The Italian Market

April 12, 2013 by 1 Comment
The Italian Market

The Italian Market

Location: SE 45th and Stark at Belmont Station
Hours: Mon-Sun, 12-9pm

The Story: Yo, cheesesteaks are for tourists! Those are the first words I remember hearing from the owners of The Italian Market almost a year ago. Hailing from the city of brotherly love, the owners Erin and Andrew bring south Philly street food to Portland.

I first met Erin and Andrew over a year ago and learned of their plans to relocate to Portland and jump into our ever evolving street food scene. Coming from Philadelphia, a food city in its own right, they wanted to bring those flavors without the schtick we all associate with the cheesesteak. I’ve been to Philly and yeah, you can find a cheesesteak on every corner, but there is so much more to eat and The Italian Market will show you. It has been a long year for the two from the move and building a food cart and securing a location. But now, in April, they are open and slingin’ sandwiches at Belmont Station, a venerable bottle shop known by many who took out their old kitchen in order to welcome a mobile vendor. A new welcoming patio was also constructed so you can enjoy your sandwich inside out of the rain with a beer.

Italian Beef Brisket Sandwich

Italian Beef Brisket Sandwich

Erin and Andrew have done their time in kitchens and know enough about their craft to know the bread for a sandwich is key. Last summer, they flew out here with a suitcase of different types of bread from Philadelphia and visited all the best bakers in town to see who they could partner with to re-create some of those signature loafs. Dean from Allesio bakery took the samples and made magic in the Rose City, creating the different types of buns The Italian Market required. Speaking of sandwiches, they offer four different ones including an Italian pork, an Italian beef, a meatball sub and a baked eggplant sammy for the vegetarians in the crowd. After tasting samples of both the pork and beef, I choose the Italian beef brisket with roasted tomatoes, sharp provolone and horseradish on a seeded roll. Andrew threw some pepperoncinis in there for good measure. The roll held the ingredients together well and even soaked up a bit of the juices without becoming too soggy and falling apart. The horseradish and brisket mixed perfectly with the acidity of the tomato. Top it all off with sharp provolone and you have one excellent sandwich.

The Italian Market also offers salad and pretzels and can do Gluten Free buns, just ask. They source all their ingredients locally including their “east coast kale” – broccoli rabe. I tried a sample of the greens which melted in my mouth. I’m loving this new model of pairing mobile vendors with bottle shops and bars. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a bar and all they have to eat are warmed over hot dogs. An Italian pork sandwich sounds so much better with a local IPA. Find The Italian Market at Belmont Station daily from noon-9pm. Welcome them to our fine town and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Federal Sandwich: Italian Pork w/ sharp provolone and broccoli rabe – $8
  • Ellsworth: Italian beef – $8.50
  • Uncle Mike’s Meatball Sub – ground beef and pork simmered in red gravy w/ sharp provolone – $8
  • Passyunk: baked eggplant w/ roasted peppers and fennel, homemade mozzarella and pesto – $8
  • Tasker Salad: panzanella salad w/ crusty bread, cucumber, tomato, homemade mozzarella, onion and fresh basil with olive oil and balsamic – $5.50

Phone: (908) 294-1854
Website: TheItalianMarketPDX.com
Facebook: The Italian Market
Twitter: @YoItalianMarket

Filed Under: Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Dinner, Italian, Lunch, Sandwiches, Vegan Options, Vegetarian Options, Weekends

Tony’s Cucina

March 26, 2013 by 3 Comments

Tony’s Cucina

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: weekdays, lunch

The Story: What’s that phrase – for every door that closes, another opens? It seems the story of the ever evolving street food scene in Portland. Just as you fall in love with one vendor, they close and you’re faith in food is dashed. Lucky for us, when the previous owner vacated, Tony’s Cucina opened offering something special.

Tony Velasquez open his cucina early this year with a menu of Mexican/Italian fusion cuisine. After spending a quarter century in the medical field, he jumped ship and went to culinary school. When a friend asked if he wanted to try out a cart, Tony took the leap. The menu is inspired by childhood favorites  – the best foods his mom use to make. Everything is made from scratch with care.

Sonoran Hot Dog from Tony’s Cucina

Tony lived in Arizona for twenty years where his love for the Sonoran dog came about. While there are different approaches on how to create this dish, Tony’s approach was to work with fellow fans to craft a signature dog in the style. Starting out with a bacon-wrapped dog on the grill, the bun from An-Xuyen, is sliced open just enough to hold the dog, beans, cheese, lettuce and tomato and then topped with a grilled jalapeno. It was so beautifully presented, I didn’t want to eat it. I will warn you, if you take that first bite, watch out for the pepper to roll off onto your hand, then your shirt, then the table. Lucky for me, I caught it before it hit the ground. The spice of the pepper mixed with the creamy beans, veggies and that dog create a wonderful mix of flavors. The bun is superb, one of the better buns out there with just enough chew, but not doughy.

