'Best Food And Drink' In Oregon, According to Food News Site

Does Bend produce Oregon's best beer? Does Portland offer the finest burgers, sandwiches, and fried chicken? And does Newport have the best clam chowder in the state? According to The Daily Meal's latest list of 'bests' from across the nation, yes.

Describing the best eats from Oregon on its list of "Best Food and Drink in Every State for 2018" released Dec. 15, The Daily Meal (an online food news outlet) offers a variety of staples easily found across the state — from Voodoo Doughnuts and salmon to hazelnuts and Gardenburgers. Surprisingly absent from the list, which Patch honestly expected to find near the top, were jojos from… well, anywhere in Oregon, really; but so it goes.

(For a few additional options from Oregon's Patch editor, see the last paragraph.)

The list mentions Willamette Valley wines, local artisanal cheeses, and of course craft beers, which begins its Oregon offerings:

BEER

• From the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, The Daily Meal honors The Abyss as the state's best beer. Winner of America's Best Imperial Stout by the World Beer Awards for 2016, The Abyss has been released every holiday season since 2006.

BURGER

• For the best burger in the Beaver State (and also Earth, apparently), The Daily Meal selected Portland eatery Le Pigeon's "Le Pigeon" Burger — "And what a burger it is," the Meal reported. "A thick square patty of beef from a local farm is seasoned with salt and pepper; grilled (a rarity); topped with sharp Tillamook white Cheddar, an iceberg lettuce slaw, thick slices of grilled pickled onions, mayo, mustard, and house-made ketchup; and piled atop a ciabatta bun."

FRIED CHICKEN

• The best fried chicken in Oregon will also be found in Portland, according to The Daily Meal. While The People's Pig, located at 3217 N. Williams Ave., specializes in a variety of barbecued meats, it's the Pig's smoked fried chicken that wowed the Meal's critics most. "Served on a roll with a wig of coleslaw," the Meal wrote, "this sandwich is barbecue and soul food heaven."

SANDWICH

• Return to Portland again for the state's best sandwich, which The Daily Meal says is The Maple from the no-frills sandwich shop, Meat Cheese Bread, located at 1406 S.E. Stark St. in the Buckman neighborhood. "This sandwich starts with a homemade sausage patty, crisped to a golden brown on the flat-top," the Meal reported. "This gets topped with oozy, melting, spicy Cheddar, which gets browned in the broiler, then the whole thing is placed atop some crunchy shaved fennel, which helps cut through the heaviness."

SEAFOOD

• And for the state's best seafood, head to the coast — naturally. The Original Mo's at 622 S.W. Bay Blvd. in Newport reportedly offers the one chowder to rule them all, which could possibly cause a chowder connoisseur to "question New England’s claim to clam chowder," the Meal wrote, adding, "The halibut fish and chips and oyster stew are other must-tries."

For more on The Daily Meal's top selections from Oregon, which includes pies, tacos, food trucks, and farmers markets (though no jojos), check out the complete list of "Best Food and Drink in Oregon" — but be warned, most their favorites don't stray far from Rip City.

EDITOR'S NOTE: In my humble opinion, The Daily Meal's staff writers did themselves a disservice by sticking to the northwest. All across Oregon fantastic food abounds, and I can personally vouch for the following additions to this list:

• The selection of burgers at Giant Burger in Springfield, which includes its famous 5-pound burger, is tough to beat. While the service at this hole-in-the-wall at 3760 Main St. is sometimes wanting, the burgers and shakes are always amazing.
• For some of the finest vegetarian cuisine and confectionary delicacies east of the Cascades, visit La Grande's JaxDog Café & Books at 1118 Adams Ave. With daily specials (including quiche!) and a wide selection of reading material whilst you dine, this cafe/bookstore is a must-try in Eastern Oregon.
• In the small Harney County community of Burns you'll find a most delicious steak — perhaps the best in the state. The Pine Room at 543 W. Monroe St. has the feel of an old western saloon — and sometimes patrons to match. With sizable portions and a big menu, this place ought be a destination for any hungry travelers along Highway 20.
• The best cakes, tortes, cookies, and pastries can be found at Gerry Frank's Konditorei at 310 Kearney St. SE in Salem, hands down. Get a huge slice of cake — or just buy the whole thing — along with a coffee, quiche, sandwich, or soup. This is the place to be Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or just a special night out with your favorite person.
• And lastly, for jojos head out to the high desert and stop by Ponderosa Pizza at 52574 Highway 97 in La Pine, just south of Bend. If you've tried jojos and (somehow) found you didn't care for them, Ponderosa's spuds may change your mind — and have you coming back for more.

Image: Jacob_Mckinley via Pixabay.com