fosterpowell Archives - Living Room Realty

RACHEL’S NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE: Foster-Powell Faves

Posted on June 27, 2025July 4, 2025 by Rachel Schmerge

Want to know what makes this triangle so special? Let me show you around.

Tucked between Powell Blvd, Foster Road, and SE 82nd, Foster-Powell is Portland’s only triangle-shaped neighborhood. Foster Road originally served as a route for farmers heading into town and was once Portland’s widest paved street, becoming the area’s commercial hub when the streetcar connected it to downtown Portland in 1892. The neighborhood was annexed into SE Portland in 1908 and enjoyed a wartime boom, but suffered a decline in the ’70s and ’80s. Foster-Powell began its comeback in the ’90s, thanks to young families, immigrants, and longtime residents drawn by affordability, location, and community pride.

Today, Foster-Powell is a laid-back, lived-in mix of old Portland grit and new Portland energy. Foster Road still serves as the heart of the neighborhood, dominated by local small businesses, international eats, and vintage neon signs. It’s a place where you can grab a banh mi and a bubble tea, catch a tango class or a drag show, and still spot more strollers than scooters. Here are a few of my favorite neighborhood spots- where to sip, snack, shop, and soak in all things FoPo.

Cozy Coffeeshops

Carnelian Coffee — 7950 SE Foster Rd
A charming cafe known for its ethically sourced brews, housemade syrups, vegan pastries, and rock-obsessed decor.

Speedboat Coffee — 5115 SE Foster Rd
A neighborhood fave featuring Coava coffee, modern decor, and the friendliest staff. Make sure to try the baklava and breakfast sandwiches!

Pieper Cafe — 6504 SE Foster Rd
A laid-back hangout spot serving up espresso, killer paninis, and house-made soups—there’s even pinball and a kid’s corner.

Bustling Bars

Thunderbird Bar — 5310 SE Foster Rd
A welcoming spot known for its delicious burgers and vegan options, with a pool table and large covered patio to boot.

Bar Maven — 6219 SE Foster Rd
Rustic and cozy, serving up Mediterranean-inspired comfort food and solid cocktails. Check out the fantastic happy hour!

5 and Dime — 6535 SE Foster Rd
A beloved cocktail bar slinging both classic and specialty drinks along with gourmet hot dogs, rotating seasonal bites, and a fun photo booth.

Unique Eats

An Xuyen Bakery — 5345 SE Foster Rd
This tiny Vietnamese bakery is a big deal, known for its cheap banh mi sandwiches and a delightful array of pastries like mochi donuts and macarons.

Tambayan Restaurant — 6020 SE 82nd Ave
Authentic Filipino comfort food with a warm, family-run atmosphere and generous portions—don’t skip the adobo, sinigang, or halo-halo.

Rose VL Deli — 6424 SE Powell Blvd
A hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese spot renowned for its rotating menu of soups, with standouts like pho, chicken curry soup, and Cao Lau.

Brunch Bites

Midpoint Food & Drink — 5550 SE 72nd Ave
Old school diner vibes with classic brunch dishes, boozy breakfast cocktails, and vegan options. Customers love the Potato Stacks.

Bar Carlo — 6433 SE Foster Rd
A funky brunch staple offering dishes like breakfast burritos, elote hash, and eggs benedict set in a colorful airy space.

Egg Carton — 5222 SE 52nd Ave
A cute food cart that’s always delicious—don’t miss the eggs Benedict or their famous egg and biscuit sandwiches.

Perfect Pizza

Pizzeria Otto — 7112 SE Foster Rd
Wood-fired Neapolitan pies with pillowy crust, top-tier toppings, and a warm, cozy dining room perfect for date night or a family splurge.

Atlas Pizza — 6529 SE Foster Rd
NY-style slices done right- thin, cheesy, and customizable- with vegan options, pinball, and a chill, family-friendly vibe next door to 5 & Dime.

