Four Things I Learned This Week (August 16)

How Convenient is coming to North Tabor. As we wait for Tréla to open there on the southeast corner of NE Glisan and 60th Avenue, we also prepare for the opening of How Convenient, an aptly-named convenience store opening in the building to the east. They are calling themselves a “bodega-style,” as in a, “soon-to-be bodega-style convenience store where you will find treats & treasures to make your day better & easier.” I send good wishes to Nathan and his mascot cat Riley all the best as they prepare the space to open. 6016 NE Glisan Street, Portland

National Knife Day is August 24. Thanks to a post by Travel Oregon, I learned that there exists a National Knife Day in amongst the other “national days” floating around out there. And you can celebrate (or at least recognize) this day at an event on August 24 at Steelport Knife Co’s factory here in Portland. Also, did you know that “five of the world’s leading knife brands make their home here”? This includes including Benchmade Knife CompanyC.R.K.T.Gerber GearLeatherman, and, of course Steelport Knife Co.

At the event at Steelport, there will be knife forging demonstrations, and local food and drink available. You’ll also can enter the ultimate Portland Knifemaker Giveaway, where you have a chance to win over $5,000 worth of knives from the above-mentioned knife-makers. It runs through 11:59pm on August 24. 3602 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Prince Coffee is selling its stroopwafel sign. Since they retired their fresh stroopwafels a while back, they are feeling like they don’t need that neon sign. Katie, owner of Prince Coffee, explains why they don’t make them anymore at the cafes—it’s a mix of health issues and price of ingredients. If you want it, send them a DM or email katie@princecoffeepdx.com. 4523 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Shorba Arabic Food has set up in Montavilla. Thanks to a Montavilla resident who reported this: “New middle eastern cart opened up the weekend of the Montavilla street fair.” It’s called Shorba Arabic Food, run by a man named Omer. Their Google listing says “We provide verify of arabic home foods, such as plates, saj, gyro. We have a selections of foods that fit different diets.” They serve halal food. There are lots of positive reviews in various places online. 307 SE 80th Avenue, Portland


Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Steam Rice Roll King Is Open in the Hazelwood Neighborhood
Coq Au Vin Is Moving to North Portland
Heretic Coffee Co., SE Portland’s Nonprofit Cafe
The Paladins League Will Open on NE Fremont
Look at This Awesome Portland Trailblazers Schedule Release Video

Also, the Beaverton Night Market is happening tomorrow, Saturday, August 17, 5pm to 10pm, at The Round, 12600 SW Crescent Street
https://www.beavertonoregon.gov/390/Beaverton-Night-Market
More on August festivals in the area.

Four Things I Learned This Week (August 2)

Good chance: New food cart coming to My-O-My. I was by earlier this week and the bartender told me that they do have a new cart in mind, but could not reveal its name. Apparently the contract hadn’t been signed at that point. I’ve been keeping an eye on things on their Instagram to see if they have a name they can share. I’ll keep you updated. 8627 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Fremont Fest Marketplace is tomorrow. I usually just call it the Fremont Fest, but yeah—it’s happening tomorrow, Saturday, August 3 from 10am to 4pm. This year they have an 80s theme going on to celebrate the founding year of the Beaumont Business Association in 1984 (BBA produces the festival). “Wear those neon colors, get your shoulder pads out, and break out those leg warmers…” I’ll pass on the leg warmers in the middle of summer, but YMMV. Check out the vendors and more on the BBA website. NE Fremont Street from NE 42nd to NE 51st Avenues

Xin Ding Dumpling House on WW. Aaron Mesh at the Willamette Week wrote about Xin Ding Dumping House in downtown Portland. I loved reading about this place on the corner of SW Ash and 2nd with its Sichuan menu featuring dishes like XLB, fish in hot gravy, and dan dan noodles. Also enticing: “On Fridays and Saturdays, Xin Ding serves bao and bowls until 2am.” Love hearing about popular tasty late night spots in Portland. Definitely check out the article. 71 SW 2nd Avenue, Portland

Xiao Ye launches Summer Friday lunch service today. Today is the first day of “Summer Fridays” lunch service at Xiao Ye. They’ll offer their amazing eats from noon to 2:30pm for the last months of summer. “What to expect: a condensed menu with some of our dinner favorites AND a few special, lunch-only menu items & carafes of wine.” No reservations, walk-ins only and you put in your order at the counter. Xiao Ye made one of my favorite meals last year—highly recommended! 3832 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland


Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Capitol Is Closed + Historic Buildings on Broadway
The Wooden Chicken Pub Returns
Flour Bloom Has Closed, but Just for a Month
Lei Brilla Will Open in NW Portland

Also, the Chinese Festival is at Pioneer Courthouse Square is this weekend!

DesiPDX Will Open in the Upright Beer Station Pod in NE Portland

The seating area outside the cart that will become DesiPDX at the Upright Beer Station in Portland, Oregon.
The cart will remain but is soon to become home to DesiPDX. Photo credit: Chaat Wallah

Many of us have been wondering what has been going on with the Chaat Wallah cart at the Upright Beer Station in Cully/Roseway. Well, wonder no more—turns out Chaat Wallah is retiring, and an outpost of DesiPDX is opening in the same cart.

Continue reading “DesiPDX Will Open in the Upright Beer Station Pod in NE Portland”

Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, June 2024

Data Analytics Chart

This month I have better news than last month’s: we almost doubled our traffic in June. Over 17,000 unique visitors made it over to Bridgetown Bites, and they generated over 21,000 page views (vs 8,800 and 11,000, respectively). The strategies I put into place made a difference.

Top posts in June are mostly about restaurants (and a future food cart pod), but strawberry shortcake certainly grabbed attention. And why not? It’s delicious and wholesome.

A always, thanks to all who visited, read, and shared stories on Bridgetown Bites!

5. Ole Frijole Has Closed

Ole Frijole's exterior in the Concordia neighborhood in Portland, OR. It closed as of May 4, 2024.

Earlier this week a Bridgetown Bites tipster emailed me news that Ole Frijole, located on the northwest corner of Killingsworth and NE 42nd Ave, has closed. They wrote, “My neighbor mentioned that she just read a sweet message to customers posted on their door saying that they closed and the property has been sold.” Looks like the closure was one month ago on May 4.

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Small Bites: Wonderlove Is Open, Portland Taco Ride, Top Portland Pizzas, and More

The space that is Wonderlove.
Behold, Wonderlove. Photo credit: Wonderlove

Wonderlove is open (partially). This is good news—the SE Portland food cart/bar/entertainment venue Wonderlove is open! A post on Instagram about a week ago goes like this:

“So excited to partially open! 11am-7pm. The first stage of our amazing journey starts now with opening (a few )of our fantastic food carts! And that’s not all—we’re also serving adult beverages out of the Wondercat Pizza Cart! Stay tuned because the Wonderlove Bar is the second act, and it’s coming soon!” 262 SE Main Street, Portland

Continue reading “Small Bites: Wonderlove Is Open, Portland Taco Ride, Top Portland Pizzas, and More”