misc PDX burgers II: Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries; Tasty & Alder

another day, another burger. Boardwalk Fresh is a very cute little chain tucked away into a corner of the Jantzen Beach plaza. their menu is simple - burgers, fries, dogs, chicken & shakes. i hadn't checked any reviews prior to popping into the location, but by all appearances i was first struck by the adorableness of my perfectly plated little burger. it was juicy, had very fresh toppings, and a good old time. while it was tasty, the meat didn't pack a TON of meaty, seasoned kick to it. my only complaint was that the bun, albeit fresh, was just too dense and bready for my taste - it was a bit disproportional to the burger. would i have it again? yes. am i just being a picky pants? yes. would i order their fries again? yes yes yes - those stood out from among many a fry - they have that fresh cut thang down to a science. and amazing taste in honey mustard.

Tasty & Alder had been on our hit list for a while - it always

pops up in PDX reviews. they had a fun, varied menu, and i was almost disappointed to see they had a burger - as soon as i see that and i have good faith in a restaurant, it's almost impossible for me NOT to try it. even if i'm craving lamb. or short ribs. their burger is served with Cascade beef, chabut cheese, hazelnut romesco, and a big hunk of perfectly cooked bacon. the meat was cooked perfectly medium rare, juicy, well seasoned; cheese was balanced and thick enough to stand up against the burger & bacon; bacon was sweet, salty and to die for; and the bun was so bakery soft and perfectly proportioned - and substantial enough to catch all the juices from the burger. here is where we're assholes. every part of the burger was just right, pretty much perfect - too perfect. there wasn't one thing that jumped out and smacked us in the face because it was insanely over the top. every element almost cancelled out the rest. and yes we are jerks for turning up our noses in the face of a delicious burger. we remember it as perfect, wouldn't change a thing, but if i were to name my top 5-10 burgers, it may/may not hit the list. does that make sense? no not at all. do they have an amazing burger? absolutely. is this the least helpful review ever? yes probably.  

recipe: chicken pad thai II

so i was on the hunt for a pad thai recipe, forgetting that i already have one that i've beaned about. maybe it was a good thing i found my last recipe forgettable though - this one turned out to be good - REALLY good - and better than any pad thai i ever remember making. i used a recipe from See Brooke Cook, which i found through old trusty foodgawker.com. i added chicken to mine but outside of that followed the recipe mostly verbatim otherwise - it came out pretty damn close to tasting like a Thai restaurant version. can't ask for anything more than that!

ingredients list: 
- 1 chicken breast, diced into 1-inch cubes
- 7-8 oz rice noodles
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 heaping tbsp peanut butter, microwaved until just melted
- 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
- 1 cup cilantro (i had no cilantro so tossed in a bunch of fresh basil instead)
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts

food cartin! portland

>> Koi Fusion - SW Burnside. i walked passed this place way too many times before finally trying them. and oh man. the bulgogi beef seoul sliders LITERALLY taste like a white castle burger has made sweet, dirty love to korean bbq. fantastic. i didn't take the best pic, but these 3 little loves are a must-try. i've had them twice now - the second time were a little bit saucier which drowned out a little of the oniony white castley reminiscence, but still a delight. it's going to be hard not to order the same thing my 3rd visit.

<< Tito's Burrito's - SW 20th & Alder food pod. when you're walking home and see a teeny tiny little innocent taco for a mere $2 and know it's just enough of a hit of deliciousness to give you strength to walk home. dee-lightful!

Luis' Taqueria - Woodburn, OR

a belated post, but one full of delicious Mexican food memories.

we went to the tulip festival near Woodburn, OR, which i was luckily tipped off to the amazing Mexican food in the area. we stopped into one of the first places we saw, Luis' Taqueria, which worked out quite well because it turned out they were sorta the #1 pick. it was also a good sign we were in the minority speaking English in there, with a packed restaurant and the line wrapping out the door. i ordered a beef torta and a flauta on the side - both were delish. super fresh. it was so long ago that's about as much as i remember - delicious Mexican goodness, would definitely go back if i was in the area again.