Overview: In the heart of Portland, Oregon, lies an unlikely oasis – Farag’s, an ephemeral outdoor restaurant in a parking lot behind Güero. Inspired by Egyptian food and culture, this unique dining experience combines warm-spiced dishes with mezcal- and sake-forward cocktails.
The Full Story
Farag’s was born out of necessity during the pandemic when Güero chef and owner Megan Sanchez had the opportunity to buy a near-empty lot behind her restaurant. With no budget, she took it upon herself to create something special. After years of planning, Farag’s opened its doors in spring 2024, offering a hyper-personal passion project that pays homage to Sanchez’s grandmother’s recipes and cooking techniques.
The menu at Farag’s is inspired by Emtisal Farag, Sanchez’s grandmother. The dishes are designed to be abundant and plentiful, with sumac, cardamom, cumin, and allspice being key ingredients. Mezzes and larger shareable plates feature fresh soft cheese with electric green fig leaf oil, sliced strawberries and sumac.
The restaurant also offers a unique dessert – velvety labneh spooned over dense nutty carrot cake and dusted with citrus zest. Guest feedback has influenced the menu as well, including the Farag’s Frank – a footlong frankfurter topped with harissa, thinly sliced cucumber, guindilla peppers, lots of raw onions and herbs.
Production & Profile
The beverage program at Farag’s is equally distinct. Ben Skiba has spent nearly a decade learning from small-batch agave spirit producers in Mexico and brings them back to serve in Portland. Last summer, a martini around a batch of mezcal was created, which became a favorite among guests.
This season, the cocktail list follows suit with new combinations featuring different batches from the same producer. Sanchez also started dabbling in sake last year under Nina Murphy’s guidance from Buckman neighborhood sake shop Sunflower Sake. She believes that sake and food menus pair perfectly together.
Brand & Industry History
Farag’s is more than just a restaurant – it’s an experience inspired by Egyptian culture and cuisine. Sanchez has mentioned the importance of preserving her grandmother’s recipes, ensuring everything was plentiful and satisfying, always heavy on sumac, cardamom, cumin and allspice.
What This Means
The emergence of Farag’s highlights the growing trend towards unique dining experiences in Portland. The ephemeral nature of this outdoor restaurant serves as a reminder that sometimes risk-taking leads to rewards. Sanchez believes the experience is high-risk, yet high-reward for everyone involved.
Consumer Takeaway
The success of Farag’s demonstrates the potential for non-traditional dining spaces in Portland. When done correctly, these experiences can elevate a city’s food scene and provide something truly unique to visitors and locals alike.
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