07.31.2024

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88º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:54 a.m. | Sunset 8:39 p.m.
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Saving money tastes great

Where to find lunch for $15 or less in Portland

Looking for a tasty, local lunch spot that doesn’t break the bank? We’re here for you, Portland. Check out this list of 21 places where a lunch for one costs $15 or less.

We know cravings are key when it comes to a midday meal, so we’ve broken up these spots into their respective food groups.

Grilled shoyu chicken topped with sesame seeds and green onion next to scoops of white rice and mac salad. — With a little self control you can stretch a 808 Grinds’ plate lunch for two days thanks to these heaping helpings.
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Photo via @808grinds

808 Grinds, multiple locations

Hawaiian hospitality and island vibes are on deck at this spot where the staff welcome you in with a smile. If you ask us, Da Combo plate is the way to go — you get shoyu chicken and kalua pork with scoops of mac salad and white rice.

Harlow, multiple locations

Grains and greens are the name of the game here. The Utopian Dream Salad ($14) is made with raw shredded green papaya, carrots, kale + broccoli tossed in almond butter pad thai sauce, offering plenty of crunch. Another fresh option is the Chipotle Chili Bowl (City Editor Ben’s fav).

A lemonade, cold cut sandwich and a stack of VHS movies in front of a green background. — Aptly named, The Four Pointer comes with four different cold cuts.
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Photo via Ty & Chey + @makeitsnappys

Snappy’s, multiple locations

You can now enjoy cold cuts and melts at two locations, both oozing in retro deli nostalgia. Enjoy old flicks on VHS or dine outside on sandwiches like The Trilogy (roast beef, turkey + bacon) or The Four Pointer (mortadella, salami, soppressata + capricola).

Hit The Spot!, 676 SE Morrison St.

Farm-to-table fast food cooked with responsibly sourced ingredients — that’s the fare of this Southeast Portland burger joint. You can score a single cheeseburger (it comes with lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes) and have spare change for a Tillamook ice cream shake. But do you want vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry?

Tacos from Taqueria Los Puñales are arranged in a circle on a platter. — Wheel... of... tacos! Which one are you trying first?
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Photo via @mrs.mftasty

Taquería Los Puñales, 3312 SE Belmont St.

You’d have to visit again and again to sample all of these restaurant’s tacos (you’ll definitely want to). To start that journey, here are some suggestions: El Choripapa comes with chorizo and potatoes, the Mole is braised in a signature poblano sauce, and the Barbacoa beef shoulder is tender and packed with flavor. Pro tip: Try the Barbacoa Jalisco Style — it’s crisped up on the grill.

What did we miss? If you know a budget-friendly lunch that’s not on the list, tell us about it.

Pizza, noodles + burgers oh my

Asked

When it comes to lunchtime, which option do you prefer?

A. I prefer eating at home/work
B. I prefer eating out
C. A mix of both
D. It depends on my mood

Let's do lunch

Events

Wednesday, July 31

Music on Main: Dreckig | Wednesday, July 31 | 5 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland | Free | This husband-wife duo synthesize Latin dance rhythms and krautrock sound to make an undeniably danceable scene in the street.
Portland Thorns vs. Seattle Reign | Wednesday, July 31 | 7 p.m. | Providence Park, 1844 SW Morrison St., Portland | $10+ | What better way to end the group stage of this midseason tournament than with a win against our PNW rival?
SUMMER/SETS: Rooftop Sunset Party | Wednesday, July 31 | 7-10 p.m. | The Society Hotel, 203 NW Third Ave., Portland | Free | Raise a glass to being halfway through the week at this social mixer with drink specials, music, pop-up vendors, fresh air, and city views.

Thursday, Aug. 1

Skatemobile at Lunch & Play | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lents Park, 4808 SE 92nd Ave., Portland | Free | Keep the kids entertained at this free event which features food and skating fun.

Friday, Aug. 2

Vancouver Arts & Music Festival | Friday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 4 | Times vary | Various locations in downtown Vancouver | Free | Head over the river to experience vibrant musical performances, pop-up galleries, juried art shows, and tantalizing food vendors.

