Lisa Schroeder, chef/owner at Mother's Bistro, now in its 25th year in Portland, joins us on the podcast to discuss the state of the industry and what she's doing to keep moving forward at the restaurant.  That includes a new New York Deli menu.  Lisa explains that while there used to be real Jewish deli food in Portland, there's a vacuum for a real pastrami sandwich and other great dishes that needed to be filled, and she's doing it.  From homemade rye bread to artisan latkes and rugelach, she's doing what she does so well.   Also discussed, service in restaurants and how that affects the industry as a whole. Why service may be lacking, and whether it's fixable, or whether customers even care.   It's always a pleasure to have Lisa on the podcast and this episode is no exception.  With her experience and hard work, her insights are always interesting to absorb.   https://www.mothersbistro.com/  

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com  RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com 

It's summer, and that means it's Hog Dog Season... 

So here's a look back to our conversation with Michael Mudd from earlier this year.

 

We venture out to Manzanita for this podcast, and take the opportunity to chat with Michael Mudd, the proprietor of Manzanita Mudd Dogs. Whether you have been to or plan on visiting Manzanita, the story of how the iconic Manzanita Mudd Dogs started to how Michael and his brother Brad took over the operation of the business from their parents, Jim and Lynn Mudd, is an awesome story.

Michael talks about how and why his parents started serving hot dogs from their driveway in Manzanita, and how that led to the Mudd Nick Foundation, which provides kids with wonderful enriching opportunities to go to camps and travel worldwide through their charitable efforts.  It was truly a team effort to find that purpose, and now the foundation and hot dog business is going strong, evolving and thriving.

Hearing Michael's recollection of leaving the corporate world to make authentic Chicago Dogs is something so many of us would envy, and we'll get to hear how that's worked out for Michael.

Manzanita Mudd Dogs serves more Chicago dogs than any other place on the West Coast.  They can be found close to the water on Laneda Avenue in Manzanita, or here: https://www.manzanitamudddogs.com/.  The Mudd Nick Foundation can be found here: https://muddnickfoundation.com/

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com  RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

We look back at our January 2025 conversation with Frank Squillo of Wanda's Cafe & Bakery.

ORIGINAL POST:

 

Frank Squillo has had quite a storied career, but as he points out in this episode, there are definite parallels between his career as a radio host and now, as co-owner of the storied Wanda's Cafe and Bakery, a mainstay of the North Oregon Coast that he purchased with his husband in 2019 and has operated since.

We talk about what it takes to run a successful restaurant on the Oregon Coast - the key ingredients in the business and in the recipes.  We'll even go into the things he's learned and how he deals with challenging situations and challenging people.  

We talk a bit about life at the coast, the places Frank enjoys most and his involvement in local politics and theater.

Frank shares some anecdotes about his interviews from his radio days with Joe Rogan and his favorite guest, Sammy Hagar, and why both of them are great memories for him.  He even talks about what it took to interview people who really didn't have any interest in being in front of a mic for an interview. 

Take a listen and find out more about one of the gentlemen behind the scenes of what host Chris Angelus refers to as a coastal icon, Wanda's Cafe and Bakery. 

https://wandascafe.com/

 

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com  RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com 

Chef Allen Routt and his wife Jessica just celebrated their 20th year as proprietors of Newberg's The Painted Lady.  It's been a long, focused run to accomplish such a feat in this challenging restaurant world. Allen's interest in food started in Virginia as a boy, out in the yard and in the forest, right to his family kitchen.  His Mom and grandmas influenced his keen interest.  Staying at his grandmother's place in Florida, he found the diversity of ingredients intriguing.     His food career started in a Mexican restaurant, then a storied chef at a nearby Brazilian restaurant wrote him a recommendation to go to CIA, and from there the path was created.  Back in Florida, he met Jessica, and they made their way through various spots back to Oregon, where they saw a fantastic opportunity in the Willamette Valley.  This a fun episode that fills in some of the blanks on Allen's history and philosophies. https://www.thepaintedladyrestaurant.com/about @paintedladynewberg  

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com  RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

We're flashing back to October 2024, and our conversation with Nori De Vega, with Right at the Fork guest host: Bill Oakley.

 

We are honored to have Bill Oakley guest host this episode of Right at the Fork, featuring Nori De Vega - one of Portland's most prominent food and restaurant video creators on Instagram and TikTok. 

