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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Small Bites: Next Level Veggie Grill, Soulful Sips, Cliff’s, and More

The spread at Next Level Veggie Grill. Photo credit: Next Level Veggie Grill.

Next Level Burger relaunches as Next Level Veggie Grill. I saw this pass through an influencer email list I’m on, but saw that Rachel Saslow at Willamette Week covered the change. Basically, last year Next Level Burger acquired Veggie Grill, a fast-casual vegan competitor of theirs, and had a business baby. Now there’s burgers and bowls, and much, more. It kind of reminds me of Laughing Planet.

The first location to transform will be on SE Hawthorne and 42nd Avenue, with a grand opening party this Saturday, October 25 from 11am to 1pm. Read more on WW. 4121 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland

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Thanksgiving 2025 in Portland

Happy Thanksgiving 2025 in Portland - with lady liberty in the background.

Thanksgiving 2025—it’ll be here before you know it (November 27). We hope this resource will be of help for those making their dinner and ingredient pre-orders, as well as for those trying to snag a reservation at one of our local restaurants. 

This roundup will be updated as new options and information becomes available. Happy Thanksgiving (to come)!

Poultry and Meat | Pies and Dessert
Meal Kits & Takeout | Restaurant Meals | Misc

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Salad Royalty Roundup: Portland’s Greatest Salads

Salad Royalty, Portland's greatest salads.
Some of Portland’s greatest salads.

Portland is bursting with reasons to explore what it has to offer, and its exciting food scene tops the list—especially when it comes to Portland’s greatest salads.

The Bridgetown Bites crew had a blast curating this lineup of must-try salads, featuring everything from beloved classics at iconic restaurants to creative newcomers and even standout food carts. You never know where you’ll discover the salad of your dreams, so we invite you to dive into this list all summer long and share your favorites with us, which may or may not be included below.

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Small Bites: Yanni’s, Pizza, Strawberries, Matcha, Aurora, and More

Strawberries from Pablo Munoz Farm, purchased at the Rocky Butte Farmers Market.
It’s strawberry season!

Yanni’s Greek Donuts grand opens this weekend. I mentioned this loukoumades cart back in February, run by a couple of brothers named Theo and Luke, who grew up here in Portland. They passed on the news that they are having a party on Saturday from 6pm to 10pm to celebrate their grand opening. Find them in the parking lot of the Lucky Lab on SE 9th and Madison.

They will offer up fresh loukoumades, a pita souvlaki special, beer, cider, wine, and Greek dancing. It’s great to see more Greek food happening in Portland, with Yanni’s joining this new scene of Greek spots including Tréla, Yiayia’s, and Souvlaki Queen. 1400 SE 9th Avenue, Portland

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