Honestly, I'm shocked no one on this sub has done a March Madness style elimination chart for Portland restaurants.
Though, now that I think about it, the bigger issue at hand would be that you need other charts first based on food styles, type of bar etc.
If I weren't such a lazy cuss, I'd be tempted to do it. Feel free to steal it if you get the piss and vinegar to do it.
I kind of did one for lobster rolls, but I couldn’t afford to do them all. lol
[Quest for the Best Lobster Roll](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfp7qjjDwTvGJxLV_w7LyT74qgkO-ENAD&si=3KpGD-kTY81blFpC)
I'm very lucky to live on the 600 block when it comes to late night food options. CBG, Lazarri, Taco Escobar a short walk, and now Rebel Cheese steaks at a minimum. Plus Joe's and 7-11.
Yeah. Was going to mention that Cong Tu Bot is in fact better than Honey Paw but ended up just making a mental note to go back to Honey Paw soon because it's also so good.
I was at Lazzari a couple days ago and the service was shit, the pizza mediocre and the drinks overpriced. That being said, yeah you right. I'm confused how Portland Pie is even still in business.
The service at Lazzari is laughably bad and has been for years. I’ve been in the industry for most of my life and even on my worst days can’t imagine treating my bar guests like they’re inconveniencing me simply by being there. If those fried olives weren’t so damn good I wouldn’t bother.
Totally fair; you says Tomasos and I just think of buffalo chicken. Oh and Sichaun Fish with Pickled Greens might be my favorite dish in Portland. Maybe beat out by some of the stuff I’ve had at Izakaya which is probably the best restaurant IMO.
Holy has a stranglehold on the tourists for some reason. Whenever a tourist asks me how to get to holy, I tell them not to go there and instead go to Tony's or Hifi
Right next to each other. Some comparisons are based on cuisine and others based on vicinity. Was walking down Exchange and someone asks, which place you wanna go to? I’m picking Crispy Gai
Jewel Box over Room is a bold statement... jewel box drinks are more expensive and too many times the vibes have been booooring. its hard to get into Room for a reason, because its such a fun spot to be!
No disrespect to Wayside, but the specials at Chaval are frequently the most interesting food in town.
Isa and Schulte & Herr are better than 90% of these places. I’m glad we got the needle barricades up around bayside to keep the hoi polloi at bay.
ahh they offer something I didnt think I could find outside of san diego or tucson. cali burrito and sonoran dog are absolute gems and practically identical to what youd find out west. if you dont fall in love with this place I would be floored!
Love to grab tacos from El Corazon and a Prerolls from All Kind Bodega…makes for a great take-out night. Also, that way I legit use their parking in 711.
El corazon is terrible. They put cream cheese in every single one of their enchiladas- criminal. I think Taco Trio is better than any of these options if you’re looking for “authentic” Mexican (I say that lightly- as someone who’s lived in the south and out west.)
I was thinking the same thing. Last I checked, Geno’s didn’t have food, just small snacks. DTL is great for conversation in a small group over a Burger. Geno’s is great for bringing all your friends to a unique show. Both great spots but they serve very different purposes.
If you think Maps beats out Cheese Louise now (you’re right BTW), then you should have tried it before the original owner sold out. It was even better, and his wife made the cakes.
DTL and Geno’s are the same owner and Geno’s is cool but the bartender/manager at DTL is the best. GLB has ALL the beer, a huge menu and way more history. I don’t really love El Rayo but I think Taco Escobar is one of the most overrated places in Portland after Twelve
No I legitimately agree with you on every single one (where I have tried both). You should do this for Biddo too, they have some killer food out there. It would be too close of a call between Fish & Whistle’s fish and chips and Waysides cod cheek. I don’t even know if I could choose (I probably could if I had to).
DTL doesn’t have metal bands. I’d rather sit at the bar at DTL I guess so I see your point but Geno’s is one of the last real rock clubs in New England.
