Dig a Pony (bar)
{{Short description|Bar and restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.}}
{{Infobox restaurant
| embed =
| name = Dig a Pony
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| logo = Dig a Pony logo.png
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| image = File:Dig a Pony, Portland, Oregon (2022) - 1.jpg
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| image_caption = The bar's exterior at night, 2022
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| mapframe-zoom = 13
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| established = {{Start date|2011|07|28}}
| closed = {{End date|2022|06}}
| current-owner = {{Flatlist|
- Elizabeth Elder
- Devon Treadwell
- Tyler Treadwell
- Bryan Wollen
}}
| previous-owner = {{flatlist|
- Jacob Carey
- Aaron Hall
- Page Finlay
}}
| head-chef =
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| pastry-chef =
| food-type = American
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| street-address = 736 Southeast Grand Avenue
| city = Portland
| county = Multnomah
| state = Oregon
| zip = 97214
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{coord|45.5174|-122.6605|display=it}}
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| other-information =
| website = {{URL|digaponyportland.com}}
}}
Dig a Pony (DAP){{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OhpGAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA57|title=101 Places to Get F*cked Up Before You Die: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Partying Around the World|first=Matador|last=Network|date=7 January 2014|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=9781250035585|access-date=8 April 2021|via=Google Books|archive-date=1 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701035044/https://books.google.com/books?id=OhpGAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA57#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}} was a bar and restaurant in Portland, Oregon.{{Cite web|last=Horton|first=Jay|date=2017-05-23|url=https://www.wweek.com/bars/2017/05/23/dig-a-pony-is-portlands-late-night-clearing-house/|title=Dig a Pony is Portland's Late-Night Clearing House|website=Willamette Week|access-date=8 April 2021|archive-date=6 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406161258/https://www.wweek.com/bars/2017/05/23/dig-a-pony-is-portlands-late-night-clearing-house/|url-status=live}} Named after the Beatles' song of the same name,{{Cite web|last=Russell|first=Michael|date=2011-09-24|title=Portland Happy Hour: Dig a Pony|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2011/09/portland_happy_hour_dig_a_pony.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-04|website=The Oregonian|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126170837/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2011/09/portland_happy_hour_dig_a_pony.html}} the business opened in mid 2011. Dig a Pony closed in June 2022, following an ownership change.
Description
Dig a Pony was a popular bar on Grand Avenue, at the intersection with Morrison,{{Cite web |last=Bakall |first=Samantha |date=2014-10-21 |title=Lutz Tavern owners taking over 36-year-old East Bank Saloon in Southeast Portland |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2014/10/lutz_tavern_owners_taking_over.html |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225171207/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2014/10/lutz_tavern_owners_taking_over.html |url-status=live }} in southeast Portland.{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Lucas |date=2017-09-08 |title=The Cheap Charms, Altered and Otherwise, of Portland, Ore. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/travel/portland-oregon-pot-tourism-budget.html |access-date=2023-05-09 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2022-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124034342/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/travel/portland-oregon-pot-tourism-budget.html |url-status=live }} Named after the Beatles' 1970 song of the same name, Dig a Pony had a 40-person horseshoe-shaped bar, as well as a century-old piano, vintage church pews, and stained glass.{{Cite web|last=DeJesus|first=Erin|date=2011-06-28|title=Bar Build-outs|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2011/6/28/6672527/bar-build-outs|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2021-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420184842/https://pdx.eater.com/2011/6/28/6672527/bar-build-outs|url-status=live}} According to The Oregonian, the walls were "decorated with vintage pictures, animal skulls, color-coded books and a two-tiered bar lined with glittering bottles".{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2014-10-29 |title=Portland's 100 best bars |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2014/10/portlands_100_best_bars_bar_ta.html |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2021-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515170231/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2014/10/portlands_100_best_bars_bar_ta.html |url-status=live }}
