Circa 77

Making my way through Portland… I decided to pull over at a little roadside joint just off Capitol Hiway. The park like eating setting and these cute little food carts caught my attention and I thought… hey, that’s unique! Wondering among the fabulous choices of Thai food, tacos, Cheese grill and other delicious options, it was the fantastic smell of BBQ wafting from the Trager out back and trickling water feature of a wine barrel fountain that drew me to Sinatra’s Circa 77 order up window.
(This place totally reminded me of that little BBQ place in Napa Valley, Cali that I stumbled upon accidentally and adored!)
Options of pulled pork sandwiches, tasty wraps, seasonal salads, house ground specialty burgers, hand crafted Italian sodas, signature milkshakes, and a smattering of delectable desserts grace the colorful board appropriately titled «Grub».
I asked what was on the grill out back and the Circa Gal said «oh, that’s our famous tri-​state tri-​tip, Sinatra style!» Of course… I had to have it.
The Tri-​Tip Sando. Three little words that totally don’t do this creation justice. Holy moly, it’s good! And not your ordinary backyard BBQ tri-​tip Sandwich!!! Toasted ciabatta bread, bbq tri-​tip sliced to perfection served with lightly pickled purple cabbage, thin sliced tomato and Sinatra’s signature white sauce, melted provolone and a touch of blue cheese. Forgive me for a moment while I rave about the fries… light, airy, crispy so so yummy! Shoe string fries look obese compared to these tasty little slivers of heaven from Idaho!!! Flavorful and yummy. I could eat a million of them. And I think I did!!!
Chef Chels came out a couple times and offered several patrons samples of fried pickles and curds, (which sound hideous but taste obscenely delightful) and beignets which I have never heard of nor had before. Think mini funnel cakes served warm, sprinkled with powdered sugar and drizzled chocolate sauce.
I don’t get to Oregon often… but when I come back to Portland, I’m ordering one of everything on this menu! Best way to describe it: culinary avant guard artistry of down home favorite classics!

Really, really good tri tip sandwiches, as well as the tri tip dip. I’ve been 4 times in 2 weeks, it’s that good. I tried the apple pie as well, it certainly is not their speciality and mine was a little burnt and dry. The French fries are absolutely amazing. I will be back again.