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Counter Service Restaurants

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Portland, Oregon is a city with a diverse and thriving food scene. From farm-to-table fine dining to food carts and street food, there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal, counter service restaurants are a great option. Here are some of the best counter service restaurants in Portland that you need to check out:

Bluto’s

Bluto’s is a wood fired, greek inspired restaurant where you can find some of the best hummus in the city. You can also find unique cocktails many inlcuding ouzo.

2838 SE Belmont

Bollywood Theatre

Bollywood Theatre is an Indian street food restaurant with two locations in Portland. The menu features a variety of delicious dishes, including samosas, chaat, and curries. The vibrant and colorful decor adds to the fun and lively atmosphere.

  • 3010 SE Division
  • 2039 NE Alberta

Danwei Canting

Danwei Canting is a Chinese restaurant that serves a variety of dishes, including dumplings, noodles, and bao buns. The menu is inspired by the street food of Chengdu, China, and features bold and spicy flavors.

803 SE Stark

Grassa

Grassa is a pasta restaurant that specializes in handmade noodles and sauces. The menu features a variety of classic pasta dishes, such as spaghetti and meatballs, as well as more unique options, such as bacon carbonara.

  • 1375 SE Hawthorne
  • 1205 SW Washington
  • 1506 NW 23rd

Guero

Güero is a Mexican taqueria that serves delicious tacos, burritos, and bowls. The menu features traditional Mexican flavors with a modern twist. The fresh ingredients and homemade salsas make these tacos some of the best in Portland.

200 NE 28th

Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a southern Thai restaurant that specializes in fried chicken and roti. The chicken is marinated in a special blend of spices and served with a variety of sauces. The roti is flaky and buttery and perfect for dipping into the curry dishes.

  • 605 SE Belmont
  • 1605 NE Killingsworth

Nong’s Khao Man Gai

Nong’s Khao Man Gai is a Thai restaurant that specializes in a popular street food dish in Thailand. The dish consists of poached chicken, rice cooked in chicken broth, and a side of sauce made from fermented soybeans, ginger, garlic, and Thai chilies.

  • 609 SE Ankeny st C
  • 417 SW 13th

XLB

XLB is a Chinese dumpling restaurant that serves xiao long bao, also known as soup dumplings. The dumplings are filled with a variety of meats and vegetables and served with a side of black vinegar and ginger.

4090 N Williams

Portland has no shortage of amazing counter service restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for Indian street food, Thai fried chicken, handmade pasta, or gourmet donuts, you’ll find something delicious in this foodie city.

Bluto’s

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This past week we revisited Bluto’s Greek Restaurant. It was opened by the same great minds as Lardo. Seeing as we love Lardo as much as we do (best sandwich in portland) we knew to expect good things from Bluto’s.

Bluto’s is a wood fired greek inspired restaurant, so don’t expect authentic, but do expect char. The restaurant is casual but elevated. The chef calls it “fast casual plus”. He sees it as the way portland is headed, Fine dining food in a casual atmosphere. Time will tell if he is correct.

The have a small but creative cocktail menu. I had the ‘Greek it to me’ which was tequila and cucumber and very refreshing. There are lots of other fun cocktails that I am excited to go back and try. If cocktails aren’t your thing, they also have greek wine and local beers to choose from.

The food

As for the food, it was truly delicious. We tried many of the things on the menu and there was only one thing that we didn’t love. The cauliflower with lentils just didn’t work for me. The dish had lots of potential, but it was too much char for me.

The rest of the things we loved. The biggest standout was absolutely the hummus. It’s silky smooth, super flavorful, and is divine with the house made flatbread. We also loved the beet salad with quinoa, it came with a black tahini sauce that was heavenly. We also tried the chicken, shrimp, and lamb skewers. The chicken was the best for me, tender, flavorful, juicy, I could go on. The lamb was a close second, especially considering lamb is a hard protein to find in Portland.

For dessert we had chocolate soft serve, which takes just like the nostalgic soft serve you are thinking of now, and baklava, which should not be skipped!

