The best. Great great food. Worth the drive from anywhere in metro area. The entire area is kinda fancy now. But the food is just as great.
Scott B.
Almost entertaining how bad it was. Arrived after noon and employee grumbled that I was getting there 3 minutes after she opened, and she was still prepping. Myself and guy behind me in line mumbled an apology. Sandwich cost 15 bucks and was mediocre at best. Took 20 minutes to get. Grumpy employee acted like we were all rude for coming in and ordering. This is nothing like Michael's of times past and other locations.
Tony A.
Michael's is the real deal. Their Italian beef with peppers and onions is as good as any I've eaten back on Taylor Street in my native Chicago. They've got it all down -- the slow cook of the thinly sliced beef, the exactly right mix of spices in the gravy, the preparation of the peppers, even the bread. Perfection. The restaurant itself is pleasant designed and has a genuine Chicago ambiance -- nice but not too nice. Ideal location. Friendly service but not overly talkative, more like what you could expect from a beef and sausage spot in the city. Nothing phony here. Just good food. It's a credit to Portland that Michael's salute to a slice of Chicago's cuisine survived the move to its new location on SE Hawthorne.
Dan R.
The simpler the dish, the more important each ingredient is. Michael's scores on all accounts. The roll stayed firm while holding in the juice. The onions and peppers were smooth, oily, roasty. A very tasty, well-textured sausage. Chicago native Tony said the best was the best. I'd chosen this place and he was glad I did. Service was patient. The place looks a little raw, but they've been in this spot less than two months. Come on down.
Val Barlow
I love this place. I came here the day I got engaged to celebrate. It’s hard to find solid meatball subs in Portland and this restaurant is gold. I love that they have Chicago dogs as well as hot sandwich classics. This is hands down my favorite place to eat in Portland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatball - Whole, Shoestring Potatoes, Chicago Style Italian Beef
Nathan Shawen
Went tonight around 530pm. The kitchen is a disaster and they claim they have only been in new location for a month. Lady serving wiped her nose, rang up food and then made food without even washing hands. Overall the food was good but was taken aback that she didn’t even follow basic hygiene practices in kitchen settings. Beware and pay attention to them.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Chicago Style Italian Beef
Travis C.
Old school Portland legendary spot. RIP Michaels glad that they moved on to a se location
Dystopian P.
THEY'RE NOT CLOSED, THEY JUST MOVED TO 4612 SE HAWTHORNE!!! And dammit, you owe it to yourself to try a real Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich like you've seen on The Bear. She's got them. They're actually even better than some of the chain places in the Chicagoland area, as she uses an original recipe. The bread is a clone of a brand that can't even be found in Chicago anymore, and it's crucial. If you get your sandwich 'dipped', you immediately know that taste. It's Gonnella, but it's not. People keep talking about how the sweet young lady behind the counter is surly or rude, and they just don't know how to treat people. It's a Portland thing. Be nice to her and she will be nice to you. It's been like that for all the years I've been eating there. Don't be a d1ck and you won't get told off.
Russell Doctor
I tried going here a few weeks ago and there was trash everywhere on the floor and not a person in sight. Instincts told me to not go inside
Atmosphere: 1
Isaac Becerra
I remember we tried this place once and it was really good, had a halibut or cod sandwich and something else that was amazing but this was during 2020 when apparently they had lost the owner. Hadnt know that but explains why the service was off the next couple of times we tried to give this place some business. I was intent on wanting to get their eggplant parmasean and went at least 3 different more time to obtain a eggplant parm but this time having waited a couple of weeks in between visits in my search trying to find one they would keep telling me they didnt have any eggplant and it wasnt ordered yet so by the 3rd or 4th time of this happening I never went back. Figured im not going to put this much faith in a glory days establishment with the times catching up with 'em out in portland OR just for a sam; if things tend to be this difficult just to get a taste of some authentisity than I would rather save the anticipation and trouble and go to chicago to get the real thing than wasting time on mediocracy.
Went here today (2/9/24) for lunch and the place is closed. The building had all of the equipment and tables removed, the door chained and padlocked, and a for sale sign posted. Apparently, they're reopening at another location (SE 46th & Hawthorne?) but no firm date that I could find.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Russ Ebert
Authentic artistry is at play here. This stuff is EXACTLY the cultural delicacy you get in Chicago, and is one of the finest restaurants in Oregon. The guy was a pro, do not miss out on this handed down, taste-bud craftsmanship.
Andrew Batteen
Simple and quick service. The Italian beef did not disappoint.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
lupe zuniga
Really bad customer service. The woman taking orders is very rude and extremely unwelcoming, we left and cancelled our order because of this.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Daniel Merritt
Have not eaten here for 10 years and it has significantly declined. The tables were dirty non were clean. The kitchen area was not very clean. Bread was stored on shelves by the floor. The room where they sliced meet was disgusting. Subways meatball sandwich would have been a better option and wouldn’t have cost me 60 bucks.
