Small Bites: Tusi’s Deli Creation, DesiPDX, Sandwiches, and More

Strawberry shortcake from Take Two during Strawberry Shortcake Week in Portland, Oregon.
Strawberry shortcake from this past summer at Take Two.

Tusi’s Deli Creation is open in Montavilla. The area’s only Samoan restaurant is on NE Glisan and has been operating on weekends in October. However, starting November 9 they’ll expand their hours and will be open Wednesdays through Sundays. You can stop in to Tusi’s Deli Creation and get green bananas, turkey tail, and other Polynesian dishes. Montavilla News has more info—check it out. 6824 NE Glisan Street, Portland

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Four Things I Learned This Week (February 16)

ICYMI: Toyshop Ramen closed. I missed this for whatever reason, but in mid-January Toyshop Ramen closed its doors. On their Instagram they posted: “We started Toyshop in a snowstorm, and we’re ending in one as well, EPIC!! What a helluva a ride it’s been, we did the damn thing and we gotta wrap it all up. Thanks to our awesome crew for making it happen day in and day out, and to everyone who came thru and made this past year possible!!” However … this week the fan account of the Alberta Arts District posted a photo of a sign on the property’s window that says, “Take Two … Coming Soon.” An electrical permit for “tenant improvements” was updated last month, but that’s all I know. I’ll see what I can find out. 3000 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland

The OLCC predicts alcohol revenue will slip by $132 million. TL;DR is that less people are buying top-shelf liquor products, according to OLCC spokesperson Mark Pettinger: “… The demand for top-shelf liquor increased during the pandemic, and if this trend had continued along with moderate inflation, sales could still be on the rise. However, he said Oregonians have returned to mid-tier products.” And some Oregonians are simply electing not to drink booze at all.

Futura Coffee Roasters has a new location in SE PDX. Earlier this week, the folks at Futura Coffee Roasters posted that they’ve opened their third location, “bringing regenerative coffee to Portland’s Division St neighborhood.”They’ll be open daily from 7am to 4pm. 4330 SE Division Street, Portland

Nico’s heads to Troutdale. Nico Vergara and crew are opening their third Nico’s Ice Cream location in east county—downtown Troutdale at The Highlands. You can read more about The Highlands on their website. It is a pod but will have a “2000 sq ft indoor, all-ages, dining room that will be shared by all the carts with a full bar.” Joining Nico’s will be Wayfinder Beer (who will focus on making beer, no food) and Checkerboard Pizza, among others. As Nico says, “Pizza, beer, and ice cream. What more could you need?” Projected opening is late May 2024. 102 SW 2nd Street, Troutdale