May 20 2009
El Masry Egyptian
Location: SW 3rd and Washington
Description:
El Masry has a prime location. On the corner of SW 3rd and Washington, it is one of the first food carts one would see when arriving into downtown Portland after crossing over the Morrison Bridge. And such a nice cart too. It is brand new and very welcoming with two windows to server the masses. El Masry opened just a week or so ago and already has people waiting to be served.
El Masry is an Egyptian Food Cart. Egyptian? Yep. They have an extensive menu covering one whole side of the cart including colorful pictures of each meal. They have gyros, falafal, hummus, kofta, stuffed grape leaves, lentil soup, and so many other options, I couldn’t keep up. As a newbie, I always try something I know I’ll like, so I opted for the kofta kabob sandwich – similar to a gyros. A kofta kabob is like a beef meatball, but better and with more diverse flavors. The sandwich was pita with kofta, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, carrots and yummy sauce all wrapped up. When I bit into it, I knew I would enjoy every last bite.
My lunchmate opted for a schwarma sandwich. He stated it was one of the best lunches he’d had all year – and I quote him on that.
Welcome to the food cart scene El Masry.
Sample Menu:
- Falafel Sandwich: $5.25
- Kofta Kabob Sandwich: $5.50
- Mahalbya – $1.99
- Mixed rice, shish thwouk, salad – $6.75
- Grilled Chicken, mixed rice, salad – $6.75
- Stuffed grape leaves, kofta, salad – $6.99
Hours: Monday through Friday, lunchtime
Phone: 503 476 7650
Website/Email: unknown
I am looking forward to trying this place out. Any place that can make good grape leaves is usually a good indicator of their other food.
The rice w/ dried fruits and nuts is amazing.
I am eating this right now. Delicious!
Wow – excellent food. We tried the chicken kekab (by the owner’s own admission not his best put-out) and were amazed by the succulent meat. The bed of rice cooked with almonds and raisins was to die for as were the grape leaves. The crowning glory was the falafal though. I’ve never had better – this was about as “melt in the mouth” as they come. The owner was very courteous as well. A definite recommend!!
A quick add – the hours listed here are incorrect. The owner said he’s open 7 days a week until 8pm.
I went to this cart tonight after work as it was the only cart open in that area late. The shish tawouk and stuffed grape leaves were delicious and even better the owner threw in some of the tasty Egyptian rice for free. Can’t wait to try the falafel and other offering off the menu! Definetly my favorite new cart in that part of town.
I tried this cart today at 2 p.m. and got the chicken schwarma sandwich and fries. The sandwich was excellent. Very fresh and tasty ingredients and delicious sauce. The fries were also really tasty. There was some kind of magical seasoning sprinkled on them that made them extra good. Everything was obviously prepared and packaged with a great deal of care and pride. I will definitely be hitting this cart often.
[...] El Masrey Egyptian is closed for the next month for vacation. From a sign on their cart, they will reopen on Nov. 1 with a new menu. [...]
I can’t believe people buy falafel for 5$. we here in Egypt eat this all day, but for only 0.1 $
I was getting really homesick not finding good food places around, so i decided to check what egyptian food was around that i could have, and El Masry was the first one on the list. Thought i would give it a try, hands down the best i have had! I had one of my American friends come try it with me he said it was the best food he has ever tried!