Tom’s First Avenue Bento
1236 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR, 97255
Tom’s First Avenue Bento Menu
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Address :
1236 SW 1st Ave
Portland, OR, 97255 - Phone (503) 241-3373
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 4:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Bridget L.
The food is not only excellent but they are quick to serve it as well. Love getting food from here, my favorite is the panko prawns with a cesar salad underneath and a side of pot stickers.
(5)Kimberly K.
Yummy! Vegetables were cooked to perfection with crunch and no mush! Garlic mashed potatoes , grilled salmon, and cod were all really good. Service was quick, friendly, helpful. Beware not to get lost on your way back from the bathroom, it is shared by 3 businesses and the hallway is like a maze.
(5)Steven J.
Tom's serves consistently great food and the environment is like you are sitting down to lunch with family. There should be more restaurants like this!
(5)Glenwood M.
Excellent! I've not only eaten a variety of bento from all over, I ran a bento joint back in the 90's Always comparing the quality to which I have a high standard, these folks are the real deal for tasty bento. I'll be visiting again soon.
(5)Rose D.
Their staff was SO NICE! We spoke to a couple of people and also who we think is the owner - all friendly and happy to explain things. Since we came here while on vacation I'll stick with 4 stars as we won't be able to come back any time soon to check on consistency. The food we had was outstanding. I had the fish special (and by now I cannot remember what kind of fish!) and my husband had the spicy salmon special. Both were so good and served with big piles of veggies and rice that were cooked perfectly and THE BEST DARN TARTAR SAUCE EVER! They make it there with their own recipe and it was amazing. I don't normally go for tartar sauce on anything but fried fish and it paired perfectly with their delicious grilled fish. The restaurant isn't a lot to look at, kind of cafeteria-like, but clean and well-lit and it seems like a great place to grab a quick work day lunch.
(4)Kim K.
Met a friend for lunch and was thankful that I arrived a few minutes early. By 12:15, there was a line to the door. The staff worked efficiently and the food was prepared lightening fast. We both got the chicken bento. Each was enough for two meals. The chicken was delicious and lightly glazed. It came with a large portion of brown or white rice, some veggies and oddly enough...macaroni? They also offered a variety of serve yourself sauces and to-go boxes too. I was impressed by the quality of food. Each bento was $10. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars as a lunch spot was because of the seating. There were heavily food stained fabric chairs at my table. Next time I'll sit at the regular chairs. The decor could use updating but otherwise, this place was great!
(4)Kerri L.
After a trip to the new-ish post office (the Waterfront Station), I looked across the street and Bento instantly seemed like the best idea ever and indeed it was. I used to come here in the early 2000s because of the fabulous grilled meat, vegetable, and potato combo plates . Beautiful simple preparation of all fresh ingredients and nothing else mattered but enjoying the food. When I walked in, I might have stepped back twelve years or so. Nothing had changed: exposed brick walls, community tables, grill station with black accents. While the menu had changed to bento-style, it was so much like the old restaurant that I realized it was more than likely the same owners. I ordered the grilled chicken breast bento and got the brown rice and veggies on the side, The grilled chicken breast was sliced and generous in presentation, and that's fine, but oh was it ever super tender and juicy. The brown rice was perfectly cooked, and the veggies were just right. Once you take your order to the side table, you're able to get sriracha sauce, soy sauce, and Mae Ploy sauce along with napkins and silverware. I guess you could say I enjoyed my bento (oh yes I did), but next time I'm getting the Hawaiian Bento. Saw somebody walk by with a plate of that and it would take little convincing to get me to order that. Kudos must be given to this restaurant because they had smaller hand-held menus to read as well as having their offerings on a tall chalkboard menu placed high up behind the grill station. They also have no music in the background. I really loved being able to eat and enjoy my lunch in peace after a very hectic morning at work. I would consider giving five stars, but the folks at the grilling station and cash register were less than interactive and did not speak (other than to unsmilingly take my order), smile, or thank me for my business. I would consider giving them three stars, but the food is so good that it overcomes the lack of personality or hospitality. Smile guys, say thank you, and think back to the good manners your very nice parents no doubt taught you.
(4)cc r.
The star of the show here is the quality ingredients! Lovely steak, fish and veggies. Four stars for friendly staff, great ingredients and offering a great paleo option close to my work. You can skip the rice or noodles and get veggies only if you want. Saw a lot of guys; not many women. Why? Maybe because the options are large/expensive ($10-$12). Making for a sometimes-only lunch treat. If there were $6 less meat/same veggies options I would go more often. Deduct a star for the messy and confusing sauce / to go station. No space to queue, so you get in each others way awkwardly reaching over others, trying not to squirt them or make them wait. Choose sauces out of squeeze or original condiment bottles and they splash or don't pour. The leaky go container and the ill-fitting brown paper sack make for nice leakage. Who can carry a purse and do all of that, plus who wants leakage on their clothes? On the menu would like to see same quality healthy veggies being used but served as they do at Sarku Japan -- fried on the grill with sauces upon request and serve the meat over that. Much easier to carry out. It would also be nice to be able to order on a website, pay and pick up without waiting in the sometimes long lines. I predict if they would do the $6 option and the veggie option above, plus perhaps brighten up the place a bit they would have even more business, especially the ladies. Still appreciate having it nearby!
