Sep 24 2007
Tabor Czech Food
Location: SW 5th and Oak/Stark Parking Lot
Description: Probably one of the best (and fanciest) food carts in Portland. This cute little red hut located on SW Stark right by SW 5th is the home of the famous “snitzelwich” – a perfectly tender, breaded and fried choice of chicken or pork cutlet served on a fresh ciabatta roll and served with a hint of horseradish and a nice sweet paprika-red pepper sauce, grilled onions, and lettuce. Perfection for $6.00.
Tabor also serves an incredible goulash with or with out traditional large Czech dumplings, chicken paprikash, and killer potato pancakes. Tabor also makes a whole other slew of sandwiches and soups in the $3.00 to $6.00 range, such as a creamy spinach soup or fried Munster cheese sandwich. Vegetarians and vegans will appreciate the eggplant sandwich ($5.50) or one of the inspiring vegetable soups. On Fridays, Tabor makes Halusky, the the Czech version of spaetzle dumplings. Other specialties include fresh squeezed carrot juice for $2.00 (or vegetable/fruit juice blend for $2.00), and a German smoked sausage on a roll for $6.00.
Sample Menu: See Tabor Website
Hours: Mon-Fri Lunch Hours Only (probably closes before 3PM)
Phone: 503-997-5467
Website: http://schnitzelwich.com/index.html
I love the sign that says, “Czech out Czech food”…..
Unfortunately, unless I misunderstood the proprietor (who did indeed seem very kind), the eggplant sandwich contains eggs when breaded–though she offered to make one simply grilled. Still looking forward to trying the soups.
This is of course a beloved cart but not one of my favorites at all. It’s simply a matter of personal taste, not that I think it’s bad in any objective sense. The schnitzelwich, for me, is just rather uninteresting. Just a ‘YMMV’ post, really.
I’ll try the goulash sometime though.
One of the most authentic places of Portland food seen. The quality and care of Tabor meals can not be in any way compared w/local German overpriced restaurants. Let there be Tabor sit-down restaurant, please..!?
I know the Schnitzelwich is supposed to be the signature item here, but I feel it’s more a gateway to the better things Tabor has to offer — it is, after all, just a sandwich. Though a surprisingly large one with a tasty spread of condiments and tasty Grand Central bread.
No, I recommend their more ethnic fare. The goulash (or special chicken paprika — so rich and smooth!) is great with the potato dumplings (which are more like bread). The halusky is also great, though heavy (I thought it was served on Thursdays, though).
I can’t say I liked the fresh juices I tried, but I’ve never been a huge fan of carrot or ginger, so it’s not really my thing.
The food there is great and very authentic-
Dobrou chut ale to neni pivo! skoda
Hey Devin, care to translate? I hope its nothing too mean or naughty!
I think it means that it tastes good, but, sadly, there’s no beer.
I was just there, and heard they sold their 30,000th Schnitzelwich today. Hooray!
Ahoj,
I’m a Portlander who’s been living in the Czech Republic for a couple of years and planning to return to Ptown this summer. I’d like to find Czech people living in the city so I can continue to practice the language, does anyone know where I can look besides going to the food cart and hoping it’s run by authentic Czech people?
Devin- Mluvíš česky? Opravdu, to je ale škoda! Taky halušky je slovenský.
Hope to hear back!
Yes, Kendra, it is run by real live Czech people.
I had the Chicken Paprikash for lunch today with the dumplings, very, very good!
Miss you guys! Hopefully I get back sometime and will stop by! Kendra, you missed our Czech girl’s group
Now we are all back in the Czech! Anyway, jak se Ti líbí u nás v dědině?
[...] Tabor Czech food cart ****1/2 SW 5th and Oak/Stark Holy Mackerel, A schnitzel on a ciaatta roll with horseradish sauce??? Have I died and gone to heaven? The woman who runs the cart is nice and charming to boot. This place gets ****1/2 for serving ridiculously delicious sandwiches. $6.50 a sandwich. Read Review On Food Carts Portland [...]
Ahoj
so am real czech girl.I live in Boise Id,am planing to go to the portland next month,so i will for sure stop by tabor restaurant and get some czech food,omg am so exited.even i cook czech food its not the same, when somebody yells cook for me:) so hopefully you will have something really good:)
Huge warning to the vegetarians/vegans – the cheese and eggplant options are cooked in the same oil as the meat items. I got really, really sick here. Be careful!
I didn’t realise such Hungarian staples as csirke paprikas, goulash and galuska were also traditional Czech cuisine. A real surprise for someone who grew up on traditional Hungarian fare. The Germans have been cribbing off native Hungarian cuisine and passing if off as their own since forever, so why not the Czechs? It’s a compliment, really.
The salad topped with schnitzel is outstanding. Crisp romaine lettuce with a great lemon-pepper dressing, topped with fresh, hot pork (or chicken) schnitzel. One of the best things to eat for lunch anywhere, inside or out.