This month’s featured restaurant is one of the consistently happiest restaurants we’ve found: Laughing Planet Café! These quick-service restaurants are filled with eclectic art, dinosaur toys and happy employees, not to mention awesome food, creating a very tasty and comfortable environment.

A wonderful thing about Laughing Planet Café is their focus on sustainability. Laughing Planet uses local ingredients (hey, Tillamook does too!) in their burritos, salads, quesadillas, and smoothies. They also use tons of biodegradable or compostable products so you can eat guilt-free. Hooray! Even better, Laughing Planet reaches out to help a different group of beings: chimpanzees! Laughing Planet Café supports the IDA Africa’s Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, to ensure that endangered chimpanzees survive in their natural habitats. How great is that?!

Pop into a Laughing Planet in Portland, Eugene or Corvallis today to eat a burrito and play with a dinosaur. All locations are open 11am to 9pm or 10pm.

Sample Menu

Southwestern Green Chili Burrito – Black beans, mild green chiles, local sweet corn, Tillamook Monterey Jack Cheese, organic brown rice and pico de gallo.

Bubba Burrito – Grilled chicken, local sweet corn, pinto beans, organic brown rice, Tillamook Monterey Jack Cheese, spicy barbecue sauce and pico de gallo.

Che Guevara Burrito – Organic brown rice, black beans, plantains, sweet potatoes and spicy barbeque sauce.

Sacagawea Salad – Spinach, feta, pickled red onions, Oregon cranberries, toasted Oregon hazelnuts, avocado-lime dressing.

Governator Quesadilla – Mashed organic potatoes, broccoli, Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese and pico de gallo.

Drinks: Laughing Planet Cafés have a variety of smoothies and fresh squeezed juices, as well as many beer options.

If you’re indecisive or adventurous, simply try the Special Burrito o’ the Week!

By Katie

Sample Menu
Below is a sample of Elmer’s breakfast menu. To see their full menu, visit their website.

Denver and Tillamook Cheddar Omelet ($9.59) - Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, honey-cured ham, onions, red and green peppers.

Bacon & Tillamook Potato Cakes & Eggs ($9.49) - Griddle-browned potato pancakes filled with bacon, Tillamook Cheddar Cheese and onions. Topped with sour  cream and green onions. Accompanied by two farm-fresh “AA” eggs, Daily’s smokehouse bacon, and applesauce.

Northwest Garden Skillet ($8.99) - Fresh zucchini, organic baby spinach, diced tomatoes, and sliced mushrooms are cooked with Tillamook Cheddar Cheese-scrambled eggs. Served atop a potato pancake with onion. Garnished with fresh-snipped chives.

Tip: Elmer’s has a “Seasonally Fresh 2011 Summer Menu” featuring menu items made from local, seasonal ingredients.

Elmer’s
503-252-1485
Locations

Photo courtesy of scaredy_kat

By Tara

Cupcakes from Bliss Bake Shop

Bliss Bake Shop is owned and operated by two sisters who make fresh cupcakes and other goodies daily from scratch. Their treats are made from premium ingredients, including sweet cream butter, organic sugar, Callebaut chocolate, and real Madagascar bourbon vanilla. Bliss uses fresh, organic or all natural ingredients, and always buys local, hormone-free dairy products. Their cakes and cupcakes are not only delicious, they’re cute to boot!

Sample Menu

Cupcakes (Many are also available in vegan and gluten-free):
    – Vanilla Bliss – Vanilla bean cake topped with vanilla buttercream frosting
    – Red Velvet Bliss – Southern chocolate cake topped with cream cheese buttercream and red sprinkles
    – Mocha Bliss – Yellow cake filled with coffee and mini chocolate chips topped with mocha buttercream and a chocolate covered espresso bean
    – Triple Chocolate Bliss – Chocolate cake with fudge filling topped with chocolate buttercream and real chocolate shavings
    – Rainbow Bliss – Vanilla bean cake stuffed with sprinkles, topped with vanilla buttercream, and rolled in mini M&Ms
    – Funky Monkey Bliss – Banana cake filled with fudge, topped with coconut cream cheese buttercream and a chocolate dipped banana chip
    – Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss – Chocolate cake filled and topped with peanut butter buttercream and topped with chocolate shavings
    – Luscious Lemon Raspberry Bliss – Lemon cake with raspberry filling, topped with lemon buttercream and a fresh raspberry
    – And many more

Cookies – Baked from scratch daily

Custom cakes – Round, square, giant cupcake-shaped cakes, and cupcake pull-apart cakes

Tillamook Ice Cream – French Vanilla, Tillamook Mudslide, Oregon Strawberry, Mocha Almond Fudge, Rocky Road, Cookies and Cream, Cookie Dough, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Mint Chocolate Chip, Udderly Chocolate, Bubble Gum, and Carmel Butter Pecan

Tip: Getting married? Bliss Bake Shop makes beautiful cupcake towers, custom cakes, and full dessert bars with other treats!
 
