Brooke Geery

hawthorne

No Fish, Go Fish

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.nofishgofish.com Date of Visit: Oct 27, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16.50 The concept of No Fish, Go Fish is great. A lunch place that basically just serves soup and sandwiches. Ingenious really. For $6 you get a giant bowl of your choice of the 4 soups of the day and your choice of two sammies from the lengthy menu. I am sorry that I just referred them as "sammies," but when you get a petite pressed sandwich shaped like a fish, I really feel like it's the appropriate term. There are a also a few other items on the menu (fried stuff, pasta and…
Read More

Oasis Cafe

3701 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.oasispizza.com Date of Visit: October 26, 2009 Price for 2: $16.75 I was trying to decide what makes a slice of pizza perfect for me and I realized I don't know. It's just the sort of thing where you bite into and say, damn this is a great slice of pizza. But like everything in life, it's going to be different for everyone. And honestly, I don't even really like pizza that much. Call me un-American, but rarely when we head off for lunch do I say, I really want a slice of pizza right now! But unfortunately for me, there are two people on this…
Read More

McMenamin’s Bagdad Pub

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9 Date of visit: October 23, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip and lunch beer): $23.70 Today was the final day of our goal within a goal of the 4600 block of Hawthorne, but as we drove towards Thai Thai, we passed the Bagdad Pub. Seeing the big windows filled with happy dinners enjoying their microbrews on a miserable, rainy Portland day made me realize: I wanted a lunch beer! So we turned the car around and headed back to Bagdad, one of two McMenamin's options on Hawthorne Bvld. The Bagdad (they spell it wrong, not me) is part of the chain of Portland restaurants famous…
Read More

¿Por Qué No?

4635 SE Hawthorne http://www.porquenotacos.com/ Price for 2 (with tip): $21.50 ¿Por Qué No? is one of those places that the hipsters in Portland will tell you is the most amazing place around. And why wouldn't they, "why not" is the name of the restaurant after all. With two locations in the hip areas of Hawthorne and Mississippi, happy hour drinks, and seemingly cheap food, all served up in a casually-busy decor, Por Que No is a total hipster dream come true. Unfortunately, it's not actually very good. The food at ¿Por Qué No? is definitely not trying to be authentic Mexican (despite the over use of Spanish) but is more…
Read More

Toji Korea Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 21, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $18.90 Toji is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but trying to drag a vegetarian to a restaurant where one of the main options is roasting raw meat on a grill in the middle of your table has proven difficult. But since this week has been designated for the 4600 block, it had to happen and today we hit up the Grill. I guess I expected it to be expensive (it is designated with two dollar signs on Urbanspoon) and was pretty sure Jared would be forced to eat salad, so when…
Read More

East Side Deli

4626 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.pdxdeli.com Date of visit: October 20, 2009 Price for 2: $14.50 A good deli can actually be hard to find in Portland, so when a vegan friend told us we had to try East Side Deli, I was initially skeptical. But this place is hands down the best deli I have ever been to in Portland, and it just so happens it's on Hawthorne and in the 4600 block, at that. The sandwiches turned out of the open kitchen are huge and more importantly, completely customized with super high quality ingredients. No limp, shredded ice berg lettuce here, the stuff they use is fresh and leafy.…
Read More

Zach’s Shack

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.myspace.com/dogswithasnap Date of visit: October 19, 2009 Price for 2: $17 Today we realized the 4600 Block of Hawthorne may just be the ultimate lunch utopia. We originally set out to eat at Por Que No (more for review purposes than because we wanted to) but were distracted by the neighboring Zach's Shack and the East Side Deli. Also on this block is Dingo's (where this whole project started), Toji Korea Grill House, Thai Thai and Angelo's (which I'm a little scared of.) So for this week we've got a goal within a goal: eat at all of these places. Ok, so it will actually take…
Read More

Vincente’s Gourmet Pizza

1935 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 15, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $20 It is my firm belief that when you see the words "gourmet" and "pizza" together, you should not even consider going inside. But since the goal of this blog is to eat at every restaurant on Hawthorne, we were going to have to bite the gourmet bullet and eat at Vincente's eventually, so today was the day. I should also note I have been here before, but only for drinking purposes while waiting for movies to start and Cinemagic across the street. But this was my first pizza/lunch experience. The slice options were limited,…
Read More

Pho Van

3404 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 14, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $26 Though we've been to Pho Van's 82nd Ave location many times, this was the first visit to the somewhat more swank Hawthorne location. On the corner of 34th and Hawthorne, the booths here are divided by ornate woodwork, and the light fixtures are especially awesome, but this is a food blog, not about interior design. And since I've been to another Pho Van location, I knew what to expect in terms of food quality. The real test was the ambiance, and of course, the lunch specials. Ironically, Pho Van seems to have an anti-lunch…
Read More

Hawthorne Fish House

4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://hawthornefishhouse.com/ Date of visit: October 13, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip) $28.25 ($28.50 w/ dessert) On a cold, stormy Portland day I wanted something hearty and wholesome, so I figured fish and chips would be just the ticket. So we headed to Hawthorne Fish House, just for the halibut. No wait, because we cod. Ahahahahaha. Ok, I'm done now. The sign on Hawthorne Fish House (sister location to Corbett Fish House on the west side) says "Portland's Best Fish and Chips." Now this isn't a small claim, since this city is filled with amazing food. To say you have the BEST of anything is quite…
Read More

No Fish, Go Fish

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.nofishgofish.com Date of Visit: Oct 27, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16.50 The concept of No Fish, Go Fish is great. A lunch place that basically just serves soup and sandwiches. Ingenious really. For $6 you get a giant bowl of your choice of the 4 soups of the day and your choice of two sammies from the lengthy menu. I am sorry that I just referred them as "sammies," but when you get a petite pressed sandwich shaped like a fish, I really feel like it's the appropriate term. There are a also a few other items on the menu (fried stuff, pasta and…
Read More

Oasis Cafe

3701 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.oasispizza.com Date of Visit: October 26, 2009 Price for 2: $16.75 I was trying to decide what makes a slice of pizza perfect for me and I realized I don't know. It's just the sort of thing where you bite into and say, damn this is a great slice of pizza. But like everything in life, it's going to be different for everyone. And honestly, I don't even really like pizza that much. Call me un-American, but rarely when we head off for lunch do I say, I really want a slice of pizza right now! But unfortunately for me, there are two people on this…
Read More

McMenamin’s Bagdad Pub

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9 Date of visit: October 23, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip and lunch beer): $23.70 Today was the final day of our goal within a goal of the 4600 block of Hawthorne, but as we drove towards Thai Thai, we passed the Bagdad Pub. Seeing the big windows filled with happy dinners enjoying their microbrews on a miserable, rainy Portland day made me realize: I wanted a lunch beer! So we turned the car around and headed back to Bagdad, one of two McMenamin's options on Hawthorne Bvld. The Bagdad (they spell it wrong, not me) is part of the chain of Portland restaurants famous…
Read More

¿Por Qué No?

