Portland, Oregon – a city synonymous with quirky innovation, craft beer, and a fiercely independent food scene – has always been a place where the unexpected thrives. Now, the Portland Food Map has thrown its hat (and perhaps a fermented herring) into the ring with a truly unique concept: the “Handshake” food map. It’s a project that, frankly, sounds stranger than a fermented herring cocktail, and you can find the full map—and, let’s be honest, a whole lot of confusion—here: . It’s like they’re saying, ‘Trust us, we have no idea what we’re doing, but eat!’
The premise is deceptively simple, yet profoundly strange. The map isn’t organized by cuisine, neighborhood, or price point. Instead, all of Portland’s restaurants are linked together by…a handshake. Each restaurant is connected to its neighbors through a line, effectively creating a complex, interconnected network. Users are encouraged to “shake hands” with different restaurants, exploring the city’s culinary offerings in a deliberately non-linear fashion.
Why You Should Care?
Because Portland is already known for being…eccentric. The city has long been a haven for adventurous eaters, a place where chefs push boundaries and diners aren’t afraid to try the unusual. As noted by *Shanken News Daily*, the map’s success hinges on a city already obsessed with curated food experiences. Portlanders aren’t just looking for a meal; they’re seeking a story, an experience, a conversation starter. The Handshake taps directly into this desire, offering a playful, almost absurd way to discover hidden gems and established favorites. The map leverages a pre-existing fascination with Portland’s intensely developed food culture, a culture built on discovery and the unexpected.
The Players & The Pour
The Portland Food Map team, led by founder James Daugherty, are clearly aiming for a bold, almost deliberately chaotic approach. They’ve built a website that’s as quirky and inviting as the map itself. Daugherty describes the concept as “a low-pressure way for people to get out and explore,” acknowledging the inherent uncertainty. It’s a gamble—a beautiful, slightly unsettling gamble—and whether it’s a brilliant stroke of genius or a complete disaster remains to be seen. I suspect a lot of people will end up getting wonderfully lost (and hopefully, well-fed) in the process. The team is prioritizing engagement and conversation, hoping that the map’s unique structure will lead to spontaneous meetups and shared dining experiences.
Further Exploration
The initial response to the Handshake has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its ingenuity and the playful way it encourages exploration. Oregon Live’s piece, “Portland Food Map’s ‘Handshake’ is a weirdly genius way to explore the city’s food scene,” dives deeper into the strategy behind the Handshake and its potential success. The article highlighted Daugherty’s belief that the map’s unstructured nature is precisely what will draw people in, fostering a sense of discovery. Oregon Live’s article also discusses the map’s potential to disrupt the traditional, linear approach to food exploration, prompting diners to think about the connections between different restaurants and the stories they tell.
Beyond the initial reviews, the map itself is generating a buzz. Social media is flooded with images of people navigating the network, attempting to decipher the connections, and ultimately, enjoying delicious meals. The map is proving to be more than just a navigational tool; it’s becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Whether the “Handshake” will become a long-term fixture in Portland’s food scene remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: it’s a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you don’t plan, the ones where you simply follow the handshake. You can find more information, including insights from the Portland Food Map team, at their website: .