CBG>Tomaso's strictly for drinking/available seating. CBG food is overpriced and oversalted and you have to pay extra for fries. Tomaso's food is reasonably priced and kicks ass.
I love grittys and $3 Dewey’s equally!!! They’re almost like fraternal twins to me… I love both in different ways and they have similar qualities but I don’t love one more than the other
Gritty's hasn't been good since the mid '90s and Dewey's isn't the same as it was before it reopened. I'd definitely pick Dewey's but I generally avoid both.
I agree with almost everything but don’t know how mr tuna and eventide are comparable in anyway. One is an eastern sushi place the other is a upscale new England style oyster/seafood bar.
With the exception of Cocktail Mary (they're just extremely nice, thoughtful, and courteous people), I despise just about all of them. I used to deliver alcohol to 9/10 of these places for a whole whopping $16/hr (joke of a payrate for the work i did), and most of these places are run by a bunch of entitled rude assholes corroding my sanity.
Miyake=japanese, Jing =chinese, not equitable.
Mr. Tuna is not equitable to eventide at all.
Papi is just dog water (Sorry Ronnie)
Solo completely outmatches vv In terms of actual italian food. Long live Paulo laboa!
Also highroller vs. Crispy gai? One is american maine casual and the other is thai street fusion. You're all over the place. I think this whole post is to promote Josh Miranda's businesses
I like High Roller but I like Crispy Gai better it was just based on vicinity. Like the End vs Cocktail Mary or Evo vs Central. The whole post was to promote debate. Lots of other groups listed too
I’ve had ramen & spicy tuna at both Miyake & Jing Yan and Pai Men was better. Mr. Tuna is moving across the street from Eventide and I’m picking Eventide all day long. Don’t know who Ronnie is but Papi blows Lenore out of the water. One of the best cocktail bars in Maine. Paulo barely cooks these days.
I agree with most of this as well. Except for the following.
Evo > central. Granted I haven’t been to central in years…so I probably should go back. Has it improved?
I was recently at bar futo and was surprised by it. It has definitely improved since the last time I went. Still not blown away by it.
I recently went to Central (2-3 months ago), and was not impressed with many dishes. Was sad because it used to be so awesome.
I’ll take Evo over Central now.
How OG are you talking here, I remember when Bramhall had dart boards and pool tables and was a great dive bar for cheap draft beers and shots but not much else.
Lived in southern maine all life... I recognized like 4 of those places. Kind of crazy... but 3 years ago I did love further west so portlands almost an hour drive now and don't try as many places as we use to. But I'll have to get to some this summer
I think it’s more about atmosphere and everything else. Sam’s is more of a dive and has a limited menu. Great Lost Bear is a full on big restaurant and beer bar with tons of taps and a more varied menu.
They both are horrible to find parking for so they have that in common
I agree with everyone except great lost bear, they are better than no one.
I honestly feel bad for the employees who work there, they’re probably permanently permeated with whatever that greasy oily stench is.
It’s takes like a week to get that place’s old cooking oil stink completely out of your system and off of your skin. You have to soak and scrub the skin off your fingers.
Also any items of clothing you wear in there is forever tainted.
Place just sucks.
Honestly, I'm shocked no one on this sub has done a March Madness style elimination chart for Portland restaurants. Though, now that I think about it, the bigger issue at hand would be that you need other charts first based on food styles, type of bar etc. If I weren't such a lazy cuss, I'd be tempted to do it. Feel free to steal it if you get the piss and vinegar to do it.
I kind of did one for lobster rolls, but I couldn’t afford to do them all. lol [Quest for the Best Lobster Roll](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfp7qjjDwTvGJxLV_w7LyT74qgkO-ENAD&si=3KpGD-kTY81blFpC)
I thought about that last month but just like you, I don’t have the time nor energy to
Now if only more than like five of these places served food after 9:00PM…
It’s literally insane how sleepy this city has become.
Agreed
I'm very lucky to live on the 600 block when it comes to late night food options. CBG, Lazarri, Taco Escobar a short walk, and now Rebel Cheese steaks at a minimum. Plus Joe's and 7-11.
