Food Carts Portland

Another beautiful weekend is upon us. Get out there and have some fun.

Portland’s Sunday Parkways kicks off this Sunday, the 16th in NE Portland. If you didn’t know, this is where Portland shuts down traffic on a number of streets in the neighborhood to create a path for bikes, pedestrians, skaters, children and anyone who wants to get out and be free without cars. Sunday’s event in NE Portland will feature about 6 miles of car-free paths. The city also sets up events in the parks where food carts come into play. Participating vendors for Sunday’s event include Fuego Burrito, Katmandu Cafe, Scoop Ice Cream (brand new,) VooDoo Doughnut Truck, NW Hot Dogs, Al Forno Ferruzza Pizza and a ton more. There are activities for kid and adults alike. I did it last year and had a blast meeting people and chatting with the neighborhood folks and riding my bike. You can find the route and more information at PortlandOnline. See you there! (If you can’t attend Sunday’s event, don’t worry, there are 4 more throughout the summer in different parts of the city.)

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If you are a cart coming out of winter dormancy, let us know. We get at least 2 inquiries a day of events that seek out carts. Weddings, bike races, fundraisers – you name it, they want food carts. Email us your contact info and we’ll put you on the list. caterfoodcarts@gmail.com

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It is my understanding that Food Network is coming to town to chat with some of our carts. Big-Ass Sandwiches and VanSchnitzels both Tweeted yesterday that the Food Network will be here May 27th, so keep you eyes peeled for a roaming film crew and try and get in the shot! Way to go carts!

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Speaking of national coverage, Whiffies Fried Pies will be on Food Network on Saturday evening on the show Unwrapped. Watch the show then go get one of Gregg’s signature pies. His latest menu offerings include a Mounds pie and a tofu yellow curry. Whiffies is at SE 12th and Hawthorne.

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New carts that have launched in the last couple weeks:

• Brown Chicken, Brown Cow – flavors and food from Texas and Connecticut – North Station, N Killingsworth and Greeley
• Oregon Ice Works – organic vegan ice cream – Sellwood, SW 13th and Lexington
• Scoop – ice cream – North Station, N Killingsworth and Greeley
• Slow and Low – sandwiches – N Albina just south of Blandena
• Rockabillies – sandwiches – SW 4th and Burnside
• Lilikoi – Hawaiian – N Killingsworth, just east of N Interstate
• Korean Twist – Korean Tacos and more – SW 3rd and Washington
• iQue Sabroso! – Mexican – N Vancouver and Fremont

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Great cart story of the week: Nok, the chef and owner of newly opened GIN Northern Thai read our profile of his cart and then some of the comments asking about the different sauces and whether he will have vegetarian options. He responded in detail the ingredients of his sauces to let the readers know it isn’t vegetarian, but that since we asked, he is hard at work making a vegan curry sauce. How cool is there? Where else, but at food carts can you directly engage with the owner or chef, have a constructive conversation about their offerings and they will make changes for their customers. Woo hoo! GIN Northern Thai opened a few weeks ago and is located at SW 3rd and Washington.

Keep Cartin’!