Wagsy's Hot Beef Sandwiches

Location: SW 5th and Oak
Hours: Weekdays, 10am-4pm

The Story:

Family is the strongest bond one will have in his or her life. To me, it’s always a cool story when a parent and child take a common interest and open a business together based on that shared link. At Wagsy’s, which opened in early January 2012, Kevin and his son, Eric, share their love for sandwiches with the public.

Wagsy is Kevin’s nickname, given to him by some of his good friends. There are five sandwiches on the regular menu, each using a fresh Italian roll. Several sandwiches are named for various regions of the United States. I had the Beef ‘n Bourbon sandwich with thin slices of roast beef, chopped cabbage, and Wagsy’s special BBQ sauce infused with premium Maker’s Mark bourbon. The large slices of roast beef are extremely tender and juicy with the fresh cabbage adding that contrasting crunchy element. The warm tangy/sweet BBQ sauce is a home run, and the bourbon shines through. The Italian roll is soft when biting into it, yet thick enough to encase the beef, sauce, and cabbage. A simple sandwich, yet so comforting.

Wagsy's Hot Beef Sandwiches

People have raved about the Chi-Town Beef Dip – a beef sandwich dipped in au jus, and the Rip City – roast beef and garlic butter sautéed mushrooms. Wagsy’s also offers a vegetarian sandwich option. Wagsy’s is open on weekdays for lunch. Check them out and tell ‘em Food Carts Portland sent ya!

Sample Menu:

• Chi-Town Beef Dip – $5; USDA choice beef wet-dipped in au jus
• Philly – $6; choice beef smothered in cheese sauce, peppers, and onions
• Rip City – $6; roast beef covered with garlic butter sautéed mushrooms
• Beef ‘n Bourbon – $6; roast beef, cabbage, and bourbon-infused BBQ sauce
• Veggie-no-Beef – $6; garlic butter sautéed mushrooms, simmered onions and peppers, cheese sauce, and cabbage

Hours: Weekdays, 10am-4pm
Phone: 503 884 0658
Twitter: @Wagsys

Salmon Fusion

Location: SW 3rd and Washington
Hours: weekdays, lunchtime

The Story:

Earlier in the month, a new sign appeared on a cart that has been a few different vendors in the past year. Salmon Fusion. I wasn’t sure what to expect until I read the posted menu – Smoked Salmon all day long. It felt like Christmas waiting for them to open.

Roger Mumm launched the cart this month bringing his salmon to the eaters of Portland. The salmon in all of his dishes were caught by him this past summer while he was working for Deep Sea Fisheries in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The sockeye is then smoked weekly for us to enjoy. I’m not sure if I would share my salmon with the world. Visit the cart and Roger has photos of his fishing boat and daily catch.

As stated, the cart focuses on smoked salmon dishes like chowder, pot pie, a few sandwiches and tacos. If you’re shy about salmon, Roger will give you a taste of his chowder which is served hot in a toasted cheese bread bowl. Every time I have walked by, customers are raving about the chowder sample they are enjoying. I decided on the smoked salmon sliders served on Alessio bread with a mild pineapple teriyaki sauce, baby spinach and a side of Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice. For $7.50, the sliders were a great value and came with so much tasty smoked salmon, some even fell out for later nibbling. I’m a fan of all smoked salmon and Roger’s is some of the best with a briny flavor that doesn’t come across as too salty nor too fishy. The sauce that comes atop the salmon is more of a slaw with the sweetness of apples coming through to juxtapose the saltiness of the fish. A great meal.

Smoked Salmon Sliders from Salmon Fusion

Salmon Fusion is now open on SW 3rd between Stark and Washington in the former GIN Thai cart. Roger mans the window daily and may even lean out to draw you in with a sample. Check this new cart out, enjoy some smoked salmon goodness and let him know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Smoked Salmon Chowder w/toasted cheese bread bowl: white whole cream chowder w/roasted corn and Yukon gold potatoes served with Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50
• Smoked Salmon Pot Pie: pot pie served in a mild jambalaya with puff pastry cooked golden brown served with Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50
• Smoked Salmon Pita Wrap: shredded lettuce, mango pieces, shaved red onion, shaved cucumber and topped with tzatziki or mango chutney and served with Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50
• 2 Smoked Salmon Sliders: on Alessio bread with a mild pineapple teriyaki sauce and baby spinach served with Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50
• Teriyaki Smoked Salmon Sandwich: teriyaki pineapple glazed salmon served with Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50
• 2 Smoked Salmon Tacos: served with sweet and spicy salsa and Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50

Hours: weekdays, lunchtime
Phone: 503 719 9018

Skewed Concoctions

Location: SW 3rd and Stark
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm and later on the weekends.

