Small Bites: Il Corso, Melons, The Italian Job, and More

Panzanella salad at Il Corso.
Panzanella salad. Photo credit: Il Corso.

Il Corso is for lunch. They’ve changed their hours, which are now noon to 7pm, Tuesday through Saturday. “Our new menu is definitely what you want for a nice comfortable lunch or your Power Lunch with friends!” Their new chef, Keenan McDonald, has created this new menu.

They have 10 wines by the glass, 5 cocktails (including one NA), beer, cider, NA wine and beer, and soda for drinks. The Il Corso food menu has a nice variety: Marconas and olives, a panzanella salad (you can add burrata to that, too), cured meats and cheese, and “The Tony”—crispy Mortadella, melted Provolone, Dijon mustard, herb aioli, all on brioche with chili crisp. 1204 NW Glisan Street, Portland

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Small Bites: End of Wilderton, Donuts, Good Measure, and More

The end of Wilderton is a sad state of affairs. Here's their final product. We will miss them.
Wilderton during a more colorful time.

The end of Wilderton. Bummer news about this NA distiller in Hood River. They closed their tasting room in August 2025 and the distillery will close at the end of January. One of the founders, Brad Whiting, said this: “We endeavoured to find a new steward of the brand for the past several months, but alas none worked out so the brand/IP etc will be shelved in the hopes to be resurrected at some point in the future. The distillery and tasting room are now closed and decommissioned.” More details here.

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Small Bites: Loncheria Los Mayas, Soen, 28 Tigers, and More

The Fall Feast Salad at Fresh Love (part of a Small Bites list with Loncheria Los Mayas).
The Fall Feast Salad. Photo credit: Fresh Love.

The Loncheria Los Mayas truck has moved. I drove by the corner of NE Prescott and 42nd the other day and noticed that the Loncheria Los Mayas truck was no longer there. The property has been sold, too, in September 2025. However, I since learned that the taco truck folks have consolidated into their location on NE Alberta. And a neighbor said, “They will hopefully have a 42nd Ave location early next spring.” Meanwhile, enjoy their delicious Yucatecan food on NE Alberta. 2515 NE Alberta Street, Portland

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Small Bites: Tamalada, Crispy Cones, ZabPinto Thai, and More

Making tamales during a tamalada in 2019 in Portland, Oregon.
The tamalada from 2019.

Tamalada in Portland is back! I attended a tamalada—a group tamale-making party around the holidays—organized by Hot Mama Salsa and Three Sisters Nixtamal pre-pandemic (2019) and loved it. We learned how to prepare the masa, fill the corn husks, and steam the tamales—and we got to take some tamales home. It was fantastic!

So you can imagine how happy I was to see that these same two women-owned and led businesses have brought it back this year. This time it will take place at Hot Mama Salsa’s headquarters in Southeast Portland. There are two sessions on Sunday, December 14: 2pm to 3:30pm and 4pm to 5:30pm. It’s $65; you can reserve your spot and pay them on Venmo. DM them with questions. 333 SE 2nd Avenue, Portland

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