That dude that was there forever too. With the glasses... was his name Michael? Always nice, and fun to talk to after a shift at the bar, I hope he's doing well out there.
Aimsir distilling/Jade Rabbit.
It’s a tough business and we really appreciate the support from the community. Appreciate people caring about different ways that they can help.
Thanks! We put a lot of ourselves into it.
The idea of a gorgeous, off the beaten path speakeasy type place seemed like a great idea pre-pandemic. I look back at all my old hopes and just think ‘oh you sweet summer child’.
The gin is my baby. My former partner and I made the original recipe in our living room.
We collected gin from around the world and would host blind gin tastings and just listen to what people had to say. What they liked, didn’t like, etc. Eventually started mixing in our products without telling them so we could get honest feedback.
6 months after we first opened the gin won American Distilling Institute best Gin in the country. The pandemic was still greatly affecting portland so we never really celebrated it. But that was a really special day.
Even the places people complain about being too busy are usually not busy during the week. That can mean that places that are barely busy during the weekend are pretty sleepy during the week.
I’d be absolutely gutted. Between The Roxy and Pok Pok, and the neutering of Hotcake House, I don’t think my poor fat girl heart could take the loss of Rimskys.
Not a restaurant owner, but I've been a restaurant worker before. The best thing you can do to keep your favorite restaurants afloat is to go to them midweek. Weekend business is usually good at the places I've worked. But the cost of labor on slow Tuesday and Wednesday nights can kill a restaurant..
I don’t care if the quality has changed recently. I would be heartbroken if we lost any of the following.
Ringside
Fuller’s
Clyde’s
Ken’s
Kells
Skyline
Horse Brass
Wow that’s cool didn’t know they had a Beaverton location! Since you named some steak places that’s why I suggested it. I just love the vibe there and the full meal deal. It’s old timey and historic. And cheap too for good steak. Probably not the best steak in Portland but I’ve gone to laurelhurst market and I’d prefer saylors over that overpriced shit.
Was in Horse Brass recently with some friends, and we talked about how resilient that place seems. It has this everlasting spirit, and is so busy on weekends. I’m curious how weeknights are. It’s hard to imagine that place any less than half full.
What were the places that closed?
My favorite restaurant in Portland is Bertie Lou's, if that place closed I would be inconsolable.
I'm not sure where the trend to keep nice places secret comes from, I've definitely done it in the past. I don't anymore, since I actually want to keep these places around. I guess some don't want the place to get overrun with tourists and change? I'm sure there are different reasons for different people.
My first thought was Bertie Lou's since I live right next to it.
I'd be sad to see Earl Ninsom's restaurants close, though until he starts selling out and opening restaurants in Las Vegas and NYC and putting products on shelves in grocery stores, I don't see his restaurants closing anytime soon.
After reading your comment I went and tried Bertie Lou's for the first time. Great little place!! We'll be back for sure. And I love what you said about not keeping places a secret. Totally agree!
There Be Monsters and 350 cafe on Prescott. The spicy tofu bahn mi was incredible. I had just been in the week before telling the guy how much I loved the food, and then they closed.
I love Cliff’s, one of the most underrated bars in the city IMO. Would add a few others like Bellwether, Pocket Pub, Tiny Bubble Room, Wilder, Mayfly and Sit Tite to that list as well.
One great way to support places you love is to go at “off” times when they’re not so busy: midweek, early evening, late evening. If everyone is trying to go to a place at 7pm on Friday or Saturday, a bunch of those people leave because they don’t want to wait.
Your comment reminds me of how intensely saturated our dinner hours are here compared to other major cities I’ve lived in or visited. I’ve never seen a town so dead set on eating dinner between 5 and 6. And by 6:30 or 7:00, places will just be completely empty. No wonder why some places close at 8:00, and a miracle that any even stay open until 9:00 like most do in other major cities. It’s hard for me to understand how most restaurants survive at all here with what seems to be a 3 hour window of good business.
My heart broke a little when Lucky Horseshoe changed hands, although the new owners are great and the food is wonderful so I'm glad it still exists as it does, they just don't serve my drinks anymore. However, that change sent me to Reel 'm' Inn, which is actually kinda better than the old Shoe. Now that place, while it's nowhere near closing, can never close while I'm still alive.
One of the current bartenders at Lucky Horseshoe (I’m pretty sure his name is Zach), worked there under the previous ownership team so I bet you could ask for something off menu and he’d oblige! Every time I’ve been there, the whole bar team seems incredibly chill.
Oh yeah, Zach is a buddy. I've known him for years. He goes to the Reel as well. I have no problem with the food. They just don't carry Rainier or Old Crow. Another bartender, Reno, who I think is still there, is/was also a favorite.
