13 hours, 16 Food Carts

On Tuesday, I played host to Matt Goulding of Men's Health Magazine and photographer to show them Portland's food cart scene. They are on a seven city tour to see what America has to offer as far as street food. I wanted to make sure they saw that Portland is truly the center of it all. Here's a quick recap of our adventure.

9am: Rainy, cold and actually a bit dark, everyone was still not awake, so we visited bloop for oatmeal and coffee. Down off SW 3rd and Washington, Matt from bloop was a great host and a perfect start for the day. We enjoyed a couple of bowls and some tasty Stumptown coffee.

9:30: One of our guys couldn't eat nuts, so we ventured up to 5th and Stark to get a breakfast sandwich with a fresh English muffin at BrunchBox and a breakfast burrito from Mr. Taco. Here is where the guys realized we had more than a few carts.

10am: We couldn't do lunch just yet since most carts don't open until around 11am, so we headed down to Parkers Waffles and Coffee on 4th and Hall for more breakfast shot. Here at 4th and Hall, we crossed the street to the Bureau of Development Services and went up to the 4th floor to take panoramic photos of the carts. Such a cool view seeing the carts from above.

11am: While at Parkers, I was taken aback by the new porch and covered area that Portland Soup Company had built for their cart. WOW! It was so new, you could still smell the fresh cedar decking. The menu was enticing so we ordered a few items from Jeremy, always a great chef and host. Pork butt sandwich, Tillamook Vintage Cheddar Mac and Cheese, Chicken soup, Baby Arugula salad, Mozzarella sandwich - all great, well prepared and tasty items. Here at Portland Soup we heard a comment we repeated throughout the day: "I don't eat bacon, but I would eat your bacon..." Jeremy, behind the counter responded sincerely "That's the best compliment I have ever received." Well done Portland Soup Company.

12pm: Up to SW 10th and Alder for the lunchtime crowds. The rain had returned which concerned the photographer, but within a few minutes of arriving at Nong's Khao Man Gai it had stopped and we were able to get some great shots of Nong's signature dish - Khao Man Gai. This simple rice and chicken dish showcases how you can be successful by serving one item, but doing it well. The guys loved Nong and ate the entire plate. While there, I ventured down to Ali Baba's for a quick Turkish coffee. I needed to keep my energy level up.

1pm: After a number of photos and an interview with Nong, we were walking down Alder when our photographer saw Number 1 Bento right on the corner and wanted to get some more photos. Number 1 Bento does a great Bi bim bap with wonderful kimchee, so we hung out there for a few minutes, ordered and took some photos.

1:20: It was then on to Ziba's Pitas for couple of plates of Ziba's tasty Bosnian dishes. Ziba is such a generous and wonderful lady. I just love visiting her cart because the way she greets you makes you feel like you are in her home and kitchen. She put together a great spread which again, was eaten completely by the team. It was here I began to feel the fullness associated with eating multiple meals even though I was only taking a small bite at select places. But come on, you can't not eat Ziba's. It is just too good.

2pm: Just before we left the 10th and Alder pod, Matt decided he needed some Pho, so I sent him over to Mai Pho for his fix.




2pm: Down to 3rd and Stark we went for a visit with Cliff Allen at The People's Pig. Our guys loved pork and had seen the profile on the porchetta sandwich Cliff makes, so we had to visit. Unfortunately Cliff had sold out earlier in the day. We ordered the Cubano Sandwich with marinated jalapenos and were just as enthralled. Cliff's wood paneled truck with the bright orange paint was a perfect photo opportunity. Cliff, as with every other cart owner we met, was a great host.

3pm: Over the bridge and into NE Portland we visited The Grilled Cheese Grill on NE Alberta for The Babs, The Elvis, The Cheesus and The Popper (with jalapenos.) The guys at The Grilled Cheese Grill hooked us up and the weather cooperated to give us little rain. Everyone loves a grilled cheese.

4pm: Nap time for all. Night time carts were on the horizon.

7pm: We met up for the night run at Cartopia at SE 12th and Hawthorne. John Eads opened and fired up his Pyro Pizza wood fired oven to make us a margarita, cuattro formaggi with white truffle oil, and a couple more. The gang was amazed at the 1000 degree wood fired oven inside the cart and John was a great rep of Portland's do it yourself spirit. While the pizza was being made and videotaped, I visited Perierra Creperie for an avocado and sea salt shake per a little bird's recommendation.

8:30pm: Headed out east to try some more pizza at W'Yeast Pizza off SE 50th and Powell. We enjoyed a pie with 1/2 margerita and 1/2 marmot (pepperoni with pickled peppers.) SE Portland also provided us with some laughs when the drunk guy on the scooter rolled up seeing if there was any pizza left. He finished ours off in 2 bites.

9:30pm: As we were heading back in to Cartopia, the bellies were full and the day was taking its toll on the group. we began to reminisce and counted the carts. The number of items we sampled caused us all to chuckle along with a little groan. It was time to finish in style with pies from Whiffies and fries with poutine from Potato Champion. Both were amazing.

At the end of the day, we visited sixteen carts and enjoyed some of the best food Portland has to offer. Our guest loved the city and the food and vowed to return. Thank you Portland and thank you Portland's food carts for being so awesome on that cool, wet April day.