Tag: MidCity SmashBurger

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Four Things I Learned This Week (November 4)

Nico’s Ice Cream (second location) opens tomorrow (Saturday). The second location of Nico Vergara’s popular ice cream shop will open tomorrow morning, starting at noon and going until 4pm. Along with NZ-style ice cream cones, expect empanadas, half pints of dulce de leche ice cream, music with DJ maddchill, and probably some other treats. The new location is in the old Tea Bar space. 1615 NE Killingsworth, Portland

Eastern Cathay was the original Elmer’s. I’ve been to Elmer’s on NE Sandy just past the turn into Parkrose a number of times but had no idea the original location—known at the time as Elmer’s Colonial House of Pancakes & Steak House—is where Eastern Cathay restaurant is on NE 82nd. I will admit: I have not been to Eastern Cathay but have driven past it often. But, it may be in jeopardy: the property it sits on is for sale, and according to an article by Montavilla News, “The business is available as part of a sale or will shut down after the deal finalizes.” 1411 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland

MidCity SmashBurger has the second best burger in the world. According to the website Big 7 Travel, Portland’s own MidCity SmashBurger was rated number 2 in the world in 2022. The Stark Street cart recently moved up to Sandy Blvd next to Level Beer and continues to offer Smashy Bois, Splashy Bois (fish sandwich), and other tasty things at competitive prices. From the Level 7 Travel article, “On the surface, it’s just meat, cheese and sauce in a bun but the reality is so much more. Two thin and crispy beef patties are smashed together beneath a cast iron press, slathered with American cheese slices and the chef’s own special smash sauce, and then served between two fluffy buns. All for just $6.” 1447 NE Sandy Blvd, 1825 N Williams Avenue, and 6620 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Portland

VilleVelo Bake Shop is expanding. I was over at Rocky Butte Espresso Bar this morning and decided to get a slice of their quiche, made by VilleVelo Bake Shop, which is so very good. In fact, it was one of the few things I could really taste when I had COVID this past summer, and its intense savory-tastiness was like a high during a crappy few days. I had heard they were expanding a little while ago, but decided to look into it. They are moving a couple doors down into the old Capitola Coffee space, which moved to N Mississippi earlier this year. Their grand re-opening is tomorrow, Sunday November 5. On their Instagram they say, “Extracto coffee will be ready and our pastries and savories will be available for everyone!” They open at 8am. 1465 NE Prescott Street, Portland

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Small Bites – Closings, Anniversaries, New Menus, Consolidations, Ice Cream, and More

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Ensalada Bomba at G-Love. Photo credit: G-Love

A whole raft of tidbits have crossed my desk this week, so welcome to another edition of Small Bites (in place of Friday’s regular Four Things I Learned This Week column). Also: have a great Labor Day Weekend, too!

Best bars and restaurants for wine lovers in PDX. Decanter published a delightful listicle of their favorite spots for wine lovers in our fair city. Included on that list are Davenport, Canard, Coquine, Providore, and more.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (August 19)

MidCity SmashBurger must leave its Stark Street digs. Looks like MidCity SmashBurger, which has had their cart serving “smashy bois” on Stark Street for a couple of years now, is going to have to move. “We are beginning a move to create space for a new pod which has certain requirements for cart owners and I do not meet the proper ‘owner criteria.'”

I noticed back in January that there was something going on at that location but beyond there being a new food cart pod arriving and improvements to the building, that’s all I knew. In late July, PoMo wrote an article about the newcomers taking over the space—a pod that will be operated by BIPOC and LGBTQ restaurant owners. The building will be home to the incoming Fracture taphouse, and that building will provide indoor seating for the pod adjacent, called Lil’ America.

