Organic Island Snow Shave Ice

July 11, 2012 by 8 Comments

Location: On the Move (Often found at NE 15th and Alberta)
Hours: Varies

The Story: Aloha! Today on the Food Carts Portland’s It’s a Small World After All ride, we bring you a signature dish from the tropical islands of Hawaii. Yes, sun and beach loving Portlanders, it’s the sweet cold treat known as Hawaiian Shave Ice!

A True Shave Ice Machine

First off for the uninitiated, it’s SHAVE ICE, not Shaved ice. NO DEBATE. And Shave Ice is more than just a dessert or snack on the islands, it’s part of Hawaii’s soul. There are world famous Shave Ice shacks, and places with special signature flavors – everyone seems to have a favorite. The serious Shave Ice makers use only real fruit syrups made from real fruit purees, fresh juices, and fresh sugar cane (not just fruit flavored high fructose corn syrup junk). Real Shave Ice however, does share one other common trait – it’s all in the ice. Fluffy and fine, no grainy snow cone type ice crystals here. Organic Island Snow makes their Shave Ice the traditional way with a special hand cranked machine and a big block of ice, it looks like some Japanese steam punk art project inspired by the Industrial Age. Way cool (no pun intended).

Organic Island Snow, run by the dashing and charming Ilika, is the real deal Shave Ice. A native islander himself, Ilika is obsessive: all of his own syrups are made from scratch and he has his family ship over some of the fresh fruits, fruit purees, and yes, fresh sugar cane (in lieu of processed sugar) to make some of the most refreshing, bright and simply addictive icy sweets I’ve ever tasted. This is the only true Shave Ice way, my friends.

Flavors include all those wonderful tropical fruits we can never grow in Portland such as Litchi and Passion Fruit. While other closer to home flavors such as Strawberry and Peach, round out the offerings.

For now Organic Island Snow is a roaming cart – catch them as you can by checking out their Facebook Page. But, you can often find this open air cart at the Alberta15 pod on NE 15th and Alberta. Oh, and they also do catering in case you want some Shave Ice in lieu of a cake for your wedding, or even at your backyard BBQ. I know I would!

Mahalo, Organic Island Shave Ice for bringing a true taste of the Hawaiian Islands to Portland.

Sample Menu:

  • Kids Size (8 oz) – $2. Regular Size (16 oz) – $3
  • Flavors – Litchi Lemonade, Mango Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Mango, Peach Tangerine, Strawberry, Pink Guava, Peach

Hours: Varies
Phone: (503) 840-5252
Facebook: Organic-Island-Snow-Shave-Ice

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Filed Under: Ice Cream & Gelato, NE 15th and Alberta, On the Move, Snacks, Weekends

The Last Word

June 9, 2012 by 1 Comment

The Last Word

Location: SE 52nd and Foster (at Carts on Foster)
Hours: Wed-Sun, 11am – 6pm

The Story: The The Last Word reminds me of Ernest Hemingway’s writing. I’m a Hemingway fan by the way. Hemingway’s writing of course being described as pared down and simple, but still magically evocative. Hemingway could say more in a four word sentence than many writers can in a whole book. Trust me, as a writer myself, that’s not an easy feat to do.

The Last Word is a streamlined, cut to the chase of affair, but with an artisan twist. It doesn’t have a menu a mile long, nor a lot of exotic ingredients, condiments, or complicated techniques. It isn’t trying to gimmick out with the BIGGEST MONSTER BURGER EVAH, or some authentic yak meat and nettle dumplings from the mountains of Burma, or whatever. The Last Word is still offers cooking that’s creative and earthy, yet refined. Let’s give it a name; Gourmet Simplicity.

The menu is, yes, tight and simple. Four different sandwiches and a daily soup. There’s also a combo of both that comes with your choice of a daily side salad or home made biscuit. One flavor of home made ice cream is offered on a rotating basis, and drinks include the Honest Tea and Honest Juice line.

