01/02/09

Pagoda Portland Closed 12/31/2008

by mickeywalk

Pagoda Restaurant and Lounge in Portland (opened 1940) closed; last operating day was new year's eve, 12/31/2008. Owner retired and sold property; building to be razed for a new bank branch. An attraction definitely for the architecture and dusty ambiance than the food. The entrance to the bar was over a bridge and water feature, the whole of the interior was distinctly 1950's over-the-top Chinese gold-leaf restaurant decor. Chinese chandeliers hung from the mouths of dragons, bar banquettes upholstered in red sparkly vinyl and the bartender called you, 'hon'.

The private dining room had long ago been converted to an Oregon Lottery VLT mini-casino.

Our last meal there was lunch on closing day. Food wasn't great, but the portions were generous all the way to the end. It will be missed for being a classic from a time long-gone-by.

While in the neighborhood, visit the Hollywood Theatre, which is operated by a non-profit as a year-round multiscreen arthouse now. Several doors down what is now a Rite-Aid store was the location of THE original Fred Meyer store. MAX stop: Hollywood/NE 42nd, Red and Blue lines.

With Pagoda closed, consider The Alibi, a tiki restaurant at 4024 N Interstate Ave, Portland.

• Pros: 1940's and 1970's architecture
• Cons: By the time you read this, Demolished

12/02/08

**BEWARE of the food here!!**

by smilingnik

While enjoying my box of take out fried rice with my co-workers I had a little extra protein........extra fried crispy Ro ch. Enough said.

When I called to let them know. She said sorry. I can give you a credit next time you come in.

lol

Yahhhhhh RIght. Next Time!!!!!

• Pros: If you like extra protein you going to the right place
• Cons: I don't like extra protien unless I order it.

07/26/08

Worst Chinese Food In Portland

by piouscat

Be sure and take a hammer and chisel if you intend to order any of the popular chicken dishes. Bent my fork tines trying to skewer a piece of sweet and sour chicken. Ordered full servings of Sweet and Sour chicken, Orange chicken and Kung Pao.

Left dishes sitting on table, untouched after trying a piece of each selection, then complained to the manager. Her idea of customer satisfaction, $3.00 off $37.00 ticket.

Wouldn't recommend this place to an enemy.

• Pros: Nice Waiter, embarrassed over the meal.
• Cons: Terrible food, dirty booths with duct tape covering rips.

07/18/08

love it love it love it!!!!!!!!!!!

by lugoqueen503

my husband and i return here every year!we had our rehersal dinner here for our wedding party and we were so impresses with the reasonable prices, great food and large portions! plus the staff is so kind.this is a great place for couples or the whole family!! this is our special spot hope you give it a try youll see why we love it so much!

• Pros: food,service,prices,love it!!!!!!!!!!!
• Cons: more parking....

05/23/08

Bartenders Make This Place

by maurakelly25

Food is ok...go for the mooshu pork...but the drinks are great and the bartenders always rock. When snow caused Poor Richards to close for the night, folks flood over to Poor Richards and many of the regulars from the Orient came here to follow the bartender. That is how NE Portland folks roll...they follow good wait staff because the food is secondary to service and atmosphere. Kids love the mar far chicken, and orange chicken too.

• Pros: Quick food, decent prices

07/22/07

Best Honey walnut shrimp

by tracyinportland

I am a fan of honey walnut prawns (they call them shrimp here...but they are really BIG juicy prawns!) Out side of china town in San Francisco, I have not been able to find good ones in Portland. The Pagoda surprised me with their version of this succulent dish. Also, I LOVE the dark campy shiny vinally velvety lounge which you reach by crossing over the magical bridge-over-Koi pond. Sit at the bar with "Emma" the best bar tender in Portland!

• Pros: Best honey walnut prawns and the best campy bar around
• Cons: none for me

02/02/07

Egg Foo Young Good everything else is the WORST

by ducks03

If you are lookin for the prison version of Chinese food then you have come to the right place. I must say that the egg foo young is the best in town but if you are lookin for anything beyond a pork and egg patty smothered in gravy then you are sadly mistaken. In order to make it from the front door thru to the restaurant you must be willing to inhale a pack of smokes along the way. Don't let the Koi pond fool you, it is full of canadian coins and old ciggarette butts. The clientele is nothing to brag about, if you want to lose your appetite while being seated next to a released pedephile with warts on his face then this is definelty the place for you.

• Pros: EGG FOO YOUNG
• Cons: LUNG CANCER

09/11/06

best chinese in portland!!!

by aileen231

Food medium price, service fast and friendly, and the food has been better in the past but still really good!!!

• Pros: fast and friendly
• Cons: busy

03/27/06

Late Night Dining Is Great

by stephd4evr

Pagoda is a good value and one of the few places open late that allows children. We typically don't go there during peak times, usually only late and we have two small children, under 6 years old, so we want a good deal and quick service.

The owner is usually there when we are and she is always very nice. Service has been prompt for us and the food always delicious. I especially enjoy a good combo plate so I don't have to choose just one thing.

Sometimes there is smoke overflow from the bar/lounge, but I (a non-smoker) can tolerate it because of the quick service and good, hot food.

• Pros: open late, good for kids, great value
• Cons: smoke overflow

01/09/06

Classic Portland Chinese food!

by dangrmous

I ate take-out from here last night and have eaten here many, many times. The food here is good. Granted, you won't be dining on what the imperial court got, but it's really tasty American Chinese. They make superb sweet and sour shrimp, and I would also recommend the honey walnut shrimp. Huge, butterflied shrimp in a honey walnut garlic sauce. Divine. Many other dishes are quite good, and the over the top chinoiserie interior rocks!

• Pros: shrimp dishes
• Cons: none