Southeast

Pho Dalat

1314 SE 39th Ave.

503.233.0715

There are a multitude of places to get pho in Portland. The thing that sets Pho Dalat apart from the others is its welcoming atmosphere, huge menu and the amazing service. The pho is delicious with a rich broth—perfect for rainy-day lunches. If you choose to get carryout, the wait isn’t too long and you’ll be given the option of tea or water while you wait. Pho Dalat is understated and doesn’t try too hard—because it doesn’t have to.

Bunk Sandwiches

621 SE Morrison St.

503.477.9515

The lines you see winding around the block to Bunk Sandwiches are there for a reason—the sandwiches are amazing. Unique versions of traditional sandwiches like roast beef, meatball, grilled cheese and vegetarian, are the perfect size; these sandwiches are filling but not overwhelming. Bunk also offers a variety of sides like red beans and rice, New York 1/2 sour pickles and potato salad with bacon and egg. For dessert, they have pie from the Pie-Hole and cupcakes.  All this is served in a space reminiscent of diners and lunch counters from the past, with a bathroom devoted to Elvis.  ? ? ? ? ?

Taqueria Los Gorditos

1212 SE Division St.

503.875.2615

The popularity of the Los Gorditos taco truck inspired the owners to open a Taqueria on Southeast Division Street. Which gave them room to expand the menu to include items like the Mulita plate—two layers of corn tortillas with your choice of meat and cheese in between, served with rice and beans. The burritos are great, too, but the thing that really stands out is the house-made sauce selection, which you just have to try. They are cash-only, but the bar next door has an ATM.

Evoe

3731 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

pastaworks.com/evoe

Evoe, next to Pastaworks, serves a changing menu of sandwiches, omelets and cheese plates made of local, in-season ingredients. The small room has long, skinny tables and a lunch counter, creating a casual atmosphere reminiscent of a French or Italian bistro. The only downside is that the service is inconsistent. Sometimes the staff is super-friendly, and sometimes they act as though you’re intruding.   

Euro Trash food cart

Southeast 43rd Ave. and SE Belmont Street

Movie Madness’ new neighbor is a plaza with a booming community of food carts. Amongst them is Euro Trash, a cart devoted to making European staples into Americanized fast food. They serve items like “fishy chips”: deep-fried Spanish anchovies served with a house-made aioli and waffles made from falafel dough.  The plates are small, but priced so you can try a few different items.  The staff is excited and passionate about the food they serve, which is certainly reassuring when trying deep-fried anchovies for the first time.  

Ate Oh Ate

2454 E Burnside St.

503.445.6101

Late last summer, Ben Dyer opened his newest restaurant venture: Ate Oh Ate.  Dyer grew up in Hawaii and the theory behind Ate Oh Ate is a restaurant selling traditional Hawaiian fast food and plate lunches. Things like kimchi and pork belly burgers are on the menu, alongside Loco Moco and Saimin (seriously the best ramen I’ve ever had). The menu is a little pork-centric, so vegetarians beware.

Best Baguette Sandwiches

8303 SE Powell Blvd.

503.788.3098

Housed in what used to be Blockbuster Video, Best Baguette serves French and Vietnamese bahn mi sandwiches on bread  that is baked fresh hourly.  Sandwiches like the grilled pork—thinly sliced pork marinated in lemongrass-soy dressing—are served on French baguettes with house-pickled carrot and daikon, jalapeño, cilantro, house mayo and soy sauce. There are more than 14 types of bahn mi and a variety of French-style sandwiches served on your choice of baguette or croissant.