Small Bites: Grits N’ Gravy, Farag’s, Sure Shot, and More

Grits N’ Gravy has closed. (Not to be confused with Gravy on N Mississippi.) This was a breakfast spot downtown next door to Souvlaki Queen. At first they thought they could do one more breakfast but they “have been given no leeway.” In their words, “Times have gotten hard and business has been declining since last August. We held on for as long as we could but we can’t keep going.”

The owner will go back to their Mumbo Gumbo PDX food cart in the Cartside Food Pod on SE Foster and SE Rhone. “Updated menu coming next month with fried fish, greens, and pork chops are some of the additions.” 215 SW 6th Avenue, Portland

Fusion Curry Pizza will open on NE Fremont. They opened on NE Sandy back in 2023 in a space that used to be a Hot Lips, and now they are opening in another former pizzeria, the Pizza Nostra that closed on NE Fremont earlier this year. I’ve asked if this is a second location or a move—my guess is it’s a second location—and will share what I learn when they get back to me.

I’ve heard good things about Fusion Curry, which offers Indian pizza and other Indian dishes. 4831 NE Fremont Street, #4, Portland

Help send a Portland cheesemonger to the CheeseMonger Invitational in NYC. Eli Iturrieta, who is a cheesemonger at Cowbell, is heading to the Cheesemonger Invitational (CMI). It will be at The Hammerstein Ballroom (just around the corner from Madison Square Garden) and it’s kind of a big deal. Founded in 2010, it’s an event that brings together folks from the cheese industry, your friendly neighborhood cheesemongers, and cheese enthusiasts. I remember when it was held in Long Island City, Queens back in 2011—you can even read my promotional post about it from then (dang, that was 15 years ago).

If you’d like to help Eli with their time at the CMI—not only attending, but competing—consider donating to their GoFundMe support campaign. Online

Trung Nguyen Legend World Coffee in Beaverton has soft opened. I got a text over the weekend that they had opened their doors to the coffee-loving public. They’ll be offering much of what they’ve been serving in the SE Portland location there in Beavertron. 11405 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton

Mr. Chip has a home. And it’s a residency at Mike Bennett Studios! The grand opening is tomorrow, Saturday, starting at 11am. Head over there to sample chips, buy some bags of chips (and/or Flerps), and they are doing hourly raffles for merch. Aside from tomorrow’s celebration, you’ll be able to access the vending machine every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm, during open studio hours. 707 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Lotic Taproom has opened. They opened on Friday, June 18, and serve housemade craft sodas, beer, cocktails, and incoming rotating guest selections. “There’s something for everyone!” It’s very family-friendly, complete with a kids corner for the littles. They do have food, too—Between the Buns is in their kitchen. They describe them as “bringing a Midwestern twist with a PNW vibe”—hot Italian-style sandwiches, nachos, shredded jackfruit, queso blanco, and the like. And there are options for vegans and vegetarians, along with the omnivores. 1307 NE 78th Street, Suite B10, Vancouver

ForeLand Beer updates. They closed their SE Belmont space on Saturday, June 13. The final day in McMinnville is Sunday, June 28—their sendoff includes $4 beers and free hotdogs that day. They are doing very well at their N Broadway location where they are open Wednesday to Saturday. Multiple locations

Miss Delta will close. Their final day of service is Friday, July 3. There are multiple reasons why they are closing—for one, Marcus is starting a new career after 37 years in the restaurant industry, one with a better work/life balance. Then there’s the combo of the death of a business partner, COVID’s wrath, a fire, multiple floods, and break-ins that have worn him down. He wrote, “I just don’t have it in me to fight for it anymore and do everything needed to keep going!”

