Railway Exchange Building and Huber's Restaurant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Huber's |
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Entrance to Huber's in 2011
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1879 |
| Current owner(s) | James ("Jim"), David, and Lucille Louie |
| Street address | 411 SW 3rd Avenue |
| City | Portland |
| State | Oregon |
| Postal/ZIP code | 97204 |
| Country |  United States |
| Website | www.hubers.com |
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Railway Exchange Building and Huber's Restaurant
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 Location in Portland, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Location | 320 SW Stark Street Portland, Oregon |
| Area | 0.3 acres |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | David Chambers Lewis, Harry Goodwin Beckwith |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002132 |
| Added to NRHP | March 13, 1979 |
Huber's is a famous restaurant in Portland, Oregon. It started way back in 1879, making it the oldest restaurant in the city! Huber's is well-known for its delicious turkey dinners and a special drink called Spanish coffee. It's a popular place to eat and has even been shown in a movie by Gus Van Sant. You can find Huber's inside a historic building called the Oregon Pioneer Building.
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A Long History
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Huber's says it is the oldest restaurant in Portland. It first opened in 1879 as The Bureau Saloon. This was at the corner of 1st and Alder in downtown Portland.
The restaurant's name changed to Huber's after Frank Huber bought The Bureau Saloon. Over the years, Huber's has been in four different places. It moved to its current home in the Pioneer Building shortly after the building was built in 1910.
Back then, Huber's was a saloon. A saloon was a place where people, mostly men, went to drink. After Frank Huber passed away in 1912, Jim Louie took over. Jim Louie was a cook who helped make the turkey dinners very popular. People still love these turkey dinners today!
Huber's During Prohibition
During a time called Prohibition, it was against the law to sell alcohol. To keep serving drinks, Huber's became a restaurant and a "speakeasy." A speakeasy was a secret place where people could still get alcoholic drinks.
After Jim Louie passed away, his nephew Andrew became the owner in 1952. In 1960, Andrew brought his eleven-year-old son, James Kai Louie (who people called "Jim"), into the business. Jim later became an owner of the restaurant. David and Lucille Louie also became owners after Andrew and his wife Amy passed away.
A Historic Landmark
The building where Huber's is located, called the Railway Exchange Building and Huber's Restaurant, became a special historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 1979. This means it's an important building in history.
In 2010, Huber's was part of a "walking tour" called "Sweet Cakes, Long Journey." This tour explored the history of Portland's Chinatown. Huber's was included because the same Chinese family has owned it for many generations.
What Huber's Looks Like
Huber's is located in Portland's historic Pioneer Building. Inside, you can see beautiful arched stained-glass skylights. There is also fancy mahogany wood on the walls and shiny terrazzo flooring.
Many original items are still there. These include old spittoons (containers for spitting), overhead lights, and a pewter wine stand. Even the old brass cash registers, fans, and clocks are still there. These items remind everyone of the restaurant's rich history. The yellow and amber skylight was made by a famous company called Povey Brothers Studio.
Delicious Food and Drinks
Huber's has been making turkey dinners since the 1800s. They prepare about 100 pounds of turkey every day! They use this turkey to make many different dishes. You can find the classic turkey dinner, hot and cold sandwiches, and even turkey gumbo.
The most famous drink at Huber's is Spanish coffee. Jim Louie got the idea for this drink from another bar. Spanish coffee is made right at your table with a lot of style! It includes rum, triple sec, Kahlúa, coffee, whipped cream, and nutmeg. In 1990, Huber's was recognized for using more Kahlúa than any other independent restaurant in the United States.
