Masala Lab Will Close in Portland

Saagshuka from Masala Lab in Portland, Oregon.
Saagshuka, one of the dishes we will miss from Masala Lab. Photo credit: Masala Lab.

This morning a friend let me know that Masala Lab, a brick-and-mortar restaurant from Deepak Saxena, will close later this month. They announced the news on their social channels in the early hours of the morning. Additionally, the DesiPDX cart will close and go on a short break later this month, reopening at the end of January.

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Small Bites: Tusi’s Deli Creation, DesiPDX, Sandwiches, and More

Strawberry shortcake from Take Two during Strawberry Shortcake Week in Portland, Oregon.
Strawberry shortcake from this past summer at Take Two.

Tusi’s Deli Creation is open in Montavilla. The area’s only Samoan restaurant is on NE Glisan and has been operating on weekends in October. However, starting November 9 they’ll expand their hours and will be open Wednesdays through Sundays. You can stop in to Tusi’s Deli Creation and get green bananas, turkey tail, and other Polynesian dishes. Montavilla News has more info—check it out. 6824 NE Glisan Street, Portland

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DesiPDX Will Open in the Upright Beer Station Pod in NE Portland

The seating area outside the cart that will become DesiPDX at the Upright Beer Station in Portland, Oregon.
The cart will remain but is soon to become home to DesiPDX. Photo credit: Chaat Wallah

Many of us have been wondering what has been going on with the Chaat Wallah cart at the Upright Beer Station in Cully/Roseway. Well, wonder no more—turns out Chaat Wallah is retiring, and an outpost of DesiPDX is opening in the same cart.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (May 27)

Mocktails at Zinc. This week I had dinner at Zinc Bistro & Bar in Multnomah Village and was happy to see that they have three zero-proof cocktails on the menu. I chose the one that was particularly summery sounding, with flavors of cucumber, basil, and mint. Sparkly and very refreshing. 7800 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland

Get your birthday ice cream at Nico’s. Similar to the way Pip’s Original does it, you can stop by Nico’s and get a free ice cream on your birthday or seven days after. This is particularly great for us summer birthday kids! 5713 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Best butcher shops in Portland. PoMo has a great roundup of quality butcher shops around town where you can get your favorite meats for your Memorial Day cookout, or really any time of the year. I’m particularly glad to see Gartner’s in Cully on there, but all the selections are great. Definitely check it out. Various locations

Somebody Feed Phil in Portland. Thanks to The O, I learned that one of the episodes in Season 5 of Somebody Feed Phil takes place in Portland! Actually, now that I think about it, I may have heard Bill Oakley talk about it a while back. Anyway, The Oregonian article has good details—places Phil visited include Fried Egg I’m In LoveMatt’s BBQ, DesiPDX (these three he visited with Michael Russell, The Oregonian’s restaurant critic), KachkaHan OakRuthie’s food cart, Tov Coffee, and Doe Donuts. Bill Oakley also took Phil to Portland Caphe. It looks like a great episode.