CLOSED
Location: SE 28th and Ankeny [Updated 10/2012]
The Story:
It was a dark and damp night in Portland and I was up on Alberta [Moved 10/2012] for a meeting when that craving for some food hit me. As I was leaving the meeting, I mentioned I would wander down the street to check out the carts at Area23 since they stayed open late and a few of my meeting partners decided to join. When we arrived at NE 23rd and Alberta, we found a lively lot with three carts open serving a steady stream of customers. It was the night to try Fuego de Lotus and the lot at Area23, which is the handiwork of Michael Kennet, who has taken an empty lot and made it into a welcoming area replete with lighting, covered seating and three food carts.
Fuego de Lotus specializes in dishes with Venezuelan and Mexican influences. Mike says it is the type of food he and his family have been enjoying for years and he wanted to pass it on to Portland. The cart is an older airstream trailer refitted with a kitchen and awning. The opening is flanked by flaming torches that are lit whenever he is open. I’m excited for spring when they debut a large fire pit for late evening relaxing at the pod.
That cool night, I enjoyed a wild boar arepa – the evening’s special. An arepa is a small Venezuelan sandwich type dish made with white corn masa and filling. My dish had a large helping of the wild boar which was delightful and had the texture of good pulled pork. The boar was topped with chopped red cabbage, some amazing sauces and cotija cheese. It was wonderful. I couldn’t help but share the love with my friends who also loved it. The best part of going to the carts with friends is that if you share your dish, they may share theirs, so I was also able to taste one of Fuego de Lotus’ hand pies which are equally delectable.
Fuego de Lotus offers up a range of dishes both for carnivores and vegetarians. The corn masa is a healthier alternative to bread and offers a wonderful texture to the sandwich dish. Area23 is developing fast. Last fall when Fuego de Lotus opened, I heard they were doing evening movie nights on the neighboring building. They plan to kick that off again soon once they get the 4th cart in place. Area23 is going to become a destination spot for NE Portland residents I predict. If you are up in the area, drop on by and say hello and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.
[Fuego de Lotus moved to SE 28th and Ankeny in October 2012]
Sample Menu:
Arepas with meat – $5; Vegetarian or vegan – $4
-all arepas topped with cotija, a salty white cheese or Tillamook cheddar
- chorizo & plantains
- ham or smoked turkey w/ caramelized onions
- chicken green chili
- black beans & cabbage salad (vegan)
- traditional cheese
- butter & grape jam
- Special of the day- $8.00
- Chile Verde Chicken- another family recipe 7.50
- The Sympatico- everything but the meat 7.00 (vegan)
- green chili & cheese
- Chorizo & cheese
- Black bean & cheese
- Bacon & grape jam
Sweet – $4
- Dulce de Leche with or w/o chocolate
- Chocolate & plantain
- Chocolate (Xocai)
- Cashew cream and pear
- Cashew cream
Phone: 503 753 9167
Website: Fuegodelotus.wordpress.com
I’ve had a lot of different Latin American dishes, but this was a new one for me. Had the black bean arepa. Very fresh tasting, crunchy and generally yummy. Will be back!
Co-located with the Spanish cart Mono Malo! Tapas at 23rd and Alberta. Nice covered seating…I ate there during a downpour and stayed dry. Got to sample Mano Malo as well, which i also recommend!
one of my new favorite food carts for sure! what a treat. These guys make the good food.
Enjoyed the arepas here today, we got the cheese, but it may have been better with a bit of black beans, I will try it that way next time. However, I fell in love with the plantains in sauce with cotija cheese..the plantains were cooked perfectly, not quite maduros, but softer than tostonnes, and the sauce was sweet and savory, so a bite with sauce and cheese was sublime…I’m not sure what the sauce was except it was delicious.
Accidently found this place on Division and boy what a treat. The Chicken Arepas was wonderful and the pork a close second. I will be back to this place for sure. Close to home and lots of good carts!
my wife snuck in there and brought home for me Chile Verde Chicken it was unbelievable great job Michael see you soon
All these comments and the wordpress website are at least a year old. Does this cart still exist? Where? If not, is there another place that does arepas? I had wonderful ones on Alberta but that cart is long gone, not sure if this is the same one or not.
Jabbara,
Yes this cart is still open. We updated its location in 2010. They are at SE 32nd and Division.
My family and i had dinner there last night, my wife had the Arepas w/chicken green chile she loved it she wished she had gotten a knife the fork was not strong enough, i did not have that much luck Michael got busy so i thought i would try awesome cone and after me & 3 other people had been waiting in line for probably 15 min. the guy pops out the window and said he was done nothing more just done sorry come back some other time & it was only 5:30 Fri. day night i was pissed but my oldest daughter & i went to koi fusion and they solved our problem so next time i will remember not to step out of line at Michael s he gets busy.
The chicken green chile arepa was the best on the menu. It was juicy, a bit spicy, and very flavorful.
I had the green chicken chili arepas and it was delicious! I had never tried arepas before and I loved the moist, flavorful chicken contrasted with the fesh, crunchy cabbage salad and cilantro piled high on top. I will definitely be returning!