Mama Bird
View on WikipediaMama Bird was a restaurant in Portland, Oregon, United States.[1] In 2023, the counter service restaurant announced plans to expand the menu, add table service, and become known as Mama Bird Wood Fire Grill.[2] The restaurant closed permanently on January 26, 2025, and Gabriel Pascuzzi converted the space into Bistecca Wood Fire Steakhouse.[3][4][5]
Key Information
Description
[edit]Mama Bird was a casual, counter-service restaurant in the Slabtown neighborhood of Portland's Northwest District,[6] with a seating capacity of approximately 90 people.[7] The interior had high ceilings, large windows, natural wood, neutral tones, and plants. Mama Bird's "allergy-friendly"[8] menu focused on grilled chicken and vegetables.[9][10] Pete Cottell of Willamette Week has said the menu "[split] the difference between comfort food and health food".[11]
History
[edit]
Gabriel Pascuzzi opened the restaurant on September 26, 2019.[9] Soon after, Mama Bird closed temporarily because of smoke pollution complaints from neighbors.[12][13] It reopened in November.[14][15]
In June 2020, the restaurant donated $3 for each bird sold to Know Your Rights Camp, during the George Floyd protests.[16] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant had patio service, as of September 2020.[17]
Reception
[edit]In 2019, Eater Portland's Alex Frane included Mama Bird in his list of sixteen "quintessential" restaurant and bars in Slabtown.[18] In 2021, the website's Brooke Jackson-Glidden said "Mama Bird is a godsend, with grilled chicken and vegetables that have a refreshing element of creativity and finesse".[19]
References
[edit]- ^ Russell, Michael (2019-09-26). "First look: Mama Bird, a healthful grilled chicken restaurant from the Stacked Sandwiches team". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Wong, Janey (2023-07-28). "Grilled Chicken Spot Mama Bird Will Transform Into a Full-Service Restaurant". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2023-07-30. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
- ^ Russell, Michael (2025-01-03). "This 'Top Chef' contestant is opening an Italian steakhouse in Northwest Portland". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ Guzman, Dianne de (2025-01-09). "5 Portland Restaurant and Bar Closures to Know in January". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- ^ Cheadle, Harry (2025-02-27). "15 Portland Restaurant and Bar Openings to Know for February". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
- ^ "How to Make Mama Bird's Beautifully Brined Grilled Chicken". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ "Portland Sandwich Whiz to Open Allergy-Friendly Restaurant This Spring". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Russell, Michael (2019-04-26). "XLB will bring its soup dumplings to Slabtown". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ a b Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (6 March 2019). "An Eater Portland Chef of the Year Opens His Grilled Chicken Shop Today [Updated]". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ Russell, Michael (2019-10-01). "Big's Chicken returning to Portland, and all the other restaurant news you need to know right now". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2020-12-07). "Gabriel Pascuzzi Will Turn His Grain Bowl Pop-Up, Feel Good, Into a SE Belmont Restaurant". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Russell, Michael (2019-10-23). "Grilled chicken restaurant Mama Bird to close for three weeks after smoke complaints". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Place, Allison (2019-11-06). "The Flap Over Northwest Portland Restaurant Mama Bird Highlights a Regulatory Loophole: Wood-Fired Ovens Are Bad for the Lungs". Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Frane, Alex (2019-11-13). "Mama Bird Returns to Portland With Free Chicken Plates This Friday". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Singer, Matthew (2019-11-12). "Embattled Northwest Portland Restaurant Mama Bird Is Celebrating Its Reopening By Giving Away Free Plates of Chicken". Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Frane, Alex (2020-06-02). "The Portland Restaurants Donating to Organizations Serving Black Communities". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Frane, Alex (2020-06-18). "A List of Portland Restaurants Reopening for Patio or Dine-In Service". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-12-30. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Frane, Alex (2019-11-21). "16 Quintessential Restaurants and Bars in Slabtown". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2021-01-21). "Portland's Most Anticipated Restaurant and Bar Openings for 2021". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Mama Bird at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
