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    Tanaka

    3.9 (344 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    TANAKA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Tanaka

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    Tuyen H.

    The pork sandos tasted amazing! With the right crunchiness and the shredded cabbage, and the small amount of katsu sauce makes this a really great sandwich. It is highly recommended. The ube cream matcha was just okay, but the original is where the money is at. You can taste the matcha and the sweetness. It's very yummy. The strawberry sando brings it home though. Wonderful flavors. We will definitely come back and try some other sandos. When you get here, you order at the kiosk and get a number. Then you can find a seat with your number. There is a large table for community seating with very few individual tables that are usually full.

    Breakfast sando
    John H.

    TL:DR A flavorful, beautiful change of pace with a tasteful blend of surroundings Truthfully I've been looking at some of the lower reviews and I do see some merit of what the masses have been saying, the food was absolutely delightful. Even if it's a little higher on the price, for me recognizing that things are more expensive due to things beyond our control (within reason) shouldn't disappoint the overall experience of the food. Enough about the general hellscape of society though, I genuinely loved the taste of food and at least for my party of four it was delicious, salty, different and flavorful. The highlight of course was their mustard/curry sauce paired with their fries which can honestly stand out on its own. I ordered the chicken and egg sando, and even though the spicy sauce was not at all spicy the sandwich was definitely strong enough on its own to merit another visit. In terms of the service, it was standard, what did stand out to me is that they were willing to accommodate an influencer and help film/photograph her review. Regardless it's worth a visit, for me I am more than willing to come back and try another menu item. My friends and I also had similar things to reciprocate. It was delicious, and different from what I'm use to having.

    Pork Katsu Curry Plate
    John H.

    A bright, open corner space with high ceilings - it was a nice stop for lunch in downtown. Short order style with lots of seating, some shared long tables. The staff were quick to take our order. We ordered the classic chicken katsu sandwich with fries and the curry rice plate with pork katsu. The sandwich is what you would hope - crispy chicken, veggies, yummy sauce on white bread - solid overall. You get soooo many fries and they are phenomenal! The curry aioli was a nice dip. The pork curry plate was good - very classic Japanese curry. I think the katsu plate with the beef consommé is my next choice! Unlimited soda fountain! Baked goods were scarce by late afternoon. I will go back for more, recommend you try it.

    Fries, sandwich, matcha donut
    Olivia S.

    Japanese sandwich spot - the fries were *slightly* too salty but the matcha cream donut was super fun, sandwich was good. Staff was very kind and helpful!

    Shrimp Sando
    Melody X.

    Friendly workers. I got the shrimp sandwich, it was really good! It definitely has a lighter flavor but it's just enough and pairs well with the cabbage. I enjoyed the fries as well with the curry aioli. Nice ambiance and spacious but can get busy during lunch. Will come again.

    Chicken katsu sandwhich
    Winter B.

    I have been wanting to come here after seeing the Portland location and it was great! Chicken katsu was delicious and tender. Really yummy breading. I loved that it came with a kale slaw although there were too many onions for me in it but still good. The bread was really fluffy and soft. I didn't get any pastries or treats but those also looked amazing. Especially the cream donut and the strawberry sando. Will have to come back! Sandwhich was 14$ which was pretty reasonable. Service is pretty fast as well. Nice indoor seating and some outdoor.

    Tofu Katsu
    Maeleth C.

    Five stars mofos!!! As a vegetarian I have always longed for a chance to experience the wonders of a katsu sando. It seemed impossible to me until I stumbled upon this establishment. Not only was there a vegetarian option, but according to my gf who had the shrimp katsu, it holds its ground against the meat options. We also had some miso and matcha cookies which were the perfect sweet treat to finish our meal with! The natural light and big windows allow for some fun people watching while you enjoy your food. It can get a little noisy but that's to be expected in a spot with such tall ceilings. The employees are very kind, friendly, and generous (iykyk). Will definitely be returning next time I'm in Portland.

    Chicken Katsu & Curry Rice  + Chicken & Egg Sando
    Lily T.