Sweet Shops

I’ve Been Framed — 4950 SE Foster Rd
A community staple for affordable art supplies, custom framing, and creative vibes. Check out the great selection of specialty paper and cute trinkets.

Foster Outdoor — 5040 SE Foster Rd
An outdoor gear wonderland that’s a mix of your cool uncle’s garage and the Bargain Basement, with new and used gear at great prices.

Larkspur — 6317 SE Holgate Blvd
A cozy, community-focused plant and art shop offering accessibly priced houseplants, local goods, and crafty treasures, along with horticulture programs and events.

Thinking of putting down roots in Foster-Powell? Let’s talk.

Whether you’re house-hunting, scoping out investment potential, or just want a local to show you around, I’d love to help you explore both the neighborhood haunts and the housing market. Drop me a message to get started or check out my Instagram for more local tips!

Just Listed in Foster-Powell | Bright, Spacious and Dialed Bungalow!

Posted on March 14, 2025 by Olivia Rush

Exuding charm and brimming with updates, this cheerful Foster-Powell bungalow is as sweet as they come!

The wide front porch with its broad steps invites you in and sets a welcoming tone. Thanks to an efficient layout that optimizes space and flow, this friendly abode feels simultaneously cozy and spacious. West- and south-facing exposure and abundant windows bathe the rooms with natural light, invoking a sense of peaceful delight no matter the season.

The sizable kitchen is primed for cooking and gathering, with stainless steel appliances, butcher block counters, and refreshed cabinets. New LVP flooring, lighting and fresh paint throughout living + bed rooms offer a crisp, modern touch. Both bedrooms are well laid out and feature more outlets than you’d expect – small victories that contribute to daily livability and convenience. The recently refreshed bathroom features a refinished tub, new lighting, mirror, paint, and added storage.

The bright, spacious basement with exterior entry and tall ceilings offers endless potential: finish for extra living space, use as your makerspace or studio, or storage for all your adventure gear. Outside, the fully fenced yard is ripe for your vision, with full sunlight, established fruit trees, garden beds, paver patio, and sweetheart swing. Enjoy even more storage, project space, or studio potential in the detached garage.

Centrally located near Kerns Park, public transit, and the best of FoPo, with planned greenway improvements making the neighborhood even more accessible. Key updates handled: roof + exterior paint (2018), radon mitigation (2019), sewer replacement (2008), upgraded 200-amp electrical panel (2004), and oil-to-gas furnace conversion (2009, serviced 2025). Walk Score 84, Bike Score 100, Home Energy Score 6.

Watch the video!

2 bed | 1 bath | 1523 soft | 0.1 acres | 1-car garage

MLS #: 662269742 | Offered at $460,000

Closed! Home Together in Foster Powell

Posted on December 28, 2024 by Olivia Rush

Congratulations Austyn + Eddy on purchasing their first home together!

In 2020, I helped Austyn purchase his first home. Since then, he met Eddy, who eventually moved in. They zhuzhed the heck out of that home, but also dreamed of purchasing a home together.

Their goals were twofold: more space inside and out AND moving closer into the city, into a more walkable neighborhood.

It took a few tries. The first house we offered on was overpriced, so we walked. The second home was CUTE, but with 5 buyers competing, we came up just a tad short.

The third home was more of a fixer. During inspections, it became clear that the house needed more than a facelift, so Austyn and Eddy listened to their gut and let it go.

Despite setbacks, A+E remained steadfast. They knew what they would and wouldn’t compromise on. So when Cora was listed, they pounced. Remodeled, turn-key, fabulous location, updated systems…all the green flags. We were in contract in under 24 hours!

As it usually goes, they ended up in the right home. Boxes checked, no compromises. The seller paid some closing costs AND replaced the knob and tube wiring in the attic. And then we closed a week early!

Due to the early closing, I was out of town when they got their keys. We recreated Key Day with a photoshoot a week later. The house looked like they had been there for years. Color me impressed.

