Small Bites: Phở, Electrica, Ma Cher, Bagel-ish, and More

Phở and spring rolls from Phở Gabo
Vietnamese beef pho with spring rolls. Photo credit: Phở Gabo

Eats History focuses on Phở. As Eats History founder Donnie Dodson writes, phở is “often described as Vietnam’s national dish, but it was not born in peace. It was shaped by colonialism, hunger, war, and a country slowly stitched back together, one bowl at a time.” Phở may very well be a signature dish of Portland, too, thanks to our Vietnamese immigrant community. Read the article on the history of phở on Facebook.

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Grant’s Philly Cheesesteaks in Portland: Closed? Here’s What We Know (Not Closed: Update)

Cheesesteak from Grant's Philly Cheesesteaks.
Farewell, sandwich. Photo credit: Grant’s Philly Cheesesteaks.

UPDATE 7/28/26: We’ve later learned that Grant’s Philly Cheesteaks was on hiatus and is back open at the NE Sandy Blvd location. They reopened as of July 21, 2026. Read our article, Grant’s Philly Cheesesteaks Reopened in Their Old Sandy Blvd Location, for the update. This article will remain for the historical record.

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Reeva’s Extended Closure in Portland, Hope for Roberto’s Return

Roberto, before Reeva's extended closure.
Photo credit: Reeva.

Over the past couple of days, a number of readers have shared the news with me about the unfortunate reality of Reeva’s extended closure. This popular and highly-regarded pizza truck in the Roseway neighborhood indicated back on Tuesday, November 4 that they were closing at the end of service on Sunday, November 9 to attend to “personal matters.”

This vague statement could have meant any variety of things but now we know what happened: Roberto Hernandez Guerrero, owner and operator of Reeva Cafe y Cocina a la Leña, is stuck in Mexico, having been denied reentry into the U.S.

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Shop Halo Halo Has Closed and Is Ready for What’s Next, in Portland

The ube crinkle cookie, the most popular item on the menu. Photo credit: Shop Halo Halo.

Shop Halo Halo, a Filipino bakery, closed down their storefront in the Woodstock neighborhood this past August. Currently doing pop-ups and fundraisers (including their own), they are in search of a new location. I spoke with Shop Halo Halo’s owner, Geleen Abenoja, to learn more.

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