Rockin’ Robyn’s Sassy Burger

April 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Rockin' Robyn's Sassy Burger

Rockin’ Robyn’s Sassy Burger

Location: NE 52nd and Sandy, Rose City Food Park
Hours: Wed-Sun, 11:30am-8pm, open later Friday/Saturday till 9pm

The Story: I’m a burger fiend. I admit it, I ate a burger this week and kept it secret. It even had bacon on it. For awhile, friends of mine and I would text photos of burger finds both in Portland and beyond. The burger for me is true American cuisine and there are some wonderful specimens right here in the Rose City. Rockin’ Robyn’s at Rose City Food Park may just be one of those you put on your go-to list.

My doctor told me I needed to lay off the burgers a couple of years ago, so I did, opting for sandwiches and ethnic cuisine, but every so often, due to the rigors of my work, I have to enjoy a tasty burger. I had heard good reports about Robyn’s burgers, so ventured out to NE Portland to check it out. Right as I stepped out of the car, the sky opened, dumping about nine gallons of rain on me. Luckily, a parka and Robyn’s awning protected me while I ordered. Robyn has history in the burger making business and jokingly has burgers in her blood. Her father owned The Igloo in Vancouver, so Robyn learned from family. She sources her beef down the street from where I grew up – The Original Steer Market on SE Division.

The Sassonator from Rockin' Robyn's

The Sassonator from Rockin’ Robyn’s

The menu at the cart is what you would expect – burgers of all types and sizes. You can get a traditional one or go crazy and get mushrooms or BBQ sauce or even a second patty. Robyn will hook you up. For me, I chose the Sassonator, a cajun spiced 1/2lb burger with Tillamook Pepper Jack cheese. I even added a fried egg to make it extra special. With one of the best in town pub buns from Portland French Bakery, fresh lettuce, tomato, thick sliced onion and the burger, I knew I was in for a treat. You know how when you first pick up a burger and stare at it longingly and maybe talk to it, telling it that soon, it will be in your belly? Yep, that was me. Once you pick it up, with the melted cheese running down your hand and juices on your chin, you don’t put it down until you’re finished. The cajun spices came through, but not overwhelming and the pepper jack with the egg were divine. An excellent burger for $7.50.

Rockin’ Robyn’s isn’t just burgers. She offers fries and sandwiches and vegetarian and gluten free options. Every lot needs a good burger and Rose City has theirs in this cart. Drop on by and let Robyn know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Cheap Sassy Basket – 1/4lb burger with American cheese and 1/2 order fries – $5
  • Sassy Burger – 1/2 lb burger – $5.50
  • Sassy Cheddar Burger – 1/2 lb burger with cheese – $6.25
  • Sassonator – $7
  • Psycho Sassy – 1/2lb burger with sauteed mushrooms and Swiss – $7.25
  • Rockin’ Vegan Protabella Burger – Portabella mushroom on whole grain bun – $7

Phone: 503 449 7144
Website: RockinRobynsSassyBurger.com
Twitter: @RockinRobynsPDX
Facebook: Rockin’ Robyn’s

 

Filed Under: Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Dinner, Gluten Free Options, Hamburgers, Lunch, NE 52nd and Sandy, Sandwiches, Vegetarian Options, Weekends

Sabria’s Burger and Fries

March 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Location: SW 3rd and Washington
Hours: Weekdays, lunch

Burgers, fries, and breakfast

Filed Under: Fries, Hamburgers, Lunch, SW 3rd and Washington, Weekends

The Angry Unicorn

February 26, 2013 by 1 Comment

The Angry Unicorn

Location: SE 52nd and Foster, Carts on Foster
Hours: Wed-Sun, 11am-9pm

The Story: Did you know that Portland was built atop an ancient unicorn graveyard? The rumors are true. Why else would you see random tall bikes commuting downtown or Darth Vader playing the bagpipes while riding a unicycle. Unicorns are magical and at The Angry Unicorn, they take that magic and make burgers.

