Cheap Eats in Portland
Eating on a budget in Portland is such a grand adventure, I could probably change the title of this article to “The Best Food in Portland” and change nary an item. We’re going to set the bar for this journey for the frugal and famished at $8. Travelers can visit any of the following eateries, pay with a sawbuck, and get change back – but consider leaving it as a tip. Those folks work hard.
Biddy McGraw’s is an Irish pub that is gradually redefining itself as a restaurant. It doesn’t limit itself to Irish fare, though for the traditionally-minded, their Irish Stew ($6) Is hearty and features beef stewed with Guinness, coffee, carrots, and onions, and comes served in a sourdough bread bowl. This delectable concoction sets aside all stereotypes about Irish cuisine. Their extensive menu of sandwiches and burgers run $6 or $7 by and large, so you have room in the budget to add fries for a dollar, and their weekend brunch also provides a wealth of options for $6 each.
Superdog focuses on hot dogs and sausages, and for your $8 you can throw in a side salad or macaroni and cheese, or ten other sides and throw in a soda, too. There is an even cheaper meal option that keeps the soda but replaces the side with a bag of chips. For the meat, they offer hot dogs (Nathan’s, Zweigle’s, and even a vegetarian option), and sausages of all kinds (spicy or not, chicken, pork, beef, local favorites cooked in local microbrews, and plenty of others). They have lean and healthy options (hardly one’s first thought when hitting a hot dog joint), and if you can’t get there, but crave something Super, they deliver. That’s right. They’ll walk your dog to you.
The People’s Sandwich of Portland features $8 sandwiches (served with DicTater Chips), in a restaurant that sticks to its theme as dedicatedly as the sandwiches will stick to your ribs. From a menu that looks like the Communist Manifesto, order yourself a Hammer & Pickle (a traditional Cuban sandwich, natch), the vegetarian Portlandia Uber Alles, and the vegan People Sandwich which is awesome enough to refer to its main ingredient (pan-fried tofu awash in pesto) as Soylent Green. Way to take that name back, People’s Sandwich of Portland!
Okay. I’m about to show you two words, and when you read them, your mind may be overwhelmed by the awesome potential of the concept they represent. Indeed, this phrase may cause you to get in the car and start driving to Portland, unable to withstand the temptation. Before you go, let me tell you where you’re going. At any one of their three locations, you can visit Flavour Spot, the original home of the most beautiful and mouthwatering pair of words – maybe ever. The options are wide and creative, with vegetarian, meaty, and dessert options, including peanut butter and marshmallow Fluff. Take a deep breath. Here it comes. Waffle sandwiches. You’re welcome.