Pastries from Berlu Bakery. | Christine Dong Pollo Norte closes up shop, Berlu Bakery says goodbye for now, and more In today’s dining landscape, Portland restaurants face challenges like the rising cost of goods, labor shortages, and evolving customer expectations. Unfortunately, everything from longtime city institutions to newer spots unable to find their footing can succumb to a combination of obstacles, making Portland’s churn of restaurant closings nearly as frequent as its new openings. This biweekly column keeps track of all the closings you may have missed. Berlu Bakery Berlu Bakery will close its Southeast Belmont Street location on October 20, but don’t fret — James Beard Award-winning chef Vince Nguyen plans to reopen the Vietnamese bakeshop in a new, larger space. Read more about the closure. Pollo Norte Northeast Glisan rotisserie chicken shop Pollo Norte will close after service on October 10. “We want to thank all of our customers, family, friends and employees for the gift of your energy, patronage and support over the last 10 years,” the restaurant’s closing announcement reads. “From our scrappy little chicken shack on NE 42nd Ave, to the opening of our Glisan store, through the pandemic; truly, through thick and thin!” Old Pal The owners of Sunnyside neighborhood bistro Old Pal have ceased the restaurant’s daily operations as of late September to focus on their catering business, Field Day. The restaurant space will be available for private events while owners Jeremy Larter and Emily Bixler evaluate next steps. “We’ll be back real soon in a form that better serves the day to day needs of the neighborhood,” an Instagram announcement reads. Burger Stevens Don Salamone’s hit burger cart, Burger Stevens, closed permanently on September 29. Read more about the closure. Pie Spot After four years in the Rocket Empire Machine building, pie-focused bakery Pie Spot closed its Montavilla location in late September. “Opening a second location was a dream come true but it hasn’t been easy,” reads the closing announcement. “However, after A LOT of back and forth, we’ve decided to close our cute lil pie window.” The bakery’s Kerns location will remain open.