Portland's Best Hamburger 2008

A deep-fry diner serving up Americana fare in kitschy style.

Reviews:

• “THE Greasy hamburger joint of Portland”
• “Re: IT AIN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE”
• “delicious chocolate malts!”
• “help”
• “awesome.”

Tips: This diner is cash only, but does have an ATM on-site.

Skyline Restaurant

Upscale downtown bistro delivers elegantly simple Northwestern fare.

Reviews:

• “make reservations”
• “Charming and comforting atmosphere with excellent service.”
• “Nice Decor, Good Desserts, Small Menu”
• “Will not be returning”
• “Again, a Delightful Experience”

Tips: While the restaurant is perfect for special occasions or expense-account dining, choose a lower-priced, more laid-back meal from a shorter menu at the bar.

Higgins Restaurant and Bar or email Higgins Restaurant and Bar

Where understated elegance blends seamlessly with everyday fare.

Reviews:

• “Good food, mediocre service”
• “Excellent Lunch Spot. "
• “Best Burgers in Portland”
• “love the mac and cheese”
• “Love it!”

Tips: For a dressier affair, venture next door to Castagna, the gussied-up sister of Cafe Castagna. It dishes up more complex, sophisticated—and expensive—fare.

Cafe Castagna

Founded in 1961, this is a Northwest tradition for made-to-order hamburgers and old-time ambience.

Reviews:

• “St.johns burgerville in north portland is horrible.”
• “Great for Fast Food”
• “Dumb and old”
• “Great idea, in need of better delivery.”
• “Disastrously inconsistent quality.”

Tips: Each season brings new delights: Fuji Farms’ strawberry shakes in spring, Walla Walla onion rings in July and sweet-potato fries in November.

Burgerville

Petite bistro brings Pacific Northwest fresh cuisine and a little Parisian joie de vivre to Lower Burnside.

Reviews:

• “Unusual experience, great food”
• “The Pigeon”
• “The good food isn’t worth the abuse”
• “GREAT food!”
• “Well worth the money! Job well done!”

Le Pigeon or email Le Pigeon

Meat lovers can rejoice at this downtown spot that features robust regional American cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Dissapointing New Year”
• “old time customer, not coming back”
• “Not impressed”
• “Great atmosphere, interesting menu, great service”
• “Lousy new menu”

Tips: A separate, less expensive bar menu is served until the bar closes.

Red Star

Classic recipes and extraordinary ingredients do the Northwest proud.

Reviews:

• “Open Table reservations don’t mean a thing….and the food was nothing to brag about”
• “Great date spot”
• “We would have had a better time at Red Robin. "
• “GREAT Experience”
• “Mixed bag – some good/some bad.”

Tips: The bar’s chalkboard menu, a smart selection of uncomplicated pizzas, shellfish, salads and a $10 burger, is available daily after 2:30pm.

Wildwood Restaurant & Bar

Vintage decor, global cuisine and cocktail recipes from the 1920s add up to date-perfect ambience in north Portland.

Reviews:

• “Cozy and absolutely delicious!”
• “This is a great place!”
• “I DON’T GET IT”
• “Very long wait, too noisy”
• “Great, no-nonsense staff and wonderful food!”

Tips: Authentic 1920s cocktails include the Pegu Club, a sophisticated mix of Bombay Sapphire, Cointreau, fresh lime juice and bitters.

Lovely Hula Hands

Reviews:

• “Great customer service and best food in town!”
• “Great Milkshakes”
• “Best Burgers in the State”
• “Kinda Maybe Sorta”

Mike’s Drive-In

Newport brewery’s Portland post is an unpretentious option for microbrew maniacs.

Reviews:

• “Burger was WAY overcooked, unorganized management”
• “Over priced”
• “Um, can I get a beer please?”
• “Worst experience I’ve ever had @ a resturant”
• “Terrible Service and Warm Beer”

Tips: The kitchen closes two hours before the bar.

Rogue Ales Public House

Soul-soothing Italian cuisine in a cozy space that hums with energy.

Reviews:

• “Amazing Food”
• “The BEST Customer Service”
• “Fantastic, Classy way to celebrate turning 21”
• “Happy Hour!”
• “Great Service, Good Food”

Tips: Serratto has a lot on NW Johnson between 21st and 22nd. Validate your ticket at the restaurant to reduce the price from $10 to $4 and parking is free during lunch time daily.

Serratto or email Serratto

Hops for Mom and Pop, playland for the tots—it’s a brewpub for the minivan set.

Reviews:

• “What has happened????”
• “The only BrewPub in Portland!!!!! (In my humble opinion)”
• “New Menu – BAD Veggie Burger – Be Warned!”
• “Expired eggs and moldy grapes”
• “Food snob enjoys this great brewery!”

Tips: Check out their website to find a list of bars and restaurants where you can find Laurelwoods beers on tap.

Laurelwood Public House & Brewery or email Laurelwood Public House & Brewery

This grand dame of downtown hotel dining features fresh Northwest dishes prepared with classic French technique.

Reviews:

• “great brunch”
• “great bouillabaisse matched by great service”
• “Worst Christmas Dinner Ever”
• “Very disappointed”
• “Best Service in Portland”

Tips: The lobby lounge does double-duty as both a jazz lounge and tea court. Catch live jazz Wednesday-Saturday, 7pm-10pm, or book a table for seasonal, reservations-required high tea.

Heathman Restaurant & Bar

Oregon’s oldest craft brewery offers fine dining, a lively beer hall and on-site bakery in a popular Pearl District location.

Reviews:

• “Unresponsive “management” "
• “Good beer, good food.”
• “Amazing beer, delicious food”
• “Great beer / food /service”
• “High Class Brewpub?”

Tips: After 5pm, the garage across the street offers free parking to pub customers.

BridgePort BrewPub & Bakery

Reviews:

• “Can’t beat breakfast”
• “unreliable”
• “Juicy Burgers, Excellent Fries & the best onion rings I’ve ever had…”
• “Ou Favorite Place To Eat In The Gorge”
• “How did this place make the list?”

Char Burger

Known for its fries, the restaurant offers catering, daily specials and offers a kid-friendly atmosphere ideal for parties.

Reviews:

• “No Complaints”
• “Fries – Best? Not even”
• “BOYCOTT MCMENAMINS!”
• “If you like overcooked”
• “Disagree”

McMenamins Pubs & Breweries

Reviews:

• “Some good food, but just not great "
• “Caveat emptor…let the buyer beware!!”
• “Terrible dining experience”
• “Were the servers trained?”
• “Hipster waiters lack basic manners.”

Doug Fir Restaurant

Creative Northwest cuisine and comfort food attract diners to this intimate, warm restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Did not live up to the hype – the service was terrible.”
• “Poor Service, Will not go back”
• “Great wine, and service but that’s it”
• “Nice Choice for more “not your everyday” dinner fare"
• “Look elsewhere for a fine dinner experience. "

Tips: For less fuss but no less quality, have a bite in the bar area where the full menu is served and the bartenders make a mean cosmopolitan.

Paley’s Place

Formerly the Italian restaurant Balvo, this well-known spot has been transformed by the same owners into a New American eatery.

Reviews:

• “Unique Menu and Great Service”
• “Love It!”
• “Great Happy Hour!!! "
• “Another yummy happy hour!”
• “Best Meal Ever!”

Tips: The star-studded team at this restaurant includes the former chef of much-loved Zefiro, Christopher Israel.

23Hoyt