All kidding aside, John and April Scarlett wanted to launch a food cart with burgers and bites, but needed that one nugget of unique to draw people in. They loved the iconography of unicorns, the images and pictures, but John realized sometimes they appeared angry and irritated and The Angry Unicorn was born. Beer may have been involved, but in this case, the end result is brilliant.

The Unicorn Burger

At The Angry Unicorn, they focus on burgers and small bites. With a ‘magical’ burger with ground bacon (real Unicorn Meat) along with strips of bacon, cheddar and veggies, you get a great sandwich. I had never though of mixing chopped bacon with Angus to create a burger. While normally served between a glazed doughnut, I opted for the Portland French Bakery’s pub bun, truly one of the better burger buns in this city. Chewy, with a dusting of flower on top, the bun perfectly complemented the burger, cheese, lettuce and tomato. No condiments needed for this gem. The flavors were enough to impress this burger jerk.

The Angry Unicorn has a great list of burgers including the portobello with grilled onion, peppers and Swiss. There are bacon fries, portobello fries, french fries and items for the kids. If you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to drop by, try some Unicorn and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Unicorn Burger: magical meat w/ground bacon, strips of bacon, cheddar on glazed doughnut – $7
  • The Hottie: jalapeno, grilled onion and peppers, pepper jack cheese, spicy cream cheese – $7
  • The Best Burger: burger mixed with ground bacon, bacon strips, gorgonzola, roasted garlic, cheddar – $7
  • Portobello Mushroom: grilled portobello mushroom, grilled onion, peppers, Swiss cheese – $7
  • Bacon Fries – $4
  • Portobello Fries – $4

Facebook: The Angry Unicorn

Filed Under: Dinner, Fries, Hamburgers, Lunch, SE 52nd and Foster, Southeast-Portland, Vegetarian Options, Weekends

Home Plate Sliders

June 16, 2012 by 6 Comments
Home Plate Sliders

Home Plate Sliders

Location: varies, check Twitter for current location
Hours: varies, check Twitter for current hours

The Story:

Scene: Los Angeles streets, 2009 – Throngs of fans of the Kogi BBQ truck are ignoring their dates and watching Twitter to find out when and where the truck would show.

Scene: Kogi BBQ Truck Tweets they will show at the Golden Gopher and a mob of 200 beat them there.

This is how it played out early in the food truck revolution and still occurs in cities outside of Portland. We have the luxury of knowing where our favorite carts are on a daily basis. There are some trucks who roam and use social media to announce their location and Home Plate Sliders just joined the troop.

Stuartt Fox always wanted his own food truck and one day, while in St. Johns selling his beloved Harley, he came across a working food truck for sale. With cash in hand, it was one of those now or never moments, so he bought it on the spot and drove it home for his winter project. Stuartt has both a new school and old school approach to what he’s offering. With sliders for $3 and a baseball themed brand, it evokes memories of childhood for only a few bills. The rig though reminds me of those I have seen cruising down the freeways of LA or San Francisco. A bright red truck with a caricature baseball player logo on one side and a large home plate on the other. That home plate serves as the door to the serving window held up by two Louisville slugger bats when open. I see carts and trucks with great signage, but to take the branding to this level, Stuartt hit a home run.

Slider from Home Plate Sliders

Slider from Home Plate Sliders

Sliders! I hadn’t really enjoyed sliders until the last decade. It seems like chicken wings, a treat from a different region of the states, yet after that first bite, how could you go wrong with mini burgers. Stuartt makes his own patties by hand and grills them up fresh in the cart with a mini little toasted bun. Along the lines of the baseball theme, you can get the Ranger with BBQ cheddar and fried onions, the Philly with peppers, onions and provolone, the Giant with baby portobello mushroom and provolone or the Cub with lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion. I picked up the Yankee to honor my favorite club. A little bun with a great little beef slider, grilled pastrami and provolone. So much love at that first bite. The burger was cooked just right and the cheese melted all over everything. Next time, I’ll grab a few and get a discount.

