Restaurant Reviews

Pine State Biscuits: Biscuits and brunch in Portland, Oregon

The decadent Reggie Deluxe with an egg, Pine State Biscuits, Portland, Oregon

In 2006, a group of three friends, who were transplants from North Carolina, founded Pine State Biscuits in Portland, Oregon. Their goal was to share their love of Southeast cuisine with the Pacific Northwest. And, the one food they craved and grew up eating, and wanted to share with Portland, was the ubiquitous southern biscuit. After months of trial and error, the group perfected their recipe of a buttery, flakey scratch-made biscuit. In May 2006, they started selling their homemade …

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Screen Door: Southern Brunch in Portland's Pearl District

A southern classic, the Chicken & Waffles, Screen Door, Portland, Oregon

Screen Door, with two locations in Portland, Oregon, is a southern and soul food restaurant popular for its decadent menu. In 2006, Louisiana transplants Nicole and David Mouton opened the first Screen Door location on Burnside Street in eastern Portland. In 2021, a second location opened on Couch Street in the Pearl District. You will find all your favorite southern comfort foods on the brunch and dinner menus at Screen Door. This includes fried chicken, catfish, chicken & waffles, shrimp …

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Café Santiago: Best francesinha in Porto, Portugal

Layer after layer of meat, Café Santiago, Porto, Portugal

If you come to Porto, you can’t leave the city without trying francesinha. This decadent, over-the-top meat-filled sandwich is a must eat in Porto. The carb-heavy, beer-friendly dish of meat, bread, cheese, and gravy can be enjoyed any hour of the day. Francesinha, which means “little Frenchie” in French, was the creation of Portuguese citizen Daniel Silva. Silva, who lived in France, wanted to create his own version of the popular croque monsieur. So, he invented the francesinha, which today …

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Zenith Brunch & Cocktails in Lisbon, Portugal

The colorful Eggs Zenith, Zenith Brunch & Cocktails, Lisbon, Portugal

Zenith Brunch & Cocktails, located off Avenida da Liberdade, is one of the best places in Lisbon for brunch. Its menu features classics such as french toast, eggs benedict, pancakes, and bagels. Other than its food, the all-day brunch spot is popular for its handmade cocktails and hip, modern interior. In 2017, the first Zenith location opened in the heart of Porto. It soon became a must-visit brunch spot for both locals and tourists. After their success in Porto, a …

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A Sandeira do Porto: Best sandwiches in Porto

Clérigos Sandwich

A Sandeira do Porto, located steps away from touristy Rua das Flores, is where to go for the best sandwich in Porto. This cavernous, hole-in-the-wall restaurant, missed by many, serves both affordable and fresh food. This includes sandwiches, salads, soups, and snacks, all for under €10,00. There are a few things you should know before coming to A Sandeira do Porto. First, the dining room is tiny with only a few tables. If you are dining with a large group, …

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The 5 Point Cafe: Breakfast at Seattle's best dive bar

Salmon Benedict, The 5 Point Cafe, Seattle

The 5 Point Cafe, located in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, is a historic cafe and dive bar which opened in 1929. For almost a century, the no-frills diner has survived prohibition, war, and politics. Today, the cafe is one of the oldest family operated eateries in Seattle and the oldest bar in Belltown. It is also known for being one of the best dive bars in the city. As the menu states, everyone is welcome no matter your political, social, or …

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Bacco Cafe: Breakfast near Pike Place Market in Seattle

Dungeness Crab Benedict, Bacco Cafe, Seattle

Whenever I travel to a new destination, I make it a priority to search out the best local breakfast and brunch spots. For me, there is something special about eating breakfast in a new city, especially at places I can’t find back at home. The food connects me to the new city. So, the moment I landed in Seattle on my recent trip, I grabbed my phone and began searching. After a few minutes, I stumbled upon a place that …

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Saginaw’s Delicatessen at the Circa in downtown Las Vegas

Close up of the sandwich, Saginaw’s Delicatessen, Las Vegas

Saginaw’s Delicatessen is a Jewish-style deli located inside the Circa Resort on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. Before businessman Derek Stevens opened the Circa in December 2020, he searched the country for the best culinary talent. He hoped to feature new and exciting restaurants in his resort, as part of the revitalization of downtown Las Vegas. Lets go back in time first. In 1982, Paul Saginaw helped open Zingerman’s located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Over the years, the deli …

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Terry Black's Barbecue: Central Texas BBQ in Austin

A beautiful plate of meat

This past April, I visited Austin, Texas for the first time. The moment I booked my flight, I was thinking about all the delicious smoked meats, BBQ, and brisket I wanted to try. If you don’t know, Austin is home to many quintessential central Texas BBQ restaurants. One of them is Terry Black’s Barbecue located on Barton Springs Rd. Before opening Terry Black’s Barbecue, brothers Mike and Mark worked at their family BBQ restaurant in nearby Lockhart. The brothers took …

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Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden in Austin, Texas

Jalapeño Cheddar Brat

Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden is one of the best places in Austin for house-made sausages, comfort food, and local craft beers. The restaurant is popular for its selection of traditional, exotic, and vegetarian sausages. They also offer one of the best selections of craft beers in Texas with over 100 beers on draft. The restaurant and beer garden opened in 2012 in Austin’s Rainey Street Historic District. The district is home to many historic bungalows and homes. Over …

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