Page 34 - Exotic | March 2025

Portland is the city of food. Sure, it has numerous other nicknames I don’t really need to repeat to those of you who have lived here long enough, but “City of Food” should really be one of them. Out of all the cities in the Pacific Northwest, Portland re- ally takes the cake with the food we offer. We were once listed on a top 50 list for best places to get pizza, and I believe we came close to New York. I’ve had pizza from NY, and I can say I just didn’t get the hype. Prob- ably because a lot of people from NY live in Portland and give me the same product. It’s awesome. The level of selection we have here is insane.
This is why I feel it’s always a good idea to look around and see about places you may not have gone to yet...or maybe places you’ve stopped going to for whatever rea- son. I thought I’d go through some of the places I’ve been bragging about to people for a while now but never put them to paper. I don’t usually advertise for places unless they have a product not offered elsewhere or there is something that really sticks out. So, with that in mind, let’s take a visit...
Chen’s Dynasty II – On northeast Broadway, there is a huge building with a wrap-around sign that says “Chen’s Dynasty” in yellow let- ters. Step foot in here, and you’re greeted by the most polite, smiling human you’ve ever come across. She seats you at your booth, and if you take a while to decide what you want on the menu, she will come over and delicately point out what she thinks is the best deal that day. I recommend eating the orange chicken and egg rolls since they’re one of the only places in Portland that knows what an eggroll is (it’s literally just a deep-fried Chinese version of a burrito, filled with delicious green veggies or some- times meat).
Taste Tickler – I’m assuming some of you have had what this place offers. Either way, I’m talking about it. You probably don’t go there enough. Also, in northeast Portland. The sandwiches here are amazing, stuffed
to the brim, and a way better deal than any of those “Subway inside Wally World” sand- wiches. I recommend just getting the Taste Tickler to start. And I mean...Taste Tickler, doesn’t that name just tickle your fancy?
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Hong Phat’s Deli – So yeah, Hong Phat. The local Asian grocer just opened a new spot last year where that gross Walmart used to be on Southeast 82nd. There’s a hot deli where the Subway spot used to be in the store. They offer this pork belly sandwich and fruit drink for less than 8 bucks. I think last I checked a few weeks ago, it was like $6. Anyway, delicious. They also have pretty decent pork buns there. Go check it out, the line is usually not that bad.
Hungry Tiger – Okay, so a few weeks back, it was “Wiener Week,” a new food week invent- ed by a local weekly (that’s oddly not pub- lished weekly anymore). Some restaurants love it; most industry folks hate it; anyway, I went to the Hungry Tiger at around mid- night because I was drinking and wanted another wiener. Knowing they were vegan, I was still intrigued. I’m picky about my veg- gie dogs. They were corndogs and damn delicious. The corn batter was sweet and crunchy, and their sauces were tasty AF. You get two corndogs for 11 bucks on a normal day. Worth it. You don’t have to be vegan to appreciate these tasty treats. The bartend- ers here are also super awesome, and it’s worth going just for the “atmosphere” be- cause of its inclusivity and “homey” feeling. No one’s gonna judge you for getting corn- dog sauce on your face. They understand.
Devilishly Delicious Delights – This guy, Rhett, makes the one and only chimney cake here in Portland and, I think, in Oregon. A chim- ney cake is pretty much a broiled, flaky
croissant cone that can be either sweet or savory and is filled with whatever your dreams can imagine. Horchata? Berries? Ice cream? Fried chicken? Hot dogs? Nutella? What do you want? What can you imagine filling this cone with? Tell Rhett, look at his menu, and let your dreams become reality. A product so unique that it must be seen and enjoyed in person to be appreciated. Hurry, though; this guy’s location is possibly going to change due to circumstances out of his and the other food cart vendors’ con- trol. You can find the big, silver food trailer just across the street from the Sandy Jug. Yeah, that Sandy Jug.
Chicken Little – Another Northeast Portland thing (if you haven’t noticed, I kind of stick to the Eastside as the beast side). Want fried chicken? Want a no-nonsense bartender who’s pretty great, makes sure your order is heard by the kitchen and gets you a decent drink at a reasonable price? Go here. This building is nothing to brag about. The inside might remind you of the inside of a 1996 Denny’s, but the product—the chicken—is what you’re here for. And also their jojos. Damn right, they have perfectly crisped jo- jos. Get you some of those and a couple of pieces of crunchy chicken, and you’ll never question the looks of a place again.
Pinky’s – Pinky’s is a whiskey bar with pizza. Not vice versa. However, both products are equal in quality. Pinky’s also has a bartender who knows everything you would never need and not need to know about whis- key—where it came from, what inspired them to make specific whiskey drinks, and maybe give you a story or two about their days as a clown. The owner is funny as hell, and the relationship they have with their