Skip to main content1,648 of you responded to our call to name the best Portland has to offer. Here are your opinions:
Best Place to Eat Dinner
There was no contest: You're all still loco for John Gorham's terrific tapas at Toro Bravo, WW's 2007 Restaurant of the Year.
120 NE Russell St., 281-4464, torobravopdx.com.
Runners-up, in order: Farm Cafe/The Grilled Cheese Grill (tie), Le Pigeon, Pok Pok.
Best Place to Eat Brunch
We are in hearty agreement with those of you who say the fried chicken and waffle at Screen Door just can't be beat. 2337 E Burnside St., 542-0880, screendoorrestaurant.com.
Runners-up: Mother's Bistro, Tin Shed Garden Cafe, Simpatica, The Grilled Cheese Grill.
Best Bar to Drink and Watch a Blazers Game
You picked Claudia's Sports Pub, because sports are way more fun when you're relaxing in a high-backed captain's chair. 3006 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 232-1744, claudiaspub.com.
Runners-up: On Deck Sports Bar, Buffalo Wild Wings, Blitz Ladd, Marathon Taverna.
Best Bar to Drink and not Watch a Blazers Game
It's a lesson more Portland bars should learn from your favorite hellish venue, Dante's—everything's better with fire. 1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630, danteslive.com.
Runners-up: The Bitter End, Bye and Bye, Rontoms, The Horse Brass.
Best Store
You're eternally loyal to Powell's City of Books. 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, powells.com.
Runners-up: New Seasons Market, Presents of Mind, Fred Meyer, Belmont Station.
Best Band
Fully 11 percent of you think Floater is still the best after 16 years of rocking. Floater.com.
Runners-up: Pink Martini, The Decemberists, The Shins, Storm Large and her Balls.
Best Cart
You drunkies know nothing soothes an over-vodka'd belly like a late-night chocolate pie from Whiffies Fried Pies. Southeast 12th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard, 946-6544, whiffies.com.
Runners-up: The Grilled Cheese Grill, Brunch Box, Tabor, Potato Champion.
Best Cheap Date
An evening at the Laurelhurst Theater is indeed damn cheap: $8.75 per person for a movie, a beer and a small popcorn. 2735 E Burnside St., 232-5511, laurelhursttheater.com.
Runners-up: A hike around Washington Park/Forest Park, a Portland Timbers match, The Grilled Cheese Grill, Your Mother/My Boyfriend/Girlfriend/Husband/Wife/Me! (tie).
Most Underappreciated Person, Place or Thing
The customers of Julie Lawrence Yoga Center would like you to know that their yogi is the best yogi. 1020 SW Taylor St., 227-5524, jlyc.com.
Runners-up: Forkfly.com, Portland Timbers and Beavers owner Merritt Paulson, Mayor Sam Adams, The Grilled Cheese Grill.
Some other notable suggestions:
"Whoever gets stuck mucking out the PPB Mounted Patrol stables in August."
"TriMet bus, MAX and streetcar operators. Those guys and gals deserve mad props."
"Tom Badrick, former Legacy sustainability guru."
"The trio of people handing out condoms at the anti-abortion rally last year."
"The Mexican guy who plays electric guitar outside Nordstrom, facing the street."
"The fucking arts community."
"The Boom Boom Room—recently remodeled."
"Stephanie Pearl: began community garden, garden club, etc., at Creston K-8 school."
"Stephanie Loyd (she dreads hair)."
"STEP UP—a high-school program by Open Meadow at 3 Portland high schools."
"Ruth and Sabrina at Alma Chocolate."
"Rapid Response Housing (Central City Concern Program)."
"Murray's doughnuts, behind Rocking Frog Cafe." The excellent doughnut shop behind Rocking Frog Cafe, at 2511 SE Belmont St., is actually named Moody's --Ed.
"Ingrid Stevens—artist, Eskimo, beer-maker."
"Filmmmaker Andy Blubaugh!"
"Cory at Seven Corners Bike Shop."
"All Classical FM 89.9 (So few towns have a 24-hour non-commercial classical station!)."
Best Reason to Love Portland
A strong plurality of you folks said the friendly, caring, weird and otherwise great people who live here are the best reason to love this city. You know what? We agree.
Runners-up: The Portland Timbers, craft beer, the food, the bike culture, the weather.
Some other notable suggestions:
"All the beautiful gardens people have in their front yards and parking strips."
"Big-city resources, small-city community."
"Bull Run water—fresh and natural."
"Cafes, bikes, vintage stores, people and Forest Park (and days that take advantage of it all)."
"Casual attitude in a beautiful landscape."
"Girls in miniskirts on bicycles!"
"Great gardening! Neighbors have chickens!"
"Hot, curvy tattooed chicks as far as you can see."
"Is this even a question? Liberals, gays, green, and good music!"
"The best Argentine tango community in the U.S."
"Its like Amsterdam but cleaner and with better bud."
"It's my hometown, motherfuckers! And bikes."
"It's the best parts of every Urban Utopia you've ever heard hyped, mashed together and slightly drunk."
"Least-scary city ever—how times have changed."
"No sales tax!"
"Rectangle glasses."
"So many great restaurants, even though everyone would rather eat at food carts."
WWeek 2015