Famous Foods of Oregon: 20 Iconic Eats To Enjoy

What is Oregon known for? What is Oregon famous for? If you answered Nike, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Pinot Noir, craft beer, and the great outdoors, you’re doing really well—especially if you’re not from Oregon.

But the Beaver State is also known for its amazing food. Sure, everyone knows Portland is one of the best food cities in the United States, but Oregon’s food scene is so much more than just Oregon’s largest city.

Indeed, some of the country’s most iconic food was iconic Oregon food first. A potato product that went from cafeteria food tray to full-on gourmet, a wiener that traded in its buns for a corny outfit, breakthroughs in vegetarian fare when most Americans didn’t even care—these are but a few of the famous Oregon foods that went nationwide.

I love Oregon! Whether it’s to enjoy one of the best Oregon foodie getaways, to wine taste in the Willamette Valley, explore the great outdoors along the Oregon Coast or Columbia River, or catch up with great friends who live there, I make a point of visiting often—and I have a blast every time!

No matter what I’m doing, the food Oregon serves up during my stays always impresses, and that alone would be reason enough to keep bringing me back. So, let me introduce you to some of the most famous and best food in Oregon—and maybe give you some more incentive to visit this wonder of the Pacific Northwest.

A shop in Lincoln City selling popular foods of Oregon

Foods of Oregon: Grown on the Land, Plucked From the Waters

Although many Oregon famous foods are known far beyond the state, a lot of the best food in Oregon stays within its borders.

Oregonians rely on proud local farmers to produce top-notch local ingredients to be used in making delicious foods throughout the state. Numerous rivers and the Pacific Ocean provide amazing catch as well. Fresh foods, homegrown and home caught, prepared just right is a lot of what’s on the menu in Oregon.

And the locals like that just fine. If it becomes famous, great. If they get to keep more for themselves, perhaps even better.

1. Marionberries

One of the most beloved Oregon foods, marionberry pie

The marionberry is a beloved Oregon state food developed at Oregon State University. It’s a cross between the Chelhalem berry and Ollalieberry and has a sweet and sour complexity that is said to exhibit the best part of both of its parents.

It was specifically designed as a new crop in the 1950s when Oregon agriculture was searching for another type of local produce that would grow well on local farms. Wild huckleberries were a big hit in the state, but they couldn’t be grown commercially. Researchers came up with a berry that could.

The name marionberry comes from the county in which the first crops were tested and where the majority of marionberries are still grown.

Although a key ingredient in many Oregon food recipes, nothing involving marionberries is more revered than marionberry pie, another of the official state foods. Enjoying at least a slice of this Oregon must-eat food when you visit the state is an absolute delight!

2. Hazelnuts

Nothing goes better with Oregon hazelnuts than chocolate!

Oregon hazelnuts are one of the foods Oregon is justifiably proud of. After all, the state grows 99% of all the hazelnuts produced in the United States. An official state snack, the nuts also known as filberts taste great, store easily, last long, and are incredibly versatile.

Roasted, toasted, or crumbled, hazelnuts are a great source of protein, a tasty addition to salads, and a centerpiece of recipes for loads of baked goods. A staple at Oregon farmers markets, they also get marquee treatment in one of the state’s favorite ice creams, Tillamook Oregon Hazelnut & Salted Caramel.

3. Dungeness Crab

Dungeness crab, one of the foods in Oregon I eat on every visit.

Whether it’s the classic South Carolina food She-Crab Soup or the best steamed blue crabs of Ocean City, MD, if there’s crab in the name, I’m having some! And Dungeness crab is one of my favorite crabs of all.

A famous food of San Francisco, Dungeness crabs are oh so rare on the menus of Southern California where I live, so if they are in season, I make it a point to have them every single time I travel to Oregon—and usually several times during my stay.

Oregon crabbers pull in an average of 16 million pounds of Dungeness per season! The crab meat is prized for its sweet, delicious flavor. Although it can be excellent in salads or crabcakes, most crab lovers believe it is best enjoyed as simply as possible: boiled and served whole, with just some butter or lemon juice on the side.

In my view, Dungeness crab is definitely one of Oregon’s most amazing local foods, and there isn’t a YUMMMM big enough to do it justice!

