Just Thai
Location: SW 3rd, between Washington and Stark
Description:
When I was looking for some good spicy Thai noodles last winter, a few friends recommended a place named I Love Thai Food. They thought it was down off 3rd avenue, but when I went down there, I couldn’t find said cart. I opted for a different meal that day. Since then, I have discovered that I Love Thai Food, a Portland favorite is now named Just Thai. The two names are on the side of the cart if only I had looked closer.
Just Thai is exactly what their name suggests. A menu full of the Thai dishes we have come to love and expect. They offer soups, noodle dishes, fried rice and curries. Normally, when I try a Thai cart, I choose basil fried rice. It is one of my favorite dishes and they do it well there. Most recently, since I had already enjoyed their fried rice, I opted for Pad See You, a dish made up of wide rice noodles, eggs, broccoli and carrots. You can get it with either chicken, shrimp or tofu and a range of temperature – mild to spicy. I chose tofu and medium.
Pad See You from Just Thai
I have to say – when you get lunch at Just Thai, be prepared to eat some for dinner also. My Pad See You was so large, I had it for lunch, an afternoon snack and then a late night nosh for my wife. Crazy big. All for $5. The dish was adequately spicy – medium is just that, medium. The noodles are my favorite. Rice noodles have a texture that when it hits your tongue, it seems like they begin to dissolve. I just love that. Everything else was top notch.
If you’re in the market for some great Thai and hungry to boot, check out Just Thai down of SW 3rd and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.
Sample Menu:
- Tom Yum soup – $5
- Pad see you – stir fried wide rice noodles w/ eggs, broccoli, carrots – $5
- Red Curry/Yellow Curry – $5
- Thai fried rice – eggs, onions, green onion, tomatoes, cilantro, cucumber – $5
- Tom kha – $5
- Pad Thai – $5
- Dishes can be made with chicken, shrimp or tofu
- Vegan dishes available
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11am-6pm
Phone: 971 340-3011
Website: JustThaiPdx.com
Twitter: JustThai
Just to add a little to the vegan angle, which is pretty significant at this cart, I’ll quote my Yelp review:
[Added by FoodCartsPortland: a link to the original review]
(5 Stars)
While I loved them as ‘I Love Thai Food,’ the name change to ‘Just Thai’ doesn’t represent a loss of enthusiasm or an embrace of mediocrity–it simply gets at the fact that the owner-family-chefs create simple, wholesome, flavorful and unpretentious food at what is, as everyone notes, an unbelievable value. There is surely fancier Thai to be had, but when you want simple, clean, fresh Thai in a casual setting (can’t get much more so than a cart) nothing beats Just Thai. Go more than once and you’ll be a regular, and you’ll feel that you’re being welcomed into the family (in a non-affected, non-mawkish, completely sincere way).
The incredibly personable and kind proprietors are far too modest to ever say so themselves, but at least as far as their vegan offerings go, no place in town makes fresher, heartier fare. It’s the freshness of their veggies (and tofu) and the deft balance of flavors that sets them apart, even more than the massively generous portions and prices.
The secret weapon that I’m always amazed I don’t hear more people talk about is their vegan Tom Kha. It’s the best-balanced tom kha I’ve ever had–which is saying something, since it’s a soup that uses creamy, sour, and savory in an intricate blend of galangal, lemon grass, lime, coconut milk, coriander, chilis, and kaffir leaves. Just Thai’s is oil-free, rich-yet-light, and each ingredient speaks individually and in concert. It’s a great alternative to spicier, bolder curries. The only downside (for the cart, not for me) is that it’s so flavorful that it can be “stretched” over enough rice (or quinoa with dinosaur kale–not remotely authentic but simply delectable) to satisfy literally three or four people.
One other ace up the sleeve for Just Thai is that they stay open later than most carts–7pm, including Saturdays–which means a great dinner option for those of us living downtown, something generally lacking (especially for vegans). A wonderful place for omnivores and veg*ns to enjoy together. At first after their absence of several months and their move from 10th & Alder to the slightly more “remote” 3rd Ave, they were concerned things might be too slow to make it. The fact that only weeks later word of mouth had things on solid ground, with many devoted regulars willing to make the “trek” across downtown (and from all around the city) says it all.
So then whats the story with the “I love Thai food” cart in the 10th and Alder pod? Its still there isn’t it? Thought so? Is the the new cart started by the original owners of the “I love thai food” cart (heard/believe the rumor they moved on, as the menu did change a bit)…
The owners of the original ‘I Love Thai Food,’ who now own/run ‘Just Thai,’ sold the original–which is now actually subtly changed to ‘I Like Thai Food,’ a change which sadly does reflect a step down in quality. The food at ‘Just Thai’ is the wonderful stuff many of us enjoyed at ‘Love,’ and missed when it became ‘Like’.
Thanks for the great review, Ian. I will definitely seek this place out again. I used to go to I Love Thai on 10th and noticed something had changed but didn’t understand. Now I know. And I totally agree about wishing more carts would stay open later so that I can get dinner on the way home after 5.
