Lost Restaurants of Portland, Oregon

by Theresa Griffin Kennedy

A full menu of unforgettable events and historical milestones.
Delve into the Rose City's colorful and sometimes tumultuous past through the memories, meals and recipes that put these bygone restaurants on the map. From The Quality Pie, a favorite of Portlanders from all walks of life, to the River Queen, which enjoyed a long and storied life as a working vessel before becoming a stationary restaurant on the Willamette River, visitors and locals alike have enjoyed a unique variety of eateries. Celebrities once enjoyed steak dinners in the Barbary Coast's Roaring 20's Room while Café Lena offered simpler fare to poets and dreamers in search of a relaxed atmosphere.
Join author Theresa Griffin Kennedy for a sumptuous tour of Portland's shuttered cafés, diners and grand dining rooms.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, History

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2022

About the author

Author of six books. Professional editor, & Indie publisher. GEN X Girl. Late Stage feminist, mushroom coffee drinker, animal rescuer, chocolate lover, film noir addict, heritage rose lover, avid reader & antique book collector.

As editor of OREGON GREYSTONE PRESS, established in 2015, Theresa Griffin Kennedy is a longtime writer of creative nonfiction. She also writes Gonzo Journalism & detailed crime profiles. She is a poet, & writer of literary fiction with a focus on the contemporary genre of Domestic Noir. Her first book of fiction "Burnside Field Lizard & Selected Stories," 2018, was chosen as a finalist in the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Award. Her first novel, "Talionic Night in Portland: A Love Story," 2021, was longlisted in the Chanticleer Clue Award, 2022 & the Somerset Award, 2022.

Kennedy was published in 2016 with the news website GoLocalPDX, & with Portland Monthly Magazine in January 2021. She is a contributor to the writing website Live Encounters, which is operated by poet, writer and intellectual Mark Ulyseas, out of Indonesia. Kennedy has been published with Portland State University's Pathos Literary Review, Street Roots Newspaper, the Bicycle Review, Oakland Review, & with an anthology called "War Stories 2015," which was published by Blue Skirt Productions with support from Oregon Humanities. Her first published click was a letter to the editor in Vanity Fair Magazine, in 2005 regarding the Memoir, "Running With Scissors."

Kennedy is a social activist fighting for social change through writing as a social act. She identifies as a moderate Democrat & does not believe in political extremism. She paints abstract mixed media & is the author of "Murder and Scandal in Prohibition Portland: Sex, Vice and Misdeeds in Mayor Baker's Reign," published with the History Press in 2016. Her second book with The History Press, is the popular "Lost Restaurants of Portland, Oregon," published in 2022.

Kennedy's beloved father, Dorsey Edwin Griffin, was also a writer & author. He wrote & published books on topics as eclectic as ancient Celtic folklore, history and poetry. He published an anthology of short stories by women authors, & books on Oregon history, including the celebrated history book, (his most notable work) "Who Really Killed Chief Paulina: An Oregon Documentary," in 1992, published by Griffin Press. The Paulina book will be republished by Oregon Greystone Press. Kennedy's father taught her that "range in writing" is one of the most important elements to becoming a well-rounded, skilled writer. His best writing advice came on a postcard one summer day in 1989 when he wrote: "Write, write, write! Revise, revise, revise, revise!"

Kennedy lives with her husband, author, Don DuPay, & enjoys her time as a lifetime resident of Portland. She also works as an editor & proofer for other authors. In her off time she enjoys classical & jazz music, & gardening, which includes the planting & proliferation of Lilacs, Daphne Odora, Heritage Roses, & Lavender. Theresa continues pursuing her hobby of collecting and repairing antique books, & antique cast iron bed frames which she restores, sells, and re-homes.

Kennedy's 2025 nonfiction book "We Learned to Live in the Castle: Stories," was longlisted in the Chanticleer Collections & Anthologies Book Award for 2025.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freely admit to buying this book solely because it contains a chapter on Fryer's Quality Pie, a 24-hour diner in my former Northwest Portland, Ore., neighborhood, where I spent a great deal of time with band clients and friends. The wee hours of the morning would often see us getting a plate of gravy fries to share and a slice of pie, talking about a gig we'd just attended.

