Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Portland Airport, OR

OLD TOWN. Esparza's Tex-Mex Cafe is a fun, festive and eccentric eatery that serves some of the most intriguing...

OLD TOWN. Esparza's Tex-Mex Cafe is a fun, festive and eccentric eatery that serves some of the most intriguing enchiladas and tamales you'll ever taste. As you sit beneath an army of ceiling-dwelling marionettes, you'll dig into lamb enchiladas (which win particularly high praise) and other unusual offerings, such as ostrich, alligator, buffalo and salmon. If you're adventurous, you may even choose to sample the calf brain tacos. If not, just be relieved that there's chicken and beef. Servings are substantial, margaritas are terrific, and there's a great selection of tequilas as well. Plus, the jukebox plays great classic tunes. Casual dress. Reservations not accepted.

Hours: Daily 11:30am-10pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

OLD TOWN. One thing's for sure: Contrary to the eatery's name, good food is no old wives' tale at this long-lived...

OLD TOWN. One thing's for sure: Contrary to the eatery's name, good food is no old wives' tale at this long-lived institution. Located at the corner of SE 13th Avenue, Old Wives is a terrific place for kids and adults. Little ones love the play area and the great "kid friendly" menu. Adults enjoy the open space, superb service, and variety of vegetarian dishes. If you're not completely enamored of the no-meat mentality, most entrees can be made non-vegetarian as quick as you can say "smoked salmon!" Breakfast is also a great choice for patrons of all ages.

Hours: Sun-Thu 8am-8pm; Fri-Sat 8am-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

DOWNTOWN. Zell's is one of those places that delights the mind and body. Its small size, friendly waitstaff, and lace...

DOWNTOWN. Zell's is one of those places that delights the mind and body. Its small size, friendly waitstaff, and lace curtains all make you feel as if you've stepped into a European cafe. Although Zell's serves lunch, breakfast is the main draw, as you can see most every day. The exceptional food is well-prepared, whether you choose eggs Benedict, a smoked salmon scramble, or the much-applauded German pancakes. Making decisions even harder is the specials board, which features a number of great options you haven't yet considered. Be prepared for a wait if you don't get here early, though. Zell's is a popular place.

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-2pm; Sat 8am-2pm; Sun 8am-3pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

DOWNTOWN. Bijou Cafe, the eatery of choice for Portland's power brokers, serves creative American cuisine that's whipped...

DOWNTOWN. Bijou Cafe, the eatery of choice for Portland's power brokers, serves creative American cuisine that's whipped up using fresh, local ingredients. During breakfast, corn-flour pancakes are served with a side of oyster or snapper hash, and the super health-conscious can even get a bowl of steamed brown rice. Lunchtime offers up a roster of soups, salads and special entrees. Organic products are frequently incorporated, and you can also find tofu dishes. As is typical with popular eateries, Bijou can get crowded at times and could demand a wait.

Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-2pm; Fri 7am-2pm, 6pm-Close; Sat-Sun 8am-2pm Event Dates and Times Vary

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Diner's Club

PEARL DISTRICT. The delicious gem known as Pearl Bakery offers some of Portland's best and most elaborate baked goods....

PEARL DISTRICT. The delicious gem known as Pearl Bakery offers some of Portland's best and most elaborate baked goods. From hearty Italian breads to fine French pastries, simple baguettes to Basque tarts, the bakery is absolutely worth a stop. Savory, gourmet sandwiches (such as gorgonzola, pear and arugula on walnut bread) feature Pearl's incredible loaves, and locals go wild for fruit danishes and Sicilian fig cookies. The shop has limited seating, so you might want to get your munchies to go. For a reasonable price, you can skip off with a tasty snack or lunch treat and a cup of fragrant coffee, too.

Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-5:30pm; Sat 7am-5pm; Sun 8am-3pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Diner's Club

PEARL DISTRICT. If you're craving Indian food, Swagat provides a tasty, authentic dining experience that's even better...

PEARL DISTRICT. If you're craving Indian food, Swagat provides a tasty, authentic dining experience that's even better when you consider how reasonable their prices are. The menu offers a good selection of entrees, including classics like curries and tandoori dishes. If you want to see the options firsthand, head over at lunchtime. The buffet includes a wide variety of traditional Indian favorites, like dosas (filled turnovers), and you can choose the dishes that seem most appealing. In the evenings, thali dinners are good choices since they offer several courses and come in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions. Reservations not accepted. Casual dress.

Hours: Daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

SOUTH WATERFRONT DISTRICT. When you visit Chez Jose, bring the kids ­ they'll love the bottomless chips and salsa...

SOUTH WATERFRONT DISTRICT. When you visit Chez Jose, bring the kids ­ they'll love the bottomless chips and salsa and the funky, slightly morbid decor. Terrific margaritas are a hit with adults, and there's food to please every palate. Along with standard Mexican dishes, you can also get designer fare. Among the options are zesty lime-chicken enchiladas and squash enchiladas dressed with peanut sauce. Grilled shrimp and a luscious mole sauce are also reasons to head over. Just make sure you arrive early, since they accept reservations only for groups.

Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm; Sun 5pm-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , American Express , Diner's Club

NOB HILL. Hands On Cafe is a popular destination for creative university types, not least of all because it's located at...

NOB HILL. Hands On Cafe is a popular destination for creative university types, not least of all because it's located at the Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. The eclectic eatery gets high marks for its daily specials, including traditional Indian curries and polenta tamale pie. Soups, salads, and baked goods are made from scratch and are presented on locally-thrown stoneware plates, just to reiterate that handcrafted aesthetic. A craft shop and gallery can be found on-site.

Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-7:30pm; Sun 9:30am-1:30pm

Payment Methods: Cash Only