The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - Portland, OR
A guide to Portland's best inexpensive restaurants. by Marie Richie
Only in a town with as many incredible restaurants as Portland will you find so many of them offering such great values. Some are positively cheap for the large portions and high quality you receive. When you're looking for food that won't break the budget, Portland doesn't disappoint if you know where to go.
TONEY BENTO 1423 SE 37TH Ave. Portland, OR 97214 (503)-234-4441
Those not familiar with the West Coast may wonder just what the heck bento is. Essentially, it's meat and vegetables with sauce (often teriyaki) on rice or soba noodles. Native to Japan, this simple box lunch is done right at Toney Bento's. Sit inside the tiny dining room or grab a seat outside on the avenue. Daily lunch specials will fill you with healthy food for less than $5. The chicken teriyaki is especially popular. For just a dollar more, add some gyoza (veggie-filled, steamed dumplings). Sushi is available, but those in the know stick with the namesake bento. A great selection of reasonably priced beverages round out this neighborhood favorite.
Average entrée: $4
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
INDIA CHAAT HOUSE 804 SW 12th Ave. Portland, OR 97205 (503)-830-4576
This downtown favorite boasts Punjabi cuisine so good even spice-wimps love it. The tiny downtown location is open for breakfast and dinner, too. For the incredibly low price of $4.75, the lunch special boasts 5 courses that will give you enough food for two including free naan and rice. Not satisfied with being 100% vegetarian, the India Chaat House has recently become one of the growing numbers of vegan restaurants in town. With a constantly rotating selection of side dishes, there's plenty to choose from, even if you're used to carnivorous fare. If by some miracle you have room left for dessert, add some tasty rice pudding for just a dollar more.
Average entrée: $5
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
NO FISH, GO FISH 3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Suite A Portland, OR 97214-5258 (503)-235-5378
What started as a lunch cart downtown, these soup and sandwich purveyors were so wildly successful, they opened up a restaurant on Hawthorne to serve their unique "fish" sandwiches. The signature dish is a hand-sized cornmeal cake in the shape of a fish, filled with a wide variety of items, though not fish. For just $5 you'll get two with a pint of soup. At least four soups are made fresh each day from scratch. In fact, there are over 80 house recipes in constant, seasonal rotation. Now serving breakfast and sporting a full bar with inventive cocktails, lunches remain the best deal. Bring cash.
Average entrée: $5-7
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Closed, New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
VITA CAFE 3024 NE Alberta St Portland, OR 97211 (503)-335-8233
In the heart of artsy Alberta Street, the Vita Cafe serves an eclectic mix of vegetarian and omnivorous foods in a pleasant community atmosphere. Breakfast is served all day as are cocktails from the recently added full bar. Enjoy the patio and bocce ball court during dry weather. A haven for vegetarian diners, you'll find an incredible variety of meat-free items as well as burgers. The menu is local and organic where possible. Those with children will appreciate the kid's happy hour from 5-7pm, featuring a selection of $1 items. Coloring book menus and high chairs are also available, making this a very kid-friendly place.
Average entrée: $6-8
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed
AYBLA MEDETERRAINIAN GRILL 925 SW Alder St. Portland, OR 97205 (503)-490-3387
Don't let the humble exterior of this tiny building fool you -- these are the best gyros in town, maybe the West Coast. Always fresh and made of local, Organic ingredients from the local farmers’ market, Chef Saied relies on word of mouth to bring a flood of customers his way every afternoon. If you don't usually like lamb, prepare to have your mind changed. If not, there’s moist and perfectly seasoned chicken available. Everything is made by hand from the dolmas to the tyropita in authentic Cretan style. Stuff yourself for less than $5 on healthy sandwiches, mezza and salads.
Average entrée: $5
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
HONKIN' HUGE BURRITOS Pioneer Square Portland, OR 97205 honkinhuge@comcast.net (no phone)
One of Portland's oldest and most beloved lunch carts, Shelly has been creating burritos larger than several European countries since 1991. For only $4.75 one will be made before your eyes and to your specifications from her comprehensive list of usual toppings. Those ordering their burrito vegan-style receive a discount. Top your two-fisted tortilla with a bottle from their extensive hot sauce selection. Eat anywhere on the bricks in Pioneer Square, affectionately called “Portland’s living room.” For only $1.75 more, add a fresh-squeezed lemonade made from real lemons and homemade simple syrup, while the weather's nice.
Average entrée: $4.75
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Closed, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
POK-POK SHACK 3226 SE Division St Portland, OR 97202 (503)-232-1387
Hours: (Mon-Sat) 11:30am-10:00pm
It's not often you can scratch an itch for truly authentic Northern Thai cuisine in a quiet, residential neighborhood. Not to be confused with the more upscale "Pok Pok Restaurant and Whiskey Tonic Lounge" next door, the shack has an abbreviated menu that hits all the high notes. For just $7.50, you can get a whole game hen, roasted crisp and delicately seasoned with lemongrass and garlic. Don't miss the shredded green papaya and pork salad. Picnic tables are covered and heated during the winter months. Expect to pay with cash. Not your ordinary take out, you can expect a well-balanced milieu of flavors rarely seen in a paper box.
Average entrée: $6
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Closed, New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
EL GRILLO 703 SW Ankeny Portland, OR 97205 (503)-241-0462
In a town full of "North of the Boarder" Mexican food, El Grillo is delivers the real deal downtown. Open late, it's a perfect spot to end the evening or ready yourself for the next round. This tacqueria, tucked into the corner behind one of the oldest strip-clubs in Portland, delivers punk-rock ambiance and fast, good food. Mexican sodas and beers are self-serve from the cooler. Should you dine in, you'll notice a brisk take out business. The short menu is augmented with daily specials. Generous self-serve condiments include a nice selection of sauces. Bring cash, though perhaps not your parents.
Average entrée: $4
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed
PHÔ VAN 1919 SE 82nd Ave. Portland, OR (503)-788-5244
This, the first of several phô houses on the Eastside, remains the best. Recently remodeled, the dining area is expansive and full of natural light from the giant skylights above. The phô (Vietnamese beef broth soup) is reasonably priced, and so full of vegetables and noodles; you may not be able to finish it. A wide variety of traditional entrees also await you. Don't miss the stuffed rice crepes or the spring rolls. The wait staff is friendly (though not always quick when stuffed with multi-generational families), with recommendations from the extensive menu. Don't miss the ginger crème bruleè if you've got room and a few extra dollars.
Average entrée: $7
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open
DOT’S CAFÉ 2521 SE Clinton St. Portland, OR 97202 (503)-235-0203
Hours: (Daily) 12:00pm-2:00am
Travel back in time, or at least to the coolest thrift store ever, when you enter the genuine, mid-century bunker that is the legendary Dot's. Pool is still only a quarter here and you can get a Lime Rikki from the full bar. A full selection of inexpensive Mexican offerings and cheesy fries are the perfect hipster comfort food. There are plenty of options for all tastes, including a large selection of burgers and sandwiches. Many indulgent vegetarian items are also available. It can be very crowded on weekend nights. Only cash or cheques are accepted, but there's an ATM on site.
Average entrée: $7
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - Portland, OR