A Vegan Fast Food Superstar Calls It Quits

ALBERTA — The remaining outpost for Portland’s only Black-owned-and operated brewery has closed. George Johnson’s Assembly Brewing closed its six-year-old original location in May 2025. Now KOIN 6 reports the 2934 NE Alberta Street location is done, too. In a farewell note posted to the website, Johnson wrote “unfortunately, the hits kept coming and we no longer have a financial cushion to weather the storms ahead.”

BUCKMAN — Smash burger phenom Hit the Spot has closed after seven years in business, three inside the former Brunch Box space on Southeast Morrison. The food cart-turned-restaurant was a local innovator in the burger game. Moreover, Jeremy Sivers’s business was a mainstay for fries and shakes, but the Oregonian reports the operation’s savings had run dry.

HOSFORD—ABERNETHY — Cocktail haven Deadshot will close on Saturday, November 8 after seven years in business. The SE Portland bar cited “fearless leadership in DC” in an Instagram post for setting up the business to fail in recent months. Owner Adam Robinson let fans know he hopes to find a new location for his pop-up bar Miracle.

KERNS — Vegan South American restaurant Epif is calling it quits. The 10-year-old restaurant took to Instagram to thank diners for making the restaurant shine. For now, Sunday, October 5 is the final day of business, though the post indicates that may change.

SE HAWTHORNE — After many a thick milkshake and saucy burger, plant-based comfort outfit Gnarlys is done. In yet another farewell Instagram post, owner Chris Hudson said four-year-old Gnarlys is wrapping as a “a shift toward what’s next,” still pursuing vegan cooking. Monday, September 21 is the final day of service for the business, currently operating out of bar Swan Dive.