Virginia Café
NEW ADDRESS: 820 SW 10th Avenue
Portland, OR
503-227-0033
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[Editor's Note: It's official, the Virginia Cafe has moved to 820 SW 10th Avenue, just across from the library. We are planning to check out the new digs and let you know what we think very soon!]

Over the weekend I had probably my last lunch at the Virginia Café at its current location on SW Park Avenue. You see, just over a year ago the landmark restaurant and bar announced they would have to close down or move because the building within which they are housed is going to be torn down to become yet another shiny retail/condo high-rise. Luckily, the owners have found a new location for VC, but now it’s time to say goodbye to the old dwelling.

Sure, the place itself is nothing fancy; the décor is kitschy, the upstairs bathroom is pretty scary and nonsmokers curse the free-for-all smoking policy (that will change in the new location as they will be going non-smoking).

But there is something undeniably charming, cozy and Old Portland about the location they are vacating. Where else hipsters mix with preppy downtown workers mix with 50-somethings without batting an eye? If Pioneer Courthouse Square is Portland’s “living room” then VC is Portland’s den with a wet bar.

Will this all change when they pick up their bar stools and move to their new location just a few blocks away on SW 10^th Avenue, across from the main library? We hope not, though the smoking ban might change the regular crowd somewhat. We only have a short time before we will know for sure, as the plan is to make the same-day transition on a yet unannounced date between February 17 and 27.

In my opinion, the food is one of the best things about VC, and surely that won’t change tremendously. My favorites are the burgers (they offer quite a few creative varieties) with their delicious fries and the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato. Though, on my lunch visit just this weekend I tried their nachos and they were excellent. The nachos are served with all the gooey good stuff on one plate (beans, REAL cheese, ground beef or chicken, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.) with a massive basket of tortilla chips on the side (seriously, it’s like an entire bag of chips!) and additional salsa. If you don’t mind sharing lunch with a nacho-loving friend, there is certainly enough to split it.

The also offer a wide array of sandwiches, salads and your typical bar appetizers.

From my experiences, everything was very fresh and delicious. I’ve never had anything that’s tasted too fried, even the fries!

VC has become a happy hour staple downtown, simply because their happy hour is pretty impressive. They offer food specials as well as drink specials, so that can save you some precious dollars if you are looking for a filling meal and a stiff drink on a tight budget. Happy hour runs from 4 to 6 pm daily.

Overall, VC is a Portland landmark, so if you want to check out the current location, you’d better make it there soon! Or else, wait a few weeks and check out the brand new digs, we certainly will!

Pros: Good bar food, friendly waitstaff, quick service, great happy hour, great place to get together with friends, cozy booths, great atmosphere

Cons: Smoking at the currently location bothers some diners, they are moving!