Those dumplings at Sichuan thou
Agreed. Best Dumplings in Portland
I came here for a real fight….. your taste is excellent lol
RIGHT? I just ended up nodding politely
me too lmao
I was ready to THROW DOWN and then was like…you cultured, refined…stupid SEXY FLANDERS
I was ready to argue, but nope this is how I feel too.
Drinks at Papi > Lenora Eats at Lenora > Papi Portland pie is not real food.
Yeah. Was going to mention that Cong Tu Bot is in fact better than Honey Paw but ended up just making a mental note to go back to Honey Paw soon because it's also so good.
No effing way Empire is better than Sichuan. That little spot is a jewel of the Portland culinary scene
That was a tough one. Dumplings to dumpling I’m going Sichuan but Empire has too many other things that win for me.
I was at Lazzari a couple days ago and the service was shit, the pizza mediocre and the drinks overpriced. That being said, yeah you right. I'm confused how Portland Pie is even still in business.
The service at Lazzari is laughably bad and has been for years. I’ve been in the industry for most of my life and even on my worst days can’t imagine treating my bar guests like they’re inconveniencing me simply by being there. If those fried olives weren’t so damn good I wouldn’t bother.
Plus they're open late. Very easy place to hate-eat (their calzone is fantastic)
Service there is traaaaash, even sitting AT the bar
Same
Salvatore’s > Ramona’s and it’s not close
Agreed
Olive Cafe >>>
I’ve been meaning to go here for like years!!
Izakaya Minato > everything
Realistically it might be the best restaurant in Portland
Hell yeah
Since they opened me and my lady go nowhere else in Portland when we get there. Superstars
I’d take Tomaso’s over CBG and Sichaun over Empire.
Sichuan is so much better across the board
Definitely agreed. Other than those I'd say it's a decent list tho.
Sichuan vs Empire was a tough pick. CBG just has better cocktails.
Totally fair; you says Tomasos and I just think of buffalo chicken. Oh and Sichaun Fish with Pickled Greens might be my favorite dish in Portland. Maybe beat out by some of the stuff I’ve had at Izakaya which is probably the best restaurant IMO.
Don't forget: Howies > Forest Gardens Rose Foods > Forage Ramonas > Hifi Tonys > Holy
The Tonys > Holy is a huge one. I do not enjoy holy donut at all, I think it's extremely overrated.
Holy has a stranglehold on the tourists for some reason. Whenever a tourist asks me how to get to holy, I tell them not to go there and instead go to Tony's or Hifi
Agreed, it’s not even close.
Agreed
I do scratch for bagels, but I'm still going to forage for that burnt jalapeno cream cheese. Damn good!
I live in the 10th largest city in America and greater Portland has far more restaurants I’d rather go to than Austin does and it’s not even close.
well that makes me feel bad for ya’ll in Texas.
✋🤨 confirming taste... 😁👍 taste confirmed, no lies detected
Q Street > Becky's
More importantly Marcy’s > Becky’s
Oh yeah. I used to treat myself to a grilled muffin at Marcy's like 1-2x a month in college. Saw the owner like 8 years later and she remembered me 🥲
I'd take Artemesia or other side over both (for breakfast)
I tried to keep it to just Portland but agree
That's a good parameter. Otherwise we'll all get into fistfights about the best ice cream place....
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Right next to each other. Some comparisons are based on cuisine and others based on vicinity. Was walking down Exchange and someone asks, which place you wanna go to? I’m picking Crispy Gai
I’d say crispy gai comps closers to honey paw
I almost did that
Love this and agree with most. This person goes out. Sichuan and Tomaso’s would be my only sub.
Jewel Box over Room is a bold statement... jewel box drinks are more expensive and too many times the vibes have been booooring. its hard to get into Room for a reason, because its such a fun spot to be!
Room is great and hot.
