Year of the Fish

Location: SE 50th and Ivon, A la Carts Food Pavilion
Hours: Tues-Thur, 11:30-9; Fri, 11:30-12am; Sat, 12:30-12am, Sun, 12:30-8pm

The Story:

Out off Hawthorne in what many refer to as Stumbletown due to the number of bars, there is a new cart that is open late to sate those munchies you get after a few drinks – Year of the Fish. [Update 11/2011: Year of the Fish moved to SE 50th and Ivon]

Edward MacGregor opened Year of the Fish in September after being out of the restaurant game for a few years. Having grown up working in restaurants and subsequently owning them as a family business, he had taken a break from the grind, hoping to do something else. Well, the call of the deep fryer was too strong, but Edward didn’t want to do another restaurant, so decided on the cart. Locating at 47th and Hawthorne was also a strategic decision – an attempt to attract some of the crowds that line up to the few restaurant options in the area late night.

Tiger Prawns from Year of the Fish

Year of the Fish is a fish and chips cart. With options including cod, red snapper and halibut, if you love fish, you’ll like love this cart. Edward offers traditional or gluten-free batter depending on your needs. What surprised me was the offer of tiger prawns. I love a good fish and chips, but to get batter fried tiger prawns raises the bar. Lightly breaded and crunchy, the prawns are delightful. You can get different sauces, but these are so flavorful, you don’t need it. Sided with a handful of steak fries, you have a great little snack.

Year of the Fish is now open for lunch and dinner weekdays and late night on the weekends. Drop on by for some well made fish and chips and other treats and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Cod and Chips – $7
• Red Snapper and Chips – $7
• Halibut and Chips – $market rate
• Tiger Prawns and Chips – $8
• Clam Chowder – New England style – cup, $3; bowl $5
• Just Slaw – $3
• Just Chips – $3

Hours: Tues-Thur, 11:30-9; Fri, 11:30-12am; Sat, 12:30-12am, Sun, 12:30-8pm
Phone: 971 258 6567
Twitter: @YearoftheFish1
Facebook: Year of the Fish

Timmy's Fish Fry

Location: SW Montgomery at 9th in the Park Blocks
Hours: M-F, 11am-5pm

The Story:

Portland has food carts of all different styles-  former hunting trailers, re-purposed U Haul trucks and purpose built carts that started from a flatbed. What we have few of are traditional old school push carts that were the forefront of streetfood in this city and also define streetfood elsewhere. Timmy’s Fish Fry, a newer cart at Portland State University is one of these carts born from the hot dog cart of yore.

Tim Bass literally dreamed up Timmy’s one night last summer and spent three to four months working out the details, getting inspections and setting up his cart at Portland State University. Tim’s cart is different than what we’re use to, a pushcart that is both open to the elements and arrives in the morning and leaves at the end of the day. In Portland, these types of carts are few and far between. When placing a cart on parks and rec land like the park blocks, you have to follow an extra set of regulations and roll up the sidewalks every day. Not a trivial task. I checked out Tim’s cart, both compact and functional, allowing him to deliver a simple menu of excellent quality items well prepared.

Fried Catfish Sandwich

I first tried fried catfish in the south a few years ago and whenever I get a chance, I order it. Some people are drawn to salmon, I’m a catfish fan. Tim offers up a fried catfish sandwich with crispy fillet atop some cole slaw on a french roll. The batter for the fish is made up of Bob’s Red Mill flour and some good old Hamm’s beer. A crisp light coating creates an excellent flavor with the fish. The slaw has a malt vinegar touch to it, providing a balance and zing for the fish similar to when you get fish and chips at a British pub and douse it with the malt. Sometimes, fried fish fillets are overly greasy, but not at Timmy’s, not at all. An excellent sandwich.

Timmy’s sets up his cart in the park blocks of SW Montgomery at Portland State University. Since he is fully mobile, you may see him elsewhere in the city, keep your eyes open. I enjoyed chatting with Tim and hearing his story and enjoying the sandwich he made me. Drop on by for a visit and let him know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Bay Shrimp Roll: french roll with bay shrimp and sauce – $6
• Crispy Catfish Roll: battered catfish, cole slaw, aioli on French roll – $6
• Fried Calimari – $5
• Fish Fry: fried pieces of cod, house made potato chips and slaw – $7

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11am-5pm
Email: tdbass1@yahoo.com
Facebook: Timmy’s Fish Fry

The Frying Scotsman Fish and Chips

Location: SW 9th and Alder

Description:

Another field trip yielded yet another great cart find – The Frying Scotsman. This new fish and chips cart is located in NW Portland, away from the regular pods we normally see every day downtown. Yet, after a 10 minute bus ride and a block or two walk, I found the cart and discovered two more within walking distance. Who knew NW 22nd was a cart magnet? The day I visited, autumn had arrived and was threatening rain. Being an Oregonian, I was out just in a sweater with no jacket nor umbrella, secretly hoping to not be caught uncovered. When I arrived at The Frying Scotsman, I was glad to discover his cart is in a garage, fully covered and protected from the elements.

The Frying Scotsman focuses on traditional British style fish and chips. The owner and head chef James was born and raised outside of Glasgow and only recently moved to Portland with his family. While eating my lunch, (during the downpour, protected by the garage) I was able to chat with James. Such a friendly gentleman who has traveled the world working in different countries and experiencing life. A lifelong chef, opening a “British chippy” after not being able to find work in this town was a natural conclusion.

Fish and Chips from The Frying Scotsman

I ordered and thoroughly enjoyed the haddock fish and chips. James serves up large portions of fish, lightly breaded with a handful of thick cut fried potatoes. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. I’m one of those eaters who love his condiments and the tarter sauce complemented the fish just right. What’s great was that it wasn’t needed that much as the fish was tasty in and of itself. Sitting there at a small fold up table decorated with an embroidered table cloth while watching it rain and rain was a perfect way to spend my lunch.

The Frying Scotsman is a find. I’m glad James decided to open this cart. Welcome to Portland sir and we wish you all well. Take a field trip up to NW 22nd and say hi to James. He’s a great conversationalist and has some great stories. I know I’ll be back. Tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Battered Cod fish and chips – $6.25
• Battered Red Snapper fish and chips – $6.25
• Battered Haddock fish and chips – $6.50
• Battered Halibut fish and chips – $7.50
• Small order of chips – $2.25

Hours: Monday through Friday, 11am-5pm
Website: The Frying Scotsman
Phone: 503 706 3841