Mugi’s

4835 SW Pomona St, 977-5088

Don’t let appearances deceive you at Mugi’s. Although it’s situated in what used to be a fast food joint, there is nothing cheap or gross about Mugi’s food. Delectable sushi is the name of the game here. Super tender tuna nigri and specialty rolls, like shrimp tempura and avocado drizzled in sesame based sauces, make up for the lack of ambiance inside. I swear, be it sake or Sony, the Japanese are always ten steps ahead of us; Mugi’s chilled sake is presented in a neat little glass container filled with ice that is confoundingly separated from the sake. The restaurant is family owned and the sushi chef, Jason, is super cool and extremely knowledgeable. Mugi’s is not all that cheap, but when it comes to eating raw fish, “cheap” is not the top priority. NW

Zell’s

1300 SE Morrison, 239-0196

I don’t think I’ve ever even looked at the menu at Zell’s because their specials board is always so jammed with food I want to eat that I don’t get a chance. Ingredients like prosciutto, asparagus, and asiago cheese populate their delicious scrambles, as well as bacon, avocado, and tomato (they serve this combo as an omelet topped with a lime/sour cream sauce that’s just too good). Their eggs benedict are consistently perfect. One of my breakfast mates recently noted that they offer a bacon waffle, marrying sweet and salty in perfect harmony, which just proves that Zell’s is committed to a breakfast that’s not only delicious, it’s thrilling. P.S. Need some breakfast juice? Try one of their mimosas or Spanish coffees. KS

Yam Yam’s

7339 NE MLK, 978-9229

One of the few Southern food joints in Portland that offers all the fixin’s, Yam Yam’s is top notch. As you might expect, the sweet, buttery yams are one of the highlights, along with the tangy, baked-in-a-pan macaroni and cheese. The collards have quite obviously been cooked all day, and have a strong pork flavor and tasty chunks of tender meat, as do the red beans and rice. My favorite main dish is the catfish, fried in a light cornmeal breading and served up in piles. KS