Today we’d like to introduce you to Vladan Vlaski.
Hi Vladan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My parents opened Two Brothers in the summer of 2006, but the story of our restaurant really began years before that.
My parents came to Portland in 1998 as war refugees from former Yugoslavia. Like many immigrants starting over in a new country, they worked whatever jobs they could find to build a life for themselves. My dad worked at a wood manufacturing company, where the table saws did not have the safety protections they have today.
In 2002, while he was working, his hand slipped into one of the machines and he suffered a devastating injury to his left hand. From 2002 to 2006, he underwent more than 10 surgeries in an attempt to reconstruct it. The doctors were able to save and rebuild parts of his hand, but to this day, he cannot make a fist with his left hand.
After the injury, finding work became extremely difficult. Many employers simply would not hire him because of his disability. With the settlement money from his injury, my parents decided to take a chance on something they had always dreamed about.
My mom had always dreamed of owning a restaurant. So in 2006, my parents took a gamble and opened a small Balkan café and grill in Portland.
At the time, Balkan food was largely unfamiliar to people in the Portland area. My parents wanted to introduce people to the food they grew up with, the homemade dishes, flavors, and traditions of their home and share a little piece of their culture with the community.
What started as a gamble slowly became our family’s life.
In 2017, after I graduated from college, I decided to take the restaurant in a new direction. I transformed it from primarily a café and grill into a Balkan restaurant and bar, adding wines and beers from the Balkans as well as Rakia, the traditional fruit brandy that is an important part of Balkan culture. We chose to spell it “Rakia” to make it a little easier for people to pronounce.
Now, we are celebrating our 20th year in business.
When I look back at everything my parents went through the war, coming to a new country, starting with very little, my dad’s injury and years of surgeries, and then taking a chance on a restaurant serving food that many people had never heard of it is incredible to see where that gamble led us.
My parents are now preparing for retirement, but I’m not ready to let their story end. I’ve decided to fully take over the restaurant and continue what they started 20 years ago.
For me, Two Brothers is more than just a restaurant. It represents everything my parents sacrificed to build a life in America. It represents our culture, our family, and the belief that sometimes taking a chance can change the course of your life.
My parents took that gamble in 2006, and thankfully, it paid off. Now it’s my turn to carry their legacy forward.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was anything but a smooth road. Balkan cuisine is traditionally very meat-heavy, and when my parents opened Two Brothers, it was in a part of Portland that was known for having a strong vegetarian and vegan community. From the very beginning, it was a challenge to introduce people to a cuisine they had never experienced before and convince them to take a chance on something unfamiliar.
But over the years, we learned to adapt while staying true to our roots. We began offering more vegetarian and vegan options alongside the traditional Balkan dishes that have become some of our most loved menu items.
One thing we have never compromised on is making our food from scratch. Almost everything we serve is homemade, using the same recipes and traditions that have been passed down through our family. I think that authenticity is a big part of why our customers have continued to support us and why, 20 years later, people still come back to Two Brothers.
What started as a difficult gamble has grown into a restaurant that has become a part of our family and, hopefully, a small part of Portland’s food community as well.
As you know, we’re big fans of Two Brothers Rakia Bar & Grill . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Two Brothers Rakia Bar & Grill is a family owned Balkan restaurant that has been serving the Portland community since 2006. We specialize in homemade Balkan cuisine, traditional recipes, and an experience that gives our guests a taste of the food and culture of the Balkans.
What makes us unique is that almost everything we serve is made from scratch, using recipes that have been part of our family for generations. From our Chevapi and Burek to our traditional drinks, our goal has always been to serve the kind of food we grew up eating at home. We also offer a selection of Balkan wines, beers, and Rakia, the traditional fruit brandy that is deeply rooted in Balkan culture.
Our restaurant has evolved quite a bit over the years. What began as a small café and grill eventually grew into a full service restaurant and bar. We have also adapted our menu to welcome a wider range of guests, including vegetarian and vegan options, while continuing to stay true to our traditional dishes.
But Two Brothers is about more than just food. It is the story of our family. My parents came to Portland as refugees from the former Yugoslavia in 1998 and built a new life from the ground up. Opening this restaurant was a leap of faith, and 20 years later, it has become a family legacy.
We are especially proud that after two decades, we continue to introduce people to Balkan food and culture while creating a place where people can gather, enjoy a homemade meal, try something new, and feel a little bit of the warmth and hospitality of our home.
As my parents prepare for retirement, I am taking over the restaurant and continuing what they started in 2006. My goal is not only to preserve Two Brothers, but to build on their legacy and introduce Balkan food and culture to a new generation of Portlanders.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I believe I have covered just about everything, thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.twobrotherspdx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twobrotherspdx/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twobrotherspdx/
