Portland | A Must-Visit for Meat Lovers
đ OX Restaurant - 2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97212 đđđ Unmatched by similar restaurants Features a custom Argentine grill setup Firewood burns to embers âĄď¸ Embers fall into the grill âĄď¸ Meat slow-roasted over glowing charcoal Grilling takes timeâbe prepared to wait up to an hour ăTripe & OctopusăA classic dish An uncommon pairing, but essentially a simple combination: Tomato and white bean braised tripeârich and flavorful, meltingly tender + charcoal-grilled octopus Bread had an issueâdistinct greasy off-flavor. A replacement was slightly better. The bread had good fermentation and texture with heavy grill marks, but it didnât complement the dish. It overpowered the flavors and textures. This dish would be better paired with rice, tortilla chips, or even pasta. ăClam Chowderăđ Delicious and recommended, lived up to expectations Comfort food done right, using all fresh ingredients. Rich and savory without being heavy, with a natural, complex texture. JalapeĂąo surprisingly well-integratedâcut through the richness and added depth. Its mild spiciness infused the soup, elevating the overall experience. Clams were tender, sweet, and flawless. Bone marrow was tasty, but in this dish, it felt more for presentationâa luxurious garnish. ăGrilled Meat PlatterăMixed results Skirt steak đ Excellent High-quality meatâtender, aromatic, juicy, and well-marbled. Boldly salted. The chimichurri was thoughtfully balanced, not over-seasoned, and paired perfectly. Sweetbreads đ Delicious Perfectly preserved the rich, primal beef flavorâcrispy outside, creamy inside with an offal-like, liver-ish texture. The "offal of offals." Blood sausage đ Not great Filling was gritty, like crumbly cooked blood. Seasoned with chili, cumin, and fennelâreminiscent of spicy snacks. The texture was mushy and watery, with casing that separated and was hard to chew. Beef short ribs đ Pretty good Juicy, tender, and flavorful. However, cross-cutting may have caused some loss of juices. Beef ribs are better served bone-in for a more satisfying, hearty bite. Still good, but not as outstanding as the skirt steak. Sausage â ď¸ Questionable Some portions had a slightly fermented, sour tasteâpossible spoilage? The kitchen denied it. Seasoning was decent, with good fat and meat flavor, but texture was too finely ground and overly compact. Sides: Potatoes were surprisingly deliciousârich, creamy, and tender with a nice char, though the skin was a bit moist. Pickled salad was okay. ăMushrooms & Onionsăđ Interesting Whipped egg yolk dissolved when stirred, leaving a subtle aroma. Mushroom flavor was intensely preservedâplump, juicy, and seasoned lightly, almost like steamedâlocked-in moisture and full of natural taste. Summary: Cocktails were just okayâthree drinks all leaned too sweet. â The meat platter isnât recommended. If you want sweetbreads, order them as a side. For meat, Ă la carte offers better value. A blend of tradition and creativityâthe highlights are truly outstanding. Overall, the flaws donât overshadow the strengths. #PortlandFood #PortlandEats #ArgentinianGrill #FineDining #OXRestaurant #MustEatPDX