Sasquatch had a great burger and some really good beer.
Screen Door, when we got there at 5:30 when they open, had a line 60 people long.
Le Pigeon (just down the road from SD) had a two hour wait.
We had dinner at a lovely Thai place called Thai Spoon that was empty. 
Is it any good? That’s close to us.
Typical pub food, if that’s your thing.
I have always been underwhelmed by McMenamins, especially their service. We got a couple down here in Eugene and I avoid them. In a place like Portland you’ve got so many better options.
Agreed.
If the OP is still around and gets to Sellwood, there are two good Italian places here, A Cena and Portofino. Avoid Gino’s at all costs.
Let me vouch for Local Ocean located in the Bayfront district as well. I was there nearly two years ago and had the Fishwives Stew (crab, shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams and fin fish in garlic herb tomato broth) which was truly excellent. If you’re curious, here’s the menu. Just be aware that there’s sometimes a half hour or more wait to get in during dinner.
Another good place in Newport’s Bayfront district is Shark’s Seafood Bar & Steamer Company. When I was there, I found they were quite friendly and helpful with your selections. Just don’t talk them about the Rogue Ales Public House a few doors down the street. I don’t know the cause but there’s apparently some friction between the two eating and drinking establishments.
Also, this isn’t a restaurant but if you find yourselves in Seaside, be sure to check out Phillips Candiesdowntown about a block from the shore. Among other things, they have a constant supply of freshly popped popcorn, cheese corn, and caramel corn readily available for patrons and a dozen flavors of salt water taffy made fresh every day. If you come in during the morning, you can see them making a new batch.
This seems to be a recurring problem with Rogue in other locations as well.
I’m surprised that the thread has gone this far without someone mentioning Higgins, at Broadway and Jefferson in Southwest Portland. By far the best restaurant I’ve been to in Portland, with several added bonuses: all their ingredients are sourced locally so the menu changes depending on the season. They cure their own meat and absolutely everything is made from scratch. They have an impressive wine list. The food itself is phenomenal; it’s probably the best restaurant in the city.
Justa Pasta, on NW 19th between Overton and Pettygrove is a close second. Another fine wine selection and for Italian, the best I’ve had, ever. My born-and-raised-in-Italy grandfather considers Justa Pasta to be authentic Italian food, full stop. He would dine there several times a week simply because, other than his own kitchen, there was no other place in the city that offered comparable authenticity. They also make everything by hand and as an added bonus sell much of what they make in the form of frozen staples: Various pastas, sauces, raviolis, and other goodies are available in large-ish packages to take home and cook later. It’s well worth a visit.
If you are diving from Portland to Cannon Beach in the morning you may want to make a stop at Camp 18 for a meal. They have ( or used to have) great breakfasts.
Best burger in Portland is at Tilt.
Check that menu! It’s all awesome. It’s worth it just for the tater tots.
I still haven’t had a pie milkshake. I think I’d have to go there just for those…I never could eat one after a burger.
I’m still around; we’ve just been out doing stuff most of the days so not a lot of time to check in.
We’ve actually spent most of our time so far east of Portland and haven’t made it back into the city much, other than the drizzly day at Forest Park and the Japanese Gardens. Monday we made a big loop east of Portland down 197 and back up 26 (we even got to call 911 to report a grass fire!), and yesterday was all waterfalls, culminating with a quarter mile hike, carefully climbing over a logjam and wading through waste-deep frigid water for a cool picture of the lower Oneonta falls.
We tried to go to McMenamins (The Power Station) yesterday evening, but there was a half hour wait and we were starving, so we went into the hotel and had dinner at the bar at the Black Rabbit. Decent food and good beer.
[QUOTE=Tannim]
If you are diving from Portland to Cannon Beach in the morning you may want to make a stop at Camp 18 for a meal. They have ( or used to have) great breakfasts.
[/QUOTE]
We’re heading to CB later today. I’m trying to decide if we do food trucks or Camp 18 for lunch.
I’ll post some awesome pictures when I get done with them, if anyone’s interested.
Thanks everyone for the input so far! I wish I had a lot more time to try out all of the places that sound great.
I love McMenamins. The food and beer range in quality, ironically sometimes by location. The Black Rabbit usually has great food, so you were much better off. The IPA at Edgefield is usually fairly good.
Hopefully you had time to walk around the property before it got dark. The red shed area is really pretty when it gets dark.
A menu with chicken-fried steak and biscuits and gravy? I’m there.