Top 15 Best Restaurants for Cheap Eats in Portland

Whether you’re looking for fast food, a quick-casual restaurant, elegant dining, or a budget option, there are plenty of awesome choices in Portland. Want to find a place that won’t skimp on food quality? Here are some of the best restaurants for cheap eats in Portland, Oregon… 

1. Frank’s Noodle House – delicious cheap dining in Portland

This small house on Broadway’s Broadway serves simple, but delicious, hand-made noodles. Thick strands of chewy dough make for an enjoyable snack, especially when accompanied with incredible sauces too.

The Black Bean Sauce Noodles and the Ordinary Noodles with Chicken and Four-Scale Spiciness are two of the best dishes on the menu. It’s a good option if you’re seeking fresh affordable noodles. 

Address: 822 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232

2. Veggie Grill – quality plant-based but reasonably priced cuisine

The quality of the cuisine in this place is considerably superior to other fast food places, even though it’s technically a fast food joint. Burgers, chicken sandwiches and BBQ wings are among the items offered at this restaurant but here they’re all plant-based and guilt-free! 

 Try the Santa Fe Crispy Chick if this is your first time. Wings and nachos, as well as chocolate chip cookies and carrot cake, are also other great items on the menu.

Address: 508 SW Taylor St, Portland, OR 97204

3. Pepper Box Cafe – tortillas, breakfast tacos and affordable Southwestern eats are dished out in cozy surroundings

In this eatery, the counter-service is available for brunch. It is best if you can get there sooner rather than later. Primo is one of the most popular cafes offering tacos on the breakfast menu. Pickled peppers, white onions, and a chipotle cream sauce top this place’s spicy pastrami sandwich.

Tacos with house-made chorizo and pungent red chile are the best deal if you’re on a budget. Cheese and crunchy potato pieces melt together to create a dish that’s almost enough to eat on its own. A delicious green chile salsa was also included in the huevos rancheros platter.

Address: 932 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214

4. Mi Burrito Authentic Mexican Food – lowed priced veggie options and takeaways available

This restaurant’s Mexican fare is well-liked in the neighborhood. You’ll be impressed if you order veggie burritos, taquitos, and chili. Tourists typically order churros as they are the best in town when they visit.

Also, a must-have at Mi Burrito, is the horchata, which is served at its greatest. Customers on the go can order food from this establishment as takeaways.

Address: 819 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97217

5. Laughing Planet cafe – an affordable eatery that offers a mix of vegetarian, vegan, paleo, and gluten-free dishes!

Those in the know call it “Burritos, Bowls, and a hint of goofiness.” Because of this, you can’t help but admire them. Artwork and colorful murals decorate the walls.

Bright green chairs and dinnerware will brighten your day on a dismal one. Throughout the house, there are toys and tiny plastic dinosaurs that brighten your mood and make you laugh. Soup bowl, salad, burrito, quesadillas and cookies as an appetizer or dessert are available at this restaurant. 

Address: 4405 SW Vermont St, Portland, OR 97219-1020

6. My Father’s Place – an upbeat atmosphere and reasonably priced great food

Sightseeing at the Architectural Heritage Center is beautiful but the icing on the cake lies in you visiting my father’s place restaurant. Hash browns, fried chicken, chicken steak, delicious biscuits and fluffy pancakes are on the menu. You’ll be able to enjoy some delicious draft beer, wine, or liquor. It’s sure to be a hit with coffee lovers. 

Both outside and inside seating are options in this restaurant. Customers are made to feel at ease by the attractive decor and upbeat atmosphere.

Address: 523 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214

7. Bibi2go – great lower-priced Korean food and beer with a homey vibe

At this restaurant, you have two options after a long day of traveling: eat delicious meals or get some rest. You may eat Korean food cooked by skilled chefs at this restaurant. Bibimbap, beef bulgogi, and kimchi are some of the favorites you can get here. You might be on the lookout for some tasty rice cakes. This place has some seriously good beer. 

The staff at this institution are noted for their friendly demeanor and good service. This place has a homey vibe about it.