The Story:

Every summer I get invited to events where someone has the grill going. Invariably, they have meat or veggies on a stick for everyone to enjoy. Being winter though, those skewers are put away except for at Skewed Concoctions where they have most anything available skewered and grilled.

Zach and Katay, the owners, specialize in marinated meat and veggie skewers with an Asian theme. Thai, Hawaiian, Laotian – all of these cultures and their culinary secrets are represented on the menu and more. They have pork, turkey and chicken and even large chicken wings on skewers. If you’re looking for non-meat options, you can get a papaya salad or egg rolls. There seems to be something for everyone.

One item on the menu caught my eye due to the interesting combination of fruit and pepper. The cranberry chipotle glazed turkey skewer comes with two skewers, some rice, a salad and fried egg roll. The cranberry chipotle glaze was both sweet and smoky as the name would imply. It infused the turkey well, providing a great flavor profile throughout the meat.

Skewed Concoctions

Skewed Concoctions is open for lunch through dinner daily and late night on the weekends. Drop on by for a skewer or a full meal and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Individual skewers are $2-2.50
• Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Skewer meal – $7
• Chicken Satay Meal – $7
• Pineapple Teriyaki Pork Skewer meal – $7
• Beef Satay Meal – $7
• Orange Glazed Chicken Wing Meal – $7
• Ramen Vegetarian Pad Thai Meal – $7
• Papaya Salad – $5

Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm and later on the weekends
Phone: 971 226 9050
Twitter: @skewedconcoctio
Facebook: Skewed Concoctions

Santana Mexican Food

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime

There are a lot of Mexican food carts in Portland, so it takes that extra step (hint: a very spicy option helps) to give me a little more incentive to head in that direction. At Santana Mexican Food, Lorena is the lovely woman taking orders at the window. I don’t speak much Spanish, and I found out that English is not her first language, but no language barrier could deceive my observations.

At least a couple of customers who ordered before me were in a joyous mood, talking to Lorena in Spanish, and happily awaiting their food. As other people stepped up to the window, Lorena smiled and acknowledged each person. I had no clue what to get; everything looked so good. Lorena just smiled and told me to take my time, no rush.

Santana Mexican Food

Lorena said the fajitas ($6.50) sell very well, but the Wet Burrito ($7), covered in a mildly spiced red sauce and shredded cheese, is the most popular. My carnivorous side told me to get the beef fajitas. Beef, bell pepper, mushrooms, and onions are cooked on the flattop and served with a scoop of vegetables, Spanish rice, your choice of beans (red, pinto, or black), and corn tortillas. Lorena asked if I wanted hot sauce – red, green, or habanero – and being the spice nut that I am, habanero all the way! The beef was juicy, and the cooked vegetables retained a bit of crunch. The corn tortillas were separately wrapped in aluminum foil, steamed perfectly. The habanero salsa brought pleasing heat and an assertive fruitiness. Overall, this was an abundance of food that didn’t break my wallet into multiple pieces. Huzzah!

The fajita plate takes a bit longer to prepare than other dishes but Santana’s offers tacos and burritos, should one be in a hurry. There are meat and vegetarian options that cater to almost all customers. Check out Santana Mexican Food and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya!

Sample Menu:

Meat choices include asada, pastor, pollo and carnitas

• Tacos Combo served with Spanish rice and choice of red, pinto, or black beans – $6
• Fajitas served with Spanish rice and choice of red, pinto, or black beans – $6.50
• Wet Burrito served with Spanish rice and choice of red, pinto, or black beans – $7
• Tacos $1.50 each
• Burritos $5.50 with meat, $4.50 vegetarian
• Sope $3

Hours: weekdays, lunchtime
Contact: Unknown

Nong's Khao Man Gai 2

Location: SW 4th and Hall
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm

The Story:

Portland has some amazing food carts and Nong’s Khao Man Gai is one of them. Nong Poonsukwattana opened her first cart in 2009 and quickly became the go to cart for something new – Thai street food. With a single dish of chicken and rice, Nong and her cart became the talk not of the town.

