Eat Local
Portland’s restaurants inch closer to reopening giving us a hopeful sign that normal life may soon resume. Dining out at a favorite local restaurant with friends and family is something I’ll never take for granted again! In the meantime, we can still support our local Portland restaurants by ordering takeout and delivery. To fill the social void, take your meal to a beautiful Portland park and dine with some of those people you’ve missed during this past year. Supporting local businesses now makes it more likely they will still be around in a post pandemic Portland.
A Sample of the Best Takeout in Portland
This list admittedly doesn’t cover ALL the Best Takeout in Portland. This city is home to so many great restaurants, cafes and food trucks that a BEST OF list would likely be a bound book. This is a small sample provided by a few friends of their favorites. It’s the result of their responses to what restaurants had gotten them through this crazy year. Between this and the first installment of my Portland Takeout Series focusing on Pizza I list 20 restaurants worth a try. Support local restaurants and hopefully soon we’ll be back inside these staples of Portland enjoying great food with good company!
Thai Food
City Thai Hillsdale
This neighborhood Thai restaurant is located on Capital Highway in the Hillsdale neighborhood. They’ve been around since 2006 serving “traditional and authentic made to order Thai gourmet” food. When we were trying to decide on our Saturday night takeout options, I referred to this list and chose City Thai. My favorite Thai dish is Pad Kee Mow (Drunken Noodles / Spicy Noodles) and is always the first thing I try at a new restaurant. Their version did not disappoint! The Pad Thai, Thai Fried Rice and Vegetarian Spring Rolls were all delicious. Pick up was easy, simply follow the link on their website. They’re open daily.
Red Curry Beaverton
A neighbor brought us Red Curry takeout soon after we moved to Portland. It was fantastic! I mentioned to a friend how great their food was and before I told him the name of the restaurant, he stopped me and said I should really try Red Curry. So, not only is my first-person recommendation for this restaurant but it also ranks high with one of my pickiest friends. Their Drunken Noodles were superb as were the fresh rolls and Yellow Curry! I don’t find a website for them, but they do deliver through various services as well as offering takeout.
Thai Bloom Beaverton and NW Portland
This was another friend’s top Thai Restaurant choice. They are dedicated to serving high quality food and state their “chefs are authentic Thai cuisine professionals, having honed their craft through years of apprenticeship in their native country. Each delicious dish we prepare offers a unique dining experience of savory aromas, perfectly blended flavors, and appealing, fine-dining presentation.” They are open daily for takeout, delivery and patio dining.
E-San Thai SE Division
The lone eastside Thai restaurant which made the list of friend’s favorites is E-San Thai on Division. They have a wide variety of noodle dishes and curry choices. They’re open for dinner for takeout and delivery and update their hours via their Instagram (@esanthai).
Bakery & Breakfast
Grand Central Bakery Multiple Portland Locations
Grand Central’s delicious baked goods have been a favorite treat of ours during the past year. Their mission is “To serve our customers delicious, authentic food made from high-quality local and sustainable ingredients while growing a healthy, values-driven business.” In addition to their fantastic breads and pastries they offer soup, sandwiches and an assortment of U-bake doughs and pies. They’ve been baking their award-winning breads since 1989 and have been named one of the top 20 great American Bakeries by Saveur Magazine. Not only is their food fantastic but they’re a certified B Corp which means they adhere to a high standard of “social and environmental performance and accountability.” They offer pickup and delivery which can be ordered online. They do close the online ordering from 2-4 so plan ahead.
Fat City Café Multnomah Village
This is one of the few places we were lucky enough to dine in after moving back to Portland prior to the shutdowns. This charming family owned and operated diner has been around since 1976! They serve the usual breakfast fare including omelets, pancakes, and waffles but also offer vegan options like the Vegan Sizzle and offer gluten free and vegan options on request. Fat City Café is currently open for take out only every day except Monday.
