T & P's Chinese Cuisine

CLOSED
Location: SW 5th and Oak
Hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-5:30pm; Sat, 11-5:30

The Story:

Growing up, there were plenty of Chinese restaurants to go to whenever we wanted  pick up our favorite dishes like Kung Pao Chicken or General Tso’s. Those restaurants are still around, but the number of carts that offer Chinese cuisine are few and far between. T & P’s Chinese Cuisine is now the third to open downtown.

At T & P’s, you can find all of your favorites including Shrimp Chow Mein, Sweet & Sour Chicken, House Fried Rice, Dry Sauteed Green Beans and my favorite, Salted and Pepper Shrimp. If I see salt and pepper anything, I order it. First up, the shrimp and a couple of wontons hit the deep frying, the popping and sizzling could be heard through the window. As they cook, the chef ladled oil into a heavy cast iron pan, adding freshly sliced red onion, julienne carrots and chopped green pepper to sizzle. She stirs everything around, adding in spices and secret sauces that I couldn’t determine, but create the flavor that is unique to this dish. Finally, after the shrimp is crisp from the fryer, she tosses them in to combine all the different flavors. I enjoyed watching her create the dish just as much as the dish itself. The shrimp were just the right crispness without getting chewy and the salt and pepper were prominent throughout the entire mix. This dish is served with an egg roll, a wonton and some white rice.

Salted and Pepper Shrimp

T & P’s Chinese Cuisine is now open on SW 5th and Oak, on the Oak street side of the lot. Their prices are competitive and if the salted and pepper shrimp is any indication, the food is wonderful. Check them out and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• General Tso Chicken – $4.75
• Salted and Pepper Fish – $5.50
• Grean Bean Shirmp – $6
• Black Bean Chicken – $4.75
• Beef with Black Bean Sauce – $5
• Kung Pao Chicken – $4.75
• House Fried Rice – $6
• Salted and Pepper Shrimp – $8

Hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-5:30pm; Sat, 11-5:30
Phone: 503 515 7216

Supernatual Burgers

CLOSED
Location: SW 9th and Washington
Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime

The Story:

Just a few years ago, it was hard to find a good quality burger at a food cart. Now, almost every pod has a cart that does the burger justice. With the arrival of Supernatural Burgers, the Alder pod now has its own burger cart.

Supernatural Burgers wears its beef on its sleave metaphorically speaking. With a sign that touts No Syntheic Hormones and No Antibiotics and a chalkboard highlighting that the natural beef comes from Highland Oak Farms in Scio Oregon, they want you to know they are creating a high quality product they are proud of. Beyond the beef, they are getting their buns from local Pearl Bakery, one of my favorites in the city. With this combination, I had to give their burger a try.

Supernatual Burger

I don’t think the burger is Portland’s signature food, but we do have some awesome creations out there. At Supernatural, they use a brioche bun to sandwich in the 1/3lb patty. The burger was cooked medium and not more. There was till plenty of juices inside for the light bun to soak up. While they offer different types of burgers – chili cheese, Hawaiian, Pepper, etc – I wanted a virgin cheeseburger in order to truly taste what they offered. I’m glad I did. Taking that first bite, I could taste the quality of the beef with a light saltiness that is cut by the crisp leaf lettuce and sweetness of the fresh white onion. With juices dropping off the edge of my pinky, I didn’t set it down and simply sat there and enjoyed it till I was finished. For $6.50, a great addition to the pod.

Supernatural Burgers is now open weekdays for lunch. If you’re a burger fan, you should give it a try. They also have chili and fries. Drop on by and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

All burgers are 1/3lb.

• Burger with fixins – $6
• Cheeseburger – $6.50
• Peanut Burger – $6.50
• Chili Cheese Burger – $7.50
• Fat Boy – double cheese burger with fries and bacon – $9
• Blue Cheese Burger – $6.50
• Hawaiian Burger – add grilled pineapple – $6.50
• Bacon Cheeseburger – $7
• Fresh housemade Chili – cup, $3; bowl, $5
• Basket of Fries – $2

Phone: 503 490 0130
Facebook: Supernatural Burgers

Burgers or Bust Cafe

CLOSED 10/2011
Location: NE 23rd and Alberta
Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri/Sat, 11am-10pm

The Story:

The Alberta neighborhood has some great bars and places to nosh, including some outstanding food carts, yet from my research, not to many burger joints. Burgers or Bust Cafe opened this last summer to fill that gap.