Tony’s Cucina is a great new addition to the 10th and Alder lot. While there are other Mexican vendors, no one is doing the Sonoran dog nor are they offering dishes like an enchilada casserole. He will even make you a Cuban coffee. Drop on by next time you’re looking for something new and let Tony know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Squishy Taco – corn tortilla dipped in hot oil with chicken, steak or chorizo – $2
  • Fish Taco – $2.50
  • Enchilada Casserole w/ rice and beans – $7
  • Quesadilla – $2.50
  • Tortilla Dog – grilled hot dog wrapped in flour tortilla with cheese – $1
  • Sonoran Hot Dog – $6

Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime
Facebook: Tony’s Cucina

Filed Under: Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Go Box, Hot Dogs & Sausages, Italian, Lunch, Mexican, SW 9th and Alder, Tacos, Vegetarian Options

J Mo’s Sandwich Shack

June 30, 2012 by 3 Comments
J Mo's Sandwich Shack

J Mo’s Sandwich Shack

Location: SE 82nd and Harney at Cartlandia
Hours: daily, 11-7 – call ahead to check

The Story:

Home of the ‘Dirty Mo’ is the phrase on the business card. How can’t you not wonder what a Dirty Mo is and seek it out. Jason “J Mo” Moreno is the man behind Cartlandia’s newest cart and brings his tasty sandwiches to the lot.

Jason has been accused of being too much of a dreamer, but what’s wrong with that? We should all chase some sort of dream and opening a restaurant what Jason’s. After some work, he realized that a cart would be the best way to start off on this journey and used Craigslist to source the cart and all the innards. Jason offers sandwiches, soups and salads with a smile and a hearty hello.

The Italian

The Italian

The day we visited, the menu offered a couple of sandwiches and a chopped green salad. Having just enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich the day before, I decided on The Italian. Full disclosure time – I was first introduced to the Italian style sub at Subway in the early 80′s in Gresham. Whenever I get a chance, I try everyone else’s to try and wash the Subway taste from my memory. With salami, Mortadella, provolone, pickles and yellow mustard on a fresh roll, this is the style of Italian I crave. J Mo gets his bread from An Xuyen Bakery down off Foster and the only way I can describe it is fluffy and crunchy. When eying the sandwich cut in half, there is bun, meat and bun. As a kid, I wouldn’t appreciate the value of the bread in a sandwich like this, assuming I had been jipped on meat. Now, I realize it is about balance and with the right bread, you can have even less innards and still create a work of art. J Mo has managed this with The Italian. Every bite had crunchy soft bread, salty salami, a bit of pickle and the tang of mustard. So good.

You’re probably wondering about the Dirty Mo. While not on the menu the day we visited, J Mo described it as fried spaghetti on garlic cheese bread with homemade marinara sauce. You can add meatballs or sausage to amp it up a bit. Sounds enticing. J Mo’s Sandwich Shack is now open at Cartlandia which also sports a beer garden, so head on down for one of his excellent creations and let him know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • The Dirty Mo – $8
  • Flying Barracuda Pulled Pork – $8
  • The Italian – salami, Mortadella, Provolone – $8
  • Chopped Green Salad – $5

Hours: daily, 11-7, but still working out the details
Website: JMosSandwichShack.com
Facebook: JMosSandwichShack

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Filed Under: Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Italian, Lunch, Sandwiches, SE 82nd and Harney, Southeast-Portland, Vegetarian Options, Weekends

Artigiano

July 14, 2011 by 5 Comments
Artigiano

Artigiano

Location: SE 33rd and Division
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-2:30 and 5pm-close; Sun, 10am-2pm

The Story:

I have enjoyed some amazing dishes at Portland’s Italian restaurants over the years. I learned that a good pasta dish wasn’t just spaghetti and a tomato sauce with sliced sausage and bell peppers, a dish I ate my weight of after college because it was cheap. Italian fare is broad and flavorful and the chef at Artigiano knows how to make it well.

In a 16′ cart in the parking lot of a local handmade furniture designer, Artigiano has made its home, serving the community and broader Portland some of the finest meals you can get from a cart. The chef, Rachael Grossman, began her culinary career as a child in her grandmother’s kitchen. She took that passion and graduated Le Cordon Bleu and spent some time in Casperia, a village outside of Rome where she fell in love with local ingredients and the simplicity of Italian county cuisine. After her return and some work at prestigious restaurants, she decided mobile kitchens are where its at and opened Artigiano in the Woodstock neighborhood of Portland. After enjoying one of her dishes, I’m envious of those neighbors.

Fettuccine and Garlic Scapes

Fettuccine and Garlic Scapes

At Artigiano, they pride themselves in fresh local ingredients and handmade pasta. While the regular menu offers salads and pasta dishes featuring fettuccine, ravioli, gnocchi and rigatoni, there is always a daily special. At a cart like this, that is the first thing I go for. If the chef has taken the time and effort to go “off menu,” you know it is going to be worth it. The day I visited the special was fettuccine with garlic scapes, red pepper flakes and shaved Parmesan served with a mixed green salad and sliced baguette on the side. Yes, please! The scapes were so fresh, they had just finished prepping them for lunch. The dish was brilliant with that light garlic flavor, a buttery texture and a hint of heat from the red pepper flakes. One of the finest pasta dishes I have enjoyed.

