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Sweet Lorraine's

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Sweet Lorraine's
Restaurant information
EstablishedFebruary 2021 (2021-02)
ClosedMay 26, 2024 (2024-05-26)
Owner(s)
  • Aaron Tomasko
  • Rachel Brashear
Food typeAshkenazi Jewish
CityPortland
CountyMultnomah
StateOregon
CountryUnited States
Websitesweetlorraineslatkes.squarespace.com

Sweet Lorraine's Latkes & More, or simply Sweet Lorraine's, was a restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Spouses Aaron Tomasko and Rachel Brashear began operating the food cart in February 2021, initially serving latkes and later expanding to include other Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine such as matzah brei, kasha varnishkes, knishes, noodle kugel, and sufganiyah.

In 2023, the business relocated multiple times, landing at Labyrinth Forge Brewery. Sweet Lorraine's began operating a second location within the Oregon Jewish Museum in 2024. After Labyrinth Forge Brewery went out of business in April, the owners of Sweet Lorraine's decided to end operations on May 26.

Description[edit]

Inspired by the "dairy restaurants" (or luncheonettes following kosher law)[1] of New York,[2] Sweet Lorraine's operated from a food cart in Portland, initially serving latkes and later expanding to include other Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine such as matzah brei, kasha varnishkes, and noodle kugel.[3] Brooke Jackson-Glidden of Eater Portland described Sweet Lorraine's as "one of the few dairy restaurants on the West Coast, and one of the few places in the city where folks can eat latkes and whitefish year round."[1] Sweet Lorraine's billed itself as the city's only Jewish dairy restaurant, serving "homestyle New York Jewish cuisine".[4] The restaurant also served lox, potato knishes, egg sandwiches with challah,[3] and sufganiyah. Gluten-free latkes were available, and latkes came with apple sauce or sour cream.[5] Dessert options included black-and-white cookies, a cake similar to a "devil dog", and egg creams.[6]

History[edit]

Sweet Lorraine's began operating at the Oregon Jewish Museum (exterior pictured in 2018) in 2024

Spouses Aaron Tomasko and Rachel Brashear, who had previously worked as musicians and teachers, opened Sweet Lorraine's in February 2021, after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted them to change career paths. The business is named after Tomasko's grandmother,[7] who also inspired the menu. In 2023,[1] Sweet Lorraine's relocated from the Killingsworth Station food cart pod to others,[8][9] then to Labyrinth Forge Brewery on Southeast Yamhill Street.[1][3][6]

Sweet Lorraine's served poppy seed hamantash for Purim in 2022,[10] and hosted a Hanukkah party in 2023.[11] For Passover in 2024, a temporary menu featured coconut macaroons, matzo brei, matzo toffee, smoked salmon dip, tzimmes, and vegetarian matzo ball soup.[12]

In February 2024, the business announced plans to expand to Lefty's, the cafe inside the Oregon Jewish Museum.[13][14] The two locations operated until April 13, when Labyrinth Forge Brewing went out of business.[15][16]

In May, Tomasko and Brashear announced plans to close on May 26. Citing increased operations costs,[17] the couple said "we're not sure how anyone can maintain the level of quality food and service we value without going into massive debt" and planned to continue working as musicians.[9] Sweet Lorraine's closed at a time when there were few options for Jewish cuisine in the city, according to Brooke Jackson-Glidden of Eater Portland.[1][18]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2023-12-04). "Crispy, Golden Latkes Are Hidden Away Within This Southeast Portland Brewery". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  2. ^ Russell, Michael (2023-03-20). "Kornblatt's, Portland's oldest remaining Jewish deli, to close by end of month". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2024-06-15. ... Sweet Lorraine's, a latke-focused food cart inspired by New York's old "dairy restaurants," ...
  3. ^ a b c "This Portland Deli Has the Best Latkes In the U.S. | The Nosher". My Jewish Learning. 2023-10-19. Archived from the original on 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  4. ^ Meunier, Andre (2023-06-27). "With steely resolve, Labyrinth Forge Brewing finds the path to a new future". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2024-06-16. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  5. ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2021-11-22). "Where to Find Hanukkah Fixings Across Portland in 2022". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  6. ^ a b "If You're Missing New York—and/or Your Jewish Grandmother—Sweet Lorraine's Will Fill the Latke-Shaped Hole in Your Heart". Willamette Week. 2021-05-13. Archived from the original on 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  7. ^ "Rachel Brashear and Aaron Tomasko make latkes - Marti's Music Kitchen". Oregon Music News. Archived from the original on 2024-06-16. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  8. ^ Wong, Janey (2021-01-20). "Portland's Restaurant, Bar, and Food Cart Closures". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  9. ^ a b "Sweet Lorraine's Latkes to Close After Three Years". Willamette Week. 2024-05-28. Archived from the original on 2024-06-16. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  10. ^ "A pastry-filled Purim". Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  11. ^ Harris, Emily (December 6, 2023). "Where to celebrate Hanukkah around Portland". Axios Portland. Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  12. ^ "Passover eats and treats in Portland for 2024". Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  13. ^ Wong, Janey (2024-02-23). "Aviation American Gin Is Hosting Weddings on Leap Day". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2024-06-16. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  14. ^ "Lefty's returns under Sweet Lorraine's". Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Archived from the original on 2024-06-16. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  15. ^ Bicchieri, Paolo (2024-04-12). "The Odor Complaint Controversy Is Heating Up With A New Lawsuit". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2024-06-16. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  16. ^ Wong, Janey (2024-05-29). "Sweet Lorraine's, One of Portland's Few Remaining Jewish Delis, Has Closed". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  17. ^ "Rose City Rundown". Axios Portland. May 31, 2024. Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  18. ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2023-03-21). "Portland's Oldest Jewish Deli, Kornblatt's, Will Close This Month". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2024-06-15.

External links[edit]

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