(4)Gloria W.
Was there for lunch. Arrived town almost 11pm last night. We were so craving for some good food. We had Hawaii and steak bento. They were good. It was almost 2pm, so there were lots of seatings. Nice place to have something good and quick. This is not a formal restaurant, so just sit, eat and leave with happy stomach.
(4)Holly C.
I don't get what the big deal is here. I'm not impressed. I ordered the roasted lamb special. There is a good amount of meat. If the quantity of the food was all that mattered, I'd be a little happier. The vegetables are a bit too crunchy and have no seasoning. They could use some salt. Rice is rice. The lamb while a big portion isn't worth the $10 price tag. I'll be eating bento from somewhere else.
(2)Michelle U.
When I first started working in the downtown waterfront area, this was one of the first places recommended to me for a work-week lunch. I heard lots of good things and I would always see a line out their door- even in the rain. So I had to try it out, and it wasn't exactly difficult to find coworkers who were interested in trying it out with me. The first time I went here (I ended up having several "lunch meetings" here) I ordered the chicken with brown rice and vegetables. Oy vey. Perhaps this is a "healthy" lunch, but the chicken was also horribly dry. The portion sizes are quite deceivingly large. Their take-out containers are shaped as such that makes it look like there's less food than there actually is. Also, side note, they do not allow you to bring your own pyrex, dishwasher cleaned, take out container here. And that really upset me since it looked like a more "progressive" restaurant with all its organic and local ingredients. Well, what does organic and local even matter if you're using hundreds of plastic take-out containers per day and refuse to let me bring my own? I definitely did not get take-out here again. If you eat in the restaurant, they give you dishes and silverware. So the food was ok. I liked the brown rice and vegetables. These were both steamed well, and neither turned out too soft, which can often happen when you steam food. I also appreciated their array of sauces. I loooove that they have the sweet/spicy thick, orange-y sauce that you find in some Thai restaurants. However, the small bento take-out restaurant that used to be on sw 2nd and taylor, Bentorific ( yelp.com/biz/bentorific-… RIP) also had that sauce, and their food was much cheaper, and run by very friendly people. Man I wish Bentorific was still open. I always wanted to try their Elk. I digress. So Tom's chicken is not so awesome. But I did have their spinach salad with salmon and that was super good. This is a big spinach salad with no skimping on the salad fixings. It had some fruit, some nuts, and a ton of spinach and salmon. I would highly recommend this dish. All in all, Tom's is good, but definitely don't believe the hype.
(3)Mike F.
Awesome spot! Menu is all over the place but holy crap! Big portions here folks! Half chicken half sirloin with vegetables....broke da mouth! Be here early as the line goes out the door.
(5)Kin N.
I'm not sure what the buzz is about this place. Went there for lunch on my business trip. The place is very casual and a little dirty. The chair cushions are so badly stained that I was hesitated to sit on it. According to Yelp, they serve Japanese Bento Boxes, which is mis-leading. First of all, the food is not Japanese nor there was any bento box. It's more like a plate of rice with some steamed veggies and a protein. I had the grilled salmon with brown rice and steamed veggies. The fish was perfectly cooked, but was really lightly seasoned. The good thing is, there are many different sauces and condiments, which resolve this issue. The brown rice was on the soggy side and the steamed veggies had no oil or seasoning (bland!!!). The price is not that cheap either (lower teens). Although the food is not enjoyable, I do applaud them for serving such healthy option. Then again, I question myself, would I pay $12 for a meal that I can cook at home for a fraction of the cost? No!
(3)Daniel D.
I really wanted to like this place but I just couldn't. The pros are that the food does seem to be fresh. The cons are the difficulty in getting to this restaurant (unless you are walking from a nearby business) and the lack of flavor in the food. I was asked to meet someone at this establishment for lunch at noon on a Wednesday. There are probably only 15 street parking spots within a 4 Block radius unless you want to end up parking in a garage which I finally had to do. I ordered the steak, rice and vegetables. Again, all food seemed to be very fresh but completely lacked flavor. For a convenient place to eat close to your work I guess it's okay, I probably still wouldn't go there though... But, if you are looking for somewhat healthy food to eat for lunch in Portland there are literally hundreds of better options.
(2)Nik S.
