Brooke Geery

Blogs

Ripped from the archives

Back to Bread and Ink

Date of Visit: Nov 1, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $30 We hit up Bread and Ink for brunch this morning. Since I've already done a full review of it, and I don't really want to work too hard today, figured I'd just post some pictures of what we got. I must say, it was some of the best-looking food I've ever gotten there (and it tasted pretty good too!) Belgian Waffle with pear, whipped cream and powdered sugar Skillet scramble with sausage, red onions, roasted potatoes, spinach and cheddar
Read More

Cha Cha Cha

3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 30, 2009 Price for 2: $16 Cha Cha Cha is the best local baja-style Mexican chain around. Specific enough for you? Ok, so it's the only place that fits all those criteria. But it is pretty good; sort of like a local Baja Fresh with better, more sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu. Obviously there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants on Hawthorne, but there are a few reasons to hit up Cha Cha Cha instead of the others. The menu is quite extensive, it's fairly reasonably priced, and as I've already mentioned, the ingredients change with the season. There is also…
Read More

Thanh Thao

4005 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 29, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Though there was nothing particularly Vietnamese or Thai (as the sign implies) about the lunch I ate at Thanh Thao, it definitely is in the running for my favorite new lunch spot on Hawthorne. Today's visit was actually our second attempt to each there. The first was on Tuesday, the one day a week they are closed. That day, we ended up eating at No Fish, Go Fish right across the street instead, so it wasn't all bad. Thanh Thao is decent sized and was nearly full with diners, which is always a good…
Read More

Kabobi

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 28, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip): $22.80 It's official: we need to stop bombing Afghanistan. Not only because it doesn't seem to be making a damn difference, but because after my first experience with Afghani cuisine at Kabobi, I must say the food is damn good. I had no idea what to expect walking into Kabobi (other than that they had a $5.95 lunch special, thanks to an outdoor a frame.) We'd actually been curious about this place before, but never went in, in case Afghani food was like chicken feet or something. Well, as it turns out, it's basically Indian…
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

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

Back to Bread and Ink

Date of Visit: Nov 1, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $30 We hit up Bread and Ink for brunch this morning. Since I've already done a full review of it, and I don't really want to work too hard today, figured I'd just post some pictures of what we got. I must say, it was some of the best-looking food I've ever gotten there (and it tasted pretty good too!) Belgian Waffle with pear, whipped cream and powdered sugar Skillet scramble with sausage, red onions, roasted potatoes, spinach and cheddar
Read More

Cha Cha Cha

3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 30, 2009 Price for 2: $16 Cha Cha Cha is the best local baja-style Mexican chain around. Specific enough for you? Ok, so it's the only place that fits all those criteria. But it is pretty good; sort of like a local Baja Fresh with better, more sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu. Obviously there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants on Hawthorne, but there are a few reasons to hit up Cha Cha Cha instead of the others. The menu is quite extensive, it's fairly reasonably priced, and as I've already mentioned, the ingredients change with the season. There is also…
Read More

Thanh Thao

4005 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 29, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Though there was nothing particularly Vietnamese or Thai (as the sign implies) about the lunch I ate at Thanh Thao, it definitely is in the running for my favorite new lunch spot on Hawthorne. Today's visit was actually our second attempt to each there. The first was on Tuesday, the one day a week they are closed. That day, we ended up eating at No Fish, Go Fish right across the street instead, so it wasn't all bad. Thanh Thao is decent sized and was nearly full with diners, which is always a good…
Read More

Kabobi

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 28, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip): $22.80 It's official: we need to stop bombing Afghanistan. Not only because it doesn't seem to be making a damn difference, but because after my first experience with Afghani cuisine at Kabobi, I must say the food is damn good. I had no idea what to expect walking into Kabobi (other than that they had a $5.95 lunch special, thanks to an outdoor a frame.) We'd actually been curious about this place before, but never went in, in case Afghani food was like chicken feet or something. Well, as it turns out, it's basically Indian…
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