4. Salmon

An Oregon traditional food, crab-stuffed salmon

Salmon was an Oregon traditional food long before Oregon statehood. Native people knew the Columbia River was loaded with salmon, and the fish was a large part of the diet, culture, and commerce of many tribes in the region.

Even today, in good years, upwards of a million Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon make their way up the Columbia River to spawn. Pulled fresh from the local waters, the various types of salmon available in the state each have their own unique flavor and comprise some of the best food in Oregon.

In fact, it’s hard to go wrong ordering salmon in any good Oregon restaurant, because the locals know how to best let the fresh and delicious flavors of one of Oregon’s most popular foods shine through.

5. Clams

Clams, an Oregon food delicious in many forms, including clam chowder and steamed clams

Oregon estuaries are rich with a dizzying array of clams, but the most popular for harvesting and eating are little neck, soft shell, butter, cockle, gaper, and razor clams. Clamming is not only an important commercial activity in this Pacific Northwest state, it’s also a major pastime.

Netarts Bay and Tilamook Bay are two of Oregon’s clamming capitals, but clams are found up and down the state, and I’ve tasted them in almost every coastal town in Oregon I’ve been to. At coastal Oregon restaurants, steamed clams are just about a must-have appetizer while visiting, and don’t get me started on clam chowder.

OK, too late. My husband and I have to taste just about every restaurant’s version of clam chowder in Oregon. Otherwise, how would we know how they stack up against the New England chowders among the famous foods of Boston or all the bowls we went through on our foodie road trip along the California Coast?

The good news is that Oregon clam chowders are exceptional! Mo’s is highly regarded, but I think there are much better options. In Oceanside, the clam chowder at Dooger’s is excellent. In Portland, the version at Ox Restaurant is in a class by itself. But the absolute best we’ve had so far in Oregon is in the little town of Reedsport, at Harbor Light Restaurant.

In addition, razor clams are a particularly fun thing to try in Oregon. They literally look like an old-fashioned straight edge razor, so that’s unique, and they’re such a big part of the coastal Oregon cuisine, I think Oregon might just be the best place to try them. Usually battered or sautéed, they have a unique flavor and texture, and I’m already looking forward to having more on my next Oregon visit.

Foods of Oregon: The Crème of the Creams

They say happy cows are the secret of California’s leading cheeses, and centuries of cheesemaking has earned Italian cheeses international renown, but Oregon must have some secrets of its own.

It’s home to the world’s best cheese, a beloved dairy company that’s a household name throughout the state, and an ice creamery whose flavors are so uniquely delicious their shops are never quite big enough to keep their lines from spilling out the door.

6. The World’s Best Cheese

My favorite way to enjoy Oregon’s most famous cheese, with truffle honey and pecans

What started as a co-op in 1933 to help Rogue River Valley dairy farmers survive the Great Depression evolved into the legendary cheese producer Rogue Creamery.

In 1953 the Creamery began making its first cave-aged blue cheese and has continued ever since. In the early 2000s, Rogue River Blue was created. Made from sweet, rich cow’s milk only in the autumn, the cheese is wrapped in Syrah grape leaves soaked in pear liqueur, then cave aged for many months.

In 2003, it was named the “World’s Best Blue Cheese” at the World Cheese Awards. In 2019, it was named overall World Champion at the World Cheese Awards—the only American cheese ever so honored.

This incredibly delicious cheese, with intensely rich flavor went from being famous in Oregon and along the West Coast of the U.S. to a multiple award-winning product that made it a superstar among cheese lovers throughout the world.

However, it is only one of 9 different excellent blues alongside 10 styles of choice cheddars—all organic—currently produced at Rouge Creamery. You’ll have no problem choosing worthy options to include on your cheese board.

7. Tillamook Cheese

Tillamook Creamery serves everything from cheeseburgers, to fried cheese curds, to ice cream.

The history of Tillamook cheese goes back even further than the start of Rogue Creamery. In 1909, the Tillamook County Creamery Association was established as a co-op of Tillamook County family farmers, and it continues as a farmer-owned cooperative to this day.