I can definitely say that I will be coming back to Bluto’s. Its expensive for counter service, but maybe the chef is onto something with his upscale fast casual theme. Have you been? Let us know what you think!

Pink Rabbit: A Hidden Gem in Portland

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If you’re looking for a unique and stylish bar experience in Portland, look no further than Pink Rabbit Cocktail Bar. This hidden gem is tucked away in a corner of the city and is the perfect spot for a night out with friends or a date night with your significant other.

The bar is known for its playful and colorful interior, which is inspired by the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland. The walls are adorned with vintage-style posters, and the lighting is soft and romantic, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The Drinks

But what really sets Pink Rabbit apart is their incredible drinks menu. The bar is dedicated to creating the perfect cocktail, using only the freshest ingredients and expert mixology techniques. Their menu features classic cocktails with a twist, as well as unique creations that are sure to surprise and delight.

One of the most popular drinks is the “Rabbit Hole”, a gin-based cocktail with fresh berries and a hint of rosewater. It’s light and refreshing, with just the right balance of sweetness and tartness. Another standout is the “Caterpillar’s Elixir”, a delicious blend of whiskey, honey, and lemon, topped with a colorful butterfly pea flower.

For those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks, Pink Rabbit has you covered too. They offer a variety of mocktails, including the “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party”, a blend of hibiscus tea, lemon, and honey.

The Food

In addition to their drinks menu, Pink Rabbit also offers a small but carefully curated food menu, featuring small plates and snacks to complement your drinks. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Overall, Pink Rabbit is the perfect place to unwind after a long day, or to celebrate a special occasion. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will make you feel right at home. Their inventive drinks and delicious food will leave you wanting more. So next time you’re in Portland, be sure to check out this hidden gem.

Christmas Light Displays

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Yay! the holidays, the time of year where it is even more acceptable to snuggle up in a comfy pair of pajamas for the whole day. If you are feeling a bit sick of your house and you want to get out to see some beautiful twinkling lights, this year we have some great ideas for you! (You can decide if you want to take those comfy pajamas off or not). In no particular order, here are some great christmas light displays around Portland!

Zoo Lights

zoo light

Now – Jan 5th

  • Oregon Zoo
  • 4001 SW Canyon rd

5pm – 9pm advance tickets required.

  • $19-$24 for the walking experience
  • $65 for drive-thru
  • *members receive a 20% discount

Buy Tickets

Winter Wonderland

winter wonderland at PIR, Light

Now – Dec. 31st

  • Portland International Raceway
  • 1940 N victory Blvd
  • Mon – Thurs 5-10pm
  • Fri – Sun 4:30-11pm
  • advance tickets required. *wait times can be 50 min during peak days/times*

$43+ per car depending on the day

Buy Tickets

Christmas Ships

christmas ships light

Dec. 4th – Dec. 22nd

around downtown and north portland along the rivers

Varying days and times depending on the river, check the Willamette schedule and the Columbia schedule for specific times

$FREE

Festival of Lights

Now – Dec 30th

  • The Grotto
  • 8840 NE Skidmore

5pm – 9:30pm

  • $14 advance tickets
  • $18 for at the gate tickets

Buy Tickets

Peacock Lane

Dec 15th – Dec 31st

  • Peacock Lane
  • Between Belmont and Stark St.

6pm – 11pm

  • Walk or Drive is available every night

$Free

Holidays at The Belle

Weekends, starting December 3rd

  • The Victorian Belle Mansion
  • 1441 N McClellan st
  • 4 pm – 10 pm

$5 – $20 depending on the event

Buy Tickets

Christmas at the Campground

Nov 25th – Dec 31st

Corner of SE Duke and SE 52nd ave.

  • Dusk Til Dawn
  • *grounds are closed but lights can be seen from the public streets*

$Free

The Holiday Express

Now – Dec 18th

  • Rail Heritage Center
  • 2250 SE Water Ave

Rides are every 90 minutes, tickets must be purchased in advance as they sell out.

  • $28 adult
  • $23 child *2 and under are free*
  • $92 family
  • Buy Tickets

Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments!

