Pork Chop City
Location: SE 50th and Division – A la Carts Food Pavillion
Hours: 11am-10pm daily
The Story:
Here in Portland we talk carts not trucks. Most everywhere else, the street food scene centers around trucks that roam the streets feeding the hungry. Wandering this city, you see every flavor of mobile cart from simple tow behind hot dog carts to retrofitted 60′s travel trailers to high end commercial kitchens on wheels. Pork Chop City took it to a whole new level with one of the largest trailers I have seen. Lots of space to do some serious cooking.
When I first spotted Roger William’s trailer out of Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, I didn’t think it was a food vendor. I thought it was a NASCAR trailer with the size and wrapping. Then, earlier this summer walking down 3rd ave, there it was, taking up the entire frontage of a strange triangular island created by how Portland mapped out streets downtown some 100 yrs ago. The trailer is beautiful and built to handle big crowds whether they be the lunch types or late night bar goers. My order came out in less than 3 minutes on a busy day.
Sorta Wrong from Pork Chop City
Portland loves pork. Pork. Pork. Pork. Just downtown, there are six or seven carts serving up their recipe of pulled pork whether it be a sandwich or plate. At Pork Chop City, they do pulled pork, beef brisket and chicken, presenting them a few different ways. The #1 item on the menu is a sandwich aptly christened Simply Wrong. Smoked pulled pork, smoked beef brisket and cole slaw on a Portland French pub bun. One pound of smoked meats. I’m glad they get the veggies in there. While my inner devil wanted to see what that looked like, I balked and ordered the #2 item, the Sorta Wrong with about 1/4lb less meat. Still a huge sandwich with a heap of meat. Whomever decided to pair cole slaw with smoked pork gets a trophy in my food hall of fame. I love the cold creamy crunch mixed with the squeaky shredded pork and beef. Mixing the brisket and pulled pork together is genius, giving me the best of both worlds. More than one should really eat for lunch, but I did it and walked away a happy man.
Pork Chop City is now the sixth cart in the area to serve the bar goers and those waiting in line for Voodoo Doughnuts. If you’re a sandwich fan or simply enjoy smoked meats, check them out. On a hot day, try their Hawaiian shaved ice with twenty five different flavors. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.
Sample Menu:
- Simply Wrong: smoked pulled pork, smoked beef brisket, cole slaw on Portland French pub bun – $9
- Sorta Wrong: same as above but a bit smaller – $8
- Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich – $7
- Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich – $6
- Chicken Bento – $8
- Pork Bento – $8
- Smoked Meat Sampler – a bit of everything – $12
- Smoked Pork Chop Meal – $12
- Smoked Rib Meal – $12
- Broiled Chicken Meal – $9
- Sides: steamed rice, corn, baked beans, apple sauce, cole slaw, mac salad, potato salad – $2 each
- Hawaiian Shaved Ice – $4
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm; Fri/Sat, 11pm-3am
Phone: 503 793 2000
Website: PorkChopCity.com
Facebook: Pork Chop City
Twitter: @PorkChopCityPDX
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First off let me start by saying this post is why I chose to stop by Pork Chop City and came all the way into downtown Portland from Oregon City just to have dinner at this cart! So I get all the way down there before 7 pm on Monday and they are closed?? Now I checked the days and hours they were open because I didn’t want to make the trip for nothing yet that is just what happened. I understand that with carts it isn’t always a sure bet and if they would have stated they had variable hours then I would not have been upset at all but they didn’t they stated specific hours and therefore I think they should be open those hours. Now I understand some carts run out as with Big Ass Sandwiches but at least they put up a sign so people know why they are closed early but nothing at pork chop city just an empty stomach. Needless to say I won’t be wasting my time with these guys anymore, too bad as their food looked good but service to me is the most important!
Sorry for the frustration. We published the hours listed on their website.
Oregon RN Foodie I share your frustration. When they were in beaverton they were never open when thier hours said they were. My husband and I went there atleast 10-15 times during thier posted business hours and only had the chance to eat thier twice because they were never there. I see they kept the same business practices when they relocated. Food is good if you happen to catch them when they are there.
This seems to be a reoccurring problem maybe instead of posting the carts hours FCP could just have a link to the carts website. As we all know hours change, yet the reviews on here seldom do.
The hours problem isn’t just this website. I’ve noticed it on Yelp, Urban Spoon, and Google Places. I guess it’s up to the owners to let websites know when their hours change and I’m guessing some of them don’t do that, or like this cart, they just don’t stick to their own posted hours like the above comment says. I dunno about you guys but I just always call first. That way I’m not mad or disappointed when I show up and they are closed.
I really like their stuff. Beaverton’s loss is Portland’s gain with these guys.
Couldn’t find them by Voodoo donuts. Needed my BBQ fix and found on Facebook they’ve moved. They are now in a pod – a la cart food pavilion – over on 50th and Division. The cart is open and is ready for business, but the menu has been slightly tweaked – the pork chops are gone. ‘Pork Chop’ of city fame is supposed to be the pig on the logo now. They’ve added the option to add bacon and / or cheese to anything you order (always a good combo IMHO). Happy Dude – aka Troy – there and says this time’s the charm – they’re sticking with this site. The pavilion looks like it has plenty to choose from (even a cart for hair dresser) and there is a centralized dining tent, restrooms, parking spaces. In short very convenient and not too far away for car or bike from their old location.
Thanks for the heads up. We’ll update the post.