July 2026 Story Updates: Food Carts, Deli, Bars, and More

July 2026 Story Updates header image of downtown Portland.

For a while now, I’ve wanted to find a way to share updates on past stories we’ve published on Bridgetown Bites in some kind of regular, orderly way. Social media seems clunky for this, as it moves so fast, hence this new—and experimental—updates column. This month it’s called July 2026 Story Updates. Perhaps a little boring, but it’s straight and to the point.

They plan is to publish mid-month, once a month. Please let us know if you find this kind of thing helpful.

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Small Bites: Bridgetown Bites Is Nine, Cholados, and More

Bridgetown Bites is nine!

Bridgetown Bites is Nine. Happy birthday to Bridgetown Bites! Today is this blog’s 9th birthday. We’ve been reporting on the Portland food and drink scene since 2017—with an increased effort starting about two and a half years ago. But this whole time we’ve worked hard to showcase the range of eating and drinking options in Portland and the metro area, with an emphasis on independently owned businesses—restaurants, bakeries, convenience stores, CSAs and farmers markets, cafes, bars, food carts, and more.

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Small Bites: Cocina de Mary, Tariffs, Shorebird Bakery, and More

Chiles at Cocina de Mary.
Photo credit: Cocina de Mary.

Welcome, Cocina de Mary. This is another case of two restaurants operating in one space at different times. RJ Skillets is there from 8am to 3pm (starting 10am on Mondays) and Cocina de Mary operates 5pm to 9pm (closed Mondays). They offer Guatemalan food: cuchitos, a type of tamal; churrasco; hilachas, similar to ropa vieja; pepián; and tayuyos, similar to pupusas. They also offer familiar dishes like quesadillas, fried plantains, empanadas, burritos, and more. They officially opened on Friday, February 6. 2529-B NE Alberta Street, Portland

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