A new sports bar called Checkpoint One has soft opened on NE Sandy Blvd in Roseway. They have a dozen screens, a menu of Southern food, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the game. Here’s what you need to know.
Checkpoint One: What’s in a Name?
“Checkpoint One” is an auto racing term, and racing—specifically the checkered flag—is part of the bar’s logo, as you can see above. Checkpoints are places in a race where a competitor’s passings are logged; it’s a tracking system.
“Your neighborhood finish line” is their tagline.
The Building
This building was built in 1926 and remodeled in 2023. I used to drive past it often and noticed that it looked pretty tired for a while, so this remodel definitely makes the exterior at least look more modern and fresh, at least from the outside.
It looks like it was sold in 2022, and a bunch of LLCs were involved. Here’s the sales history starting in 2022 (click to enlarge).
When I first moved to East Portland, this unit was home to Blue Fin Bar & Grill, a Vietnamese restaurant. It was a popular spot for a while, serving excellent bowls of pho, bun, but seemed to go downhill toward the end. I’m not surprised that it closed.
Who Is Behind Checkpoint One?
The ORSOS records indicate Krystl Arruiza, Daniel Preston, and Mary Lincoln. Mary was behind Hank’s Place Southern Cuisine, which made a variety of soul food dishes: fried chicken, jambalaya, smothered pork chops, oxtails, fried shrimp and catfish, and more. They were at the Rockwood Market Hall for a couple of years, from spring 2022 to spring 2024.
The Menu at Checkpoint One
Fried food is the name of the game at Checkpoint One. In their words, “We’re bringing hot, crispy fried seafood and Louisiana flavor to Sandy Boulevard!’
Look for fried wings, catfish, shrimp, and oysters. A “large chicken” is also on the menu. But they’ll also serve gumbo, as well as have coleslaw or potato salad on the side!. They’ll also have cocktails, beer in rotating taps, wine, and soda.
Their soft opening was Friday, November 7. All the best to the Checkpoint One team as they liven up Sandy Blvd for all of us to enjoy!
Checkpoint One [soft opened November 7, 2026]
7325 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Checkpoint One website | Facebook
Meg Cotner
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