The Original Hotcake and Steak House – 1002 SE Powell Blvd. – 503-236-7402 – Open 24 Hours
This is a Portland classic, as the vintage sign out front will tell you immediately. They serve standard American breakfast fare and burgers 24/7 at this cozy little diner just off the Ross Island bridge. Prices are on the cheaper side and the place seems to always be hopping, especially late-night and morning.
The SE 12th and Hawthorne Food Carts – Open past 2
The Poutine at Potato Champion is a recommended dish, as is the apple and chicken pot pie from Whiffies. Yarp?! serves standard dishes like spaghetti with local beef. If you’re in the mood for crepes, Parierra Creperie makes a walnut honey coriander crepe as well as a banana nutella crepe, among others. Pyro Pizza is a new twist on an old game. They operate a wood-fired pizza oven out of their cart. These are all very reasonably priced and well worth it if you don’t need a fancy restaurant to enjoy good food.
Portland City Grill – 111 SW 5th Ave. (30th floor of U.S. Bank Tower) – 503-450-0030 – Open M-Th ’til midnight, F-Sat ’til 1:00 and Sun ’til 11:00
Speaking of fancy restaurants, the Portland City Grill is often looked down on by your average Portlander because of its high-rise snootiness. The entrees are certainly on the pricey side ($15-$30), but the food is quite good. The menu is a slight fusion of Asian food and Northwest Steakhouse fare. Wear your Sunday best and call ahead for reservations if you want to dine with the upper crust among live piano music and a top-notch view of Portland.
Jubitz – Exit 307 off I-5
I know what you’re thinking, truck stop? But really, Jubitz is nationally recognized as one of the biggest and best truck stops in the country. Jubitz features a hotel, movie theater, live music and 24-hour dining at The Portlander Marketplace as well as Cascade Grill, which features some of the biggest portions in the city.
Shari’s – Six different locations in Portland, including Delta Park, Airport Way, Cascade Park, Fishers Landing, San Rafael and Halsey Crossing – Open 24 hours
While Shari’s isn’t going to win any awards for outstanding cuisine or ambiance, sometimes you just want a damn omelet and some bacon. Shari’s is like your standard American family diner, a la Denny’s or Perkins. I put Shari’s slightly above Denny’s and possibly on par with Perkins quality. The prices are very reasonable.
Holman’s – 15 SE 28th Ave. – 503-231-1093 – Open past 2
Well, if you don’t mind your midnight meal in a dive bar atmosphere, Holman’s is the place. They spare nothing on their menu, which includes a heart-clogging version of a Monte Cristo. Holman’s serves surprisingly above standard bar-fare and is moderately priced. Of course, like any good bar in Portland, they also serve a nice stiff drink.
The Bye and Bye – 1011 NE Alberta St. 503-281-0537 – Open ’til 2:30 nightly, minors ’til 9
The Bye and Bye is another Portland bar that serves above average food. Their menu, however, is strictly vegan. The atmosphere is clean, dark and hipster-ridden, but hey, if you can’t deal with hipsters you shouldn’t be in Portland. The Bye and Bye also features a large back patio. This comes in handy if you’re a smoker, as smoking is prohibited indoors in Oregon.
