July 2026 Story Updates: Food Carts, Deli, Bars, and More

For a while now, I’ve wanted to find a way to share updates on past stories we’ve published on Bridgetown Bites in some kind of regular, orderly way. Social media seems clunky for this, as it moves so fast, hence this new—and experimental—updates column. This month it’s called July 2026 Story Updates. Perhaps a little boring, but it’s straight and to the point.

They plan is to publish mid-month, once a month. Please let us know if you find this kind of thing helpful.

July 2026 Story Updates: Bars

Bar Noto. An aperitivo bar inside Studio Noto, they had their soft opening on Wednesday, July 8 and opened fully on Thursday, July 9. Their opening party was from 5pm to 9pm on that Thursday, and from the looks of it, it was a total success!

Previously: Bar Noto Will Open Inside Studio Noto in Northwest Portland

JJ’s Bar. Delayed only a couple of days, they opened on Friday, July 10, and they sold out of food on the very first night, which blew them away. They’ve updated their menu—desserts are on hold for now, they removed the warm pretzel and chips option, as well as the burger.

However, they are going to do a test run of the burger as a special this coming weekend, when they’ll also show the Saturday (third place playoff) and Sunday (finals) World Cup matches on the two screens they have. They’ll gauge the possible return of the burger to the menu from the feedback they get this weekend.

More from the folks at JJ’s:

“JJ’s has been amazing so far. I can’t seem to express my gratitude enough. These past few days have been wild and lovely, serving delightful cocktails and beautiful plates to familiar faces and new. Lots of deep conversations happening, peppered with pleasant bursts of laughter that seem to come from out of nowhere in a wide array of vocal registers.

“Though we’ve been open for a mere few moments, we’ve already made some great new friends and found, in turn, that we can offer a great new place for friends to bring their friends. Some might say the world isn’t so ready for such lofty heights, all this good nature and stuff, but hey, we’re just JJ’s Neighborhood Bar. Won’t you be our neighbor?”

Previously: JJ’s Bar Will Open on SE Hawthorne and 46th Ave in Portland

Thunderbird Bar. They, too, had a delay, with an original opening date of Monday, June 29 for this second Thunderbird. They opened on Monday, July 6. They posted a video of the changes to the old The Uncanny space on Instagram.

Previously: Thunderbird Will Open on N Mississippi Ave in Portland

Places to Eat and Drink

Nana’s Exquisite Confections. Florence Jenkins opened her brick & mortar earlier this year after doing a lot of vendor events and online ordering. She’s moving just a handful of blocks south on 82nd Avenue from where she had been, and she plans to open her doors very soon. You’ll find an expanded menu, including some savory items, like soup and cornbread, plus an oatmeal bar.

Previously: Nana’s Exquisite Confections Opens Today in Portland

Salami Mammi. This Italian deli is set to open in Beaverton. They were slated to open on Tuesday, July 7, but supply chain issues got in the way. Their opening is TBD and we will let you know when that changes.

Previously: Salami Mammi, an Italian Deli, Will Open in Beaverton

Sure Shot. They opened last month but now have their liquor license, so while you have a burger and fries, you can eat them with “highballs, pitchers of beer, bottles of champagne, picklebacks & jell-o shots.” They also have a beer named after them the Sure Shot Super Dry, “A pristine lager cold fermented high atop the snowcapped mountains of central Beaverton.”

Previously: Sure Shot Burger Will Open a Restaurant in 2026 in Portland

July 2026 Story Updates: Construction

Massalia Coffee & Books. You may remember that this is an old triplex residential home (though the city has claimed that it’s a single family home) turning into a commercial space with a cafe and bookstore on the first floor. John Liu, the owner of the property, sent an email with some updates, which starts with, “Things are moving along.”

That includes plumbing work with a complete repipe, floor drains and sinks, grease interceptor, on-demand hot water. Apparently almost none of the original plumbing remains. The next thing they’ve been working on is the electrical. They’ve also been working on structural stuff to bring this 120-year building up to code. Insulation is also on their mind.

Then there’s this, erected as a fire safety requirement: “The seven-foot firewall we had to build at the entrance has to be finished, and Kate will paint a mural there—she is an artist, has a BFA in painting plus her BA in Journalism.” This will make the exterior side of the wall more appealing to look at. 

Also on the fire safety point, they had to remove and rebuild some exterior walls at the northwest corner of the building. All interior and exterior doors all have to be redone, too, adding lever handles or smoke seals and self-closers—more fire safety requirements. 

They also have a website and an Instagram page.

Previously: Massalia Books & Coffee Will Open on NE Glisan in Portland

Woodstock Food Carts. Both of the permits we mentioned in our article—“One for a new trash enclosure and bike parking structure, and one for the new building containing seating and restrooms”—have now shifted to Approved to Issue status. So, this project is moving along.

Previously: Woodstock Food Carts: Coming To Woodstock Blvd in Portland

July 2026 Story Updates: Grocery Shopping

Parkrose Grocery. This is an independent grocery store opening up in the space that was the Grocery Outlet on NE Sandy Blvd in Portland. Don McKeever, who ran the GO, has been working hard to bring a truly independent grocery store to life. We wrote that he has been working closely with the city—-D1 Councilor Candace Avalos, who in turn has assisted in connecting him with Prosper Portland. They are looking at a Healthy Communities grant for $500K.

Don is also working to get more investors on board and hopes to have a lease in place within the next week. Opening mid-September is the goal. He would appreciate support from the community via engaging with and sharing Parkrose Grocery’s social media posts, stay informed to learn what this project needs from the community, including opportunities to get involved.

You can see Don and Candace’s interview, on the Parkrose Grocery instagram page.

Previously: Parkrose Grocery Is in the Plans for East Portland

July 2026 Story Updates: Events

Summer Supper. This “walkaround tasting” event is in September and will benefit Urban Gleaners and the good work they do. early bird pricing for is over but you can still get tickets—General Admission is $100, VIP is $150, and kids 12 and under get in for $25. Buy your tickets here.

Previously: Summer Supper From Urban Gleaners Is a Good Time for a Great Cause

Other Updates

Huckleberry’s. This is a chain restaurant (like Eggslut, which opened in a former Fried Egg I’m in Love space) opening in one of the old Shari’s. I was curious, so I attended the grand opening in Gresham on Monday, July 13. I didn’t have a chance to eat anything (pressed for time), but I took some photos, which you can see here.

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That’s it for now. Please let us know how an article like this can be helpful for your needs, if you feel like sharing, down in the comments.