I am unsure of what to think about this place. I agree with the numerous other reports that things are kind of bland. I agree with the numerous reports that things are really fresh. Does that mean it's 3-star joint? Hard to say. I will mention something that some of the other reviews complaining about lack of flavor haven't noted: there is a counter with sriracha, Tabasco, a third pepper sauce that I didn't recognize, salt, pepper, soy sauce, and probably one or two other things I'm forgetting. All that plus the huge lemon wedge that you get on your plate (at least with my dish, the grilled cod with steamed veggies and brown rice), and you have plenty of flavor, you just have to add it yourself. That said, I'll give it 3.75 stars rounded up to 4. Nothing fancy, but fresh, healthy, filling, and reasonably priced for fresh seafood.
(4)Brent G.
Great features r a healthy quick lunch. Fresh catch over veggies (and rice if you want). Try the Australian lamb!
(5)Marc F.
Yo ho, yo ho, a Bento Boat for me We're panko pirates, we're sailing ashore Eat up me 'earties, yo ho Our mess deck is jam-packed, from aft to fore Eat up me 'earties, yo ho Step down to the galley, we grill and we roast Eat up me 'earties, yo ho We steam and we mash, we don't have to boast Eat up me 'earties, yo ho Double the meat and your ship just might sink Eat up me 'earties, yo ho He's loved by your mom, ahoy Admiral Tom Eat up me 'earties, yo ho Yo ho, yo ho, a Bento Boat for me
(5)Danni D.
I'm pretty sure I just did my body good. I needed to grab something quick and take it back to the office. Grilled salmon, brown rice, mixed steamed veggies, and all the sweet chili sauce I could pour into a to-go container. For once I may be energized and ready to tackle my afternoon rather than sluggishly shoving my mouse around in an attempt at semi-conscious productivity. This place essentially consists of two massive communal tables and a wall lined with seats set up so that you stare at, well, the wall. Yeah, I've seen better ambiance. But you can't beat the friendly staff. And the guy running the register does his best to hurry people along so he can manage the line. Damn that line. Think Disney/Space Mountain without the adrenaline release once you get to the front. But hey! Grilled meats, yay! Seriously a solid lunch option if you're on this side of downtown.
(4)Nikole G.
I'm not sure what the buzz is about... I stumbled upon this place because VQ was packed and we didn't make reservations. Since this place say right there, we stumbled on in. Yes the fact that protein came with rice and steamed veggies, okay that sounded good. You'd pay, find a seat and they will call your order. They did offer many selections of dipping sauces - soy sauce, chili sauce, plum sauce etc. I ordered the Panko prawn ordered and it tasted like the fried shrimp from panda. I did finish it all because I was hungry but it was not satisfying. People from my group ordered the Hawaiian special and they didn't enjoy it as much either. If you're hungry, come here. If you can find better seafood then go there.
(2)Robert E.
I had passed by several times, and it looked yummy. Not too busy, the counter guy was chatting with a person not seemingly a customer. For three minutes, tack yack yack. While I waited to give an order. Three minutes. No orders taken, no good given out. Three minutes is a LONG time to be ignored at a counter. Maybe good food, wretched device, too many good places nearby to tolerate that.
(1)Debi J.
Very tender roast pork, wonderful rice and healthy portions. Not a long wait. I love the get what you want sauces!
(5)Jenny S.
The best spicy salmon!
(5)Chris S.
Great food; always fresh. I personally like the salmon which isn't fishy smelling or tasting at all but tasted extremely fresh! The lamb is also very good.
(4)Jenny M.
BACKGROUND - I work long hours downtown near waterfront and I'm always looking for a nice lunch spot. I enjoy hot, simple food and bento is always something that hits the spot for me. PROS - Super friendly folks here. Fresh ingredients (you can taste how fresh the protein of choice and steamed veggies are). Great prices, and large portions. I have had the following menu items and they were all tasty: grilled chicken breast, top sirloin, and panko crusted cod. I like to have my entrees served with their yummy garlic mashed potatoes and their steamed veggies. The portion is enough for lunch and a deluxe snack later on in the work day. CONS - I wished they opened on the weekends and longer hours! This doesn't affect their rating at all :) POINTERS - They run out of pot roast and mashed potatoes a lot, so definitely aim to hit this place up before 1:30 if you can!
(5)Deanna T.
I wanted something, quick, easy, delicious, healthy, and close by... so I decided to try this place for lunch while in town for a conference, and it met all my requirements and then some! Don't let the line out the door scare you away, it moved very fast and my food was ready and handed to me over the counter within a minute or two after ordering. I had the huckleberry spinach salad that was on special with salmon. The salmon filet was huge, fresh, and juicy, and the salad was full of yummy fruits and nuts. But honestly it was very difficult choosing what to order... everyone's food looked really good. I don't think I could've gone wrong here.
(5)Ninette C.
We came here for a late lunch on a weekday. I had no idea it was so popular until I looked at this on Yelp later. Luckily, there was no wait for us. I ordered the panko razor clams with the brown rice. My boss had the cod with brown rice and my other coworker ordered chicken with white rice. All the dishes came with steamed vegetables. There's a great selection of sauces to the side. I grabbed all the Siracha, plum sauce and low sodium soy sauce to my heart's content and we went to sit outside. The funny thing about this place is...the food didn't come in bento boxes. Nonetheless, my razor clams were very tasty. I liked that they served steamed veggies instead of salad (because iceberg lettuce has no nutritional value). The veggies were nicely steamed and overall, I enjoyed my meal. You can get a lunch here for about $7-10. My razor clams were on the specials menu for $13. All in all, good place for a light lunch.
