Bars, Restaurants, & Taverns

HOT POTATA 2

When Daniel Moore (also known as “Toots’’) and Charles Walker relocated from San Franciso six years ago to open the Portland Hamburger Mary’s, little did they realize they would, later on, establish one of Portland's most popular establish one of Portland’s popular eating establishments? The Hot Potata Café No. 2, on SW 13th between Washington and Stark, was opened five years ago in a converted garage. Operating on a shoestring budget, the restaurant was created out of “’funky junk,” and the result today is a spacious, yet casual eating place where people of all lifestyles and ages feel one other person, or with a large group, the Hot Potata can accommodate you without the necessity of reservations. Charlie and Toots have been lovers for six years, and while they cater to gay people, they also enjoy a straight clientele. In fact, on one occasion, the Knights of Malta had a party at the same time that a group of upper-middle-class straights from the First Presbyterian Church had their own dinner party across. The Potata’s name is derived from its famous baked stuffed potato, with the insides mashed and mixed with spices insides mashed and mixed with spices and a superb cream sauce … its other popular “secret recipe” is its fabulous peanut butter cream pie. Also, the Potata’s homemade soups are the best this writer has ever eaten in any restaurant. [portion of the article - see balance below]

422 SW Burnside 13th/SW Washington
Years: 1978 – possibly closed in 1984
See Hot Potata 1

photo from NW Fountain, February 1982

An article in the NW Fountain, January 1983 Page 6B Cuisine in a garage by Paula Nielsen

An article in the NW Fountain, January 1983 Page 6B Cuisine in a garage by Paula Nielsen

Mentioned in an article about an accident in the Oregon Journal September 15, 1978, page 2.

Mentioned in an article about an accident in the Oregon Journal September 15, 1978, page 2.

citations & references:

  • Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1980 under Restaurant with notations R –

    Restaurant, M – Mixed

    • Possibly 1980/81 Listed on Darcelle’s “PATRONS – Round Trip to Lake Tahoe – Courtesy of

    ‘HELLO RENO” Miss Terri, Darcelle XV, and Directors Furniture]

    • Cited in Counseling Center for Sexual Minorities Referral and Resources Book Revised April 1,

    1980, under Mixed Restaurants

    • Cited in Portland bar listing – page 12, Northwest Fountain May 1981

    • Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1981 with notations R – Restaurant, M – Mixed it

    also says 13th & Morrison, which would be Hot Potata 2

    • t Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1982 w

    • Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1981 with notations R – Restaurant, M – Mixed it

    also says 13th & Morrison, which would be Hot Potata 2

    • Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1982 with notations R – Restaurant, M – Mixed

    • Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1983 with notations R – Restaurant, M – Mixed

    • Not Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1984-1989

    • Cited on page 18 NW Fountain, February 1982 Some of Portland’s best food…Toots and

    Charlie brought their ideas from Hawaii several years ago and the spot is still going strong. The

    décor is strictly unromantic, like the inside of an automotive garage (ashtrays are from old cars,

    the walls sport hubcaps, napkins are grease rags)…And, you can get some of the same cooking

    around the corner at Stark Street Station – Charlie and Toots are running the kitchen there, too.