= Menu =
The menu included American cuisine{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VEr8DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT31|title=Portland (Ore.) - The Delaplaine 2021 Long Weekend Guide|first=Andrew|last=Delaplaine|date=11 September 2020|publisher=Gramercy Park Press|access-date=8 April 2021|via=Google Books|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420184834/https://books.google.com/books?id=VEr8DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT31&lpg=PT31&dq=|url-status=live}} such as sautéed mushrooms with soft egg and French fries, chicken thighs with stewed tomatoes and almonds, and a barbecue tempeh sandwich served with avocado and citrus coleslaw.{{Cite web|last=DeJesus|first=Erin|date=2011-07-28|title=Dig A Pony to Debut in Central SE; Pink Rose Blooms in Pearl|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2011/7/28/6666689/dig-a-pony-to-debut-in-central-se-pink-rose-blooms-in-pearl|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102545/http://pdx.eater.com/2011/7/28/6666689/dig-a-pony-to-debut-in-central-se-pink-rose-blooms-in-pearl|url-status=live}} The drink menu included a Bloody Mary called Blood on the Bayou,{{Cite web |last=Powers |first=Colin |date=2016-05-03 |title=Bloody Mary battle ends with victory for Dig a Pony: The Cocktail Hour |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/05/bloody_mary_battle_ends_with_v.html |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2024-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701035045/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/05/bloody_mary_battle_ends_with_v.html |url-status=live }} and the Lomo (bourbon, ginger drinking vinegar, yellow chartreuse, orange bitters, soda water).{{Cite book |last=Mayhew |first=Lance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gUNIEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Dig+a+pOny%22+portland&pg=PT38 |title=Whiskey Made Me Do It: 60 Wonderful Whiskey and Bourbon Cocktails |date=2021-11-02 |publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing |isbn=978-1-5248-7604-3 |language=en |access-date=2023-05-27 |archive-date=2024-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701035545/https://books.google.com/books?id=gUNIEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Dig+a+pOny%22+portland&pg=PT38#v=onepage&q=%22Dig%20a%20pOny%22%20portland&f=false |url-status=live }} The bar began using cheese from Bandon-based Face Rock Creamery in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Centoni |first=Danielle |date=2015-04-27 |title=The Portland Kitchen's Cookoff; Dig A Pony Dives Into Cheese |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2015/4/27/8504935/eat-mobile-the-portland-kitchen-cookoff-dig-a-pony-face-rock-creamery |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912210433/http://pdx.eater.com/2015/4/27/8504935/eat-mobile-the-portland-kitchen-cookoff-dig-a-pony-face-rock-creamery |archive-date=2015-09-12 |access-date=2021-04-04 |website=Eater Portland |language=en}} The business has served pie and Montel Spinozza for Thanksgiving.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2015-11-06 |title=Where to eat Thanksgiving dinner in Portland (updated) |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2015/11/where_to_eat_thanksgiving_dinn_2.html |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2019-11-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119061222/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2015/11/where_to_eat_thanksgiving_dinn_2.html |url-status=live }}
When Burger Stevens moved into the kitchen, the menu included hamburgers, fried chicken sandwiches, a Cuban-inspired sandwich with barbecue pork, ham and pickles, and broccoli with green ranch and pickled peppers.{{Cite web|last=Jackson-Glidden|first=Brooke|date=2018-07-27|title=All-American Cart Burger Stevens Is Moving into Dig A Pony|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2018/7/27/17622474/burger-stevens-moving-dig-a-pony-kitchen-cheeseburgers|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2018-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728023502/https://pdx.eater.com/2018/7/27/17622474/burger-stevens-moving-dig-a-pony-kitchen-cheeseburgers|url-status=live}}
