Karen Brooks eats, drinks and thinks about food for Portland Monthly, as the magazine's trend-spotting food critic at large. Karen's reviews and think pieces ferret out the restaurants, food carts, and maverick thinkers defining Portland's food voice. In 2017, Karen won one of the food world's most prestigious titles: the James Beard Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Reviewer Award. She's penned nine books on food and drink, and in 2020 guest-starred on Hulu's food series, Eater's Guide to the World.

Breaking News

Jose Chesa’s Spanish-Modern Restaurant Chesa Has Closed

The Ataula chef and partner Cristina Baez gambled on an ambitious, paella-centric restaurant on NE Broadway last year. It didn’t turn out as expected.

06/28/2017 By Karen Brooks

Food News

Sterling Coffee Roasters Will Relocate to a Larger Space This Fall

Portland’s tiny outpost of coffee perfection will triple in size at its new NW 21st Avenue digs, cult cappuccinos in tow.

06/27/2017 By Karen Brooks

Breaking News

An Indie Chocolate Shop Opens Inside Artisan Fro-Yo Star Eb & Bean

This is, indeed, the most adorable Portland food story ever.

06/27/2017 By Karen Brooks

First Impressions

Is Paadee’s New Issan Menu Portland’s Next Thai Food Breakout?

Earl Ninsom dives into the cuisine of Northeastern Thailand next door to his acclaimed Langbaan on SE 28th Avenue.

06/20/2017 By Karen Brooks

Dining Guide

13 Portland Restaurants for Serious Beer Drinkers

From perfect pilsners to cask-conditioned fruit beer, these spots take their taps as seriously as their plates.

06/12/2017 By Eat Beat Team

Word of Mouth

The Inside Scoop on Fifty Licks, Portland's Suddenly Hot Ice Cream Shop

With two locations and a killer affogato Cubano, Chad Draizin's spot is finally ready for its close-up.

06/12/2017 By Karen Brooks

Restaurant Review

Life of Cho

The new Korean mom-and-pop, major dumplings and nightly rave included

06/12/2017 By Karen Brooks Photography by Stuart Mullenberg

Eat Here Now

Where to Eat This Week: May 23–30

From London Fog nitro on tap at Steven Smith to flatbread spreads at Shalom Y'all, these are the things you must eat and drink this week.

05/23/2017 By Eat Beat Team

Dining Guide

17 Portland Burger Joints Better Than Your Backyard

From all-American to Chinese street-style to a Mexican hamburguesa, here's where to score some of the city's top burgers.

05/15/2017 By Eat Beat Team

Word of Mouth

This Vancouver Food Cart Makes the Best Pizza You've Never Heard Of

Pizzeria La Sorrentina serves true flash-cooked Neapolitan pies in a parking lot.

05/15/2017 By Karen Brooks

West End: Food & Drink

Where to Eat in Portland's West End

Subterranean cocktail bunkers, a Northwest brunch mecca, and one of the city's best food cart pods. Explore this neighborhood while you're hungry.

05/15/2017 Edited by Kelly Clarke By Staff

James Beard Awards

Portland Monthly Food Critic Karen Brooks Wins a 2017 James Beard Award

Our own master wordsmith, veteran Portland food voice, and all-around punk rocker takes home the James Beard journalism prize, alongside accolades for two other Oregonians.

04/25/2017 By Benjamin Tepler

Food Event Spotlight

Chefs Week PDX Takes a Breather—But Still Has Two Big Dinners in the Works for 2017

Gregory Gourdet's annual four-day blitz is going on vacation. Eat Beat has the lowdown on the two major events planned in its absence—and where to get your tickets.

04/19/2017 By Karen Brooks