Cheers to Austyn and Eddy (and to Tucker, Oscar, and Selena) for having your cake and eating it too! Welcome to the neighborhood!

Around the World In 180 Steps: International Cuisine of Foster-Powell

Posted on November 10, 2021 by Kim Parmon

The Foster Powell neighborhood is known for its diverse food scene with so many options on one street. Explore the world with just 180 steps (for legal reasons this is hyperbolic). Here are our top 5 international eats in the Foster Powell neighborhood.

Tambayan Restaurant-

6014 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206

The first stop on our trip is to the Philippines. Enjoy authentic Filipino food from Tambayan Restaurant. Start off easy with Lumpia Sariwa before diving into Kare-Kare Beef, or if you’re feeling adventurous try the Kare-Kare Oxtail. Finish with Leche Flan and bask in the glory of your wondrous food baby.

Pho Hung–

4717 SE Powell Blvd. Portland, OR 97206

Hopping over the South China Sea, get a taste of Phở Hùng, a Vietnamese family-style joint known for its “unfussy” Pho, Vegetarian, and Rice Plates. Be the adventurous one in the group by ordering their special Pho bowl featuring all the beef cuts imaginable – brisket, flank, fat brisket, tenderloin, and honeycomb tripe. Feeling less adventurous? Try their Pho featuring meatballs and beef broth. Veggies? Try vegetarian spring rolls, deep-fried and served with rice noodles and vegetables.

Ishtar Gate–

5222 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206

Continuing west, your mouth will be thrilled to try the flavors of Iraq by visiting Ishtar Gate! You can’t go wrong with falafel. Order it as a side plate to your main dish of Lamb Shawarma or BBQ Grilled Veggies! On the go? Pick up the Ishtar Gate Combo and enjoy deep-fried falafel, zucchini, and cauliflower with garlic and lemon juice served on saj bread and don’t worry you can get fries with that!

An Xuyen Bakery-

5345 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206

Feeling Sweet? An Xuyen Bakery has you covered with artisan Pan Asian Pacific pastries. This has to be the only place in Portland where you can get French Macaroons, Bao, Pork Buns, and Cream Puffs! If you’re feeling hungrier than that, you’ll find delight in any of their filling sandwiches on daily made loaves of bread.

Qué Bacano–

7238 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206

Jetting over to South American cuisine, fall in love with fresh and authentic Colombian food from Qué Bacano! Mastering quick-and-portable eats, try their classic Empanadas con Aji with beef, chicken, or veggies, or try their Almojabanas, a cheesy cornmeal and egg roll. If you really want to dig in, give their Bandeja Paisa a go! Featuring red beans, rice, ground beef, chorizo, plantain, fried egg, avocado, and more fresh ingredients you can’t go wrong with this traditional Colombian meal!

Nayar Taqueria–

5919 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206

Authentic Mexican is the game, and Nayar Taqueria is the name. Your mouth will be watering when you see the Carne Asada Tortas. You’ll be the winner of “Taco Tuesday” with their Chile Colorado and Tinga Tacos. And why not pair this fantastic feast with one of their signature margaritas? Gorge in peace and get it all to go! Even the margaritas!

And just like that, you’ve been around the world in 180 steps… more or less.

Start ’em Young…Tyler’s First Investment

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Olivia Rush

Congratulations to Tyler, who has just purchased his first real estate investment at the ripe old age of 24!

Tyler was referred to me by past clients/friends of mine. He is a foreman at an electrical company, and seriously ambitious. During our first conversations, Tyler shared with me his long-term goal of acquiring properties as a means of passive income and eventually to fund his retirement.

Tyler was open to many different neighborhoods, but wanted to be on the east side. Initially, he thought he wanted a house that needed some sweat equity. We saw a handful of homes, and his search quickly pivoted. Since he wanted to rent out some bedrooms right away, homes in better shape were more appealing.