They might have a party on their last day. Sorry to see them go, but I get it. Wishing him all the best. 3950 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland

Habit Burger & Grill will open a location in Milwaukie. Find them next year in the Milwaukie Marketplace, where the MPB Liquor Store is. 10804 SE Oak Street, Milwaukie

Caribbean Cooking demo at Steelport Knives this weekend. On Saturday, June 27 from 11am to noon, Chef Isaiah Martinez of Yardy Rum Bar in Eugene will be using Steelport knives to prepare a Caribbean salt cod salad. Plus, he’ll share some knife tips and techniques. Free to attend but RSVP here to save a spot. 3602 NE Sandy Blvd, Suite B, Portland

Two at Che this weekend. First, on Saturday evening, Zaddys is bringing a summer luau party with a “whole hog roast, tropical mixed drinks, delicious food, fire dancers, live music and of course some delicious creations from Scoops.” Scoops is an ice cream pop-up. 6pm to 10pm.

Then on Sunday, No Sabo is in residence for Che’s Summer Sundays. It’s “a rotating lineup of chefs serving dinner from 6–9, followed by late-night snacks, drinks, and karaoke starting at 10.” They’ll be there every other Sunday through the summer. Everyone is welcome. 920 NE Glisan Street, Portland

Portland Kettle will close. They’ve been serving soup for 11 years, but it’s time to say goodbye. Gayle, the owner, will retire after being in the restaurant industry for over 50 years. The final days of service are Monday and Tuesday, June 29 and 30. You can stop by then and get a free piece of cornbread plus recipe cards with their signature soups.

On the website, Gayle wrote, “Ian’s passing left a hole nothing can fill, and finishing this chapter without him by my side is bittersweet.” We wish her well. 1344 SW 3rd Avenue
Portland

Sure Shot Burger is open! You can stop by Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 7pm for now. Many have been anticipating their new brick & mortar restaurant and I can’t wait to check it out. Congratulations, Nick! 5011 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland

Entity Lounge will open in August. This is a new listening bar, aka a “deep listening lounge.” Plus curated vinyl centric DJ sets. They will also have a wine bar. Hawthorne neighborhood, Portland

Take Two will close. Their final day of service is Friday, July 3. They are heartbroken to have to close but as they say, they “saw the writing on the wall” and “the math, just does not math.” The economics is the killer. Very sorry to see them go. 3000 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland

Friends Share Cà Phê by night. Friends Share Community Space is opening their backyard patio for one night only—Saturday, June 27 from 5pm to 10pm. You’ll find:

• Plastic tables and low stools outside.
• Room to chill inside.
• Card games (tiến lên).
• Charcoal grilled bún chả burgers loaded with classic toppings.
• Optional light and refreshing cucumber herb salad on the side.
• Snack special is bánh tráng nướng: Charcoal grilled crispy rice paper filled with “all the fixings,” featuring house-made Sa Tế (chili oil).
• Jasmine tea or slow drip coffee “boozed up with a citrusy floral orange wine to pair.”

yoitsvo will provide the tunes. 14814 SE Powell Blvd, Portland

Tehroon Restaurant has reopened. “The wait is over!” This Persian restaurant has reopened in its new location on SW Barnes Road. They’ll be open Sunday to Thursday 11am to 8pm, and Friday to Saturday 11am to 9pm. They’re pretty excited and look forward to seeing you there. 7365 SW Barnes Road, Suite I, Portland

Puff Coffee 2 update: Word on the street is that they will not be moving into the old Belmont Stumptown, after all. Sad trombone. I’ll be curious to see what happens with that space. The building was built in 1902, which makes it 124 years old and probably needs some work. 3356 SE Belmont Street, Portland

Farag’s is back. They resumed service last weekend, there behind Güero. There are no reservations accepted or needed to enjoy their food (Egyptian small plates), natural wines, cocktails, mezcal, and live jazz. I haven’t been by yet but I hope the hot dog is back. 2821 NE Davis Street, Portland

Bruno’s turns two. This weekend, help them celebrate two years of cocktails, food, music, and memories. There will be a napkin doodle contest, photo assignments, new summer cocktails, food and drink specials, merch, a community wall, and jazz on Sunday night at 7:30pm. The main celebration will be Saturday, June 17 from 2pm to midnight. 6258 SE Foster Road, Portland

