The last burger we had during our Portland trip was at Little Big Burger, a local burger chain. The menu is short & to the point, offering three burgers, fries, sodas, and a float. We got cheeseburgers and an order of fries to share. The burger offerings are a hamburger, cheeseburger, and veggie burger.
Their cheeseburgers are made up of 1/4 lb. Cascade Natural Beef patties, choice of Tillamook cheddar, swiss, chevre, or blue (went with the cheddar), lettuce, onion, pickles, and Camden’s Catsup. They’re all cooked medium (unless specified) and served on local brioche buns. The shoestring fries are made from Yukon Gold potatoes and seasoned with white truffle oil and sea salt.
My burger was cooked more to medium-well, unfortunately. Besides that, it tasted good. I enjoyed the use of Camden’s Catsup, as it packed a slight edge.
The truffle fries were tasty, too. I’ve had several truffle fries in the past that had either too much truffle oil or salt. Luckily, the fries here weren’t overly done. They also come with a dipping sauce (perhaps a secret sauce?), which I found to be just alright.
This wasn’t our favorite burger on the trip, but for $3.75, it’s not a bad place to check out if you’re looking for a quick, affordable burger.
Little Big Burger
122 NW 10th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.274.9008
You have to get the chevre cheeseburger. I don’t think the other cheeses stand out at all. Highly recommend trying that if you make it back there, the difference is amazing. I lived in Portland for the better part of a decade before moving back east early this year, and one of the first things I’d eat if I ever find myself out there again is LBB. And Killer Burger.
There was also a Camden’s Mustard (which was more like a mustard sauce-kinda thing) early on, which went surprisingly well with the fries and on the burgers, but that stuff mysteriously disappeared from their original (Pearl) location before they even expanded to North Portland and Southeast.
The fries were pretty much as good as frozen shoestrings get. The Utah-style fry sauce is Camden’s Catsup mixed with, I’ve heard, just plain old Hellman’s mayonnaise, and I believe some pickles. I think it’s better than the average fry sauce because the ketchup is extremely high quality to begin with. I miss LBB, I’d love to have a similar-type place here in Philly…
Jay,
I’ll definitely give it a try next time I’m back in Portland. Have you not found any decent burgers here in Philly?
Oh, absolutely! 500 Degrees actually kinda reminds me of LBB at least in terms of presentation, quality and ambience (and fries), though the lighting is way dimmer of course.
I live in Kensington, and Sketch down on Girard is always a good bet, although I generally prefer thin patties and roadside grill-style burgers.
For background, White Manna in Hackensack, NJ is my favorite burger on earth, and Shake Shack is probably my current favorite here.
I’m gonna hop on the Wilmington Line and finally hit Charlie’s down in Folsom (Delaware County) on Saturday, I think. That trip’s been in the making for months now.
Gino’s in Bensalem was excellent, I just wish it wasn’t so hard to get to. They have a King of Prussia location, too. I wish they’d find a spot in liek Mayfair or something, they’d kill it here!
Their Gino’s Giant is essentially a Big Mac, though with better ingredients and built with more care; and their fries were fantastic (I got them plain, I’m not really a fan of the Old Bay stuff).
Dutch Eating Place in RTM has all the proper elements in place, but the execution really lacked the one time I tried them on a very busy Saturday afternoon a few months ago. I’m gonna give them another shot eventually, though.
I have to try some of the trucks soon, as well. Spot is definitely on the list.
My friend said the same thing regarding 500 Degrees and LBB! I have yet to try 500. They always seem to be closed every time I’ve tried to go (3 times)!
I’m in the same area as you. Been meaning to go out to Sketch again. I’ve surprisingly only been a few times.
White Manna is fantastic! I went a couple years ago when I used to inspect NJ bridges!
People have told me about Charlie’s! Unfortunately, I just haven’t been lunchless at the right time when I’m in that area. Hopefully soon…
I’ve been to the Gino’s in KoP twice now. Definitely agree with it being like a Big Mac but much better care! I have yet to try their fries.
Confession: I’ve never had more than dessert from the Dutch Eating Place. It’s a Philly sin, I’m aware.
Spot serves up a pretty good burger, as does LOS!