Burgers or Bust is also known as the Burger Bus as it is built out of a 1992 converted schoolbus. Owner Chip Rothenberger is one busy guy. The owner behind Thai Noon and Thai Seasons restaurants, he had a few extra hours in the week to launch the bus. With a goal of serving up local, organic and sustainable meats and produce, Chip and his staff want to ensure every product they dish out is of the highest standards. After eating just one burger at the cart, I can see they work hard towards that goal.

Cheeseburger from Burgers or Bust Cafe

Being a Burger Bus, obviously burgers are on the menu as are cheeseburgers and fries. Chip also sources locally made vegan patties which have received rave reviews. I opted for a straight-up cheeseburger with cheddar cheese. Dressed with tomatoes, red onions, pickles and lettuce, the burger and all the fixin’s came on a great little bun made fresh that day. The part of eating a burger that I love the most is when you’ve eaten about 1/4 of it, the outside edges, and then are able to bit into the center. This is where you get the full gamut of everything the burger has to offer. The tomatoes mix with the pickles which mix with the meat and cheese and the mayo and ketchup. All those flavors at once dance in your mouth. I sometimes stop chewing so I can discern each of the individual flavors. The burger at Burgers or Bust Cafe provided me with such enjoyment. A well made and well dressed burger.

Burgers or Bust Cafe is open daily at the corner of NE 23rd and Alberta. Being a bus, they are mobile and do travel around for events, so be sure to follow either their Twitter feed or updates on Facebook to find out if they are roaming. Or, maybe invite them to your next event. Venture on down and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Hamburger with all the dressings – $6
• Cheeseburger with medium cheddar and all the dressings – $7
• Pepper Bacon Cheeseburger – $8
• Veggie Burger – gluten free vegan patty with all the dressings – $7
• Hand-cut Fries – sm, $3; lg, $4

Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri/Sat, 11am-10pm
Phone: 503 593 3320
Twitter: @BurgersorBust
Facebook: Burgers or Bust Cafe

Oregon Coast Fish Co

CLOSED
Location: SW 5th and Stark
Hours: Weekdays, lunch

The Story:

The lot at SW 5th and Stark, one of Portland’s original pods and with carts that have been there for years, sometimes gets a bit old. Having eaten at each of the carts multiple times, it is refreshing when a new cart opens to offer something different. Oregon Coast Fish Co. is the newest member of the pod.

Eddie Caplan took the former Indian cart, sided it with cedar to give it a fresh NW look and mounted a huge banner to let everyone know he was now open. Fish and chips are the specialty at Oregon Coast Fish Co. with choices including cod, tuna, red snapper, halibut and salmon. With certain fish being seasonal, he may have something different than those options – the glory behind working with fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Red Snapper Fish and Chips

Cod is the mainstay for fish and chips in this town. A good whitefish that breads well and is tasty with a bit of tarter sauce. Red Snapper though is what I choose when given an option. Also known as rockfish, I love eating snapper prepared most any way. As a fish and chips dish, the snapper is lightly breaded then deep fried to crispy perfection and served atop a mound of steak fries. A coleslaw or potato salad is added as a side. The fish flaked apart with little effort and wasn’t greasy like some fried fish ends up being. I ate it with my hands, dipping it in the gourmet sauces provided and didn’t need a mound of napkins afterwards. I loved the slightly nutty flavor of the fish mixed with the creaminess of the tartar sauce. The slaw was well done with just the right amount of vinegar zing. A good solid meal for lunch.

