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A new neighborhood bar focused on smash burgers and made-from-scratch sandwiches has opened on Southeast Hawthorne, moving into the former Gigantic Brewing space at 4343 SE Hawthorne Boulevard. The venue, called Steely’s, launched on April 17 and brings a permanent kitchen and a three-way ownership team to a high-traffic stretch of the city.
Ownership, location and the business logic
Steely’s is a partnership between longtime bar operator Tyler Smith and the Little Brother pop-up team, Quinn Gilsdorf and Justin Looper. Smith closed his Sellwood taproom to concentrate resources on the Hawthorne property, which he purchased outright to avoid the constraints and rising costs tied to leasing.
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Owning the building, Smith says, gives the partners more control over how the space is used and lets them invest in a kitchen setup that simply wasn’t feasible at the previous location. That shift reflects a wider trend in the post-pandemic hospitality market: drink-focused spots increasingly need to pair drinks with robust, reliable food offerings to attract repeat customers.
What’s on the menu
The Little Brother team has translated many of its pop-up staples into a compact, affordable menu at Steely’s. Expect the familiar smash-style burger that helped make Looper’s pop-up popular, plus a house-made bologna sandwich, beet-based plates, and new fryer-enabled items such as wings and a fried chicken sandwich with remoulade.
| Item | Notes | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Looper Burger | Smash burger using a day-of grind blending chuck and brisket; thin, precise toppings for a stable bite | $11–$15 |
| House-made bologna sandwich | Bologna prepared in-house by Gilsdorf; classic tavern style | $11–$13 |
| Fried chicken sandwich | New to the permanent menu; served with remoulade | $12–$16 |
| Wings | Made possible by a dedicated fryer | $5 (sides) / main range listed above |
Most main dishes fall in the roughly $11–$17 bracket, with sides such as fries and cookies offered at about $5. The menu emphasizes consistency rather than culinary reinvention — Gilsdorf and Looper are focused on hitting the same result every service rather than elevating classic tavern fare.
Drinks and the room
Steely’s pared back the beer program from Smitty’s 30 taps to about 20 lines, while keeping marquee pours like Russian River’s Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig available on draft. There are also dedicated faucets for staples such as Guinness and Rainier, plus a selection of cans and bottles. Prices range from roughly $4 to $8 for beer and $9 to $12 for straightforward cocktails overseen by Levi Rudolph.
The interior keeps much of the former brewery’s shell but has been refreshed: the exterior cube has been repainted a warm vermillion, wood paneling has deepened the interior tone, and repurposed red patent-leather seating helps create a comfortable, linger-friendly atmosphere. Smith says the intent was to build a place where people settle in for a while — a living-room tavern vibe rather than a quick stop.
Why this matters now
Steely’s arrival underscores two notable shifts in the local bar scene: operators are investing in property ownership to manage costs and control space, and food has become a central element for beverage-focused businesses. For neighborhoods, that can mean more reliable evening foot traffic and an added casual dining option priced for regular visits.
- Address: 4343 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard
- Hours: Open 4 p.m.–10 p.m. Wednesday–Thursday; noon–11 p.m. Friday–Saturday; noon–9 p.m. Sunday
- Ownership: Tyler Smith, Quinn Gilsdorf and Justin Looper (equal partners)
Whether Steely’s becomes a destination for burger enthusiasts or simply a comfortable neighborhood hangout will depend on how well the team maintains consistency in the kitchen and atmosphere. For now, the combination of familiar Little Brother dishes, a modest price point, and a dedicated kitchen marks a deliberate bet on the kind of bar many diners say they want today: one where solid food and approachable drinks coexist under one roof.
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