Drayage Brokersin Portland, OR

Portland loves its baked goods. And pie — that magical amalgamation of pastry stuffed with fruit or meat, baked to warm, flaky perfection — is no exception. Portland, a city known for its seasonal fruits and vegetables, is home to a number of pie cafes that feature Oregon produce between their crusts, from summer marionberry to fall apple. Dedicated to the best pies and pie shops, the map below serves some of Portland’s most exceptional slices and whole pies. These include sweet pies filled with fruit, cream, and/or nuts, as well as savory pies that cram as much meat as possible between two golden crusts. Note that crumbles, tarts, and cakes (including cheesecake) may receive some sort of recognition, but only if the shop already nails its pie. For more pastries, feel free to peruse our bakery map.

Note: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Originally a St. Johns pie cart, Paiku now serves its sweet, savory, and occasionally game-filled pies in a roomy cafe space in the North Portland neighborhood. Its rustic fruit pies, with flavors like lemon chess and chocolate walnut, consistently delight, but it’s really all about this cafe’s hard-to-find varieties, like savory brunch galettes and the old school Italian Easter pie with Olympia Provisions ham and salami.

This quaint neighborhood coffee shop always offers a wide selection of pies, both by the slice and whole, all visible in a glass case by the cashier. Varieties include Oregon berry, caramel butterscotch, and lemon cream, but the true standout is the key lime pie, with beautifully piped stars of whipped cream and slices of lime. All pies can also be ordered in advance.

Lined with chic subway tile, Kim Boyce’s iconic bakery is known for its whole grain pastry, and the fruit hand pies regularly available in the bakery often feature seasonal ingredients and whole grain flour, whether spelt or wheat. Slices are less common, but you can order individual hand pies and whole pies, like summer fruit pie with ginger-oat streusel, in advance.

Specializing in individual-sized pies, The Pie Spot’s tiny, cutesy cafe offers a fun alternative to the slice, in flavors like s’mores, brown butter pecan, and blueberry ginger. Plus, the restaurant offers killer pot pies, bacon jam hand pie, and quiches for lunchers. Gluten-free options are available, though the kitchen is not 100 percent gluten-free.

Making standout pies within Portland’s crowded gluten-free and vegan scene, owner Lisa Clark churns out flavors like chocolate brownie cream and sour cherry peach amid her charming cafe’s gleaming white countertops, wood beams, and exposed brick walls. Any given day, diners can pop in for slices of sour-cherry-peach or bumble berry peach pie, loaded with marionberries, raspberries, blueberries, and peaches with a layer of hazelnut and coconut, as well as seasonal slices.

Other than Lauretta Jean’s, Bipartisan Cafe is one of the most reliable spots for a mid-week slice with a range of options. Operating in Montavilla since 2005, Bipartisan serves a selection of handmade standbys like Marionberry and chocolate silk in a space with classic Portland coffeeshop vibes. With slices and whole pies in vegan and gluten-free varieties, the bakery accommodates all, and will make custom pies based on customer preference. Orders are accepted by phone and in-person.

This casual, cheery Aussie-inspired café is a one-stop shop featuring both savory and sweet pies. After a hearty beef-and-mushroom pie or a curried vegetable pasty, pros know to finish with a slice of tangy whiskey-apple or a silky chocolate-peanut butter cream pie. Pacific Pie Company also offers frozen pies that you bake at home in a self-serve refrigerated case.

For those who rank, this homey spot is easily one of the city’s top three pie shops: The crusts are always crisp and the fillings fresh. Lauretta Jean’s is a leader in both summery and holiday-vibed pies — the sweet potato marshmallow meringue screams Thanksgiving, while the coconut Key lime tastes like Fourth of July in Florida. Kate McMillen particularly shines with her cream pies, as well as the standout salted honey pie. Order pies by-the-slice or whole pies from the pie window on Division, or pre-order pies online.

Baker Julie Richardson built her reputation on fresh fruit hand pies sold at farmers markets back in 1998. Today, she makes seasonal pre-ordered whole pies (frozen or fully baked), tartlets, and hand pies at the Bakery, the charming Hillsdale bake shop located next door to sister store the Cakery. Go-tos include the jammy tayberry hand-pies and the intricate pecan tart; for pre-ordered pies, customers can call in orders with 24 hours notice or order online.

