PORTLAND POP-UPS TO WATCH, DECEMBER 2023
Pop-ups are an essential part of an innovative and fun culinary scene. They allow chefs to showcase the food and drink they are passionate about in a casual, low-risk way while demonstrating their talent and scope of imagination. In Portland, pop-ups have been the jumping off point for a number of exciting restaurants, from James Beard Award-nominated chef Thomas Pisha-Duffly’s Gado Gado to the wood-fired pizzeria No Saint. In 2023, Portland will see many more pop-ups level up into new businesses, and many other brand-new pop-ups have emerged in the last few months.
Below, we compiled a list of pop-ups to keep an eye on as they experiment and exhibit their talent, opening up new venues and more. This list will be updated throughout the year. Have you visited a recurring pop-up that blew your mind? Let us know via our tip line.
Jose “Lalo” Camarena’s Pozole Pop-Up
Those who can’t afford a tasting menu may not have eaten the food of StarChefs Rising Star Jose “Lalo” Camarena, the chef at Northwest Portland’s República. But on Sundays, the chef uses the fine dining restaurant as a home for his pozole pop-up, where he sells $12 quarts of pozole and $5 cups of champurrado. The soup is takeout only and available for walk-ups, ideal for an easy Sunday brunch or lunch.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Sundays
Where: Republica, 100 NW 10th Avenue
Learn more: Republica’s Instagram
Javelina
This pop-up from Sammich and Bullard alumna Alexa Numkena-Anderson celebrates the eclectic and varied world of Indigenous cooking, serving everything from Sonoran hot dogs and frybread tacos to roasted sweet potato topped with butternut squash, white beans, and maple chard butter — a nod to the “three sisters.” Cocktails often incorporate tequila, like the Harvester’s Old Fashioned with mezcal, tequila, corn liquor, and sweet corn agave.
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, December 10 and December 17.
Where: Morchella, 1315 NE Fremont Street
Learn more: New Portland Pop-Up Javelina Is an Eclectic Portrait of Past and Present Native Cuisine
Ruthie’s x Street Disco
Typically, when people want to experience the Netflix-celebrated food cart Ruthie’s, they end up eating on the back patio of Division cocktail bar Someday. But for one night only, Ruthie’s will pop up for a collaborative dinner with Foster-Powell’s Street Disco. The menu is full of fun-looking snacks, like chop cheese croquettes, coconut shrimp toast, and a pork coppa steak with popcorn sauce.
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, December 13
Where: Street Disco, 4144A SE 60th Avenue
Learn more: Street Disco Instagram
Miss Zumstein Cookie Pop-Up
Earlier this year, this beloved Northeast Portland bakery closed its shop; however, Miss Zumstein is returning the neighborhood for holidays. For two days, the Miss Zumstein bakers will sell hazelnut thumbprints, peppermint-chocolate sandwich cookies, and more in cookie boxes, available for pre-order. Email [email protected] to pre-order.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, December 16 and December 23
Where: Red Sauce Pizza, 4641 NE Fremont Street
Learn more: Miss Zumstein’s Instagram
Toyshop’s Mean Girls Pop-Up
Over the last few months, this Northeast Portland ramen bar has started hosting one-off pop culture pop-ups, celebrating everything from Barbie to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The latest: a night of all things Mean Girls. Gabriella Martinez of new dessert bar Libre will collaborate on the food menu, while bartenders Jennifer Akin (Rumba, in Seattle) and Dustin Hubbard (Bantam Tavern) help out with the drinks.
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, December 18
Where: Toyshop, 3000 NE Killingsworth St
Learn more: Toyshop’s Instagram
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