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The Chinese Cowboy, a restaurant known for its east-meets-west dining experience and blend of traditional American barbeque with Asian flavors, has closed its doors in Portland’s Southeast neighborhood after facing ongoing economic challenges that made its operations difficult.
Why it matters
The closure of The Chinese Cowboy is a reflection of the broader economic pressures facing the restaurant industry, especially smaller, independent establishments that have struggled to maintain operations during the pandemic and other economic disruptions.
The details
The Chinese Cowboy first opened in January 2024 under the name Warsugai at 727 SE Washington Street, before being transformed into The Chinese Cowboy in April 2025. The restaurant was known for creative dishes like brisket sandwiches, brisket fried rice, and the Warsugai sandwich, offering a unique fusion of cuisines. However, the restaurant team cited ‘ongoing economic challenges’ as the reason for the closure, stating that ‘the financial realities have led us here’.
- The Chinese Cowboy opened in January 2024 under the name Warsugai.
- The restaurant was transformed into The Chinese Cowboy in April 2025.
- The Chinese Cowboy served its final meal on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
The players
The Chinese Cowboy
An Asian-American BBQ-style restaurant that offered a blend of traditional American barbeque with fiery and bold Asian flavors.
Chef Kyo Koo
The former owner of Danwei Canting, who first opened Warsugai at the 727 SE Washington Street location in January 2024, which was then transformed into The Chinese Cowboy in April 2025.
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What they’re saying
“After much consideration, we share the difficult news that The Chinese Cowboy will be closing its doors.”
— The Chinese Cowboy team
“The Chinese Cowboy was always more than a restaurant—it was a community, a collaboration, and a shared experience. We are endlessly grateful to everyone who was part of it.”
— The Chinese Cowboy team
“Like many in our industry, we have faced ongoing economic challenges. Despite our best efforts, the financial realities have led us here.”
— The Chinese Cowboy team
The takeaway
The closure of The Chinese Cowboy highlights the ongoing struggles faced by independent restaurants, particularly those offering unique fusion concepts, as they navigate the economic challenges brought on by the pandemic and other market forces. This serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting local businesses and the delicate balance they must maintain to survive in the current climate.