Cheap Eats 2011: Matchbox Lounge

Many bars in Portland advertise a happy-hour menu that is cheap, convenient and delicious, but few actually live up to the hype. But let me tell you, the $5 happy-hour burger at Matchbox Lounge is the real deal: a third of a pound of Painted Hills beef, served with a tangy aioli and your choice of cheese (go for the manchego) for just a dollar more. It's easily one of the best burgers in town, so good that ordering the full version ($11 with pancetta and greens) as an entree is totally worth the price. The rest of Matchbox's menu is surprisingly versatile for a place to get a cheap drink—especially the mini pizzettas, including a crusty pie topped with squash, caramelized onions, and chevre ($10) that's so sweet enough it almost qualifies as a dessert.

WWeek 2015

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