Small Bites: Javi’s, YUI, 33 Cafe, Dear Santa, and More

Delicious food at Javi's.
A couple of things you can get at Javi’s: chilaquiles and eggs benedict with hashbrowns.

Javi’s will open in Vancouver. Their Sandy Blvd location is so popular that they’ll be opening a second location at The Mill shopping center, which is also home to another familiar Portland business: Parkrose Hardware. No indication of the timing of their opening yet, aside from “soon.” Good news for The Couve. 7900 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver

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Shop Halo Halo Has Closed and Is Ready for What’s Next, in Portland

The ube crinkle cookie, the most popular item on the menu. Photo credit: Shop Halo Halo.

Shop Halo Halo, a Filipino bakery, closed down their storefront in the Woodstock neighborhood this past August. Currently doing pop-ups and fundraisers (including their own), they are in search of a new location. I spoke with Shop Halo Halo’s owner, Geleen Abenoja, to learn more.

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The Donn of Tiki Will Screen at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland

Imagery from the life of Donn Beach.
Photo credit: “The Donn of Tiki.”

A film called “The Donn of Tiki” is coming to Portland. Nominated for a James Beard Media Award earlier this year (among other honors), it is in the middle of a 2025 roadshow theatrical release. And you can watch it at the Hollywood Theatre, right here in Portland, later this month.

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Cheese and Meat Festival Is This Weekend in Portland

Cheese and Meat Festival offerings.
Photo credit: Cheese and Meat Festival.

I’ve been hearing about the Cheese and Meat Festival for a while now, and the event is almost upon us. On Saturday, November 22 there will be a chance to taste artisan cheeses, premium cured meats, condiments, wines, and more in the southern part of North Portland. The organizers point out that this is a great chance to find some treats to share at your Thanksgiving table, too.

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Small Bites: Tamalada, Crispy Cones, ZabPinto Thai, and More

Making tamales during a tamalada in 2019 in Portland, Oregon.
The tamalada from 2019.

Tamalada in Portland is back! I attended a tamalada—a group tamale-making party around the holidays—organized by Hot Mama Salsa and Three Sisters Nixtamal pre-pandemic (2019) and loved it. We learned how to prepare the masa, fill the corn husks, and steam the tamales—and we got to take some tamales home. It was fantastic!

So you can imagine how happy I was to see that these same two women-owned and led businesses have brought it back this year. This time it will take place at Hot Mama Salsa’s headquarters in Southeast Portland. There are two sessions on Sunday, December 14: 2pm to 3:30pm and 4pm to 5:30pm. It’s $65; you can reserve your spot and pay them on Venmo. DM them with questions. 333 SE 2nd Avenue, Portland

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