Truly Iconic McMenamins Portland Restaurant Rams Head Pub Is Closing

A major restaurant and pub from the Justice League-esque McMenamins group in the PNW is going dark this summer. The Rams Head Pub will close this June, per Facebook and Instagram posts from business ownership. The lease is up, and McMenamins decided not to renew. This marks the end of a 35-year run at Northwest 23rd Avenue and Hoyt Street.

The closure is a historic one for a few reasons. The Portland Tribune writes that the Campbell Building the pub calls home once claimed the biggest speakeasy in Portland. Its name was, of course, the Rams Head. The National Register of Historic Places calls the space the “best designed and most handsomely detailed.” McMenamins passport holders can get stamps now, but the stamp will get decommissioned after the closure this summer.

Hawaiian food hits Northeast Portland

There’s a new spot for musubi and poke bowls in the Sumner neighborhood. Bridgetown Bites writes Kona Kitchen took up residence in the yellow food cart stationed on the back patio of relative newcomer My-O-My. Opening on Friday, February 7, big plates of Kahuna Mac and Cheese and ahi tuna are available from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Hyped breakfast pop-up secures lease

The first permanent location of Filipino breakfast sensation Balong is hitting Rose City. The Oregonian reports chef Justin Dauz will open his first bakery and cafe by April. Thanks to some sleuthing by the reporter, the address was confirmed as the former Meianna Bakery inside Southeast 82nd Avenue’s Fubonn Shopping Center. Though Portlanders have many good breakfast sandwich options, Dauz told the paper he aspires to become number one.

Another bar pop-up goes live

Chef Vedran Jordan is taking his Turkish and Bosnian roots to longtime fire pit favorite the Knock Back starting Monday, February 17. Expect beef cigars, pomegranate hot sauce, Balkan drinking nuts, and moussaka. Per an Instagram post, the bar will turn into “your favorite Balkan bar” on the following three Mondays, too, with the pop-up ending March 10.