We’ll be flying in through Portland and then heading south to Ashland and Crescent City. (That was me who posted earlier – and got a lot of good suggestions), and later we’ll fly out through the airport and staying near the airport for an early flight. We’ll want a reasonably quick lunch and then a dinner. The lunch can be farther from the airport, with should be casual. What are some options?
Many thanks.
Are you driving straight here or doing the coast ?
Probably straight through. The coast adds a good bit of driving time. I’d like to go over to Depoe Bay, but I’m not the decision maker.
The coast is spectacular. Worth a hefty bribe to the decision-maker! I have seen whales at Depoe Bay although not sure they are there this time of year. Sorry, no recent intel on airport-adjacent eats.
We’ve been to the NW corner – around Cannon Beach, and it is indeed spectacular. I was thinking of Depo because of food recommendations from a friend.
Astoria and Yachats are my favorite coast burgs.
If you’re going to CCyou need to at least do the Samuel Boardman scenic area, Brookings and Gold Beach.
Spectacular.
https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=56
“Moonset on the Oregon Coast
A half moon and the milkyway set into the night at 11pm over the famous Arch Rock in Samuel H. Boardman State Park, Southern Oregon.
As milkyway season comes to an end here in Oregon (the core of it atleast) I head out last night to attempt a shot i’ve thought about for years.
It did not line up as I hoped it would. I was thrown off because I have shot the moon set directly behind Arch Rock before. It leaves a beatiful shadow with a golden light shining through the arch. I was hoping that the low setting Milkyway would also be behind it.
Unfortunately, that was not the case.(different time of year.) Its ok with me because I really enjoy the scene as it is. Last night was meant to be. I even captured a faint Northern Lights from the coast looking north.
I probably wont get out to shoot the milkyway again this year, so goodbye until next summer. I will miss you.
Hope you enjoy the image.“
A local photographer, Jasman Lion Mander took this shot. 
Might be a bit far from Portland (~100mi), but Tacos el Paisa food truck off exit 199 in Coburg. It’s East of the freeway in a parking lot, easy to access. Really good tacos and tortas.
What’s your max drive time for the dinner? Most places on the east side are less than 30 min drive. To get to anywhere interesting from an airport hotel is a minimum 10 min.
For a casual lunch, Sorbu does local Tuscan sandwiches and other dishes (including some using chickpea flatbread).
Fairweather offers PNW veg oriented brunch style bowls and plates, as well as good coffee and house made pastries.
Matt’s BBQ tacos at the hinterland food carts uses Matt’s BBQ meats. It’s a nice patio/hangout spot and not too far from the airport. There is also another location on Alberta. Matt’s BBQ is also at a food cart location on Mississippi and is excellent. See Texas Monthly’s take: https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/new-portland-barbecue/
If you have a particular style or cuisines in mind I can recommend more specific.
Thanks, Babette! I’ll make a note, If it’s doable, I’ll do it
Tigerjohn, thanks! The barbecue sounds terrific, and the long-suffering MS. Barbecue won’t have ad to face any for a while…
I’ll second Tacos Al Paisa if you are going via I5. For the 2022 world track and field championships held in Eugene, my dad and I were driving down every day from Portland and we would stop there for a bite in the later afternoon before the events started. Another great Eugene option is Yardy, carribean inspired dishes that has gotten a lot of plaudits.
If you do go to the original Matt’s, I suggest looking at the specials or the non-typical Texas bbq options. Even through Texas monthly thought his brisket was as good as many of the top places in Texas, where they really excel is outside of the standard TX BBQ offerings.
If you like Matt’s you could also consider dinner at Eem, a Thai place using smoked meats that is a collab between Matt and Earl Ninsom (2024 James Beard National restaurateur award winner). It’s about 20 min from airport hotels.
Hmm. If either is open for lunch …. I’ll check
If you do make it to Depoe Bay, be sure to stop at the Bayview Thai Restaurant…the best Thai restaurant I’ve ever been to, and that’s saying a lot. And the couple that owns it are amazing.
Eem and Matt’s are great. My usual first stop is actually fairly close to the airport, Sorbu Paninoteca. Its a Tuscan sandwich (mainly) food truck. Great rotating menu, operated by a Livorno native and her husband. Everything Ive had there so far was excellent.
Ziggy, that sounds good to me, but Mia sposa … still, a possibility. Thanks!
Thanks, Tigerjohn
I had a very nice dinner at the Heathman but it’s been years ago. Just checked the menu and it sounds like similar cuisine - local products with a French twist. Nothing earthshattering, but nice for just passing through. https://www.heathmanhotel.com/dine/the-tavern-at-heathman/
For lunch I’d suggest the Sellwood neighborhood, they have really nice, creative cafes and small shops to browse if you have time. There’s also the food trucks downtown along 4th Ave.
I’d suggest a side trip to Newport instead of Depoe Bay if you get to do the Coast for a food jaunt. There’s a restaurant on the water there called Clearwater. Ziggy enjoyed it when he was visiting: Oregon/Cal Coast - #39 by Ziggy (scroll down)
Thanks! Alas the travel gods are angry, and our flight was changed pretty dramatically We arrive late, and we’re recalculating.
