Small Bites: Balong, Brunch, Ice Cream, and More

Breakfast sandwich from Balong.
Photo credit: Balong.

Balong is officially open. After a short time in soft opening phase, they had their grand opening this week. This Filipino-American breakfast sandwich spot (they also make fresh bread like pan de sal) from Justin Dauz opened their brick & mortar after being a pop-up since 2022. They are now located in the former Meianna Bakery in the Fubonn Shopping Center (considered the largest Asian mall in Oregon).  2850 SE 82nd Avenue #27, Portland

Continue reading “Small Bites: Balong, Brunch, Ice Cream, and More”

Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, March 2025

Data Analytics Chart

It was a very interesting group of articles that Bridgetown Bites readers enjoyed the most in March 2025. A holiday roundup, news of restaurant openings, and the first look at the Flock Food Hall from this past January all caught your collective eyes.

However, Google launched a core update in mid-March, and Bridgetown Bites unfortunately was affected (I can see the downward line on a graph of engagement in my analytics). I looked back at March 2024’s top 5 review and interestingly enough, the site got hit then, too. So, fool me twice, shame on me—I’ll be making yet another set of adjustments.

Continue reading “Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, March 2025”

Taste of Sichuan Will Re-Open in Beaverton

Noodles and spicy pork at Taste of Sichuan in Beaverton, Oregon.
Noodles and pork at Taste of Sichuan in Beaverton.

After many months of being closed due to a fire, beloved Beaverton Chinese restaurant Taste of Sichuan will finally re-open this year—Sunday, November 2 at 11:30am.

It has been a painstaking process to get to the point where they can open their doors, but when they do, it’s going to be a cause for celebration. Here is the history of website updates and social media updates we’ve noted over the year.

Continue reading “Taste of Sichuan Will Re-Open in Beaverton”

Small Bites: Kachka, Bar Nouveau, Mayor Millie, and More

Mayor Millie's Mexican Lager label at Montavilla Brew Works.
Mayor Millie will be there at this Saturday’s event!

A new cocktail bar from Kachka is coming this summer. The Portland Business Journal reports that Kachka will open a “full bar concept” in what was the Aimsir Distilling space. Aimsir closed in early January; you may be aware of the tension between them and Jade Rabbit, who are now operating on SE Belmont and 23rd.

Anyway, the article indicates that “[Owner Bonnie] Morales had already leased 2,100 square feet in the same building for a production facility. Half of that space was earmarked for distilling Kachka’s horseradish vodka. The vodka production started in the new space in February, Morales said. By taking over the Aimsir lease, Kachka is adding another 1,500 square feet, but more importantly, the space comes with a fully built out kitchen and distilling equipment.” No name for the bar yet, but I’ll keep an eye on it. 2117 NE Oregon Street, Portland

Continue reading “Small Bites: Kachka, Bar Nouveau, Mayor Millie, and More”