4635 SE Hawthorne http://www.porquenotacos.com/ Price for 2 (with tip): $21.50 ¿Por Qué No? is one of those places that the hipsters in Portland will tell you is the most amazing place around. And why wouldn't they, "why not" is the name of the restaurant after all. With two locations in the hip areas of Hawthorne and Mississippi, happy hour drinks, and seemingly cheap food, all served up in a casually-busy decor, Por Que No is a total hipster dream come true. Unfortunately, it's not actually very good. The food at ¿Por Qué No? is definitely not trying to be authentic Mexican (despite the over use of Spanish) but is more…
Read More

Toji Korea Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 21, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $18.90 Toji is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but trying to drag a vegetarian to a restaurant where one of the main options is roasting raw meat on a grill in the middle of your table has proven difficult. But since this week has been designated for the 4600 block, it had to happen and today we hit up the Grill. I guess I expected it to be expensive (it is designated with two dollar signs on Urbanspoon) and was pretty sure Jared would be forced to eat salad, so when…
Read More

East Side Deli

4626 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.pdxdeli.com Date of visit: October 20, 2009 Price for 2: $14.50 A good deli can actually be hard to find in Portland, so when a vegan friend told us we had to try East Side Deli, I was initially skeptical. But this place is hands down the best deli I have ever been to in Portland, and it just so happens it's on Hawthorne and in the 4600 block, at that. The sandwiches turned out of the open kitchen are huge and more importantly, completely customized with super high quality ingredients. No limp, shredded ice berg lettuce here, the stuff they use is fresh and leafy.…
Read More

Zach’s Shack

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.myspace.com/dogswithasnap Date of visit: October 19, 2009 Price for 2: $17 Today we realized the 4600 Block of Hawthorne may just be the ultimate lunch utopia. We originally set out to eat at Por Que No (more for review purposes than because we wanted to) but were distracted by the neighboring Zach's Shack and the East Side Deli. Also on this block is Dingo's (where this whole project started), Toji Korea Grill House, Thai Thai and Angelo's (which I'm a little scared of.) So for this week we've got a goal within a goal: eat at all of these places. Ok, so it will actually take…
Read More

Vincente’s Gourmet Pizza

1935 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 15, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $20 It is my firm belief that when you see the words "gourmet" and "pizza" together, you should not even consider going inside. But since the goal of this blog is to eat at every restaurant on Hawthorne, we were going to have to bite the gourmet bullet and eat at Vincente's eventually, so today was the day. I should also note I have been here before, but only for drinking purposes while waiting for movies to start and Cinemagic across the street. But this was my first pizza/lunch experience. The slice options were limited,…
Read More

Pho Van

3404 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 14, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $26 Though we've been to Pho Van's 82nd Ave location many times, this was the first visit to the somewhat more swank Hawthorne location. On the corner of 34th and Hawthorne, the booths here are divided by ornate woodwork, and the light fixtures are especially awesome, but this is a food blog, not about interior design. And since I've been to another Pho Van location, I knew what to expect in terms of food quality. The real test was the ambiance, and of course, the lunch specials. Ironically, Pho Van seems to have an anti-lunch…
Read More

Hawthorne Fish House

4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://hawthornefishhouse.com/ Date of visit: October 13, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip) $28.25 ($28.50 w/ dessert) On a cold, stormy Portland day I wanted something hearty and wholesome, so I figured fish and chips would be just the ticket. So we headed to Hawthorne Fish House, just for the halibut. No wait, because we cod. Ahahahahaha. Ok, I'm done now. The sign on Hawthorne Fish House (sister location to Corbett Fish House on the west side) says "Portland's Best Fish and Chips." Now this isn't a small claim, since this city is filled with amazing food. To say you have the BEST of anything is quite…
Read More

No Fish, Go Fish

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.nofishgofish.com Date of Visit: Oct 27, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16.50 The concept of No Fish, Go Fish is great. A lunch place that basically just serves soup and sandwiches. Ingenious really. For $6 you get a giant bowl of your choice of the 4 soups of the day and your choice of two sammies from the lengthy menu. I am sorry that I just referred them as "sammies," but when you get a petite pressed sandwich shaped like a fish, I really feel like it's the appropriate term. There are a also a few other items on the menu (fried stuff, pasta and…
Read More

Oasis Cafe

3701 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.oasispizza.com Date of Visit: October 26, 2009 Price for 2: $16.75 I was trying to decide what makes a slice of pizza perfect for me and I realized I don't know. It's just the sort of thing where you bite into and say, damn this is a great slice of pizza. But like everything in life, it's going to be different for everyone. And honestly, I don't even really like pizza that much. Call me un-American, but rarely when we head off for lunch do I say, I really want a slice of pizza right now! But unfortunately for me, there are two people on this…
Read More

McMenamin’s Bagdad Pub

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9 Date of visit: October 23, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip and lunch beer): $23.70 Today was the final day of our goal within a goal of the 4600 block of Hawthorne, but as we drove towards Thai Thai, we passed the Bagdad Pub. Seeing the big windows filled with happy dinners enjoying their microbrews on a miserable, rainy Portland day made me realize: I wanted a lunch beer! So we turned the car around and headed back to Bagdad, one of two McMenamin's options on Hawthorne Bvld. The Bagdad (they spell it wrong, not me) is part of the chain of Portland restaurants famous…
Read More

¿Por Qué No?

4635 SE Hawthorne http://www.porquenotacos.com/ Price for 2 (with tip): $21.50 ¿Por Qué No? is one of those places that the hipsters in Portland will tell you is the most amazing place around. And why wouldn't they, "why not" is the name of the restaurant after all. With two locations in the hip areas of Hawthorne and Mississippi, happy hour drinks, and seemingly cheap food, all served up in a casually-busy decor, Por Que No is a total hipster dream come true. Unfortunately, it's not actually very good. The food at ¿Por Qué No? is definitely not trying to be authentic Mexican (despite the over use of Spanish) but is more…
Read More

Toji Korea Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 21, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $18.90 Toji is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but trying to drag a vegetarian to a restaurant where one of the main options is roasting raw meat on a grill in the middle of your table has proven difficult. But since this week has been designated for the 4600 block, it had to happen and today we hit up the Grill. I guess I expected it to be expensive (it is designated with two dollar signs on Urbanspoon) and was pretty sure Jared would be forced to eat salad, so when…
Read More

