Location:

The Story:

Take a bright fire engine red vintage travel trailer, create a menu of tasty panini style sandwiches and have owners who have been serving Portlanders for years and you get Rockabillies. And, just in time for summer night noshing downtown.

Rockabillies is the creation of Rudy and Morgan Morgan who have done their tour at local bars for the last few years and wanted to try something new. One of the first carts to open at a new pod at SW 4th and Burnside, Rockabillies is expanding the late night options for hungry club and concert goers. Rudy worked at Dante’s for awhile, so has an ace in the hole with that crowd only 50ft away. Nice placement! Rockabillies focuses on sandwiches and late night fried food.

As a first time visitor, I opted for the tuna melt. I rarely see that at a cart and thought it would go perfect with the cool spring day. Rudy’s tuna melt is made with good flavorful artidsan bread with freshly made tuna salad mixed with finely chopped red onion and topped with cheddar cheese. It is then grilled in a panini press to finish. When I saw the sandwich prior to being put in the press, I was concerned with the size, but that press mushed it down perfectly, making a nice manageable sandwich. The grilling created a crunchy buttery crust with little bits of melted cheese that had dripped out and cooked up on the grill. You know those bits – dark, crunchy, decadent. I could eat a whole plate of that. Overall, the sandwich was great. A good size and made well for a low price.

Rockabillies is now open on SW 4th and W Burnside. (You know Burnside is only E or W right?) Rudy and Morgan open for lunch during the week too feed the office workers and with a close proximity to old town, they have a captive audience who may not want to venture further south. Rockabillies also opens for the late night crowd on the weekends, including Sunday nights till 3am. Check out their sandwich offerings and deep fried cheese curds and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• The Hillbillie: smothered pulled pork sandwich on pub bun topped with tangy cole slaw – $6
• BLTT Two Ways: bacon, lettuce, tomato and turkey – served cold or grilled panini style – $6
• Rockin’ Reuben: traditional reuben – $6
• Hot Rod Ham and Cheese: hot ham and your choice of cheese – $6
• Turkey Rancher: turkey, red onions, roasted red peppers, ranch dressing, mayo, pepper-jack cheese – $6
• Big Daddy Tuna Melt: fresh made tuna salad, cheddar cheese and grilled panini style – $6
• Basil Bomb: pesto, basil, Mozzarella, tomato – $6
• French Fries, Onion Rings, Fried Pickles or Fried Cheese Curds – $3

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11am-6pm; Saturday, 11am-3am; Friday/Saturday/Sunday, 11pm-3am
Phone: 503-381-5613
Twitter: @Rockabillies Facebook: Rockabillies

Location: N Mississippi and Skidmore at Mississippi Marketplace

The Story:

Kevin Sandri’s Garden State cart in Sellwood has been around for years. His meatball hero is the talk of the town. His chickpea sandwich was showcased as a top street food choice by Good Morning America last year. In April, Kevin won the Carty Award for overall tastiness at the Willamette Week’s Eat Mobile cart festival. I don’t think I need to tell you this cart is good. If you didn’t know though, Garden State expanded in 2010 to open a second cart in North Portland at Mississippi Marketplace.

Garden State at Mississippi Marketplace has the same menu items we have grown to love from the Sellwood cart, but they have added a couple of items – pork confit sandwich and a burger. I had the sandwich one day and it was divine. You can read all about Garden State and their offerings from Cuisine Bonne Femme’s original post from 2007 here.

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday, 12-5pm
Phone: 503 962 9265
Website: GardentStateCart.com
Twitter: @GardenStateChef Facebook: Garden State

Location:

The Story:

As my generation grows up, I think we’re rediscovering some of the comfort foods that got us through our childhood – PB&J, Tater Tots, and Mac & Cheese. Portland is lucky to have a restaurant that has been serving up tasty mac & cheese now for 20 some years – Montage. Now Portland can get some tasty mac & cheese from a cart. I give you Starchy and Husk.

Starchy and Husk opened in early April and seems to be doing brisk business at the North Station cart pod. A bright red refurbished sportsman trailer from yore is home to one of the most beautiful stainless steel modern kitchens I have seen in a cart. As I looked in the window, I was blown away at what they had built. Starchy and Husk gets the name from the 1970′s show Starsky and Hutch and the design is around the Gran Torino paint scheme. They even have items on the menu referencing the show – The Gran Torino and Huggie Bites.

I ordered up the Gran Torino meal at the recommendation of Tom, the owner. His statement of “it may have too much pancetta in it…” convinced me. My response was obvious – “how can you have too much pancetta in anything?”  The Gran Torino is mac & cheese made with chunks of baked butternut squash, pancetta, 7 cheeses and then baked with panko bread crumbs on top. It is a good portion and the butternut squash gives is a sweetness I have never thought to add to mac n’ cheese. The pancetta was a nice touch and not overwhelming as Tom had been concerned about. The meal I ordered came with a green salad and a piece of cornbread.

