Argay Neighborhood Guide
The Argay neighborhood is located in East Portland. It is bordered by the Parkrose, Wilkes, and Russell Neighborhoods. This area also borders the Columbia River to the North and the I-84 Freeway to the South.
Argay City Park
Argay has a large city park near the center of the neighborhood. The park has been modernized and features sports courts, off-leash dog park, picnic tables, and a playground.
Features of Argay Neighborhood
As with most east Portland neighborhoods, Argay is a mix of both residential and commercial. Sandy Blvd. acts as the borderline between the two, with many office parks and businesses to the north, with houses and shopping to the south. Commuting is a breeze for residents here, since the I-84 freeway marks the neighborhood’s southern border. Eastern areas of Portland aren’t as chic as those closer to downtown, but you can find plenty to see and do here. Also, these streets are much quieter, making them ideal for people of all ages and walks of life.
Argay Neighborhood Businesses of Note
Because of the way that Argay is laid out, it can sometimes seem like a struggle to find hotspots for dining and nightlife. However, if you know where to look, it’s not that hard. Fortunately, we’ve done the legwork for you to bring a list of the top places to visit when you’re here. Just be sure to have an appetite before starting.
Bistro 23
One of the best things about the Portland culinary scene is that you are never in need of fresh, local ingredients. Bistro 23 takes its food seriously, which means that they work with a wide array of Oregon producers and farms. Everything from soft-baked bread, chicken, eggs, pasta, and wine are locally sourced to give back to the community.
Even better, this careful attention to detail shows in the dishes, as well. Bistro 23 specializes in sandwiches and pizzas, with highlights including the portobello veggie sandwich, gourmet grilled cheese, and the Green Pie pizza. You can also find house-smoked ribs, along with marinated beets, seared polenta, and handmade cannoli.
The atmosphere here is as pleasant as the cuisine – it’s modest with a modern chic flair. It’s both trendy and laid-back, making it peak Portland.
Bistro 23 – 5530 NE 122nd ave
Level Beer
Although Argay doesn’t necessarily come to mind when you think of quintessential Portland neighborhoods, the fact is that it has everything you want. Locavore restaurants, well-maintained parks, dive bars, and, of course, a brewery. In this case, we have Level Beer, a one-of-a-kind indoor/outdoor experience. What’s better than sipping on a pint underneath a greenhouse glass roof?
This location is a hybrid garden-cum-brewery, complete with a massive tasting room that gives you more than enough space to spread out. Be sure to bring your craft beer buddies, as they will want to help you sample one of the many beers on tap. Level specializes in lighter fare, such as pilsner and IPAs. However, you can find a few other selections as well, such as stouts and hard ciders. The beer rotates seasonally, so all the more reason to venture back.
Summer is the best time to visit, though, as the garden is in full bloom and the tasting room is warm and inviting.
Level Beer – 5211 NE 148th ave
Sa Bai Thai Cuisine
When it comes to food options, most people associate Portland with pubs, vegan restaurants, and funky eateries (think McMenamins). However, you’d be hard-pressed to find a neighborhood that doesn’t have a Thai place. Sa Bai Thai is one of the better options in eastern Portland, with a soft, pleasing atmosphere and incredible dishes.
The menu is full of classic plates, such as Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, and various curries. They also offer lunch and dinner specials so you get plenty to share with friends. Our favorites are the rock and roll shrimp to start, the spicy papaya salad for roughage, and Phuket fried rice as the main course. No matter what you choose, though, you’re sure to come back for more.
Sa Bai Thai Cuisine – 4440 NE 131st Pl
Uncle Vinny’s Eatery and Pizza
Sometimes, nothing is better than a slice of pie and a beer. If you want a relaxing place to unwind from a long day, or you just want a spot to chill with friends and family, then Uncle Vinny’s is the place. This Eatery has been around for almost 20 years, serving no-nonsense comfort food to locals and visitors alike.
Most pizza places don’t usually serve breakfast, but here they do. Best of all, you can get it all day long, so if you get a hankering for steak and eggs or a homemade omelet for dinner, Vinny has you covered. The restaurant has all of the classics, from mouthwatering burgers to pork chops and meatloaf to, of course, pizza. You can get a 10-inch pie for yourself or split a massive 18-inch version with friends. We highly recommend the taco pizza if you’re looking for something zesty.
Uncle Vinny’s Eatery and Pizza – 12424 NE Sandy Blvd
Wooden Chicken Bar and Grill
As far as local pubs go, the Wooden Chicken is the perfect getaway for locals to share in their passion for good beer, good food, and good times. Also, as a sports bar, it’s the ideal spot for cheering on your favorite team. The Wooden Chicken has been around since the mid-80s, so it still maintains that local charm, even as the rest of Portland evolves around it.
When it comes to food, they don’t try and reinvent the wheel here. Staples like fries, tater tots, mozzarella sticks, waffle fries, and onion rings are all par for the course. Some unique offerings include chicken cordon bleu bites, as well as clam strips and chicken gizzards. Also, living up to the name, you can get plenty of hot wings here to sate even the hungriest of appetites.
Another highlight of the Wooden Chicken is that it offers food specials daily. In addition to Taco Tuesdays, be sure to stop in for spaghetti night, rib night, or fish and chips night. Also, the daily happy hour is incredible if you can make it.
Wooden Chicken Pub – 12500 NE Sandy Blvd
Argay Neighborhood Parks
Unfortunately, there is only one park within the neighborhood’s borders, but there are always plenty of green spaces around Portland. Best of all, Argay Park is perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities. It has a basketball court, off-leash dog park, sports fields, picnic tables, and a playground. Parks are always an excellent place for neighbors to relax and visit one another, which helps create a tighter-knit community.
Community Resources
Argay Neighborhood Association
Argay Public Schools
Argay Neighborhood Vibe
Because this neighborhood is split between residential and commercial use, it has an interesting vibe to it. Most eastern Portland neighborhoods are not as nice as those closer to the city, but they have their own charm. This area is mostly diverse, with young families and couples living here. The vibe is both quiet and accommodating, but you won’t necessarily see neighbors on the front lawn waving hello.
Argay Stats
Zip Code 97230
Argay Neighborhood Real Estate
Most of the homes here are single-story ranch-style houses. You can find some multi-story gems, and home prices are much more competitive here than in other parts of Portland. Most residential streets are lined with trees and shrubs, giving them a much more natural and woodsy feel. Open lots, plenty of parking, and room to spread out.
Click here to see all current Argay homes for sale.
To learn about the Portland real estate market, we recommend this local Portland-based, top 100 real estate blog in the world.
If you are interested in buying a home in Portland, we recommend meeting up with these top 1% Portland buyer’s agents, or if you are considering selling a home we recommend these top 1% Portland seller’s agents. Visit our Portland Real Estate Page for more information.
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