Portland food news and views
Welcome to August 2025’s review of top posts for the month. This month it was a combination of what’s here and what’s coming as far as cafes, restaurants, markets, and food cart pods go. One thing I noticed is that most of these articles involved more photos than I’ve included in the past—this may or may not be a determining factor but it’s something worth thinking about.
Continue reading “Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, August 2025”
After many months of anticipation, the wait is over—99 Ranch Market opened this past Saturday with a big grand opening celebration right outside the new Asian supermarket. It was definitely a festive occasion and we were there drinking it all in and having a good time. Here are some of the things we saw and heard right outside—and inside—the new store.
Continue reading “99 Ranch Market Has Opened in East Portland (Photos)”
The Jim & Patty’s return. It’s true, they posted the news this week on their socials: “BIG NEWS, PORTLAND!!! Jim & Patty’s Coffee is BACK!! (under new ownership).” From what I can tell, Paul Ceserani, owner of Spielman Bagels & Coffee, is the new Jim & Patty’s owner. They opened yesterday, August 14, at their previous location on NE Fremont. 4951 NE Fremont Street, Portland
Continue reading “Small Bites: Jim & Patty’s Return, Kolaches, Bonta Gelato, and More”
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
Continue reading “Small Bites: Orange Julius, Beer, FIKA, El Mercado, and More”Help the the Family of Niños Birrieria. Very sad news—and for some reason, I thought the cops were avoiding high-speed chases these days—for the family of Niños Birrieria. That’s one of the excellent food carts at the Upright Beer Station pod. Here’s what happened:
“On Friday, February 21, 2025, as Silverio (father/owner of Niños Birrieria) and his partner Julia were leaving work at Niños Birrieria in their car, they were hit by a car being chased by Portland Police going at very high speed, down Prescott St. Their car was totaled from the impact.
“They were taken by ambulance from 71st and Prescott to the hospital. Silverio has been discharged from the hospital with injuries that will prevent him from being able to work for at least the next month. His partner, Julia, remains in the hospital with an unknown discharge date and probable long term effects.”
They are running a GoFundMe—I hope you can help.
Thai Time has opened on the old Bang Bang space. Another Thai food restaurant, complete with alliteration, has opened in the old Bang Bang space next to Wonderly. They closed at the end of last year. But as I said last year, “However, all is not lost. The same people who run Bang Bang are behind Wonderly (they sit there next door to each other), and they serve food and drink there, so the quality you’re used to will be found at Wonderly. It’s a bit of a silver lining.”
Still, there’s new Thai food to explore! Thai Time operated as a food cart for a while, after they closed their downtown restaurant during the COVID pandemic. And now they are on NE Fremont. I have not tried Thai Time (though probably will soon), but I am sure happy to see this storefront is being used. 4727 NE Fremont Street, Portland
99 Ranch Market construction has resumed. The Montavilla News has an update on the 99 Ranch Market that will open in the Plaza 205 mall. Permitting hung them up, but they are over that hump and moving closer to opening. From the article:
“The highly anticipated Asian grocery store’s progress slowed after the property owner made exterior modifications to the storefront and installed new demising walls to create smaller storefronts flanking 99 Ranch’s entryway. The Plaza 205 buildout created a larger floor plan for the grocer at the back of the space while making room for complementary businesses along the shopping center’s frontage.” Read more here. 10546 SE Washington Street, Portland
A Mardi Gras roundup. Late last year, we wrote about where to find your king cakes in Portland, including the NOLA-style. EverOut has put together a nice roundup for Mardi Gras, which is this coming Tuesday, March 4; in the U.S., Mardi Gras is mostly associated with NOLA (my friend Cheron there can attest to that—lots of parades and such going on right now). Anyway, check out the Mardi Gras offerings—including king cakes—at places like Avenue St. Charles (a food cart in Beaverton), DB Dessert Company, Doe Donuts (also offering paczki), Screen Door, and more. Also, the Mardi Gras Parade and Ball are happening again this year! Various locations
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
McDonald’s To Open in Old Green Zebra Space on N Lombard in Portland
Ticket To Dine 2025 Is This March in Portland
Joe Brown’s Lounge Is Moving to NE Alberta Street in Portland
Our Farewell to Fallow’s Rest Wild: They Have Closed in Portland
There are a bunch of celebratory festivals coming up: Faching (German Carnival) and Kalevala-Finnish Culture Day on Saturday, Fastelvan (Nordic) on Sunday, and the aforementioned Mardi Gras Parade on Tuesday.
Additionally, Beaverton Restaurant Week starts Saturday for two weeks, the Portland Seafood & Wine Festival is also this weekend, Portland Sandwich Week starts Monday, as well as Ticket To Dine for the month of March, linked above.
Plus! Plus! On Sunday is the Portland CSA Share Fair! So much excellence this weekend.
