Portland is #1 and More

Portland was listed as the "World's Best Street Food" by CNN/Budget Travel
. Granted, you don't have to convince me that Portland and our now 580 licensed carts are some of the best in the land. I think I've eaten at most of them by now. Way to go food carts, Portland is proud of you.

_______________

In other national news, Food Network has skipped over Portland's food trucks for their new show "The Great Food Truck Race." Really? Isn't Portland the model for so many cities right now as they decide on how to launch food carts? I know I've had conversations with people in power in LA, Cleveland, Vancouver BC, Atlanta and so on. And yet, we're not included in the race. Oh well. We still have Whiffies.

_______________

Speaking of Whiffies, did you catch the latest Wired magazine? In an article titled TweetCarts, Whiffies is profiled with three others as "Twitter plus rolling restaurants - the perfect mashup." Whiffies has 3600+ followers on Twitter and is a perfect example of how to use social media as a marketing tool. Way to go Gregg. [BTW, Nick Zukin is the new PieChamp, downing 10 pies in 30 minutes last Sunday.]

_______________

The Fried Onion is offering a discount to Food Carts Portland readers until 8/20. Drop on by their cart at SE 3rd and Alder and mention that Food Carts Portland sent ya and you will receive a free drink and chips with any purchase.

_______________

It is ThirdWednesday again and this month's benefactor is Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls, a nonprofit that builds girl's self-esteem through music creation and performance by providing workshops, technical training and leadership opportunities. The carts participating in this month's ThirdWednesday are donating a portion of their day's profits and tips to the cause. If you are out and about, visit one of these carts and help out your future rockstar neighbor. Carts:

• Big-Ass Sandwiches at SW 3rd and Ash
• Give Pizza a Chance at SW 5th and Stark
• The Big Egg at Mississippi Marketplace
• Whiffies Fried Pies at SE 12th and Hawthorne
• Ninja Plate Lunch at SW 3rd and Ash
• Built to Grill at SW 3rd and Stark
• Ali Baba's at SW 10th and Alder
• Kettle Kitchen at N Killingsworth and Greeley

_______________

Finally, Wednesday, July 21 is Guam's Liberation day. Celebrate it by enjoying a taste of our island at PDX671, Portland's only Guam inspired cart. Located at North Station at N Killingsworth and Greeley. They'll be open 12-2 & 5-8.

Happy Carting!