Falafel  @ Taim
Einat Admony presents Israeli falafel with a gourmet twist at Taim. Three varieties are offered: • green: with parsley, cilantro, mint • harissa: mixed with Tunisian spices • red: mixed with roasted red peppers. It is one of the best falafel sandwiches to be had in the West Village.

Artichoke Empanadas  @ Almacen El Nono Amigo
On a quiet corner in Palermo, El Nono Amigo brings a bit of a twist on the classic empanada shop. While this almacén and deli is known for its artisanal beer, sandwiches and charcuterie platters, it also does an interesting take on the empanada with flavors like humita (sweet corn), pickled eggplant, and my personal favorite, marinated artichoke. Pair it with a Campari, Cynar or Fernet aperitivo and you have a winning combination

Empanada de Cordero Cortado a Cuchillo  @  Pekin Bar de Pizzas
I once wrote a love letter to Pekin’s lamb empanada. Here’s an excerpt since you don’t need to know much more than that: “I took a bite and my jaw locked, teeth began to sweat, stomach gasmed with delight — big chunks, perfectly seasoned, braised for what seemed to be for days in a flavorful cumin, onion and spice infused mix, and served in an open faced triangle — so I could subtly peek at your overwhelming sex appeal. From that day forward, I knew we were meant to be.”

Empanadas de Osso Bucco @ Peron Peron
It’s not often you hear about an empanada that develops a crazy cult following. This sit-down restaurant, which honors Argentina’s beloved political figures Juan and Evita Peron, might seem like an unassuming spot for making one of the best empanadas in the city. But Peron Peron’s version has managed to cause somewhat of an unhealthy addiction in its fanatics. Peron Peron’s empanadas are stuffed with braised osso bucco and then deep-fried.

Panceta y Ciruela  @ La Fachada Casa de Pizza
La Fachada is an empanada shop, mostly on demand for delivery, with one of the largest selections of empanada flavors in the city. It is known for both the traditional and open-faced baked styles. Try flavor combinations like mendocina (spiced beef); pancetta and plum; sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan and arugula; roasted leek and cheese; and ham with pineapple.

Empanadas Salteña @ a Serapia
If you don’t know the exact address, you probably won’t find this gritty hole in the wall that specializes in regional food from the north of Argentina. With only about 10 tables (ridiculously close together), this spot fills up for lunch and dinner with locals munching on empanadas by the dozens. It’s impossible to eat less than three of the empanadas salteñas, made with perfectly flakey dough and baked in the oven.

Huevo Mutilation @ Fried Egg I'm in Love
With its witty, music-related sandwich names and delicious variety of local and sustainable ingredients, Fried Egg I’m in Love represents the best of Portland’s food trucks. If you want a grown-up version of the childhood comfort classic fried egg sandwich, look no further. Consider the Huevo Mutilation, pictured: fried egg, seared ham, caramelized onions, Tillamook cheddar and a house-made Aardvark hot sauce aioli for $6.50.

Fremont @  PDX Sliders
At PDX Sliders you can choose from local beef, pork, or veggie sliders made on a delicious brioche bun. The best beef slider is the Fremont: beef, bacon, American cheese, roasted jalapeño and aioli on a brioche bun for $4. This is probably the most flavorful, moist burger in Portland. Along with their regular specialties, they also offer a wide variety of weekly specials. PDX Slider's Judge’s Award is well-deserved!

PB and J Fries @ Potato Champion
Open until 3 a.m. six days a week, The Potato Champion has served Portland’s late-night crowd since 2008. It offers fries and sauce and soda and not much more. Their fries, however, come topped with your choice of more than 14 sauces. If you’re looking for something more substantial, try the chili cheese fries, poutine or pulled pork. They also offer fries covered in palak paneer. Pictured are the PB&J fries, topped with a spicy peanut satay sauce and a smoky chipotle raspberry jam.

Taco @ Koi Fusion
With all the buzz about Portland’s food carts, it only makes sense they are available inside our very own airport. Carts are set up just before security, ready to serve hungry travelers. The first carts — Koi Fusion and Pok Pok — arrived in early October and proved a hit. With plans for three more carts later this year, the Portland International Airport just added another reason to the long list of why it was named the Best Airport in the United States by Travel + Leisure, for 2013 and 2014.