Best of Portland

With so many options to choose from, it’s tough to decide which restaurants in Portland are the best. Not to worry: we’ve picked them for you.

These are The Vanguard editorial board’s picks for the best eateries in Portland. We’ve listed the top three in nine categories, so try them out and be merry.

Best pizza

Winner: Hotlips (five locations) $
1909 S.W. Sixth Ave.
503-224-0311

Mon. to Sat.: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sun.: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Although it is still pizza, Hotlips is about as healthy as you’re going to get. They use all local, fresh, organic products to make up their tasty pies, such as the Veggie Nirvana or the Italian Combo.

Runner up: Oasis Café $
3701 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
503-231-0901

Weekdays: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Weekends: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Third Place: Escape from New York $
622 N.W. 23rd Ave.
503-227-5423

Seven days a week: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Best Thai

Winner: Tuk Tuk Thai $
4239 N.E. Fremont St.
503-282-0456

Weekdays: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sat.: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sun.: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Huge portions and intricately prepared dishes put Tuk Tuk strides beyond Portland’s other Thai spots. The best part is that it’s very affordable.

Runner up: Baan Thai $$
1924 S.W. Broadway
503-224-8424

Mon. to Sat.: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Closed Sun.

Third Place: Thai Noon $$
2635 N.E. Alberta St.
503-282-2021

Weekdays: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sat.: Noon to 10:30 p.m.
Sun.: Noon to 10 p.m.

Best Mexican food

Winner: La Bonita $
2839 N.E. Alberta St.
503-281-3662

Seven days a week: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In the heart of the Alberta District, La Bonita has the best burritos you’ll find in Portland. Juicy and gigantic, the fajita vegetarian burrito is filled with perfectly sautéed vegetables, black beans and rice. Breakfast is served all day.

Runner up: Chá Chá Chá (five locations) $
1208 N.W. Glisan St.
503-221-2111

Seven days a week: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Third Place: La Casita $
607 S.E. Morrison St.
503-234-8894

Mon. to Wed.: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Thurs. to Sat.: 11 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Sun.: 11 a.m. to midnight

Best bar food

Winner: Henry’s Tavern $$$
10 N.W. 12th Ave.
503-227-5320

Sun. to Thurs.: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Happy hour: 9 p.m. to close
Fri. and Sat.: 11 a.m. to midnight
Happy hour: 10:30 p.m. to close

Seven days a week: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. happy hour
Yeah, it’s full of annoying, stupid jocks and sorority girls. And it’s a meat market. But hell, it’s got a damn good happy hour and a ton of beer. The gorgonzola fries? Wow. It’s truly hard to rival.

Runner up: Doug Fir Lounge $$$
830 E. Burnside St.
503-231-9663

Sun. to Thurs.: 7 a.m. to midnight
Fri. and Sat.: 7 a.m. to 2:15 a.m.
Bar menu: 3 p.m. to close
Happy hour: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Third Place: Slow Bar $$
533 S.E. Grand Ave.
503-230-7767

Mon. to Fri.: 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Sat. and Sun.: 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Happy hour: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Best sandwiches

Winner: Goose Hollow Inn $$
1927 S.W. Jefferson St.
503-228-7010

Sat. to Thurs.: 11 a.m. to midnight
Fri.: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Even if it is just because of the Reuben, the Goose Hollow Inn excels at making a delicious sandwich. Their service is often slow, but if you’re there in the summer, just sit on the deck and relax.

Runner up: Lucky Lab (three locations) $
915 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
503-236-3555

Mon. to Sat.: 11 a.m. to midnight
Sun.: Noon to 10 p.m.

Third Place: Big Town Hero  $
1923 S.W. Sixth Ave.
503-228-0360

Weekdays: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sat. (closed Sun.): 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Best Indian food

Winner: India House $$
1038 S.W. Morrison St.
503-274-1017

Weekdays: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Weekends: Noon to 2:30 p.m.,
5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

There are far too few Indian restaurants in Portland, but the few we have, like India House, are fantastic. India House offers a daily all-you-can-eat buffet, including Naan and various meat and vegetarian dishes.

Runner up: Indian Grill $$
2924 E. Burnside St.
503-236-1790

Third Place: New Taste of India (two locations) $$
1810 S.W. Fourth Ave.
503-888-0489

Mon. to Fri.:
Lunch special: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Dinner: 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat.: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Best Chinese food

Winner: Ambassador Restaurant and Lounge $$
4744 N.E. Sandy Blvd.
503-280-0330
Seven days a week: 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.

One thing that Portland lacks is a great Chinese restaurant. Sure, there are good ones like the Ambassador, with its tasty orange chicken and generous appetizers, but there’s nothing that stands out. Maybe someday. At least it has karaoke.

Runner up: August Moon (two locations) $$
116 S.W. Clay St.
503-222-5733

Seven days a week: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Third Place: House of Louie $$
331 N.W. Davis St.
503-228-9898

Seven days a week: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Best Sushi

Winner: Sushi Takahashi (two locations) $
2415 S.W. Fifth Ave.
503-219-9027

Mon. to Fri.: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sat.: Noon to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sun.: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

With cute trains and a wide variety of dishes (alongside the usual California rolls), Sushi Takahashi is the best sushi bar for a college student. It’s affordable, the rolls are made with care, and the staff is always friendly.

Runner up: Mio Sushi (many locations) $$
3962 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
503-230-6981

Mon. to Fri.: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.,
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sat. (closed Sun.): Noon to 2:30 p.m.,
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Third Place: Dragonfish $$
909 S.W. Park Ave.
503-243-5991

Weekdays: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Closed: 11 a.m. to noon, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekends: 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Closed: 11 a.m. to noon, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.