I couldn’t agree more. Just Thai is awesome. I just discovered it a couple of weeks ago when I went down to 3rd and Washington to check out D.C. vegetarian. D.C. was closed that day so I went to Just Thai instead and have eaten there (well got food from there and eaten elsewhere) about three times now. Every time I’ve ordered the same thing: the vegan yellow curry – which is to die for. The first time I picked it up off the counter I almost dropped my entire order on the ground because for $5.00 they give you about 10 pounds of food. You can work out by lifting your food up and down while you walk back to your office to eat. It’s enough for two servings each (i.e. FOUR total) servings for my coworker and myself. Also I couldn’t agree more that the woman who works the counter is totally friendly. I still haven’t tried D.C. vegetarian – will have to try them eventually. Thanks Ian, by the way, for your great blog.
Great place.
I ordered the massaman chicken curry with medium spice. The spice level was great and everything was cooked nicely…you could cut your potatoes easily with a fork, but they weren’t mushy. Chicken, carrots and onions were tasty.
One of the annoying parts of ordering curry from most carts is that they usually dump the curry over the rice in a to-go box. Instead, Just Thai gives you a huge container of curry and a box of rice, just like the brick and mortar places do! For people like me, who prefer to have full control of your rice to curry ratio, it’s an added bonus. Combine that with the huge portions and it’s a great deal for $5. The only improvement to make it a five star cart experience would be to ease off the fish sauce a bit. I’m not opposed to fish sauce at all and it certainly didn’t ruin my meal, but the taste was somewhat prevalent.
Super friendly people, good food, more care than your typical cart and enough food to share with someone else at a cheap price makes this a standout place.
Drew–glad to hear it’s good for the meat-eating crowd, too. Given that they’re so accommodating to us veg*ns, I know they’d be more than happy to adjust the fish sauce level (or leave it out entirely) to your liking. And don’t miss their Tom Kha–I’m sure it’s as good in its original chicken orientation as it is with tofu.
I must have eaten at Just Thai a few dozen times by now. The young lady who takes your order (I think her name is Venus?? – lovely!) is beyond sweet and always smiling! Her mom is the cook and it’s completely a family affair! Mom is also happy to make special orders, so just ask!! (When they’re not slammed, of course!) ;o)
Although my go-to Thai selection is Pad Se Ew, I’ve got to say that my favorite at this cart is their Thai Eggplant. The flavor is phenomenal, but I agree that perhaps they use a bit too much sauce…It’s true what everyone is saying that these portions are humongous!! I have NEVER finished my whole plate, even the next day!
Give this place a shot and I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
Awesome cart! Great thai food, probably my favorite thai cart out there and they give huge portions! Everytime I get food from here, people in the office are always asking where I went, because the smell is just amazing.
Make sure you get the thai iced tea too.
just thought i’d let everyone know about one more way this cart is vegan friendly….
they offer their Thai Ice Tea with coconut milk instead of cream, so that vegans can buy it too! and just for a dollar!
This is the best Thai cart I have found in the Downtown area and I’ve been to a lot of them. Super tasty and 2 meals worth of food you can’t go wrong. The word is out and the line can be a bit long right at lunch but its totaly worth the wait and they get food out fast.
The only bad thing about this cart is that people downtown have realized it’s the best Thai food cart downtown, so expect a 15 minute wait, even if you go to lunch early.
I wish they would raise their prices to thin out the lines. At $5 for an entree, they’re charging less than other carts for MUCH better food and huge portions. I would pay $7 without hesitation for this cart.
This place has been my favorite for ages, well, nine months to be exact. They have the best Thai food in town! And I really mean it! They serve great food and is family owned and run. However, this past week, I have to admit, it’s been disappointing for me, I mean the taste was pretty much the same (albeit less flavorful) but the portion was quite smaller than normal.
That got me wondering, has this place been sold for some reason? And where are the usual people who run the place, because there are new workers there now?
@Alex – I hope it hasn’t been sold/ changed hands – would you post about it if you hear anything? Thanks!
@Alex/Stefanie: All I know is that they were closed for a while with a voice mail saying there was a family emergency. Then, they reopened with the normal staff for just a bit, but started to bring in new people to replace the old. I don’t know if they sold it or just passed it along to another crew, but it’s not nearly the same quality. I miss the ever-friendly staff and great food they put out! I HEART YOU OLD JUST THAI!!
This is some of the better Thai food I’ve come across in my travels. What made this place so amazing however was that it came from a food cart with food cart prices.
Crazy cheap, crazy good, with good sized portions, friendly service behind the counter….
I really can’t think of anything wrong with this dig. I LOVE this place! Still in my mind, the best Thai cart in town. Just Thai, Just love it.
As I just stopped by this cart yesterdat, all new staffs are friendly than the old one. My foods were great. yummy, awesome and with very friendly staff at front. I feel nothing’s wrong with this cart, only I miss their foods again. That’s all I can say for them. SEE YOU TOMMORROW.
