome dumplings and congee and noodle soups and is my favorite Chinese food in PDX. All out near 82nd.

There's a new Din Tai Fung location in Washington Square... definitely a good option but it's a big Taiwanese dim sum chain so might already be familiar to some

 

Hell yea, let us know how it is

 

Out by SE 82nd and Division is the core of good Dim Sum in Portland. HK Cafe, Pure Spice and a few others. On the west side, Din Tai Fung in Washington Square mall is your best bet, though pricier. And when you're there, do check out 85C Cafe, also in the mall.

 

Not quite your neighborhood but not too far - right next to the Fred Meyer in Raleigh hills is some absolutely delicious pho at Pho Nguyen. If you're in the neighborhood and in the mood for a change of pace from the Raccoon Lodge, this is truly delightful. And further west, off Hall Blvd in Cedar Hills and downtown Beaverton (around the corner from Ex Novo) do checkout Best Baguette and Top Burmese for bahn mi and Burmese food.

 

Never had Burmese food. What does it resemble?
I would guess a mix of North Indian, Thai and Chinese?

 

Not too far off. Combination of fermented funk, coconut curries, brightness from citrus and bracing but flavorful heat,though not all of these are necessarily present at the same time.
To take this thread on a tangent, the food culture of SE Asia could be confusing. You see cultures that could not be more dissimilar having (some) extremely similar foods, at least when painted in broad strokes. For example - the Buddhist Burmese and the Christian keralites from the west coast of India should have nothing in common but they have similar coconut rich curries with unleavened Flatbread and you scratch your head. And then, when you(I) do a little digging, you (i) find that your (my) own grandfather went from southern India to Burma back in the 1920s-1930s, and you begin to appreciate how those centuries of trade, cross-pollination and colonization resulted in the really interesting food cultures.

 

Awesome . Have to try this now. I guess the colonization thing is why Indian food in the UK is generally so much better than here. ( I find it very hard to find a good Indian restaurant here)

 

Wifey has a training in Tigard in a month. Happens to coincide with my week of vacation, so I will be tagging along for the free hotel and such. What are the best spots to hit nearby/in Tigard?

 

Looks like that's a 13 minute driver of 36 minute bus ride.

 

i mentioned going to the Tigard taphouse in a different thread. solid tap list and nice back patio outdoor space with food menu. if the weather is nice, this wouldnt be bad at all.

https://www.thetigardtaphouse.com/

depending on what end of 99 you are on, and what time of day you go, you could find yourself within a short drive of Wolves and People brewing which is in Newberg. i havent been there since covid started, but they make some good stuff

 

Double Tree Hilton on Locust

 

Tigard Taphouse is only 13 minutes on bus. That's not too bad. W&P is 30+ by car, just can't have too much if I need to drive myself back

 

planning a trip for this summer and curious if there are any recommendations for places that are friendly for daytime/evening beers with a kid (8yo) in tow (or places to avoid).

From my previous trip to Portland I remember Apex having a big outdoor area but Google's first review re: kids says it's not kid friendly?

One of my favorite meals from that trip was getting a burrito to-go from Santeria and taking it across the street to Bailey's but looks like they're both gone now?

 

Beer style -wise, what are you looking for? I'd recommend Wayfinder for food+beer, and if by summer you mean June, you HAVE to hit Hair of the Dog before they close.