Bobby-Q

Bobby-Q

CLOSED

Location: N Fremont and Vancouver
Hours: Mon-Sat, 12-8pm

The Story:

The area around N Fremont and Vancouver has been changing slowly over the last 15 years. I remember a commercial truck tire company on the corner that hosted some amazing graffiti before it was torn down. On another corner, where Franz Bread use to be, construction has begun on a new grocery store for the neighborhood. All the while, the former gas station has been home to budding entrepreneurs setting up car washes, a flower shop, a dry cleaner and now hosts three international food carts. Bobby-Q is the latest to join.

When I saw the name a few weeks ago, I chuckled. A great take on BBQ with a twist. While my order was being prepped, I asked the robust chef if he was Bobby – indeed he was. He went on to tell me as a chef in Japan, his peers would call him BobbyQ and it just stuck. Bobby-Q serves up a myriad of BBQ dishes and more. You can get sausages, ribs, chicken and even fried catfish. I believe that some of the best catfish I’ve had has been at BBQ joints.

Rib Tip dinner from Bobby-Q

While watching one of the many food network shows recently, they were in a midwestern town talking BBQ and kept referring to rib tips. I’ve had ribs, but never rib tips, the end of the ribs that are usually left on the butchers floor and require a different approach with slow cooking. I thought I would try Bobby’s out. A large plate of five chunks of rib tips greeted me flanked by potato salad and smoky collard greens. While I had a couple of napkins in hand, I needed more. Instead of being delicate, I just dove in, got messy and the meat fell off the cartilage. So good. The sauce was a bit sweet, but mostly it was there to accent the pork instead of hide it. The tips were top notch. The greens were crazy smoky. I’d never had them prepared like that and initially, it was difficult to eat, but after a couple of bites, I couldn’t get enough of that smoke. Reminded me of being at a cookout.

Bobby-Q is a great addition to the lot at Fremont and Vancouver, adding BBQ to the eclectic international cuisine offered by the other carts. If you’re craving a hotlink or maybe some brisket or a half a chicken, check them out. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Hotlink Sandwich – $4
• Sausage Sandwich – $4
• Ribs Sandwich- $9
• Chopped Chicken Sandwich – $7
• Brisket Sandwich – $8
• Ribs Dinner with 2 sides – $12
• Rib Tips with 2 sides – $11
• 1/2 Chicken dinner with 2 sides – $11
• Fried Catfish dinner with 2 sides – $11
• Sides, $3: collard greens, cabbage, mac & cheese, potato salad, fried okra

Hours: Mon-Sat, 12-8pm
Phone: 503 839 0578
Facebook: Bobby-Q

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