Four Things I Learned This Week (July 5)

I hope you had a nice Independence Day holiday yesterday! It was lazing around, a LOST marathon (“Don’t tell me what I can’t do!”), and eating hot dogs at Bridgetown Bites headquarters. 🌭 By the way, have you tried that Heinz pickle ketchup?

The Lents Hong Phat getting closer to opening. This new Hong Phat location there in Lents in the old Walmart space recently returned to my radar because their liquor license application popped-up. I’ve reached out to them to get a better idea of an opening date, and will share that will you when/if I ever get it. 4200 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland

Carnelian Coffee moved up the street. Looks like they moved Saturday, June 15, “just up the road 9 blocks at 79th & Foster.” I hear the space is lovely and look forward to more interesting things happening there aside from coffee (more on that next week). I hear the rocks displayed at the old spot are on display at the new space. 7950 SE Foster Road, Portland

APEX Bar lost their lease, is closing. Over on Brewpublic they wrote about 14-year-old craft beer bar APEX is closing at the end of August after losing their lease. “The end of August will be the end of our service at SE 12th & Division. We’re looking forward to seeing you over the next 2 months and hopefully beyond. It’s been an honor over 14+ years pouring 3,319 unique beers on tap and counting.” They are looking for some place new, preferably in their neighborhood (SE 12th and Division). Do you know something for them? I bet east Portland would welcome them. 216 SE Division Street, Portland

Portland Nacho Week starts Monday. From July 8 to 14, enjoy plates of nachos around town for $8. I saw that Steeplejack (NE Broadway) is participating, and last time I had them, I quite liked their nachos. More about the event plus a map, is here. Various


Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Thang Long Cuisine: Comforting, Tasty Vietnamese Food in Montavilla (Review)
Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, June 2024
Happy Birthday, Bridgetown Bites! You’re 7 Years Old!
Come To Summer Nights 2024 in Parkrose

Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, June 2024

Data Analytics Chart

This month I have better news than last month’s: we almost doubled our traffic in June. Over 17,000 unique visitors made it over to Bridgetown Bites, and they generated over 21,000 page views (vs 8,800 and 11,000, respectively). The strategies I put into place made a difference.

Top posts in June are mostly about restaurants (and a future food cart pod), but strawberry shortcake certainly grabbed attention. And why not? It’s delicious and wholesome.

A always, thanks to all who visited, read, and shared stories on Bridgetown Bites!

5. Ole Frijole Has Closed

Ole Frijole's exterior in the Concordia neighborhood in Portland, OR. It closed as of May 4, 2024.

Earlier this week a Bridgetown Bites tipster emailed me news that Ole Frijole, located on the northwest corner of Killingsworth and NE 42nd Ave, has closed. They wrote, “My neighbor mentioned that she just read a sweet message to customers posted on their door saying that they closed and the property has been sold.” Looks like the closure was one month ago on May 4.

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Umi Organic Production Stopped After Shin Shin Foods Fire

Beautiful Umi Organic noodle bowl
A bowl of beautiful Umi Organic noodles and accoutrements. Photo credit: Umi Organic

Earlier this week there was a devastating fire at the Shin Shin Foods Building on 400 N Thompson Street, which took out Shin Shin Food’s operation—and that of Umi Organic, which has been in business for eight years. I suggested this was the case, and indeed it’s true—Umi Organic shared the news yesterday as to how they have been affected by the fire.

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The Fire at Shin Shin Foods In North Portland

Plumes of smoke from the fire at Shin Shin Foods in North Portland. Photo credit: Portland Fire & Rescue

As I was driving west along NE Broadway yesterday evening, I noticed plumes of smoke rising in the distance. I remember saying out loud to myself, “Well, that’s not good.” Turns out that was a fire at Shin Shin Foods (one of three commercial fires yesterday in Portland) at 400 N Thompson Street in North Portland. They make noodles and dumpling wraps, among other things. As of the writing of this article, the fire is still hot, with reports of it glowing this morning.

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