Skewed Concoctions

Location: SW 3rd and Stark
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm and later on the weekends.

The Story:

Every summer I get invited to events where someone has the grill going. Invariably, they have meat or veggies on a stick for everyone to enjoy. Being winter though, those skewers are put away except for at Skewed Concoctions where they have most anything available skewered and grilled.

Zach and Katay, the owners, specialize in marinated meat and veggie skewers with an Asian theme. Thai, Hawaiian, Laotian – all of these cultures and their culinary secrets are represented on the menu and more. They have pork, turkey and chicken and even large chicken wings on skewers. If you’re looking for non-meat options, you can get a papaya salad or egg rolls. There seems to be something for everyone.

One item on the menu caught my eye due to the interesting combination of fruit and pepper. The cranberry chipotle glazed turkey skewer comes with two skewers, some rice, a salad and fried egg roll. The cranberry chipotle glaze was both sweet and smoky as the name would imply. It infused the turkey well, providing a great flavor profile throughout the meat.

Skewed Concoctions

Skewed Concoctions is open for lunch through dinner daily and late night on the weekends. Drop on by for a skewer or a full meal and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Individual skewers are $2-2.50
• Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Skewer meal – $7
• Chicken Satay Meal – $7
• Pineapple Teriyaki Pork Skewer meal – $7
• Beef Satay Meal – $7
• Orange Glazed Chicken Wing Meal – $7
• Ramen Vegetarian Pad Thai Meal – $7
• Papaya Salad – $5

Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm and later on the weekends
Phone: 971 226 9050
Twitter: @skewedconcoctio
Facebook: Skewed Concoctions

Touchdown's BBQ

Location: SW 10th and Washington
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm; Sat, 12pm-4pm

The Story:

In downtown Portland, it’s not too hard to find a BBQ food cart. But at Touchdown’s (which also caters, by the way), you’ll also get some warm Southern hospitality from Sandra, one of the cart owners. With family roots tracing back to Little Rock, Arkansas, she was born in Chicago and then lived in Texas before settling in Portland. BBQ must be either in the genes or picked up along the way. The cart, which has been open for nine months, started from a family passion for cooking. Gotta love those “soul food” origins; it’s all about love and food uniting as one.

Tourchdown's BBQ

I saw a small line (perhaps 4-5 people) had formed in front of the cart. A poster board with pictures of virtually every entrée and side dish caught my eye. Mmm…BBQ. Touchdown’s had a special going the day I went: a pulled pork sandwich on  a toasted bun with cole slaw and baked beans for $7.95. The pork was juicy, flavorful, and wanted to melt on my tongue. Touchdown’s toasts the buns, so a lovely slight crunch comes with each bite. The fresh, crunchy cole slaw has some sweet connotations and is a classic pairing with the pork. The warm baked beans had a nice consistency, a good second side dish to get.

Try any of Touchdown’s other sides as well: potato salad, collard greens, mac and cheese, yams, cornbread, and garlic bread. If you’re unsure, just ask Sandra for a sample, she loves giving out samples. A cart I’d definitely go back to. Check them out! Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Quarterback Special: Smoke or Hot Link Topped with Cheese, BBQ pulled pork w/cole slaw ($8.95); combo w/two sides ($10.95)
• 1st and 10: BBQ Ribs w/garlic bread ($8.95); combo w/two sides and garlic bread ($10.95)
• Out of Bounds: BBQ Pulled Pork or Chicken Sandwich w/cole slaw ($7.95); combo w/two sides ($10.95)
• Huddle: BBQ Chicken w/garlic bread ($8.95); combo w/two sides and garlic bread ($10.95)
• Blitz: Grilled Smoked or Hot Link with all the trimmings ($6.95); combo w/two sides ($8.95)
• Super Bowl Sides: potato salad, cole slaw, greens, mac and cheese, baked beans, yams, cornbread, or garlic bread
• Starting Lineup: Soda ($1); water ($1)

Hours: Mon-Fri, 11 am to 5 pm; Sat, 12 pm to 4 pm
Phone: 971 217 1193
Email: jtstate@hotmail.com

MEET

Location: NE Alberta between 14th and 15th
Hours: Wed-Sun, 10am-8pm

The Story:

Alberta street has some wonderful food carts, but unlike most of the city, they aren’t congregated into pods. The carts on Alberta go it alone, interspersed between the restaurants, shops and other eateries on the street. Welcome a new cart to the street – MEET.