As stated, the first cart served up a single dish – khao man gai. With the second cart down by Portland State University, they have expanded the menu, adding a vegetarian version of their signature dish, a Thai chicken wing dish made with sriracha and Chinese whiskey among other items, and a pork and rice dish. The Kao Kha Muu is pork braised in Coca Cola, cocoa powder, Thai and Chinese herbs ans spices that is then shredded and placed upon jasmine rice. Pickled mustard greens and a half hard boiled egg round out the meal. The marinade from the pork permeates the the rice infusing it with a sweet spicyness that had me taking bites a bit to quickly. I forced myself to slow down and simply enjoy each bite. So good! The greens were a great addition also, mixing in a light vinegar flavor. Put it all together, cover it with Nong’s signature spicy sauce and it is one great meal.

Pork and Rice from Nong's Khao Man Gai 2

I’m excited to see Nong and her team succeeding and expanding the menu. The khao man gai is still one of my favorite dishes, but with the expanded menu at the new cart, I will probably be visiting there more often. Check it out and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Khao Man Gai – chicken and rice – poached organic chicken with rice simmered in poultry stock and Thai herbs and served with their signature stock – $6.50 or large size for $10
• Khao Man Gai Jay – vegetarian chicken and rice – steamed veggies with jasmine rice cooked in vegetable stock and served with Khao Man Gai sauce  – $6.50
• Thai Basketball Mon’s Wings – Peek Gai Nam Daeng – organic chicken wings braised in tomato, sriracha, Chinese whiskey, garlic and shallot sauce served with jasmine rice – $6.50
• Khao Kha Muu – pork and rice – pork braised in Coca cola, cocoa powder, Thai and Chinese herbs and spices and service over jasmine rice with pickled mustard greens – $6.50

Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm
Website: KhaoManGai.com
Twitter: @Nongskhaomangai
Faebook: Nong’s Khao Man Gai
Other: Debit/Credit cards accepted

The Sausage Shack

Location: SW 3rd and Stark
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10:30am-2am; Fri, 10:30am-3:30am; Sat, 10:30am-7:30pm

The Story:

When the previous owners of the cart that houses The Sausage Shack landed the cart on the corner of SW 3rd and Stark, one would have thought the circus was coming to town. This uniquely shaped cart reminds one of getting a corn-dog after watching the clowns pack themselves into a Volkswagen bug.

The Sausage Shack laid claim and opened a year or so ago and has been feeding Portland some the city’s best bacon. How do I know it is the best? They won the 2011 Bacon Cup for best bacon in the city. That is a title to be proud of in this city where we believe bacon is one of the essential food groups. The Shack is the work of Shawn and Tamara who took their award winning bacon and created a menu of burgers, chicken wings, and dogs and incorporated bacon into each item. You can follow their exploits on their YouTube channel where they document the life and times of a food cart family.

Farmer John Burger from The Sausage Shack

While the bacon wrapped chicken wings did sound appealing and made my mouth water, I was on the move and didn’t have a place to sit down and get messy, so I perused the burger options. The Farmer John is BLT on a burger along with a fried egg. That egg surprised me, but I liked it. Not an over the top monster burger, all the different pieces fit together well so I could enjoy it while walking to my next gig. The bacon was excellent and paired with the crisp lettuce, a thick slice of juicy tomato and good quality burger, I would rate high on my burger list of Portland’s food carts.

At The Sausage Shack, you can get bacon wrapped chicken wings, a bacon wrapped corn dog, a Philly cheesesteak dog and so many more great combinations. They are open for lunch and late into the night every night except for Sunday. Drop on by, give it a try and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Full menu can be found on their website – PDXSausageShack.com

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10:30am-2am; Fri, 10:30am-3:30am; Sat, 10:30am-7:30pm
Phone: 503 515 7962
Website: PDXSausageShack.com
Twitter: @Sausage_Shack
Facebook: The Sausage Shack
Other: Debit/Credit cards accepted

Donutorama

Location: SW 10th and Alder
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7am-2pm

The Story:

Everyone loves a good donut. I remember as a child visiting Dunkin’ Donuts or Winchels and craving something, anything, with Boston creme filling. I couldn’t get enough of that. These days, the donut has transformed into something truly unique and so have the purveyors. Donut-O-Rama is Portland’s first full service donut cart.