East Side Deli

4626 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.pdxdeli.com Date of visit: October 20, 2009 Price for 2: $14.50 A good deli can actually be hard to find in Portland, so when a vegan friend told us we had to try East Side Deli, I was initially skeptical. But this place is hands down the best deli I have ever been to in Portland, and it just so happens it's on Hawthorne and in the 4600 block, at that. The sandwiches turned out of the open kitchen are huge and more importantly, completely customized with super high quality ingredients. No limp, shredded ice berg lettuce here, the stuff they use is fresh and leafy.…
Read More

Zach’s Shack

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.myspace.com/dogswithasnap Date of visit: October 19, 2009 Price for 2: $17 Today we realized the 4600 Block of Hawthorne may just be the ultimate lunch utopia. We originally set out to eat at Por Que No (more for review purposes than because we wanted to) but were distracted by the neighboring Zach's Shack and the East Side Deli. Also on this block is Dingo's (where this whole project started), Toji Korea Grill House, Thai Thai and Angelo's (which I'm a little scared of.) So for this week we've got a goal within a goal: eat at all of these places. Ok, so it will actually take…
Read More

Vincente’s Gourmet Pizza

1935 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 15, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $20 It is my firm belief that when you see the words "gourmet" and "pizza" together, you should not even consider going inside. But since the goal of this blog is to eat at every restaurant on Hawthorne, we were going to have to bite the gourmet bullet and eat at Vincente's eventually, so today was the day. I should also note I have been here before, but only for drinking purposes while waiting for movies to start and Cinemagic across the street. But this was my first pizza/lunch experience. The slice options were limited,…
Read More

Pho Van

3404 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 14, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $26 Though we've been to Pho Van's 82nd Ave location many times, this was the first visit to the somewhat more swank Hawthorne location. On the corner of 34th and Hawthorne, the booths here are divided by ornate woodwork, and the light fixtures are especially awesome, but this is a food blog, not about interior design. And since I've been to another Pho Van location, I knew what to expect in terms of food quality. The real test was the ambiance, and of course, the lunch specials. Ironically, Pho Van seems to have an anti-lunch…
Read More

Hawthorne Fish House

4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://hawthornefishhouse.com/ Date of visit: October 13, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip) $28.25 ($28.50 w/ dessert) On a cold, stormy Portland day I wanted something hearty and wholesome, so I figured fish and chips would be just the ticket. So we headed to Hawthorne Fish House, just for the halibut. No wait, because we cod. Ahahahahaha. Ok, I'm done now. The sign on Hawthorne Fish House (sister location to Corbett Fish House on the west side) says "Portland's Best Fish and Chips." Now this isn't a small claim, since this city is filled with amazing food. To say you have the BEST of anything is quite…
Read More

No Fish, Go Fish

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.nofishgofish.com Date of Visit: Oct 27, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16.50 The concept of No Fish, Go Fish is great. A lunch place that basically just serves soup and sandwiches. Ingenious really. For $6 you get a giant bowl of your choice of the 4 soups of the day and your choice of two sammies from the lengthy menu. I am sorry that I just referred them as "sammies," but when you get a petite pressed sandwich shaped like a fish, I really feel like it's the appropriate term. There are a also a few other items on the menu (fried stuff, pasta and…
Read More

Oasis Cafe

3701 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.oasispizza.com Date of Visit: October 26, 2009 Price for 2: $16.75 I was trying to decide what makes a slice of pizza perfect for me and I realized I don't know. It's just the sort of thing where you bite into and say, damn this is a great slice of pizza. But like everything in life, it's going to be different for everyone. And honestly, I don't even really like pizza that much. Call me un-American, but rarely when we head off for lunch do I say, I really want a slice of pizza right now! But unfortunately for me, there are two people on this…
Read More

McMenamin’s Bagdad Pub

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9 Date of visit: October 23, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip and lunch beer): $23.70 Today was the final day of our goal within a goal of the 4600 block of Hawthorne, but as we drove towards Thai Thai, we passed the Bagdad Pub. Seeing the big windows filled with happy dinners enjoying their microbrews on a miserable, rainy Portland day made me realize: I wanted a lunch beer! So we turned the car around and headed back to Bagdad, one of two McMenamin's options on Hawthorne Bvld. The Bagdad (they spell it wrong, not me) is part of the chain of Portland restaurants famous…
Read More

¿Por Qué No?

4635 SE Hawthorne http://www.porquenotacos.com/ Price for 2 (with tip): $21.50 ¿Por Qué No? is one of those places that the hipsters in Portland will tell you is the most amazing place around. And why wouldn't they, "why not" is the name of the restaurant after all. With two locations in the hip areas of Hawthorne and Mississippi, happy hour drinks, and seemingly cheap food, all served up in a casually-busy decor, Por Que No is a total hipster dream come true. Unfortunately, it's not actually very good. The food at ¿Por Qué No? is definitely not trying to be authentic Mexican (despite the over use of Spanish) but is more…
Read More

Toji Korea Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 21, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $18.90 Toji is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but trying to drag a vegetarian to a restaurant where one of the main options is roasting raw meat on a grill in the middle of your table has proven difficult. But since this week has been designated for the 4600 block, it had to happen and today we hit up the Grill. I guess I expected it to be expensive (it is designated with two dollar signs on Urbanspoon) and was pretty sure Jared would be forced to eat salad, so when…
Read More

East Side Deli

4626 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.pdxdeli.com Date of visit: October 20, 2009 Price for 2: $14.50 A good deli can actually be hard to find in Portland, so when a vegan friend told us we had to try East Side Deli, I was initially skeptical. But this place is hands down the best deli I have ever been to in Portland, and it just so happens it's on Hawthorne and in the 4600 block, at that. The sandwiches turned out of the open kitchen are huge and more importantly, completely customized with super high quality ingredients. No limp, shredded ice berg lettuce here, the stuff they use is fresh and leafy.…
Read More

Zach’s Shack

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.myspace.com/dogswithasnap Date of visit: October 19, 2009 Price for 2: $17 Today we realized the 4600 Block of Hawthorne may just be the ultimate lunch utopia. We originally set out to eat at Por Que No (more for review purposes than because we wanted to) but were distracted by the neighboring Zach's Shack and the East Side Deli. Also on this block is Dingo's (where this whole project started), Toji Korea Grill House, Thai Thai and Angelo's (which I'm a little scared of.) So for this week we've got a goal within a goal: eat at all of these places. Ok, so it will actually take…
Read More