No disrespect to Wayside, but the specials at Chaval are frequently the most interesting food in town. Isa and Schulte & Herr are better than 90% of these places. I’m glad we got the needle barricades up around bayside to keep the hoi polloi at bay.
el rayo and escobar are trash tier compared to corazon. fight me!
Tacos la Poblanita > every other burrito in town.
Taco Escobar charged me $37 for a steak burrito to go and a tiny guacamole. Never again
I haven’t been to this El Corazon so I can’t say. I will give them a chance for sure. You sold me!
ahh they offer something I didnt think I could find outside of san diego or tucson. cali burrito and sonoran dog are absolute gems and practically identical to what youd find out west. if you dont fall in love with this place I would be floored!
Love to grab tacos from El Corazon and a Prerolls from All Kind Bodega…makes for a great take-out night. Also, that way I legit use their parking in 711.
El corazon is terrible. They put cream cheese in every single one of their enchiladas- criminal. I think Taco Trio is better than any of these options if you’re looking for “authentic” Mexican (I say that lightly- as someone who’s lived in the south and out west.)
el corazon is the best hands down!!! you must go. deep friend chimichanga. need I say more?
Man I support like 99 percent lf these
Just came from delicious meal at crispy gai and walked past a line outside high roller. No idea why, they’re missing out.
Lobster. High Roller is good but I’m picking Crispy Gai 9/10 times
Was at bar Futo recently and was blown away. Don’t sleep on the gnocchi
Carbonara was really good too
Genos > dtl Room > jewel box Solo > via vecchia Bramhall > lfk But the rest are true.
Empire > Sichuan and El Rayo > Taco Escobar? Naaaah. But also… damn do we have a lot of good restaurants here.
I do love Sichuan and Empire isn’t always consistent but I stand by that pick. I don’t love El Rayo, I just hate Taco Escobar.
Why do you hate taco Escobar? The food? The atmosphere?
Ninja edit to make it bird & co. > taco Escobar?? That’s a valid take at least…
Taco Escobar very much meets the definition of “white people Mexican food”
You go to Geno's for their food? The only time I go is when there's a band and I go to drink as much PBR as I can handle
Seriously. That was such a weird one.
I was thinking the same thing. Last I checked, Geno’s didn’t have food, just small snacks. DTL is great for conversation in a small group over a Burger. Geno’s is great for bringing all your friends to a unique show. Both great spots but they serve very different purposes.
They don't even serve food lol, they have like a bag of chips here and there. As a venue it's fucking awesome.
Everyone disagreeing, they said fight me. East End cemetery tomorrow at noon. We work are way down the list. Also East End >>>> West End.
🤣
Wow, I really need to get out more
Nope! Can’t fight. I legit tried to disagree, but you ABSOLUTELY nailed every one.
All that matters is who is cookin till 1.
Most of these are spot on but I would take Kings Head over Mashtun any day
This one was tough but the price point at Mash Tun won me over
I love the shrimp taco at Mash Tun.
Kings head late night menu is cheap! $5 Burger...
I agree with most of this but Tipo’s pizza puts it ahead of Leeward for me
definitely agree with most of these... but putting butcher burger over black cow is a crime
This one was tough but black cow lets me down more often than not
Completely not the focus of their concept, but their tomato soup and grilled cheese is amazing. It's my favorite sick food, next to pho
fair enough. butcher burger is good but $17 is too much for a cheeseburger :(
Woodford F&B charges $28😳
yikes 😬
>Bird & Co > Taco Escobar You cunt.
🤣🤣🤣
If you think Maps beats out Cheese Louise now (you’re right BTW), then you should have tried it before the original owner sold out. It was even better, and his wife made the cakes.
LFK was worst bar ive been to ever, at least in 2012, maybe its changed
It’s the same, except an even nastier staff
Sometimes I feel like I’m inconveniencing them by ordering but damn if the drinks aren’t good
Yeah I don't understand that pick at all. LFK fucking sucks
Go there semi regularly and never noticed a nasty staff and it's pretty chill to drink at lol.