This old school spot is known for its pies and desserts, with classic Oregon flavors like Marionberry and banana cream. For the holidays, the apple mincemeat pie and sweet potato pie are a long-standing tradition in many Portland homes, which folks can order via email or by calling.

This Tigard-area diner has been a neighborhood standby for a cup of coffee and a slice of fruit pie since the ‘70s. Here, the strawberry pies are glistening domes of red, the cream pies — from peanut butter to banana — are luscious and nostalgic, and the mixed berry pie is encased in a golden, toasty crust. The real move is to start with the restaurant’s chicken pot pie, the platonic idea of comfort food.

Originally a St. Johns pie cart, Paiku now serves its sweet, savory, and occasionally game-filled pies in a roomy cafe space in the North Portland neighborhood. Its rustic fruit pies, with flavors like lemon chess and chocolate walnut, consistently delight, but it’s really all about this cafe’s hard-to-find varieties, like savory brunch galettes and the old school Italian Easter pie with Olympia Provisions ham and salami.

This quaint neighborhood coffee shop always offers a wide selection of pies, both by the slice and whole, all visible in a glass case by the cashier. Varieties include Oregon berry, caramel butterscotch, and lemon cream, but the true standout is the key lime pie, with beautifully piped stars of whipped cream and slices of lime. All pies can also be ordered in advance.

Lined with chic subway tile, Kim Boyce’s iconic bakery is known for its whole grain pastry, and the fruit hand pies regularly available in the bakery often feature seasonal ingredients and whole grain flour, whether spelt or wheat. Slices are less common, but you can order individual hand pies and whole pies, like summer fruit pie with ginger-oat streusel, in advance.

Specializing in individual-sized pies, The Pie Spot’s tiny, cutesy cafe offers a fun alternative to the slice, in flavors like s’mores, brown butter pecan, and blueberry ginger. Plus, the restaurant offers killer pot pies, bacon jam hand pie, and quiches for lunchers. Gluten-free options are available, though the kitchen is not 100 percent gluten-free.

Making standout pies within Portland’s crowded gluten-free and vegan scene, owner Lisa Clark churns out flavors like chocolate brownie cream and sour cherry peach amid her charming cafe’s gleaming white countertops, wood beams, and exposed brick walls. Any given day, diners can pop in for slices of sour-cherry-peach or bumble berry peach pie, loaded with marionberries, raspberries, blueberries, and peaches with a layer of hazelnut and coconut, as well as seasonal slices.

Other than Lauretta Jean’s, Bipartisan Cafe is one of the most reliable spots for a mid-week slice with a range of options. Operating in Montavilla since 2005, Bipartisan serves a selection of handmade standbys like Marionberry and chocolate silk in a space with classic Portland coffeeshop vibes. With slices and whole pies in vegan and gluten-free varieties, the bakery accommodates all, and will make custom pies based on customer preference. Orders are accepted by phone and in-person.

This casual, cheery Aussie-inspired café is a one-stop shop featuring both savory and sweet pies. After a hearty beef-and-mushroom pie or a curried vegetable pasty, pros know to finish with a slice of tangy whiskey-apple or a silky chocolate-peanut butter cream pie. Pacific Pie Company also offers frozen pies that you bake at home in a self-serve refrigerated case.

For those who rank, this homey spot is easily one of the city’s top three pie shops: The crusts are always crisp and the fillings fresh. Lauretta Jean’s is a leader in both summery and holiday-vibed pies — the sweet potato marshmallow meringue screams Thanksgiving, while the coconut Key lime tastes like Fourth of July in Florida. Kate McMillen particularly shines with her cream pies, as well as the standout salted honey pie. Order pies by-the-slice or whole pies from the pie window on Division, or pre-order pies online.

Baker Julie Richardson built her reputation on fresh fruit hand pies sold at farmers markets back in 1998. Today, she makes seasonal pre-ordered whole pies (frozen or fully baked), tartlets, and hand pies at the Bakery, the charming Hillsdale bake shop located next door to sister store the Cakery. Go-tos include the jammy tayberry hand-pies and the intricate pecan tart; for pre-ordered pies, customers can call in orders with 24 hours notice or order online.

This old school spot is known for its pies and desserts, with classic Oregon flavors like Marionberry and banana cream. For the holidays, the apple mincemeat pie and sweet potato pie are a long-standing tradition in many Portland homes, which folks can order via email or by calling.

