Bridgetown Bites

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost upon us - the first competitive matches start tomorrow, June 11. Here are some places where you can watch the matches in Portland, along with food, drink, and entertainment specials. 

The folks behind Don’s Favorite Foods (and Burger Stevens), are opening Salami Mammi in the current Don’s space. That restaurant will be opening elsewhere in Beaverton. Parm is the word. 

I had the chance to interview Mama Elvira, the matriarch of the family behind El Sombrero Tapatio in the Parkrose neighborhood. This is a version of the story that was published in the Hollywood Star News. Read them both - and eat there! 

This edition of Small Bites starts out with a strawberry shortcake malasadas, includes openings, closings, and anniversaries, Pride, ube and pandan soft serve, and more. I hope this weekend is good to you. 

Thanks to everyone who follows Bridgetown Bites here on Tumblr. I love this community!

In other news, this week I’ve been partnering with Bryan Vance at Stumptown Savings to promote the Portland Food Newsletter Bundle—subscribe to both of our newsletters in one place and get timely news and views on Portland food, from restaurants to groceries. This is a great way to support independent journalism on a topic we all know and love. Join us!

Tomorrow is National Donut Day! I’ve been wanting to do a donut roundup for a while, so here it is. There are deals for the day, plus we shine a light on our many donut options in the Portland area.

The group of top 5 posts for May 2026 has more variety than usual. A Small Bites column made it in, there’s also a house to biz conversion, strawberry shortcake, chocolate, and a new food cart pod in Hollywood. Plus, 75,000 page views. Thanks for reading, sharing, commenting, and your tips! 

Focusing primarily on rotisserie chicken and roasted potatoes, Ken Gordon’s Bon Temps Poulet will offer their tasty food outside of Gorges Beer Co. on the Ankeny Rainbow Road in SE Portland.

Shifting Realities™️is a new immersive art installation in the Porsche Studio Portland in the Pearl. Among the music, visuals, and haptics, there are macarons. Here’s our report from the preview. 

This edition of Small Bites includes coffee, strawberries, renovations at Thien Hong, s’mores, honey, cinnamon rolls, openings, italian ice, gelato, and more. I hope this weekend is good to you. 

A liquor license application indicated Tonga Room will open in the space that was The Heights. Here’s some background on what’s up with that. 

Now in its fourth year, Strawberry Shortcake Week offers opportunities in Portland, the Oregon Coast, and Willamette Valley to eat a variety of takes on the classic strawberry shortcake. It’s one of the most delicious weeks of the year! 

The Veganizer Asian Market is back! You’ll find around 75 vendors offering plant-based and vegan food, drink, art, and more in June. 

This edition of Small Bites includes El Pollo Chano in Parkrose, openings and closings, pickles, pizza, strawberries, anniversaries, and more. I hope this weekend is good to you. 

We had a chance to stop in at the Lavoratti 1938 chocolate shop on SW Broadway, just a half block away from Pioneer Courthouse Square. This is their first shop in the U.S. 

The Hollywood Bar & Carts is a food cart pod, bar, mixed seating area, and a place to hang out in the Hollywood District. Looking forward to it opening this summer! 

Food vending machines get a mid rap these days; Mr. Chip hopes to change all that with interesting and tasty snacks, both foreign and domestic.