Win Big: Shop Small This Holiday Season in Portland

Win Big when you shop small.

You may have heard of Small Business Saturday, which is one of the three big shopping days of the early holiday season (the others being Black Friday and Cyber Monday). But here in Portland, there’s a local effort to encourage shopping at small businesses in Portland for a month, from November 14 to December 15! And that would be the Win Big campaign from Small Shops Big Hearts, part of Bricks Need Mortar, which supports Oregon’s independent retailers.

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Face Plant Wants To Take Down McDonald’s in Portland

Burger at Face Plant.
You put plants in your face. Photo credit: Face Plant

The other day I was perusing Instagram and came across this new account called @eatfaceplant. Turn out Face Plant is a new fast food restaurant that will offer a 100% plant-based fast food menu in what used to be a 1990’s-era McDonald’s on Swan Island. There is just something poetic about that.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (November 22)

The Paladins League is in their soft opening phase. Back in August I wrote about The Paladins League, opening in the old Alameda Hop/Alameda Brewing space. There you can enjoy “analog games of all kinds … a warm community space, tasty food and drink, and a family-friendly atmosphere.” And they are now open—soft open, that is! Limited hours for now, as they work on their final menu and service offering.

The hours between Friday, November 22 and Wednesday, November 27 are Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 5pm to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am to 10pm. Closed Monday. They have a 500-game library and food: sliders, fries, milkshakes and adult beverages. 4765 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Bánh Mì Nam Lộc has closed. Over in Montavilla, a neighbor reports that Vietnamese deli Bánh Mì Nam Lộc on 82nd Avenue has ended their run. The reason? The owners retired. The place was known and loved for their bánh mì, seafood pancakes, beef soup, iced Vietnamese coffee, among other things. They will be missed. 328 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland

The Rip City Bar Network. The Portland Trailblazers launched the Rip City Bar Network this week.  25 bars and restaurants, mostly around Portland—but also Beaverton, Hillsboro, Fairview, Happy Valley, Oregon City, Springfield, Sherwood, Salem, Newport, and Astoria. will show the Blazers’ games. Also “Trail Blazers-related events, discounts for season ticket holders and be a place where fans can enjoy away games.” Check out the full roster on the Trailblazers NBA website. Various locations

PUSH X PULL has opened a new cafe location. And that would be inside of their roastery in SE Portland! “We’re excited to be able to drink coffee with you around our roaster once again, in a new space with some new gear.” Check it out, but only on weekdays from 7am to 2pm, as they are closed on weekends. 1700 SE 6th Avenue, Portland


Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Learn To Cook Burmese Cuisine This Weekend
Eat Chimney Cakes at Devilishly Delicious Delights in Roseway
An Early Site Visit at the James Beard Public Market

The Scandinavian Christmas Goat Market is happening next weekend, too.

An Early Site Visit at the James Beard Public Market in Downtown Portland

The exterior of the two buildings that will be home to the James Beard Public Market

Last week I had a chance to join local media for an early site visit at the James Beard Public Market. These two buildings—the ground floor of the 100-year old Selling Building at SW 6th and Alder (610 SW Alder) and its neighbor, the old Rite-Aid (622 SW Alder)—will bring a world-class public market back to Portland. And it was pretty cool to see the insides and envision what is to come.

NOTE: These interiors are very rough and in a pre-construction shape, so keep that in mind.

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Eat Chimney Cakes at Devilishly Delicious Delights in Roseway

The Devilishly Delicious Delights trailer.
The food truck/trailer Devilishly Delicious Delights in Roseway.

Earlier this month I saw someone post on Facebook about a new food cart called Devilishly Delicious Delights. I didn’t know what to think at first, but I saw the words,”chimney cake,” holy business, I was totally stoked! I hadn’t had one in forever—last time was back in 2012 in Long Island City.

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