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

Back to Bread and Ink

Date of Visit: Nov 1, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $30 We hit up Bread and Ink for brunch this morning. Since I've already done a full review of it, and I don't really want to work too hard today, figured I'd just post some pictures of what we got. I must say, it was some of the best-looking food I've ever gotten there (and it tasted pretty good too!) Belgian Waffle with pear, whipped cream and powdered sugar Skillet scramble with sausage, red onions, roasted potatoes, spinach and cheddar
Read More

Cha Cha Cha

3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 30, 2009 Price for 2: $16 Cha Cha Cha is the best local baja-style Mexican chain around. Specific enough for you? Ok, so it's the only place that fits all those criteria. But it is pretty good; sort of like a local Baja Fresh with better, more sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu. Obviously there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants on Hawthorne, but there are a few reasons to hit up Cha Cha Cha instead of the others. The menu is quite extensive, it's fairly reasonably priced, and as I've already mentioned, the ingredients change with the season. There is also…
Read More

Thanh Thao

4005 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 29, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Though there was nothing particularly Vietnamese or Thai (as the sign implies) about the lunch I ate at Thanh Thao, it definitely is in the running for my favorite new lunch spot on Hawthorne. Today's visit was actually our second attempt to each there. The first was on Tuesday, the one day a week they are closed. That day, we ended up eating at No Fish, Go Fish right across the street instead, so it wasn't all bad. Thanh Thao is decent sized and was nearly full with diners, which is always a good…
Read More

Kabobi

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 28, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip): $22.80 It's official: we need to stop bombing Afghanistan. Not only because it doesn't seem to be making a damn difference, but because after my first experience with Afghani cuisine at Kabobi, I must say the food is damn good. I had no idea what to expect walking into Kabobi (other than that they had a $5.95 lunch special, thanks to an outdoor a frame.) We'd actually been curious about this place before, but never went in, in case Afghani food was like chicken feet or something. Well, as it turns out, it's basically Indian…
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

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

Back to Bread and Ink

Date of Visit: Nov 1, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $30 We hit up Bread and Ink for brunch this morning. Since I've already done a full review of it, and I don't really want to work too hard today, figured I'd just post some pictures of what we got. I must say, it was some of the best-looking food I've ever gotten there (and it tasted pretty good too!) Belgian Waffle with pear, whipped cream and powdered sugar Skillet scramble with sausage, red onions, roasted potatoes, spinach and cheddar
Read More

Cha Cha Cha

3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 30, 2009 Price for 2: $16 Cha Cha Cha is the best local baja-style Mexican chain around. Specific enough for you? Ok, so it's the only place that fits all those criteria. But it is pretty good; sort of like a local Baja Fresh with better, more sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu. Obviously there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants on Hawthorne, but there are a few reasons to hit up Cha Cha Cha instead of the others. The menu is quite extensive, it's fairly reasonably priced, and as I've already mentioned, the ingredients change with the season. There is also…
Read More

Thanh Thao

4005 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 29, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Though there was nothing particularly Vietnamese or Thai (as the sign implies) about the lunch I ate at Thanh Thao, it definitely is in the running for my favorite new lunch spot on Hawthorne. Today's visit was actually our second attempt to each there. The first was on Tuesday, the one day a week they are closed. That day, we ended up eating at No Fish, Go Fish right across the street instead, so it wasn't all bad. Thanh Thao is decent sized and was nearly full with diners, which is always a good…
Read More

Kabobi

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 28, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip): $22.80 It's official: we need to stop bombing Afghanistan. Not only because it doesn't seem to be making a damn difference, but because after my first experience with Afghani cuisine at Kabobi, I must say the food is damn good. I had no idea what to expect walking into Kabobi (other than that they had a $5.95 lunch special, thanks to an outdoor a frame.) We'd actually been curious about this place before, but never went in, in case Afghani food was like chicken feet or something. Well, as it turns out, it's basically Indian…
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

