Four Things I Learned This Week (March 22)

Portland Pickles Pub is now open. This new sports bar, deemed, “massive,” opened yesterday, Thursday March 21. Indeed, it’s pretty big. Their press release states, “The space will not only serve as a gathering place for fans to cheer on their favorite teams but also as the campaign headquarters for Dillon T Pickle, who is running for president this year.” I’m pretty chuffed at their plans to offer various stadium dogs, including Dodger Dogs, which really are my favorite hot dogs in baseball history (will use actual Farmer John franks?). And while I bristled a bit when I read this: “This venue will be more than just a place to watch games; it will be a vibrant space where fans can come together to celebrate their love for sports, regardless of where their allegiances lie, except for Yankees fans.” I kind of get it. I still hope this Yankees fan will be welcome there, this season and beyond. 3932 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland

Women-owned restaurants near the MODA Center list. Prosper Portland put together an Instagram post of slides featuring lists of women-owned restaurants and bars near this major entertainment venue. Two of my favorites, The Sports Bra (IMO their Greek Chi-Chi Bean Salad is one of the best salads in Portland) and The Pocket Pub (pizza, salad, and tiramisu are all excellent there) are on there, as well as Wilf’s, Bao Bao, The Hostel Cafe, and more. Check it out! Various locations

Heck Beer released their Silver Linings NA IPA this week. And they sold out—no surprise. This was a limited run and accessing it was through their online portal. But don’t despair! They will be releasing their Gentle Persuasion Golden next month. And, you may be able to get a can of the IPA at Lardo, Grassa, or Bluto’s. Also, if you want to carry this NA beer at your bar, email Heck at wholesale@heck.beer. Finally, there’s going to be a launch party at some point, too, to celebrate this NA beer brewed in Portland. Congrats to Heck on their good work! Online intermittently and various locations

Los Burros Supremos is heading to the west side. For months Los Burros Supremos been serving delicious burritos and more in the old Woodsman Market space on SE Division, but that will end soon. Speaking of “end,” their new location will be in downtown’s West End section, where Kenny & Zuke’s used to be. Here is the core detail you need to. know: the last day of service on SE Division is Sunday, March 24. That following week they’ll be moving their setup west; timing indicates an April 1 opening. I’m sorry to see them leave the east side but that just makes room for something new. 4529 SE Division Street, Portland now, 1038 SW Harvey Milk Street, Portland later

Four Things I Learned This Week (May 19)

Updated grand opening date for Javi’s Breakfast Cafe. As is often the case, a grand opening gets delayed for a new spot, despite the original plans, and Javi’s joined the club. It happens. The revised grand opening date for Javi’s Breakfast Cafe is Thursday, May 25 at 7am. 6236 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Barn & Brews at Rossi Farms celebrates Gateway Brewing. Head to Rossi Farms on Saturday, May 20 to celebrate Gateway Brewing, which is actually located in the Gateway neighborhood in East Portland. From 3pm to 6pm, Gateway Brewing will serve their eight favorite beers. $15 admission, which includes food and beer tokens. Sean Daly and the Shams will be performing. There’s a way to get a discount at the door, too—codes “Sham Fam” and “Exit 7 IPA” will get you $5 off admission. 3839 NE 122nd Avenue, Portland

Burger Thursdays in Montavilla. Every Thursday, White Pepper (a caterer in Montavilla) opens its tasting room to the general public from 5pm to 9pm for a burger popup. In their words, “Stop by for a delicious burger, house cut fries, and hand crafted cocktails.” There also might be salad. They hope to do this year-round. The only time they might not pop up is if they have a big catering job that following weekend (e.g., they’ll be closed June 8). So stop by one Thursday evening and let chef Abel Ley and his staff fix you a great burger. 7505 NE Glisan Street, Portland

End of the line for Michael’s? A Bridgetown Bites tipster sent me this: “I stopped by Michael’s Italian Beef and she said she has lost her lease after 40-some years on Sandy. Wants to move but not sure where.” 40 years is a long time. Michael’s offers Chicago-style sandwiches—Italian-style beef, sausage, various cold sandwiches, and Chicago-style hot dogs (I’ll leave it up to you to determine if a hot dog is a sandwich).

This location is a one-story triangle-shaped building on a triangle-shaped piece of property just around the corner from Hippo Hardware. My guess is that the property will be sold, maybe for apartments, but we’ll have to see. I hope Michael’s can find a new location. 1111 SE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Four Things I Learned This Week (July 1)

The Portland Craft Beer Festival starts today. Today through Sunday is the 6th Annual Portland Craft Beer Festival at the Fields Neighborhood Park in NW Portland. Online ticket sales are over as at 11:59am today, otherwise they are $40 at the door. Admission gets you a keepsake tin cup with 10 beer tickets and access to a lot of great beer and food. Non-drinkers: enter for free on Sunday during Family Day. 1099 NW Overton Street, Portland

Yonder becomes Hissyfit next week. There’s a lot of details behind this, but I’ll share this in particular: “The kitchen will carry forward some of Yonder’s personality, with Southern flavors and ingredients nestled alongside globally-inspired goodies with a focus on freedom from constraint. We will be sourcing gorgeous local produce and sustainable meats and fish from local farms and purveyors, continuing our relationships with stewards of Southern cuisine like Allan Benton and Anson Mills, and casting a wide net to capture our favorite flavors and techniques from all over the world.” Hissyfit opens Wednesday, July 6. More info, here. 4636 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland

Changes at Moonstruck. The chocolate company has been bought by Freeport, NY-based Chocolate Works, and “will close the Moonstruck Chocolate retail stores in Beaverton, St. Johns and downtown Portland on July 8.” There is an expectation that there will be “growth and transformation” for Moonstruck under the baton of Chocolate Works. I’m just sorry that any jobs will be lost with the closure of the stores.

Gartner’s Meat Market is back open. A couple of weeks ago they re-opened their indoor retail shop, but it only occurred to me when I drove by and saw folks heading inside. Gartner’s Country Meat Market is a great place to shop for your meat grilling needs on the upcoming holiday. 7450 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland

Bonus: Bridgetown Bites turns 5 on July 3! Yes, that’s right, this little blog will be five years old this Sunday. It has—and I have—been through a lot since 2017, with breast cancer (diagnosis in 2018) being the biggest de-railer to consistent posting over the years. But I’ve been in “keep on, keepin’ on” mode, never giving up on it. (“Never give up! Never surrender!”) So, happy birthday, blog! And thanks to all who have read and continue to read my writing and reporting on Portland food.

Interesting Projects From República’s Team & Associates

Tacotes, topped with mushrooms braised in adobo, topped with salsa macha, guacachile, rábanos, and onion and cilantro. Photo credit: República

República, a restaurant that offers enjoyment and world-expanding flavors in delicious regional Mexican cooking, has garnered high praise from both food media (PoMo’s Restaurant of the Year 2021, PDX Eater’s Best New Restaurant 2021, 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalist as Best New Restaurant) and eaters in Portland. They show us that there is much to experience from a country that is often thought of in the U.S. as simply the home of margaritas, burritos, tacos—and, if you’re getting fancy, tres leches cake (these are all delicious, but are a fraction of what Mexico has to offer as far as food goes). I personally think it’s very important and meaningful to highlight the regional tastes of our neighbor to the south, and I’m glad República is doing just that.

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