Vincente’s Gourmet Pizza

1935 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 15, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $20 It is my firm belief that when you see the words "gourmet" and "pizza" together, you should not even consider going inside. But since the goal of this blog is to eat at every restaurant on Hawthorne, we were going to have to bite the gourmet bullet and eat at Vincente's eventually, so today was the day. I should also note I have been here before, but only for drinking purposes while waiting for movies to start and Cinemagic across the street. But this was my first pizza/lunch experience. The slice options were limited,…
Read More

Pho Van

3404 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 14, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $26 Though we've been to Pho Van's 82nd Ave location many times, this was the first visit to the somewhat more swank Hawthorne location. On the corner of 34th and Hawthorne, the booths here are divided by ornate woodwork, and the light fixtures are especially awesome, but this is a food blog, not about interior design. And since I've been to another Pho Van location, I knew what to expect in terms of food quality. The real test was the ambiance, and of course, the lunch specials. Ironically, Pho Van seems to have an anti-lunch…
Read More

Hawthorne Fish House

4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://hawthornefishhouse.com/ Date of visit: October 13, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip) $28.25 ($28.50 w/ dessert) On a cold, stormy Portland day I wanted something hearty and wholesome, so I figured fish and chips would be just the ticket. So we headed to Hawthorne Fish House, just for the halibut. No wait, because we cod. Ahahahahaha. Ok, I'm done now. The sign on Hawthorne Fish House (sister location to Corbett Fish House on the west side) says "Portland's Best Fish and Chips." Now this isn't a small claim, since this city is filled with amazing food. To say you have the BEST of anything is quite…
Read More

No Fish, Go Fish

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.nofishgofish.com Date of Visit: Oct 27, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16.50 The concept of No Fish, Go Fish is great. A lunch place that basically just serves soup and sandwiches. Ingenious really. For $6 you get a giant bowl of your choice of the 4 soups of the day and your choice of two sammies from the lengthy menu. I am sorry that I just referred them as "sammies," but when you get a petite pressed sandwich shaped like a fish, I really feel like it's the appropriate term. There are a also a few other items on the menu (fried stuff, pasta and…
Read More

Oasis Cafe

3701 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.oasispizza.com Date of Visit: October 26, 2009 Price for 2: $16.75 I was trying to decide what makes a slice of pizza perfect for me and I realized I don't know. It's just the sort of thing where you bite into and say, damn this is a great slice of pizza. But like everything in life, it's going to be different for everyone. And honestly, I don't even really like pizza that much. Call me un-American, but rarely when we head off for lunch do I say, I really want a slice of pizza right now! But unfortunately for me, there are two people on this…
Read More

McMenamin’s Bagdad Pub

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9 Date of visit: October 23, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip and lunch beer): $23.70 Today was the final day of our goal within a goal of the 4600 block of Hawthorne, but as we drove towards Thai Thai, we passed the Bagdad Pub. Seeing the big windows filled with happy dinners enjoying their microbrews on a miserable, rainy Portland day made me realize: I wanted a lunch beer! So we turned the car around and headed back to Bagdad, one of two McMenamin's options on Hawthorne Bvld. The Bagdad (they spell it wrong, not me) is part of the chain of Portland restaurants famous…
Read More

¿Por Qué No?

4635 SE Hawthorne http://www.porquenotacos.com/ Price for 2 (with tip): $21.50 ¿Por Qué No? is one of those places that the hipsters in Portland will tell you is the most amazing place around. And why wouldn't they, "why not" is the name of the restaurant after all. With two locations in the hip areas of Hawthorne and Mississippi, happy hour drinks, and seemingly cheap food, all served up in a casually-busy decor, Por Que No is a total hipster dream come true. Unfortunately, it's not actually very good. The food at ¿Por Qué No? is definitely not trying to be authentic Mexican (despite the over use of Spanish) but is more…
Read More

Toji Korea Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 21, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $18.90 Toji is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but trying to drag a vegetarian to a restaurant where one of the main options is roasting raw meat on a grill in the middle of your table has proven difficult. But since this week has been designated for the 4600 block, it had to happen and today we hit up the Grill. I guess I expected it to be expensive (it is designated with two dollar signs on Urbanspoon) and was pretty sure Jared would be forced to eat salad, so when…
Read More

East Side Deli

4626 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.pdxdeli.com Date of visit: October 20, 2009 Price for 2: $14.50 A good deli can actually be hard to find in Portland, so when a vegan friend told us we had to try East Side Deli, I was initially skeptical. But this place is hands down the best deli I have ever been to in Portland, and it just so happens it's on Hawthorne and in the 4600 block, at that. The sandwiches turned out of the open kitchen are huge and more importantly, completely customized with super high quality ingredients. No limp, shredded ice berg lettuce here, the stuff they use is fresh and leafy.…
Read More

Zach’s Shack

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.myspace.com/dogswithasnap Date of visit: October 19, 2009 Price for 2: $17 Today we realized the 4600 Block of Hawthorne may just be the ultimate lunch utopia. We originally set out to eat at Por Que No (more for review purposes than because we wanted to) but were distracted by the neighboring Zach's Shack and the East Side Deli. Also on this block is Dingo's (where this whole project started), Toji Korea Grill House, Thai Thai and Angelo's (which I'm a little scared of.) So for this week we've got a goal within a goal: eat at all of these places. Ok, so it will actually take…
Read More

Vincente’s Gourmet Pizza

1935 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 15, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $20 It is my firm belief that when you see the words "gourmet" and "pizza" together, you should not even consider going inside. But since the goal of this blog is to eat at every restaurant on Hawthorne, we were going to have to bite the gourmet bullet and eat at Vincente's eventually, so today was the day. I should also note I have been here before, but only for drinking purposes while waiting for movies to start and Cinemagic across the street. But this was my first pizza/lunch experience. The slice options were limited,…
Read More

Pho Van

3404 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 14, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $26 Though we've been to Pho Van's 82nd Ave location many times, this was the first visit to the somewhat more swank Hawthorne location. On the corner of 34th and Hawthorne, the booths here are divided by ornate woodwork, and the light fixtures are especially awesome, but this is a food blog, not about interior design. And since I've been to another Pho Van location, I knew what to expect in terms of food quality. The real test was the ambiance, and of course, the lunch specials. Ironically, Pho Van seems to have an anti-lunch…
Read More

Hawthorne Fish House

4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://hawthornefishhouse.com/ Date of visit: October 13, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip) $28.25 ($28.50 w/ dessert) On a cold, stormy Portland day I wanted something hearty and wholesome, so I figured fish and chips would be just the ticket. So we headed to Hawthorne Fish House, just for the halibut. No wait, because we cod. Ahahahahaha. Ok, I'm done now. The sign on Hawthorne Fish House (sister location to Corbett Fish House on the west side) says "Portland's Best Fish and Chips." Now this isn't a small claim, since this city is filled with amazing food. To say you have the BEST of anything is quite…
Read More

