Mama Bird

Mama Bird
The restaurant's exterior in 2022
Interactive map of Mama Bird
Restaurant information
EstablishedSeptember 26, 2019 (2019-09-26)
ClosedJanuary 26, 2025 (2025-01-26)
OwnerGabriel Pascuzzi
Location2145 Northwest Raleigh Street, Portland, Oregon, 97210, United States
Coordinates45°32′03″N 122°41′44″W / 45.5342°N 122.6956°W / 45.5342; -122.6956
Websitemamabirdpdx.com

Mama Bird was a restaurant in Portland, Oregon, United States. In 2023, the counter service restaurant announced plans to expand the menu, add table service, and become known as Mama Bird Wood Fire Grill. Mama Bird closed permanently on January 26, 2025.

Description

Mama Bird was a casual, counter-service restaurant in the Slabtown neighborhood of Portland's Northwest District, with a seating capacity of approximately 90 people. The interior had high ceilings, large windows, natural wood, neutral tones, and plants. Mama Bird's "allergy-friendly" menu focused on grilled chicken and vegetables. Pete Cottell of Willamette Week has said the menu "[split] the difference between comfort food and health food".

History

Logo for Mama Bird Wood Fire Grill

Gabriel Pascuzzi opened the restaurant on September 26, 2019. Soon after, Mama Bird closed temporarily because of smoke pollution complaints from neighbors. It reopened in November.

In June 2020, the restaurant donated $3 for each bird sold to Know Your Rights Camp, during the George Floyd protests. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant had patio service, as of September 2020.

Mama Bird closed permanently on January 26, 2025. Gabriel Pascuzzi converted the space into Bistecca Wood Fire Steakhouse, which is slated to close permanently in October 2026.

Reception

In 2019, Eater Portland's Alex Frane included Mama Bird in his list of sixteen "quintessential" restaurant and bars in Slabtown. 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".

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "How to Make Mama Bird's Beautifully Brined Grilled Chicken". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  4. ↑ "Portland Sandwich Whiz to Open Allergy-Friendly Restaurant This Spring". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. 1 2 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ Russell, Michael (2025-01-03). "This 'Top Chef' contestant is opening an Italian steakhouse in Northwest Portland". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  16. ↑ Guzman, Dianne de (2025-01-09). "5 Portland Restaurant and Bar Closures to Know in January". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  17. ↑ Cheadle, Harry (2025-02-27). "15 Portland Restaurant and Bar Openings to Know for February". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  18. ↑ Russell, Michael (2026-09-25). "Former 'Top Chef' contestant blames Trump tariffs for sinking Portland steakhouse". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ 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.