Hey everyone, we’re having a little get together at Mississippi Marketplace this Saturday. Our hope is that you’ll want to come out, try some amazing food, maybe a beer from PROST! and say hi to me (Dieselboi) and Cuisine Bonne Femme. We have a bonus for you also. The first 50 people to come say “Hi” will get a free cupcake from The Sugar Cube, an amazing dessert cart in the pod. We’ll be the ones with the balloons.

Mississippi Marketplace is located at the corner of N Mississippi and Skidmore and is the host to nine food carts that serve a range of dishes from breakfast to lunch to dinner. Anchored by PROST!, a German pub, you can enjoy your cart food while imbibing a tasty German beverage.

Hope to see you there.

Food Carts Portland Meetup
Saturday, March 20, 2-4pm
Mississippi Marketplace, N Mississippi and Skidmore
Rain or Shine (they have awnings)

CLOSED
Location: SW 5th and Oak

The Story:

A new cart has arrived at SW 5th and Oak where another cart left an opening. That seems to be the story of Portland’s food carts. There is always someone wanting to fill an empty spot. Taste of Poland isn’t a brand new cart though. They have just returned to the lot where they called home just a couple of years ago. And we’re glad they did.

Dionizy Baron, the chef behind Taste of Poland, has been a fixture around Portland for years. He has served us his tasty Polish dishes at Saturday market, different community events and even at a couple of the mall food courts. He was a fixture at SW 5th and Oak and down by PSU for years before moving to Saturday market as his primary location.

The menu at Taste of Poland is full of pierogis, chicken cutlets, sausages, potato pancakes and all sorts of Eastern European delights. I opted for the pork loin schnitzel sandwich. I want to try ever schnitzel in this town before I die. Served up on a large french roll, the schnitzel was a generous portion covered in chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, grilled onions and a little cheese. I threw in some creamy horseradish to give it an extra bite. While this looks like a great sandwich to pick up, it is rather large. I did my best to eat it with my hands, but should have tackled it with a knife and fork. Bring extra napkins. A great deal for $5 and very appetizing.

As stated, Taste of Poland has been around for years. I’m really glad they have decided to return to SW 5th and Oak and hope they stick around even when Saturday Market reopens. It is exactly the type of food I enjoy on these cool winter days – items that are hearty and filling. If you’re down there, drop on by and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

[Taste of Poland was first profiled on this site by Cuisine Bonne Femme in August of 2007 and updated by Dieselboi in February of 2010]

Sample Menu:

• Potato Pancakes – plate of 4 with apple sauce, sour cream and sauteed onions – $5.50
• Potato cheese Pierogi – dough filled with cheese, potatoes, sauteed onions and spices; served with salad – $5.50
• Hunter spicy sausage sandwich – 1/2 pork, 1/2 beef sausage served with grilled onions and bacon – $5
• Smoked country garlic kielbasa – sausage served with grilled onions and cucumber salad – $5
• Pork loin schnitzel sandwich – $5

Hours: Monday through Friday -  Lunchtime
Contact: 503 997 5467

Mr. Taco

Location: SW 5th and Oak

Description:

Mr. Taco. Shouldn’t it be Senor Taco? Mr. Taco is one of two taco/burrito carts at the lot on SW 5th Avenue between Stark and Oak. Always a crowd out front, I decided to try them this week, even with the horrible weather. Luckily they have an awning so I could hang out and be less wet while I ate my lunch.

Mr. Taco serves up the traditional taqueria menu – tacos, burritos, tortas, fajitas, enchiladas and the like. You can get your choice of steak, chicken, carnitas, shredded beef, ground beef, pastor, machaca, chorizo, shrimp or vegetarian.  They even offer up breakfast with your choice of 17 different breakfast burritos.

Torta from Mr. Taco

Earlier in the week, I was introduced to the Torta, a mexican sandwich which is like a burrito, but on a bun. It being my new favorite Mexican food, I ordered one up. While I stood there awaiting my torta, I watched as they built another customer’s burrito directly on the grill. I didn’t realize they made tortillas 24″ round. Not really, but when they finished rolling up all the goodies, I swear that burrito was the size of a tree trunk. My torta came next and I was glad to see it prepared with such care. I enjoy the torta because it is a sandwich. Unlike a burrito, there isn’t a way all the beans and goodies can spurt out the bottom. As a sandwich, it all stays together while you eat it. At least that is how I think about it. I enjoyed the carnitas along with the big chunks of avacado. I threw on some hot sauce and it made my rainy day.