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

Back to Bread and Ink

Date of Visit: Nov 1, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $30 We hit up Bread and Ink for brunch this morning. Since I've already done a full review of it, and I don't really want to work too hard today, figured I'd just post some pictures of what we got. I must say, it was some of the best-looking food I've ever gotten there (and it tasted pretty good too!) Belgian Waffle with pear, whipped cream and powdered sugar Skillet scramble with sausage, red onions, roasted potatoes, spinach and cheddar
Read More

Cha Cha Cha

3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 30, 2009 Price for 2: $16 Cha Cha Cha is the best local baja-style Mexican chain around. Specific enough for you? Ok, so it's the only place that fits all those criteria. But it is pretty good; sort of like a local Baja Fresh with better, more sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu. Obviously there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants on Hawthorne, but there are a few reasons to hit up Cha Cha Cha instead of the others. The menu is quite extensive, it's fairly reasonably priced, and as I've already mentioned, the ingredients change with the season. There is also…
Read More

Thanh Thao

4005 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 29, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Though there was nothing particularly Vietnamese or Thai (as the sign implies) about the lunch I ate at Thanh Thao, it definitely is in the running for my favorite new lunch spot on Hawthorne. Today's visit was actually our second attempt to each there. The first was on Tuesday, the one day a week they are closed. That day, we ended up eating at No Fish, Go Fish right across the street instead, so it wasn't all bad. Thanh Thao is decent sized and was nearly full with diners, which is always a good…
Read More

Kabobi

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 28, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip): $22.80 It's official: we need to stop bombing Afghanistan. Not only because it doesn't seem to be making a damn difference, but because after my first experience with Afghani cuisine at Kabobi, I must say the food is damn good. I had no idea what to expect walking into Kabobi (other than that they had a $5.95 lunch special, thanks to an outdoor a frame.) We'd actually been curious about this place before, but never went in, in case Afghani food was like chicken feet or something. Well, as it turns out, it's basically Indian…
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

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

Back to Bread and Ink

Date of Visit: Nov 1, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $30 We hit up Bread and Ink for brunch this morning. Since I've already done a full review of it, and I don't really want to work too hard today, figured I'd just post some pictures of what we got. I must say, it was some of the best-looking food I've ever gotten there (and it tasted pretty good too!) Belgian Waffle with pear, whipped cream and powdered sugar Skillet scramble with sausage, red onions, roasted potatoes, spinach and cheddar
Read More

Cha Cha Cha

3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 30, 2009 Price for 2: $16 Cha Cha Cha is the best local baja-style Mexican chain around. Specific enough for you? Ok, so it's the only place that fits all those criteria. But it is pretty good; sort of like a local Baja Fresh with better, more sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu. Obviously there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants on Hawthorne, but there are a few reasons to hit up Cha Cha Cha instead of the others. The menu is quite extensive, it's fairly reasonably priced, and as I've already mentioned, the ingredients change with the season. There is also…
Read More

Thanh Thao

4005 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 29, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Though there was nothing particularly Vietnamese or Thai (as the sign implies) about the lunch I ate at Thanh Thao, it definitely is in the running for my favorite new lunch spot on Hawthorne. Today's visit was actually our second attempt to each there. The first was on Tuesday, the one day a week they are closed. That day, we ended up eating at No Fish, Go Fish right across the street instead, so it wasn't all bad. Thanh Thao is decent sized and was nearly full with diners, which is always a good…
Read More

Kabobi

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 28, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip): $22.80 It's official: we need to stop bombing Afghanistan. Not only because it doesn't seem to be making a damn difference, but because after my first experience with Afghani cuisine at Kabobi, I must say the food is damn good. I had no idea what to expect walking into Kabobi (other than that they had a $5.95 lunch special, thanks to an outdoor a frame.) We'd actually been curious about this place before, but never went in, in case Afghani food was like chicken feet or something. Well, as it turns out, it's basically Indian…
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