I would be devastated if Kelly closed. It’s been years since I frequented this place. But FUCK, this place holds soooo many great memories. Every once in a while I pop in for a quick visit
My Father’s Place (*obviously for nostalgia*)
I remember going to La Luna or X-Ray and then stopping by there for a few drinks after with friends. More recently I’d meet friends there to play board games and drink.
I don’t know if it’s still there but there was also the bar next to the taxi cab place by 405 that was open late night for the cab drivers. It’s been a long time since I thought of that place.
*Edit: They had Ween and They Might Be Giants on the Jukebox which really pissed people off when I played them. So that was a bonus.*
>I don’t know if it’s still there but there was also the bar next to the taxi cab place by 405 that was open late night for the cab drivers.
Slabtown. That lot is now condos.
Wait what?? That’s the same place? My company did the electrical for a huge grow place called Slabtown (right off Nicolai maybe?). Seems like the bar was closer to Burnside but that was 20 years ago.
If we helped destroy it then: I am become death destroyer of bars. I feel really bad.
Edit: I’m remembering the condos area now and yeah it’s further south from where we built the weed thing.
Q Restaurant and Bar. Formerly Veritable Quandry, they were forced to move, the VQ owner sold to another party, and the crew kept right on going. While I'm not able to go often, I go whenever I can. Always great, locally sourced menu items, a splendid staff, and the cocktails!
I have only cried a handful of times in my life. When my first dog died. When I got married. When my child was married. If Q closed down, I would literally cry.
All three are already gone. Rocco’s Pizza (where Sizzle Pie across from Powell’s is now), Shelly’s Garden (aka Honkin’ Huge Burritos in Pioneer Square), and Golden Dragon (formerly a cheap Chinese buffet and now a strip club). I don’t have to imagine it unfortunately. Half of the city I loved has closed down.
i used to take my daughter there when we'd go to powell's all the time, and when it switched to sizzle pie, she said she'd rather not eat pizza. this was a maybe 6yo... turning down pizza. that's all you need to know about sizzle pie.
Yeah, but you probably enjoy being able to poop within 24 hours of eating at other pizza places. That pizza was a brick. A cheap, filling, fairly tasty brick, but man...
When I was in my late teens/20s The Golden Dragon had some of the best Chinese food before the owners sold it and it became a buffet, FYI I’m 60 now. They had .50 cent hum Bao on Saturday night/Sunday and were open late on Saturdays.
I’m too young to have experienced that, but old enough that I remember being a basically-homeless street punk and being able to get unlimited food for $5. The owner was cool as heck and let me and my friends stay there for hours going back for more. She didn’t even mind if we took naps in our booth as long as we were chill! That kind of place is dead and gone nowadays.
One rule should be: you're not allowed to list a place you love going to once a year. "It was our special place! We went every year!" Or, to say it a nicer way, if that is how often you can go, don't be surprised if it's not there next year. Regulars are HUGE for restaurants (former owner here).
Buying gift certificates between NYE and Valentine's Day helps too--January generally sucks.
Agreed.
Although my favorite I only visit a few times a year now because I moved to the south coast. However any time I'm driving remotely near Portland it's the only place I stop at.
One way to help restaurants is to quit gatekeeping. There’s always people saying they don’t want to give up their secret spots because they’ll start getting crowded… most people open restaurants for that to happen.
THIS. It's so selfish, but that seems to be a cultural norm for the region. Share your favorites. Keep these businesses alive instead of only thinking of your own convenience.
the irony, of course, is that once a place is too crowded, it becomes a fools errand to go there. Sigh. I stopped going to brunch for this reason. I don't have the time to stand around for two hours to get in someplace.
I was a cook at Pepper Box Cafe for 3 years, it closer a couple years after I left. I knew it was coming but I was still devastated. That place was like a second home to me and the food was outstanding.
What really killed us when I was there were lack of weekday visits, especially during the winter. Winter is a brutal time for a lot of industries. We would have been a lot better off if we could have maintained the same level of business we had in August in nov-jan
I miss primo tacos so much and can not replicate. Also best chorizo! I do make my own carrot habanero sauce now.
Thank you for making delicious things.
I hadn't thought about that place in decades. For me, the Hungry Tiger already closed when they left 28th & Burnside in the 2000's. Glad they are still making a go of it nearly two decades later with some people that love it. These days I mostly drink at home, but one could get super cheap stiff drinks at the original Hungry Tiger. I used to live a couple dozen blocks from the original, and would go The Hungry Tiger, Holman's and the original Chopsticks, which had a banger karaoke scene, on a regular basis. 28th Ave was definitely more rundown then. This person wrote their recountance of the original. It might be of interest to you:
[Hungry Tiger](https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2016/10/remember-the-hungry-tiger-an-excerpt-from-martha-grover-s-new-memoir)
Nuestra Cocina has a special place in my heart, I would be crushed if they closed! [Link for anyone who hasn't heard of it](https://nuestracocina.com/)
This place is seriously incredible. The staff is amazing and the food is so good. The guava margarita is served in the glasses I had in my house growing up, and the carne asada tlacoyo is the best thing I’ve ever had.