Starchy and Husk is serving up mac & cheese at this time with the cornbread acting as the “husk.” As sweet corn comes into season here in Portland and the surrounding area, Tom will have a roaster in order to serve up fresh roasted corn – the “husk.” Such a great idea and a food that pulls at my childhood heartstrings. I will probably be spending some quality time getting to know Starchy and Husk this summer. If you are up in North Portland, look for the bright red and silver cart and enjoy a childhood memory. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• The Gran Torino: 7 cheeses, chunks of butternut squash, pancetta, topped with panko breadcrumbs – $6
• The Classic: made with sharp cheddar and topped with panko – $5
• add side salad and cornbread to either meal for $1
• Huggie Bites: gluten free sweet potato hush puppies – 5 for $2

Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 11am-7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12-8pm
Phone: 503 708 7819
Facebook: Starchy and Husk

Location:

The Story:

The food cart scene is starting to get crazy with spring in the air. When one cart closes, someone else is there to snatch it up and make it their own. Last year, we welcomed Stella’s on Stark only to see them close before the holidays. Just after the new year though, new owners took over the cart and renamed it as Stark Street Grill and have been serving up their menu every day for the last two months.

Stark Street Grill is a hamburger, grilled sandwich and hot dog cart. They have an assortment of burgers with toppings ranging from cheese to bacon to mushrooms. They even have a bacon wrapped hot dog. A simple concept done well. A classic grilled cheeseburger is $5 and comes with fries which were pretty good. When I asked Dennis what his favorite was, he said the mushroom/bacon/swiss – now that does sound good. A good burger and fries for a great price.

Stark Street Grill the bright green cart right on the corner of SW 3rd and Stark. As I was leaving, the guys asked me to “tell a friend.” So, I’m telling you my friends – go check them out. Oh, and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Classic cheeseburger and fries – $5
• Bacon deluxe and fries – $6
• Mushroom Swiss burger and fries – $6.50
• Mushroom Swiss bacon burger and fries – $7
• Grilled ham and cheese and fries – $6
• Grilled 1/4 lb hot dog – $3.50
• Grilled 1/4 lb Stark St. hot dog (wrapped in bacon) – $4.50
• Side of fries – $2.50/$3.50

Hours: Weekdays from 11:30am-6pm; Friday/Saturday evenings to 2/3am
Contact: unknown

Location:

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

Buddha Bites

Location: SW 4th and Hall

Description:

“Hey, that’s a new cart isn’t it?,” was the first words out of my mouth when I walked up to the carts on SW 4th avenue by PSU. Tucked in between Thai Pasta and a cart named Rice and Noodle was Buddha Bites, all bright and shiny and new. When I got closer, I began to see the key words of the 21st century – organic, sustainable, farm direct, probiotic. Gotta try it. And I’m glad I did.

Just looking at the menu and the cart’s banner, one can tell these cartrepreneurs have their finger on the pulse of Portland’s food culture. Offering up local organic farm direct meats and produce, along with gluten free options seems to be what people are asking for daily in our email box. The menu is broad, ranging from breakfast to lunch, sandwiches to soups and salads and even fruit and veggies smoothies. As it was lunchtime, I went for the sandwich part of the menu and picked out “Our Awesome Meatloaf.”

Our Awesome Meatloaf sandwich at Buddha Bites

Served on their freshly made Naan bread, the meatloaf sandwich was just that, meatloaf, some ketchup, may and then leafy greens. No iceberg lettuce here. We’re talking flavorful, rich greens that you would normally find in a salad. The freshness of the greens complemented the rich full flavor of the meatloaf. I even thing the ketchup was special as it added just the right zing to the entire sandwich and I don’t normally use ketchup. This was a hearty meal; filling, satisfying and enjoyable.

Buddha Bites is a welcome cart to the PSU pod. Also, the second cart in that pod to be open for breakfast starting at 7:30 am. I understand they make their own scones. Mmmmm. Don’t let winter and rain keep you away from this great new cart. They have an awning you can skulk under while you wait for your meal and if you dash across the street, you can eat in the basement of the city building. Head on down, grab a smoothie and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Roast chicken with avocado, tomato and cheddar served on fresh made Naan bread – $6
• Our Awesome Meatloaf – with lettuce, ketchup and mayo served on fresh made Naan bread – $5
• Soy cheese, tempeh and salmon available for substitution
• Twice baked Potatoes stuffed with garlic ground beef and cheddar or broccoli and feta – $3
• Beef stew bowl served with Naan – $6
• Quinoa tabouli plate w/humus, feta, olives, naan – $7
• Naan with two eggs, chipotle black beans and cheddar – $4
• Cranberry almond scones (gluten free) – $2.50
• Fruit and Veggie Smoothies – $3
• and much more

