Blackwell’s in Portland Has Closed

Well, that’s the end of an era—Blackwell’s Grub Steak Grill is closed here in the Hollywood District. First, the owner Jan dies (RIP), and that led the family to decide to close Blackwell’s this past Sunday.

According to the Willamette Week, Charlie De Lorme, Jan’s son, says “The family had considered selling the place before now, and had heard rumors that others were interested. ‘Now that we’re actually closing,’ he says, ‘they’re coming out of the woodwork.'”

I was unaware it was a Chinese restaurant way back when, too. That means the Mandarin and nearby Chin’s Kitchen were operating at the same time 35 years ago. And not far away was the Chinese Pagoda restaurant. So much Chinese-American food in a small area.

I’m also curious to know who is interested in the space now—it’s a good location and no doubt will fetch a pretty penny.

I’ll miss hearing the live blues music there on Wednesday nights. Thanks for the memories, Blackwell’s.

Top 5 Posts On Bridgetown Bites, September 2017

Data Analytics Chart

Here’s what my analytics tell me about September 2017—what you all were interested in on the site. As always, thanks for reading Bridgetown Bites!

5. Portland Area Food Events, September 21-28

Oregon Hops
Photo credit: Visitor7

Each week we will bring you a roundup of public food events in the Portland metro area. It’s not every single event that’s going on, but the ones in particular that catch our eye. Want to submit an event? Fill out this form. Listings curated by Meg Cotner.

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Good News, Portland: Reo’s Ribs Will Return

Reo's Ribs, surrounded by fending in Portland, Oregon.
Reo’s Ribs—all boarded up but will open eventually.

This week I read an update on Reo’s Ribs by the Hollywood Star (note: this is an Internet Archive link). They report that “plans are underway” to restore the building that was home to the most aromatic restaurant in the neighborhood. I miss the smell of barbecue as I walk by, and I feel bad that the building burned and forced Reo to temporarily stop operations this past May. So I’m heartened by the news that he’ll be back and that progress on repairing the building is going well.

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Portland’s Atomic Pizza (Hollywood) To Close September 23

Portland food: A pepperoni slice at Atomic Pizza in the Hollywood District.
It’s been nice knowing you, pepperoni slice.

It’s been a rough day in Northeast Portland food news—this morning I heard that Pollo Norte has closed their original location (5427 NE 42nd Avenue) and around noon I heard that the Hollywood location of Atomic Pizza will close on October 28. This little pizzeria was the first place I ate at after moving to Portland, so I have a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in the place. Update 9/22/17: They are closing Saturday, September 23 (see comment below this post).

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