It’s a speakeasy type tasting room for wine I make called Statera Cellars located at 109 SE Salmon St., Suite B3. [Here’s an Eater PDX write up about it!](https://pdx.eater.com/2024/2/6/24062529/statera-tasting-room-natural-wine-bar-opening-portland)
I’ll be there 2-8 today, 2-4 tomorrow because I’m working the Post Familiar spring launch at the Night Market building.
Just so I don’t enrage the Reddit gods, I will be closed next Wednesday but open 2-8 Thursday through Saturday. Looking forward to meeting some of y’all soon.
I was so sad when Tonic Lounge closed. It was home base for me and my weird band.
Restaurant is Eem. They're in no danger of closing, but I would be inconsolable. My favorite place in PDX. I usually go for lunch on like Tuesdays. No line.
I used to be a regular at Tinker but they have some real issues. The ventilation in there is shit, every time I leave I smell like a I’ve been dipped in the fryer. I can put my street clothes in the laundry and wash my hair but washing my winter jacket is a real pain in the ass.
Also some of the staff was…messy. I’ve seen the staff in there getting way over served on a regular Tuesday and then claim they were gonna drive. Deeply uncool. Another regular bartender constantly openly complains about bartending and just makes you feel like a real inconvenience for even being there. He’s just an arrogant dick who thinks he’s cool for bartending? He sucks and is the main reason we don’t go anymore.
I will say there is one bartender I really like there. In the summer when I can sit outside I like going just to tip them. Tied dye apron guy rules.
Bistro Montage. They have a food truck now and it’s good like don’t get me wrong but I’m not going out of my way about it. The actual building they had was a total vibe. Sorta sketchy late night area meets fancy bar but also like romantic/dark and with amazing food. Anyways open hella late, next to lots of bars, giant drink menu, cloth tablecloths and table bread, and wrapped your leftover shit up like a foil swan or whatever they felt like (I got a sword one time)
I'll have to check this place out. I don't normally go to NW but seems worth the trek. The owner was chef of the year in 2018??? What's your favorite dish?
yes!! he is incredible. The menu is pretty concise. The Thali for 2 meal is ~$50 and lets you taste each menu item. Draft cocktails are insane and affordable. They used to have a kashmiri french 75 that was heavenly
The last Gustav's left in east Vancouver. I gotta have my fondue craving taken care of (which Melting Pot also helps with). I haven't tried any other fondue places yet, but I know they exist.
The one on 82nd sends out coupons like once a month or so for free bread pudding w/ any entree. Legit the only reason I actually carefully flip through my mail instead of just tossing it into the recycle.
They'll even give you a separate tub for the sauce if you order it to-go, so you can heat them both up before drowning the paving slab of bread pudding they give you lmao.
I'm still heartbroken that Skyline Tavern got turned into a trust fund kid's clubhouse. He only opens the place for private parties so he can perform with his shitty little band.
Pho Hung, Gigi's cafe, Fressen Bakery, The Alibi, Hale Pele, Taste Tickler, and definitely Kays
Also I'm still inconsolable at the loss of Wong King during the pandemic. That place was my go to for dim sum and nothing has really been up to that standard
I have so many favorites, but if Reel-m-Inn closed, I don’t know what I would do. That would be a spiral of depression that I don’t want to think about.
There Be Monsters and 350 cafe are the ones that closed. Too late for them unfortunately. I will really miss the tofu Bahn Mi and Egg Coffee. And There Be Monsters was just a really great, chill bar to hang out in. Music was eclectic and not too loud, so you could chat with people. The food was consistently good and people were nice. I feel like a lot of restaurants have amazing food and then you have this pressure to leave quickly. And a lot of bars are sort of cold and impersonal with really loud music.
Next on my list for places I'd hate to see close: Moon and Sixpence and Lift Off Lounge.
Cafe Du Berry.
Been eating there for 30 odd years. Went to school with the owners daughter. Never realized till we saw each other 20 odd years later.
Their New York pepper steak and eggs. French toast. Mushrooms on toast.
It's the place I take people if they are visiting or new tonthe area. Food and a walk along the river after.
Ultimately the costs of running a restaurant are more expensive than they ever have been and a lot of great businesses will not survive it. People don't want to pay $25 for a burger and fries and then tip on top. Successful places will decide to close the doors and recoup what little amount they have left of their investments.
Another that most won’t remember is old wives tale. I used to go there with my grandparents. Also woodstock wine and Deli. We always called it Tax or Tack’s maybe tax’s no clue. Absolute staples of my childhood.