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

Back to Bread and Ink

Date of Visit: Nov 1, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $30 We hit up Bread and Ink for brunch this morning. Since I've already done a full review of it, and I don't really want to work too hard today, figured I'd just post some pictures of what we got. I must say, it was some of the best-looking food I've ever gotten there (and it tasted pretty good too!) Belgian Waffle with pear, whipped cream and powdered sugar Skillet scramble with sausage, red onions, roasted potatoes, spinach and cheddar
Read More

Cha Cha Cha

3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 30, 2009 Price for 2: $16 Cha Cha Cha is the best local baja-style Mexican chain around. Specific enough for you? Ok, so it's the only place that fits all those criteria. But it is pretty good; sort of like a local Baja Fresh with better, more sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu. Obviously there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants on Hawthorne, but there are a few reasons to hit up Cha Cha Cha instead of the others. The menu is quite extensive, it's fairly reasonably priced, and as I've already mentioned, the ingredients change with the season. There is also…
Read More

Thanh Thao

4005 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 29, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Though there was nothing particularly Vietnamese or Thai (as the sign implies) about the lunch I ate at Thanh Thao, it definitely is in the running for my favorite new lunch spot on Hawthorne. Today's visit was actually our second attempt to each there. The first was on Tuesday, the one day a week they are closed. That day, we ended up eating at No Fish, Go Fish right across the street instead, so it wasn't all bad. Thanh Thao is decent sized and was nearly full with diners, which is always a good…
Read More

Kabobi

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 28, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip): $22.80 It's official: we need to stop bombing Afghanistan. Not only because it doesn't seem to be making a damn difference, but because after my first experience with Afghani cuisine at Kabobi, I must say the food is damn good. I had no idea what to expect walking into Kabobi (other than that they had a $5.95 lunch special, thanks to an outdoor a frame.) We'd actually been curious about this place before, but never went in, in case Afghani food was like chicken feet or something. Well, as it turns out, it's basically Indian…
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

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

Back to Bread and Ink

Date of Visit: Nov 1, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $30 We hit up Bread and Ink for brunch this morning. Since I've already done a full review of it, and I don't really want to work too hard today, figured I'd just post some pictures of what we got. I must say, it was some of the best-looking food I've ever gotten there (and it tasted pretty good too!) Belgian Waffle with pear, whipped cream and powdered sugar Skillet scramble with sausage, red onions, roasted potatoes, spinach and cheddar
Read More

Cha Cha Cha

3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 30, 2009 Price for 2: $16 Cha Cha Cha is the best local baja-style Mexican chain around. Specific enough for you? Ok, so it's the only place that fits all those criteria. But it is pretty good; sort of like a local Baja Fresh with better, more sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu. Obviously there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants on Hawthorne, but there are a few reasons to hit up Cha Cha Cha instead of the others. The menu is quite extensive, it's fairly reasonably priced, and as I've already mentioned, the ingredients change with the season. There is also…
Read More

Thanh Thao

4005 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 29, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Though there was nothing particularly Vietnamese or Thai (as the sign implies) about the lunch I ate at Thanh Thao, it definitely is in the running for my favorite new lunch spot on Hawthorne. Today's visit was actually our second attempt to each there. The first was on Tuesday, the one day a week they are closed. That day, we ended up eating at No Fish, Go Fish right across the street instead, so it wasn't all bad. Thanh Thao is decent sized and was nearly full with diners, which is always a good…
Read More

Kabobi

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 28, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip): $22.80 It's official: we need to stop bombing Afghanistan. Not only because it doesn't seem to be making a damn difference, but because after my first experience with Afghani cuisine at Kabobi, I must say the food is damn good. I had no idea what to expect walking into Kabobi (other than that they had a $5.95 lunch special, thanks to an outdoor a frame.) We'd actually been curious about this place before, but never went in, in case Afghani food was like chicken feet or something. Well, as it turns out, it's basically Indian…
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

