Kouzina is out, Michael’s is in.
A Bridgetown Bites tipster email me earlier this week: “Walked by today and saw Kouzina moving out. A sign in the window states that Michael’s Italian Beef and Sausage Co. is moving in soon.” They offer Italian-style beef, sausage, and various cold sandwiches; and Chicago-style hot dogs.
I stopped over there today to get my bearings, and saw the sign with the familiar logo design for this Chicago-style sandwich joint. The “Kouzina” being referred to is Kouzina at Angelos, a Greek restaurant adjacent to Angelo’s Bar. I once ate at Kouzina—they put Balsamic dressing on my Greek salad, which was not what I expected.
Here’s the sign in the window announcing the impending arrival of Michael’s. The interior looks much like it did as Kouzina.
Back in May 2023, I got a message from a reader, saying: “I stopped by Michael’s Italian Beef and she said she has lost her lease after 40-some years on Sandy. Wants to move but not sure where.” As recent as this past December, this was posted on Facebook: “Michael’s Italian Beef & Sausage on 11th and Sandy. Michael [Zokoych] died a few years ago and his employees took it over. The building is being sold and they have to be out by the end of the month. They’re looking for a new home with a kitchen big enough to produce their Italian sausage.” Yelp indicates the business has closed at the Sandy Blvd location.
Michael died of pancreatic cancer in May 2020.
The sale of the building is on Loopnet and it looks current. It’s a 2,178 square foot space built in 1947 and it’s on the market for $799K (“price reduced”). One listing describes the business as, “In business at this same location approaching 50 years now. The pioneer of Chicago Style Italian Beef, Sausage, Meatballs and Hot Dogs in the Pacific Northwest.” Aside: For the life of me I will never understand the obsession real estate listings have in capitalizing so many words that really do not need it.
Our tipster also opines, “I’m guessing that they’ll be going after the dinner crowd, because they’ve got heavy lunch competition two doors down at East Side Deli and DeMarco’s on SE Division.”
Prior to Kouzina there was a Portuguese restaurant called Fado. Before that it was Dingo’s, a taco spot.
Lover’s of Michael’s sandwiches and hot dogs will no doubt be happy about their being able to continue their work making Chicago-style eats that fit in your hands. As for when they are going to open, that is unknown. However, the person running the place, Teri Burke, posted today, “I could open my restaurant today but my oven is still in my storage unit.” I’d like to think this means things will be up and running sooner than later. Best of luck to the Michael’s crew as they get ready to reopen in SE PDX.
Michael’s Italian Beef & Sausage Co. [opening 2024]
4612 SE Hawthorne Blve, Portland
Meg Cotner
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That’s good news. Their beef sandwiches are just like the ones I had in Chicago and the fries are great.
If you don’t like caps, don’t go to Zillow.
Thanks for the updates.
Touché – you are so right about Zillow and all its capitalized words!
Please open soon. We went by today to former location on 12th.
Best Italian Beef and Sausage in town
I have been a friend and supporter for 35 years and always would go there as much as possible for lunch and dinner everything that They served was fantastic I will be there on the reopening for dinner. and Terri has always been awesome with the customer’s. I love you see you soon