Tag: Zach's Shack

Johnny Franco at Zach’s

Dear Liza,

I love that we have lived in Portland long enough to have favorite places and favorite bands! Last Friday we walked to Grandpa Nelson’s favorite place, Zach’s Hot Dog Shack.

First, we enjoyed the Halloween decorations that are sprouting up all over the neighborhood. This skeleton and his reaper friend seemed spooky but non-threatening. Auntie Bridgett stopped to say hi.

At Zach’s, we got our favorite things. Fries and cider for Grandpa Nelson, tofu Chicago dog and Guinness for me, and tofu Seattle dog for Auntie Bridgett. We enjoyed watching kids and parents play corn hole while the band set up.

Johnny and his “real brother Dom” and their drummer (whose name I still haven’t learned, brought their gear in and set up. One of the many things I like about this group is that their music is perfect for small spaces likes Zach’s patio, not loud or over-amplified. We were just ten feet from the band and very happy.

Johnny says he doesn’t like a lot live music because it is too long and too loud. He likes it ‘quick and quiet’.

The first set was in daylight, and filled with Beatles’ and Three Dig Night cover songs like “Momma Told me not to Come” and “You Can’t do That”, with lots of joking and banter in between.

The sun went down during the break and the mood changed. Cool lighting put a sparkle on the small stage (which is where the Ping Ping table usually is) and the energy got ‘dancier’. Folks were clapping and whooping, with a few dancing just off to the side.

We stayed to the very end, put some money in their bucket and bought a cd. It was a long, long night out for us, but very enjoyable.

Thanks Johnny! Thanks Dom! Thanks Drummer Dude! Thanks Zach!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Unexpected Pie

Dear Liza,

The weather got beautiful for a few days (we call it Fool’s Spring) so Grandpa Nelson and I headed off for an adventure. Like most adventures, it started with lunch.

We had hot dogs and fries at Zach’s Shack while we watched some Olympic downhill skiing. As we were finishing up, Grandpa asked “Want to go up Mt. Tabor?” Of course, I said YES! We were on the right street, we just needed to go a mile east… and gain about 800 feet of elevation.

I love Mt. Tabor. How many cities have their very own volcano? Well, extinct volcanic cinder cone, actually. We followed the path up past the old reservoir on the west side and through the fir tree forest that covers the mountain. Spring growth is greening up the forest floor nicely.

There were lots of people with their kids, dogs, and strollers out enjoying the day. At the top, we chatted with some little girls, and Grandpa tried to tell them that hawks (we were watching one overhead) eat little girls! The oldest, who was about five, said, “No they don’t, they eat Grandpas!” I guess she showed him!

The view of Downtown from the top of the mountain always knocks me out.

We visited the plinth where the statue of Harvey Scott was the last time you visited. It was pulled down last year by folks who hate what he stood for, (which was rich white men being in charge of everything) and his replacement hasn’t been decided on yet.


By then, it was definitely time for pie! We crossed the top of the park and down the other side, finding this amazingly huge maple tree, and headed towards the Bipartisan Cafe.

We passed this cool sheet metal robot, the mascot for Vinje’s Sheet Metal Supplies.

Inside the Cafe, there were fewer tables than before and no couches, so we could all keep a safe distance. Vaccination cards were required, so we knew we wouldn’t be making people sick. I enjoyed the old campaign posters and the blueberry sour cream pie.


The red rosella tea was hot and sweet and just what was needed.

And when we had eaten every crumb, we stepped out and caught the number 15 back home and slept like dead people. We had walked five miles and felt very accomplished.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Hot Dogs and Rain

Dear Liza,

When Auntie Bridgett and I started jogging this past weekend, I decided to start eating better. More veggies, less junk food. We bought frozen edamame and lots of vegetables to cut up for afternoon snacks. And I have been enjoying it!

But, by golly, when Grandpa Nelson says, “I’m going to Zach’s, want to come?”, I say “Yes!” It has been odd, spring-y weather the last day or so, with clouds blowing by between sunshine, so, obviously, we knew we might get wet.

We headed off in chilly sunshine in just tee shirts and jeans. Grandpa Nelson at least wore a hat! But not me. Nope. Caution to the wind Judy, that’s what they call me. We walked past wonderful flowers and the Morrison Street chickens, enjoying lovely rhododendrons. But I couldn’t help noticing…..the clouds….

At Zach’s Hot Dog Shack, we took up our usual table on the patio, and Hunter brought our French fries and Chicago dog. It was cool but out of the wind. Then, within minutes, it got dark and the temperature dropped. The rain hit like buckets!

We watched for a few minutes until the cold chased us inside. Thoughtful Hunter even turned on the heater at my back, and we continued our lunch amid the friendly, dive-y decor. We watched the rain come down through the open front door as we talked about whatever came to mind, waiting for a chance to get home without being washed away. “This will be over in fifteen minutes,” Grandpa assured me.

And it was, mostly. When we saw some sunshine, we waved goodbye to Hunter and headed out, opting for the shortest route home. There were still drops, but the storm had passed. The flowers were lovely again. We got home, warmed up, and had a good rest.

Never pass up a chance for fun food, an adventure, and good company. That’s my advice.

Love,

Grandma Judy