This Tigard-area diner has been a neighborhood standby for a cup of coffee and a slice of fruit pie since the ‘70s. Here, the strawberry pies are glistening domes of red, the cream pies — from peanut butter to banana — are luscious and nostalgic, and the mixed berry pie is encased in a golden, toasty crust. The real move is to start with the restaurant’s chicken pot pie, the platonic idea of comfort food.

As of 5 a.m. Monday, more than 1,300 nurses from Providence Portland Medical Center have gone on strike. Another several hundred nurses from Providence Seaside on the Oregon Coast, and a home health and hospice unit run by the Providence Health System joined them at 7 a.m.

Some nurses were asked to leave the Portland hospital at 4:30 a.m., according to the nurses union’s Twitter account. Just after 7 a.m., about 100 nurses stood in front of the hospital holding signs and cheering in response to supportive honks from morning commuters.

Maternity nurse Erin Anderson held a Taylor Swift-inspired sign that said “Providence, now we’ve got bad blood.”

“I’m on the picket line because I think we’re very undervalued and the hospital just does not respect us enough to give us a good and fair contract for how much we’ve sacrificed in the past couple years,” Anderson said.

Another sign read, “I’d rather be nursing, but this is important.” And a third: “Do better, Providence.”

Nurses on the picket line Monday morning complained that the hospital has put profits ahead of both its patients and its staff. They told OPB they have to work with subpar equipment and that they don’t have enough sick leave and aren’t fairly paid.

Some also said they worried Providence intended to punish nurses for going on strike.

An email sent to nurses on June 8 and signed by Providence Portland’s chief nursing officer, Lori Green, states that the last offer made to nurses during bargaining was contingent on there being no work stoppage and on the contract being ratified by June 30.

“We were very clear in our communications to ONA that our economic proposals following a work stoppage will be very different and not nearly as lucrative as the package they walked away from,” reads the email, which was shared with OPB by two sources. ONA is the Oregon Nurses Association, the union representing Providence’s striking staff.

Nurses on the picket line told OPB they were worried Providence was willing to “crush” nurses to prove that strikes aren’t effective at improving working conditions and wages.

Late Monday, Providence spokesman Gary Walker confirmed that Green’s email was accurate.

Walker said three elements of Providence’s final offer were contingent on nurses not striking: retroactive pay, a ratification bonus of $2,500, and 30 additional hours of paid time off.

“The union was informed on repeated occasions that these contingent offers would no longer be available if the union chose to strike,” Walker said. “Providence Seaside Hospital and Providence Home Health and Providence Hospice also made similar offers contingent on ONA not striking.”

Jennifer Gentry, Providence’s chief nursing officer for the division that includes Oregon,said during a press conference on Monday that Providence supports its nurses’ right to strike. She said she did not know how much the five day strike is costing Providence.

Negotiations between the nurses, who are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association, and Providence, one of the state’s largest health systems, broke down in early June. When nurses declared their intention to strike earlier this month, Providence leaders canceled additional negotiating sessions and pivoted to preparing to run their services during the strike.

“We have focused, as I think is appropriate, on ensuring that we can continue to provide safe patient care while our nurses take care of that business,” Gentry said.

Providence Portland Medical Center had been able to reach its target census of about 300 patients on Monday, a 25% reduction from normal, according to Gentry. She said that after a brief transition period Monday morning when ambulances were diverted elsewhere the hospital was able to start accepting new patients in the emergency department again. Providence has hired temporary nurses to fill in while staff nurses are on strike this week.

“I hope they find what they need. I wish I could help them,” said Levi Cole, an ICU nurse picketing Monday morning. Cole, a 20-year veteran of Providence, said he feels no ill will toward the temporary nurses who have come from across the country to keep the hospital operating during the strike.

Cole joined the picket line at 5:30 a.m. dressed in a nun’s habit. He said he cast his vote to authorize a strike but never imagined it would happen.

“I didn’t think the hospital would hold its ground the way it did.” Cole said “I thought negotiations would lead us away from this. I really did.”

Cole, who worked last week, said the ICU had been emptied out in preparation for the strike. He said he felt sorry for the patients and his immediate supervisors, who were working inside the hospital on the other side of the picket line.