No Fish, Go Fish

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.nofishgofish.com Date of Visit: Oct 27, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16.50 The concept of No Fish, Go Fish is great. A lunch place that basically just serves soup and sandwiches. Ingenious really. For $6 you get a giant bowl of your choice of the 4 soups of the day and your choice of two sammies from the lengthy menu. I am sorry that I just referred them as "sammies," but when you get a petite pressed sandwich shaped like a fish, I really feel like it's the appropriate term. There are a also a few other items on the menu (fried stuff, pasta and…
Read More

Oasis Cafe

3701 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.oasispizza.com Date of Visit: October 26, 2009 Price for 2: $16.75 I was trying to decide what makes a slice of pizza perfect for me and I realized I don't know. It's just the sort of thing where you bite into and say, damn this is a great slice of pizza. But like everything in life, it's going to be different for everyone. And honestly, I don't even really like pizza that much. Call me un-American, but rarely when we head off for lunch do I say, I really want a slice of pizza right now! But unfortunately for me, there are two people on this…
Read More

McMenamin’s Bagdad Pub

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9 Date of visit: October 23, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip and lunch beer): $23.70 Today was the final day of our goal within a goal of the 4600 block of Hawthorne, but as we drove towards Thai Thai, we passed the Bagdad Pub. Seeing the big windows filled with happy dinners enjoying their microbrews on a miserable, rainy Portland day made me realize: I wanted a lunch beer! So we turned the car around and headed back to Bagdad, one of two McMenamin's options on Hawthorne Bvld. The Bagdad (they spell it wrong, not me) is part of the chain of Portland restaurants famous…
Read More

¿Por Qué No?

4635 SE Hawthorne http://www.porquenotacos.com/ Price for 2 (with tip): $21.50 ¿Por Qué No? is one of those places that the hipsters in Portland will tell you is the most amazing place around. And why wouldn't they, "why not" is the name of the restaurant after all. With two locations in the hip areas of Hawthorne and Mississippi, happy hour drinks, and seemingly cheap food, all served up in a casually-busy decor, Por Que No is a total hipster dream come true. Unfortunately, it's not actually very good. The food at ¿Por Qué No? is definitely not trying to be authentic Mexican (despite the over use of Spanish) but is more…
Read More

Toji Korea Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 21, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $18.90 Toji is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but trying to drag a vegetarian to a restaurant where one of the main options is roasting raw meat on a grill in the middle of your table has proven difficult. But since this week has been designated for the 4600 block, it had to happen and today we hit up the Grill. I guess I expected it to be expensive (it is designated with two dollar signs on Urbanspoon) and was pretty sure Jared would be forced to eat salad, so when…
Read More

East Side Deli

4626 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.pdxdeli.com Date of visit: October 20, 2009 Price for 2: $14.50 A good deli can actually be hard to find in Portland, so when a vegan friend told us we had to try East Side Deli, I was initially skeptical. But this place is hands down the best deli I have ever been to in Portland, and it just so happens it's on Hawthorne and in the 4600 block, at that. The sandwiches turned out of the open kitchen are huge and more importantly, completely customized with super high quality ingredients. No limp, shredded ice berg lettuce here, the stuff they use is fresh and leafy.…
Read More

Zach’s Shack

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.myspace.com/dogswithasnap Date of visit: October 19, 2009 Price for 2: $17 Today we realized the 4600 Block of Hawthorne may just be the ultimate lunch utopia. We originally set out to eat at Por Que No (more for review purposes than because we wanted to) but were distracted by the neighboring Zach's Shack and the East Side Deli. Also on this block is Dingo's (where this whole project started), Toji Korea Grill House, Thai Thai and Angelo's (which I'm a little scared of.) So for this week we've got a goal within a goal: eat at all of these places. Ok, so it will actually take…
Read More

Vincente’s Gourmet Pizza

1935 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 15, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $20 It is my firm belief that when you see the words "gourmet" and "pizza" together, you should not even consider going inside. But since the goal of this blog is to eat at every restaurant on Hawthorne, we were going to have to bite the gourmet bullet and eat at Vincente's eventually, so today was the day. I should also note I have been here before, but only for drinking purposes while waiting for movies to start and Cinemagic across the street. But this was my first pizza/lunch experience. The slice options were limited,…
Read More

Pho Van

3404 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 14, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $26 Though we've been to Pho Van's 82nd Ave location many times, this was the first visit to the somewhat more swank Hawthorne location. On the corner of 34th and Hawthorne, the booths here are divided by ornate woodwork, and the light fixtures are especially awesome, but this is a food blog, not about interior design. And since I've been to another Pho Van location, I knew what to expect in terms of food quality. The real test was the ambiance, and of course, the lunch specials. Ironically, Pho Van seems to have an anti-lunch…
Read More

Hawthorne Fish House

4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://hawthornefishhouse.com/ Date of visit: October 13, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip) $28.25 ($28.50 w/ dessert) On a cold, stormy Portland day I wanted something hearty and wholesome, so I figured fish and chips would be just the ticket. So we headed to Hawthorne Fish House, just for the halibut. No wait, because we cod. Ahahahahaha. Ok, I'm done now. The sign on Hawthorne Fish House (sister location to Corbett Fish House on the west side) says "Portland's Best Fish and Chips." Now this isn't a small claim, since this city is filled with amazing food. To say you have the BEST of anything is quite…
Read More

No Fish, Go Fish

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.nofishgofish.com Date of Visit: Oct 27, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16.50 The concept of No Fish, Go Fish is great. A lunch place that basically just serves soup and sandwiches. Ingenious really. For $6 you get a giant bowl of your choice of the 4 soups of the day and your choice of two sammies from the lengthy menu. I am sorry that I just referred them as "sammies," but when you get a petite pressed sandwich shaped like a fish, I really feel like it's the appropriate term. There are a also a few other items on the menu (fried stuff, pasta and…
Read More

Oasis Cafe

3701 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.oasispizza.com Date of Visit: October 26, 2009 Price for 2: $16.75 I was trying to decide what makes a slice of pizza perfect for me and I realized I don't know. It's just the sort of thing where you bite into and say, damn this is a great slice of pizza. But like everything in life, it's going to be different for everyone. And honestly, I don't even really like pizza that much. Call me un-American, but rarely when we head off for lunch do I say, I really want a slice of pizza right now! But unfortunately for me, there are two people on this…
Read More

McMenamin’s Bagdad Pub

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9 Date of visit: October 23, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip and lunch beer): $23.70 Today was the final day of our goal within a goal of the 4600 block of Hawthorne, but as we drove towards Thai Thai, we passed the Bagdad Pub. Seeing the big windows filled with happy dinners enjoying their microbrews on a miserable, rainy Portland day made me realize: I wanted a lunch beer! So we turned the car around and headed back to Bagdad, one of two McMenamin's options on Hawthorne Bvld. The Bagdad (they spell it wrong, not me) is part of the chain of Portland restaurants famous…
Read More

¿Por Qué No?