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

Back to Bread and Ink

Date of Visit: Nov 1, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $30 We hit up Bread and Ink for brunch this morning. Since I've already done a full review of it, and I don't really want to work too hard today, figured I'd just post some pictures of what we got. I must say, it was some of the best-looking food I've ever gotten there (and it tasted pretty good too!) Belgian Waffle with pear, whipped cream and powdered sugar Skillet scramble with sausage, red onions, roasted potatoes, spinach and cheddar
Read More

Cha Cha Cha

3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 30, 2009 Price for 2: $16 Cha Cha Cha is the best local baja-style Mexican chain around. Specific enough for you? Ok, so it's the only place that fits all those criteria. But it is pretty good; sort of like a local Baja Fresh with better, more sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu. Obviously there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants on Hawthorne, but there are a few reasons to hit up Cha Cha Cha instead of the others. The menu is quite extensive, it's fairly reasonably priced, and as I've already mentioned, the ingredients change with the season. There is also…
Read More

Thanh Thao

4005 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 29, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Though there was nothing particularly Vietnamese or Thai (as the sign implies) about the lunch I ate at Thanh Thao, it definitely is in the running for my favorite new lunch spot on Hawthorne. Today's visit was actually our second attempt to each there. The first was on Tuesday, the one day a week they are closed. That day, we ended up eating at No Fish, Go Fish right across the street instead, so it wasn't all bad. Thanh Thao is decent sized and was nearly full with diners, which is always a good…
Read More

Kabobi

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 28, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip): $22.80 It's official: we need to stop bombing Afghanistan. Not only because it doesn't seem to be making a damn difference, but because after my first experience with Afghani cuisine at Kabobi, I must say the food is damn good. I had no idea what to expect walking into Kabobi (other than that they had a $5.95 lunch special, thanks to an outdoor a frame.) We'd actually been curious about this place before, but never went in, in case Afghani food was like chicken feet or something. Well, as it turns out, it's basically Indian…
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

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

Back to Bread and Ink

Date of Visit: Nov 1, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip): $30 We hit up Bread and Ink for brunch this morning. Since I've already done a full review of it, and I don't really want to work too hard today, figured I'd just post some pictures of what we got. I must say, it was some of the best-looking food I've ever gotten there (and it tasted pretty good too!) Belgian Waffle with pear, whipped cream and powdered sugar Skillet scramble with sausage, red onions, roasted potatoes, spinach and cheddar
Read More

Cha Cha Cha

3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 30, 2009 Price for 2: $16 Cha Cha Cha is the best local baja-style Mexican chain around. Specific enough for you? Ok, so it's the only place that fits all those criteria. But it is pretty good; sort of like a local Baja Fresh with better, more sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu. Obviously there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants on Hawthorne, but there are a few reasons to hit up Cha Cha Cha instead of the others. The menu is quite extensive, it's fairly reasonably priced, and as I've already mentioned, the ingredients change with the season. There is also…
Read More

Thanh Thao

4005 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 29, 2009 Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Though there was nothing particularly Vietnamese or Thai (as the sign implies) about the lunch I ate at Thanh Thao, it definitely is in the running for my favorite new lunch spot on Hawthorne. Today's visit was actually our second attempt to each there. The first was on Tuesday, the one day a week they are closed. That day, we ended up eating at No Fish, Go Fish right across the street instead, so it wasn't all bad. Thanh Thao is decent sized and was nearly full with diners, which is always a good…
Read More

Kabobi

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of Visit: October 28, 2009 Cost for 2 (with tip): $22.80 It's official: we need to stop bombing Afghanistan. Not only because it doesn't seem to be making a damn difference, but because after my first experience with Afghani cuisine at Kabobi, I must say the food is damn good. I had no idea what to expect walking into Kabobi (other than that they had a $5.95 lunch special, thanks to an outdoor a frame.) We'd actually been curious about this place before, but never went in, in case Afghani food was like chicken feet or something. Well, as it turns out, it's basically Indian…
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

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