The best. Great great food. Worth the drive from anywhere in metro area. The entire area is kinda fancy now. But the food is just as great.
Almost entertaining how bad it was. Arrived after noon and employee grumbled that I was getting there 3 minutes after she opened, and she was still prepping. Myself and guy behind me in line mumbled an apology. Sandwich cost 15 bucks and was mediocre at best. Took 20 minutes to get. Grumpy employee acted like we were all rude for coming in and ordering. This is nothing like Michael's of times past and other locations.
Michael's is the real deal. Their Italian beef with peppers and onions is as good as any I've eaten back on Taylor Street in my native Chicago. They've got it all down -- the slow cook of the thinly sliced beef, the exactly right mix of spices in the gravy, the preparation of the peppers, even the bread. Perfection. The restaurant itself is pleasant designed and has a genuine Chicago ambiance -- nice but not too nice. Ideal location. Friendly service but not overly talkative, more like what you could expect from a beef and sausage spot in the city. Nothing phony here. Just good food. It's a credit to Portland that Michael's salute to a slice of Chicago's cuisine survived the move to its new location on SE Hawthorne.
The simpler the dish, the more important each ingredient is. Michael's scores on all accounts. The roll stayed firm while holding in the juice. The onions and peppers were smooth, oily, roasty. A very tasty, well-textured sausage. Chicago native Tony said the best was the best. I'd chosen this place and he was glad I did. Service was patient. The place looks a little raw, but they've been in this spot less than two months. Come on down.
I love this place. I came here the day I got engaged to celebrate. It’s hard to find solid meatball subs in Portland and this restaurant is gold. I love that they have Chicago dogs as well as hot sandwich classics. This is hands down my favorite place to eat in Portland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatball - Whole, Shoestring Potatoes, Chicago Style Italian Beef
Went tonight around 530pm. The kitchen is a disaster and they claim they have only been in new location for a month. Lady serving wiped her nose, rang up food and then made food without even washing hands. Overall the food was good but was taken aback that she didn’t even follow basic hygiene practices in kitchen settings. Beware and pay attention to them.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Chicago Style Italian Beef
Old school Portland legendary spot. RIP Michaels glad that they moved on to a se location
THEY'RE NOT CLOSED, THEY JUST MOVED TO 4612 SE HAWTHORNE!!! And dammit, you owe it to yourself to try a real Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich like you've seen on The Bear. She's got them. They're actually even better than some of the chain places in the Chicagoland area, as she uses an original recipe. The bread is a clone of a brand that can't even be found in Chicago anymore, and it's crucial. If you get your sandwich 'dipped', you immediately know that taste. It's Gonnella, but it's not. People keep talking about how the sweet young lady behind the counter is surly or rude, and they just don't know how to treat people. It's a Portland thing. Be nice to her and she will be nice to you. It's been like that for all the years I've been eating there. Don't be a d1ck and you won't get told off.
I tried going here a few weeks ago and there was trash everywhere on the floor and not a person in sight. Instincts told me to not go inside
Atmosphere: 1
I remember we tried this place once and it was really good, had a halibut or cod sandwich and something else that was amazing but this was during 2020 when apparently they had lost the owner. Hadnt know that but explains why the service was off the next couple of times we tried to give this place some business. I was intent on wanting to get their eggplant parmasean and went at least 3 different more time to obtain a eggplant parm but this time having waited a couple of weeks in between visits in my search trying to find one they would keep telling me they didnt have any eggplant and it wasnt ordered yet so by the 3rd or 4th time of this happening I never went back. Figured im not going to put this much faith in a glory days establishment with the times catching up with 'em out in portland OR just for a sam; if things tend to be this difficult just to get a taste of some authentisity than I would rather save the anticipation and trouble and go to chicago to get the real thing than wasting time on mediocracy.
Restaurantji Recommends
Went here today (2/9/24) for lunch and the place is closed. The building had all of the equipment and tables removed, the door chained and padlocked, and a for sale sign posted. Apparently, they're reopening at another location (SE 46th & Hawthorne?) but no firm date that I could find.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Authentic artistry is at play here. This stuff is EXACTLY the cultural delicacy you get in Chicago, and is one of the finest restaurants in Oregon. The guy was a pro, do not miss out on this handed down, taste-bud craftsmanship.
Simple and quick service. The Italian beef did not disappoint.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really bad customer service. The woman taking orders is very rude and extremely unwelcoming, we left and cancelled our order because of this.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Have not eaten here for 10 years and it has significantly declined. The tables were dirty non were clean. The kitchen area was not very clean. Bread was stored on shelves by the floor. The room where they sliced meet was disgusting. Subways meatball sandwich would have been a better option and wouldn’t have cost me 60 bucks.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1