Small Bites: Paradox Cafe, Field Day, Rhinestone, and More

A plate of food at Paradox Cafe - there's kale and pesto, a ground meat substitute and what I believe to be a waffle, pancake, or fries.
Farewell, Paradox Cafe. Photo credit: Paradox Cafe.

Paradox Cafe has closed. After over 30 years in business, Paradox Cafe and its plant-based menu has closed at their longtime spot on SE Belmont and 34th Avenue. They posted on both their website and social media:

“Like so many other food service businesses, we can no long sustain operations and have served the final plate. So many contributing factors, that have been intensifying since COVID, have made this a necessary decision….” You can read more here. Very sorry to see them go. 3439 SE Belmont Street, Portland

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Small Bites: Off The Griddle, Wellspent Market, Pamana, and More

kick-fremont-fest-2021-portland-oregon
Scenes from a past Fremont Fest. This year it’s happening August 2, 2025.

Off The Griddle on Alberta has soft opened. A new vegan spot in the old Chilango space called Off The Griddle has opened their second location. They offer vegan brunch and lunch dishes, and a full bar (would love to see more NA cocktail action on it). Here’s the menu. They’re open 9am to 3pm, 7-days a week. And their grand opening down the line is going to be a big party. 2215 NE Alberta Street, Portland

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Small Bites: Nelly’s Taqueria, Sausages, The Last Rodeo, and More

Whyte Foxx Burrito at Nelly's Taqueria.
The Whyte Foxx Burrito at Nelly’s Taqueria. Image credit: WhyteFoxx Media.

Nelly’s Taqueria gets hyped. I recently came across this video by WhyteFoxx Media on Nelly’s Taqueria, which is located inside Su Casa Supermercado on Stark and 162nd. The video features some of Portland hip-hop musicians asking for and enjoying the special Whyte Foxx Burrito, created by hip-hop artist Whyte Foxx. DJ94 Prynce, Indo Slim, Smurf Luchiano, and Swiggle Mandela all give it a thumbs up. Note: Nelly’s has a sizable number of vegan items on its menu. 16100 SE Stark Street, Portland

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Four Things I Learned This Week (May 30) in Portland Food

Oregon’s first Jollibee opens today. The Oregonian has reported on this story over the past few years, and the arrival of this popular Filipino fast food chain is finally here. They open today in a former Chevy’s in Hillsboro. Popular dishes include the spaghetti with hot dogs, fried chicken, and peach mango pie.

They’ll be open daily from 9am to 11pm. I hope they’ll have one of those big smiling bee-man mascots stationed outside the entrance, too. When I lived in Queens, the kids loved posing by the one in Woodside. 1951 NW 185th Avenue, Hillsboro

L’Echelle is open. They opened their doors in the former Woodsman Tavern space this past Wednesday, with a menu of French bistro fare using “the bounty Pacific Northwest’s best ingredients.” Head there Wednesdays through Sundays, 5pm to 10pm. No reservations for now, just stop on by. 4537 SE Division Street, Portland

Rad Magic Subs celebrates one year on Gladstone Street. This very popular vegan sandwich shop is having a party on Saturday, May 31 from 9:30am to 6pm. They’ll have sandwiches and salads, vegan cupcakes from 222 Pastry, plus a prize wheel. It’s year one on Gladstone, and four years total in the business. 2824 SE Gladstone Street, Portland

Strawberry Fest at Parkrose Coffee Shop. This weekend, Saturday May 31 and Sunday June 1, the good people over at Parkrose Coffee Shop are celebrating the strawberry. They’ll have pints of strawberries grown at the Spada U-Pick Farms (they are located at NE 158th and Sandy Blvd), strawberry drink, strawberry pastry specials, and strawberry activities for the kids. 4826 NE 105th Avenue, Portland

Bonus: Nico’s Ice Cream will open at the Flock Food Hall. Great news for Portland’s ice cream lovers—Nico’s Ice Cream will have a summer residency at the Flock Food Hall until the end of August. The grand opening is today from noon to 10pm. After that you can see them Friday and Saturday, noon to 10pm; and Sunday, noon to 9pm. 917 SW Alder Street, Portland


Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

No Sabo Will Take Over the Lilia Comedor Space in South Waterfront [with an update on the fate of Lilia Comedor]
Oui Presse Will Close in Portland
Slow Haste Coffee Joins Collector Bar Daily in NE Portland

This weekend a few place we’ve covered are opening: Sticky Wicket today, Slow Haste Saturday, and Eli Jo Coffee Stop & Shop on Sunday. The Veganizer Asian Market is also Sunday, and Oui Presse closes at the end of service Saturday.

CityFair continues and the Holi Spring Harvest Fest is Saturday. More events can be found on our Portland Food and Drink Festivals and Portland Area Cultural + Food Festivals lists.

Small Bites: Mudd Works Cafe, Futura, Next Level Burger, and More

Seasonal salad at Fresh Love.
Seasonal salad at Fresh Love. Photo credit: Fresh Love.

Mudd Works Cafe has moved. Earlier this week, the Mudd Works folks moved their cafe into Replicant, a bar and bottle shop, just a half block away from where they were. I believe the roastery will stay put. This new location gives them more space and seating, too. 7033 NE Glisan Street, Portland

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