"When Nick’s Famous Coney Island opened in 1935, long before cross-continental flights and the interstate highway system, travel between the real Coney Island and Portland would take the better part of a week. While travel times — and prices — have changed a bit, Nick’s Famous continues to serve its classic, nearly 90-year-old Coney dog with bean-less chili sauce and cheese. The leather, steel, and neon decor is pre-retro, and the clientele is heavy on longtime Portlanders. Nick’s Famous features a full bar with happy hour specials for any budget. Hawthorne may have trendier bars, but none as deeply rooted in the soul of Portland." - Nathan Williams