MEET is located in a spot between 14th and 15th where there use to be a Mexican truck for years. I happened upon it when we were roaming about one day, so the placement of the cart next to the sidewalk was key. When I first saw the sign, I did think it would be a meat centric cart. Being a food writer, I sometimes find myself writing, “hey, let’s meat at blah blah blah.” It gets some laughs. That being said, the cart does focus on meals centered around brisket, ribs, chicken and pork. While you can get items a la cart, they focus on plating the main course with sides for the full meal deal.

St Louis Ribs from MEET

It seems that most every city has a food that has in some way been defined by the culture there. The Philly Cheesesteak or the NYC Pastrami or Kansas City BBQ. While St. Louis is famous for its grilling and BBQ sauce, the ribs are named for how they’re cut. I spent a summer learning all about ribs and cooking some myself, so when offered, I jump at it. I was served three meaty ribs with greens and coleslaw. MEET had some great sauces available, but I chose to enjoy the ribs as they were served and am glad I did. The meat came off the bone easily with a rich flavor and an applewood smokiness. The greens- kale, collards and mustard – were a great companion mixed with the vinegar zing of the coleslaw.

MEET offers up seating under a tent so you can get out of the elements while you enjoy your meal. What is not listed on the menu, but was on their chalkboard was breakfast. Head on down and check MEET out and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

All plates come with 2 sides.

• Painted Hills Whole Brisket: 1/4 lb slow cooked and smoked with apple wood – $9.50
• Carlton Farms St Louis Style Ribs: 1/4 rack slow cooked and smoked with apple wood – $9.50
• Roasted Chicken: $9.50
• Pulled Pork Sandwich: (1 side) $5
• Brisket Sandwich: (1 side) $5
• Sides: roasted seasonal vegetables; assorted braised greens; coleslaw; baked beans; brown rice and more.

Hours: Wed-Sun, 10am-8pm
Contact: unknown

Ploy Thai

Location: SW 5th and Oak
Hours: Lunchtime, weekdays

The Story:

A grouping of carts has sprung up on Oak street between SW 4th and 5th around the corner from the 5th avenue carts. Among them, Cuban, Mediterranean and two Thai carts including Ploy Thai.

Ploy Thai is the work of Ploy who came to Portland after serving her brand of Thai street food at the markets in Thailand. She would create her dishes and take them to the markets for all to enjoy, experiencing why we gather – to eat and become a community. At the Ploy Thai cart you can find all of your favorites like salad rolls, Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai and more. What surprised me was some items I don’t normally see at the carts, like Garlic and Pepper, a dish served with your choice of chicken, pork, shrimp or vegetables and comes with Jasmine or brown rice and steamed veggies. I chose chicken with brown rice and it was one of the healthiest Thai dishes I have had from a cart in awhile. The chicken had been spiced with garlic and black pepper and served over brown rice, but not with a thick sauce. The flavors were bright and peppery, the black pepper coming through lightly which I love. The veggies were fresh and steamed just right to keep them crunchy. Overall, an excellent dish that I will return for.

Garlic and Pepper

Ploy Thai is a great addition for Thai food cart lovers and the rest of us. Drop on by next time you are down that way and try some of Ploy’s home cooking. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Egg Rolls – 4 for $3
• Salad Rolls – 2 for $3
• Papaya Salad – shredded green papaya, Thai chili, garlic, tomatoes and peanut with spicy lime juice – $6
• Larb – ground chicken or pork with Thai rice powder, green onion, red onion and spicy lime juice – $6
• Tom Yum soup – choice of chicken, pork, tofu, veggies or shrimp – hot and sour lemongrass soup with galanga root, kaffir leaves, lime juice and Thai chili – $5.50-6
• Moo Ping/Gai Yang – BBQ marinated pork or chicken with Thai spices and sticky rice – $5
• Ping Yang Combo – papaya salad and one of the BBQ dishes and sticky rice – $7.50
• Garlic and Pepper – choice of chicken, pork, tofu, veggies or shrimp, fresh garlic and black pepper with rice and steamed vegetables – $5.50-6
• Pad Thai – stir fried noodle with egg, tofu, green onions, bean sprouts and ground peanuts with pad Thai sauce – choice of meat – $5.50-6
• Sukiyaki – glass noodle, egg, pickled bean curd, Thai chili and green onion – $6
• Full menu at PloyThaiCart.com

Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime
Phone: 503 267 0849
Website: PloyThaiCart.com

Island Grill Hawaiian Barbeque

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime

The Story:

When one cart closes, someone is always there to re-open with something new. Shortly after Tofu House closed, Island Grill was open with a menu of Hawaiian treats.

We have a few Hawaiian carts in town now with 808 Grinds and Ninja Plate Lunch. With the addition of Island Grill, Portland cart lovers have yet another choice for Kalua Pork or a side of macaroni salad. Hawaii is also famous for loco moco and Island Grill has it if that is your desire – a plate of rice with a hamburger patty, brown gravy and fried egg atop.

Teriyaki Chicken Plate

The plate lunches are pretty a la carte – rice and macaroni salad with your choice of meat – and two different sizes if you’re looking to eat less. The meat options aren’t surprising – kalua pork, beef shortribs, chicken katsu, hamburger steak – just to name a few. I decided to try the Teriyaki chicken and got a full plate with two scoops or rice and the salad. The grilled chicken had a char to it that when paired with the sweetness you get from teriyaki sauce, created a great mix of flavors. The macaroni salad was a treat, one of my favorite types of salad. I even added a spam musubi – rice, spam and sauce wrapped in seaweed. I love spam musubi.

Island Grill is open right there on cart row on SW Alder between 9th and 10th. Check them out if you’re looking for a change – they usually have daily specials that are different from the menu. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Plate lunches are either mini for $5 or regular for $6.50
Mini: 1 scoop of rice and 1 scoop of macaroni salad with choice of meat
Regular: add a scoop or rice

Meat choices:  BBQ beef; Teriyaki beef; Hamburger steak; Beef short ribs; Kalua pork; BBQ spicy pork; Pork katsu; Fried shrimp; Fried mahi mahi; BBQ chicken; Teriyaki chicken; Shoyu chicken; Chicken katsu

• Add Musubi for $2
• Burgers – $5 with choice of meat
• Yakisoba noodles – $6
• Loco moco – $7
• Island Bibimbap – $6

Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime
Contact: unknown

SomTum Gai Yang II

Location: SW 3rd and Stark
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm

The Story:

SomTum Gai Yang, named after their signature dish, has expanded with a new cart at SW 3rd and Stark. The shiny steel cart is welcoming with large colorful photos of their dishes welcoming you as you wander by. SomTum is a shaved papaya salad which is spicy and filling, yet low calorie so you can keep your svelte figure. The other dishes on the menu offer up grilled chicken or pork along with traditional Thai.

If you normally frequent the carts on 2nd and 3rd and rarely get up to 10th, now the carts at 10th are coming to you. SomTum Gai Yang II is open and ready to feed you. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Somtum – green papaya salad w/lime juice served w/ sticky rice – $6
• Gai yang – Thai style BBQ Chicken served w/ sticky rice – $6
• Moo yong – Thai roast pork w/ sticky rice – $6
• Tum Polamai – fruit salad combines chopped red and green apples, pears, oranges, and strawberries w/ lime juice – $6
• Somtum Gai Yang – combination of salad and bbq chicken or pork – $7

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm
Phone: 503-522-9543
Facebook: SomTum

A Little Bit of Smoke

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime

The Story:

When one takes a view of Portland’s cart scene, they will see plenty of Thai and Mexican carts, but few BBQ even though that is one flavor that is truly American. Portland does have carts that specialize in BBQ, but the are few and far between. With the addition of A Little bit of Smoke in southwest Portland, downtown gets another opportunity to try an American original.