Tillamook has won countless awards for its cheese, and long ago branched out to make tremendous varieties of cream cheese, sour cream, ice cream—really, anything with “cream” in its name, and then some. Today, it is a famous Oregon company whose line of responsibly crafted foods made in Oregon are household staples throughout the state, with a growing reach across the West.

When you’re in Oregon, you can learn about what goes on at the Tillamook Cheese Factory by visiting Tillamook Creamery, right in coastal Tillamook. Tours, tastings, markets, and a restaurant ensure you’ll not only learn about the inner workings of, but get to savor the flavors of, this dairy wonderland.

8. Salt & Straw Ice Cream

Oregon is known for rich and creamy Salt & Straw ice cream.

Started up by cousins Kim and Tyler Malek in Portland in 2011 with a $16 investment in 4 used hand-crank ice cream makers, Salt & Straw now has a cult-like following in its handful of locations in Oregon.

The cousins with absolutely no ice-cream-making experience spent endless hours trying new ingredients, recipes, and techniques and learning from chefs, chocolatiers, brewers, and bakers before getting the hang of their new craft.

The original location was a Portland food cart, soon after a brick and mortar. A Portland friend of mine texted me years ago when she first heard a shop was opening in Los Angeles. Although my husband and I had to wait in a long line snaking out of the location in Venice’s Abbot Kinney neighborhood, it was well worth the wait. We went back every time we were in the hood.

Luckily, they have locations in such San Diego staycation locations as Del Mar, La Jolla, and Little Italy, so we can enjoy their incredibly inventive, decadently delicious marvels throughout greater San Diego.

Although they deliver nationally, in Oregon, you should definitely go to one of their shops in Portland or Eugene to enjoy this Oregon famous food in its native habitat. Your taste buds will thank you!

Foods of Oregon: From Oregon With Love

Although blessed with fertile land and resource-abundant waters, Oregon is also a place of innovation. A number of food firsts in Oregon were too popular to remain reserved for locals—they had to go nationwide!

9. Corn Dogs

Corn dogs, an Oregon famous food found throughout the U.S.A.

During the Great Depression, George and Versa Boyington were making a go of things by selling hot dogs from a beachside stand in Rockaway Beach, west of Portland on the Oregon Coast. But during a blustery Labor Day weekend, a rainstorm drenched their supply of hot dog buns.

Brainstorming for a great alternative to soaked buns, the couple came up with a pancake-based-batter they could make on the spot and coat their dogs in. While they weren’t able to salvage their weekend, the couple soon debuted their new creation at a Portland storefront window they also operated out of. They had a hit on their hands!

They called the new dog a Pronto Pup because of how fast the batter could be whipped up as needed. What originated in Oregon soon spread far beyond its borders. The Boyingtons copyrighted their invention, trademarked its name, and sold franchises coast to coast.

If you’re ever in Rockaway Beach, you can visit the original Pronto Pup location, which still operates today.

10. Tater Tots

Oregon food recipes are taking tater tots to a new level.

In the early 1950s, Francis Nephi Grigg and his brother Golden founded the Oregon Frozen Foods Company in Ontario, Oregon, near the Idaho border where the brothers farmed. The company shipped enormous quantities of corn and french fries, but the french-fry-slicing machine left slivers of potatoes that added up to an enormous amount of wasted potential.

The brothers decided to shove and shape the potato bits into bite-size logs and called them “tater tots.” The winning idea led to increased production and expansion into farming acreage in Idaho. The company name was changed to Ore-Ida, to pay tribute to both states the firm now operated in.

One of the most famous foods invented in Oregon, the “tater tot” is still a trademarked name, but this doesn’t stop chefs across the country from re-inventing the nostalgic childhood treat as part of new menu creations. And the original tater tots are still one of America’s most iconic foods and multimillion-dollar best sellers.

11. Gardenburger

Oregon was among the first states in the U.S. to give birth to a thriving vegetarian movement. Among the vegetarian eateries that sprang up to cater to the growing number of vegetarians was the Gardenhouse Restaurant, which opened in Gresham in the early 1980s.

