Monster Smash to Open Second Cart at My-O-My Bar

Photo credit: Monster Smash

Yesterday as I was driving to my haircut, I saw the sign finally going up at My-O-My, the new bar opening up in the old Rocky Butte Pub space on NE Sandy Blvd near 87th Avenue. As you will see at the link above, the expectation was a summer 2022 opening, but gauging from their Instagram account, a winter 2022/23 opening looks to be in the works. And along with what I expect will be great drinks and good vibes, there will also be food—enter Monster Smash, home to quality smash burgers (and more).

Monster Smash: the Origin Story

Monster Smash’s current cart is on SE 45th behind Belmont Station, and the My-O-My location will be the second cart. I reached out to Richard Loverde, aka Rico, who runs Monster Smash and got to know his plans a little bit more, which I’m happy to share with you here. But first, the Oregonian wrote a nice article about Rico and Monster Smash—here are some initial details about Rico’s path to slinging smash burgers:

He worked in SF for 15 years feeding the tourists.
He moved to Portland and worked making synthesizers and guitar pedals at Malekko Heavy Industry.
He bought a house by Belmont Station.
The pandemic hit, and he saw an opportunity to open a food cart and chose to sell cheeseburgers—hence, Monster Smash was born.
Read more from Michael Russel in The O.

Monster Smash Collab with My-O-My

Rico is pretty excited to be working with the guys at My-O-My (MOM), having a presence at the bar, and I asked him how he got involved. He says, “I met the MOM guys about a year ago when we had talked about doing something at Creepy’s. That didn’t really work out and they reached out to me a few months ago.” Note: Creepy’s and the White Owl Social Club—and now My-O-My—are run by the same folks.

My-O-My’s interior (in process). Photo credit: My-O-My via Monster Smash

He continues, “Its gonna be a really cool place to hang out, and I think this summer is gonna be super fun. Looking forward to meeting the neighborhood and helping create a new space. Just wait til you see the inside of the bar. Its beautiful!!!!” From what I can tell from My-O-My’s Instagram account, it really is beautiful in there, and it’s great to get Rico’s assessment of the space. I absolutely agree that summer is going to be pretty sweet there, but from what I’ve seen I think it’s going to have a nice cozy feel during winter. Case in point: see the fireplace below.

Photo credit: My O My

What to Expect

I asked him when Monster Smash will be operating at My-O-My, and he tells me that they will offer food 7-days-a-week, starting in the early evening (around 4pm or 5pm) and going into the early hours of the morning (thinking 1am or 2am). That could change; as he says, “Since it’s a new area and location we are gonna see how things go,” and that seems reasonable.

As for the menu, it will be the same as the one at their Belmont Station location, at least to start; over time, Rico will look at adding more things. But as it stands now, when they open at My-O-My look for smash burgers (one beef, one vegan), fries, salad, and a sandwich. I asked him about soup—because it’s that time of year, you know—and he says he’ll consider offering soup on special.

One detail I was particularly curious about was how we will physically access the food cart. The answer: the cart will be located in the backyard patio area (there’s a bunch of picnic tables back there). I suspect you’ll be able to order straight from the cart but perhaps you’ll also be able to order from the bar. They are working that out.

So when will Monster Smash open? When the bar does, and that’s unclear as far as an exact date. I’ve reached out to the My-O-My guys, but have not heard back; I’ll update you when I know more.

I’m really looking forward to checking out Monster Smash and My-O-My when they open. Best of luck to all involved in getting the place up and running for business. The neighborhood is psyched you’re opening!

Monster Smash [opening soon at My-O-My]
belmont-station.com/monster-smash | Instagram | Facebook

My-O-My [projected opening winter 2022 or 2023]
8627 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Instagram