Hot Chocolate Week Is Coming, from Ranger Chocolate Co. From Friday, December 26 to Wednesday, December 31, Ranger is doing a different hot chocolate each day. You can see the details on their Instagram. 107 SE Washington Street, Portland
Fiery Crab is coming to Portland. A reader wrote us with this tip, “The old Shari’s on NE 122nd near San Rafael and in the Winco parking lot is becoming a new restaurant. It looked like some work had been happening there, but it had been quiet for a while. Today I saw a sign going up that I think said Fiery Crab.” That matches this Google listing—“temporarily closed” likely means it’s just not open yet.
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
Tamalada in Portland is back! I attended a tamalada—a group tamale-making party around the holidays—organized by Hot Mama Salsa and Three Sisters Nixtamal pre-pandemic (2019) and loved it. We learned how to prepare the masa, fill the corn husks, and steam the tamales—and we got to take some tamales home. It was fantastic!
So you can imagine how happy I was to see that these same two women-owned and led businesses have brought it back this year. This time it will take place at Hot Mama Salsa’s headquarters in Southeast Portland. There are two sessions on Sunday, December 14: 2pm to 3:30pm and 4pm to 5:30pm. It’s $65; you can reserve your spot and pay them on Venmo. DM them with questions. 333 SE 2nd Avenue, Portland
Some of the beautiful food at Astera, a plant-based restaurant in Portland. Photo credit: Astera.
The Gabbiano’s expansion. They’ll be expanding next door into the space that held Lil’ Dame, according to the Portland Business Journal. This additional space will operate as “Gabby’s Next Door” where you can get lunch, and as a private event space. Lunch service will include things like focaccia pizza and soups; you’ll be able to eat in or get takeout. More details in the article. 5425 NE. 30th Avenue, Portland