(4)Steven S.
Very busy at lunch time. Dining area is extremely crowded and many of the seats face directly against the wall. IF you don't take one of those, you'll be joining up with other patrons as they've fit as many tables as possible in there. Picture the dining hall in Little Lord Fauntleroy. But it's all good. The service comes with a genuine smile and the food is well-prepared and seasoned. I had the salmon dish with vegetables and had no complaints. This place is a little hard to spot at first and you actually step down into a lower level upon entering. Strange? Yes. Bad? No.
(3)JW R.
Panko prawn bento? Not my thing but I'm sure I just made someone drool. I'm waiting for a Japanese fried chicken bento with brown rice to cool, which is kinda hard. It's pretty damn good, and it's just sitting there, calling out to me. But I hate mouth burns. Not only are their wares top notch but they will come out from behind the counter when someone at the register is dragging ass. No, it wasn't me and I don't mean the girl running it, either. The line can be off-putting and they're only open 11a-5pm. But if you can get there it's worth it.
(4)Rebecca C.
Came here for lunch the other day and was so happy with what I got. So much food that I was able to have it for lunch and dinner, and for under $10! I was also incredibly happy that they have a dark meat chicken option, as well as a veggie add-on option. You basically pick the starch, protein and if you want vegetables. I can't wait to try other options. Will definitely come again.
(4)Teresa J.
A very straightforward operation, great for lunch. Tried it for the first time yesterday with a friend who goes often. She recommended the salmon bento ($9.25), which I ordered with brown rice. I was expecting it to be only as good as Rice Junkies, but it was better. The rice was perfect, almost fluffy; the veggies were pristine; and I do believe it was fresh Pacific salmon, lightly peppered. They even remembered to leave off the lemon wedge, as I requested, due to my citrus allergy. We arrived at approximately 11:45. That was perfect timing, as the line was out the door shortly thereafter. The dining area is a little cramped, but the chairs have cushioned seats (this is becoming a big thing with me in restaurants!). And they serve you on stoneware plates if you eat in, which rocks--no waste! One tip: Bring your own chopsticks. They offer only the super-cheap, disposable kind.
(4)Piper F.
Had the hawaiian bento. I was sick the rest of the day, the next day and finally I was feeling better on the third day! Dont waste ur time or money here!
(1)Frank C.
Had the chicken bento. Meh
(3)Mr. A.
Very nice! Had the clams - big portions, very well-prepared, very friendly and helpful service. They were out of some dishes when we for there, but no big deal. Reasonably priced, too. Nice atmosphere for a counter-service place - big open windows, can watch the street scene go by...we'll def be back.
(4)Chad S.
Fresh, tasty lunch. Decent menu. Some people in the reviews are comparing it to VQ. That's silly. This is a quick, fresh lunch for a decent price. The staff are friendly and helpful. The place is usually packed so I grab it to-go. Seating is tight
(4)Casey H.
This place was a bit of a surprise for me. It isn't quite like any other bento place I have ever been. The food isn't quite Japanese at all. The dishes all seem to follow the same lines: 1. A meat 2. Steamed veggies 3. Rice Simple, right? But great! The portions are huge for the price, and the food is always delicous. And though it is simple, I just leave feeling good. Plus, the staff is super friendly. They do a brisk lunchtime business, but the line always moves quickly. I am a fan.
(4)Peter M.
The best quality food of any downtown lunch takeout spot. Very friendly staff. Line can appear long around noon, but moves fast. Ive almost never waited more than 5 minutes. My favorite dishes are: 1. Salmon Bento w/ brown rice and fresh steamed veggies ($9.50) - make sure to get their yogurt based tartar sauce with this. 2. Sirloin Steak bento w/ brown rice or mash potatoes + steamed veggies ($8.50) - I recommend their horseradish sauce.
(5)Liz B.
Here's the deal with ~80% of the menu: You pick a protein, pick your grain or potato of choice, add veggies if you would like. There are also a few other options and variations, like huge salads and a Hawaiian plate, or you can order basically whatever combination of their menu offerings you want. Proteins include everything from standards like chicken, beef, tofu to lamb, fresh scallops, NY choice steak, and other meats (mostly fish) you're not likely to find elsewhere. Prices are incredibly reasonable, ranging from $6-12. I typically opt for chicken and veggies which comes in at $7.50 (about $0.50 extra to swap the rice for double veggies). Beyond selection, what really sets Tom's apart from similar options is how fresh and high quality everything is. Instead of the limp, frozen assorted veggies you get lightly steamed broccoli, cabbage, peppers, and mushrooms. The seafood varies somewhat because they won't sell frozen, old crap, only real food. Standard cuts of meat are well cooked, never gristly. I could stand the chicken a little less cooked, but it's still tasty. Lines are nuts at the lunch hour, but they're on top of it. Before you even hit the register, someone has taken your order and is already prepping it. I'm usually just done signing my receipt when my food is ready. There's very little interaction with the staff, but I mean that as a positive. They're there to take and fill your order. Any sauces you may want are set out for you. Bags, to-go containers (both leftover and condiment sizes), utensils, napkins, etc are all self-serve.
