Tag: 8000 NE Glisan

Business Relocating, Food and Drink, New Business

HK Halal Smash Burgers Joining Amaye on NE Glisan

Amaye International Restaurant celebrated the opening of its second location serving Somali food in July. The larger space at 10114 SE Division Street made room for its growing success as a community dining destination. A month later, they closed the original space at 8000 NE Glisan Street for renovations. At 5 p.m. on September 4th, the corner space on NE Glisan will officially welcome HK Smash alongside many of its traditional Somali menu items. Guests can now order Halal smash burgers, wings, fries, and milk cakes from this Glisan Street location.

A notice on a door announcing the closure of Amaye 1, including details about a new menu and location under 'Amaye International' in Portland, Oregon.
Posted sign saying the location closed for a new look and menu rollout

Amaye International Restaurant took over the NE Glisan storefront from Paitong Thai Cuisine in late 2022 and steadily grew its regular customers. Weekends saw hours of full tables as people cycled through the space for food and connection with friends. The new SE Division Street shop offers three private sections for women-only events and families. They now advertise seating for over 50 guests and room for people to enjoy their renowned meals comfortably.

HK Smash uses Halal meat—butchered from permitted animals that have been slaughtered according to Islamic dietary laws—to create popular American fast casual foods. The new embedded restaurant was created by Hamza Kassim, the son of Amaye’s owner. His team will serve the signature pressed burgers alongside smoothies and slushies, with Milk Cakes and other dessert options to expand the menu. HK Smash pop-up events received many positive reviews, and now fans can find it as part of the permanent menu.

Interior of a restaurant featuring wooden tables and chairs with red accents, a counter with food service equipment, and a variety of soft drink machines.
Recently repainted black and red highlighted interior at 8000 NE Glisan St with new flooring in a gray finish

The shop has received new flooring and paint as it readies for customers. After the Grand opening this Friday, people can order the Halal smash burgers Wednesday through Thursday from 1 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, the hours shift later, with service from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. HK Smash is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

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Jacob Loeb

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Food and Drink, New Business, Restaurant

Amaye International Restaurant Opens on NE Glisan

Amaye International Restaurant opened on Friday, November 4th, after months of preparation. The African food venue at 8000 NE Glisan Street recently took over the former corner storefront from Paitong Thai Cuisine, which closed last May. Opening day saw a steady flow of customers ordering food-to-go or dining in groups at a table.

Since taking over the restaurant location this summer, the Amaye International Restaurant’s staff have methodically reworked the space, adding new furnishings and details to the interior. Along with updated signs atop the building, the shop’s owners added full-color window decals displaying some of the location’s 45 menu items. LED lighting along the trim illuminates the restaurant inside and out. Gold and red curtains, synched midway down, frame the view onto NE Glisan Street. A variety of well-spaced seating creates a comfortable space to reconnect with friends or eat alone.

The restaurant opens at 9 a.m and closes at 8 p.m. every day except Tuesdays. You can place orders by phone at 503-252-0264 or stop by.

By

Jacob Loeb

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Business Closing

Paitong Thai Cuisine Closes

Paitong Thai Cuisine at 8000 NE Glisan Street recently closed its doors permanently after a challenging few years. Bounnam (Nancy) Somvong opened the family-run business in 2006 and dedicated herself to making it a well-reviewed neighborhood destination. The space is currently empty, awaiting a new tenant. However, the restaurant’s exterior signs remain on the building, and the distinctive interior murals are still visible through the windows.

Paitong has anchored the corner retail space at NE 80th Avenue and Glisan Street for sixteen years. For many Montavilla residents, this inviting space provided a reliably tasty meal. At its height of exposure, Paitong appeared on TV when 90 Day Fiancé stars Kyle and Noon Huck dined at the restaurant during an episode. The restaurant owner and chef, Bounnam (Nancy) Somvong, grew up in Laos and Thailand before moving to the United States at age 17. As a lifelong cook and fruit carving artist, this restaurant fulfilled a dream for Somvong.

The pandemic hurt Paitong’s business, just as it has many other restaurants, and in June of 2021, an illness forced the family to limit operating hours. Last year the Somvongs asked for the community’s help through a GoFundMe campaign. On the fundraising page, the owner’s daughter Alyssa Somvong expressed her hesitancy in seeking financial support from the community but explained its importance to her mother. “This has been the hardest thing to ask for, but I want to see my mom return to the restaurant where she belongs.” Although the restaurant continued operation after the GoFundMe campaign, the family ultimately needed to shut down this location.

Montavilla fans of Paitong Thai Cuisine will miss the food and friendly atmosphere created by Bounnam (Nancy) Somvong. The community appreciates the investments made by the Somvong family in the neighborhood and wishes them well in the years ahead.

By

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to please consider becoming a paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.