Greg Slauson opened Donut-O-Rama a couple of months ago in the same cart that housed Cool Harry’s Frozen Yogurt the past summer. A great use of the cart during these winter months when not too many people are seeking out cold treats. Greg has eaten donuts from many different vendors and has a goal to exceed everyone’s expectations for his sweet treats.

Creme Brulee donut @ Donut-O-Rama

The donuts at Donut-O-Rama range from raised donuts to cake donuts to donuts with bacon atop. You can’t have a donut in Portland without adding bacon can you? But it isn’t all about the crazy donuts, it is about the art of the donut and the craft. A simple glazed donut from Greg is truly a treat – especially in the morning with a hot cup of coffee. One of the stars at Donut-O-Rama is the crème brulee donut, a cream filled pouch covered with sugar which is then melted with a blow-torch to create a hard crust which melts in your mouth.

Donut-O-Rama is a great new option for a morning sweet along with your coffee. Greg continues to come out with new flavors and great creations – the most recent being an energy donut made with Viso energy drink which contains about 60mg of caffeine. That will get your day started! Let Greg know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

The entire menu can be found at Donutorama.com

• Cake donuts like the Viso energy drink donut or the Dynamo or Vigor – $2.50
• Raised round donuts like coconut, glazed, chocolate, banana, maple, berry – $1.25
• Buttermilk Bars like glazed, chocolate, banana and maple – $1.75
• Raised Bars – specials like hot banana, bacon banana, maple bacon, Nutella and Jelly – $2.50

Hours: Mon-Fri, 7am-2pm
Phone: 503 960 6825
Website: Donutorama.com
Twitter: @Donutorama
Facebook: Donut-O-Rama

Touchdown's BBQ

Location: SW 10th and Washington
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm; Sat, 12pm-4pm

The Story:

In downtown Portland, it’s not too hard to find a BBQ food cart. But at Touchdown’s (which also caters, by the way), you’ll also get some warm Southern hospitality from Sandra, one of the cart owners. With family roots tracing back to Little Rock, Arkansas, she was born in Chicago and then lived in Texas before settling in Portland. BBQ must be either in the genes or picked up along the way. The cart, which has been open for nine months, started from a family passion for cooking. Gotta love those “soul food” origins; it’s all about love and food uniting as one.

Tourchdown's BBQ

I saw a small line (perhaps 4-5 people) had formed in front of the cart. A poster board with pictures of virtually every entrée and side dish caught my eye. Mmm…BBQ. Touchdown’s had a special going the day I went: a pulled pork sandwich on  a toasted bun with cole slaw and baked beans for $7.95. The pork was juicy, flavorful, and wanted to melt on my tongue. Touchdown’s toasts the buns, so a lovely slight crunch comes with each bite. The fresh, crunchy cole slaw has some sweet connotations and is a classic pairing with the pork. The warm baked beans had a nice consistency, a good second side dish to get.

Try any of Touchdown’s other sides as well: potato salad, collard greens, mac and cheese, yams, cornbread, and garlic bread. If you’re unsure, just ask Sandra for a sample, she loves giving out samples. A cart I’d definitely go back to. Check them out! Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Quarterback Special: Smoke or Hot Link Topped with Cheese, BBQ pulled pork w/cole slaw ($8.95); combo w/two sides ($10.95)
• 1st and 10: BBQ Ribs w/garlic bread ($8.95); combo w/two sides and garlic bread ($10.95)
• Out of Bounds: BBQ Pulled Pork or Chicken Sandwich w/cole slaw ($7.95); combo w/two sides ($10.95)
• Huddle: BBQ Chicken w/garlic bread ($8.95); combo w/two sides and garlic bread ($10.95)
• Blitz: Grilled Smoked or Hot Link with all the trimmings ($6.95); combo w/two sides ($8.95)
• Super Bowl Sides: potato salad, cole slaw, greens, mac and cheese, baked beans, yams, cornbread, or garlic bread
• Starting Lineup: Soda ($1); water ($1)

Hours: Mon-Fri, 11 am to 5 pm; Sat, 12 pm to 4 pm
Phone: 971 217 1193
Email: jtstate@hotmail.com

Zizzo's FC

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: M-Sat, 11-4pm

The Story:

With much fanfare and a green scarf, Zizzo’s FC opened last month to feed an army – literally, the Timber’s Army.

