Portland has changed so much in the last few decades. But some places have survived the ages.
Oregonian restaurant reporter and critic Michael Russell joined the City Cast podcast to rhapsodize Old Portland and its fine old eating and drinking establishments.
Here are five of the best:
Opened: 1947
Neighborhood: Pearl District
Specialities: Breakfast, cheeseburgers
“It's got that old throwback vibe,” says Russell. “I think of the painting ‘Nighthawks’ — of people sitting in a diner late at night. It's got that kind of corner window vibe.”
Opened: 1921
Neighborhood: Woodstock
Specialty: Sausages
“They char them,” says Russell. “I love to chat with the folks on the grill, and then they have like 12 or 14 condiments you can load up right next door.”
Opened: 1907
Neighborhood: Downtown
Specialty: Oysters
“If you're looking for oysters and you're downtown, this is a totally classic place to go, and hopefully it can last another a hundred years,” says Russell.
Opened: 1892
Neighborhood: Downtown
Specialty: Seafood
“Jake's still has all the ambience you could desire in an old restaurant,” says Russell. “They have this old tiled bar. If I'm working late and I'm downtown, that is a great place to just go grab a beer, a little seafood — and I'm not even a baseball fan, but it's the ideal place to watch a baseball game.”
Opened: 1879
Neighborhood: Downtown
Specialty: Turkey, but also the city’s “signature cocktail”
“Apologies to Jeffrey Morgenthaler's barrel-aged Negroni here, but the Spanish coffee at Huber's — there may not be a better-known drink associated with a Portland restaurant or with the city,” says Russell.
Tip: It’s a holiday season favorite and quite busy then. (Reserve in advance if you want to do that.)
What’s your favorite Old Portland restaurant? What’s missing from this list? Please email us.
Also: Check out Russell’s list of the 40 best Portland restaurants. [Oregonian]