“This has a real effect on a lot of people in the community, and it’s not making us happy to have to do this,” he said.

Nurses at Providence Portland, Cole said, are asking to be brought up to the same level of pay, paid time off and benefits that their colleagues receive at other major medical centers in town.

In the days leading up to the strike, staff nurses – more than 90% of whom voted to strike – said they wanted respect, improved compensation and better working conditions.

More than 1,300 nurses from Providence Portland, 120 from Providence Seaside and about 400 home health and hospice nurses and other workers are on strike together. Each group has a separate work contract and distinct issues they are most focused on.

Providence reported that its latest offer to the nurses at Providence Portland Medical Center included an average wage increase of 12% in the first year of the contract, followed by 3% raises in the two following years, and an additional 10 hours of paid time off per year of the three-year contract.

The Oregon Nurses Association disputes some of these points. Members of the bargaining team say they are seeking a two-year contract instead of a three-year contract, a shift that would allow nurses at Providence Portland and Providence St. Vincent, the health systems’ two largest hospitals in the area, to bargain at the same time. They are also pushing for double pay for nurses who pick up shifts to help with short staffing, which they say would cost the hospital less than paying for travel nurses.

The union is also pushing for more paid time off than Providence has offered. That’s a personal priority for many nurses who are unhappy with a short-term disability insurance program that they now must use to access extended sick leave.

Providence says its last offer included up to eight weeks of fully paid disability leave.

New full-time nurses receive five weeks of paid time off each year, according to Walker, while full-time nurses with more experience receive more than seven weeks of paid time off per year. That PTO is though a single bank of hours for holidays, vacation and sick days.

But several parts of the last contract offer are off the table now that the nurses have chosen to strike, a Providence spokesperson said.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley was out supporting the Portland nurses on Monday morning. His wife is a hospice nurse who has joined the strike.

Merkley said that he has seen, through his wife’s experience, how nurses’ frustration has reached a boiling point, first, as a wave of retiring baby boomers led to short staffing, and then as nurses cared for the sick and dying during the pandemic, often at personal risk, and with inadequate support from Providence.

“It takes an awful lot for nurses to strike. It really shows how strongly they feel that Providence has gone off track,” Merkley said. “Rather than complaining about paying travel nurses so much, why don’t we treat the people that we have better so that they want to stay with us?”

A disagreement over productivity targets is the most significant obstacle in the contract negotiations for the Providence Home Health and Hospice nurses, according to the union. Pay inequity between nurses working at the coast compared to their metro-area counterparts and disparities between earnings for hospital nurses and clinic nurses are critical sticking points for the Seaside nurses.

The nurses association urged patients to continue to seek medical care at Providence in a statement released Sunday night.

“Going into the hospital to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line,” the statement reads.

The two affected hospitals will continue to accept emergency patients. The strike is expected to last five days.

Information

PLEASE DO NOT CALL 911 TO REPORT FIREWORKS

Each year in the United States we celebrate the Fourth of July with community parades, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks - the things of which happy memories are made. But sadly, Independence Day also includes tragic events and injuries resulting from illegal fireworks use and is both traumatizing and harmful to children, animals, and a growing number of war veterans who deserve our loyalty the most.

Completely aside from the danger of exploding fireworks, there's a huge risk of fire and property damage.

An ordinance was passed in March 2022 to ban the use of all fireworks in the City of Portland. This difficult decision was made recognizing that it will have a serious impact to those businesses dependent on the sale of fireworks and many of us who plan to include fireworks with our July 4th celebration. PF&R Chief Sara Boone concluded that a ban on fire works was the right thing to do for the protection of our residents.

Please do not call 911 to report fireworks use! It is very important that our 911 system be kept for reporting only active fires and serious medical problems. Your cooperation with this will save lives!

Fire Investigators are sending a strong warning that they will be INVESTIGATING ALL FIRES THAT HAVE A CONNECTION TO FIREWORKS. If your firework use is found as a cause, you will be held responsible. Fireworks use that causes injury or extensive damage can result in heavy fines and/or jail time.

Fireworks Facts

Alternatives to Fireworks and Safety Tips

Keep Pets Safe/Secure This Fourth of July

The Oregon Humane Society wants every pet owner to enjoy the holiday while keeping their pet safe and secure. Here are some easy to follow suggestions to make sure the “rocket’s red glare” don’t upset your dog or cat.

