What's Up With Sandy-O's - Bridgetown Bites

I was over at Parkrose Hardware last week and saw this giant red sign announcing “Sandy-O’s – Sandwiches, Subs and Burgers” had popped up next door, where Heritage Specialty Foods’ Parkrose location had been for so long. For a while the space had ceased being accessible to the public (Heritage was operating behind a locked gate), and my hope with Sandy-O’s is that it can offer something for Portlanders to enjoy.

High on the Hog and Your Neighborhood Restaurant Group

That said, I took a look at some recent records online, and, first, the company that seems to be setting up shop at this location on NE Sandy and 105th is High on the Hog, Inc, operated by David Kreifels, Jason Owens, and Ben Dyer. You may know them as the folks behind Your Neighborhood Restaurant Group, which has popular spots such as Laurelhurst Market, Ate-Oh-Ate, Big’s Chicken, La Luna Cafe, and Reverend’s BBQ on their roster.

Second, this location’s use is described in High on the Hog’s most recent annual report as “commissary kitchen, offices, warehouse for restaurant group.” I find this and the bold extroverted signage announcing tasty eats as a little confusing; that said, I may have an incorrect and narrow idea of the commissary kitchen concept as something between restaurants rather than serving the public [see below for the answer to my confusion]. I have reached out for more information, and will pass that on when and if I get it.

Insight From Benjamin Dyer on Sandy O’s

UPDATE 4/19/23: I heard from Benjamin Dyer, one of the owners, via email and turns out they will operate both a commissary kitchen and a public eatery at this location. Here is what he had to say:

“We are just about done building out our commissary kitchen, we should be ready to move in within the next week or two. We’re also planning a Sandwich and Burger joint – Sandy O’s … the entrance will be the door on Sandy. Over the next few weeks we’ll be painting the building and replacing the decals on the windows with something besides the current pasta strainers and kitchen tools … We’re looking forward to our new project!”

Heritage Specialty Foods Has Left the Building

I’m unsure when exactly Heritage Specialty Foods left their Parkrose digs, but a news article indicates their move to Milwaukie was slated for 2022. They are in a new industrial warehouse complex in Milwaukie, near the Bob’s Red Mill headquarters and store just up the way. Back inside the Parkrose space, things are piled up near an entrance as they work on the space.

The leftovers from Heritage Specialty Foods.

The ghost of Heritage Specialty Foods—through their building signage—remains … for now…

Ghost signage for Heritage Specialty Foods.

I look forward to seeing what Sandy-O’s will offer the Parkrose community—there’s a good chance it will be delicious and add to the ongoing improvements of this stretch of Sandy Blvd.