Welcome to our end-of-the-year roundup of top posts on Bridgetown Bites in 2025—we have chosen the ten most-visited for the year. These posts were about restaurant openings, both happening at the time or at a future date; and roundups focusing on dumplings, anticipated restaurants, Thanksgiving, and SNAP meals (no questions asked). Fun fact: That prior year (2024) our Thanksgiving roundup also placed in the top 10.
Traffic, Plus End-of-Year Thoughts
Our traffic on Bridgetown Bites in 2025 increased significantly compared to 2024. In 2025, 472,350 unique visitors generated 650,840 page views. That’s an increase of approximately 130% and 146%, respectively, compared to 2024—more than doubling the prior year’s numbers. It’s no surprise that this is welcome progress.
Interestingly enough, two of the ten posts were last minute additions to the editorial calendar: the SNAP benefits and the Dairy Queen pieces. They were created in response to issues being discussed by Portlanders that deserved attention from us.
I felt proud of the work we did covering the Portland-area food and drink scene on Bridgetown Bites in 2025. Some things of note this past year: we changed web hosts, interviewing technique improved, we broke some stories, expanded on ones that were already out there—and Salad Week returned. Many thanks, again, to Judith Rich, who made invaluable contributions to that project.
Bridgetown Bites is (mostly) a one person operation, but it exists because of many people—you, the readers (including our tipsters); restaurant and food business owners and operators; the marketing and PR specialists; visitors to our fair city; community leaders; and the overall interest in independent food media. We are grateful that you spend time reading here, and that you share and discuss the topics we publish.
I look forward to continuing coverage of the Portland food and drink scene, expanding further into the metro area in 2026.
The Top 10 Posts on Bridgetown Bites in 2025
10. Jawfish Restaurant Will Open on Airport Way in Portland
Jawfish, a restaurant that is about “celebrating the flavors of the Pacific Northwest,” will open in the old Shilo Restaurant space at what was the Shilo Inn on NE Airport Way. This will be a standalone restaurant on hotel property, and they look forward to offer something exciting to the area, which is mostly home to other hotels and big chains—and a large stone’s throw from the incoming In-N-Out slated for NE Airport Way and Holman. Additionally, Le Petit Chef, an immersive dining experience, will operate at this location.
9. 99 Ranch Market Has Opened in East Portland (Photos)
After many months of anticipation, the wait is over—99 Ranch Market opened this past Saturday with a big grand opening celebration right outside the new Asian supermarket. It was definitely a festive occasion and we were there drinking it all in and having a good time. Here are some of the things we saw and heard right outside—and inside—the new store.
8. Mother’s Bistro Launches Bubbie’s Deli Board, a New York Deli in Portland
In honor of their 25th anniversary, Mother’s Bistro has put together a New York deli menu, called Bubbie’s Deli Board, as well as a catering division. As a former New Yorker, when I saw Mother’s chef and owner Lisa Schroeder talking about this new menu, I had to know more. So I reached out and she shared some details with me.
7. Peacock Will Open in Old Crush Bar Space in Portland
Peacock is the name of a new dedicated queer bar in the old Crush Bar space. They hope to open in July 2025, but as of mid-July, it’s looking more like mid-August, according to my sources. I spoke to Aaron Grimmer, one of the persons behind the project, and here is what I learned from him.
6. Dumpling Week 2025 Returns in Portland
Dumpling Week 2025 is almost here! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it now: Dumpling Week is one of the best food weeks in Portland. This is the 11th year that The Oregonian has put it together, and it takes place from Friday, February 7 to Saturday, February 15.
5. Restaurants Opening in Portland in 2025: What We’re Looking Forward To
I thought I’d take a little time to share some of the restaurants opening in Portland in 2025 that I am particularly looking forward to. As we move further away from the pandemic—though COVID is not gone, by any means—I have hopes that its volatility that affected the city’s restaurants for too long is truly in the rearview mirror. And that other issues (like break-ins) can be addressed by our new city council. This year’s list includes a public market, a new coffee shop, Indigenous fine dining, and more.
4. Thanksgiving 2025 in Portland
Thanksgiving 2025—it’ll be here before you know it (November 27). We hope this resource will be of help for those making their dinner and ingredient pre-orders, as well as for those trying to snag a reservation at one of our local restaurants.
3. SNAP Meals: Where To Eat, No Questions Asked, During the Suspension of SNAP
A number of restaurants, cafes, and food carts in the Portland area are providing what we are calling “SNAP Meals”: They’re stepping up and helping feed folks who will lose their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, AKA food stamps) benefits starting in November. It is heartening to see this community effort and the generosity in our local food scene. We’ve put together a list of places—50 businesses making up 84 locations, at the writing of this roundup—where people can access food to eat while SNAP benefits are unfunded starting next month.
2. First Look: Flock Food Hall in Portland (Photos)
Earlier today I was able to attend a media preview of the Flock Food Hall, located on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton hotel at SW Alder and 9th Avenue. There are eight vendors there offering a variety of cuisines, from Korean fried chicken, to birrieria, to pastries. Plenty of seating, too. Many thanks to Genesis Burton of the Qué Chilero Group, who invited me in connection to her client Pan Roast.
1. Division Street Dairy Queen in Portland: An Update
About a year ago, we wrote about the Division Street Dairy Queen (SE Division and 55th Avenue). At that point in time, the folks at DQ were expecting to start construction in January 2025 with an estimated completion of June 2025. Obviously that has not happened. Permitting surrounding the drive-through is a big part of the saga, and the community has also voiced their concerns with and support of it. Here are some updates.
And there you have the top posts on Bridgetown Bites in 2025. Thus endeth the 2025 summary roundups—onto the goings-on that will happen in 2026!
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Bridgetown Bites is edited and published by Meg Cotner in Portland, Oregon. She loves avocados, fresh produce, NA drinks, and cats.
