Portland is a wonderful city in a wonderful state. I spent several intern quarters there, and have friends from there.

Two interesting tech startups that have connections to Reed College, which is not known as a tech school are Tektronix which was started by a physics PhD candidate who needed the tools (so the story goes) and Apple where Steve went to school. Tektronix is credited with starting the Silicon Forest.

One suspects that this is less well known as part of a conspiracy to guard against Californification of the state.

Speaking of food, does anyone remember the "Heavy Number Taco Company" chain which used old gas stations?