Mr. Taco opens up early to serve up breakfast and stays open until late afternoon for you late lunchers. If you’re hungry, they will feed you and their prices are reasonable. If you do visit, enjoy your food and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

[Mr. Taco was originally listed in August of 2007 by Cuisine Bonne Femme. This post was updated with description, menu and hours by Dieselboi in December 2009]

Sample Menu:

• Choice of meats – steak, chicken, carnitas, shredded beef, ground beef, pastor, machaca, chorizo or shrimp
• Crisp Tacos – $1.50
• Flour tortilla taco – $1.75
• Corn tortilla taco – $175
• Enchilada Burrito – rice, beans, enchilada sauce, guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream – $6
• Fajitas – beef or chicken; rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo cheese – $6
• Big Nachos – chips, cheese, meat, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo $6
• Torta – sandwich with meat, rice, beans, lettuce, sour cream, avocado, cheese – $6
• Shrimp plate – shrimp served with peppers and onions, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese – $6
• Breakfast Burritos-  between $3.50 and $5 – so many choices including eggs, ham, spinach, chorizo, potatoes, sausage – almost anything you want

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am-2pm
Phone: 503 935 4321 (available for orders to go

Fat Kitty Falafel

Location: SE 21st and Division

Description:

Falafel. It sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? A popular Middle-Eastern specialty of chickpeas and/or fava beans and spices fried or baked up into balls or patties, most often served with yogurt or a tahini-based sauce.  However, its nuanced flavors and the variety of shapes, sizes and side dishes make it almost elusive. Filling, satisfying and abundantly tasty balls of fried goodness, that’s my primary motivation when seeking it out, to be honest.  I’ve happily charged myself with sampling the city’s vast array of falafel, and it’s been a fine ride. And there is definitely some great falafel in this town, make no mistake. Last week it was brisk and slightly drizzly, so, while walking in SE Portland with a friend, we decided we wanted some falafel. Quickly! And that’s when we happened along Portland mainstay and falafel slinger extraordinaire, Al Herre and his Fat Kitty Falafel cart on the south side of 21^st and SE Division, in front of Mirador Community Store.  It’s not just falafel, it’s an experience.

Falafel from Fat Kitty

Al’s menu is simple and straightforward. $5 will get you a fresh hot falafel wrapped in a pita with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and your choice of tahini (plain, cilantro and spicy) and optional hot sauce.  Beverages available for an additional $1. The end.

The best part may be Al’s crispy falafel is served up with some of the best conversation in town. Go for the falafel, stay for a little bit of Al’s philosophy of life in Portland, his escapades in New York City, or his insight on the burgeoning Portland food cart scene.  Al is here to stay, and so is his falafel (voted several years in a row by the Williamette Week as the best falafel in the city, incidentally.)

I encourage you all to judge for yourselves. Crispy, flavorful and an ample serving for $5; I’ll definitely be coming back. Al is a Portland fixture that you will not soon forget. He’s friendly, open and full of conversation; I guarantee you will not leave without an opinion of Al and his falafel.  Fat Kitty is why I love this city! All vegetarian, all the time, with vegan tahini sauce available upon request.

Normally open 5 days a week for lunch, 11am – 5pm, call ahead if you’re not sure he’s open. He’ll take your order by phone and have it ready for pick up. 503-995-2724. www.fatkitty.biz. Al is seriously considering Twitter, and I hope he does it soon, as I’d happily follow his falafel anywhere. When you visit, tell him Food Carts Portland sent ya.

[Updated 6/2010 - Fat Kitty moved from SE 21st and Division to E Burnside at 7th]

Sample Menu:

• Falafel: fresh hot falafel wrapped in a pita with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and your choice of tahini (plain, cilantro and spicy) and optional hot sauce – $5

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11am-5pm
Website: Fatkitty.biz
Phone: 503 995 2724

Spoons

Location: SW 5th and Oak/Alder Parking Lot

Description:

The other day I was wandering around from pod to pod, trying to decide what to eat. I just couldn’t choose, so kept walking and enjoying the fall air and moisture. After checking out about 25 carts and pausing at a couple, I decided upon soup. It was a cool day, but not rainy and soup just sounded good. Spoons is one of a few carts in town who offer exclusively soup and when I decided to order, I was excited that they had borscht. Earlier in the week, I wondered aloud with friends if there were any carts selling borscht.