And Bar Loon turned two. This past Tuesday was their second birthday. They didn’t do anything special for it, but expressed appreciation to their staff and guests for making Bar Loon awesome. And it is a wonderful spot. I love the big tiles on the floor, the tasty NA cocktails, those fried artichokes, and the burrata I had there the other day was so good. It’s one of my favorite spots in Portland. Sending all the best to the Bar Loon folks! 3326 SE Belmont Street, Portland

Market of Choice in Hillsdale opened this week. Their first day was Tuesday, June 23. It is their 13th store and the fifth one in the Portland metro area. Their predecessor, Basics Market, was much beloved by the community, but I hope Market of Choice will do well by them.

“As an Oregon family-owned grocer, we know the importance of community and being a good neighbor. When we open, you’ll see familiar faces and many products you grew to love. You’ll also find new choices, more fresh prepared foods, more locally made goods and as much of the Market of Choice experience we can fit into the store.” 6344 SW Capitol Highway, Portland

Ice cream tacos are coming. DB Dessert Company will officially launch their Ice Cream Tacos on Wednesday, July 1. It’s creamy ice cream in a crispy waffle taco shell and there are five flavors to choose from: Double Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, White Chocolate Raspberry, Red Velvet Cheesecake, and Vanilla Funfetti. 2624 NE Alberta Street, Portland

32 best Pinot Noirs. I came across this listicle by VinePair and was happy to see Oregon wines on it—at least a third of the list. Wineries include

• Abbott Claim Vineyard (Carlton)
• Big Table Farm Earth (Carlton)
• Cho Wines (Hillsboro)
• Domaine Roy & Fils (Dundee)
• Fairsing Vineyard (Yamhill)
• Illahe Vineyards (Dallas)
• Lonesome Rock Cellars (Carlton)
• LucidWild Estate (Dundee)
• St. Innocent Winery (Jefferson)
• Soter Vineyards Estates (Carlton)
• White Rose Estate (Dayton)
• Zephyr Wells (Salem)

You can read the full list here and see if you agree with their choices. Multiple locations

Afterlife is not open. It seems they owe a lot of back rent: $21,945.12 in total, according to a document on the door of the bar from Spot Properties, the property management company there (as per Reddit). They have terminated the lease and taken possession of the premises. On Afterlife’s Instagram they posted that the bar is temporarily closed and “We’ll be back… Stay tuned.” 3632 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland

New food truck at My-O-My. And it’s glizzies! Maddoggs is now in the food truck on the patio in the back. Their soft launch was Wednesday, June 24. They have hot dogs—Classic, Tikki, Pero Caliente, Sonoran, and Hound Dog—and fries. You can get a veggie dog option, too! 8627 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Bluto’s in Beaverton has reopened. There was a fire back in February, so they had to close down. And now, they are back open. They restarted service on Wednesday, June 24. Big congrats to them on their return! 12555 SW 1st Street, Beaverton

Milwaukie Station Food Carts has a new owner. And they are having a ribbon-cutting ceremony tonight at 5pm. Apparently Millie T. Goose will be leading the ribbon cutting. Hushfire, an Americana/roots band, will play from 5:30pm to 7pm. Wagon with the Dragon will provide pints for five bucks. Plus, there will be an announcement of a community art project. 11301 SE 21st Avenue, Milwaukie

Cheap eats in Portland. Willamette Week has a list of what they consider the best. Check it out. Multiple locations

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Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Fourth of July 2026 in the Portland Metro Area
Thunderbird Will Open on N Mississippi Ave in Portland
Massalia Books & Coffee Will Open on NE Glisan in Portland
Learn To Make Cheese With Claudia Lucero’s Cheesecraft Club

Updated June 26, 2026 to correct the entry for ForeLand Beer.