eat & drink—Lents, East (E) Portland...

In his recent book Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, author and columnist Gustavo Arellano argues that until the 1950s and 60s, most (Norte) Americanos didn't even know what a taco was. But, almost everyone knew about the tamale because it was introduced to the world on the stage that was the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Soon after, Arellano writes, "tamale men" in large cities were ubiquitous, selling their more...

Judging by the restaurants, bars and food carts that line our streets, we Portlanders sure like dining out. But when you consider the many successful urban farms and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) cropping up all over town, we sure like dining in too. If you and your family are thinking about joining a CSA, how can you tell which one works best for you? Do you choose the one that empowers underserved youth, the one that more...

Better late than never, right? Summer, that is, and all the foods with which we associate the season. Owing to the impact of late storms and fluctuating temperatures, local farmers’ most reliable summer crops are just now starting to fill market stalls and CSA boxes. What does all of this mean for you, your kitchen, and your belly? It’s time to take full advantage of the flavors of late summer by sourcing your goods close more...

Remember when Portland was sunny by June? Yeah, neither do we. But let’s look on the bright side (hah!): This kind of weather is the perfect complement to hearty Old World cookery, which is enjoying a revival on the PDX foodie circuit. Aside from being delicious, it also syncs well with Portland’s progressive dining scene. Rustic Eastern European fare championed the sustainable farming, local ingredients, and whole-animal more...

Spring is a tricky season in the Pacific Northwest, holding onto winter cloud and cold while allowing some glimpses of warm sun to peek through. The local food menu reflects this contrast, with winter crops coming to market at the height of their flavor and early spring crops making their first appearance. Just as you may be confused about whether to wear short sleeves or a heavy coat, accessing the array of local seasonal foods can be more...

If you yearn to eat seasonal, local foods while also deepening the impact of your purchasing power so that it directly supports the work of local farmers, you may want to consider becoming a member of a CSA. A CSA, which stands for community-supported agriculture, allows individuals and families to directly invest in a local farm by purchasing shares of the farm’s harvest. In return for your subscription, you get a box, basket or more...

A food-buying club (FBC) is just what it sounds like: a group of people getting together to purchase food. There are several reasons to join or start an FBC, the most obvious of which is the increased buying power provided by a collective. By purchasing items directly from farmers and vendors, an FBC avoids the overhead costs that drive up retail prices. Members also benefit from greater choice and flexibility, enhanced freshness and more...

Eating locally, sustainably and seasonally can often seem daunting, especially in winter. By January, having eaten through all the Hubbard squash and home-canned tomatoes in storage, you're kind of tired of potatoes, and you inexplicably find yourself craving bell peppers and cucumbers—both months out of season. Want to know the local secrets to fighting mid-winter's food doldrums? With a little planning and some new more...

Unless you grow all your own food and haven’t visited a supermarket or a food co-op for quite a while, you have doubtlessly noticed two short words now appearing on the packages of both new and familiar items as you stroll the aisles: gluten free. You’ll find them on packaged products in nearly every aisle of your neighborhood grocery store. Meanwhile, Portland pizza chains post signs for their new gluten-free pies and you more...

Portland is a city that prides itself on its abundant supply of fresh food. Whether it’s being served in cafes, food carts, stocked on the shelves of grocers, grown on sidewalk garden plots or hanging from neighborhood trees, local and often organic produce is all around us. With all this food, it’s hard to understand why Oregon consistently ranks as one of America’s hungriest states. In the 2008-09 year, The Oregon more...