Good Cheap eats in downtown pdx and near colliseum

[Laurie2515]

Hey,
My boyfriend and I are spending the weekend in Portland. We want good food, semi-romantic, but on a pretty tight budget.
Were looking for a dinner place near the arlene schnitzer concert hall -$60 budget for 2 people
a breakfast place near the same area -$10-15 per person
a dinner place near the coliseum -$10-15 per person

Any ideas/advice would be VERY appreciated!! Thanks so much.

[Leonardo]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/705036
"New to the Portland Board? Read this First.

[MyNextMeal]

Veritable Quandry might work for your first dinner - but it's pushing it on the price tag. They do have a cheaper bar menu depending on if you are big eaters. Also check the bistro side of Higgins.

Coliseum-area is a culinary wasteland. You'd be better off eating in downtown/oldtown/pearl and then taking the light-rail MAX to the coliseum. Search for good happy hours - I'd consider Davis Street Tavern.

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

[Nettie]

I'm a little stumped on the "semi-romantic" part--that seems pretty difficult on a tight budget. I would go for Clyde Common for the downtown area. While it's not romantic, because they might seat you at a communal table, they have a fair number of less expensive options on the menu and the food is really good. Kenny and Zukes next door might be good for breakfast, although that's not a meal I'm really into (I prefer a latte and pastry, if anything).

There's not a lot right around Memorial Coliseum, as mentioned. There are good options in the lower Burnside area, which is about a mile away (I would call that walkable). In that area for your budget I'd recommend Biwa, especially the soups, which run around $10. If you start adding on skewers or such your bill is going to climb pretty fast, however.

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Clyde Common
1014 SW Stark St, Portland, OR 97205

Biwa
215 SE 9th Ave Ste 102, Portland, OR 97214

[MichaelG]

Nicholas near the Convention Center (not far from Coliseum) is nice, especially if you like middle eastern food. Another option is Ping in Old Town Chinatown,.Just walk a few blocks to the OTCT Max station and it will take you right to the Coliseum.