Bliss Bake Shop
4708 NW Bethany Blvd.
Portland, OR 97229
(503) 645-6000
baked@blisscupcakeshop.com

Monday-Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 11-5pm

By Loafy

Earlier this month, The Oaks Gourmet participated in "Tillamook Cheese Grilled Cheese Week" in Los Angeles. Their special of the week was a grilled cheese made with Tillamook Cheese.

The Oaks Gourmet in Los Angeles, California is an upscale neighborhood market serving breakfast, lunch and dinner items, baked goods, and fresh espresso drinks. Gourmet items, such as imported oil, vinegar, spices, pasta, and sauces are available, along with assorted artisanal cheeses, chocolate, beer, wine, and liquor. Known for their friendly, knowledgeable staff, Oaks Gourmet is committed to serving their local community.

Sample Menu
Visit their website for a full menu.

The Oaks Bacon Breakfast Burrito ($7.00) – Three eggs prepared over-medium with black forest bacon, sharp cheddar, and spring onion

Breakfast Calzone ($9.50) – Scrambled eggs, bacon, fennel sausage, spinach, mushrooms, red onion, and sharp cheddar cheese.

Sesame Chicken Salad ($9.95) – Spring greens, watercress, cabbage, wasabi peas, black radish scallion, snow peas, grape tomatoes, and miso vinaigrette

The Oaks Grilled Cheese ($7.95) – Cranberry-walnut bread with Fontina, extra sharp cheddar, and Camembert

Pancetta, Cracked Egg & Crispy Potato Pizza ($10.75) – Caramelized onion, smoked mozzarella, and white truffle oil

Tip: Every Wednesday is Grilled Cheese Night at The Oaks Gourmet! Order yours with Tillamook Cheddar.

The Oaks Gourmet
1915 North Bronson Ave.
(At the corner of Franklin)
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 871-8894

Open 7 days a week
7am – midnight

By Loafy

Chefs Dave Danhi and Michele Grant of the Grilled Cheese Truck

Being that April is National Grilled Cheese Month, it only seems fitting to feature our favorite Los Angeles food truck: The Grilled Cheese Truck! Not only do chefs Dave Danhi & Michele Grant make some of the most amazing sammies you’ve ever laid your lips on, they are two of the nicest, most energetic cheese-loving folks you’ll ever meet. They truly have a passion for creating and sharing unique grilled cheese sandwiches with others. Thanks to Dave and Michele for being such wonderful partners (and for using Tillamook Cheese!). We’re proud to feature a collection of your meltastic recipes on our website!

Sample Menu:

Melts:
Cheesy Mac and Rib Melt (macaroni and cheese with sharp cheddar) – $5.50
Pepperbelly Melt (Tillamook Hot Habanero Jack with homemade chili, Fritos, fire roasted salsa and cilantro lime sour cream) – $7
Mom’s Apple Pie Melt (Tillamook Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar with caramelized cinnamon apples and candied walnuts) – $6.50

Sides:
Tomato Soup – $2.50
Mac and Cheese – $3.25
Tater Tots – $3.75

Tip: In honor of Grilled Cheese Month, the Grilled Cheese Truck is cooking up a special Tillamook ”Loaf Love Melt.” If you can’t get it at the truck, make one at home! Here’s the recipe, courtesy of Dave:

Loaf Love Melt

Makes 8 sandwiches

Ingredients:

16 slices French bread
12 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature
12 tablespoons mayonnaise
32 slices Tillamook Sharp Cheddar
24 slices Nueske Applewood Smoked bacon, cooked crisp
2 ripe granny smith apples, sliced 1/4 inch thick

Butter Spread:

In a mixer, put butter and mayonnaise and beat with the paddle attachment until well mixed. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all butter as it may stick to the bowl.

