Pizzacato

This restaurant is a nice change of pace from most chain pizzerias. The combinations of ingredients are interesting to the palate and of great quality. The classic pepperoni and cheese pizza is great here. However, I feel this is the best place to go for those who want pizza with character. My personal favorite is the Wild Mushroom pizza with chevre, red onions, roasted garlic and peppers on a garlic/olive oil base. The variety of mushrooms combined with my favorite cheese delivers a mouth watering combination of texture and taste. The salad is incredible as well. For $5.25, you can get the Arugula pear salad with candied walnuts, gorgonzola, barlett pear and balsamic dressing. It’s has the perfect refreshing taste for a hot summer day and will fill you up for a nice work out across the plaza in the recreation center.
1708 Southwest 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97201-5203
(503) 227-5800

The Real Deal Lebanese Food

If you feel like trying something other than your daily grinds and want to break away from the norms of Americanized versions of "the authentic". I suggest this most delicious food cart that I can't, for the life of me, get away from...like for the past three year(we're talking weekly and sometimes daily). Partially due to the fact that it is next to the Portland State University art building I've frequented on a daily bases. But more for the fact that it is so different from what I'm used to, which is exactly what I hear from other Downtown Portland City goer/patrons.

Ahla W Sahla, the real deal lebanese food cart is the spot and located on the corner of SW Fourth and College Ave., just after after the Budget Truck Rental store and on your left. This cart is run and owned by a man named Raymond Sabbagha, who never misses a day of work and has lived in the states for the past 40 years. He is from Lebanon and visits home every year and returns each time with enough authentic lebanese spices to last the year. Ensuring the quality control of this true lebanese flavor and dare I say...authentic cuisine. He makes everything from scratch, right down to his falafels, hummus, gyros, kabobs, and kafta.

Every time I visit this cart, I find many Middle-eastern exchange students who enjoy this food and state that it truly is one of their favorite food carts. I suggest to try the Beef Sharwarma or the Chicken Shich Tawook. Which comes in the form of a plate(my favorite and huge portions), a wrap(great for a quick eat), to a sandwich(I assume for the ones who can't completely dive into something unfamiliar). Just be curious and adventurous, try it once. You can't lose. Just ask Raymond what is good if you're not sure.

In the mood for Thai

If you find yourself in the mood for some Thai food, then you should check out Baan Thai. It's nestled away just south of the Neuberger building at 1924 SW Broadway. The decor is bright and cheerful, and all the patrons seemed to be enjoying their lunches when I walked in.

I am definitely not an expert when it comes to Thai food, but I enjoyed my Cashew Nut Chicken with rice, and was comfortably full when I got up to leave. Lunch is served from 11am - 4pm, and will save you $2 on your meal (see lunch menu for details).

The full menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, curry, stir fry, noodles, house specials, and rice dishes. Pricing runs from $5 for some appetizers, up $16 for some of the house specials. You can get a decent lunch (plus drink) there for about $8 - $10. This is a sit-down restaurant, so you should look elsewhere if you are running on a tight schedule. Otherwise, if you have some time, and are in the mood for some good Thai food at a decent price, stop by and give Baan Thai a try.

You scream, I scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream….Scratch That—Frozen Yogurt!

With the weather outside warming up (well sort of) you may find yourself wanting something cool and refreshing between classes. Lucky Spoon is a self serve frozen yogurt restaurant where you get far more than just a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Located on SW Jefferson, Lucky Spoon is right on the South Park Blocks, just a short walk from most Portland State University buildings. The first time I went to Lucky Spoon, I assumed it was just another frozen yogurt place. But the comfortable, clean environment really surprised me—not to mention the 10 rotating yogurt flavors and 50 different topping choices. If you haven’t jumped on the frozen yogurt bandwagon yet, you should know that you get to serve yourself any combination of frozen yogurt and toppings you desire. It’s basically like a huge dessert buffet, and who doesn't like that? My suggestion would be to start off small, so you make sure you can fit everything in your dish. If you don’t already know, frozen yogurt is lower in fat and calories than regular ice cream—which means you get to eat more of it! Since the yogurt flavors change every day, make sure to check out the Lucky Spoon Facebook page before you visit the shop. One last tip, make sure you show your PSU student ID at checkout to get the student discount!

-Katie

New Taste of India

I don’t profess to be an expert on Indian food. With that said, I will try to do my best. New Taste of India is a food cart with a massive menu at which most of their food takes almost as long to cook, as it is to pronounce. There is a solution! Offering of a lunch special from 10:30-3:30 every day will brighten the way. For 6 bucks you get your choice of a “meat” or “veggie” dish that offers the sizable portions and stylings of a sit down Indian restaurant. The dishes are premade and in your hands faster than you can say…erachi ullathiyathu. I love curry and typically there is plenty of curry to go around with each offering, even as it is a constantly shifting menu item.

