I have, admittedly, mixed emotions towards the Bite of Oregon. I love that its proceeds go to the Special Olympics. I love that it’s a place for new restaurateurs to expose themselves to a much wider (waisted) audience. I even love it for its kitschy Brian Boitano flare and its amazing people watching.
Beyond that I have some serious problems with the event. The main problem is that it’s not really built for eating. The lines can be excessive for places you could go to any time, and when you finally get to order it can hard to find a place to perch while you awkwardly eat your quickly cooling (if not already cool) sample from a sagging paper plate. Add to that the excessive cacophony of various stages, the odd corporate booths, and the masses of zoned-out wandering families, and it’s just not a place I really want to be.
I understand, though, that it might be a place you’d like to be. If you’re braving The Bite, let me make a few suggestions.
Best Bets at the Bite after the Jump!