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We were passing through Portland and the wife and kids wanted Voodoo Doughnuts. On the way there, I spotted this place right down the street and was intrigued since we can't get Italian Beef in Seattle. When I saw how long the line at Voodoo was, I grabbed two of the kids and rolled down the street to check this place out. I mentioned to them that we had no Italian Beef in Seattle and that we were planning to hit Portillo's while we were in CA, which was our ultimate destination. The owner informed me that their sandwiches were better than Portillo's which I took with a fair amount of skepticism having eaten at nearly every Portillos location in IL, AZ and CA. I decided to give them a try though so I ordered five to go complete with the sausage option and ran back up the street to pick up the wife and oldest kid.
We got back on the road and drove for about an hour before everyone decided that they must eat immediately. We pulled off at a rest area and sat down at one of their picnic tables. My wife generally just tolerates my love of this kind of food. She could live on Teriyaki and hamburgers if she had to with an occasional pizza or pasta dish. I think this meal may have turned her though. It was literally the best any of us had every had anywhere. there was a moment when my oldest kid got this look on her face and said, "this is incredible!". The flavors were perfect and though I could have easily eaten two, the portions were good as well. The gravy was flavorful and delicious.
Ultimately, this kind of ruined Portillo's for us when we finally got there a few days later. We will eat here any time we are in Portland going forward.
I grudgingly admit that his lasagna is slightly better than mine, but then, of course, he has his secret ingredient, Michael's Sausage! Not half bad for only half Italian.
Friends for 20 years and I still have to order it from him for my restaurant.
Chef Cindy Hymer Table 6 Cafe
Stopped in for the first time after a friend told me about it. I’m glad I did! I had the combo with mild peppers, pizza style and it was delicious! The place could use an update on the inside but in a way, that’s part of the charm. Got super lucky with parking which was good because like almost every place in Portland, parking is scarce.
This place has good amount of seating for as small as it is and the parking is rough ...but it is well I say again well worth trying to find parking ... The sandwiches have amazing great taste and are very filling.... I have been here several times and will come back again the Italian beef dip is great and the hot peppers and onions kick it up a notch... My wife had the meatball it had plenty of beef and good sauteed onions ... We got french fry and they are crisp and hot ... I would recommend this place anyway they are open...
Been going here for over 15 years - the combo beef/sausage is my favorite sandwich in all of Portland and the fries are perfect as well. This is a shop now run by a very small team of hardworking women in very challenging economic times for restaurants and small businesses - be patient and courteous and you will be rewarded with unpretentious deliciousness.
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I've only been to Michael's once, but I like to think my visit was representative of a "typical Michael's experience."
For months I'd passed by the loud autoshop-style mural emblazoned on the rear of the building, thinking "that place probably has good sandwiches." A few weeks ago I was in the neighborhood and had a couple hours to kill, so I decided to stop in. Note that I planned to spend a "couple hours" in a restaurant I've never been to; some places simply can't withstand this brand of expectation.
Thankfully, Michael's proved a more-than-suitable environment to enjoy a decent sandwich and be ignored for an extended period of time. Before walking in, I had visions of a deep, chilled fluorescent case filled with exotic meats, an off-white menu above the register with those little sticky black letters, a big analog clock. I quickly re-calibrated, taken aback by the sparse shabbiness of the counter area and the surly woman behind it. It's one of those restaurants where you enter and aren't quite sure they serve food. Nervous, I ordered a full Italian beef sandwich with hot peppers (I wanted a "typical Michael's order") and a Coke, needlessly informing the counter girl I'd be taking my food to the little wire table outside. Alas, it was nice out - but quite warm enough in the shade! Even if it had been 85 and balmy, though, the right choice is to stay inside.
Michael's interior is a long, musty trapezoid - a "shotgun diner," if you will - but the lightplay within is phenomenal. At the far, west-facing end, a wall of wavy translucent glass bricks stunts the otherwise intense late afternoon rays, yielding a soft natural glow to the dining area, which competently juxtaposes a row of vinyl-lined booths with a set of stools and a raised island. These stools are lined up towards a large south-facing window, ideal for people-watching, and shielded from direct sunlight. There was a guy sitting at one of these stools, beatific and impenetrable, looking like he didn't want to be bothered - I chose a booth. I love eating in booths alone, and given the low volume of diners, I didn't feel any pressure to leave.
The sandwich was moist and savory, and the pickled celery a unique accoutrement. I ate rapaciously: this is always the case when I attempt a read-and-eat, as the chewed-up juicy bits in my periphery never fail to distract me from the page. And I was well accommodated for the post-beef comedown: the dusky, low-hanging diner lamps are neither too dusky and nor too low-hanging, and Michael's crappy beige-red-and-blue scenery was just boring enough (I attached a screen-grab of their website, a very good representation of the shop's aesthetic). KMHD filtered softly through the speakers - not sure if jazz is always the afternoon's soundtrack, though I doubt Michael would endorse anything remotely abrasive.
Simple and quick service. The Italian beef did not disappoint.
For as long as I've live in Portland it still amazes me how many places I haven't tried. Portland the city of foodies. The inside reminds me of a diner & lounge. Friendly staff.The food was delicious, and came quick. We went during lunch on a weekday and it was pretty busy. They have outdoor seating for those sunny days. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich my boyfriend got the infamous Chicago style hot Italian beef sandwich. They also offer a dinner menu with pasta choices.
The food was great but went the first time and they were closed. Hours listed them open. Had to come back the next day to get some.
My bf is from the east coast and when he discovered this place online we immediately left to go. Off of the lloyd center exit, we had no idea this gem had been here. We got the Italian beef, he got his wet. Solid 8 out of 10 he says, and we're super excited to go back and try their chicago dog. Oh, and dont reach over the counter.
OHHH*** the shoe string fries were the best fries I've ever had. So crispy and the potato flavor was just ughh we ate them too fast. If you like McDonalds fries I dare you to try these. Best. Fries.
Love this place. Felt like Chicago and the beefs were perfect. I'd go there soon as this neighborhood is experiencing a building boom and.. who knows if a gem like Michael's will be able to stick around.
The best orginal food ever" it sometimes not as fast as it used to be but its worth waiting for homemade AJ dipped italian beef sandwich with mild and hot pepper" ask to make it wet or buy AJu on side'
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