Category: Restaurants

first-look-dining-room-grand-stark-deli-portland-oregon

News and reviews of restaurants in Portland, Oregon.

Some of the most written about places on this blog include:

Portland Mercado [Latin American]
Ben & Esther’s [Jewish/Vegan]
Sizzle Pie [Pizza]
Bee’s Cakes [Cakes and Baked Goods]
Salt & Straw [Ice Cream]
Nepali Kitchen [Nepalese]
Vivienne[Bakery, Wine Bar, Bookstore]
Kachka [Russian]
Chin’s Kitchen [Dongbei Chinese]
Arrowood [New American]

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Grant’s Philly Cheesesteaks in Portland: Closed? Here’s What We Know

Cheesesteak from Grant's Philly Cheesesteaks.
Farewell, sandwich. Photo credit: Grant’s Philly Cheesesteaks.

It appears that after 22 years in business, Grant’s Philly Cheesesteaks has closed. They had two locations, one in East Portland (15350 NE Sandy Blvd) and one in Northwest Portland (1203 NW 23rd Avenue). Here is what we know so far about what’s up with this Portland cheesesteak destination.

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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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Small Bites: Loncheria Los Mayas, Soen, 28 Tigers, and More

The Fall Feast Salad at Fresh Love (part of a Small Bites list with Loncheria Los Mayas).
The Fall Feast Salad. Photo credit: Fresh Love.

The Loncheria Los Mayas truck has moved. I drove by the corner of NE Prescott and 42nd the other day and noticed that the Loncheria Los Mayas truck was no longer there. The property has been sold, too, in September 2025. However, I since learned that the taco truck folks have consolidated into their location on NE Alberta. And a neighbor said, “They will hopefully have a 42nd Ave location early next spring.” Meanwhile, enjoy their delicious Yucatecan food on NE Alberta. 2515 NE Alberta Street, Portland

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Get to Know Recess, the Restaurant in Portland’s Cambria Hotel

Pavlova at Recess.
A beautiful and tasty pavlova at Recess, the restaurant inside the Cambria Hotel.

Last month I stopped in at Recess, the restaurant in the new Cambria Hotel located in the Pearl District. They opened this past August 7. I had a chance meet the staff, hear about their work, and see what they are bringing to the neighborhood—especially when it comes to food and drink. Here’s what I learned during that visit.

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OK Chicken & Khao Soi Will Open in the Old Pok Pok Space in Portland

The titular dish at OK Chicken & Khao Soi.
Photo credit: OK Chicken & Khao Soi.

OK Chicken & Khao Soi has been the source of a lot of chatter and speculation over the months since it was first reported in The Oregonian. I, too have been curious and wanted to learn more, so I reached out to them. I had a chance to chat with Sam Smith, one of the owners. Here is what I learned.

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