The renowned Southeast Portland brewery Ruse Brewing has launched its third site, a taproom and Detroit-style pizzeria, in the former Please Louise building in the Slabtown neighborhood.
Ruse, which established its first satellite taproom and Crust Collective pizzeria on the Vancouver Waterfront in 2022, is making a comeback across the Columbia River with the new Northwest Portland pub, located at 1505 N.W. 21st Ave.
In 2018, Ruse launched its first brewery and taproom in the historic Iron Fireman Collective building in the Brooklyn area. They seized the opportunity to open within a contemporary building on the Vancouver Waterfront, which offers views of the Interstate Bridge and the Columbia River, two years ago.
Devon Benware said to The Oregonian, “For well over a year, Shaun and I were searching the Portland area for a second Crust Collective location.” We both knew this place on the corner of 21st and Quimby was the one when we saw it for sale.
Crust Collective’s unique Detroit-style pizza and Ruse beer will be served in the new site, along with a full bar featuring cocktails created by bar manager Anna Moss—a first for the brewery. With windows on two sides and a Slabtown corner, the interior was designed by Fraley + Company and constructed by Calliope Construction. It features a lot of vibrant colors, houseplants, and 50 extra chairs outside on a patio that is dog-friendly when the weather permits.
Alongside Moss, general manager Seth Black, and assistant general manager Andy McFall, Jeff Schille, who worked for the Vancouver Crust Collective for six months, will oversee the kitchen.
Growing up in Detroit, Shaun Kalis was inspired by the city’s crispy-cheese-crusted pan pizza, which included Trumbull and Michigan, two creative hotspots. Similar attention to detail may be seen in pizzas, such as Mama Lil’s peppers pizza with pretty dollops of rosemary ricotta piped on top and the Turnpike, a fennel sausage pizza.
Along with lunchtime sandwich options including an Italian Stallion, a meatball Parm, and a basil pesto caprese, the new site serves salads like a black garlic Caesar and seasonal delicata squash with whipped goat cheese.
The brand-new pizzeria and taproom join a bustling dining and drinking area next to Besaw’s, Breakside Brewery, G-Love, and other establishments. Function PDX, Brujos Brewing, and Great Notion Brewing are also in the area. There will soon be a proper pint taproom.
We took over an existing restaurant for the first time, and we learned a lot in the process,” Benware stated. As we settle into the neighborhood, we can’t wait to meet the new regulars and are incredibly thrilled for our new team.
Russell, Michael; [email protected]
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