History
The bar replaced longtime Greek diner Niki's Restaurant.{{Cite web|last=DeJesus|first=Erin|date=2010-11-29|title=Niki's Restaurant Closes After 38 Years as Neighborhood Diner|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2010/11/29/6708511/nikis-restaurant-closes-after-38-years-as-neighborhood-diner|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2021-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420184840/https://pdx.eater.com/2010/11/29/6708511/nikis-restaurant-closes-after-38-years-as-neighborhood-diner|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Tony |title=Dig A Pony, Or Maybe Not |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/drunk/2011/01/03/3222582/3222582-dig-a-pony-or-maybe-not |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Portland Mercury |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614122702/https://www.portlandmercury.com/drunk/2011/01/03/3222582/3222582-dig-a-pony-or-maybe-not |url-status=live }} Partners Jacob Carey, Aaron Hall, and Page Finlay opened Dig a Pony with Gregory Gourdet as consulting chef.{{Cite web|last=DeJesus|first=Erin|date=2011-03-14|title=Greg Gourdet Joins Team Creating New Bar in Niki's Space|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2011/3/14/6692467/greg-gourdet-joins-team-creating-new-bar-in-nikis-space|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2021-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420184846/https://pdx.eater.com/2011/3/14/6692467/greg-gourdet-joins-team-creating-new-bar-in-nikis-space|url-status=live}} The bar opened on July 28, 2011, with Josef Valoff as kitchen manager. Within a few months, several interior decorations were stolen, including a taxidermy pheasant nicknamed "David Bowie".{{Cite web|last=DeJesus|first=Erin|date=2012-01-24|title=Taxidermy Pheasant Plucked from Dig A Pony's Piano|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2012/1/24/6619907/taxidermy-pheasant-plucked-from-dig-a-ponys-piano|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2021-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420184843/https://pdx.eater.com/2012/1/24/6619907/taxidermy-pheasant-plucked-from-dig-a-ponys-piano|url-status=live}} The bar hosted an anniversary celebration featuring free music.{{Cite web|last=DeJesus|first=Erin|date=2012-07-27|title=Soccer Bar Slated for Mississippi; Two Anniversary Parties|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2012/7/27/6560645/soccer-bar-slated-for-mississippi-two-anniversary-parties|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2021-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420184854/https://pdx.eater.com/2012/7/27/6560645/soccer-bar-slated-for-mississippi-two-anniversary-parties|url-status=live}}
In 2015, the bar and Face Rock Creamery's president Greg Drobot hosted Mongers' Lodge Night featuring cheese samples, cocktails, music, and happy hour specials. Don Salamone, owner of the food cart Burger Stevens, moved into the kitchen in 2018. A walk-up window for Burger Stevens opened on the Morrison Street side of Dig a Pony in 2019.{{Cite web|last=Jackson-Glidden|first=Brooke|date=2019-08-09|title=Portland Restaurateur Troy MacLarty Is Raising Money to Fight Gun Violence|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2019/8/9/20798677/bollywood-theater-fundraiser-gun-control-dig-a-pony-burger-window-holiday-closed|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2020-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113205614/https://pdx.eater.com/2019/8/9/20798677/bollywood-theater-fundraiser-gun-control-dig-a-pony-burger-window-holiday-closed|url-status=live}} During the COVID-19 pandemic, Salamone served takeout Italian meals as Stevens Italiano; the meals included chicken cacciatore, rigatoni in tomato sauce, Caesar salad, and garlic bread.{{Cite web|last=Jackson-Glidden|first=Brooke|date=2020-04-07|title=Gado Gado Will Start Serving 'Stoner Food' Takeout Thursday Night|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2020/4/7/21212131/gado-gado-takeout-omas-takeaway-stevens-italiano-red-sauce-burger-stevens|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605132740/https://pdx.eater.com/2020/4/7/21212131/gado-gado-takeout-omas-takeaway-stevens-italiano-red-sauce-burger-stevens|url-status=live}}