(5)Geoff C.
Tom's does it right. Go with the lamb and dont forget the peanut sauce.
(5)Heather R.
Excellent lunch spot! Fast but fresh! Pretty good price for delicious, healthy seafood and I got two meals out of it.
(5)Rui T.
I've been coming here off and on for what seems like forever. It's crazy at lunch time, what with the weird go-down to enter and limited seating, but the food is served fast. They have the system perfected, you are ordering and paying and getting your food pretty much seamlessly. Not a lot of choices in this part of town for lunch, so it's hectic and none the less, worth it. Going a bit later for lunch (but not too late, as they are a lunch-only place) is helpful. They have lamb, not everyone does, though is a bit extra, they aren't cheap with the portions.
(4)Aaron L.
Such a great surprise. Delicious, fresh, nutritious food all served with a smile. My fiancee and I just went there for lunch and it was really good. I've seen the lines and figured it had to be alright, but now I understand! She had grilled salmon with brown rice and veggies. The salmon and the veggies were perfectly cooked, with the broccoli still having that great crunch and the salmon moist and flavorful. I had a roast pork special, with fragrant, garlic mashed potatoes. Yum! Neither one of us could completely finish our meals and should probably either share something or get it in a to-go container so we can take our leftovers. All in all, a really great downtown lunch option, whether you want to sit down or take it on the run.
(4)Brian C.
Good bento. Fast, friendly service.
(4)Gabriel A.
I have been coming to Tom's First Avenue Bento sense I moved into a new job downtown. I have going here at least once a week for lunch. I like to do a run around the river esplanade and stop in hear at the end for a great healthy lunch. I would recommend anything on the menu. I have been a regular with the grilled salmon bento. The brown rice is great. I have also had the new york steak and panco encrusted cod which are specials that have always been on the board, which were amazing. Lunch does start filling up fairly quick after 11. However, if you see a long line out the door do not be discouraged. They are extremely efficient and move people through fast. The longest I have had to wait from the back of a line out the door to getting my food is 10 minutes. Well worth the wait... Most everything on the menu is between $7-$10. With some of the specials running closer to $13... The staff is super friendly and honestly I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu here...
(5)Holly B.
I go here at least once a week because I work right above the restaurant. All of my coworkers and I love Tom's, and the staff is so friendly. They are very crowded from 12-1, but if you get there at 11:50am or 1:10pm the wait is fine. And it's always worth the wait anyway. This place has everything from seafood, to beef, to chicken. All the entrees come with white rice, brown rice, or garlic mashed potatoes, AND fresh veggies. I always feel like I am eating healthy when I eat there. I USED to get the salmon with garlic mashed potatoes and veggies. Now that I am vegan, I get the tofu. Which is the cheapest thing on the menu, and is just as filling as everything else! Great service, great food, great price!
(5)Mike B.
Tom's food has been excellent every time I've been. But the fast-service and lots of seating really make me a fan, especially on rainy days. The price also makes it a good work lunch when you don't want to eat at your desk. Price is barely higher than most carts (with no seating) but far less than the few waited-table places nearby.
(5)Jeremy C.
Just finished my Tofu/Veggie plate. YUM! The tofu was firm, well seasoned and fresh. The veggies were perfectly steamed and also fresh and tasty, the rice (white) was great texture and the proportion of rice/tofu/veggies was right on. Add to that the under $6 price for a non-meat option....SOLD! I'll be coming back here. The wait (Friday 12:15) was reasonable, and there was plenty of seating as most people were getting togo orders. I loved the sauces available and it was great to eat on a real plate with a real water glass.
(4)Lin F.
Always fast, fresh and delicious. They've got huge portions and I usually save half for lunch the next day when I get the steak. Salmon is always nice and juicy. I've also had the Karage Chicken with Katsu sauce, also great. You can't go wrong with really anything on the menu honestly. Every new coworker we get, we make sure to take them here and they love it. The service is great too, really friendly! SO FAST. Don't let the line scare you away!
(5)Terry S.
I wasn't expecting a full dinner plate, but hithertofore I had the new york steak and it was very tender., and med rare. $11.75
(5)Road Warrio R.
Not that great, I had the grilled chicken. It was pretty bland, the brown rice was okay, and the steam vegetables were the frozen type that were reheated. I should have tried the panko razor clams. You will receive a massive amount food for the price. Not much fusion in the food if you take away the rice and panko. You would think with bento in their name, they would have some sashimi rolls on the menu.
