pFriem opens Milwaukie tasting room Tour the new pFriem Family Brewers tasting room in downtown Milwaukie, located inside the historic city hall building. (Sean Meagher/The Oregonian/Sean Meagher/The Oregonian)
Oregon loves their local food. There are just so many great options, we can’t help but brag about them.
When we asked our readers to name their favorite food and drink products in Oregon, the responses poured in. The Oregonian/OregonLive Readers’ Choice Awards team was overwhelmed by the sheer number of suggestions—and honestly, why wouldn’t we be? Oregon’s pantry is a cornucopia of yumminess.
Narrowing the list down hurt… So many scrumptious items were carted away to make room for the 10 choices with the most nominations. The heartbreak multiplied after hundreds of votes distilled that list down to our top five.
Rest assured, the five remaining champions are truly worthy. The winners are all over the map, but each has absolutely earned its place in the ranking.
Here are the five food and drink products you chose as the best in Oregon.
No. 5: Durant Olive Mill olive oil
Nestled at Red Ridge Farms in Dayton alongside Durant Vineyards, Durant Olive Mill reigns as Oregon’s sole commercial olive oil artisan. Their offerings include unfiltered olio nuovo, Arbequina extra virgin olive oil, infused oils, vinegars, and luxurious gift sets.
According to industry trade publication the Olive Oil Times, Durant Olive Mill ranks among the top 10 olive oil makers in the world. That’s super impressive considering the competition has compiled data on over 10,000 brands from 38 different countries.
durantoregon.com/shop/olive-oil
No. 4: Popo’s Hot Oil
Perfected from a family recipe at San Francisco’s Chinatown Hang Ah Tea Room, this hot oil recipe uses unique ingredients that include shiitake mushrooms, fermented black soy beans and preserved radish.
One voter noted that it is “an absolute staple in my fridge. I have to pace myself or it would be gone in two meals! THE best chili oil I’ve ever had, the flavor is so full of depth, umami, slight sweetness and perfect spice level-just so good I want to eat it by the spoonful.”
Your last chance to get your hands on some of it this year will be at the Dec. 14 Montavilla Farmers Market in Southeast Portland.
@poposhotoil on Instagram
No. 3: Oregon beer and wine
Oregon’s breweries and wineries are highly regarded nationwide, and sipping a local beer or wine is always a hit.
Specifically mentioned by voters were Pfriem Pilsner (the Readers Choice Awards winner for best Oregon beer) and Buoy beers. Other options we think worth consideration are Folly of Man and Villa Catalana wines.
No. 2: Fishpatrick’s canned tuna
Based out of Winchester Bay, Fishpatrick’s is a family operation that has been selling canned tuna it hand-catches off the Oregon coast since 2012. Their products include Albacore tuna, smoked tuna, garlic jalapeno tuna, king salmon and smoked salmon.
“Fishpatricks Specialty Tuna is absolutely the bomb!!!” one of our readers gushed. “You will never find a better quality. Solid chunk of Albacore, no added water or oils, and so moist. Caught and canned right here on the Oregon Coast. Yummy!!!”
fishpatrick.com
No. 1: Tillamook Cheese
Anyone worthy of an Oregon foodie membership card must visit the Tillamook Cremery to earn one. Their Maker’s Reserve 2014 Extra Sharp White Cheddar is a bargain at $22 for an 8 oz hunk. It won the award for the Best Cheddar in the World at the 2024 World Cheese Awards in Portugal. Need further proof the creamery knows what it’s doing? Their latest release, Butternaise, sold out in two minutes!
tillamook.com
Dining and Cooking