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4pm
Phone: 503  975 8216
Website/Email: unknown

side cart

Location: SW 5th between Stark and Oak

Description:

Remember that first time you visited a really nice expensive steak house and were shocked that your steak didn’t come with anything but the steak on a plate? Those amazing mushrooms or curly fries or green beans were an extra $5 each. How could they do that? Oh, and since then, at every restaurant you go to, you wish you could just order sides. I know you do. I do. Well, now you can get all the sides you want. From the creators of the wonderful BrunchBox, they give you side cart.

I first saw the menu for side cart on FaceBook and it immediately made me drool. So many options for sides, and almost everything on the menu is vegetarian. Hushpuppies, seasoned curly fries, onion straws, cheesy tots, vegetable medley, okra bites, mac and cheese. And all of the offerings are under $3, so you can get a couple. Upon my first visit, I really couldn’t decide what I was hungry for and then I saw the option of mix and match – 3 items for $5. I opted for okra bites, mac and cheese shells and baked beans.

side cart mix and match

As you can see, these aren’t tiny portions, but enough to sate you for lunch. You can order larger portions of each item on the menu if you so desire. The okra bites were my favorite that day. Little crunchy nibbles of goodness. I know many don’t like okra, but for me, it is one of the best tasting veggies out there. The mac and cheese was appropriately cheesy with the shells perfectly al dente. The beans were simple, like those you would pick up at a BBQ. Nothing here was over the top nor too fancy and that is what I liked. They served up a great meal at a great price with a great portion.

side cart has daily specials and “Meatless Monday.” You should watch their Twitter feed for those or just swing by. They do offer desert in the form of a battered and deep fried candy bar. Lastly, there is a line item on the menu -

How’s-this-for-awesome – you bring us something edible, we batter (sweet or savory) & fry it. $1-$3

I understand a certain someone who likes food carts is challenging them with items like squash and thin mints. side cart is yet another example of a cart I wouldn’t have thought of, but Portland has embraced and loves. When your out and about, even if you already have your lunch, drop by side cart for a little extra…and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:
[prices reflect side portions. full orders are available]

• Seasoned curly fries – $1.50
• Zucchini sticks – $3
• Hushpuppies – $2
• Tater tots – $2
• Cheesy tots – $3
• Okra bites – $2
• Mashed potatoes – $1.50
• Mac and cheese shells – $2
• Stuffing – $2
• Thanksgiving: mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegs – $5
• Mix and match any 3 dishes – $5
• Smorgasfry: curly fries + tots + onion straws – $5
• Battered and deep fried candy bar – $2-$3

Contact: sidecartpdx@gmail.com
Twitter: sidecart
Facebook: sidecart fan page

Q BBQ

Location: SW 4th and Hall by PSU

Description: BBQ’d Turkey leg! Need I say more? I was off to visit my buddy who was working the swing shift at a local retail store and decided to stop in at the cart fest that is SE 12th and Hawthorne. It was Tuesday evening, so only a couple of them were open so I opted for Q BBQ. I knew I was in for a treat as I could smell bbq sauce coming around the corner and there wasn’t anyone around so I knew I would get excellent service.

Q BBQ

As I walked up, I was heartily greeted by Gary, the owner and bbq master. Before I could even take a moment to look at the menu, he told me that this week was Chicken. I must have had a look on my face of misunderstanding so he explained. Due to the size of his cart, The G-Men stated he couldn’t offer everything on his menu all the time, so he switches it up by the week. Week 1 is pulled pork, week 2 is ribs, week 3 is brisket and week 4 is bbq chicken. Week 4 is also BBQ Turkey leg. As with all BBQ, I don’t have it enough, so always want to try everything on the menu. I ended up with a Turkey leg and 2 pieces of bbq chicken for $9.75. Oh, and he threw in some excellent rolls to sop up the bbq sauce when I was done.

I have to say. I loved that turkey leg so much, I wanted to ….. Not really, but it was tasty. I know the trick to good bbq is making sure the meat stays moist. Well, Gary has that figured out. Like I said, I was taking some for my friend who is a Texan and he too enjoyed every bit. Gary mentioned he wanted to expand in the future. Well, Gary, I think that would be a great idea.

Sample Menu:

• Turkey Leg: $4.75
• BBQ Chicken: $4.75
• Brisket: $4.75
• The Underdog (Veggie dog): $3:50
• Our Original Beignets (Hot Fresh): $2.50

Hours: Evenings and late night
E-Mail: Unknown
Website: Unknown