Portland isn’t lacking in the Farmers’ Market department but indoor-types of these markets with quality goods have been few and far between until now. Enter Local Choice Produce Market in The Pearl District where superb produce, meats, seafood, coffee bar, a Farmatherapy Bar (smoothie and juice bar) and beer and wine bar are all under one roof. Lunch is also a must while there.
In sandwich-happy Portland, the way to go is by ordering one of these. While on the spendy side ($8.50 per sandwich), sandwiches are large enough to split and share. At the deli counter, fill out a ‘Build Your Own Sandwich’ form indicating your pick of bread from local bakers, Grand Central Bakery or Gabriel’s Bakery, then get out of the mayo and mustard rut and choose a bona fide sauce -- herbed aioli, Romesco and basil sauce being a better decision. Next, choose a meat – the Painted Hills Pastrami is a real treat – and cheese from the menu of eight varieties (each additional meat + $2.00, each additional cheese + .75). For added crunch, pick between five kinds of greens, the arugula being one with a rich, peppery bite. To complete the sandwich nirvana experience, choose as many as nine veggies and condiments to make the ultimate sandwich. Included are roasted red peppers, herb roasted tomatoes, cucumbers, Mama’s Lil Peppers, pepperoncini, red onions, caramelized onions, dill pickles and/or avocado.
A soup-of-the-day (recently a sweet potato with spicy peanut cream), fresh crafted salads and hot and cold dishes are also available. Some of the latest hot dishes were mac n’ cheese, chicken pot pie or meatloaf while cold dish offerings were ginger steamed salmon, raw veggie plates or curry tuna lettuce wrap.
Pre-order lunch by emailing the deli at deli@localchoicemarket.com or by calling (971) 271-6888, ext. 5.
If you overextend your lunch break on Mondays, join in Half-Tap Mondays from 4:00-9:00 p.m. You can grab on-tap hand-crafted beers and wines offered for 1/2 price while contemplating if you'll still have a job to go to on Tuesday.
Local Choice Produce Market | 830 NW Everett Street, Portland, Oregon | (971) 271-6888 | Hours Monday-Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
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