Like a phoenix rising from the gin-soaked ashes of its old spot overlooking Barbur Boulevard, Henry Ford's has been reborn...

...as a sandwich shop.

The "Ford's on 5th" sign went up near the NW bus mall over the summer. I immediately wondered if it had any ties to the late-great restaurant and piano lounge. When I heard it was going to become a sandwich shop, I assumed not. A review last January in the Mercury, which made no mention of the old place, further confirmed my suspicions.

Now there's this review from the Northwest Examiner, which tells the whole story:

"FORD'S ON FIFTH. 121 NW Fifth Avenue.

Brian Ford has recreated his family's time-honored steakhouse into a sophisticated sandwich shop. The Angus steak has been trimmed down into affordable sandwiches on a menu with other meaty sandwiches, plus salads and an ad different soup made fresh each day. Lunch and dinner prices run from about $5.50 to $7.50. Some of the decor from the old Barbur Boulevard location, including wall mirrors and the barrel-back chairs from the old lounge. Several staff members made the transfer as well, including general manager Gabe Felton. Weekday hours are 11 AM to 7 PM, but the late-night crowd can eat until 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Morning hours with coffee and pastries from Beaverton Bakery may be added this month. The restaurant offers deliveries and corporate catering."

I haven't made the trek down there yet. Based on the reviews, the new Ford's has little in common with the original but it can't be as bad as the latest incarnation of Rose's up on 23rd.
While it's shame this proposal didn't work out, it's nice to know the Ford's legacy will live on in one form or another.