It was a dark and damp night in Portland and I was up on Alberta for a meeting when that craving for some food hit me. As I was leaving the meeting, I mentioned I would wander down the street to check out the carts at Area23 since they stayed open late and a few of my meeting partners decided to join. When we arrived at NE 23rd and Alberta, we found a lively lot with three carts open serving a steady stream of customers. It was the night to try Fuego de Lotus and the lot at Area23, which is the handiwork of Michael Kennet, who has taken an empty lot and made it into a welcoming area replete with lighting, covered seating and three food carts.
Fuego de Lotus specializes in dishes with Venezuelan and Mexican influences. Mike says it is the type of food he and his family have been enjoying for years and he wanted to pass it on to Portland. The cart is an older airstream trailer refitted with a kitchen and awning. The opening is flanked by flaming torches that are lit whenever he is open. I’m excited for spring when they debut a large fire pit for late evening relaxing at the pod. Continue Reading »
Cosě fan tutte courtesy Portland Opera / Cory Weaver
The Portland Opera has invited me and my wife to see Cosě fan tutte this Friday night at Keller Auditorium and provided us with a couple of free tickets. Cosě fan tutte is a Mozart opera described as “a deliciously ironic look at the foibles of love.” I attended my first Opera just last year and am excited to see another. It is a different musical experience than I am use to. Also, it’s Mozart! Since this is the Opera and a Friday night, it automatically becomes a date night out on the town. Normally, we would head downtown on MAX early to nosh on some happy hour items and sip cocktails at one of the closer restaurants and then maybe grab some nibbles after the show – again at a restaurant downtown. I was thinking though – could one incorporate food carts into the mix? The answer is yes, but… Maybe visit one ahead of time for a light snack and then see some after the show for a meal. Granted, with the rain and the cold and being dressed up, one may not want to stand outside and wait for an order at 11pm. Being in a nice cozy booth is so much more comfortable. I wish they still had the open fire pit at Cartopia.
So, there’s my dilemma. Can one incorporate food carts into a night at the Opera or Broadway show? I think it can be done and I know the regular haunts for evening weekend crowds, but I want to hear what you think. I promise to report back.
There has been a bit of shuffling around at the cart pod on SW 9th and Alder. Last fall, DNA Thai closed, but the cart was quickly repainted and reopened as a Thai Wings cart. I didn’t get a chance to visit before they moved and renamed, yet I see from the menu they still have the Wings in the name, but not necessarily on the menu. Be that as it may, I had a craving for some Thai, so decided to check them out.
Thai Star, the shortened name, is the type of cart I would take someone who has never had Thai food. They have large bright photos of all of their dishes so you can get a feeling of what you are ordering. Honestly, when I looked at them, I wanted the fried banana with chocolate, but then reminded myself that it was lunchtime… The menu has all of their items listed, but spelled differently than what I normally see at Thai restaurants. It seems to add a bit more authenticity to the food when you see Phat Thai instead of Pad Thai, or Phat Khi Mao instead of Pad Kee Mao. The dishes are the same, just the spelling is different. Then again, maybe that is the norm and I’m the provincial one. Continue Reading »
Fernando’s Mundo Fiesta is one of those carts that is always crowded at lunch time. With a menu that covers 3-4 poster size boards, you can understand they have something to satisfy even the most picky eater. I had initially thought it was a traditional Mexican taqueria, but to my surprise, I realized they do burgers, Philly cheese steaks, vegetarian sandwiches, wraps and more.
I was asked by friends to introduce them to some new food carts so we walked down to the cart pod at SW 4th and Hall by PSU. With 18 carts, I thought it would offer the best selection. Fernando’s was not busy that day and offered up burgers, something we all agreed upon wanting. It was actually challenging to choose which burger I wanted from the menu – they list 12 different burgers along with daily specials. Pineapple, hot peppers, ham, bacon, mushroom – most any topping you would want, you can get. Continue Reading »
Whiffies, Portland’s very own fried pie master is this week’s showcase for VENDRTV. Such a fun day that was back in June. Remember that storm?
To top it all off, Dan Delaney from VENDRTV is back in town this weekend for a quick visit to the Rose City. We’re having an EATup on Saturday night at Cartopia. Come one, Come all. 10pm. SE 12th and Hawthorne.
My friend and fellow cart fan Paul Gerald of Breakfast in Bridgetown is having a writing contest about your favorite breakfast. Partnering with Mindie Kniss who organizes the PDX Breakfast Club at Meetup.com, they want to to hear your story. I do too. See, I’m a guest judge, so maybe you have a wonderful story of breakfast at a cart on a cold winter day? Flavour Spot? The Big Egg? Parkers Waffles? BrunchBox? More details about the contest and the prizes can be found here. Deadline is January 29th.
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Stellas on Stark is moving. This new up and comer currently at SW 3rd and Stark will be closing for the month of February in order to fit out a new cart and move to SW 10th and Alder. This is your last week for awhile to enjoy some of their great food. Good luck guys.
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Speaking of moves, Caraquena Venezuelan has decided to relocate to North Portland at the burgeoning lot named Refuel North. As of last drive by, there are two carts open- Saucy BBQ and and Bob’s Roving Bakery. They are retrofitting the location for carts, so expect to see a quick growth up there in the near future. N Killingsworth and Greeley.
