Meet Foster & Dobbs

Small is Beautiful

Foster & Dobbs Authentic Foods celebrates artisanal foods and products from small producers at our shop in northeast Portland, Oregon. The shop features European and American farmstead cheese, cured meats, craft beer, wine, and fine groceries. We seek out foods made by people with a passion for quality, integrity, and flavor. Many of our products are from family farms and small businesses dedicated to place and tradition.

May we offer you a taste?

Want a taste before you buy? You may sample any of our cheese and meats, and many other products as well. There is no substitute for the taste test! We also offer a select menu of sandwiches, a ploughman’s lunch, and cheese and charcuterie plates to eat in the shop or take away. To accompany your meal, we offer wine and beer by the glass.

Learn More

Wine tastings, guided tastings and classes are a regular part of the shop’s activities. We want to share the stories about who made these products and how, as well as offer ideas on ways to use them.

It Began with Bees and Sheep

With a nod to our family history, the shop’s name is drawn from our mothers’ maiden names. The Fosters (Tim’s family) have been beekeepers for seven generations and in Oregon since 1910. On the Dobbs side of the family we are restaurateurs, ranchers, and coffee farmers.

Foster & Dobbs opened the week before Thanksgiving 2005. The shop had long been a dream of ours. We love food! Our professional backgrounds are in the arts. Luan was a theatre artist for many years and most recently served as Literary Manager and Dramaturge at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Tim has 20 years in arts administration and currently serves as Executive Director of the Western Arts Alliance. We really see the shop as an extension of our artistic work—we think of our roles here as curators and storytellers.

Come in and visit!
Tim Wilson & Luan Schooler

P.S. - If you can’t get to the shop, feel free to browse our catalog.