Oregon Coast Fish Co. is now open daily at the 5th ave pod. Nestled between Thai and cheesesteaks, it has found a solid following among the cartivores, but the wait is only about 4-5 minutes during the peak of lunchtime. Drop on by for some great fish and chips or a sandwich. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

(Note, due to the fluctuation of fresh fish prices, the prices below may be higher or lower)

Fish and Chips – served with thick cut fries, potato salad or coleslaw. Lunch size: 4oz; Dinner size: 6oz and both sides:

• Cod – lunch, $7; dinner, $9
• Tuna – lunch, $7.50, dinner, $9.50
• Salmon – lunch, $7.50, dinner, $9.50
• Red Snapper – lunch, $7.50; dinner, $9.50
• Halibut – lunch, $11; dinner, $15

Other options:

• Fish Sandwich, choice of fish (not halibut) served on a roll with tomato and cheese and served with 1 side: $6

Hours: weekdays, lunchtime
Contact: unkown

Throughout the year, many people, both within Portland and beyond, have asked how many food carts we have. According to Multnomah County, we have around 600 licensed carts. That is essentially the same number of carts we had at the end of 2010, yet we have all see a ton of carts opening this year. Carts are closing for sure. By my count, we’ve seen 28 carts close since January. Here are the latest:

• Wet Hot Beef – Alder Food Pod
• Red Guava – Alder Food Pod
• Over The Top – A la Carts Food Pavillion

Also, according to Eater, Ziba’s Pitas is for sale as Ziba is looking to retire. Sad news. If you’re looking for a cart, they are all for sale on Craigslist. Good luck food cart owners, we enjoyed your food.

My Daddy's Sausage

CLOSED
Location: SW 2nd and Stark
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11-3pm; Fri/Sat, 1oam-3am

The Story:

At the corner of SW 2nd and Stark, you are introduced to one of the most unique shaped food carts in town – the former military kitchen painted a bright green. The lot there has only a few carts, but they all seem to do very well. A new cart has arrived with both something new and a catchy name – My Daddy’s Sausage.

If you first thought is that the cart is a couple of college frat boys who are trying to get business with a play on words, you’re incorrect. My Daddy’s Sausage is a Laotian family who grew up with their dad making traditional Lao pork sausage that family and friends just loved and would always refer to it as “you daddy’s sausage.” The name stuck and when they decided to introduce Portland to this new treat, they simply named the cart My Daddy’s Sausage. And dad still makes the sausage.

My Daddy's Sausage with Papaya Salad

The sausage from this cart is truly unique and something I have never seen before. The size of a traditional brat, it is made with pork and flavored with lemongrass, green onions, and other spices and stuffed in a lamb casing. I was hesitant at first to get a sausage the day I arrived, but they have photos of their dishes and I say a sausage on bun, but instead of sauerkraut, it was papaya salad. I was sold. To have a sausage with lemongrass and green onion and top it with papaya salad was ingenious. I was taken aback at that first bite tasting the cool and spicy papaya salad mixed with the seasoned pork sausage and getting a taste of cilantro on the back of my tongue. It stopped me in my tracks it was so good. I found a bench and just sat there and slowly enjoyed the rest of the meal. Two different people stopped to ask what it was, drawn in by the papaya salad.

My Daddy’s Sausage is bringing something new and unique to Portland’s food cart scene. We have numerous carts who sell hot dogs and sausage and they differentiate themselves in their own way, but this is the first cart I have seen with Lao sausage. The name may draw you in or cause you to smirk, either way, you should give it a chance. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

My Daddy’s Sausage is a traditional Lao pork sausage with lemongrass, green onions and other spices in a lamb casing. You can get it served in the following ways:

• On The Bed: served on a bed of rice, steamed veggies and sweat and tangy garlic sauce – single, $5; double, $6.50; triple, $8
• Between the Bun: served in a bun topped with papaya salad and served with chips – $5
• In the Ball: combine with rice, red curry, coconut, shallots, garlic and then deep fried – $2 each

Other options:

• Lemongrass Chicken w/rice: marinated chicken served with rice and steamed veggies and tangy garlic sauce – $5
• Kow Piek Xin: Lao chicken noodle soup – made with fried garlic, green onions, cilantro, Thai basil, and rice noodles – $5

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11-3, Fri/Sat, 10am-3am
Twitter: @MyDaddysSausage
Facebook: My Daddy’s Sausage

Wicked Wing Shack

CLOSED
Location: SE 32nd and Division
Hours: Mon-Sun, 11am-7pm

The Story:

There aren’t too many options for chicken wings at the carts. In downtown, while we have a corporate chain, few carts have been able to break into that market and do it well. Wicked Wing Shack is here to change that.

