s.o.l.i.d.. (disclosure: i eat out two times a day all over portland.)
amazing value. i had the bibimbop. it was loaded with fresh, raw veggies, some marinated/fermented veggies, avocado, and brown rice. i was shocked at the portion. it is literally two meals for me, an adult male. right now i am finishing off the leftovers at home, which has inspired me to join urbanspoon to write a review. i just have to give respect where respect is due! so many restaurants serve "trendy" tapas portions. what a waste of money. despite my relatively high income, i tend to be a frugal man. this is a frugal man's dream. the meal was satisfying on many levels. my other favorite restaurant is chipotle. rice junkies is a not a chain, but it is worthy of being franchised. they have a lot of offerings. since i am a flexitarian with veggie leanings, a place really has to work hard to get my gut. we need more tasty, healthy, fast foodoptionslike rice junkies in convenient places. the large chains aren't necessarily popular because of their valiant attempts to salt and sugar everything to death. it is their location! it is just super easy to pull into them and find parking and stuff our faces with crap. my day with come when you can pull into a rice junkies drive thru and get fresh, delicious bibimbop.
another secret yummy frugal meal is at the jerusalem cafe on 38th and belmont. behold the hummus sandwich. it is $4 of yumminess. the hummus sandwich is worthy of it's own food cart.