So, I don't know if you know this or not but here in Portland, it rains a lot. Now that Spring is "here," things are beginning to bloom. But I've realized that I really miss the sun. Oh, glorious sun, I can't wait to spend a continuous number of days with you.
What Portland seems to have in abundance is pork. Yum. I have a fave sausage place called Otto's Sausage Kitchen...but that story will have to come later since, for some reason, I have no pix of yet. It might be because once an Otto's sausage gets in my hands, it quickly finds its way to my belly.
Which is a wonderful segue to my pork belly reuben. Yes, you heard me pork BELLY. If you like bacon, this is sooo much better. Bunk Sandwiches serves some of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted.
This sandwich is not for the faint-hearted or for those watching their cholesterol. It's marinaded, slow-roasted pork belly with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese on grilled rye bread. It was fantastic. As a child, my mother would, after grilling or broiling a steak, trim the excess fat off the side; and before she knew what happened, that shimmering piece of goodness would find it's way to my belly, much like an Otto's sausages of today. Really, she would barely turn away. Innocently, I would gaze up at her, my only evidence of guilt being oily marks on my face.
So how could I resist the call of the pig belly? I'm glad that I am not that strong.It was lunchtime and the line was long...and for good reason. Everything we had was delicious. Gillian had a chicken salad sandwich that looked like a Dagwood! Danno had the roast beef sandwich that melted in your mouth, followed by a mild tingle from the horseradish. We indulged in half sour pickles from Picklopolis (fresh made Portland pickles) as well.
For those of you who like sandwiches, check out Bunk, where the art of layering flavors is not lost on your tastebuds.
Bunk Sandwiches
621 SE Morrison
Portland, OR 97214
Open: M-SAT: 8-3
Tel: 503.477.9515
