Cong Tu Bot is a vietnamese restaurant in East Bayside, Portland.
Cong Tu Bot on Washington Avenue, since 2017 from Vien Dobui and Jessica Sheahan, a 30-seat Vietnamese room serving pho ga, banh xeo and cha gio spring rolls.
Signature dishes: Pho ga, Banh xeo, Cha gio spring rolls
Must order: Pho ga chicken broth, then banh xeo with shrimp and pork.
Tip: Wednesday to Saturday 17:00 to 21:00. Walk-in only; queue forms before the door opens.
Address: 57 Washington Avenue, Portland, ME 04101
The Honey Paw on Middle Street is the Big Tree Hospitality noodle counter, with hand-pulled noodles, dumplings and seafood served through a pan-Asian lens.
Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Crispy chicken katsu, Coconut curry mussels
Order: Hand-pulled noodles with the daily sauce, plus the kimchi fried rice.
Tip: Daily 11:00 to 22:00. Book tables via Resy for dinner; the bar takes walk-ins through last call.
Duckfat on Middle Street, since 2005 from Rob Evans and Nancy Pugh, is the Portland sandwich shop built around twice-fried Belgian frites cooked in duck fat.
Signature: Duck fat fries, Meatloaf panino, Beignets
Order: Large duck fat fries with truffle ketchup, plus the meatloaf panino.
Tip: Open daily 11:00 to 22:00. The Frites Shack on Washington Avenue is the quicker takeout window.
Becky's Diner on Commercial Street has been on Portland's working waterfront since 1991, opening 05:00 daily for fishing crews and the breakfast queue behind.
Signature: Becky's pancakes, Eggs with hash, Fish chowder
Order: A short stack with bacon and a cup of clam chowder, the diner's classic combo.
Tip: Open daily 05:00 to 21:00. Cash and card both fine; queues longest 09:00 to 11:00 weekends.
Boda on Congress Street, since 2010 from Bob Wongsaichua and Dan Sriprasert, is Portland's Thai street food room with grilled meats, curries and noodles.
Signature: Grilled chicken with sticky rice, Pad see ew, Khao soi
Order: Grilled chicken with sticky rice and nam jim jaew dipping sauce.
Tip: Daily 16:00 to 22:00. Reservations via their site; walk-ins at the bar.
Pai Men Miyake on State Street, since 2009 from Chef Masa Miyake of Miyake, runs tonkotsu ramen, charcoal yakitori and izakaya plates from a small open bar.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Yakitori, Pork belly buns
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with the soft-boiled egg upgrade.
Tip: Daily lunch and dinner; OpenTable for dinner reservations, walk-ins at lunch.
OTTO Pizza on Congress Street, since 2009, is the flagship of the Portland slice chain that runs unconventional toppings on hand-tossed thin crust.
Signature: Mashed potato bacon scallion pizza, Pulled pork and mango pizza, Slice counter
Order: A slice of mashed potato bacon scallion and a slice of pulled pork mango.
Tip: Open daily 11:00 to 22:00. Slice counter walks in; whole pies via phone or online.
