Foodies Favorite Finds: Chef AJ Voytko of The Original

Monday, June 15, 2015

GolocalPDX Lifestyle Team

This past December, AJ Voytko was appointed to the position of head chef at the downtown eatery, The Original.

This past December, AJ Voytko was appointed to the position of head chef at the downtown eatery, The Original. The Wyoming native got his culinary start in Southern California, including stints at the W Hotel and acclaimed Chive in San Diego.

After moving to Portland in 2007, Chef AJ worked at Three Degrees at the RiverPlace Hotel and owned Knuckle Dragger, a paleo food cart. Although he only has six months under his belt at The Original, Voytko’s been busy making his mark by revamping the classic comfort food menu, including crafting everything in-house, from pickles to pastries.

Voytko’s favorite Foodie Find is Du Ku Bee, a bare-bones Beaverton-based restaurant featuring noodles, dumplings and other Chinese-Korean fare.

“I stumbled upon Du Ku Bee after a dinner one evening at DeCarli. I returned the next day and have been going there regularly ever since,” said Voytko. “Their spicy pork and beef ribs are amazing, but I always order the hand-pulled pork or shrimp noodles; they are the best I’ve ever had. The kimchee fried rice is really good, too."

Du Ku Bee is located at 12590 SW 1st St, Beaverton, OR 97005 (503) 643-5388.

Related Slideshow: The 10 Legendary Food Challenges in Portland (Big Eaters Club)

Looking to challenge your appetite? Here are some possible food challenges that may spark your interest.

Prev Next

Casa del Sol

Food: Burrito

Price: $22

Challenge: It's all free if you eat 2 pounds of carne asada, 10 ten inch tortillas, and a side of beans and rice. If you eat this all in 30 minutes you can also get a $15 gift card or a Casa del Sol t-shirt.

Casa del Sol, 14324 S.E. Division St. and other locations. [link to website], 97236, 503-762-1033

Photo Credit: jeffreyw via Compfight cc (image cropped)

Prev Next

Mad Greek Deli

Food: Sandwich

Price: $30

Challenge: 8 pound massive Mad Greek Sandwich, 1 lb. of Greek fries, and a 32-ounce drink must all be consumed within one hour. If you accomplish that goal (and you must) you will receive all the money in the pot which is at $640 right now. If you fail, at least you have a new pot in your belly to take home.

Mad Greek Deli, 1740 E. Burnside St. [link to website], 97214, 503-645-1650

Photo Credit: Antonio Fajardo i López (Own work) Live look

Prev Next

Voodoo Doughnuts

Food: Doughnut

Price: $4.25

Challenge: Eat a gigantic glazed doughnut in 80 seconds. Guess what you get if you eat the Texas doughnut... You guessed it! A button thats says, "You Win!"

Voodoo Doughnuts, 22 SW 3rd Ave. [link to website], 97204, 503-241-4704

Photo Credit: travel oriented via Compfight cc (image cropped)

Prev Next

Sayler’s Old Country Kitc

Food: 72 ounce steak

Price: $65

Challenge: One 72-ounce medium rare top sirloin steak must be consumed with all the trimmings: 2 pieces each of celery, carrots, olives, dill pickles, one regular salad, ten french fries or one baked potato and one slice of bread. To top it off you also must eat a dish of ice cream and drink a regular sized beverage. If you chew this all down in one hour you will get the dish free of charge and the honor of being “that guy/girl.”
Winners so far: 8 women and 571 men. Losers? 39 women and 1,285 unlucky dudes.

Sayler’s Old Country Kitchen, 10519 SE Stark St. [link to website], 97216, 503-252-4171

Photo Credit: Petr K (Own work) Live link

Prev Next

Skyline Burgers

Food: Burger

Price: $25

Challenge: It’s all about the 4 1/2 lb. Quadzilla Burger. Scarf that sucker down with a coke and a pound of fries in less than 30 minutes and you don’t have to pay for it.

Skyline Burgers, 2200 NE Broadway St. [link to website], 97232, 503-808-1553

Photo Credit: stu_spivack via Compfight cc (image cropped)

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The Original

Food: Poutine

Price: $25

Challenge: Consume 5 lbs. of poutine—cheese curds, potatoes and gravy—within 30 minutes and you not only get your meal free but you also get a free t-shirt. As of right now this competition is discontinued, but in a couple of months you may be able to take on the challenge.

The Original Dinerant, 300 SW 6th Ave. [link to website], 97204, 503-546-2666

Photo Credit: yurilong via Compfight cc (image cropped)

Prev Next

Stepping Stone Cafe

Food: Pancakes

Price: $8.50

Challenge: Complete three “Mancake” pancakes and you will end up on this Northwest breakfast joints “wall of shame.”

Stepping Stone Cafe, 2390 NW Quimby St. [link to website], 97210, 503-222-1132

Photo Credit: jeffreyw via Compfight cc (image cropped)

Prev Next

Salvador Molly’s

Food: Habanero Cheese Fritters

Price: $7.95

Challenge: Complete five habanero cheese fritters with sauce and you will end up with your name on the wall with 40 other people (the wall comes down every year).

Salvador Molly’s, 1523 SW Sunset Blvd. [link to website], 97239, 503-293-1790

Photo Credit: dfilippini via Compfight cc (image cropped)

Prev Next

Hungry Tiger

Food: Vegan Corn Dogs

Price: $1 on Wednesdays

Challenge: If you eat more than the last guy or gal, you get $1 PBR for 90 days as long as your record holds.

Hungry Tiger, 207 SE 12th Ave. [link to website], 97214, 503- 238-4321

Photo Credit: stu_spivack via Compfight cc (image cropped)

Prev Next

Fire On The Mountain

Food: Hot Wings

Price: $13

Challenge: 15 El Jefe wings in three minutes. One sauce. One drink. One napkin. If you swallow all that down you end up with an organic t-shirt that says “I Survived The El Jefe”… XXX

Fire On The Mountain, 1708 E. Burnside St. and other locations. [link to website], 97215, 503-230-9464

Photo Credit: goodiesfirst via Compfight cc (image cropped)