4635 SE Hawthorne http://www.porquenotacos.com/ Price for 2 (with tip): $21.50 ¿Por Qué No? is one of those places that the hipsters in Portland will tell you is the most amazing place around. And why wouldn't they, "why not" is the name of the restaurant after all. With two locations in the hip areas of Hawthorne and Mississippi, happy hour drinks, and seemingly cheap food, all served up in a casually-busy decor, Por Que No is a total hipster dream come true. Unfortunately, it's not actually very good. The food at ¿Por Qué No? is definitely not trying to be authentic Mexican (despite the over use of Spanish) but is more…
Read More

Toji Korea Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 21, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $18.90 Toji is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but trying to drag a vegetarian to a restaurant where one of the main options is roasting raw meat on a grill in the middle of your table has proven difficult. But since this week has been designated for the 4600 block, it had to happen and today we hit up the Grill. I guess I expected it to be expensive (it is designated with two dollar signs on Urbanspoon) and was pretty sure Jared would be forced to eat salad, so when…
Read More

East Side Deli

4626 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.pdxdeli.com Date of visit: October 20, 2009 Price for 2: $14.50 A good deli can actually be hard to find in Portland, so when a vegan friend told us we had to try East Side Deli, I was initially skeptical. But this place is hands down the best deli I have ever been to in Portland, and it just so happens it's on Hawthorne and in the 4600 block, at that. The sandwiches turned out of the open kitchen are huge and more importantly, completely customized with super high quality ingredients. No limp, shredded ice berg lettuce here, the stuff they use is fresh and leafy.…
Read More

Zach’s Shack

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.myspace.com/dogswithasnap Date of visit: October 19, 2009 Price for 2: $17 Today we realized the 4600 Block of Hawthorne may just be the ultimate lunch utopia. We originally set out to eat at Por Que No (more for review purposes than because we wanted to) but were distracted by the neighboring Zach's Shack and the East Side Deli. Also on this block is Dingo's (where this whole project started), Toji Korea Grill House, Thai Thai and Angelo's (which I'm a little scared of.) So for this week we've got a goal within a goal: eat at all of these places. Ok, so it will actually take…
Read More

Vincente’s Gourmet Pizza

1935 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 15, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $20 It is my firm belief that when you see the words "gourmet" and "pizza" together, you should not even consider going inside. But since the goal of this blog is to eat at every restaurant on Hawthorne, we were going to have to bite the gourmet bullet and eat at Vincente's eventually, so today was the day. I should also note I have been here before, but only for drinking purposes while waiting for movies to start and Cinemagic across the street. But this was my first pizza/lunch experience. The slice options were limited,…
Read More

Pho Van

3404 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 14, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $26 Though we've been to Pho Van's 82nd Ave location many times, this was the first visit to the somewhat more swank Hawthorne location. On the corner of 34th and Hawthorne, the booths here are divided by ornate woodwork, and the light fixtures are especially awesome, but this is a food blog, not about interior design. And since I've been to another Pho Van location, I knew what to expect in terms of food quality. The real test was the ambiance, and of course, the lunch specials. Ironically, Pho Van seems to have an anti-lunch…
Read More

Hawthorne Fish House

4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://hawthornefishhouse.com/ Date of visit: October 13, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip) $28.25 ($28.50 w/ dessert) On a cold, stormy Portland day I wanted something hearty and wholesome, so I figured fish and chips would be just the ticket. So we headed to Hawthorne Fish House, just for the halibut. No wait, because we cod. Ahahahahaha. Ok, I'm done now. The sign on Hawthorne Fish House (sister location to Corbett Fish House on the west side) says "Portland's Best Fish and Chips." Now this isn't a small claim, since this city is filled with amazing food. To say you have the BEST of anything is quite…
Read More

No Fish, Go Fish

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.nofishgofish.com Date of Visit: Oct 27, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16.50 The concept of No Fish, Go Fish is great. A lunch place that basically just serves soup and sandwiches. Ingenious really. For $6 you get a giant bowl of your choice of the 4 soups of the day and your choice of two sammies from the lengthy menu. I am sorry that I just referred them as "sammies," but when you get a petite pressed sandwich shaped like a fish, I really feel like it's the appropriate term. There are a also a few other items on the menu (fried stuff, pasta and…
Read More

Oasis Cafe

3701 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.oasispizza.com Date of Visit: October 26, 2009 Price for 2: $16.75 I was trying to decide what makes a slice of pizza perfect for me and I realized I don't know. It's just the sort of thing where you bite into and say, damn this is a great slice of pizza. But like everything in life, it's going to be different for everyone. And honestly, I don't even really like pizza that much. Call me un-American, but rarely when we head off for lunch do I say, I really want a slice of pizza right now! But unfortunately for me, there are two people on this…
Read More

McMenamin’s Bagdad Pub

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9 Date of visit: October 23, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip and lunch beer): $23.70 Today was the final day of our goal within a goal of the 4600 block of Hawthorne, but as we drove towards Thai Thai, we passed the Bagdad Pub. Seeing the big windows filled with happy dinners enjoying their microbrews on a miserable, rainy Portland day made me realize: I wanted a lunch beer! So we turned the car around and headed back to Bagdad, one of two McMenamin's options on Hawthorne Bvld. The Bagdad (they spell it wrong, not me) is part of the chain of Portland restaurants famous…
Read More

¿Por Qué No?

4635 SE Hawthorne http://www.porquenotacos.com/ Price for 2 (with tip): $21.50 ¿Por Qué No? is one of those places that the hipsters in Portland will tell you is the most amazing place around. And why wouldn't they, "why not" is the name of the restaurant after all. With two locations in the hip areas of Hawthorne and Mississippi, happy hour drinks, and seemingly cheap food, all served up in a casually-busy decor, Por Que No is a total hipster dream come true. Unfortunately, it's not actually very good. The food at ¿Por Qué No? is definitely not trying to be authentic Mexican (despite the over use of Spanish) but is more…
Read More

Toji Korea Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 21, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $18.90 Toji is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but trying to drag a vegetarian to a restaurant where one of the main options is roasting raw meat on a grill in the middle of your table has proven difficult. But since this week has been designated for the 4600 block, it had to happen and today we hit up the Grill. I guess I expected it to be expensive (it is designated with two dollar signs on Urbanspoon) and was pretty sure Jared would be forced to eat salad, so when…
Read More

