Dec 26 2008
Nob Hill Bar and Grill - Portland, OR
In our bid to escape the snow that has imprisoned us within our fair city, my husband and I took an overnight trip to NW Portland. Our hotel (The Inn at Northrup Station, GREAT hotel if you’re in the area) was right on the streetcar line, although that didn’t help us much since the streetcar couldn’t operate due to the snow.
It didn’t matter, because as we pleasantly discovered, one of our favorite restaurants was right around the corner: The Nob Hill Bar and Grill.
What can I say about Nob Hill? Walking in there is like being transported back to the 70’s, or like being transported to a scene in Twin Peaks. It’s dark, mildly smoky, and certainly not the Ritz. There are lots of “regulars” sitting at the bar, and the looks you’re given range from mild curiosity to slight mistrust.
No matter though, because once you sit at one of the many tables, you’re ready to be served heaven or a heart attack on a plate, depending on your view. The burgers at Nob Hill are devestatingly wonderful, and hands down, they are the best burger in Portland. They range from your typical hamburger or cheeseburger to the Biddy Burger, which has a fried egg, cheese and your choice of bacon or ham. I always opt for the bacon cheeseburger, which is huge, sloppy, terrible for you, and utterly delicious. They also have a very respectable selection of beer on tap, including the latest seasonals, which only makes a perfect burger dinner even better.
The other wonderful thing? These delicious burgers are probably the most affordable burger in Portland. Most are $6, and they also run a special called The Streetcar Special which consists of a burger, fries and soft drink for $6.50. So recession or not, you can eat VERY well for very cheap.
Nob also serves breakfast, which we went back and sampled the next day. Again, don’t expect granola and fruit, because that doesn’t exist here. Instead, just give in and have their biscuits and gravy, with fluffy biscuits and tons of sausage gravy, paired with their delicious and perfectly seasoned home fries.
The staff at Nob Hill is extremely friendly and attentive, and we have never gotten bad service. And if you watch long enough, the genuine affection between the staff and the regulars sitting at the bar makes Nob an extremely charming place to be.
