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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Four Things I Learned This Week (May 20)

Nico’s Ice Cream celebrates one year in the biz. In honor of Nico’s Ice Cream’s first anniversary, they have collaborated with the amazing Jinju Patisserie (home of one of the best croissants in town, among other delectable items) for a limited-edition (only 150 half-pints produced) flavor: The Brookie. It’s a combo of the brownies, cookies, and vanilla ice cream—and it’s only available this Saturday, May 21 at Nico’s.

Additionally, there will be a party on the 21st! Along with the special half-pint, the first 50 people get free ice cream. Tita’s Kitchen will be making enchiladas, and there will be a merch sale. Sounds like a great way to spend what will likely be a pretty bitchin’ day of sun and warmth in Portland. 5713 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Homemade Lao sausages at Mekong Bistro. Mekong Bistro, Portland’s only (to my knowledge) Cambodian restaurant, has made their famous homemade Lao sausages available for purchase. For a limited time, get packs for five links (frozen) for ten bucks. Pick up at Mekong Bistro. Pro tip: prices will increase in June (inventory cost issues) so get them sooner than later. 8200 NE Siskiyou Street, Portland

Thai Me Drunken Noodle joins Growler’s Taproom. Montavilla News reports that Thai Me Drunken Noodle cart—which has operated in that corner space/pod at NE 28th and Glisan for the past six months—will open a food cart connected to Growler’s Taproom. Erica’s Soul Food was at that location most recently. Thai Me Drunken Noodle’s specialty is “Laotian-style fried chicken served over sticky rice with a sauce made from a family recipe” and other northern Thailand and Laos cuisine. The cart will act as an extension of the taproom: “It’s more of a brick and mortar kind of feel, but we are adjusting it where the kitchen is in the cart,” says Joe Rodgers, who owns Growler’s. Read the Montavilla News article for lots more info. 803 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland

Food businesses grow in East Multnomah County. Head over to the Oregonian for the news about all the new food businesses that have opened in East county. Fairview Food Plaza, Troutdale Station, Rockwood Market Hall—it’s all good news for folks out east. Plus that giant fork is still there, still rad.

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Sloan’s Tavern Is Closing

The front and patio of Sloan's Tavern in Portland, Oregon.
Photo credit: Drew Groove via Facebook

Opened in 1979, Sloan’s Tavern, is set to close this year; that’s over 40 years in business. This week I’ve read a lot of tributes to the place in its owners, matriarch Shirley Sloan and her family (Bob Sloan died in 2013). So what’s going to happen to the place? Shirley sold her lots to a developer, and it sounds like retirement is in the plans. A mixed-use apartment building will be built on those properties.

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An Update on Portland’s First Five Guys

Five Guys in the Lloyd District in Portland, Oregon.
Storefront of the Lloyd Five Guys

Back in January, I wrote about the first ever Five Guys Burgers & Fries coming to Portland, setting up shop adjacent (not in) to the old Prime Rib + Chocolate Cake space in Lloyd’s Station on NE Broadway. Bottom line: opening of this location is slated for end of May 2022. I’ve been in touch with their community outreach coordinator, who confirms it. Update 6/13/22: I spoke to the on-site manager at the Lloyd District location over the weekend and he confirmed the updated opening date as Friday, June 17, 2022.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (May 13)

CityMaxx indeed filed for bankruptcy. I had heard over the months that one of my favorite stores, CityMaxx, had closed, but I didn’t realize they had filed for bankruptcy. Back in February, the Portland Business Journal reported this: “City Maxx LLC filed for voluntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection Feb. 11, 2022, in the District of Oregon. The debtor listed an address of 3552 SE 122nd Ave., Portland, and is represented in court by attorney Ted A. Troutman. City Maxx LLC listed assets ranging from $100,001 to $500,000 and debts ranging from $1,000,001 to $10,000,000. The filing did not identify a largest creditor.” It’s really too bad—city employees said there were not plans to move to another area to open. There are other places, but CityMax was bright, welcoming, and filled with delicious things. RIP CityMaxx. 3552 SE 122nd Avenue, Portland

Tito’s Taquitos is back! H/T Bill Oakley for this news—one of the highest-regarded food carts in the area is back, and reopened yesterday, May 12. They are in Beaverton these days, offering up their same delicious eats. Look for them in the “76 Station lot.” Check out their menu, here. 3975 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton

Chokladbollar in Portland. When I lived in NYC, I loved stopping by the nearby FIKA (on Park Ave South, now closed along with the other FIKAs in the city) especially during the “3pm slump.” One of the things they offered, among their excellent taste treats, were chokladbollars. So imagine my delight when I saw that Flour Market is making them! They are a wonderful mix of sweet chocolate, oats, and coffee, rolled up and coated in coconut. Absolutely delicious. 5507 NE 30th Avenue, Portland

The Sudra closes their Pearl location. Sad news from The Sudra: “Unfortunately we have made the difficult decision to close our Pearl District location. Staffing issues, lack of business, and sickness has made it overwhelmingly difficult to keep this location open.” Rough, but I hope it relieves some of the stress of the folks behind the restaurant. 100 NW 10th Avenue, Portland