The burger game in Portland is getting another fighter in the ring. PLS on Sixth is opening inside the Hotel Zags, taking over Dave Machado’s former Nel Centro space. This is the second PLS restaurant, technically; the first opened in August 2023 inside San Francisco’s Hotel Zeppelin, near the city’s tourist-friendly Union Square. Like the first restaurant, the main attraction here are smash burgers and “crazy” shakes,

More than just food, the restaurant offers beer, nonalcoholic drinks, and cocktails. The outdoor patio has been revamped, too, with firepits, games including cornhole and tic-tac-toe, and activities for kids such as a playhouse and sandbox. In a press release, representatives said weekend DJ events and happy hours are on deck, too, making this addition to the Cultural District more than just a hotel restaurant. The restaurant’s grand opening launch party is on Thursday, May 22 starting at 4 p.m.

Taquito food cart/prodigal son returns

On Tuesday, May 20, Carlos Mendoza and Anthony La Pietra will bring buzzy food cart Tito’s Taquitos back to Multnomah Village as a full-fledged restaurant. Oregon Live reports the two will open in the former Little Big Burger at 7705 S.W. Capitol Highway, just a mile or so from the original food cart’s location. This third location will have a full liquor license; this news comes after La Pietra turned the original Tito’s into chicken wing and burrito cart, Alita’s, meaning no more food carts and just physical spaces for Tito’s.

Italian deli and bar on East Burnside Street

Five years into pizza dominance Dimo’s Apizza is taking over its next-door space. Dimo’s Italian Specialties is under construction with owner Doug Miriello telling Oregon Live this new space will serve as deli market, bar, and Fridays through Sundays a “refined white tablecloth supper club.” The planned opening is set for June.

NE Fremont Street cocktail bar opens for breakfast

With an elephant mascot in tow, Hi-Top Tavern is serving coffee and pastries at 7 a.m. seven days a week. Bridgetown Bites spoke to Ezra Caraeff, one of the owners, about the new offerings. That looks like hometown hero Coava Coffee on bar, Flour Market pastries, breakfast tacos, and lunch offerings.