Podnah's - Portland, Oregon

Podnah's

It boasts tried and true Texas BBQ and it's even named after the owner's Texan grandfather. All natural meats slow cooked and prepared fresh everyday. I had the St Helen's Brisket (as recommended by my server) with coleslaw and collard greens while my dining piglet had the 1/2 rack of pork spare ribs with the jalapeno mac and cheese and potato salad. It was the collard greens that caught my undivided attention. Salty pork goodness cooked with greens until they melted in your mouth! Ribs were excellent, especially with the rib sauce, but again, it was a side that took the ribbon as the jalapeno mac and cheese was out of this world. I'm lactose intolerant but I'd take the severe hurricane of pain afterwards for a taste of this mac and cheese. They also don't tell you that your plate comes with a slice of cornbread but this freebie is not to be overlooked - cover it with a nice drizzle of honey to complete your BBQ-coma. I've had cornbread before but not like this and I suspect I never will again. The brisket was fatty and I ended up eating more of the ribs than my own meal - I think next time I will try the pulled pork or something less greasy. Coleslaw was also different from what I'm used to - more vinegary than creamy which I can't decide whether I liked or not. Either way, the mac and cheese and that cornbread blew me away! Thanks for the taste of Texas without having to go to Texas!!