Nori De Vega was born in Manila, Philippines, and currently lives with her husband and two basenjis in Portland. Her immediate family originally immigrated to Reno, Nevada in the 90’s before everyone but Nori decided to relocate back abroad in the early 2000’s. Nori spent her formative years in the US during the school year and in Manila during winter and summer breaks. 

Her passion for food comes from traveling all over the globe since she was a baby and her affinity to connect with other cultures through cuisine. Nori is a small-business advocate, tastemaker, and trusted voice in the food, wine, and hospitality space. She's the founder of Tikim, a collective that focuses on the advancement and celebration of Filipino cuisine and culture in the Pacific Northwest.

Find Nori on Instagram @nomnom_nori

Photo by Maynard Villaflores.

 

About Bill Oakley:

Bill Oakley made a name for himself with his work on The Simpsons and other TV shows, being one of the key writers and a showrunner for years.

Now, he's gained recognition on shows like "The Food that Made America." His love of all types of food, prompts Bills return to the podcast again, this time to talk about some of the awards bestowed on behalf of his Steamed Hams Society.  

Check out Bill's apparences on Right at the Fork: Episodes #313 and #372.

Connect with Bill:

Instagram: @ThatBillOakley https://www.patreon.com/steamedhamssociety

 

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingsideSteakHouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

This week, we talk to John Dyss, Executive Chef at RingSide Steakhouse.

We talk about his upbringing in Northern California, his venture into the food world - and quite possibly his hand in changing pizza forever.

We also talk about his upcoming knife demo with Steelport Knife Co. on May 31st. Get more information about the event and how you can attend here.

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com  RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

Ben Jacobsen is the founder of Jacobsen Salt Co., renowned for producing premium sea salts harvested from Netarts Bay on the Oregon Coast. Established in 2011, Jacobsen Salt Co. has become an iconic food brand in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. 

Jacobsen's journey into the world of salt began during his time living in Denmark and Norway, where he developed an appreciation for the quality and versatility of artisan sea salts. Upon returning to the Pacific Northwest, he embarked on an extensive search, testing over two dozen coastal sites, before selecting Netarts Bay for its clean, clear waters and high salinity - ideal for salt harvesting. 

Ben shares with us some of his cherished food and industry anecdotes, as well as some insights on growing a brand in the food industry. 

JacobsenSalt.com  

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com  RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

Sandro Paolini joins us to discuss all things gelato!  He's the founder and gelato artisan behind Pinolo Gelato on Division St. in Portland. Born in Pisa, Italy, Paolini has a rich background in agriculture and forestry, which deeply influences his approach to crafting authentic Italian gelato. After moving to the United States, he combined his agricultural expertise with culinary passion, and was the inspiration for to bring the art of handmade authentic gelato to Portland, He opened Pinolo Gelato in 2015 and has been learning and honing his craft ever since.   Pinolo Gelato is located at 3707 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202 and can be found at https://www.pinologelato.com/ also @pinologelato Instagram.  

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com  RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

This Right at the Fork Classic comes from July of 2016, and our conversation with Lisa Schroeder.

ORIGINAL POST:

Chris feels that Lisa Schroeder should be cited as "Portland's Official Mother."  Lisa visits the RATF studios to talk about the challenges of running a packed Portland culinary institution, especially in light of a the increased responsibilities she's taken on to provide love and care to her grandchildren.  Lisa shares some stories and grief of the loss of her beloved daughter, Stephanie.

Photo by Tim Sugden, About Face Magazine.

Right at the Fork is supported by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com  San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

We venture out to Manzanita for this podcast, and take the opportunity to chat with Michael Mudd, the proprietor of Manzanita Mudd Dogs. Whether you have been to or plan on visiting Manzanita, the story of how the iconic Manzanita Mudd Dogs started to how Michael and his brother Brad took over the operation of the business from their parents, Jim and Lynn Mudd, is an awesome story.   Michael talks about how and why his parents started serving hot dogs from their driveway in Manzanita, and how that led to the Mudd Nick Foundation, which provides kids with wonderful enriching opportunities to go to camps and travel worldwide through their charitable efforts.  It was truly a team effort to find that purpose, and now the foundation and hot dog business is going strong, evolving and thriving.   Hearing Michael's recollection of leaving the corporate world to make authentic Chicago Dogs is something so many of us would envy, and we'll get to hear how that's worked out for Michael.   Manzanita Mudd Dogs serves more Chicago dogs than any other place on the West Coast.  They can be found close to the water on Laneda Avenue in Manzanita, or here: https://www.manzanitamudddogs.com/.  The Mudd Nick Foundation can be found here: https://muddnickfoundation.com/  

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com  RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com