We will be testing an idea this Thursday night and Friday night at the Half and Half. Opening at 5:30, we will be selling Bulgogi Burgers, Bahn Mi Hot Dogs, Ramen, iced Courier Coffee, Beer, Sake and a few other items. We will close when we run out of food or until the bars let out.
This is our first run and I am still unsure of all the kitchen logistics. If you come, and we get busy, we might get fucked and you might be pissed. Or, if all goes well, you may have a new evening hang-out.
Joining me in this endeavor is my good buddy C Rhodes!
People called 2009 "The Year of the Sandwich" and perhaps for Portland it was, and after serving them for ten years at the Half and Half, I estimate we have done close to 1,000 different sandwiches. That in itself may be a horrible way to run a business mostly due to the fact that when people find something they like, they want to eat it again and again - like finding that perfect "sub"urb. But after ten years, the only thing that keeps me the least bit interested is forever changing the sandwiches we sell, or more drastically, begin the move away from the sandwich shop concept by offering not so sandwich like items - Oregon Bay Shrimp Parfaits, Fried Chicken, Tuna Salad in an Avocado, etc.
Here is a pretty good list of the sandwiches from just the last two months and the realization that I may be giving my employees too much prep work!
*Two times the Ham, Classic Cole-Slaw, Grand Central Rye
*Roasted Pork Butt with Chimmi Churri
*Bacon, Pear and White Cheddar
*Tuna Melt with Avocado, Bacon and Provolone
*Bahn MI with Ham and Hard Boiled Egg
*Tofu Cream Cheese, Dijon, pear, Sage and Onion Marmalade
*Black Eye Pea Puree with Smokey Sweet Tempeh and Vegan Slaw
*Three Cheese Grilled Cheese with Avocado, Tomato, Onion and Tapitio
*Sopressata Salami with Turnip/Horseradish Slaw
*Black Forest Ham, Homemade Farmer's Cheese and Romesco
*Turkey, Swiss, Dijon, Apple and Red Onion
*Egg Salad with Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato
*Spicy Smoked Tempeh with Kimchi and Spinach
*Abacore Tuna, Provolone and Pickled Fennel
*Jewish Style Sweet and Sour Brisket with Apple Onion Slaw
*Texas Style Chili with Onion and Tomatoes on Grand Central Hoagie
*Bulgogi on Hoagie with Leaf Lettuce and Kimchi
*Oregon Bay Shrimp Louie
*Oregon Bay Shrimp Melt with Tillamook Cheddar
*Turkey with Pickled Fennel, Apple, Spinach and Dill Havarti
*Wine Braised Pork with Garlic Mayo, Avocado, Roasted Anaheim Chilies and Tomato
*Pit Ham with Kerry Gold Swiss and Cherry Preserves
*Curried Tofu and Pomegranate Salad
*Oyster Po' Boy with Red Pepper Relish
*Turkey, Chevre, Braised Kale and Cranberry
*Hot Coppa, Lemon-Rosemary Mayo, Arugula and Provolone
*Ham, Banana Pepper Relsih, Tomato
*Turkey, Red Dragon Cheese, Cardamom Mustard and Pear
I hate the Pulled Pork Sliders that are overrunning our neighborhoods. Happy New Year!
I sold advertising at the Half and Half last week. Yes, I sold advertising. After years of spending money on our own ads, we came up with a way of making a little pocket change ourselves. And although the idea was more on the person who bought it, I will gladly do it again for anyone who wants to give it a try. A simple stamp on our to go pastry/sandwich bags. Four cents a stamp. A good way to reach many folks from a diverse population field.
Nate Orton has work up at Half and Half this month. Come check it out! The spare humor of his work and subtle palette combine nicely with the other art up this month at Half and Half, Jeff's cutest/creepiest collection of Christmas decorations this side of Peacock Lane.
Nate's website: Nate Orton
Next month's show opens the second thursday of the month and is work by fantastic student artists who took a class I taught with Carson Ellis at the Portland Art Museum. This is the class blog to get you psyched: PAM BLOG
Former employee Noelle brings it Half and Half style to Richmond Virginia!
Much love kiddo...
...for the stockings.
Half and Half Beer Koozies.
Tapes from Eggy Records.
And half pounders of Courier Coffee with little tiny bows.
New coffee showing up at the door of the Half and Half. Kenya Karatina Nyrei.
As re ported by Joel:
"Jasmine, raspberries... the acidity pops. Solid medium roast - not an overly bright Kenya - but very fresh tasting - spicy - Kenya coffee reminds me of Christmas".
The pic below is of our espresso machine and cups at night. It was taken while my friend Tim made roast beef sandwiches at 1 a.m. after a night at the bar. Never get to see the shop in this light much. Pretty cool.
Frying up oysters for sandwiches today and tomorrow. A po boy type sandwich with bread and butter pickles and lemon mayo.
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