    We stopped by Tanaka Katsu Sandwiches for lunch and it did not disappoint! We ordered the Chicken & Egg Sando (which was their popular item) in spicy and got the chicken curry plate to try, and then a refreshing iced sencha. If you do the meal for the sando, it includes any of the drinks listed on their menu such as their matchas, senchas, etc. I definitely recommend getting the combo since the fries and the sauce it came with did not disappoint! The chicken & egg sando was so good! It was juicy, the chicken was cooked well and it wasn't dry, the egg and mayo was amazing and added a creamy factor to the sando, and the shredded cabbage/slaw added the perfect crunch. The bread was toasted just right! I would recommend getting this if you are unsure of what to pick, I would go back and try another sando, if only I had extra stomachs to try more than one. The fries were so crispy and you definitely get enough fries for two people to share, the sauce it came with is like a mayo mixed with some curry spices which was a perfect combo. If you are a potato lover get the fries, they were golden and crunchy! The chicken and curry plate was okay, didn't have anything really that stood out. It definitely has a different curry flavor than what I have had at other katsu curry plates, and felt more heavy on the curry spices. I got the iced sencha which was very refreshing and a perfect balance for the savory and carb heavy food we had ordered.

    Joseph H.

    Walking around downtown Portland, we were hungry and wanted something affordable yet tasty. We came across Tanaka Katsu and decided to give them a try. Walking in, it didn't seem too busy, though we appreciated the industrial interior of the place. We looked at the menu and ordered a pork sandu with fries and a pork katsu with rice. After waiting about 10 minutes, our food came out hot. We were impressed by the presentation of the food on the plates. Both the pork sandu and the pork katsu were very good. They gave us a generous portion of fries, which made our meal even more enjoyable. We were stuffed full after we finished. There is ample natural lighting in this restaurant, which made it particularly pleasant. We had chosen a booth next to the windows, and we were able to converse quietly to ourselves. There's a bit of a quiet ambiance to the place. We saw a few people working there and about the same amount of people simply dining there like us. This overall was a 5-star experience and an excellent value for the money paid. We'd happily go back to try out their other options if we're ever in the area!

    Tracy M.

    Tanaka's management reached out after my review, apologized, and made it right by giving me a refund. When I'm in town again, I'll definitely be by to give them another shot.

    menu
    Quentin T.

    Absolute banger of a casual eatery located on a super convenient streetside corner with a great view of half the block. Plenty of seating options. Good spot for a casual lunch or grab & go for solo or groups. I was staying at the Hyatt around the corner & popped in once they opened for a lunchtime beer, katsu sandwhich & strawberry sandwhich to tuck in the hotel fridge for an evening snack. Sandwhich was really good & provided plenty of energy for an extended walk around town. Staff was nice. The person working the counter even attempted to locate an XL shirt for me to no avail but i appreciated the effort. Anywhere you can grab a beer & a good japanese style sandwhich before 11am on a weekday is ok with me. Worth a stop.

    Eggplant
    Jackie M.

    These katsu sandwiches are really delicious. Sometimes I dream about them. From the soft, pillow bread, to the crunch of the katsu, and the freshness from the slaw, you can't go wrong. The service is fast and friendly, so it's a great weekday lunch if you're in the mood for something fried and carb heavy.

    Dirty Fries
    Colleen L.

    I was recently in Portland and I saw Tanaka on social media. It looked awesome so my group headed there. The interior is so clean and modern. There's quite a bit of seating and even outdoor dining available. You walk up to place your order and they bring it out to you. Everyone we interacted with was lovely. They have coffee and soft drinks but they also have different teas. My group all got a different seasonal offering. I ended up with the white peach ginger black iced tea and I was thrilled. It was refreshing without being overly sweet. I ordered the Pork Katsu with the spicy sauce: Pork Loin, Cabbage, Karashi Mayo, Tanaka Katsu Sauce, Milk Bread. It was delicious. Highly recommend. This was my first Katsu sandwich so I don't have a reference point, but I'd definitely eat this again. The pork was juicy and tender but also crunchy. And the sauce wasn't overly spicy. Just a nice kiss of heat. For a side, I opted for the Miso Tomato Soup. Again, delicious, no complaints. That and grilled cheese on a rainy day would be perfection. My boyfriend ordered the Chicken and Egg Katsu with the classic sauce: Chicken Breast Katsu, Cabbage, Yuzu Egg Salad, Karashi Mayo, Tanaka Katsu Sauce, Milk Bread. I took half of his sandwich and he took half of mine, so I also tried a lot of this! Again, it was good. I'm not usually a fan of egg salad but I enjoyed this one. I'd definitely recommend. I also sampled the dirty fries from a dining companion: Crispy Fries, Smoked Pulled Pork, Curry Sauce, American Cheese, Fried Shishitos, Cilantro, Togarashi. The curry sauce wasn't overly spicy money. The portion was huge, it could easily be a meal on its own. After trying it, I really wanted a bowl of their curry which I'm sure is amazing. They also have dessert which is probably amazing because everything I sampled was! I wish we had a restaurant like this in KC and y'all are lucky in the PNW. I will definitely return the next time I'm in town because this was one of my top favorite meals of my trip!

    Pork Katsu and Egg Salad

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Amazing food. Japanese sando place feels authentic and I can't get enough. Visit this place anytime you want comfort food.

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    Tanaka S.

    Thanks for stopping in! We’ll see you again soon!

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    10 months ago

    Great breakfast sandwiches and even better lunch sandwiches. Right in the middle of downtown Portland.

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    Lottie and Zulas

    Lottie and Zulas

    4.6
    (151 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    I'm not much one for sandwiches, but a friend recommended this shop to me. One a day my stomach…read morewent on crazy growling mode, I paid Lottie a visit. Entering the shop, you will be greeted by loud music. Be ready for that. You will have the option to dine outside, if the weather provides it and the seats are empty. The hosts are wonderful and very accepting with a positive attitude. Smiles and all. I ordered the Jim because it was the only sandwich I could eat. The majority of the sandwiches contain meat, so I would not recommend this for vegans or pescatarians. Jim was delicious and I consumed both halves of Jim flawlessly. Either hunger overruled me, or the sandwich was that satisfying. I do recommend the shop, but with limited options for non-meat eaters, I truthfully would rate Lottie and Zulas, 4.5. Yet, I don't believe the spot was "good."

    My tastes are likely just different as the reviews for this place speak for themselves. We had the…read moreJimmy (as a salad). It was too smokier than I imagined but tasty. We also had the Vinny which was fine, a bit spicier than I thought it would be, but I'm a wimp. The service was fine, not overly friendly but adequate. The food is 4 stars, the service 3 starts, but the real bummer was all the plastic. Plastic container, plastic cups and we were eating in. They asked if it was to go and we said no, but everything came in plastic anyway. The ambiance is quintessential Portland, right up until they bring all your food in plastic with plastic silverware to boot.

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    Fun artsy tables
    Fun artsy tables
    The Travis Rueben! On marble rye goodness!
    The Travis Rueben! On marble rye goodness!
    Sandwich paradise.

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    Sandwich paradise.
    Geraldis Italian Sandwich Shop