Borscht from Spoons

Borscht originated in the Ukraine, but has become the soup of central and eastern Europe. Many in America associate it with traditional Russian food. Made with beets as the base, it is famous for its deep red or burgundy color. The soup is usually served with a dollop of sour cream atop. That contrast of stark white with the deep red is simply beautiful. Yet once you mix it together, you sometimes get a color of the soup that may seem strange – a pinkish hue. No worries, it still tastes great.

The borscht I enjoyed at Spoons was deep burgundy, so I wasn’t able to see the bright contrast. As I ate it, I tasted the beets, onions and cabbage. I wasn’t sure if it was a meat stock, but the overall flavor of the soup was wonderful. Hot and savory and served with a small baguette, I enjoyed every bit, even tipping up the cup and drinking the last bits.

Soup is one of my favorite foods when winter comes. I have images of carrying around a thermos that is always full of hot miso or a Hungarian mushroom or potato leek – a thermos I can just pop the top and drink in the soup. Spoons’ soups were what I needed that day. When you are seeking a meal that will warm you up on these cold winter lunches, stop on by Spoons and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

[profile updated Nov. 2009]

Sample Menu:

• All soups come in either a cup – $3.50 or a bowl – $4.50 and come with a small roll
• Soups change daily – visit website for updated list
• Soup and salad combo – $7
• Oregon fall seasonal salad – mixed baby greens, fresh pears, hazelnuts, blue cheese, cranberries, marinated red onions, champagne vinaigrette – $5.50
• Classic Caesar – $4.50

Hours: Mon-Fri 10:30AM-2:00PM.
Phone: 503 522 3576
Website: www.spoonson5th.com

The Ruby Dragon

CLOSED 10/2011
Location: N Mississippi at Skidmore in Mississippi Marketplace

Description:

I won’t take up too much of your time introducing myself. But since this is my first post, I should take a moment to say who I am. I’m Anna, a sometimes blogger and lover of food carts who just spent the last two years getting my second degree. Diploma framed, I am now ready to start writing again! I’m primarily a vegetarian, a sometimes fish eater and love vegan food. Though my intent is not to convert meateaters, I can’t help but encourage carnivores to wipe those images of limp, bland bean sprouts and raw carrots from your mind’s eye and open yourself to the possibility of a healthy, delectable alternative to daily meat. Vegan fare can be incredibly tasty and satisfying even for the most hard core carnivore. Thanks Dieselboi for allowing me to add my two cents and hopefully this will not be my only post!

Last week I had the great fortune of meeting Tyler of The Ruby Dragon and trying his daily breakfast special. As a long time vegetarian (and, upon rare occasion, eater of seafood, making me, more accurately, a fishaterian I suppose) sometimes I just want to go somewhere where I can order ANYTHING on the menu and not be limited by the presence of any animal products. I also want a meal that’s satisfying and delicious without compromising or substituting on flavor or ingredients and one that isn’t all sugar and carbs. Honestly, I don’t believe this is too much to ask of my vegetarian foodies. Thankfully Portland has a growing and varied plethora of veggie and vegan options for even the most discriminating palette. The Ruby Dragon, in the new Mississippi Marketplace is a welcome addition to the already stellar selection of all-vegan fare. Tyler, a long-time vegan, and his partner decided several months ago they wanted to offer tasty, hearty vegan food with an ethnic flare. With the help of a contractor, Tyler’s beautiful food cart came into existence soon after he and his partner decided to embark on their food-cart adventures.

I happened to waltz by early on a Thursday and was treated to their daily special; a quinoa pancake (a complete protein for those of you who didn’t think vegans can get all their protein through plant products!) with blueberries. It was absolutely amazing and I immediately regretted not getting the pancake with dark chocolate and walnuts. Additional, I enjoyed a tempeh scramble stir-fried with shitake mushrooms, bell peppers, cashews and home blended Ethiopian curry which was subtle and satisfying. Finally,”You’re Home Fries,” which are best described in their menu as “sauteed to perfection… with an Ethiopian touch.” I ordered a tall coconut juice and my entire bill was $9.