Afternoon Tea Takeout
Clockwork Rose Tea Emporium Beaverton
Takeout high tea has been a fun favorite of one of my friends during the past year. While they have reopened in a limited capacity you can still get takeout and treat yourself to an afternoon high tea at home. The packages include: 1 Cup of Soup, 3 Tea Sandwiches, 3 mini–Hot Savories, 2 mini scones, Clotted Cream, Lemon Curd, Jam and 5 mini-Desserts and Tea (enough loose tea to make a large pot of tea). They have a variety of options including dairy free, vegetarian and gluten free. I can’t wait to try this spot out in person!
Bowls & Burritos
Laughing Planet Various locations around Portland
For quick, delicious and healthy takeout this has been our go to. It’s especially great if you have kids and although takeout doesn’t give the wee ones a chance to play with the restaurant’s dinosaurs, they’ll still enjoy the tasty food from their extensive kid’s menu. Laughing Planet not only sources their ingredients from local farms and food purveyors but also gives back to the community through charitable donations to various local non-profits. So, great food which supports local growers and gives back – what’s not to love. As for recommendations from their menu, a few of our favorites are the Tempeh Royal, Amazing Grace Quesadilla, Thai Bowl and Korean BBQ Bowl with Tofu.
Chez Jose SW Portland
This was a favorite back in my early days in Portland. They’ve been serving their brand of Mexican food since 1987! In my years away from Portland I often made my favorite Chez Jose dish, the Butternut Squash Enchilada. The Oregonian published Chez Jose’s recipe for this tasty dish so I was thrilled to recreate it. While the ingredients, which in addition to butternut squash, also include mushrooms, jicama, apples, and carrots smothered in spicy peanut sauce may not sound like your typical Mexican dish it’s delicious and worth trying. Their roasted veggie burrito and veggie fajitas are also a favorites of mine. They are currently serving a limited menu and have added margaritas to their takeout menu! They are also open for dine in on Wednesday – Sunday evenings with reservations highly recommended.
Pasta & Wine
Pastini’s Multiple Portland Locations
A restaurant “inspired by the farms and vineyards of the Pacific Northwest” is the perfect spot to satisfy your pasta (and wine) craving. Pastini’s offers a wide variety of pastas including vegan options. They are “dedicated to serving up two of life’s greatest pleasures… pasta and wine” so it’s no surprise that wine is also on the takeout menu. They offer ½ off bottles of wine for takeout every day. Take advantage of their Takeout Tuesday promotion for 20% your order. Order directly from the restaurant either online or by phone to save on delivery fees. They offer curbside pickup and will simply place your order in your trunk.
Vegan Diner
Vertical Diner SW Portland
This vegan restaurant serves tasty sandwiches, salads and specialties. We love the Jerk Chicken Burrito and their burgers which can me made with your choice of three types of vegan patties, the cali- burger (red lentil-rice-veggie style), Field Roast burger (beefy style), tiger burger (breaded chicken style). We’ve gotten takeout from The Vertical Diner multiple times during the past year enjoyed it every time. They’re open daily and offer a special 10% off on their Meatless Monday. Order easily online for pickup.
Bar Food on the Patio
The Rambler N. Mississippi
Including a bar in a story about the best takeout in Portland list may sound odd but if their Fried Brussels Sprouts (Charred onion, currents, Cajun seasoning, roasted garlic aioli) are any indication of their other fare then I highly recommend. In addition to takeout their patio is now open. They are located in a charming converted 1920s bungalow on N. Mississippi and while I look forward to returning inside, their cozy patio is a great spot to enjoy their offerings while supporting a local business. They’re open daily from 4-11pm.
Support Local Businesses
Many of these restaurants offer free or inexpensive delivery or pickup as well as delivery via the big name services. The drawback for restaurants, especially small businesses operating on razor thin margins, are the fees which the outside delivery services charge. These range from 10% -30% of the price of the order. If you’re trying to make sure the restaurants get to keep the most profit from your purchase opt for take out or the restaurant’s own delivery. Make sure to check the restaurants websites for their current dine in and take out options as these are changing quickly now that some local spots are opening back up.
This is but a small list of the best takeout in Portland. If you’re in the mood for pizza make sure to check out my list of favorite Portland pizza takeout and delivery. There are tons of fantastic local restaurants who have had a challenging year. Here’s hoping that we will all be gathering at our favorite Portland restaurants enjoying great food and the company of friends and family in the near future!