I had had my eye on a house a few blocks away from me that was newly listed and had used it as an example of the kind of house we should be looking for. It was what I call a “plain Jane” home – clean and in good condition but nothing fancy – and a 3/2. It was listed a bit above Tyler’s price max, but after just one week on the market, it dropped 30K in price.

Tyler called me as soon he saw the price drop, and we both agreed we needed to see it STAT. Even though he had just driven all the way back to Beaverton from seeing other homes in SE, he got back in his car. Since the house was literally blocks away, I was able to sneak away from a gathering I was hosting for 10 minutes to show the house.

It didn’t even take 10 minutes – Tyler wanted this house. We knew we needed to submit an offer that evening, before the weekend’s open houses. We offered a bit over the new price but less than the previous price – and added a $5K signing bonus if they accepted it before noon the next day. The house had been a rental property, the Sellers just wanted it sold – we were pending by 9:30am!

We were able to negotiate a sizable chunk of credit for repairs, and the appraisal came in supporting value. Tyler got his keys over the weekend, and we celebrated as one does when they buy their first house at 24 – with a shot of tequila! Cheers to this smart young man for taking steps early on to set himself up for success later. Can’t wait to help with the purchase of investment property 2!

A Lifetime’s Work

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Olivia Rush

This realtor just may have accomplished her most impressive and life-spanning goal yet.

Mikaela and I grew up together in Maine. We were two young, fun-loving dorks (still are, less young); see photo below for reference.

Boston Museum of Science photo booth, c. 1996.

Over the years, we’ve only grown closer. We visited each other at college, danced together at concerts, traveled 6 months through South America, been bridesmaids in our friends’ weddings, hiked through national parks and encountered bears, pampered ourselves in Hawaiian resort hotel rooms, and shared too many bottles of wine and hours of trash TV to count.

Problem was, we never lived in the same place. I uprooted from the East coast in 2008, drove cross country to Portland, and haven’t looked back. Mikaela has always lived for Big City Energy – first Brooklyn, then San Fran, and a very brief stint in Amsterdam. We visited each other as often as possible over the past 15 years, and it was always my grand plan to get all my Maine ladies out to Portland. I had succeeded with two so far, but Mik proved to be a more challenging convert.

Then 2020 happened. Life plans upended by COVID, Mikaela moved to Portland [tentatively] and into my house in April 2020. To be clear, this was for-the-time-being. But Portland – even during a pandemic – has its way of growing on you.

Slowly. It grew slowly. Mikaela toyed with putting down roots here, and made some offers on houses that received an ungodly amount of interest – 24 and 29 offers, respectively. But, as we realtors like to preach, things usually happen for a reason. As we turned the corner to summer 2021, life stuff started to fall into place, and Mikaela firmly dug in. A couple offers were made with more conviction, but alas – neither house was meant to be.

What WAS meant to be was the ABSOLUTELY MOST PERFECT CHARMER OF A BUNGALOW that happened to be…[honestly too good to be true]…four blocks from my house. We were stunned when we saw it hit the market. Bonus – it was listed by fellow Living Room agents Tracy Dau and Chris Speth. We revved up for what turned out to be one of the most intense down-to-the-last-minute, submit-your-absolute-highest-and-best-and-then-make-it-even-a-little-stronger, offer scenarios I’ve participated in.

Getting our offer accepted was truthfully biggest challenge – it didn’t really matter what happened after that. Of course, a 1909 bungalow will always come with its quirks and projects, but it had been well loved and cared for. Despite there being a very strong backup offer in place, the sellers were willing to work with us on a few age-related items, which sweetened the situation even more.

I could tear up thinking about how special it has been to have my best friend of 25+ years live with me during a very challenging time, but the waterworks really come on when I realize she is here to stay. Few transactions have felt as special as this one. I am overjoyed to officially welcome Mikaela to Portland (and to our beloved FoPo!) and congratulate her on independently purchasing her first home. Cheers to Mikaela, and cheers to many more hours of wine-sipping and TV-watching in her Living Room!

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