This article is available exclusively to subscribers like you.
According to co-founder and co-owner Jamal Hassan, Sesame Collective was looking to expand Bless Your Heart Burgers. It seemed like the most obvious concept to take outside of Portland city limits because everybody likes a good burger. In addition, BYHB is a family-friendly business.
Travis Henry of Henry Point Development showed Hassan the spot at The Mill. At the time it was just a clump of dirt in a parking lot, but Hassan saw potential based on all the neighborhoods around it and its proximity to large businesses like hospitals. “It feels like it’s in the center of this massive community,” he said.
The restaurant will seat 40 indoors and 40 outdoors on their patio. The initial menu will be similar to their Northeast Portland location featuring their signature smashburgers with Duke’s mayonnaise, brown mustard, ketchup, sweet onions, shredded lettuce, homemade zucchini pickles, and American cheese on a toasted potato bun as well as hot dogs and fries. Soda, beer, wine, and draft cocktails will also be available.
Food and drink offerings will shift and expand based on customer response. “It’s important to us to not just take a Portland restaurant and move it to Vancouver. We want to connect to the community here,” said Hassan.
