Small Bites: Día de los Muertos and Diwali, Openings, Closings, Food Carts, and More

A colorful rangoli.
Example of a colorful rangoli.

Pan de muertos sources in the Portland metro area. Today and tomorrow is Día de los Muertos, aka Day of the Dead, an important holiday in Mexican culture. This is when it is believed that spirits of the dead come to visit, as the veil between the dead and the living has thinned. The sweet pan de muerto is a traditional food for this holiday, and The Oregonian put together a great list of where to find them in our metro area. Check it out. Various locations.

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Small Bites: Sports Bra, Take Two, Fresh Love, and More

For Small Bites: the interior of the Sports Bra, a sports bar that shows only women's sports.
The Sports Bra, a sports bar that shows only women’s sports, will expand via franchising. Photo credit: The Sports Bra

Well, I’ve been under the weather lately—but am feeling better)—so it’s time for a Small Bites food news update. Here are some of the tidbits that have crossed my internet desk that I thought you might find interesting. Enjoy, and have a good weekend!

Boxer Ramen is closing. They announced it over on their Instagram: “It is with a very heavy heart we announce that after 11 years of serving you our unique brand of Ramen, we sadly will be closing all of our doors for good this upcoming Monday the 29th.” They cite many challenges, including the pandemic and inflation, behind their decision to close. I’m sorry to see them go. 1668 NW 23rd Avenue, 3003 NE Alberta Street, 7847 SW Capitol Highway, Portland; 3205 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton

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Tokyo Sando Returns! Bing Mi, Too! Both at the Midtown Beer Garden

Photo credits: Tokyo Sando and Bing Mi

A while back I wrote about the arrival of the Midtown Beer Garden in the “midtown” section of downtown Portland. I also wrote about Tokyo Sando closing, with the uncertainty of a return to Portland. And Bing Mi has gone through some changes, opening a brick & mortar spot in NW Portland, with the future of the original cart in unknown territory, too. Well, the good news is that they are returning to downtown Portland!

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Midtown Beer Garden Is Opening This Sunday

Photo credit: Nina Johnson

Back in May (was it really that long ago?) I wrote about the the Midtown Beer Garden (MBG), a collaboration between Expensify and local restaurant group ChefStable, opening downtown on SW 5th Avenue between SW Harvey Milk & SW Oak Streets. Well, the time has arrived and they are having their grand opening this Sunday, August 20, 3pm to 8pm.

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Midtown Beer Garden Will Open in Downtown Portland Summer 2023

An artist rendering of the project. Photo credit: Midtown Beer Garden

The 5th Avenue Food Cart Pod which has been closed for a little while, is going to reopen as the Midtown Beer Garden later this summer (slated for July). Considered on of the city’s oldest and largest food cart pods, it is located at SW 5th Avenue between SW Harvey Milk & SW Oak Streets. Expensify along with ChefStable, are behind this project to revitalize this prime spot in downtown Portland.

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