Tips to Help Ensure Your Pets Don’t Run Away Because Fireworks Can Scare Dogs (and Cats) Independence Day is not a time of celebration for our pets. The fireworks that we humans find so thrilling can drive pets, especially dogs, into a state of utter panic. The explosions (even miles away), the high-pitched swoosh of rockets climbing into the sky, the flashes of light - these can all be overwhelming sensory assaults. If your pet is terrified of fireworks, you probably know the signs: He cowers, trembles in fear or hides and appears disoriented. Some dogs become so frightened they take drastic action. They can crash through a screen door, jump out of a window or leap a fence. Every year, Portland animal shelters have their hands full dealing with lost dogs that bolted on July 4, cats that have gone missing and anxious owners looking for them. Sadly, some lost pets are never recovered. There are ways to make July 4th safer and less stressful for pets. Keep your pet inside as much as possible on July 4th (and for a few days before and after if your pet is extremely phobic about fireworks). If you find a stray animal, please keep them with you until your local animal shelter is open and ready to receive them. The Oregon Humane Society urges pet owners to follow the suggestions below to ensure their pets will not run off.

1) Make sure all pets, even indoor-only cats, are wearing a collar with an identification tag that includes your name and telephone number. A microchip is also a good idea. Terrified animals will become confused and disoriented. They may end up miles from home or deep under a neighbor’s porch. This simple precaution will save a lot of anguish, time, and energy.

2) Walk dogs in the early evening – well before nightfall – to prevent undue stress from noisy fireworks.

3) Dogs, and cats, who are agitated should be put into a bathroom or other room with no windows, with the door secure. Remember screen doors will not keep in a charging dog.

4) In extreme cases, check with your veterinarian about tranquilizers.

If your pet becomes lost during the holiday (or at any time):

1) Immediately check with your local animal control agency first.

2) Put up flyers with a photo and detailed description of the missing pet.

3) Check around the neighborhood carefully. Lost cats have been found days later hiding under a bush in front of their owners’ homes. For dogs, expand the search area further than expected as a precaution.

Contact Information of Shelters in the Portland Metro and SW Washington Area

Clackamas County Dog Services

13141 SE Hwy 212, Clackamas, OR

(503)655-8628

Hours: lost/found assistance Monday – Saturday 8:30am - 5pm Closed on Sunday, holidays, including 4th of July.

Clark County Animal Protection & Control

1300 Franklin St, Vancouver, WA

(360)397-2488

Dove Lewis Emergency

1945 NW Pettygrove, Portland, OR

(503)228-7281

Open 24 hours every day.

Humane Society for SW Washington

1100 NE 192nd Ave., Vancouver, WA

(360)693-4746

Hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm; Sat & Sun 10am – 5pm

Multnomah County Animal Services

1700 W. Historic Columbia River Hwy. Troutdale, OR

(503)988-7387

Hours: Tues, Thurs, Fri 11am – 6pm, Wed 12pm – 6pm, Sat & Sun 11am – 4:30pm. Closed on Mon, holidays & 4th of July.

Oregon Humane Society

1067 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR

(503)285-7722

Hours: Sun – Wed 10am – 7pm, Thurs – Sat 10am – 9pm Closed on 4th of July.

Washington County Animal Services

Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter

1901 SE 24th Ave. Hillsboro, OR

(503)846-7041

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat 9am – 6pm, Wed 12pm – 6pm Closed on 4th of July.

Portland is a city of makers, doers and, of course, gamers. Whether you’re more of a Go Fish aficionado, Choose Your Own Adventure chaser, Dungeons and Dragons slayer, or, perhaps, a still-aspiring gamer, you’ll find a perfect match at these Portland game shops. Take your shopping experience to the next level at these stores and bars, which boast open invitations to gather and game in-house. From casual open-play hours to competitive tournaments, opportunities to discover new games (and friends) abound.

Gaming Vocab Speed Run

If you’re new to gaming, all you need to know is that games come in broad categories. “Tabletop games” is an umbrella catchall term for those typically played around a table. You can ask for specific games based on what tools they use: board games, card games, dice games, game miniatures, etc. Another popular phrase you may hear is “RPG,” which stands for “role-playing game,” in which players enact or embody the characters they’re playing with. RPGs can be a method of play for video games, board games and more, so a single game can fall into several categories. But don’t let the lingo scare you away; the Portland gaming community is friendly and happy to help new players.

