Gulch Guides

Authentic Mexican at La Sirenita

La Sirenita (2817 NE Alberta / 503-335-8283) is a taqueria that serves up some of the most authentic Mexican food you’ll find in Portland. Cheap and tasty, most items on the large menu are under $5 and tacos go for $1.50. It’s often crowded but it’s worth the wait - the basic interior and lack of atmosphere only underscores how good the food is. Munching on some tacos al pastor will quickly transport you and your taste buds out of the drizzly Portland rain to a sunnier and spicier place.

The Paradox Palace Cafe & Vita

The Paradox Palace Cafe (3439 SE Belmont 232-7508) & Vita (3024 NE Alberta, 335-8233) - These mostly vegan restaurants are run by the same people. Paradox has more of a diner feel, and Vita is a bit more upscale. Even non-veggie lovers will often like their food. At Vita, try the chicken fried steak (yes it's vegetarian), and at Paradox you can't go wrong with an order spicy potatos & biscuits and gravy. You'll find a few meat dishes, but its mostly vegan. Breakfast served all day, and vegan desserts are available.

The Farm Cafe

The Farm Cafe (10 SE 7th Ave / 503-736-3276) serves fresh, organic food made with local ingrediants in a funky little house in a busy part of Portland. It has a good selection of vegetarian items and usually something vegan is available. However, I usually don't go there for dinner; instead, the real reason to venture to the Farm Cafe is for their chocolate souffle. Rich is too poor of a word to describe this luscious bit of chocolate perfection, which they top with coffee ice cream. I've heard from real Parisians (although they might not be willing to put it in writing) that the souffle is as good as, if not better than, the stuff you can find in Paris.

Queen of Sheba

Queen of Sheba (2413 NE ML King Blvd 287-6302) serves some of the best Ethiopian food that we have ever eaten. It's a family run business with very nice and very busy waitstaff. The food is excellent, plentiful and inexpensive. Our favorite is the veggie sampler plate, where each person chooses three dishes and it is all served on a huge plate of injera, a type of spongy flat bread. Everyone digs in (yes, with your fingers) and shares from the same plate. Don't miss the chickpea cracker stew, the sauteed lentils, and the potato & carrot dish. Also try their tea, either with or without a kick of ouzo.

Southern With Style

The Delta Cafe (4607 SE Woodstock 771-3101) - Southern food, huge portions, great prices in a funky atmosphere. Drinks include huge glasses of iced tea, 40 oz PBR served in a bucket of ice, and a wide variety of other fun sipping liquids. For vegetarians/vegans, try the southern sampler, where you choose 3 different side dishes to make up you meal. It's a favorite with Reed College students, so during the school year, go early so you don't have to wait.

Cuban Cookin'

Pambiche (2811 NE Glisan / 233-0511) is a little bit of Havana in NE Portland. It makes amazing food and interesting drinks. The atmosphere is fun, bright & colorful and they have some nice happy hour specials on drinks and appetizers. The menu has at least one really good vegan option and there are plenty of other vegetarian options. It does get crowded and there is often a wait.

Voodoo Doughnuts

There is a popular bumper sticker in Portland that reads “Keep Portland Weird." Voodoo Doughnuts (22 SW 3rd / 503-241-4704) takes that message to heart and applies it to, well, donuts. This small donut store comes with plenty of attitude and is open 24 hours. It is located in the heart of downtown’s bar and club area, which makes it a great place to grab a late night snack. It is also extremely popular but with good reason – the donuts are very good (if not somewhat pricey). They come in unusual flavors and on their donut racks you can also find that rarity: vegan donuts that taste good.

Voodoo Doughnuts is located near the former headquarters of the 24-Hour Church of Elvis, a sadly now closed pioneer in the weird Portland business model. However, in a similar spirit, Voodoo Doughnuts also offer full service, legal weddings (coffee and donuts included).

Raw Fish

Portland has a wide variety of sushi places. Easily the best in town is Saburo's (1667 SE Bybee / 503-236-4237). A great Japanese resturant in a very small space, their sushi is simply amazing! There are often long waits, especially if you come later.

For something quickier and cheaper (but still good) try Sushi Takahashi (24 NW Broadway / 503-224-3417) with its sushi train. Patrons sit at a large counter and grab items off a model train as it circles around the sushi makers. You can also put in orders if you don't see what you want. Items range between $1 to $3 and they also make good vegan miso soup.