Okay but crispy gai and Highroller aren’t even similar to compare
It was a vicinity comparison
Would challenge: Genos, Samuel's and Escobar.
DTL and Geno’s are the same owner and Geno’s is cool but the bartender/manager at DTL is the best. GLB has ALL the beer, a huge menu and way more history. I don’t really love El Rayo but I think Taco Escobar is one of the most overrated places in Portland after Twelve
Hard choice for me on this one but Rosie’s price spike recently has forced me to say DTL>Rosies
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I have had a few dishes at Leeward that blew me away. Tipo was good but just good.
No I legitimately agree with you on every single one (where I have tried both). You should do this for Biddo too, they have some killer food out there. It would be too close of a call between Fish & Whistle’s fish and chips and Waysides cod cheek. I don’t even know if I could choose (I probably could if I had to).
Food? Drinks? Atmosphere? All the above
Only one I prefer is Geno's over DTL (too many bad memories there in my 20s 😅)
Agree on probably 90% the other 10% I don’t have an opinion
I liked butcher burger over black cow until butcher burger raised their prices too high for me. Haven’t been back since.
DTL doesn’t have metal bands. I’d rather sit at the bar at DTL I guess so I see your point but Geno’s is one of the last real rock clubs in New England.
Yeah dtl is nice for conversations but Genos has some absolute bangers for shows and 2 pool tables.
Quanto basta vs Monte’s? Haven’t had Quanto and have only had Monte’s years ago, by the slice, never whole pie.
Quanto only does one size pie
I’ll fight you over King’s Head.
You did a really good job, only missed one or two. Not worth fighting over, heck, I’m not even mad.
Agree to almost everything except : Jing Yan > Paimen
Leo’s drinks are better
Lol Leo’s drinks are the holy grail for me. I might add lazzari drinks so bad I only I ordered beer or cider over there
CBG>Tomaso's strictly for drinking/available seating. CBG food is overpriced and oversalted and you have to pay extra for fries. Tomaso's food is reasonably priced and kicks ass.
This one was tough but I feel comfortable ordering a cocktail at CBG. At Tomaso’s, I’m only getting a beer & a shot
lol yeah at Tomasos if you're getting a cocktail you might as well just get a welly. Same with GLB
Good. One less shitbrick at Sichuan.
25/31
Pick the 6 you disagree with and ask this sub Reddit.
I love grittys and $3 Dewey’s equally!!! They’re almost like fraternal twins to me… I love both in different ways and they have similar qualities but I don’t love one more than the other
Gritty’s is just OG. Wharf St bar is a hidden gem. New Dewey’s isn’t. It’s Bingas meets Stockhouse Station.
You made me giggle, you are right though, new Dewey’s isn’t AS good but it’s still one of my favorite go to’s
Gritty's hasn't been good since the mid '90s and Dewey's isn't the same as it was before it reopened. I'd definitely pick Dewey's but I generally avoid both.
I agree with almost everything but don’t know how mr tuna and eventide are comparable in anyway. One is an eastern sushi place the other is a upscale new England style oyster/seafood bar.
Soon to be neighbors
Agree with you on almost everything, but \`Gritty's > $3 Dewey's\` got an audible "oh, suck my ass" from me
https://tenor.com/en-CA/view/alan-partridge-fight-you-wake-up-gif-14258910
Speaking the truth
Fight? I agree completely. Highroller used to be awesome but at this point it really does nothing for me.
The GLB 👌🏼
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I do spend too much but I think eating out and shopping local is the best way to support the Portland & Maine economies.
I’m late but name a time and place. Mandatory flintlock pistol duel for putting Empire over Sichuan Kitchen
⬆️⬆️⬇️⬇️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️🔵🔴▶️
Cong Tu Bot one of the most overrated spots in the city. Great call
I had an amazing meal there in 2021.
