Aug 17 2009
Homegrown Smoker Natural Barbecue
Location: NE 27th and Alberta St. [updated 10/09]
Description:
All Vegan Barbecue. Got that? All Vegan. I know that immediately throws a curve ball, but once you’ve tried it, you will say to yourself – “where has this been all my life?” Homegrown Smoker is taking barbecue in a different direction, yet with reverence to barbecue’s history and style.
What is vegan anyway? Vegan is a the choice to neither use nor consume animal products of any kind. Vegan is taking vegetarian to the next level. Homegrown Smoker decided to head in that direction and is succeeding. Having been open now for only a month or so, they are keeping busy. We visited the other evening for some take home dinner and I wanted to try everything. Luckily, I was with my partner in food crime, so we did try everything. We opted for the two plates of HomeGrown specialties – smoked soy curls, field roast chorizo, chronic tempeh ribs, mac-no-cheese, BBQ beans, chipotle slaw, and corn on the cob. All meals come with molasses gluten-free cornbread.
The meal was great. Flavorful, unique, and very filling. The tempeh ribs were sliced chunks of tempeh marinated in BBQ sauce and then put on the grill. They had a smokiness I hadn’t tasted in a long time, especially with veggie faire. Homegrown, in standard BBQ tradition, uses fruit wood and other hardwoods to create the smoke that gives the food that unique smoky flavor. One immediately smells and tastes that element when diving into Homegrown’s meals. The veggie sausage was chorizo style, so, along with the BBQ sauce they put on, it had some kick. The soy curls tasted just like thinly sliced brisket. The mac-no-cheese is just as it sounds, mac and cheese without the cheese. It isn’t dry or flavorless, just the opposite. The beans and slaw kept up with the standards we had tasted so far – simple and great tasting.
HomeGrown Smoker is launching a new adventure for Portland’s food carts. Vegan barbecue. If you’re out and about in NE and are looking for something new and unique, check them out. Tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.
Sample Menu:
- Proteins: mini tofu steaks, smoked soy curls, field roast chorizo, chronic tempeh ribs
- Smoker Sandwich – any 1 protein served on warm pita with peppers and onions – $6
- Homegrown Specialties – 2 proteins served with 2 sides – $8
- Sides – BBQ beans – $2; chipotle slaw – $1.50; mac no cheese – $3; corn on the cob – $2; cornbread – $1.50
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, noon-8pm; Sunday, noon-6pm, closed Monday, Tuesday
Website: Homegrownsmoker.wordpress.com
Email: homegrownsmoker@gmail.com
Twitter: Homegrownsmoker
Blasphemy.
I was slightly skeptical after a recent review, but if a non-veg likes it, I might, too. What I really miss is vegan soul food, a la Soul Vegetarian in Chicago. Amazingly, my home town of Little Rock, AR had such a restaurant and it was amazing and considerably more made-from-scratch and fresh than this food appears to be.
Sounds like Homegrown Smoker really, really needs to add some greens, maybe some fried okra or fried green tomatoes, or at least some slaw.
The new corn bread is not always gluten free – that was a recent change, and they’ve been going back and forth on it. So GF folks, make sure to ask! I’m curious to know if the tofu or tempeh are GF…
As a long time vegetarian, I was SO HAPPY to find this place. Nay sayers take heed, give me some more of those soy curls. Protein galore and sooooo satisfying – and just $8 for a huge plate that was easily two meals. I hope they are around for a long time. DELICIOUS.
Just an update for anyone who may be reading, We are now located @ NE 27th & Alberta. Our cornbread is 100% gluten free as is our sauce, soy curls, tempeh, cole slaw. bbq beans, Frito pie and lowly Tofu.
Come on out to the best street in town and grab a seat in our heated, covered seating area.
currently our hours are W-Sat. 12-8 Sunday 12-6.