East Side Deli

4626 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.pdxdeli.com Date of visit: October 20, 2009 Price for 2: $14.50 A good deli can actually be hard to find in Portland, so when a vegan friend told us we had to try East Side Deli, I was initially skeptical. But this place is hands down the best deli I have ever been to in Portland, and it just so happens it's on Hawthorne and in the 4600 block, at that. The sandwiches turned out of the open kitchen are huge and more importantly, completely customized with super high quality ingredients. No limp, shredded ice berg lettuce here, the stuff they use is fresh and leafy.…
Read More

Zach’s Shack

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.myspace.com/dogswithasnap Date of visit: October 19, 2009 Price for 2: $17 Today we realized the 4600 Block of Hawthorne may just be the ultimate lunch utopia. We originally set out to eat at Por Que No (more for review purposes than because we wanted to) but were distracted by the neighboring Zach's Shack and the East Side Deli. Also on this block is Dingo's (where this whole project started), Toji Korea Grill House, Thai Thai and Angelo's (which I'm a little scared of.) So for this week we've got a goal within a goal: eat at all of these places. Ok, so it will actually take…
Read More

Vincente’s Gourmet Pizza

1935 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 15, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $20 It is my firm belief that when you see the words "gourmet" and "pizza" together, you should not even consider going inside. But since the goal of this blog is to eat at every restaurant on Hawthorne, we were going to have to bite the gourmet bullet and eat at Vincente's eventually, so today was the day. I should also note I have been here before, but only for drinking purposes while waiting for movies to start and Cinemagic across the street. But this was my first pizza/lunch experience. The slice options were limited,…
Read More

Pho Van

3404 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 14, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $26 Though we've been to Pho Van's 82nd Ave location many times, this was the first visit to the somewhat more swank Hawthorne location. On the corner of 34th and Hawthorne, the booths here are divided by ornate woodwork, and the light fixtures are especially awesome, but this is a food blog, not about interior design. And since I've been to another Pho Van location, I knew what to expect in terms of food quality. The real test was the ambiance, and of course, the lunch specials. Ironically, Pho Van seems to have an anti-lunch…
Read More

Hawthorne Fish House

4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://hawthornefishhouse.com/ Date of visit: October 13, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip) $28.25 ($28.50 w/ dessert) On a cold, stormy Portland day I wanted something hearty and wholesome, so I figured fish and chips would be just the ticket. So we headed to Hawthorne Fish House, just for the halibut. No wait, because we cod. Ahahahahaha. Ok, I'm done now. The sign on Hawthorne Fish House (sister location to Corbett Fish House on the west side) says "Portland's Best Fish and Chips." Now this isn't a small claim, since this city is filled with amazing food. To say you have the BEST of anything is quite…
Read More

No Fish, Go Fish

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.nofishgofish.com Date of Visit: Oct 27, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16.50 The concept of No Fish, Go Fish is great. A lunch place that basically just serves soup and sandwiches. Ingenious really. For $6 you get a giant bowl of your choice of the 4 soups of the day and your choice of two sammies from the lengthy menu. I am sorry that I just referred them as "sammies," but when you get a petite pressed sandwich shaped like a fish, I really feel like it's the appropriate term. There are a also a few other items on the menu (fried stuff, pasta and…
Read More

Oasis Cafe

3701 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.oasispizza.com Date of Visit: October 26, 2009 Price for 2: $16.75 I was trying to decide what makes a slice of pizza perfect for me and I realized I don't know. It's just the sort of thing where you bite into and say, damn this is a great slice of pizza. But like everything in life, it's going to be different for everyone. And honestly, I don't even really like pizza that much. Call me un-American, but rarely when we head off for lunch do I say, I really want a slice of pizza right now! But unfortunately for me, there are two people on this…
Read More

McMenamin’s Bagdad Pub

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9 Date of visit: October 23, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip and lunch beer): $23.70 Today was the final day of our goal within a goal of the 4600 block of Hawthorne, but as we drove towards Thai Thai, we passed the Bagdad Pub. Seeing the big windows filled with happy dinners enjoying their microbrews on a miserable, rainy Portland day made me realize: I wanted a lunch beer! So we turned the car around and headed back to Bagdad, one of two McMenamin's options on Hawthorne Bvld. The Bagdad (they spell it wrong, not me) is part of the chain of Portland restaurants famous…
Read More

¿Por Qué No?

4635 SE Hawthorne http://www.porquenotacos.com/ Price for 2 (with tip): $21.50 ¿Por Qué No? is one of those places that the hipsters in Portland will tell you is the most amazing place around. And why wouldn't they, "why not" is the name of the restaurant after all. With two locations in the hip areas of Hawthorne and Mississippi, happy hour drinks, and seemingly cheap food, all served up in a casually-busy decor, Por Que No is a total hipster dream come true. Unfortunately, it's not actually very good. The food at ¿Por Qué No? is definitely not trying to be authentic Mexican (despite the over use of Spanish) but is more…
Read More

Toji Korea Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 21, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $18.90 Toji is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but trying to drag a vegetarian to a restaurant where one of the main options is roasting raw meat on a grill in the middle of your table has proven difficult. But since this week has been designated for the 4600 block, it had to happen and today we hit up the Grill. I guess I expected it to be expensive (it is designated with two dollar signs on Urbanspoon) and was pretty sure Jared would be forced to eat salad, so when…
Read More

East Side Deli

4626 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.pdxdeli.com Date of visit: October 20, 2009 Price for 2: $14.50 A good deli can actually be hard to find in Portland, so when a vegan friend told us we had to try East Side Deli, I was initially skeptical. But this place is hands down the best deli I have ever been to in Portland, and it just so happens it's on Hawthorne and in the 4600 block, at that. The sandwiches turned out of the open kitchen are huge and more importantly, completely customized with super high quality ingredients. No limp, shredded ice berg lettuce here, the stuff they use is fresh and leafy.…
Read More

Zach’s Shack

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.myspace.com/dogswithasnap Date of visit: October 19, 2009 Price for 2: $17 Today we realized the 4600 Block of Hawthorne may just be the ultimate lunch utopia. We originally set out to eat at Por Que No (more for review purposes than because we wanted to) but were distracted by the neighboring Zach's Shack and the East Side Deli. Also on this block is Dingo's (where this whole project started), Toji Korea Grill House, Thai Thai and Angelo's (which I'm a little scared of.) So for this week we've got a goal within a goal: eat at all of these places. Ok, so it will actually take…
Read More

Vincente’s Gourmet Pizza

1935 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 15, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $20 It is my firm belief that when you see the words "gourmet" and "pizza" together, you should not even consider going inside. But since the goal of this blog is to eat at every restaurant on Hawthorne, we were going to have to bite the gourmet bullet and eat at Vincente's eventually, so today was the day. I should also note I have been here before, but only for drinking purposes while waiting for movies to start and Cinemagic across the street. But this was my first pizza/lunch experience. The slice options were limited,…
Read More

