Small Bites: Orange Julius, Beer, FIKA, El Mercado, and More

Orange Julius retro. — This is the Orange Julius branding I remember from years past. Photo credit: Retro News Now.

Farewell, Orange Julius. The Oregonian reported that Portland’s last remaining Orange Julius, located in the Lloyd Center, was closing (by now, it’s in the past tense). The franchise’s owner, Bob Slayton, died from cancer on May 19. This Orange Julius had been around for 42 years. I have fond memories of going to the OJ in the mall near me in SoCal during my youth, enjoying one of their drinks along with a pretzel from “Pretzels and Cheese.” Read more about Bob and his business over on The O. 2314 Lloyd Center, Portland

Berlu Bakery is back this weekend! I was thinking about Berlu Bakery and wondering if they were going to open anytime soon. Well, I looked on their Instagram page this week and with really no fanfare at all is a single line: “Opening 6/29!” As for what they’ll serve, I’ve messaged them for more info but earlier this year The Oregonian talked a bit about what Vince Nguyen was testing out, including a bánh cuốn version of a BEC and avocado toast made with pandan bánh bò nướng, among others. 661 SE Belmont Street, Portland

Yellow Heart Sunshine pop-up at Fressen. Local baker Hiroko Saso will bring her baked goods to a pop-up at Fressen Artisan Bakery in Montavilla. On Sunday, June 29, from 8am to 2pm stop by for “a lovely lineup of art, pastries, ceramics, and natural personal care products — handmade with heart.” Fressen also has delicious food. 7075 NE Glisan Street, Portland

FIKA is also popping up on Saturday at Curios on Hawthorne. Joe will be providing his fabulous baked goods at Curios on Hawthorne’s one-year anniversary. From 2pm to 7pm he’ll offer two types of empanadas, three types of cookies, lime bars, and pandan coconut cream buns. 3713 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland

USA Today loves Blue Star. They did a listicle of their 10 best donut shops in the U.S. and Blue Star landed at the ninth spot. Apparently, these donuts shops were “nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best.” Multiple locations

Deschutes Brewery celebrates 37 years with an anniversary beer. It’s called Black Butte XXXVII (37 in Roman numerals). What’s it about? “This special 37th anniversary release of Imperial Black Butte Porter at 12.9% ABV draws inspiration from a tequila orange truffle, blending rich chocolate, citrusy orange peel, and a hint of spiciness.” You can find it at their pub in Northwest Portland. 210 NW 11th Avenue, Portland

Sliced Limon is coming. They are opening in the old Vintage space on East Burnside, offering a juice bar and food. Word on the street indicated it’s from the folks behind nearby Olé Olé Taqueria. 2137-A E Burnside Street, Portland

Trouble Bar is opening in the old North Bar Pub location. A new bar called “Trouble” will be opening in what was the North Bar Space there on the corner of SE Division and 50th (across the street from Capes & Crepes). I’ve been in touch with the Trouble folks and they described their bar to me as, “A loose 90’s theme comfy neighborhood dive bar.” They added, “We are aiming for August opening, but you know we never know until it’s actually happening.“ 5008 SE Division Street, Portland

East Portland’s 99 Ranch Market is getting closer to opening. This is the Asian market that has been in the works at the Plaza 205 shopping center for a while. The Montavilla News has the details: “Crews are assembling the refrigerated display cases and product shelving inside East Portland’s first 99 Ranch Market location at 10560 SE Washington Street. The highly anticipated Asian grocery store began hiring for nearly 100 positions at the new location in May, with a Job Fair and postings on job websites.” Their liquor license application also was posted today—additional signs of progress. 10560 SE Washington Street, Portland

Window smash at Quiche Me If You Can. They posted earlier this week, “Guess we’re part of the club now…” They boarded up the window and are moving forward—stop in if you can to give them a little support. 411 SE 81st Avenue, Portland

