Our Story: The Secret Garden Eatery | The Back Patio PDX
Meet Mike & Jennifer Usselman, owners of The Back Patio — Portland's Secret Garden Eatery: a taphouse, food cart pod & pinball arcade in the Cully neighborhood at 3944 NE Cully Blvd. Wine bar, garden patio & European linger culture. Take a break. Stay awhile.
From Portland Natives to Neighborhood Hosts
Mike and Jennifer Usselman didn't set out to build Portland's most unconventional venue — they set out to solve a problem. Growing up in Northeast Portland, they watched Cully evolve: families moving in, creative energy rising, but nowhere to gather that didn't require choosing between great food, good drinks, and a space where kids were welcome. The neighborhood needed a "third place" — somewhere between work and home where time slows down and community naturally happens.
In 2024, they walked into a former cannabis dispensary at 3944 NE Cully Blvd and saw something no one else did: good bones, a hidden back patio begging for string lights, and the bones of a gathering place. Eight months of hands-on work followed — Mike sourced the taps himself, playing every brewery visit like research; Jennifer hand-selected every piece of furniture and every plant in the garden; together they planted the raised beds with native Pacific Northwest ferns and climbing vines.
The Back Patio opened November 15, 2025.
The "Cheers" philosophy came naturally. Mike and Jennifer wanted a place where the bartender remembers your name, where parents don't get side-eye for bringing kids, and where staying for three hours of pinball and conversation is considered a good night — not a nuisance. The venue's tagline, "Take a break. Stay awhile." reflects the owners' philosophy of giving people permission to pause: "We exist to give you an excuse to pause... enjoy the linger. You deserve it."
Our Philosophy: Good Food, Good Drinks, No Rush
The Back Patio was built on a simple idea: going out should feel as comfortable as staying in, but better. Inspired by the European tradition of linger culture — where the unspoken rule is that you may stay as long as you like — we designed every element of this space around permission, not pressure. No checks dropped early. No side-eye for nursing one drink across two hours of pinball. No guilt about bringing the kids, the dog, or just yourself.
This isn't about being slow — it's about being human. In a city where the food scene moves fast and the next opening is always around the corner, The Back Patio is a place to settle in. The garden patio doesn't have a last call for atmosphere. The pinball machines don't care how many games you play. And the food carts? They're happy to feed you whether you're here for thirty minutes or three hours.
"This is your permission slip to stay a while."
The Space That Called to Us
When Mike and Jennifer first stepped inside 3944 NE Cully Blvd, the space had a very different identity — a licensed cannabis dispensary with security bars, fluorescent lighting, and a transactional layout built for speed, not comfort. But behind the counter, a door led to a forgotten patio. Overgrown, yes, but full of potential. That patio became the organizing principle for everything that followed.
The eight-month transformation kept what worked and reimagined what didn't. The security bars were repurposed as design elements. The back patio became the garden — raised beds, string-light canopy, covered seating, and propane heaters for year-round use. Inside, the bar anchors the tap-house, the pinball machines line the game wall, and the garden is visible from nearly every seat. The result is a venue that feels like multiple places in one, unified by a single atmosphere: cozy, welcoming, and unmistakably Portland.
The Cully Neighborhood — Our Home
Cully is one of Portland's most diverse, welcoming, and under-appreciated neighborhoods — and it's home. Rather than trying to change Cully, The Back Patio exists to add something good to it. With 48% of neighborhood households rent-burdened, creating an accessible, affordable gathering place isn't just good business — it's community service.
Cully also has the smallest amount of parkland per capita of any Portland neighborhood. The Back Patio's garden directly addresses that deficit — green space, fresh air, and outdoor seating available to anyone who walks through the gate. Partnerships with Living Cully, the Cully Association of Neighbors, and local schools reinforce that The Back Patio is here for the neighborhood, not in spite of it.
Heart of Cully Business Association
Proud member of the Heart of Cully Business Association, a coalition of local businesses working to strengthen Cully's economic and cultural fabric. The Back Patio is committed to keeping economic value circulating locally and supporting community initiatives.
What Our Guests Say
"Our new favorite date spot! The cozy outdoor seating with fire pits creates such a warm atmosphere, it's just perfect. Rainy days, you can head inside for a nice glass of wine and delicious charcuterie board, plenty of indoor seating too. Such a great neighborhood spot!"
"Such a cozy relaxing place, like being in your own backyard enjoying good food and wine while listening to music! Go check it out! Kid friendly too!"
"So much potential! Cute and cozy, great for a chilly winter evening. Clean and nicely decorated inside! Good drink selection and some tasty charcuterie snacks. Looking forward to enjoying the food trucks on the back patio when the weather warms up!"
Meet Mike & Jennifer
The Back Patio is a family affair — built by Portland natives who wanted to bring something genuinely new to the neighborhood they love.
Mike Usselman
Co-Owner
Portland native who handles operations, curates the tap program, and keeps the pinball machines running. Mike envisioned The Back Patio as Portland's first true "third place" — a spot that feels like your living room but with better drinks and food.
Jennifer Usselman
Co-Owner
Portland native who manages food cart relationships, plans events, and ensures every guest feels like a regular. Jennifer brought the European linger culture concept to life and curates the vibe that makes The Back Patio feel like home.
The Back Patio is named for the garden patio that Mike and Jennifer spent eight months building by hand. Every fire table, every string light, every planter was placed with intention. Come see what they built.
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