The Portland Game Store

The cozy Portland Game Store on North Killingsworth Street prides itself on crafting a welcoming atmosphere and a stellar selection of games, boasting the largest lineup of Magic: The Gathering products and board games in North Portland. Although the store almost closed its doors during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a dedicated patron used his life savings to buy PGS and ensure the exceptional gathering place continued. This zeal for community is apparent in the generous open-play hours, during which gamers can pick from the extensive in-house game library or bring in their own games — all free of charge — Monday through Friday, from noon–5 p.m. Check their calendar for frequent recurring events and tournaments. If you’re in on a Saturday, check out their painting primer, which provides free paints, miniatures and lessons in the craft of board game figurine customization. Four rotating taps of draft beers, canned cocktails and other beverages, plus munchies on munchies are sure to keep you sustained through all the action.

Red Castle Games

Strolling through the spacious Red Castle Games in Foster-Powell might feel like fantasy, but thankfully it’s real life. Peruse well-stocked pine shelves filled with today’s most popular games, jigsaw puzzles, dice in every color and denomination imaginable, and even some spiffy store swag. In addition to a robust calendar of recurring events such as Digimon Tournament Mondays and Warhammer Sundays, you can rent a sleek room and/or a Dungeon Master for a private night of fun, or borrow a game from their rental library for just a few dollars. Open daily, the Cafe at Red Castle offers fuel — caffeinated, fried and adult. This Portland board game bar can appease palates of all ages.

Mox Boarding House

Transport yourself into a gaming experience that oozes opulence at Mox Boarding House, an expansive retail shop and restaurant in a self-described “Parisian-inspired” atmosphere. Pick from over 200 games to play while you nosh on a rotating menu with many dietary-friendly options and sip cocktails (including zero-proof options) at long, communal tables, or snag a private room rental for a unique, whimsical space for you and your pals. The elevated excursion at this Portland board game bar comes with a price point to match, but it’s a memorable outing worth dressing up for. Tip for newbies: Worried about parking? Use the nearby parking garage, accessed through Southwest Morrison Street between the Mox building and Providence Park, and ask a Mox employee to validate your slip for up to 90 minutes on the house.

Puddletown Games & Puzzles

Splashing onto the scene in the summer of 2021, Puddletown Games & Puzzles is already beloved in the Beaumont neighborhood and beyond. Enter the brick building to discover all that this charming Black- and veteran-owned spot has to offer. It’s the perfect place to peruse and play in a homey, inclusive setting featuring high ceilings, baroque rugs, friendly faces and amazing natural light. A great assortment of games like Pokémon cards, indie RPGs, lawn games and more can suit every need. Stay updated on weekly events via social media, such as Adult Casual Commander on Wednesdays, Board Games on Thursdays, and Magic: The Gathering for Teens on Fridays. With every inch of the shop preserved for precious inventory, don’t forget to BYO snacks — and perhaps consider bringing enough to share with all the new friends you’ll make!

Guardian Games

Last but not least, we’d be remiss to not mention Guardian Games, one of Portland’s largest retail stores and long-time favorites. Visitors, beware: With over 10,000 square feet (929 sq m) of space, be prepared to get lost in this enormous, well-kept space that feels like a warehouse filled with every goodie you could imagine. It even has a bar with rotating craft beers and snacks! Among its best features, Guardian Games stocks an extensive used game selection — good for the environment and your wallet — and a spectacular in-store display of locally created games like Dungeon Degenerates and Formation for the ultimate Portland souvenir. Stop by any night of the week for live events and to check out the 450+ game demo library.

WhenWhen Aubrey Gordon — the Portland-raised host of the podcast Maintenance Phase — talks about food publicly, it’s not often about food she actually enjoys. She and her co-host, journalist Michael Hobbes, dissect the myths surrounding fad diets, weight-loss products, fat-phobic medical bias, and phenomenons in the sticky world of “wellness,” ranging from Jordan Peterson’s all-meat diet to Halo Top ice cream, Snackwell’s to celery juice. “Listen, I spent my morning yelling at Mike about a TV chef who later outed himself as a Nazi, so I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’ll talk about HK Cafe, sounds great,’” Gordon says, with a laugh.