Address: 1019 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

8. Vita cafe portland – great vegetarian meals with a warm welcome perfect for those on a stricter budget

Vegetarian meals at this restaurant, according to previous reviews, are rather good. Porridge, buffalo tofu, and mushroom soup are all prepared to a high standard at this cafe. You need to go there and enjoy the best biscuits, French toast, and corn cakes in town. You can have either espresso, ice tea, or latte from Vita Coffee Roasting’s extensive beverage menu.

Visitors expect a warm welcome from the amazing staff at any time of year. The quickness with which the establishment will handle your request will show that they are well-versed in their field. 

Address: 2909 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

9. Uncle Tsang – generous portions of cheap Chinese and vegetarian food

A popular destination for tourists in Portland is this eatery, as well as the city’s puppet museum. You can get both Chinese and vegetarian meals at Uncle Tsang’s Kitchen. If you’re in the area, the bean tofu, hot and sour soup, and chow mein are all worth a shot. The pancakes are generally a hit with guests.

Pork is generously loaded into these potstickers, which are pan-fried to perfection. Ma Po tofu is a great dish as everything about it is perfect, from the heat to the sweetness to the saltiness.

Address: 1112 SE Tacoma St, Portland, OR 97202

10. Just Thai – one of Portland’s best Thai eateries with affordable prices

This is one of Portland’s best Thai eateries. Pad see ew has a wok hay flavor that is excellent. It’s not excessively sweet, and the serving sizes are reasonable. The Khao Soi is also tasty; not excessively hot, with just a hint of curry flavor, and with lovely, springy noodles.

They, on the other hand, are never idle. Expect takeout lines to wrap around the block now as the dining room was closed due to COVID. 

Just Thai Kitchen is the place to go for tofu pad Thai. Yes, it’s going to get 10/10. There is a good amount of peanuts in the noodles, and the tofu is huge and cooked to perfection. Aside from those ingredients, there are bean sprouts and limes. 

Address: SW 3rd, Portland, OR 97201

11. Butterfly Asian Cafe Cuisine – great gluten-free Asian food for reasonably prices served with a smile

There is no better place to eat gluten-free Asian food than at this establishment. Min, the shop owner, is the best there is. He’ll make you laugh and smile before you have your napkins ready. Their hoisin is outstanding, and they take great care in the preparation of it. You’ll have a great time at the karaoke bar.

Expect exceptional customer service paired with a positive outlook. Stop by for lunch on a cozy weekend and enjoy their tasty pho. Here, they boil their soup for 48 hours before serving and they also make their own sauces. What’s better? Live music is also available. 

Address: 323 NW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97209

12. El NutriTaco – a food cart which offers great vegan substitutes for great prices

A great place for both meat-eaters and vegetarians this is an affordable casual Mexican eatery with some amazing vegetarian and vegan menu options with faux meats as well as vegan sour cream and vegan cheese. 

The food cart is open Monday to Saturday 11:00am-9:00pm

Address: 2124 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

13. Ground Kontrol – a video game arcade serving good priced pub food and drinks

This is a fun place for a reasonably inexpensive night out, as long as you don’t spend too much on the cool arcade games they have there! Expect to choose from retro video games and pinball machines.

Expect to be served quick eats like nachos, hotdogs and sandwiches. 

Address: 115 NW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen – tasty Asian food that will not break the bank

You’re starving, but you don’t want to break the bank to buy some tasty ramen. This wonderful restaurant can be reached in approximately ten minutes on foot from the Pio stop.

Expect tasty but very affordable Asian food such as noodles and stir fries. 

Address: 835 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204

Tamale Boy – visit this modest dining room to eat traditional tamales

Mexico City is currently home to chef Abel Hernandez, who was raised in Veracruz. Using either the traditional Oaxacan method of encasing them in banana leaves or the more common corn husk approach, he is a master of tamales (try the version filled with roasted pasilla peppers, onions, corn kernels, and queso fresco).

Order the El Diablo margarita, which is made with tequila that’s been infused with habanero and has mango puree on the side, to start. The modest dining room, which has a painting by Los Angeles-based artist Steven Lopez, allows customers to place their orders at a counter.

Address: 1764 NE Dekum St. Portland, OR 97211

 

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