Soon after, Chef Paul Wenner was doing a brisk business but was concerned with the amount of perfectly good ingredients left over in the kitchen after every shift. One day, experimenting with a mixture of leftover veggies and rice pilaf, he created a tasty loaf-shaped dish. He decided to slice the creation and serve it on a bun—thus the “Gardenburger” was born.

Diners loved it, and Wenner formed a company to bring the Gardenburger to a wider audience. In 1986, it was served at the Natural Food Expo Show in Los Angeles and was a huge success.

This Golden State triumph became an important event in Oregon food history. Gardenburger, the company, went public in 1992, was a colossal hit on Wall Street, and billions of Gardenburgers have been sold since.

12. Tofurky

Tofurky, a vegan food with roots in Oregon

Seth Tibbott became a vegetarian while in college, and after graduating, he founded a vegetarian food company in 1980 that he named Turtle Island Foods. Located in Hood River, the company’s big break came after a joint project with a Portland-based natural foods company called The Higher Taste.

The project was the creation of the Tofurky roast, which was unveiled in 1995. The vegan food alternative to a traditional turkey dinner was a loaf stuffed with wild rice, mushrooms, and herbs, and accompanied by vegan dumplings. Vegans and vegetarians loved it!

Although Tofurky is not served at the restaurant in the best vegan hotel in the United States, that hasn’t stopped millions of people from enjoying Tofurky products. The brand has extended its line to include vegan sausages, deli slices, jerky, burgers, and many other options. Completely vegan, it is one of the most successful vegan/vegetarian brands in America.

13. Olympia Provisions

A charcuterie board I made with salamis from Olympia Provisions

Founded in 2009 as Oregon's first USDA-approved salumeria, Olympia Provisions is a family-owned business that has thrived and expanded ever since. It is the ultimate destination in Portland for lovers of charcuterie, so if that category includes you, you should check it out the next time you’re in the city.

Founder Elias Cairo had a vision to bring Old World techniques and partner with local Pacific Northwest farmers committed to sustainable agriculture. Today, Olympia offers a wide array of artisanal sausages, bacons, deli meats, patés, and pickled delicacies.

I had a wonderful meal at Olympia’s restaurant inside its 38,000-square-foot facility in Southeast Portland, and I bought plenty of tasty foodie souvenirs to bring back home. If you can’t visit in person, you can still enjoy all of the wonderful offerings there by ordering online at the Olympia Provisions website.

14. Jacobsen Sea Salt

One of the famous Oregon food products, Jacobsen sea salt

After scouting out 27 locations along the coasts of Washington and Oregon, Ben Jacobsen chose Netarts Bay as the location for setting up Jacobsen Salt Co. The spot was selected because of the bay’s bright salinity, a reflection of the water-filtering prowess of the large concentration of oysters who make their home there. As it turns out, Jacobsen couldn’t have asked for a better place.

Jacobsen and his team developed a proprietary drying process to obtain the best taste, texture, and color from the salt that they naturally harvest. The result is an exceptional blend of briny goodness with a refined crunch and no aftertaste.

I use the salt in my cooking, and I love it! But I am also a caramel addict, so I am a huge fan of their salty caramels. Jacobsen Salt Co. products are sold throughout Oregon, but you can also order them anywhere in the entire world via their website.

Foods of Oregon: The Portland Trailblazers

No list of famous Oregon foods would be complete without mentioning the culinary contributions of Portland. But the city is such a foodie hotspot with so many tremendous offerings, it deserves an article of its own. Luckily, I have one: Famous Food in Portland.

Here, though, is an overview of some of the sensations that have blazed their own trail to make it big in Portland, and are still a yummy part of the fantastic food scene in Oregon’s largest city.

15. Voodoo Doughnut

Voodoo Doughnuts, among the classic foods Portland, OR, is famous for

You can’t think of Oregon famous food without thinking of some of the most famous food in Portland, the legendary sweet treats of Voodoo Doughnut.

Opened in 2003 in Portland’s old town, Voodo Doughnut is a wonderful place full of outrageously original combinations of flavors and designs that are edible masterpieces. The list of famous options is long.

Fan favorites include, of course, the Voodoo Doll, which is filled with raspberry jelly, topped with chocolate frosting, and is stuck through with a pretzel stake. The Bacon Maple Bar sports maple frosting and is topped with real bacon.