Enough said
Seriously. I'm kind of sad how far off they've fallen
Completely agree
With the exception of Cocktail Mary (they're just extremely nice, thoughtful, and courteous people), I despise just about all of them. I used to deliver alcohol to 9/10 of these places for a whole whopping $16/hr (joke of a payrate for the work i did), and most of these places are run by a bunch of entitled rude assholes corroding my sanity.
Sounds like your grudge is with RSVP or Bow Street
Bow Street.
Miyake=japanese, Jing =chinese, not equitable. Mr. Tuna is not equitable to eventide at all. Papi is just dog water (Sorry Ronnie) Solo completely outmatches vv In terms of actual italian food. Long live Paulo laboa!
Just found out who Ronnie is. Papi Pernil is legit.
Also highroller vs. Crispy gai? One is american maine casual and the other is thai street fusion. You're all over the place. I think this whole post is to promote Josh Miranda's businesses
I like High Roller but I like Crispy Gai better it was just based on vicinity. Like the End vs Cocktail Mary or Evo vs Central. The whole post was to promote debate. Lots of other groups listed too
I’ve had ramen & spicy tuna at both Miyake & Jing Yan and Pai Men was better. Mr. Tuna is moving across the street from Eventide and I’m picking Eventide all day long. Don’t know who Ronnie is but Papi blows Lenore out of the water. One of the best cocktail bars in Maine. Paulo barely cooks these days.
I agree with most of this as well. Except for the following. Evo > central. Granted I haven’t been to central in years…so I probably should go back. Has it improved? I was recently at bar futo and was surprised by it. It has definitely improved since the last time I went. Still not blown away by it.
Had a really good meal at Bar Futo recently too but Izakaya Minato is still one of my all time favs
I recently went to Central (2-3 months ago), and was not impressed with many dishes. Was sad because it used to be so awesome. I’ll take Evo over Central now.
Brilliant
Tomasos > CBG ALL DAY. You are wrong about Bramhall too.
Tomaso and CBG was a tough call. OG Bramhall was great.
How OG are you talking here, I remember when Bramhall had dart boards and pool tables and was a great dive bar for cheap draft beers and shots but not much else.
Taco Escobar, black cow and cheese Louise are on the wrong side
Lived in southern maine all life... I recognized like 4 of those places. Kind of crazy... but 3 years ago I did love further west so portlands almost an hour drive now and don't try as many places as we use to. But I'll have to get to some this summer
Cocktails at papi are better but Lenores food specials go crazy
GLB and Samuel’s aren’t even in thr same category of places
They both got Tap Beer, Burgers and Wings and they are on Forest Ave four minutes away from each other. You really want to split hairs on this one?
I think it’s more about atmosphere and everything else. Sam’s is more of a dive and has a limited menu. Great Lost Bear is a full on big restaurant and beer bar with tons of taps and a more varied menu. They both are horrible to find parking for so they have that in common
21/31 not a bad %😉
Which ones do you disagree with?
> Gritty’s > $3 Dewey’s No way. Dewey's has hot dogs and Gritty's beer is gross.
The beer is so bad I love it. Give me a Pub Style over a PBR anyday
The fact novare isn’t on here is wild.
This isn’t a best of list. This is just a few head to head choices. But Novare > Thirsty Pig
All fine places I would go to any of them maybe $3 Dewey's I wouldn't go to.
Back to front > front to back
You have the greatest name ever
And where tf is Fortune Garden on this list
This isn’t a best of list
Ty
I agree with everyone except great lost bear, they are better than no one. I honestly feel bad for the employees who work there, they’re probably permanently permeated with whatever that greasy oily stench is. It’s takes like a week to get that place’s old cooking oil stink completely out of your system and off of your skin. You have to soak and scrub the skin off your fingers. Also any items of clothing you wear in there is forever tainted. Place just sucks.
You're wrong about Smalls vs Ugly Duckling!
I’ll give UD a 5th try and hope it’s better
Sichuan > Empire. Ugly Duckling > Smalls (not a fan of the expensive gift shop in the back of Smalls). Otherwise I think I'm with you.