Business Spotlight: The Decoy

By Kelly Stevens

Peter and Jan Li, who own and run the Decoy, may live in Southeast Portland, but they are certainly considered neighbors to Linntonites. Peter and Jan have operated multiple restaurants over the years. As Peter shares, “Many years ago, I went to school to learn to cook because I love cooking and wanted to bring good food to America.” The couple has been operating the Decoy for 16 years since purchasing it from Una Taylor. Sadly, Una passed away last year, but I was lucky to meet some of Una’s family members during a recent visit to Decoy, who warmly shared their ongoing love for the place. 

Peter and Jan Li, ten years back (Photo credit: Rob Lee)

And they are not alone in that love—the community has fondly dubbed the Decoy “Linnton’s living room.” When I asked Peter why he thinks people call it that, he shared that the Decoy serves an eclectic mix of folks, including “people from the island, farmers, and neighbors, and a lot of regulars.” 

The “living room” moniker also owes to the comfort food, fun holiday decorations throughout both the bar and restaurant sides, the warm and hardworking staff of eight, and duck fabric and brass duck coat hooks adorning the wooden booths. In a time when there is so much shiny and new in Portland, the Decoy is like an easy-chair—well-worn, well-loved, and a cozy spot to be.

Peter’s favorite part of owning and running restaurants is to do the cooking, which at Decoy includes some local ingredients from Sauvie Island and both Chinese and American dishes. When at home with his family, Peter likes to create vegetable-based dishes fresh from the garden such as bok choy, green beans, and Chinese broccoli.

The pandemic has hit the restaurant and service industry the hardest, and the Decoy has been affected. As Bartender Angela Lewis shared, “It was a lot slower, but it’s starting to pick up as people stop on their way to and from the nearby pumpkin patches and holiday farm activities.” Decoy is following guidelines for COVID-19 safety, including closing every other booth, no bar stools, sanitation, and staff wearing masks. There is also spaced out by-the-bar seating and two TVs for fall game viewing!

Says Angela, “We are excited to be open, and we have our full menu, to-go any time.” Folks can call in to order takeout for breakfast (all day!), lunch, and dinner, plus daily specials. Per their traditional fun spirit, the Decoy plans to be open on Christmas Day from noon to eight o’clock. They even plan to do a modified version of their Chinese New Year’s Celebration in February. 

For the most up-to-date info, follow the Decoy on Facebook: www.facebook.com/linntonslivingroom

Decoy is at 10710 NW St Helens Rd. Call in your orders to (503) 286-2655, and show them some Linnton love!  

Hours:

Mon 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Tues-Thurs 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Fri 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Sat 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Sun 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

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