Philly Cheesesteaks and Burgers

August 13, 2009 by 10 Comments
Philly Cheesesteaks and Burgers

Philly Cheesesteaks and Burgers

Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square (near the corner of SW 6th and Yamhill) and SW 4th and Hall Pod

Description:

[Originally written Nov. 2008; updated Aug. 2009] Philadelphia Freedom! Perhaps it is this monumental 2008 election year, but after dropping off my ballot at the Multnomah County drop box downtown, I found myself craving a cheesesteak. I mean, really, what is more patriotic than life, liberty and the pursuit of melted American cheese on tender grilled and thinly sliced beef?

For it was in 1776 that the founders of our great nation declared, in Philadelphia, the Declaration of Independence. In 1976, during our nation’s bicentennial I traveled to Philly for the festivities. Wearing a red, white and blue bell bottom jumpsuit, star printed tennis shoe laces on my converses and sporting a Dorthy Hamil haircut, I made the Spirit of ’76 pilgrimage. I went to the Liberty Bell, visited Independence Hall and watched actors and actresses in period costumes and white wigs talk in big words that I had no idea what they were saying. I do however, remember my first cheesesteak on that very same trip. It was dripping with grease, filled with grilled peppers and onions, thinly sliced tender beef and loads of oozing American cheese. It was heaven on a hoagie bun.

Philly Cheesesteaks and Burgers knows all about this particularly American sandwich. Their version is also pretty darn close to the ones found in Philly. With a simple menu that also includes that other quintessential American food, The Hamburger in all its forms, Philly Cheesesteaks is a quick, cheap and filling bite of Americana.

Sample Menu:
Philly Cheesesteaks – Thinly sliced steak grilled with onions, green and red bell peppers, mushrooms topped with melted white American cheese and served on a soft hoagie roll.
Small – $4.25
Medium – $5.25
Large – $6.25

Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers – $4.00 – $6.25

Soda – $1.00
Extra Steak – $1.75

Lettuce, tomato, extra cheese, pepperoni – $0.75 extra

Hours: Lunchtime Mon-Fri

Phone: Unknown

Website: Unknown

Email: Unkown

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Filed Under: Cheese Steaks, Downtown, Hamburgers, Lunch, Pioneer Courthouse Square Tagged With:

Fuego Burritos

May 27, 2009 by 9 Comments

Fuego Pioneer Courthouse

Location: SW 6th and Yamhill; SW 4th and Taylor; numerous locations around town

Description:

Lunchtime and you need something quick, filling and tasty.  You don’t have the time to run up to 10th or out to Stark, but you’re close to Pioneer Courthouse Square.  If that describes you sometimes, you should definitely try Fuego Burritos on the corner of SW 6th and Yamhill.

Here in Portland, I think we’re spoiled by our burrito choices.  For food carts, we have numerous excellent Mexican carts along with Honkin’ Huge Burritos and also Fuego.  When you arrive, you are usually handed your scorecard  – a slip of paper where you get to choose what you want for a burrito.  You can choose from large or small, chicken or veggie, flour or whole wheat tortilla, sour cream or yogurt, mild or hot salsa.  You can then add cheese or chipotle or guacamole etc.  All of this for between $4 and $6 depending on what you chose.  When I first discovered Fuego oh so many years ago, I loved that while they were making the previous customer’s burrito, they engaged you on what style of tortilla you wanted so they could pre-steam it.  Such thoughtfulness.  I usually order a small chicken with sour cream, hot salsa, hot sauce and guacamole on a whole wheat tortilla.  I’m a big guy and the small is usually more than I really should eat in one sitting.  All burritos come with rice and black beans, so it is pretty filling once you put it all together.

Fuego Burrito

All burritos come wrapped in foil so you can be mobile without it splooging all over your nice pants.  You can grab a napkin, a fork and a little paper tray if you like.   I prefer to let my burrito rest a little prior to eating – like when you cook a good steak.  I want all the juices and such to relax and meld together.  When they are prepared, everything is spread out, so when you are eating it, you get a mix of all the sauces, spreads, meat, rice and beans.  There aren’t pockets of each hidden throughout the burrito.  Due to the nature of how they prepare the chicken and if you get salsa, the burrito will get a bit juicy at the end, so have a napkin ready.  You won’t be disappointed.    One of the better non-Mexican burrito carts in the city.  Oh, and there are more than one.

Sample Menu:

  • Grilled chicken burrito with black beans and rice – $5.25 small, $6 large
  • Vegetarian burrito with black beans and rice – $4.50 small, $5 large
  • Add cheese 50c; add guacamole 75c, add extra chicken $1
  • Drinks – $1

Hours: Lunchtime weekdays
Contact: unknown

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Filed Under: Lunch, Pioneer Courthouse Square, Tacos, Vegetarian Options

Honkin' Huge Burritos!

November 21, 2008 by 7 Comments

Honkin' Huge BurritosLocation: Pioneer Courthouse Square – Downtown Portland

Description: Shelly’s Garden, another name for Honkin’ Huge Burritos has been serving up some of the best burritos in Portland for 17 years. I remember when I was in my last year of school coming down for an anti-war protest and trying one of her gems. I was hooked. There are only a few carts in Portland that keep me coming back and Honkin’ Huge Burritos is one of them.

A Honkin’ Huge Burrito features a grilled flour tortilla with refried pinto beans, fresh Spanish rice, cheddar cheese, guacamole, romaine lettuce, tomato salsa, and sour cream/or yogurt. There is usually an additional fresh salsa you can add if you choose. Do you see how simple that is? At first glance, many wonder – where’s the meat? Honestly, you don’t need it. An HH burrito will fill you and your small family up with leftovers. Seriously, I ordered a large once and had it for 3 days. I always order a small and still it is too much and I like to eat!

Thank you Shelly Sandoval and your Honkin’ Huge Burritos for being such a mainstay in downtown Portland this past 17 years. You probably have some great stories. Go check this gem out and support a long time Portland Food Cart.

Menu:
Burrito: Small – $5.75; Medium – $6.25; Honkin’ Huge – $6.75

Hours: Weekdays at lunchtime.
Website: Honkin’ Huge Burritos

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Filed Under: Downtown, Lunch, Mexican, Pioneer Courthouse Square, Tacos, Vegan Options, Vegetarian Options