The Deadliest Catch
CLOSED
Location: Cartlandia, 8145 SE 82nd
Hours: Daily, 11am-Midnight
The Story:
When we walked into the pod and saw the bulking 70′s era tour bus in the back corner, I initially thought it was just there for storage. As we walked around joking about touring bands and what it would have been like to be on the open road in the 70′s, Raffael, the owner of The Deadliest Catch walked right up to introduced himself and welcomed us to his bus.
The Deadliest Catch is using the entire bus for their operation. They have the back of the bus setup as a kitchen and serving area, but the front 2/3rds has tables and chairs so you can enjoy your fish tacos or other dishes in out of the rain. In talking with Raffael, I learned he had been a commercial fisherman most of the past fifteen years up in Alaska and around the Bering Straights. If I’m going to be buying fish, I think buying it from someone who has been out on those ships catching and processing it in the icy Pacific waters is the right choice.
Fish Gorditas from The Deadliest Catch
Asked what his special was and we were told the King Crab Plate. Wow, two large claws of king crab served up with spanish rice, salad and garlic bread. While that sounded refreshing, I wanted to see how they did with their fish tacos. Being new, they were still working out the kinks, so instead of tortillas, they offered us gorditas instead. Gorditas are a thicker masa based tortilla usually stuffed with filling. Our’s were topped with a little sour cream, fish, chopped lettuce and marinated red onions. A tasty combination which you can also get with shrimp.
As with most carts in Portland, The Deadliest Catch does have a vegetarian and vegan portion of the menu with Mexican style dishes. Raffael and his family are great to chat with and will bring your food out to your table in the pod if it isn’t too busy. If it is raining, just hang out in the nice warm bus. The bus is open every day from 11am to midnight so you night owls off Mt. Tabor have somewhere to go. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.
[Updated August 2011, Deadliest Catch moved to Cartlandia]
Sample Menu:
- King Crab Plate: served with Spanish rice, salad & garlic bread – $10
- Enchilads, tacos or gorditas – with shrimp or fish – $2
- Ceviche: shrimp cooked in lime juice, cucumber, tomato, onion, cilantro and radish – served on tostada – $2
- Shrimp ala cream: cream sauce with pasilla pepper – $8
- Fish Estofado: vegetables, special sauce, olives and raisins – $7.50
- Tamalitos: vegetarian – tamales in corn husk with vegetables – $1.50
- Tacos Dorados: tacos willed with potato, topped with lettuce, cucumber and onion – $6
Hours: Every day, 11am-Midnight
Phone: 503 995 3730
Four of us ate at Deadliest Catch tonight. First off we had no idea there was seating inside which was great. They should definitely work on signage to let people know the bus is a)a food cart and b)that the bus has indoor seating with a great funky vibe. The owner is super friendly too and throughout our meal had us sample things. The ceviche was great. Two of us had the king crab plate loved it. The side were underwhelming (rice, salad and garlic bread were nothing to speak of) but the crab itself was divine and a very generous portion for the price. Also the vegetarian tamales were great and very cheap at $1.50 a pop.
We will definitely return. At it seems to be one of the few carts at the new pod with late night hours.
I’ve eaten here twice enjoying the fresh fish and shrimp tacos, and ceviche. The shells, veggies, and sauces are fine too. Here you’ll find ‘upper scale’ Mexican food (this isn’t a dirty roach coach truck) from a cart or rather a bus. The watermelon juice is also delicious. Two thumbs up.
Two other couples had ordered the crab legs with Spanish rice, salad, and garlic bread. At $10, it looked like a really nice value. I’ll probably try that one next.
Yumm, yumm, comida deliciosa!
Rafa was the consummate host and Gloria was all smiles as my friend and I looked over the menu and trying to decide which shrimp dish sounded the best. We chose the crab dinner to share and the creamy green sauce shrimp and we each had a shrimp ceviche that tasted of Mexican sunshine and mariachis!
Can’t wait until they get a liquor license so I can enjoy a perfectly cold Bohemia or Pacifico, complete with salt and lime.
Will most definitely return in order to try everything on the menu and more ceviche!
Viva Mexico!
fabulous! Incredible tasty food served on paper plates! We had the ceviche, garlic shrimp and the shrimp in the vegetable base. All very good. The rice was perfectly moist and the shrimp tender. Enjoy!
had a great food experience the family loved it great job Rafael we enjoyed it
Just inviting everybody this sat dic 4 to come and enjoy the sound of the Raul & Dina Los Rumberos del Caribe from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. for more info u can call 503 995 3730
What fantastic food, great prices, and good people. Thank you folks so much for a great meal and conversation. We will be back soon!!!
The shrimp gorditas and the vegetarian tamales were fantastic. Will definitely be hitting this place back up to investigate the menu in more depth.
My wife and I were at Cartlandia on Friday Jan 27 and the bus was nowhere to be found. I mentioned to my wife that there used to be a seafood bus there.
Raffael the owner had mentioned to me he was going to move to another location with a liquor permit, sad day for cartlandia