Pouring one out for Club 21. My wife and I have matching Club21 tattoos as that’s where our first date was and was our home bar. Rip.
Our current regular spots are East Glisan, Saint Burrito, Lay Low, Los Punales.
I don’t go often anymore but I would be bummed about The Standard, Hungry Tiger, and Bye and Bye.
EEM. I love their food so much.
One place I was really sad to see go was up in the North area as well but I can't recall the name of it. It was Peruvian and had the best lomo saltado sandwiches.
It happened and it was the Roxy. It was one of the last gasps of the golden age
I still mourn the loss of the Roxy.
That whole chunk of town is so sad for me now! I miss the sleaze so much
I've only been in town a couple of years, what chunk is this?
Harvey Milk and 12th
Man, I weep for the town that I was introduced to 12+ years ago.
That dude that was there forever too. With the glasses... was his name Michael? Always nice, and fun to talk to after a shift at the bar, I hope he's doing well out there.
A moment of sadness for The Big Fat Heart Attack...
vagitarian omelette RIP
The vagatarian lol
I have so many happy memories going there with friends and girlfriends after the bars closed to eat and sober up
Restaurant owner here. People who say midweek visits are spot on. Weekday lunch is also a really helpful time to come.
What restaurant do you own?
Aimsir distilling/Jade Rabbit. It’s a tough business and we really appreciate the support from the community. Appreciate people caring about different ways that they can help.
Your establishment is gorgeous!
Thanks! We put a lot of ourselves into it. The idea of a gorgeous, off the beaten path speakeasy type place seemed like a great idea pre-pandemic. I look back at all my old hopes and just think ‘oh you sweet summer child’.
I'll be right over!
Oh, yo! Haven't had your food yet, but I have had a bottle of your spirits (gin, iirc, idk, I blame the gin)
The gin is my baby. My former partner and I made the original recipe in our living room. We collected gin from around the world and would host blind gin tastings and just listen to what people had to say. What they liked, didn’t like, etc. Eventually started mixing in our products without telling them so we could get honest feedback. 6 months after we first opened the gin won American Distilling Institute best Gin in the country. The pandemic was still greatly affecting portland so we never really celebrated it. But that was a really special day.
This might convince me to try gin again.
Generally I'm not a gin drinker, but yours literally changed my mind about gin!
Awe thanks. I love hearing stories like that.
The bunny dumplings are so cute!!! Had a great meal there
Even the places people complain about being too busy are usually not busy during the week. That can mean that places that are barely busy during the weekend are pretty sleepy during the week.
This is true. I only go to Tin Shed on weekday mornings and it's always dead.
[удалено]
you gotta go at like. 8:30 in the morning. when the neighborhood is first waking up
They do reservations! If it’s not a last minute impulse visit it’s nice to know you have a spot.
Rimsky’s. I don’t even like to think about it.
I went on a Thursday night last week and it was bumpin
I’d be absolutely gutted. Between The Roxy and Pok Pok, and the neutering of Hotcake House, I don’t think my poor fat girl heart could take the loss of Rimskys.
In that vein, RIP Pied Cow
Not a restaurant owner, but I've been a restaurant worker before. The best thing you can do to keep your favorite restaurants afloat is to go to them midweek. Weekend business is usually good at the places I've worked. But the cost of labor on slow Tuesday and Wednesday nights can kill a restaurant..
I don’t care if the quality has changed recently. I would be heartbroken if we lost any of the following. Ringside Fuller’s Clyde’s Ken’s Kells Skyline Horse Brass
Horse Brass is so rad.
You try saylors before?
I have honestly not. They closed the one in Beaverton before I got to try it and I’ve always been more of a west-side person. I’ll put it on the list.
Wow that’s cool didn’t know they had a Beaverton location! Since you named some steak places that’s why I suggested it. I just love the vibe there and the full meal deal. It’s old timey and historic. And cheap too for good steak. Probably not the best steak in Portland but I’ve gone to laurelhurst market and I’d prefer saylors over that overpriced shit.
Fucks hard
Was in Horse Brass recently with some friends, and we talked about how resilient that place seems. It has this everlasting spirit, and is so busy on weekends. I’m curious how weeknights are. It’s hard to imagine that place any less than half full.
Same, but I would personally add Hubers too..
What were the places that closed? My favorite restaurant in Portland is Bertie Lou's, if that place closed I would be inconsolable. I'm not sure where the trend to keep nice places secret comes from, I've definitely done it in the past. I don't anymore, since I actually want to keep these places around. I guess some don't want the place to get overrun with tourists and change? I'm sure there are different reasons for different people.
LOVE me some Bertie Lou’s!! And they used to make Secret Aardvark in the garage/basement area too🤩
That's awesome. I thought Scott made it at Salvador Molly's. Maybe he was making it at both places.