Zizzo’s FC is the creation of Sal Zizzo, midfielder for Portland’s MLS team, the Timbers. Since we’re in the off season, Sal decided to take his family recipes and love of the kitchen and open a food cart. Many of his fans in the Timbers Army are happy he did. On any given day the last month, there were lines of people waiting patiently for a meatball sub or some pasta al forno. Not many carts are able to gain a huge following right out of the gate, but Sal knows who his audience is and feeds them well. Sal also comes from a family of restaurant owners out of California, so has the experience in the kitchen to hold his own.

Meatball Sub from Zizzo's FC

The meatball sub is one of those sandwiches that if you don’t do it right, it is very wrong. I’ve had some bad meatball subs in my eating days, so am sometimes wary to order as I have a high bar for such a sandwich. At Zizzo’s, they cut the balls in half and throw them on the flat top to sear them before laying them on a hoagie roll and smothering them with a robust red sauce. If you eat it right away, it will be nice and hot, but you won’t be able to experience the roll soaking up all that flavor – something I enjoy. Halfway through, you need a fork; which for me, is a good thing. All in all, a great sandwich which I would return for.

Zizzo’s FC is now open, serving lunch Monday to Friday. You will find Sal in the cart most days, so wear your colors and show some support for a hometown sportsman. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Caprese Sandwich – $6
• Meatball Sub – $6
• Salsiccia Sandwich – $6
• Pasta al Forno – $7
• Calamari Fritti – $7
• Cannoli – $4

Hours: M-Sat, 11-4pm
Phone: 971 263 3148
Website: ZizzosFC.com
Twitter: @ZizzosFC
Facebook: Zizzo’s FC

Batavia

Location: SW 3rd and Washington
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-3:30pm; Sat, 9am-5pm

Please welcome guest author Aaron Wakamatsu

The Story:

While downtown Portland has a stunning array of cuisines to choose from, there aren’t too many places offering Indonesian food. Thus, Rizky and Nella opened Batavia, a family-run food cart near SW 3rd and Washington. Here, you’ll be treated to this family’s take on Indonesian flare.

Since I love spicy food, the spicy beef satay (sate padang) caught my eye. Usually, the meat is boiled first to soften it, then gets seasoned, skewered, and grilled. Four or five skewers of cubed juicy grilled beef is set atop an alluring yellow sauce containing rice flour, coriander, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cumin, etc. At the base of the dish lies several sliced pieces of rice cake that possess a smooth texture…think a whitish-colored polenta without the grainy, mealy feeling. You’ll even get a small bag of crispy shrimp chips with the satay. The dish is prepared to order, so you’ll get a steaming, hearty container of yummy goodness in this chilly weather.

Beef Satay from Batavia

Was the dish spicy? Well, it depends on your tolerance for heat. As a person who has eaten “ghost peppers” before (not a smart idea), I could easily handle a spicier dish, but my taste buds were at least prodded out of their slumber.

Batavia offers Indonesian coffee that comes from Rizky’s father, so of course, I had to try that. The aftertaste on the coffee commands an exotic presence that domestic coffees lack. It’s a full-bodied, rich coffee experience. Batavia also has two types of Indonesian teas (from SariWangi): Melati Flower and Jasmine. (a Jasmine tea) and a cold bottled tea. Batavia has got some seriously good eats. Check them out today!

Sample Menu:

• Fried Noodle – $4.99
• Chicken Curry – $6.99
• Fried Rice – $5.99
• Beef Rendang – $6.99
• Chicken Satay – $6.99
• Spicy Fried Chicken – $6.99
• Spicy Beef Satay – $8
• Noodle Soup – $6.99

Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-3:30pm; Sat, 9am-5pm
Phone: 503 954 7529
Twitter: @bataviapdx
Facebook: Batavia PDX