Saturday, Aug. 3

The Widdle Wonderwood Fair | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Wonderwood Springs, 7410 N. Chicago Ave., Portland | Free | Enjoy the home stretch of summer with face painting, goats to pet, story time, live music, and more.
White Lotus Summer Market | Saturday, Aug. 3-Sunday, Aug. 4 | 2-10 p.m. | Shun Fat Supermarket, 5253 SE 82nd Ave., Portland | Free | Celebrate the last weekend of this summer market with AAPI makers, artists, and culinary delights.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Concert

Since the beginning, Pickathon emphasized cultivating young talent — 25 years later, that priority still rings true. The music festival recently announced a nonprofit dedicated to creative mentorship opportunities and half of this year’s lineup is 25 years old or younger. (Portland Monthly)

Open

Wayfinder Beer’s new location near the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge is now open. The Troutdale taproom anchors The Highlands food cart pod, where tenants like Checkerboard Pizza, Happy Sushi, Gyro King, and Lulu serve bites to go with the brewery’s European-style lagers. (Portland Business Journal)

Eat

Whether you stick to the claim that corn dogs were invented in Oregon or not, there’s no denying that the deep fried delicacy is suited for summer. Although the local lore stems from Rockaway Beach, Portland has a pack of contenders that are worth your time — but who’s the top dog? (OPB + The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Real Estate

This Maywood Park “ranchelow” has the space of a ranch-style home with bungalow details, like mahogany millwork and covered ceilings — and it’s for sale. It sits on a 0.28 acre lot (generously sized, even for this city within a city) and offers a fireplace, ’70s-era sauna, and basement rec room. (Portland Monthly)

Biz

The Portland Mercury (and its sister Seattle publication The Stranger) have a new owner. Former Washington state Rep. Brady Walkinshaw purchased the newspapers’ parent company, Index Media, as well as events guide EverOut and a ticketing operation. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Olympics

Can Portland Thorns star Sophia Smith add to her Olympics goal tally? She and Team USA take on Australia today, looking to win and top their group. You won’t want to miss the day’s basketball action either as several players with ties to UO and OSU take to the hardwood. (KGW)

Sports

After a pair of decommitments, Oregon football’s 2025 recruiting class sits outside the top 10. To reach their future goals, Locked On Ducks host Spencer McLaughlin says the team needs to land a couple highly ranked players — like safety Trey McNutt.

Arts

Free First Thursday at Portland Art Museum is right around the corner. Portlanders enjoy “Monet to Matisse: French Moderns,” “Pissarro to Picasso: Masterworks on Loan from the Kirkland Family Collection,” and more for free from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 1. Reserve tickets.*

Try This

ICYMI, Portland Spirit recently expanded its schedule to offer its popular Champagne Brunch Cruise twice on Sundays at 10 a.m. and 2:30 pm. Tickets include an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet, “bottomless” mimosas, and, of course, great views. Grab tickets — and we’ll see you out on the water, Portland.*

Finance

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Olympics

Vancouver’s Jordan Chiles to miss All-Around competition on Thursday

Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles had the fourth highest overall score in qualifying, but won’t be allowed to compete in the All-Around final. Here’s the story via KGW.

An International Gymnastics Federation rule will keep Jordan Chiles out of Thursday’s All-Around final at the Paris Olympics, despite posting the fourth-highest overall score during qualifying.

Chiles’ teammates, Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee, will represent the U.S. in the event, but why not Chiles too?

According to the federation’s rules, no more than two gymnasts per country can advance to any individual finals.

It’s not the first time that American gymnasts have missed out because of the rule.

The Buy 7.31.24 (Affiliate)

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ben

From the editor

What has a white coat, hooves and horns, and is taking a summer trip outside of its normal range? This Rocky Mountain goat spotted on Mount Hood by hikers over the weekend. Occasionally, reports of the animals in the area reach the US Forest Service, but they’re rarely backed up with video evidence.

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