mitch's meanderings» Portland http://mitchcontla.com life, technology, running; links, photos, and videos Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:32:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 Podnah’s Pit – A Little Bit of BBQ Heaven http://mitchcontla.com/2009/09/23/podnahs-pit-a-little-bit-of-bbq-heaven-nogallery/ http://mitchcontla.com/2009/09/23/podnahs-pit-a-little-bit-of-bbq-heaven-nogallery/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:39:55 +0000 mitch http://mitchcontla.com/2009/09/23/podnahs-pit-a-little-bit-of-bbq-heaven-nogallery/ Podnah's Pit Barbecue is the place for you. A friend suggested we give it a try, and after seeing the restaurant featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives I couldn't wait to go. Podnah's Pit is located in Northeast Portland at NE Prescott St. and 15th Ave. We caught the smell of smoked meat a block away, but pay attention or you might blow right past!

Rodney Muirhead opened Podnah's (named for his grandfather) in 2006, realizing his dream of serving up traditional Texas style barbecue in Portland. Creating authentic fare like this means starting the fire at 5am; using only oak hardwood (no charcoal or electricity), and only smoking as much meat as will fit in the smoker… when it's gone, it's gone!

We parked out back by the smoker, and walked around front. The interior is fairly small and narrow, with a dozen tables and benches along both sides. The lunch menu (pdf) is sparse, with just a couples sandwiches, a few baskets, and some sides. We landed on Tuesday which happens to be "all day Rib & Draft Happy Hour", when you can get a full rack of pork ribs for $20, or ala carte ribs for $1.75 each. I chose the Beef Brisket sandwich with Potato Salad, and a couple pork ribs; my lunch time acomplice ordered the Iceberg Wedge wtih homemade Bleu Cheese Dressing to accompany his pork ribs.

The pork ribs were tender, smoky, and seasoned to perfection. I was tempted at first to add some barbecue sauce, but dismissed the thought quickly; the meat was so good on it's own I just couldn't see any way to improve the taste. I was amazed at the size of the ribs, and in fact double checked the menu board to make sure they were pork, and not beef. Words can't describe the potato salad, but I'll try… simply the best I have ever had!

My take on the beef brisket sandwich was not as favorable. The bun was great, and the helping of brisket was generous, but I found the meat a bit dry and not so flavorful as the ribs. This time I quickly doused the meat in barbecue sauce (which was very good, by the way); this made the sandwich pretty good, but not great.

Over all, I liked Podnah's and would not hesitate to recommend it. Pleasant atmosphere, good people, great food. Tuesday seems like a good day to go for the ribs, but I think my next visit will be a Friday or Saturday night for smoked prime rib… Yum!

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]]> http://mitchcontla.com/2009/09/23/podnahs-pit-a-little-bit-of-bbq-heaven-nogallery/feed/ 0 Portland Goes MetroFi http://mitchcontla.com/2006/04/13/portland-goes-metrofi/ http://mitchcontla.com/2006/04/13/portland-goes-metrofi/#comments Fri, 14 Apr 2006 04:26:59 +0000 mitch http://mitch.contla.net/2006/04/13/portland-goes-metrofi/ Om Malik reports Portland Goes Wi-Fi. MetroFi has been selected by the City of Portland, for building and operating a citywide Wi-Fi network. In the press here, and here.

]]> http://mitchcontla.com/2006/04/13/portland-goes-metrofi/feed/ 0 Meadows Challenges Skiers and Snowboarders to Keep Coming! http://mitchcontla.com/2006/04/12/meadows-challenges-skiers-and-snowboarders-to-keep-coming/ http://mitchcontla.com/2006/04/12/meadows-challenges-skiers-and-snowboarders-to-keep-coming/#comments Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:33:51 +0000 mitch http://mitch.contla.net/2006/04/12/meadows-challenges-skiers-and-snowboarders-to-keep-coming/ Dave Riley, General Manager, Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort issues this challenge:

Ski area operators all whine and cry (including me) about how Pacific Northwest skiers and snowboarders hang up their boards too early in the spring. I was talking with my Marketing Director, Dave Tragethon today about this phenomenon… We then came up with an idea. We’ll stay open-if you keep coming.
]]> http://mitchcontla.com/2006/04/12/meadows-challenges-skiers-and-snowboarders-to-keep-coming/feed/ 0 Running in the Portland Rain http://mitchcontla.com/2006/04/08/running-in-the-portland-rain/ http://mitchcontla.com/2006/04/08/running-in-the-portland-rain/#comments Sat, 08 Apr 2006 21:17:50 +0000 mitch http://mitch.contla.net/2006/04/08/running-in-the-portland-rain/ Last Saturday was the first training run for the Portland Marathon. My friend Rick and I ran with the PMC group downtown along the water front, under beautiful sunny skies. The weather that morning could not have been more pleasant. Today’s run however, was a different story, nothing but rain the whole time.

We ran out-and-back from Fit Right Northwest on 23rd Ave., north to Thurman St., then west up to (and a couple miles in) the Leif Erickson trail at Forest Park. Our group is training at a 3:50 target marathon time, but I think the pace setter may have thought they said 2:50! The 3.5 miles uphill were brutal. Rick pointed out that last week, we were all carrying on conversations, this week… not a word. Coming down we had the wind and rain in our face, but I thought it was great. For me, there is just something refreshing about running in the rain. Nobody bothered to clock it, but it looks like we came in about 1:04 for 7 miles. Not too shabby!

I have read much about the Leif Erickson trail, and even in the dreary weather it was beautiful. Along most of our run, we looked out over the Willamette river. Under favorable conditions, the view must be spectacular. This will definitely be a favorite Spring/Summer run.

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