    Geraldis Italian Sandwich Shop

    4.3
    (512 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    Let me start by saying I didn't take pictures. For anyone who reads my reviews, that's a big part…read moreof them: ALL THE PICTURES. Presentation, portions, half eaten, etc... but I didn't. Because the food was so damn good. Look - I'm going to start off by saying I grew up practically on The Hill. Out here, you'll have to Google it (make sure to add 'RI' to the search or you'll get some political BS), but back east, "alls you's have ta say" was those two words and anyone would know you knew your Italian, food and otherwise. There isn't anything on this coast that vaguely compares to The Hill's food, but walking into and biting out of Geraldi's was having a little piece of home. There's this little shop in the old town where the owner knew your voice when you called to order... you'd walk in, and you heard "hey cousin!" whether you were or not, and that's the vibe you get from Geraldi's. The food is much the same - you get something that looks like Nonna was at the range all day with her sauce (it's not gravy - no meat) and you came home looking like you haven't eaten in weeks: "I'm gonna fatten you up before you leave" and you walked out the door with a sub (sandwich, that is - not a submarine) that weighed the same as a newborn. We got three of those babies: a Chicago Beef (seal of approval from the orderer - only 'complaint' was that they had to eat it all in one day because the bread was quote too soggy to make it to lunch the next day - travesty), an Italian sausage (just as delicious when 1/2 was reheated the next day) and a Chicken Parmeroni (I thought somehow even better when 1/2 was reheated the next day) and I could have absolutely gone back the next day if it weren't for A. the leftovers 2/3 of us had and B. the meal planning we'd done for the week. I also grabbed a side of giardiniera because I will get it anytime I see it available and I inhaled it - I need to know if I can by it by the vat instead of the side cups because it too was similar to what I can find at home (about practically nowhere out here) and amazing!! I'm still upset I didn't take pictures though!

    Locals mentioned this spot when I asked about good sandwiches! They were not lying!…read more A small spot with pizza, subs, and salads. I can only speak to the sandwiches. I started with the Spicy Geraldi, which is normally cold - but you can get it hot - highly recommended! It was toasty and amazing! Packed full of meat - the half would have been enough for me - but the whole left some for later! I will be back to try more. Prices are moderate.

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    Geraldis Italian Sandwich Shop
    Antipasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing (you get to choose your salad dressing)
    Antipasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing (you get to choose your salad dressing)
    Classic ham sandwich

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    Classic ham sandwich
    Lardo

    Lardo

    4.2
    (1.5k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    This was an incredible introduction to the Portland food scene, delivering some of the best…read moresandwiches I've ever had. Between the genuinely friendly hospitality and the flavor combinations, this spot hits it out of the park and is a must for sandwich lovers. Griddled Mortadella (5/5): An incredibly delicious sandwich that perfectly balances rich, salty, and savory flavors. It comes loaded with a generous portion of grilled mortadella and melted provolone cheese, perfectly moistened with a tangy mustard aioli. The fresh lettuce and bell peppers added a satisfying crunch to every bite. Chefwich - K-Town Steak Sandwich (5/5): A limited-time creation packed into a banh mi roll. It had a generous portion of perfectly tender and sweet bulgogi steak that pairs with their melted jack cheese. The gochujang mayo sauce had a subtle and sweet heat, while the fresh kimchi added crunch and slight acidity to balance the rich meat. Elote Tater Tots (5/5): Definitely a creative side dish. The tots were perfectly fried and topped elote style with cotija cheese, pairing well with the smoky chipotle mayo on the side. Logistics Tip: Street parking is surprisingly easy to find in the surrounding area, even on a busy weekend evening. The restaurant has a spacious layout with plenty of seating options both inside and outside. If you're a first-timer, don't hesitate to ask the staff for suggestions, as they're exceptionally warm, welcoming, and passionate about the menu.

    I've only been to the Lardo in PDX (is it still there?), so I felt like I needed to give the brick…read moreand mortar a chance because, let's face it, the one in PDX is meh. We walked down here on a beautiful day after wedding deletes shopping, so spirits were high. Located on a busy corner, but with plenty of outdoor seating, Lardo is a good place to have lunch on a Saturday. I have nothing to say about the parking sitch. My daughter and I shared the Willamette Reuben and her friend ordered the Italian Flag. We shared the Lardo fries. Oh man, the Reuben was perfection! The flavor of the meat and everything on the sandwich, from texture to flavor--chef's kiss! We heard that the Italian Flag was excellent too. Definitely, you can share a sandwich especially if you're having fries. The fries were delicious--crispy and flavorful on the outside, perfectly hot and mushy on the inside. Yum!

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    Inside
    Inside
    Italian Flag
    Italian Flag
    Smash Burger

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    Smash Burger

    Tanaka - sandwiches - Updated July 2026

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