Wanted to take a quick break to talk about something that’s really important: “The Simpsons”. I think we owe it to the visitors to our city.

You probably know that Matt Groening, hallowed be his name, (the creator of the Simpsons) is from Portland. But did you know that a lot of the characters’ names on the show come from Portland streets?

>Ned Flanders – Flanders St. (Check the sign in NE Portland. Usually someone has written in a “D” to read “NED Flanders St.).

>Reverend Timothy Lovejoy – Lovejoy St.

>Mayor “Diamond” Joe Quimby – Quimby Street (Supposedly the “Diamond” comes from a crooked Portland police chief with the same nickname.)

>Charles Montgomery Burns – An abbreviation of Burnside St.

>Robert “Sideshow Bob” Underdunk Terwilliger – Terwilliger Blvd.

>Milhouse Van Houten – Van Houten Ave.

From Hotel deLuxe, nearly all these streets are close enough for you to make your own Simpsons walking tour. Just tell people it’s part of the Lewis & Clark trail.

That’s all, folks,
“Diamond” Lance

OK, here’s another one. It’s not exactly a bar, but the Leaky Roof is a really great spot. I hadn’t realized till just a little while ago that it made a total 180-degree switcho-changeo at some point. It used to pretty much be a dive. Probably actually was leaking.

Now it’s this great, little place with awesome food, a nice inviting feeling and it boasts Portland’s largest selection of Irish whiskeys. I’m not even sure how many Portlanders know about it. Try their special soup. Just looked it up: It’s called Doukabor soup. Based on borscht apparently. Perfect for a rainy Portland day. I’m going to have to try it for lunch one of these days, it’s totally within walking distance to the Hotel deLuxe, yet another great Portland restaurant located in Goose Hollow.

Your trusted Doukabor resource,

Lance

Zach here. Lance said I should offer up a blog about my favorite bar in the Goose Hollow neighborhood here around Hotel deLuxe. Sounds easy, but in Portland that can be a tough call.

OK, partly because it’s almost summer I’ve got to go with the Goose Hollow Inn.

Goose Hollow is true Portland. It’s even owned by a former mayor, Bud Clark. Beer selection is good and so is the grub. (I’m not a sauerkraut person but people go mental for their Reuben.) I think it’s best on a warm night, or a sunny afternoon, when you can just kick back on the deck.

Ask me again next week, and I’ll have a different answer.

See ya,

Zach