Garden State has moved its Sellwood location 1/2 block south of their former location. At 7907 SE 13th between the shops Tilde and Finds Old & New, directly across the street from Jade Tea House. They are still planning on opening at Mississippi Marketplace soon.
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Lastly, a food cart book is in the works. I, along with five other authors are partnering on a book about Portland’s food carts and the overall story with a photographer who has been roaming the streets of late. We’re in the early stages, so there aren’t too many details other than it is a great group of passionate food cart supporters and eaters. Watch for more details as they arise, including the opportunity to pre-order the book or maybe win a copy.
In most cases it’s against the law to bring your own reusable food containers to food carts. Read on…
Many of you have asked why Food Carts Portland doesn’t encourage people to bring their own reusable containers to food carts, and why we never mention the idea of cart discounts for customers who bring their own containers. In fact, we’ve gotten a bit of flack over it recently on our Facebook page and through reader emails. Well, the answer is simple: we don’t want to get anyone in trouble. That is, did you know getting food from a food cart with your own reusable container is against health regulations? Sadly, in most cases, it is. It goes against both Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules and subsequently, rules and laws Multnomah County must adhere to and enforce. It’s a lot of legalese and “governmentese” language to wade through but you can read the law here under Section 3-304.17.
Also, just to make sure we understood this clear and correctly, we called Multnomah County to get their take on it. They verified our findings in writing. Here’s the code the County provided to us in an email:
You know how when you plan something, you have all intentions of sticking with a schedule and finishing on time and all that jazz? Then someone or something throws a monkey wrench at ya. Well, that is what has been happening with the new Violetta restaurant at Director Park. Over the last year, they have had their share of stumbling blocks including a kitchen explosion and fire that has delayed their opening until spring. So, what does one do? Turn lemons into lemonade. The owners of Violetta decided to take the restaurant to the streets and open the Rollin’ Etta, a food truck serving gourmet hamburgers, franks, fries and salads. The truck made its debut this week. Shiny.
When I first heard of the Rollin’ Etta a few weeks ago from a press release, I got a little excited. Gourmet hamburgers in a food truck? I’m a huge hamburger fan and have had the pleasure of tasting some of the best in the city, both at carts and at restaurants. Some are inexpensive but perfect gems. Others are rather expensive and again…perfect gems. They run the gamut. Hamburgers are something that can easily be screwed up though, so just by stating you offer gourmet hamburgers doesn’t mean they actually are. For Violetta though, I have to say they hit a home run. Continue Reading »
Ahh, the middle of January. Some would argue that this is the most depressing time of the year. I disagree. Granted, I have complained a little in the past few weeks about the rain, but all in all, I enjoy winter. Wish we had some snow though… A few tidbits of news for you cart lovers:
The carts throughout the city have been giving their all to support relief effort in Haiti. I honestly couldn’t keep up with the stream of great people offering up their cart’s tips or portions of their sales. Tomorrow, Wednesday, Big-A** Sandwiches will be the latest to join the effort. They will donate 100% of profits and tips to Mercy Corps for Haiti Relief. For a small business in the first month of their adventure, I think that is amazing. I think I may have to have a Big-A** Sandwich tomorrow.
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The Frying Scotsman, one of only a few carts doing fish and chips in the city, is a feature on Serious Eats: Street Food Profile today. Way to go James! The article can be found here.
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We blogged about Mono Malo, a new cart on NE 23rd and Alberta in a lot they have named Area23. Also in the lot are the Solar Waffle Wagon and Fuego de Lotus. The lot has a large tent currently and is getting a more permanent one in the near future. The carts are currently open throughout the afternoon and into the evenings and on the weekends. Check them out next time you are up that way.
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Mai Phở, a Vietnamese cart up off SW 9th and Alder is celebrating their 1 yr anniversary today. Congrats Nary and Steve! I have eaten more Phở than I can count from Mai Phở and enjoyed every bit. Mai Phở is one of the only physical carts I know that has been on the Amazing Race. It was a different owner at the time, but the same cart. A bit of trivia for you.
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On a final note, I want to personally thank everyone who has joined in to support the Haiti relief efforts via the food carts. You are all good people.
If you know other news or food cart tidbits, let us know via the contact page. Also, remember, the food carts are alive and active both on Twitter and FaceBook. Join us.
North East Portland is the latest growth spot for new food carts here in the city. NE Alberta street has, for the last ten years, been a location where entrepreneurs can thrive. Even with the housing bubble and new fancy buildings being built, the street still attracts those who want to succeed. Food Carts are the new artist’s colony. Mono Malo, a cart that specializes in Spanish style tapas is one of the newest on the strip.
Tapas: traditionally defined as small dishes, appetizers or snacks. I remember the first time I had tapas here in Portland and was told the tradition was to just throw your napkin (in which the tapas was served) on the floor. I loved it. You could just wander around, try different items for less than a cup of coffee and freely litter. Outside of Mono Malo, I saw no napkins, so decided to not start that tradition. Continue Reading »
Location: NE Alberta and 23rd
Location: SW 9th and Alder
Location: SW 4th and Hall by PSU
Location: SW 8th and Yamhill in Director Park
Location: Area23, NE 23rd and Alberta
