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.

Food News

Beast’s Naomi Pomeroy Battles the Iron Chef

Plus: she’s in the running for a cooking show of her own.

09/02/2010 By Karen Brooks

63 Things Every Portlander Must Do

Must Do: Become a Fan

Become a fan of Portland's home teams, from mainstream sports to more alternative arenas.

07/15/2010 By Karen Brooks

63 Things Every Portlander Must Do

Must Do: Shop

Go shopping for some of Portland's most desired commodities: costumes, with help from Alicia J. Rose; plants, with help from Elizabeth Beekley; records, with help from Jay Martin; and fabric, with the help of Bill Crane.

07/15/2010 By Karen Brooks

63 Things Every Portlander Must Do

Must Do: Walk-About

Go for a walk and discover Jewish deli owner Nick Zukin's favorite Latin hot spots, Kristin Kaye's favorite ways that Portland gives back to our green Earth, or Rabbi Gary Schoenberg's favorite boating businesses.

07/14/2010 By Karen Brooks

63 Things Every Portlander Must Do

Must Do: Eat & Drink

Take a walk on the wild side: Justin Oswald's guide on where to get good, fresh meat in Portland. Don't like meat? How about Paige Powell's guide to going vegan?

07/14/2010 By Karen Brooks

63 Things Every Portlander Must Do

Must Do: Culture

Recommendations by Christina Sells, Sarah Dougher, Nate Overmeyer, Thomas Lauderdale, and Matt Zaffino on how to get down with Portland culture. Sneak peak must-do's: listen to folk music, learn how to dance, and get retired.

07/14/2010 By Karen Brooks

Article

63 Things Every Portlander Must Do

The people's guide to Portland now!

07/14/2010 By Karen Brooks

Article

Good Morning, Portland

05/19/2009 By Paige Williams