Little Big Burger is one of the biggest things to hit The Pearl and Portland this year. Although it could be named ‘Little Menu, Big Burger’ or ‘Medium-Sized Burger, Big Flavor’ (you get the picture), Restaurateur Micah Camden named it appropriately. Open since September 2010, LBB shows no signs of slowing down. There are always burger aficionados lined up waiting no matter when you arrive, although the best bet to get there for lunch is when their doors open at 11:00 a.m.
LBB’s menu is small, offering three types of burgers: a cheeseburger ($3.75) with a choice of cheddar, blue cheese or chevre (goat cheese); a classic hamburger, or veggie burger made by Chez Gourmet for those foregoing meat. The hamburgers are a hand patted quarter pound of Cascade Natural Beef topped (and bottomed) with locally made brioche buns and organically grown lettuce, onions and tomatoes. They’re slightly larger than a slider-sized burger, perhaps a slider burger on steroids. Everything’s made in the open kitchen (cooked medium unless otherwise specified) so you can catch all the action seated at the counter or one of the five tables.
Accompaniments are scarce but worth every morsel. Truffle fries dusted with sea salt really hit the mark. With fresh truffles being ridiculously priced, this is a really good way to sample their unique flavor if you are a neophyte. A root beer float, sodas round out the menu so if you’re looking for more than that, move along.
Within walking distance from many Portland area condos, Little Big Burger is a gem in The Pearl.
Little Big Burger
122 NW 10th, Portland
(503) 274-9008
Open daily 11:00 am-10:00 pm
