Montavilla Institution the Country Cat Will Close in August

One of Montavilla’s destination restaurants will close in a matter of weeks. The Country Cat, a classic spot for fried chicken and Southern-meets-Oregon cooking, will close its SE Stark location on August 4.

In an Instagram post today, The Country Cat announced that the location would close after more than 10 years open. “We’ve seen babies born, proposals happen, weddings planned, birthdays celebrated, kids go off to college, fun-filled gatherings of families and friends, 12 Thanksgiving services, helped cure many a New Year’s Eve indulgence, fundraised for family safety, cancer, and our schools. And, most importantly, we’ve been part of an amazing community,” the post reads. “Words cannot express our love, gratitude, and bond that we will forever have together.”

Adam and Jackie Sappington opened The Country Cat in 2007, when it quickly became a citywide stalwart for fried chicken, house-cured bacon, and old fashioned house ham. The two met at the legendary restaurant Wildwood, which informed much of the restaurant’s focus on local farmers and producers. The restaurant spent time on Eater Portland’s list of essential restaurants, and eventually the Sappingtons opened a second location in the Portland International Airport. Almost a year ago, the Sappingtons even acquired three new restaurants, specifically the health food cafes Prasad and Harlow.

The Sappingtons have yet to respond to requests for comment, but the Instagram post specifies that the PDX location will remain open. This story will be updated as information becomes available.

• The Country Cat [Official]
• The Country Cat [Instagram]
• From Heartland to Vegan Dining: Country Cat Owners Buy Prasad and Harlow [EPDX]
• Previous Country Cat coverage [EPDX]