Spring is definitely here and there is some news to report from Portland’s food carts.
Green Castle has re-opened with 9 carts ready to serve you. GF Chef and Diamond Thai have returned and newcomers include Picnic, Holy Cannoli, Flyin’ Hawaiian, HomeGrown Smoker 2, Chen’s Express, El Taco Yucateco and a soon to be open espresso cart. They still have covered seating and on site parking. NE 20th and Everett.
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Lardo, that amazing sandwich cart at Good Food Here, announced that they will be taking over the former Johnny B’s spot at the corner of SE 12th and Hawthorne across from the Cartopia pod. Rick Gencarelli, the owner, is partnering with ChefStable to create the restaurant with an outdoor patio and expanded menu. This is great news for Rick and those who enjoy his cooking, but sadly, the cart will close at Good Food Here. In addition to the restaurant, SugarCube, Kir Jensen’s sweet treat cart will move to the location to be the resident dessert purveyor. Congrats Kir and Rick.
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We have heard news that new development is going to remake SE Division in the coming years and have an effect on the food carts at D-Street Noshery. The project will begin construction in 2013 according to news reports, so the carts still have the summer and fall, but if you have been planning a trip down there, don’t wait to long. D-Street Noshery is at SE 32nd and Division and includes PDX671, Blues City Biscuits, Oregon Ice Works, Fuego de Lotus, Roshambo, The Pie Spot, Bailey’s Gourmet Hot Dogs, Koi Fusion and beer from Captured by Porches.
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Some new carts and some changes:
- Pita Express has opened on SW 3rd and Washington
- Khao-Moo-Daeng Thai has opened on SW 3rd and Stark
- Don Pedro has opened on SW 5th and Stark
- Cafe de Crepe has opened at Mississippi Marketplace
- Pastrami on Rye has closed and a new Salvadoran cart with Pupusas has taken over the cart on SW 4th and Hall
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I will be on KPAM AM860 at around 6:30am Friday morning to discuss all things food carts. Join me and the hosts for Food Cart Friday.
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A reminder that I do food cart tours daily downtown. If you have friends and family coming for a visit, it is a fun and enjoyable 90 minute walking tour of the carts and includes a few stops where we enjoy some of the best food in the city. You can find all the information on our Tours page. Looking forward to showing you the carts.
Enjoy the weather and keep on eatin’ on the street.
PDX671 (you know them… they got Judge’s Choice at Eat Mobile) is also at D-Street Noshery and so is Blues City Biscuits.
Awesome Cone is no longer on the lot – in place of it is the cart One Hundred Miles, although they were not open the last time I was there.
The new cart that is in between Pie Spot and PDX671 is called Gonzo (Israeli ?) and they have amazing food… some flavors I’ve never tasted before!
I tried Pupusas today and would encourage everyone to try it too. Very nice ladies serving up tamales and pupusas (my first time eating one!). The tamales were melt in your mouth good and not at all dense like tamales can get. Super fresh. THe pupusas were equally amazing, especially with the hot sauce and pickled cabbage mix they give to go on it.