Underexplored neighbourhoods for chowhounding?

[limster]

Hope this isn't too unusual a query.

Visiting Portland with a couple of days for chowhounding. Was wondering which areas in Portland reachable by public transportation are the least explored and make the most interesting hunting grounds. If the jetlag doesn't get me, will be happy to return the favour if I stumble across anything good.

Also, how are Pine State biscuits and the Indonesian cart (is it still around?)

Thanks in advance!

[MichaelG]

Pine State Biscuits is good, but I found the gravy to be lukewarm. When I want biscuits and gravy, I expect it to be HOT.

By contrast, Podnah's really hit the spot.

As for under-appreciated neighborhoods, try Old Town/Chinatown. Ping is worth a try, as is Davis Street Tavern. For something a little more downscale, try the carts a little farther north, on 5th Ave.

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Pine State Biscuits
3640 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214

Davis Street Tavern
500 NW Davis Street, Portland, OR 97209

[extramsg]

There isn't much that's truly unexplored. Portland's not that big and there are lots of food lovers here. The least explored places are outside the easy range of public transit: the suburbs. Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Vancouver, etc.

And if you'd like to explore any of these, I'd be glad to help. Contact me via twitter: http://twitter.com/extramsg or my blog contact form: http://extramsg.com/contact if interested.

I don't know if the Indonesian cart is still around, but it wasn't that good. There are, however, two small Indonesian restaurants that are pretty good, Adem Ayem and Taste of Jakarta.

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Taste of Jakarta
1239 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201

[limster]

Cool - many thanks for the indonesian tips! Do these places have tahu telor (a lacy nest of deep fried egg and tofu, topped with bean spourts and drizzled with kecap manis)? A long shot, but any chance of nasi kuning/yellow rice, with various meats and side dishes?

[JillO]

Yes they have nasi kuning! Food is very good, website, not so much:

http://www.tasteofjakarta.com/

[extramsg]

Taste of Jakarta doesn't. Adem Ayem's menu changes regularly. Taste of Jakarta always has nasi kuning served with ayam goreng, kering tempeh, and fried tofu. Adem Ayem often has nasi kuning, but I think what it comes with changes. I'd link to some photos and reports, but I'm not allowed to. Google their names, though. There's also Malay Satay Hut, which has some Indonesian dishes along with their huge menu of Malay dishes. Big menu, so quality varies.

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Malay Satay Hut
2850 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266

Taste of Jakarta
1239 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201