Bar b que or BBQ is like NYC pastrami, there is always a discussion as to where it is from, who made it and what style it is in. I’m not a BBQ connoisseur or historian, but I do know there is a different flavor of BBQ for every county in every state south of the Mason-Dixon line. When I first heard of A Little Bit of Smoke, I learned they were doing Carolina style BBQ. My first visit was to try their pulled chicken sandwich which had a vinegar hint to the BBQ sauce. I learned later that that the vinegar is typical of eastern North Carolina BBQ and that western North Carolina BBQ has more of a tomato based BBQ sauce. Crazy I tell ya, but intriguing. To think that what I think is simple BBQ can change from city to city and state to state makes me want to do research. You know what research requires? Eating!

Pulled Pork Sandwich

A Little Bit of Smoke was put together by Scott and Genevieve. The first time I visited, Scott, the man behind the menu was in the cart ready to teach me. What I loved was how laid back he was. It was as if I was visiting him at his home and chillin’ in the backyard with a beer. Scott gets assistance from another Scott and Genevieve who are equally as welcoming and offer up samples and smiles. The pulled chicken sandwich, something I have never had, was a treat with moist chicken chunks on a standard white bun with a sauce that complemented well. Each bite introduced me to a new flavor, but most predominately was vinegar. I am not usually a fan of chicken as my experience has taught me that it normally comes out dry, yet at A Little bit of Smoke, it was far from dry. The second visit introduced me to Scott’s pulled pork which, if you’re a fan of pork, is a divine little sandwich. Plenty of meat, a good sauce on a white bun. That second visit also introduced me to a couple of their sides – a sweet potato salad with nice chunks of orange sweet potato and their black eyed pees with plenty of bacon flavor. These guys know what they’re doing in the kitchen.

A Little Bit of Smoke has been open now for a few weeks and captured a spot at food cart central at SW 9th and Alder. Their prices are comparable to other carts and the service is welcoming and friendly. I’m more excited for the sides they offer than the BBQ, but am a sucker for good pulled pork or chicken. Head over, give Carolina BBQ a try and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Pulled Pork topped w/ slaw – $6
• Pulled Chicken – $6
• Add 2 sides to either sandwich – $9

Sides:

• Black Eyed Peas – $3
• Sweet Potato Salad – $3
• Cole Slaw – $3

Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime
Phone: 503 758 8860
Twitter: @bitofsmoke
Facebook: A Little Bit of Smoke

Location: SE 50th and Ivon
Hours: Daily for lunch including weekends

The Story:

Portland loves barbecue. That is evident with the growth of some great barbecue restaurants in the past few years. Without a tradition of the craft in this city like with the south, we work with what we’re offered and enjoy it just the same. Jazzy’s Old Fashioned Barbeque serves up some great dishes from their trailer at A la Carts food pod.

Jazzy’s food cart is an extension of their restaurant out off 181st and Powell in Gresham which has been serving the residents of that neighborhood for years. While most stories start at a food cart and end at a restaurant, Jazzy’s is using the cart to spread the word about their restaurant…and providing Portland with some great meals along the way.

I’m a fan of barbecue, I’ll admit it. I love ribs and brisket and beans and cornbread. Put some meat on the grill and I’ll eat it. At Jazzy’s they offer pulled pork, spareribs and the meal we enjoyed, slow roasted beef brisket. A good size dish of thinly sliced brisket with a corn muffin and sides. Collard greens and potato salad complimented our brisket and were genuine and flavorful. Grabbing a chunk of cornbread and a thin slice of meat, then dipping that all in a bit of BBQ sauce is heavenly. And I got to do that for 30 minutes without having to share. Loved it!

Jazzy’s is has their cart at A La Carts on of SE 50th and Division. They are open on the weekends and sometimes have specials beyond the regular menu. If your down that way, let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Smokey Spareribs lunch: includes 1 side and corn muffin – $9
• Slow Smoked Beef Brisket lunch: includes 1 side and corn muffin – $9
• Giant pulled pork sandwich – $6
• Collard greens – $1
• Red beans and rice – $1
• Potato Salad – $1

Hours: Weekdays lunch, including weekends
Phone: 503 491 8631

Location: SE 12th and Hawthorne, Cartopia

The Story:

On Friday or Saturday night, I am a sucker for fries or a pizza or a pie – all the wonderful things available at Cartopia down on SE 12th and Hawthorne. Yet, sometimes, you have a craving for something a little different – maybe a po’boy or some BBQ or even some jambalaya. Well, Bubba Bernie’s is there to sate that craving.