Artigiano knocked it out of the park and with that kind of skill in the kitchen, I know Chef Rachael has a home here in Portland’s culinary scene. They serve lunch and dinner and have seating if you prefer to eat at the cart. They even offer a tasting menu if that interests you. Just ask. It excites me to see carts like Artigiano with the level of cuisine one would normally expect at a multi-star restaurant on the streets of Portland. It tells me we still have area for growth. Check out Artigiano when you’re down in Woodstock and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Bread & Oil Ciabatta, Extra Virgin, Balsamic – $2
  • Garlic Bread Toasted Ciabatta with Garlic Butter – $4
  • Caesar Salad* Romaine Hearts, Grana Padano, House-made Dressing & Herb Croutons – $4
  • Hand-cut Fettuccine with your Choice of Tomato or Cream Sauce – $10
    • Add Pork or Chicken – $2; Add Meatballs – $3
  • Seasonal Ravioli Stuffed with Locally Grown Garlic Scape & Parmigiano in a Cream Sauce – $11
    • Add Chicken – $2
  • Handmade Yukon Gold Gnocchi with Sauteed Zucchini & Browned Butter – $10
    • Add Bacon – $2
  • Rigatoni Budget conscious diner’s dream! (not handmade) With Tomato Sauce – $6; With Cream Sauce – $7
    • Add Pork or Chicken – $2
    • Add Meatballs – $3

Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-2:30 and 5pm-close; Sun, 10am-2pm
Phone: 503.781.3040
Website: Artigiano.com
Twitter: @Pastawagon        Facebook: Artigiano

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Filed Under: Dinner, Italian, Lunch, Pasta, Southeast-Portland, Vegetarian Options, Weekends

Built to Grill

August 23, 2009 by 29 Comments

Built to Grill, Portland

Built to Grill, Portland

Location: SW 3rd and Washington

Description:

When I walked by Built to Grill the other day, something caught my nose, intriguing me. I had already eaten lunch, so vowed to return the next day. Luckily, my lunch buddies wanted to head in that direction for a new Italian cart. We were headed in the exact same direction. I guess I had missed the big Italian flag on the side of the cart.

Built to Grill is new on the scene, having opened just two weeks ago. The owners, Brooke and Aisha, had the cart built special for them in Florida and then shipped up – hence the name. Oh, and such a beautiful cart with everything they need to product a great meal. Built to Grill specializes in Italian sandwiches and pasta dishes. Looking over the sandwich choices makes one’s mouth water. There aren’t many places in Portland where one can find a grilled muffuletta. I sometimes need to hit up the local charcuterie and make it myself. I’ve been on a sandwich kick of late, so discovering that Built to Grill is more than pasta encourages me that the food cart gods are listening to my pleas.

I opted for the grilled muffuletta while my partners chose the Italian hero and the penne with basil pesto. All three meals were top notch. While I was noshing on the first half of my sandwich, my friend offered up a trade for half of his grilled hero. Who could pass that up? The chance to try two different sandwiches in one sitting was great.

Italian Hero courtesy of @Mondofresh

Italian Hero courtesy of @Mondofresh

Grilled Muffuletta

Grilled Muffuletta

The muffuletta was a perfect layering of thinly sliced salami, mortadella, roasted red pepper and provolone, topped with green olive tapenade. All that between artisan bread and thrown on the grill and pressed. The hero was a mix of prosciutto, salami, mortadella, spinach, arugula, peperoncini, provolone and red wine vinaigrette. Both sandwiches were the perfect size and tasted amazing. I’ve tried different olive tapenade both from stores and restaurants and Brooke’s was at the top. Reminded me of the first time I ate a muffuletta in New Orleans. I asked him about it and he informed me that he makes both his tapenade and pesto from scratch. Further, he gets all of his cheeses and meats direct from Italy. Now that’s authentic.

Built to Grill is probably going to become a go to cart for me. I’m a huge fan of paninis and Italian meats. I think I could eat salami and prosciutto for every meal if it were considered a health food. When your out looking for something new, go give Built to Grill a try. Tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Bowtie primavera – $5
  • Penne w/ basil pesto – $5
  • Portabella Panini: grilled portabella mushroom, caramelized onions, mozzarella w/ basil pesto – $6
  • Hot muffuletta: salami, mortadella, roasted red peppers, provolone w/green olive tapenade – $6
  • Meltdown: prosciutto, roasted red peppers, artichokes, provolone w/basil pesto – $6
  • Italian Hero: prosciutto, salami, mortadella, spinach, arugula, pepperoncini, provolone w/red wine vinaigrette – $6
  • Soups, Salads and drinks available

Hours: Monday through Friday 11am-3pm or sell out.
Contact: unknown at this time.

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Filed Under: Italian, Lunch, Pasta, Salads, Sandwiches, SW 3rd and Washington, Vegetarian Options Tagged With: , , , ,