XOXO Festival is coming up, starting tomorrow, and I could not be more XOXO-cited (don’t groan, you loved it, I’m not apologizing.) On the good social medias people are posting their travel selfies, tips and tricks, and scheduling meetups. I can’t share any of that, but here in public, I’m going to make a personal list of some of my favorite things about Portland, from me, a native son of the city. It’s true: I was born here almost 60 years ago, at St. Vincent’s, on a snowy December evening.
I’m not one of those Portlanders who hate people moving here, though. I want people to move here, mostly leftist or progressive folks, because governmentally the city is run by centrists at best, although I have hopes that the new form of city government we all voted in and that the current pack of conservative commissioners have been trying their best to sabotage will enable true progressive voices, and hopefully diverse ones, to have greater say in how my city works.
So if you’re new to Portland, visiting for the XOXO Festival, here are some off-the-beaten-track recommendations for food, entertainment, and quality time. I grew up in Southeast Portland, so most of my faves are in this quadrant of the city.
I have never had bad service at Kay’s Bar or the Limelight Lounge, both located in SE Portland on Milwaukie Avenue. These are friendly neighborhood establishments with caring staff who know their business. The bartenders at Kay’s serve strong drinks, the menu is bar food but done really well, and the atmosphere and decor is chill and retro. I could be biased, though: the previous cook named a burger special after me once (the Lunar Burger, which had goat cheese and cole slaw, is sadly no longer on the menu.) Many vegan or vegetarian options, also!
The Limelight likewise has filling, delicious burgers, sandwiches, and specials. The restaurant side is warm and inviting; I like to grab a window seat and watch the foot traffic but on sunny days you can sit outside. Limelight is my go-to for Taco Tuesdays; three tacos for cheap, all day long, along with the Niño Nachos, and a beer, is a filling inexpensive meal. Try a drink with one of their infused vodkas; the jalepeno makes a great vodka martini. Their Taco Tuesday always includes a vegetarian option, as well.
Maya’s Taqueria downtown, Santa Fe Taqueria in NW, and Aztec Willie’s in NE, are all long-time Portland Mexican food staples. Their verde chicken is amazing, and I consider their salsa to be the pinacle and the match of anything I’ve ever had in actual Mexico (though I am a tourist there, of course.) Maya’s is also situated right on the MAX line and a block from the Central Library; I have spent many a lazy afternoon or evening sitting at the bench watching the world go by through the large front windows, nursing a beer and filling myself with a burrito or quesadilla. Ah, memories. Aztec Willies is open late over the weekend, and has a terrific dance floor!
Lauretta Jean’s wins on pie; they’re on SE Division. Also a tiny shop, they always have many different pies to choose from. I prefer berry pies, and now is the perfect season for blackberry, raspberry, and marionberry, but they do an awesome cheesecake, or a Boston creme. You can drop in for a slice, or buy whole pies.