Wheel… Of… Tacos! Who’s down to give this lineup from Taquería Los Puñales a spin? | Photo via @mrs.mftasty
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 will cost you about $15.
Fast and casual
Broder Nord, 3765 N. Mississippi Ave.
What awaits you at this walk-up window located in Broder Nord? Scandinavian-style smørrebrød. Our mouth is watering just thinking about the Sommar Trädgärd, which comes with cottage cheese, sugar snap peas, asparagus, cherry tomtoes, herbs, and microgreens for $16.
Salads and bowls
Garden Monsters, 5029 SE Division St.
Do you love turning salads into a meal by heaping them with toppings? This spot’s founder Kyle Hulings can relate; this build-your-own format caters to your dietary needs without skimping on substance.
Tacos
Taquería Los Puñales, 3312 SE Belmont St.
To start your journey, here are some suggestions: El Choripapa, the mole taco, and the barbacoa. Pro tip: Try the barbacoa taco Jalisco Style — it’s crisped up on the grill.
Mississippi Avenue Wine & Beverage Walk | 4-8 p.m. | Check in at Kook’s | $25+ | Spend your afternoon wandering historic Mississippi Avenue and tasting wines at more than a dozen locations — admission includes 10 tasting tickets and a wine glass.
Reel Eats: “School of Rock” | 7-9 p.m. | OMSI | $35 | Watch Jack Black strive to win Battle of the Bands while munching on a tray of food paired to moments in the film.
Friday, Aug. 22
Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival | Friday, Aug. 22-Sunday, Aug. 24 | Times vary | Esther Short Park, Vancouver, WA | $25+ | Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Arturo Sandoval, and Take 6 are just some of the acts scheduled to perform at the 25th anniversary of this fest.
ZooNights | 6:30 p.m. | Oregon Zoo | $13+ | It’s your last chance to attend this summer series — this week’s event includes a bubble dance party, live music by the Garcia Birthday Band, and several animal activities.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Cycle Quest: The Search For The Golden Bike | 12-5 p.m. | Community Cycling Center | $10 | Saddle your steel steeds and gather your fellowship for a 14-mile scavenger hunt around Portland featuring challenges, side quests, and an after-party.
Nevermind, Island InThe Sun, and Infatuation Junkie | 8 p.m. | The Headliners Club | $20+ | Spend the night in the 1990s with these tribute bands dedicated to playing Nirvana, Weezer, and Alanis Morissette.
Sunday, Aug. 24
India Festival 2025 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square | Free | Take in live music and dancing at this festival hosted by the India Cultural Association to celebrate India’s Independence Day.
For 2025, Topaz Farm features four vibrant fields, each opening on different dates this summer for fresh photo ops and a new wave of color.
Wander the golden rows, enjoy sweeping views of a working regenerative farm, and take home your own bouquet with $1 per stem U-cut sunflowers. Admission is only $5 per person (kids 2 and under free), or grab a $10 season pass for unlimited visits through September.
Whew — it’s warm out there. Portlanders should be prepared for potential record-breaking heat tomorrow, with temps forecasted to approach 100º. Check in on the heat-vulnerable in your life and keep these hot weather safety tips top of mind. (KOIN)
Environment
The algal bloom in the Willamette River has dissipated enough that Portlanders are now safe to swim in the water, health officials announced this week. However, toxin levels are still high enough that dog owners should keep their pups out of the water for now. (Oregon Live)
Now Open
Washington’s first-ever In-N-Out Burger is now open, and it’s only half an hour from downtown Portland. The new location from the California fast food chain is now the closest to Portland, but early plans indicate we may see one open in Portland International Airport soon. (KGW)
Legacy
Springfield Creamery founder Sue Kesey, a major player in the 1970s movement for natural foods, died this week at 86 years old. Kesey founded the creamery, which produces nationwide brand Nancy’s Probiotic Foods, and played an active role in Oregon’s food scene. (Oregon Live)
Announced
Cambria Hotels will open a new location in Portland’s Pearl District, marking the first Cambria property in Oregon. Initial plans account for 178 rooms and 1,400 sqft of meeting space alongside a new restaurant called Recess. (Lodging Magazine)
The Word
Zosters. No, we didn’t sneeze – that’s one of the words that Portlander Nigel Peltier used to win the North American Scrabble Championship earlier this month. The event is the the largest major Scrabble championship in North America + earned Peltier a $10,000 grand prize. (Portland Tribune)
Watch
Three words: combine demolition derby. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like — farm machines named things like “Tow-Mater” and “Captain America” threshed, smashed, and plowed into each other at the 79th Annual Banks BBQ this past weekend. Check out the action. (Oregon Live)
Sports
It won’t be long now, 12s. The Seattle Seahawks’ regular season starts on Sunday, Sept. 7 — before the kickoff, catch up on how the team’s looking with the local experts of Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Job
Are you the one we’re looking for? We’re on the hunt for a sales-driven leader to help us land significant brand partnerships at a national scale as a Sales Executive. From a competitive benefits package to 401k matching, we’re a pretty amazing company to work for. Join our team and apply today.
Older Adults
Beyond bulk deals and clipping coupons, did you know several retailers offer customers 55+ hefty discounts — sometimes up to 20% off? Learn about key Senior discounts and several more savings hacks older adults should know about to continue saving and building wealth at age 50+.*
You’ve probably heard of HELOCs, but what about Equity Sharing Home Loans? Hint: These can offer significantly lower monthly payments for homeowners. See how low your payment could go.*
The Serum, powered by clinically proven Mitopure. | Photo by Timeline
As we age, skin loses the firmness and elasticity that gives it a youthful appearance. A key reason? Skin cells lose energy, hindering essential functions like collagen production.
A great way to whiten teeth from Lumineux. Go for peroxide-free whitening, which helps fight common stains from coffee, tea, and wine without leading to tooth and gum sensitivity. The starter set comes with 14 whitening strips + a two-pack of whitening toothpaste, all formulated with good-for-you Dead Sea salt, coconut oil, and lemon peel oil.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I’m a big fan of pilates, yoga, and barre, so I wasn’t at all surprised to see that these are some of the top exercises that have grown in popularity in the last five years, with pilates and yoga growing by more than 20% each.
If you’re looking for a place to stretch it out in Portland, check out our guide to local yoga studios.
‡The Serum disclaimer: Based on an 8-week randomized controlled clinical trial of 36 healthy women aged 40 to 65 years.
