After seeing the vegan Seattle highlights, we drove down to Portland to meet up with friends and get our fill of vegan comfort food. (And did we ever!)
I hadnβt been to Portland since 2013. Finally, I was on my way back to the land of Nooch & Soy Curls.
Vegan Portland
Harlow
When we got into town, we met up with some dear college friends over bowls at Harlow.
Harlow is a favorite of our friends, and theyβd been talking it up to us in messages for months. The restaurant offers a mostly vegan menu with lots of gluten-free options, juices, and smoothies.
There was already a line forming when we arrived. So we had a chance to peruse the menu as we inched closer to the register. (You order at the counter. Then food is brought to you in the large, airy seating area.)
We were swimming in choices. So David and I decided to order two things and split them.
I got the Adobe Salad. Itβs a bowl of shredded spinach, kale, and red cabbage thatβs topped with smoky tempeh, black beans, and corn.
It was tossed in a sunflower chili cream, and finished with a smattering of toasted pepitas. The chili cream had the essence of chipotles in adobo (as you might guess from the name).
It was filling and comforting in all of the best ways.
David chose the Mercy Blues. Two piles of garlic herb polenta were topped with steamed kale, beans, corn, and a generous spoonful of chipotle cashew hollandaise.
The hollandaise was similar in flavor profile to the chili cream. Of course, when thereβs an option of adding avocado, the answer is always yes.
After lunch, we walked up and down Hawthorne Boulevard, where there are loads of cute shops and an offshoot of Powellβs Books. While we perused the bookstore, we noticed we werenβt getting a ton of shopping done, as we kept lingering in the aisles to catch up.
So we headed back to Harlow, where we could grab a beverage and leisurely chat.
I got the Melody, which is a freshly-squeezed juice mix of kale, cucumber, spinach, apple, and lemon. It usually comes with ginger as well, but I asked for it to be omitted.
(I like ginger okay, but I donβt really need it in juice-form. Iβll save it for stir-fries, thanks.)
The drink was refreshing and went down easy. David got the Marionberry Chia Lemonade.
By then it was time to pick up our friend, Kristy, from the airport.
Homegrown Smoker
After hugs and hellos, Kristy, David, and I checked in at our AirBnb. The house had many things going for it, but best of all, it was walking distance from Homegrown Smoker. They really should put that in their write-up.
If I had to make a list of my top five favorite restaurants, Homegrown Smoker would absolutely be on it. Iβve been dreaming about it ever since I visited in 2013.
I follow them on Facebook and Instagram, even though it means Iβm in a constant state of longing for smoky plant based barbecue I have no way of eating without a plane ticket or 3 day drive.
The three of us walked down to the food truck lot, where Homegrown Smoker has a permanent set-up. (They also have a new brick and mortar deli. However, they were closed the day we tried to visit.)
I have it bad for smoky foods, but most smokehouses and barbecue joints are full-on meaty affairs. At Homegrown Smoker, 100% of it is vegan.
Do you ever feel so excited to eat somewhere or do something, that your stomach is in knots? After so much build-up, I really didnβt know how I was going to place my order.
I decided to go with the combo plate, which is truly a ridiculous amount of food. But at least I wouldnβt have FOMO on the other options.
The combo comes with a choice of proteins. I went with smoked Soy Curls and smoked tofu. Then for my two sides, I chose collards along with mac and cheese. It also includes two hushpuppies and remoulade.
Look at that bad boy! So much smoky, cheesy, salty goodness all in one a place. I can go hot and cold on Soy Curls, but at Homegrown Smoker, they do them right. They have a great toothsome chew that is dry and saucy all at the same time.
(They inspired me to make this vegan pulled pork recipe!)
David got the All American Burger, which is a Field Roast burger cooked in their smoker and served with raw greens, tomato, pickles, and mango-habanero mustard.
He liked his sandwich well enough that when we went back to Homegrown Smoker on our last day in Portland, he ordered it again.
On that day, I got one of the HGS classics β the macnocheeto burrito. The burrito is massive. Itβs stuffed with smoked Soy Curls, grilled peppers and onions, mac and cheese, and BBQ beans folded into a flour tortilla. Itβs the kind of burrito that invites you to climb into it and take a nap.
Parting is such sweet sorrow, HGSβ¦ Say goodnight that it might be βmorrow.
KZ
I have to go to Portland! Homegrown Smoker looks amazing and I want to eat all the things!
Cadry
Yes, you need to go for sure! Homegrown Smoker is just crazy good.
Amey
Yay! Visiting Portland is just so much fun. I try to go once or twice a year, since I have a lot of friends and family up there. Plus, a lot of important eating to do. I’ve never been to Harlow — how cool! I’ll add it to my list for my next trip. I want to go to AND Cafe too! π
Cadry
Yes, lots of very important eating in Portland. No question. π I think you’d love Harlow. It’s both healthy and delicious, and so I think it would fall in line with your preferences beautifully!
Bianca
I’ve been dreaming of the Macnocheeto since VVC I in 2011!!! For some reason, I didn’t get to Homegrown Smoker in 2013. There’s just so much to eat in Portland and so little time! Plus, with VVC, you have to account for all that con food too. The struggle is real.
Cadry
Portland is one of those places where it’s just impossible to hit all of the amazing vegan food in one short trip. I still haven’t gotten one of those corn dogs that you raved about. Although, I said going in to this trip that I needed to eat at Homegrown Smoker twice – at least. Since I managed to go on both my first and last days there, I was a very happy woman!
Susan
I’ve been to Portland twice, but I do want to go back again sometime for the food. Though I have never had a car when I am there, and I find it not as easy to get around as places like Seattle (which is great for walking and public transport), but it is definitely better than Austin!
I would have taken all your ginger for my juice. I am forever asking for extra ginger… all the ginger… so much ginger that my head will melt… especially if I am under the weather. But they almost never give me enough.
Cadry
I’m surprised that Portland isn’t more pedestrian-friendly. For a town that focuses on being as earth-conscious as possible, you’d think good public transportation would be high on their list. I’ve always had a car when I have been there, and so I wasn’t sure how it would be for those without one.
That’s interesting about the ginger! I’m the opposite. There’s a place in our town that has fresh juices, but they ALWAYS include ginger. The server will be explaining their juice feature, and it sounds good, sounds good, sounds good, and then, boom! Ginger! If you ever visit Iowa, I’ll take you there! π
Shell
You really accomplished a lot in the Pacific Northwest! So many fun places to eat out there.
Cadry
There are a crazy amount of vegan options in Portland. I still have a couple more posts about our trip to the Pacific Northwest, and so there’s even more to come! π
JoAnne
Looks amazing! I’m heading to Portland in a few weeks and can’t wait to try Homegrown Smoker! It’s at the top of the list of so many wonderful vegan places there. Can’t wait!
Cadry
Oh, lucky you!!! You are going to love it so much. Have a great time!