Old School Portland Eateries
I'm trying to put together a comprehensive list of old school Portland restaurants to dine at, outside of my go-to favorites...a way to explore Portland's campy joints, wholes in the wall and hidden gems that never get the attention. The list would start something like this:
Saylor's Old Country Kitchen
Susan's Fish-n-chips
Rimsky-korsakoffee House
Wilf's
Huber's
Farther out is perfectly fine, perhaps a boundary as far as St. John's North and Mt. Scott East..
Requirements would be independently owned and good food. About the good food thing, I want to eat it and like it, not that it has to be on par with Pok Pok and Le Pigeon or anything, but I don't want to waste my money and belly on gross food.
Would love any suggestions!
By blackbirdpie
on Nov 11, 2010 10:19 AM
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I'd add Dan and Louis if you like oysters. Haven't eaten anything cooked there, but I always enjoy the oysters there.
I haven't been, but some might include Pal's Shanty...
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When Ringside's remodel is complete, that also would make the cut. Best steaks in town? Maybe.
White Eagle is now a McMenamin's, but it's one of the most storied bars in town.
Some of those old Chinatown places might count - sit at the bar at Republic and chat up the bartender to talk about old times.
Good question...
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Poor Richard's on Sandy in the Hollywood district is like a time machine that will transport you not only back to the mid Sixties but also to the Midwest.
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Poor Richard's Restaurant
3907 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232
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Clyde's Prime Rib on Sandy in the ne 50s
Rheinlander (also on Sandy around there)
Taste Tickler subs on ne bwy/14th (there since 1971)
Char Burger in Cascade Locks
Fong Chong in Chinatown
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Taste Tickler
1704 NE 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97212
Char Burger
745 NW Wa-Na-PA St, Cascade Locks, OR 97014
Clyde's Prime Rib Restaurant & Bar
5474 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
Fong Chong Restaurant
301 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
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Some great suggestions here, thanks.
We hit up Stanich's last weekend, then bopped over to the Spare Room. Can't believe I grew up here and have never had a Stanich's burger. The Spare Room is so classic, if you haven't been there, go! Old Portland at its best.
I've been meaning to peak into Poor Richard's. Putting it on the list!
We used to go to the Char Burger growing up. What a great location. I dropped in there a year or so ago though and the food was atrocious. Don't remember it being so bad! We used to eat at the Char Burger in Beaverton as well growing up.
And Taste Tickler? I live within blocks but never found a compelling reason to eat there. orezscu do you like their subs?
MichaelG, going to take your suggestion for bar-chatting at the Republic. Chinatown must have something good to eat (besides Ping)!
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Stanich's
4915 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213
Taste Tickler
1704 NE 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97212
Poor Richard's Restaurant
3907 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232
Char Burger
745 NW Wa-Na-PA St, Cascade Locks, OR 97014
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blackbirdpie:
Taste Tickler is a solid "all American" sub, but the ingredients are fairly run of the mill. More Subway than Bunk, but definitely a notch above Subway.
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Taste Tickler
1704 NE 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97212
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How was Stanich's. I have always wanted to go.
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Stanich's
4915 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213
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jpc8015:
Stanich's was worth the trip. My friend gave me some sage advice before I went.
1. Get the "special"
2. Once you pick it up, don't put it down, just keep eating it.
Most of the charm lies in the place itself, which was precisely what I was looking for...felt sports pennants covering the wall, old formica bar and short order grill, claims of the "world's greatest hamburger". The burger's outrageously saucy. You may have to take a shower after eating it, but you'll be happy you did (eat it, that is).
Surprisingly, I may have found another contender for the worst fries in town. They're in a dead heat with McMenamins. Hopefully, you're not going there for the fries.
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Stanich's
4915 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213
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Here's another contender for worst fries: l'Afrique Bistro. Soggy and gross. Far worse than McMen's.
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Jake's downtown has an excellent look and the food's pretty traditional. And then there's that soda fountain out on Sandy around 70th(??) -- I haven't been yet, but looks pretty old-school. Sorry, don't know the name.
Anyway, I love your list, love those kinda places....
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Old school? Your list has to include Red Coach on Broadway, Nick's Conney Island on Hawthorne, Tom's Restaurant on Division & SE 39th and that Pancake place on SE Powell and 11th. Old school Americana.
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Red Coach Restaurant
615 SW Broadway Ste 102, Portland, OR 97205
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Love Saylor's Country Kitchen. FIL started going there when they were in their previous location across the street when he was in high school. So it has been a family haunt for over 50 years.
I would also add Helvetia Tavern in Hillsboro and Nonna Emilia's in Aloha.
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Sayler's Old Country Kitchen
10519 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97216
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Original Pancake House on SW Barbur Blvd. Hubers in downtown Portland.
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We like Jake's Famour Crawfish and London Grill @ The Benson, both of these places are what I would consider "old school." The Benson is a historic hotel in downtown Portland. Enjoy your time in Portland! :)
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London Grill
309 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
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Thanks again all. We've got a great list going here. Next outing is in a couple of weeks - overwhelmed by good choices. Will report back.
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Have to add a couple, even though it's been a while. Hung Far Low, just for the name. I've never managed to eat there (tried once, but the waitress's cigarette ash was just too long for comfort. Seriously), but I have a Chinese-American friend who thinks it's a classic.
The Virginia Cafe. New location (across from downtown library), but same kinda place. Also, if you're into Chinese, you MUST try Om Seafood, out on SE Powell at about 75th.
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Hung Far Low
2410 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97216
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