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Portland GAF I'm Visiting in Two Weeks. Must Eat Food Places??

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If you are in Beaverton, Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya is amazing, it's from Japanese chain and is one of their first restaurants in US (so I've been told).

I live right near this one but only went once and favor a few other spots. It's not bad and they do offer a lot of options and have the best decor.

Alright, the Ramen spots I've hit that I would say are worth the time and the money:

Noraneko
This place is right by OMSI, too. You gotta visit OMSI, btw.

Izakaya Kichinto
Right by the Wonder Ballroom (and the aforementioned Russell St. BBQ)

Boxer Ramen
There's a couple of these around town (owned by the Blue Star Donuts/Little Big Burger people) but I really like the one on Alberta.

Hapa
Got food carts on west and east sides. Amazing stuff.

Kayo's Ramen Bar
The ramen would be top-notch even if they didn't give you two eggs per bowl.

I haven't gone to Biwa or Mirakutei, yet, but people speak pretty highly of em. I'd also put in a word for House of Ramen downtown, which looks basically like a convenience store with tables, and is definitely not trying to class the dish up any, but can't deny: They make good soup.

Your comment on Kayo's Ramen seems insane to me as my roommate and I tend to always add egg to our ramen. Two eggs is not entirely uncommon and we pay extra for that honor!

To go with my above reply I suggest Ramen Ryoma. Not much to look at and it's attached to a popular Japanese store but my roommate and I have begun going here the most for Ramen out on the west side.

Also, a little hole in the wall with barely even a sign is Yuzu in Beaverton. They do offer ramen but they have plenty of other options. I typically get a katsudon and my roommate and I split an appetizer or two each time we go. The tamago karokke is always ordered.

Lastly, if you want Japanese curry you can order that at Ramen Ryoma but you really should head downtown and check out Kale. Or rather Kalè or however the e looks. They essentially just do curry with a very basic menu. I've always been a fan.
 

el jacko

Member
I'd like to know from any locals if Afuri is any good. They're considered one of the "cool" ramen chains in Tokyo, where they make an accessible but interesting broth, and it seems they picked Portland to ensure a similar soup quality - but I've heard nothing about their US branch, other than that it exists.
 
I'd like to know from any locals if Afuri is any good. They're considered one of the "cool" ramen chains in Tokyo, where they make an accessible but interesting broth, and it seems they picked Portland to ensure a similar soup quality - but I've heard nothing about their US branch, other than that it exists.

Afuri is great but it was the small plates (including sushi rolls) and grilled items that impressed me over the ramen. I might need to try all of the broth options before I give a true verdict but I might not ever try the ramen again over the izakaya stuff.

The restaurant itself is also really impressive. Super high ceiling and exposed ventilation shafts and shit. I hope they do well and stick around.
 

Timedog

good credit (by proxy)
So supposedly there's some Asian place near 82nd, I think it might be on glisan, that's all boarded up in the front and you have to go to a side door, and theres a sign on the door that sags "this is not a restaurant", but you go inside and there's porn all over the walls and it has amazing food. Has anyone heard about this or was someone pulling my leg?
 

Futureman

Member
I ate an edible a few hours before we went, but I swear Apizza schols was one of the best pizzas I ever had. Loved it.

Otherwise it's not too hard to find good places w/ Google Maps/Yelp.

hwalker, I'm from Pittsburgh also!
 
I ate an edible a few hours before we went, but I swear Apizza schols was one of the best pizzas I ever had. Loved it.

Otherwise it's not too hard to find good places w/ Google Maps/Yelp.

Yeah I still think that place is great even though it has a lot more competition now. It's good because the wait isn't as long as it used to be.

There's also Scottie's on 22nd and Division now and apparently after 10 pm on saturday they just start cooking gigantic pizzas for some reason.

https://www.scottiespizzaparlor.com/afterdark
 
Scotties is real good. The secret Japanese porn place is called Tanuki.

I remember when Tanuki was in NW. I loved that place and the owner was crazy in a good way. One time I got roped into going there with an annoying group of acquaintances and she never served us lol. She never told us to leave but she was clearly annoyed so we just sat there. I understood why she was annoyed so I thought it was funny and all these people acted like it was the end of the world.

Never been to the newer location. I should go check it out.
 

noire

Unconfirmed Member
So supposedly there's some Asian place near 82nd, I think it might be on glisan, that's all boarded up in the front and you have to go to a side door, and theres a sign on the door that sags "this is not a restaurant", but you go inside and there's porn all over the walls and it has amazing food. Has anyone heard about this or was someone pulling my leg?

Sounds like Tanuki. Right by the Ya Hala and The Observatory.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tanuki-portland-2

Edit: Oops, beaten.
 

soco

Member
There's also Scottie's on 22nd and Division now and apparently after 10 pm on saturday they just start cooking gigantic pizzas for some reason.

https://www.scottiespizzaparlor.com/afterdark

Pizza Nostra up near Pips also does huge (26") pizzas (but only with cheese) and they're only 20$ and only for pickup, but they're surprisingly good.

Never tried things other than that there, though.


I wanted to like Pips but for the wait, it was just kinda eh. But I also don't care much for cake donuts. Fun to watch though.
 

brau

Member
Scotties is real good. The secret Japanese porn place is called Tanuki.

ax232-2c60-9jpg-4b1f32ed7691c569.jpg


Much loud. Too Dark.
 

Eppy Thatcher

God's had his chance.
Fire on the mountain, Lardo, Salted Straw, Nostrana, mississippi pizza... so many good places.

Just don't go to Voodoo donuts... they're garbage.

I wanted to like Pips but for the wait, it was just kinda eh. But I also don't care much for cake donuts. Fun to watch though.