When talking about her favorite Portland restaurants, Gordon spends much of her time mourning the ones we’ve lost along the way: The Overlook Cafe, Wong’s King. However, she as emphatically gushes about a number of old-school spots and relative newcomers in Portland and Vancouver — her favorite fried chicken, her go-to diner breakfast, her favorite strip mall Thai restaurant. Find her guide to dining in Portland (and Vancouver, Washington) below. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

“The places I’m most excited to go out to for breakfast are American diners. My number one is Cameo Cafe. The idea that you could go into a restaurant and get a perfectly made seafood pancake and also poached eggs and also a pancake the size of my torso? It’s just incredible.”

“I’m an occasional coffee person; once every couple of weeks I’ll get a nice cup of coffee. I’ve gotten super into Commissary Cafe — boy, I like those guys. It’s just super-duper simple and beautifully made pastries and super-duper simple and beautifully made coffee. Give me a cortado and a biscuit and I’m happy.”

“If, for some reason, I need to be in the mid-to-outskirts of Vancouver, Washington, there is a place called Thai Wok Kitchen out by the Vancouver Mall, and oh my God, it’s the best Thai food in town I’ve had. It’s next to one of those indoor trampoline places. They have three different duck dishes on the menu that they absolutely nail. They do that impossible thing with a duck breast where it’s moist and perfectly cooked but the skin is perfectly rendered out, but they cover it in garlic sauce. Everything I’ve had there is just killer, and it’s a place that I will absolutely go out of my way for.”

“I’m an extreme local chain aficionado, and I love Cafe Yumm. The tofu skewers?! The cookies?! Just everything about it, so good. I really like the Smoky Yumm bowl, the Hot N Jazzy (the worst name for the best thing), but I always come back to the original. Medium original Yumm bowl, tofu skewer, the ginger cookie, done. The perfect order.”

“The sheer confidence of opening a fishing-themed bar that only serves chicken is amazing. You can get bone-in fried chicken or chicken strips, so literally it’s fried chicken or fried chicken. That place is just incredible, to be amongst the fishing poles suspended from the ceiling, the cartoon of a lady fish for the ladies room, eating absolutely amazing fried chicken.”

“As someone who also worked in nonprofits locally for a really long time, in nonprofit world, people are living pretty close to the bone, money-wise. The single best way to be an absolute hero in a nonprofit meeting is if you hold the meeting at Queen of Sheba, or if you bring Queen of Sheba to the meeting. It’s one of my absolute all-time favorite places to eat. My move almost always is to bring a bunch of willing participants and get the largest vegetarian plate. Give me every type of lentils, thanks.”

“Another thing in the world of world of comfort foods, is the peanut butter pickle bacon burger at Killer Burger. It’s delicious. I always imagine a smear of Jif, but obviously every time you get it it’s this amazing savory peanut sauce. I recommend it, and most people I’ve introduced it to love it. You know, plan your exit route, in case it’s not for you, but man oh man it’s so good.”

“When it comes to celebration restaurants, I think my go-to is Gado Gado — because of the style of food that they’re doing, because of the aromatic rice, it’s incredible. It’s the most beautiful and lovingly made food in the most fun and light environment, so I’m like, great, sold. Incredible. That would absolutely be my spot.”

“Over the pandemic, I became good friends with the Pix-O-Matic. That thing — it became one of the joys of my world. If a friend got a new job, got engaged, if there was cause for a little celebration, I would go to the Pix-O-Matic, get something for said friend, get some flowers, and leave them on the doorstep.

The Driftwood Room: “It’s so good. I get the gorgonzola cheesecake and sizzling mushrooms, and an Elizabeth Taylor.”

Mother’s: “At Mother’s, they will do a soup of the day, and it’s almost always extremely comforting and lovely and delicious. Hungarian mushroom soup! Loaded baked potato soup! Carrot ginger soup!”

Ice Queen: “They’re moving right now, but you can still get them in stores. I’d get the Mangonada every day, no problem.”

Rally’s Pizza: “Rally’s makes frozen custard from scratch, and then they also make concretes. They have one that’s a lemon frozen custard, made into a concrete, with ginger snaps. It was right.”

Basilisk: “Of course, go for fried chicken sandwiches, they’re incredible — but also for the dandan fries. Why that’s not a taste sensation sweeping the nation I don’t know.”