Luckily, the Old Dirty Bastard is much more appetizing than he sounds, while Oh Captain, My Captain is covered in vanilla frosting studded with Cap’n Crunch cereal. For old-school donut lovers, there are even some Old Fashioneds.

Voodoo is definitely one of the offbeat and creatively delicious delights Oregon is known for, so if you find yourself in Portland, lose yourself among their dozens of dreamy doughnuts until you discover exactly what’s right for you!

16. thai food at Eem

Eem, one of the most popular restaurants in Oregon

When one of the most famous restaurants in Oregon, Portland’s legendary Thai eatery, Pok Pok, closed its doors in 2020, the city wept. However, the city’s Thai talent is so deep, there was no need for deep despair.

In fact, already in 2019, three of Portland's hottest food powerhouses had joined together, and something amazing happened: Eem, the Thai restaurant unlike any other, emerged. It remains a true culinary gem in Portland!

Akkapong "Earl" Ninsom, co-owner of Langbaan and Hat Yai, brings his expertise in elevating Thai flavors. Matt Vicedomini, the famed BBQ expert, brings his mastery of meat. And Eric Nelson, the creative mixologist, whips up delightful cocktails and boozy slushies that transport you to paradise.

Already one of Portland's most beloved dining destinations, Eem lives up to all the hype that has swirled around it since its opening. The White Curry With Brisket Burnt Ends, infused with delicious hints of heat and coconut milk, is a must-try in Portland. But make sure not to miss out on the delectable BBQ Fried Rice and the mouthwatering Smoked Pork Krapao, as they will also vie for a spot on your list of favorites.

17. Nong’s Khao Man Gai

Nong’s Khao Man Gai, a famous Portland food that got its start on a food cart

Nong Poonsukwattana arrived from Thailand in 2003 with $70 in her pocket and turned her obsession with one dish into an inspiring story of passion, perseverance, drive, and success.

In Thailand, it is not unusual for a restaurant to focus on just one dish, and Nong pinned all her hopes on Khao Man Gai, a Thai chicken and rice specialty. In 2009, Nong began selling her dish via food cart. Three years later, her food cart was named Portland’s best.

In 2018, Nong’s Khao Man Gai, Nong’s modest brick and mortar with its simple dining room, opened, and it remains a most popular restaurant. The secret to Nong’s signature dish is her special sauce, which has become so famous, it is sold by the bottle.

18. Matt’s BBQ

Food trucks and street food play a massive role in the vibrant Portland food scene. Whereas other cities have food truck lots or food truck pods, Portland does food cart pods. To experience authentic local dining, you must make a stop at one. These pods are permanent locations that house multiple food carts, creating a fantastic culinary experience replete with choices.

Situated at the Prost Marketplace pod on Mississippi Ave, Matt's BBQ food cart undoubtedly earns my vote for the best in Portland. The way that Matt Vicedomini (one of the Eem partners) conjures up an exceptional combination of lean and fatty brisket, mouthwatering ribs, and impeccably smoked pork belly has transformed Texas barbecue into a Portland must-try experience.

The Prost food cart pod in which Matt’s is located offers ample seating and a welcoming atmosphere, making it one of the most inviting food pods in town. It's worth noting that the covered courtyard is perfect for the rainy weather Portland is known for. Selecting a beer from the delightful selection at Prost Pub is one of the best ways to complement your barbecue experience.

19. wood-fired excellence at Ox

Clam Chowder With Smoked Marrow Bone, from the award-winning chefs at Ox

If you like chefs who can bring out the best flavors in foods by mastering the art of fire, you’re going to love Ox Restaurant. Specializing in open-fire Argentine-style cooking, Ox has an amazing menu with so many incredible choices. And, don’t forget, their clam chowder with bone marrow is a one-of-a-kind wonder.

In fact, everything I’ve had there has been excellent! And I’m not alone in saying so. Since they opened their doors in 2012, Ox has piled up accolades and picked up a passionate following among the city’s epicurean elite.

The ingredients are always excellent, the preparation spot on, and the service friendly and knowledgeable. Meats take center stage, but appetizers and sides are also inventive and incredible. Come hungry, explore, leave deeply satisfied.