In 2022, the business was sold to Elizabeth Elder and Bryan Wollen of Lose Yr Mind Fest, as well as Devon and Tyler Treadwell of the Tulip Shop Tavern in north Portland.{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2022-03-29 |title=The People Behind Lose Yr Mind Fest and Tulip Shop Tavern Are Taking Over Dig a Pony |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2022/3/29/23000793/dig-a-pony-ownership-change-sports-bra-opening-date-kettle-chips-lawsuit |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329164124/https://pdx.eater.com/2022/3/29/23000793/dig-a-pony-ownership-change-sports-bra-opening-date-kettle-chips-lawsuit |url-status=live }} Dig a Pony closed in June 2022,{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Jenni |date=April 1, 2022 |title=Beloved Bar Dig A Pony Is Closing; Could Its New Music-Loving Owners Make It Even Better? |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2022/04/01/39841130/beloved-bar-dig-a-pony-is-closing-could-its-new-music-loving-owners-make-it-even-better |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Portland Mercury |language=en |archive-date=2024-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701035551/https://www.portlandmercury.com/food-and-drink/2022/04/01/39841130/beloved-bar-dig-a-pony-is-closing-could-its-new-music-loving-owners-make-it-even-better |url-status=live }} and was replaced by the music venue Lollipop Shop in October.{{Cite web |title=At Lollipop Shoppe, Portland Has a Brand-New Spot for Late-Night Southern Food |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2022/11/lollipop-shoppe-portland-music-venue-southern-food |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614120343/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2022/11/lollipop-shoppe-portland-music-venue-southern-food |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-02 |title=The Lollipop Shoppe Is Part Neighborhood Bar, Part Live Music Venue |url=https://www.wweek.com/music/2022/12/01/the-lollipop-shop-is-part-neighborhood-bar-part-live-music-venue/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614120826/https://www.wweek.com/music/2022/12/01/the-lollipop-shop-is-part-neighborhood-bar-part-live-music-venue/ |url-status=live }}
Reception
File:Dig a Pony, Portland, Oregon (2022) - 2.jpg
Michael Russell included Dig a Pony in The Oregonian
Pete Cottell included Dig a Pony in Thrillist's 2015 list of "10 Portland Bars You Should Avoid Once You're 30" and wrote: "The idea of 'bridge and tunnel bars' has caught on in Portland, and with this place being packed out with neon-clad bros from Beaverton aggressively doing laps and Tinder-ing rather than actually talking to humans of the female variety here, Dig A Pony is the terminally hip Eastside's primary offender. Good food if you show up early enough to get a table, though!"{{Cite web |title=10 Portland Bars You Should Avoid Once You're 30 |url=https://www.thrillist.com/drink/portland/portland-bars-you-should-avoid-once-you-re-30 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Thrillist |date=19 August 2015 |language=en |archive-date=2020-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108201136/https://www.thrillist.com/drink/portland/portland-bars-you-should-avoid-once-you-re-30 |url-status=live }} In 2017, Tan Vinh of The Seattle Times said the bar "spins soul and has the soul of old Portland".{{Cite web |last=Vinh |first=Tan |date=2017-03-02 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/where-to-go-for-dining-and-drinks-in-portland-its-rocking-across-the-willamette/ |title=Where to go for dining and drinks in Portland? It's rocking across the Willamette |access-date=2021-04-04 |archive-date=2021-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228122812/https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/where-to-go-for-dining-and-drinks-in-portland-its-rocking-across-the-willamette/ |website=The Seattle Times|url-status=dead }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Dig a Pony}}
{{Portal|Food|Oregon}}
- {{Official website|https://digaponyportland.com}}
- [https://www.pdxmonthly.com/bars/dig-a-pony-bar Dig a Pony] at Portland Monthly
- [https://www.thrillist.com/venue/drink/portland/bar/dig-a-pony Dig a Pony] at Thrillist
- [https://www.thrillist.com/bars/portland/or/97202/dig-a-pony_great-cocktails_comfort-food More booze, less Beatles], Thrillist
- [https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-22256-bar-guide-2014-dig-a-pony.html Bar Guide 2014: Dig a Pony], Willamette Week
{{Buckman, Portland, Oregon}}
{{Defunct restaurants in Portland, Oregon}}
Category:2011 establishments in Oregon
Category:2022 disestablishments in Oregon
Category:Defunct drinking establishments in Oregon
Category:Defunct restaurants in Buckman, Portland, Oregon