(2)Jason S.
I've lived in Portland my entire life and eat teriyaki and/or bento (no they are not the same) 2-3 times a week. This is the best bento in Portland. There are some close seconds, but this is the best. Fair prices, good service, good portions and great peanut sauce. Only downfall is parking can be a bitch around that area of downtown.
(5)Aidan P.
This is hands down my favorite Bento spot in Portland. I tend to food purism, and I truly appreciate straight ingredients without too much pomp and circumstance. Given, many restaurants butter their bread with their unique flavors, and are valued for taking you on a journey of sorts. There is a time and a place for 7 courses of delicately plated masterpieces, but while I enjoy tasting, I really enjoy EATING, so when food is simple I find myself unencumbered and able to enjoy the sophistication of the ingredients themselves. Tom's is a straight shooter sort of menu, tons of protein choices backed by the customary rice and vegetables (or salad). You have a hankering for smoked salmon salad with a few panko breaded shrimp on the side? Done. You want a NY Steak cooked to order medium rare? Done. The menu changes with the seasons, but is always solid. Unassuming food, lightly flavored with a counter of condiments for your choosing. Great for workday lunch (get there early) to go or to sit. The choices can seem pricey, but when your are getting delicious but simple food, quality is paramount.
(5)Susan F.
Chicken and rice are great, veggies a tad overcooked. Inexpensive, fast and GOOD. I love the fact that the chicken is actual white breast meat chicken and not mystery "feet and beak" pieces of chicken.
(4)Rochelle M.
As one of the world's pickiest eaters, I was extremely skeptical about visiting a Bento place, butr was convinced to go by some co-workers. Tom's turned out to be a very pleasant and delicious surprise. I was able to order a NY steak and mashed potatoes for an affordable price and had one of the best downtown lunches I've had in awhile. The line is a little long to order, but it moves fairly quickly. The staff was amazingly friendly and helpful - not to mention the guy who made my awesome steak! He deserves a gold star for making a steak that tasted like it should be in an expensive restaurant, but having it available for the budgeting lunch time crowd.
(4)Hannes G.
Some of the best Bento you will every have. I don't know how they do it with the speed and deliciousness that they do. Chicken is moist, tender, and perfectly cooked. The vegetables are crisp and ooze freshness. The prices are more than reasonable, in fact they could probably bump them up (please don't though).
(5)John R.
In town visiting for a conference, saw the good reviews and I'm so glad I went! Simple food, freshly prepared, done well. Good portion sizes, good variety. I had the tiger prawns with steamed vegetables over rice. It's perfect and just what I wanted. Indeed at lunch there is a line, but man it moves quick. I went from standing outside to at the counter in under 5 minutes. Wish we had a place like this back home!
(4)CC G.
Just got my second lunch at Tom's Bento and it was just as great as the first! The first time i got chicken and this time the spicy salmon. I was expecting a small piece of fish but it was a huge piece, enough for two lunches! If you are a sauce person, you will love all of the sauce options - plum sauce, peanut sauce, chilli sauce, soy sauce, and the list goes on. The first time i went at 1:15pm and there wasn't a line and today I was there at 11:45 and there were a few people in line ahead of me, but a guy took my order while i was in line and i was in and out in 5 minutes. Great place for a light healthy lunch!
(5)Chris T.
I work just a block away and went here for the first time today. It's exactly what I look for during lunch time. I had the Chicken which was an all white meat chicken breast, white rice and fresh steamed veggies. It was a good amount of food for a great price. I'll definitely be going here a few times a week so I can try the seafood and steak (which I heard is great). I didn't hit the lunch rush today but I heard even if the line is out the door you will have your food in 10 minutes.
(5)Gina H.
This place is pretty good. I would like to give it 3.5 stars officially (not an option though). The food is good. My friends love the salmon (I have never ordered it though). THE BEST THING EVER IS THE GARLIC MASHED POTATOES!! They were out last time I went... I was totally bummed. Tip: watch out for the lunch rush! Great service!!!!!
(4)Rachel S.
Was craving salmon and Tom's produced! they offer grilled or spicy salmon, with steamed veggies and white or brown rice. Hit the spot. The line out the door indicated to us (fresh off the plane and Portland virgins) that we mustn't pass it by...
(3)Joseph H.
The best thing they have going for them is that Tom is an amazingly nice guy along with the rest of the crew that work as a family here. The next step in Bento perfection is the fact that every ingredient is high quality. Every meat, morsel, vegetable and grain of rice taste fresh and natural. What you have to discover at Tom's is where to draw the flavor out. It's not readily apparent because things like the Spicy Salmon and Yogurt Sauce are simply mind blowing. While regular steak or chicken can be dry and unseasoned. Any place you can stumble in and get panko breaded seafood like scallops, oysters, and shrimp as part of your "well balanced" meal is fine by me. Pretty good, and if you think about it, you would've probably spent close to the same amount and the champion of bland, Subway, around the corner.
