Downtown's Blueplate Lunch Counter Confirms Imminent Closure

Following up on a tip through the Eater tipline, Eater confirms Blueplate, the classic hole-in-the-wall lunch counter and soda fountain downtown, will serve its final slider with basil mayo April 29. Owner and chef Jeffery Reiter says Blueplate will maintain regular hours until then, operating Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Blueplate would have celebrated 10 years in business this October, and Reiter says nearly ten years is a long time to run a restaurant without partners or investors. Reiter says, "I plan on doing some front-of-the-house work and to enjoy my city this summer, while I figure out what is next. I want to take in a final look at what our city was, before I figure out where I fit into what it will be." Reiter says he may move to California to be a private chef.

The soda fountain and lunch spot made a name for its creative takes on ice cream floats with house-made sodas and lunch classics. According to the Blueplate website, the Oregonian once described it as "the most inspired lunch spot downtown." Guy Fieri also named its grilled cheese and tomato soup one of the best in the country on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.