MidCity will be looking for a new location—lots of fan suggestions in this Instagram post’s comments, but the PoMo article indicates “just a block away.” And it will have to happen by end of summer if the projected opening of Lil’ America happens in September as they would like. MidCity SmashBurger’s Cartside and Bend locations are staying put. 1015 SE Stark Street, Portland

Montelupo Market offers pasta night tote bags. For $65 you get “everything you need for a pasta night at home, ready to grab and go.” That includes a box of their house dried pasta, jarred sauce, wine & olive oil, all pre-loaded into a toma-tote. Nice. 344 NE 28th Avenue, Portland

Bag-O-Crab is open in Portland. Occupying what was the Original Taco House (locals still lament its closing) and more recently El Palenque (sadly, closed during the panedmic), Bag-O-Crab is now open in that space. They are a franchise, established in 2010 and have locations in CA and WA, and bring all sorts of seafood yums to the table—here’s their introduction:

“In Bag O’ Crab, you can enjoy a wide range of selected seafood including Dungeness Crab, Lobster, Shrimp, Crawfish and more in family inherited receipts. These seafoods are handpicked every day to ensure the highest standard is provided to our customers. Don’t like the seafood? Sorry to hear that. Although Seafood is our specialty, we also have something for you! Our Cajun style wings and Grill beef short ribs with French fries are gorgeous! And you can always explore the menu for more!” 3255 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland

Portland Polish Festival—on, then off again. The Portland Polish Festival, arguably one of the most beloved and popular cultural festivals in Portland, was planning on coming back after being on hiatus during the pandemic. However, they have since changed their minds. On their Facebook page they posted, “The Portland Polish Festival will not be held in September 2022 in our North Portland Neighborhood due to unforeseen circumstances (primarily related to safety concerns associated with the homeless encampment located in our neighborhood).”

They are, however, planning a smaller event—perhaps Dozynki, like last year? I’ll keep an eye on it. If you’re interested in knowing about other cultural festivals in the area, keep this list handy.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (January 14)

Madman Pop-Up is back. Last October I wrote about the Madman Pop-Up, a chance to enjoy delicious Trinidadian food inside the Little Griddle restaurant in NE Portland. Well, after a bit of a hiatus, it’s back! He’ll be making doubles (pumpkin and spinach add-ons available), bake and saltfish, and curry chicken plates complete with buss up shot (a kind of torn roti), aloo, channa, pumpkin, and spinach. They’ll also have sorrel and ponche creme (contains rum) for drinks. Monday, January 17 from 3-7pm. 3520 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland

Daily stroopwafels are on hiatus. Prince Coffee, known for their excellent espresso drinks and homemade stroopwafels are changing things up—daily stroopwafels are no more. They broke the news on Instagram: “With the intense labor involved and major price increase on imported ingredients (ahem, Lyles Golden Syrup from Europe that went up in cost 100%), we have decided to take a little hiatus from daily stroopwafels at the shop … While we are sad to say goodbye to daily stroopwafels, we know they aren’t gone forever. You can expect to see them pop up on a seasonal basis or for pre-order throughout the year.” 4523 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Greasers Cafe is now Rockabilly Cafe. Since I wrote about Greasers Cafe, opening up in the St. Johns neighborhood early this year, they have changed their name to Rockabilly Cafe. You can find them online at the following places: rockabillycafe.com, Instagram, and Facebook. Their menu is ready, too, and you can get a video sneak preview of it on their Facebook page. I’m particularly curious about the “Sid’s Caesar” salad—named after the owner’s dad and featuring his father’s Caesar dressing. 8537 N Lombard Street, Portland

MidCity SmashBurger anniversary. Thats right—one of the top smashburger spots (some might say the best smashburger) spots in Portland turns one year old next week on Thursday, January 20. Sounds like they are going to throw a party—think music, beer, and plenty of Smashy Bois. They were also interviewed on TV and you can watch that here. Keep an eye on their Instagram to see what kind of party they have in store for next week. 1015 SE Stark Street, Portland and 1825 N Williams Avenue, Portland

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Small Bites – Cowbell’s Washed-Rind Cheeses, Second Foxy Coffee Location, Banh Mi Boys Arrival, and More

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Lisa with wild ramps, an excellent cheese. Photo credit: Cowbell Cheese Shop

Washed-rind cheeses at Cowbell. This fantastic little cheese shop in the Central Eastside has professed their love of washed-rind cheeses, described as having, “unctuous, pudgy textures, big aromas, and assertive-yet-nuanced flavors that dance on the line between sweet and savory, nutty and brothy.” Le Niremont (Switzerland), Bethmale Montagne Mixte (France/Pyrenees), and Lisa with wild ramps (Germany/Bavaria) are the highlights. Buy online or in person. 231 SE Alder Street, Portland

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