Happy Birthday Bridgetown Bites! You Are Eight Years Old Today

Happy Birthday Bridgetown Bites!

Happy birthday Bridgetown Bites! That’s right: Bridgetown Bites turns eight years old today. On July 3, 2017, I launched this website with the desire to write about the Portland food and drink scene. It’s grown and changed over the years, but the mission remains the same.

In honor of these eight years, I thought I’d put together eight things I’ve enjoyed learning about over those years, in Portland food and drink. In some cases, I’ve changed my attitude about long-held beliefs. NB: This list is by no means comprehensive.

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Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, June 2025

Data Analytics Chart

It’s time to review the top posts from last month! In June 2025 it was pretty straightforward: Readers were interested in restaurant and bar openings … and strawberry shortcake. ‘Tis the season, after all.

We got a nice little bump in traffic in June compared to May: About 36,000 unique visitors generated almost 50,000 page views. That’s an increase of approximately 6% and 4%, respectively.

Thanks to everyone who read, shared, commented, and passed on tips! It means a lot.

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Mother’s Bistro Launches Bubbie’s Deli Board, a New York Deli in Portland

Pastrami sandwich on Bubbie's Deli Board.
Pastrami sandwich at Mother’s Bistro. Photo credit: Mother’s Bistro.

In honor of their 25th anniversary, Mother’s Bistro has put together a New York deli menu, called Bubbie’s Deli Board, as well as a catering division. As a former New Yorker, when I saw Mother’s chef and owner Lisa Schroeder talking about this new menu, I had to know more. So I reached out and she shared some details with me.

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Small Bites: Orange Julius, Beer, FIKA, El Mercado, and More

Orange Julius retro.
This is the Orange Julius branding I remember from years past. Photo credit: Retro News Now.

Farewell, Orange Julius. The Oregonian reported that Portland’s last remaining Orange Julius, located in the Lloyd Center, was closing (by now, it’s in the past tense). The franchise’s owner, Bob Slayton, died from cancer on May 19. This Orange Julius had been around for 42 years. I have fond memories of going to the OJ in the mall near me in SoCal during my youth, enjoying one of their drinks along with a pretzel from “Pretzels and Cheese.” Read more about Bob and his business over on The O. 2314 Lloyd Center, Portland

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ZabPinto Thai PDX Has Opened at Cascade Station in Portland

ZabPinto Thai PDX duck larb.
Larb made with duck, which is common in the Isan region.

The other day I received a press release about ZabPinto, and while reading it, a detail caught my eye: There is a new location at Cascade Station, where big box stores reign. I reached out to their PR person and arranged a time to stop by and find out more about this new ZabPinto, called ZabPinto Thai PDX. Here is what I learned.

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