Small Bites: Orange Julius, Beer, FIKA, El Mercado, and More

Orange Julius retro.
This is the Orange Julius branding I remember from years past. Photo credit: Retro News Now.

Farewell, Orange Julius. The Oregonian reported that Portland’s last remaining Orange Julius, located in the Lloyd Center, was closing (by now, it’s in the past tense). The franchise’s owner, Bob Slayton, died from cancer on May 19. This Orange Julius had been around for 42 years. I have fond memories of going to the OJ in the mall near me in SoCal during my youth, enjoying one of their drinks along with a pretzel from “Pretzels and Cheese.” Read more about Bob and his business over on The O. 2314 Lloyd Center, Portland

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Small Bites: Pho DaLat, Speedboat Coffee, Tamales and Other Portland Food News

Photo credit: Phở DaLat

Pho DaLat turns ten. If you drive east on Sandy past 205 into Parkrose, no doubt you’ve seen this Vietnamese restaurant on the south side of NE Sandy Blvd and NE 103rd. They’ve been around for ten years, though I always had the impression it was longer than that. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary all throughout December by giving you 10% off your bill. 10232 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

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Four Things I Learned This Week (November 19)

Grandpa’s Cafe is open this weekend. Stop by Grandpa’s Cafe (located inside the Polish Hall building) on Saturday, November 20, 9am to noon for Polish food and grocery items, including sausages, pierogi, and lots of Christmas themed Polish treats. 3832 N Interstate (entry from Failing Street)

And on the topic of pierogis… Head to St. John the Baptist Ukranian Orthodox Church in Sellwood for pierogis, this time from our Ukranian friends. They also have cabbage rolls and Ukranian garlic smoked sausages, every Saturday from 11am to 2pm. Takeout and take home (frozen) are both options. 8014 SE 16th Avenue, Portland

And again, about dumplings… Seattle biz Dough Zone Dumpling House is opening a location in downtown/south Portland, reports both The Oregonian and Eater. The space was originally home to Lucier, Quartet, and River Space restaurants.  Look for dumplings—bao, XLB, buns, and more—there in Spring 2022. 1910 S River Drive, Portland

Reshuffling programs at Fressen Artisan Bakery, but it’s all delicious. Look like they will close the Biergarten dinner service for winter. As a result they will have additional staff to help with their cafe and pastry program, expanding it a bit more. Also: looks like a Christmas market is in the works, as well as wine tasting nights. 7075 NE Glisan Street, Portland

Four Things I Learned This Week (October 15)

Jenn at Heim at Fressen. Good news—this holiday season Jenn Plitzko from Heim will be “taking responsibility for the Christmas production” at Fressen Artisan Bakery, one of the best bakeries in Portland. They feature German breads, pastries, and food, which is right in Jenn’s wheelhouse. She’ll also be doing Heim pop-ups there, and has already put together a pastry box—the current one is sold out, but look for more later this year. She will be leaving for Boise in the spring, so enjoy her work here while we have it.

Sizzle Pie buys Checkerboard Pizza. Significant pizza news is the purchase of Ken Forkish’s Checkerboard Pizza (in the Pine Street Market) by Matt Jacobson of Sizzle Pie. The Oregonian reported this story with this tidbit: “[Jacobson] plans to revive the brand at two new locations, including one on the Moda Center’s Club Level. The Pine Street Market location will not reopen.” Jacobson is a big fan of Checkerboard’s pizza work, and remarks, “I want Checkerboard to be the same as it was, but in a better location.” The other location will be in Sellwood next year. Lots more info in The O, so check it out.

Riyadh’s GoFundMe. You may be aware that a building on SE Hawthorne near SE 13th Ave burned earlier this month. One of the restaurants in that building was Riyadh’s Lebanese Restaurant. Nancy Chapin, Administrator at the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association, has put together a GoFundMe fundraiser for them, as “insurance has proven to not be very promising.” As of this writing, they are very near their $25,000 goal, and all money raised by this campaign will go to Riyadh’s; hope you can help.

Montavilla Farmers Market raffle. One of my favorite farmers markets on the east side of Portland, based in Montavilla, has announced their 2021 raffle: “Purchase a chance to win one of 17 different prize packages that all offer you a ‘taste’ of Oregon. The prize packages highlight food and beverages from our market vendors and restaurants in Montavilla, art from area artists, and goods from businesses based in Portland and across the state.” Enter the raffle for as little as a dollar, and all monies will go to support the Montavilla Farmers Market. Deadline to enter is October 27, which you can do on their RallyUp page.

Four Things I Learned This Week (September 17)

Dolce de Leite now available. Favela, a Brazilian cafe in SE Portland, is producing jars of dolce de leite, AKA dolce de leche in Spanish. “It goes perfect with coffee, toast, apples and simply on your spoon!” You can buy it at the Brazilian market at the cafe. 5300 SE Foster Road, Portland

Limited time for Piggins. Piggins, the outdoor dining spot from Higgins on the terrace by the Oregon Historical Society, will be around for only a few weeks more. “Piggins will remain open until early October, weather permitting. We invite you to experience the changing seasons and revel in the Oregon light and air while enjoying succulent seasonal fresh produce, such as heirloom tomatoes paired with decadent burrata cheese, fragrant roasted chilies and fresh eggplant.” 1239 SW Broadway, Portland

Biergarten menu starts this weekend at Fressen. Fressen Artisan Bakery, a great German bakery in Montavilla has a new Biergarten menu for the Oktoberfest season. On their Instagram they’ve been giving details of what to expect, including sandwiches and spaetzles:  Kaesespaetzle (housemade noodles with smoked Gouda, bacon and pretzel crumbs), Bavarian cheese dip, curry ketchup with fries (very good with their sausage board), Obatzda cheese spread with house pretzel, and Bratwurst sandwich (recommended with a side of fries and curry ketchup). They’ll be updating their offerings on Instagram today. The Biergarten is open Friday to Sunday 5-9pm. 7075 NE Glisan Street, Portland

Palomar says farewell to rooftop service. The good folks at Palomar are moving their operation back to their original space downstairs after many months of rooftop outdoor eating. “We are excited to return to our original space downstairs with new hours, table setup, drinks, and food items. Stay tuned for all that info coming soon.” They look forward to welcoming you back. 959 SE Division Street, Portland 


And on that topic of changes… I will be posting intermittently to the blog for a couple of weeks—I’m undergoing major surgery on Monday. Recovery should go fine but these things are unpredictable. I look forward to getting back to it as soon as is reasonably possible. Thank you for reading!