New life for an old Albertsons. Over on Facebook I read that the Albertsons at the intersection of Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Shattuck Road (not far from what was the Alpenrose Dairy) will close by July 1. It’s going to be redeveloped—they’ll split the store into two to three smaller spaces, give it new facing, and another structure will be built to join it on the lot at the far southeast side. The Oregonian has additional info. 5415 SW. Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Portland

Pop-up at Kann. On Sunday, July 13 there’s going to be a Kann Coffee brunch pop up. Head there from 11am to 1pm to enjoy Kann Coffee drinks and lots of brunch snacks. All items will be served to go; first come, first served. 548 SE Ash Street, Portland

Roundup love for queer-owned bars, restaurants, and cafes. Over on the Portland Mercury, Julianne Bell and Janey Wong put together a listicle of queer-owned bars, restaurants, and cafes they love. Lots of good stuff on there—check it out. Multiple locations

Lambrusco wine float at Monty’s Red Sauce. They are calling it a “Lambrusco Affogato.” It was on special this week and I hope they bring it back. 6716 SE Milwaukie Avenue, Portland

Chilango closed June 11. Earlier than they would have liked. They posted, “I thought I could keep the service going while preparing to close, but the truth is we were overextending ourselves and falling short. So we made the decision to close earlier.” Very sorry to see them go. 2217 NE Alberta Street, Portland

And Trails End Bar closed, ICYMI (because I certainly MI). I caught wind of a new bar called Last Call Saloon opening on SE Hawthorne, and after looking at their address I realized I missed the closing of Trails End Bar, which opened in the old Cavern space last year. Trails End closed mid-May. I’ve reached out to Last Call Saloon to learn more about their plans. 4601 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland

Burrito pop-up on Sunday. Myrtle’s Mission Style burritos is popping up at Cats Paw Saloon to help them celebrate 8 years in business. They’ll have pollo asado, carne asada, and vegan rice and beans options. Four salsas, too: salsa Mexicana, verde, verde con aguacate, and roja. Sunday, June 29, 4:30pm or until sold out. #loyaltothefoil 3565 SE Division Street, Portland

Toasted S’Mores Bar opens a cart in Beaverton. They’ll be at the Breakside Beaverton pod starting today, Friday June 27 at 4pm. 12675 SW 1st Street, Beaverton

Agîr Restaurant & Bar is opening soon in NE Portland. Thanks to a Bridgetown Bites tipster, I’ve learned that Agîr Restaurant & Bar will open in what was the En Vida space on NE Fremont Street (right up the street from Fat Milo’s). It will be run by a Kurdîsh chef named Agir. They describe themselves as this: “Turkish, Kurdish, Mesopotamian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Tantuni and kunefe are specialities of our chef Agir. Mezes appetizers and wine selection from the Pacific Northwest.” In Kurdish, “agir” means “fire.” 1303 NE Fremont Street, Portland

El Mercado is Sunday. Hosted by PDX Food Finds, this Latin-X Market Party is popping up at Cadejo coffee shop downtown. It’s happening on Sunday, June 29 from 11am to 3pm.

Enjoy food and drinks from Latin-owned vendors, which include Cadejo (drinks) Ancestro (food), Camellia Patisserie (vegan sweets), Ice Queen (vegan paletas), Maruka Loka Antojitos (Mexican candy), and Cositas (handmade jewelry). You can get a free temporary tattoo and listen to live music by Jupiter Williams. 804 NW Couch Street, Portland

Stories you may have missed on Bridgetown Bites this week:

Fourth of July 2025 in Portland and Nearby Communities
Trung Nguyên Legend Cafe Update, Summer 2025
Mi Familia Cafe Has Opened in Portland’s Buckman Neighborhood
ZabPinto Thai PDX Has Opened at Cascade Station in Portland

The Oregon Midsummer Festival is today and tomorrow, the World Beat Festival is now until Sunday, and Good in the Hood Festival returns this weekend. Tea Fest is tomorrow, Nacho Week continues through Sunday, Dock Fire Party is today and tomorrow, and Street Bazaar is tonight. More events throughout the year can be found on our Portland Food and Drink Festivals and Portland Area Cultural + Food Festivals lists.