NoPo Eats

By The Beacon | September 12, 2013 1:15am
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It’s that time of year when you’ve tried every food station at The Commons. You’re feeling claustrophobic and need a temporary break from The Bluff but the lack-of-car problem persists. You need a new place. A place where you can find an artisan Jell-O shot or slurp down a raw local oyster. A place that doesn’t require five bus transfers or a dent in the bank account. For many students, these places are the many eateries of North Portland, only a walk or short bus ride away and catering to both the under and over 21 crowd. And they’re all places you won’t forget when you fold up that napkin and leave the table.

McMenamins - St. John’s Theater & Pub

8203 N. Ivanhoe St. Portland, Ore. 97203

Hours: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. - midnight.

By William Lawson

When you stroll through St. John’s, one of the first things you will see is the unique architecture and dome top of the McMenamins Pub. The relaxed vibe and reliably delicious food make the St. John’s Pub & Theater is a great place to hit for a good burger.

The pub is open to everyone before 9 p.m., and students 21 and over can enjoy food, a pint and a movie for $11.50 on Tuesdays and happy hour throughout the week.

“It’s all about the happy hour burger and Cajun tots, washed down with a cold craft brew,” grad student Charlie MacDonald said.

Periodically they‘ll play a featured movie in their in-house theater attached to the pub. They also have an upstairs loft for more comfortable seating and an outside patio with a firepit. With the McMenamins series beers and their rotating seasonal beers, you can’t go wrong with this unique McMenamins Pub.

Enat Kitchen

300 N. Killingsworth St. Portland, Ore. 97217

Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday: closed

By William Lawson

Just across the freeway on N. Killingsworth is Enat Kitchen, an Ethiopian diner full of foods I’d never tried. You can order a single plate, order couple style that serves two or three people or order family style that serves three to five people. Each meal comes with different assortments of meat and veggie dishes that are placed on a big pan of thin bread that everyone in your dinner party can share by eating with your hands.  This North Portland gem is a unique cultural eating experience.

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Boulevard Tacos

1942 N. Rosa Parks Way, Portland, Ore. 97253

Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

By William Lawson

There are many places to grab Mexican cuisine in North Portland, but Boulevard Tacos has their taco and burrito game mastered. It is located just around The Bluff on Rosa Parks Way and has a huge variety of burritos, tacos and other Mexican plates that will make your mouth water.

“The Fish tacos are amazing!” junior Katie Kerr said.

They recently added a bar that has attracted many new customers, particularly during their all day Sunday happy hour. They serve all of the crowd-favorite Mexican beers on tap like Dos XX, Negra Modelo and Corona and play soccer and football games with the sound on, making it an unexpectedly prime spot for sports fans.

Radio Room

1101 NE Alberta St. Portland, Ore. 97211

Hours: 9 a.m. - 2 a.m.

By William Lawson

Before the sun goes away for the fall, check out the patios at the Radio Room. It is the perfect brunch spot if you want a break from The Bluff while staying in North Portland. Radio Room serves classic American comfort dishes, from eggs Benedict to hush-puppies. Their blue cheese bacon burger is rated in my top five burgers of all time.

Did I mention they have great mimosas with your choice of juice? For something a little different, try the blood orange mimosa.

Interurban

4057 N. Mississippi Ave. Portland, Ore. 97227

Hours: Monday - Friday: 4 p.m. - 2:30 a.m., Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. - 2:30 a.m.

If you are looking for some variety in your diet, head to Interurban on Mississippi Street. Their happy hour food specials feature fresh local oysters, crispy hot wings and bone marrow. For senior Jeremy Degan, it’s also a good place for Jell-O shots.

“If you think Jell-O shots are gross or trashy then you’ve never tried their Jell-O shots,” Degan said. “They are a great cool down after the heat of the chicken wings.”

It’s great for a last minute weekend date, with Sunday happy hour from 10 p.m. to closing. During their daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. you can get quality food for cheap prices. Underclassmen take note: you don’t have to be 21 to go to the restaurant.

Cathedral Coffee

7530 N. Willamette

Portland, Ore. 97203

Hours: Monday - Saturday: 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

By Kate Stringer

There’s no need to resort to the classic Starbucks latte when North Portland’s newest coffee shop is a short walk away. Cathedral Coffee offers the classic coffee menu, tea and bakery goods ranging from blackberry pie to cinnamon rolls.

Artwork with vibrant stripes, splotches and architectural designs hang from the walls while cement tables, a brick countertop and several cushioned chairs fill the shop. A large bookshelf with a spread of well-loved books promises that even after the physics homework is done, students can still kick back in their green armchair with “The Heritage of Great Britain” and a cappuccino in hand.

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