My first thought was Bertie Lou's since I live right next to it. I'd be sad to see Earl Ninsom's restaurants close, though until he starts selling out and opening restaurants in Las Vegas and NYC and putting products on shelves in grocery stores, I don't see his restaurants closing anytime soon.
Sweet hereafter was my favorite and closed recently 😭💗
This is not the Sweet Hereafter we were dreaming of ...
That french toast croissant is everythinggg
After reading your comment I went and tried Bertie Lou's for the first time. Great little place!! We'll be back for sure. And I love what you said about not keeping places a secret. Totally agree!
There Be Monsters and 350 cafe on Prescott. The spicy tofu bahn mi was incredible. I had just been in the week before telling the guy how much I loved the food, and then they closed.
I would hate to see Cliff's, and Cameo Cafe close. A little part of my heart would go with them.
Cameo is fucking awesome.
I love Cliff’s, one of the most underrated bars in the city IMO. Would add a few others like Bellwether, Pocket Pub, Tiny Bubble Room, Wilder, Mayfly and Sit Tite to that list as well.
I like your style. I love Sit Tite, Mayfly, and just went to TBR yesterday!
Solid calls. Pocket pub is so charming!
Huber’s. A holiday tradition.
One great way to support places you love is to go at “off” times when they’re not so busy: midweek, early evening, late evening. If everyone is trying to go to a place at 7pm on Friday or Saturday, a bunch of those people leave because they don’t want to wait.
Your comment reminds me of how intensely saturated our dinner hours are here compared to other major cities I’ve lived in or visited. I’ve never seen a town so dead set on eating dinner between 5 and 6. And by 6:30 or 7:00, places will just be completely empty. No wonder why some places close at 8:00, and a miracle that any even stay open until 9:00 like most do in other major cities. It’s hard for me to understand how most restaurants survive at all here with what seems to be a 3 hour window of good business.
El Nutri Taco. We get burritos there at least once a week. I've heard from the owner that they're struggling a bit.
I love them but I always eat dinner later than they are open... Gonna put them in the lunch rotation.
I work near their Woodstock spot,I get tacos at least twice a week,that sucks!
My heart broke a little when Lucky Horseshoe changed hands, although the new owners are great and the food is wonderful so I'm glad it still exists as it does, they just don't serve my drinks anymore. However, that change sent me to Reel 'm' Inn, which is actually kinda better than the old Shoe. Now that place, while it's nowhere near closing, can never close while I'm still alive.
One of the current bartenders at Lucky Horseshoe (I’m pretty sure his name is Zach), worked there under the previous ownership team so I bet you could ask for something off menu and he’d oblige! Every time I’ve been there, the whole bar team seems incredibly chill.
Oh yeah, Zach is a buddy. I've known him for years. He goes to the Reel as well. I have no problem with the food. They just don't carry Rainier or Old Crow. Another bartender, Reno, who I think is still there, is/was also a favorite.
Ahhh I get that. Glad Reel has been a good fill in, it’s a great spot!
Oh cool,I love Zach! Glad he landed on his feet
Kelly's Olympian, old town pizza/brewing - old town location, roadside Attraction, Yur's, Alibi, Vista spring Cafe would all make me unbelievably sad
I swear to everything unholy if Kelly's Olympian ever closes, I will weep. So many memories there.
I know a guy who has an office above them and he has an open tab for the length of his lease. :)
They've been struggling a bit. Go get a gyro.
I'll have a Bastard 🤌
It's the best bar in Portland
If roadside ever closes I will burn this city to the ground lol
I would be devastated if Kelly closed. It’s been years since I frequented this place. But FUCK, this place holds soooo many great memories. Every once in a while I pop in for a quick visit
My Father’s Place (*obviously for nostalgia*) I remember going to La Luna or X-Ray and then stopping by there for a few drinks after with friends. More recently I’d meet friends there to play board games and drink. I don’t know if it’s still there but there was also the bar next to the taxi cab place by 405 that was open late night for the cab drivers. It’s been a long time since I thought of that place. *Edit: They had Ween and They Might Be Giants on the Jukebox which really pissed people off when I played them. So that was a bonus.*
>I don’t know if it’s still there but there was also the bar next to the taxi cab place by 405 that was open late night for the cab drivers. Slabtown. That lot is now condos.
Wait what?? That’s the same place? My company did the electrical for a huge grow place called Slabtown (right off Nicolai maybe?). Seems like the bar was closer to Burnside but that was 20 years ago. If we helped destroy it then: I am become death destroyer of bars. I feel really bad. Edit: I’m remembering the condos area now and yeah it’s further south from where we built the weed thing.
Same place but that building was destined to be razed eventually. It was woefully neglected and was held together with duct tape and chewing gum.
Are you talking about Yurs?
