Pasture PDX is a sandwich shop and whole animal butchery that opened up on Alberta in 2022. Right out of the gate they were making some of the best sandwiches in town. As the sandwich scene in Portland continues to grow and evolve, Pasture remains steady in making some of the most delicious sandwiches in town. The quality of their meats, attention to small details and the overall quality, consistency and deliciousness of their sandwiches continue to amaze me and they get my vote for best sandwich shop in town. Oddly I find that they still fly a bit under the radar, especially amongst the foodie scene.

Pictured above is The Hannah that I ordered last month. Smoked Ham, Olive Tapenade with Chili Flake, Provolone, Onions, Cabbage on Ciabatta. Simple, bold flavors harmonizing perfectly together. The smoked ham was incredible, and just the right amount of smoky, and paired well with the tangier, saltier flavor profile of the tapenade. The chili flake was a very subtle backend heat component. Provolone the perfect choice between the ham and olives. Olive tapenade is one of my favorite toppings, whether as a topping or part of a charcuterie or bruschetta. Hard to pick a favorite amongst their sandwiches, but this one might be it.

The Jerk Chicken that I ordered in July. Roasted and Grilled Chicken, Jerk Sauce, Pepperjack Cheese, Cilantro, Onion, and Jalapeno. First off, wow. This is not the heavy handed Jamaican style jerk chicken and sauce that you might think of when you hear jerk chicken (no shade, I absolutely adore Jamaican jerk chicken). This is a much more subtle and nuanced sauce and flavor profile. First thing I noticed was the chicken. Delicious chicken flavor. I don’t know where they source their chicken, but it makes everywhere else in town pale in comparison. This is some of the best chicken I’ve ever had, and the sandwich leans forward in that flavor. Also roasted and grilled to perfection, it was moist and juicy. The sauce, cheese, cilantro, onion and jalapenos all served to elevate the chicken flavor and not overshadow it. I like the subtle heat of the peppers. This was a delight from first bite to last. Chicken should never be boring!

The Tillamook from last week. Roast Beef, 14 Month Clothbound Cheddar, Horseradish, Aioli, Onions. A simple sandwich done so well. Roast beef isn’t usually a first choice for me, but occasionally I crave it. Plus I knew that Pasture would absolutely get it right. Subpar roast beef can really put you off, but when done well it is so delightful. The roast beef and horseradish flavor combo is a stalwart for good reason. The tangy, acidic horseradish flavor balances the rich, meaty beef flavor. And they use a really nice aged cheddar here that is a third foil against the other two flavors. This was a delicious sandwich, and a big boy too. If it’s not obvious from the photos, these sandwiches are hefty. You could say split a sandwich and soup between two people and be completely full. When I ordered a sandwich and soup I actually had leftovers, which never happens! The above photo is in focus by the way, I swear it’s the sandwich itself that is a bit fuzzy in terms of focus and clarity.

When Pasture opened originally, there were no sides at all, just sandwiches. At some point they added a few select sides, and I’ve been sampling those as well along with the sandwiches. I’m a big believer in sides, you need a few additional options to go with a sandwich, although size wise Pasture sandwiches are so big and full of meat that you will get full off just one sandwich. They now offer a seasonal soup, seasonal salad and pickle plate. The only thing I haven’t gotten is the salad, which I will try next time. These pickled veggies were good, very potent, pungent and pickled. A bit heavy handed, they were a shock to the senses, but still a good foil to the rich sandwich. And below is the soup from a month ago. Tomato Chicken Broth, Italian Sausage, Celery, Carrots, Onion, Beans. This was a nice surprise. They crush the sandwiches, but I wasn’t sure how they’d do with soups. This a nice comforting, homey type soup. Something your mom or grandma would make. Nothing fancy, just quality ingredients in a quality soup. Also a great deal for $10. The sandwiches all run about $17 and are well worth it in terms of quality and quantity. Check out Pasture PDX to make all your sandwich dreams come true! Happy eating.