REALLY LOVE THIS CART….I ordered spicy pad see you with vegan. it was very tasty, and soooo a lot of food. thank you for made us a special vegan sauce, that we never got from other place. Highly recommend to all vegan pp.
Hi! ate there twice! I’m just saying the food is excellent and great portions! Thanks
They used to be my favorite but my order today was disappointing: The green curry had fewer vegetables, less meat, and resembled more of a soup than a curry. The flavour was not as good as before and although I asked for mild, it arrived medium hot. And for the rice, they filled the container only 2/3rds full whereas before, they packed it in. Regretfully, I’ll be looking for a new Thai cart.
Love this cart, I ate yellow and red curry few times, they made me perfect meals, only just long line….for buzzzzy time. highly recommend!!! GO JUST THAI……
You can certainly count me out of the category of those of whom had a great experience at the new establishment of Just Thai. As you all may have heard by now, Just Thai is now being run by a different group of employees, whether or not it was sold, I’m not sure, but what I do know for a fact is that the food there is hardly at the same quality of perfection as it was under the old management. I went there about two weeks ago, hoping that I would see the usual people, get the same old friendly service, but, I’m sorry to say, I did not. The woman up front was good enough, but I think she didn’t quite understand what I was saying. I had to repeat twice or so and I had to inquire on a few occasions that she had certainly gotten my order correctly, after which she didn’t even reply a single word, but simply nodded and turned away. Quite rude, actually. Of course, by that point, I was getting a bit nervous. My order came out about ten minutes later, much slower than the old establishment’s pace. I ordered the medium red curry with tofu, and what I got I swore was something else that merely resembled a red curry because the tofu pieces were absolutely small, there were too much bamboo shoots, which were pretty much still uncooked, and the curry filled almost an inch or two under from what I considered a full serving according to Just Thai standards as we all know this cart has the reputation of serving a single meal that easily feed two people. Nevertheless, I remained optimistic, hoping that the taste would still be the same or at the very least edible. I was very wrong. It was too salty and the curry was too watery, I was unable to eat it. From this, I know for sure that I will not be going back to Just Thai. Half of my office, myself, some friends and co-workers who were regulars at this once great cart all agreed that we have lost a decent lunch spot, but, I look to the fact that at least there are still far better options on the 3rd Ave. food lot and the hope that the old Just Thai people would come back… I can only dream and keep on mourning for this once glorious cart.
Just would like to share this part to new Just thai people, i know that hardly to get all these comments (pro/con), however, just want to cheer your guys up that you are always the best cart food in the town, and in my heart. I can see the reason that you reduce some size, we are all understand the economic now, everythings goes up. I don’t want you give us the huge protion and you have to go out of business, since you’re not making any money…..
Addition, I also love the way that you are going green by changing ice tea plastics cup to be paper cup.. I know that cost is going up to go greeen, but you’re trying to save the world.
One of those day, I also see the girl at front gave some foods to homeless people, just think about it, they are not only do buz, but they are so nice pp, I do not see any wrong at this cart, so I stop by every day, and nothing’s wrong at all for my food…..they are all perfect.
Just Thai, Just my best food cart. Cheer!!!
Totally agreed with Judy, $5 is reasonable for this portion. Today I got masaman curry with tofu, that was not just for me, but for my husband and a little boy. They also love the foods from this cart. so please do not stop serving us.. see you tomorrow just thai. Thank you for save us some money with great awesome foods.
I’m glad that I wasn’t the only one who noticed a difference. I moved away for the summer (student) and then came back in the fall, initially shocked by the fact that the people had changed, and then got increasingly worried with all of the little differences in business. Smaller portions, different packaging and slightly different tastes to what I’ve had thus far. The main problem I found is how much longer the orders take now. When I need speed, I will look elsewhere.
It doesn’t quite have the magic of the old proprietors, but it’s still one of the better Thai carts I’ve been to in this town. You can’t beat Thai Iced Tea for $1.
ditto shana so disappointed, new crews didn’t kindda know what they do, w/o knowledge-ability. never ever see any long line anymore. Anyway, I’d rather walk to 2nd-Stark for my better Padthai
JUST STOPPED BY JUST THAI YESTERDAY, IT WAS AWESOME FOOD. BIG SIZE OF AWESOME PADTHAI AND GREEN CURRY THERE. JUST LOVED IT. SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK
Oh My God!! How come I miss this food cart? We stopped by this cart since my friend recommends them. Oh, yes!! They are absolutely right….. I got Pad Thai and new special one (ginger), those are awesome. Very very tasty. Foods are big portion as only 6$…. they are also care earth, as we should do. Thank you Just Thai. You are amazing Thai food.
I am a tourist in PDX, and had read so much about your food carts. I chose this one, and was very happy. Food is awesome, and only $5. Now, if they could only open a branch in my city.
OMG. Pad Thai and Rama Thai both are yummy. thank you my friends for your suggestion. and Thank you Just Thai for care and save our earth. Go Green With Just Thai. Yeah!!!
oh…yeah, thank you for serving me very yummy food. we never had TVP with thai food. and thank you for stopping plastics, love you just thai… my favorite place!!!!!