Oswaldo Bibiano is the chef behind Smart Donkey Burreria, a burrito cart in the SE Portland which The Oregonian named one of the best new food carts of 2022. Bibiano is set to open Bar Siete at 3448 NE Sandy Blvd, the former home of Shaku Bar, which closed in April, according to an OLCC license application.
For anyone who’s been following Bibiano’s career, this is a long time coming. Before Smart Donkey, he was the chef behind Autentica, the beloved Concordia Mexican restaurant that closed its doors in 2019, and Uno Mas, his pair of taco spots that didn’t survive the pandemic.
Bar Siete would mark his first full bar concept, according to Bridgetown Bites. A natural next step for a chef who has always paired great food with a solid drink program, bringing Mexican-inspired cocktails, small plates and a neighborhood-focused atmosphere to one of the city’s most popular food corridors. Smart Donkey built a following not just on its burritos, but on its laid-back beer garden atmosphere.
While Bibiano has not publicly shared many details about the menu, the concept’s name and the chef’s culinary background suggest guests can expect a strong Mexican influence throughout both the food and beverage offerings.
