According to an article from Everout, Pleasure Burger will be opening a new location in Downtown Portland at 606 SW Broadway.
“We will be moving into a space that was previously occupied by a sushi restaurant for over three decades. The COVID-19 pandemic led to their closure, and for the past two years, the space has been unoccupied, so we are currently undergoing some essential renovations to prepare for our upcoming grand opening. Once that has been executed, our opening date will quickly follow suit,” owner Taylor McPhail told What Now Portland.
“The restaurant’s aesthetic will predominantly feature an all-black design with a matte finish. We will have our logo largely displayed in different parts of the restaurant, a floating ceiling above the bar will be illuminated with some nice lighting, and will be coupled with subtle greenery accents. I also hope to have a very unique bathroom!”
Taylor’s father, fondly known as “Pops,” came out of retirement to embark on this culinary adventure with him. Pops has taken a hands-on approach to the restaurant’s operations, personally handling the preparation of every single beef patty served by Pleasure Burger. They will also be introducing a new mushroom and swiss burger to the menu, and will have some monthly/weekly specials, Taylor added.
According to a 2022 article from ajforportland.com, Pleasure Burger “offers a delightful selection of smash burgers, hot dogs, and parmesan-covered waffle fries. Their perfectly smashed patties burst with flavor and are complemented by tantalizing toppings, creating a truly pleasurable burger experience.”
Everout’s previously mentioned article, as well as Pleasure Burger’s recent Instagram announcement, state that the business has also received a $20,000 grant from the new Downtown Portland Clean & Safe program, which aims to bring more small businesses to downtown Portland.
For those that are unfamiliar, at its core, a smash burger is about simplicity. Unlike traditional hand-formed burgers, where the patty is gently shaped, smash burgers are typically made by placing a ball of ground beef on a hot griddle or skillet and then promptly smashing it down with a spatula. This technique flattens the patty and maximizes the surface area that comes into contact with the cooking surface.