Seeing brief nods to other long-gone favorites like Rose's Deli and The Carriage Room in the introduction was great. The author stated that the restaurants she chose to include for in-depth review were selected because of how much information (including some recipes) she was able to find in her research.

I don't really get nostalgic about my time in Portland. I can say for sure, though, that the beloved establishments discussed in this volume laid the groundwork for the "foodie" reputation that Portland now enjoys. This is a great read for amateur food historians, or for those who might long for the good old days with local celebrity chefs like Horst Mager or Holly Hart.

[Dianah (onourpath) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written with curiosity, humor, and clear-sightedness, and it's easy to tell that Theresa Griffin Kennedy is a big fan of Portland's restaurants. Portlanders love their food, and are adamantly loyal to their favorite restaurants, so she must have had to tiptoe through some of the information a bit; lest she offend someone.

Kennedy covers a smattering of long gone favorite restaurants, and explores the impact these restaurant brought to Portland. She's very thorough, and yes, there are recipes! Wistful nostalgia will tug while you're reading about your favorite food at your favorite childhood restaurant; this journey is, indeed, worthwhile. Where possible, Kennedy has included photos, food choices, decor, and interviews with the family or individual who started the restaurant.

Kennedy writes a glowing love letter to the city of Portland here, but like a good mother, she doesn't hold back when tough talk is needed. The book is meticulously done; crammed with restaurant lore, minutiae, and scandal -- just what the deprived masses need. And while this book is packed with a lot of profiles, there is an ocean of Lost Restaurants of Portland still, ....well, lost. Here's my vote for volume 2, please, (and 3, and 4 and ....)

[Grant Butler · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was disappointing. I loved all of the memories that people shared of these long-gone restaurants, the descriptions of the food that was on the menus, and all the historic photos. But the choices on which restaurants were featured (and which ones weren't) were puzzling. There's a chapter on a national chain restaurant, but nothing on iconic spots like Wildwood, Genoa or Zefiro, which changed the city's dining landscape. Also, the sourcing for the book relied heavily on the author's husband, rather than food authorities like Karen Brooks or Roger Porter, who have been around since the 1970s and have chronicled the many changes in the dining world over the decades.

[S. Pierzchala · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a simple, clear writing style, Teresa Griffin Kennedy evokes the nostalgia of by-gone restaurants from Portland's heyday.

By sheer coincidence, the subject of the beleaguered Sambo's chain came up in conversation with out-of-town relatives the day after I finished readings this, and I was pleased to be able to share my new knowledge of the subject with them! The author treats sensitive topics such as the Sambo's controversy, and other racially-charged incidents, with a particularly deft and sensitive approach.

It was a fast, easy read and I learned a lot about the city in general. It was also fun having my own dim memories of growing up in Portland triggered by some of the restaurants and historical anecdotes she brings to life. The included recipes are a bonus, and I will definitely try a couple of them in my own kitchen!

[Juli Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable reading reminiscing over the great food and great times in Portlands unique, old restaurants. Fascinating stories on the history of what made Portland such a foodie city. Very well written with snippets and facts melding well together to keep me reading more. Highly recommend reading this blast from the past!

[Kurt Dahlke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Portlanders will get a little misty and pretty hungry, but the stories and deeper history of the restaurant business from the late 1800s to the 1990s and beyond should be interesting to a broader audience.

[Claire Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theresa Kennedy Du-Pay serves up a tasty, heaping dose of nostalgia in her excellent new book, “Lost Restaurants of Portland, Oregon.” This book is the product of three years of research and is generously illustrated and crisply written.
This book brings back to life twenty restaurants of yore, and no matter what your age, there will likely be places that job your memory. Some places date to the nineteenth century; others were shuttered just a few years ago. Here you’ll find the stories of the men and women who created these memorable spaces; who made up the clientele; a great sense of the atmosphere at each establishment; and how it fit into its neighborhood and the larger community.
As this book reminds us, so many family celebrations have been centered around dining out—birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and weddings—that the pull of nostalgia for these places is strong. Anyone who has fond memories of the popular dining places of Portland’s past will enjoy this wonderful book.

