Closed as of Oct. 27, 2009. Cart now under new ownership.
Location: SW 9th and Stark (9th and Alder parking lot)
Description:
I was looking for something different for lunch on this beautiful sunny spring day. One of Portland’s first of the year. I had seen that some new carts had sprung up in the 9th and Alder parking lot further down 9th. We opted to try out DNA Thai food – we were drawn in by the Mango and Cashew nut dish. There were a couple people there, so that was a good sign – people waiting for their food. I opted for Basil fried rice (my Thai fave) with Tofu and spicy. I was so glad they offered spicy. After I paid $5.50, the young woman offered me my free drink. Wait, I get food and a drink for $5.50? Wow, what a deal.
The Basil Fried Rice with Tofu was excellent. It was a pretty hearty portion with plenty of fresh veggies and some great spice. I dove in and actually had to slow myself down. It was that good. The rice and tofu, mixed perfectly with onions, carrots, peppers, mushrooms and basil made my day. My lunchmates also picked up DNA Thai. One enjoyed the Mango/Cashew dish and commented that it was well made and was glad for the large portion of mango chuncks. My other friend had one of the curry’s. I think we all enjoyed our lunch more than we ever expected.
If you want some yummy Thai at a great price, check out DNA Thai.
Sample Menu:
- Pad Thai (Tofu or Chicken) Thin rice noodle stir fried with egg, green onions and bean sprouts. $5.50
- Pad Kee Mao (tofu or Chicken)Stir fried wide noodle with bell peppers, egg, onion, tomatoes,mushroom and basil leave. $5.50
- Pad See Eaw (Tofu or Chicken) Stir fried wide noodles with broccoli, egg, carrots, cabbages and sweet soy sauce. $5.50
- Red Curry Noodle (Tofu or Chicken) Red curry in coconut milk with,bamboo shoot,bell pepper,eggplant and basil with noodle$5.50
- Green Curry Noodle( Tofu Or chicken) Green curry in coconut milk with bamboo shoot,bell pepper,eggplant and basil with noodle $5.50
- Fried Rice ( Tofu or Chicken) Fried rice with egg, onion, peas, carrot and tomatoes. $5.50
- Basil Fried Rice(Tofu or Chicken) Fried rice with egg, onion,bell pepper, mushroom,tomatoes, crushed fresh Thai chili and basil$5.50
- Pine Apple Fried rice(Tofu or chicken) Fried rice with egg,onion, pea& carrot, pineapple and cashew nut. $5.50
- Mussaman Curry(Tofu or Chicken) Mussaman curry in coconut milk with potato, carrot, onion and peanut. $5.50
- Yellow Curry(Tofu or Chicken)yellow curry in coconut milk with potato,carrot,onion and bell pepper. $5.50
- Green Curry (Tofu or Chicken) green curry in coconut milk with bamboo shoot,bell pepper, eggplant and basil. $5.50
- Red Curry(Tofu or Chicken) Red curry in coconut milk with bamboo shoot, bell pepper, eggplant and basil. $5.50
Hours: Lunchtime weekdays
Phone: (503)750-8604. (503)887-5935
Website: http://dnathaifood.com/
Sounds worth a try. I guess the trend in Thai restaurant names has gone from puns (ThaiPod, Beau Thai) to the avant-garde– DNA Thai, InterSelects : )
I noticed a new cart this morning at the 3rd & Washington lot that uses the same stenciled font and hearts as I Love Thai Food, and also I Like Thai Food. It’s called simply “Just Thai”. So it might be the long-awaited return of Love–or it could be the Like guys have opened a second cart. . .
Is this the same as D&N Thai that used to be across from the PSU bookstore?
ElGordo,
You know, I don’t know. I haven’t ventured much to the PSU cart scene of late.
Thanks for the comments all.
Ian,
Yeah, I saw that too yesterday.
So, today, I returned and found that they put up the “I Love Thai Food” sign in with “Just Thai.” Apparently, they are the same people from the old I Love Thai Food cart. I’m glad they’re back, because, now I can have my favorite vegan green curry.
I think you mean SW 9th and SW Washington.
Thanks for all your work.
thanks pdxstump. We haven’t quite figured out the best system yet for geographic categories. Since this one, in theory, is along the perimeter of the SW 9th and Alder “cart pod”, we are using that category.
I’ve noted the location in the post.
The challenge is to have enough general categories, but not have too many categories which turns into a cluster*fck to manage and navigate
Thoughts?
My bad, I always forget about Washington st. Thanks for catching that pdxstump.
Woohoo–Thanks for the confirmation, Jenny. I went down to Just Thai/I Love Thai Food Revival–and it was just as good as ever, and the proprietors and their daughters were just as kind as ever. And now their menu is explicit about what is/can be vegan. I got the pad kee mao, and they even remembered that I used to get it with eggplant added, and they gave me more than I could eat in two meals, and gave me an iced coffee made vegan! They’re so nice–I hope they’re not too nice to stay in business! CBF–didn’t you say you just about had a review ready for them before they closed? You should be able to put it up with only minor modifications–and apparently they just opened this week, so it should be a boost to them when they need it : )
I heard there is a grilled cheese cart on NE Alberta – any info?
Yep, it is called the Grilled Cheese Grill and it is located at 10th and Alberta
http://www.grilledcheesegrill.com/
Look for a write up soon (we promise!)
DNA Thai sounds great!
On a side note though,
If I were to write my own review on grilled cheese grill, I mean, I haven’t tried it yet, but–it might mention that the “soon-to-be-famous cheesus” burger is very, very similar to the “(already quite popular) YouCANhascheeseburger”.
A fact which brings me a certain awkward situational discomfort, as if I were in an episode of “The Office”.
Maybe somebody should pitch a reality show called “The Carts”.
Update on DNA Thai.
Last week or week before, there was a sign on their cart saying “New DNA Thai will be back.” I’m not quite sure if the owner has changed though I see the same girl at the front.
I went there today, and their price had gone up a bit ($6-$6.50) and no more free drinks.
Food was OK.
Last few times food was really good, so I’m little disappointed.
Since I tried something I haven’t tried previously (basil fried rice) today, I will go back and try something I tried before next time.