Portland recommendations

I just got back from there last week. It was hit and miss. I actually ended up walking to pick up a rental car (20 minute walk vs. 5 minute drive) because I couldn't find an Uber on Friday morning in downtown Portland.

My recommendation would be to schedule rides in advance as much as you can (instead of just searching for a ride when you are ready to go). For example, I visited Allagash on Saturday afternoon and scheduled an Uber that morning to pick me up at noon from downtown to go there. I also scheduled an Uber about 30 minutes in advance (while having one last pour) to take me back to downtown from Allagash. Both those times the drivers arrived a few minutes early and I had no issues.

 

It’s never been a shit show there, and opening the inside will only help. During Covid they set up an outdoor host stand to give your name and then they take you to a spot. I never had to wait long. Not sure if they’ll keep this in place or go back to first come first served.

 

@Providence depending on where you're staying many of the hotels in the downtown offer shuttle services. Even when Uber was cranking I've used these sometimes.

 

We put our name in (it was 2pm on the nose), the wait was "10-15 minutes." We walked up Washington Ave to the stop light and walked back and the table was ready for us.

 

Heading to Portland next week. Never been to Salvage or Terlingua...which one should I go to?

 

I haven't been to Salvage but we had an awesome weekday lunch at Terlingua last week. Those brisket tacos are the stuff of legend. Nice outdoor deck also. FYI - Terlingua has a small shop where they sell their BBQ ribs / brisket / pork in vacuum packs to heat up at home along with all of their taco sauces, BBQ sauce, salsas and other fixins. We got a bunch and had a great meal out on Peaks Island with friends.

 

Terlingua is the move here. It's right on Washington, so there are options for drinking & additional eating. Co-sign on the brisket tacos, make sure you use the spicy vinegar!

 

Thanks guys!

My family isn't BIG bbq people, so I was thinking of just doing a quick small lunch when we get into Portland next Thursday at Terlingua. Then Slab for dinner.

I was thinking the reverse, because as some on here know, I eat A LOT of food on my trips. So hitting up Slab first would be beneficial because it's the least full I'll be on the whole trip.

But I think Terlingua for lunch might be the best bet.

 

The fat kid in me can appreciate your care and attention to detail when planning “more of everything” trips. I would push Slab to Friday lunch to give it another decent time slot. You can gap out the dinner and walk off a good feed session. So many good options.

 

Definitely sounds like Terlingua is the answer (I haven’t been). Just want to give a thumbs up to Salvage. The bbq is excellent, the beer list is always good / great when I’ve been. It is definitely out of the way compared to most of the beer scene.

 

I was thinking on this more, I'm not sure exactly what time we'll be up in Portland on Thursday for lunch (dinner I know I'll be up there already).

On a Thursday afternoon will I need a reservation at Terlingua? If I do that makes this easier, I'll just do a reservation for dinner.

And you bet your ass we'll be doing plenty of walking after lunch hitting up breweries. Plus my family and I are avid "walkers".

This past Sunday I walked from Somerville to Allston.

So I've heard! I keep meaning to check it out but Portland just keeps adding amazing food options. So hard to pick and choose between new places and old favorites.

 

I was in Portland over Memorial Day weekend, it is definitely a weird vibe right now. A lot of places are still outdoor seating / takeout only, other places are business as usual. Some places have time limits as they are limited on seating, other places are packing people in. Warf St was a full out college party.

 

Anyone ever try Ramona's Sandwiches? I've heard good things.

 

Heading up in a few weeks for a trip for first time since 2019...

Any new breweries to check out? I saw a mention of Bellflower earlier up in the thread...Thanks!

 

So funny you mention that place. I noticed it was across from The Shop. I planned to hit it a few weeks ago but missed them before they closed. Saw they had like $15 subs but looked legit with qty and quality. I’ll pay $15 for a real deal Italian. Not many places do them. Please post if you swing by.

 

Will do!

I plan on hitting up The Shop for oysters too, so this should work out. I’ll probably split the sub a few ways to check it out, looks like the real deal on Instagram.

Man, you can have a nice little fat kid crawl along with the breweries that way. Chicken parm egg rolls at Tamaso’s, poutine fries at the Duckfat window at Oxbow, oysters at The Shop, then an Italian sub at Ramona’s.

I hope to add Ramona’s to my Portland word doc, I’ll keep you posted!

 

Wow, I was looking at Google Maps last night, that small area has A LOT within a short walking distance.

If you're heading from Eventide towards Oxbow you can hit up Tamaso's (as I said, killer chicken parm egg rolls and Mudslides, also a solid beer selection) then walk to Oxbow (obviously awesome beer, plus the Duckfat window), then across the street from Oxbow is Terilingua (brisket taco duh), and next to Terilingua is Radici's (the "other" pizza place other than Slab).

Roughly on the same stretch is also The Shop for oysters, and then Ramona's is across the street.

Then you can stroll over to Austin Street and Goodfire/Lonepine/Belleweather for some more brewery action.

My Portland word doc will need updating after this trip...

 

Goddamnit man, I hadn't heard of Radici's and just looked it up. Yet another place I have to go to, apparently. Their website did note it is outdoor dining and takeout only, so it may be hit or miss with getting a table. The good news is that if they are full you can just walk on to another food option nearby.

 

Have more Ubers come back online now that things have opened up and tourist season is around the corner? Might make a trip in two weeks and would like to stay downtown but it's really pricey, could stay in S. Portland for a lot less money if I can easily get around by Uber.