Ohana Hawaiian Cafe (Portland, OR)

Sandy Boulevard is a mized use street. It feels a little grimy and eclectic. I guess it what is a neighborhood feels like as it begins to gentrify. In the span of 50 blocks there are sanctuaries to worship the virgin Mary, used tire stores, Vietnamese law offices, strip joints across the street from nondenominational Christian churches and reasonably priced houses for gainfully employed 20-somethings. And there is good food, even the best Thai in the city.
Speaking of good food there is a new Hawaiian place, Ohana, smack dab in the middle of Sandy. It's next to one of the two unoriginally named Pho Oregon. The warm orange and yellow walls were a great relief after another day of floods and landslides. Somewhat original medium-format pictures of tropical (presumably Hawaiian) content hang around the restaurant. It's likely one of the owners will great you and explain how to order (at the register, then pick a seat and wait for your food). My Kalua Pig was good--shredded pig with some greenery, good lomo salad and rice. Nice size portion for $8. Carley had the Teriyaki Chicken and Beef Plate. Tasty. Service was cheerful and fast. They serve shaved ice with ice cream, which is allegedly the way locals eat it in HI. We wouldn't know because we were too daft to find a shack on Kauai that served it that way. Next time we will find it, though, good lord willing. Good place to eat. Nice neighborhood cafe.

Ohana Hawaiian Cafe