On the day I visited, Carts on Foster was busy getting their soon-to-be pub area in order, so I ordered and dined over the hum and rhythm of saws and hammers in the background. I did chat with the friendly owner of the Last Word, Mike Richardson, who recently moved to this SE Foster pod from NE Alberta Street. He sold real estate before opening this cart, but has always been an avid cook and lover of all things food related, and I have a hunch likes writing and literature as well (hint: the cart’s logo is an old vintage typewriter). Mike expects to expand his menu and hours as the cart gets settled in its new locale, and as the beer area opens and gains business.

I didn’t ask about the cart’s quirky name, a mistake in retrospect, but I was too focused on ordering one of his enticing sandwiches. I went for the Beef on Weck combo. This sandwich is a specialty of the upstate NY area, but you don’t see it too often in Portland. It’s a classic. Thin sliced, tender roast beef with horseradish on a soft Kimmelweck roll (a cousin of the Kaiser roll). As the combo, it came with a cup of the daily soup (I had the hearty, thick bacon maple barley), and a generous side of finely minced celaric root remoulade salad. It all made for a nice, satisfying lunch. I was too stuffed after my meal to try The Last Word’s ice cream, although it looked perfect for a sunny late spring day: Strawberries & Cream. Described simply, sweet, and straight to the point, just like that.  And that’s The Last Word.

Sample Menu:

  • Cajun Spiced Turkey Breast Sandwich: with sharp Swiss cheese and lingonberry sauce, on Asiago cheese bread -$7
  • Maple Ham Sandwich: with spiced marscapone cheese and pear butter served on a honey molasses roll -$7
  • Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwich -$7
  • Soups: choices rotate but a sampling includes: Smoked Salmon Chowder, Buffalo Chicken Wing, Apple Stilton, Chicken Noodle, etc.) -$5
  • Combo – Sandwich, cup of soup, side salad of the day or biscuit of the day – $8
  • Ice Cream: one flavor made daily. – $3

Hours: Wed – Sat, 11am – 6pm
Phone: 328-252-6379
Website: letseat.at/thelastword
Facebook: TheLastWordFoodTruck

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Filed Under: Ice Cream & Gelato, Lunch, Sandwiches, SE 52nd and Foster, Snacks, Soups, Southeast-Portland, Weekends

Fifty Licks Ice Cream

May 31, 2011 by 6 Comments

Fifty Licks Ice Cream

Fifty Licks Ice Cream

Location: SE 43rd and Belmont
Hours: Tues-Sun, 12-9pm

The Story:

Everyone remembers the ice cream man and the truck roaming the streets of your childhood neighborhood shilling sweat cold treats. While Fifty Licks isn’t roaming your local street, they do seem to be at many events throughout the city and now have a permanent truck at Good Food Here to sate your sweet-tooth.

I first tried Fifty Licks almost two years ago when they debuted at the Mississippi Street Fair with their now famous Stumptown Coffee ice cream. With just a table and a few tubs of their craft, they made their mark on that crowd and Portland has been talking about them ever since. Chad Draizin, the owner and creator of the unique flavors, picked up a truck in 2010, outfitted it and launched both a roaming business along with sales of his ice cream in stores. He even made a splash at Eat Mobile this year by wearing a custom suit from local designer Duchess while serving almost 2500 samples to the patient eaters. Chad won the style award for that.

Maple Bacon Ice Cream

Maple Bacon Ice Cream

Fifty Licks doesn’t do plain. If you want basic ice cream, head over to Safeway. If you’re one who always orders the same flavor, you’ll take a second glance at what they offer – Tahitian Vanilla, Stumptown Coffee, Caramelized Apple and the ever popular Maple Bacon. I have tried bacon mixed with many unique dishes and usually, you get the flavor of the bacon without the actual bits. This isn’t the case here. Right off the bat, you see little chunks of bacon mixed in with the maple ice cream. That first bite was like stacking a strip of bacon between some pancakes and dipping it in maple syrup, but ice-cream cold. I had to eat it slowly as it was one of the richest desserts I have had in a long while. Truly a work of art. I can’t wait to get back for the other flavors.

