closings Archives - Bridgetown Bites

April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Small Bites: Burger Syndicate, Eclairs, Bar Casa Vale, and More

The Bandit from Burger Syndicate: Double Cajun-seared patties, bacon, cheese, fried onions, slaw, pickles, BBQ and garlic sauce. Photo credit: Burger Syndicate.

Burger Syndicate has opened. This is a new spot downtown from the Nacheaux folks. They opened on Thursday, April 9. They wrote on social media, “Burger Syndicate is everything we’ve learned, every sacrifice, every lesson poured into one space. Creative smashburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, loaded fries, weekly specials, house-made lemonades, merch, and the same fun and flavor Nacheaux is known for.”

They have some late night hours: midnight on Sunday (after opening at 6pm that day); 1am Thursday to Saturday; and 1:30am on Monday nights. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 221 SW Ankeny Street, Portland

April 10, 2026April 9, 2026

Small Bites: Greg Higgins Will Retire, the Elk, Forbidden Fruit, and More

Greg Higgins will retire from creating dishes like these at Higgins. — A few dishes from HIggins: risotto, chicory salad, and Vegan Kabocha croquettes. Photo credit: Higgins.

Greg Higgins will retire. He sent an email out with the announcement: “So, it is with a full and grateful heart that I share my own important milestone with you: I’m planning to retire.” He is looking to sell the restaurant, for “the right steward for Higgins, someone who understands what this place means to our guests and employees, and will carry it forward into its next chapter here in Portland.” He wants the restaurant to continue to thrive.

April 3, 2026April 3, 2026

Small Bites: Hearth & Vine Opened, Nyamazo, Spotlight Brewing, and More

Hearth & Vine opened yesterday and you can get this burger and fries there. — Burger and fries at Hearth & Vine. Photo credit: Aubrie LeGault

Hearth & Vine opened yesterday. We covered this restaurant last year when it was shrouded in mystery. I can’t deny that doing the research at the time was a lot of fun, uncovering details incrementally. There are a couple of publications that got the first bite of info right before Hearth & Vine opened, but here’s a condensed version of the press release we received yesterday, with tidbits we think you’d like to know.

February 27, 2026February 27, 2026

Small Bites: Cocina de Mary, Tariffs, Shorebird Bakery, and More

Chiles at Cocina de Mary. — Photo credit: Cocina de Mary.

Welcome, Cocina de Mary. This is another case of two restaurants operating in one space at different times. RJ Skillets is there from 8am to 3pm (starting 10am on Mondays) and Cocina de Mary operates 5pm to 9pm (closed Mondays). They offer Guatemalan food: cuchitos, a type of tamal; churrasco; hilachas, similar to ropa vieja; pepián; and tayuyos, similar to pupusas. They also offer familiar dishes like quesadillas, fried plantains, empanadas, burritos, and more. They officially opened on Friday, February 6. 2529-B NE Alberta Street, Portland

February 9, 2026February 8, 2026

3 Doors Down Is Closing Again in Portland

3 Doors Down closes again, and farewell to these meatballs. — Meatballs was one of the things they were really looking forward to offering when they returned. Photo credit: 3 Doors Down Cafe.

You’ve read this before on Bridgetown Bites, but this time it’s truly the end of the journey of this true Portland institution: The restaurant 3 Doors Down is closing again in our fair city. This longstanding cafe three doors north of SE Hawthorne that opened in the 1990s will shut its doors at the end of February. Owner Dave Marth sent out a press release last Friday with the closure announcement.