Some items of interest:
PDX BridgeFest, a citywide event to celebrate the city’s bridges, is happening from July 23-August 8. One event, the Brunch on the Bridge will close down the Hawethorne Bridge for the morning of August 7. They are looking for food vendors for that day. If you are a cart and available, contact Jess Sword @ jsword at wweek.com.
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The African cart Asaase Ital Palace down off 4th has closed. But don’t fret, it was purchased by a couple of guys who have cleaned, renovated and relaunched it as Mobster Meatballs. If you’re down there, drop on by and welcome them. I understand they give out free meatball samples liberally daily. SW 4th and Hall.
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Speaking of changes in carts, it appears that Rick’s Wild Seafood is closed and for sale. Sad. They made some great fish tacos. If you are looking for a great cart, drop on by at SW 3rd and Ash for more information.
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Sunday, July 18 is another Sunday Parkways, the event where the city closes neighborhood streets for bikes, pedestrians, skaters, and children to wand about the neighborhood. I have been to two this year and they are a wonderful way to connect with your fellow Portlanders. Sunday’s event is EAST, showcasing the area east of I205 and south of Powell Blvd. There will definitely be some food carts along the way, so head on out and meet your neighbors and envy over their amazing flower beds. 10am-3pm Sunday. More information at PortlandOnline.com
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POD news: SE is getting some new Pods. SE 43rd and Belmont is now open with a couple of carts and another pod is prepping to open at SE 50th and Division. NE Portand has a new spot looking for carts at NE MLK and Lombard. Lastly, Beaumont Village out off NE 48th and Fremont has an opening – contact deborah@takenoticecards.com for more information.
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Caraquena at North Station is celebrating their 1 1/2 yr anniversary with a party on Sunday, July 18. “CART + SOUL:” A day of casual eats and casual thrift! Come down and try food from one of 12 different food carts, listen to some jamz, and shop outdoors at a multi-vendor garage style sale! Beer and wine available! Featuring DJs ill camino and trans fat. DARK SKIES will be playing at 8:30pm. Congrats to Caraquena! North Station is at N Killingsworth and Greeley.
Happy Carting!
Naturally a meatball, one of the finest forms of meat, themed cart right after I switch jobs and no longer work around the corner from that pod.
Do they have vegetarian meatballs like Lickity Split did before they closed? I miss Lickity Split.
Anyone been to Belmont & 43rd yet? Does it have a proper name?
What’s there so far? If I recall correctly, this was going to be a Cartopia-style late night pod?
I’ve just stuck my neck into Real Good Food, the one on 43rd and Belmont. So far it’s Namu Killer Korean BBQ, A thai cart, Creme De Le Creme which is a french food cart, Julie’s Cart which seems to do meatballs, and one other I’m not sure what they have. It’s shaping up to be a good pod!
Thanks, James! I’m gonna try to get up there this weekend and check it out…
Just tried the thai cart at the pod on 43rd. Had their #1, already can’t remember the name, which involved rice, sweetened pork, green apple slices, cucumbers, onions, and a lime. You get to mix it all together yourself, adding as much chili as you want. Super refreshing!
To add to what James said, there’s also a Mexican cart and a hot dog/philly cheesesteak cart (called Dog Eat Dog).
I’ve eaten frequently at 43rd & Belmont.
The cluster itself is among the most visually pleasing and relaxing. The parking lot is clean, there are lots of nice trees, numerous new picnick tables, clean porta potties, new planters adding to the decor, etc. Parking is easy in an adjacent lot and around the neighborhood. Talk there is that the landlord plans on adding a shelter along with heat lamps for the winter months. I’m a food cart junkie and this cluster is among the better maintained that I have seen. Since this is a neighborhood cluster, cart vendors close up by I believe 9PM latest.
As of this writing, there are nine carts in the cluster. More have signed on and are opening fairly soon. My favorites are Namu (you have to try them as they offer some of the best food and value anywhere), Lori’s Cart aka Lucille Balls (the original Portland meat/veggie ball cart gourmet all the way also a great veggie casserole), Dog eat Dawg (tasty philis!), and while I have not tried the French cart everyone is raving about how great their food tastes. I found the Thai cart way over priced ($7.50 a plate vs most Thai carts $5-6) and the food to be a great dissapointment (the pork was almost as tough and dry as jerky).