[Phillip John · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who appreciates a good meal with a good story, Theresa Griffin Kennedy's book hit all the right notes. It’s far more than a simple compilation of old menus; it's a deep dive into the very soul of Portland through its lost eateries. I was captivated by the tales of these places, like how The Quality Pie appealed to everyone, or the vibrant picture painted of celebrities dining at the Barbary Coast. Kennedy's passion for these 'shuttered cafés' is evident, and it made me feel like I was right there with her, rediscovering these unique slices of Portland's past. A truly enjoyable and surprisingly evocative read.

[Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nostalgic and flavorful journey through Portland's past. I didn’t expect to be so moved by stories about restaurants, but Kenedy masterfully brings them to life. I could almost hear the clinking glasses at the Barbary Coast and smell the pies baking at The Quality Pie. This is history served with heart.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem! Kennedy's passion for Portland's old eateries shines through. I felt like I was right there, exploring the history of spots from the glitzy Barbary Coast to the cozy Café Lena. A truly enjoyable read for anyone curious about the city's culinary roots.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teresa Kennedy captures the essence of old Portland through stories that feel both deeply personal and historically relevant. Some parts were a little heavy on details, but the memories woven with meals kept me hooked. A delightful read for foodies and history buffs alike.

[Author Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning. Reading this felt like sitting with an old friend, swapping stories about a city we both adore. The blend of culinary history and cultural memory is seamless. A must-read for anyone who’s loved and lost a favorite restaurant.

[David Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something magical about books that make you feel history, and this one does it through food. The emotional weight behind some of these closures is palpable. I didn’t just learn, I felt every chapter.

[Martin Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved reading about how food and memory are intertwined. This book is more than a list of old restaurants, it’s about people, identity, and how cities evolve. The poetic tone, especially in the Café Lena section, stayed with me long after.

[L.R Bakker · Rating 5 out of 5]

From steak dinners to dreamy poets, this book had it all. I especially loved the blend of social commentary with food history. Kennedy’s voice is passionate and soulful, like a friend guiding you through the past.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a quiet sadness in this book that mirrors the loss of community when these places closed. Kennedy doesn’t just list facts, she mourns with us. A powerful reminder that restaurants are more than food, they’re memory keepers.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very emotional read. I didn’t expect to feel such a strong sense of longing for places I never knew. Kennedy’s writing is evocative and rooted in love for her city. It made me appreciate the stories behind every neighborhood café.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book felt like a conversation with my grandmother about the 'good old days', warm, detailed, and personal. The River Queen segment was especially touching. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys local history.

[Luna Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem. I laughed, I reminisced, and I got hungry! Kennedy paints such vivid scenes that I felt transported. The Barbary Coast’s Roaring 20's Room was a standout, glamour, grit, and nostalgia all in one chapter.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was sitting in the River Queen, candlelight flickering on the Willamette, hearing the clink of glasses and the hum of conversation. Theresa Griffin Kennedy doesn’t just tell history, she brings it to life.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Café Lena's poetic legacy was beautifully portrayed, I could almost smell the coffee. A love letter to dreamers and diners alike. Kennedy's prose is rich, evocative, and full of soul.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a native Portlander, I expected more variety in the stories. While the emotion is there, some sections felt repetitive. That said, it still captures the feeling of a bygone era beautifully.

[Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was emotional and enlightening. I never realized how deeply connected we are to the places we eat until reading this. Kennedy paints Portland’s past with warmth and care.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare to read a history book that makes you feel something. But this one did. Made me want to find a diner booth, order coffee, and listen to stories all night.

[Edward Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kennedy’s attention to detail is stunning. She writes with a historian’s eye and a poet’s heart. I could almost hear the clink of coffee mugs and smell the sizzling steaks.