Christine Burmeister, the owner behind the beloved Daily Feast PDX, has expanded her culinary footprint in Portland with the opening of Taylor Street Kitchen. Launched in May 2016, Daily Feast PDX was Burmeister’s endeavor to continue the legacy of a Portland institution, Leo’s Non-Smoking Coffee Shop, which resided in the Medical Dental Building for over three decades. Daily Feast successfully became a “nostalgia-factory,” as Burmeister describes, evoking heartfelt memories for Portland residents across generations. This success paved the way for her new venture, Taylor Street Kitchen, a market and all-day café with a distinctly different ambiance, yet grounded in the same commitment to community and quality.
While Daily Feast offers a cozy diner experience, Taylor Street Kitchen presents a wide-open, airy space, reminiscent of other Portland culinary landmarks like Elephants Delicatessen and Providore Fine Foods. Burmeister envisioned Taylor Street Kitchen as a culmination of her personal values as “a person, mom, wife, and eater.” This vision translates into a versatile offering: from morning coffee and pastries to lunchtime salads and sandwiches, transitioning into family pizza nights and date-night wine selections. Complementing the café is a market that proudly emphasizes the abundant produce and products of Oregon. With Taylor Street Kitchen, Burmeister aims to create a more expansive and deeply personal food experience, solidifying its place as a Portland staple.
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The concept for Taylor Street Kitchen was brewing long before the pandemic spurred a wave of market openings in Portland. While establishments like Italian market Cooperativa and Ripe Cooperative emerged during those times, Burmeister’s market idea had been gestating for years. Serendipitously, the perfect location for Taylor Street Kitchen was right next door to Daily Feast – a vacant former eyeglass shop.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, plans for Taylor Street Kitchen were temporarily paused. Daily Feast navigated the challenges of lockdowns and restrictions, eventually adapting to takeout and then a modified dine-in service. Despite external pressures to relocate downtown businesses, Burmeister remained committed to Portland’s urban core. Her determination to open Taylor Street Kitchen in November 2021 underscored her belief in the enduring importance of downtown Portland and her desire to contribute to its vibrancy.
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Behind Taylor Street Kitchen‘s enticing offerings is a talented trio of Portland culinary professionals. Baker Jared Stiffler, a long-time partner who has supplied sandwich bread to Daily Feast, now expands his craft at Taylor Street Kitchen, offering whole loaves alongside his signature breads. Chef Bill Wallender, with a rich background from Quaintrelle and Ava Gene’s, brings his culinary expertise to the menu, emphasizing seasonal vegetables from local farms in his pizzas and salads, all made with Stiffler’s slow-fermented, crispy-chewy pizza dough. Completing the team is pastry chef Ken Puckett, who pursued his passion for baking after a career in accounting, creating a delightful sweets program featuring cheesecakes, cookies, and carrot cake.
Taylor Street Kitchen is designed with an inviting deli case showcasing the chefs’ creations, balanced by a comfortable café seating area. The market section boasts a curated selection of Oregon beers and wines, catering to diverse tastes with both classic Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs and more adventurous biodynamic and orange wines. Pantry shelves are stocked with Oregon-made specialties, including honey from Henry Storch, Loving Fungi root beer, and sauces and products from Portland brands like Bobbie’s Boat Sauce, Flavor Society, Momo Cocoa, and Spella coffee. The cold cases feature local meats from Totum Farm, reinforcing the market’s commitment to Oregon producers.
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Burmeister envisions Taylor Street Kitchen as a constantly evolving space, deeply connected to its local community. She aims to make it welcoming to office workers, families, and students alike, hoping to establish it as a lasting fixture in downtown Portland. Her commitment to creating a space that feels both enduring and integral to the city reflects her passion for Portland and her belief in the power of a strong downtown core. Taylor Street Kitchen is more than just a market and café; it’s a testament to community, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Portland.
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Visit Taylor Street Kitchen:
Taylor Street Kitchen
1125 SW Taylor Street, Portland, Oregon
(971) 339-9044
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