Fonzi’s Bakabana Cabana

Location: SE 32nd and Hawthorne
Hours: Tues-Thurs, 12-9pm, Fri/Sat, 12-11pm

The Story:

There are more than a few carts on SE Hawthorne interspersed among the shops and restaurants and boutiques. Yet, few are as welcoming as Fonzi’s Bakabana Cabana with a tables, some chairs, an umbrella and some plants.

Fonzi’s Bakabana Cabana focuses on South American and Caribbean cuisine with ingredients including black beans, plantains, curries, and fresh vegetables. Fonzi, the owner and chef greets you with a smile, looking at you from the huge mirror at the back of the cart. At first glance, it felt like an optical illusion. I thought it was a double size cart because of the reflection of the kitchen. It’s Fonzi’s way of knowing when customers arrive while he’s busy cooking or prepping.

Fonzi’s Jungle Bowl

Bakabana, the namesake of the cart, is lightly battered fried plantains and a spicy peanut sauce. While I didn’t get the plantains, I did get the peanut sauce with my meal, Fonzi’s Jungle Bowl. I just couldn’t pass up a dish with Jungle in the name. Brown rice, sweet African chicken, black beans, curried potatoes, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers and the spicy peanut sauce make up this delicious dish. Everything about this dish was fabulous from the melt in your mouth chicken to the amazing black beans. I commented about the beans and Fonzi just gave me a wry smile and said it was a secret recipe. He also pointed out that everything is from scratch, no canned goods here. To think that he is doing the prep with dried beans impresses me and tells me Fonzi has a passion for his food.

Fonzi’s Bakabana Cabana invites you to enjoy some flavors of an area many of us aren’t familiar with. Also, have a chat with Fonzi, he is one cool guy with a great smile and welcoming disposition. Let him know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Bakabana: lightly battered organic fried plantains and spicy peanut sauce – gluten free – $6
• Roti: curried chicken, curried potatoes, eggs and chapatti bread – $7
• Jungle Chicken Spagetti: marinated sweet African chicken, buttered noodles, Parmesan cheese, sliced cucumber and tomato and lime wedge – $7
• Fonzi’s Jungle Bowl: brown rice, curried or sweet African chicken, black beans, curried potatoes, sliced tomato and cucumbers, lime wedge and spicy peanut sauce – $7
• Fonzi’s Vegan Bowl: brown rice, avocado, black beans, curried potatoes, sliced cucumber and tomatoes, lime wedge and spicy peanut sauce – $7

Hours: Tues-Thurs, 12-9pm, Fri/Sat, 12-11pm
Phone: 503 449 4999

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