Tyler from The Ruby Dragon

The Ruby Dragon had only been open a handful of days when I wandered over to the corner of Skidmore and Mississippi. There were dozens of people milling about the carts, including an Oregonian photographer, even at 11am. Several people ordered after me, so I wasn’t able to speak with Tyler for too long about his cart. I was thoroughly impressed with their menu, the friendly, helpful service and presentation. My meal was served on a gorgeous wooden plate right off the grill. The serving size was more than adequate – I’m not a big fan of supersized meals, but I also don’t like to feel like I’m not getting my money’s worth. My sense from our brief conversation is that Tyler has really invested himself into the quality and philosophy of The Ruby Dragon. I know I’ll be stopping by again soon and you should too. When you do, tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample menu:

“Eternal Morning” (b-fast)

• Quinoa Pancakes – made with fresh ground quinoa flour and hempseeds, topped with real maple, blueberries & walnuts or with blueberries, walnuts and dark chocolate… one $3.50 – $4.75; two $6.50 – $4.75
• Yammies – Sliced yams sauteed with onions, garlic, cashews, and a touch of spice… small $3.50;  large $4.50

“Soup and Salad Noon” (lunch)

• Mamma Miso soup – Buckwheat noodles and tofu, dino kale, local miso, and a tinity of ginger, onion and garlic, topped with scallion… $5

• Roasted Roots – Leeks, potatoes, squash, carrots, parsnips and a hearty mix of fresh herbs and Indian curry. Served with sprouted toast… $5

“Afternoon Till Sun Down” (dinner)

• Roots Fried Rice – Choice of tofu or tempeh, yammies, onion, seasonal veggies, cashews, sauteed with Ethiopian curry and brown rice. Topped with veganaise and avocado… $7

• Cashew Eggplant – Eggplant, tofu, carrots, bell pepper, green onion, snow peas, cashews sauteed in a spicy brown sauce with a touch of lime (extra heat available upon request)… $7
• The Ruby Dragon has an extensive menu, this is just a sampling of what they have to offer.

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 8am-8pm
Phone: 339 222 1685
Website: The Ruby Dragon Email: trubydragon@gmail.com
Twitter: RubyDragonPDX

Location: SW 5th and Oak/Stark Parking Lot

Description: This was the first cart to offer Thai food at the 5th and Oak/Stark food cart parking lot. Even though there are now many other Thai carts, the very friendly owners Jenny and Nu still do a good business. Rather than making each order from scratch, they offer a choice of about 8 different selections from a warming table (though you can order soups and fried rice dishes that are made to order). This makes a visit to the cart very convenient if you are in a hurry. Even a line of people 7-10 deep will get served quickly.

The menu changes daily but is pretty consistent for each day of the
week. A special slot on Friday has something different each week. The
dishes are about half meat and half vegetarian, with at least one
coconut based curry. The choices always include Pad Thai, usually in
both chicken and tofu varieties.

The food is very good and authentic. Some may say that there are other
carts that make you wait as they cook your food to order that are a
little bit better, but that is no reason not to enjoy Thai Sky’s
offerings. Recommended dishes are Cashew Chicken or Red Curry Chicken
on Mondays, Pineapple Fried Rice that is always available to
order, and the very spicy Jungle Curry that sometimes fills the
wildcard slot on Fridays.

Sample Menu:

Selection of: Yellow Curry with Tofu, Green Curry Chicken, Chicken Tom
Yum Stir Fried, Tofu Stir Fried w/Chili Paste and Green Beans, Pad
Khee Mao with Tofu, Pad Thai with Chicken.

1 choice with steamed rice: $4.75
2 choices with steamed rice: $5.75
Noodles only: $5.00

Tom Yum Noodles Soup: $5.00
Veggie Salad or Egg Rolls: $1.50
Spicy, Pineapple or Regular Fried Rice with Chicken or Tofu: $5.00

Hours: Mon-Fri Lunch Hours, closes around 3PM

Phone: 503-750-5369

Website: none