Vintage travel trailers make up a large number of carts. They are inexpensive to purchase and convert and you don’t need a full size pickup to move them around. Some carts choose to keep the vintage look and even enhance it. Starchy and Husk painted theirs the red and white colors from the famous 70′s TV show. Wicked Wing Shack decided to go a different direction and have an artist paint a mural starting at the back where the serving window is with the goal of covering the side. With a devilish stare, the eyes at the bottom draw you in and then the chickens are there with equally menacing stares. This mural is a detailed and amazing work of art. This is the cart you show off to people.

Wings from Wicked Wing Shack

Wicked Wing Shack is a mother and daughter team with Anna working the window and April working the wings. Wings come either boneless or traditional with your choice of six sauces. Sauce flavors range from the mild Sticky Sweet to medium Black Berry Bomb and finally, the Hotter than Hell. I love spice, but I also love flavor. If I’m truly going to enjoy a meal, I can’t have a burning mouth, so I chose to get six wings with the Smokey Peach Chipotle sauce. Served with a cole slaw on the side, these wings were delicious. The peach was there in the flavor, but more as a mild sweetness to balance out the heat and smokiness of the chipotle. If you’re a hot sauce fan, this sauce is hot, but it won’t burn your mouth off. It was just the right temp for me. The chicken was just right so it fell off the bone without much effort. A great meal.

You may not be a chicken wing fan, but if you’re in the area, you have to check out the cart and take in the mural. It is what keeps me going back. Along with wings, they also serve up an assortment of sandwiches and fried pies. Wicked Wing Shack is open daily for lunch and throughout the afternoon into the dinner hour. Check ‘em out and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Updated 9/2011, moved to SE 32nd and Division

Sample Menu:

Sauces:

• Mild: Sticky Sweet or Honey Mustard
• Medium: Black Berry Bomb or Taste of the Orient
• Hot: Smokey Peach Chipotle or Hotter than Hell

Chicken:

• On-da-Bone Wings: 6 for $5.50; 12 for $10.50; 18 for $14.50 and so on.
• Boneless Wings: 8 for $7.50; 12 for $10.50; 18 for $14.50 and so on.
• Chicken Tenders: 3 for $4; 6 for $7.25

• Sides for $2.50 each: Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Pasta Salad, Tots, Sweet Potato Fries

Sandwiches:

• Texas Buffalo Hunter: hand breaded chicken strips with your choice of sauce tucked between to slices of Texas toast and served with lettuce, tomato and blue cheese crumbles – $6
• The Angry Jalapeno: hand breaded chicken breast topped with pickled jalapenos and served with bacon, cream cheese and southwestern mayo – $6

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11am-7pm
Phone: 503 919 1705
Twitter: @WickedWingShack
Facebook: Wicked Wing Shack

Easy Day

CLOSED
Location: SW 10th and Alder
Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime

Thai cuisine including Bubble Tea. More information coming soon.

The Knuckle Sandwich

CLOSED – The sandwiches can be found at Shut Up and Eat.
Location: SE 50th and Ivon, A la Carts Food Pavillion
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-8pm

The Story:

The first time I ate a sandwich I couldn’t finish was in New Orleans. It was 1/2 of a the famous muffuletta from Central Grocery. I was blown away that they could put so much meat and olive salad and other goodies on a sandwich. The other day, at The Knuckle Sandwich, I met the second sandwich I couldn’t finish in one sitting. A hoagie “as big as your head.”

The Knuckle Sandwich is a new cart to the owners, but you may recognize it as the former OmNomNom Sandwich cart. The owners of OmNomNom moved on and John Fimmano of Shut Up and Eat jumped at the chance to expand and acquire the cart for The Knuckle Sandwich and catering gigs. John knows sandwiches and if you’ve ever eaten at Shut Up and Eat, he knows good solid food also. The sandwiches at the new cart are hoagies, east coast style. The bread is from Helen Bernhard bakery and is a recipe John worked with them on in order to get the roll just right. At first, I didn’t believe in the whole “as big as your head” line. I have a big head, but when they handed me the sandwich, I became a believer.