(4)Emily L.
Holy jeez, where do I even start? This place deserves a sloppy open-mouth kiss! First off, the two owners are about as nice, friendly and service-oriented as a business owner in Portland gets, and they're always smiling. I know that sounds arbitrary but when you work in Concrete Jungle Corporate Land and it's raining 90% of the time- -having someone who is relentlessly happy and polite is kind of a big deal. The food here is delicious and relatively guilt-free. Several kinds of fresh meat (and tofu) with steamed vegetables and white or brown rice. I'm also a giant fan of their spinch salad- -and their garlic mashed potatoes are nothing shy of twitch-inducing. Long story short- -even if I hated my job (which I don't for those of you who gainfully employ me and are reading this), I would be discouraged from leaving because I would potentially be far away from Tom's First Avenue Bento. Go there for good food and a couple of karma points for supporting such good people and a good establishment!
(5)Tiffany T.
Got the chicken with veggies and white rice to go. The chicken was a little dry but that was easily remedied with some sauce from their sauce bar. The sauces at the sauce bar could use some better labeling. The veggies were on the raw side, which although healthier isn't something I prefer. Lunch was $6.75, which isn't bad at all for downtown. This place was packed as I was picking up lunch around 1 PM, so they seem to have a good crowd of regulars. The guy behind the counter was so nice and practically walked me through the entire setup even though it was busy. He even said I'm so glad you came, twice! They have salmon, halibut, shrimp, chicken, lamb and more. They also have vegetarian items. And the accept American Express. I think I will try the garlic mash potatoes next time.
(4)Tom F.
This is one of my top two lunch places in Portland for fast, filling, and affordable bentos. I go with the chicken, brown rice, and veggies. It can be very crowded at times but well worth the wait as they move people through quickly. Not that it's warm out now, but there is sidewalk seating when the weather permits.
(5)Jason L.
The chicken is soooo moist and it is cooked perfectly. The grill marks have a history all on their own. It is only bento place that I don't drown the chicken in plum or bento sauce. I really want to taste the chicken. I pass a lot of my favorite carts just to eat here. Totally worth it.
(5)Manda B.
If you like bento, eat here. Seriously, no words can describe how great this food is. Tofu is marinated with shittake mushrooms, veggies are steamed perfect every time and you can choose to get brown rice or more veggies instead of white rice. The sauces and dips available go great with any meal and the staff is awesome. Fast, friendly and very busy. If you work downtown, add this to your lunch regime, you won't be disappointed. *go early though, this place is packed at noon.
(5)Cait S.
After reading the reviews and it being a block from where I work, I decided to try it. They were friendly and it was only about a 10 minute wait at 11:45am (with a line to the door). It tasted good, but I was sick the rest of the day and very sick that night. Maybe it was just the salmon that day because I've never heard of anyone else getting sick. In fact, all I've ever heard are good things about this place. It was only one bad experience, but I won't be going back.
(1)Rodney P.
Some healthy options, which is nice. However, the actual meat is usually a tad overcooked/dry. Ok place for lunch.
(3)Josephine L.
I do not like this place. I give it 2 stars only because the service was good and the Hawaiian plate wasn't disgusting. I'm not sure why people like this place but I will never be going back. I think the name is also deceiving, it should be called a plate lunch restaurant instead of implying a Bento box which is strictly Japanese. Especially stay away from the chicken plate, it tasted and felt like rubber.
(2)Lorri E.
J-o-o-o-y! I work downtown, so imagine my surprise to discover relatively FEW really good lunch spots to eat. Except this one, it always delivers absolutely delicious, healthy food, and it's served quickly (even though the line goes out the door at lunch hour) and with a genuine warm smile, each and every time. Fabulous! I give them 4.5 shining happy stars. Insider's tip - it isn't a cheap lunch per se (because it isn't a greasy burger made with cheap ingredients), but it's worth it--lunch will probably be $7-8 bucks or so, but at least you won't be suffering post-burger regret later! They have daily specials, and will run out of say, the garlic mashed taties, or halibut, or steak on occasion--so if you are hankering for something particular, try to get there a bit earlier. Also, try to get there either before or after the noon lunch rush to avoid a line and potentially no seating. The line goes pretty quickly, but it is a smallish dining room so not a lot of tables.
(4)Jen F.
I tried this for lunch yesterday and it was great . I am very picky about chicken so I was weary about getting it. BUT it was all white meat and it was really good. They gave me so much food I had it for lunch and for dinner and was full both times. I like that they have the option of brown or white rice also. The only thing I was not happy about was the service. It was very fast and the girl taking my order was very nice. But the people preparing the food were pretty rude and acted like I was annoying them when I asked for a fork (they were all out at the condiment area)other then that it was great and I will go back many more times for sure. Maybe it was just an off day for them.
(4)Dylan B.