Home Plate Sliders is currently showing up out of HWY 30 at the NW Corporate Park on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11-3pm. He also plans to visit other types of industrial parks throughout the city and maybe even show up outside your favorite bar. He’s mobile and bright red. Follow them on Twitter @Homepl8Sliders or check out their schedule page on their website for current location and times. Find them, enjoy some sliders and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

All sliders $3; 3 items $8; 4 items, $10

  • Ranger: BBQ cheddar and fried onions
  • Philly: peppers, onions and provolone
  • Volcano: teriyaki, pineapple, lettuce
  • Yankee: pastami, provolone
  • Cub: lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion
  • Brewer: grilled cheese on Texas toast
  • Griant: baby portobello mushroom, provolone (v)
  • Dodger: large all beef hotdog
  • Louisville Slugger: spiral cut spud on a stick

Hours: varies, check Twitter or website
Phone: 503 96SLIDE
Website: HomePlateSliders.com
Twitter: @Homepl8sliders

Filed Under: Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Fried food, Hamburgers, Lunch, On the Move, Sandwiches, Vegetarian Options, Weekends Tagged With:

Retrolicious

June 1, 2012 by 2 Comments
Retrolicious

Retrolicious

Location: Roaming, check their website for location
Hours: daily, 11:30-7 including weekends

The Story:

Pink flamingos flank the 60′s pink cart with the Jetson’s style logo. Retrolicious is the latest edition to Green Castle and is bringing back the classics. [Retrolicious left Green Castle in 10/2012 and is roaming and seeking a new location]

Hailing from Phoenix, Kimmy and her partner Roy, wanted to have some fun with both the cart and the menu. With fond memories of childhood favorites like mac ‘n cheese or meatloaf, the scratch made classics cart was born. Kimmy runs around the lot in a bright pink and yellow striped skirt I think I saw in a James Bond flick. The best way to engage customers – talk to them. The flamingos and the bright colored chairs and table add to the feel. A stunningly beautiful and well executed cart with a great brand.

Butter Basted Diner Burger

Butter Basted Diner Burger

Kimmy is going for big meals. The meals we enjoyed growing up before Mutual of Omaha’s Animal Kingdom. Those which put meat on our bones. The menu Saturday included Chicken and Waffles, Southern Style Mac & Cheese, Cart Cured BLT, a Honey Mustard Chicken Sandwich and the Butter Basted Diner Burger I enjoyed. Not having eaten many burgers in the last year in my attempt to experience other great foods, here was my chance to re-introduce my tastebuds to a classic. Served on Texas Toast, the hand crafted burger came with the usual fixin’s and pimento cheese. PIMENTO CHEESE. Wow, a big mouthful with that toast and the cheese was spot on for this type of burger. It has the appropriate amount of salt to the meat and having been butter basted, it had that sweet cream flavor I crave. While messy, it was worth it, sitting there devouring a juicy burger on a warm sunny spring day in Portland.

Retrolicious is hard to miss. One of the largest carts to grace our scene and painted bright pink. Kimmy and Dan are welcoming and want you to remember childhood through food. The menu is on a chalkboard, so it may change daily. Be prepared to experience what they have to offer. Drop on down to Green Castle and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Chicken & Waffles  – $5 or double for $7
  • Butter Basted Diner Burger – choice of cheese – $6
  • Southern Style Mac & Cheese – $5
  • Cart Cured BLT – a classic – $7
  • Hone Mustard Chicken Sandwich – $6

Hours: daily, 11:30-7 including weekends
Phone: 503-539-3808
Website: EatRetrolicious.com
Twitter: @EatRetrolicious
Facebook: EatRetrolicious

Filed Under: Comfort Food, Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Hamburgers, Lunch, On the Move, Sandwiches, Southern Food, Vegetarian Options, Waffles, Weekends
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