The Old Style Italian Hoagie

The Old Style Italian hoagie is the sandwich I would order at every lunch if it was offered. Ever since I was a child and was introduced to salami, I’ve always been drawn to sandwiches with thinly sliced meats. Take a good size hoagie roll and lay down some lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Top that with chunky olive pepper relish and some roasted bell peppers then grab the meat. Mortadella! Genoa Salami! Copocollo! Sopressata! Prosciutto! Pepper Ham! Yep, all of that and then sprinkle on a handful of thickly shaved Parmesan cheese. Do I have your attention? This is a monster of a sandwich, penciling in at over a pound. I loved the crispness of the lettuce, the soft bread, the spicy olive salad and the meat all put together with each bite. It fed me for a few meals. A sandwich to redefine sandwiches.

The Knuckle Sandwich is open daily for lunch and dinner and offers four different hoagies. You can also get them to cater your event. Just give them a call. If you’re a hoagie fan or simply love sandwiches, you need to visit this cart and give it a try. You won’t be disappointed. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Old Style Italian: Mortadella, Genoa Salami, Copocolla, Sopressata, Prosciutto, pepper ham, Provolone cheese, olive pepper relish, roasted bell peppers, parm cheese blend, olive oil, lettuce, tomato on a sesame seed long roll – $8
• Spicy Diablo: pepperoni, Copocolla, Sopressata, pepper ham, pepper jack cheese, hot pepper slaw, parm cheese blend, mayo, lettuce, tomato on a sesame seed long roll – $8
• Club: smoked turkey, pepper ham, Copocolla, bacon, roasted bell peppers, cucumbers, mayo, lettuce, tomato on a sesame seed long roll – $8
• Corned Beef: corned beef, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, Russian slaw, pickle, hard boiled egg, deli mustard, lettuce and tomato on a sesame seed long roll – $8

Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-8pm
Phone: 503.577.5604
Website: ShutupandEatPDX.com
Facebook: Shut Up and Eat

Cascade Burger

CLOSED
Location: Cartlandia, SE 82nd and Springwater Trail
Hours: Wed-Fri, 11am-3pm, 5-7pm; Sat, 12-9; Sun, 12-7

The Story:

In a trailer abutting the wonderful Springwater Trail to the north and Johnson Creek to the south, Cascade Burger keeps it simple and tasty.

Cartlandia is Portland’s newest pod and the owner, Roger Goldingay calls it a “SuperPod” with the hope of more than 20 carts, onsite parking and accessibility from the Springwater Trail. There aren’t 20 carts there yet, but the carts that have opened are getting a steady stream of customers and seem to be doing well, serving SE Portland’s cart lovers. Cascade Burger is one of those first carts to open and already has returning customers based on the casual conversations between the owner and the patron.

Epic Burger from Cascade Burger

Cascade Burger keeps it simple with two options – the Epic Burger and the Veggie burger. Both are handmade and served atop a great burger roll with all the accoutrements. While I’m a huge fan of homemade veggie burgers, I’m a sucker for a good beef burger. Using locally sourced beef, vegetables and buns, the burger is truly a work of art. Everything is flame grilled, so with the bun, you get great grill marks and even some char like the family picnic. The burger is hand pattied, so it is thick and juicy and not a standard shape or size. Put that burger with the bun, fresh slices of Roma tomatoes, some cheddar cheese and field greens and you have one fabulous meal. Everything worked and I devoured the burger, enjoying the crunch of the bun, the bitter of the greens and the juiciness of the burger. Now I have to return to try the veggie burger for sure.

Cascade Burger is open for lunch and dinner with a break in between to restock and rest up. Everything is done fresh, so be patient if there is a crowd. If you Yelp or FourSquare, Cascade Burger has offers for you and if you don’t have cash, Cascade Burger will take your plastic. If you’re out and about in SE, cruise down 82nd to Cartlandia and check it out. There is parking and even a big screen TV and covered seating. Enjoy a Cascade Burger and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Epic Burger – with all the fixin’s – $6 – add bacon for $1
• Veggie Burger – with all the fixin’s – $5
• Fries – $2 or basket for $4

Hours: Wed-Fri, 11am-3pm, 5-7pm; Sat, 12-9; Sun, 12-7
Phone: 503 490 8839
Twitter: @CascadeBurger Facebook: Cascade Burger