I said GOOD DAY SIR

edit2: I seen some people recommend ScreenDoor here in this thread and my girlfriend is adamant that we go and get some fried chicken like ... REAL soon... Tell me Portlandgaf.. is it just the tits? I'm pretty sure it's gonna be our next date night...

edit3: damnit i hate these threads. Now i need PCG and Ground Kontrol drinks until I can't move. thanks guys.
 
edit2: I seen some people recommend ScreenDoor here in this thread and my girlfriend is adamant that we go and get some fried chicken like ... REAL soon... Tell me Portlandgaf.. is it just the tits? I'm pretty sure it's gonna be our next date night...

Screen Door is fine and worthy of a try. They're good about serving you drinks while you wait. As far as fried chicken goes they aren't my favorite because they only have fried chicken breast and I like whole pieces and eating off the bone.

As an aside, I really like their dessert. Some impressive lookin stuff comes out of there:

https://www.google.com/search?q=scr...ved=0ahUKEwjmnq6wnLvSAhVJOyYKHRhfAzgQ_AUIBygC
 
And when Gravy is way too fucking busy (because it's increasingly gotten that way on the weekends) head right across the street to Miss Delta, duck inside, and order the Southern Stack or the Chicken & Waffles.

Southern Stack is this unholy behemoth of biscuit/gravy/chicken/bacon/egg. I love it

My wife and I live right down the street from Miss Delta. There is no better hangover cure in the world than the Southern Stack. The chicken and waffles is excellent too. I always just end up getting a fried catfish po'boy though, which might be weird for a brunch thing, but it's so delicious.

edit2: I seen some people recommend ScreenDoor here in this thread and my girlfriend is adamant that we go and get some fried chicken like ... REAL soon... Tell me Portlandgaf.. is it just the tits? I'm pretty sure it's gonna be our next date night...

Well, obviously if she's adamant about going, you're going to end up going. Screen Door is good, but not worth the wait, especially in the winter months; I don't care if their food is made of Amazonian sex nectar, I'm not waiting 45 minutes in freezing rain for it. If you get there early and it's a pleasant evening, it's not so bad; stand around with a nice julep and enjoy some pleasant company. Portland really seems to love the "we don't take reservations, just stand around waiting in the cold" idea of dining, which is frankly baffling given our climate. 8 months out of the year, eating out is just an exercise in torture.
 

soco

Member
secret best donuts in the city



I fucking love this place. Amazing food. The Observatory right down the way is really delicious, as well.

I've always wanted to try Annies. Heavenly donuts out on 122nd and Glisan is decent too.


Montavilla brew works is also pretty good the few times I've been. Hours are odd, but if you can catch it open it's totally worthwhile.


There's a Russian bakery out past 82nd in SE that's pretty interesting, but it caters to immigrants; ie didn't seem very Americanized at all. Interesting food and pastry selection.
 

Sumidor

Member
Afuri is great but it was the small plates (including sushi rolls) and grilled items that impressed me over the ramen. I might need to try all of the broth options before I give a true verdict but I might not ever try the ramen again over the izakaya stuff.

The restaurant itself is also really impressive. Super high ceiling and exposed ventilation shafts and shit. I hope they do well and stick around.
They've already confirmed a second location in Portland.

I've had a few of the ramen bowls there and I think they're well done, but the izakaya is what brings me back. Marukin has a better flavor to me personally. But I like the heavier broths, where Afuri is known for having a bit more complex and lighter yuzu broth.

Also for Screen Door, if you're just going with one other person, sitting at the bar is so much faster. The longest I've ever had to wait for a seat at the bar is like 10 minutes and that was in the middle of the brunch rush.
 
Toro Bravo was one of the best tapas style meals I've had. Tough to go wrong with many of the places in this thread. Portland is definitely one of the foodie capitols of the US right now and the food carts make great food accessible to any budget.
 

LOLCats

Banned
what was that hip place i went to recently... it was pretty good.

Doug Fir Lounge. We had a good time and i liked the food and atmosphere.
 

hwalker84

Member
Should arrive Thursday @ 11am.

Staying near Hilsboro.

Any bomb Ramen places close by? I'll scour this thread soon and get 1-3 places down that I need to try. I only have Thursday, Sunday and Monday to do my own thing.
 

Cherubae

Member
I don't know about ramen in Hillsboro, but Ochoa's right off of 10th has some pretty tasty tacos. My dear loves the al pastor tacos.

If you go west into Cedar Mills you can find Kizuki ramen. My dear has gone to Yuzu and didn't find it all that impressive. Another ramen that wasn't great is Toshi's (185th/Baseline), but the other items on their menu are enjoyable.
 

hwalker84

Member
I don't know about ramen in Hillsboro, but Ochoa's right off of 10th has some pretty tasty tacos. My dear loves the al pastor tacos.

If you go west into Cedar Mills you can find Kizuki ramen. My dear has gone to Yuzu and didn't find it all that impressive. Another ramen that wasn't great is Toshi's (185th/Baseline), but the other items on their menu are enjoyable.
Looks like Kazuki is 12 mins away. I'm going to try and hit that up today.
 

hwalker84

Member
Hit Kazuki but it's called something else in the outside. Menus still Kazuki. Very satisfied. Now to decide what's next Sunday and Monday.
 

Cherubae

Member
It used to be called Kukai, but apparently that is some form of vulgarity in the South Pacific, so they changed the shop's name (or so I've been told).

I always see a lot of people going into Ramen Ryori since opened last fall or so. It's also in the same building as Uwajimaya and Kinokuniya if you wanted to browse through asian groceries and Japanese books.
 
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