Without a doubt, my favorite bento in Portland. I always sit down and have a plate; it's five cuts of chicken breast, some veggies, and an average-sized portion of rice. He also does beef or seafood; including salmon and shrimp on occasion. Basically, it's a very good meal at a good price. I can't name anywhere in town I like better for bento, so this gets five stars from me.
(5)N D.
Excellent "Bento Box" style of food. I had the teriyaki chicken. Put the hot sauce on top and its good to go! I had to buy a bottle for at home.
(4)Robin A.
Pretty simple, but I think that's part of the charm. It's good, cooked healthily, and fast.
(4)Tabitha R.
Working in the SW end of Downtown Portland leaves very few lunch choices. My discovery of First Avenue Bento was one of joy and excitement.' As written by other yelpers, the food is great and service is fast! BUT they are often out of things (like tofu or mashed potatoes). Thus from me they receive only 4 stars. That said -- their food IS amazing and creates cravings that I never knew I had. They marinate their tofu just right, their fish is grilled to perfection, their veggies steamed just as they should be. They have healthy choices (brown rice) and less healthy choices (mashed potatoes) depending on your mood. They are a tad pricey -- but for a GREAT lunch -- you get what you pay for 'round here!
(4)Brandon T.
Was referred by my office mates, and so far it has been pretty good. Service is quick, however they seem to run out of items shortly after 1:30pm. Another thing is they do offer sauces (Hot sauce, soy, etc) but no terryaki or similar that I would associate with a bento place. Ingredients are always fresh, and I usually see their delivery's every morning and it looks top notch. Staff is also very friendly. Not the cheapest, but if you are looking for something other than fast good, go for it!
(4)Daniel R.
I was in Portland for business and a co-worker recommended this place. As we walked down the street we noticed the line out the door. Watching others walk out with freshly cooked salmon, steak, and chicken, I knew we made the right choice. We had the pleasure of sitting outside while we enjoyed our meals, in beautiful weather, which just enhanced the experience. I had the salmon with brown rice and fresh vegetables. It was delicious. And the price was right too. Something like this back in DC would have cost two to three times as much. Highly recommended!
(5)Anne S.
Holy goodness, Batman! I've read and heard nothing but great things about this place. I've even walked by it a bazillion times but never eaten here. Admittedly, I have not eaten a lot of Bento so I don't have anything, really, to compare this to. However, after nearly fainting off my bike this morning on my bike commute in, I had managed to eat my entire lunch of fruits and cheeses before 10:30am. So, when lunch rolled around, and I was still feeling out of sorts and hungry, I decided to give Tom's a try. The line was long but fast...so fast that some people had their order up as soon as they had finished paying. I, on the other hand, had to wait for a bit while they freshly sauteed my prawns and brown rice to go. Everything that came out looked delicious. My bento was fantastic--perfectly sauteed prawns but not weighed down in butter, perfectly steamed veggies and the perfect serving size of rice. Lots of sauces, although I agree that they could be better labeled, and lots of great options. I will definitely be going back here. Delish!
(4)Nathan A.
This is a great place. Feel free to listen to a person who went here once in 2007, but I personally disagree. The food is fresh and well prepared.
(5)Shawn S.
Yum, Tom's has some of the finest bento in town. I highly recommend first trying the chicken, with brown rice and vegetables (chicken, brown, veggie for the initiated to the ordering process). Then move on to the salmon and the prawns. You will not be disappointed. Make sure you hit the sauce bar on the way to your table. There is a wide selection from Plum to Peanut and Sweet Chili. Don't be daunted by the long lines at noon it moves fast.
(5)Staci W.
The salmon here is amazing! It is grilled fresh and the steamed veggies that come with it are very healthy. my favorite lunch place downtown
(5)April C.
it's not cheap, sometimes it's not entirely fast (though never particularly slow), it's generally crowded, but holy smokes, this is REAL FOOD, PEOPLE, and it's awesome. obviously someone there is a fisherman, as there's always a specials board with amazing fish options, as well as the usual items which cover a pretty wide range of proteins. and, brown rice - YAY BROWN RICE! nothing insures a productive afternoon like a real, honest lunch. that said, generally the portions allow for one giant lunch or a small lunch and a small dinner, if you're thrifty. it's one of our office's absolute faves.
(5)Gabriel D.
Don't be fooled; there's no Bento here. I had a very disappointing crab caesar, while my friend's salmon seemed good. Worth another shot, but the rating stands for now.
(3)Vanessa G.
This is a great lunch place if you work downtown, or even if you don't. It's the typical bento place where you get to pick a meat, a side and then some veggies. I chose top sirloin, garlic mashed potatoes, and steamed veggies for $7.75. Other choices on the menu were, slow roasted pork, salmon, chicken, and lamb. My friend got the pork and it was very tender and a huge portion. They have all sorts of sauces to top off your box and they serve things up extremely quickly. Giving you more time to chat with your lunch companion. I will be back to this one.
(5)