Beulahland
118 NE 28th, 235-2794
So you’re on Northeast 28th, you’re broke again, and you’re starvin’. Why not try Beulahland, the homiest bar on the street? They’ve got a surprisingly large menu of cheap and tasty sandwiches and burgers, plus a mean soup of the day. Avoid the veggie burger, which tastes like flour, but hit up the pasta salad; it’s practically gourmet. Beulahland also serves breakfast until noon, does tasty espresso drinks, has a great beer selection, and the staff is as friendly as it gets. JWS
Higgins
1239 SW Broadway, 222-9070
A great place to meet for lunch on a Friday, Higgin’s bar offers quick and friendly service, and the fairly comprehensive menu averages at about $10. Don’t miss out on their open-faced pastrami sandwich, piled with ribbons of the most delicious pastrami you’ll ever eat. That plus melted white cheddar, and a creamy sauce spread on a thick slice of bread. With your sandwich Higgins serves a generous salad, smartly tossed with hazelnuts and a mild vinaigrette. The bar also offers a bistro menu until 12 am, so keep Higgins in mind if you’re downtown for a flick. KS
Pizza Schmizza
320 NW 21st, 3433 SE Hawthorne, 1036 NW Glisan, 1422 NE Broadway, 732 SW Yamhill, etc.
Pizza Schmizza franchises are popping up all over the place–Northwest 21st, Hawthorne, the Pearl, Northeast Broadway, downtown, Beaverton, Vancouver, etc. –so it occurred to me that I should find out whether it’s any good. The verdict: tasty. For lunch, you can get a huge piece of pizza, a mini salad, and a drink for $5. This is called something like the “Big Meal,” which is misleading since the salad and drink are both small, but regardless it’s a perfect amount of food. The pizza is loaded with vegetables and cheese, and has a crispy crust, making it hearty and delicious. So, if you find yourself in front of a Pizza Schmizza, go on inside, the atmosphere is peppy, the employees aren’t robots, and the food is downright swell. KS