Q & A with Jon Shadel


Our October cover model, 26-year-old Jon Shadel, is a travel editor and archetypal Portland foodie. Here’s his take on the life of a diner.

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How often do you eat out?

About 60% of my meals.

How do you afford it?

People tend to think eating at home is always cheaper, but I find it hard to economically cook for one — especially in Portland, where the value quotient still favors diners more than many other West Coast cities.

Where can we find you?

I like to keep breakfast simple: either old-school diner fare at Fuller’s Coffee Shop or Danish pancakes at Café Broder. For lunch I like to line up at a favorite food truck, like Chinese crepes from Bing Mi!, or head early to Luc Lac. Lebanese and Israeli tend to dominate my dinner choices — Nicholas Restaurant and Mediterranean Exploration Company are the standouts.

RELATED ARTICLE: GENERATION DINER: WHY EVERYONE YOU KNOW IS EATING OUT


Do you eat alone or with friends?

I prefer to dine with friends, sharing dishes and letting the food dominate the conversation — it’s a form of entertainment. Being single without kids, I also eat alone quite a lot. I enjoy each experience for different reasons.

Is cooking a lost art?

I don’t think so. If anything, dining culture inspires a greater interest in the culinary arts at home. I often try to make dishes I’ve enjoyed at a restaurant — especially hummus, which has become an obsession.