Assembly:

Generously butter one side of each slice of bread with the butter/mayo mixture. Be sure to butter to the very edges! On unbuttered side, lay 2 slices of Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Next, lay 3 slices of cooked, crispy bacon and top with 5 slices of granny smith apples. Top the apples with 2 more slices of cheese and finally, the buttered bread, butter side out.

Cooking:

Heat griddle to about 350°F. Place all sandwiches on griddle and allow to cook SLOWLY.  If your heat is too high it will burn the bread and the inside will not be hot. Once golden brown, gently flip and repeat until cheese is melted and hot. If the bread browns prior to the inside being hot, place pan with sandwiches in oven at 450 degrees to allow to finish.

The Grilled Cheese Truck
Find them roaming the streets of Los Angeles, CA
Follow @grlldcheesetruk for current locations

By Loafy

Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub - Portland, OR

If you live in Porltand and like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, odds are that you’ll be heading on over to Kells’ annual celebration for food, beer, and live entertainment. It’s not surprising that Kells is rated the #1 Irish Restaurant in the nation – it feels authentic, inviting, lively and the food is fantastic. Watch international soccer (er – football) and rugby games on their big screen TVs, and enjoy live Irish music 7 nights a week.

Sample Menu:

Kells Shepherd’s Pie – Ground beef simmered in Guinness, carrots, onions, and peas, baked in a cheddar-potato crust.

Crab Mushroom Caps – Mushroom caps broiled with Tillamook Vintage White Extra Sharp Cheddar and crab filling.

Grilled Ham & Cheese – Black Forest ham, Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, and fresh tomato grilled on egg bread.

BLTC – Thick-cut bacon, lettuce, tomato, Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, and mayo on toasted artisan multi-grain bread.

Kells Cheddar Burger – Natural ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, and chipotle sauce on a rustic bun (or substitute a veggie burger).

Kells Country Pie (new menu item) – A twist on traditional corned beef and cabbage, topped with Tillamook Sharp Cheddar.

Drinks – Bottled and draft beers, wines by the glass, soda, juice, hot tea and coffee, milk and more.

Tip: Catch a lift on Kells double decker bus to the next Timbers or Blazers home game. Bus departs at 6:30pm, so arrive early to have a few brews!

Kell’s Irish- Portland
112 SW 2nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97204

M-Th: 11:30am – 1am
Fri: 11:30am – 2am
Sat: 7am – 2am
Sun: 7am – 1am

Photo: RowdyKittens

By Loafy

Cheese ‘n Stuff is a family-owned and operated retro New York-style deli serving breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Their extensive menu offers a wide variety of meats, cheeses (including Tillamook Cheddar), veggies, spices, and condiments. Order from their classic sandwiches and subs menu, or their unique speciality sandwiches menu.

Sample Menu (just a small sample – their menu is huge!):

Breakfast -  Bagels, Breakfast Sandwiches with egg, cheese, and more
Deli Sandwiches and Subs – Ham & Swiss, Roast Beef, Italian Special
Specialty Sandwiches- Bacon Delight, New Yorker, the Turkonberry Sub
Snacks & Sides – Cole Slaw, Macaroni Salad, Pasta Salad, Hot German Potato Salad, Potato Chips
Desserts – New York Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, Brownies, Chocolate Bars, Peanut Butter Cups
Beverages – Soda, Juice, Lemonade, Iced Tea
Imported Items – Chocolates, Cookies, Candy

Tip: Try the Doughboy – Turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese, and avocado, with mayo on sourdough, served warmed.

Cheese ‘n Stuff Deli
5042 N Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602.266.3636

M-F: 8am – 4pm
Sat: 9am – 4pm
Sun: Closed

Have a party or lunch meeting coming up? Cheese ‘n Stuff also caters.

Photo: Vintage Photo of Cheese ‘n Stuff
 

By Loafy

Little Big Burger in Portland, Oregon, boasts a basic menu with a big taste. All burgers are made with a 1/2 lb. of cascade natural beef, local brioche buns, local cheeses (like Tillamook Swiss and Medium Cheddar!), organic veggies, and Camden’s Catsup.

Menu:

Cheeseburger – $3.75
Hamburger – $3.25
Veggie Burger – $3.50
Fries – $2.75
Drinks: Sodas, floats, beer

Tip: Don’t skip the truffle oil French fries!

Little Big Burger
122 NW 10th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.274.9008

Photo by Stuart Mullenberg

By Tillamook