Owner and chef Chris Bell has decided that Port Side, the tiny RiNo breakfast counter on Larimer Street, will serve its last meal on July 5, closing out a decade in business. Since the news broke, regulars have been streaming in to say goodbye, creating long lines and leaving notably large tips. Bell is framing the move as a personal decision driven by the physical toll of cooking every day, not by financial trouble or a landlord dispute.
As reported by Westword, Bell said he chose not to renew his lease and described feeling worn down after more than two decades in professional kitchens. He told the outlet that he owns his equipment, does not owe anyone money, and has "a little bit of money in the bank," which lets him step away on his own terms. In the lead-up to the final service, Bell said he plans to pare back the menu.
Port Side's run and menu
Port Side opened in 2016 as a partnership with Huckleberry Roasters, and Bell later bought out Huckleberry and took over the small counter himself, according to Eater Denver. The shop earned praise for a bacon, egg, and cheese that highlights an egg soufflé and Duke's mayo and for a breakfast burrito smothered in green chile, details noted in a 2025 profile by 303 Magazine. Port Side's address and current weekend hours are listed on its website.
Local response
Customers and fellow food-business owners packed Bell's Instagram comments with about 200 messages and showed up in person for farewell sandwiches, with some patrons reportedly dropping $100 bills into the tip jar, Westword reported. The response has highlighted how the compact counter turned into a neighborhood ritual over the past ten years.
What's next for Bell
Bell says this is not a full retirement. He plans to rest for a bit and then expects to pop back up for events, pop-ups and collaborations around town after some time off. For now, July 5 is the last chance to grab a Port Side BEC in RiNo.
