Price rating system:

• $=less than $10
• $$=$10 to $15
• $$$=$15 to $20
• $$$$=$20 to $25
• $$$$$=more than $25

Alexis $-$$
215 W Burnside Street
Phone: (503) 224-8577
Hours: Monday thru Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Monday thru Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
alexis.citysearch.com/1.html
Native Greeks and Portlanders alike recommend Alexis for its traditional Greek cuisine and Mediterranean atmosphere. The plain, drab exterior hides a wondrous Mediterranean world of souvlaki, feta cheese and baklava. The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes to satiate both tame and adventurous palates while entertaining diners with live music and belly dancing.

Bijou Café $
132 SW Third Ave. Pine St.
+1 (503) 222 3187
Hours: Mon thru Fri 7a.m. - 2 p.m.; Sat-Sun 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Using organic, local ingredients, Bijou makes the best breakfast in Portland. You may have to put up with a little attitude (the waiters can be brats), but it's worth it. Also, if you want to see what millionaires eat, this is where the Portland's elite scarf their flapjacks.

Bluehour $$$$$
250 NW 13th Ave. (at Everett)
+1 (503) 226 3394
Hours: Sun-Thurs 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Bar open til 12 a.m.
The Blue Hour has been open less than a year but is already Portland's hottest restaurant. The delicious French/Italian/Mediterranean cuisine is almost overshadowed by the extravagant décor. The high ceilings and huge square footage make for a very open, uncluttered atmosphere. If you are looking for a romantic evening, some areas are sectioned off with drapes. Blue Hour is amazing but if you go, clear some space on your plastic! This place costs a bundle; dinner for two can easily cost over $100. And remember to call ahead. There's a better chance of finding an entree for $5.99 on the menu than getting in without a reservation.

Bridgeport Ale House $-$$
3632 SE Hawthorne Blvd. (at SE 37th Ave)
+1 (503) 233 6540
Hours: Mon-Thur 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m. - 12 a.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
bridgeportalehouse.citysearch.com
Potent brews, big burgers and famous pizza. This is the all-American experience. The décor has much to be desired. But hey, when your belly is full of burger and brew, who cares!

Calamity Jane's $-$$
42015 SE Highway 26, Sandy, OR 97055
Phone: (503) 668-7817
Hours: Monday thru Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Calamity Jane's is a skier's haven after a day of hitting the slopes. You'll get your money's worth with the restaurant's humungous hamburgers and giant make-your-own milkshakes. "It's insane," says diner, Meghan. "The portions are huge!" The friendly servers and country atmosphere makes this restaurant a great place to relax with friends and fill up on some good ole American food.

Chart House $$$-$$$$
5700 SW Terwilliger Blvd
Phone: (503) 246-6963
Hours: Monday thru Friday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Monday thru Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
If you really feel like splurging, go to the Chart House. Located on the hill off Terwilliger Blvd, this very chic restaurant has wide-paned windows that give a breathtaking view of the Willamette River, Mt. Hood and the Portland skyline. They serve mouth-watering steaks cooked to order and fresh seafood in a romantic, elegant atmosphere. This is a great restaurant for special occasions, but it will drain the pocketbook.

Elephants Deli $
13 NW 23rd Place (at W Burnside and NW Westover roads)
Hours: Mon thru Fri 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
www.elephantsdeli.com
I know you've been there before – you're starving but you've eaten cheeseburgers for 2 weeks straight and can't stand another Mc Value meal. The problem is that you're broke and it's all you can afford. If this is your plight, this is where to go: Elephants Deli has incredible gourmet food, served cafeteria-style. Chicken, sandwiches, soup, salads, baked goods – you name it. This is a highbrow place, but I'm telling you: you and a buddy can fill up for under $10.

Gustav's German Pub & Grill $$-$$$
12605 SE 97th Avenue, Clackamas, OR 97015
Phone: (503) 653-1391
Hours: Monday thru Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Gustav's serves authentic dishes from the Rhineland in a warm, lodge-like atmosphere. Just past the entrance, an open fire warms the restaurant while a roast simmers on a rotating spit over the flames. They have "to die for" lentil soup and the best original-recipe cheese fondue in the metro area. They also serve a wide variety of sausages, pastas and salads. But be forewarned, Gustav's does not take reservations and waits can be long during peak hours, especially on the weekends.

La Bella Napoli $-$$
225 SW Broadway
Phone: (503) 241-3465
Hours: 11a.m. to 11 p.m.
La Bella Napoli serves excellent Italian cuisine with a flare reminiscent of Venice's Carnival. Diners sit at tables or in booths draped in yards of brightly colored fabric while munching on warm bread and attempting to choose only one of the many appetizing dishes they offer. I recommend the Chicken Marsala and the stuffed mushroom caps. One of my friends couldn't decide on only one dish and, despite the generous portions, he actually ordered two entrées! But even with an extra entrée, La Bella Napoli won't break the bank. Most of the dishes range from $7 to $12.

Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant $$$-$$$$
1201 NW 21st Ave)
+1 (503) 248-9442
Hours: daily 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
marrakesh.citysearch.com
Marrakesh is the place to go when you're looking for more than just a meal. This dining incorporates all the senses. The Moroccan customs are central to the experience. Upon entering the dimly lit restaurant, you are seated on the floor, and your hands are washed with orange water before you are served the first of five courses. During your meal, belly dancers appear from behind curtains and put on a mesmerizing show. The décor is authentic, the food is delicious, and the service is amazing. For the unforgettable meal it's actually fairly affordable – $15-25 per meal.

Old Chicago $
11211 SE 82nd Avenue
Phone: (503) 786-5009
Hours: Sunday thru Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Old Chicago takes beer and pizza to a whole other level. From deep dish to thin crust to fist-sized pizza rolls, you can't go wrong with this place's menu. But even if you're not diggin' the pizza, try the chicken fettucini alfredo or any of their delicious sandwiches. Their portions are usually large enough to feed you the next day as well. And to wash down your meal, choose from a wide variety of local brews or beer on tap.

Pearl Bakery $
102 Northwest Ninth Avenue
+1 (503) 827-0910
Hours: Mon thru Fri 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
www.pearlbakery.com
Best bakery in town and possibly the tastiest sandwiches too. I didn't realize just how good this place was until I had some guests from out of town stay with me. They loved this place so much, they dragged themselves out of bed before 9 a.m. just to go there while the bread was still warm. And trust me, these guys usually snooze till noon. But good food is a powerful motivator!

Red Robin $-$$
2050 SW Morrison Street
Phone: (503) 222-4602
Hours: Monday thru Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Although chain restaurants usually lack the charm of independently owned restaurants, if you've got a craving for a good hamburger at a decent price, Red Robin is the place to go. This restaurant can be loud and garish, but it's kid-friendly while also offering spirits for the grown-ups. And if you tell them it's your birthday, they might even give you free ice cream.

Rocco's Pizza $-$$$ ($2-$20)
949 SW Oak Street
+1 (503) 223-9835
Hours: Mon-Thur 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.; Sun 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
portland.citysearch.com/profile/8459700
Okay, here's the obligatory downtown pizza place. There are a lot of good pizza joints in Portland. But Rocco's not only serves up a mean slice; it has a very convenient location. Rocco's is located just off Burnside (Portland's busiest street) and right next to Powell's (the world's largest new/used bookstore). The décor sucks but the pizza rocks, and it won't be hard to find when the craving hits.

The Roxy $
1121 SW Stark Street
Phone: (503) 223-9160
Open 24 hours Tuesday thru Sunday
The Roxy is the most unique restaurant in Portland. The servers wear enough metal to open a hardware store and the raging hippie with the American flag bandanna may shock the timid, but the people here are very friendly – if a bit intimidating. Behind the gothic-punk facade, you'll discover the city's best breakfast that will satisfy even the heartiest after-clubbing munchies. Their dishes are named after famous actors and actresses. So if you've got a craving for some pancakes, just ask for a Pamela Anderson or a Dolly Parton – depending on how you like 'em stacked.

Typhoon $$$$
2310 NW Everett St.
+1 (503) 243 7557
Hours: Mon thru Fri 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Mon- Thurs 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Fri - Sat 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Sat 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.; Sun 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
typhoonnw.citysearch.com
This typhoon has a twin location (in downtown), but don't be fooled! They are not the same. The Typhoon on 23rd is the prettier of the two. Located in a garage-style setting, their Thai food is the best I've ever tasted. They have one of the top Thai chefs in the country. Note - try the grilled beef with grapes. It will melt your mind. This place costs a bundle, over $20 a plate. But how do you put a price on heaven?

Union Gospel Mission
222 NW Couch St.
+1 (503) 274 4483
Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
ugm.citysearch.com
Don't laugh! You may need a last resort. If you find yourself downtown and down on your luck, you can always get a free meal at Union Gospel Mission. I volunteer at this place, and the first time I helped out I had an unexpected surprise: the best meal I'd had in weeks. No kidding! So if you're really short on cash, stop by and we'll serve you a hot one. Line up on the street at 6:30pm. Swallow your pride and swallow a free meal – but only if you're desperate. There is not always enough, and I need to eat this week.

Questions?
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