Lottie & Zula's — Restaurant in Portland

You know that thing where you wander into an alternate universe and everything is twisted, but wonderful and the people are amazing and even though it’s all strange, it all seems perfect and the food is perfect? Yeah, it’s like that. It’s like a circus where the ring master is a genius. Where it seems like cacophony, but it’s really a perfectly organized symphony. All the colors and the art and music funnels you straight down into this final perfect, incredible, amazing… sandwich. It was such a wonder. First it was wrapped as if your grandmother had sent it to you for Christmas. It showed such thought and care. The staff must have been sent to Japan to study origami wrapping techniques at the famous Narataki institute. The pastrami sandwich it contained was a revelation. Toasted to perfection, it was structurally coherent, yet packed with goodness and complex flavors. From the pickles to the optional bacon, it was everything a pastrami should or could be. It was not sloppy, it did not collapse like some sodden drunkard staggering home after a hopeless night of debauchery, no, it was a warrior pastrami carried by heroes in the great battles against the rising tides of the dark lords. They are the sandwiches of freedom! It’s more than a simple sandwich shop. It’s a destination. A focal point where great forces turn. Where special people come to share ideas and meet with other special people and you can tell whoever put this together put a lot of thought into it. This was not an accident. This was someone’s vision. My sandwich was perfect, but from presentation to atmosphere, it was...

We are staying at the nearby hospital and had a day pass this weekend. One of the nurses recommended that we try this place out. It did not disappoint.

We had a meatball sandwich, sausage breakfast sandwich, and bacon breakfast sandwich. Also had a Jose Canseco (lime drink) and a vanilla cream soda.

The meatball sandwich was super good. We got the smallest size, 6 inch, and it was plenty since these are so stuffed with goodness.

The breakfast sandwiches were equally good. The sausage is amazing as is the bolo bread they come on. The bacon tasted good but it is awfully thin and ends up feeling like it is lacking in protein. Pass on the bacon until it becomes more substantial, but definitely get the sausage version.

The drinks were super yummy and at 16oz were reasonably priced.

The atmosphere is so cool. The art in the restaurant is only matched by the art in the bathrooms. Check out the bathrooms, even if you don’t need to go. They also have a cool record store in the restaurant. Such a fun place.

My son is temporarily in a wheelchair, and even though there is a step at the front door, they have a side entrance that is completely accessible. The amazing woman behind the counter saw us coming and rushed outside to ensure we were aware of the side door. Great customer...

The craziest bathroom (take a peek at my pix!) decor but let me say this - the JIM vegan salad is absolute FIRE! LOVED the fact that breakfast offerings were available all day long and I was soooo tempted but - this veggie sando was worth it all! Why you say? It’s worth my deconstructed review: first bite I thought “yummy but a little dry? Maybe they should have added a tomato?” but by bite #5, the GENIUS-ness hits me; to keep that sourdough bread FIRM instead of turning into a mush-MESS requires careful ingredient layering (beans, avocado spread, all the way to the thinly shredded red cabbage. They created a “mushy-free zone” that holds up so well. And then the added flavors from the pickled red onions, peperoncinis and slivered cucumbers somehow pack a culinary punch that is so harmonious that your tastebuds are dancing. Hubby devoured his Reuben “grinder” in a hot minute. Do yourself a solid and ORDER ONLINE/PHONE ahead of time so pick up is smooth and easy. Definitely a great choice when you’re looking for some deli deliciousness. Heard the ITALIAN is the shizzzz so it’s the...