Downtown Portland has plenty of places to eat, but Portland Burger on SW 2nd Ave hits a completely different note.
Chef-owner Mark grinds fresh local beef daily, drops new burger specials every two weeks, and somehow also offers 23 shake flavors that rotate with the seasons.
It’s a burger joint with the soul of a concert venue and the kitchen discipline of someone who genuinely loves what they do. 🎸🍔
How they won local’s hearts
Portland Burger won over downtown diners by combining fresh, locally sourced ingredients with an owner who actually listens modifying the menu based on customer feedback and personally responding to every single review.
Locals fell hard for the Brick House burger house-smoked brisket stacked on a 1/3 lb fresh local beef patty and kept coming back to work through a creative menu that never sits still.
When a spot gives away free burgers to veterans on Veterans Day and first responders on designated dates, the neighborhood stops thinking of it as just a restaurant and starts treating it like a community staple. 🌟
The rock and roll theme runs deeper than decor burger names like Magic Man, Classic Rock, and Fat Boy Slim make ordering feel like flipping through a setlist.
Happy hour pricing from 3–6 PM on weekdays made premium, fresh-ground burgers accessible to everyone, pulling in new regulars who might have otherwise walked past.
Add in biweekly specials that give even the most loyal regulars a reason to come back and try something new, and Portland Burger locked in a downtown following that keeps growing. 🎉
Food Highlights
- Brick House Burger: House-smoked brisket piled on a 1/3 lb fresh local beef patty the ultimate indulgence for anyone who believes more meat is always the answer. 🍔
- Angry Jalapeno: Complex, layered spice that goes way beyond typical heat every component from the bun to the meat is carefully considered. 🌶️
- Magic Man Burger: One of the most popular specialty builds on the menu, showcasing Mark’s creative approach to gourmet burger construction. ✨
- Backyard Burger: Classic comfort done right proper bacon distribution, balanced toppings, and that satisfying familiar bite you keep craving. 🥓
- Specialty Shakes: Twenty-three rotating options including pumpkin pie, s’mores, and banana cream pie a shake list that rivals the burger menu for sheer creativity. 🥤
- Cheese Curds: Golden, crispy, and seriously satisfying proof that Portland Burger gets appetizers just as right as the main event. 🧀
Atmosphere
Portland Burger leans fully into its concert venue aesthetic graffiti murals, rock-themed decor, and burger names pulled straight from a classic setlist make the whole space feel like a show.
Indoor seating is comfortable and climate-controlled year-round, while outdoor seating catches Portland’s best weather days perfectly.
Parking downtown requires a little patience, but the location between Voodoo Doughnuts and Stumptown Coffee puts it right in the middle of everything worth doing in the city. 🎶
Bottom Line
Go to Portland Burger for fresh local beef ground daily, biweekly specials that keep things exciting, and 23 shake options that deserve their own visit.
Between the Brick House, the Angry Jalapeno, and happy hour pricing from 3–6 PM, this rock and roll downtown spot is exactly what a great burger joint should be.
Come hungry, check the specials board, and absolutely do not skip the shake. 🌟
Address:
Portland Burger
304 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204
📞 (971) 449-7134
🕔 Daily: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM