Pupuseria la Flor

August 10, 2012 by 3 Comments
Pupuseria la Flor

Pupuseria la Flor

Location: NE 181st and Glisan
Hours: Weekdays and weekend, lunchtime

The Story:

Recently, Portland has added numerous pupuserias to the food cart rolls in every quadrant of the city. A couple have actually been incubators for others to learn Portland’s food cart system and start their own. I love that! While out east searching for new carts and trucks, I came upon Pupuseria la Flor and had a chat with the owners.

Ericka and her mother Floridalma opened the cart a few months ago, but ran into some issues with the location and whether they were in Portland or Gresham. While the City of Gresham is in Multnomah county (the board of health licenses food carts), the city has additional regulations regarding street vendors that sometimes make it difficult to do business there. Ergo, they moved the cart to the new location which is Portland and they’re glad they did. They have setup a covered area with table and chairs so when it is either sunny or rainy, you can sit down and enjoy your meal.

Pupusa Chicharron

Pupusa Chicharron

The menu at Pupuseria la Flor has churascos, platanos, empanadas and enchiladas along with pupusas. Having learned how they are made this past year, I had a great conversation with Flor with Ericka translating. She was genuinely surprised I knew how they were made and proceeded to make me a chicharron con queso pupusa even though I had eaten recently. I’m glad she did. I love how the chicharron is mixed throughout the dough and then grilled. The queso, a Mozzarella, is stringy and simple and keeps everything together. Dribble on a bit of hot sauce and you have a nice little snack.

Ericka calls her mother Flower and every time I looked over to her she was beaming with a smile that I compare to a blooming rose. She loves to cook and loves to tell others about the dishes she makes. If you live out east, drop on by the mini mart on NE 181st and Glisan and give Pupuseria la Flor a try. You won’t be disappointed. Let them now Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Pupusas: pork with cheese, cheese or a mix – $2.50
  • Churascos: flour tortilla with steak, red salsa and vinegar cole slaw – $3.50
  • Yuca con Chicharon: yuca with pork – $3.50
  • Platanos: plantains – $3.50

Hours: daily for lunch and afternoon
Phone: 503 957 9393

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Filed Under: Central American, Lunch, Northeast - Portland, Salvadorian, South American, Vegetarian Options, Weekends Tagged With:

The Fix

July 23, 2012 by 5 Comments

Location: SW 5th and Oak
Hours: 8am-6pm, Mon-Fri

The Story: At many food carts, the portions and size of the dishes are so substantial; one has no choice but to eat at a table with a knife and fork. Sometimes, it’s refreshing to visit a cart where the food is truly mobile. Something you can carry in your hand and eat on the go. The empanadas coming from The Fix are just such items—flaky, homemade crust encompassing a delicious filling.

It was lunchtime, and the pod at 5th and Oak was hopping with corporate denizens and street kids alike. Tucked away on the corner of this pod, facing Oak Street, is The Fix. Owners Dylan and James were inspired by a recent trip to Argentina, and motivated by Dylan’s girlfriend Lourdes, who kept searching for a cart in Portland with truly authentic empanadas.

Hungry for lunch, I decided to try two savory empanadas, and a sweet one for dessert. I started with the Green Mafia—filled with spinach, mushrooms and ricotta cheese. The flavor was mellow and balanced, which was a perfect compliment for the chipotle mango sauce. Next was El Jefe—a beef picadillo made in the Cuban style, with potatoes, peppers and olives. This empanada was rich and flavorful on its own, but when paired with the chimichurri sauce, it was heaven. The chimichurri sauce is a perfect blend of herbs and spices, and was so delicious I would like to buy it on its own!

Empanadas from The Fix

Empanadas from The Fix

For dessert, I tried the Runaway Goat, an empanada filled with goat cheese, almonds and raspberries from Sauvie Island. The smooth and sweet goat cheese tamed the spiciness of the El Jefe. I really enjoyed the texture, a balance between the crunchy almonds and the smooth cheese. After three empanadas, I was pleasantly full and happy.

The Fix has many vegetarian options, as well as breakfast and smoothies. Lunch combinations are available; $6 gets you one empanada and one side, and $8 covers one empanada, two sides and a drink. Availability of the sides vary, but may include Ceveggie—a vegetarian ceviche with corn & black beans, Mexi Slaw, or Caprese salad. The Fix accepts all major credit cards, with a $5 minimum purchase. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent you.

Sample Menu:

Empanadas, $4 a la Carte for first, $3 each additional

Savory

  • Neptuna: Tuna, minced olives, capers and peppers
  • Green Giant: Asparagus, portabello and crimini mushrooms, onions, garlic & sunflower seeds
  • El Jefe: Cuban style beef picadillo with potatoes, peppers, olives, tomatoes & raisins
  • Lambada: Fried plantains, black beans, onions & garlic
  • Green Mafia: Spinach, ricotta cheese, onions & mushrooms

Sweet

  • The Guru: Coconut, conconut cream, dates, cashews, almonds & spices.
  • Runaway Goat: Sweetened goat cheese, almonds and honey-sweetened jam from Sauvie Island raspberries.
  • Cocoa Loco: Dark chocolate, banana & dulce de leche (or almond butter)

Smoothies, $5 each

  • Ava Maria: Honey-sweetened avocado with Holy kakao chocolate syrup
  • Cocado: Avocado with coconut cream and lime.
  • Orange Julio: Mango coconut cream.
  • Cooler Than U: Icy watermelon and cucumber with raspberry.
  • Monkey Puzzle: Banana milkshake.

Hours: 8am-6pm, Mon-Fri
Phone: 503.893.4FIX
Facebook: The Fix Food Cart
Twitter: @TheFixFoodCart

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Filed Under: Argentinian, Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Downtown, Lunch, Smoothies & Fresh Juices, South American, SW 5th and Oak, Vegetarian Options

Argentina PDX

May 7, 2012 by 4 Comments
Argentina PDX

Argentina PDX

Location: NE 19th and Alberta
Hours: Tues-Sun, 10:30am-8pm

The Story:

Every year around the holidays, my family gathers with friends from many generations and we make sausage – Swedish, Polish and Bratwurst. It has been a family tradition for more than 35 years. Needless to say, I have the recipes memorized and if asked, could probably recite them. Argentina PDX offers Choripan, an Argentinian Bratwurst sandwich, and when asked, yes, they make the bratwurst in house. I was intrigued.

In the 40′s, both during WWII and after, Argentina and other South American countries experiences a large immigration of Germans and Austrians fleeing Europe. Even today, there are small communities throughout the region where German is the primary language and the culture is still very much alive. As with how American food has been influenced by centuries of immigration, so too was Argentinian cuisine. Being a sausage fan, I asked if they source it locally and was happily surprised to learn they make it in house.

Choripan from Argentina PDX

Choripan from Argentina PDX

Choripan is a bratwurst sandwich with lettuce, tomato and chimichurri sauce. I am use to having bratwurst as sausage in a casing, but here, it’s served without the casing as a patty. The bread, light and crispy with a flaky crust, is perfect for the sandwich, soaking up the juices from the wurst. The sausage was superb, a great mix of beef and pork with a bit of salt, pepper and other spices. The key here is how simple bratwurst it, it tastes great no matter who makes it.

Argentina PDX has a great menu of regional items and the day I visited, was doing a brisk lunch trade. I’m excited to return to try some of their other sandwiches including house made empanadas. The cart is open all week except for Monday for lunch through the dinner hour. Check it out, enjoy some excellent Argentinian fare and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Papas Fritas – french fries w/eggs – $3
  • Milanesa – breaded steak, tomato, cheese, fries; beef or eggplant – $8
  • Empanads – beef or spinach – $2
  • Lomita – steak, tomato, lettuce, egg, ham and cheese – $8
  • Choripan – Argentinian bratwurst, lettuce, tomato, chimichurri sauce – $7

Hours: Tues-Sun, 10:30am-8pm
Phone: 503 758 0961
Facebook: Argentina PDX

Filed Under: Argentinian, Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Dinner, Fries, Lunch, Northeast - Portland, Sandwiches, South American, Vegetarian Options, Weekends

La Arepa Venezuelan

December 9, 2011 by 10 Comments
La Arepa

La Arepa

Location: SE 50th and Ivon, A la Carts Food Pavilion
Hours: Daily, 9am-8pm

The Story:

Portland has some great street food from around the world, but we’re lacking a bit in foods from South America. We have a few, but not many. La Arepa has opened and offers authentic Venezuelan food at A la Carts Food Pavilion.

The namesake of this cart is the arepa, a traditional snack/sandwich out of Venezuela. An arepa is a flat, round, bread-like patty made of cornmeal. It is then grilled and filled with cheese, meats, fish and/or vegetables. Since it is wheat-free, it is naturally gluten free and takes the place of bread in many Venezuelan homes. They may look small, but they are filling.

Arepas from La Arepa

Arepas from La Arepa

The arepas we enjoyed on our visit were served with shredded beef and shredded tilapia. The beef, slow cooked with garlic, onion, paprika and black pepper was moist and succulent with an amazing depth of flavor. The tilapia was seasoned with onions, garlic, paprika and sweet pepper, mellowing out the natural saltiness of the fish with some sharp flavors. The actual arepa patty was the key though. It is dense and makes a great vessel for the meat and fish. Looking at the menu, I now want to try one with meat and cheese.

La Arepa is open every day of the week to serve their tasty Venezuelan dishes. Beyond arepas, they have breakfast dishes, tapas (small plates,) empanadas, desserts, and full meals. This is one of those hidden gems you will be glad you found. Check them out and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Arepa with shredded beef – $6
  • Arepa with chicken – $5
  • Domino: arepa stuffed with black beans and white Cotija cheese – $5
  • Reina Pepiada: arepa stuffed with chopped chicken salad prepared with potatoes, carrots and avocado – $6.50
  • Perico: arepa stuffed with scrambled eggs with garlic, onion, sweet pepper and tomato – $5
  • Empanada with shredded beef: turnover-like cornmeal stuffed pocket – $3
  • Empanada with fish – $3
  • Empanada Domino – black beans and grated white cheese – $2.50
  • Pabellon Criollo – white rice, seasoned shredded beef, fried plantains, sliced avocado, fried egg, black beans and topped with Cotija cheese – $8
  • Cachapa – pancake-like dish made of fresh ground corn with a soft Mozzarella cheese and butter – $4.50

Hours: Daily, 9am-8pm
Phone: 503 200 4952
Facebook: La Arepa

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Filed Under: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, SE 50th and Ivon, South American, Southeast-Portland, Vegetarian Options, Venezuelan, Weekends Tagged With:

Fonzi’s Bakabana Cabana

July 28, 2011 by 3 Comments
Fonzi's Bakabana Cabana

Fonzi’s Bakabana Cabana

Location: SE 32nd and Hawthorne
Hours: Tues-Thurs, 12-9pm, Fri/Sat, 12-11pm

The Story:

There are more than a few carts on SE Hawthorne interspersed among the shops and restaurants and boutiques. Yet, few are as welcoming as Fonzi’s Bakabana Cabana with a tables, some chairs, an umbrella and some plants.

Fonzi’s Bakabana Cabana focuses on South American and Caribbean cuisine with ingredients including black beans, plantains, curries, and fresh vegetables. Fonzi, the owner and chef greets you with a smile, looking at you from the huge mirror at the back of the cart. At first glance, it felt like an optical illusion. I thought it was a double size cart because of the reflection of the kitchen. It’s Fonzi’s way of knowing when customers arrive while he’s busy cooking or prepping.

Fonzi's Jungle Bowl

Fonzi’s Jungle Bowl

Bakabana, the namesake of the cart, is lightly battered fried plantains and a spicy peanut sauce. While I didn’t get the plantains, I did get the peanut sauce with my meal, Fonzi’s Jungle Bowl. I just couldn’t pass up a dish with Jungle in the name. Brown rice, sweet African chicken, black beans, curried potatoes, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers and the spicy peanut sauce make up this delicious dish. Everything about this dish was fabulous from the melt in your mouth chicken to the amazing black beans. I commented about the beans and Fonzi just gave me a wry smile and said it was a secret recipe. He also pointed out that everything is from scratch, no canned goods here. To think that he is doing the prep with dried beans impresses me and tells me Fonzi has a passion for his food.

Fonzi’s Bakabana Cabana invites you to enjoy some flavors of an area many of us aren’t familiar with. Also, have a chat with Fonzi, he is one cool guy with a great smile and welcoming disposition. Let him know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Bakabana: lightly battered organic fried plantains and spicy peanut sauce – gluten free – $6
  • Roti: curried chicken, curried potatoes, eggs and chapatti bread – $7
  • Jungle Chicken Spagetti: marinated sweet African chicken, buttered noodles, Parmesan cheese, sliced cucumber and tomato and lime wedge – $7
  • Fonzi’s Jungle Bowl: brown rice, curried or sweet African chicken, black beans, curried potatoes, sliced tomato and cucumbers, lime wedge and spicy peanut sauce – $7
  • Fonzi’s Vegan Bowl: brown rice, avocado, black beans, curried potatoes, sliced cucumber and tomatoes, lime wedge and spicy peanut sauce – $7

Hours: Tues-Thurs, 12-9pm, Fri/Sat, 12-11pm
Phone: 503 449 4999

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Filed Under: Caribbean, Dinner, Lunch, SE 32nd and Hawthorne, South American, Southeast-Portland, Vegetarian Options
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