Four Things I Learned This Week (April 22)

Happy Earth Day! 🌎

Hit the Spot will move on from their burger cart and open a restaurant in SE Portland. They posted on their social media this week: “We got some big news y’all! Just signed the lease and got the keys for our new restaurant. It is located at 676 SE Morrison St. It was most recently BrunchBox! It’s only 5 minutes from our current location. We’ll be open early summer!” They are also selling their cart for $50K. I’ll be sorry to see them leave their location on NE Sandy Blvd, but the restaurant sounds like progress. 676 SE Morrison Street, Portland

Jollibee is coming. Willamette Week first reported on this—they spotted a listing for the Filipino fast food giant in the mall directory of the Tanasbourne Village mall in Hillsboro. This is a big deal; Jollibee is a big deal. Yes, the chicken is a huge draw but the sweet Jolly Spaghetti with hot dogs is truly legendary; be sure to try the halo halo, too. I love the big red bee mascot. Now if only Red Ribbon Bakery would open a location in our area. NW 185th Avenue & NW Evergreen Pkwy, Hillsboro

Division Midway Alliance features Sunbela. The March DMA newsletter has a great blurb on Sunbela, the excellent Iraqi bakery and restaurant on Division near SE 125th. I stopped by recently and let me tell you, this place is terrific. I love this quote from Faten, Sunbela’s owner: “I opened this restaurant so that our community feels a sense of belonging in the new country. Food brings people together and it’s a way to celebrate life and culture. I am happy when community members tell me how much they like the food.” Definitely check it out. 12503 SE Division Street D, Portland

The Record Pub will open in Sellwood. While I was meeting a friend for breakfast at Bastion this week, I noticed a sign up in a nearby storefront for The Record Pub. I know very little about them, aside from their offerings of “Records. Tapes. Beer. Gear. Experience.” I’m definitely curious about the beer (their liquor license application doesn’t mention anything about food). It could be a pretty awesome spot to meet up for some pints and tunes. I’ll see what else I can find out (and if you know anything, send me a tip). 6034 SE Milwaukie Avenue, Portland

Zinc Bistro & Bar Has Opened in Multnomah Village

Cauliflower Gratin. Photo credit: Zinc Bistro & Bar

Usually I’m eating on the east side of town, but recently I spent some time in Multnomah Village with a friend for dinner. I’m definitely looking forward to hanging out there again, and soon I hope to stop in at Zinc Bistro & Bar, which opened in the neighborhood last month. They offer French- and Italian-inspired food.

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Grinds & Vines, a Black-Owned Coffee + Wine Bar, is Coming to East Portland

Back in October 2021 I caught wind of Grinds & Vines, a Black-owned coffee and wine bar, opening up in the Hazelwood/Parkrose Heights area in east Portland. The good folks from Rocky Butte Coffee Roasters were helping them out with a coffee tasting, and it sounded like a lot of fun. It’s going to be run by Donna and Leroy Barber (of Black Santa fame) at 10632 NE Halsey Street.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (April 15)

Gartner’s interior is closing for a bit. Gartner’s Country Meat Market in Cully is going to close their shop space for 3 to 4 weeks starting this coming Monday, April 18. They’ll be working on some upgrades and maintenance on the interior, but curbside pickup and local delivery will still go on. Good luck to them with all the new changes. 7450 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland

News to me: Decarli is moving. It’s probably old news but I just learned this week that Beaverton restaurant Decarli will be moving to the old Hometown Buffet space on Southwest Hall Blvd. The new space is larger than they need now but it allows them room to grow. The move is slated for “spring 2022,” according to their website, so they should be there any time now. 4545 SW Watson Avenue, Beaverton (currently), 3790 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton (future)

Dick’s Primal Burger is now open on N Williams. I was sorry to see Dick’s Primal Burger leave Cully, but that’s how things go sometimes. They are now open in their new N. Williams home and will be open from 11am to 9pm “every damn day.” Get yourself a bag of Dick’s, North Portland! Now… to find out what’s going to happen to their old space in Cully. 4120 N Williams Avenue, Portland

Update on Grant Park food carts. From the GPNA newsletter: “The 6-cart food cart pod at 3505 NE Broadway is currently on hold. However, the permit for the 12-cart food cart pod at 3550 NE Broadway (formerly Burger King) is expected to be approved in the next month
or two. The architect says that construction on that pod will begin as soon as the permit is in hand, with an opening expected in late spring or early summer.”

Bonus: Remember that Rabbit Hole in Montavilla is having their soft opening tomorrow, Saturday April 16. And in Sellwood, Maeve’s grand opening party is also on Saturday, April 16 from 4-8pm.

I also want to acknowledge three important faith holidays around this time: Ramadan, Passover, and Easter (4/17 for the Western church and 4/24 for the Orthodox church). So I send my greetings out to those of you who celebrate: Ramadan Mubarak, Happy Passover/Chag Sameach, and Happy Easter!