Beyond ice cream,Fifty Licks also serves sorbets and has two different cone offerings-  sugar or handmade waffle cone. If you get a chance to try some of Chad’s creations at an event, you may get to try the Slabtown Whiskey, a creation made with Portland’s very own House Spirits small batch libations. You can find Fifty Licks permanently at Good Food Here, but also roaming to different events and catering gigs throughout the city. Don’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy a more mature version of a childhood treat. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample menu:

Sugar cones are 1 scoop and $4;
Handmade waffle cones are 2 scoops and $6

Flavors:

  • Tahitian Vanilla
  • Caramelized Apple
  • Stumptown Coffee
  • Maple Bacon
  • Coconut Lemon Saffron Sorbet
  • Passionfruit Sorbet

Hours: Tues-Sun, 12-9pm
Phone: 954 294 8868
Twitter: @FiftyLicks Facebook: Fifty Licks

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Filed Under: Dinner, Ice Cream & Gelato, Late Night, Lunch, SE 43rd and Belmont, Southeast-Portland, Weekends

Scoop

November 16, 2010 by 3 Comments

Scoop

Location: SE 52nd and Division, A la Carts Food Pavilion
Hours: Tues–Wed 5-8pm, Thurs – Sat 12-8pm, Sunday 1-8pm

The Story:

Hot Summer day and you need something cool for the kids? Fall rainy evening and you stil need something sweet. Get some ice cream right? Well, north Portland can sate that need. Scoop Organic Ice Cream will treat you and your kids to the ultimate tasty cold delight.

Scoop opened in spring at North Station, an amazing lot full of carts ranging across all types of cuisines. Take a group there and give everyone $5 and then have everyone share what they ordered and you will taste some of Portland’s best food from the carts. Just remember, if you give a kid $5 and there is an ice cream truck around, you may have a jumpy kid later.

Scoop specializes in organic handmade ice cream with some wonderful flavors that do change depending on what’s in season. These days, with fall here and winter on the way, they have sweet potato pie, pumpkin chocolate chip, rum raisin and others. Amanda Rhoads, the owner, would also like us to know that she also offers vegan sorbets and has gluten free cones.

Scoop is one of the cutest little trucks on the scene. Even though it has cooled down, we all still love ice cream and they are there to assist. Go visit, have a cone and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Ice Cream various flavors: mini – $2.50; small – $3.25; regular (3 scoops) – $4.25; large – $5.25
  • Housemade waffle cones – $.75
  • Milkshakes: 12oz – $4; 16oz – $5
  • Caramel Apples – $3.50-4.50

Phone: 503 928 2796
Facebook: Scoop

 

Filed Under: Gluten Free Options, Ice Cream & Gelato, SE 50th and Ivon, Vegan Options, Vegetarian Options

Icicle Tricycle

April 25, 2009 by 3 Comments

Location: Here, There and Everywhere! This one was spotted on NW 4th and Davis, downtown.

Oli and his pedal powered ice cream cart. Go Oli, Go!

Oli and his pedal powered ice cream cart. Go Oli, Go!

Description: Cute little tricycle powered ice cream carts found in a neighborhood near you.

Sample Menu:
ice-cream-cart-2

All the usual ice cream cart suspects. Fruit Freezes, Creamcicles, Ice Cream Sandwiches, Rocket Pops, Push-ups, Choco-Tacos, Drumsticks, and more!

Personally, I love the idea of pedal powered ice cream carts. No annoying music either! I mean, could Portland’s ice cream vans and trucks at least branch out please? I’m a twee burned out on Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer.”
ice-cream-cart-3

Phone: 971-998-8294

Website: Unkown

E-mail: Unkown

Hours: Unkown

Email: Unkown

Filed Under: Ice Cream & Gelato, Lunch, On the Move, Weekends Tagged With: ,