Perhaps you’ve heard of the Slow Food movement, perhaps you haven’t. It began in Italy as a response and reaction to the rise of fast food, supermarkets and large scale processed food. This movement promotes food consumption and production based on the simple principles of good, clean, fair and local products. It supports the right to gastronomical pleasure while preserving traditional ways of preparing and eating food. Violetta is one of Portland’s answers to this movement. They seem to say, “sure, we can support sustainable and local but we can also offer a quick and delicious burger - preserving traditional American culture and cuisine.”

Violetta is proud of what they offer: Burgers, fries, sandwiches, salads and soups, mostly sourced from Oregon and Washington, often organic and always delicious. They offer lots of options, including vegetarian-friendly choices, and at a very reasonable cost. Feast on this idea: Brioche bun, from Grand Central Baking Co. (Portland), with your choice of ⅓ or ½ pound grass-fed, black angus burger from Highland Oak Farm (Scio, OR) and Violetta’s own to-die-for burger sauce. Don’t forget the Tillamook white cheddar, Carlton Farms applewood smoked bacon, butter lettuce, organic red onions, and “super dill” pickles. Better than your averagely mediocre sliced beefsteak tomato, they provide slow roasted, herb-marinated roma tomatoes that are just dripping with flavor. I don’t even like tomatoes but I loved these.

What is a burger without fries? Unfulfilled potential. Grab a friend and split their hand cut yukon gold fries. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Oregonzola fries, topped with a blue cheese sauce, or the White truffle fries. If you have a sweet tooth, as I do, opt for the sweet potato fries. They don’t disappoint.

Violetta is the perfect place to grab lunch if you’re downtown. Just a few blocks west of Pioneer Square at Director’s Park in a glass building, there’s outdoor seating for when it’s nice out and indoor for when it’s not. But the walls are completely glass so you get the full window effect. Perfect for people-watching while you savor your delicious burger.

Great news! They also offer a food cart, Etta, at SE 43rd and SE Belmont’s GOOD FOOD HERE Cartopia with much of the same made-from-scratch menu but served from a bright yellow truck.

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