Author Archives: Javier Puga-Phillips

JRJ Skillets brings traditional Mexican flavors to Concordia. The owners are proud of their Mexican roots, and they are incorporating Oaxaca’s flavors into their menu. “I like to recreate the flavors of my childhood and share them with my clients,” Ramiro Eusebio Sanchez said.

JRJ combines the first initials of Ramiro and his fellow entrepreneur,: José Cruz Lopez and José Juan Trejo Resendiz. They opened their doors at 2529 N.E. Alberta St. in October.

Ramiro is the main chef, and he is responsible for the menu and day-to-day operations. Most of JRJ’s salsas & mole are modeled after his mom’s cooking. “My mother is the biggest inspiration, teacher and critic of my food,” he pointed out.

However, the restaurant also offers American items such as biscuits and gravy, and burgers.

A best seller and recommended by the chef are the chilaquiles with green or red sauce and over-easy eggs. Also popular are carnitas and carne asada. “The enchiladas of mole are a must have.“ José Cruz said.

Ramiro immigrated to the U.S. at the age 16. At 35, he has nearly two decades of experience pouring into JRJ.

“I have worked in all aspects of the restaurant business. I’ve been a dishwasher, waiter and manager.” He found Portland to be the right city for him and Concordia the perfect spot for his longtime dream to open a restaurant.

As a business owner, Ramiro understands the importance of quality and feedback, and he believes they set JRJ apart. Owners import from México many of the key ingredients that cannot be found in the U.S., like chilies and spices – while using as many fresh local vegetables as possible.

“The quality can be tasted. We care, from the flavor and presentation of our plates to the presentation of our staff,” Ramiro reported.

“We want to offer excellence in taste, plating and quality,” he pointed out. For instance, the coffee is an original blend available only at JRJ. In addition, he takes to heart every review left on Yelp. com, and he invites all Concordia neighbors to visit, try the food and share their feedback online.

JRJ owners are in the process of acquiring an alcohol license, and they are hoping to have their fresh mimosas and tasty cantaritos on the menu in March. “We use fresh-squeezed juices, not concentrate” Ramiro promised.
The full menu is available on JRJSkillets.com.

Nota del editor: Artículo disponible en Español, visita ConcordiaPDX.org/JRJSkillets.

Javier Puga-Phillips holds the Southwest 1 position on the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) Board of Directors, manages rentals of the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room and chairs the CNA Social Committee. He is a real estate professional locally, and he is a published author and motivational speaker in Latin America and Spain.

Concordia has a new ally to satisfy sweet-tooth cravings and to help celebrate any occasion. DB Dessert Company customizes festivities with personalized cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other pastry options.

“The business that I do is about love and happiness and celebration,” reported Damala Badon, owner of DB Dessert.

She grew up next door in Vernon and graduated from Concordia University. She opened DB Dessert at 2624 N.E. Alberta St. in October.

It’s the second bakery for DB Dessert, following two successful years at the northeast Glisan Street location. An opportunity to open the latest outlet on Alberta simply materialized.

Now she has plans to open a third shop soon in the Rockwood neighborhood. “Follow us on social media to be updated,” Damala encouraged. Those include Facebook.com/DBDessertCompany and Instagram.com/DBDessertCompany, and DBDessertCompany.com.

“My sons are my inspiration and support this adventure,” she pointed out. When she began her new career seven years ago, all three children slept at the bakery while she baked through the night.

In fact, her middle son in particular was her inspiration to teach herself how to make custom cakes. Nine years ago, when he was a toddler, he asked for a birthday cake that looked like a dog bone in a bowl. That’s when she was inspired to start carving sculptures from cake.

“Because he was kind of the driving force of me trying that out, his initials kind of represent what the company started on,” Damala explained. She actually has the same initials.

Today DB Dessert offers a wide variety of flavors and designs. It even offers custom cake combinations to satisfy any taste. Damala constantly looks for new flavors and designs to add to the menu.

Next up are classes, part of Damala’s hope to bring neighbors together and to help build community. Due to the continuing pandemic, a Valentine’s Day class may have to be online.

“We want to celebrate and be safe and cook together from the safety of your own home.” She hopes in the future to offer in-person classes.

Does she have advice for future female entrepreneurs, especially women of color like herself? One pointer Damala offered is that she doesn’t let being afraid or scared keep her from setting goals and pursuing them.

“If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough. The way that I operate in business is I try to operate in a space of fearlessness.”

Nota del editor: Artículo disponible en Español, visita ConcordiaPDX.org/DBDessert.

Javier Puga-Phillips holds the At Large 4 position on the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) Board of Directors, manages rentals of the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room and chairs the CNA Social Committee. He is a real estate professional locally, and he is a published author and motivational speaker in Latin America and Spain.

Bonne Chance, the newest addition to the wine scene in Concordia, is in the former location of Ciao Vitto at 2203 N.E. Alberta St.

Brothers Mark and James Ehrman opened their lounge and wine bar in August. They transformed the location to focus on being a place for building community.

“I love seeing people meeting at our bar and at another time dining together,” Mark said.

The experienced mixologist teamed with James, a sommelier with over two decades of experience in wine scene cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City. They aim to provide unique beverage experiences tailored to their customers’ individual tastes.

“Bonne chance” is French for “good luck.” James explained, “I am a firm believer in luck.”

The business opportunity came when COVID-19 put both brothers out of work, and it was time to reinvent themselves. Mark had worked at Ciao Vitto. “After six years of working in this location – and remembering how welcoming everyone was from the get go – I decided to stay.”

The menu is inspired by bar cuisine. James recommends the new savory waffle. “The waffle has the egg, cheese and meats inside and topped with burrata,” he pointed out. The chef’s burger is also a popular menu item.

Another innovating concept from Bonne Chance is – instead of creating a restaurant around a particular chef or cuisine – the brothers are taking advantage of their open kitchen concept.

They plan to invite several chefs and restaurants to participate in Bonne Chance pop-up dinners. The guest chefs will offer their unique views on cuisine. This concept is expected to allow customers to taste meals that are changing constantly.

Mark described the approach as less pretentious and without judgment. He also announced the wine classes coming soon to Bonne Chance, when attendees can learn facts while listening to great stories.

“My favorite wine tasting is when the client tells me what they like, and I can find something they love” James said.

The wine selection at Bonne Chance is also changing rapidly with biodynamic wines, organic wines and a variety of local and international small wineries from all over the globe.

Mark, who lives in Concordia, takes pride in working and living here, and the approach the neighborhood offers. Customers are known by name and become part of the Bonne Chance family.

BonneChancePDX.com offers information about the new venue, its menu and owners, and the opportunity provided on the home page to subscribe to its mailing list.

Nota del editor: Artículo disponible en Español, visita ConcordiaPDX.org/BonneChance

Javier Puga-Phillips holds the At Large 4 position on the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) Board of Directors, manages rentals of the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room and chairs the CNA Social Committee. He is a real estate professional locally, and he is a published author and motivational speaker in Latin America and Spain.