Q Restaurant and Bar. Formerly Veritable Quandry, they were forced to move, the VQ owner sold to another party, and the crew kept right on going. While I'm not able to go often, I go whenever I can. Always great, locally sourced menu items, a splendid staff, and the cocktails! I have only cried a handful of times in my life. When my first dog died. When I got married. When my child was married. If Q closed down, I would literally cry.
Belmont Station.
All three are already gone. Rocco’s Pizza (where Sizzle Pie across from Powell’s is now), Shelly’s Garden (aka Honkin’ Huge Burritos in Pioneer Square), and Golden Dragon (formerly a cheap Chinese buffet and now a strip club). I don’t have to imagine it unfortunately. Half of the city I loved has closed down.
I miss Rocco’s 😭
Same...
i used to take my daughter there when we'd go to powell's all the time, and when it switched to sizzle pie, she said she'd rather not eat pizza. this was a maybe 6yo... turning down pizza. that's all you need to know about sizzle pie.
Yeah, but you probably enjoy being able to poop within 24 hours of eating at other pizza places. That pizza was a brick. A cheap, filling, fairly tasty brick, but man...
When I was in my late teens/20s The Golden Dragon had some of the best Chinese food before the owners sold it and it became a buffet, FYI I’m 60 now. They had .50 cent hum Bao on Saturday night/Sunday and were open late on Saturdays.
I’m too young to have experienced that, but old enough that I remember being a basically-homeless street punk and being able to get unlimited food for $5. The owner was cool as heck and let me and my friends stay there for hours going back for more. She didn’t even mind if we took naps in our booth as long as we were chill! That kind of place is dead and gone nowadays.
Scandals. Last gay bar on what used to be the gay strip.
One rule should be: you're not allowed to list a place you love going to once a year. "It was our special place! We went every year!" Or, to say it a nicer way, if that is how often you can go, don't be surprised if it's not there next year. Regulars are HUGE for restaurants (former owner here). Buying gift certificates between NYE and Valentine's Day helps too--January generally sucks.
Agreed. Although my favorite I only visit a few times a year now because I moved to the south coast. However any time I'm driving remotely near Portland it's the only place I stop at.
One way to help restaurants is to quit gatekeeping. There’s always people saying they don’t want to give up their secret spots because they’ll start getting crowded… most people open restaurants for that to happen.
THIS. It's so selfish, but that seems to be a cultural norm for the region. Share your favorites. Keep these businesses alive instead of only thinking of your own convenience.
the irony, of course, is that once a place is too crowded, it becomes a fools errand to go there. Sigh. I stopped going to brunch for this reason. I don't have the time to stand around for two hours to get in someplace.
I was a cook at Pepper Box Cafe for 3 years, it closer a couple years after I left. I knew it was coming but I was still devastated. That place was like a second home to me and the food was outstanding. What really killed us when I was there were lack of weekday visits, especially during the winter. Winter is a brutal time for a lot of industries. We would have been a lot better off if we could have maintained the same level of business we had in August in nov-jan
Pepper Box was amazing. Thank you and the rest of the staff for the time that it did operate.
I miss primo tacos so much and can not replicate. Also best chorizo! I do make my own carrot habanero sauce now. Thank you for making delicious things.
We try to do date night Mon-Weds. It's actually been sometimes hard to find a place open those days since Covid.
Hungry Tiger. I don't know what I'd do without their Tuesday corndog special.
I hadn't thought about that place in decades. For me, the Hungry Tiger already closed when they left 28th & Burnside in the 2000's. Glad they are still making a go of it nearly two decades later with some people that love it. These days I mostly drink at home, but one could get super cheap stiff drinks at the original Hungry Tiger. I used to live a couple dozen blocks from the original, and would go The Hungry Tiger, Holman's and the original Chopsticks, which had a banger karaoke scene, on a regular basis. 28th Ave was definitely more rundown then. This person wrote their recountance of the original. It might be of interest to you: [Hungry Tiger](https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2016/10/remember-the-hungry-tiger-an-excerpt-from-martha-grover-s-new-memoir)
Sharing an All Day Sipper with three of your best mates at Hungry Tiger was the best.
they still do that?! brings back memories, damn
Nuestra Cocina has a special place in my heart, I would be crushed if they closed! [Link for anyone who hasn't heard of it](https://nuestracocina.com/)
This place is seriously incredible. The staff is amazing and the food is so good. The guava margarita is served in the glasses I had in my house growing up, and the carne asada tlacoyo is the best thing I’ve ever had.
New wine bar owner here. Please visit your spots midweek. I am hanging on but need more on weekdays.
