Tân Tân Café & Delicatessen holds a special place in Beaverton, Oregon, nestled between a railway track and a state highway, its entrance concealed along an inner road.
For nearly 30 years, this establishment has been a stalwart in the community, specializing in authentic Vietnamese dishes such as bánh mì and phở, along with house-made delicatessen hams and pâté.
Lisa Tran, who helps run the restaurant with her parents, attributes their longevity to the community’s support.
“What keeps us here is community. It’s the best,” she emphasizes.
Having been raised in downtown Beaverton, Tran’s connection to the area is deeply personal.
Her family fled Vietnam after the fall of Saigon, eventually being sponsored by an aunt to move to Beaverton in 1981.
When her parents faced financial hardships, they decided to turn their passion for cooking into a livelihood.
In 1997, they began selling Vietnamese deli meats out of a small space on Broadway Street.
As demand surged, Tân Tân rapidly evolved from a deli to a full-fledged restaurant by 2005, further diversifying to sell Vietnamese sauces in local grocery stores.
The growth of Tân Tân highlights Beaverton’s overall culinary development, which city leaders have prioritized as part of a strategic initiative that began about eight years ago.
Faced with feedback about the lack of appealing dining options, local authorities targeted economic development to revitalize downtown Beaverton.
Alisa Pyszka, the executive director at the Center for Real Estate at Portland State University, notes that Beaverton’s surrounding businesses like Nike and Intel were struggling to attract talent due to the area’s limited dining and entertainment options.
In response, a coordinated plan was launched, prioritizing the attraction and support of restaurants to enhance community engagement.
In the years since, nearly 400 restaurants have opened in Beaverton, enhancing the city’s appeal, with Tân Tân being a key player in this transformation.
During the restaurant’s evolution, it has gained neighboring establishments that range from Thai cuisine to popular pizza joints, significantly contributing to Beaverton’s dining landscape.
This renaissance can be partly attributed to efforts tied to a broader strategy initiated in 2017 aimed at improving downtown infrastructure and supporting local businesses.
Tran recalls the time when Beaverton’s dining options were scarce.
“Back when I grew up, restaurants in the area were few and far between,” she reminisced.
Through supportive measures, including grants and incentives, the city has worked hard to ensure the success of long-standing establishments like Tân Tân.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tân Tân benefited from a tenant improvement grant, which allowed the Tran family to renovate their establishment, creating a more inviting space for customers.
Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty recognizes this effort as essential: “It wasn’t just about incentivizing new people to come to Beaverton, but it was celebrating people that were here before and establishing where they’re at,” she stated.
Beyond supporting established businesses, Beaverton’s city leaders recognized a potential market by encouraging Portland restaurants to branch out into the suburbs.
Pyszka explained that Portland’s booming restaurant scene made Beaverton an attractive secondary market, prompting extensive outreach and engagement to draw interest from Portland establishments.
As a result, numerous Portland-based restaurants have since opened locations in Beaverton, ranging from breweries to ramen shops.
Gabriel and Josue Azcorra, brothers who launched Dos Hermanos bakery in Portland, recently opened a location in Beaverton after noticing the strong community response to their products at the local farmers market.
Their success reflects a broader trend: Beaverton’s evolving identity as a culinary destination.
Michele Venlee, a content creator in Portland, noted the influx of exciting new dining options as a significant draw for Beaverton.
“What started as second locations has now turned into new and exciting restaurants you can only find in Beaverton,” she shared.
This shift has become especially noticeable since 2020—2021 as many Portland residents began seeking options beyond the city due to rising housing costs and the challenges faced by businesses in downtown Portland.
In addition to its diverse dining options, Beaverton’s growth comes from its demographic richness, vibrant cultural fabric, and proactive city strategies.
The city has seen an increase in racial and ethnic diversity, with one in three residents identifying as a person of color.
This blend of cultures only enhances the culinary offerings available in Beaverton, which now includes a myriad of authentic Asian restaurants catering to the local community.
As the downtown scene continues to flourish, challenges remain.
Beaverton faces infrastructure hurdles, necessitating a thoughtful approach to transportation and accessibility.
To address this, city planners are advocating for initiatives like The Loop, a 20-year plan aiming to improve walkability in the downtown area.
This project seeks to create more pedestrian-friendly environments, making it easier for residents and visitors to connect with local restaurants and businesses.
Mayor Beaty expressed optimism: “You should be able to walk from City Hall into any of the restaurants in downtown; it’s not that far. It really isn’t.”
The Loop’s development is crucial for fostering further economic growth and creating an attractive community for all.
Collaborative efforts between the city and various stakeholders also highlight Beaverton’s determination and focus on sustainable development, ensuring that its momentum continues into the future.
The ongoing investment in infrastructure is essential for enhancing the overall experience of residents and visitors.
As the city’s ongoing strategic efforts illustrate, what may begin as local initiatives can ripple outwards, demonstrating the possibilities available to communities aiming for vibrant growth.
Beaverton’s journey signifies the importance of resilience, creativity in urban planning, and the cultivation of community ties.
In the heart of this growth, Tân Tân continues to thrive, adapting and evolving with the community while retaining its authenticity.
Lisa Tran reflects on this journey with pride, seeing each new customer as an opportunity to showcase Beaverton’s transformative growth.
“I think it’s a good community,” she said.
“It’s not just us. We work hard, but our community works harder.”
image source from：opb