Pho Van

3404 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 14, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $26 Though we've been to Pho Van's 82nd Ave location many times, this was the first visit to the somewhat more swank Hawthorne location. On the corner of 34th and Hawthorne, the booths here are divided by ornate woodwork, and the light fixtures are especially awesome, but this is a food blog, not about interior design. And since I've been to another Pho Van location, I knew what to expect in terms of food quality. The real test was the ambiance, and of course, the lunch specials. Ironically, Pho Van seems to have an anti-lunch…
Read More

Hawthorne Fish House

4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://hawthornefishhouse.com/ Date of visit: October 13, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip) $28.25 ($28.50 w/ dessert) On a cold, stormy Portland day I wanted something hearty and wholesome, so I figured fish and chips would be just the ticket. So we headed to Hawthorne Fish House, just for the halibut. No wait, because we cod. Ahahahahaha. Ok, I'm done now. The sign on Hawthorne Fish House (sister location to Corbett Fish House on the west side) says "Portland's Best Fish and Chips." Now this isn't a small claim, since this city is filled with amazing food. To say you have the BEST of anything is quite…
Read More

No Fish, Go Fish

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.nofishgofish.com Date of Visit: Oct 27, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16.50 The concept of No Fish, Go Fish is great. A lunch place that basically just serves soup and sandwiches. Ingenious really. For $6 you get a giant bowl of your choice of the 4 soups of the day and your choice of two sammies from the lengthy menu. I am sorry that I just referred them as "sammies," but when you get a petite pressed sandwich shaped like a fish, I really feel like it's the appropriate term. There are a also a few other items on the menu (fried stuff, pasta and…
Read More

Oasis Cafe

3701 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.oasispizza.com Date of Visit: October 26, 2009 Price for 2: $16.75 I was trying to decide what makes a slice of pizza perfect for me and I realized I don't know. It's just the sort of thing where you bite into and say, damn this is a great slice of pizza. But like everything in life, it's going to be different for everyone. And honestly, I don't even really like pizza that much. Call me un-American, but rarely when we head off for lunch do I say, I really want a slice of pizza right now! But unfortunately for me, there are two people on this…
Read More

McMenamin’s Bagdad Pub

3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9 Date of visit: October 23, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip and lunch beer): $23.70 Today was the final day of our goal within a goal of the 4600 block of Hawthorne, but as we drove towards Thai Thai, we passed the Bagdad Pub. Seeing the big windows filled with happy dinners enjoying their microbrews on a miserable, rainy Portland day made me realize: I wanted a lunch beer! So we turned the car around and headed back to Bagdad, one of two McMenamin's options on Hawthorne Bvld. The Bagdad (they spell it wrong, not me) is part of the chain of Portland restaurants famous…
Read More

¿Por Qué No?

4635 SE Hawthorne http://www.porquenotacos.com/ Price for 2 (with tip): $21.50 ¿Por Qué No? is one of those places that the hipsters in Portland will tell you is the most amazing place around. And why wouldn't they, "why not" is the name of the restaurant after all. With two locations in the hip areas of Hawthorne and Mississippi, happy hour drinks, and seemingly cheap food, all served up in a casually-busy decor, Por Que No is a total hipster dream come true. Unfortunately, it's not actually very good. The food at ¿Por Qué No? is definitely not trying to be authentic Mexican (despite the over use of Spanish) but is more…
Read More

Toji Korea Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 21, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $18.90 Toji is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but trying to drag a vegetarian to a restaurant where one of the main options is roasting raw meat on a grill in the middle of your table has proven difficult. But since this week has been designated for the 4600 block, it had to happen and today we hit up the Grill. I guess I expected it to be expensive (it is designated with two dollar signs on Urbanspoon) and was pretty sure Jared would be forced to eat salad, so when…
Read More

East Side Deli

4626 SE Hawthorne Blvd www.pdxdeli.com Date of visit: October 20, 2009 Price for 2: $14.50 A good deli can actually be hard to find in Portland, so when a vegan friend told us we had to try East Side Deli, I was initially skeptical. But this place is hands down the best deli I have ever been to in Portland, and it just so happens it's on Hawthorne and in the 4600 block, at that. The sandwiches turned out of the open kitchen are huge and more importantly, completely customized with super high quality ingredients. No limp, shredded ice berg lettuce here, the stuff they use is fresh and leafy.…
Read More

Zach’s Shack

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.myspace.com/dogswithasnap Date of visit: October 19, 2009 Price for 2: $17 Today we realized the 4600 Block of Hawthorne may just be the ultimate lunch utopia. We originally set out to eat at Por Que No (more for review purposes than because we wanted to) but were distracted by the neighboring Zach's Shack and the East Side Deli. Also on this block is Dingo's (where this whole project started), Toji Korea Grill House, Thai Thai and Angelo's (which I'm a little scared of.) So for this week we've got a goal within a goal: eat at all of these places. Ok, so it will actually take…
Read More

Vincente’s Gourmet Pizza

1935 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 15, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $20 It is my firm belief that when you see the words "gourmet" and "pizza" together, you should not even consider going inside. But since the goal of this blog is to eat at every restaurant on Hawthorne, we were going to have to bite the gourmet bullet and eat at Vincente's eventually, so today was the day. I should also note I have been here before, but only for drinking purposes while waiting for movies to start and Cinemagic across the street. But this was my first pizza/lunch experience. The slice options were limited,…
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Pho Van

3404 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: October 14, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $26 Though we've been to Pho Van's 82nd Ave location many times, this was the first visit to the somewhat more swank Hawthorne location. On the corner of 34th and Hawthorne, the booths here are divided by ornate woodwork, and the light fixtures are especially awesome, but this is a food blog, not about interior design. And since I've been to another Pho Van location, I knew what to expect in terms of food quality. The real test was the ambiance, and of course, the lunch specials. Ironically, Pho Van seems to have an anti-lunch…
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Hawthorne Fish House

4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://hawthornefishhouse.com/ Date of visit: October 13, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip) $28.25 ($28.50 w/ dessert) On a cold, stormy Portland day I wanted something hearty and wholesome, so I figured fish and chips would be just the ticket. So we headed to Hawthorne Fish House, just for the halibut. No wait, because we cod. Ahahahahaha. Ok, I'm done now. The sign on Hawthorne Fish House (sister location to Corbett Fish House on the west side) says "Portland's Best Fish and Chips." Now this isn't a small claim, since this city is filled with amazing food. To say you have the BEST of anything is quite…
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