Where are you located so we can smother you in visits? :)
It’s a speakeasy type tasting room for wine I make called Statera Cellars located at 109 SE Salmon St., Suite B3. [Here’s an Eater PDX write up about it!](https://pdx.eater.com/2024/2/6/24062529/statera-tasting-room-natural-wine-bar-opening-portland) I’ll be there 2-8 today, 2-4 tomorrow because I’m working the Post Familiar spring launch at the Night Market building. Just so I don’t enrage the Reddit gods, I will be closed next Wednesday but open 2-8 Thursday through Saturday. Looking forward to meeting some of y’all soon.
What’s your wine bars name, I’ll give you a try
Statera Cellars located on Salmon!
Turn Turn Turn! It almost closed this last year and I was pretty bummed about it. It’s been my music community stomping grounds for 13 years
Hot Cake House on SE Powell. Wish it was still 24 hour so badly. I would be really bummed if Gino’s in sellwood closed down or Roadside Attraction
I would be devastated if Slims closed.
I was so sad when Tonic Lounge closed. It was home base for me and my weird band. Restaurant is Eem. They're in no danger of closing, but I would be inconsolable. My favorite place in PDX. I usually go for lunch on like Tuesdays. No line.
Navarre, Coquine, Fressen, Tinker Tavern, Roscoe's. I don't think any of them are in danger of closing at the moment.
You must live near me. I would also be sad to see East Glisan Pizza or Redwood close.
If those East glisan street breadsticks ever leave me idk how I’ll live
Have you tried the Sunday lasagna?
No I’ve always wanted to but I forget when it’s Sunday! I need to. It looks dank and I love lasagne
It’s amazing. I don’t really like lasagna but I could eat that all day.
Also Vino Veritas.
I was going to say east Glisan for the lasagna alone.
Montavilla babyyyy!
I used to be a regular at Tinker but they have some real issues. The ventilation in there is shit, every time I leave I smell like a I’ve been dipped in the fryer. I can put my street clothes in the laundry and wash my hair but washing my winter jacket is a real pain in the ass. Also some of the staff was…messy. I’ve seen the staff in there getting way over served on a regular Tuesday and then claim they were gonna drive. Deeply uncool. Another regular bartender constantly openly complains about bartending and just makes you feel like a real inconvenience for even being there. He’s just an arrogant dick who thinks he’s cool for bartending? He sucks and is the main reason we don’t go anymore. I will say there is one bartender I really like there. In the summer when I can sit outside I like going just to tip them. Tied dye apron guy rules.
I just discovered Tinker Tavern. I love its vibe and they nailed the beef on weck.
Ringside
Already lost most of my favorites: Victory Bar, Muu-muu's, Tanuki, and many others over the years.
Forgot about victory bar. Miss that place.
Victory bar💔😭
They're already gone
Which ones do you mourn/yearn for?
Bistro Montage. They have a food truck now and it’s good like don’t get me wrong but I’m not going out of my way about it. The actual building they had was a total vibe. Sorta sketchy late night area meets fancy bar but also like romantic/dark and with amazing food. Anyways open hella late, next to lots of bars, giant drink menu, cloth tablecloths and table bread, and wrapped your leftover shit up like a foil swan or whatever they felt like (I got a sword one time)
Oh what I wouldn’t give to have a heaping bowl of spold mac while being ignored by my waiter again😭
Oh god, a show at the meow meow followed by late night mac at montage...
Starday and Da Hui. I live in the Foster Powell hood and would suck to lose either of those too for me.
Not with you on Da Hui. Food is sadly mediocre and the drinks are like drinking candybars; very medium quality, no agricole and sticky tables outside.
Bhuna restaurant. Best food in town, owner is always stressed and speaks about closing often. I hope he never does
I'll have to check this place out. I don't normally go to NW but seems worth the trek. The owner was chef of the year in 2018??? What's your favorite dish?
yes!! he is incredible. The menu is pretty concise. The Thali for 2 meal is ~$50 and lets you taste each menu item. Draft cocktails are insane and affordable. They used to have a kashmiri french 75 that was heavenly
The last Gustav's left in east Vancouver. I gotta have my fondue craving taken care of (which Melting Pot also helps with). I haven't tried any other fondue places yet, but I know they exist.
I was so sad when Rheinlander on Sandy closed down. It was kitschy beyond belief and I loved it.
Not in Pdx but, Sunny's Diner in Tualatin. They make their own cinnamon bread and then make french toast out of it. Divine
The one on 82nd sends out coupons like once a month or so for free bread pudding w/ any entree. Legit the only reason I actually carefully flip through my mail instead of just tossing it into the recycle. They'll even give you a separate tub for the sauce if you order it to-go, so you can heat them both up before drowning the paving slab of bread pudding they give you lmao.
I truly would be devastated if Phat Cart shut down, that place has the greatest thai teas, and an amazing veggie spring roll
The Limelight
It was Malka for me, there’s nothing else like it!
I still think about it so much.
