Photo credit: Swift and Union
This week, the folks behind Swift and Union announced that they have decided to close the restaurant. The final day of service will be Saturday, December 23, 2023.
Their message on social media was pretty straightforward, expressing their gratitude for their 9-year run and the support of the Kenton neighborhood, through good times … and more challenging times. Elsewhere, they reminded us that “Shopping locally is needed to maintain the viability and vitality of our communities.” This is very true.
Despite the fact that I write about food in Portland and enjoy talking about restaurants in this town, I am not immune to missing out on places that close before I can get there. Full transparency: it’s a little embarrassing. I think one of my goals in 2024 is to commit to dining at more places—established or new.
Also, did you know that the people that run Swift and Union also are behind Tabor Tavern (5325 E Burnside Street)? I encourage you to check them out if you haven’t already (favorites of myself and Mr. Bites are the burger, most any of their soups, seasonal salads, the bolognese, and the fish & chips) . I did takeout many times there during the pandemic, and continue to eat in—in fact, I had a great meal there this past weekend. The toasted quinoa in the seasonal salad was one of my favorite parts of it!
Also: the restaurant space that is Swift and Union is available. It’s turnkey, and I know the neighborhood would love to have another good restaurant in that location.
So head on over to Swift and Union. Have a meal, take home some bacon jam, and enjoy one of Kenton’s gems before it’s gone for good.
Swift and Union [closing December 2023]
8103 N Denver Avenue, Portland
swiftandunion.com | Instagram
Meg Cotner
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I had dinner there with friends tonight not realizing this, and it was packed. It’s a neighborhood favorite. Sad to see it go.
Hoping for an update on this if you have one. Thanks!
Last info I have is that something called Northport is opening up in that space: https://bridgetownbites.com/2024/04/08/northport-to-open-in-old-swift-union-space-portland-oregon/