Location:

The Story:

Summer is here and it brings the heat. While Portland doesn’t experience the heat like the south or the muggy conditions like the east cost, when the mercury crosses 80, we start to sweat and seek out the nearest water. Portlander’s also look for cool treats and the food carts are satisfying these needs. Oregon Ice Works opened in spring to bring Portland an alternative to the traditional dairy ice cream.

Kevin Bell is the brains behind Oregon Ice Works and the creator of the treats on the menu. He keeps it pretty simple for the ice items – fresh fruit or herbs like mint or cilantro, organic cane sugar and ice. Put it all together and you have Italian Ice, Oregon style. I understand Kevin is from Philadelphia or at least spent some time there. His Oregon Ice is similar to what the Philadelphians know as water ice, something they say can only be found there. Thank Kevin for providing Portland with our version of this cool icy pleasure.

The flavors offered by Oregon Ice Works are ever changing from lemon or blueberry to boyznberry or razzberry and even vanilla coconut or mojito, there is always something to cool you down. [his z's] We tried the bozynberry and blueberry on a hot Saturday afternoon while wandering the streets of Sellwood. Italian Ice is mostly flavor of the fruit and sugar. Unlike ice cream which has that creamy velvety texture, Italian Ice just quickly melts on your tongue and presents you that burst of sour or sweet, depending on the choice of fruit. With the boyznberry and blueberry, our mouths were tart for an hour. Both were great and half way through, we traded. I love visiting the carts with others – I get to try more items.

Sellwood is lucky to have this great cart this summer. 13th street is a busy hub of activity most weekends with shoppers visiting the antique shops that neighborhood is famous for. If you’ve never been down there, check it out and stop on by Oregon Ice Works. You won’t be disappointed. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Italian ice sizes:

• Kids: 1 scoop – $2; 2 scoops $3.50
• Adult: 1 scoop – $3; 2 scoops $4.50
• Smoothe: $4.75

Some available flavors: lemon, boyznberry, razzberry, mango-pine, passion pit, pineapple, blueberry, vanilla coconut, mojito

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday: 12:30-8pm; Thursday: 12:30-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 12:30-9:30pm
Facebook: Oregon Ice Works

Spella Caffe

Location: SW 9th and Alder

Description:

Spella Cafe is considered one of the best espresso carts in the city. Spella has been noted in numerous publications for the quality of their roast and artisanship of the preparation. I have been to Spella many times over the past few years – mostly to enjoy a quick doppio or maybe an Americano. When the draw is that good, I just don’t want to change it up with milk or sugar. Straight up espresso for me people.

Espresso @ Spella Caffe

Andrea and Amanda of Spella are great people. They welcome you with a smile and ask about your day. Just what you want on a cold rainy Portland morning. The magic of Spella is from Andrea Spella’s history with coffee. Andrea Spella roasts his own coffee once a week – enough for his flagship cart, some retail accounts and to sell to customers. There is no stale coffee beans in this joint. The mix of fresh roasted beans and the attention to detail when pulling the espresso makes for a perfect shot with just the right amount of crema.

Andrea Spella is expanding. In the coming month, they will open up an indoor space down on SW 5th and Alder. That is a great food cart success story. Spella coffee does offer up all types of coffee drinks and gelato in the warmer months, so head on down there, have a great coffee and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

[This post was updated in October of 2009. If you would like to read more about Spella, Portland Food and Drink has a wonderful article and interview with Andrea Spella - Read More Here]

Sample Menu:

• Espresso – $1.75
• Macchiato – $2
• Cappuccino – 8oz: $2.75; 12oz: $3
• Coffee – $1.25 to $1.75
• Latte – 12oz: $3; 16oz: $3.25

Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM to 4PM
Phone: 503-421-9273
Website: Spella Caffe

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:

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.”

Phone: 971-998-8294

Website: Unkown

E-mail: Unkown

Hours: Unkown

Email: Unkown