Langbaan

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You should go to Langbaan. I will get much wordier about it momentarily, but that really is the long and short of it. We recently headed there for the first time after their move from SE Portland to NW, and were totally wowed. The food, the ambience, the service, and the wine pairings were all truly top-notch. You should go to Langbaan.

Getting In

As mentioned earlier, Langbaan just moved locations to a larger space in NW. They share the space with Phuket Cafe, who operates out of the interior and exterior during the week, but cedes the indoors to Langbaan on the weekends. They only do two seatings each day of the weekend, so plan ahead!

The Space

The decor of the new location is spot on. With exposed wooden beams and a gorgeous accent wallpaper, it somehow walks that fine line between hip and refined. The space is small enough to be cozy, but large enough not to feel crowded, and the open kitchen provides that warm feeling of really being cooked for.

The Food

The tasting menu has a simple and elegant concept: exploring different regions of Thailand’s cuisine with seasonal ingredients and the chef’s creativity. When we dined there recently, the focus was on the cuisine of Isaan in Northeastern Thailand, involving fun ferments, spicy chilis, and coconut cream. The food was all incredible, and at the end of the night when our server asked us, ‘What was the favorite of the night?” we proceeded to name basically every dish on the menu.

The Drinks

In addition to the tasting menu, we did have the wine pairings. They were wonderfully chosen, supporting and complementing the food perfectly. I often feel that tasting menus in the Northwest choose mostly reds regardless of the food, which can be frustrating. This one, by contrast, was almost entirely whites and a rose, which worked so well with the food.

The Service

One final note to mention was the phenomenal service. There were 3 folks working front of house that night, and all three were personable, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to make our evening great. Thanks team!

Have you been to Langbaan yet? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Check them out Here for their current menu and to make reservations.

Be Ready to Buy

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You need to be ready to buy when the market shifts. 

We still have an inventory crisis, and that will keep the market from crashing.  Pricing will continue going down as long as the interest rates continue to climb. As soon as inflation is back under control, they will drop the rates again.  When they do, you want to be ready to buy so you can enjoy the climb and build wealth.  

What do you need to do to be a ready to buy? Here are the 4 things I would focus on to best position yourself for a future purchase. 

Save your money.

You’ll need a downpayment and the more money you can put down, the better the house will be. Set aside a percentage of every paycheck, somewhere you can’t touch it, and let it build up as much as you can. If the bulk of your money is tied up in investments, I’d pull it and hold the cash so the stock market isn’t deciding how large of a downpayment you have. Of course talk with your financial advisor about this strategy, but stocks are also predicted to continue declining.  

Pay down your debts.

Your debt to income ratio is a huge part of being able to buy a house. Start with paying off your smaller debts and then wrap those payments into the larger debts. This will put yourself in as strong a position as possible.  

Work on your credit score.

This will improve naturally as you pay your debts down. You also want to make sure you stay up to date on all your payments and remove any past delinquencies that may still be showing up.  Free credit report sites can give you a quick overview, but for a better look I’d head over to one of the actual reporting agencies.  

Hone what you want to buy.

Once interest rates come back down, there will be a frenzy again because we don’t have any inventory.  Knowing exactly what you want to buy will put you in the best position to immediately jump on it when it comes on the market.  

This market is different than anything we have ever seen before, and as such we are all learning something new everyday.  If it were my money, I’d be buying homes as soon as the interest rates hit 5.5%. If you want to talk about a buying strategy, or what this could mean for you, please reach out!

Want to meet with us? You can schedule with us HERE

Scotch Lodge

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Hot Spot of the week is sultry speakeasy-style lounge Scotch Lodge! We recently stepped through their somewhat hidden entrance to sample the wares and were thoroughly impressed!

The first thing to note about Scotch Lodge is that the entrance isn’t obvious. Other than the sandwich board on the corner, there isn’t much indication that you should be opening the barred doors nearby. Once you do give the doors a shot, you will find yourself descending a dim staircase. This leads down to a cool and moody vintage-vibe space. The manner of entrance along with all of the decor gives the whole space the feel of a speakeasy in another era and I am obsessed!

