Eating (and Drinking) Portland

Portland, Oregon is known for it's breweries, doughnuts and it's innovative cuisine. On my recent trip there - which lasted a mere 24 hours - I ate a few of it's more famous foods. And visited a few of it's breweries. Come along as we eat and drink in the City of Roses!




Voodoo Doughnuts
There are three Voodoo Doughnuts locations in Portland - one is in the food truck area known as Cartlandia - and when I found out I was staying right around the corner from one, well, that was all I needed. This counter service, cash only doughnut shop is synonomous with Portland. There are over 50 types of doughnuts that come in those famous pink boxes. And I saw quite a few people carrying them downtown.






I had heard mixed reviews about Voodoo - some say Blue Star are far superior - but I knew I had to try them. We visited around 11 at night so the line was super short. We bought a dozen - including the old dirty bastard (a yeast doughtnut with chocolate frosting, oreo cookies and peanut butter), a classic apple fritter, and the famous Portland Cream (yeast with Bavarian cream with chocolate icing) and the Bacon Maple Bar.




Now take this review with a grain of salt because I've never met a doughnut that I didn't like. And I really liked these. Every one that I ate or even tasted was delicious. So if you're in Portland and you want to see what all the hype is about get yourself to a Voodoo Doughnuts. What can it hurt anyways?

Salt and Straw Ice Cream
I tasted Salt and Straw at the NW 23rd Street location known as the Wiz Bang Bar which is cool in and of itself. It's in the very unique Pine Street Market in the Esquire building and it's billed as a soft serve dessert bar. The Pine Street Market is a food hall with 9 restaurants including Bless Your Heart Burgers and Pollo Bravo.

Salt and Straw, started by 2 cousins, is not only known for it's unique flavors - I had the Rhubarb Honey Frozen Yogurt which was extremely light and refreshing - but it's also known for making unique flavors out of rescued food such as Lemon Curd & Whey, Toasted Baguette PB&J and Gin Spices and Tonic. Unfortunately, I didn't even think of taking a photo - plus I didn't have a camera or phone with me as I walked around eating my ice cream in a homemade waffle cone. Next time I'll have to try their some of their rescued flavors!

Portland City Grill
It was such a sunny day that the front desk clerk at our hotel suggested we check out Happy Hour at the Portland City Grill. Located on the 30th floor of the US Bancorp building, this restaurant has skyline views. We still couldn't see Mt. Hood but we did have awesome views of the city and a light dinner of their Happy Hour specials -I've never met a mac n cheese I didn't like so I went with the Poblano Mac n Cheese featuring the local Tillamook White Cheddar and Mr. UR had the Spicy Chili-Garlic Pork Riblets. Both were delicious. Side note: Happy Hour Specials are only valid in the lounge. The restaurant looks like a special occasion place but you can also dine there.











Deschutes Brewery
Named after Oregon's Deschutes River, the Deschutes Brewery and Public House in Portland has 26 beers on tap - some brewed exclusively for this Portland location. We spent about an hour there - enjoyed a large pretzel and some spiced nuts, saw about 8 million burgers delivered to other tables - and enjoyed some Deschutes brews. Check out that carving!





10 Barrel Brewing
We headed over to the rooftop deck of 10 Barrel Brewing in the Pearl district. Super crowded on such a nice day. But we managed to find a rooftop table and enjoy a beer or two - I opted for a sour. Which was quite good. Definitely a popular place!








Fat Head's Brewing
Our last stop of the day was Fat Head's Brewing. Originally based in Cleveland, this brewery has won numerous medals for it's beer. I tried the Bumble Berry Honey Blueberry Ale - my favorite of the day - and we split some apps. A nice place to sit for an hour of the afternoon. Good beer. Good company.







A fun day with gorgeous, sunny weather - and I finally got that view of Mt. Hood later in the day!

What is your favorite place to eat -or drink - in Portland?


This post is part of a link-up with: The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party and Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute!






Comments

  1. I was in Portland for far too short a time. All the food I had there was excellent. Hmm, bacon maple bar? That's one thing I probably wouldn't try.

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    1. Our time was too short also - and the bacon maple bar was definitely the favorite for the guys I was with. Must be the bacon - guys just seem to love it! Lol. Thanks for stopping by, Rhonda!

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  2. Portland overall is on my eating bucket list and Salt and Straw is #1 on my ice cream bucket list. Everyone always raves about them. Didn't know there were so many breweries. I'll have to add them to my Portland foodie list when I go someday.

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    1. Salt and Straw is definitely worth your ice cream bucket list - delicious! Thanks for visiting, Sarah!

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  3. I want to go to Portland, stay at least three days and eat as much as possible. I am looking for options for the fall. The city may be a good alternative. Oh, and 50 different types of donuts. Wow! Sounds like paradise! #wkendtravelinspiration

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    1. A foodie paradise for sure! Hope you enjoy it if you go in the fall, Ruth! Thanks for visiting!

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  4. there is nothing bad to say about good donuts and good local beer. My daughter loves bacon on a donut, but i would have gone for bavarian cream. and I love rhubarb; i think it is vastly underappreciated. I think you made the most of you time!

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    1. I'm a big rhubarb fan also - my great aunt used to put rhubarb in every pie should made and they were delicious! Thanks for stopping by, eileen!

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  5. I have to be honest, the only reason why I clicked was for the donuts! haha I do miss me some good ol' American donuts! #wkendtravelinspiration
    (www.caliglobetrotter.com)

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    1. Beer and doughnuts - nothing better, right? Glad you decided to visit!

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  6. It's been a long time since I went to Portland, but I remember it as a very beautiful city with lots of good eateries. Judging from your post, I'd say you have a sweet tooth like I do. If for nothing else, I should go back to Portland to eat some of those donuts. They look so appealing! #TravelWeekendInspiration

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    1. You're right - I do have a sweet tooth! And doughnuts are a favorite! Hope you make it back to Portland for some Voodoo Doughnuts! Thanks for visiting!

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  7. Looks like a lot of places for some great food and beer! Hoping to get out to Portland soon. We've been wanting to go for awhile now and this makes us want to go more! Need to book mark this for when we finally make it there. We need some of those donuts! We'll be official taste testers! Brian - www.eatworktravel.com

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    1. Such a city for food and beer! The food trucks alone will keep you fed for awhile :) Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road, Brian!

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  8. Beer and donuts, it just get much better than that! I love Voodoo, and they have managed to keep their quality despite their fame. Thanks for linking in to #wkendtravelinspiration!

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    1. I wholeheartedly agree! And thanks for the link-up and the visit!

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