RIP Stoopid Burger
RIP Stoopid Burger Aaron Lee

Sure, this unceasing rainy weather is a true Debbie Downer—but damp skies signals the perfect time to stuff your gut with delicious food... and stuff your brain with the latest FOOD AND DRINK NEWS. So let's do this!

CLOSINGS

The nationally famous Stoopid Burger—home to obscenely large, creative sandwiches—announced they will be closing forever this Sunday, according to Eater. Here's the Mercury review from 2018 which stated, "For $40 and served with a basket of fries, for three or four people, it’s kind of a perfect meal." RIP Stoopid Burger: You will be missed.

ICYMI, the beloved Shirley’s Tippy Canoe along the Sandy river in Troutdale burned to the ground, according to the Oregonian.

OPENINGS AND SWITCHEROOS

Those in desperate search of a quick sandwich will celebrate the opening of Snappy's on SE Ankeny and 6th (right next to Nong’s Khao Man Gai), which will serve retro grab-and-go sandwiches and snacks, decked out in a '90s vibe, Eater reports.

Speaking of sandwiches, casual sammy shop The Bakers Mark has opened up a second location, according to Eater, this time at NW 10th & Everett in the Pearl District.

You former Seattleites will be happy to learn that Ezell's Fried Chicken will be opening up their newest satellite restaurant in Tigard's Washington Square on February 4, the O reports.

Hey ramen lovers! Eater says to stay on the lookout for new noodle joint Baka Umai to open up next to Por Que No on Hawthorne sometime this spring.

The Portland Monthly tells us that local chef Joshua McFadden (Submarine Hospitality) and Japanese outdoor brand Snow Peak are teaming up to bring us Takibi—a Japanese kitchen specializing in local foraged food, expected to debut in late spring.

According to the O, the breakfast lover's fave joint, Fried Egg I'm In Love, will be opening up their newest outpost in the Prost Marketplace food cart pod.

If you thought you may have spotted TV celeb chef Guy Fieri popping in and out of Portland restaurants lately, you probably aren't wrong. After all, he's kind of hard to miss.

NATIONAL FOOD NEWS

Fun fact: Did you know the daughter of imprisoned drug cartel kingpin “El Chapo” Guzman is a craft beer brewer? Not so fun fact: She's now trying to sell a craft beer in Mexico with her dad's name on it, "El Chapo Beer."

Former local comedian (and verrrry funny guy) Shane Torres was featured in New York magazine's "Grub Street Diet," and unsurprisingly, he's verrry funny.

BITES TO STICK IN YOUR MOUTH

Ben & Esther’s Bagels
Ben & Esther’s Bagels Aaron Lee

Our resident restaurant critic Andrea Damewood has the scoop on three Jewish(ish) delis that have mouthwatering bagels, matzoh ball soup, and "challah bread heaped with smetana butter and cured king salmon roe." OH DEAR GOD YES.

UPCOMING FOOD & DRINK EVENTS

Hearty French Dinner
Bergerac invites you to indulge in a three-course prix fixe dinner of winter classics from France, including Salade De Canard, Potée, and Tarte aux Pommes. (Wed Jan 29, 6:30–10 pm, Bergerac Bistro Southeast, $45)

Rogue Malt Whiskey Night
Rogue Hall wants you to learn about malt whiskey with their director of spirits, Dewey Weddington. Admission includes four whiskey tastings, a cocktail, two beer tastes, and a Glencarin whiskey glass to take home. Whiskey offerings include Rogue Oregon Single Malt Whiskey, Dead Guy Whiskey, Oregon Rye Malt Whiskey, and Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey. (Thurs Jan 30, 7 pm, Rogue Hall, $25)

First Annual Winter Beer Fest
Suttle Lodge wades hip-deep into the frothy fray of Oregon beer festivals with their snow-dusted-yet-supremely-delicious showcase of winter beers in the Deschutes National Forest, featuring plenty of grilled snacks, cozy fires, and of course, offerings from many an Oregon-based brewery, with entry including a limited edition mug and 10 tokens. A portion of the proceeds benefits Oregon Adaptive Sports. (Jan 30–Feb 1, 1 pm, Suttle Lodge & Boathouse, $20)

Portland Seafood & Wine Festival
Sip a lotta wine, eat a lotta fish! Sounds pretty simple, right? This annual celebration of coastal drinking and dining falls in the middle of Dungeness crab season, too, so there's definitely gonna be some seasonal delicacies to try, as well as other family-friendly activities. (Fri Jan 31, 2 pm & Sat Feb 1, noon, Oregon Convention Center, All Ages, $13)

Punxsutawney Phil's High Proof Pizza
The cocktail-centric pizza bar presents a pizza-and-cocktails competition for Groundhog Day because... why not. Groundhog Day is as good an excuse as any to taste what some of Portland's best chefs (including representatives from Imperial, Headwaters, Rosa Rosa, and Paley's Place) will cook up when trying to prove they can make the best pizzas in town. (Sat Feb 1, 4 pm, The Crown, $12)

5 Mile February Kickoff Party
Lucky Horseshoe celebrates the fifth year of their 5-Mile February tradition, where they dedicate all their taps, all month long, to beers and ciders made within five miles of the bar. For tonight's party, expect live bluegrass music to score your sampling of delicious drinks from Ecliptic, Wayfinder, Hopworks, Grixen, and many more. (Wed Feb 5, 7 pm, The Lucky Horseshoe Lounge, free)

Check out all the food and drink events you can handle in the Mercury's Food & Drink calendar. Got a food or drink tip? Drop it off at food@portlandmercury.com.