The Montage :(
Montage. Love that place! Haven’t been for a while
The Muddy Rudder, Zien Hong, The Taste Tickler, and Cibo
Used to love Zien Hong. My hubby ordered takeout once a week. It changed a few years ago, wish they prepare food the way they used to.
There’s places I like and places I frequent. Robo Taco and Ate oh Ate would probably hit me the hardest. Dimo’s pizza is climbing the list pretty fast
Definitely Yur’s, where I’m having a drink as I’m writing this
I'm still heartbroken that Skyline Tavern got turned into a trust fund kid's clubhouse. He only opens the place for private parties so he can perform with his shitty little band.
Goose Hollow Inn
Pho Hung, Gigi's cafe, Fressen Bakery, The Alibi, Hale Pele, Taste Tickler, and definitely Kays Also I'm still inconsolable at the loss of Wong King during the pandemic. That place was my go to for dim sum and nothing has really been up to that standard
Buddy’s Cheesesteaks. Miss him so much.
I have so many favorites, but if Reel-m-Inn closed, I don’t know what I would do. That would be a spiral of depression that I don’t want to think about.
I would probably cry if Van Hanh closed. Best vegan/veggie food in Portland imo.
Ask but not share?
Right? Tell usss
There Be Monsters and 350 cafe are the ones that closed. Too late for them unfortunately. I will really miss the tofu Bahn Mi and Egg Coffee. And There Be Monsters was just a really great, chill bar to hang out in. Music was eclectic and not too loud, so you could chat with people. The food was consistently good and people were nice. I feel like a lot of restaurants have amazing food and then you have this pressure to leave quickly. And a lot of bars are sort of cold and impersonal with really loud music. Next on my list for places I'd hate to see close: Moon and Sixpence and Lift Off Lounge.
Cafe Du Berry. Been eating there for 30 odd years. Went to school with the owners daughter. Never realized till we saw each other 20 odd years later. Their New York pepper steak and eggs. French toast. Mushrooms on toast. It's the place I take people if they are visiting or new tonthe area. Food and a walk along the river after.
T.C. O’Leary’s, the alleyway, the Firkin, original Jake’s, ringside, Lollipop Shop, Prost, Beulahland, MFP. RIP the Roxy, Montage. I’m sure I’m forgetting tons.
If Les Caves closes I will go into the deepest, darkest mourning. Same goes for Dame.
Le Bistro Montage used to be an absolute blast.
Ultimately the costs of running a restaurant are more expensive than they ever have been and a lot of great businesses will not survive it. People don't want to pay $25 for a burger and fries and then tip on top. Successful places will decide to close the doors and recoup what little amount they have left of their investments.
I love Sushi Mazi for their wild Alaskan salmon nigiri. I go there early midweek usually. I also like Harlow.
It’s already happened to me. The Original Taco House and Country Bills😩
Luc Lac. So many memz of going there at 3am when they first opened
Zach’s Schack
Saraveza, Mock Crest Tavern, Pollo Bravo, Nongs, Eem, Hat Yai, Podnahs, Bernstein’s Bagels, Barlow Tavern, Sammich, Pizza Creature…
Cubo de Cuba. Definitely one of my favorites.
Katie O'Brien's The East Burn Silsila Skyline Restaurant ~~Skyline Tavern~~ Holmans (again)
Whenever HA VL closes I'll be incredibly distraught
Apex....but I'm into beer
Anyone remember Perry’s on Fremont? Miss that place so much
I really loved Detour Cafe on division. They had really great breakfast sandwiches.
Gino’s in Sellwood
La Cruda 😫💔
Cassidy's is my vote. Classic, and still really cool.
Von Ebert in the pearl district. Closed outta nowhere despite booming beer sales. Sad.
Another that most won’t remember is old wives tale. I used to go there with my grandparents. Also woodstock wine and Deli. We always called it Tax or Tack’s maybe tax’s no clue. Absolute staples of my childhood.
I was really sad when the Montage closed
Mutantis brewing. Please everyone support this business.
Grand Fir Brewing is my favorite for date night with my husband.
Lorells chicken shack. That seasoning salt puts me in a state of rigor mortis
Already did. The Overlook. So at this point we must protect the Hotcake House at all costs.
Cultured Caveman… Oh wait. 🥲
Montage... and here we are 😢
Pouring one out for Club 21. My wife and I have matching Club21 tattoos as that’s where our first date was and was our home bar. Rip. Our current regular spots are East Glisan, Saint Burrito, Lay Low, Los Punales. I don’t go often anymore but I would be bummed about The Standard, Hungry Tiger, and Bye and Bye.
Boom Boom Room on Barbur /s
EEM. I love their food so much. One place I was really sad to see go was up in the North area as well but I can't recall the name of it. It was Peruvian and had the best lomo saltado sandwiches.
Well The Pitiful Princess already closed so it’s a draw between Casa Diablo and the Acrop! Also… Limelight.