Lardo - Portland, OR
You would think after enjoying a food tour of Downtown Portland that we would take a break from eating. But when you're in food town heaven like Portland there's no such think as taking a break from eating. Unless you count the walk from point A to point B. And even then you can still walk and eat.
We ended the food walking tour at Cool Moon Ice Cream and needed to find a quick place nearby. We took our phones out and tried to find an random foodie adventure. We knew that our last pitstop would be the ever-famous Powell's Books (which I will share my thoughts on in just a bit). There are so many places to choose and we somehow landed on Lardo.
Lardo in and of itself is cured pork fatback. Therefore, a restaurant by the name of Lardo in and of itself had to be pure and simple awesomeness. Lardo started as a food cart and now there are three locations throughout Portland. They serve pork sandwhich everything: Pork Meatball Bahn Mi, Double Burger with porkstrami, Pork Schnitzel. No need to fret non-pork lovers. They also have sandwiches for you like the Cold Fried Chicken and the Bronx Bomber made with shaved steak. They're also known for their selection of craft beers for those of you that like to throw back a cold one with your meal.
So, the big question, what did GoodNomJoni order a Lardo, aka pork heaven? After reading everything on the menu, nothing screamed "Eat me!" more than the Char Siu sandwhich. Did you feast your eyes on that beauty?! Take a moment, or two, because it had everything I could possibly want in one handheld bite: delicious rich and fatty pork belly, a tangy black vinegar mayo, fresh jicama slaw and cilantro, and finally, crunchy, sinfully delicious --- CHICHARRONES!! That's right folks. All that was layered together to make, dare I say it, the best pork sandwich I have ever had. I loved every bite of it and you would too.
What better way to work off all that food than checking out the largest independent bookstore in the world, Powell's Books. I fell in love with Powell's. I was overwhelmed at first by the sheer number of books you could possibly peruse. But there were these little signs from the staff that gave you hints about the different books on the shelf, from something like "If you liked ___, then you should read ___" to staff picks and why they picked it! Restraint, something I try to have every now then. I showed some when I walked out of Powell's with just five books and a tote to carry them in of course.
Back to Lardo...you should definitely put this place on your Portland foodie bucket list. It's ah-ma-ZING and is totally worth your time and energy to get there. Remember, they have three locations. Until then, tell me where you've had your best pork sandwich ever. I never know when a recommendation from one of my trusty followers will come in handy.
