November 28, 2018
Page 9
Mississippi
Alberta
North Portland
Vancouver
East County
Beaverton
PhoTo by
m ark W ashingTon /T he P orTland o bserver
A popular soul food joint, Reo’s Ribs, is back in full-force at its location in the Hollywood District after making repairs from a 2017 fire.
Pictured are members of the Reo’s Ribs team, Joseph Grant (left), Isabell Garcia, owner Reo Varnado, Deja Willingham, Rick Varnado, and
Ron Varnado.
Varnado, who is the uncle and
occasional professional chef to rap-
per Snoop Dogg, was in California
at the time as a guest on Martha
and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party,
which is hosted by Martha Stewart
and his nephew. Varnado speculated
at the time that he may have been
the target of a racially motivated ar-
by d anny P eTerson
son.
T he P orTland o bserver
That same month, a GoFundMe
Portland once again is enjoying
people come from all around the page and benefit concert by the
the soul food offerings of Reo’s land Observer.
Legendary Beyons worked to raise
Varnado said his Mississip- United States,” he said.
Ribs. The popular black-owned
In May 2017 the building was money for the restaurant to pay for
restaurant in the Hollywood Dis- pi-style barbecue has been drawing
trict reopened this month after a fire the crowds since its soft re-launch heavily damaged in a suspicious, the damages. It was announced in
overnight fire in which people were November of last year on social
totaled the interior of its historic three weeks ago.
“It’s been packed every day, ev- reportedly seen running away from media that the restaurant was work-
building a year-and-a-half-ago.
“We’re just glad to be back open” erybody enjoying the food…And the scene when it happened. No ar-
C onTinued on P age 16
owner Reo Varnado told the Port- we’re just having a blast ‘cause rests have ever been made.
‘We’ve been
packed every
day,’ owner says
on re-opening
Reo’s Ribs
is Back