After the dish enters your hands, this is where the problems begin to arise. Soon you find yourself opening up a plastic container that at fist glance looks awesomely packed full of delish food. Soon enough you find yourself picking through what is destined to be a scavenger hunt for tastiness. Often I find that it is hit and miss, the main dish it typically primo (chicken vindaloo is my favorite). The add-ons, not-so-much; Typically the box contains a fried meat patty thing and naan bread, which I often find are soggy, dry, or strangely, a little of both. Also curry ‘taters which India has taught me to love, often give me the impression that they have been sitting out for a little bit… Overall I would have to say that I love India food, am willing to eat Indian food from the New Taste on occasion, and more specifically am in a rush + carb hungry. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS if you are expecting an exquisite dining experience, you will be crippled with disappointment. This is quick/cheap Indian food that will satisfy most, on occasion will deliver the exceptional, more often than not delivering the acceptable.

Today's special: I cannot finish the naan bread, due to its inedible nature.

-Lance

Location:

SW 4^th Ave, Portland Oregon

Located between Hall and College st

(Closer to Hall than College)

If you appreciate a good burrito...

Located at 1948 SW Broadway (the northwest corner of the Broadway building), Chipotle Mexican Grill makes your burrito the way you want it, right in front of your eyes (think Subway but with burritos). You get to choose your meat, pinto or black beans, and a variety of salsas and condiments. Vegetarians can do veggie burritos or opt for a quesadilla, and load that up with salsa and guacamole (which costs extra of course).

A burrito (or bowl if you want to ditch the tortilla) will run you around $6. They also can do tacos if that is what you are after. You get a lot of burrito for your money, and some will not be able to finish a Chipotle burrito in one sitting. One nice perk that is specific to this location is that they offer a free drink to PSU students. Just show your Student ID, and you've scored a free drink (which saves you $1.40). If you need something a little stronger then soda, they offer Carona and Margaritas as well, but those aren't free to students.

One problem for time strapped students is that the lines can get a little long from time to time. The line does move, but if you are in a hurry then you might want to save Chipotle for another time. The dining area seats quite a few people, and they do offer outdoor dining during the warmer months. So if you're in the mood for a tasty burrito that won't leave you hungry and a free drink, give Chipotle a try.

Cafe Yumm

This is my favorite place to eat on campus! Located right next to the PSU rec center, this restaurant is a great place to eat at when you need something quick, cheap, and healthy. The food is fresh, mostly organic, and delicious. My favorite dish is the Original Yumm bowl.

Their signature dish has fresh tomatoes, organic black beans, rice, avocado, organic salsa, sour cream, Tillamook cheddar, Yumm sauce, and olives. I add some free range grilled chicken, and make this the perfect dish to keep my energy up during a long day on campus. The best part of the dish is the Yumm sauce. This tangy and creamy sauce is nothing like anything I have ever had before. This sauce is almost like a salad dressing with a strange nutty after taste that transforms this boring burrito bowl into an addiction. The Yumm sauce is so popular; they bottle it and sell it at the counter. I haven't had a bad dish yet, so I encourage everyone try all they have to offer. Did I forget to mention the unbelievable chocolate dipped cookies? This place is also great for studying and has free Wi-fi. My only advice is to try to make it before lunch rush because many students favor this cafe as much as I do.

Located:

PSU Rec center

1086 Sw 6th ave

Portland Or 97201

503-226-YUMM (9866)

Ole! Ole!

The Mexican set has always been my favorite choice for cheap eats, and quick treats. Ole! Ole! is no exception with good food at a cheap price. When I think of Ole! Ole!, I always think of 21^st and Burnside as a little joint around the corner. As a Portland State student, I found myself disappointed by all the subpar options on campus for cheap food (I can’t suffer through one more day of subway and neither should you). I found myself at a loss and started wandering, well it paid off; that little Mexican place around the corner is located just a few blocks north of campus at 1235 SW Jefferson. This location also has a full bar for when a shot of tequila at lunch is the saving grace, if the daily grind gets a little too loud. (We are students, and a little levity is encouraged!) Five bucks for almost any burrito on the menu is incredible because I swear they spend that much on what is stuffed in your burrito. Sides are also available at two bucks a pop for rice and beans or $1.50 for killer tacos, are available if you’re looking to get beyond full. The nachos rock too. I think you get it, I recommend the place; eat a burrito. On the other hand, if you don’t like Mexican food, are overly critical of everything on the planet, or are just tired of burrito culture… don’t go.

-Lance

If you love real Chinese food..

My favorite Chinese restaurant in all of Portland is Wu's Open Kitchen. They're super consistent, but more importantly, Wu's is ridiculously delicious. The restaurant is family owned, and very traditional. Not like P.F. Chang's, where you enter a most impressive looking restaurant only to eat Lean Cuisine straight out of the freezer. I've been eating at Wu's for about 8 years now, and it has never disappointed. These guys stick to their core competency: making delicious Chinese food.

The menu is filled with excellent choices of meats, and even vegetarian options. Lunch hours are great (around $6) for more food than you can eat. You can also watch the chefs make your meal. The restaurant's kitchen is completely visible, and it's great to watch the chefs happily make your gourmet meal!

Check it out yourself because you have to taste their stuff to believe me!

Wu's Open Kitchen

12180 Southwest Scholls Ferry Road

Portland, OR 97223-3334
(503) 579-8899

- Andre

Blog it out!

Welcome to Table Manners!

This is a blog for those who wish to complain, whine, compliment, or simply critique local restaurants in the area surrounding Portland State University. Feel free to speak your mind on whats hot, whats not, and what's bomb! We'd like to hear your thoughts!

The more we share, the more aware we become of good / horrible choices.

- Andre