SearchFest 2015 is upon us! I know you are all busy planning which speakers to see, so it pains me to tell you that you are going to have to make another tough decision this weekend: where to eat. The one problem with SearchFest is that it is located a few blocks away from dozens of Portland’s best restaurants, making it difficult to choose where to eat.
Well, dear reader, I have some good news for you. I’ve narrowed down the countless food options down to a few top picks. Dive in to see where you should eat at SearchFest 2015. If you want to see reviews or the locations of any of these places, check out the official Foursquare List.
Top Pick
Personally, this is where I’m going to be eating at SearchFest. It pains me a little bit to let out the secret, since it means I’ll probably have to wait longer for a table, but this is something my fellow Searchers need to know about. Tasty N’ Alder is a steakhouse by the locally famous chef John Gorham,who is known for Toro Bravo, Tasty n Sons, and the Mediterranean Exploration Company. Whether you come here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can’t go wrong. My recommendation: pick anything off the menu with “duck” in the ingredients list and you’ll be set. Did I mention they have amazing cocktails as well? Seriously, you need to go here.
Breakfast
I know what you’re thinking: if I wanted a doughnut in Portland I’d go to Voodoo. Let me be the first person to tell you to stay away from Voodoo and go to Blue Star Doughnuts instead. The doughnuts are lighter and tastier, and you still have plenty of variety. They might not have as many weird doughnut varieties as Voodoo, but if the overall quality of a Blue Star Doughnut puts your doll-shaped, fruit-loop covered Voodoo doughnut-thing to shame. And did I mention you don’t have to wait 45 minutes in line?
For a sit down breakfast, Bijou is my favorite spot in all of Portland. Everything is cooked perfectly and the food all every ingredient is perfectly considered and balanced. There is a huge variety of food here, from crepes to omelettes to tofu scrambles, so you’ll be able to find something great to eat here no matter what you’re in the mood for. Also, they make their own ketchup and it tastes amazing when slathered over their breakfast potatoes. Pro tip: if there is a long wait for a table and you’re worried about missing the first speaker, ask for a seat at the bar.
Maybe you’re not in the mood for a gourmet breakfast, and you really just want some eggs, meat, and hashbrowns. Fuller’s Coffee Shop is one of the best diners in Portland, and they handle the simple stuff masterfully. It’s quick, greasy, and delicious.
Lunch
Nong’s is the undisputed king of the food truck corner on 10th and Alder. They do one thing, and they do one thing well: chicken and rice. It is a simple meal, and it is simply delicious. People pilgrimage here from out of town just to get this chicken and rice, with Nong’s homemade sauce. If you aren’t feeling like chicken and rice, there are a dozen other food truck options on this corner.
Let’s face it. The SearchFest is so packed, you might not have time for a leisurely lunch. If you’re in a bit of a rush, trot on over to Flying Elephants. It’s a great little deli with plenty of tasty sandwiches and salads, pre-wrapped and ready to go. If you have time, head to the back and get a fresh, hot sandwich and one of their many soups. They also have some counter space and a few tables if you want to eat there.
This one goes out to all the vegetarians and vegans out there who struggle to find quick, filling lunches. Los Gorditos has a huge selection for anyone who is selective about what they eat. Trust me, this is a way better option that going somewhere where you have to skim the whole menu to see if there might be at least one thing on it that meets your dietary needs. Omnivores, you’re covered as well – they serve meat dishes too.
Coffee
This one is a no-brainer, folks. I’m not even going to give you another option. Go to the Stumptown just a couple blocks away, it’s the best coffee in the Northwest (and this is coming from a Seattleite). They’ve got you covered, whether you want drip, cold brew, or espresso. Oh, and here’s a tip for you drip-drinkers: order a cup of Chemex here. It takes a few minutes to brew, but it’s the best drip coffee you’ll ever have. If you have time, sip it in the beautiful lobby of the Ace Hotel next door – it’s allowed, they won’t yell at you.
Dinner
If you consider yourself a pizza person, this is where you should be having dinner on Friday night. I know that at lots of places that sell individual pies, people like to get one pie and split it with a friend, but don’t bother doing that here unless you want to start a fight over who gets the last slice. This pizza is too good to share.
If you’re just feeling peckish after SearchFest, go somewhere else. You need a big appetite to be able to handle Tilt’s massive burgers and salads. These guys don’t mess around with their portion sizes, but if you can handle the gut bomb, you should absolutely go to Tilt. They have a huge variety of creative burgers, salads, and drinks (see that slice of bacon in the bloody mary? Yeah). This place is a little more casual than the other places on the list; you order at the cashier and then grab a table while you wait.
If you aren’t scared of sitting next to strangers, you should definitely check out Clyde Common. The restaurant has a unique layout, with long communal tables and an open kitchen. Clyde Common specializes in New American fare and shareable starters, but what they are really known for are their top-notch cocktails. Make sure to try out a barrel aged cocktail while you’re here.
Drinks
Get your night started at the official SearchFest After Party! Our party is being hosted by Moz at the Punch Bowl Social, and runs from 6:00 – 10:00. There will be darts, bowling, video games, karaoke, a photo booth, and free beer and well drinks! The best part is that this party is FREE for all SearchFest ticket holders.
Once you’re done with darts and bowling at the after party, keep the games going at Ground Kontrol. Ground Kontrol is a barcade with a ton of great arcade games. It is home to one of just three copies of Killer Queen, which is pretty much the hottest new arcade game since Asteroids. It’s a 5 on 5 game where you play as bees who have to collect honey faster than the other team … you know what, it is way cooler than it sounds, you just have to play it. It’s a blast with friends.
Satisfy your craft cocktail fix at Kask. Take a break from your regular drink and try one of Kask’s rotating creations with a side of their house roasted pumpkin seeds. Kask also has an extensive “secret” menu, so check Foursquare before you go to learn a few of the names of the off-menu drinks.
Beer drinkers, I haven’t forgotten about you. You’re going to want to check out Bailey’s Taproom, where they have 24 rotating taps. You may be a little overwhelmed with all your beer options, so if you’re not sure what to order, you can’t go wrong with a sampling platter. They bring you out five beers, giving you a chance to discover a new favorite. Also, if you haven’t had dinner yet, you can order the self-proclaimed “Best Mexican Food in the World” from Santeria next door and they’ll deliver it to you at Bailey’s.
So, there you have it, 14 great food and drink options to get you through SearchFest. If you want to check out the reviews or locations for any of these places, check out my list on Foursquare. Otherwise, see you at SearchFest!