To learn more about the story of Ox, check out the Ox cookbook.

20. Pine State Biscuits

Biscuits are not just for the South; they are now a famous food in Portland, Oregon, too.

Started by three dudes from North Carolina who desperately missed the quality biscuits they grew up with, Pine State Biscuits is a Portland sensation.

After months of taste testing, recipe rewrites, and feedback from samples they’d dole out at parties back in 2006, the biscuit buddies settled on their magic formula. They began selling their southern charmers at the Portland Farmer’s Market, and soon had long lines, strong sales, and enthusiastic reviews.

In early 2008, they opened a shop, and the crowds have not stop coming. Steaming, buttery, fluffy biscuits teamed up with different combinations of fried chicken, pulled pork, country ham, house-made sausage, brisket, gravy, and fried egg are a delicious ode to the South.

There are now 4 Portland locations bringing the downhome cooking of the Southeast to the Pacific Northwest.

If you’re interested in sampling some of these amazing eateries in Portland and learning more about the city’s ever-changing, always-exciting food scene, consider taking one of these excellent Portland food tours.

Foods of Oregon—Could Use Some Drinks!

Sure, this is an article about the famous foods of Oregon, not its drinks, but I didn’t want to leave you high and dry. And, after all, Oregonians need something to drink while they’re enjoying all those great foods.

Coffee

Coffee isn’t just a beverage in Oregon, it’s a way of life. With more than 200 specialty coffee shops and micro-roasters throughout the state, it’s obvious Oregonians are serious about their joe. Portland alone has 80 coffee roasters.

The scene is artisanal with a perpetual push toward greater innovation in sourcing, roasting, and blending methods that increase the variety and quality of flavors. So, if you can’t find a cup of coffee to fall in love with in Oregon, you’re not a coffee lover.

Pinot Noir

While Oregon boasts over 900 wineries making varietals of all sorts, the state is best known for its exceptional Pinot noir. Willamette Valley is the home of the state’s best Pinots, which are considered world class.

Protected from both the harsh rains of the Pacific and the desert-like climate to its east, Willamette Valley offers the warm sunny days and cool nights that perfectly suit Pinot noir grapes.

And, like Northern California’s Anderson Valley, Southern California’s Temecula Valley, and even my old stomping ground of Malibu Wine Country, Oregon’s premier wine-growing region offers wonderful wines, beautiful scenery, a sophisticated food scene, and good times aplenty.

So, whether you go wine tasting in Willamette or just browsing the wine list in any Oregon restaurant, rest assured that you’ll have no problem finding memorable Pinot noirs to enjoy.

Craft Beer

One of my favorite Oregon breweries, Buoy Beer Company in Astoria, also serves delicious food.

If you don’t know that Oregon has one of the most dynamic craft beer scenes in the entire country, you probably don’t care much about beer, but you still might be impressed by some of the following.

Portland is considered the microbrew capital of America, with 85 breweries and the greatest number of breweries per capita among major U.S. cities. Bend comes in at Number 3 for breweries per capita among smaller cities in the U.S.

If you read me, you know my husband Mike and I love to check out craft breweries around the nation. We’ve recently hit some of the best breweries in Albuquerque, NM, and some of the finest breweries in Golden, CO, and we love coming to Oregon, because no matter where you are in the state, you’re going to find good beer. It’s one of those delicious things made in Oregon you can always rely on.

I finally threw away my tattered Lucky Labrador t-shirt that I picked up at that Portland brew pub back in the 1990s, but having beer fanatic friends in the city helps me know where to go whenever I’m in town. When you visit Oregon, you might want to check to see if they have a beer trail in the area you’re visiting so you can easily get your bearings on your beerings.

My husband and I loved hitting the North Coast Craft Beer Trail on our last visit to Astoria. Near the middle of the state, Bend has an ale trail, and so too does Eugene, which is located between Bend and the coast. Both definitely look like fun to check out as well.

But whether or not you pursue the brew, sip or skip the wine, I wish you a wonderful time enjoying the great foods of Oregon, whether on a rewarding visit to the state or in the comfort of your own home. And don’t forget to think back to this article when someone next asks you: What is famous in Oregon?