Decor

To start, we ordered cocktails from the creative and well-curated list. I tried the Loch Stock, a super rich and smoky blend of scotch, mezcal, and lapsang souchong – infused sweet vermouth with a touch of Ancho Reyes. My dining companion went with the Lotus Espirit with Japanese whisky, lotus orgeat, Genmaicha, and egg white. Both were delightful and went down a little too easily…

Cocktails

Everything on the menu sounded amazing, so we went with the time-proven technique of asking our bartender to guide us. We ended up with some very delicious food and two very full bellies. The Arancini were crispy on the outside and gooey inside, with a lovely avocado crema. The Stone Fruit salad was a perfectly refreshing moment and with the thinly sliced coppa, felt like an Italian summer day. The pappardelle was fresh and perfectly cooked, and the duck breast on top was crispy and rich, the seaweed butter providing an unexpected layer of flavor. The NY strip was a lovely way to round out the meal, cooked beautifully and accompanied by enoki mushrooms and anise.

The Food

In all, Scotch Lodge was a lovely experience and I cannot wait to go back. The combination of great food and cocktails with the sexy and moody decor make it a great spot for a date night or a treat-yourself dinner.

Have you been to Scotch Lodge yet? What should we try out the next time? Let us know in the comments below!

September Events

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Can you believe we have made it to the final stretch of summer? Us Either! We do hope that September stays warm, especially for these great events! There are quite a few fun and free things to choose from this month. Here are our top picks!

First Thursday

Stroll through the art galleries in the pearl for an evening of art, music, and wine! Parking is difficult so public transit is recommended

The Pearl District

Free

  • September 1st
  • 5pm – 10pm though gallery hours vary.

Art in the Pearl

  • Fine Arts and Craft Festival celebrates 26 years of bringing art to the community. The distinctly artist-run event has long been a favorite in Portland, and it’s the perfect Labor Day destination to gather and celebrate the end of summer.
  • Northwest Park Blocks

Free

MORE INFO

September 3rd-5th, 10am – 6pm

Rose City Comic Con

  • While its primary focus is on comics, comic creators and the creative process, Rose City Comic Con also provides its attendees access to gaming, sci-fi, cosplay, anime, fantasy and everything in between. Its goal is to provide you with a rewarding, fun, family-friendly event experience.
  • Oregon Convention Center

starting at $45 – TICKETS

MORE INFO

  • September 9th: 1pm – 8pm
  • September 10th: 10am – 7pm
  • September 11th: 10am – 5pm

Chapman Swift Watch

Join the community for one of Portland’s favorite events. Every year as many as 16,000 birds swarm the old smoke stack at chapman elementary as the migrate from Canada to South America.

Chapman Elementary School

Free

MORE INFO

Evenings in September

Dahlia Festival

  • Stroll through almost 40 acres and a beautiful display garden of stunning dahlias featuring over 370 varieties. You can take home a bouquet, order flowers for spring plantings, or just enjoy the food carts and live music.
  • Swan Island Dahlias

MORE INFO

  • Open everyday except Wednesday
  • 9am-5:30pm

Dragon Boat Festival

  • Enjoy Portland’s annual Dragon Boat Festival, featuring dragon boat racing along with food vendors, a beer garden and more. The event features as many as 96 dragon boat teams from all over the world who race in Taiwan-style dragon boats. 
  • Tom McCall Waterfront Park – (riverplace Marina)
  • *Free*
  • MORE INFO
  • September 10th – 11th

Grand Prix of Portland

  • Every fall since 2018, Portland International Raceway has hosted the celebrated open-wheel racing. Held from 1984–2007 under various names, the race is back at Portland International Raceway as the only Verizon IndyCar Series race in the Pacific Northwest
  • Portland International Raceway
  • Starting at $70 – TICKETS
  • MORE INFO
  • September 2nd-4th

We hope to see you at some of these awesome events!

Looking for something else to do? Check out our best of lists!