Flyin' Hawaiian

Location: SE 52nd and Foster
Hours: Daily, 11 am to 8 pm

The Story:

It’s weird how a random trek to SE Portland confirmed how small the world can be. Knowing that several carts in the Foster pod had moved or closed up for winter, I wanted to see which carts remained – and if there were any new arrivals. Flyin’ Hawaiian was one of the newbies in the pod. I was born and raised in Hawaii, so any time I see a Hawaiian-style food cart, I just walk in a hypnotic state, almost compelled to try the food.

Jason Manolian and his business partner, Rusty Silva, opened Flyin’ Hawaiian in early December 2011. Amazingly, Jason is not only from Hawaii, but lived no more than two minutes from my house, mere steps from Aiea High School (no, we didn’t know each other prior to this food cart visit). Before opening this cart, Jason had worked in the restaurant business for several years.

Scanning the menu, I spotted the word “habanero.” Win! Jason has two types of habanero sauce for his wings – pineapple habanero and mango habanero, along with four milder options. And when I say wings, I mean the whole wing…think Pok Pok large. These wings appear to be fried naked, resulting in golden-brown crispy skin and juicy meat. I asked for the two habanero sauces on the side so I could try both. After a time, the fruity, spicy habanero ran wild in my mouth and I couldn’t tell which sauce was which. To me, it didn’t matter. Big chicken wings and spicy sauces already made me a happy panda.

Chicken Wings from Flyin' Hawaiian

I had enough room in my stomach for a mahi-mahi taco ($3). Double corn tortillas hold diced cooked mahi-mahi (fish), tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more. Customers have a choice of a spicy or a sweet tartar sauce, and of course, I chose spicy. Steamed tortilla, moist fish, refreshing toppings, and a satisfied stomach. Jason said people usually order about three of these for a nice filling meal.

The Garlic Teriyaki Burger and the Chicken Ranch Sandwich are some of the more popular items and non-meat eaters can rejoice, as there is a Vegan Burger on the menu. Also, watch for weekly specials! A recent kalua pork sandwich special was a huge hit. Check out Flyin’ Hawaiian, and tell Jason that Food Carts Portland sent ya!

Sample Menu:

• Giant Wings and Legs – $5 – three wings; $8 – five wings; $15 – ten wings; choice of sauce – pineapple habanero, mango habanero, honey bourbon, orange teriyaki, lemon garlic, or smoky apricot
• Garlic Teriyaki Burger – $6
• Mahi-mahi Burger – $6.75
• Mahi-mahi Tacos – $3 each – choice of hot or sweet chipotle sauce
• Chicken Ranch Sandwich – $5 – add bacon for $1.25 more
• Vegan Burger – $6
• Cinnamon and Sugar Crisp – $2
• Fresh Cut Fries – sm, $1.50; lg, $3 – choice of seasoning – sea salt, pepper, salt and pepper, garlic salt, Cajun, sweet basil, seasoned salt, cinnamon and sugar

Hours: Daily, 11 am to 8 pm
Phone: 503 567 8424
Website: http://www.flyinhwn.com
Facebook: FlyinHwn503
Twitter: @flyinhwn

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

808 Grinds

Location: SW 9th and Washington
Hours: M-Sat, 11am-4pmish

The Story:

Even when you think a lot is full of carts, it keeps growing. Just last month, the lot at SW 9th between Alder and Washington added eight new carts. One of those carts is a great new addition – Hawaiian food. Welcome 808 Grinds.

808 Grinds gets their namesake from the area code for Hawaii. Just like 212 for Washington DC New York, there are specific area codes everyone knows. Now, if you have a friend in Hawaii, all you need to remember is that there is a great Hawaiian cart in Portland named 808 Grinds and you’ll remember your friend’s area code. Simple as that. The work of Jensen Yip and Kevin Scolfield, the food here offers up those flavors that have influenced Hawaiian food for years like teriyaki, ginger, wasabi and others. I find Hawaiian food very rich, but also almost folksy like a good stew. Whenever I have enjoyed it, I leave satisfied, usually for a low price.

Kalua Pig and Shoyu Chicken from 808 Grinds

808 Grinds menu consists of traditional Hawaiian dishes like Kalua pig and Shoyu chicken. They also have fried chicken which is something you do not see at many carts.  In addition to the meat and rice meals, they also offer up some unique handmade sushi rolls. While I didn’t get any this visit, I saw them in the making and have to say they look awesome. I’m a sucker for Kalua pig, yet picked up the combo plate in order to try the chicken. More food than I should eat in two meals. Heaping portions of shredded Kalua pig, pork butt marinated and slow cooked for hours to present a strong smoky flavor. The Shoyu Chicken was just as good with a sweetness from the marinade mixed with a kiss of ginger. The star of the meal for me though was the traditional Hawaiian macaroni salad. The first bite pulled me in with a hint of black pepper spice that I have never had with that dish. I’m an equal opportunity eater, having bites of everything on the plate throughout the meal so I don’t get to the end of the meal with the huge portion of something I’m not fond of, but that macaroni salad was the first to go.

808 Grinds joins Ninja Plate Lunch as the two Hawaiian carts in Portland. Great food, great people and a great location downtown for the lunch crowd. I’m excited to visit a second time to try some of the sushi rolls and more of the macaroni salad. The cart is located on SW 9th, but on the corner of Washington St. Walk down and meet the guys and enjoy a bit of the islands on a cool wet rainy Portland day. It will lift your spirits. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

All “Grinds” served with white rice and macaroni salad

• Kalua Pig – $6
• Shoyu Chicken – $5
• 808 Fried Chicken – $7
• Loco Moco – $6
• Hamburger Steak – $6
• Combo plate with Kalua Pig and Shoyu Chicken – $8

Sushi:

• Northwest Roll – 6 pcs – $5
• Hot Lava Roll – 6 pcs – $5
• Bruce Lee Roll – 6pcs – $5
• Much more

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-4pmish
Phone: 503 713 8008
Facebook: 808 Grinds