Bubba Bernie’s serves up a great mix of southern comfort food. The evening we visited, a cold dark Saturday night, we were able to sit comfortably at their tables under their awning warmed by their gas space heater. It was one of those nights when the only thing that could warm you was direct heat, and Bernie’s had it. We ordered a BBQ beef brisket sandwich and the vegan jambalaya with kale and veggie sausage.

The BBQ beef brisket sandwich came on a nicely toasted french roll and the beef had been slow roasted well enough that when you took a bite, it melted in your mouth. A great sandwich for that cold night. The vegan jambalaya was really the showcase of the night. I had never thought of adding kale to jambalaya. For some, that kale, and the veggie sausage may be sacrilegious, but we enjoyed it. It was pretty spicy too, something I love in a southern dish.

Bubba Bernie’s has been in Cartopia for well over a year and has established itself as a solid cart. They are open as early as 6pm, so you could easily visit for dinner or come late night for a snack. As stated, they have covered seating with a nice heater for cool evenings, so you don’t have to order and go. Next time you visit, enjoy a po’boy and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Black bean + brisket chili w/cheese:  8oz – $4; 16oz bowl – $7.50
• Beef brisket on french roll – $8
• Pulled pork on french roll – $8
• Dinners – either sandwich with garlic roll and choice of sides for $9.50 or more.
• Philly Cheese Steak – $8
• Po’Boys served on french roll with lettuce, tomato, roumalad and green onion – your choice of catfish, shrimp, clam strips or oyster – $6.75
• Chicken or shrimp Jambalaya – $8.50
• Vegan Jambalaya with kale and vegan sausage – $7.50

Hours: Wed through Sat, 6pm-3am
Contact: unknown

Location: N Killingsworth and Greeley (updated 10/2011)

The Story:

North Portland is getting a second Pod. Up at the intersection of N Greeley and Killingsworth, a developer has taken an abandoned gas station building and turned it into a pizza place with a lot to support about 10 food carts. The first carts arrived back in December and I first heard of Saucy’s via Byron Beck, who seems to live close-by based on his tweets and blog posts. Last week on a sunny January day, we decided to visit and see what they had to offer.

Saucy’s is a BBQ cart specializing in rib, fish and hot link sandwiches along with coleslaw and potato salad. When you arrive, you see Rick, the owner, either packaging up a plate for a customer or tending to the BBQ to the side of the cart. The smell is divine and immediately gets your belly growling. The best part? Almost everything on the menu is $2. So I had to try it all…

We picked up a rib sandwich, a hotlink sandwich, a potato salad and a fish plate which included fries and coleslaw. All for $14. And it was even a bit too much for me. I dove into that rib sandwich with gusto. I grabbed a cloth napkin in order to allow for the sauce to get everywhere. A nice thick piece of pork rib with the bone included between a nice simple roll. I just grabbed it and didn’t put it down until I was finished. A perfect rib with a great sauce that fell apart in my mouth. Super tasty.

The hot link sandwich was a Louisiana hot smothered with the same BBQ sauce that the ribs are cooked in. After the rib sandwich, I was a bit full, but powered through. I also got to nibble on the fish plate which included fried fish pieces, thick cut fries and coleslaw. A good portion for the price and a great meal.

Saucy’s is open Monday through Friday from lunch through dinner and for those prices you gotta check it out. I’m excited for the growth of the Pod and hope the new carts have the early success that Saucy’s has had. Go grab a rib sandwich and indulge. When you do, let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Rib sandwich – $3
• Fish sandwich – $2
• Hot link sandwich – $2
• Coleslaw or potato salad – $2
• French fries – $2
• Ribs, roll and salad – $8
• Fish, fries, roll and salad – $7
• Rib slabs available with sufficient notice – $25

Hours: Monday through Friday – 11am-6pm; Saturday – noon-6pm; closed Sunday
Phone: 503 807 7015